The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

Posted by: justoletyouknow on July 13, 2008 10:29PM CST lock them all up for a good time and stop given them breaks on all the crime they do

Posted by: justoletyouknow on July 13, 2008 10:30PM CST LOCK THEY ALL UP AND STOP GIVEN THEM BREAKS ON ALL THE CRIME THEY DO

Posted by: MR on July 13, 2008 10:38PM CST You are right. All caps was the way to go. Really, why simply type a comment when you can pseudo scream it? And, it's not like the uneducated masses would understand an exclamation point, or selective all caps for emphasis. Next time, try this, use a Insert Message (delete the spaces), and you can bold and all caps. It really gives some base tone to your all caps pseudo yell. That is all.

Posted by: ABC on July 13, 2008 10:53PM CST I say make all schools year round. Keeping the kids off the street during the summer would eliminate much of the problem.

Posted by: justoletyouknow on July 13, 2008 11:01PM CST MUCH OF THE PROBLEM ANT JUST THE SCHOOL KIDS IT THE ADULTS

Posted by: kawwwman on July 13, 2008 11:04PM CST mr..so what is your comment on the post/blog? tougher punishment. more pro active roles in the police. hire walker texes ranger kinda cops. talk with the black leaders to do more. but that would mean work and they dont like that...they just want a hand out. that needs to change. have a summer long crack down in 100 percent of the ghetto.

Posted by: MR on July 13, 2008 11:15PM CST My comment would be that everyone should watch the series Gangland on The History Channel. Especially the episodes that covered Chicago and the Gangster Disciples. And, this is mostly Jesse Jackson's fault. People that don't work should be homeless. We need to re-establish orphanages to take in kids from mothers who can't support their children and quit promoting pregnancy and child birth as a government paid occupation.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 13, 2008 11:21PM CST i agrea mr. jesse jackon sucks. and children haven children is so wrong. also on the national geo channel next sunday will be showing gangs in LA.

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 13, 2008 11:31PM CST Get gangs off the streets ? Not sure that is even a reasonable goal - or one people would even agree on what it would mean. Most people in Racine County think three or four kids in baggy clothes is a gang. Do we want to get gangs out of committing crimes or do we want there to be no gangs? What is the goal ? If you really are concerned about having NO gangs - how about look at why kids join gangs ? But no bloggers are interested in that. That would be a common sense strategy. "Gang-related" is the most overused and meaningless phrase. What is the harmful behavior we want to diminish ? Why do kids or young men and women partake in such behavior ? How do we get them to NOT display such behavior ? The role of "gangs" - whether official street gangs or just a clique of friends who commit crimes - can be very important or mean nothing at all to an actual incident or crime.

Posted by: MR on July 13, 2008 11:32PM CST Take a huge chunk of money out of the drug trade by legalizing marijuana, taxing it, and increasing penalties for abusers (driving while high, public intoxication and so on). And, just as marijuana is a gateway drug for illegal drug use, it can be a gateway back to legal drug use (if you face stiff penalties for getting caught with marijuana, and you face the same stiff penalties for getting caught with coke, there is really nothing to stop you from stepping up to harder drugs). If there is no penalty for marijuana possession and there is a huge penalty for cocaine possession, people that want to use drugs (can't stop them) will more than likely use marijuana over coke.

Posted by: MR on July 13, 2008 11:42PM CST If the gangs didn't commit crimes, then this wouldn't even be a topic. Gangs would be a good thing if there was no crime involved. When the Gangster Disciples switch from crack dealing and murder to bake sales and car washes... something something... pigs flying.

Posted by: shockedonlooker on July 13, 2008 11:43PM CST I actually agree with MR on the marijuana legalization. I DON'T agree with this article series so far on two things: Gangs did not just miraculously sprout up in the early eighties. They were here long before that. I remember seeing graffiti in the mid seventies and friends of mine were jumped by gang members well before mid-eighties. Also, the reason they came here from Chicago in the late seventies/early eighties were easy welfare bennies before Thompson was Governor and made his early mark with "welfare to work" reform. People of this town were PO'ed about it way back then, but nobody listened. It was too late, the free handout news welcomed a flood of unwed mothers from the projects. Alcohol kills so many more people than marijuana it's just amazing to me that marijuana is illegal...it's a freaking natural plant....no chemical lab needed!

Posted by: Winger on July 14, 2008 12:15AM CST We need KRM so that gang members have transportation to legitimate jobs and can then stop relying on drug dealing to pay for food, clothing and shelter. We need funding for school dinner programs so that poor children don't continue to buy and ingest drugs after school that help them forget about their hunger and lives of oppression. We need to distribute trigger locks at schools, since we know that gun bans (abstinence only) do not work and that kids are going to carry guns anyway and they need to protect themselves from accidental shooting. We need to recognize gang graffiti for the artistic expression that it is, and encourage it as a creative outlet. We need the mayor to distribute free spray paint to help him paint his vision of Racine as an Artist mecca. We need to install bass cannons and chrome spinner wheels on school buses to encourage kids to see that going to school is da bomb.

Posted by: Deo on July 14, 2008 12:32AM CST Kaww - Try buyiNg a clue! "talk with the black leaders to do more." so are ther any other groups tht have gangs, dang you are ignorant! Gangs have existed in the United States for over 200 years. It all started when the first immigrants came to the U.S.A. Most of them came for a better life but many of them ended up in poverty. The first gangs were formed among poor adolescents who grouped together for the sake of socialisation and protection. They were of the same race or the same ethnic background. The first known gang specialized in crimes was called “The Five Points”. It consisted of Irish immigrants and was established in New York City. What WHITES were the first known criminal gang, but Kaww says it all the blacks in the ghetto! But what there's more! Gangs formed around similar ethnic backgrounds. After The Civil War there were Jewish, African American, Italian and Irish gangs in New York. Chinese gangs appeared in California in the mid 1800s. Philadelphia reported gangs as early as 1840. Between then and 1870 Philadelphia became home to over 100 street gangs. This is also the time when gangs started to use clothing for the sake of distinctiveness. Chicago became a type of gang capital during the 1920s, with a total of about 1,300 gangs and about 25,000 gang members. Immigration of Mexicans into California grew rapidly in this period. Many youngsters of the second generation didn’t fit in the American society. They started wearing fancy and distinctive clothes called “Zoot Suits”. Serious problems with sailors (it was the time of WW II) caused the “Zoot Suit Riots”. Between 1941 and 1945 over half a million Puerto Ricans arrived in the United States. Most settled in New York City, which led to the formation of new gangs. Also during the 1920's the African American populations migrated from the south to northern cities and established gangs there. Kaww: FACTS! http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/96natyouthgangsrvy/surv_6c.html

Posted by: Winger on July 14, 2008 12:35AM CST We need to hold a funeral in Burlington for the words "gang", "gangbanger" and "gangsta". We need to elect Barack Obama who will solve the problem through diplomacy.

Posted by: Fl. gal on July 14, 2008 5:45AM CST Riviera Beach, Florida passed a new law this year. The police can give tickets for sagging pants and showing underwear in public places. The community is very supportive of the new law. The mayor was fed up with the image of his town, he started the whole idea! Is Becker involved with Racine's image?

Posted by: I AM on July 14, 2008 8:19AM CST Gangs show the social state of the area in which the gangs are formed. If the social structure changed, gangs would be a non-issue. People in REAL POWER like it(the social structure) just the way it is.........think about it........if the common man didn't have the foils of gangs and welfare cheats WE would really see were the REAL threats in are structure dwells.........

Posted by: Master of the Obvious on July 14, 2008 8:28AM CST MauriceH, I have to say, I am absolutely sick and tired of your comments and overall attitude. You seem to point fingers at the "bloggers" on this site constantly, yet you don't look at yourself. You stand up for the most absurd perspectives I have ever seen. Your argument about the term "gang" applying to a cliche of kids is meaningless to this conversation. Personally, I am quite tired of the black population not looking at themselves for a lot of their own problems and a lot of the prejudice that is thrown their way. Yes, I am white, and yes, I walk on the other side of the street when I see three black teenagers with baggy pants walking my direction. Because I do, this makes me prejudice?? Hah... I have three kids (all of whom I spend regular time with EVERYDAY) that I have to feed and I do not need to be the victim of some meaningless crime. I am sorry MauriceH, but you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Until the black culutre starts to police its own, you are going to suffer from prejudice. Your comments everyday on the blogs just affirm what a lot of white people think. You just won't admit the problems within the black community and you want to blame everyone other than yourselves. At some point in time, people will cease to continue the political correct BS that is out there and take their communities back from the thugs. STOP HAVING TWENTY KIDS WITH TWENTY PARTNERS... that's a start...

Posted by: Mr. Teeters on July 14, 2008 9:19AM CST This generation was handed the greatest of all gifts by the civil rights generation: the opportunity to do or become whatever they wanted. Instead, they chose sex, drugs, and violence. End of story. Sorry, Maurice, but whitey can't force your fathers to support and raise their children.

Posted by: sir on July 14, 2008 9:19AM CST Pick up all the known gang members is town, then let's have them fight it out in Horlick Field like the Gladiators. Give them knives and let them fight it out on the field, bringing one more out each time one is killed.

Posted by: TeeJay on July 14, 2008 9:23AM CST Winger,I agree....Sarcasm and all.Too funny!

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 14, 2008 9:24AM CST WELL, HERE WE GO AGAIN. Maurice the perpetual spinner, do you ever stop and read that all you entries are just a circle of the same question? who is too blame for the gangs? Then there is my buddy deo, little Mr. history lesson. thanks bud, don't need it. This is what everyone needs to do. get involved, simple solution. talk to your kids, hang out with them. know there freinds, look at their eyes when they are talking to you. that would be a good start. if you see things happen that out out of the ordinary call the cops. if there is a crack house on your street, simply call the det. bureau of racine. make an anonymus call and "snitch it out." personally i dont partake in the weed thing but i think that if it was legal it would take a whole lot of this drama away. you never hear of somone commiting a violent act because he was stoned. maybe he beat up the fridge cuz he had the munchies but nothing violent. this is so simple, and yet i have seen this so out of control.

Posted by: MR on July 14, 2008 9:54AM CST Deo... Nice of you to flash your diversified multicultural awareness badge, but I think the conversation is Racine specific.

Posted by: karlomarx on July 14, 2008 9:59AM CST Ticket anyone with baggy stupid pants. Man that look is dumb.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 10:14AM CST yup maurice is a another black guy that cannot accept the notion that racine has black gangs that make up the armpit of racine. he keeps asking the same dumb questions..why do gang bangers joing a gang? because they are criminals and there parents suck! and then he ask What is the goal ? um are you that ignorant that you have to ask that? come on man you know damm well what the goal is. deo today is 2008 not eary days as you describe. in todays world its the blacks not the whites. i bet your still stuck on getting the repreations that the blacks want...a free hand out of money. black people need to learn to take reponsibility for there community/hood. dont expect the whites to rebuild your hood. you will only trash it again in less than a week.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 10:24AM CST realistate could be the answer. everytime a house goes up for sale in the hood. the city could buy it and and bulldoze it down. it should be a felony to be in a street gang. everytime they want to flash a gang sign they would get arrested.

Posted by: taxedtodeath on July 14, 2008 10:53AM CST Master of the Obvious: You have said what most people have thought for a long time. The only difference is if we say it we are called racists. I too am sick and tired of the minority population living on welfare as a source of income and not thinking twice about having 5 or 6 children - all with different men. The minority population has so many opportunities - free college, etc. that the white students do not have and yet we are the problem by keeping them down. It sickens me to have to listen to a group of black women having a conversation and their hack job of the english language - the men are even worse.

Posted by: globejammer on July 14, 2008 11:08AM CST well said

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 11:32AM CST well said taxed to death master of the obvious said it right!

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 11:41AM CST well said!

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 11:46AM CST well said

Posted by: Mr B on July 14, 2008 12:48PM CST I think Deo's point was over time there were gangs of all backgrounds and it had to do with poverty not race. By the way when was the last time any asked the "Italian" leadership in this country to not accept the Mafia and their behavior. It comes down to individual parents using what is available to them and keeping their kids off the street and in school. Education leads to jobs, jobs to less poverty, less poverty to less crime.

