DennisMansfield.com

US Senator Jim Webb (D) is leading the way on Prison Reform

The NY Times had an articualte editorial last week about Prison Reform. In it, US Senator Jim Webb was highlighted as a leader on this issue.

As the founder of New Hope Community Health and a Progressive Conservative leader in the GOP, as well as a leader on this drug addiction/prison reform issue in Idaho, I ask our two US Senators, Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, to join Senator Webb. Having the two Senators from the Reddest State in the Union reach across the aisle to help him, would show a signifficant change of attitude in DC, right from the start in 2009.

We cannot build our way out of this problem; 1 out of every 100 American adults is behind bars - and most for drug abuse related issues...all the while costing taxpayers billions of dollars. It is a sickness, an illness, a disease...and we must not incarcerate these men and women, these sons and daughters, moms and dads. We are better than that as a nation.

Sen. Webb gets it. I believe Sens. Risch and Crapo can get it, too. Now let's all "get it" and help them lead the way....

Den

NY Times Editorial

Sen. Webb’s Call for Prison Reform

Published: December 31, 2008

This country puts too many people behind bars for too long. Most elected officials, afraid of being tarred as soft on crime, ignore these problems. Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat of Virginia, is now courageously stepping into the void, calling for a national commission to re-assess criminal justice policy. Other members of Congress should show the same courage and rally to the cause.

The United States has the world’s highest reported incarceration rate. Although it has less than 5 percent of the world’s population, it has almost one-quarter of the world’s prisoners. And for the first time in history, more than 1 in 100 American adults are behind bars.

Many inmates are serving long sentences for nonviolent crimes, including minor drug offenses. It also is extraordinarily expensive. Billions of dollars now being spent on prisons each year could be used in far more socially productive ways.

Senator Webb — a former Marine and secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration — is in many ways an unlikely person to champion criminal justice reform. But his background makes him an especially effective advocate for a cause that has often been associated with liberals and academics.

In his two years in the Senate, Mr. Webb has held hearings on the cost of mass incarceration and on the criminal justice system’s response to the problems of illegal drugs. He also has called attention to the challenges of prisoner re-entry and of the need to provide released inmates, who have paid their debts to society, more help getting jobs and resuming productive lives.

Mr. Webb says he intends to introduce legislation to create a national commission to investigate these issues. With Barack Obama in the White House, and strong Democratic majorities in Congress, the political climate should be more favorable than it has been in years. And the economic downturn should make both federal and state lawmakers receptive to the idea of reforming a prison system that is as wasteful as it is inhumane.

BSU Christian Week - Separation of Church and State? How 'bout a separation of God and fate?

Between Heaven and Hell

A Reader’s Theater

Presented by

The Ex-Inmate Theater

Today, Sept. 24^th  7:00-9:00 p.m.

BSU Special Events Center

On November 22, 1963 J.F. Kennedy was killed.  It was also the day C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley died.  Come listen to some of the greatest voices of the last century discuss questions we have all considered in the darkest recesses of our minds.

 

A Free Event

Sponsored By:

CampusROAR

The New Reformers: Progressive Conservatives & Gov. Sarah Palin

Churchill's adage that in politics, young men are liberals and old men are conservatives makes for a good plausible thought...but not a true fact. Regardless of Churchill's enduring observation of age (and obvious omission of gender), something else SEEMS to coalesce political types together, rather than age. But what is it? Maybe, a better take on those interested in getting people elected could be that politics is like high school.

Think about it: some are in the "in" crowd and others are simply crowding in - awkward outsiders with their noses pressed against the plate glass, "feeling-about" for their identity....(maybe feeling like they are looking for their lockers...)

The underlying theme of this metaphor is that whether folks are conservative or liberal, their ideology (dare I say neo-religion?) demands that they capture ground and keep it. Once "in", never again to be outside looking in.  But does that work?

In a sense, I suppose I am a "recovering high school student", finally loosening the bonds of attachments that created in me a "mini-adult" status so many years ago, watching too many political movies and TV Oval Office shows and trying to act and pose like actors who act and pose like candidates...At 52 years of age, it's about time to acknowledge that I've finally graduated...tee hee.

