Second Chance

The article "Crime and Punishment" by Patricia Smith discusses the controversy of one of the Supreme Court's new ruling. Teens who have been sentenced life without parole due to homicide or other vile acts, will be tried once more. Many scientists and researchers seem to agree with this ruling, due to findings on the growth and development in the brain of a teenager. But many others think that it is a dangerous mistake. Kent Scheidegger, a worker for the Criminal Legal Justice Foundation, says "There are some truly horrible crimes committed by 17-year-olds, and those crimes deserve life without parole." But the other side of the debate says that the mistakes made by kids do not always reflect the personality they will hold as adults.

The author wants the reader to feel that the ruling is fair. Smith does this by filling the article with facts to back up the argument.  For example, psychology professor Laurence Steinberg states the "Ninety percent of teen offenders do not become adult criminals," which is why not all teen cases should be tried as adult ones. Patricia says that the crime rate in teens have gone decreased because those who have committed crime are in jail. This suggests that most teenagers do not commit crime as a daily activity. Most time spent behind bars is a result of small mistakes in their childhood. The author uses an example of Rebecca Falcon, who has been sentenced life without parole.When she was 15, she and her friend who owned a gun, got drunk one night and one or the other shot a taxi cab driver. Although it was unclear the actual events, Falcon is now 30 and still in jail. She wishes and is hopeful that she will be tried again. Smith states that a person's actions at 13 or 14 are a poor sign of the kind of adult he or she will become.

Could the cruelness and hate be of the same level, if a 14 year old murders someone, or a 30 year old murders someone? My point of view on the topic overall is quite mixed. It is clear that adults have to be independent and make their own decisions. But in class, we were discussing that sometimes, children have to make their own decisions too. And in very few cases do the parents allow their child to kill or commit crime. Teenagers always complain that they should be treated as adults, but when in court they beg not to be. Does this mean they should? Yes, kids make the mistake of doing drugs and drinking, but adults can make mistakes also. Why should a murder be let go opposed to another murder?

Then again, I feel like a crime done by a child may most likely be an act done by impulse. Have teenagers fully matured enough to realize the repercussion of their actions? If many struggle to think before they speak, how can one manage to think before they act? I believe that the court's ruling is fair, because they aren't suddenly letting thousands of prisoners free. They are allowing them the privilege of a second chance, to think over their cases from more than one point of view. Why should one mishap rule ones life? All in all, I thought the article was extremely informative, but I can't quite place a firm opinion.

Bibliography:

• Smith, Patricia. "Crime and Punishment." New York Times Upfront 17 Sep. 2012: 8-11.

Click here to read online article

Ignorance Is Bliss

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

"Mr. Martinez asked who among us had ever fantasized about living in the clouds, and everyone raised their hand. Then Mr. Martinez told us that up in the clouds the wind blew one hundred and fifty miles and hour and the temperature was thirty below zero and there was no oxygen and we'd all die within seconds... He specialized in the murder of dreams, Hazel Grace let me tell you. You think volcanoes are awesome? Tell that to the ten thousand screaming corpses at Pompeii. You still secretly believe that there is an element of magic to this world? It's all just soulless molecules bouncing against each other randomly. Do you worry about who will take care of you if your parents die? As well you should, because they will be worm food in the fullness of time." "Ignorance is bliss."

The protagonist of this book is Hazel Grace, a 16-year old girl currently living through cancer. Her dearest friend Augustus Waters is an amputee in remission. Way ahead of their years, they are both aware of the truth that is hidden beneath childhood hopes and beliefs. This particular rant given by Augustus Waters stuck out to me mainly because of Hazel's simple response.

In Augustus's little spiel, he recites with disgust his science teacher's explanations and probabilities of situations that all kids have dreamed about. Basically, his reasoning is straight forward, and with no sympathy he easily hits his students with hard facts. So when Hazel Grace says "Ignorance is bliss," she remembers the time of innocence, and being naive. Because she already knows that she will die of her illness, she wishes for a the feeling of not knowing what risks and dangers are. She wants the feeling of living carefree-- without the constant presence of death hanging right around the corner, ready to strike. So, in someways, being oblivious can be a privilege. There is a little less weight on your shoulders. There is hope for something good, in a situation where there is no clear answer.

When I was younger I used to believe in things likes Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and I always wished for the moment when I would become an adult because it seemed oh-so-fun. But one Christmas I woke too early, to find my parents wrapping gifts. When I lost my tooth I woke to my mother's hand underneath my pillow, sneaking a dollar bill. I started to notice the pattern of my dreams being rudely awakened by reality. While I still have a lot to discover, I'm old enough to know that adults have to work many hours a week. They have to pay bills and do their taxes. Adults don't get allowance for doing the dishes or taking out the garbage. When your adult you figure out your life and you know what is ahead of you, where as when you are a kid you can dream and wish.  It gives us a motive, to try and succeed. But if we are exposed to the likeliness of maybe becoming a celebrity or a millionaire, then what is there to look forward too? How much confidence or trust would you have if you were told that the beliefs you grew up with were too good to be true?