YTF do they keep death row inmates alive for so damn long?

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: CheapArse The time spent in jail costs way less than the execution itself.

Please back this up.
It costs around $45-50K per year per inmate.

The problem is that the courts are clogged with multiple appeal issues and there are mulitple courts that an appeal can proceed through. Each appeal can take 1-2 years to be heard and processed. Usually only one appeal is ever filed at a time. Plus there are at least 3 level of courts both at the state and federal level. Therefore a single appeal could live for 6-8 years depending on the issues and the speed/attitude of the court that it is heard by.

But why do they get so many appeals? By having appeals, does that mean we don't have faith in our justice system? If they're convicted the first time, and also the second time (once again, today's courts), why keep appealing. This seems like something a third grader would do, "You did it!", "No, I didn't", "YES, you did!", "NO, I DIDN'T".....

The appeals are usually due to the defense stating/claiming that a procedural mistake was made in the way the original trial was conducted.

New evidence is not normally entered in the appeals processes.

Sometimes due to a mistake in the original trial, an appeals court will order a new trial. Thus the whole picture starts again. At this point new evidence can be inserted into the case by either side.
Each side also has had a chance to peak at the other's cards, so now additional costs will be developed to offset the opponets strategies used in the previous trial(s).

 

[CPA]

To placate the bleeding-hearts of the world.

 

[pulse8]

I was watching an HBO documentary that stated 1 in 4 current inmates that have DNA testing done are found to be innocent.

 

[Nitemare]

To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: PipBoy
maybe the massive backlog in DNA testing has something to do with it. I don't really know.

OK, so there are approximately 46,000 inmates on death row in the US, how long do you think they will get all the DNA testings done?

40K of them are in Texas.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: PipBoy
maybe the massive backlog in DNA testing has something to do with it. I don't really know.

OK, so there are approximately 46,000 inmates on death row in the US, how long do you think they will get all the DNA testings done?

40K of them are in Texas.

Still can't believe the mother that killed her 5 kids isn't with them

 

Originally posted by: Nitemare
To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

you are right, its not like there is any racism in juries or judges, or even prosecutors in the south, or the poor not having a compatent attorney

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

you are right, its not like there is any racism in juries or judges, or even prosecutors in the south, or the poor not having a compatent attorney

I take it you missed the DNA evidence part of my post...but I guess they all do that up North

Generalizations suck, mmmkay?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

you are right, its not like there is any racism in juries or judges, or even prosecutors in the south, or the poor not having a compatent attorney

The chance for racism in the jury is something that comes with a "jury of your peers".
The racism in the judge can come into play with the exclusion/admitting of evidence and/or determining of sentence. The sentence is usually recommended by the jury.

The appeals courts are there to pick up any of those problems and determine if a new trial should be generated.

When an appeal after appeal is generated ,with slightly different wording, clogging the system, is where the expense increases and the frustrations start with the blind justice concept.

If one was to remove the death penalty and substitute for life w/o parole, there will still be advocates that insist that that is considered cruel and unusual.

 

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

you are right, its not like there is any racism in juries or judges, or even prosecutors in the south, or the poor not having a compatent attorney

I take it you missed the DNA evidence part of my post...but I guess they all do that up North

Generalizations suck, mmmkay?

Its not a generalization, its a fact. In alabama, an older black male is 5 times as likely to be put on death row than a young white male. DNA evidence or not, the prosecutor still has to seek the death penalty and the jury still has to sentence him to it. That can be wildly influenced by racism.

 

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

you are right, its not like there is any racism in juries or judges, or even prosecutors in the south, or the poor not having a compatent attorney

The chance for racism in the jury is something that comes with a "jury of your peers".
The racism in the judge can come into play with the exclusion/admitting of evidence and/or determining of sentence. The sentence is usually recommended by the jury.

The appeals courts are there to pick up any of those problems and determine if a new trial should be generated.

When an appeal after appeal is generated ,with slightly different wording, clogging the system, is where the expense increases and the frustrations start with the blind justice concept.

If one was to remove the death penalty and substitute for life w/o parole, there will still be advocates that insist that that is considered cruel and unusual.

Sure there will be advocates for cruel and unusal. However, we can always let a man free based on new evidence if he is serving a life sentence. Im not up to date on new medical technology, but I know of no way of bringing someone back from the dead once they get the injection/chair/bullet.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
To waste tax payers money.

