Criminology Paper

My very last semester of my college career includes a Criminology class. Sociology is not my major, but I do find it very interesting. I also find the professor who teaches it to be extremely interesting.

For the class, I will be writing a term paper using a criminologic theory to evaluate a particular kind of crime. Here is my proposal for the paper I plan to write.

Does Culture Play a Significant Role in the Prevalence of Dog Fighting Among Americans?

Subculture Theory in Evaluation of Dog Fighting Crimes.

Proposal

I propose to consider subculture theory as it pertains to dog fighting crimes in the United States.  Culture, representing the norms that both guide behavior and determine the way behavior is judged by the majority, is a socially shared phenomenon.  A subculture, therefore, is a distinctive culture within a culture where norms and values differ from the majority.  Subculture theory in criminology argues that certain subcultures in society exhibit norms that may be conducive to participation in particular crimes and violence.  Subculture theory explains that these groups may create a sense of community to combat alienation and regain power by forming their own new and different culture.  This development of separate cultural norms among different ethnic and regional groups may explain the existence of cultures in the US where dog fighting is accepted despite the majority culture being in opposition to it.  Critical assessment of subculture theory in evaluation of dog fighting participation may help to understand how and why these behaviors continue to pervade in the United States despite their legal and social consequences.

Are you intrigued?  I am.  I'm quite excited about getting started on my research, especially regarding the history of dog fighting.  (my preliminary research has already revealed some facts I think most would find to be quite surprising)

You're going to have to be patient.  The paper isn't due until Thursday July 15 by 12:00 noon - so it won't be done until Thursday June 15 at 11:59am.  It's how I roll.

Delinquent Dogs aka Never Be Willing to Pay Fees for ANYTHING

Yesterday I had to call one of my credit card companies, and I learned a very valuable lesson.

First, a little background on how I got to that point.

On May 2, Bailey was outside at my parents' house when the neighbor's 3 dogs (one of them being their delinquent son's delinquent dog) came out and started fence fighting with him.  Normally he doesn't get very upset, but this time they set him off and he ran up to the fence and started barking back.  I yelled at him, but his hearing isn't what it once was and I don't think he heard me.  The delinquent hound dog actually pushed his way under the chain link fence and attacked Bailey.  He bit him in the face.  It was a pretty serious gash.  A $300 trip to the Emergency Vet resulted in 2 layers of subcutaneous sutures and 7 staples in his face.  Despite the fact that I did not allow the vet to anesthetize Bailey (much to her irritation, I'm sure), she did a pretty awesome job of closing it up.

While at the vet clinic, even thought my parents were willing to help me out, I decided to apply for Care Credit.  I was approved.  Ultimately, the neighbors paid for half the cost.  I now think that was a mistake to accept only half, but at the time we thought the injury might be a result of the fence rather than the dog.

What's done is done.

So, that brings us to yesterday.  I had sent a payment for the Care Credit card the other day and it came back to me RTS because there was no stamp on it.  I don't know how it ended up with no stamp on it, but it did.  I decided to call the company and see if I could make a payment using my debit card over the phone.  The conversation went something like this:

Me:  Is it possible for me to make a payment using my debit card?

CC Lady:  Oh, yes, you can do that.

Me:  Is there a fee for doing so?

CC Lady:  (I think Indian accents are cool, but a combo of road noise and a soft spoken Indian woman rendered me deaf)

Me:  How many dollars?

CC Lady:  Fifteen, One-Five, maam

Me:  Oh, well, then forget it.  I guess you'll have to wait for a check.

CC Lady:  Let me see if I can waive the fee.  (2 second pause)  Ok, how much would you like to pay?

Me:  So... you're NOT charging me ANY fees at all, right?

CC Lady:  No, you don't have to pay the fee, I can waive it.

Me:  Ok, I would like to pay...

The moral of the story...

Naughty hounds who never get any exercise or training are not evil, but the owners who allow them to get that way are.

Never be willing to pay for fees, delivery charges, or anything of the like - the charge will magically disappear because they want your money, and they want it NOW.