Overcriminalization: Sacrificing the Rule of Law in Pursuit of "Justice"

The Heritage Foundation ^ | March 1, 2011 | The Honorable Dick Thornburgh

[blackdog]

"Oh well, who’s on Idol?"

Anesthesia for the masses. Entertainment in America serves it's scripted purpose.

[allmendream]

On the subject of selective enforcement my cab driving uncle points out that in San Francisco the Police would much rather arrest female prostitutes than male ones - for many of the reasons you mention - and others.

They will walk right past several young men in the cold SF evening without shirts on (code for “For Sale”) to hassle (and possibly shake down and/or arrest) a female streetwalker.

[blackdog]

I used to do copier feld service back in the early 80's. Every Tuesday was Vice Squad Day in Philadelphia and they would bust all the hookers and process them on wednesday mornings. So many so, that at least once a month I had to go fix the copier in the roundhouse booking facility.

The whole thing had a carnival atmosphere. The hookers all knew the cops. The routine was well established. Each side had a scripted act to follow. The coffers would be flush with bail money by noon on Wednesday. The same hookers were right back out on the streets Wednesday night.

It was quite evident that the whole concept of law enforcement, justice, and punishment for law breaking had nothing to do with that. It was about activity, public relations, compensation, continued revenue streams, and job security.

[danielmryan]

Unfortunately, wisdom comes with experience and at the expense of optimism.

All too true; you have my sympathy. I don't know where those threads went myself; perhaps they were swamped by other complaints.