Stupid Liberal Politicians

Sometimes you just can't make these things up. From Milwaukee, WI.: Under a resolution before the Milwaukee County Board, $65,000 will be spent to divert juvenile offenders (found to have committed such crimes as assault, battery and breaking and entering) into "Shakespeare in the Court". UW-M instructors will be paid to stage, costume and presumably produce a Shakespeare production starring 13-17 year old criminals.At Thursday's Judiciary Committee Meeting I attempted to determine from Supervisor Broderick or Judges Murray and White who testified before the committee what exactly would be achieved by implementing this program. They indicated it is modeled after a "highly successful" program in Pittsfield! MA but could not explain what success meant or what outcomes were achieved in the ten years that program has been in effect. None the less, the Committee approved the resolution (copy here: http://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=1630415&GUID=6742B94F-C52C-40F7-A86C-14742788B2EE and forwarded it to the County Board for approval.No data was presented concerning the deterrent effect of the program or what recidivism rates were for participants. The UW-M representative did offer that participants would have "fun" doing the play.No one could identify an instance of the gang-banger whose life was turned around after being exposed to iambic pentameter.Absent was a single example of the wayward youth who became a productive citizen after reciting Shakespearean couplets.
http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/134894053.html
Unless they have the rap version of Shakespeare, the kids are going to have trouble saying the words and knowing what they mean.
Just a stupid idea.