{"id":1694,"date":"2013-04-11T06:13:24","date_gmt":"2013-04-11T10:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=1694"},"modified":"2013-04-11T06:13:24","modified_gmt":"2013-04-11T10:13:24","slug":"i-feel-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=1694","title":{"rendered":"I feel good (?)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWHOAH!\u00a0 I feel good!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

(Insert saxophone solo here and also perhaps, a memorable James Brown wiggle…)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This week Pres. Obama received a letter endorsed by over 100 celebrities.\u00a0 Included were:\u00a0 Harry Belafonte, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Roseanne Barr, Russell Brand, Jim Carrey, Deepak Chopra, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Ice-T, Scarlett Johannson, seemingly all the Kardashians, LL Cool J, Eva Longoria, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Demi Moore, Michael Moore, Chris Rock, Susan Sarandon, Russell Simmons, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Mike Tyson, Lil Wayne, and more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 100 plus actors, rappers,and notable other celebrities asked to meet with the President to discuss reforming the criminal justice system and alter federal drug policy, pursuing less prison and more rehab.\u00a0 They wrote:\u00a0 \u201cwe are a coalition of concerned advocates that is ready to support you in more innovative criminal justice reform and implementing more alternatives to incarceration…\u00a0 you now have the opportunity to leave a legacy by transforming our criminal justice system to an intervention and rehabilitation based model.\u00a0 Many of those impacted by the prison industrial complex are among your most loyal constituents…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While several of the advocates have been noted for questionable ethical behavior, I still appreciate much of what they espouse \u2014 especially the aspect of how the children of offenders are affected; that\u2019s tough.\u00a0 And yes, the Intramuralist is a strong supporter of mercy, forgiveness, and of second, third, even fourth chances.\u00a0 But there exists another aspect the Intramuralist supports \u2014 and it\u2019s the omission of that aspect from the celebrities\u2019 printed passion that prompts this observer to pause…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where is the acknowledgement of the value<\/strong> of consequence?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hear me out on this, friends.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that I believe we are apt avengers of justice nor that people always need to be rebuked and punished; mercy triumphs over judgment.\u00a0 However, I do not believe that punishment and judgment can be equated with consequence.\u00a0 The reality is that negative consequences are often life\u2019s most effective teacher.\u00a0 We don\u2019t like them; they don\u2019t \u201cfeel good.\u201d\u00a0 My challenge, therefore, with the letter from those with louder voices is in their blatant omission that consequences \u2014 in this case, synonymous with incarceration \u2014 deter bad behavior.\u00a0 The possibility of going to prison serves as a behavioral deterrent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Too often persons base beliefs on process, policy, and behavior because of what makes them \u201cfeel good.\u201d\u00a0 Allow me to suggest that \u201cfeeling good\u201d and acting wisely are two totally different things.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019m reminded of one particularly poignant example from years ago.\u00a0 Remember Karla Faye Tucker…<\/p>\n

Attempting to steal a motorcycle after a weekend of rampant drug use, at age 23 Karla Faye Tucker utilized a pickaxe in the murder of 2 persons.\u00a0 There was no immediate remorse, and Tucker\u2019s own account was unspeakably gruesome.\u00a0 While incarcerated, no less, Tucker became involved with a prison ministry program in which she began to diligently study the Bible.\u00a0 In pursuit then of a loving, holy, and just<\/strong> God,Tucker\u2019s repentance and need for redemption became increasingly clear.\u00a0 \u201cBefore I knew it, I was in the middle of my cell floor on my knees. I was just asking God to forgive me.”<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tucker\u2019s life changed.\u00a0 In fact, her warden testified that she had been a model prisoner, and after 14 years on death row, he believed she had been reformed.\u00a0 There was only one problem:\u00a0 she remained inmate #777 on Texas\u2019s Death Row.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Even though few doubted her changed heart, a consequence remained in effect for Tucker\u2019s previous behavior.\u00a0 Was that appropriate?\u00a0 Should the consequence have remained in effect?\u00a0 Do consequences have purpose?\u00a0 Great questions.\u00a0 Tough questions.\u00a0 And questions that must be asked regardless of how difficult to answer…. even if the omission \u201cfeels good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectfully,<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Editorial note:\u00a0 while Tucker legally appealed her death sentence, she also told CNN\u2019s Larry King that \u201cI deserved a big punishment.\u201d\u00a0 She did not believe in capital punishment, abortion, nor euthanasia.\u00a0 She did agree that \u201ca very serious sentence\u201d was necessary.\u00a0 After her final appeals for clemency were either ignored or denied, Karla Faye Tucker was executed by lethal injection on February 3, 1998.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cWHOAH!\u00a0 I feel good!\u201d (Insert saxophone solo here and also perhaps, a memorable James Brown wiggle…)   This week Pres. Obama received a letter endorsed by over 100 celebrities.\u00a0 Included were:\u00a0 Harry Belafonte, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Roseanne Barr, Russell Brand, Jim Carrey, Deepak Chopra, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Ice-T, Scarlett Johannson, … <\/p>\n

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