Attorney General attempts to limit mandatory sentences for drug crimes

Eric Holder and the Obama Administration are attempting to bypass Federal Mandatory Sentences for minor drug crimes, which have been historically putting even first-time offenders away for very long periods of time for extremely minor drug possession offenses. From the article:

Although incarceration has a role to play in our justice system, widespread incarceration at the federal, state and local levels is both ineffective and unsustainable, ... It imposes a significant economic burden totaling $80 billion in 2010 alone and it comes with human and moral costs that are impossible to calculate.Eric Holder

This has been happening at the State level lately as well in some cases. There are parts of Texas for instance where State mandatory sentences have been forgone for the same class of offenders. Given that the Federal operation is much larger in scope, and has influence on the direction of the policies of the various States, this could be the start a very good trend.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/us/justice-dept-seeks-to-curtail-stiff-drug-sentences.html?_r=0

It's not the end of this horrible drug war, but IMO it's certainly a step in the right direction, and it greatly lifts the Obama administration in my eyes. What do you think about it OT?

great, more stoners running around

It's not the end of this horrible drug war, but IMO it's certainly a step in the right direction, and it greatly lifts the Obama administration in my eyes. What do you think about it OT?

m0zart

great, more stoners running around

lostrib

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

great, more stoners running around

playmynutz

is that a problem?

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

great, more stoners running around

lostrib

is that a problem?

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] You're right put them in prison with serial killers and rapist.Ninja-Hippo

is that a problem?

except I'm not a criminal

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

great, more stoners running around

lostrib

is that a problem?

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] You're right put them in prison with serial killers and rapist.playmynutz

is that a problem?

their not white what?

[QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

is that a problem?

lostrib

except I'm not a criminal

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"] I would take stoners on every street corner over enlightened individuals such as yourself every time.Ninja-Hippo

except I'm not a criminal

Sorry I thought we were just making random statements. My bad

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

is that a problem?

lostrib

their not white what?

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] No as long as their not whiteplaymynutz

their not white what?

that's racist

First good thing I've heard Holder do.

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

their not white what?

lostrib

that's racist

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] In regards to your incomplete sentence "is that a problem" (because i could be like huh is what a problem.) I answer no, it is not a problem to place stoners in jail with serial killers and rapist. In addition, only minorities should be placed in jail (i.e. as long as the stoner is not white). I'm trying to agree with you, 'em I right?playmynutz

that's racist

i'd be just as much for throwing the white kids in jail as well

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] In regards to your incomplete sentence "is that a problem" (because i could be like huh is what a problem.) I answer no, it is not a problem to place stoners in jail with serial killers and rapist. In addition, only minorities should be placed in jail (i.e. as long as the stoner is not white). I'm trying to agree with you, 'em I right?playmynutz

that's racist

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] In regards to your incomplete sentence "is that a problem" (because i could be like huh is what a problem.) I answer no, it is not a problem to place stoners in jail with serial killers and rapist. In addition, only minorities should be placed in jail (i.e. as long as the stoner is not white). I'm trying to agree with you, 'em I right?playmynutz

that's racist

US should also throw racists into prison. You're chatting a load of crap. Piece of trash.

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

that's racist

ThisIsTwoFace

US should also throw racists into prison. You're chatting a load of crap. Piece of trash.

except being racist isn't a crime

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

that's racist

ThisIsTwoFace

US should also throw racists into prison. You're chatting a load of crap. Piece of trash.

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

great, more stoners running around

playmynutz

Just think of all the innocent Doritos and Cheetos those stoners would otherwise devour! :o

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] Yes it is, but it is real. Most marijuana arrests are minorities. Without a doubt white people get arrested too but not at the minority rate. Maybe you are not in that social circle to experience how a marijuana arrest can ruin a whole family. I'm off topic and no I'm not calling you racist or anything. It just seems careless to say throw stoners in jail who cares.lostrib

US should also throw racists into prison. You're chatting a load of crap. Piece of trash.

except being racist isn't a crime

Lets play your game in reverse : Most serial killer arrests in the US are the majority (white). Without a doubt Black people get arrested too but the most notorious killers are all white. Maybe you are not in that social circle to experience how a serial killer arrest can ruin a society. Im off topic and just trolling, lets not throw the race card because It can be thrown right back at ya.

Bottomline there are crimes in the US that whites do more than Blacks, no need to be the racist guy.

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

US should also throw racists into prison. You're chatting a load of crap. Piece of trash.

ThisIsTwoFace

except being racist isn't a crime

Lets play your game in reverse : Most serial killer arrests in the US are the majority (white). Without a doubt Black people get arrested too but the most notorious killers are all white. Maybe you are not in that social circle to experience how a serial killer arrest can ruin a society. Im off topic and just trolling, lets not throw the race card because It can be thrown right back at ya.

