The Power of Honor

Wasted Honor -

Carl R. ToersBijns is the author of the Wasted Honor Trilogy [Wasted Honor I,II and Gorilla Justice] and his newest book From the Womb to the Tomb, the Tony Lester Story, which is a reflection of his life and his experiences as a correctional officer and a correctional administrator retiring with the rank of deputy warden in the New Mexico and Arizona correctional systems.

Carl also wrote a book on his combat experience in the Kindle book titled - Combat Medic - Men with destiny - A red cross of Valor -

Carl is considered by many a rogue expert in the field of prison security systems since leaving the profession. Carl has been involved in the design of many pilot programs related to mental health treatment, security threat groups, suicide prevention, and maximum custody operational plans including double bunking max inmates and enhancing security for staff. He invites you to read his books so you can understand and grasp the cultural and political implications and influences of these prisons. He deals with the emotions, the stress and anxiety as well as the realities faced working inside a prison. He deals with the occupational risks while elaborating on the psychological impact of both prison worker and prisoner.

His most recent book, Gorilla Justice, is an un-edited raw fictional version of realistic prison experiences and events through the eyes of an anecdotal translation of the inmate’s plight and suffering while enduring the harsh and toxic prison environment including solitary confinement.

Carl has been interviewed by numerous news stations and newspapers in Phoenix regarding the escape from the Kingman prison and other high profile media cases related to wrongful deaths and suicides inside prisons. His insights have been solicited by the ACLU, Amnesty International, and various other legal firms representing solitary confinement cases in California and Arizona. He is currently working on the STG Step Down program at Pelican Bay and has offered his own experience insights with the Center of Constitutional Rights lawyers and interns to establish a core program at the SHU units. He has personally corresponded and written with SHU prisoners to assess the living conditions and how it impacts their long term placement inside these type of units that are similar to those in Arizona Florence Eyman special management unit where Carl was a unit deputy warden for almost two years before his promotion to Deputy Warden of Operations in Safford and Eyman.

He is a strong advocate for the mentally ill and is a board member of David's Hope Inc. a non-profit advocacy group in Phoenix and also serves as a senior advisor for Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council in Chino, California As a subject matter expert and corrections consultant, Carl has provided interviews and spoken on national and international radio talk shows e.g. BBC CBC Lou Show & TV shows as well as the Associated Press.

I use sarcasm, satire, parodies and other means to make you think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, September 1, 2014

The Power of Honor

One has to ask is the power of honor driven by corruptible greed or is it a moral process that was developed in the past and can still be applied to modern standards and values? The answer is often hard to figure out but worthwhile looking into as this word has been misused for centuries and not quite understood.

Because honor has been often misplaced or abused it is denounced in some societies and looked upon as a dreaded custom that must not be given the considerations implied. Considerations that are implied and often imagined yet not really earned. Honor does not come without criticism and to some degree judgment of character, influence and respect.

It is usually based on rational or courageous behaviors or in many cases acting out on the presence of informally structured morality laws or today’s formally written statutory laws. Some refer to honor as an ingredient for religious purposes as it casts a shadow on the principles contained within the Bible and other holy scriptures. Certainly there are direct correlations to various religions as the word honor has been used to describe behaviors since the beginning of time.

One could argue the opposite of attaining honor is to be shameful. Hence there are certain qualities attached to the word that may lose translation or definition as cultures changes and influences customs and practices. The level of acceptance within the moral compass of individuals falls within a sphere of morality and values contained within such a circle of life.

A good example of such travesty in the translation are “honor killings” which some accept as a way of life and others condemn and call it murder. The simple notion, for instance, that violence against defenseless women cannot be regarded as honorable yet in some societies this is acceptable.

Regardless, it appears the power of honor has played a significant role in cultures and history of moral revelations and revolutions of the past and today.

The use of violence against enemies and formidable foes creates situations that are considered honorable and reminds us that violence, although scary and tyrannical in nature, is a tool of enforcement to prevent homicides and other felonious violations of the laws.

As time evolved this process the state [government] became stronger and at one point justifies the use of force as an honorable act while all the while, they keep society from having its say. Under those conditions, honor has been transformed into a source of empowerment that is carried under the banner of honor.