Quote:
Originally Posted by Philbert
I don't think the problem is zero tolerance since no lawbreaking should be tolerated. The problem is ridiculous mandatory minimum sentencing that tie the judge's hands and result in lengthy prison terms for nonviolent crimes.
Another major problem is the ever-expanding number of crimes (especially federal crimes). I think this is discussed in that video that everyone posts on why you should not talk to the police. There are thousands of federal crimes, and more are added each year. We continually talk about "felons" and whether or not they should have this or that right, but the definition of felon has been distorted beyond all recognition of its original meaning. When the Heller court spoke of the "longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons", they overlooked the fact that for most of history, the number of ways in which one could be a felon were far fewer than they are today. I can imagine the reaction if you went back to the founders and told them that one day people would lose the right to bear arms for possession of plants.
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This is spot on!
If our system could focus on punishing people for breaking laws that mattered it could make a big difference in our society. We have so many laws that are based purely on fear that limit our freedom it would make the founding fathers sick. I just learned the other day that 'water-guns' are illegal in philly. This is insane.
Pot is illegal due to fear, suppressors require a $200 federal tax stamp due to fear, select fire rifles are costing upward of $16,000 because of fear based legislation... Apparently in some places freekin squirt guns are illegal... all this fear... what ever happened to, "The Home of the Brave?"
I consider it to be a tragic offense to all the people who died in an effort to protect and defend freedom that we allow ourselves to piss away so much freedom so easily.
I hope that if it is the case that if someone here was illegally detained for OC that it follows that the home was therefore illegally searched and that any information of other illegal activity is then thrown-out.
For the record, I could care less that he had pot, and I don't really even care that he broke the law. The legal system is so broke that I can't in good conscience pass judgment on others based solely on breaking a law. The law is supposed to protect peoples rights from being infringed by government and other people. Now here we have a guy that is potentially facing felony charges because he had a weapon for self-defense, he openly displayed it, and he allegedly liked to smoke dope. Who's freedom was infringed? How is the law protecting us from the accused in this situation?
If there was not so much BS legislation we might be able to have a society where the rule of law is respected, and genuinely believed in.