The Texas Youth Commission has gained national publicity due to recent allegations and current charges of an administrator for sexually abusing teenage inmates. For reasons unknown, Lydia Barnard, a former high-ranking director, failed to investigate multiple complaints against Ray Brookins, a former assistant superintendent of the West Texas State School in Pyote. Although he was reprimanded several times over 5 years, he was allowed to keep his job plus receive a promotion.
There are many issues surrounding this scandal; one of the most crucial is that the children for whom the TYC was founded are now the victims of this organization. The fact that Barnard ignored the problem, that her own supervisor was not aware or overlooked the records, that rumors circulated for years about misconduct, and that it was a Texas Ranger who actually filed the report- although action is just now being taken 2 years later- is pathetic.
Between the media accounts of www.abcnews.go.com and www.statesman.com and those of the Texas Youth Commission, www.tyc.state.tx.us, there are similarities regarding the words and tone used. Alleged, investigation, and action are used to describe the crisis. The tone felt in the press is accusatory and perplexed- employees are pointing fingers at one another, while citizens are wondering why this was not dealt with immediately. The organization conveys an apologetic and determined tone- recognizing they are at fault and diligently restructuring the agency from top to bottom.
The response from the TYC in press releases provides little information that differs or adds to that reported by the press. They seem to realize that most people are aware of the situation, although numerous meetings have probably taken place internally. But the TYC website has been completely updated. They have acknowledged the urgency to transform their agency into a healthy environment. In bold, red print at the top of the front page is a hotline phone number to report alleged wrongdoing. They have also set up an email account for people to use in non-emergency situations and as a communication tool to express opinions and concerns. Both of these were developed on March 06, 2007. Then there was an emergency meeting on March 16 in which Ed Owens was assigned to be acting executive director.
Finally, an agency rehabilitation plan was designed to outline new standards concerning hiring, training, incentives, ethics, and maintaining a safe atmosphere. The elimination of “silos” among different levels of employees was deemed necessary in order to create and sustain an open line of communication. While it is unknown why these procedures were not already in place, it is reassuring to know that change is happening at the Texas Youth Commission.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
RAN Grassroots
The Rainforest Action Network is classified as grass roots because it is an organization that defends its own beliefs. The members of RAN are concerned with the destruction of the environment by humans. Their purpose is to raise awareness of this issue and illustrate tomorrow’s consequences based on today’s behavior. RAN sends its messages worldwide to students, communities, organizations and companies. The focus is not only on education but on direct action, which results in publicity for RAN and the unfortunate company that has become their target. RAN exposes information that is not widely known and uses creative tactics to gain the attention of thousands of people. Consequently, this maneuver produces a negative image for the targeted company. Citibank, Home Depot, and Ford Motor Company are just a few of the unlucky groups to experience the wrath of RAN. Some of these tactics are considered radical, but produce the intended response that RAN craves- a change in policy.
A grass roots organization, like RAN, assists individuals and groups in organized protests, assemblies, and demonstrations. They recognize that individuals need to take a stand against corporations and push for legislation that forces them to change their ways. An astroturf organization is a small group of people that represent a larger organization’s wants and needs. They are told what to say (verbally and written) and how to act. People that work in astroturf are not considered true defendants for their cause because they are modeled according to whatever issue a company wants to publicize or hide at the time. Astroturf means fake and in this case, is considered a front group for companies who try to get what they want without putting their name on it- usually considered an unethical practice.
The Rainforest Action Network believes that public awareness makes all the difference. Their success depends on people (leaders, employees, residents, consumers) who realize that they do not want to be a part of the destructive process and therefore, take action to preserve the environment.
SOURCES:
www.ran.org
www.capitalresearch.org
www.sourcewatch.org
dc.indymedia.org
A grass roots organization, like RAN, assists individuals and groups in organized protests, assemblies, and demonstrations. They recognize that individuals need to take a stand against corporations and push for legislation that forces them to change their ways. An astroturf organization is a small group of people that represent a larger organization’s wants and needs. They are told what to say (verbally and written) and how to act. People that work in astroturf are not considered true defendants for their cause because they are modeled according to whatever issue a company wants to publicize or hide at the time. Astroturf means fake and in this case, is considered a front group for companies who try to get what they want without putting their name on it- usually considered an unethical practice.
The Rainforest Action Network believes that public awareness makes all the difference. Their success depends on people (leaders, employees, residents, consumers) who realize that they do not want to be a part of the destructive process and therefore, take action to preserve the environment.
SOURCES:
www.ran.org
www.capitalresearch.org
www.sourcewatch.org
dc.indymedia.org
Blog Posts
Monday, March 12, 2007
Rainforest Action Network
- classified as grass roots
-concern is destruction of environment by humans
-assist individuals and groups in organized protests, assemblies, etc.
