tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176218.post2568389414644728190..comments2009-12-30T23:38:57.466-07:00Karlos Gauna Schmiederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603085487940726800noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176218.post-10687645142736187292007-09-11T20:21:10.935-07:002007-09-11T20:21:10.935-07:00I currently teach in Watts, at Markham Middle School. It is a middle school next door to the projects. I just want to say that I deal with these kids everyday. I have fights in my class on an everyday basis. Violence here is not a behavior its a lifestyle. Unfortunately it is really hard sometimes but when I see the difference in some of my kids, I know it's all worth it!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176218.post-43470617272199056142007-08-31T08:15:47.840-07:002007-08-31T08:15:47.840-07:00I do agree that the gang registry as it is written is to vauge. I don't thing it will be constitutional as it is written. The law needs to clearly establish what a "gang" is, and clearly define what a "gang member" is. Gangs are bad, they exist only to cause trouble and harm people, especially "at risk" youth. But being a member in a street gang and supporting criminality is a choice, and there must be a consequence for that choice. Police do not, and should not criminalize youth, but they must deal with and criminalize criminals, whoever they may be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176218.post-2948678932986781982007-08-30T12:07:58.881-07:002007-08-30T12:07:58.881-07:00Just because kids are at risk or failing in life doesn't mean that we should be giving up on them. That our problem with society to many people give up on our young people too soon. By having a gang registry you are not only giving up on young people but your a condemning them have to live with there actions for 20 yrs! If we want to talk about helping these people change there lives and get back into society then we can't allow them to enact this registry. I mean most of these at risk kids have a hard enough time getting in to schools or getting job as it is, but having this registry would make it even more impossible for them to make a positive change in their lives. Not to mention the criteria to be identified as a gang member is way to vague, I mean any tom, dick, or hairy with tattoos can be considered a gang member. I mean cops even fit the description of gang member They travel in groups , they wear the same colors, they carry weapons ect ect…Emmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176218.post-70375833992121262622007-08-30T06:04:24.761-07:002007-08-30T06:04:24.761-07:00Many young people grow up in poverty, and many of them do well in life. This youth go to school and graduate, many of them go to college and give back to the community. These young people have learned that if you stay out of trouble, go to school and work hard they will do well in life. Other young people make the choice to join gangs, drop out of school and fail in life. These young people prey on society, and cause others to fail as they did. They chose to fail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com