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Major Nikon

(36,925 posts)

226. So I'll take that as a yes

Thu Mar 31, 2016, 08:17 PM

Mar 2016

Which means as far as whatever your "state sanctioned addiction" gibberish is supposed to mean, it's already happening now, so bringing this up in regards to any potential legalization discussion is completely irrelevant.

Thanks for clearing that up.

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Why is the President commuting sentences of cocaine traffickers? [View all] Press Virginia Mar 2016 OP

What About Don Siegelman And Rod Blagoivich Mr. President?....... global1 Mar 2016 #1

They'd certainly be more deserving Press Virginia Mar 2016 #2

I didn't think about RB, but he should free Don S. nt Ilsa Mar 2016 #3

Blago is a low-life criminal. Obama would never pardon or commute that scumbag. tritsofme Mar 2016 #15

Siegelman? Of course. Blagojevich? Not so much... Safe as Milk Mar 2016 #128

Blagoivich? Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #136

Don yes JackInGreen Mar 2016 #152

Yes Mr President, Free Don Siegelman! Dont call me Shirley Mar 2016 #182

Siegelman should be commuted and rove imprisoned in his place Flyingbird5066 Apr 2016 #275

Because it's the right things to do. morningfog Mar 2016 #4

Cocaine? How about Heroin? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #5

Maybe they served long enough??? Logical Mar 2016 #7

Our drug sentencing laws are draconian. morningfog Mar 2016 #12

For pot, yeah Press Virginia Mar 2016 #14

For all drugs. morningfog Mar 2016 #16

So the government should feed the addiction? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #17

We have these draconian laws on the books right now Warren Stupidity Mar 2016 #21

Pot is one thing Press Virginia Mar 2016 #23

No, they really aren't. jeff47 Mar 2016 #29

It is a belief fixation. Data doesn't matter. Warren Stupidity Mar 2016 #56

Opioid addiction bad Press Virginia Mar 2016 #77

And with that statement, let me say "Welcome to DU" CreekDog Mar 2016 #104

Whatever Press Virginia Mar 2016 #108

I'm confused. Press Virginia has 491 posts. Isn't that beyond the margin of welcoming people to DU? StevieM Mar 2016 #255

well they joined in February CreekDog Apr 2016 #290

This message was self-deleted by its author merrily Mar 2016 #156

Oh, prison doesn't work Press Virginia Mar 2016 #60

Prison deters some acts. It does not deter others. jeff47 Mar 2016 #65

Prison doesn't deter people from drug trafficking? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #68

Because drug dealers exist in a vacuum? jeff47 Mar 2016 #72

So we legalize drugs Press Virginia Mar 2016 #74

We legalize drugs in order to reduce the cost of treating users jeff47 Mar 2016 #76

How are you going to reduce users by making the drugs theyre addicted to Press Virginia Mar 2016 #100

What happened in those countries that did? hobbit709 Mar 2016 #140

Which countries legalized heroin, meth and coke Press Virginia Mar 2016 #144

There are those that decriminalized possession. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #145

Possession of 5 kilos, in an airport Press Virginia Mar 2016 #147

5 Kilos is penny ante level smuggling. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #148

It's not the sign of a recreational user Press Virginia Mar 2016 #149

so why your big outrage? hobbit709 Mar 2016 #150

Well, I expected a bunch of people who were Press Virginia Mar 2016 #151

you don't know much about the real world out there. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #153

Whaaaaat? You mean when you're convicted of a crime Press Virginia Mar 2016 #154

Must be a nice view up there on your moral high horse. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #158

I know if you're caught with over a million bucks Press Virginia Mar 2016 #159

How do you get a million bucks? hobbit709 Mar 2016 #161

a kilo runs about 50k Press Virginia Mar 2016 #167

Can't cut coke the way you do heroin. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #168

anybody buying it is lucky to get anything above 75% unless you have a great hookup Press Virginia Mar 2016 #172

I must have known the right people. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #173