Bottomline there are crimes in the US that whites do more than Blacks, no need to be the racist guy.

I didn't play that game...

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

except being racist isn't a crime

lostrib

Lets play your game in reverse : Most serial killer arrests in the US are the majority (white). Without a doubt Black people get arrested too but the most notorious killers are all white. Maybe you are not in that social circle to experience how a serial killer arrest can ruin a society. Im off topic and just trolling, lets not throw the race card because It can be thrown right back at ya.

Bottomline there are crimes in the US that whites do more than Blacks, no need to be the racist guy.

I didn't play that game...

[QUOTE="playmynutz"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

great, more stoners running around

lostrib

is that a problem?

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="playmynutz"] You're right put them in prison with serial killers and rapist.chrisrooR

is that a problem?

so if you have cancer or AIDs you shouldn't be punished for your crimes?

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

except being racist isn't a crime

lostrib

Lets play your game in reverse : Most serial killer arrests in the US are the majority (white). Without a doubt Black people get arrested too but the most notorious killers are all white. Maybe you are not in that social circle to experience how a serial killer arrest can ruin a society. Im off topic and just trolling, lets not throw the race card because It can be thrown right back at ya.

Bottomline there are crimes in the US that whites do more than Blacks, no need to be the racist guy.

I didn't play that game...

Oops, that was referring to the racist guy. You're cool.

I'm all right with this. But I think it would be more effective if more states would decriminalize pot.

I'm all right with this. But I think it would be more effective if more states would decriminalize pot.airshocker

Definitely... and if the Fed would do it.

[QUOTE="chrisrooR"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

is that a problem?

lostrib

so if you have cancer or AIDs you shouldn't be punished for your crimes?

It's not the end of this horrible drug war, but IMO it's certainly a step in the right direction, and it greatly lifts the Obama administration in my eyes. What do you think about it OT?

m0zart

I'll disagree with this, though. It's still a shitty administration. Nothing they can feasibly do will change that about them.

I'm all right with this. But I think it would be more effective if more states would decriminalize pot.

airshocker

More states will decriminalize pot when more people understand the meaning of "Moderation"

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="chrisrooR"] Considering cancer patients and AIDs patients are among the incarcerated, yes it is a f***ing problem.chrisrooR

so if you have cancer or AIDs you shouldn't be punished for your crimes?

Now you're moving the goal posts.  

More states will decriminalize pot when more people understand the meaning of "Moderation"

ThisIsTwoFace

I don't believe that's the case at all, sorry.

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

More states will decriminalize pot when more people understand the meaning of "Moderation"

airshocker

I don't believe that's the case at all, sorry.

An American man with weed is an English man with Alcohol.

You want weed? Fly to Amsterdam, it aint even expensive

An American man with weed is an English man with Alcohol.

You want weed? Fly to Amsterdam, it aint even expensive

ThisIsTwoFace

Over-simplifying matters.

Firstly, I don't care if someone has alcohol. If they drink and drive they're most likely going to pay the price.

Secondly, I don't do drugs. I don't care if others do drugs. Instead of wasting my taxpayer dollars fighting something that humans are going to do regardless, I would rather my time and money be spent on getting dangerous people off the street.

So don't ever assume you know anything about me.

I also don't think its right for the justice department to purposely "sidestep" federal law. It's their job to enforce the law no matter what the law states. They have no right to do that. Bad move and an overstep of power.DaBrainz

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

An American man with weed is an English man with Alcohol.

You want weed? Fly to Amsterdam, it aint even expensive

airshocker

Over-simplifying matters.

Firstly, I don't care if someone has alcohol. If they drink and drive they're most likely going to pay the price.

Secondly, I don't do drugs. I don't care if others do drugs. Instead of wasting my taxpayer dollars fighting something that humans are going to do regardless, I would rather my time and money be spent on getting dangerous people off the street.

So don't ever assume you know anything about me.

"My time" what time? What are you some sort of Cop now?

Taxpayers moaning about money wasted while their tax money goes towards the Army - oh how nice. Your tax money goes towards getting these people off the street.. and paying for them while they are in prison. Lol. Even if you don't want it your tax money is being wasted.

And if you can't find evidence of me claiming "to know something about you" then don't reply back.

"My time" what time? What are you some sort of Cop now?

Taxpayers moaning about money wasted while their tax money goes towards the Army - oh how nice. Your tax money goes towards getting these people off the street.. and paying for them while they are in prison. Lol. Even if you don't want it your tax money is being wasted.

And if you can't find evidence of me claiming "to know something about you" then don't reply back.

