Is penalty for theft a discrimination?

Alert! Alert!

[British] Foreign Office instructs embassies to push LGBT rights - The British government has adopted an official programme to support the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in other countries.

Do [habitual] thieves have human rights? Yes, they do. Does that mean there shouldn't be penalty for stealing? No. Then, aren't they being discriminated? ... No.

I agree with an argument that I have read. We talk about discriminant against certain race because people don't choose to be of their race. We may talk about discrimination against people of certain religions, because usually, in these religions, the believers didn't or can't choose their religions, e.g. they are borned into it.

However, nobody is borned a thief, and even if it was so in some very rare cases, the person can still choose not to be a thief. Similarly, nobody is born a LGBT, and similarly, the person can still choose what type of life they prefer. Thus, it isn't valid to talk about discrimination against thieves and LGBT.

Criminalizing the act of stealing does not go against the rights of a person who steals, or likes to steal. It discourages such acts which is bad for the larger community. Those who find it difficult conforming to any society's expectations are naturally find it difficult living in that society. However, this itself is not discrimination against them.

What is common in these movies?

Recently, I watched the movie about Muhammad Ali. I just finished watching the movie Malcolm X, which took me two nights.

I haven't done much further readings, but I believe Malcolm X was mentioned in the movie Ali. [Just read it at wikipedia]

Anyway, I find a common point in these movies that hasn't been ... talked much these days, or at world level. I wonder has the historical grudges between Africans who were brought to America as slaves, and their descendants. Yes, they were liberated, but is that enough? I would like to know what else has been done to indemnify the historical errors.

As if their tails (as if they have) is being stepped on

Would not showing homosexuality publicly hurt those who choose to be of this "minority¹" group? I don't know. Err, actually, I think it doesn't hurt them.

Would showing such hurt those who ...
- are naturally heterosexual? Yes, it does.
- have conservative, or I prefer long accepted moral standards? Yes, it does.
- have faiths, such as Islam, Unificationism, etc. that condemn such stuffs? Yes, it does.

I support and encourage the Singapore's Media Development Authority for being firm on such issues. There are always pros and cons. Here, the cons is some self-defined homosexual people would be offended, while many many others would applau us. Thus, the net results is we would be attracting more people to Singapore, as this is a unique and rare place that uphold such moral standards.

¹ Quoted not because of their numbers, but because of the difference from the use of the word in "minority races."

Priority ~= urgent but =/= correct

I found this earlier report while trying to, but haven't succeeded yet, locate a similar and more recent one done in Singapore. Below is one particular set of key finding and my comments (in italics) on them.

World Vision’s Global AIDS Attitudes Survey

Key Finding – Policy Preferences

... • Children are the top priority for action.
–Publics everywhere are most likely to support programs that help children affected by HIV and AIDS, including children who are orphaned by AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses.

If getting HIV/AIDS is like getting a death penalty, at least the person has enjoyed some of his life. However, for children born with HIV in them, it is like getting a death penalty even before they have life!

• There are marked differences across countries in support for programs aimed at discouraging sexual promiscuity, the widespread use and availability of condoms, and increased availability of clean needles for people who need them.

This suggests different countries have different situations and priorities.

–Programs to discourage sexual promiscuity are a high priority for 39% of adults in the seven countries.

Majority didn't put them as top priority probably because this is something difficult to achieve, and may be sensitive due to "human rights" issues. However, this doesn't mean that it won't work, rather, I think this is the long term solution while the rest aren't solution, but just fighting fire.

–Americans are polarized on all three of these potential measures. One-fifth of the population feels that each should be a low priority or not a priority at in the fight to stop the spread of HIV.

US is a very multi-racial, multi-religious, and therefore, multi-opinions country.

• Raising taxes elicits a strong push back: 41% disagree (with 23%strongly disagreeing) that they would be willing to pay more fortheir government to fund HIV and AIDS-prevention, treatment, research and care programs globally.

Surely, if the rightful approach to discourage sexual promiscuity is a "human rights" issue, then the wrongful burdening of such problems on the innocent majority should be rejected.

Adam, where are you?

Just like the first man in the Bible, Adam, humans hide when we are shameful. Very true, isn't it? However, the hiding is an illusion. Just like the song "God is watching us from a distance," we may try to hide and think that we are hidden, but in fact, we can't hide.

How about hiding from other mortal human beings? It is getting more difficult. We are now empowered with easily available information. The author of the book "The World is Flat" mentioned in it how did his daughter easily found the addresses of her friends by searching their phone numbers using Google.

I bet you know Google is not an address book, but a powerful search engine. Thus, anybody can do a background check, and this "anybody" could be our potential employers, future parents-in-law, future spouse, school mates, colleagues, etc.

I hope these are not scary, but beneficial to many by better knowing their potential partners in work and life. However, Google search is general and form the cyberworld that has both true and fake information. SentryLink provides search services on specific backgrounds such as driving, credit, property, and one of them is Criminal Background Check using public records obtained from state and local government offices. I hope this does not make job hunting more difficult for ex-criminals. Instead, may be such available knowledge can help to avoid awkward situations since employers can know in advance and can be better prepared to work with ex-criminals from the very start if they decide to employ any of them.

Furthermore, there are jobs which are not suitable, and vice-versa, for ex-criminals. Thus, respective bosses can do a criminal check through SentryLink on their potential employees.

Although it reminds me of the book "1984", it is not about the technology, but about how the technology is used. I doubt we can prevent these technological advances. Thus, the best is not to have anything to hide and live according to our conscience. Such transparency should encourage an honest society and world.

My Big Fat Moonie Wedding

Did you arrive here while searching for the above "documentary"? If so, then you must watch this too.

The director is a child of one of those marriages.
The media industry seems to be going from reporting facts to selling whatever can sell.

I watched a few episodes of a documentary about "UFO" that tries to fairly present arguments from both sides, at least I feel so. Thus, I do feel unfulfilled after watching as it always ends without making a stand. This might affect its sales as people from either side will not fully endorse it.

Anyway, a 1L glass containing 500ml of water can be perceived as half full or half empty. Interviewing less than 10 failures out of 2000 over marriages should suggest high success rate. Otherwise, there wouldn't be more of such event, with growing numbers, including many of their children.

Update:
If you didn't come here from Mhax Prosper related post, I recommend you to pay a visit there for further updates.

How to control?

Is the era of controlling by power passing away?

When somebody suggests in a blog, and leave it up to readers to consider appearing at a stated place, date and time, and in a specific attire, how could it be stopped or avoided?
These people have a certain point of view to make, but others who don't know about this may also just happens to be there in matching attire.

Is this considered an organized event?
How could this be managed?

I doubt it can be tackled by any forms of power. There is a great need to build trust through true love, i.e. practice and demonstrate living for the greater good lifestyle.

Three ugly sisters

In an article, Ann Widdecombe said "We have to take on the three ugly sisters: the rights culture, the compensation culture and political correctness."

Hey I like this! I am sure there are many who think so. Wonder how may we join force to take on these ugly sisters and many more.

The rights culture = selfishness, because of my rights, it is OK even if all the rest gotta suffer.
The political correctness = selfishness, because I need to remain in position to do more good things in the "future" [and to earn a good living] it is excusable to say wrong things at the moment, where this moment = the whole term in office.
I am not familiar with the compensation culture, which I am glad that my government is still striving hard to avoid.