Portugal BigMin28 Apr 2016 #304

Decriminalization isn't legalization Press Virginia Apr 2016 #305

God no. We treat use by correcting the conditions that lead to drug abuse Ed Suspicious Mar 2016 #81

By legalizing all drugs? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #85

We stop punishing addicts. What is the goal of punishing addicts? Ed Suspicious Mar 2016 #91

No one is talking about punishing addicts Press Virginia Mar 2016 #101

The people whose sentences were commuted are DEALERS Press Virginia Apr 2016 #264

Oh for the love of LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #262

Which "for profit" federal prison were any of these people serving in? Press Virginia Apr 2016 #265

What effect did this have on drug use? nt LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #268

The same effect as putting a murderer or rapist in prison Press Virginia Apr 2016 #269

And how has that worked out so far? LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #272

so we can't punish the addicts because they're victims Press Virginia Apr 2016 #274

Somebody didn't read the linked material, did they? n/t LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #276

Nevermind, I found it....and it doesn't address the issue Press Virginia Apr 2016 #277

Yes, I understand LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #278

You know how you get 20 years for smuggling Press Virginia Apr 2016 #279

Here's one of those "second chancers" who had his sentence commuted Press Virginia Apr 2016 #282

Good for Obama LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #283

I ignore what isn't based on facts or reality Press Virginia Apr 2016 #284

Ah, you're claiming that the reporting from Portugal LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #285

Once again you're conflating addiction with smuggling Press Virginia Apr 2016 #286

You need to re-read this subthread. Carefully. LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #291

People, like you, who've never read the actual sentencing guidelines Press Virginia Apr 2016 #292

I know what they got convicted of LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #293

Abortion is legal, drug trafficking is not Press Virginia Apr 2016 #294

Abortion wasn't always legal, and still isn't in a good chunk of the world LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #296

Now you're playing in the land of make believe Press Virginia Apr 2016 #297

... LadyHawkAZ Apr 2016 #310

If only it were a dodge Press Virginia Apr 2016 #311

Agreed Flyingbird5066 Apr 2016 #298

Loss of the ability for obscene profits from drug trafficking, will deter drug trafficking. MH1 Apr 2016 #299

No, the profits just to someone else Press Virginia Apr 2016 #300

Have you done any of these? Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #112

Pot isn't addictive and won't kill you Press Virginia Mar 2016 #114

Tell that to my ex-husband... Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #119

How do you plan to medically supervise heroin or cocaine or meth? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #121

If it is legal.. Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #124

Says who? The cartels could simply sell a higher purity, especially since they Press Virginia Mar 2016 #127

The cartels make money because of prohibition Johnny2X2X Mar 2016 #194

cheap and safe? Where pray tell are they going to find this cheap and safe cocaine Press Virginia Mar 2016 #195

The cartels will be gone. Johnny2X2X Mar 2016 #232

It's already being produced at industrial rates at pennies a gram Press Virginia Mar 2016 #236

oh yeah....I've heard of the growing opioid problem too Press Virginia Mar 2016 #197

I can give you meth dsc Mar 2016 #220

Yes! People don't die from cocaine overdoses. morningfog Mar 2016 #43

How do you plan to regulate the dosage and purity of these drugs? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #54

Purity is easy if it's regulated. morningfog Mar 2016 #55

How are you going to regulate every sale? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #58

Same way we regulate every sale of NyQuil. jeff47 Mar 2016 #84

yeaaaah...if it's legal, the cost of bringing into the country drops Press Virginia Mar 2016 #88

The government does not sell NyQuil. Nor does the government sell pot in Colorado. jeff47 Mar 2016 #94

Your plan was to regulate all sales Press Virginia Mar 2016 #106

People die from cocaine overdoses. Maedhros Mar 2016 #178

It should not treat a disease as if its sufferers were monsters. Scootaloo Apr 2016 #306

Which would be a relevant argument if it were the addicts being locked up Press Virginia Apr 2016 #307

You were talking about "feeding the addiction," in response to a pro-legalization argument Scootaloo Apr 2016 #308

