Sick - A Florida paraplegic needs relief.

National Review Online ^ | October 24, 2005, 8:37 a.m. | Radley Balko

[Lexington Green]

Nazis doing what Nazis do...

[freespirited]

Meanwhile, Florida set free the trio that aided and abetted in the murder of little Jessica Lunsford. Well, prosecutors have to set priorities....

[MarMema]

It's a terrible story. It's horrid to treat someone with MS like this.

[Jack Black]

Paging Claire: Is it time yet?

[traviskicks]

What a story...

ping

[TKDietz]

"It is important for conservatives to take a long, hard look at Gov Jeb Bush. He has twice, now, failed to act to insure humane treatment for Florida citizens. This unwillingness to stand in the breach against injustice does not bode well for conservative values."

We should probably take a hard look at the state representatives in Florida and other states that pass crazy laws like these. More importantly, we should probably take a long, hard look at ourselves because we vote for these nincompoops that seem hell bent on turning our country into a police state reminiscent of the former Soviet Union, complete with draconian laws enforced in large part by secret police, producing the highest incarceration rate in the world. Governors don't make the laws and they don't use their veto power much to stop laws from being passed because the legislators are supposed to represent the will of the people in their districts. No doubt there was tremendous support for these tough new anti-drugs measures requiring a 25 year mandatory minimum from which judges had no discretion to deviate. Maybe we should pay attention to what our legislators do and not be so quick to fall for tough on drugs rhetoric without thinking of the negative consequences of the laws and policies being considered.

I believe there are websites where people can find out which legislator or legislators introduced the bill behind these laws and who voted for them. For my state and probably yours we can look up who is on what committee and find out what type of legislation our representatives are voting for. I always make a note of who is introducing mostly pork legislation and who is introducing stupid laws and who brings smart legislation to the table. You can let your elected representative know what you think about the legislation he's putting through or supporting. If you don't like the laws he gets behind you can tell him exactly why and tell him that because of it you intend to vote for whoever runs against him and bring as many other voters along with you that you can. He probably won't listen unless he hears enough of that sort of thing from people, but you can always work to get him replaced and if enough people work together you might succeed or at least give him reason to think twice next time he considers the type of legislation a large portion of his electorate oppose.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Disgusting. Zero tolerance = zero intelligence.

[traviskicks]

Libertarian ping!To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[Quick1]

Thanks for the ping. I'm not sure whether to be incensed or depressed after reading this article.

I'd sure like to know what the supporters of the War on Drugs have to say about this.

[Tired of Taxes]

Thanks for the ping. What a sickening tragedy. This story should be spread far and wide.

Why hasn't Gov. Bush issued a pardon? A quick search on Yahoo did not reveal a response from the governor.

[JTN]

Add me.

[Dante3]

How sad!

Florida should go after illegal aliens.

[Moonman62]

Totalitarian socialism - American style! The pious liars and smug thugs who support these evil anti-drug laws should be put down like diseased animals.

I get interested in these stories until I get to the excess drama.

[headsonpikes]

That was a tad over the top. ;^)

[ccmay]

People who pass and enforce such mornic laws should spend a few months in terrible chronic pain as an educational experience.

I agree. I normally don't wish harm on people, but I make an exception for the Drug Warriors. They are some of the most heartless and evil scum walking free in this country today. Suffer, bastards, I hope you suffer pain like the hammers of Hell someday!

-ccm

[ccmay]

I get interested in these stories until I get to the excess drama.

You'll find it pretty dramatic someday when you are bedridden with pain, and no doctor will prescribe you effective pain relief because of the lunatic anti-drug policies you routinely support here.

-ccm

[Moonman62]

The drama I'm referring to can be found on every drug thread here. Even the person I replied to admitted he was a bit over the top.

Check out this page http://www.november.org/cartoons/. Paey seems to be his own worst enemy, a possible attention whore, and wannabe drug martyr. Until you guys tone down the rhetoric, and seriously consider both sides of the issue, you aren't doing anybody any good.

[headsonpikes]

Totalitarian socialism - American style! The pious liars and smug thugs who support these evil anti-drug laws should be put down like diseased animals.

*************************************************

Even the person I replied to admitted he was a bit over the top.

Absolutely 'over the top' - there should be trials first!

[Cathryn Crawford]

Thanks for the ping.

jmc, how have you been?

[jmc813]

jmc, how have you been?

Hi Cathryn! I've been great! Moved two months ago, so things have been a bit hectic, and freeping has been a bit limited. Nice to see you around and I trust all is well. Are you still publishing columns?