I have a couple of news items today which seem to call for the efforts of the Greek Furies (Erinyes) to come and deal with them. As a reminder, though no one really knows how many there were supposed to be, the three names we have are Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone. These roughly translate as "unceasing," "grudging," and "vengeful destruction."
First, from Alabama comes another story of grudging attitudes catching a child in the middle. (H/T JL)
A 3rd grader at Gardendale Elementary School in Gardendale, Alabama was recently sent home with a stamp on his arm reading, “I Need Lunch Money.” The message was intended for his parents, who are outraged the school didn’t alert them to the issue in a more discreet way.
The child's father states that the child's account was not in fact zeroed, but that seems to be a minor point for him. What he is outraged about is that the school couldn't find a more civilized and discreet way to alert them.
Nez Calhoun, director of public information for Jefferson County Schools, told ThinkProgress that stamps of that sort are “pretty standard across the district.”
“They get a stamp to notify the parents,” Calhoun said. “We’ll call, write letters — whichever way — but all children get stamps when [their accounts] are at zero dollars to get awareness up.” …
Calhoun expressed regret that Bivens didn't first bring his concerns to Principal Ware. Instead, as he acknowledges, he contacted an AL.com reporter.
Yeah, I'll bet he regrets that. I'll bet he deeply regrets that his school district has been caught acting like jerks. Do I hear a Republican somewhere crying, "Well, if the parents would just pay, this wouldn't happen"? Yeah. And if the lunches were just free, the district would save a whole lot of money by not having to pay a whole lot of snoops.
Moving right along now, we come to Louisiana, where the state is currently facing a budget gap of $600 million. This may not be as bad as Kansas (or ir may – I didn't check), but it is a large chunk of change. Almost as much as they spend every year just on prisons. They do incarcerate more people per capita than any other state – and considering where the US stands as a country on that statistic, it must mean they lock up A LOT of people. (Disclaimer: Picture does not show an actual Louisiana prison.)
As part of cutting costs, they have cut 62% off of the budget for public defenders, which was $16.5 million in 2014 and has been getting smaller every year. The cuts are so drastic that the president of the American Bar Association felt impelled to write to the Governor of Louisiana to protest.
However, they are not trying to get all that money from public defenders (good thing). Instead, one thing they are doing is trying to save money by getting out of putting air conditioning on Death Row in Angola (Prison).
You may have heard of Angola. It's widely considered the worst prison in America. Since Joe Arpaio's "jail" is in America, that's impressive. And Louisiana desn't see why they should spend any money on putting in no stinkin' air conditioning just because a federal judge told them they had to. In fact, they spent $1 million on court exoenses to get out of it. Mostly on private attorneys and contractors.
The state has indicated they could probably put in mechanical air, fix the problem, close the case for – oh, about $1 million. (Other estimates are considerably less.)
I wouldn't want you to think the state is doing nothing at all for the inmates. They are allowed one cold shower per day, ice chests in their cells, and fans outside.
District Judge Brian Jackson, overseeing the case, has wondered aloud whether the state's position is based on prison management concerns, or on politics or ideology. Ya think?
Megaera, you are the one on the line this week, although Tisiphone may see some revenge motives in Louisiana, and Alecto may well wonder whether this type of behavior will ever stop. Ummm – it's pretty warm in both states. Maybe you should take your own cooling systems.
The Furies and I will be back.
Posted to Care2 at http://www.care2.com/news/member/101612212/3994915
5 Responses to “Everyday Erinyes”
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Extremely worthy candidates for the furies JD! Both have authority viewing human rights and respect for others as expendable.
Several years ago, while I was doing cafeteria duty, a similar incident stands out for me. A student was given a notice that he didn't have any $$ for lunch, so..he received an inch thick peanut butter sandwich, w/no drink. I found it callous that they do this, so I bought him lunch for the rest of the week, until his dad could get the money in his account. From that moment on, I was on the look out for the kids who did not have any food for lunch, and helped them out. A stamp on the arm is worse, imho, and shouldn't be done. You can bet the principal was in on it too. ugh!
I don't keep my dog and cat outside on hot days. They are with me in air-conditioned comfort. Animals vs. people in prisons. Angola needs to be razed, and Joe A., needs to be fired, imho. This is appalling, all prisons should have AC. Better yet, if they don't, take out the AC in the Wardens/correctional officers/judges chambers and offices, because you know….that would save $$. Unbelievable cruelty, that still goes on every.single.day.
Unleash the Furies, and set them free!
Thanks, Joanne for post.
These are two completely Republican situations in need of Erynation!
Thanks JD
I've always wanted to actually SEE the Furies in action….could we possible set them onto Trump? (AFTER they taken care of these requests, of course.)
Alabama: Better get Megaera over there before the district starts to get more 'creative' and starts adding a skull to the stamp in stead of a smiley (as if that would make it any less nasty) or start stamping it on their foreheads in stead of the kid's arms. I always wonder what kind of education children get in schools where they shame children by having them walk around with a stamp all day to catch the attention of their parents. Certainly no education by good example.
Louisiana: I can just hear the the state thinking: "Why throw good money away on people on death row to keep them cool? With a bit of luck they'll be in a much cooler place soon anyway. No, let's really it on our friends for attorney and contractor fees instead. They deserve it." The only good thing in this is Judge Brian Jackson's remark, who dared to openly question Louisiana's integrity. With the worst incarceration record in America, and with America's known race/minority/income bias in who end up behind bars, Judge Jackson asked a rhetorical question of course, but it's commendable he asked it at all. Now it's up to Magaera and her sisters to make sure Louisiana forks out the money for the air conditioning in Angola prison. But they better stick around for a while afterwards, because with a $600 million deficit, the state will soon come up with a cut to some other budget for the poor and underprivileged very soon.