Not just feeding it. Deliberately causing it Press Virginia Apr 2016 #309

So I choose to live drug-free, but I should pay for "dosing centers" for everyone else who didn't? MadDAsHell Mar 2016 #20

Double bonus, you get to pay for rehab too Press Virginia Mar 2016 #25

It's way cheaper than paying for prison. jeff47 Mar 2016 #28

How does creating addicts benefit anyone? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #31

It doesn't create addicts. Addicts create themselves. jeff47 Mar 2016 #36

Who is going to regulate the distribution and sale if not the government Press Virginia Mar 2016 #103

You mean like the government regulates the distribution of alcohol and cigarettes jeff47 Mar 2016 #218

Ever hear of an ABC store? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #221

Yes. Most states don't have them. jeff47 Mar 2016 #222

ever hear of the FDA? They approve of the manufacture and sale Press Virginia Mar 2016 #223

And is the FDA the only one who sells NyQuil? jeff47 Mar 2016 #229

The FDA approves the product to be sold by its producer Press Virginia Mar 2016 #230

Hrm....if only there was a government agency that already did something similar jeff47 Mar 2016 #231

It can't work because the cartels will still provide drugs that cannot be regulated Press Virginia Mar 2016 #234

Pure is pure. Cutting is a cost saving measure, no? I would suspect dosage would be far Ed Suspicious Apr 2016 #270

Cutting is for increasing quanity. Press Virginia Apr 2016 #271

You'd prefer to pay for their incarceration? morningfog Mar 2016 #34

so we create the addicts then treat them? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #110

Right now we punish addicts and that seems to 'create' more because we have many addicts... Bluenorthwest Mar 2016 #142

At the federal level? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #146

Nah, under our current system you can punt it off to a for profit prison. herding cats Mar 2016 #35

THIS ^^^^^^ EOM boobooday Apr 2016 #303

Count up all the people who's lives have been destroyed by all drugs... Major Nikon Mar 2016 #97

a legal drug...I'm sure hard drugs would be different, right? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #99

People getting addicted to hard drugs exactly as they do with alcohol Major Nikon Mar 2016 #109

So the solution is to make them as available as alcohol? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #115

You don't see the benefit because you look at it exactly backwards Major Nikon Mar 2016 #120

What is the benefit of drug addiction? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #122

You keep assuming addiction rates will go up if drugs are legalized Major Nikon Mar 2016 #125

If the tax stamp worked Press Virginia Mar 2016 #126

The fact is the market for cigarettes and alcohol is measured in billions Major Nikon Mar 2016 #129

I specifically said moonshiners and interstate smuggling for which there isnt Press Virginia Mar 2016 #131

Exactly. You are pointing out a tiny segment of the market. Major Nikon Mar 2016 #163

Its tiny because most people drink moonshine as a novelty. The people who do it aren't doing it Press Virginia Mar 2016 #196

You have a curious interpretation of cause and effect Major Nikon Mar 2016 #198

The fact that there is a black market for alcohol should tell you that every sale can't be regulated Press Virginia Mar 2016 #200

So because 100% legality can't be achieved, there's no sense in trying for 99% Major Nikon Mar 2016 #203

No one said that. But the idea that legalization and government standards on Press Virginia Mar 2016 #204

I seem to have misplaced my English-Gibberish translation dictionary Major Nikon Mar 2016 #206

I didn't realize it was a confusing term Press Virginia Mar 2016 #208

Before I thought it was just crazy talk, now I'm sure of it Major Nikon Mar 2016 #209

do you even know what the word "sanction" means? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #210

You are going further down the rabbit hole Major Nikon Mar 2016 #211

I'll take your response as a no Press Virginia Mar 2016 #212

OK, I'll play this game because it should be a lot of fun Major Nikon Mar 2016 #213

I already know you don't know what it means Press Virginia Mar 2016 #214

I don't speak gibberish, so I can't come up with a definition that fits your context Major Nikon Mar 2016 #215

