January 15, 2003

Maximus

Tonight I was pondering somethings that are problems we in America are facing. One is the fact that our prisons are being used far over capacity and taxpayers spend millions of dollars every year to house, feed, provide legal services, etc., for people who are never going to get out of prison (Im talking about people with life sentences here). Another is the fact that no matter how much people pay in taxes, the government is almost always coming up short in the money department. And still another is that Americans seem to be getting bored of the normal kind of television entertainment; reality shows are becoming more and more popular because people want new and different things to grab their interest.

I have thought of one thing that could help in all three of those areas, bring back REAL gladiators.

People look back on the Romans with disgust and detest when they think about what they forced people to go through in the coliseums. Yet all the Romans were doing was fulfilling the same desires that drive millions of Americans to theaters and living room televisions to watch movies and shows where people are killed in much greater numbers than even the most determined Roman could ever do. It just so happens that we live in an age when its possible to get our fix of that from something that is totally acted out, but I think that the ability of television and movies to fill this need in people is beginning to slip.

Its funny how our human morality is supposedly shown in the fact that we DONT condone games like the Romans did and that somehow the fact that we dream up and watch the things on movies puts us in a different category than them. I suppose everyone loves to believe a lie if it makes them look better.

I think that the government should take all of the people who are in prison for life, since theyre never going to get out anyways, and make the ultimate reality show. Maybe they can make it like The Running Man, I dont know. But the government can sell it to all the networks and have another source of revenue.

Just consider it the price the criminals pay for being a burden to everyone else (and yes I know that innocent people are always falsely convicted of crimes, but that always has and always will happen, so why worry about something thats not going to change?).

I think that all the creative people in Hollywood who think of ways for actors to get slaughtered on screen should think up ways to entertain the blood-hungry masses for real.

Anywhose, Im going to Illinois for a couple days so Ill write again when I get back.

I miss the comfort in being sad. -Nirvana

i think you may see something like that on t.v. soon, the way things are going. but i agree…at least the romans were being truthful to the masses.

RYN: Yes, I was born and raised in Minneapolis–Richfield to be exact. I’ll be back home in 42 days. YAY! It’s the only place in this country that seems to make sense. Where are you? St.Cloud or something? I am unfamiliar with that branch of Satanity… care to give a little lesson? It sounds completely intruiging…;) Now I’m off to read your entry. 😀

You have a very good point. As far as crime and prisons go the way I see it– ‘an eye for an eye’. Have you seen some of these prisons? They get to go to college, have cable, work out in gyms! Yes let’s give a mass murderer the opportunity to get really big, buff and scary besides just psycho and let him back into the world. I say death penalty. I believe Europe somewhere has a prison system ~

~where the families of the convicted pay for them; NOT the taxpayers. So if they don’t have enough money to pay for the persons’ cell– execute ’em. That may be fitting for extreme crimes like serial murderers and child molesters. But the way prisons are now–hell, why not? Commit a crime I’ll get treated better then if I were a law-abiding American-born citizen. Sorry, lil rant. 😉

RYN: Elk River, eh? I know exactly where that is. That’s not far at all. I’m planning on moving to the Coon Rapids area eventually. That sounds interesting; I may have to read that book. I don’t think I’ll agree perse with it, but I do think it would be something to learn about. Can’t be well-rounded unless you’re educated. It sounds interesting. 😉

I think they should take all of the criminals in the U.S., train them in combat and send THEM over to the middle east. Let them be part of the 3,000~10,000 that the government says will die. And if they live through it, and this war is won by those, set them free. Let them do something productive, instead of our taxes paying for an education they’re never going to get to use. Anyhoo

Adara

January 22, 2003

I miss the comfort in being sad – never heard it but like it. I found you through Celestial Glow, and though you’re somewhat morbid, your writing and ideas intrigue me. I like this entry – like the idea. At first I thought you were crazy to bring back the gladiators, but you do make a very valid point. I really like your statement to not worry about something that will never change.