The Supremos

I'd imagine that Loki doesn't think the Supreme Court has the authority to do this either;

In a second 7-2 opinion today, the Court further extended judicial discretion in sentencing, allowing a trial court judge to sentence a University of Iowa undergrad low-dollar ecstasy dealer ($30K netted) to 36 months probation, rather than that same length in jail, based on his clean living as a construction subcontractor since his arrest.

Given the constant ratcheting-up of sentences by politicians looking to be "tough on crime," today's decisions should help tremendously in allowing judges to be just, humane and merciful.

What a concept.. a judge making judgements.

As I've always said.. the core "Conservative" ideology is hate, hostility, and vengeance (at least until one of them goes to prison, i.e. Libby). In their insane world, there are no mitigating circumstances for anyone. There is no mercy or redemption. There is no reason to forgive mistakes. All that matters is that people are punished as harshly as possible.

So, this is good news in trying to fix this horribly dysfunctional "justice" system of ours.

But.. you know.. in my world, that student was merely being a capitalist. He was selling drugs to people who wanted drugs. It's silly to think that any sort of law enforcement is going to change the availability of drugs, nor is it going to change why people want them.

Human beings are such hypocrites... there is no difference between cigarettes, alcohol, or heroin.. none at all. And ultimately, you either believe people have the right to control their own body or they do not.

In the land of the religious fundamentalist loons.. they do not... which is reason #423,589,214 why religion is evil.

/update

And make it retroactive;

In previous years, the sentencing commission reduced penalties for crimes involving marijuana, LSD and OxyContin, which are primarily committed by whites, and made those decisions retroactive.