Gibberish? You're struggling with English Press Virginia Mar 2016 #216

Not anymore. I learned that "addiction" is evidently part of the definition for "sanction" Major Nikon Mar 2016 #217

i see your problem Press Virginia Mar 2016 #219

Does the state sanction alcohol addiction? Major Nikon Mar 2016 #224

I've answered your questions. You can't seem to Press Virginia Mar 2016 #225

So I'll take that as a yes Major Nikon Mar 2016 #226

Once again you get lost going from A to B Press Virginia Mar 2016 #228

As did everyone else in this thread Major Nikon Mar 2016 #235

Yeaaaaah says the guy who cant Press Virginia Mar 2016 #238

Neither could anyone else Major Nikon Mar 2016 #240

See? Once again you show you don't understand the word sanction. Press Virginia Mar 2016 #241

Once again you get lost going from A to B Major Nikon Mar 2016 #242

Still not able to grasp such a simple concept, eh? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #243

... Major Nikon Mar 2016 #249

the percentage of the population with a substance addiction has pretty stayed the same for years. hobbit709 Mar 2016 #141

Yes. All of them. nt ZombieHorde Mar 2016 #133

So does alcohol, tobacco and prescription opiates. BlackCoffeeinNYC Mar 2016 #171

Thank you. nt Raine1967 Mar 2016 #6

I agree with morningfog greymouse Mar 2016 #92

I completely agree. nt ZombieHorde Mar 2016 #132

ALL non violent drug offenders in American penal system are political prisoners. Jackie Wilson Said Apr 2016 #301

The war on drugs failed Johnny2X2X Mar 2016 #8

5 kilos? He wasn't caught with a gram or an 8 ball Press Virginia Mar 2016 #11

Non violent dealers. morningfog Mar 2016 #13

How are we going to ensure cocaine is safe?heroin? Meth? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #18

The reality is, our current methods haven't worked. herding cats Mar 2016 #22

How do cocaine, meth or heroin addicts Press Virginia Mar 2016 #24

How does criminalizing addiction help? herding cats Mar 2016 #26

The pardoned weren't addicts Press Virginia Mar 2016 #27

Which has nothing to do with your reply to me. herding cats Mar 2016 #30

Since I'm not talking about criminalizing addiction Press Virginia Mar 2016 #33

A reminder for you. herding cats Mar 2016 #40

And? jeff47 Mar 2016 #32

The pharma industry doesn't market a drug without fda testing and approval Press Virginia Mar 2016 #37

And what do you think happens when recreational drugs stop being illegal? jeff47 Mar 2016 #41

So big pharma can sell cocaine and meth....great solution Press Virginia Mar 2016 #45

We have 40 years demonstrating prison does not work jeff47 Mar 2016 #46

How much will government approved addicts cost us? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #51

Less than government-incarcerated addicts, dealers and traffickers. jeff47 Mar 2016 #53

Prohibition is a failed public policy, again. #fail nt TeamPooka Mar 2016 #49

Then why have laws at all? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #123

do you know how you get a life sentence in federal prison for drug distribution? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #191

So what? Johnny2X2X Mar 2016 #188

They are non violent offenders and this OP is misleading. Raine1967 Mar 2016 #9

5 kilos isn't a low level drug offender. Press Virginia Mar 2016 #10

Do we need to show you the definition of "Most"? (nt) jeff47 Mar 2016 #38

Have you read the list of those pardoned and what they were convicted of? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #42

Point me towards where anyone claimed they were users jeff47 Mar 2016 #44

Except most of them were not low level offenders Press Virginia Mar 2016 #48

And? jeff47 Mar 2016 #52

Prison is a punishment. Press Virginia Mar 2016 #57

Because it does deter some acts. jeff47 Mar 2016 #61

Oh? So no one is deterred by drug laws Press Virginia Mar 2016 #64

Since the blue line did not change, nope. jeff47 Mar 2016 #67

Yeaaaaah...you know those people who aren't deterred by prison sentences Press Virginia Mar 2016 #82

