Subject: Input from ignorance
From: Robert Keith Elias (kelias@clic.net)
Date: Wed Jan 05 2000 - 19:56:03 CST
Hi Marty Schwartz <schwartz@ohio.edu>;
This is a public reply to your message posted:
From group: criminology.list.niu; on Tue, 4 Jan 2000 17:58:21 -0600 (CST)
Concerning "you're asked for input";
~ > Folks --
I am a well qualified "folk". My knowledge of criminology is the
result of reading one (1) book, Crime & Human Nature by Wilson and
Herrnstein.
~ > The ASC National Policy Committee ... this committee, which had its
~ > origin in Janet Reno's challenge to criminologists to provide useful
~ > policy advice to the government.
~ > Henry reports that was on the agenda in Toronto for possible actions were:
~ > ...
~ > 4. develop policy statements in areas where considerable
~ > research has been done and consistent findings have been amassed.
I believe this forth point should be the main (and possibly only)
focus.
Criminologists believe that there are profound differences between
competing ideological groups. In practice, however, two
criminologists who have diametrically opposite views on almost every
issue WITHIN the field, appear to be in complete agreement when those
views are compared against the views of an average member of the
public.
For example I believe it is fair to say that less than one percent of
criminologists believe:
- that locking up teenagers for property crimes or drug offences
reduces overall crime rates.
- That locking up 35 year old's for life for almost anything, is
anything but a waste of money.
Consequently, I believe that the criminological community should sit
down to:
1) Draw up a list of important issues they agree on.
2) Draw up a list of things to stay away from; like capital
punishment, which may be inhumane, unjust, pointless, and an
incredible waste of money, but it ain't going to sell, and it's not
the BIG problem anyway.
3) Bring in media consultants to explain how to get a regular flow
of criminologists onto Opera and Lederman.
4) Pick out a group of point persons (probably some guys with beards
and pipes and some other outspoken cynics) to present the message,
and do your best to make them stick to the party line.
The people NOT on the list of official spokespersons may be
just as important as who is on the list. I know that I am so
obnoxious that I can cause someone who agrees with my position to
change his mind.
5) Elect Warren Beatty as the head of the American Society of
Criminologists, and higher body guards to protect him from
Charleston Heston (spelling but who cares).
The point of all this is that, in this field, it does not matter what
is true. What matters is what the public (and consequently
politicians) believe is true.
DeCriminalize Broccolism;
-- Friar Broccoli Robert Keith Elias (Quebec, Qc, Canada) Address: kelias@CLIC.NET Best programmer's & all purpose text editor: http://www.semware.com--------- I consider ALL arguments in support of my views ---------
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