Atomic City Talk

As a note, this only applies to the US. If we used the European basis for measuring unemployment, our numbers would be above 15%. So when we compare our unemployment with that in Europe, we must be careful.

"Many places have high unemployment and low crime and vice versa."

The place is not what is employed or unemployed. People are either employed are unemployed. Those who understand crime statistics know that people who are unemployed are at higher risk of committing crime (and before you attempt to twist my words on this, yes I know that Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling were employed at the time of there crimes).

"Please tell us about the really low crime rates in Memphis, LA, DC, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, etc."

These cities have high crime rates. They have lots of unemployed people. Most of the crimes in those cities are committed by unemployed people. If you knew anything about crime and law enforcement, you'd already know this.

"So you are trying to have us believe that minorities commit crimes at the same rates as whites?"

I'll type this slowly so that you might be able to understand, AW.

In the US, minorities are over-represented among the unemployed. In the US, minorities are over-represented among those convicted of crimes. Since unemployment is a major risk factor for committing and being convicted for criminal behavior, the first sentence provides the explanation for the second.

"That skin color doesn't affect crime rates?"

Once again, I'll type this slowly so maybe you'll read it correctly this time.

Crime. Is. Not. Caused. By. Skin. Color. AW.

GED. Get it, AW.

What does the term "over-represented" mean? I've seen it used before and am not sure what the phrase means. Something to do with statistics?

Be careful what yo say on here. I made the statement that a poor economy, which equals to unemployment, negatively affects the crime rate (makes things worse). AW and a few others blasted me for it.
Guess all the years I spent working in the system means nothing.
Folks its just like the holidays, tis the season to go stealin.
As the economy weakens, the easy way to get ahead is steal it or sell dope. Criminals don't want to work. That's too hard. They want you to work, buy it, then they can get it for free..
ORHS73, nothing to do with skin, its all about sin...........you said it well...
I've come to the conclusion that there are too many opinionated, uneducated or "out of the know" individuals that post on here. It's almost impossible to have an educated conversation with some of these folks that could serve a useful purpose.
They want to bash ORPD, the chief etc.etc. How does that fix anything. Nobody even wants to read this garb anymore.
May return, when someone wants to have a legitimate conversation about crime, the system or helping. I'll watch for posts...

It would be interesting to talk to the managers of Wal-Mart, JC Penny, Sears, etc., and see if the number of shoplifting incidents has increased compared to previous years. And if the number has increased, do the managers (and the ORPD) think it correlates to the state of the economy.

BTW... if you didn't see this in today's KNS column by Sam Venable, here it is for your reading pleasure...

--Mickey and Jane Crowley of Knoxville recently e-mailed me about some rather unusual Fourth of July "fireworks" near a friend's cabin on Watts Bar Lake.

Seems a couple of the locals, whose ownership of brain cells was exceedingly limited, were trying to siphon gas from a neighbor's truck after dark.

Said Jane: "They couldn't see what they were doing, so one of them lit a match. Yes, really!"

The truck was reduced to char. At last word, the hairless thieves were still running.

Get real for goodness sake...
[/quote]
Just me: Not sure, but I thought we kind of agreed....?

No not all people turn to thievery because of a poor economy, but how many thieves or dope sellers can reverse they're own addictions from crime during a slumping economy. So much for rehabilitation.
Problem is, we are too liberal in many ways with criminals.
If you are convicted of selling drugs or a crime against humanity, you should loose all rights as pertaining to the constitution.
Lock 'em up, stack 'em up like cord wood and let them rot.
NO, I don't mean for sellign a joint. I'm talking distributing drug quantities, robbery, child rape, murder and every horrible crime you can think of.
We have a good system, innocent until proven guilty. It has its faults too though. It is created by legislature (lawyers) to be presented by counsel (lawyers) to be heard by a judge (lawyers) and to be scrutenized by higher courts (lawyers). Smells like money to me !!!
The cops, they're just trying to do something right. Trying to, in some way help. Are they? Should we do away with policing in America like some on here say. Can the citizens effectively and fairly police themselves.
I won't get on here and rant and rave, I read the posts and I am amazed at some of the other's opinions. AW bashes the police, but hints he was there and knows something or is one. Then flip/flops and says he respects the policemen, some of them.
If he is one, he should try to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We already have too many problems....
Get_Real

I applaud all of our forces including our DA. They are trying to do the right thing. Economy plays a big role in crime. When people don't have jobs they will do whatever is necessary to feed their families, even if it means robbery. Look at cities like Detroit when the auto industry went down, Pittsburgh when the steel industry went down. People were struggling big time and did what they had to do, even if it was wrong. Now, not all crime comes from that but when the economy falls crime increases.

"What does the term "over-represented" mean? I've seen it used before and am not sure what the phrase means. Something to do with statistics?"

Yes.

In the case of my statement "minorities are over-represented among the unemployed," it means that the non-white:white ratio among the unemployed is larger than the non-white:white ratio in the US population overall.

Unemployment is not uniformly distributed among the various ethnic populations that make up America.

"God bless her, bless her heart, Madam Speaker of the House -- a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject"

LOL! The House just overrode a presidential veto. Do you ever watch, read or repeat anything besides right-wing propaganda, JM? Do you actually understand any issues, or do you just like to attack the personalities and pictures you see?

ORHS: Thanks for the explanation That's what I thought the term meant but wasn't sure.

"Pelosi's job approval is 9%..."

LOL! I guess the answer is no. You don't understand any of the issues that face this country. You are just focused on names.

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

"Do you ever watch, read or repeat anything besides left-wing propaganda, 73? Do you actually understand any issues, or do you just like to attack the personalities of those that differ from you?"

And the weakest minds of all are the ones that can only parrot others. How very sad for you, JM.