Posted by: MYTHOUGHTS on July 14, 2008 12:54PM CST The increased issue seems to stem when Milwaukee opened thier doors for hurricane victims of New Orleans, the lack of jobs in Racine and the free handouts of government checks. I am so sick of minorities crying wolf, not one of them was part of the hardship of thier ancestors and should be ashamed of themselves to even think they derserve anything for a handout. How they behave is NOT what their fore fathers sought freedom and equality. They [ancestors of minorities] would be embarrassed to call them family. So your mom does not hug you or say I love you, you do not know your father, your grandma who can hardly take care of herself has to feed, cloth and keep a roof over your head is trying to raise you and this is how you treat them. If on welfare there should be mandating parenting classes, home budget classes. As for gangs: Boo Hoo to you and get a reality check ... Get over it, everyone has a hard sap story but grow up, go to school, get a job and clean up your neighborhoods, earn respect as it should be. Its not just minorities, although statistics are there, this goes for all the lazy individuals who think everything should be handed to them as if a right of passage. Who cares they threw a sign that is made up of morphing the fingers in silly angles and wearing colors that are not "yours", since when do you own the colors of Gods intentions, pay the taxes on the "turf" your so set on holding on too. The only thing you truly own is yourself and with that is pride and responsibility, not anything else.

Posted by: DevilDawg on July 14, 2008 12:54PM CST When I was stationed in California, I had a few guys in my platoon who where known gang members; and were in the Marine Corps by a judges order. They were given a choice...join the military or go to jail. In the Corps, they got to shoot all the guns they wanted, got 3 meals a day and got paid for it. Racine County should work with recruiters to get these men and women into a culture where they are given responsibility. It is amazing what happens when you give someone a little responsibility...they respond in a positive manner.

Posted by: I AM on July 14, 2008 1:11PM CST What most of US don't UNDERSTAND OR COMPREHEND IT is NOT,.. I REPEAT IT IS NOT A White OR Black thing !!!!!!!!! IT IS A SOCIAL THING! Gangs are born out of social injustice!!!!! PURE UNDISPUTEABLE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR ALL OF US THAT COMMENT ON THE BLACK AND WHITE>>>WE>>>>I REPEAT>>>WE ARE THE MAJOR BLAME!!!!!! WE THINK SO SHALLOW THAT WE HAVE CONVINCE OURSELVES THAT WE ARE DIFFERENT FROM THEM.....HERE IS YOUR DIFFERENCES: YOU JOINED THE WORKING CLASS STIFF GANG, THEY JOINED THE STREET GANG....YOU LIE TO YOUR SELF AND THINK YOUR GOOD ALL THE WHILE WORKING FOR A SYSTEM THAT SUCKS YOUR LIFE AND CHILDERNS FUTURE DRY....KILLING, IN YOUR NAME MILLIONS>>>ALL FOR THE SAKE OF BIG CORPoRATIONS(THAT GIVE YOU BACK GRIEF WHEN YOU NEED HELP....see recent flood plane victims....THEM; THEY REJECT THE SOCIAL STRUcTURE KNOWING THAT IT'S FULL OF>>>> BEING BORN INTO AND LED TO BELIVE THAT (THE STREETS IS WERE THEY CAN FIND RESPECT AND ACCEPTANCE) THAT THEY ONLY HAVE X AMOUNTS OF LIFE POSSIBILITY............WE ARE ALL >>>> >> WAKE UP AND BECOME APART OF THE SOLUTIONS OR DIE OFF LIKE THE PROBELMS!!!!!!!!!...............I AM

Posted by: taxedtodeath on July 14, 2008 1:16PM CST I find it ironic that the welfare mothers of today want everybody else to take care of their kids - but it comes full circle when their baby has a baby and they have to take care of their baby's baby, etc., etc., etc., and the cycle continues. Racine's demographics are poor minorities - it's not being racist - it's the truth. We have one of the largest poor minorities groups in the state per capita than any other large city. Couple that with the minority mentality and it is no wonder we as a city have the problems we are having.

Posted by: Bad_arguments on July 14, 2008 1:40PM CST *******it should be a felony to be in a street gang.******** This. The "gang" concept should be outlawed. The purpose of the gang by nature is to act outside of society and it's norms and laws. Most reasonable people would have to agree that by joining a gang, the very nature of it makes you an accessory to ALL gang activity that occurs. There is no innocent gang member. This in my mind goes for biker gangs, inner city gangs and arian gangs. Cultural gangs as well. It sickens me that we allow these thugs to gather and mingle on street corners and flash their signs and stalk society like a pack of rabid wolves. They infiltrate our schools and attack our kids on the streets. They start out two or three of them beating up a kid and stealing his bike and then eventually grow old enough to ride in a car and shoot up whole neighborhoods like they are trying to kill anyone and everyone. I say, empower the police to, by force if necassary, break up the gangs and start a war with them like they could not have imagined in a million years. When I hear the cops cracked a thugs head I say, well done gentlemen. Can you get me another. They commit terrorism on the community with their guns and knives and they should be dealt with with the same vigor we pusue the arab terrorist who threatens us with chaos and death. NO ONE makes any of these men/boys join a gang. They choose to join. Maurice would have you believe it's societies fault. Bullcrap, they choose too. I raised two kids myself and they have jobs and responsibilty, manners and respect. It wasn't handed to them, they earned it. They didn't need a "gat" to do it, either. My youngest has worked at a fast food chain for the past 6 years and every day I fear for her with these thugs running around with their guns taking what they want. Her good friend and coworker was murdered whilke working a few years back by one of these so called "turing their live's around" thugs. Murdered for a stereo and a reputation. I don't even care why they are gang members anymore. They do it. Their purpose is to do nothing more than gain power and inflict harm on others and the very act of joining should be a crime to be rewarded with years and years of lockup(life for all I care-They give their victims life sentences). They sell drugs to our kids and break into our homes while we are at work. They steal our lives to provide for theirs. When we have nothing left to give them, they beat us over the head or do worse and kill us. People like Maurice empower them. Instead of talking to them, he should be turning their names in to the proper authorities so they can be dealt with. Let's face it, he makes nice with them so they don't destroy him also. He knows this is a fact. Build the prisons and fill them. I pay the taxes, use them to make the street safe again from these thugs. If you're not going to do any of that, then leagalize carry and conceal so I can blow a few of them away myself. By the way, Mr. B, I agree with you education is an answer along with parental involvement to prevent FUTURE gang members, but I am talking about the 35-50% dropout rate now being experienced in some schools and the fact that we are overun with these thugs and it is us vs. them for survival right now. We are being denied even the simplest right by these thugs now, you can get shot at the mall now buying a pair of socks. Yea I am aware there is always crime. But, gangs, that is another deal altogether. Here is a quote regarding the recent "gang" killing in Milwaukee. Gives a sense of how these thugs feel about the rest of us, including Maruice. *******"At that point, Antonio Williams told Mr. Fuentez that 'he thought he had shot a (expletive) in the head,' " the complaint says.**** Make you feel all fuzzy inside, doesn't it? Let's talk to them.

Posted by: Mr. Nyte on July 14, 2008 1:46PM CST Some things I can agree with from most of you writers (or bloggers). And some of it is just plain stupid. I just don't agree when people categorize ALL blacks as if we ALL live in bad neighborhoods and come from bad households and welfare mothers. I'm black and I don't know anybody personally on welfare nor do I know or associate with gangs. I came from a 6 figure a year household and now have my own house where the income is over 6 figures. All my friends and associates own their homes and make good money legally and I don't mean a shack in the bad areas. I agree that its not white people fault but don't put us all in that category. Personally, I need nothing from none of you, black or white...no programs, no politicians, no hand-outs or free lunches. Get it right. And for the record, I to prejudge to a certain degree when I see a group of shady character white/mexican or black. In my case though it's usually white imitating so-called gangsters. I think is bad when people can't raise/teach their kids better and enviroment suffers but I think EXTREMELY stupid when a white suburban kids goes and copy them. Oh well...I'm not the problem ..nor the answer.

Posted by: I AM on July 14, 2008 1:47PM CST IT' ALSO OUR MENTALITY>>>>>DEFINITION OF INSANITY........REPEATED THE SAME (fill in the BLANK) AND EXPECTING A RESULT THAN WHAT HAS BEEN THE NORM OF(fill in the BLANK)..........TAX TILL THERE IS NONE LEFT!!!!!!!!!KEEP DANCING(BLOGGING) RACINE IS BURNING!!!!!!!!

Posted by: MYTHOUGHTS on July 14, 2008 1:52PM CST I AM all the screaming in your writings. You should drive down to the, okay I will not refer to hood, social injustice part of town and give them all hugs. Then ask them to return all my hard tax paying money to me that supports them to buy food and stay in a cheaper if not free place to live. Since it was taken away form, how you put by being in a "working class stiff gang". I dont care if they are green martians (did not want to offend by putting aliens just in case to offend you or the social injustice). I do my civialian duty and have tried, but the more I give they more they taketh away. So you see I AM... Solutions can not be made if they dont want them since they have it pretty good as it is, so I choose to stay away from social injustice. But if I lose my job, home I will certainly refrain form finding gainful employment, have a few more kids, after recruiting some men and start my own social injustice team. Maybe I will someday write a book on how I got to get fed, roof over my head and manage to drive a nicer car than those who work and mark all because "I AM" was on my side.

Posted by: punk elvis on July 14, 2008 2:02PM CST If the gang's feel they need to intimidate, beat, and shoot men women and children then it is pretty clear they need to be treated the same way. LIVE BY THE SWORD DIE BY THE SWORD. Kill the thugs or be killed by the thugs. I will help. KILL'EM ALL!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: taxedtodeath on July 14, 2008 2:07PM CST I say drug test all welfare recipients. If they come up "dirty" the first time cut benefits, the second time take the kids away and put them in foster care or state run orphanages and up for adoption. There are a lot of people willing to adopt children. Maybe that would get the future population away from the thug rats who only want to have another gang banger's baby. Plus, I am all for sterilization after the first two if you are not married and have no other means of support other than the taxpayers. Just because you can have a baby - shouldn't mean you have the right to at the expense of others.

Posted by: in the rat since 56 on July 14, 2008 2:10PM CST wow..as someone who has been in the rat' since 56 it's absolutely destroying this town, it's culture or lack there of, it's mojo, it's business and of course it's schools..wake-up racine and will someone get the lights as we all move to the west to the utopias of waterford and union grove...this is not a color issue a race issue or any of that bs..it's morons plain and simple..idiots who think life is not precious, freedom isn't worth fighting for and what's in it for me?? My career is almost over and let me tell you there is no way under God's green earth to remain here....as for the Unrinal times and it's so called responsible journalism..what a joke...this paper would be best served if fish johnson would buy it and have a big family bonfire and we could all move on and buy the milw journal or the tribune..real papers....the Urinal Times is so called for a reason...marci you have a long way to go in your career cause if you think this series has any thing new to say forget it..might as well print last years box scores more interesting than reading this garbage!!! if i subscribed i would cancel it!!!!

Posted by: Eagle4JC on July 14, 2008 2:17PM CST Make them work in the fields, or doing the labor that Immigrants are being taken advantage of. I bet their parents and Grandparents would have done it. But, there are no real men Left to train these young me up, or to teach them good morals. Real Men, men like my father, who stood up for what was right. Who would raise their families, providing what they needed with love and humility. The kind of man that isn't looking to take advantage of others or get over on the system. The kind of man that helped his neighbor and did things for others out of the kindness of his heart The kind of man that was glad to be alive , to have escaped death in the last great war. the kind of man that could stand tall, not out of arrogance and pride over his accomplishments, But the kind of man that stood tall because he knew in his heart he was right with God and his fellow man. The kind of man that was not afraid to cry or be stern. The kind of man that meant what he said , and did what he said, who's words had value and meaning. A real man. This is what these children need to lead them, and teach them.

Posted by: globejammer on July 14, 2008 2:32PM CST wow, lot's of solutions but is ANYONE TRYING TO HELP? It's easy to sit and be one with the internet all day, but help is a whole nother ballgame isnt it?

Posted by: Mr B on July 14, 2008 3:55PM CST Bad Argue - The dropout rate you mention is horrible. That reflects the parents lack of concern for their kids and is the root cause of most of these issues. I do agree the concept of orphanages should be brought back and the government should be much more aggressive about pulling these kids away from lousy parents. Drug test them and remove them from the homes of addicts and habitual criminals. That should be applied evenly not just in the "ghetto" neighborhoods as well, including the privledged kids whose parents don't care enough about them but get good lawyers. Or the trailer trash problem kids out in the county. I don't agree with the "kill them all" and "blow them away" comments. It goes against the Christian teachings I had and I would guess most of those commenting had. Real change never comes at the end of a barrel.

Posted by: speaking frankly on July 14, 2008 4:04PM CST Yes there were gangs for decades, but they have only grown stronger because the School System and the laws have not helped the situation. When we were in school, we had to respect our elders and persons of authority - not so anymore. When we misbehaved, we were punished and our parents weren't called on by Social Services for being bad parents. When my step-daughter was in Junior High School (about 15 years agao), they were big on the self-esteem thing. There were no consquences for doing something wrong. She skipped her 8th hour class every day - the teachers saw her leave and did nothing. Of course, they always wanted to suspend her from school for 3 days? With both parents working during the day, that just means PARTY! We always had to talk them into allowing her to stay for in-school suspension. When ever we had an altercation with her, we either had Social Services or the Family Court breathing down or necks. Unfortunatley, those children are now young adults, and have never been humbled by life - they expect that everything will be handed to them and if not, they can just take it. They believe they are indestructable and the law cannot touch them. They have no respect for them selves or others.

