Author: cjzurcher

Violence containment cost the U.S. $2.16 trillion per year

New Study from Institute of Economics and Peace Released

 

“By defining a new industry as the ‘Violence Containment Industry,’ it is now possible to aggregate all expenditures related to the containment or consequences of violence. Our research indicates that when measured as a percentage of GDP this industry has expanded by 25% in the past ten years.”
– Steve Killelea, Executive Chairman of IEP

 

KEY FINDINGS:

  • Violence containment cost the U.S. $2.16 trillion per year, that’s one in every seven dollars.
  • $15,000 per taxpayer spent on preventing or dealing with violence.
  • If violence containment were an industry it would be the largest industry in the U.S.
  • Federal expenditure has expanded in the last ten years, increasing by 15%
  • The size of Violence Containment is equal to the entire UK  economy
  • A 5% reduction in Violence Containment spending for 5 years would provide the capital to rebuild the nation’s levees systems, update the energy infrastructure and complete the upgrading of the nations school infrastructure.
  • Violence–related expenditures four times greater than the Department of Defense budget
  • If Violence Containment was classified as an industry, would be the largest in the U.S.

“The study evidentiates that even small reductions in Violence Containment spending would result in a meaningful stimulation to the U.S. economy,” Steve Killelea.

The Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP) recently released a new study on the costs of violence containment in the United States.  As you can see, the numbers are pretty devastating.

The study is the first systematic measure to account for all violence-related expenditure in the U.S. economy. It captures government, corporate, and individual expenditures regardless of whether it is related to international affairs, such as offshore military activities, or domestic spending, for instance, dealing with crime and its consequences.

There is one element we find particularly encouraging around this report from our friends at IEP — the articulation of a “violence containment industry.” This offers a powerful framing to help articulate this industry and the great challenge violence poses, as well as aids our collective cause to make the work of peacebuidling and violence prevention a priority.  We know there are far more effective ways to deal with the scourge of violence.

Read the full report here.

For more on this story, visit: this dispatch from The Peace Alliance

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Romney’s Foreign Policy Speech: All War All the Time | The Progressive

He denounced “the abrupt withdrawal of our entire troop presence” from Iraq, though he didn’t say how long he would have kept our troops there.

And he hinted broadly that he’d keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014. “I will evaluate conditions on the ground and weigh the best advice of our military commanders,” he said. “And I will affirm that my duty is not to my political prospects, but to the security of the nation.”

On Iran, he also threatened war, aligning himself squarely with Benjamin Netanyahu. “I will put the leaders of Iran on notice that the United States and our friends and allies will prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons capability,” he said.

For more on this story, visit: Romney’s Foreign Policy Speech: All War All the Time | The Progressive.

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Could Biden deliver? The answer Thursday night was a resounding ‘Yes’ | Truthdig

The smile. That laugh. The look on Joe Biden’s face said it all during his commanding performance in Thursday’s vice presidential debate held in Danville, Ky.

Given President Obama’s less than stellar performance in last week’s first presidential debate, a lot was riding on Biden’s shoulders: the polls, which have swung Mitt Romney’s way in the past week, for one, and the critical undecided voter in swing states for another.

Could Biden deliver? The answer Thursday night was a resounding yes.

For more on this story, visit: Tracy Bloom: Biden Laughs His Way to Victory in Vice Presidential Debate – Politics Today – Truthdig.

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Nationwide Money Stamping Tour Launched by Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder, Move to Amend & Stamp Stampede Coalition

“Amend-o-Matic” Will Visit Nearly 50 Cities to Gather Support for a Constitutional Amendment to Get Money Out of Politics

Today, Ben Cohen, co-founder of super-premium ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s, and organizers with the Move to Amend Coalition, launched a bold new campaign aiming to return government to the hands of the people. The “Amend-O-Matic” is part art spectacle, part money-stamping machine, part road-worthy vehicle, and will allow participants to insert dollar bills to be printed with slogans such as “Corporations are not people,” “Money is not speech;” and “Not to be used for bribing politicians.”

… Polling indicates that nearly 80% of Americans are in favor of getting money out of politics, with a majority supporting an amendment to establish that corporations are not entitled to Constitutional rights. The Citizens United decision allows corporate money to drown out the voice of the people with over $2 billion expected to be spent to influence the 2012 presidential election.

For more on this story, visit: Nationwide Money Stamping Tour Launched by Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder, Move to Amend & Stamp Stampede Coalition | Common Dreams.

