117 Comments Posted by Navi.

And I really hate people who somehow think they've been given divine authority to decide who is or isn't an artist, and that anything they don't find aesthetically pleasing isn't art. Thinking you can put such concrete boundaries around what an artist is, is really just ignorance.

http://img415.imagesha...5/asylummural8pi.jpg

That mural was done by an ARTIST local to Portland and Heidelberg, he graduated not too long ago from a prestigious art school undefinedI love saying that, since I go there now). He uses his graffiti talent to organize workshops for kids at the local schools and community centers.

That's kind of funny...sounds to me like he's an ARTIST and he's standing up for what he believes in.

What kind of artist are you, JR?

Where I'm coming from is a completely non-professional place, merely observation and personal opinion (being of mental disease myself). So if Lynne corrects me on something, or if I don't word it properly, so be it.

Criminals in US prisons are afforded medication, yes, but I'm not convinced something that simple is "proper care." They're still being left at the mercy of other criminals/prisoners who are likely to harm them (a quick example that comes to mind is a recent forced tattooing - a man was forcibly tattooed with the name of his victim on his forehead, which I find to be sick on all levels), and in most cases, medication is the ONLY course of treatment. I know there is counseling available somewhere, in some way, but even that seems like a band-aid.

I can think of another example my Law teacher told me about last year - who knows if this situation has changed, I certainly would like to. A schizophrenic on death row refused to take his medication because he knew the law was that he wouldn't be executed unless he was of sane mind. But the prison was unsure if they were within their rights forcing him to be medicated only so they could kill him. And if he knew he needed to be medicated, was he really insane? That's messed up on so many levels.

None of which helps the fact that WSH housed a group of dangerous people who are now roaming the streets, because the government (and most of its citizens, probably) didn't care and closed the hospital.

"Navi, Sorry you cant seem to understand my statement. "

And I'm sorry you can't seem to understand what it's like to have mental disease. :) Unfortunately, ignorance isn't one of them.

"Navi, are you suggesting someone with a mental disorder should not be treated as a criminal, even if they have committed (and been found guilty of) a crime?"

I am merely suggesting that anyone who suffers from mental disease deserves to be treated for it in some way, shape, or form. Chances are, if they weren't mentally unstable in the first place, they wouldn't have committed the crime. If they suffer from mental disease, did their "true" selves, their rational selves, commit the crime? So honestly, what good does it really do to toss them in a prison cell? Do you really want your tax dollars going towards what may actually be construed as inhumane treatment? I don't.

For the record, attempted suicide is a crime.

So you're denying that sex offenders can have mental disorders?

Why would they be sex offenders?

These people are sexual deviants who have been treated in the past for various mental disorders through the use of medication. Now, they're out on their own, maybe with a nurse to make sure they take their medications. I wouldn't know, the last time I heard about it, there was no nurse.

Sorry, but I refuse to believe that prison is an appropriate place for people with mental conditions. Should we start placing all mental patients in prison?

So I'm guessing you would prefer to have a dozen child molesters in your neighbourhood, living all in one house right next to a playground?

By all means, YOU take care of these people.

Bravo, Lynne. Though I do have one thing to add to your list of what happens to those "free" people now...When there was the large scale movement to shut down WSH, my hometown acquired a pack of sexual deviants, living in a sort of halfway house next to a YMCA and playground, with basically no one to help them or treat them.

Hell, it looks like the FRONT of my middle school!

But that just makes my middle school scary.

Great, there's one day I can't be there.

;)

DaveWilly,

Equating all grafitti to tagging is like comparing Renaissance art to a 5 year old's drawing. Tagging is grafitti but not all grafitti is tagging, and neither are just symptoms of disrespect or stupidity (sometimes, but not always).

As for those lovely examples of physical punishment you mentioned, I assure you, no one ever turned out the better for abuse.

Those beams look perfect for hanging a swing.

Is there a special reason why that wall is so blue?

If there's anything I like more than bricks, it's rust. Thanks for this shot!

I've been waiting to see this one since it was posted as a standalone on the news page! Excellent.