Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Chris McNamara
SuperTopo staff member
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 20, 2017 - 09:07am PT
|
Well, the secret’s out: my dad, who edits the SuperTopo books, spent much of the last decade in prison.
To be clear, it was voluntary.
Check out this great piece about his work with the San Quentin News: https://paw.princeton.edu/article/altruist
I'll admit, I was a little surprised when my dad went to prison. Why put your energy there?
Two reasons: Prisons currently make criminals better criminals. So when they get out, as 90% of criminals do, almost the same percentage commits another crime and goes back in. It’s an endless cycle.
The San Quentin News, and the Forums between DA’s and prisoners, are significant steps to break that cycle.
The second reason: my dad can’t help being an editor. Without his guidance, I would have never published the 20 SuperTopo books or the 1000’s of reviews on OutdoorGearLab and TechGearLab. As this article confirms, he can’t help but share his passion for writing and publishing. He gives people confidence and skills they never had.
I couldn’t be more proud, Dad.
|
|
BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:15am PT
|
Man, that's super cool!
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:17am PT
|
Kudos, dad!
|
|
Nick Danger
Ice climber
Arvada, CO
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:20am PT
|
Walking the talk, that is super cool! You come from fine stock, Chris. Kudos to your dad.
-Nick
|
|
Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:22am PT
|
At first I thought they had caught Fattrad.
Good to hear it's something equally inspiring.
|
|
Norton
Social climber
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:26am PT
|
what a truly great father, Chris !!!
|
|
Cragar
climber
MSLA - MT
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:31am PT
|
Just plain awesome, like 5.15d awesome!!
We NEED more people like him.
Thanks for the proudness post, makes my day!
|
|
Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:32am PT
|
Thumbs up for that.
And regarding the jacket he's wearing, I guess if he chooses to wear it, then it gets the "Editor's Choice" award, right?
|
|
brotherbbock
climber
Alta Loma, CA
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:44am PT
|
San Quentin may you rot and burn in hell!.....May your walls fall and may I live to tell!
|
|
Tobia
Social climber
Denial
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:52am PT
|
I applaud your dad's writing love and more so because of where he chooses to to work.
|
|
BruceHildenbrand
Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 09:59am PT
|
Totally cool!
|
|
Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:00am PT
|
Three cheers for your father!!!
Lots of good work and lasting results can come from influencing often young people with a lot of time on their hands to think about doing things differently. Bravo for not giving up on them and meeting that challenge in a personal and direct way.
|
|
Tom Bruskotter
Trad climber
Seattle
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:04am PT
|
To this point:
"Prisons currently make criminals better criminals"
Back in the day, my brothers had a friend who was a drug dealer. He went to prison for 2 years on a weapons charge. When he got out, he said he "learned so much". He called prison a "crime college"
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:05am PT
|
Very cool Chris. Hat's off to your father.
My wife's first cousin is a great attorney, and worked for prison reform for many years.
My youngest daughter has also taken a serious interest in prison reform. Pretty amazing for 19 years old.
|
|
Gilroy
Social climber
Bolderado
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:15am PT
|
Fighting recidivism at every turn of phrase. Good stuff! Really good stuff!!!
TFPU
|
|
Friend
climber
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:15am PT
|
Excellent. And great thread title. Sucked me right in - good editing :)
|
|
clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:34am PT
|
Nice title!
|
|
Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 10:43am PT
|
Thank You for your service Steve.
|
|
Lollie
Social climber
I'm Lolli.
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 11:18am PT
|
Very good of him! Much kudos to your father.
|
|
phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2017 - 11:21am PT
|
Thank you for sharing his story. What good work. You are rightfully proud of your Dad.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!