Well to start off i'm happy to see Omar back in Baltimore and causing more trouble then ever. I don't know what Marlo expected, but hopefully he is enjoying what he got himself into. It seems as if Omar has pretty much lost control over himself and what he does. There is only one thing on his mind and that is blood. Though i'm still somewhat baffled by the jumping out of the window. That was a good four story drop and he's still alive. Maybe I missed something in the show that explained it, but it just doesn't make sense as of now. Glad he got away though. Lastly I was happy to see Nicky make an appearance back in the show even though he was getting arrested. It was a nice little shout out to season 2?
On the other hand you have newspaper. It is quite interesting how much leeway the paper exemplifies within the show. Its kind of scary to think about how much power the journalists have over the general public. I'm specifically talking about the "corrupt" journalist Scott. There's no scholarly sources when it comes to newspaper I guess. There's no checking the facts, but all hearsay. He said, she said, is good enough for the chiefs. To think hundreds of thousands of people read these newspapers everyday is kind of intriguing but scary at the same time. Manipulation and money are true characteristics of the media. People shouldn't just listen/read the media, but almost decipher it and think critically (JMU shout out right there).
The article talks about this "mega" group that we experience through the media. One of the ways these "mega" stories develop is by shocking us all. It says exceptional crimes receive exceptional levels. Now in my opinion I believe there are many cases that we don't hear about, simply because of its relate ability or even its placement. On the other hand I believe there are many so called "mega" crimes/stories that are forced upon the general public. The media has complete control over which story becomes "mega" or not. Are these "mega" crimes/stories just money making tactics, or are they stories that truly matter?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
McNulty is Back
Quite happy with the opening episodes of season 5. For one, McNulty is back to being an alcoholic and his don't give a shit attitude is right behind it. These are very crucial elements to a well developed episode. Also, I'm glad there was a little change of pace in attitude on Freamon's side. Hands down one of the best parts in the series is when he is giving advice to McNulty on how to manipulate the murders. I guess the ware and tear of all the political BS Freamon has experienced is finally taking its toll. Now whether this is for the good or not i've yet to decide. Interestingly enough the viewer still doesnt know what Daniels did that allows Rawls to have leverage over him. Hopefully we find out what he did. Lastly, I dont think Marlo, Snoop, Chris and maybe even Mike knows whats coming for them. Im expecting this last season to erupt into WWIII. But who knows, anything could happen.
Season 5 I suppose is going to revolve around the media. We've already seen how the media can manipulate and stretch the truth through the means of Daniels. Media plays a vital role in how the general public deciphers the world. The media is a very dangerous tool. I believe this aspect of the media will play out in The Wire. Its also interesting to see how the media is the glue between all of these different subcultures/agencies/operations. The media has no friends, how and what the media publish is up to their discretion. This will definitely play out in the later episodes for sure. Unfortunately I have a bad feeling that McNulty might be on the losing end of this media propaganda.
Season 5 I suppose is going to revolve around the media. We've already seen how the media can manipulate and stretch the truth through the means of Daniels. Media plays a vital role in how the general public deciphers the world. The media is a very dangerous tool. I believe this aspect of the media will play out in The Wire. Its also interesting to see how the media is the glue between all of these different subcultures/agencies/operations. The media has no friends, how and what the media publish is up to their discretion. This will definitely play out in the later episodes for sure. Unfortunately I have a bad feeling that McNulty might be on the losing end of this media propaganda.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Snitch Snitch
First of all, Mike has turned into a little punk. What exactly is fueling him to turn towards the gang atmosphere, I'm really not sure. Though what seemed to spark his outbreak was the homecoming of his father. I feel as if Marlo and Chris have replaced his family. They have shown Mike security and respect through various ways, enabling him to trust the gang. Not only has the gang replaced his family, but his friends as well. Mike went from one of my favorite characters to least favorite in one scene. The scene I'm talking about is when Cutty came to talk to him. Being the punk that he is he let Cutty get shot, and nobody messes with Cutty.