Because dealers exist in a vacuum? jeff47 Mar 2016 #93

It's not deterring the drug trade. herding cats Mar 2016 #66

Ahhhh but it deters murder and rape? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #71

Addiction is on a whole different spectrum herding cats Mar 2016 #73

I'm not talking about criminalizing addiction Press Virginia Mar 2016 #75

I never said to legalize drugs. herding cats Mar 2016 #86

It's the argument being made all over the thread Press Virginia Mar 2016 #90

Decriminalisation does not mean that people can use drugs with impunity. herding cats Mar 2016 #95

Excuse me...the argument was for legalization Press Virginia Mar 2016 #98

What are you even talking about here? herding cats Mar 2016 #107

I confused you with the guy who wanted legalization Press Virginia Mar 2016 #160

What do you want to press Virginia for, does it have too many hills? snooper2 Mar 2016 #157

How is spending to keep them in prison fixing the problem? herding cats Mar 2016 #59

How does someone serving a life sentence reoffend? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #62

Chances of re offending is a criteria evaluated before a person is given a commuted sentence herding cats Mar 2016 #70

I'm sure drug traffickers are going to be fine Press Virginia Mar 2016 #80

Lovely. herding cats Mar 2016 #89

ahhhh...one can make millions trafficking coke Press Virginia Mar 2016 #96

They'll be a convicted felon the same as the drug dealer. herding cats Mar 2016 #102

Ahhhh...so the drug trafficker is going to go from Press Virginia Mar 2016 #105

Ok. herding cats Mar 2016 #111

No. I'm trying to understand how releasing drug traffickers Press Virginia Mar 2016 #113

No, you're not. herding cats Mar 2016 #116

If you say so Press Virginia Mar 2016 #118

Got it. You're an anti-drug warrior who ignores extenuating circumstances and the fact that TeamPooka Mar 2016 #47

Have you read the list of the people who had their sentences commuted Press Virginia Mar 2016 #50

You focus on the crimes. The rest of us focus on the justice. TeamPooka Mar 2016 #83

What justice is derived from releasing drug traffickers? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #117

None. 840high Mar 2016 #130

What justice is derived from retaining drug dealers? Glassunion Mar 2016 #169

good post. How many times have people made the President look bad treestar Mar 2016 #227

Almost every damn time, treestar. Raine1967 Mar 2016 #247

That's the claim, here's a dose of the truth Press Virginia Apr 2016 #287

The usual response includes the words Kenyan, socialist, Muslim, gun-grabbing, but misspelled. PSPS Mar 2016 #19

13 dimensional chess... nt revbones Mar 2016 #39

Actually, I think pardoning nonviolent drug offenders is a good, overdue move. Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #135

I agree. Why is it such a small selective group though? revbones Mar 2016 #162

I don't know the answer, there. Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #187

More lives are ruined by PRISON than by drugs use and addiction. underahedgerow Mar 2016 #138

CIA operatives can't smuggle in drugs if they are stuck in prison. Rex Mar 2016 #63

Technically this guy didn't even transport cocaine fbc Mar 2016 #69

3 Year Max All Drug Crimes Yallow Mar 2016 #78

How about the people doing life for LSD TransitJohn Mar 2016 #79

OP is intentionally obtuse and ignores facts of the cited cases. Thread trashed, OP ignored. TeamPooka Mar 2016 #87

Because the war on drugs has failed, that's why. Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #134

Exactly. People don't NOT do drugs because they're illegal, they choose not to embrace underahedgerow Mar 2016 #137

I think it's an oversimplification. Not all drugs are equal, neither is all use/abuse/addiction Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #139

I saw something funny on TV last night while channel surfing Major Nikon Mar 2016 #166

Yeah, there is a whole ton of complexity to the conversation that just doesn't get covered by Warren DeMontague Apr 2016 #258

The legal consequences of cannabis and bath salts aren't that different Major Nikon Apr 2016 #273

How you can tell you live in an authoritative society.... Major Nikon Mar 2016 #165

