Posted on 02/16/2005 10:37:03 AM PST by Scenic Sounds
PAMPA, Tex., Feb. 9 - No one prosecuted the war on drugs in the Texas Panhandle more zealously than Richard James Roach. As the blustery and hot-tempered Republican district attorney for five counties overrun with methamphetamines, he had eked out an election victory in 2000 vowing a crackdown and was soon gleefully reeling off the harsh sentences he had wrung from juries: 36 years, 38 years, 40 years, 60 years, 75 years - even 99 years. "I think it's quite clear that the good citizens of this district are fed up with drugs," he said.
He had barely missed riding the issue to victory in an earlier race. "My campaign is centered around doing something with the dope dealers," he told a local newspaper in 1996, complaining that "it's kind of hard to fight drugs when you've got dirty law enforcement."
But of all the quarry brought down by drugs in the district's 4,600 square miles of achingly flat oil fields and cattle rangeland northeast of Amarillo, the biggest by far was the stunned figure clapped into handcuffs by F.B.I. agents in the Gray County courthouse here one morning last month: the $101,000-a-year prosecutor himself, Rick Roach.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I don't know what you're upset about. The most serious charges against this guy were dropped, and I'm sure he'll get a slap on the wrist for the gun charge. The system is working perfectly, protecting its own.
I'm sure many here appreciate your violent suggestion. I would disagree. I hope he gets a nice cushy jail cell. Regardless of his own lawbreaking, he's help society a great deal by taking scum off the street and putting them behind bars until they die. I wish all prosecutors were as aggressive.
I agree. What we need is a country free of drugs, drugs users, drug pushers and legalization advocates. That is freedom.
Ends justify the means, eh? Ha! So much for the moral high ground. My hats off to you for being so honest about it.
But by this very definition of "scum" (drug users), he himself is one - so we agree, that it would be justice to see him die in jail.
One of the other FReepers you pinged is an admitted marijuana user.
What I want to know is: Is it easier ir harder to buy meth when you are the DA? I mean our locals usually know the DA, at least the ones who are professional enough to run meth labs.
That doesn't make him insane. What makes one insane is advocating for legalization of drugs.
So one who smokes pot but thinks it should stay illegal is okay, while a non-drug user who opposes the drug war (such as the owner of this forum) is insane. Do I have that right?
Well, here's Mr. Roach's take on this:
I'm hoping that people can learn something from this article and from Mr. Roach's experience. Of course, everyone is different, but injecting drugs in front of employees can in some cases be an early warning sign of a problem that is worthy of attention.
What it shows is someone willing to take the penalty for their illegal behavior. Unfortunately, the pro-druggies (like yourself) simply want to avoid consequences and end up crawling in bed with the most despicable members of this society - drug dealers who try to get kids hooked on drugs.
Sentences of these lengths indicate more than mere drug usage by the defendants. These are first degree felonies such as the manufacture or delivery of drugs, or the possession of significant amounts of drug (more than 200 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine or more than 50 pounds of marijuana).
Personal usage amounts of drugs (other than marijuana) are State Jail or 4th degree felonies with a maximum punishment of two years. Possession of a personal usage amount of marijuana (less than four ounces) is a misdemeanor.
That said, I hope the court "throws the book" at this prosecutor. What a hypocrite!
Yes, rather than exterminating the problem, we need to have more comPASSSSSSSION for the dopers. That's healthy for America.
"*Disclaimer - this is not an endorsement of vigilantism
However, it would be divine justice to see him killed in jail by some of the drug users he put there. 99 years for using a drug, that's not justice, that's fascism."
I couldn't agree more. I am not endorsing vigilantism either, but it would be a reap what you sow situation.
It's NOT justice.. it IS fascism, but that's all the WOD is anwyay. A fascist scam designed to make criminals and corrupt officials fabulously wealthy and powerfull at the expense of sick addicts.
Bones
Mr. Roach?
MR. ROACH?
MUAHAHAHAHAHA.
"Yes, rather than exterminating the problem, we need to have more comPASSSSSSSION for the dopers. That's healthy for America."
You don't have to have compassion, you just don't have the right to put them in jail. There's a difference.
Bones
They've already dropped the most serious charges (possession with intent to distribute). Only a gun charge was levied.
I'm not "pro-druggie", I'm pro-Constitution. You Arnold Republicans might not realize it, but there is no Constitutional justification for a federal drug war. Do you consider JimRob to be a "pro-druggie" since he opposes the federal Drug War?
You'd figure he'd get charged for making off with police evidence... that's where he was getting his supply, right? From drug seizures?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.