Calling sentence disparities unfair, Obama pardons 8 crack offenders

Washington Times ^ | December 19, 2013 | Dave Boyer

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Oh, and let me quote Justice Scalia in his dissent in a case where a death row inmate was able to establish that someone else was guilty of the crime (fortunately the majority allowed his appeal)

This Court has never held that the Constitution forbids the execution of a convicted de- fendant who has had a full and fair trial but is later able to convince a habeas court that he is “actually” innocent. Quite to the contrary, we have repeatedly left that ques- tion unresolved, while expressing considerable doubt that any claim based on alleged “actual innocence” is constitu- tionally cognizable.

[VerySadAmerican]

Mandatory minimum sentences is wrong. Where is it in the constitution?

I watched a judge in a child support case tell the courtroom “Don’t blame me. I have to do what the statutes tell me to do. If you don’t like it, call your legislator.” Why have a judge and jury if the sentences are already decided?

[Dalberg-Acton]

Thanks for the reply.

[ronnie raygun]

Crime is now a diseaseand will be forgiven

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

One of those commuted, Reynolds Allen Wintersmith Jr., is a cousin of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a long-time political supporter of Obama.

Uh-huh. What an amazing coincidence. Simply amazing.

[lentulusgracchus]

Exactly what recourse do you imagine he had?

In this case, he gave a shout-out "Hey, bro!" and the _Resident came running, papers in hand.

Otherwise, I agree with you. Should still be there, waiting on a private law from either a state lege or the Congress that would cure his situation. Congress can act speedily when they want to -- and when Harry the Smeagol isn't being a butt.

[lentulusgracchus]

What an amazing coincidence. Simply amazing.

Wow. Who knew, brother?

[lentulusgracchus]

Crime is now a diseaseand will be forgiven

That, or an existential racial characteristic, which must therefore be respected and affirmed, not stigmatized.

</s>

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Again, it was a federal charge, so state legislation could do nothing. And politically speaking, it’s almost impossible for Congress to enact laws loosening drug laws for fear of being called “soft of drugs” by the sort of armchair drug warriors one finds, say, here.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

You seem obsessed with the fact that he was black.

[lentulusgracchus]

And politically speaking, it’s almost impossible for Congress to enact laws loosening drug laws for fear of being called “soft of drugs” by the sort of armchair drug warriors one finds, say, here.

Oh, I'm sorry. I was completely unaware that I was posting like a drooling klailiff or Exalted Cyclops, by sitting in my living room being all conservative and everything, and not wanting to be murdered in my armchair for the sake of kumbaya.

Forgive me, O liberal one.

<snort!>

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

And people wonder how we got here.

[lentulusgracchus]

"People" (other liberals?) may, conservatives don't.