Happy Weekend, Guys and Gals
The next anthology is already starting to shape up. All I can say is that is going to be a doozy.
You should really command-q your browser and go back to writing.
Happy Weekend, Guys and Gals
And For My Next Trick!
Ignore the Man Behind the Curtain
Your Technique is Weak, Grasshopper
"It's Tight Now,
Whew.
Meanwhile, I can't sleep cause I'm so excited about GT. Heh. Still just a litte kid at heart.
Rock on Chicago. Rock over London! Too excited to know when to say when.
Woot!
Cue the Heist Music
Back when I was more of a peon, I had a job packing and delivering university library books to a warehouse 45 minutes outside of town. Lousy pay, sweaty conditions and about a million cardboard-induced paper cuts. Just about what you'd expect for a university job.
I used to concoct schemes while driving to the warehouse, dreaming how I'd steal the van and make a run for the border. 90 minutes round trip, plus another 60 for unloading boxes and another 45 or more before they realized something was up would give me a window of 3 hours or so to get out of the state. Plenty of time. I planned on getting a dozen jersey cans and filling them all with gasoline before the university realized I had gone awol with their gas card. I would steal clean plates the night before the border crossing and vanish into Mexico, selling the van and living off the proceeds ... at least for a week or two.
A van. I was going to give up life in America for a used Chevy van.
Good thing I got into creative writing and not crime.
So now I work in a small private school, where -for lack of anyone else- I'm the guy whose signature is printed on all the checks. Even small schools require fairly large operating budgets. This morning I was given a check to deposit made out for $202,000 and sure enough, my wee signature was on the bottom.
Running to Mexico didn't even cross my mind. Sure I'd make off with some serious dough, but I'd be giving up so much more.
This started me thinking: punishment never once entered my mind on either occasion. Of course I wouldn't get caught ("I'm too smart to get - erm. Nevermind.") Losing all that I had invested in my life - that is what made the difference.
Now, let's take that principle and apply it to the criminal justice system. There are many, many, many people out there whose lives are far worse off than mine when I was a minimum wage university worker. Why shouldn't they turn to crime? Should punishment be expected to dissuade them, when, unlike myself, they have little or nothing to lose?
I'm not suggesting we shouldn't punish criminals, but - after my drive to the bank this morning- it does seem that anyone serious about "cracking down on crime" should really consider investing instead in the lives of the folks who have nothing to lose.
I'd bet we'd find it preempts the crime ... which seems worlds better than punishing a crime that has already happened.
Eyeball Kicks
The One Dry Well
Aroooooo!
Self-Induced Insanity
Bugger That Noise!
Whoot!
Al...most...there!
There Goes the Neighborhood
Welcome to the Family
Ah, Sweet Entropy