tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post1269621093653557313..comments2024-03-27T08:40:31.785-06:00Comments on Clayton Cramer.: The Myth of Prisons Full of Pot SmokersClayton Cramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258083387204776812noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post-52571534399658672862012-06-10T22:46:20.526-06:002012-06-10T22:46:20.526-06:00Because if it were a war they would have tanks?
h...Because if it were a war they would have tanks?<br /><br />http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41912754/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/why-do-americas-police-need-armored-tank/#.T9V13uUbWsc<br /><br />And lest we think that a recent, Post-911 phenomenon:<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Hammer_%281987%29<br /><br />It's almost enough to make NWA seem sympathetic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post-29051975393369910842012-06-09T19:11:53.338-06:002012-06-09T19:11:53.338-06:00As I mentioned, I see a lot of data on who is sitt...As I mentioned, I see a lot of data on who is sitting in Idaho prisons, and why. If people are going to prison for possession of marijuana in Idaho, it is not at all often. Perhaps in places like California, they are more willing to do so. (Yeah, right.)Clayton Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03258083387204776812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post-67161511318982528962012-06-09T14:23:03.470-06:002012-06-09T14:23:03.470-06:00Seriously? This is an anecdote, not data.Seriously? This is an anecdote, not data.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post-41787498684676380242012-06-09T09:42:12.038-06:002012-06-09T09:42:12.038-06:00I have a funny view about prisons: prisons are in...I have a funny view about prisons: prisons are incompatible with a free society. Thus, I don't care <i>how</i> the prisons are filled, they shouldn't be filled at all!<br /><br />Of course, my alternative would be to fine criminals, and make sure that every cent of the fine goes to the victim of the crime, or (in the case of things like parking violations) to something related to the crime. For example, DUI, and probably parking, fines would go to the victims of accidents caused by DUI drivers.<br /><br />And I would be open to the possibility that those who don't pay their fines be flogged, possibly on a regular basis.<br /><br />And finally, those who do something <i>really</i> serious, like rape or murder, wouldn't be executed by the State, but be declared "outlaw" instead, in the Icelandic sense that someone could kill the perpetrator without it being considered murder; alternatively, a fine can be levied even in these cases, and an "avenger of blood" can be assigned, who has the right to kill the perpetrator if he isn't keeping up with his payments.<br /><br />Yeah, I know: learning about so-called anarcho-capitalistic societies has destroyed most of my sense for good government. :-) In fact, I understand that what I'd consider "ideal punishment" is so out-of-whack with the general population, I'd even have a difficult time of convincing potheads that it's a good idea!Epsilon Givenhttp://epsilon-power.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post-35376631559915992392012-06-08T22:59:42.147-06:002012-06-08T22:59:42.147-06:00I think his point is that "War on Drugs"...I think his point is that "War on Drugs" is really an exaggeration. A war would involve something far more aggressive and far less criminal justice based. You can make a case that the militarization of police as part of the "War of Drugs" is a very bad thing, but they really aren't militarized. We don't call in air strikes on suspected drug dealers (at least in the U.S.)<br /><br />I do agree that the cost of housing potheads doesn't make much sense. But then again, we don't actually do much of that. Drug dealers get prosecuted and sent away...although not in this case. But how many pot smokers are sent to prison? It's pretty rare these days.<br /><br />Even here in Idaho, if someone gets arrested for marijuana possession, it's usually incidental to some other arrest: DUI; a violent crime; or some other sign of general stupidity. (Pot dealers are another matter.)Clayton Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03258083387204776812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807403883562053852.post-54562382423738234122012-06-08T16:08:46.380-06:002012-06-08T16:08:46.380-06:00Oh, we chase them, investigate them, put good case...<i>Oh, we chase them, investigate them, put good cases together and arrest and prosecute them and convict them of multiple felonies.</i><br /><br />Isn't that part of the "war on drugs"?<br /><br />The cost of housing them in the penal system is only part of the cost of doing businss in that war. Arguments can be made about whether all that chasing and investigating and preparing cases should be done for cannabis offenders... but those are resources that could otherwise be used against some other form of crime.Bikeboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17379272663647894409noreply@blogger.com