I see it in all levels of the Democratic Party and the GOP. "Them that's gots, keeps..." Could be the mantra, I suppose. For the purpose of this posting, allow me to center in on the GOP, as it is my affiliation. For the purpose of this posting I site Sarah Palin as someone who got into politics to do something and will get out. For goodnes sakes, she spent years in her PTA and on her local town council...not quite CareerBuilder.com stuff.

I'd argue hers is the safer plan for the nation to enjoy, than the perpetual high school student councils elections of Biden, Kempthorne, Kennedy(s), Craig and Nixon.

I've been around the GOP for 32 years, run for office, lost and run again. With each passing year, I move further and further away from the goofiness of political in-fighting and power plays...and towards reform, progressive conservative reform. Please do not consider me bragging, but rather, illustrating the path of a progressive conservative - a reformer, encouraging others to reform their lives, cities and government like Sarah Palin has done.

• Get in and get out. I supported the Term Limits reform in Idaho. When the legislature overturned the will of the people, I led the actions that put the Referendum into place - forcing the issue back on the ballot for a final vote by the people.
• Turn them in, get them out. Reform demands that a person do what's right. I "turned in" my then-boss, a CA legislator (Assemblywoman Doris Allen), who was operating unethically.
• Run for office, even if it looks like political suicide. In 2000 I ran for US Congress against Butch Otter. People told me I was crazy. Though a good friend and a sitting Lt. Governor, Butch represented years of "in" crowd GOP back-slappers. No reform. No vision. In a field of 8, I came in 2nd to Butch. My race for State Senate was not too dissimilar.
• Stand up, speak out. Even if your friends  don't agree. Reform doesn't mean winning the first time, but it can happen. Don Paradis was on death row. I didn't see him as guilty and led the effort to have his case reviewed. Governor Batt amended his sentence and Don is a free man today.
• Change the world. We opened New Hope Community Health to help secure sobriety housing and classes for ex-addicts/ex-inmates. Godly, Christian, Republican neighbors opposed me. Hmmm...Reform means change. Change is painful. Changing the world is REALLY painful.

Progressive conservativism simply means well thought-out reform, regardless of personal costs; all accomplished from a traditional reference point. Getting rid of personality-driven public policy is key to it. Teddy Roosevelt did it 100 years ago. Sarah Palin is being called on to do it this centrury. My call is that a progressive conservative movement will rise within the GOP  - a movement of home makers, outsiders, part-timers and reformers.

After all, remember that the term status quo means "he/she who stays".....

Den

What does "it" matter? - 50,000 page views later

Get this, on September 2nd of 2006 we launched this blog with the following text:

What is "it"? There have been a lot of "its" in the past and many quotes like "it's the economy stupid" and many others. For this website the "it" for now is an attempt in fusing politics, culture, business, personality, religion, you and me.

No longer will there be a perceived hidden agenda - you'll get the straight scoop right here. There has never been a hidden agenda in my life; I like to lay myself right out there. Along with some friends there is a plan to bring many thoughts and plans to help businesses succeed, to help people reach their true potential and see a fusion of different perspectives become a stronger entity.

You'll see video, documents to download, links to other sites and people that speak into this dream - hang on & hope you like "it"!

Well....it's been 23 months since that first post (and 50,000 pageviews later as well - we hit that today.)


I'm sure that's not a big deal for some folks, but on this blog, it's fun to see us tip the scales at 50,000. ( I think that's more than the total number of election votes I've ever received - tee hee)


We've had a bunch of posts and we'll have a bunch more....

Keep hangin' on...and thanks for joining us, lo these many , many days/weeks/months and now years.

Den

 PS: Let me know which ones may have been "favorites", ok?
I just may sprinkle this month of August with a few "Best Of's"

My California Politics - Pat Nolan's imprint on me.

I don't often write on or speak about my years in California politics. It's just a position that I took when I moved to Idaho 18 years ago. Nobody wants to listen to a new kid moving into a neighborhood who says "when I lived back in my old city, I did such and such..." Now is now, then is ...ancient history.