Secondly, it was interesting how Chris handled the hit on Mike's father. Previously we have seen Chris and Snoop "take care" of people quite efficiently and quickly. Chris made it a point to beat Mike's father to death, literally. Not only was this act unprecedented by Chris in The Wire, but brings about the question why he would act in such a way? I personally believe Chris and Mike are much more in common than the series actually shows. Underlying issues of rape and molestation I believe haunt each of them in their own personal way. What do you think?
The article argues that snitching in many communities has become distorted and broadened to include anyone who calls the police or cooperates with criminal justice officials. If this is the definition that snitching has received then almost everybody in The Wire is a snitch. Probably the biggest snitch in the business would have to be Omar. Which in essence is kind of funny if you really think about it. Not only is he the biggest snitch in the series, but is also arguably the most dangerous as well. To me these characteristics are almost opposites of each other. Though Omar is quite impressive to say the least.
The article also talks about the Anti-Snitching Code behind bars. Is there anyway we as a people could change these codes that are within a prison? Is it something that we could actually change, or is it pretty much a hopeless problem?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Locked Up
First of all im still king of upset with the lack of McNulty face time. Not only have the cut down on his scenes this season, but he is no longer an alcoholic. What is the wire coming too? Anyways, I thought it was kind of interesting how Carcetti and McNulty have many similarities. Its almost if they have replaced McNulty with Carcetti in the season. Once scene in particular that really reminded me of McNulty was when Carcetti turned down his campaign manager. It was a lot like when McNulty turned her down as well. The parallel im drawing is simply not the women herself, but the turning point in their personal beliefs and morals. Both of them made life changing decisions based upon there foreseen futures. O and I hope Omar get out soon I dont know how much longer he can last in jail. Though it does help having two giant men follow you around everywhere protecting you.
In season 4 they used the term "part of the game" a little differently than in the past. For the first time you see the politicians use the phrase and not the gangsters. Which brings about the question, are they using the phrase in the same way? In my opinion they are, its just different people saying it. Why I say this is because of the scene where the man on the street says, "we only stole 1 dollar for every 3, not 2.". In essence there both manipulating their personal systems. The politicians are manipulating the general public and their personal perceptions, while the kingpins are manipulating the streets. Its all part of the game.
Problem Oriented Policing really reminds me of the special task unit that Daniel's was in charge of originally. They weren't really worried about the everyday drug user or what they were involved with. They wanted to look at the bigger picture and find the kingpins of each organization. In essence they accomplished their task and arrested Avon. Sad part is Marlo quickly replaced the ever famous Avon.
The Wire exemplifies some corrective strategies unintentionally for the No child left behind law. First of all the necessary tools the children need to effectively learn. An example of this is when Pres finds all those computers in storage. Not only did he find computers but also found new textbooks as well. The article states that kids need real help, not punishment or unproven approaches. When I read this it automatically made me think of the kids under Bunny. They created a class for the kids that is specifically devoted to their personal needs, not the other way around.
In season 4 they used the term "part of the game" a little differently than in the past. For the first time you see the politicians use the phrase and not the gangsters. Which brings about the question, are they using the phrase in the same way? In my opinion they are, its just different people saying it. Why I say this is because of the scene where the man on the street says, "we only stole 1 dollar for every 3, not 2.". In essence there both manipulating their personal systems. The politicians are manipulating the general public and their personal perceptions, while the kingpins are manipulating the streets. Its all part of the game.
Problem Oriented Policing really reminds me of the special task unit that Daniel's was in charge of originally. They weren't really worried about the everyday drug user or what they were involved with. They wanted to look at the bigger picture and find the kingpins of each organization. In essence they accomplished their task and arrested Avon. Sad part is Marlo quickly replaced the ever famous Avon.