Posted by: MC on July 14, 2008 4:37PM CST Mr Nyte - With an exception or two, I think the black people being talked about here are thugs, gang bangers, criminals and welfare abusers. They are not talking about black people in general. Except for a couple of bloggers, everyone here knows that the trouble makers in the black population are a small percentage of the total.

Posted by: more crime on July 14, 2008 5:33PM CST this is so funny you will never stop gangs if you think one bit that the police r doing something thats even funnier we dont die we multiply like they said u take 3 of us off the corner 4 more will arrive. if all the crime stop what would happen to the police and what would u idiots do all day. u could also blame your wonderful government for the crime if they can send a man to the dont u think they can stop drugs

Posted by: more crime on July 14, 2008 5:40PM CST i read alot of your guys blogsand you all ack like your so rightious and sh it , like you never broke the law let me ask u this have drove drunk or should i say driving after u had a couple of beers well alot of u will say no which is bullsh it if u answer yes well what makes u beter then the rest of the criminals

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 8:06PM CST Bad_arguments you are so right! more crime..we are talking about gang banging.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 14, 2008 8:09PM CST i dont think that theres a solution. but a deterant could be in place by making it a felony to be in a street gang.

Posted by: punk elvis on July 14, 2008 8:31PM CST these pieces of shit have been getting help from birth in one form or another they are taking advantage of the system on purpose. They choose this lifestyle because it is easier and more lucrative. when are the bleeding hearts gonna be fed up with being abused and used, what is it gonna take one of these thugs to take the life of one of your loved ones for a couple bucks or as a part of their initiation into a GANG!!!!!! They know their wrong and they dont give a flying shit about you, me, or anyone but their homeys and even then the line is pretty thin!!!!!

Posted by: my word on July 14, 2008 8:34PM CST MY COMMENTS IS TO START FROM THE SEED OF THE PLANT FIND THE SEED AND THE ROOT OF IT ALL START BY THEPARENTS FOR THE YOUNGER ONES AND THE SCHOOLS START WITH ALLLLLLL THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THEM TARGET HOMES WITH SOME OFTHE TURFER PLACES EVERY GANG PLANT A SEED AN A YOUNG ONE AND IT GROWS FROM THERE WHERE THE PARENTS? LOCKING THEM AINT DOING ANY GOODCUZ THEY WILL COME HOME SOON AND GO BACK.

Posted by: more crime on July 14, 2008 9:04PM CST Gang life is a culture, weather you want to belive this or not. I'am a active gang member, have been since I was five.Yes, raised into one and so will my kids.Gangs started out to protect our hood, from other pepole and even the police. Times are hard and ot gets even harder when tou can't find work. It's even harder when your just chillin on the porch, and every five min. ypu got crack heads coming up and asking "you straight", sh it after awhile your just giving what they want.Sh it I've probably sold to one of you pepole. AMORE

Posted by: punk elvis on July 14, 2008 9:38PM CST more crime, you should be the first to go meet your maker, just for bringing your kids into that life style . you had a choice and you chose to be a scared little thug, dont take that choice away from your kids they can still be productive members of society. that is unless you want them to be buried right along with you. grow some balls, you dont need thugs and guns to be tough you need brains and courage.

Posted by: nm on July 14, 2008 10:03PM CST If gang bangers act like animals treat them like animals. Get them neutered, spayed or put in jail. Im sick of the excuses by the left. If there is a drug war. Then fight like there is war.

Posted by: Deo on July 14, 2008 11:20PM CST Mr. B - At least someone got the point I was trying to make. Gangs have always been around and always will be. Yes, most of the problems in Racine RIGHT NOW have to do with Black Gangs, but several of those posting are forgeting about the Hispanic inflex into this part of the state and the gang violence that they will bring with them. Anyone ever heard of the Latin Kings or MS 13, which by the way is the fastest growing and most VIOLENT Gang in AMERICA. QE - It was the Liberal Policies inplemented in the 60 that are the root cause of the Gang violence that Racine is now experiencing. The Welfare Culture, Out of Wedlock Birth Rate, Drug Use, The High School Drop Out Rate can all be FACTUALY proven to be a DIRECT result of Liberals thinking that government can raise families and know better than those families themselves. Take away all the give aways and start holding people responsible for their action.

Posted by: nm on July 14, 2008 11:47PM CST Deo- No argument from me. Your are right! We need to take our power back. If the police won't do it then a militia! Vigilantes unite! The "great new society failed." thanks to Franklin Roosevelt. All entitlement programs and civil rights programs made the problems worse. Eliminate them now! The right wing is right! Sink or swim. We need a strong republican president, governor, and mayor. Or a new country order to this chaos. Have nothing to hide? Then let the police search your house. Setup blockades to stop the incoming traffic. Before we become a socialist regime like England or Canada. The Hispanic problem is just as bad as the black problem. Lets cut to the chase. Yeah, there are some bad white guys out there but not compared to what we have to deal with gang banger blacks and Hispanics. If you have a child out of wedlock or multiple children with multiple mother. You want a an abortion then your sterilized. You lose your right for murder. Jail or sterilization. Period. Build bigger prisons. How am I free when there are gun shots literally going off down the block from me in the historic district. Why don't we all take a stand and NOT pay our property taxes until we get answers and more importantly actions to solutions. Why don't we stand together and NOT pay our federal taxes until there are answers. Through unity=strength. Work will set you free.

Posted by: I AM on July 15, 2008 12:02AM CST WE ARE(bloggers) SOME OF THE MOST SHORT SIGHTED SELF CENTER PEOPLE IN RACINE...NO WONDER THE POWERS THAT BE CHOSE RACINE AS ONE OF THE 13 SITES OF MONITORING THE MENTAL STATE OF THE POWERLESS WORKING CLASS.........CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE?........SURE YOU CAN..........YOUR PRICES(of living ) ARE GOING UP.........DON'T WORRY.........THEY(the powers that be) GOT SOME MORE DISTRACTIONS COMING SOON!.........JUST IN CASE YOU FIGURE OUT THIS GANG THING......KEEP COMPLAINING AND BLAMING.....YOU WILL BE SUCKED DRY!!!........BY THE WAY>>>GAS IS GOING UP AGAIN....SOME OF THE ARABS TOOK PART OF THEIR CUT(of YOUR hard earn$$$) AND BROUGHT ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST PRESTISGEST LAND MARKS........JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.......IN FACT ALOT OF OUR COUNTRY IS BEING BROUGHT BY FORIENORS....SOLD BY THOSE THAT ARE SUCKING YOU DRY...........THEY KEEP US OCUPRIED WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AT A LOWER ECONIMIC STRUCTURE THEN OURSELVES....IF THE ECONOMY IS STRONG AND FAIR ACROSS THE BOARD, GANGS COULD NOT EXSIST.......THAT IS THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH! SO ALL OF US THAT PUT A WHITE OR BLACK THING TO THE OBVIOUS.......YOU OUR THE FUEL THAT KEEPS THIS GOING! PEACE.......IAM

Posted by: I AM on July 15, 2008 12:12AM CST That 'our' was literal

Posted by: more crime on July 15, 2008 7:17AM CST To punk elvis and to DEo PUNK ELVIS, big words I can see your like the rest blog warrior and yes Iam getting more education and I am holding a 4.0 why am I doing this to better educate my king brothers and as for my kids they do have a choice and their chossing to wear black and gold.You white pepole always think your better then everyone...Please. To Doe u watch to many gang shows, but u r right whatch out for the gangs the r staying on the low, and if u have learn any thing from those shows u will see we don't play. Yes there are alot of wanna be thugs, and those r the ones u have to watch out for cause they r very easily influance to do what ever to get in or to fit in. These kids r mostly white. If I was u blogers I would pay more attention to the economy, cuausen if the gas goes higher the crime rate is going to raise to a all time high. We r training and preparing to ..............Not so fast I do understand this is monitor so stay tune.

Posted by: Attached Mommy to 4 Kiddos on July 15, 2008 7:22AM CST kids and adults in these ganges are born and raised in America...what, in America are we doing wrong so that these people feel they need this fast paced and deadly life? A friend sent this link to me and I am considering purchasing the full dvd. I think it is very sad...and it also makes me very angry that our streets are being turned over to such crime and violence. Lock um up? what is that going to do, but give free room and board, weights and work out rooms so that these guys can organize and have a stronger presence on our streets. Education might be the answer...taking the time to show people they matter, might be yet another answer. Putting more money and tax breaks in the pockets of the hard working people instead of making it impossible to survive without drugs and violence might be another very good start. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7tQzpcRrvE http://www.madeinamericathemovie.com/

Posted by: more crime on July 15, 2008 7:31AM CST To AMERICA Your hard earn money is paying for our combat training. How u ask research how many active gang bangers r in our military. Research how many active gang bagers r active right now in the Eastern war.When the war is done who's coming home....Very well trained combat gang bangers, so thank for uping our chance of survival out on these streets. Want to see if I am telling the truth ask if u know any body in the military that is a good o'boy if they see gang activity in the Army, they can tell u storyies.

Posted by: punk elvis on July 15, 2008 8:04AM CST more crime, congrats on the 4.0!!! that really is an accomplishment, i went to private schools got a great education and still couldnt pull a 4.0! Problem is you should be taking Psycology and you would learn you are brainwashing your kids. kids look up to parents. in their little eyes and still developing minds you are cooler than you know!!! STOP BEING A THUG YOU ARE SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE!!!!!!!!!! I am not white i am SICILIAN. now go look up what that is. one of your biggest idols, Al Capone, was a Sicilian. Smart man, different times though. Kings are giving the mexican culture the bad name they dont need, mexican people are normaly hardworking family oriented christians, THEY ARE NOT GUN TOTING THUGS. they come to this country for a better life not to be shit on by you!!!!!

Posted by: punk elvis on July 15, 2008 8:31AM CST if gangbangers are making their presence known in the military then they should be shot by friendly fire so we dont have to deal with you pieces of shit here!!!!! These streets are nothing. they are only dangerous because of you thieving violent criminals that are to lazy to get off your porch to go to work!!!

Posted by: I AM on July 15, 2008 8:54AM CST Sicilians have a very high percent of African blood in their veins. But they're not consider Black. Northern Italy wasn't as invaded like the southern half of the country; thus they have features that are not as desirable as the southern Italians. WHY is it that everybody wants what Blacks bring to the world, but bash and despise Blacks just because of their skin color??? WE are a twisted thinking society. The powers that be know that Blacks and People of Color will eventually rule the world and they are trying to prevent it by creating. Economic mayhem; all the time fighting among themselves for power now, selling out their own brother to >>>>> his >>>>.(sound familiar? see your beloved bible..I Love it too!) Gangs cannot exist without the approval of the powers that be.......they are hedging their bet...........Gangs are a by-product.....wake up before it's to late

Posted by: I AM on July 15, 2008 8:57AM CST PUNK E are U saying that scarface was the first Black gangster KING?

Posted by: Deo on July 15, 2008 9:42AM CST more crime - I don't watch TV show to know about Gangs. I live it! EASTSIDE RULES ESSA. I was cruising East San Jose in my LOWRIDER back in the 70. We didn't call them wanna be's they were called PeeWee's. Gangs in Racine are nothing compared to what goes on in California. So before you try and lecture someone, better know who you are talking to first. If you are raising you kids to be bangers a word of advice G! They will end up in one of 2 places, Six feet under or in a 6x10 cell, Great life you are giving your kids!