Dennis and Susan Mansfield, of old and ancient Californian days...

However, I came across an article in the NY Times by Samuel Freedman that made me reevaluate my position.

I've pasted the full article below for your reading, but wanted to give a brief preamble to the Times' article. Here now is the confession of a recovering Californian....

• My first few years in politics were spent helping conservatives in LA county, notably David Dreier, of Covina, who was elected to US Congress. He lost in '78 and won in '80, becoming one of President Reagan's key Congressman (and an intial and influential supporter of Pres. Bush The First). He's served ever since. I continue to admire him greatly.
• I was on the initial team in LA County helping Howard Jarvis and Paul Gann with Proposition 13.
• In 1980, at 24 years of age, I ran for US Congress in CA's 36th CD, losing to a Religious Right candidate (how funny!)
• In '82 I ran Bob Henly for State Assembly and through that experience, I met the GOP Assembly Minority Leader, Pat Nolan.
• In '82 I became the Chief of Staff for newly-elected Assemblywoman Doris Allen. It was in that position that I came face to face with Pat Nolan's group of elected tough guys who called themselves "The Cavemen" - because they did what they wanted to do by sheer power. Doris Allen was one of their "investments". She later was recalled from office as a political party traitor.
• Nolan's Cavemen ethically travelled right next to "the line" and I did not like it. Because of my new-found faith in Christ, I initiated an investigation of them by CA's Fair Political Practices Commission, ultimately being fired from my Assembly staff position - because I was not a team player. That investigation went nowhere.
• Pat Nolan, however, later went to Federal Prison on other charges...and I moved to Idaho.
• After he served his time, Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship reached out to him; a change had occurred in Pat's life while in prison. This is how Pat told the NY Times: “I went into prison believing in God, and I came out knowing him,” he said. “I understood how much he loved us, even in a dark place.”
• I heard of his change. About 9 years ago, Pat Nolan and I were reconnected at a public policy meeting in Colorado Springs. We hugged as only two brothers who had not seen each other for years could hug. It was quite amazing.
• Today, all these years later, Pat Nolan provides an excellent example for me of the need to reach across idealogies and bringing people together.

I hope you enjoy reading this NY Times piece on Pat Nolan and Mark Early, former Attorney General of Virginia. Here's a sneak preview of Mr. Earley's transformation: "In those moments of recognition, Mr. Earley began a startling transformation from a tough-on-crime crusader to an advocate for prison reform and a prominent critic of the very type of drug laws he had formerly promoted".

I can relate,

Den

This Weekend's Fight/Flights Against Meth

My bride, Susan, and I were invited to the Fight Agaisnt Meth Airshow in Nampa, organized by Mr. Greg Poe.

Volunteers from Bank of the Cascade were there to help. Folks came from all over to donate to the fine work of those so commited to the fight agaisnt Meth.

The acrobatics of the pilots left everyone speechless.

Greg Poe's pilot skills were absolutely amazing.

Susan and I were breifly introduced to Greg, just after a soaring finish flyover by Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron.

Greg told us a very touching story of the loss of his son, Ryan, to Meth amost 7 years ago. As we compared notes, it became obvious that our sons had known each other in High School. He listend to our story and heard a snipet about New Hope.

As We finished our time with Greg and the Air Show, Susan and I knew that connecting the dots between the events of all of our past(s) may well give hope to many for their own futures. Greg is available to speak to civic organizations, schools and businesses. Please visit his site at http://www.gregpoe.com/

Thanks to all who put on the event. ~Den

I read the news today...oh boy....

The Beatles may have had it right when they wrote of the local daily events of their English news, so many years ago. It's always so "local"....

I read the news today oh boy
About a lucky man who made the grade
And though the news was rather sad
Well I just had to laugh...*

As you know, the song goes on to tell the tale of someone who lost hope and killed himself, sitting in his car. The very "normalcy" of people in each age who give up on life - who give up on hope for themselves and for others is more than "rather sad" as written by Lennon/McCartney.