-outreach to students, companies, organizations, communities, worldwide
-raise awareness, tell of consequences, get everyone involved in prevention and protection
-focus is not only on education but on direct action which results in publicity
recognize that individuals need to take a stand against corporations that are pollutng the environment, speak out, push for legislation
-apparently, govt. laws are the main influence in forcing companies to change their ways
-when employees, consumers, residents, citizens become aware of what their companies andcities are doing, then they realize they do not want to be part of the destructive process
-public awareness makes all the difference
"global finance=ending destructive investment"
"old growth=preserving endangered forests"
"freedom from oil=cleaning up the carmakers"
www.ran.org
Posted by Sheila at 8:34 AM 0 comments
Notes for Waterways Lead
-people are more concerned with the here and now
-do not realize the consequences of lack of water, see it everywhere, how can we run out?
-do not understand poor quality bc good quality is readily available
-unsure what we can do personally to restore areas and prevent future damage
-water is taken for granted, has not affected many of us negatively, can't imagine how we would react
-difficult to plan so far into the future unless we can see the damage firsthand
*add guest speakers and date
*specific timeframe
*specific knowledge and outcomes to be achieved for each well defined public
Posted by Sheila at 8:28 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Waterways Lead
Water is such a simple substance, yet it profoundly affects our daily lives. Waterways 2007 is a conference designed specifically for this issue. People of various backgrounds will gather and discuss the concerns regarding water, such as scarcity, quality and quantity, restoration of riperian areas, and cultural perceptions. This event, held at the University of North Texas in Denton, is in conjunction with other student programs. It hopes to raise awareness of the little known problems with water and offer new ways to respond.
Posted by Sheila at 9:09 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
"Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City's water supply, but his reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions. The list includes winning numerous settlements for Riverkeeper, prosecuting governments and companies for polluting the Hudson River and Long Island Sound, arguing cases to expand citizen access to the shoreline, and suing treatment plants to force compliance with the Clean Water Act.
Mr. Kennedy acts as Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Riverkeeper. He also serves as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and as President of the Waterkeeper Alliance. At Pace University School of Law, he is a Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney at the Environmental Litigation Clinic in White Plains, New York. Earlier in his career Mr. Kennedy served as Assistant District Attorney in New York City.
The New York City watershed agreement, which he negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and the city's watershed consumers, is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He helped lead the fight to turn back the aggressive anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress.
Mr. Kennedy has worked on environmental issues across the Americas. He has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands.
Mr. Kennedy has published several books, including The Riverkeepers (1997) with John Cronin. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, The Village Voice, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Pace Environmental Law Review, and other publications.
Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University. He studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He also received a Masters Degree in Environmental Law from Pace University.
He is a licensed master falconer, and as often as possible he pursues a life-long enthusiasm for white-water paddling. He has organized and led several expeditions to Latin America, including first descents on three little known rivers in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela."
http://riverkeeper.org/our_bio_rkennedy.php
Personal Notes:
-strong voice, passionate about his beliefs, willing to stand up to anybody
-believes we are responsible for our environment
-government, companies, and citizens all should be held accountable
-has used his law expertise to push and keep environmental laws/ issues in the public eye
Posted by Sheila at 6:24 PM 0 comments
Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran
Mr Natarajan Ishwaran
UNESCO
Director, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
Secretary, Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
Biography:
"Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran is a Sri Lankan national who has worked with UNESCO's World Heritage Convention since he joined the organization in 1986. In his UNESCO career he has served as a specialist in Environmental Sciences and Natural Heritage conservation based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France (1986-1993 and 1996 - till present) and at the UNESCO Office in Jakarta, Indonesia (1993-1996). Currently he is the Chief of the Natural Heritage Section at the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Paris. Dr Ishwaran has a BSc (Honours) degree in Zoology and an MSc in Animal Ecology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology and Management from Michigan State University, USA. He has co-authored more than 20 scientific and technical articles and 2 books on subjects dealing with ecology, conservation and protected area management. Mr Ishwaran has more than 25 years of working experience in the field of nature conservation and has worked with projects and programmes involving governments, NGOs, the private sector and the local communities."
http://www.ecotourism.org.au/conference/s_Ishwaran.asp
Personal Notes:
-mission is to save the environment, nature and animals who inhabit it
-protect natural resources
-position allows him to travel and not only see but talk to residents
-works with others who also understand the importance of nature and the impact its loss would have on humans
-knows we need to manage the resources that are left to prevent future damage
Posted by Sheila at 5:38 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Blog Archive
▼ 2007 (5)
▼ March (2)
Rainforest Action Network
Notes for Waterways Lead
► February (3)
About Me
Sheila
View my complete profile
Rainforest Action Network
- classified as grass roots
-concern is destruction of environment by humans
-assist individuals and groups in organized protests, assemblies, etc.
