Judge harsh on gangsta rapper, lawyers claim

Memphis Commercial-Appeal ^ | 7/4/2002 | Bill Dries

[rdb3]

Here we go...

[07055]

"We contend . . . (Cleland) increased the sentence as a result of the lyrics of some of Mr. Houston's songs," Herbison said by phone from Nashville. "I have some concerns . . . as to whether that violates the First Amendment."

Isn't this the whole idea behind "hate crime" laws? If you have politically incorrect publications in your possession, you must be punished more severely for the "thought crime"?

I guess what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.

[07055]

Because Houston was a convicted felon who served two years of a nine-year sentence on a state charge of aggravated robbery, he was forbidden from having any guns.

I don't know why there is even a question about this sentence. Why wasn't he just sent back to serve the remaining seven years of his sentence?

[stands2reason]

ping!

[HiTech RedNeck]

I have a problem with a general gun ban on all who have served felony sentences. The government should have to show cause in each case to continue the ban after the sentence (including probation or parole) has ended; and should have to keep doing so on a periodic basis. A history of armed robbery is a serious matter and may justify such a ban, but there are much more trivial things that qualify as "felony" nowadays.

[07055]

A history of armed robbery is a serious matter and may justify such a ban, but there are much more trivial things that qualify as "felony" nowadays.

I don't want to argue about felonies which might not merit removing your right to own a firearm, but I do think that armed robbery is one felony that does justify such a ban.

[BlessingInDisguise]

"I don't know why there is even a question about this sentence. Why wasn't he just sent back to serve the remaining seven years of his sentence?"

That's not what I have a problem with. It's that he's no longer allowed to own a gun, vote, or hold office. We say that people are given a second chance, but that is not really the case. He's an outcast from society for the rest of his life because of the mistake he made.

[07055]

He's an outcast from society for the rest of his life because of the mistake he made.

Actually, I think he is considered a hero among the society he cares about because he raps about killing cops.

[aristeides]

It's bad that rap lyrics are so much about killing cops and other objectionable subjects, it's bad that so much of the language of the lyrics is profane and disgusting, but what is really unforgiveable is that the so-called "music" is such dreadful music.

[NYCVirago]

Houston's federal charges stemmed from a January 2001 traffic stop in Frayser. Police on the lookout for several stolen Cadillac Escalades pulled over Houston in his Escalade and found two loaded revolvers within his reach under a front floor mat.

I'm not surprised by the choice of cars.

[07055]

You can read some of the work of this "artist" at:

http://www.glaine.net/~vybin2k/projectpatlyrics.shtml

[HiTech RedNeck]

My question is what happened to the so-ballyhooed 'Project Exile'. (Not that I'd terribly miss it, but I wonder what's happening.) If having a gun is banned to a former felon on pain of a mandatory 5 year sentence, then the Feds shouldn't need to reference his rap lyrics at all to send him to the slammer longer than what he was sentenced to here.

[JCG]

A history of armed robbery is a serious matter and may justify such a ban, but there are much more trivial things that qualify as "felony" nowadays.

What would be an example of a trivial felony?

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

[JCG]

That's not what I have a problem with. It's that he's no longer allowed to own a gun, vote, or hold office.

He can get those rights back the same way he lost them. By "due process of law." (See Amendment V, US Constitution)

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

[HiTech RedNeck]

Something, perhaps, like this

Or, the Federal medical-pot club busts. Dealing pot is held in the same category as dealing speed or esctasy... this is ridiculous.

[JCG]

Or, the Federal medical-pot club busts. Dealing pot is held in the same category as dealing speed or esctasy... this is ridiculous.

Oh, I get it. Felonies are "trivial" because you say they are. I just didn't think anything that could land you in jail would be considered "trivial."

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

[L.N. Smithee]

For an idea of Project Pat's lyrics, click here.

These gangsta guys always complain about prejudice, and how they can't be young black men with money and expensive things without someone thinking they are criminals. Reality is, it is the rare hardcore rapper who has not had run-ins with the law (if not prison time for felonies), and if a rapper is discovered to be squeaky clean despite lyrics speaking of his violent and debauched lifestyle, he is dismissed as inauthentic (see Van Winkle, Robert, aka "Vanilla Ice").

[HiTech RedNeck]

How about a rented video returned late. Only authoritarians define seriousness of a crime by the legislated punishment, rather than the harm done by the crime.

[JCG]

How about a rented video returned late.

Is that a felony?

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)