By RHG "This should be called the "Rewarding Illegal Alien Lawbreaker Act."

Exactly!

I know for certain you are not suppose to be in the country while you're applying @ least that's what their "rules" state. & what for the other immigrants here in "legal limbo" under different circumstances beyond their control? do they get a pass on the bureaucratic red tape cutting as do their counterparts? Counterparts, who for sake of making a bad decision in a mate-which is completely within their control, should not have been here in the first place...

Bob died today - and I miss him.

I miss the day ditching Fremont - major goal was to cross the Blvd and not get caught by truant, but we did and he said, "Stay in school, you're gonna need it."

I miss the Zsa Zsa Gabor show when I almost got to speak to Roseanne and shake Bob's hand. But he could barely see me standing there in front of him. It was my birthday and I felt so unimportant at the same time, not. I miss it

I miss - but recall, when he came. I didn't recognize the scars that presented themselves in front of the man that followed him. I just wanted to know, why was this guy bothering my high, my vibe? I remember he said, "You know, you shouldn't gamble, it's not good for you." And then he walked out, followed. A week later I left town. I did, and I kept doing the same, except gambling because it wasn't in Denver. Not worth the hour drive up in to the mountains. But I remembered and appreciated the gesture - and still don't know why he did it. What brought him to OG's? Was it particularly for me? I have to wonder, because it was late daytime & no one was in there but me, a few chicks', the bartender & the machines.

And today he died, and I never got to say thank you. Thank you for encompassing the Naked City that aided in shaping my character, because he did you know-he shaped it & helped make it what it still is today; naked and raw, beckoning for the shadow of the Stratosphere.

He died today and I just wanted to thank him for saving my life, saving my essence so far as to write this now.

If that gray haired unrecognizable man never walked into that place, that day, I would not be here- not writing this, but drowning in crack or my sentence or the dirt and bugs eating me alive. I was dying, but am alive now -- barely, but I am alive, and he is too.

Thank you, Bob.

Bob died today - and I miss him.

I miss the day ditching Fremont - major goal was to cross the Blvd and not get caught by Truant, but we did, and he said, "Stay in school, you're gonna need it."

I miss the Zsa Zsa Gabor show when I almost got to speak to Roseanne and shake Bob's hand. But he could barely see me standing there in front of him. It was my birthday and I felt so unimportant at the same time, not. I miss it

I miss - but recall, when he came. I didn't recognize the scars that presented themselves in front of the man that followed him. I just wanted to know, why was this guy bothering my high, my vibe? I remember he said, "You know, you shouldn't gamble, it's not good for you." A week later I left town. I did, and I kept doing the same, except gambling because it wasn't in Denver. Not worth the hour drive up in to the mountains. But I remembered and appreciated the gesture - and still don't know why he did it. What brought him to OG's? Was it particularly for me? I have to wonder, because it was late daytime & no one was in there but me, a few chicks', the bartender & the machines.

And today he died, and I never got to say thank you. Thank you for encompassing the Naked City that aided in shaping my character, because he did you know - he shaped it & helped make it what it still is today. Naked and raw, beckoning for the shadow of the Stratosphere.

He died today and I just wanted to thank him for saving my life. Saving my essence so far as to write this now.

If that gray haired unrecognizable man never walked into that place, that day, I would not be here- not writing this, but drowning in crack or my sentence or the dirt and bugs eating me alive. I was dying, but am alive now -- barely, but I am alive, and he is too.

Thank you, Bob.

L. J. Perceval 9/25/09

I agree with you geezelouise. Not only are alternative sentences, treatment and probation cheaper than incarceration (tents or otherwise), but it institutes more rehabilitation as oppose incarceration which is always a smart idea (for non-violent crimes). Besides being cheaper, rehabilitation also contributes to lowering recidivism (the rate at which offenders may reoffend and/or return to prison)which is a primary factor in high incarceration rates across the country. If offenders are given the tools needed to rehabiliatate themselves and become positive contributions to society, they are less likely to reoffend. Keep in mind that an offender can also contribute to the cost of their own rehabilitation because they are not incarcerated, therefor they can work and be ordered by the court to pay fines (which in turn pays for treatment), or maybe a percentage of the cost. There are many smart alternatives to mandatory sentences for non-violent crimes.