Edwards, John

Taken from the .National Review Online.

"Edwards: 'Pretty Soon We’re Not Going to Have a Young African-American Male Population in America.'

Asked about what he could do about "inner-city kids partaking in violence" at the MTV/MySpace Forum yesterday, Democratic candidate John Edwards offered an apocalyptic prediction for young black males:

“We cannot build enough prisons to solve this problem. And the idea that we can keep incarcerating and keep incarcerating — pretty soon we’re not going to have a young African-American male population in America. They’re all going to be in prison or dead. One of the two.”

Hyperbole much? Despite popular misperception and those who find it a convenient talking point to illustrate inescapable racism, there are more young African-American men in college than in prison. In 2005, according to the Census Bureau, there were 864,000 black men in college. According to Justice Department statistics, there were 802,000 in federal and state prisons and jails; between the ages of 18 and 24, however, black men in college outnumber those incarcerated by 4 to 1."

My Thoughts:
John Edwards has taken a specific question about black youths in inner city's and turned it into a problem with all the black youth in America. He may very well have had a logical point following his statement, but the quicktime wouldn't work on my computer for me to see it from the MTV link above. Either way, he makes way to broad of a generalization. Sounds like someone has been listening to Hannity.

**I have been informed that the statement made by Edwards was taken way out of context. Like i said, i couldn't watch the interview for whatever reason and probably never would have posted. It happens.

Ye Old Ships

This is Breath. Breath was built by Peter Muilenberg in the late 70's-early 80's on St. John. Its a cool boat with lots of history. It has been across the Atlantic several times and through many storms and up rivers in Africa. It has lots of history and Peter has written a book telling stories of of his travels. A group of us went out on breath last week. It was cool to see a boat that was traditionally rigged and very salty.

Trust for Public Lands

Today I met Gary and John from Trust for Public Lands. They negotiate the purchase of land held by private entities and then give the land in some way to the public. This is done by giving it to National Parks, public land for cities, and other non-profit organizations whose work it is to protect the land for people. The have recently put under contract the 415 acres that makes up Estate Maho Bay. Their next project is to try and save Maho Bay Campgrounds. The lease on our land runs out in January of 2012, and the lease will not be renewed per the landowners. TPL wants to put this property under contract to preserve it as an Eco-Resort. This is great news. They have saved some 2.2 million acres from development. Hopefully they can add the 13.8 acres we are on to that.

My front porch

Here it goes, an attempt at something new. Welcome to my world. For the last 5 months I have lived and worked at Maho Bay. It is an Eco-Resort on St. John. I will continue to live and work here for at least the next year and a half. We are currently in the middle of hurricane season. So far, so good (as far as St. John goes). This is my front porch. I intend to share more of my life in the months to come which means pictures, stories, complaining, and my views.

Tropical Depression 8

Well, Invest whatever number it was never did anything. It was like a bottle rocket that turns out to be a dud. Well, Invest 91 is more like a roman candle. We thought it was a dud, then 7 hours later you find out it is actually a depression. It could end up being Ingrid or Jerry. There is something in the gulf that could get named before this one. I've learned that in a place like this, job security can depend on weather, what a crock. (click on the title to visit the tracking website to play along at home)

Invest 98

No, its not a late 90's slogan for Wachovia Securities. You better believe most people in the Caribbean know what it is........

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200798_model.html

I hope voting rights isn't a requirement for a FEMA trailor.