The Wire exemplifies some corrective strategies unintentionally for the No child left behind law. First of all the necessary tools the children need to effectively learn. An example of this is when Pres finds all those computers in storage. Not only did he find computers but also found new textbooks as well. The article states that kids need real help, not punishment or unproven approaches. When I read this it automatically made me think of the kids under Bunny. They created a class for the kids that is specifically devoted to their personal needs, not the other way around.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Season Cuatro
Season 4 definitely started off with a bang with the killing of Marlo's man. This season has been way more explosive thus far in the first three episodes than any other season. McNulty really hasnt been seen much within the first three episodes. When he has been featured though, he appears to be an upstanding guy. Personally I don't like it, I need my alcoholic McNulty back.
One of the things that is quite interesting to see is the "grooming" of the kids in Baltimore. Im calling it grooming for lack of a better word, but in essence it somewhat is. In the first 3 episodes you see Marlo's man hand out money to the pre-teens and then to Namond's crew. Somehow I dont believe those hundred dollar bill's were actually "free" per say. Marlo seems like a man with a plan and has a lot of things figured out. On the other hand though I thought Avon had his stuff together too. How this will play out in the future should be interesting though.
To hit a little bit on the Psychopath article I wanted to talk a little bit on McNulty. Originally and naturally I though Bubbles was the most prone to being and becoming a psychopath. Escaping reality with drugs for some reason correlates itself with psychopath in my mind. Though after seeing the list for what determines a psychopath, I quickly changed my mind to McNulty. McNulty's attitudes and characteristics seemed to fall in line more so with a psychopath than anyone else in show. I suppose McNulty's spontinous and uncharacteristic behavior as a cop really plays a major part in why I believe he fits the mold of a psychopath.
Lastly, take a look at this video. Its pretty funny to see McNulty with a english accent. Quite impresssive how he can hide it so well, its quite thick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JopucowsQPY&feature=fvsr
One of the things that is quite interesting to see is the "grooming" of the kids in Baltimore. Im calling it grooming for lack of a better word, but in essence it somewhat is. In the first 3 episodes you see Marlo's man hand out money to the pre-teens and then to Namond's crew. Somehow I dont believe those hundred dollar bill's were actually "free" per say. Marlo seems like a man with a plan and has a lot of things figured out. On the other hand though I thought Avon had his stuff together too. How this will play out in the future should be interesting though.
To hit a little bit on the Psychopath article I wanted to talk a little bit on McNulty. Originally and naturally I though Bubbles was the most prone to being and becoming a psychopath. Escaping reality with drugs for some reason correlates itself with psychopath in my mind. Though after seeing the list for what determines a psychopath, I quickly changed my mind to McNulty. McNulty's attitudes and characteristics seemed to fall in line more so with a psychopath than anyone else in show. I suppose McNulty's spontinous and uncharacteristic behavior as a cop really plays a major part in why I believe he fits the mold of a psychopath.
Lastly, take a look at this video. Its pretty funny to see McNulty with a english accent. Quite impresssive how he can hide it so well, its quite thick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JopucowsQPY&feature=fvsr
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Stringer: The business man
I must say Stringer's death came at somewhat of a surprise. Though I always had this feeling that Avon took D's death a little light after finding out what happened to him. It should be interesting on how the show goes on without him. He was such a huge part of the show by playing the other half of Avon. It seems as if Avon has already replaced String with the presence of Slim Charles. Slim seems to think and act more in line with Avon in these past couple of episodes. It should be interesting on how their relationship works out in the near future.
One of the most important aspects of Bandura's Moral Disengagement Theory in my opinion, is the Dehumanization aspect to it. By not viewing individuals as humans, a person is able to committ certain acts that they would not normally be able to accomplish. This results in the lack of empathy one shows to other human beings. You see this dehumanization in all three seasons of The Wire. One of the most obvious cases of this is when Stringer placed the hit on D. I believe this example shows moral disengagement on two accounts. First of all, Stringer is not the one that had to kill D. He set it up so another person would have to be the one that actually got their hands dirty. Without actually being the one that kills D, String is able to avoid the emotionally aspect of the hit. Examples of this are limitless. The second part of the moral disengagement is the dehumanization of D. String saw D as a problem, or roadblock. By viewing D as a necessary hit without any other option, he loses all emotionally tie towards D. This is a pretty extreme case of dehumanization within moral disengagement. To be able to dehumanize family of Avon's shows a real sense of lack of empathy.
