Halt of Islamic Center in Tennessee is Refused

Bianca Roseboro
22 November 2010

On Wednesday, Tennessee judge Chancellor Robert Corlew refused to issue a temporary restraining order to halt the construction of a new mosque and Islamic center in Murfeesboro. Corlew stated that Rutherford County did not act “arbitrarily, capriciously, or illegally” in approving the building of the religious center. This ruling came after Murfreesboro landowners filed a complaint against the county’s Regional Planning Commission. The petition accused the commission of failing to give adequate public notice.

In October, the U.S. Justice Department presented a legal brief stating its support of the construction being done by the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.
One of Murfreesboro landowners who filed a complaint was Kevin Fisher. Shortly after the complaint was filed, Fisher said that he was more concerned about the water quality, soil contamination, and traffic flow than anything else. In response to accusations of the comlaint being a discriminatory measure, Fisher stated, “This has nothing to do with racism or religious intolerance at all. It's about a difference of opinion, and in America that's OK. If Home Depot was burying bodies in the water supply ... I would be equally concerned.”

The water and soil concerns stem from the Islamic center's burying a body on the new property "without a casket or proper embalming," Fisher said in July.

Lay citizens were not the only people who criticized the project. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey spoke out about the construction of the Islamic center. "You could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, a cult, whatever you want to call it," Ramsey, then a candidate for Tennessee governor, said at a rally.

As we discussed in class, the immigration rates continue to rise in the United States. As new citizens of the United States, immigrants must be allowed all the liberties the Constitution outlines. The fact that those of a county chose to breach the liberties we have all been afforded because of a lack of understanding should be considered a crime. The U.S. Constitution clearly states the the freedom of religion and the right to peacefully assemble. If Chancellor Corlew was to appease the citizens' request, a crime would have been committed. This article brought to my attention the need to embrace the concepts that we do not understand in the hopes that the behavior will be reciprocated by others.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/18/tennessee.mosque/index.html?iref=allsearch

Veteran courts seek rehabilitation

Bianca Roseboro

Sunday, November 14, 2010

The veterans courts are part of local trial court systems, and they usually deal with lesser offenses in which the veteran has pleaded guilty and is also dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, drug addiction, alcoholism or mental-health issues. With assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the courts offer guidance and case management to help keep convicted veterans out of jail, in exchange for their participation in an intensive probation program.

Judge Wendy Lindley has presided over these veterans courts and refers to the process as "therapeutic justice." The Veterans Affairs agency calls it part of a "veteran justice outreach initiative," which seeks to avoid "the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended incarceration" of veterans. The idea is to rehabilitate offenders with help from medical and social services.

As we learned during Casey's lecture, it is more economically appealing to rehabilitate an offender than to keep them incarcerated. A figure we reviewed was that it cost ten times as much to keep a person incarcerated than to educate, rehabilitate, and create opportunities for them in the civilian world. State institutions have increased their spending on corrections by 300 percent. These funds outpace such services as transportation and education in communities. I believe the money is better utilized in programs such as the veterans courts. Through these types of institutions, we are not only giving these former military a chance to become a stand-up citizen in society, we are helping to create a educated and competent member of society. Judge Lindley speaks on this: “I think that we have an ethical and moral obligation to try to restore these human beings to who they were before they were brave enough to volunteer and go and try to protect the rights that you and I enjoy every day.”

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/28/california.veterans.courts/index.html?iref=allsearch

Proposition 19

Bianca Roseboro
22 October 2010 5:00 p.m.

California’s November 2nd ballot will now include an initiative that is receiving mixed reactions. Voters will be deciding on the fate of Proposition 19, which would make it legal for anyone who is 21 or older to buy marijuana in small amounts. The proposition is formally being called the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, and according to a survey done by Public Policy Polling, California voters are in favor of the proposition by 47 percent to 38 percent.

The argument for the legalization of marijuana encompasses a variety of aspects. Those in support of Proposition 19 insist that marijuana is not as dangerous as legalized products, such as alcohol and tobacco. They often refer to the benefits of medicinal marijuana to alleviate pain and suffering for cancer patients. Also, with a drug war raging in Mexico, they say the most effective way to combat the Mexican drug cartels that bring their supply of illicit drugs into the United States is to legalize the substance, which would affect cartel profits, and in essence, put the drug cartels out of business.

Those opposed to Proposition 19 argue that if marijuana is legalized, it will remove the stigma of it being criminal, and therefore we will see a rise in the behavior and activities surrounding it. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is strongly opposed to the proposition as a neighboring country where drug trafficking and other drug-related activities run rampant. Calderon has said that the legalization of marijuana in the United States will reflect lax attitudes toward drug consumption and the American public accepting this behavior is “absurd”. Furthermore, Calderon believes that the passing of Proposition 19 will undercut efforts by the United States and Mexico to fight drug cartels.

