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The "kids for cash" scandal unfolded in 2008 over judicial kickbacks at the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Two judges, President Judge Mark Ciavarella and Senior Judge Michael Conahan, were accused of accepting money from Robert Mericle, builder of two private, for-profit youth centers for the detention of juveniles, in return for contracting with the facilities and imposing harsh adjudications on juveniles brought before their courts to increase the number of residents in the centers
Last year Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the biggest name in the private prison industry, contacted 48 states offering to buy their prisons. One stipulation of eligibility for the deal was particularly bizarre: “an assurance by the agency partner that the agency has sufficient inmate population to maintain a minimum 90% occupancy rate over the term of the contract.
originally posted by: Taupin Desciple
While the whole scene is disturbing, the influence is on the economically poor youth of America. The influence will not change those youths' social status just like the lack of that influence didn't change that demographic in the psat, therefore that influence doesn't matter either way.
In other words, don't worry. When rich people influence poor people in ways that have no social value, neither of them mean anything socially.
originally posted by: Krazysh0t
It's just music... If you don't like its message then don't listen to it.
originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
All commercial music is like that...
It's like a 7 headed beast.
Drugs
Guns
Violence
Theft
Greed
Promiscuity
Envy
HipHop is especially bad though as it ranges across all 7.
Commercially anyways, underground HipHop is amazing and highlights all these things.
Strictly UGHH for me!
originally posted by: TechUnique
a reply to: CharlieSpeirs
I don't mind the odd bit of underground hip hop to be honest. I rap as well. It can be a very positive thing it's just how you use it, as you have highlighted.
originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: MisterSpock
I used to get up in arms about the content of pop music (lets face it, that is what the OP is talking about, pop rap), but then I just stopped caring. I just don't listen to it anymore. I don't like any pop infused versions of various music genres. I don't like pop country. I don't like pop rock. I don't like pop rap. It's all crap that has been carefully designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator and ends up with little to no artistic integrity.
But just because it is crappy music, doesn't mean I'm going to fault a listener for liking it. Not everyone enjoys music for the artistic aspect like I do. Most just like it because it is on the radio all the time. I happen to like music that is inspired by a musician's artistic drive, and I like a LOT of different genres of music and listen to a LOT of music on the regular.
As for the conspiracy theory in the OP. I laugh at it because it is ridiculous. All pop music is designed to sell as many records as possible and promote the image of the artist so that they can endorse things like clothes and other merchandise. It's just a gimmick to separate you from your money. It isn't some conspiracy to turn our men effeminate though... That's just silly.
We love a good conspiracy theory. But even the ones that ring true can’t always be trusted. But then again, our entire global history is rife with real conspiracies, not just theories.
Wax Poetics, along with many other good people in the music and publishing industry, received this email today from an anonymous source claiming to be a former insider. We have chosen to post this for our audience to read, but we neither support nor argue against the claims of Mr. “John Smith.”
Our job would be to help make this happen by marketing music which promotes criminal behaviour, rap being the music of choice. He assured us that this would be a great situation for us because rap music was becoming an increasingly profitable market for our companies, and as employee, we’d also be able to buy personal stocks in these prisons
originally posted by: Subaeruginosa
originally posted by: TechUnique
a reply to: CharlieSpeirs
I don't mind the odd bit of underground hip hop to be honest. I rap as well. It can be a very positive thing it's just how you use it, as you have highlighted.
Christian rap? I can't think of anything sadder or more pathetic than that. Give me an angry anti-establishment Eminem flow any day, over some try hard christian hip hop.
No offence brother, just speaking my mind.
originally posted by: Subaeruginosa
originally posted by: TechUnique
a reply to: CharlieSpeirs
I don't mind the odd bit of underground hip hop to be honest. I rap as well. It can be a very positive thing it's just how you use it, as you have highlighted.
Christian rap? I can't think of anything sadder or more pathetic than that. Give me an angry anti-establishment Eminem flow any day, over some try hard christian hip hop.
No offence brother, just speaking my mind.