Why do you think violent crime rates are declining?

[ZenLefty]

The FBI said today that, overall, violent crime is on the decrease. Naturally, ashcroft takes credit, citing that harsher enforcement and more punitive sentences are the reason, but what do you think?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Those with a propensity towards violence and domestic abuse

are in Iraq

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. Great minds etc. (nt)

[Misunderestimator]

9. Jeez... I'm losing my edge...

I see everyone beat me to it. :)

[molly]

10. That's what I was gonna say!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Other:

They convinced all the violent people to enlist and go to Iraq.

[Misunderestimator]

7. I see you beat me to it.... :) n/t

[Misunderestimator]

3. Because many of those violent criminals...

are clearly in Iraq guarding prisoners.

[ZenLefty]

5. Did the three of you call each other?

:P

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. It's that damn alien eye in Misunderestimator's triangle

It's controlling us!!!

[Misunderestimator]

12. Bwaaaahhaaaahaaa.....

You are all under my sway...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. No. I don't have her phone number

.....yet :evilgrin:

[Misunderestimator]

14. LOL... do you have a thing for Lauren Bacall?

Just asking... :toast:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. errr....uhhh......ummmm.....

moi? :shrug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. See post #4 (nt)

[On the Road]

13. Demographics (Smaller High-Crime Ages)

and a decrease in institutional racism. I voted for the Rodney King option even though it was clearly satirical.

And ah yes, having over 1 million people in jail clearly helps reduce crime.

[ZenLefty]

17. Honestly, I really hope Rodney King is right.

I would love a world where we can just all get along. Don't know exactly where this planet is right now, though. :shrug:

[LostInAnomie]

15. There are numerous way to skew crime statistics however you want...

... when the FBI figures the statistics for the National Crime Report they rely on what is reported to them from the counties. If the counties are making fewer arrests that end in prosecution the statistics drop. It does not mean that fewer crimes are taking place it just means that fewer arrests are being made.

With cut backs in police funding it is not a surprise that fewer arrests are being made.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

19. Good point..they also claimed crime went down in 2001

but left out all the deaths on 9/11...

[trotsky]

16. Some studies have suggested it comes from Roe v. Wade.

Fewer unwanted pregnancies leads to fewer abused and/or neglected children, which leads to fewer criminals.

[DemSigns]

20. Seemed like a good study, but not PC.

I haven't heard a word of it since.

I think lead (Pb) levels and exposure are finally shrinking in big cities adding to the general mental health and development of the people who live there.

[trotsky]

21. Most definitely not P.C.

But if it's true that the criminal mindset often results from an abusive and/or neglected childhood, legalized abortion has obviously played some part.