Urban Improvement--Input for Film Thread

[O'Sullivan Bere]

I have created the following thread by request, with permission granted by me after verification of authenticity, for a legitimate filmmaker covering the subject of urban improvement. This film is expected to be released in about 4 months. The participation of this board's membership is sought and may even be included in the film. It is seeking the wide set of different perspectives and views that one may have on this topic. Here is the poster by introduction who is leading this effort:

As a filmmaker who has been filming on issues of violence and recovery for over three years with intimate access, I was curious to receive feedback from the board on political effectiveness with regard to urban improvement. It still amazes me that there is such devastation, so much money spent and little reward.

With four months left until the film is complete, I am seeking a diverse array of feedback and policy suggestions, which might very well end up in the film.

Here is a short sample.

YouTube - THE SWEETEST LAND - UNOFFICIAL PREVIEW

Thank you very much

Thank you so much for your kindness and thoughts on the trailer. It inspired a new possibility, which I would like to propose to you.

Having filmed so intimately on issues of violence, the findings are extremely human, transcend race and should inspire competent/responsible action. In so many ways looking within America’s obstacles has brought out extraordinary patriotism and bravery by so many. It has also revealed great flaws within our ability to effectively engage and provide responsible/meaningful improvement.

With the trust of so many, it has always been my intent to create a vast network of engaged individuals, which can take an action and mandate improvement. Be it for guns, against guns, for legalization or against – the board’s own ideology can set meaningful objectives, take appropriate action within their geographic location, share information, aid individuals, tell stories, discover flaws and through action, improve the country and her domestic policies.

That is the prime agenda of the film. Clearly, I am not the person to lead this.. But I wonder, what a topic on the forum dedicated to improvement and THE SWEETEST LAND initiative would look like? Moreover, since you were willing to engage, what might the collaboration of a mass of social networking energy, along with a film, which screams for social improvement and competent engagement moderated by you be like..and how much good can we do?

With over 3 years of filming, my motivation is to honor the trust of so many who I have filmed, along with the families of children, (some who I have filmed die), who were trusting enough to believe that telling their story and releasing that footage would make a difference.

The film will begin testing in about 4 months.

Thank you very much

Any participation that provides useful commentary will be helpful whether it be discussion or debate between the filmer and/or any other poster in developing the thread's topic between us given the purpose of the film.

Honest opinions, discussions, debate and input is sought so please do so. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT a thread for any trolling, baiting, etc...you know the drill about the difference. It will be heavily policed for inappropriate behaviour that degrades and derails the thread's purpose, so please follow the purpose and decorum.

[RRAHH]

Believe it or not, the violence and increase in the aforementioned is a direct by-product of government negligence on social issues in urban areas and it's zealotry on issues of basic personal liberties urbanites have rights to but are prohibited from the free exercise thereof. Put it this way, the focus on policing and enforcing the things that really matter little in the greater scheme of things thus ensuring a mentality of being imprisoned within a police state instead of focusing on the issues that really matter in the greater scheme of things, is what's wrong.

It's not the drugs, guns and gangs that are the real problem; it's the lack of infrastructure for a safe and productive living and working environment that's the real problem. Legalize drugs and allow the free exercise of personal liberties thereof and you solve part of the problem. Allow the drugs to be fully integrated into the economy and regulated by the market while instituting fair laws that allow them to compete with their big corporate counterparts while maintaining public safety and you solve another part of the problem. Put equal emphasis to the rebuilding of all infrastructure in all neighborhoods as is spent on the upper class neighborhoods and you solve the last part of the problem.

This is my take on it for whatever it's worth.

[Bearman]

The very first thing that needs to be done....tell the truth. Start with History classes in middle school. Eliminate all social engineering, starting with "social studies", that has & still seeks to re-write our history under revisionist terms. Blacks have been lied to since Woodrow Wilson, at least (his letter is posted at the beginning of "The Birth Of A Nation". watch that movie & see the beginning of Lefty propoganda in America). The Right in this country wanted them to have full rights from day 1, the Left didn't & still doesn't. The Left wants to give out free fish, the Right wants to teach people how to catch fish themselves.

