April 27, 2011
BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND
The news as I see it and the views as I want them.
April 27 is … Tell A Story Day
The Blackhawks are still reigning NHL champions but they are no longer defending NHL champions. The hole they dug themselves into did not come with a tall enough ladder. Overall, it was a disappointing season.
Have we invaded Syria yet? We would have we just are not sure if the despot that will take over is any better than the one in power now; we know how he thinks, at least we think we know how he thinks but our intelligence throughout the world is misnamed.
On tell a story day let me tell you about…
About a bird named Woody. He was a loud, often annoying bird but equally misunderstood. His mission in life was to provide housing for under beaked birds throughout the avian world. He was always ready to stand up against all odds to make sure his nemesis suffered. He was…
On this, his birthday, we pay tribute to the man who created the fun-loving, slightly manic bird he called, Woody Woodpecker. Cartoonist Walter Lantz was born on this day in 1900 in New Rochelle, New York.
Many remember Walter Lantz only for Woody; however, one of his most famous moments was the creation of an animated opening sequence for Universal Studio’s first, major musical, The King of Jazz in 1930.
Lantz’ Woody Woodpecker made his first appearance in the 1940 film, Knock, Knock. He became so popular that his wacky laugh and taunting ways were celebrated in The Woody Woodpecker Song. By 1948, Lantz and his studio were celebrating the hit record success of that song, too.
Walter Lantz put several more decades of wonderful cartoon characters and films under his belt before he was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. It was 1979 when he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oscar ceremonies.
Walter Lantz has left us and many generations to come with a lifetime of enjoyment; one can still see Woody Woodpecker in cartoons on television. You’ll recognize that zany laugh anywhere!
This is not going to be welcome news at Attica State Prison in New York. Al Capone must be rolling over in his grave.
New York inmates who are in same-sex marriages or civil unions are being allowed conjugal visits with their spouses or partners. Go ahead, read that again only slower. You probably read it correctly the first time.
The state officially announced the change in policy last week, making New York one of the few states (Thank God) to grant the private visits for gay and lesbian inmates in legally recognized same-sex partnerships. Although the policy will directly affect a relatively small number of people, advocates for same-sex marriage say it's an important step toward full equality for gay and lesbian couples. I was under the impression prison was a punishment. By committing crimes you lose certain aspects of equality and rights.
"This is a recognition of same-sex couples as families," said Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA, a group that lobbies for same-sex marriage. "These are exactly the kinds of indignities that same-sex couples have suffered when they were not recognized." Who in their right mind wants to keep these families intact and make sure children are raised by criminals? Although same-sex marriage is not legal in New York, the prison policy honors same-sex relationships that are legally recognized in other states.
California began allowing conjugal visits for inmates in same-sex domestic partnerships in 2007, and a similar policy is in effect in Washington State. In Connecticut, where same-sex marriage is legal, no conjugal visits are allowed for any inmates. Prison officials there said today that no requests have been made so far for what it calls "extended family visits" by inmates in same-sex relationships.
The New York policy was approved in 2008 by then-Gov. David Paterson but was not added to the state Register formalizing the change until April 20, according to the New York Daily News. Peter Cutler, spokesman for the New York Department of Correctional Services, told the Daily News he couldn't explain why the policy was just recently formalized.
The state officially announced the change in policy last week, making New York one of the few states (Thank God) to grant the private visits for gay and lesbian inmates in legally recognized same-sex partnerships. Although the policy will directly affect a relatively small number of people, advocates for same-sex marriage say it's an important step toward full equality for gay and lesbian couples. I was under the impression prison was a punishment. By committing crimes you lose certain aspects of equality and rights.
"This is a recognition of same-sex couples as families," said Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA, a group that lobbies for same-sex marriage. "These are exactly the kinds of indignities that same-sex couples have suffered when they were not recognized." Who in their right mind wants to keep these families intact and make sure children are raised by criminals? Although same-sex marriage is not legal in New York, the prison policy honors same-sex relationships that are legally recognized in other states.
California began allowing conjugal visits for inmates in same-sex domestic partnerships in 2007, and a similar policy is in effect in Washington State. In Connecticut, where same-sex marriage is legal, no conjugal visits are allowed for any inmates. Prison officials there said today that no requests have been made so far for what it calls "extended family visits" by inmates in same-sex relationships.
The New York policy was approved in 2008 by then-Gov. David Paterson but was not added to the state Register formalizing the change until April 20, according to the New York Daily News. Peter Cutler, spokesman for the New York Department of Correctional Services, told the Daily News he couldn't explain why the policy was just recently formalized.
Under the new visitation policy, New York inmates in legally recognized same-sex relationships can also apply for permission to visit spouses who are gravely ill. David Fathi, the director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Prison Project, said private visits with family members help inmates maintain relationships that will encourage them to stay out of prison after their release. "One of the best predictors of prisoners successfully reintegrating when they leave prison is whether they've stayed in contact with family on the outside," Fathi told AOL News today. "These visits are very important to sustaining those connections." This is ignoring the obvious; this gives family members time alone to plan escapes or additional crimes upon release. Released prisoners are more likely to return to prison than not. Why spend the resources and give privileges to people who do not deserve them or do not really care. Some people can only exist in prison. Making it seem more like the outside defeats the concept of punishment. Even the stupidest liberal knows rehabilitation does not work in our prison systems. I am not sure why a prison inmate wants to publically declare their sexual orientation. This seems to guarantee the “you’re my bitch” policy found in prisons everywhere.
Cutler said there has been one request for a conjugal visit so far by an inmate in a same-sex relationship. He said the request is pending.
Cutler said there has been one request for a conjugal visit so far by an inmate in a same-sex relationship. He said the request is pending.
Just a couple of thoughts I had.
BRUCE A. BRENNAN
DEKALB, IL 60115
COPYRIGHT 2011
VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.
Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com
Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book should be available later this year, in late 2011. More information will be forthcoming.
www.ebookmall.com (Do search by my name or book Title)
www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)
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Book Titles:
Holmes the Ripper
A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction
"Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it." - Lou Holtz
