Media Bloggers Association

I came across this in some of the research I'm doing and thought it'd be worth making available.  It's called the Media Bloggers Association.  Some of you may already know about it, but it looks like they offer useful information for bloggers, especially those who write about issues that could get them sued.

I cut and pasted the text from their About Us page, see below:

Distractions: Casey Anthony and Episodic Crime News

So, everyone's been talking lately about the Casey Anthony case.  I don't know much at all about this case, nor do I care.  I actually see stories like this as distractions.  Sociologists who study crime in the media (especially the news) note that most crime reports focus on the actual event, such as the specific crime, victims, some demographic--"there were shots fired at x street at y time of the night, one victim taken to the hospital").  Others, though many fewer, might focus on the court case, and the specifics of the everyday activities within the court room.

The Disappearing Middle Class

Here's a neat visual art piece using some of Senator Bernie Sanders' remarks on greed among the wealthy and the disappearing middle and working classes, courtesy of Crooks and Liars.

Times-Picayune Op-Ed on Reducing Violent Crime in the City

Here's an op-ed I submitted to the TP this morning in reference to yesterday's (July 5th) front page story "Why the Disparity" by Michelle Krupa.  My op-ed focuses on the crime fighting strategy that Mr. James Carter is adopting.  It's nice to see someone actually draw on the empirical research to guide solutions to violent crime.  Who knows if they'll publish it, but here it is.

Rising Tide VI at Xavier University in New Orleans

Clear your calendars for the Rising Tide VI conference at Xavier University in New Orleans on August 27, 2011.  This conference grew out of the unrest and anger triggered by Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath as concerned citizens took to their computers, found others with similar interests and concerns and began to organize.  Past speakers and panelist include Harry Shearer, New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas, Mac McClelland of Mother Jones, author of Rising Tide John Barry, and others.  Click here for details.

Jimmy Carter calls for an End of the Global Drug War

So most criminologists will tell you that the War on Drugs is an utter failure.  Drugs today are more potent and easily accessible than they were decades ago when this version of the War on Drugs started (Nixon > Reagan > Bush > Clinton).

Five Myths About Incarceration

Here's a Op-Ed by Marc Mauer (of The Sentencing Project) and David Cole.  As the title suggests, it notes five myths about the relationship between prison and crime.  Check it out here.