If a jury convicts you, the evidence convicts you, and your DNA convicts you...just take him out back and give him a bullet.

you are right, its not like there is any racism in juries or judges, or even prosecutors in the south, or the poor not having a compatent attorney

I take it you missed the DNA evidence part of my post...but I guess they all do that up North

Generalizations suck, mmmkay?

Its not a generalization, its a fact. In alabama, an older black male is 5 times as likely to be put on death row than a young white male. DNA evidence or not, the prosecutor still has to seek the death penalty and the jury still has to sentence him to it. That can be wildly influenced by racism.

Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: CheapArse
The time spent in jail costs way less than the execution itself.

Please back this up.

It costs around $45-50K per year per inmate.


The problem is that the courts are clogged with multiple appeal issues and there are mulitple courts that an appeal can proceed through.
Each appeal can take 1-2 years to be heard and processed. Usually only one appeal is ever filed at a time. Plus there are at least 3 level of courts both at the state and federal level.

Therefore a single appeal could live for 6-8 years depending on the issues and the speed/attitude of the court that it is heard by.

David Erickson's study* of Los Angeles County compares the cost of a capital trial and the costs of a murder trial where the death penalty is not sought. The following is a summary of Erickson's cost study of a death penalty trial in Los Angeles County only.

In Los Angeles County, the total cost of capital punishment is $2,087,926.

In Los Angeles County, the total cost of life imprisonment without possibility of parole is $1,448,935.

The cost of incarceration which, for a death row defendant, would average $189,603. The incarceration of an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment generally costs about $821,613.

*David Erickson's study was completed in 1993 in the form of a Master's thesis for UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Public Policy. The complete study can be found in the UC Berkeley Graduate Library.
A complete breakdown of the cost analysis can be seen here. Granted, it's from 1993, but institutional costs for housing inmates has not risen drastically while defense costs have.

A study done by the Sacramento Bee argued that California would save $90 million per year if it were to abolish the death penalty.

The average cost of a capital trial in Texas is $2.3 million--three times the cost to incarcerate an individual for 40 years.

The average cost of a capital trial in Florida is $3.2 million.

Capital punishment is a far more expensive system than one whose maximum penalty is life in prison.

A New York study estimated the cost of an execution at three times that of life imprisonment.

In Florida, each execution costs the state $3.2 million, compared to $600,000 for life imprisonment.

Studies in California, Kansas, Maryland, and North Carolina all have concluded that capital punishment is far more expensive than keeping someone in prison for life.

The greatest costs of the death penalty are incurred prior to and during trial, not in post-conviction proceedings. Even if all post-conviction proceedings were abolished, the death penalty system would still be more expensive than alternative sentences.

Under a death penalty system, trials have two separate phases (conviction and sentencing); they are typically preceded by special motions and extra jury selection questioning.

More investigative costs are generally incurred in capital cases, particularly by the prosecution.

When death penalty trials result in a verdict less than death or are reversed, the taxpayer first incurs all the extra costs of capital pretrial and trial proceedings and must then also pay either for the cost of incarcerating the prisoner for life or the costs of a retrial (which often leads to a life sentence).

Death penalty costs.

Information on Costs of the Death Penalty From DPIC

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: CheapArse
The time spent in jail costs way less than the execution itself.

Please back this up.

It costs around $45-50K per year per inmate.


The problem is that the courts are clogged with multiple appeal issues and there are mulitple courts that an appeal can proceed through.
Each appeal can take 1-2 years to be heard and processed. Usually only one appeal is ever filed at a time. Plus there are at least 3 level of courts both at the state and federal level.

Therefore a single appeal could live for 6-8 years depending on the issues and the speed/attitude of the court that it is heard by.

David Erickson's study* of Los Angeles County compares the cost of a capital trial and the costs of a murder trial where the death penalty is not sought. The following is a summary of Erickson's cost study of a death penalty trial in Los Angeles County only.

In Los Angeles County, the total cost of capital punishment is $2,087,926.

In Los Angeles County, the total cost of life imprisonment without possibility of parole is $1,448,935.

The cost of incarceration which, for a death row defendant, would average $189,603. The incarceration of an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment generally costs about $821,613.

*David Erickson's study was completed in 1993 in the form of a Master's thesis for UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Public Policy. The complete study can be found in the UC Berkeley Graduate Library.
A complete breakdown of the cost analysis can be seen here. Granted, it's from 1993, but institutional costs for housing inmates has not risen drastically while defense costs have.

A study done by the Sacramento Bee argued that California would save $90 million per year if it were to abolish the death penalty.

