Pubdate: Wed, 16 Dec 2009
Source: Barrie Examiner (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2317
Author: Charlie Renaud

FICTION FILLS THE VOID THAT A GRIM REALITY IN JUSTICE LEAVES
BEHIND

My spouse asked me a question yesterday.

Why do you like these cop shows that show gruesome deaths and
assaults?

I had to think about that one for a while.

What is the attraction? It is unpleasant and I don't enjoy watching
people suffering or dying an unpleasant death. I don't have a fixation
on death, blood or battery.

So, why the interest?

CSI,there are three of them. NCIS,there are two now.Law and
Order,three of them.Numbers, also a cop show.Criminal Minds,a cop show
too.

The basic concept overall is that there is a bad guy and he gets
punished for his wrongs.

Why is there such an interest in police shows on TV?

Because, I believe that there is a lack of proper justice in this
world, in the real world, so we are getting our 'justice' through
fantasy cop shows. That's it.

They always 'get the perpetrator', or at least 99% of the time. That
is the reason we watch. To see them get the person responsible. That
is the conclusion and what gives us satisfaction.

So, instead of feeding our desire for 'justice' in the real world,
because that is just not attainable any longer, we use TV shows to
satisfy that genuine need.

What a shame that we cannot derive any satisfaction or be proud of our
government for 'getting the bad guys' for their crimes. Why is this?

Because the U. S., and pacifistic Canada following along like a puppy,
will not legalize, decriminalize or regulate marijuana or any other
drugs.

This 'War on Drugs' must end, just like alcohol prohibition
did.

More than 70% of our courts, police and jails are overwhelmed by drug
crimes, most of them petty.

No big organized crime bosses are in jail, nor will they ever be. If
this enormous drain on our resources was stopped, the police and
courts could derive 'justice' for many real crimes.

But no.

Fear mongering and propaganda (expensive marketing strategy) appeal to
the masses and tell them we will have to spend more money on
enforcement, incarceration and heavier penalties for drugs.

Which just gives the government a blank cheque to increase our taxes,
with none of the desired result obtained.

Charlie Renaud

Phelpston 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D