Private Dicks

It takes diff'rent strokes to move the world...



-The Economist

This is so very lame:

In June 2004, the American Bar Association's (ABA’s) Justice Kennedy Commission called on Congress to repeal mandatory minimum sentences, particularly with respect to drug crimes. "Mandatory minimum sentences tend to be tough on the wrong people," said Stephen Saltzburg, who chaired the commission. The commission's report noted that the average federal drug trafficking sentence was 72.7 months in 2001. By comparison, the average federal manslaughter sentence was 34.3 months, the average assault sentence was 37.7 months, and the average sexual abuse sentence was 65.2 months. (thanks Mandatory Madness Coalition)

There are many other disturbing facts mandatory minimums as well--to be continued.

Be'liver' or Not?

Just getting to this now, Bill, thanks. What do you think about it?

It's a toughy. Especially in this girl's case as she was brought here illegally as a young child. Not her fault or crime. $490,000 a pop for a liver? And she's gotten four so far? I had no idea livers are so chintzy.

More importantly, here, should the legal status of a person be a determinant in prioritizing recipients of organ transplants? How about prisoners? Should a teacher get one before a heroin addict? A rapist before a murderer?

Sheesh. This is waaaay too much to think about on an empty stomach. Lunch time.

Getting right what's wrong with Wright

As usual, The Economist has the best take (I've come across) on a purely American issue. No one wins in the the Obama/Wright affair, most certainly not the clownish preacher. (Wow man, you're sooo radical for mocking JFK!) Except, of course, the white establishment, in this case Clintonia, the likes of which the reverend purports to fight against. Good job!

post-heart-attack blues (in lower-case, dm--the saddest of all chords, really)

all and all, the mend is going well. as far as how and why? no, not a cocaine fueled all-nighter, though I know at least half of the doctors would have loved that; something to explain away the anomaly of a 31 year-old heart-attack. sorry folks, not that easy. sure, a rough (i.e., drug-fueled) early twenties, a light smoking habit, a burger here and there, but, of course, let's not forget--heart attacks have been killing/debilitating my kin (though I'm head of the pack) for as long back as we can look. and, duh, I'm just super-special like that.