The average cost of a capital trial in Texas is $2.3 million--three times the cost to incarcerate an individual for 40 years.

The average cost of a capital trial in Florida is $3.2 million.

Capital punishment is a far more expensive system than one whose maximum penalty is life in prison.

A New York study estimated the cost of an execution at three times that of life imprisonment.

In Florida, each execution costs the state $3.2 million, compared to $600,000 for life imprisonment.

Studies in California, Kansas, Maryland, and North Carolina all have concluded that capital punishment is far more expensive than keeping someone in prison for life.

The greatest costs of the death penalty are incurred prior to and during trial, not in post-conviction proceedings. Even if all post-conviction proceedings were abolished, the death penalty system would still be more expensive than alternative sentences.

Under a death penalty system, trials have two separate phases (conviction and sentencing); they are typically preceded by special motions and extra jury selection questioning.

More investigative costs are generally incurred in capital cases, particularly by the prosecution.

When death penalty trials result in a verdict less than death or are reversed, the taxpayer first incurs all the extra costs of capital pretrial and trial proceedings and must then also pay either for the cost of incarcerating the prisoner for life or the costs of a retrial (which often leads to a life sentence).

Death penalty costs.

Information on Costs of the Death Penalty From DPIC

The obvious retort...This is because you can almost die of old age on death row

 

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: NitemareOlder people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

Of that percentage, how many were women?

 

[C'DaleRider]

The obvious retort? That capital/exectuion trials are more expensive than life imprisionment? So that's an OBVIOUS retort? If it's so obvious, and since execution trials have the sky-high costs, and it DOES cost more to execute than keep someone in prision, why do we execute, then?
I was told as a kid it was for its deterrent value, but seems to me that the deterrence hasn't stopped anyone from killing people. Exceptional punishment? Keeping someone from doing the same thing again? Keeping someone in jail, solitary, isn't accomplishing the same thing? So you'd rather spend the huge amount of money to sentence someone to death rather than divert that money to true law enforcement?

And I say that because, surprise, the money to prosecute that sort of trial comes from your taxes you pay. The costs have to come from somewhere. So, for every $3 million capital/exection trial, that $3 million is taken from places it could be better spent......like more cops.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

34% sounds about right. Higher than that in some areas and lower in others. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for over a year and I could go weeks without seeing a single black person. My high school was about 50-50

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider
The obvious retort? That capital/exectuion trials are more expensive than life imprisionment? So that's an OBVIOUS retort? So, why do we execute, then? I was told as a kid it was for its deterent value, but seems to me that the deterence hasn't stopped anyone from killing people. Exceptional punishment? Keeping someone from doing hte same thing again? Keeping someone in jail, solitary, isn't accomplishing the same thing? So you'd rather spend the huge amount of money to sentence someone to death rather than divert that money to true law enforcement?

No, but I'd much rather seeing all that money be invested in a better and more effective justice system, where justice is served swiftly. An effetive punishment system where you wouldn't have all the appeals and craps to raise the cost of execution. If a convict is convicted and sentenced to death, and all the evidence, including DNA analysis proved beyond a doubt that the perp deserves a death sentence, then there should be no reasons to keep him/her behind bars at all. One fair trail, and that's it.

 

[Mill]

Problem with using California as the basis for the study, is that they require two different counsels and phases for death penalty trials. Google Keenan Counsel to understand what I am talking about, so in Cali it is likely it is more expensive due to that fact.

 

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

34% sounds about right. Higher than that in some areas and lower in others. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for over a year and I could go weeks without seeing a single black person. My high school was about 50-50

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 19.6% - virginia
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 11.5% - Texas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 29.5% - South Carolina
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 21.6% - North Carolina
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 15.7% - Arkansas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 26.0% - Alabama
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 14.6% - Florida
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 28.7% - Georgia
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 16.4% - Tennessee


Hardly 1/3 of the population (and thats for people put to death) and not even close to the 43% that are on death row.

And just for you:

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 3.1% - Arizona

 

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider
The obvious retort? That capital/exectuion trials are more expensive than life imprisionment? So that's an OBVIOUS retort? So, why do we execute, then? I was told as a kid it was for its deterent value, but seems to me that the deterence hasn't stopped anyone from killing people. Exceptional punishment? Keeping someone from doing hte same thing again? Keeping someone in jail, solitary, isn't accomplishing the same thing? So you'd rather spend the huge amount of money to sentence someone to death rather than divert that money to true law enforcement?