Lastly Im glad Brother Mouzone and Omar are getting along so well
One of the most important aspects of Bandura's Moral Disengagement Theory in my opinion, is the Dehumanization aspect to it. By not viewing individuals as humans, a person is able to committ certain acts that they would not normally be able to accomplish. This results in the lack of empathy one shows to other human beings. You see this dehumanization in all three seasons of The Wire. One of the most obvious cases of this is when Stringer placed the hit on D. I believe this example shows moral disengagement on two accounts. First of all, Stringer is not the one that had to kill D. He set it up so another person would have to be the one that actually got their hands dirty. Without actually being the one that kills D, String is able to avoid the emotionally aspect of the hit. Examples of this are limitless. The second part of the moral disengagement is the dehumanization of D. String saw D as a problem, or roadblock. By viewing D as a necessary hit without any other option, he loses all emotionally tie towards D. This is a pretty extreme case of dehumanization within moral disengagement. To be able to dehumanize family of Avon's shows a real sense of lack of empathy.
Lastly Im glad Brother Mouzone and Omar are getting along so well
Thursday, March 17, 2011
"Its all part of the game"
First and foremost season three is starting to be my favorite season. It kind of has the best of both season imbedded within it. Even though the docks are not as evident within the season, the turmoil within the political aspect of the show has taken its place. Its nice to see Avon and Stringer not so much in control of their situation. What I mean by this is that in season 1 Avon had everything figured out. The towers were his, the product was good, and the muscle was strong. After two years in the pen, the towers were demolished, the product is weak, and they have no muscle. You also see Stringer his right hand man switch mindsets. Stringer turned from a drug man into a business man. Its almost if Stringer is looking at the big picture and Avon is looking at the small.
One phrase that is being thrown around in season 3 is, "the game has changed". From my recollection they really never define what the game is. We all have made our own definitions to what this phrase means by the context it is used in within the series. In my opinion this is a highly subjective term thrown around in The Wire. Stringer has his own definition and Avon has his. Now you are starting to see how this phrase is starting to cause a problem within Avon's gang. Stringer believes they should be worried about the real-estate. Avon believes they should be worried about their image.
Husak defines decriminalization by saying that the use of a drug carries no criminal charge. In essence you see the decriminalization of drugs in The Wire season 3. Colvin makes it a point to satisfy the boss's ,and decrease crime rates. He does this by allowing dealers to sell in certain areas that he has sectioned off. As long as they don't fight, the cops will turn a blind eye to the selling. One of the most prominent examples of this is when Herc and Carver tell off McNulty from arresting a man with a package. In some sense decriminalization of drugs manipulates the law around the problem. Does it solve the problem? Or does it just hide it?
One phrase that is being thrown around in season 3 is, "the game has changed". From my recollection they really never define what the game is. We all have made our own definitions to what this phrase means by the context it is used in within the series. In my opinion this is a highly subjective term thrown around in The Wire. Stringer has his own definition and Avon has his. Now you are starting to see how this phrase is starting to cause a problem within Avon's gang. Stringer believes they should be worried about the real-estate. Avon believes they should be worried about their image.
Husak defines decriminalization by saying that the use of a drug carries no criminal charge. In essence you see the decriminalization of drugs in The Wire season 3. Colvin makes it a point to satisfy the boss's ,and decrease crime rates. He does this by allowing dealers to sell in certain areas that he has sectioned off. As long as they don't fight, the cops will turn a blind eye to the selling. One of the most prominent examples of this is when Herc and Carver tell off McNulty from arresting a man with a package. In some sense decriminalization of drugs manipulates the law around the problem. Does it solve the problem? Or does it just hide it?
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