If California's Doing It...!!

While growing up, I remember my parents saying so many times, "If so and so jumped off the bridge would you?"  This, of course would be in response to something I wanted to do but had been told I couldn't do it.  I am sure most everybody experienced hearing this at least at some point in your life.  Well, I now ask Jack McElroy with the Knoxville News Sentinel that same question.  

Mr. McElroy is executive editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel.  He has an article in today's paper which calls into question newly elected Sheriff Tom Spangler's desire address over crowding at the Knox County jail by building yet another jail.  

Personally, I am not arguing one way or the other as to whether or not more space for more prisoners is the answer for over crowding.  I could probably be swayed either way.  But, what I found almost amusing was what Mr. McElroy used as his first point in defending the need to explore other options.  In short, he used California as the beaming light on top of the hill.  According to McElroy, California has recently passed a law that allows for alternatives to housing prisoners.   He also cites other states for have done the same thing, but California is the first.

Now, if I were going to argue a point, California is the last place I would use as a shining example.  Isn't California's cost of living one of the highest, if not the highest, in the union?  And, isn't San Francisco paying employees to pick up human feces because of their lack of ability to even begin to control their homeless population?  I am sorry but I don't think California is the place with which an argument can be won.

So, Mr. McElroy, just because California uses alternative sentencing for those who have committed crimes, doesn't mean that little old Knoxville, Tennessee should do the same.  Other than that, you made a fairly descent argument for your cause, just don't use California as that does little to no good in my book!  No, I wouldn't do anything just because California is doing it!!!!

Until next time...
Becky