No, but I'd much rather seeing all that money be invested in a better and more effective justice system, where justice is served swiftly. An effetive punishment system where you wouldn't have all the appeals and craps to raise the cost of execution. If a convict is convicted and sentenced to death, and all the evidence, including DNA analysis proved beyond a doubt that the perp deserves a death sentence, then there should be no reasons to keep him/her behind bars at all. One fair trail, and that's it.

In principal, I agree. If we could insure a fair trial, with 100% accuracy of facts, with no racial, sexist, religious, or any other negative affects on the preceedings or sentencing, then fine, go for the Death penalty. But as it is today, it simply cannot happen. Our court system is one of the best in the world, but it is still very very flawed. There is no going back once they are dead.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

34% sounds about right. Higher than that in some areas and lower in others. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for over a year and I could go weeks without seeing a single black person. My high school was about 50-50

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 19.6% - virginia
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 11.5% - Texas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 29.5% - SC
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 15.7% - Arkansas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 26.0% - Alabama
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 14.6% - Florida
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 28.7% - Georgia

Hardly 1/3 of the population (and thats for people put to death) and not even close to the 43% that are on death row.

And just for you:

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 3.1% - Arizona

Now break those stats down into areas of high crime rates where murders or more likely to happen

 

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

34% sounds about right. Higher than that in some areas and lower in others. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for over a year and I could go weeks without seeing a single black person. My high school was about 50-50

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 19.6% - virginia
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 11.5% - Texas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 29.5% - SC
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 15.7% - Arkansas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 26.0% - Alabama
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 14.6% - Florida
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 28.7% - Georgia

Hardly 1/3 of the population (and thats for people put to death) and not even close to the 43% that are on death row.

And just for you:

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 3.1% - Arizona

Now break those stats down into areas of high crime rates where murders or more likely to happen

If I had that data, I would be more than happy to. More than likely, it would STILL show racism exists in terms of prosecutors and juries. If I come across that data, I will post it. However, the burden of proof to disprove what I have said it on you. If you can somehow disprove nurmerous studies done by professonals, then how could I say you are wrong?

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Older people are more likely to get the chair because young people have their whole lives in front of them. Case in point the DC Snipers, old guy gets the chair, young guy gets life. No its not fair nor was the reversal in the case where the young black male brutalized and killed a 6 year old and blamed it on wrestling. The race card was played there as well. People need to stop playing the race card so friggin much

Its not playing any race card, its stating a fact. Since 1976, there have been 885 executions through 2003. 723 of those came from the south. 34% of those were black, and 43% of those currently on death row in the south are black. Are you trying to tell me that blacks represent 34% of the general population in the south? And they commit more crimes which deserve greater punishment as a whole?

34% sounds about right. Higher than that in some areas and lower in others. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for over a year and I could go weeks without seeing a single black person. My high school was about 50-50

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 19.6% - virginia
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 11.5% - Texas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 29.5% - SC
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 15.7% - Arkansas
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 26.0% - Alabama
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 14.6% - Florida
Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 28.7% - Georgia

Hardly 1/3 of the population (and thats for people put to death) and not even close to the 43% that are on death row.

And just for you:

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 3.1% - Arizona

Now break those stats down into areas of high crime rates where murders or more likely to happen

If I had that data, I would be more than happy to. More than likely, it would STILL show racism exists in terms of prosecutors and juries. If I come across that data, I will post it. However, the burden of proof to disprove what I have said it on you. If you can somehow disprove nurmerous studies done by professonals, then how could I say you are wrong?

Studies with an agenda in mind are not accurate reflections of reality. Case in point they managed to postpone the death of one inmate because one of the injection chemicals was not on an approved list.
Search number 1 revealed statistics provided by the NAACP, search number 2 revealed statistics provided by an anti-death penalty group as did all subsequent searches.

Do a survey yourself, go to a high crime area, count people then do a breakdown by race. If you are not aware of any, contact your local police department. I would recommend going to a little larger city than your current one though.

I grew up in an area where often times I was a minority and went door to door selling newspaper subscriptions in some of these areas. Most of these areas we were forbidden to be in after dark and had to stay within view of other people. While I was ok with it, since I went to school with some of these peeps I got called crazy for being out there by them. The dress code with the newspaper did not exactly help either. One of the more popular features of the newspaper was the crime report, where someone was always getting shot or stabbed.

Life is rough, leave your small little towns and visit an inner city sometime. While most of the people are ok, it does not take that many toting guns and selling drugs to make it dangerous