As we learned in Chapter 5, crime is a behavior that rears its ugly head at the sight of opportunity. Drug cartels rely on the demand of illicit drugs across the world, and without opportunity, I believe that drug trade in the marijuana arena will fizzle, but not completely die out. President Calderon brings up a good point that attitudes about drug use will become lax, which could lead to the use of other illicit drugs, as marijuana is often considered a “gateway” drug, also mentioned in Chapter 5. The legalization of marijuana can be seen as a global problem because it could open up a whole Pandora box of other criminal issues. Those who use marijuana can potentially cause harm to others in society, as does alcohol, which is legalized. I pose the question, what good would we be doing our nation by legalizing marijuana if it could essentially hurt the innocent?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/14/navarrette.pot.prop/index.html?iref=allsearch

Terrorist Tips Published in an al Qaeda magazine

Bianca Roseboro
15 October 2010

An online al Qaeda magazine called “Inspire” has released it’s second edition. The first edition was published in July. This second edition presents its reader with detailed essays and sinister terror tips that include using a pickup truck as a weapon and opening fire on a crowded place of business in Washington. The magazine is believed to be backed by an American citizen, who now lives in Yemen, named Samir Khan.

The publishing of this edition marks the 10th anniversary of the suicide attack on the USS Cole, a guided missile destroyer. The USS Cole struck in Aden, Yemen as it refueled on October 12, 2010. A Yemen expert who is a part of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace claims that the timing of the magazine publication and the ten year anniversary of the USS Cole. The Yemen expert, Christopher Boucek, stated:

"It also comes on the heels of a busy week for al Qaeda in Yemen. They released an hourlong video last week. There was also an attack on a British Convoy in Sanaa [Yemen's capital] last week. And an audiotape was released two days ago. Al Qaeda in Yemen is good at amplifying its message and that shows the organization is still active, that they're still able to function."

I believe this publication should be considered criminal because it encourages terorists acts. The fact that these ideals and its publication has been tolerated is criminal within itself. This magazine edition could be considered a global sociological issue because it fuels the acts of terrorism by providing “helpful” hints on how to execute attacks. New attacks could lead to continued animosity between al Qaeda, the Middle East, and their global enemies which in turn could contribute to prolonged war and fighting in the Middle East. Prolonged war could create opportunity for continued national debt in the United States, death of soldiers and civilians globally, and may lead to a global economic crisis. I believe because of the risks this magazine could possibly present, the writers and publishers should be punished for overseeing the transmission of terrorism publicly.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/10/12/mideast.jihadi.magazine/index.html?npt=NP1

Attacks in the Congo

Bianca Roseboro

Sunday, October 10, 2010

On October 5, the alleged leader of a rebel militia was arrested after the group was accused of committing mass rapes in the Congo area. The leader has been identified as Colonel Mayele and was arrested by United Nations’ forces as well as forces of the Congolese. Colonel Mayele is the assumed leader of the Mai Mai Cheka militia group.

According to a preliminary report by the United Nations, 200 members across three rebel groups executed the attacks. These groups were the Mai Mai Cheka, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and followers of an army deserter named Colonel Emmanuel Nsengiyumva. The report also stated that about 303 civilians were attacked between July 30 and August 2. The 303 victims included 235 women, 52 girls, 13 men and 3 boys. Victims of the attacks have told investigators that the assumed motive of the attacks “was to punish and subjugate the local population whom the attackers viewed as ‘traitors’”.

The rebel groups entered the villages of their victims under the pretense that they were going to provide security for the people. Unbeknownst to the villagers, the attackers, who were armed with AK47s, grenades, and machetes, would loot and rape a village while another group of rebels would attack those who tried to flee and rape them or take them into forced labor.

These rebel groups used their power as “militia” to undermine the villagers’ willingness to trust by attacking them after they felt safe. This can be viewed as a global social issue because it is not a rare occurrence that those in power misuse their status by deceiving the people that look to them for reassurance. The forced labor aspect of the attacks could also be considered a global issue because it raises the issue of slavery in a contemporary world.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/05/congo.rapes.arrest/index.html?npt=NP1

Soldier's Father Frustrated

Bianca Roseboro

2 October 2010

Christopher Winfield, father of Spc. Adam Winfield, is frustrated with the United States military after he tried to inform them about a “thrill-kill cult” in Afghanistan. Winfield claims that his calls were sent straight to voicemail and his warnings left unheard. According to the concerned father, his son, Adam who is serving with a Stryker Brigade, claimed that some fellow soldiers were killing Afghan civilians for fun. Not only were they killing the civilians, but taking grotesque souvenirs, such as body parts and photographs of their activities. Christopher Winfield decided to contact the military because he was worried that his son’s life would be in jeopardy if he tried to stop the group of soldiers.

Adam Winfield has been accused of killing an Afghan civilian. According to Winfield, he fired his weapon but claims he did not hit anybody and intentionally aimed not to. Other soldiers have been charged with three murders and other drug and criminal offenses. Adam was allegedly verbally threatened by his squad leader and fellow soldiers – he told his parents in a Facebook message that he was told to “shut up… or else.”