One of the more refreshing trends I've noticed in this country, in my lifetime- at least the past Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #186

Me thinks, thou protesteth Darb Mar 2016 #143

Because mandatory minimums are repulsive. PeteSelman Mar 2016 #155

what should the penalty be for smuggling and trafficking in say Heroin or Coke? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #177

Drugs should be legalized. PeteSelman Mar 2016 #199

7 years....why that's more than the current mandatory minimum for a first offense Press Virginia Mar 2016 #201

I said "max". PeteSelman Apr 2016 #261

Because sentencing laws have changed since they were sentenced. ViseGrip Mar 2016 #164

Really? The penalties for smuggling and trafficking are now less severe? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #175

Great War on Drugs is a scam Matrosov Mar 2016 #170

Your concern has been duly noted. tenderfoot Mar 2016 #174

Question: Are "people unjustly imprisoned for a little bit of weed" in FEDERAL prison FSogol Mar 2016 #176

That's what we were led to believe Press Virginia Mar 2016 #179

You really have your facts wrong. There are very few people in Federal prison for marijuana FSogol Mar 2016 #181

there's very few in federal prison whose only crime was posession Press Virginia Mar 2016 #184

Somehow I don't think you started this thread for a thoughtful discussion steve2470 Mar 2016 #180

is it? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #185

People have already addressed your concerns, multiple times steve2470 Mar 2016 #189

you mean people who have no idea how you get a life sentence in a federal prison Press Virginia Mar 2016 #190

"Supplied by the government to doctors" = LIBERTARIAN steve2470 Mar 2016 #192

That wasn't my argument, it was made by someone else. Press Virginia Mar 2016 #193

Um, they gave him a nice donation? Dont call me Shirley Mar 2016 #183

Do you have a link to this story? monicaangela Mar 2016 #202

Thanks Obama! SalviaBlue Mar 2016 #205

have you ever read the mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking and distribution? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #207

Manditory minimums are dispicable and lazy kneejerk reactionary laws... SalviaBlue Mar 2016 #256

Do I agree that people who prove over and over they will continue Press Virginia Mar 2016 #257

Because the drug war is fucking stupid. (n/t) Iggo Mar 2016 #233

'Cause he's smart Glassunion Mar 2016 #237

Releasing people with 3 trafficking/distribution convictions is smart? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #239

No. Releasing people with 3 convictions. Glassunion Mar 2016 #244

I'll let the mandatory sentencing guidelines define it Press Virginia Mar 2016 #245

You're upset that a 20 year sentence was knocked down to 15? Glassunion Mar 2016 #246

I don't see the benefit of releasing a drug dealer who, no doubt, profited from the deaths Press Virginia Mar 2016 #248

Ok... So in 4.89 years when he was slated to get out, what then? Glassunion Mar 2016 #250

Then he served his time. Press Virginia Mar 2016 #251

What exactly were his other two convictions? Glassunion Mar 2016 #252

Did you not look at the sentencing guidelines related to the mandatory minimums? Press Virginia Mar 2016 #253

You're not answering my question Glassunion Apr 2016 #259

For whom? Press Virginia Apr 2016 #260

The individual you singled out in the OP. Carmel Bretous Glassunion Apr 2016 #263

I didn't say he got life. Press Virginia Apr 2016 #266

I think he told the turtle that he would release the incarcerated until the Senate voted on his liberal N proud Mar 2016 #254

Just to bug you. Brickbat Apr 2016 #267

Are you a cop? killbotfactory Apr 2016 #280

Does he look like a cop? Press Virginia Apr 2016 #281

Bretous already served 15 years of a 19 year sentence for 5 kilograms of cocaine. Fla Dem Apr 2016 #288

evidently the fact he's a repeat offender was ignored Press Virginia Apr 2016 #289

Considering most of the responses on this thread... Last_Stand Apr 2016 #295

ALL non violent drug offenders in American penal system are political prisoners. Jackie Wilson Said Apr 2016 #302