Thursday, November 16. 2017

Today's schedule is D-C-B-A

D Block Criminology 12 - Today is your White Collar and Property Crime Quiz. Gangs are often considered "immoral" and their profit comes from many "immoral" things.  Immoral acts are distinguished from crimes on the basis of the social harm they cause. Acts that are believed to be extremely harmful to the general public are usually outlawed, whereas acts that only the harm the actor themselves are more likely to be tolerated. Acts that are illegal because they are viewed as a threat to morality are called public order crimes. I'll remind you that we already looked at the difference between what is deviant and what is criminal and this topic covers crimes that straddle the line between the two. People who lobby hard for their morals to become law are called moral entrepreneurs or crusaders. The power of moral entrepreneurs can be quite strong and we'll see that today.

Think about Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD). From Craig Reinarman's article Social Construction of an Alcohol Problem:

The credibility of MADD, especially at its outset, was impeccable. The parents of children who have been killed in drunk-driving accidents are exceptionally strong symbols. There are few groups of victims who can inspire as much sympathy and adherence as the grieving mother. And this is one of the central foundations of MADD's success. The organisation was started in August of 1980 in Sacramento, California by a woman named Candy Lightner whose daughter had been killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver with multiple DUI (driving under the influence) convictions some 4 months prior. During the criminal proceedings Lightner was appalled by the apparent leniency and lack of concern demonstrated by the justice system towards drunk drivers and the rights of the victim. The campaign began with her tireless lobbying in the initial months and a strong push to make drunk driving a political issue where it had previously not been. 

Consider the following: Sir Patrick Devlin stated…

Without shared ideas on politics, morals, and ethics no society can exist…. If men and women try to create a society in which there is no fundamental agreement about good and evil, they will fail; if having based it on common agreement, the argument goes, the society will disintegrate. For society is not something that is kept together physically; it is held by the invisible bonds of common thought. If the bonds were too far relaxed, the members would drift apart. A common morality is part of the bondage. The bondage is part of the price of society; and mankind, which needs society, must pay its price. 

As you can see, the power of moral entrepreneurs can be quite strong. After we discuss moral entrepreneurs (crusaders) and then I'll add three questions:

1. Should drugs be legalized? Why? If you believe drugs should be legalized, think about whether all drugs should be legalized or just a select few. Why should certain drugs be legalized and others not? 
2. Should prostitution be legalized? Why? If you believe it should be legalized, should all the forms of prostitution described in your text be legalized, or only a select few? If prostitution were legalized should government be able to exercise some control over it? 
3. Does pornography lead to violence? Why? Is it harmful? Why Consider all forms of pornography (what is currently legal and illegal) when you answer this question.

For the sex trade question "Should we legalize prostitution"? Think about the two opposing views:

• Sexual Equality View The prostitute is a victim of male dominance. In patriarchal societies, male power is predicated on female subjugation, and prostitution is a clear example of this gender exploitation 
• Free Choice View Prostitution, if freely chosen, expresses woman’s equality and is not a symptom of subjugation.

To help, we will understand the different types of sex trade workers (street walkers, circuit travelers, bar girls, brothels, call girls and escort services). We'll look at some high profile cases (like all the way back in 2008 former New York state governor Eliot Spitzer or 1990's Hollywood "Madame" Heidi Fleiss who was quoted as saying, "I took the oldest profession on Earth and I did it better than anyone on Earth. Alexander the Great conquered the world at 32. I conquered it at 22."). It is important to note:

The Supreme Court of Canada struck down the country's anti-prostitution laws in a unanimous decision, and gave Parliament one year to come up with new legislation — should it choose to do so. In striking down laws prohibiting brothels, living on the avails of prostitution and communicating in public with clients, the top court ruled that the laws were over-broad and "grossly disproportionate." The government replaced the law with Bill C-36 (2014) which received Royal Assent and became law on December 6, 2014.

C Block Human Geography 11 - Today is your Culture and Language test. Your first order of business is to relax and then dazzle me with what you know. Answer every question and if you're confused about anything ask for clarification. Make sure you understand what each question is asking of you. Breathe. You have the entire block if you need it (you won't) and then you may finish up your religion questions.

B Block Physical Geography 12 - Today is your Gradation unit test. Your first order of business is to relax and then dazzle me with what you know. Answer every question and if you're confused about anything ask for clarification. Make sure you understand what each question is asking of you. Breathe. You have the entire block if you need it (you won't) and then you may finish up your week 10 questions or your Medicine Hat topographic map assignment.