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 15, 2008 9:49AM CST I'm not really sure if this blog is even about gangs anymore. Sounds more like a bunch of ranting and calls for vengeance and outlet to discuss ideas of race, welfare, baggy clothes, and people's life advice for others to follow. Plus, I am not even sure people are on the same page as to what a gang is and what they do or what their impact is on communities. If four friends who are NOT official members of any official gang commit a crime like armed robbery - is that any LESS of an issue for the community - than if four known gang members commit a crime? A few simple questions that I think this blog was going to focus on and not too many people have really addressed: Why do kids join gangs in Racine? What kinds of activities are these gangs involved in? How sophisticated and organized are they? What role does the actual gang play in violence or drug dealing (i.e. is there leadership, codes, etc.)? What methods have worked to either get young people out of the gang or to get the gang "out of" crime? I find it contradictory that we judge many of these young people as being stupid and immoral and having no reasoning - then we fear their gang organization as being sophisticated and organized and developed. How can that be ? Much of the violence in the last decade in Racine can be attributed to the ongoing North Side / South Side / 12th St. dispute that has been handed down to younger generations. (Please reference my blog on this topic). It does have a gang connection in general terms. Now - this "standoff" if you will becomes the form or outlet for the violence; however I think many other issues play a role in why young people make choices to be involved in violence or crime. Lack of job opportunities, growth of single parent households, proliferation of guns, lack of empowerment of communities and growing disillusionment with being part of a community all play a role as well. As far as the drug dealing - thats about money. We can call it "gang-related", but really many young people choose to try to make easy money by providing illegal drugs to the many people who choose to use them. Some of them may be on gangs and some might not. Again - parental involvement in their lives play a huge part, however, for many different reasons there are parents who cannot support or give direction to their kids. What do we do about those kids whose parents are either sick, mentally ill, abusive, addicts or alcoholics, gone all the time at work, or simply don't have the skills to be strong parents - do we say - "oh too bad kid - now don't hit the streets - that is immoral"? Not sure that is going to work for many of these kids. And about a "crackdown" on baggy pants - it only goes to show how far off base we have gotten. Do we really think if we pass laws against things that at times are associated with gangs (i.e. bandanas, blue clothes, red clothes, etc.) that gangs will go away? The same people who want to pass ridiculous laws about what people should wear are the "defenders of American rights and freedoms" - right ? Get government out of our lives, but - oh by the way - pass an ordinance against baggy clothes. LOL.

Posted by: Catch22 on July 15, 2008 9:50AM CST You can't just say "lock them up" and expect that to end crime or gangs. They should bring back the old days of "yes ma'am, no ma'am" They should start teaching etiquette classes at school. Give these kids a reason to be proud of who they are and they won't have to feel like their life is worthless. To kill someone is to take any value from that persons life and it shows you don't value your own. They say teaching starts at home but with todays society that doesn't seem to be the case. People are relying on lazy obnoxious parents at the expense of everyone else. Instead of wasting tax dollars on prisons we should invest it in the children BEFORE they become criminals by teaching them to be human beings rather than savage animals. Teach them to say "Please" and "Thank you."

Posted by: JimM on July 15, 2008 10:23AM CST Gang members and thugs in general think that they have the right to infringe on my and any other law abiding citizen's rights and liberties in the pursuit of their destructive lifestyles. Personally, I'd like to see anyone found guilty of the commission of crime with a deadly weapon be publicly executed without right of appeal and preferrably on the same day they are convicted. By comitting a crime with a deadly weapon they are saying they are willing to take life. Consequently they then should have their life at forfeit as far as I am concerned. Start publicly killing this vermin and these punks will think twice about infringing on other people's liberties with weapons because they will know that they are putting their own lives at immediate forfeit. By the way, it is not against the law to openly carry guns here. We are not the wild west, but the wild west did not suffer from rampant gangs and thugs except where there was little to no law enforcement. Predators normally target prey that are vulnerable and do not put their own life at risk. Unfortunately, if a citizen defends themselves against this vermin they are the one's who will be the targets of lawsuits and legal action. Adrial White comes to mind. If this were Texas, he would probably not be in jail today since he was protecting personal property. What we need in this city is for the police to start enforcing the law zealously, instead of the Dunkin Donut cops that we currently have. I wish I had a dollar for everytime I saw a Racine police offer blatantly ignore laws being broken. The usual excuse is that they are too busy responding to real crime (sitting in their squad car or talking on their cell phone). My observation is that they are just apathetic to small crimes and have decided that it is OK to ignore them. It should start by our officers enforcing laws relative to noise from vehicles, loitering, speeding, improper driving habits (passing on the right for one example). We need to change the perceptions in this city's population of what is acceptable behavior. I would love for Racine to become noted as the toughest place in America on crime, any crime. Let's make Racine a place where these thugs are not welcome and a place where they know they are not welcome instead of the constant welcome wagon they currently receive. When the apathy in this town ends towards crime and these vermin, the vermin will be gone until we once again decide that it is too much of a bother to deal with the situation. Currently, Racine as a community behaves like dealing with this infestation of vermin is too much of a bother. Maybe it's time to change our perceptions and send the vermin packing.

Posted by: aroughgem on July 15, 2008 10:25AM CST morecrime....learn to spell, 4.0 right.....and what is up with you....bragging about being a gb..and your kids will be too. HS**T you are an A**

Posted by: drizzit on July 15, 2008 11:46AM CST Just add an enhancer penalty for groups & groups that commit crimes or beatings. I'd put them in jail for 20 years and let the druggies out. Enhance the fines for gang related anything. $10,000 dollar fine & 10 years of community service for tagging my garage & take off the pinky finger. We are so weak on crime. We'll have thug politicians saying Snitches get stitches etc... Castrate the gang leaders, and we'll have a lot more lieutenants. Get real & quit with your equivocating. Your weak knees & pandering turn the green light on for criminals. People like Maurice rationalize until the sun goes down & the gang members come out. We have to strike at their leaders & let Maurice speak his mind so we know how someone can rationalize Rape, Murder, Drug Dealing, Gang Beatings, Intimidation, and much more. They're not a Union! The dress code is just a show of idolatry of Crime & lawlessness. I don't have a problem with their dress until I see a sweaty ars. The fascination with crime & drugs comes out in the clothes & music. They have every right to listen to that disgraceful music, and wear baggy clothes, but I should not hear their music or have to see their body parts. We do not need to stand for this & we can speak our mind. All of this coming from an ex-VL & Best friend of a Black man.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 15, 2008 11:47AM CST i dont believe morecrime one bit...its a made up person. probly maurice with a new name. also the notion of gangs in the military is ubsurd!! the military weed them out in bootcamp!! these so called thugs here in racine would not last a day in tampa. lol morecrime is only tough when with a few of his friends. get him alone and all of a sudden he not so tough. just like any other thug in racine. maurice drug dealing not related to gang banging statement is ignorant..what do you think funds there activities? you and your thug friends are ignorant and stuck on stupid!

Posted by: kawwwman on July 15, 2008 12:29PM CST gangs are for sissys that cant take care of themselves..period

Posted by: Attached Mommy to 4 Kiddos on July 15, 2008 12:49PM CST I agree with the one poster who said we have to take an interest in our children before they get involved. show them value and that life should be valued, but then again, you have these young children whose parents are involved in these activities and as young as they can understand, they are also flashing gang symbols and are indoctrinated from day 1. Just like military training, these kids grow up and their first kill is with the thought that human life does not matter. As to the poster that said we should execute all murders...look at the countries where this happens (think Arab world countries). These murders become martyrs...it does not make the problem better, it makes the individuals involved in these gangs, angrier. Anger makes up a lot of the underlying behaviors of these groups...how do we deal with angry people? maybe that is a start at an answer? I think another start at an answer is dealing with the insecurity these people feel. Bullying and savage behavior is as the result of insecurity. Another start at an answer...

Posted by: shockedonlooker on July 15, 2008 1:34PM CST We need to stop pouring cash into pretty little streetlights, artsy fartsy tourism pipe dream. ( and yes, I AM an artist! ) AT THE VERY LEAST, there should be 24 hour surveillance cameras working in the very high crime areas of town. That would be one good start. If Becker doesn't agree, then he should be fired pronto. I don't expect there would be any opposition from the PD on that idea. At least you would have some of these incidents (recent carjacking anyone?) on tape and have another tool in court. I'd rather see my not just "hard earned" but "desperately earned" tax money spent on that rather than even something I love, like art. Money spent like that benefits ALL. I would rather see my tax money go to the Gang Task Force than spent on a stupid water park. Our mayor needs to quit sleepwalking and wake up. WHY IS OUR MAYOR SILENT? Where is he on issues like gangs? What is Mayor Becker doing to take control and change the violence levels in this city? Sure, the article series thus far points out how hopeless it is to stop gangs in all ways, but instead of stating all the ways it is difficult to fix the problem, I was hoping for more ways to combat the problem. I really don't want to hear those ideas from bloggers either, no offense to anyone, I read here regularly. We know what the people in this town have to say...what does the LEADER of this town have to say about combating gang crime and how does he intend to allocate tax dollars to eradicate it? THAT is the answer I am waiting for!

Posted by: lotstosay on July 15, 2008 1:53PM CST How about get them jobs? Give them something else to do besides standing out on the street corners. I like the idea of year round school with a few weeks break here and there. How about the parents really being parents rather than enablers of going out to make a quick buck. Those are the parents who are complaining the most. The kids get into trouble because the parents aren't being parents and then complain when their kids get into trouble. Help them get a job. Have them help build a Habitat for Humanity house. Have them help an elderly neighbor. There are plenty of things for kids and young adults to do but who is encouraging them to make the right choices?

Posted by: midwestgirl on July 15, 2008 2:07PM CST This blog is definetly not about gangs anymore! Do you bloggers all think that all black people really are about is welfare, gangs, babies, and drugs. The majority of African Americans are well educated law abiding citizens and gang is not a race thing. Any community can have gangs. I think you racist bloggers talk this s*** online, but if you were met in person you probably purrrrr like the p**** you are.

Posted by: OTS on July 15, 2008 2:07PM CST Declare each confirmed member of a gang as a domestic terrorist and shoot to kill on sight.

Posted by: speaking frankly on July 15, 2008 3:40PM CST To Mr. or Ms. More Crime, I love the fact that you say you are going to school with a 4.0 average, yet you can't spell worth shit and your grammer is terrible, or should we blame that on the new trend of text messaging? "Ignorance breeds contempt", if you are not ignorant then you should clearly see how wrong being in a gang is, especially if they are committing crimes. Yes the price of gas is going higher, but not everyone has to commit crimes to fill their tank - GET A REAL JOB!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Mr B on July 15, 2008 3:43PM CST JimM your quote "Personally, I'd like to see anyone found guilty of the commission of crime with a deadly weapon be publicly executed without right of appeal and preferrably on the same day they are convicted." It is interesting how want to throw out the fifth amendment of the Bill of Rights. Wow - the bloodlust of many of the bloggers is scary. A close family member of mine served in WWII and saw quite a bit as a medic in Italy and France. His comment about real heroes were they rarely spoke of their actions and regretted taking any life. He also said the blowhards tended to be the folks in the rear.

Posted by: JimM on July 15, 2008 4:41PM CST Mr. B, I am not in favor of throwing out the fifth amendment. I'm all in favor of having the defendant brought to trial under indictment of a grand jury. However, once convicted of commission of a crime with a deadly weapon I have no quams about sentencing such a criminal to death with sentencing carried out with swift and rapid efficiency. These criminals are very ready to take another person's life based on their actions, so in my personal opinion their lives should be at forfeit when they commit such crimes. From my perspective the milk and cookies method, aka reform/rehabilitation/incarceration, isn't working and does not provide an effective deterent to these criminals. I do not celebrate the taking of or loss of human life, but at the same time I am not in the least bit shy about dealing directly and forcefully with the elements in our society today who would infringe upon my right to enjoy life and liberty. It is my opinion that it is the result of these criminal's knowledge that they can in fact commit violent crime with weapons without fear of true consequence that helps to perpetuate the gang culture.

Posted by: JimM on July 15, 2008 5:03PM CST Mr. B, I read some of your other posts to this topic and I do agree with you relative to parenting, education, and employment. I am not reversing my previously stated position, but I do agree with your assessments relative to the root issues and the resultant crime.

Posted by: more crime on July 15, 2008 5:49PM CST To answer some of your questions, but first growing up on the South side of Corpus, Christi Texas was a small Mexican American community. In this community was a great deal of poverty, and homelessness, and not much an opportunity at school, because of racial back ground and the same with jobs. Gangs back in the day it was all about respect from other vateos (neighborhoods). You had a family with in a family; meaning a lot of our parents were at work and some were not there at all. About what Doe said I do know my lit. ESSA! You asked, how educated are we? Very, we have leadership, calculus skills, selling skills, etc…. Here’s a thought…did you know that one-third of the US soldiers are active gang members with some degree of criminal records. You are aloud about to thirteen misdemeanors and up to 3 felony non violent crimes Not only are they getting more resources from each other, getting to what weapons can do the maximum damage with minimum collateral damage; meaning stealthier it’s on other gangs. They are learning how to deal with tactical situations. They can also get schooling in business, so when they come home they can put those skills in running a more inefficient business in the drug market. I will admit that the younger generation does not have the same morrows as the older generation gangsters. They lack respect for the culture and cause, s hit now a days you see cliques roll in with other cliques, it’s hard for me to even distinguish who’s, who. This is not going to get any better do to the economy. The biggest thing is Money! How can you tell someone to go work for 150-200 dollars a week, when they can make a couple of thousand in an hour time? Until you can come up with something that will replace that type of client tell there is no stopping the drug and gang crime.