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Once Columbus | Voices for Creative Nonviolence

I love Columbus Day. Each year I recall the simple song I learned as a child about the man who “discovered” America. I still recall the innocent boy whose imagination was taken by the story of adventure and discovery.

In fourteen hundred and ninety two Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

On Columbus Day, I reflect on the facts of that fateful discovery. Hispaniola at the time of Columbus’ arrival was home to as many as 300,000 people. On seeing the Arawak people Columbus wrote in his journal, “At daybreak great multitudes of men came to the shore, all young and of fine shapes, and very handsome. Their eyes are large and very beautiful.” In the same entry he wrote, “It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion.” Columbus kidnapped up to 25 people, although only 7 or 8 survived the journey back to Spain. By 1496 it is estimated that one third of the population had been killed or taken as slaves. In 1592 fewer than 200 Indigenous people remained. By 1555, none survived.

I realize every lie and distortion i hold of my country began in that classroom all those years ago

For more on this story, visit: Once Columbus | Voices for Creative Nonviolence.

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10 (More) Amazing Videos About the Creative Process | 99u

Just like the rest of us, creatives like Milton Glaser, Louis C.K. and Ray Bradbury struggle when going through their process. No really, we have proof.

In a sequel of sorts, we’ve assembled videos from musicians, stand-up comedians, writers, and others to help give us a look inside the inner-workings of some of the world’s most talented creatives.

Jazz Pianist Bill Evans strips away the glamor of creative work and emphasizes the need to have a love for the nitty-gritty. This clip is from the 1966 film The Universal Mind of Bill Evans.
 
In Story of a Writer Ray Bradbury delves into the author’s storytelling process, his clustered workspace and his struggle for gainful employment in his youth.

And lots more here: 10 (More) Amazing Videos About the Creative Process :: Articles :: 99U.

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The House the Herman Joshua Wallace Built

In 1972, New Orleans native Herman Joshua Wallace b. 1941 was serving a 25-year sentence for bank robbery when he was accused of murdering an Angola Prison guard and thrown into solitary confinement. Many believed him wrongfully convicted. Appeals were made but Herman remained in jail and—to increasingly widespread outrage—in solitary. Years passed with one day much like the next.

Then in 2001, Herman received a perspective-shifting letter from a Jackie Sumell, a young art student, who posed the provocative question: “What kind of house does a man who has lived in a six-foot-by-nince-foot cell for over 30 years dream of?” Thus began an inspired creative dialogue, unfolding over hundreds of letters and phone calls and yielding a multi-faceted collaborative project that includes the exhibition “The House That Herman Built.”

For more on this story, visit: swissmiss.

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Ignoring America’s poor – Inside Story: US 2012 | Al Jazeera English

With 46 million people living in poverty, why are the presidential candidates so quiet on issues affecting the poor?

Despite persistent poverty across the US, President Barack Obama, and his republican challenger, Mitt Romney, rarely mention the country’s most vulnerable. Why are the poor being ignored?

“They are certainly not addressing it in the campaign, Obama may return to some of these issues after the elections – assuming he is re-elected – but even then we expect to see a grand bargain out of Obama in the lame duck period. And that is not necessarily going to help seniors … so Obama is better than Mitt, but neither one of them are addressing it in the campaign. “

– Marcy Wheeler, investigative blogger

And while the economy will be the main focus of the first presidential debate on Wednesday, so far, the country’s poor have been left out of the conversation.

That is despite the more than 46 million people who now live below the poverty line. And tens of millions more are at risk, as median incomes continue to decline.

 

For more on this story, visit: Ignoring America’s poor – Inside Story: US 2012 – Al Jazeera English.

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New Freedom Tree planted at Freedom Park | Post-Chronicle

The following information was given to the Mayor’s Office by Abner Oakes, Chairman of the Hamden Veteran’s Commission.

The following information was kindly given to the Mayor’s Office by Abner Oakes, Chairman of the Hamden Veteran’s Commission.
Hamden’s new Freedom Tree being planted at Freedom Park at the intersection of Whitney and Dixwell Avenues. (Post-Chronicle Submitted Photo)

“On Sunday, Jan. 28, 1973, Connecticut’s First Freedom Tree was dedicated honoring America’s POW and MIAs. At 7 p.m. that Saturday the cease fire was officially declared. There were Connecticut parents in attendance who had just been advised that their son was now declared a P.O.W.