Nothing will change until the Left is taken out of all positions of control & or influence. It all starts at school.

YouTube - Waiting for Superman Official Trailer

[imported_pramjockey]

Interesting trailer.

There is no one cause of the increasing culture of violence in our society. Many of us have been speaking about it for decades, but are constantly accused of being "anti-gun" or "anti-Constitution" or "pussies" or "pacifists" or "pro-censorship" or whatever. Towards the end of the trailer, the woman (a cop?) asks "how nobody can care?" Well, lady, it's simple - when you surround your children with violence in every entertainment, whether it's television or movies or music or books (like anyone reads any more) or games, and that violence becomes increasingly graphic and realistic, it has an impact. When bullying and violent hazing of children becomes more and more widespread, and those who raise concerns are called nasty names, attacked verbally (and sometimes physically), it has an impact. When the only solutions that children are taught are violent ones, it has an impact.

We've had 20 years of this increasing cycle and increasing permeation of this media into the lives of our kids, and decreasing involvement of our parents. How many parents filter what their kids see/hear/read/watch any more? How many parents have no problem with their children watching a movie or playing a game that depicts the killing of dozens or hundreds of other people, yet would be absolutely horrified if that same child saw a woman's bare breast or buttock?

As long as we have a society that so readily celebrates killing, worships revenge, eliminates all successes except those gained by violence, prevents men from having any emotions but anger, and is so absolutely terrified of sexuality - especially female sexuality - the violence will continue, expand, and become more brutal. We will continue to harvest the fruits from the seeds we planted 20 years ago.

[icanchangeit]

First of all, thank you for the topic. As a new member, to be offered the ability to communicate through this channel and receive your input is an extraordinary honor.

In so many ways, filming within some of America's most difficult obstacles, has revealed both extreme moments of greatness and also, seemingly fixable/improvable issues (without further spending), which for unknown reasons, continues.

At present, the trailer posted was never meant to be released. It was used for in-house purposes and does not follow the full scope of filming, healing and recovery, which is a centerpiece of the film. It was put out to continue a conversation and connect with engaged individuals wanting and willing to do something about it. It is for that reason why this forum is such an exciting prospect.

It seems identifying key issues in drug policy, improved education, injury prevention, etc is already taking place. These are meaningful, insightful and important comments, which we can potentially come to a consensus on.

With that, the experiment that I would love to engage in after a consensus is, what can 10,000 individuals do about it? How can we collectively develop a plan for improvement, timeline, leverage our individual assets/contacts and execute it. Is this possible today? Is this something you are interested in?

In 4 months the film will begin to deliver extremely intimate material. Perhaps that might be a window for change. It is not a gang film, anti-gang film or film on gang culture. It does not blame communities or individuals living the "lifestyle." Rather, it is about recovery and engagement. It is about a great and ongoing human/fiscal toll, which is pitted against ineffectiveness and greed. How can we become better?

I look forward to your thoughts on this. Can 10,000 people on a forum create change? That is an interesting thought and could be a fantastic journey.

Thank you so much for the read and your time.

Jeffrey B. Teitler
The Sweetest Land | Facebook

[Forplay]

Believe it or not, the violence and increase in the aforementioned is a direct by-product of government negligence on social issues in urban areas and it's zealotry on issues of basic personal liberties urbanites have rights to but are prohibited from the free exercise thereof. Put it this way, the focus on policing and enforcing the things that really matter little in the greater scheme of things thus ensuring a mentality of being imprisoned within a police state instead of focusing on the issues that really matter in the greater scheme of things, is what's wrong.