Posted by: more crime on July 15, 2008 6:16PM CST To kawwwman I can careless what you think, and as fara as you being blind to gangs in our military. That's just it your blind, do research on it dumb as s. If you really think they weed them out at bootcamp. All you have to do at bootcamp is pass the P.T., that they put you threw.

Posted by: Red on July 15, 2008 7:27PM CST I agree with Maurice H. We need to stop talking and complaining about it and do something about it. We are all in this together. Red.

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 15, 2008 8:15PM CST JimM - and what about the instances which we have seen time and time again where the criminal justice system gets it wrong? We have seen guilty people acquitted and we have seen innocent people convicted. drizzit - enhancers to sentences are an interesting idea. Do you believe in the recent passing of hate-crime enhancers which add to a sentence if a crime can be proven to be a hate-crime? So - if you rob someone and are not part of a gang you get one sentence but if you rob someone and you are part of a gang - you get a different sentence? I just think that ALL the more money on prisons and street cameras and longer sentences and all the "get tough" measures society loves to show off to say how much they hate gangs is a reactive and more costly approach to the gang problem. For gangs to exist they need members. (Just like for drug dealers to exist they need drug buyers) The gangs need kids to want to join. Can we agree on that ? So how about some sort of ideas that address why kids join and how to prevent that? That might even take less money and time and prove to be more effective. Now watch as that simple question of apprach gets spun to be "defending criminals". LOL.

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 15, 2008 8:19PM CST drizzit - love the "best friend of a Black man" qualifier. LOL. Does that add credibility to your point that we must take a stand on baggy pants? As a former Vice Lord it would seem you could offer all kinds of insight as to how you got "out" of the lifestyle and why - as well as why you were drawn to it in the first place and what act you committed as a gang member. I think it would be valuable to the discussion. Were you a Vice Lord in Racine ?

Posted by: nm on July 15, 2008 8:50PM CST I think we should go back to public floggings and institute the death penalty for gang members. Burning at the stake is a pastime favorite. HA! Sorry for the sarcasm but I don't think there is a solution. Not Until we fight drugs and gangs like we do insurgents in Iraq will there be change. Its not a black or Hispanic issue its a human issue. Unfortunately your taking on ethnic groups that have been marginalized by society so the ACLU steps in and protects these thugs.

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 15, 2008 8:51PM CST OK sorry for the 3 straight posts - Does anyone really think that during a fight and a young man pulls out a gun to scare or shoot someone that he is thinking about "enhancers" to the sentence or even the sentence or getting caught AT ALL ? No. He is reacting. He is not thinking. He is not weighing his options. He is making a young, stupid, impulsive decision. Maybe we could spend some energy figuring out how to get many of these young men to think before doing something. To understand the consequences of actions. To realize the importance of making wise decisions. Maybe actually getting some young people to AVOID these situations and not make these mistakes would save us a lot of money on incaceration, hospitalization, corrections. I don't think it would hurt to also show them they have value and can be positive and can be a member of the community that others can respect and not just one of "them".

Posted by: NoneYo10 on July 15, 2008 9:16PM CST Hey Deo, do you blatantly plagiarize everything and try to pass it off as your own? http://www.cheathouse.com/essay/essay_view.php?p_essay_id=21866 How do you like 'dem apples?

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 15, 2008 9:34PM CST We've officially been overrun by bloggers who signed up for accounts within the last week and have NO information on profiles. LOL. Me thinks we have some repeaters just re-opening accounts in different names to make their points. But what would be the point of that ? Why not stand by your thoughts and ideas with the same ol user name? I dunno.

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 15, 2008 9:38PM CST kawwwman - why do you feel the need to make me respond to your false accusations over and over in different blogs. I must respond you know when you are inaccurate - which is getting tiring. Sigh! Okay. In response to "probly maurice with a new name." Sorry. Never. Same name. Same person. Only one account. Ever. I wouldn't even know how to open another one - LOL. Retract your lie. LOL. You won't, but thats cool. The more "bull" u spew - the more you discredit everything you say. Ahhh. Good stuff.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 15, 2008 9:56PM CST your so full of bs that you cant see the truth.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 15, 2008 10:07PM CST from what a seen on the front page of the paper today, looks like morecrime better go into hiding. haha. when they do arrest him and threw him in prison it will go like this. its the whites man fault. he will do/deal drugs in prison. he will then start to read the bible when parole comes up. they will let him back out into society. he will then start the whole cycle over again. this is what tax money is spent on in this counrty. with all that money we could feed "another" country....all before our own..no wonder morecrime is in a gang...the odds are in his favor...and it sounds like he makes alot of money on the streets. i still say and agree with others...make it a felony to be in a gang.

Posted by: JimM on July 15, 2008 11:08PM CST MauriceH, Unfortunately and as is clearly evident based on the posts here, we do not live in a perfect world and mistakes can happen. Unfortunately for the thugs who would commit such crimes, I am completely OK with that situation. I believe that you would like me to say we should rehabilitate these people, but I do truly believe in employing the severe level of punishment that I have stated here. I shamelessly do not forgive or pardon those who have made a decision to take actions that threaten the lives and liberties of others. The reality for these thugs, to their great fortune, is that my opinion is not the law of the land or for the most part socially acceptable. I will repeat the sentiment expressed in my original post, as long as Racine as a community continues in it's apathy towards crime in general, we will continue to deal with the vermin that we have on our streets that are decaying the quality life and lives of the people of Racine.

Posted by: Deo on July 15, 2008 11:21PM CST None Yo 10 - Nice try but that isn't where I found my information. So If any blogger copies and pastes but doesn't provide a scource they are blatantly plagiarizing? If that the case better tell Granny she will never be able to blog again. Now do you have anthing to discuss about gangs in Racine or did you spend your afternoon looking for a shot to dis me. LOL What a Loser! Maurice - I agree lots of new bloggers with nothing constructive to say and no info on their profile. Most likely RayScene, still pissed off because we pointed out all the BS in his blog. Kaww - Still waiting to find out your ethnic background so you can show us HOW DIVERSE you are! Interesting how you talk smack about THUGS yet ISN'T your BROTHER is a loser CRINIMAL that fled a southern state for assulting a LEO, wouldn't you describe your BROTHERS behaivor as being a THUG? OR do you believe it's ok to punch out an OFFICER and then run away like a scared LITTLE GIRL? Isn't it a FELONY to assult a Police Officer, why haven't you turned your brother over to Law Enforcement? Oh I know, he's not ghetto and is white so it's ok in your eyes for him to be a THUG LOSER!

Posted by: more crime on July 16, 2008 3:06AM CST MORE Crime sets it straight. One! The only reason why I started into this blog was after I had read what the front page had said what the gang task force would be donning for the next week; I decided to see what the blog was all about. Two! Nothing could be further from the truth when I say, a lot of you are idiots, but for the ones that have true concern for their community, be open minded and not so close minded; think outside the box. THREE! I decided to give you a perspective an inside of what is truly going on around you and your community. FOURTH! Why is it when someone is looking in and the person looking, is trying to tell the someone looking in, what is happing inside, they want to think otherwise and not listen. FIVE! Read some of this shi t, talking a lot of “kill’em all”, “hang’em”..etc… Do you really think that’s the answer? What if it’s your son, dad,uncle,brother, what then? Xis! Intel you get rid of the value of the all mighty dollar bill, you will never see crime go down. WAKE UP AMERICA or SHOULD I SAY WAKE UP RACINE…………….IT COULD HIT REAL CLOSE TO HOME. NO MAS DE MUCHO CRIME, AMORE POR LA RAZA

Posted by: bennymac on July 16, 2008 4:50AM CST hats off to maurice h-----------u made some good points ----------after reading most these comments ----seems like some racial thing against the blacks-----------thats half the problem----most people just saying that stuff to get u mad cause they see how much knowledge u just kicked there way...............so dont even waste time on the poeple blogs who just ignorant--------cause u know what going on .....and that girl driizzle was just female with hot pants ...not a vice lord..................and to the whole point give our kids more in amerca instead of decreasing funds in communities..........keep em involved in something positive ------------p.s id rather be in a gang b4 i could hate someone over the color of there skin

Posted by: ELLIE on July 16, 2008 8:17AM CST I too agree with Maurice H I have 2 teenage boys and they are friends with all walks of life,The other day to my surprise this "new" boy came over and says "I don't want to go home" I asked why? He teared up and simply said "cuz" I waited a few minutes and he explained that his father recently went to prison and that he, The boy should join a gang because he would have someone there for him and when he gets out of that gang they can kill him unexpectedly verses commiting suicide. I was FLOORED! Bottom line ... Because of his life at HOME he feels he needs to do this. WOW.

Posted by: aroughgem on July 16, 2008 8:51AM CST Racine should have gotten a handle on gang activity way back when...and gangs are not about 1 race...they are every race. The point is ....is Racine going to give in to them running the City?? Looks like it. Gangs are everywhere....but know their place in the cities that do not tolerate the continual c**p they repeatedly dole out. Example "a small town" with Mong gangs, would not tolerate the bullying...and ultimately drove them to a different city...the police were a constant presence and one they did not want to deal with. Racine needs to step up and take back the city....

Posted by: Mr B on July 16, 2008 10:15AM CST Jim M - I am also pro death penalty not because it deters crime (it has been shown not to deter crime) but rather because it is justice served for choosing to take a life. If it is premeditated and proven beyond a shadow of a doubt do what is necessary. My concern is the idea of immediacy of the killing (that is what it is). There are too many mistakes in the judicial system to deny them the right to appeal. It is part of our due process. If we rush to execute and the result is a number of innocent folks are murdered that makes it an injustice the public will not stand for. The appeal process is weak and relates more to process rather than truth. Read "An Innocent Man" by John Grisham it might change your mind about the appeal process. It is an interesting read and does show there are lotsa holes in the process if the police and DA's are too intent on closing the case not solving the crime.

Posted by: ALWAYS FREE on July 16, 2008 10:18AM CST Maurice I know that we don't always agree on every issue, but you've made many good points in this blog, and unfortunately you seem to be one the few that comes across as an educated adult. I've said many times, and I'll say it again, the war will not end until both sides lay down their swords. You seem to "get it", too many on both sides do not.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 16, 2008 11:03AM CST morecrime im not scarred at all. you would not last 2 seconds in my ring of fire...

Posted by: kawwwman on July 16, 2008 11:35AM CST deo..my brothers actions have NOTHING to do with me.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 16, 2008 12:22PM CST and yes sometimes some cops need a beatdown. theres a couple here in hooterville that need a beatdown! just like you

Posted by: xanthia on July 16, 2008 12:26PM CST Kaww - the same applies to everyone else then. The 'hood activity' doesn't reflect on one person. Example - Maurice. What happened to that saying - You are your brothers keeper. You must have ahd your own family issues YOU could not keep in check - but you want everyone here to clean up the streets. It starts at home my friend.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 16, 2008 12:47PM CST well first off deo has no clue as to went down. also we are in our thirties now. also i dont care anymore. this was a post for gang activities in ratcine. it allways turns into something else...

Posted by: Deo on July 16, 2008 12:53PM CST xanthia - Well said! Kaww - Sure talk smack about Blacks but your piss ant brother has nothing to do with you! Man you are so full of BS, talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Your brother is a punk a** loser but that has nothing to do with you. Then what the f*ck do you care about the hood it has nothing to do with you, YOU DON'T LIVE THERE! Your brother is a piece of sh*t loser thug but he has nothing to do with you, what a cop out. LASTLY, you talk big about putting a beatdown on an Officer, facts are you are nothing but talk, probably would p*ss your pants if you ever got into it with a officer and would CRY Police brutality after you had your butt kicked. You want me come on down the the Kenosha Safety Building (other wise know as the Police Station and Jail) any time and we will see how bad you think you are. Just tell the watch commander that kawwman would like to speak to someone that works in the building, I will make sure they all know what that means and they will contact me, PUTA MADRE!

Posted by: xanthia on July 16, 2008 1:02PM CST If this was a post for gang activities in Racine - why did you turn it racial with your ignorant remarks, make threats and claim to be a billy bad a$$? Funny how when you are called to the carpet - you no longer 'care anymore' or want to brush it off. IT doesn't turn into something else - go read your posts - YOU had a hand at turning it into something else. Take a good look in the mirror - and not just to take your picture. :-)

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 16, 2008 2:05PM CST wow. and to think that i really wasnt even involved in this. deo, deo, deo. what are we going to do with you young man? do you know kaww's family? is his brother in jail? what is puta madre? i thought that you were irish? does that same invatation to your job work for me as well? i would like to sit down and find out what your story is. let's all take a deep breath and step back away from the computer and ask ourselves why? why are we bangin each other when we could all just get to gether and solve all the worlds problems by blogging them to death> i got an idea, how about we start this over. lets come up with some good ways to save the children, you know, nip it in the bud, before it get's to them. then we can figure out how we have jumped all over each other in the last two weeks over something that may or may not have happened. typically maurice, i have been watching this for about almost two years now and i have somewhat agreed with some of the stuf that you say. however you being politcally correct as of late as well as a major spin star recently as pointed out by a number of other bloggers. now dont get all anti personel on me i was just saying, dude, cant we all just get along and work together? i mean how old are we? some of us on these blogs get a little off the beaten path but i think that some of us generally want to get involved and help. so let's just be buddies and agree to disagree and why dont we all figure out what is going on here, hmmmmmmmmmm?

