[coloradan]

In some states, three strikes applies to any felony, including nonviolent drug offenses, writing bad checks for the third time, or looking crosseyed at a cop or touching him with your pinkie (which is felony assault on a police officer in some jurisdictions). Possession of one round of .22 rimfire is also a felony if you've got a previous felony conviction, or a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence. Furthermore, possession of a shotgun or rifle that is 1/8" too short is also a felony - a "violent" felony, by definition. (Many nonviolent drug crimes are also "violent felonies" by definition as well.)

[after dark]

Thanks for the heads up on weird laws.

I will make sure that neither my pinkie nor the pinkies of my loved ones will ever touch the nice police officers. I want the police to know that I and all my loved ones respect all police officers. I am not being sarcastic.

It is troubling that prisons are great cash cows around the world. Those who can't believe me ,repeat after me China...

[Mr. Silverback]

Yes, but is the problem three strikes, or including too many crimes in three strikes? Earley comes out against three strikes. I believe that if the three felonies are all serious violent crimes, three strikes is exactly what needs to be done. The fact that some idiotswant to include crimes that don't belong just means the laws need to be reformed, not done away with.

[SampleMan]

So you don't consider nonviolent criminals a problem for society, or their continued victimization of people to be worth stopping?

I do. And I think its laughable to think that con men, drug dealers, and crack heads are otherwise decent, loving parents that will provide positive formative years for their children if only society would let them.

Is this a DU thread?