ThisIsTwoFace

I've been a cop for quite a while now. Almost everybody on this forum knows that. Not like I was keeping it a secret.

Strawman, how nice. The fact remains that this war on drugs is a waste of money.

You claimed I wanted weed by saying this: "You want weed? Go to Amsterdam..." The fact is, I don't do drugs. I don't even like drugs. I simply don't think it's any of your business what somebody does in the privacy of their own home.

[QUOTE="chrisrooR"][QUOTE="lostrib"]

so if you have cancer or AIDs you shouldn't be punished for your crimes?

lostrib

Now you're moving the goal posts.  

I see nothing wrong with the current system of a minor drug offense landing 20 years and manslaughter only giving 5 years. That seems pretty reasonable to me. ferrari2001

I highly agree. I watched Breaking Bad and from what i inteligentlghy gathered, maujuana (or Meth) makes people go crazy.

The fact remains that this war on drugs is a waste of money.

You claimed I wanted weed by saying this: "You want weed? Go to Amsterdam". The fact is, I don't do drugs. I don't even like drugs. I simply don't think it's any of your business what somebody does in the privacy of their own home.airshocker

That's pretty much my take on it. I'm heading to Seattle this week for a wedding where I'm the best man. I found out that there's a big marijuana convention of sorts going on in a park there. I have about as much interest in that as I do cutting toes from my feet and replacing them with leeches.

I do go a bit farther by having strong convictions that US drug policy isn't only a waste of money, but a waste of human life, and a completely immoral/unethical escapade. It has been used not only to justify action against those who actually are involved in the drug trade, but to erode protections afforded every American in the Bill of Rights (the most notable example being asset forfeiture law and its direct affront to the fifth amendment). For me personally, it has gotten to the point that I don't really take too many candidates seriously who don't recognize that and at least have some plan however minor to cut it back or end it.

[QUOTE="ThisIsTwoFace"]

"My time" what time? What are you some sort of Cop now?

Taxpayers moaning about money wasted while their tax money goes towards the Army - oh how nice. Your tax money goes towards getting these people off the street.. and paying for them while they are in prison. Lol. Even if you don't want it your tax money is being wasted.

And if you can't find evidence of me claiming "to know something about you" then don't reply back.

airshocker

I've been a cop for quite a while now. Almost everybody on this forum knows that. Not like I was keeping it a secret.

Strawman, how nice. The fact remains that this war on drugs is a waste of money.

You claimed I wanted weed by saying this: "You want weed? Go to Amsterdam..." The fact is, I don't do drugs. I don't even like drugs. I simply don't think it's any of your business what somebody does in the privacy of their own home.

Sending your troops to Afghan and other middle eastern countries is also a waste of money (happens here in the UK too, lives lost for nothing) - you will still pay for it whether you like it or not :)

Its a shame Mr.Officer, the US Government doesn't entirely agree with what you believe, damn theres probably a drone flying over your house right now

[QUOTE="airshocker"]The fact remains that this war on drugs is a waste of money.

You claimed I wanted weed by saying this: "You want weed? Go to Amsterdam". The fact is, I don't do drugs. I don't even like drugs. I simply don't think it's any of your business what somebody does in the privacy of their own home.m0zart

That's pretty much my take on it. I'm heading to Seattle this week for a wedding where I'm the best man. I found out that there's a big marijuana convention of sorts going on in a park there. I have about as much interest in that as I do cutting toes from my feet and replacing them with leeches.

I do go a bit farther by having strong convictions that US drug policy isn't only a waste of money, but a waste of human life, and a completely immoral/unethical escapade. It has been used not only to justify action against those who actually are involved in the drug trade, but to erode protections afforded every American in the Bill of Rights (the most notable example being asset forfeiture law and its direct affront to the fifth amendment). For me personally, it has gotten to the point that I don't really take too many candidates seriously who don't recognize that and at least have some plan however minor to cut it back or end it.

Sending your troops to Afghan and other middle eastern countries is also a waste of money (happens here in the UK too, lives lost for nothing) - you will still pay for it whether you like it or not :)

Its a shame Mr.Officer, the US Government doesn't entirely agree with what you believe, damn theres probably a drone flying over your house right now

ThisIsTwoFace

Another strawman. Are you incapable of staying on point? Or are you just angry that I've completely destroyed anything you've had to say on the matter?

Mr. Officer? Only idiots with the most basic grasp of the written word use two salutations when responding to someone. I know you tried to be snarky but you only succeeded in making yourself look like an idiot. I don't really care what the US government thinks, to be perfectly honest. I've never been a big fan of it. If you somehow think that's going to make a difference in THIS argument, or my opinion, you're sorely mistaken.