Posted by: I AM on July 16, 2008 3:36PM CST TURN THAT TV OFF. READ A BOOK. TEACH COMPREHENION.

Posted by: I AM on July 16, 2008 3:58PM CST comprehension

Posted by: kawwwman on July 16, 2008 8:35PM CST deo..you are stuck on stupid! holy crap. wtf are you talking about? let me recap for your ignorant self. the jt posted a blog about racines gangs. i comment that thugs suck. that it should be a felony to be in a gang. that was said by other bloggers also. a gang member himself comes along and comments his views. deo and a couple others say that im a racist and that my brother is a crybaby thug. who of which is not in this jt site. who of which has nothing to do with thugs, or acts like one. where you get that from deo? none the less he could beat you down in a heart beat...this is what we are blogging about now? where do you poeple come up with such b.s? deo..i would not piss my pants..you and your friends would. and just for the record i said a few cops..the bad apples. i am not a anti cop guy. nor a cop killer like your gangster friend that you forgot about in here. where do you deo come up with this crap? i dont care.. im done with you.

Posted by: more crime on July 16, 2008 11:51PM CST NFL steps up monitoring of players for gang signs 9 hours, 38 minutes ago Buzz Up PrintNEW YORK (AP)—The NFL is stepping up its monitoring of on-field player activities to ensure that no one is flashing the hand signals of street gangs. The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the league had hired experts to look at game tapes and identify players or team officials who might be using suspected gang signals. Violators would be warned and disciplined if the episodes recurred. League officials said Tuesday that avoiding gang-related activities has long been stressed. They said the scrutiny was intensified after the shooting death of Denver cornerback Darrent Williams in 2007 after Williams was involved in a dispute with known gang members. Anti-gang information is included in orientation literature and stressed in the annual mandatory league meeting for rookies. The NFL took further notice after Paul Pierce of the NBA’s Boston Celtics was fined $25,000 in April for what the league said was a “menacing gesture” toward the Atlanta Hawks’ bench. “I 100 percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it.” Pierce said in a statement. “I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way at Saturday’s game.” The Times said that was the precipitating incident for the NFL. “We were always suspicious that might be happening,” it quoted Mike Pereira, the NFL’s vice president of officiating, as saying of gang-related signals. “But the Paul Pierce thing is what brought it to light. When he was fined … that’s when we said we need to take a look at it and see if we need to be aware of it.” Most senior NFL officials were at a league outing Tuesday and could not immediately be reached for comment.

Posted by: Deo on July 17, 2008 1:01AM CST xanthia - "If this was a post for gang activities in Racine - why did you turn it racial with your ignorant remarks, make threats and claim to be a billy bad a$$? Funny how when you are called to the carpet - you no longer 'care anymore' or want to brush it off. IT doesn't turn into something else - go read your posts - YOU had a hand at turning it into something else. Take a good look in the mirror - and not just to take your picture. :-)" Bravo, what a Great Post, you sure put Kaww in is place! You smacked him down so hard he doesn't even have a come back, other than to tell me that I changed the topic. Can't Handle the Truth Kaww! The Rants of a NO NOTHING RACIST! "deo today is 2008 not eary days as you describe. in todays world its the blacks not the whites. " REALLY! Racist Mexican Gangs "Ethnic Cleansing" Blacks In L.A. Latino thugs indiscriminately murder blacks regardless of gang membership, genocidal purge aligns with radical Aztlan theology Source: http://www.infowars.com/articles/immigration/mexican_gangs_ethnic_cleansing_blacks_in_la.htm There were at least 30,000 gangs and 800,000 gang members active across the USA in 2007, up from 731,500 in 2002 and 750,000 in 2004. By 1999, Hispanics accounted for 47% of all gang members, Blacks 31%, Whites 13%, and Asians 6%. Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_in_the_United_States More Rants from a NO NOTHING RACIST! "also the notion of gangs in the military is ubsurd!! the military weed them out in bootcamp!! REALLY! FBI says U.S. criminal gangs are using military to spread their reach Source:http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41005&archive=true Gang activity in the military is increasing, and the number of gang-related crimes involving soldiers and their families nearly tripled from fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2006, according to a pair of new reports. Source: http://www.stripes.com/07/feb07/gangs/gangs1.html One of the country's leading gang experts says gangs around the country are sending their members to the military to learn urban warfare. Source:http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/5255692/detail.html?rss=dgo&psp=news So maybe morecrime is telling the truth and PROVING that Kaww doesn't know squat!

Posted by: kawwwman on July 17, 2008 9:57AM CST deo..you should stop by SOON. im at 94th street in sturtevant..come on by buddy!!

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 17, 2008 10:20AM CST hey kaww, i though that deo was irish? do you know this guy? why is he jammin on your family? i dont understand what punta madre is. he isnt responding to my questions of me going to his work. you know i would nt have a problem with that. it seems to me that deo is quoting out of the wikipedia and the weekly world news, when basically this is a post of racine and the surounding ares (racine county) was it not? i dont think that todays raine gangs are as hardcore as the west coast gangs. why are we bringing them up? do they have a huge influence on little johnny that stole a gun to be in the red bandanna gang? i think if more parents would step up and into their kids life and actually know wtf was happening this wouldnt be an issue, i see that chicago has called in national guard to help patrol the streets of caprini green now. again if parents would protect their children and get to know them and not let these punks teach that all chicks are ho's, it's ok to shoot each other and anyone else that get's in the way, and to respect the law this problem would be quelled.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 17, 2008 10:22AM CST at least i can show a picture of myself..and tell where i live...can u? dork 13percent of whites in a gang..wow..you said it. so yeah i will say.. deo today is 2008 not eary days as you describe. in todays world its the blacks not the whites. " 13percent is not enough for me to mention.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 17, 2008 10:40AM CST beans..where does deo work??? please tell

Posted by: more crime on July 17, 2008 11:02AM CST Posted by: more crime on July 15, 2008 6:49PM EST To answer some of your questions, but first growing up on the South side of Corpus, Christi Texas was a small Mexican American community. In this community was a great deal of poverty, and homelessness, and not much an opportunity at school, because of racial back ground and the same with jobs. Gangs back in the day it was all about respect from other vateos (neighborhoods). You had a family with in a family; meaning a lot of our parents were at work and some were not there at all. About what Doe said I do know my lit. ESSA! You asked, how educated are we? Very, we have leadership, calculus skills, selling skills, etc…. Here’s a thought…did you know that one-third of the US soldiers are active gang members with some degree of criminal records. You are aloud about to thirteen misdemeanors and up to 3 felony non violent crimes Not only are they getting more resources from each other, getting to what weapons can do the maximum damage with minimum collateral damage; meaning stealthier it’s on other gangs. They are learning how to deal with tactical situations. They can also get schooling in business, so when they come home they can put those skills in running a more inefficient business in the drug market. I will admit that the younger generation does not have the same morrows as the older generation gangsters. They lack respect for the culture and cause, s hit now a days you see cliques roll in with other cliques, it’s hard for me to even distinguish who’s, who. This is not going to get any better do to the economy. The biggest thing is Money! How can you tell someone to go work for 150-200 dollars a week, when they can make a couple of thousand in an hour time? Until you can come up with something that will replace that type of client tell there is no stopping the drug and gang crime.

Posted by: more crime on July 17, 2008 11:03AM CST Exclusive: Gangs Spreading In The Military CBS News Talks To The Family Of A U.S. Soldier Killed In Gang Initiation Comments 238 July 28, 2007 E-Mail Story Print Story Sphere Share Text Size: A A A VideosPhotos Shavon Striggles, a Marine corporal, poses in gang colors inside the barracks on Parris Island. (Richland County Sheriff) Gang Warfare In The Military CBS News exclusive investigation: Gang activity is is known to be on the rise in the U.S. military, concerning civilian and military authorities alike. Thalia Assuras has the story. | Share/Embed » More Videos Related Interactive Military 101 Basic training to learn all about America's fighting force. (CBS) U.S. Army Sgt. Juwan Johnson got a hero's welcome while home on leave in June of 2004. "Not only did I love my son - but my god - I liked the man he was becoming," his mother, Stephanie Cockrell, remembers. But that trip home was the last time his family saw him alive. When Johnson died, he wasn't in a war zone, he was in Germany. "He had finished his term in Iraq," his mother said. "I talked to him the day before his death. He said, 'Mom, I'm in the process of discharging out. I'll be out in two weeks'." On July 3, 2005, Sgt. Johnson went to a park not far from his base in Germany to be initiated into the 'Gangster Disciples,' a notorious Chicago-based street gang. He was beaten by eight other soldiers in a "jump-in" - an initiation rite common to many gangs. "My son never spoke of joining a gang," Cockrell told CBS News correspondent Thalia Assuras. Johnson died that night from his injuries. His son, Juwan Jr., was born five months later. "I feel like I didn't prepare him enough to deal with this and I should have," his mother said. "But how would I have known there were gangs in the military? I could have had that talk with him." Evidence of gang culture and gang activity in the military is increasing so much an FBI report calls it "a threat to law enforcement and national security." The signs are chilling: Marines in gang attire on Parris Island; paratroopers flashing gang hand signs at a nightclub near Ft. Bragg; infantrymen showing-off gang tattoos at Ft. Hood. "It's obvious that many of these people do not give up their gang affiliations," said Hunter Glass, a retired police detective in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the home of Ft. Bragg and the 82nd Airborne. He monitors gang activity at the base and across the military. "If we weren't in the middle of fighting a war, yes, I think the military would have a lot more control over this issue," Glass said. "But with a war going on, I think it's very difficult to do." Gang activity clues are appearing in Iraq and Afghanistan, too. Gang graffiti is sprayed on blast walls – even on Humvees. Kilroy – the doodle made famous by U.S. soldiers in World War II – is here, but so is the star emblem of the Gangster Disciples. The soldier who took photos if the graffiti told CBS News that he's been warned he's as good as dead if he ever returns to Iraq. "We represent America – our demographics are the same – so the same problems that America contends with we often times contend with," said Colonel Gene Smith of the Army's Office of the Provost Marshal. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command reported 61 gang investigations and incidents last year, compared to just 9 in 2004. But army officials point out less than 1 percent of all its criminal investigations are gang related. "We must remember that there are a million people in the army community," Smith said, "And these small numbers are not reflective of a tremendous, pervasive, rampant problem." The rise in gang activity coincides with the increase in recruits with records. Since 2003, 125,000 recruits with criminal histories have been granted what are known as "moral waivers" for felonies including robbery and assault. A hidden-camera investigation by CBS Denver station KCNC found one military recruiter was quick to offer the waiver option even when asked, "Does it matter that i was in a gang or anything?" That is well within military regulations. "You may have had some gang activity in your past and everything ... OK ... but that in itself does not disqualify...," the recruiter said. Military regulations disqualify members of hate groups from enlisting, but there is no specific ban on members of street gangs. Sgt. Juwan Johnson's family says such a prohibition is long overdue. "Just maybe we can save someone else's child ... somebody else's husband ... somebody else's father," his mother said. "I would have loved to have seen him with his child, I really would have -- that part is hard, that part is hard." This month a military court sentenced two of Juwan Johnson's attackers to prison.

Posted by: more crime on July 17, 2008 11:10AM CST TO KAWWMAN Posted by: kawwwman on July 15, 2008 12:47PM EST i dont believe morecrime one bit...its a made up person. probly maurice with a new name. also the notion of gangs in the military is ubsurd!! the military weed them out in bootcamp!! these so called thugs here in racine would not last a day in tampa. lol morecrime is only tough when with a few of his friends. get him alone and all of a sudden he not so tough. just like any other thug in racine. maurice drug dealing not related to gang banging statement is ignorant..what do you think funds there activities? you and your thug friends are ignorant and stuck on stupid! This is how ignorant you truly are to say.... "also the notion of gangs in the military is ubsurd!! the military weed them out in bootcamp!!"

