Yay schoolwork...?

[teenteru]

[Mikami has finally found the library. And - to his great relief - not only the same school textbooks he's been using, but teacher's guides too, so that he can be sure he's answering correctly

Comments

[tickle_me_el]

[Elle hasn't been to the library here before but, when he does, the relief he feels can be explained simply, knowing that it isn't the "aquatic" one firm_detective mentioned. Not having a great understanding of personal space - save for his own, that is - Elle wanders over to look interestedly at Mikami's textbook.]

Are you unsatisfied with the incarceration or the figure?

[teenteru]

... both. That money could easily be spent on healthcare, or education. Something to improve the lives of good people, not feed and clothe those who insist upon doing evil.

I wonder what the corresponding figure is for Japan? [He scans the books around them, looking for one that might contain this information.]

[tickle_me_el]

What would you have America do with their criminals instead, then? I think most would prefer their safety was being paid for, even if the money was providing for criminals by extension.

[With a curious look:] Has your world experienced Kira?

[teenteru]

They should be eliminated. It keeps people safe and doesn't drain money away from more worthwhile endeavours.

[A blank look, and Mikami shakes his head.] No. What's kira?

[always_ashes]

[A hasn't been to the library here yet. But when she does find it, she smiles a little bit, the familiar scent of books making her feel happy. She notices Teru studying something, but she chooses not to bother him, instead grabbing a random book from a shelf. She only gets up and goes over to talk to Teru when he mentions the US justice system. A knows he feels strongly about this...So, she briefly glances over his shoulder, to see exactly what he's reading. Stalker A is a stalker, after all.]

That's a lot of money to spend on th incarceration system....I don't know a lot about the US, but it seems...well, aren't there better ways to spend that money?

[teenteru]

Exactly. Ways that benefit the good and innocent instead of allowing the evil, those with no purpose, to continue.

[always_ashes]

Yes, that's true...But, if they didn't put a lot of money into the penal system, wouldn't there be more criminals on the street?
[A sits down next to Teru.]

I mean, I don't know...there has to be a way to work both out...

[ijk_mno]

...that's not appalling, that's inevitable. *Amused.*

[teenteru]

L-san? [A pause.] I don't think we've met yet; I'm Mikami Teru.

Inevitable, the way we do things now. There must be better solutions.

[ijk_mno]

We haven't. But your younger counterpart informed me that you were here, and I've been keeping an eye out for you.

I don't see any better solutions. What do you propose?

[teenteru]

You're friends with Te- with Mikami-kun?

Asking people to pay for housing and feeding criminals seems unjust. Allowing them back into the community would be atrocious, especially considering the rate of re-conviction. I think capital punishment shouldn't be used more often, but that's simply... it may be more complicated than that.

Our society needs to change. The balance of power is all wrong.