Osler's Razor

Mark ... what do you thinkl the odds are that the President would ever see this (Middle Esat issues aside)?
 

Wow. They found someone to argue that reducing the powder-crack cocaine disparity "may have been premature." What's next? A column arguing that the War on Drugs is a success?
 

May I assume "...that the harshest sentences were borne by the least culpable members of the distribution chain — those at the very bottom." would be the most likely to be integrated back into society as contributing citizens?

In 2009, during a 'straw buyer' mortgage fraud case I was both the lead witness for the prosecution and the only witness for the defense. My casual friend was sentenced to seven years, required to serve 59 months and was released after serving three years (a boot-camp program, I believe) and one of the first calls he made upon his release was to me. He and a friend began a remodeling business and turned to me for all their design needs - a second chance coupled with encouragment and support has allowed two of his four children to return to college and the two youngest to enter college this past semester and hopefully next fall. So nice to see the healing and positive progression of a friend and his family - all after paying his debt, benefitting from an early release.

Would not increased commutations provide opportunities for similar success stories?

As I turn away from e-mail for the next four days, focusing on loved ones and friends with a visit or a phone call - My prayer for each of you. . .

As you gather with family, loved ones and friends, join hands, bow your heads and give thanks for each other, your blessings and your bounty. . .

Happy Thanksgiving to all,
- New Christine
 

Always, good stuff, Mark. I really, really, really don't like that newspaper (the print equivalent of Fox "News"). But, if it takes this to get the message to the people who need to hear it, then whatever works.
Bob