-outreach to students, companies, organizations, communities, worldwide
-raise awareness, tell of consequences, get everyone involved in prevention and protection
-focus is not only on education but on direct action which results in publicity
recognize that individuals need to take a stand against corporations that are pollutng the environment, speak out, push for legislation
-apparently, govt. laws are the main influence in forcing companies to change their ways
-when employees, consumers, residents, citizens become aware of what their companies andcities are doing, then they realize they do not want to be part of the destructive process
-public awareness makes all the difference
"global finance=ending destructive investment"
"old growth=preserving endangered forests"
"freedom from oil=cleaning up the carmakers"
www.ran.org
Posted by Sheila at 8:34 AM 0 comments
Notes for Waterways Lead
-people are more concerned with the here and now
-do not realize the consequences of lack of water, see it everywhere, how can we run out?
-do not understand poor quality bc good quality is readily available
-unsure what we can do personally to restore areas and prevent future damage
-water is taken for granted, has not affected many of us negatively, can't imagine how we would react
-difficult to plan so far into the future unless we can see the damage firsthand
*add guest speakers and date
*specific timeframe
*specific knowledge and outcomes to be achieved for each well defined public
Posted by Sheila at 8:28 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Waterways Lead
Water is such a simple substance, yet it profoundly affects our daily lives. Waterways 2007 is a conference designed specifically for this issue. People of various backgrounds will gather and discuss the concerns regarding water, such as scarcity, quality and quantity, restoration of riperian areas, and cultural perceptions. This event, held at the University of North Texas in Denton, is in conjunction with other student programs. It hopes to raise awareness of the little known problems with water and offer new ways to respond.
Posted by Sheila at 9:09 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
"Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City's water supply, but his reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions. The list includes winning numerous settlements for Riverkeeper, prosecuting governments and companies for polluting the Hudson River and Long Island Sound, arguing cases to expand citizen access to the shoreline, and suing treatment plants to force compliance with the Clean Water Act.
Mr. Kennedy acts as Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Riverkeeper. He also serves as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and as President of the Waterkeeper Alliance. At Pace University School of Law, he is a Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney at the Environmental Litigation Clinic in White Plains, New York. Earlier in his career Mr. Kennedy served as Assistant District Attorney in New York City.
The New York City watershed agreement, which he negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and the city's watershed consumers, is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He helped lead the fight to turn back the aggressive anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress.
Mr. Kennedy has worked on environmental issues across the Americas. He has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands.
Mr. Kennedy has published several books, including The Riverkeepers (1997) with John Cronin. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, The Village Voice, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Pace Environmental Law Review, and other publications.
Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University. He studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He also received a Masters Degree in Environmental Law from Pace University.
He is a licensed master falconer, and as often as possible he pursues a life-long enthusiasm for white-water paddling. He has organized and led several expeditions to Latin America, including first descents on three little known rivers in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela."
http://riverkeeper.org/our_bio_rkennedy.php
Personal Notes:
-strong voice, passionate about his beliefs, willing to stand up to anybody
-believes we are responsible for our environment
-government, companies, and citizens all should be held accountable
-has used his law expertise to push and keep environmental laws/ issues in the public eye
Posted by Sheila at 6:24 PM 0 comments
Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran
Mr Natarajan Ishwaran
UNESCO
Director, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
Secretary, Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
Biography:
"Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran is a Sri Lankan national who has worked with UNESCO's World Heritage Convention since he joined the organization in 1986. In his UNESCO career he has served as a specialist in Environmental Sciences and Natural Heritage conservation based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France (1986-1993 and 1996 - till present) and at the UNESCO Office in Jakarta, Indonesia (1993-1996). Currently he is the Chief of the Natural Heritage Section at the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Paris. Dr Ishwaran has a BSc (Honours) degree in Zoology and an MSc in Animal Ecology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology and Management from Michigan State University, USA. He has co-authored more than 20 scientific and technical articles and 2 books on subjects dealing with ecology, conservation and protected area management. Mr Ishwaran has more than 25 years of working experience in the field of nature conservation and has worked with projects and programmes involving governments, NGOs, the private sector and the local communities."
http://www.ecotourism.org.au/conference/s_Ishwaran.asp
Personal Notes:
-mission is to save the environment, nature and animals who inhabit it
-protect natural resources
-position allows him to travel and not only see but talk to residents
-works with others who also understand the importance of nature and the impact its loss would have on humans
-knows we need to manage the resources that are left to prevent future damage
Posted by Sheila at 5:38 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Blog Archive
▼ 2007 (5)
▼ March (2)
Rainforest Action Network
Notes for Waterways Lead
► February (3)
About Me
Sheila
View my complete profile
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)