Posted by: kawwwman on July 17, 2008 12:21PM CST yup...and i still hate gang bangers. guess im ignorant. haha the purpose of people leaving comments is to be heard and to "share" ideas/thoughts/opinions. yes..so i was wrong about gangs in the military. sorry for having better faith in the american military. you can correct me on this topic. it does not make me ignorant to have thought the military has gang members. at least i can admit when corrected. the NFL and Military now has gangs. wtf..the NFL is an american tradition. one that kids are raised on. to have a kid watch game day and see role models flash gang signs is wrong. whats next? football players having a shoot out on the field? when that comes i will hope america goes into martial law. and the end of the human race. because we as humans have failed.

Posted by: xanthia on July 17, 2008 12:55PM CST "it does not make me ignorant to have thought the military has gang members. at least i can admit when corrected. " Nope - that thought does not make you ignorant - your mouth does. I question your abilitly to call yourself a MAN when you resort to ignorant racial remarks. I question your integrity as a human being capable of having common courtesy, compassion, diversity, honor and respect for others. You are entitled to your opinion and your beliefs - but is it really necessary to stoop to the level in which you have? You may have intended to direct your comment to Deo specifically - but did you stop to think of all the other people that may be offended or upset about choice of words?

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 17, 2008 1:36PM CST thank you more crime, i am a hetero sexual white guy that only speaks english, obviously a minority in this group. i think that kaww although a little too the left side speaks what he feels, and it maybe right and it maybe wrong but, that is what these blogs are for. you either love him or hate him, me, i find it amusing and laugh because again, this is entertainment. i dont see him backing down from any of you in fact he told you where he is, when you threatened him. other than reading his blogs i couldnt tell you who he was if he was behind me at the store or not. \ i spend time in meetings trying to solve problems like gang violence and things that effect my community can any of you on this stupid blog say the same? can you? i go to my kids school and discuss how bad drugs and gangs are to the children and too stay away from them, be a productive member of society. do any of you? deo, do you do this for your kids? how about you maurice? i tihink that it's comical that you deo, would let kaww get so under you skin. that you would resort to calling his family names and threaten him to come to your work, which i am sure if i made a call i could have you terminated from for such a stupid comment, but think you guys, this is how it starts, my dick is bigger than yours and the next thing your fighting, tomorrow someone gets stabbed and the next day three people get shot. all of you, grow the fricck up and stop this, now.

Posted by: xanthia on July 17, 2008 2:10PM CST 'i find it amusing and laugh because again, this is entertainment.' Wow - I must have a different defintion of entertainment. Calling names, making threats, raicial remarks, quien es mas macho - is all far from entertainment in my book.

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 17, 2008 3:33PM CST again, i dont agree with all that kaww or anyone else says. to fiqure that the whole problem is that out of al that all you picked up is that one part, again i dont understand different language, i am an american. i am not diverse in any other language, i dont want to be. the whole problems to this is that you, took all that was said and didnt even answer the most important question. ARE YOU INVOLVED?

Posted by: xanthia on July 17, 2008 3:37PM CST I am am American too Leroy. However, I diversified myself and speak 3 languages fluently. I am sorry you did not care to. As to am I involved? As I said before: It starts at home my friend.

Posted by: xanthia on July 17, 2008 3:59PM CST By the way Leroy - Since you did not understand it in another language: "quien es mas macho" is just a nicer and less harsh way of saying, "my dick is bigger than yours."

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 17, 2008 4:51PM CST i am a home dad, i know who my kids hang out with, i know who they are, i know where they go. again, involved in the school that they go to as well. when i went to school 26 years ago, the emphasis was not put on another language, it was put into learning the three r's. i regret not learning another language however as it sure would come in handy now a day. personally, i dont care if yours is bigger, hahahaha. it was a fiqure of speech.

Posted by: MC on July 17, 2008 5:39PM CST Apparently The JT's is not censoring these bloggs anymore.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 17, 2008 9:18PM CST deo threw the first stone at me. i stand up for myself. nothing wrong with that.

Posted by: Deo on July 17, 2008 11:33PM CST LEROY - Too answer your questions. Kaww bragged on an old blog that his brother beat a Police Officer then fled the state to avoid going to Jail. I was pushing his buttons hoping he would bite. If he would have come to the bulding I work in, My friends in the Police and Sheriffs Dept would have liked to had a talk with him. His brother is still and wanted FELON that crossed state line to aviod prosecution which makes it Federal. Since Kaww has contact with him it's called adding and abetting and hardoriing a fugitive. Last year I lost a friend to a scum bag during a traffic stop, so yes I take GREAT offense at someone that brags about assulting an Officer. Yes I am part Irish but that is only a part of my ethnic mix. I am also Native American, several tribes and a mix of Several European Races. I know spanish, because I spent 26 years in San Jose Ca, before moving back to Wisconsin, and it's not punta madre it's puta madre. As to what it means here's a hint, madre means mother but unlike English where we say the Red Rose in Spanish they say the Rose Red, so you should be able to figure out what it means, again having fun at Kawws expense. Since it is so easy to do! Kaww - Using the N-word just show what a small minded RACIST you really are. Something for you to think about. As a young man my Kempo Instructor would always remind us that, no matter how bad you think you are there is ALWAYS someone out there that can kick you behind. Good Luck Fool

Posted by: more crime on July 18, 2008 4:19AM CST Gangs in Wisconsin Bloods & Crips (numerous sets of each),Black Gangster Disciples, Black P Stones, Four Corner Hustlers, Gangster Disciples, Imperial Gangster Disciples, Latin King, Maniac Latin Disciples, Mickey Cobras, Orchestra Albany, Vatos Locos, Vice Lords Gangs in Prison - Aryan Brotherhood, Bloods & Crips (numerous sets of each) Black Gangster Disciples, Black P Stones, El Rukns, La Nuestra Familia, Latin Kings, Spanish Cobras, Vice Lords This Page was last updated on Friday, July 18, 2008 Copyright © 2000-2007, all rights reserved. Duplication of any of these pages in any form without the express permission of the owners info@ctgia.org and CTGIA wishes to give creidit to Gangs OR us for

Posted by: more crime on July 18, 2008 4:23AM CST It's about time we educate our children who are our future, they need to go to school, learn and adapt to the new age. We need to teach them, educate them of our traditions and cultures and our true purpose. We need to open new doors for our children. Because they are the future ALKN. Do you want our future kings and queens to end up like many of our present members? Incarcerated, or shot dead on street corners? I am not ready for this. I refuse to let this happen. Let us stand as one united "ALKN" and lets guide our children, protect them and help them see that we uplift each other, our people, our loved ones. I appeal to you my fellow Kings and Queen, let us unite and renew our faith and commitment to KINGISM and the ALKN. I myself joined the ALKN in 1989 , I use to and I still do fight for my neighborhood, I wanted and still fight for justice of our people. But I fail and I try again and fail but I get back up and try again. Because I believe in our struggle!!!!! I am still a member with all my heart. I still believe and stand for our cause and will continue to preach and live Kingism. I ask all true Kings and Queens who want to make honest changes in the ALKN and their life for the betterment of the Almighty Latin King Nation and themselves, the time has come to UNITE and show our kids the doors of schools are open. Lets educate our children and ourselves. Lets dedicate ourselves to teach our kids, our kings and queens our traditions and culture, new age technological advances. We shall achieve new ways in upliftment. We will succeed by hard work and by living the laws of our Constitution of the Almighty Latin King Nation. If you are a true king and queen, then you have no problem in being a role model and should have no problems in teaching the principles of Kingism. I speak to those who portray to be a king and queen but in fact are misleading our people and members. The fake ones tend to teach wrong things they live anti-socially and push drugs to our youth,they hang around aimlessly and are wasting precious life!!! Many of us "true Kings and Queens" are tired of the jackals who are camaflouged as kings and queens who dont know jack-squat about our mission and goals. They have no clue of our dreams. They are the so-called kings and queens who joined our Nation for personal gains and to profit from our hard work and title. So, beware of these so-called Kings and queens who dont know the true aim of the ALKN. Think right my fellow kings and Queens . Think positive and do positive things. For anything that you do reflects on our Organization. I have seen so many chapters doing great things and I have seen some chapters doing corrupt things. It's time that we put aside our differences and unite and become one . We can never achieve anything if we dont unite and stand as ONE. Our goals, dreams, aims and mission can be only achieved if we are ONE. Together in peace and harmony we can do wonders and will succeed in doing many good deeds. If we stay separated we will never accomplish our dream. It bothers me that our own communities are afraid of us!!, dont you know that we were founded to protect and uplift our community? Think about it...Lets unite our people, for our struggle is still to be won!!!!! Peace in Black and Gold.....AMOR DE REY

Posted by: xanthia on July 18, 2008 7:14AM CST Leroy - "personally, i dont care if yours is bigger, hahahaha. it was a fiqure of speech" I am a female :-) I was commenting on your comment - go back and read how it was written.

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 18, 2008 7:44AM CST i knew that you were a female just a little humor, lighten up. deo, did you just call me a fool?

Posted by: xanthia on July 18, 2008 7:46AM CST Lightened. p.s. Fool can also be used as a term of endearment.

Posted by: Deo on July 18, 2008 7:58AM CST LEROY - No I did not. Please note that the last paragraph was directed to Kaww. I believe my response to your questions was direct and polite.

Posted by: xanthia on July 18, 2008 8:16AM CST FYI - Just so no one reads More Crimes last post and thinks for a second he really has that 4.0 he speaks of: His writings are not his own. I knew I had heard this speech just a few weeks ago on the show Gangland. The speech was from the former LK Leader, Buddah. He is behind bars for the rest of his life - however, while he 'ruled' he was known for motivational talks and speeches. Here is the link that shows the speech: http://www.topix.com/forum/news/drugs/TAI1PPN8FEMBBORBH/p40 Notice THAT poster gave credit to the author and did not try to claim it as his own.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 18, 2008 8:21AM CST deo/sissy my bro did not get charged witha felony. therefore he is not wanted. get the facts sissy. also he did not punch a cop. he choked one. liked you should be choked. all this effort you put into me. why not put more effort into this thug gangster/wannabe morecrime? why havent you come over to the house yet? your just a sissy that talks big over the computer and hide behind your cop friends. morecrime i hope you get shot in your gang journey.

Posted by: Deo on July 18, 2008 10:04AM CST Kaww - Sorry Bucky pulling a 12 hr shift, can't make it up today. "why not put more effort into this thug gangster/wannabe morecrime?" because morecrime is a bogus poster and he didn't call me the n-word. Choked an Officer, last I checked that is a Felony. So he made a deal then, as you stated, fled the state to avoid doing time. Would that be about right?

Posted by: more crime on July 18, 2008 11:34AM CST TO DEO AND KAWWMAN COME TO MY HOOD AND YOU WILL SEE ITS NOT ALL GOOD! WANNA BE, BOGUS POSTER ALL WORDS FROM LIL DUDES, SH IT AM AT THE CORNER OF 9TH AND CENTER COME ON THREW BLOOD! IAM OUT FROM ANYWHERE FROM 3:00PM-3:00AM AND IF DONT SEE ME JUST PARK ILL BE OUT.DONT BE STUPID COME WITH SOMETHING BUT AM NOT THE ONE TO GO BACK AND FOURTH LIKE TO LIL HENS CLUCKIN IN A BARN YARD.KAWWMAN I DID ROLL THREW YOUR NICE SUBBERB, YES SUBBERB U TALK LIKE YOU FROM THE HOOD BUT I CAN SEE U R THE TRUE WANNA BE THUG!YOU TALK AND ACK THUGISH BUT YOUR AGAINST THUGS COME ON BLOOD! DEO YOU SAY YOU FROM CALI, BUT I CAN SEE YOUR SOFT BLOOD,GOING BACK IN FOURTH WITH SOME THAT DOES HAVE TO MUCH UP STAIRS. STAIRSCEREBRO MASCULINO, BLOOD AND IF YOU R FROM CALI U R NOT FROM THE HOOD, SH IT MY BABY SIS GOT MORE HEART. AMOR DE RAY

Posted by: more crime on July 18, 2008 11:52AM CST TO DEO AND KAWWMAN COME TO MY HOOD AND YOU WILL SEE ITS NOT ALL GOOD! WANNA BE, BOGUS POSTER ALL WORDS FROM LIL DUDES, SH IT AM AT THE CORNER OF 9TH AND CENTER COME ON THREW BLOOD! IAM OUT FROM ANYWHERE FROM 3:00PM-3:00AM AND IF DONT SEE ME JUST PARK ILL BE OUT.DONT BE STUPID COME WITH SOMETHING BUT AM NOT THE ONE TO GO BACK AND FOURTH LIKE TO LIL HENS CLUCKIN IN A BARN YARD.KAWWMAN I DID ROLL THREW YOUR NICE SUBBERB, YES SUBBERB U TALK LIKE YOU FROM THE HOOD BUT I CAN SEE U R THE TRUE WANNA BE THUG!YOU TALK AND ACK THUGISH BUT YOUR AGAINST THUGS COME ON BLOOD! DEO YOU SAY YOU FROM CALI, BUT I CAN SEE YOUR SOFT BLOOD,GOING BACK IN FOURTH WITH SOME THAT DOESNT HAVE TO MUCH UP STAIRS. STAIRSCEREBRO MASCULINO, BLOOD AND IF YOU R FROM CALI U R NOT FROM THE HOOD, SH IT MY BABY SIS GOT MORE HEART. AMOR DE RAY

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 18, 2008 11:54AM CST and my response to you will be direct and polite then as well. what is exactly is a "wannabethug?" what should i come with more crime? i go by 9th and center all the time. never had a problem there. xanthia. could you please interpet for me, i am having a hard time with all this, stairscerebro masculino? i am thinking up brain strong>???? am i close>

Posted by: Doug Heffernan on July 18, 2008 1:00PM CST I heard that Racine thugs like it up the A S S fast and steady. I'm not a thug, so I wouldn't know. Can any thugs in here answer that question??

