Crime in PR another reason to Say no to Statehood.

[conciencia]

I cannot agree more, you are right on the point.

[lacoctel]

Originally posted by Poncepr68
Lacoctel,


I think you missed or just did not want to answer my point on Europe including France. They have crime and drug problems the only difference is that they do not make everthing public unless they just can not hide it and in the U.S. things just do not work that way when it comes to media (Freedom of Press).

No missed, because I was so 'overdosed' on French literature English literature comparisons in terms of abstracts. That'll do it every time!

Sure France has crime and drug problems. But not like here. Nowhere near the gun problems we have in the U.S. where idiotas in Texas can walk down the street packed yet what a pinche contradiction, they can't walk down the street simply drinking a beer! What is that all about??? Is the beer going to kill someone, especially if they are only walking. The gun sure will, and could kill lots of people! Guns are worshiped in the U.S. instead of detested. That is a problem right there! I have a shirt that says F-ck the NRA, but if I were to wear that in many redneck parts of the U.S. I'd probably be shot! Seriously!

France has nowhere near the violent crime, rape, murder. Also has laws that say if you witness a crime and do not do anything ranging from reporting it immediately or try to stop it, that in itself is a crime, and can be charged. Also, what do you mean free press, are you trying to say FRANCE HAS NO FREE PRESS??? NUDITY ALL OVER TELEVISION, on the beach etc. etc. The French press just broke a major government scandal that I think involved bribery??? Are you another one of these near-sided types who oh my god -- only thinks the U.S. has free speech or free press!!! Oh GOD!
France takes in more disident figures than possibly any other nation in the world, even gave political assylum to the controversial Ayatollah Khomeni [and they are not even a muslim country] when no one else would. Before you talk about France, know what you are talking about. I don't say too much about PR, just references to it in terms of the U.S. because I live in California and know first hand about stuff that happens and how it happens in the U.S. I know about France through my Daddy and have been there several times and dated several French people. And my son lives there in a place where they hardly ever lock their doors.

A Bientot mes amis!
Hasta Pronto!

[Poncepr68]

Lacoctel,

Yes you did miss my point! I agree with you 100%, in the U.S. violance is a great problem for this country, a problem that no matter what we do it seems to just refuse to go away. Violance in the U.S is like a bad cold, yes you and treat it and even sedate it all you want but it will still be there.

Now on to crime and drugs, Europe has a great problem with these two, not violant crimes, but still crime it is. Mugging, pick pockets, etc a real big problem in Europe, Opium, hash, etc another big problem that Europe has. Freedom of Press is not a problem in Europe since they are much more open minded than americans but the governments here can and will surpress the media and nobody gripes about it, now let some one try this in America.

Trust me people start to talk about the constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom, etc... yet these are the same people that do not accept responsibility nor accountability for what happens when the use these rights. This goes for everyone in the media community not just american journalist.

[Poncepr68]

Lacoctel,

By the way I do know what I am talking about as you may have read I did not state just France, I mentioned Europe as a whole including your so "Dear France" so as you see I am talking what I have lived.

Oh I forgot to mention did I not say that what can not be hidden will be exposed! Read before you jump and do not get mad because I did insult, just stated the facts.

[lacoctel]

Originally posted by Poncepr68
Lacoctel,

By the way I do know what I am talking about as you may have read I did not state just France, I mentioned Europe as a whole including your so "Dear France" so as you see I am talking what I have lived.

Oh I forgot to mention did I not say that what can not be hidden will be exposed! Read before you jump and do not get mad because I did insult, just stated the facts.

Yes ok fine. I am at the library in the middle of more research for a presentation at USC which is driving me nuts and the computer is slow on the education data base I am trying to use, so I scanned back and saw your message. Thanks. Where are you anyway, east coast, isn't it late there? Or are you one of the few Boriqs living on the west coast?

About France, yes drugs are a problem, but better drugs and alcohol than violence. I know people who do too many drugs need psychiatric help. But in some ways isn't it better they go sedate themselves than act-out violently? I think it would have been a much better thing had the Colombine Colorado boys who killed like 10 other kids at their high school had instead, sat home and got stoned out of their minds and gone to sleep. That however, wouldn't take away the fact that people like that need help. But what I am referring to is the time just before they are able to go get the help.

I just think there is a big problem also with alienation through consumerism and having to work so hard for so little and the high costs of living in the eeuu. I mean do you see-- it pisses me off so bad and I see it as so rude that people in grocery lines at the store often prefer to sit on their stupid cell phones and have these long conversations [usually too loud] rather than chat with the other people in line. We are so damn alienated from eachother. And people prefer focusing on their new shiny cars instead of just hanging out with friends and family, etc. When was the last time people took a plate of food to their neighbors or invited a neighbor in for some wine or a coffee?

