Trump commutes sentence of Alice Marie Johnson

[Father Heathen]

I'm still not impressed. You know how many people sitting in prison with similar sentences?

I didn't say I was impressed (bit of a leap, isn't it?), and yes of course I'm aware that the prison and justice systems are a horrendous mess.

 

[Father Heathen]

Back in the day you could get a life sentence for weed.

Back in the day speakeasies were raided and cocaine was marketed as a pain remedy.

 

[Quetzal]

You need to read the story. An attorney would have done him no good at all. He was parked illegally. A cop investigated and when he asked for an ID he was given one that said "Justin Case". When you lie to the cops they instantly have "probably cause" for further investigation. If he had given a proper ID he would probably have been given a ticket and that would have been it, unless he had other warrants out for his arrest. Big cases are often cracked by very small offenses. It is pretty hard to find a smaller offense than parking illegally.

How do you think that a high powered attorney could have helped him?

I was referring to Johnson, sorry.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I'm still not impressed. You know how many people sitting in prison with similar sentences?

Perhaps it will get people that can do something about this to review some more cases. There clearly are some people that were over sentenced. A public acknowledgment of this, which I do have to give Trump credit for, is the first step in fixing these problems.

If you or I bemoaned the fact that there was such injustice it would not to much good. But when the president does perform such an action reform is much more likely.

 

[Quetzal]

I'm still not impressed. You know how many people sitting in prison with similar sentences?

Too many. But we have to start somewhere. Getting the executive branch to even look at individual crime cases is pretty rare.

 

[fantome profane]

Yes this is good news.

And Kim Kardashian is a goddess and we all must worship her.

 

[Quetzal]

Yes this is good news.

And Kim Kardashian is a goddess and we all must worship her.

What you do with your time is your business.

 

[Father Heathen]

And Kim Kardashian is a goddess and we all must worship her.

Pass. What exactly is her claim to fame, anyway.

 

[Jumi]

Pass. What exactly is her claim to fame, anyway.

This topic, she was promoting the prison reform to Trump.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Number one, what the actual heck? A life sentence for cocaine?

Drug sentencing has always been severely disproportionate to the crime and harm done. Really, the idea isn't rehabilitation but keep the jails and prisons full. And a large chunk of the inmate population (been awhile since I've looked it up so I don't remember the exact amount) are in for nothing more than non-violent drug possession laws, and that has been ongoing since at leas the early 20th century.

(BTW, was that during Clinton's admin? I know he was notoriously harsh on drug offenses.)

Clinton had the "three strikes" rule. But decades ago (60s/70s) the penalty for even pot was stupid harsh.

 

[LuisDantas]

It's disgusting that people get extremely harsh sentences for victimless crimes, whereas rapists and murderers often get away with a slap on the wrist.

Drugs are hardly victimless.

 

[BSM1]

Sheesh! We gotta work on that. (BTW, was that during Clinton's admin? I know he was notoriously harsh on drug offenses.)

Heck, no...I'm talking "the day". Woodstock, Jimi, etc.. that day!

There were countries I found myself in at the time that would execute you for possession (not Muslim countries necessarily, btw).

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Drugs are hardly victimless.

Pretty sure if I were to go smoke a joint there would be no victims of that.

 

[Father Heathen]

Drugs are hardly victimless.

You right. I never go down the beer or soda isles without my whistle.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

I'm still not impressed. You know how many people sitting in prison with similar sentences?

This is true, but long journeys start with a single step and all that. We can appreciate Trump's actions in this instance while still being mindful that there is a lot of work to do still on this issue.

 

[Father Heathen]

This topic, she was promoting the prison reform to Trump.

...I'm talking about before this.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Perhaps it will get people that can do something about this to review some more cases. There clearly are some people that were over sentenced. A public acknowledgment of this, which I do have to give Trump credit for, is the first step in fixing these problems.

If you or I bemoaned the fact that there was such injustice it would not to much good. But when the president does perform such an action reform is much more likely.

I wonder if Trump's recent falling out with Sessions has anything to do with this?

 

[Quetzal]

Heck, no...I'm talking "the day". Woodstock, Jimi, etc.. that day!

Ah yes, floors made of dirt and candles were the primary source of light? Good times.

 

[Stanyon]

Trump commutes sentence of Alice Marie Johnson - CNNPolitics

Number one, what the actual heck? A life sentence for cocaine? I beg your pardon? Number two, good on Trump for taking the time to discuss prison reform, it is long, LONG over due. In short, this kind of story makes me happy.

How much cocaine was she trying to buy? Life seems excessive for an 8 ball.

 

[Revoltingest]

One, the Johnson pardon was more for show than anything else.

It was a very needed show IMO.