“The park at the corner of Dixwell and Whitney Avenues was chosen for the location by Mayor William Adams. Members of Hamden’s Junior Woman’s Club led by President Linda Carocari, Lyndell Betzner and Cynthia Oakes worked with Voices in Vital America to distribute over 15,000 POW/MIA bracelets with the help of local school children.”

For more on this story, visit: New Freedom Tree planted at Freedom Park – News – Post-Chronicle.

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World Habitat Day: A Day to Recognize the Basic Need for Shelter | Jimmy Carter, The Huffington Post

Today, World Habitat Day, is a day to recognize the basic need for adequate shelter in a world where it is lacking for so many — a day for grassroots action, starting in your community. As we reflect on the state of towns and cities everywhere and the right of everyone to decent housing, I challenge you to reflect on the actions that you can take. In your own community, in communities around the globe and in places such as Haiti that so desperately need our assistance. I believe, as does Habitat, in the idea of many homes, one community. The act of building, of renovating, of coming together cements a bond not easily undone. When we bring together available resources, take decisive action and advocate for lasting change, we build the kind of stability, that Haiti — and we — need.

For more on this story, visit: Jimmy Carter: World Habitat Day: A Day to Recognize the Basic Need for Shelter.

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Mitt Tells the Truth & Democracy is Not For Sale | Bill Moyers via Common Dreams

There’s a groundswell for rooting the money out of politics, as Americans come to see that this is the one reform that enables all other reforms. Two polls released in the last few days report large majorities – as many as eight in ten – are in favor of clamping down on the amount of money that corporations, the super-rich, and those shadowyoutside groups are pouring into the campaigns. It’s up to all of us to put a sign on every lawn and stoop in the land: “Democracy is not for sale.”

For more on this story, visit: Mitt Tells the Truth | Common Dreams.

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Switzerland – Winter spot “Clocks” – YouTube

Switzerland has everything you need to relax: plenty of snow, beautiful winter hiking trails, stunning Alpine panoramas and no end of comfort. You can completely forget about time here — whether you are enjoying a fondue in a ski hut, making a descent on one of our superb ski slopes or receiving a massage at a wellness hotel. For more information visit: MySwitzerland.com/winter

For more on this story, visit: Switzerland – Winter spot “Clocks” – YouTube.

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Stop A Couple Of People From Voting Republican This Year. Just Share This Hilariously Eye-Opening Video. | MoveOn.Org

We encourage users to engage in a respectful discussion of this post, below. Comments are not necessarily representative of MoveOn.org’s views or beliefs, nor are commenters necessarily MoveOn members. This is a community-moderated forum: If you see something offensive, please flag it. If a comment receives enough flags, it will be removed.

Stop A Couple Of People From Voting Republican This Year. Just Share This Hilariously Eye-Opening Video. | MoveOn.Org.

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Tough Talk for America by Mattea Kramer | ZNet Article

By Mattea Kramer

A Guide to the Presidential Debates You Won’t Hear

So here’s a brief guide to what you won’t hear this Wednesday or in the other presidential and vice-presidential debates later in the month. Think of these as five hard truths that will determine the future of this country.

2. Taxes are at their lowest point in more than half a century, preventing investment in and the maintenance of America’s most basic resources

3. Neither the status quo nor a voucher system will protect Medicare (or any other kind of health care) in the long run

4. The U.S. military is outrageously expensive and yet poorly tailored to the actual threats to U.S. national security

5. The U.S. education system is what made this country prosperous in the twentieth century — but no longer

1. Immediate deficit reduction will wipe out any hope of economic recovery

 

For more on this story, visit: ZCommunications | Tough Talk for America by Mattea Kramer | ZNet Article.

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‘Democratic Womanism’: Poet and Activist Alice Walker on Women Rising, Obama, and the 2012 Election | Common Dreams

With less than 40 days to go before the 2012 presidential election, poet and activist Alice Walker reads her new poem, “Democratic Womanism,” and discusses her thoughts on President Obama’s legacy, including his use of drone strikes. “You ask me why I smile when you tell me you intend in the coming national elections to hold your nose and vote for the lesser of two evils,” reads Walker. “There are more than two evils out there, is one reason I smile.”

For more on this story, visit: “Democratic Womanism”: Poet and Activist Alice Walker on Women Rising, Obama, and the 2012 Election | Common Dreams.

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