It's not the drugs, guns and gangs that are the real problem; it's the lack of infrastructure for a safe and productive living and working environment that's the real problem. Legalize drugs and allow the free exercise of personal liberties thereof and you solve part of the problem. Allow the drugs to be fully integrated into the economy and regulated by the market while instituting fair laws that allow them to compete with their big corporate counterparts while maintaining public safety and you solve another part of the problem. Put equal emphasis to the rebuilding of all infrastructure in all neighborhoods as is spent on the upper class neighborhoods and you solve the last part of the problem.

This is my take on it for whatever it's worth.

OK what do you mean by legalize drugs? It means many different things to different people.

[Forplay]

Interesting trailer.

There is no one cause of the increasing culture of violence in our society. Many of us have been speaking about it for decades, but are constantly accused of being "anti-gun" or "anti-Constitution" or "pussies" or "pacifists" or "pro-censorship" or whatever. Towards the end of the trailer, the woman (a cop?) asks "how nobody can care?" Well, lady, it's simple - when you surround your children with violence in every entertainment, whether it's television or movies or music or books (like anyone reads any more) or games, and that violence becomes increasingly graphic and realistic, it has an impact. When bullying and violent hazing of children becomes more and more widespread, and those who raise concerns are called nasty names, attacked verbally (and sometimes physically), it has an impact. When the only solutions that children are taught are violent ones, it has an impact.

We've had 20 years of this increasing cycle and increasing permeation of this media into the lives of our kids, and decreasing involvement of our parents. How many parents filter what their kids see/hear/read/watch any more? How many parents have no problem with their children watching a movie or playing a game that depicts the killing of dozens or hundreds of other people, yet would be absolutely horrified if that same child saw a woman's bare breast or buttock?

As long as we have a society that so readily celebrates killing, worships revenge, eliminates all successes except those gained by violence, prevents men from having any emotions but anger, and is so absolutely terrified of sexuality - especially female sexuality - the violence will continue, expand, and become more brutal. We will continue to harvest the fruits from the seeds we planted 20 years ago.

And what were the seeds we planted 20 yrs ago?

[Donahue]

The first step on any road to recovery begins with taking responsibility and this is no different.

It's not politically correct to say so but the simple reality is certain cultural and ethnic groups behave very differently from the rest of us and the first step to making things better is accepting that and letting those communities take responsibility. This ONE SIZE FITS ALL approach to government isn't working and the politically correct process of addressing all societal ailments in the ONE SIZE FITS ALL approach has been a complete fiasco. Better leadership in minority neighborhoods is also another big step. Opportunists like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have lived very luxurious lives creating controversy among races while men like Bill Cosby has been shouted down as an Uncle Tom's for attempting to encourage African-Americans to take responsibility for their actions.

I don't think anything will actually get better until actual responsibility is taken and real leadership emerges.

[CharleDavenport]

I have created the following thread by request, with permission granted by me after verification of authenticity, for a legitimate filmmaker covering the subject of urban improvement. This film is expected to be released in about 4 months. The participation of this board's membership is sought and may even be included in the film. It is seeking the wide set of different perspectives and views that one may have on this topic. Here is the poster by introduction who is leading this effort:





Any participation that provides useful commentary will be helpful whether it be discussion or debate between the filmer and/or any other poster in developing the thread's topic between us given the purpose of the film.

Honest opinions, discussions, debate and input is sought so please do so. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT a thread for any trolling, baiting, etc...you know the drill about the difference. It will be heavily policed for inappropriate behaviour that degrades and derails the thread's purpose, so please follow the purpose and decorum.

The Democratic Party has created and cultures a constituency of dependents. This mindset is at the root of inner city problems. Wittingly or not, Democrats aggressively perpetuate the problem.

[RRAHH]

OK what do you mean by legalize drugs? It means many different things to different people.

Stop criminalizing it. Allow the entrepreneurship mentality of all these "would-be" criminals to be realized. Fact is, it's tyranny that is the root cause of all the social inequalities.