85 richest people = poorest 3 billion

I need to post this statistic because it bears remembering and repeating. Again, the 85 richest people have the same “wealth” as the 3 billion poorest people in the world.

A quote fromĀ  the Times by Fareed Zakaria “The US has 760 prisoners per 100,000 citizens. That is seven-ten times more than in most developed countries.” We make up 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s jailed prisoners. Of course, minority groups are over-represented in our prison system, many jailed for first time possession of marijuana. Being jailed in America essentially renders an individual a life sentence of psycho-social-economic shackling. In other words, they become highly unemployable which is inherited by that same individual’s children.

Somehow, the disparity in wealth seems connected to the shocking number of mostly men, mostly minority groups’ incarceration rates.

I took my nearly daily walk with Hank today. He runs ahead. Stops. Waits until he sees me, then runs ahead. I like that he is keeping an eye on me.

Mid-afternoon A beautiful winter's day

Mid-afternoon A beautiful winter’s day

Hank posing by the Owre's frozen pond

Hank posing by the Owre’s frozen pond

Delicate animal tracks

Delicate animal tracks