As the transitional housing issue continues to cause ripples and waves, the greater question is begged: How is our state going to deal with it's unbeliveable incarceration "reality-statistics"? 1 out of every 34 or so Idahoans is in jail or prison. Think of that! More than just cursing the current solutions, why not enter into the constructive debate? What is good public policy on this issue?

Can we really afford to "build ourselves out of this" with new prisons?

(Silence)

Go online and see some bloggers comments, many anonymous critics and not a few people who seem to love "almost-hating" people (hmmm...like who? tee hee). All have opinions - which is good. The tenor often has the blade's edge, though. Often the opinions have no constructive alternative(s).

They really seem to be BLAHgers.

Instead of just complaining, other thoughtful folks in neighborhood associations are moving ahead with constructive dialog on the subject. This Thursday night at 7:00 At Whitney Baptist Church there's going to be discussion with people  - all of whom are neighrbors of Boise. I'll be there. Hope you can attend, too.

Den

* Here's the rest of the "local stories" from the Liverpool of 50+ years ago.

Happy Easter, addicts, thieves and fellow followers of Jesus

Keep your perspective: It's Friday, Sunday's a-comin. However hopeless you feel, know that we are TODAY living between the Friday of Christ's death and the Sunday of his resurrection. Listen and be encouraged.
Happy Easter.
Den

--------------------------------------
The Idaho Statesman allows readers to post comments at the end of their stories. This morning I posted the following comments at the end of a story on transitional housing.

"Thank you for your tip of the hat towards the supporters of New Hope, but I'd be in error if I didn't set the record straight. Many fine people have helped our communities prior to New Hope. Melanie Curtis's SHIP program has operated quietly for years. House of Ruth has helped the community for years, as well. There are 38 groups that are helping reintegrate ex-addicts, through recovery programs and accountability, back into society. New Hope's large-scale scope of desired impact appears to be the main cause of concern. So be it.

I was a typical conservative Republican leader in the community for years. Comments like "three strikes and you're out", "lock 'em up and throw the key away", etc commonly fell from my lips. It was easy being "strong" from a distance.

Politics and Religion....Easter week style.

Saw a couple things this weekend that made me think:

1. Ex-Inmate Theatre's Jon Ravenholt did a stellar acting performance at Boise Vineyard. His talent is being highlighted this week as he does a series of two-man performances during the Passion Week (along with my son, Colin Mansfield). Not sure that you care to see "religious stuff" at Easter, since the big bunny guy is so much easier to take (sometimes), but I would suggest you consider taking a look, then decide if you might not like to come to a different Easter Week series of performances. Your call...
2. A great short piece by Sarah Kliff of Newsweek entitled "Sorry, Hillary, But Girls Already Rule"

Here's a teaser: But Hillary?....reminds me of my own parents' unnatrual LOLs and BTWs in instant messaging, the exact opposite of effortless cool. She exudes a painful mix of consistantly embarassing mom and annoying high-school overachiever, the one who spends Saturday night diligently studying for a test that is two weeks away."

Politics and religion? Nah, just people thinking beyond today.

Den

Understanding the "sickness" of addiction, Federal-style

The US Congress and Senate have voted on two separate pieces of federal legislation. Many in DC see clearly that addiction is a medical problem and in need of a solution other than on-going incarceration without successful aftercare.

Check it out:

1. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Second Chance Act of 2007 on Tuesday, March 11^th, 2008.  The bill is sponsored by a broad, bi-partisan coalition and supported by the faith community as a way to reduce recidivism and increase public safety. The landmark bill authorizes $362 million to improve the way our prisons prepare inmates to reenter society. The legislation was previously passed by the House by an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 347-62. 
2. In a major victory for addiction treatment and recovery advocates, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would mandate that insurers cover addiction and mental illness on par with other illnesses.
   
   "We've waited 12 long years for this historic day," said Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), co-chair of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.). "I am grateful that the House has taken this important step to end the discrimination against people who need treatment for mental illness and chemical addiction."