No wonder people do drugs! What else is there to do in a society so alienated from each other!

That is why every few months I have to have to have to get out of this place and go stay in Mexico [or some other places] for awhile or I go nuts around here!

[Poncepr68]

Lacoctel,

I am living in Europe, as we speak, yes you speak truth I would perfer non violant crimes to violant one, but drugs I will tell you this I would rather see none of it. Drugs leads to too many crimes in todays society and that is a fact of life. When I say drugs I am not talking about mari-juana but I am talking about all those bullsh*t mind boggling drugs that are being sold today.

I must say that you are talking about certain points today that are very much a fact in the U.S. people are much more to themselves, can you blame them though. See where I lived at in miami it was like that and I am talking even about the latinos, people are more into themselves then the neighbor.

Than is why I stated that in order to cure this epedemic that the world is suffering today we need to get back to the basics "Family orientation, education, community involvement" but also making it fun not a mandate but fun!

[lacoctel]

Originally posted by Poncepr68
Lacoctel,

I am living in Europe, as we speak, yes you speak truth I would perfer non violant crimes to violant one, but drugs I will tell you this I would rather see none of it. Drugs leads to too many crimes in todays society and that is a fact of life. When I say drugs I am not talking about mari-juana but I am talking about all those bullsh*t mind boggling drugs that are being sold today.

I must say that you are talking about certain points today that are very much a fact in the U.S. people are much more to themselves, can you blame them though. See where I lived at in miami it was like that and I am talking even about the latinos, people are more into themselves then the neighbor.

Than is why I stated that in order to cure this epedemic that the world is suffering today we need to get back to the basics "Family orientation, education, community involvement" but also making it fun not a mandate but fun!

Hi, I am back from the library, stopped off for Chinese take-out, and now debating on whether or not to go to a local place near my house where there is Latin music and I know the owners and most everyone that goes there. See right there -- I go to the Chinese place because they are very friendly, know me as a regular and a 'local' from the neighborhood, always ask me how my child and rest of my family are doing, even if I occasionally walk in a minute or two just before closing, they still happily take my order. That is community right there. Yea they are out to make a buck, it's a business, but they do business right. Same with the Latin place. When you go there for the first time the owners usually walk up and introduce themselves and shake your hand. And then remember you every time you go back, come up and say hi, ask you how things are, what you've been up to, how work is.

Then there are those other places that people go to just because they are 'trendy' or 'fancy' or whatever, where you are just a number and no matter how many times you go, you get treated like a number, not even smiled at or said hi to because they feel that 'you are doing yourself a favor' by being there. Yeahhhhh WHATEVER! Those places don't get my business ever, and I don't care how many people think it's "cool" to go there or "be seen" there.

Do you think part of what makes people keep more to themselves when you were in Miami is crime?
In Latin America recently a woman asked me why U.S. women freak out when they are flirted with in the street. I told her it mainly has to do with culture. Feminism, but also crime. For all we know the dude that says hey what's up may be a violent criminal.

But when I recently spent time in Mexico and other places, some of the gente from the neighborhoods where I was staying, even though they knew I was just a temporary guest or tourist type, many of them remembered me and always said 'hey what's up' every day they saw me out shopping or walking around. Often times in neighborhoods in the states permanent neighbors are never spoken to, let alone temporary guests in the 'hood.

But you are right. Of course cannot be mandated. How would we do that? But maybe neighborhood watch type organisations should be responsible to have more block party type things or big backyard parties where the neighbors could get together and at least meet eachother and maybe exchange phone numbers for emergency purposes. My son's babysitter when he's with me is a Filipina who every year has a big Halloween party for the kids she takes care of and some of the nearby neighborhood kids and the neighbors. I was there the other night. It was all good. Good to at least be able to aquaint ourselves with those around us.

I think the culture just has to change. Imagine if a politican was real enough to make it part of her message to tell people that maybe they shouldn't spend as much time away from their families working those overtime hours or at that second job or whatever, and that what families should see as important is their time together as opposed to a new SUV or house with a pool, and that could help us build a better and probably safer U.S.!

People have no time because they are doing what?
Hustling for material things?
I see people on the freeways in L.A. rushing around for what? Do they realise they are all going to die sooner or later, so are they rushing to get to the grave? Why not enjoy their time here on this earth?

Thank god I through my family and my ex have a few bucks saved up. And thank myself for my education. I am totally serious about getting out of L.A. and possibly out of the U.S. as soon as I find a teaching job elsewhere in a mellower, safer, friendlier place where it is much cheaper to live than here. You know that saying, "if you don't like it leave!" Well, I may be doing just that very soon if I can!

Anyway, enough. So what country in Europe? Why are you there? Are you studying or a 'mili' or what? Take care.

hasta pronto