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Werewolf #17 Out Now - Profiteering From Prisons

Wednesday, 27 October 2010, 10:44 am
Article: Werewolf

Werewolf Edition 17 Is Now Available

Profiteering From Prisons (& Hobbits)

From Werewolf Editor Gordon Campbell

Hi and welcome to the 17th issue of Werewolf. Last year, Chief Justice Sian Elias argued in a major speech that our current punitive attitudes to crime are no longer socially or economically sustainable, and are not making us feel any safer, either. As Rory MacKinnon points out in this month’s cover story, even liberals tend to take for granted that private prisons can be built and run more cheaply – but as Rory demonstrates in the evidence for that belief is thin to non-existent. On principle, not only should the state retain the task of building and managing prisons, but it can also do the job just as efficiently, or better - though it would be even better advised not to pursue such a punitive, prison-focussed corrections system in the first place.

Last month, Australia gained its first certified resident of Heaven - and in this issue we examine the process of canonisation and what it means to the current Pope, and for his long term plans for the Catholic Church. In a separate story, we also examine the current leadership of that secular heaven on earth – the United Nations - and analyse whether Helen Clark can ever hope realistically, to become the next UN Secretary-General. Our conclusion? Probably not. From Boston James Robinson discusses the US Midterm Elections and their likely relevance to the presidency of Barack Obama.

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Smart meters for gas and electricity usage have long held out the promise of being a commercial win/win/win for corporates/consumers/and the environment alike. Well, surprise, surprise. As Rosalea Barker points out in her Left Coasting column this month, smart meters have been batting only one out of three. They’ve been a win for utilities companies in California but consumers are in open revolt against them on a variety of fronts. Within our Classics children’s book column, the focus this month is on Alan Garner’s challenging masterpiece The Owl Service. In the music column The Complicatist, we celebrate the life and work of the electronic music/minimalist/cartoon soundtrack pioneer Raymond Scott, who probably wins the gold medal for being the most influential musical genius in recent history who is still completely unknown to the largest number of people. In The Milestone Movies slot, Brannavan Gnanalingham looks at Deep Throat, still the most commercially successful movie of all time, and the film that took pornography into the cultural mainstream.

In Cartoon Alley this month, Tim Bollinger contributes another instalment of Little Eye, and reviews of Art Spiegelman, Toby Morris and Glen Stewart….while Gordon Campbell looks at some of the visionary political panels of the multi-dimensional genius, Winsor McCay.

Werewolf has been created as a showcase for writers and cartoonists, and serves as a small thank you for Scoop readers and supporters. If you want to be past of it, feel free to contact editor Gordon Campbell and talk over story ideas. Thanks again this month to Alastair Thompson for help with the layout and the posting online.

Cheers,

Gordon Campbell

Werewolf/Scoop

gordon@werewolf.co.nz

The contents of this edition are:

Profiteering from Prisons
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/profiteering-from-prisons/
On the global evidence, private prisons are no more efficient, and are no less expensive for the taxpayer
by Rory MacKinnon

Lady in Waiting
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/lady-in-waiting/
Helen Clark’s chances of becoming the next UN Secretary-General
by Gordon Campbell

Saint Australia
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/saving-a-nation-of-sinners/
The blessings of the Lucky Country now extend to the afterlife
by Gordon Campbell

Obama faces the mid-terms
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/obama-faces-the-mid-terms/
Why voters are looking elsewhere for change they can believe in
by James Robinson

Robbing the Vote
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/09/robbing-the-vote/
Why the current plan to take the right to vote away from prisoners is a terrible idea
by Gordon Campbell

* * * * * WEREWOLF ISSUE 16, September 2010 * * * * *
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/werewolf-issue-16-september-2010/"
The September 2010 Edition of Werewolf
by Werewolf

Left Coasting : Fail Marks for the Smart Grid
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/left-coasting-fail-marks-for-the-smart-grid/
What’s so smart about corporate energy’s transition to smart meters?
by Rosalea Barker

Classics : The Owl Service (1967)
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/classics-the-owl-service-1967/
The owls are not what they seem, but the English stay true to type
by Gordon Campbell

From The Hood : Looney Toons In Hobbiton
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/from-the-hood-looney-toons-in-hobbiton/
The unionth are dethpicable!
by Lyndon Hood

Milestone Movies : Deep Throat (1972)
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/milestone-movies-deep-throat-1972/
From Linda Lovelace to Julia Roberts – its not such a long way, baby
by Brannavan Gnanlingham

The Complicatist : In praise of Raymond Scott
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/the-complicatist-in-praise-of-raymond-scott/
The man who heard the future
by Gordon Campbell

Cartoon Alley: Reviews and commentary #17… Gordon Campbell
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/cartoon-alley-reviews-and-commentary-17-gordon-campbell/
My favourite cartoon (this month) : Winsor McKay’s black and white cartoons
by Gordon Campbell

Cartoon Alley: Reviews and commentary #16… Tim Bollinger
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/cartoon-alley-reviews-and-commentary-16-tim-bollinger/
New works by Art Spiegelman, Toby Morris and Glen Stewart
by Tim Bollinger

Cartoon Alley
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/10/werewolf-cartoon-alley/
Reviews, commentary and comics from local artists
by Werewolf

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