Christopher Winfield claims that when he contacted his son’s home base to report his concerns, the personnel gave him the brush off. The Army suggests that the senior personnel followed up on Winfield’s phone call and an investigation was started.

It is hoped that in this case, the military would not let something as serious as this “thrill-kill cult” go unpunished. I wonder if the military does let these claims roll off their back, so to speak, will the United States be brought up on charges of war crime. I believe it would be unethical as a country to allow this situation to go unnoticed, when the soldiers are there to be an example of democracy. This story is one worth following to know the outcome.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/30/afghanistan.killings.father/index.html?npt=NP1

4 Japanese Arrested in China

Bianca Roseboro

Friday, September 24, 2010

The Chinese have taken into custody four Japanese nationals for entering a military zone without authorization and videotaping military targets. The employer of the Japanese nationals made this statement at a news conference Friday about the incident, "We believe if our employees knew about the area being off-limits, or the regulation that prohibited cameras in the location, they would not have taken such action," The incarceration of the Japanese nationals comes in the midst of a diplomatic battle over Japan’s detainment of a Chinese fishing captain. The Chinese fishing captain was detained with 14 other crew members on September 8, after being accused of obstructing the duties of Japanese public officers.

According to Japan’s foreign ministry officials, China has notified them of the arrests of the Japanese nationals, but have not given any information about the charges they are facing or why they are being held. Chinese security authorities in Shijiazhuang have reported, "Currently, the case is being investigated.”

The article claimed that there has been a diplomatic battle going on between China and Japan about the area where the captain and his crew were detained. It seems that the Chinese have retaliated against the arrest of the fishing captain in taking the four Japanese nationals. If there is a valid reason for the Japanese to be detained, by all means, they should serve their punishment; but, if it is China’s way of being spiteful, they should be investigated for wrongly detaining the Japanese. Two countries’ struggle over territory should not have to gravely affect its citizens, as it has in this case.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/24/china.japanese.arrests/index.html

Pope Addresses Sexual Abuse

Bianca Roseboro

Sunday, September 19, 2010

According to some followers of the Catholic faith, the Roman Catholic Church has not been very proactive in responding and correcting the sexual abuse of children by priests. While on a trip to Scotland on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the criticism and stated,

These revelations were for me a shock and a great sadness. It is difficult to understand how this perversion of the priestly ministry was possible. How a man who has done this and said this can fall into this perversion is difficult to understand. It is also a great sadness that the authorities of the church were not sufficiently vigilant and insufficiently quick and decisive in taking the necessary measures.

In a poll conducted by ComRes for CNN, British people feel that the Pope has not done enough to punish these offenders. According to the poll, three out of four British people and two out of three Catholics feel as if he could do more with his power. Critics of these scandals maintain that although the Pope has not been vigilant in punishing the offending clergy, the church has been quick to keep the scandal concealed. A spokesperson for the group BishopAccountability, Terence McKiernan stated, “The pope affects the stance of a shocked bystander, when in fact he has been for decades the church's central handler of sex abuse cases.”

I believe that the scandal behind the Catholic Church has grown into a monster that they no longer can contain without the criticism of the world community. Such crimes against children should be handled promptly and with due diligence to show the victims that abuse supersedes the position of the priest. Pope Benedict XVI should show greater concern for the lives of these victims and severely punish the abusers in order to create a more positive view of the Catholic Church worldwide.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/16/uk.pope.visit/index.html

12 Soldiers Charged with the Deaths and Mutilation of Afghans

Bianca Roseboro

12 September 2010

Twelve soldiers have recently been charged with a variety of crimes in connection with the killing and cover up of Afghan civilians . Even more heinous, the offenders mutilated the corpses of their victims and took with them gruesome souvenirs.

Five soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division brigade are facing murder charges, while the other seven soldiers face charges of participating in a cover up. According to military documents, the men participated in throwing grenades and shooting at Afghan civilians. If the attacks resulted in casualties, the soldiers would sometimes take body parts of their victims as souvenirs. Some of these souvenirs included leg bones, finger bones, and even a tooth.

As an American citizen, I am outraged by the soldiers' careless disregard of human life. Not only does it reflect on them as horrible people, but their behavior in this time of war reflects on our country poorly. I believe that ignorance has once again reared its ugly head, as it did at the Abu Ghraib prison in 2004, where soldiers were allegedly abusing the Iraqi prisoners of war. The audacity of the soldiers to think that their quest for "kicks and giggles" was worth a civilian's life is ridiculous to me. I try to understand the soldiers' behavior by empathizing with their situation, because they are in war and probably have seen the "enemy" do terrible things, but I then go back to the thousands of other soldiers who are in a similar situation and are doing their best to handle it maturely.

http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/09/army-12-soldiers-killed-afghans-mutiliated-corpses/?npt=NP1