Power Lines, by Jason Carter: on Crime


Jason Carter: Most Americans only know Africa for crime and AIDS

On both sides of South Africa's borders, crime dominates conversations. The police system under apartheid was organized not to fight crime, but to preserve the system. A Coloured taxi driver in Nelspruit once explained this to me in terms of the "rising crime" issue. I was with another volunteer, speaking English, and when the driver learned that we were from America, he began speaking in English as well. "How do you like our country?" "I think it's great," I answered. "What do Americans think about South Africa?" "Most of them," I answered honestly, "have only heard about crime and AIDS and other problems. But I love it here and have never had a problem at all."
Source: Power Lines, by Jason Carter, p.171-2 Jun 1, 2003

Jason Carter: When robbed: perhaps my things will feed a poor family

When my house was broken into and all of my things were stolen, I found out how the community members band together to protect their own. That day one of the women told me that someone had broken down my door and stolen everything."Somehow," I kept telling myself, "this will work itself out." The wood around the door handle and lock had been splintered apart from the door.

My thoughts fluctuated between "Will I get my things back?" Can he get them to Jo-burg and sell them before we get to him?" and "Perhaps my things would be feeding his family." I might even have insurance to cover the entire cost. I agonized a little over what to do, but every single person I talked to the next morning at school told me to go to the police.

The community and police found the criminal; every single article of clothing, all the money, the computer--everything was intact. The police were as proud as can be; I was happy to have my things back.

Source: Power Lines, by Jason Carter, p.177-9 Jun 1, 2003

  • The above quotations are from Power Lines
    Two Years on South Africa's Borders
    by Jason Carter.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Crime:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 21, 2019