Posted on 05/19/2004 4:22:15 PM PDT by chance33_98
We can send billions into Iraq and every other damn country attempting to make those fanatics a pillar of democracy, many of these countries we are sending billions to hate our guts, yet we send some of our own people to jail for life for cocaine instead of maybe helping them with their problem? Something is very wrong with this damn picture. If she killed someone to get a fix, it would be a different story, but I don't see that here.
There are a lot of them around here. As for how they are hurt, you will have to ask them. I just know that they must feel awfully hurt to to want to make recreational drug users suffer so much for their actions.
(From April 22)
3-strikes convicts may be paroled
Kansas prison officials say life sentences too harsh in drug cases
By Dave Ranney, Journal-World
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Kansas prison officials on Wednesday urged the courts to reduce the sentences of two inmates serving life sentences for cocaine possession.
Inmates Gloria VanWinkle, 44, and Paul Goseland, 51, were given life sentences in 1992 and 1993, respectively, under the state's old "three strikes" law. Both had been caught for a third time with small amounts of cocaine; neither was accused of selling drugs.
Shortly after Goseland's sentencing, lawmakers adopted a system of sentencing guidelines. If convicted of the same crime today, Goseland and VanWinkle would be sentenced to no more than 17 months and would have been freed more than a decade ago.
"I recognize and respect the legislative intent for the law which existed when inmates VanWinkle and Goseland were sentenced," Department of Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz said. "That statute, however, has been repealed."
Currently, almost 900 Kansas inmates are in prison on first-, second- or third-time possession charges.
Werholtz said he would give "careful consideration" to other inmates in circumstances similar to Goseland and VanWinkle's.
Department officials filed motions for modifying Goseland and VanWinkle's sentences on Wednesday in Sedgwick and Geary counties.
Goseland is from Wichita; VanWinkle is from Junction City.
If upheld, Goseland would be eligible for parole Sept. 30; VanWinkle on Aug. 13. Their release would require approval of the Kansas Parole Board.
"I'm very surprised, considering how long this has been going on and how hard it's been to get people to listen. I'm overwhelmed, but I'm extremely happy," said Goseland's brother, Leo. "This is long overdue."
Recent stories in the Journal-World about the VanWinkle and Goseland cases detailed the sentencing discrepancies.
Why should we treat people addicted to "illegal drugs" any differently than we do people addicted to "legal drugs" such a tobacco and alcohol?
I believe the answer must be that the "illegal drugs" are illegal because their use causes deep pain and suffering to others. Why else would one portion of the population react so strongly against another portion of the population? Personal pain and suffering is the only reasonable explanation. If there is a better explanation, I would like to hear it.
I sure hope that was sarcasm.
If that is the case, then why isn't alcohol illegal? Booze has caused more "deep pain and suffering to others" than all of the illegal drugs combined.
In Malaysia or Singapore, the mere possession of a few grams of addictive drugs lands you on death row. We're fortunate to be a more civilized country.
Because the American War on Alcohol was lost in the early 20th Century.
It's not the third strike. They probably tossed out a host of convictions before they got to this one.
Whereas the loss of the War on Other Drugs is ongoing.
Because their habit is funding Columbian Drug Lords as well as terrorists....also, it is a very expensive habit which can lead to crimes being committed such as theft.
Neither of which would be true if those drugs were legalized.
The drugs are expensive and are associated with crime only because they are illegal. The drugs are illegal only because their use cause deep pain to certain Americans who do not (?) use recreational drugs.
Pretty cynical there Tacis. Maybe, just maybe, she kicked the habit while in prison for 12 YEARS.
Would also cost a lot less to pay for rehab than for 12 years in the can.
"Now her attorney came in, and I believe to the surprise of the Department of Corrections, and asked that her sentence not be modified to 20 to life, but to be modified to time served and that is what the court did," Cruz said today.
Cruz said he objected because of Winkle's criminal history.
"She had a total of 19 cases over 14 years ranging from prostitution to aggravated robbery and so this was not a case where she happened to be caught for the third time for possession of cocaine.
"It was more like a seventh conviction for possession of cocaine," Cruz said."
And even when she was convicted under the "three strikes" law, the judge tried to give her a break -- twice!
"But in comments made at the time, Geary County District Judge George F. Scott expressed sympathy for her. Although life was the only sentence he could impose under the law then in place, Scott granted Van Winkle probation.
She got two chances at probation but stayed in a drug treatment program for only a few days. Her probation was revoked."
See my post #39
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