[gcruse]

Be that as it may, whether seen from a perspective of racist or drug warrior, the facts on the ground are as Herbert has laid them out. Having that many people sent to jail and coerced into confessing falsely, and then sent to jail, would have made McCarthy proud. That's what the WOD is doing to America. It doesn't matter if you are black or white.

[wardaddy]

I do not believe in legalizing drugs. I do believe in decriminalizing pot use for personal possession. I also think asset confiscation should be reeled in. I don't think firearm enhancements should apply to sentencing unless used in commission. I also think 10 years is holy plenty for first time offenders even if "kingpins".

Now aside from those personal perspectives, I think that this Tulia case has/was handled poorly but Herbert and a number of other writers have editorialized reporting. Herbert makes the claim no drugs were found. No drugs were found at the time these folks were rounded up. Individual sales were logged...sloppily in some cases it would appear but the claim no drugs were found is misleading. Further, this claim that it's all about purging blacks from Tulia is weak. A number of the jurors who convicted these folks were in fact black. Were they all Toms? Herbert makes no mention of this.

Rightly or wrongly, he is exploiting this as a case study in racism and you have decided to carry the torch on this for your anti-WOD stance. I share more sentiment with your perspective/cause than his but I'm not absolutely anti-WOD either.