Fixing Our Criminal Justice System Isn’t Political Suicide. Stop Saying That.
Washington Post has a whole story on Virginia Senator Jim Webb’s thoroughly awesome ideas about criminal justice reform:
This spring, Webb (D-Va.) plans to introduce legislation on a long-standing passion of his: reforming the U.S. prison system. Jails teem with young black men who later struggle to rejoin society, he says. Drug addicts and the mentally ill take up cells that would be better used for violent criminals. And politicians have failed to address this costly problem for fear of being labeled "soft on crime."
…
Webb aims much of his criticism at enforcement efforts that he says too often target low-level drug offenders and parole violators, rather than those who perpetrate violence, such as gang members. He also blames policies that strip felons of citizenship rights and can hinder their chances of finding a job after release. He says he believes society can be made safer while making the system more humane and cost-effective.
Sadly, one rarely hears a Washington lawmaker talk about our drug policy priorities in a way that makes any sense. So, fittingly, Washington Post dedicates plenty of space to the theory that Jim Webb’s gonna get massacred for his crazy blasphemous ideas:
"It is a gamble for Webb, a fiery and cerebral Democrat from a staunchly law-and-order state.""…as the country struggles with two wars overseas and an ailing economy, overflowing prisons are the last thing on many lawmakers' minds."
"…Webb has never been one to rely on polls or political indicators to guide his way."
"Some say Webb's go-it-alone approach could come back to haunt him."
No, it won’t. Just watch as that completely fails to happen. Recent polls show that democrats and republicans agree the drug war has failed and that is just a fact. Too bad it’s fact that completely eluded The Post throughout a lengthy article about the politics of criminal justice reform. They found room to postulate endlessly about the supposedly disastrous political consequences of saying anything bad about our policies, but they couldn’t find a single line to show what the public actually believes.
Of course, to include actual relevant polling data would refute a central point of the article: that there’s something really mavericky and even reckless about Webb’s ideas. There isn’t. Those same ideas didn’t stop Obama from winning Virginia, so this whole political-suicide-by-drug-policy-reform narrative is garbage. Stop trying to recycle it. Just put it where it belongs.
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redditHuh?
Comment posted by mntnman04440 on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 12:33pmI clicked your link...from 7/21?
I got the email from change.gov when the question period began,then came here and saw everyone was on vacation and no mention of the question period.I went to NORML and nothing,so I emailed you and NORML and MPP to let you know.
I'm glad the reform movement is participating in this but I think we need alot more coordination between the several major reform groups,we need to concentrate on one area of reform,personally I think asking Obama to call a special commission is the fairest and least politically dangerous thing we could ask..I also see that reformers are getting a little bitchy with each other.I know we're all frustrated at the last response but we can't be attacking each other.
Oops
Comment posted by Scott Morgan on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 2:37pmI posted the wrong link. Here it is. This is right on the front page two posts below this one.
OK
Comment posted by mntnman04440 on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 3:26pmNo prob Scott...you do a fantastic job!
I would like to see a little more coordination between reform groups,DCRNet and NORML have done a great job for years.I think LEAP is outstanding and has become the spearhead of the movement we should all get behind them.
drug war
Comment posted by consfearacy on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:19pm- consfearacy
Sen. Webb has the drug war beast by the tail and is in the process of dragging it out of that dark and evil closet that it resides in. Things such as how much overtime money is paid to cops because of misdemeanor drug charge court appearances will surface. The drug war beast , out in the light, is going to be ugly. 2012
Yes We Can
Comment posted by Giordano on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 2:38amAccording to the Washington Post, in Virginia electoral politics, a “cerebral” Democrat is at a voter disadvantage. Compared to what? Well, apparently compared to a brainless Republican with a lock’em-up and throw-away-the-key attitude concerning drug offenders. I wonder how many Virginians who read the WP piece realize they’re being insulted, e.g., Virginians only vote for idiots (…one of us…one of us…).
The idea that Virginians and other Americans can’t deal with prison reform at the same time they’re dealing with an increasingly toxic and unstable climate, a world financial meltdown, and a terrorist war waged on two fronts, is just ridiculous.
Legalizing drugs would add hemp to the list of fibrous materials available for replacing environmentally harmful cotton agriculture. Hemp cultivation would also eliminate the deforestation of slow-growth trees created by the demand for paper pulp.
Legitimizing the existing cannabis market would produce an economic stimulus of jobs and tax revenue while eliminating a vile source of social destruction that currently threatens people’s lives and well being—namely SWAT raids and jail.
Legalizing and regulating opium products would dry up the funding that is relied upon by terrorist networks in Afghanistan. Addiction motivated crime would cease.
As for prison reform, it’s just a matter of changing a few legal words on paper and opening the prison doors.
It couldn’t be simpler.
Giordano
common sense
Comment posted by hendry3765 on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 2:29pmLike so many others laws in this country drug laws miss the target. If lawmakers real objective is to hinder certain unlawful actions why criminalize an inanimate object. For example, prior to DUI laws there were already laws against driving dangerously like failure to control, reckless op., etc. why not add stipulations to the existing law, a failure to control while intoxicated would carry a stiffer penalty. This would stop the unconstitutional random DUI checkpoints. The same should be done for drugs. Dont make the substance illegal make the unwanted action illegal. A robbery charge while under the influence of drugs could carry a stiffer penalty than the same robbery not under the influence. It is pure laziness and possibly even stupidity on the part of lawmakers to just criminalize an object rather than explain to the public the action is what is criminal not the substance. As the informed person knows most marijuana users are law-abiding, tax-paying citizens who don't commit crime other than the act of possesion. Most people, including marijuana users, want to limit actual crimes
like theft, assault, murder,etc. but the current laws have been obviously an utter failure.
Target the crime not the substance, it's just common sense.
Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies
criminal justice reform
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 6:52amCriminal justice is where the money is, so don't look for reform anytime soon.
Virginia- Biggest Promoter of Death Related Addiction
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:23amVirginia- the place that gave the world Virgina Bright Leaf Tobacco, source of mass addiction and death and profits for criminal Virginia's enrichment!
Change.gov
Comment posted by mntnman04440 on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 1:15pmWhy is DCRNet not mobilizing people to go to change.gov and submit questions???
The question period ends on the 31st.