We wanted to make sure you didn't miss the announcement of our new Sustainer program. Once you've finished reading, take a moment to check out the new program, as well as all the benefits of becoming a Sustainer.
People actually get paid for conducting the silliest imaginable research studies. They really do.Here's one of my new faves, which I came across today in the form of a press release: "CRUISE INDUSTRY RELEASES CRIME STATISTICS. Numbers Show People Much Safer on Cruise Ships than U.S. Average."From 2003 to 2005, there were apparently 178 complaints of sexual assault, four robberies and 24 missing persons. The analysis therefore showed that these criminal incidents did happen even when people are surrounded by non-stop buffet line gorging and crazed port shopping, but that a cruise passenger was still safer on board than in the real world. (But, hey, 24 missing persons? What the heck?)The International Council of Cruise Lines retained "nationally-renowned criminologist Professor James Fox, Ph.D., as an independent expert to review the data provided to Congress." Professor Fox is also apparently a visiting fellow with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics and author of 16 books.I get grumpy when journalists use high-priced J-school graduate education as a way of securing employment in corporate PR work. Imagine how criminologists must feel about this kind of stuff.
Be a Sustainer
We surveyed thousands of readers and asked what they would like to see in a monthly giving program. Now, for the first time, we're offering three different levels of support, with rewards at each level, including a magazine subscription, books, tote bags, events and more—all starting at less than 17 cents a day. Check out the new Sustainer program.
Silja J.A. Talvi, a senior editor at In These Times, is an investigative journalist and essayist with credits in many dozens of newspapers and magazines nationwide, including The Nation, Salon, Santa Fe Reporter, Utne, and the Christian Science Monitor.
More articles by Silja J.A. Talvi
Dispatch
De-escalating the Drug War
Obama's pick to head ONDCP is better than your average drug czar.
Feature
Ending the War on Drugs
Will the Obama administration put justice back in the criminal justice system?
Feature
Our Town vs. Exxon
Marine biologist Riki Ott explains how Cordova, Alaska, rebounded 20 years after the oil spill.
Similar articles
The ITT List
Why My Students Don’t Need Armed Guards
Ashley Lauren Samsa
The ITT List
Not Enough Dead Americans or Wasted Dollars Yet to Satisfy Bush’s Megalomania
Brian Zick
The ITT List
Navy Times Editorial Condemns “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” As Failed Policy
Brian Zick
