While Bill Clinton is apologizing for not having done more to reduce the disparity in sentencing for crack and powder cocaine that is in part responsible for putting one in nine young black men in prison, his wife opposes even the most modest attempt to fix the problem.
Hillary Clinton has come out against making retroactive the small change in sentencing guidelines that allows some people convicted under the overly harsh crack laws to have their sentences reviewed by a judge, and if they are found eligible, given early release. Most blacks affected will still serve more than a decade in prison for a nonviolent crime for which whites often escape incarceration entirely-- but nevermind.
Hillary has bought into fears that this means a sudden massive release of an army of Willie Hortons. But over 90% of crack prisoners sentenced under these laws have no record of violent crime-- and 94% were not classified as "kingpins" or even mid-level drug dealers. Further, the judge reviewing the sentences provides a safety net to ensure that those who are a risk to the public are not released early.
As her husband did before her, when it comes time to make a choice between something that can be used as a political tool against her or doing the right thing and explaining the complexity, Hillary chooses expedience.
It's great to hear that Bill regrets sacrificing the lives of IV drug users and their sexual partners and children to his fear of being demagogued on needle exchange and now to learn that he opposes his own policies on drug sentencing.
But it sounds like Hillary will be saying the same things only after she leaves office if she wins it-- when it means absolutely nothing. Obama, meanwhile, supports making the sentencing change retroactive. Even though politically, given his admission about his own drug use, he has far more to lose than she does by doing the right thing.
http://www.narconews.com/Issue49/article2989.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/valentine01252008.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/us/28cnd-prison.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
More than any other nation. Many because of nonviolent crimes. In practical terms, the country can't afford it. In moral terms, it's pretty obscene. Or are Americans just more criminal than say, people in every other country on earth.
The reason for the early choice is twofold," the editors explain in the publication's upcoming issue. "Undoing the damage of the disastrous Bush years will take a leader who can unite a deeply divided nation, and politicians with gifts like Obama's are so rare that it's imperative for each of us to do our part."
The magazine has endorsed presidential candidates since 1972, beginning with Democrat George McGovern. Other recent candidates include Democrats Bill Clinton, Al Gore and John Kerry.
"Obama has emerged by displaying precisely the kind of character and judgment we need in a president: renouncing the politics of fear, speaking frankly on the most pressing issues facing the country and sticking to his principles," wrote Jann Wenner, the magazine's editor and publisher.
Wenner called Obama's rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, a "capable and personable senator," but criticized the way she has run her campaign.
"Her campaign certainly proved her experience didn't count for much: She was a bad manager and a bad strategist who naturally and easily engaged in the politics of distraction, trivialization and personal attack," Wenner wrote.
Obama appears on the magazine's cover next to the headline, "Barack Obama: A New Hope." In the image, his pose his Superman-like and an aura surrounds his frame. The issue hits newsstands Friday.
Bill can say he is sorry for not going after the changes. Hillary can tell us she intends to make changes.
Obama can tell what the differences, advantages and disadvatages of each are.
Now that's what we need, coke experts. HA HA HA!
Hillary '08
This is a fact look it up.
Watch the PBS documentary on DRUGS in AMERICA
Again, you bleeding heart liberals are so concerned about the numbers that you lose sight of the number of violent/drug related crimes/murders are committed in our cities everyday.
I really want to know
Republicans are indeed as stupid as my stereotypes of them.
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world-- as well as one of the world's highest rates of drug use and drug related deaths.