Posted by: xanthia on July 18, 2008 1:50PM CST Leroy - He has me on that one - must be that 4.0 again. Masculino - is masculine, but no clue what he was going for there. The other one he has me on: "Amor de Ray" it means he has love for a guy named Ray. An LK would say and know how to type Amor de REY.

Posted by: xanthia on July 18, 2008 2:46PM CST Take a look at this link - read through some of the summaries - and be glad Racine is not as bad as any IL city. I am by no means minimizing what IS happening in Racine - I am saying it could be so much worse. Try to get a handle on the situation before it becomes just like IL. http://www.iir.com/nygc/summaries.cfm?State=IL&dir=1&m=08&y=2006

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 18, 2008 2:49PM CST thank you xanthia, he didnt make any sense to me either. i think hefeman is kind of bold. i sure hope that isnt his real name and if it is, it isnt in the phone book. i be thinking date night at his house might have a whole new meaning.

Posted by: xanthia on July 18, 2008 3:09PM CST Doug Hefferman is the character from the TV sitcom King of Queens. So for now - I think he is safe. :-)

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 18, 2008 4:27PM CST oh, and again you are the wizard of info

Posted by: Jayal on July 18, 2008 9:31PM CST There is so much hate in here. That is where this whole "gang thing" started.... If you've done research on gangs, most of them started as protection from other racial groups. Then the drug trade took over and it became about protecting drug turf and branched out to other crime. In my humble opinon several comments here are right on point. We need to find and develop meaningful and constuctive programs to reach kids before they join gangs. After school programs, better education, sports, better parenting, more community resourches all help. Several poeple have asked why kids join in the first place: protection, a sense of belonging, low self-esteem and peer pressure are a few. We need to reach out to the youth of this community and show them there is a better way. Educate them and show them we care. Gangs prey on our youth with the promise of stability, love for each other, someone looking out for them, some one who cares about them. These are the things that attract kids more than the lure of easy or fast money. While it is easy for us to say joining a gang is dumb, when you have nothing else...joinging a gang may seem like your only choice. We all may not agree with every thing Mr. Horton is saying or how he is saying it, but at least he is out trying to make a difference. Gangs are not a race problem. There are gang members of every race, color and creed. Gangs are in big cities, little cities, suburbs and inner cities. Latin Kings are not all hispanic, Gangster Disciples are not all black, Simon City Royals are not all white. Today gangs are a mixed bag. Ask Waukesha, West Allis, Wausau, Lacrosse, etc. if they have gang problems. This is a social problem that we can address if we are willing to put in the effort. We may not be able to stop everyone from joining a gang but if start at one, maybe we can get two and so on.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 19, 2008 12:33AM CST jayal..your right. glad to get back on topic here. i agree when you say that kids joing a gang out of protection, a sense of belonging, low self-esteem and peer pressure. also, joinging a gang may seem like your only choice. i think that making it a law that would make it a crime to be in a gang, would make a huge impact. it would create alot of jobs. also cost the tax payers. but it would be an "consiquence". these gang bangers do not have to live up to any responsibility for thier crime actions. Humans could wipe gangs of the face of the earth if we wanted. but that would mean alot of money. i see that money rules are world. money in many cases will be a reason why a kid or adult will joing a gang. on the flip side money is the reason why we cant keep gangs at bay. personally i have learned from this blog. i learned that there are gangs in the NFL, and our allmighty Military. i learned that from a gang member. haha. also i learned that some people want to shoot em on site, while others want to pamper them with a hug feeling sorry for them. i learned that i need to not let this topic get to me so much. my pet peeve is gangs. they destroy America. what i learned the most is to not fight with people in here over stupid crap. we are all on board the same ship over this gang issue. we all want it to go away. we should not let personal opinions to get in that way. im done fighting with people who try to push my bottons over my own opinions vs thiers. i do not hate the black community. i have allways said that i hate gang bangers. whether they are black, white, or latino. i just believe that the blacks are more into it. that does not make me a racist. morecrime. i hope that you can say you learned something from this. let me ask you this. how would you feel if someone shot and killed one of your family members? now amagine how the family of one of your victims feels when you or your gang kills of of them. why cant gangs fight with there fist? why does someone have to get shot?

Posted by: Deo on July 19, 2008 10:35AM CST Kaww - My compliments! I believe that has to be the best post I have ever read by you and must admit I agree :( with you. I am also guilty of fighting with you over stupid crap. My pet peeve being prople that talk about hurting Officers. I have been very touchy about that ever since Frank Fabiano was murdered. I was working that night, very tough thing to deal with. Your last paragraph to more crime made me think about how I have been acting on this post, I quess it really touched a nerve and brought back some very painful memories. That being said have a good day! Peace

Posted by: MauriceH. on July 19, 2008 11:15AM CST Kawwwman - Sorry but u cannot use your bipolar technique to hide your true motives here by changing your tone and points. Basically - your ONLY point throughout this blog is "to make it a felony to belong to a gang". Do you really feel young people who commit crimes are going to be deterred by a law outlawing it? You say that it would be a "responsibility" that gangbangers would have to deal with. How? All DAs and prosecutors will have to "prove" membership in court to convict anyone - that won't be easy to do - there are no official rosters. Defendants will say that they associate with gang members but are not in the gang. What about the hundreds of "cliques" out there who are not affiliated with any official street gang? Making it a felony to "belong" to a gang would be a pointless and costly idea in my opinion - and wouldn't really get at the problem. As to your true colors and motives Kawwwman - it should be noted that the following are ALL things posted by Kawwwman in this blog : "morecrime i hope you get shot in your gang journey." (hoping for violence against a blogger) "realistate could be the answer. everytime a house goes up for sale in the hood. the city could buy it and and bulldoze it down." (affordable housing - yes - that is a good topic - interesting solution) "also the notion of gangs in the military is ubsurd!! the military weed them out in bootcamp!!" (proven to be incorrect - although you did admit it) "you (to me) and your thug friends are ignorant and stuck on stupid!" (you don't know me or ANY of my friends so - if you think I am ignorant - LOL - I take it as a compliment) "and yes sometimes some cops need a beatdown. theres a couple here in hooterville that need a beatdown! just like you" (ahh yes - your support for law enforcement too) Try as you might Kawww - you are what you are. You either stand by your words or you don't. Do you have anything else of value to add to this discussion?

Posted by: kawwwman on July 19, 2008 3:37PM CST im not playing into muarice. and im not bi polar. i stil stand by my word. get over it. and yes i can change my tone. we have the right to change our thoughts. we all learn new things. allthough i still stand by my word about making it a crime to be in a gang. if you do not agree with that..thats fine. you are intitled to that. we are all at some points proven corrected..whats wrong with being wrong sometimes? at least i can man up to it. have a nice day. oh and yes i still stay death to gang bangers!! haha i love it!!!! you can continue to attack me if you want..does not matter to me one bit. deo. that guy that shot your friend was allready caught by the law. he was on the run. he was an illegal mexican. its to bad this country failed his family and friends by not deporting him back to mexico. it sucks man. glad we can make amends.

Posted by: LEROYBEANS on July 19, 2008 8:52PM CST see how easy it is to play nice fellas. maurice, again the perpetual poop stirrer, political spin master. cant leave well enough alone. still havent took me up on that offer yet, huh? whats wrong maurice dont want none of the brothers to see you with a white guy? sometimes kaww gets a little to the south of reality but hey, dont we all? but you, dude, just spew about racial indiffernce and how all gangs arent so bad, but yet, even in your last spin of negativity on day 5 of brandons reporting you spin again talking about how the 80 or 90 bloggers spew, dude, i think your probably one of the biggest race violators in here.

Posted by: Jayal on July 19, 2008 10:45PM CST There are already laws on the books that enhance penalties and sentencing guidleines for crimes committed as part of illegal gang activity. The problem is the person being charged has to admit being a member of a gang. (most gang have rules against this in thier laws and literature) The RICO act is also used against gangs, as they operate as a criminal enterprise. So I think we are already trying to address the law enforcement side of this issue. We need to invest in prevention efforts. I think we need to focus on ways to identify the "at risk kids" and try to stop them from joining gangs. We need to start providing training to school teachers and school administrators to try to identify the kids who are just starting down the path to being gang members. I'm not talking about just highschool, I'm talking about grade school or sooner. We need to involve social workers and community organizations as well. These are the people that see these kids everyday. Kids just don't wake up one day and become gang members. They will usually show signs of interest. Writing graffitti on their note books, desks, etc. They start to wear the clothing associated with a particle gang (I'm not talking about baggy pants). I'm talking about colors and other gang identifiers, hats on side ways, one pant leg up, etc. We need to stop spending more money on jails and prisons and put the money into the school districts and ensure programs are available to keep kids involved in positive activities. We need to develop and invest in programs for former gang members to get better education and employment skills. If we can get the older members on the right path, they may be able to be role models for the younger members. It doesn't have to be all about money. It can even start by just volunteering as a Big Brother or Sister to help some of these kids get straightened out. Getting involved in the community through church or other community resources agencies my help as well.

Posted by: drewzepmeister on July 19, 2008 11:07PM CST Jayal-think you nailed it on the head.

Posted by: kawwwman on July 19, 2008 11:07PM CST cool theres allready laws on the books agaist gangs. guess that idea was not that bad. i agree..invest more in prevention efforts. and the big brother idea. maybee racine needs a slogan agaist gangs.....gang are dumb. or something like that. haha

Posted by: I AM on July 21, 2008 2:48AM CST INVEST IN EDUCATING YOURSELVES!!!!!!!!!!! MOST ARE SO UNINFORM THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A REAL OPINION ON A MATTER IN WHICH YOU.......I REPEAT >>>YOU are a part of the SUBJECT in which YOU comment on ....NOT realizing THAT YOU ARE THE REAL SUBJECT!!!......CRABS IN A BARREL!!! THAT'S WHAT WE/YOU ARE!!! THE WELL OFF NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT GANGS!!!! ..........THEY KNOW...........THAT.........IT....IS ...........YOU..THAT MUST BE DISTRACTED WITH THE OTHER CRABS.............SO THAT YOU WILL BE WILLING TO KEEP WORKING(GIVING) YOUR HARD EARN $$$ TO THE WELL OFF >>>>SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE THE LIFE YOU ONLY DREAM ABOUT!! YOU/WE ARE SO UNEDUCATED THAT WE THINK THAT GANGS ARE THE PROBELM..........WHEN>>IN FACT>>>IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GANGS TO EXSIST WITHOUT THE FUEL OF INJUSTICE AND RACSIM>>>>THE POWERS THAT BE HAVE GOT YOU WERE THEY WANT....... GIVE US ALL YOUR LIFE FORCE(MIND, BODY and CASH), AND WE WILL PROTECT YOU FROM YOURSELVES!!!!...............COMMON FOLK....(for those that don't know what that is: MIDDLE MGRMT>WHITE COLLAR>BLUE COLLAR>THE TEMP>THE UNEMPLYED>WELFARE RECPT>DRUG DEALERS>GANGBANGERS) YOU PAY MORE OF YOUR LIFE FORCE NOW MORE THAN ANYTIME IN THE HISTORY OF TH USA>>>>AND YOU BLAME THE WEAKESS MEMBERS OF' YOUR GANG'..........WE DESERVE THESE MISERIES FOR BEING SO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>STUPID!

Posted by: xanthia on July 21, 2008 7:41AM CST Let's all sing Cumbyya! :-) Actually - what a nice turn of tones to see on a Monday morning. Kaww - kudos for stepping up to the plate. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford

Posted by: kawwwman on July 21, 2008 11:28AM CST i am...if you vote for obama. he will tax the rich and give the money to the poor..so that they to can live more comfortable. personnaly i think its a joke. xanthia..thanks.

Posted by: I AM on July 21, 2008 11:09PM CST THE KEY