Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 — The United States Sentencing Commission voted unanimously today to lighten punishments retroactively for crimes related to crack cocaine, a decision that could affect some 19,500 federal inmates.
Sending someone to prison for 30 or 40 years because they had less than a handful of some drug is stupid beyond belief (sending someone to prison for *ONE* year for the same offense is just as stupid, but that's another argument).
Sentences for crack were particularly odious- Yes, I'm well aware of the "crack is more concentrated" argument, however, that argument fails on a lot of levels (which I'm prepared to argue if anyone wishes to, but I won't preemptively get into it since no one may care)
I disagree with this.
crack kills people!! no matter what color people are and they need to be in jail!!
I also feel the same about cocaine but crack is cheaper so it is easy to get and it just tears people up.
As some one that works with people everyday what I see is crack being one of the biggest killers out there out wipes out a neighbor hood fast!
crystal meth is also the big cheap drug that kills fast.
The reason crack was given longer sentences than powder coke is because it caused an epidemic never seen before with powder. The sentences were meant to be harsh in an effort to curb the epidemic in the 80's when it hit the streets. I see nothing racist about that. Just because black people tend to peddle it more doesn't mean the laws were made to target them.
That being said, I think America learned a lot from the laws not doing much other than creating a much more violent and profitable market due to the risk/reward ratio for criminals. Also, this law is a long time coming being changed. Regardless of crack being related to more crime, you can't have crack without the powder. Not that I'm proud of my past, but I've made my mistakes as a young person and made some stupid decisions. I've seen firsthand how it all works. People at the street level by powder from the coke peddlers and turn it into rock because its much more profitable. $100 worth of coke can easily be turned into $200 worth of crack and it is done all day every day all across America. The people with the powder are the very reason there is crack available, so it is moronic to give a lighter sentence for it.
The reason crack was given longer sentences than powder coke is because it caused an epidemic never seen before with powder. The sentences were meant to be harsh in an effort to curb the epidemic in the 80's when it hit the streets.
Am I the only one who sees incongruities in making exceptions for different forms of cocaine yet medical marijuana gets no federal exception?
In addition, these people are not being allowed to "ignore" the law.. they are still violating the law, they are still being punished, the debate is how long they get punished for. People dont get 45 years for smoking a joint, unlike crack cocaine.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
