My Short Take on the Reducing Lethal Violence symposium at Loyal University

I attended the symposium on preventing violent crime at Loyal University on Friday.  I planned on attending the whole day, but got caught up having to take care of other responsibilities during the lunch break that took a while.  I listened to the some of the second half of David Kennedy's talk, but unfortunately missed Nikki Jones' talk.  Female crime and violence is an under-studied area of criminology and she's making some good contributions.  I saw Ronal Serpas, Robert Sampson and Karen DeSalvo speak.

I haven't heard many police chiefs speak or address the public, but I get a sense that Serpas does more than most, and he's willing to accept the limitations of policing for solving violent crime way better than most.  There's no doubt room for improvement, but he's pretty good for what's usually the case.  At the beginning of his talk an audience member called out a question on police brutality.  It's a necessary question, and while it was the wrong time to ask such a question it brought up an important issue.  While Serpas didn't answer his question then, during the Q&A period he discussed recent work to create a new form of assessment within the police department that is more closely aligned with the department's goals of better "customer service." This might help address what that questioner yelled out.  Regardless, the question brought up the need of constant oversight of the police department.  Institutions that formally give people power over others, such as the police, are inherently susceptible to abuse and need to be independently monitored.  The city has an independent police monitor, but from what I've heard, she doesn't have much power to do anything.

Preventing Lethal Violence in New Orleans Symposium at Loyola: Live Stream

Live stream coverage Friday, October 26th from 9-5.

Watch live streaming video from loyolauniversity at livestream.com

Stephen Colbert and Donald Trump

This is too good to pass up. It's Stephen Colbert's counter offer to Donald Trump's offer to donate money to a charity of Obama's choosing if he releases his college application and records (I'm guessing this means transcripts), and passport records. I post both offers below.

Here's Colbert's:

Here's Donald Trump's offer.

Preventing Lethal Violence: A Symposium at Loyola University

This looks like an amazing event. Some of the leading researchers on crime and violence will be speaking on Friday, October 26th at Loyola University. I cut and pasted the line-up after the break.  Click here to go to the site.

Eugene Jarecki: The War on Drugs

Here's Jon Stewart's interview with Eugene Jarecki on the war on drugs and his new documentary "The House we Live In."

Part 1:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Eugene Jarecki Extended Interview Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Part 2:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Eugene Jarecki Extended Interview Pt. 2
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Florence + The Machine: Dog Days are Over

I'm totally hooked on this song right now, like crazy hooked.  I heard it in spin class and then at Cold Stone.  I had to ask the guy behind the counter who sang it.  He told me the band's name, but didn't know the specific song so I hunted it down. Now it's on a constant loop at my place.  My step son is going crazy. I see it as revenge for having to listen to Naruto all the time.

 

Clemency for Women in Louisiana

This is impressive.  A former student of mine was working on a class project (not for my class) that a number of students wanted to continue when the semester was over.  Their goal is to advocate for women who were victims of domestic abuse, killed their abuser, and then were incarcerated for their actions.  The name of the organization is called Clemency for Women in Louisiana.  They're writing petitions, taking part in demonstrations, and asking Louisiana residents to contact parole boards, representatives and Governor Jindal on the behalf of these women.  Check out their website and see how you can get involved.

Here's a sample letter they crafter that you can use if you're not sure what to say (below the page break).