You need to pay more attention. "Zero Tolerance" is a phrase coined and constantly promoted by the left. Conservatives may have 'zero-tolerance' for cowardly traitors like Harry Reid and John Murtha, but the liberals - at least the far left ones - want to empty the prisons of violent minority criminals (it's racist doncha know?) in order to make room for all those who disagree with their liberal idiocy - conservatives, neocons, libertarians, people who voted for Bush etc. or anyone else who values freedom and liberty.
Personally, I have zero tolerance for zero tolerance laws.
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now, that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." ~Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged