The Smart On Crime Initiative proposal by Attorney General Eric Holder just makes sense. He is altering Justice Department policy at the federal level to end mandatory minimum sentences for low-level offenses, granting federal judges greater flexibility in sentencing, and hopefully state legislators will adopt similar policies. Holders’ proposals are drawing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, which is no easy feat. With the extreme overcrowding in federal (and state) prisons, and about half of those prisoners serving sentences for drug-related crimes, Holder favors expanding a program to release some elderly, non-violent offenders; and he’s for seeing those newly convicted to receive drug treatment and community service as opposed to the tougher sentences handed down for violent criminals and cartel members. Holder has directed federal prosecutors across the country to set up new operating procedures for determining when to file federal charges or not, and he feels that aggressive enforcement of federal criminal laws is necessary. Mandatory minimum prison sentences began in the 1980s in response to the government’s war on drugs, and limited the discretion of judges to impose shorter prison sentences according to the given situation. Holder said, “By targeting the most serious offenses, prosecuting the most dangerous criminals, directing assistance to crime “hot spots”, and pursuing new ways to promote public safety, deterrence, efficiency and fairness — we can become both smarter and tougher on crime”. Do we want our prisons to rehabilitate miscreants or to warehouse erring humanity for a lifetime? Do our “brothers and sisters” deserve second and third chances to get their acts together? Let’s face it: many young people grow up in a stacked deck, stacked toward low self-esteem, delinquency, and a prison sentence. Besides folks, the war on drugs hasn’t worked. *********And in another “aside”****** for anyone who has not viewed Sanjay Gupta’s special on marijuana, aired on CNN last week, it’s a must see. It’s high time to get enlightened about that issue and that amazing plant. Marijuana should be decriminalized; the research bears this out. There are many components of the plant from which medicine can be derived to help children and adults who suffer from seizures, tremors, pain, and many other debilitating conditions. THC, the psycho-active component of the plant can be extracted, so the medicinal users are not “getting high”. The argument is not all about people’s right to “get high”, which I also embrace. Alcohol creates more social, mental, emotional, and physical problems than marijuana ever would. (And let’s face it: tobacco, especially loaded with all the addictive additives in cigarettes, should just be outlawed, as there are no benefits, only deleterious health problems involved in its usage. I think it should be criminal to sell our citizens such an addictive substance that has no beneficial effects.) The price we pay in this country for healthcare, social problems, and destroyed families due to the effects of alcohol and tobacco use is astronomical. When you think of how many people in this country, who are on anti-anxiety meds, everything from: Anxietin to Zanax, I’m betting that a form of medicine derived from the marijuana plant would suit their needs better, with far less deleterious side effects. And the number of kids with ADD or ADHD and Autism, I’m betting, could be treated with some cannabis extract to help alleviate their symptoms and behaviors. I believe it’s the next great wonder drug, waiting to be seriously researched, recognized, developed and used by all. As the Father of our country, George Washington, grew and used it for medicinal purposes, it seems only right that “we the people” to be able to benefit from its uses also. Forget that “Reefer Madness” bull-crap! (Some of us had to watch that “movie” in high school). Legalize and tax it…..the solution to many problems. And, oh yeah, use it responsibly! (Don’t smoke and drive; could cause temporary confusion).
Aug 16 2013
“Smart On Crime Initiative” proposal by U.S. Attorney General
The Smart On Crime Initiative proposal by Attorney General Eric Holder just makes sense. He is altering Justice Department policy at the federal level to end mandatory minimum sentences for low-level offenses, granting federal judges greater flexibility in sentencing, and hopefully state legislators will adopt similar policies. Holders’ proposals are drawing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, which is no easy feat. With the extreme overcrowding in federal (and state) prisons, and about half of those prisoners serving sentences for drug-related crimes, Holder favors expanding a program to release some elderly, non-violent offenders; and he’s for seeing those newly convicted to receive drug treatment and community service as opposed to the tougher sentences handed down for violent criminals and cartel members. Holder has directed federal prosecutors across the country to set up new operating procedures for determining when to file federal charges or not, and he feels that aggressive enforcement of federal criminal laws is necessary. Mandatory minimum prison sentences began in the 1980s in response to the government’s war on drugs, and limited the discretion of judges to impose shorter prison sentences according to the given situation. Holder said, “By targeting the most serious offenses, prosecuting the most dangerous criminals, directing assistance to crime “hot spots”, and pursuing new ways to promote public safety, deterrence, efficiency and fairness — we can become both smarter and tougher on crime”. Do we want our prisons to rehabilitate miscreants or to warehouse erring humanity for a lifetime? Do our “brothers and sisters” deserve second and third chances to get their acts together? Let’s face it: many young people grow up in a stacked deck, stacked toward low self-esteem, delinquency, and a prison sentence. Besides folks, the war on drugs hasn’t worked. *********And in another “aside”****** for anyone who has not viewed Sanjay Gupta’s special on marijuana, aired on CNN last week, it’s a must see. It’s high time to get enlightened about that issue and that amazing plant. Marijuana should be decriminalized; the research bears this out. There are many components of the plant from which medicine can be derived to help children and adults who suffer from seizures, tremors, pain, and many other debilitating conditions. THC, the psycho-active component of the plant can be extracted, so the medicinal users are not “getting high”. The argument is not all about people’s right to “get high”, which I also embrace. Alcohol creates more social, mental, emotional, and physical problems than marijuana ever would. (And let’s face it: tobacco, especially loaded with all the addictive additives in cigarettes, should just be outlawed, as there are no benefits, only deleterious health problems involved in its usage. I think it should be criminal to sell our citizens such an addictive substance that has no beneficial effects.) The price we pay in this country for healthcare, social problems, and destroyed families due to the effects of alcohol and tobacco use is astronomical. When you think of how many people in this country, who are on anti-anxiety meds, everything from: Anxietin to Zanax, I’m betting that a form of medicine derived from the marijuana plant would suit their needs better, with far less deleterious side effects. And the number of kids with ADD or ADHD and Autism, I’m betting, could be treated with some cannabis extract to help alleviate their symptoms and behaviors. I believe it’s the next great wonder drug, waiting to be seriously researched, recognized, developed and used by all. As the Father of our country, George Washington, grew and used it for medicinal purposes, it seems only right that “we the people” to be able to benefit from its uses also. Forget that “Reefer Madness” bull-crap! (Some of us had to watch that “movie” in high school). Legalize and tax it…..the solution to many problems. And, oh yeah, use it responsibly! (Don’t smoke and drive; could cause temporary confusion).
By spiritspeak • Community Roundtable 0