Comment

Comment by Keith Ott on August 11, 2010 at 3:09pm

Well its not like a politician could safely jump into rational thought about drug prohibition as a cause for crime. That might undermine quite a few "necessary" political choices on the local, state, and federal level that cause social instability and lead to crime. Even the former Mexican President has admitted that drug prohibition helps feed drug cartels and dealers causing unnecessary violence and theft. Prohibition drives prices up which inspires dealers to push drugs, finances the violence between gangs of dealers, and forces addicts to steal to support their habit. I highly doubt Duane Reade, CVS, and Walgreens would be willing to sell to children, or resort to violence anytime their turf was infringed upon.

What would ending the drug war, or both aimless and endless foreign occupations and reinvesting all that wasted money into the communities or economy do to limit crime and create jobs? How much collectively stolen money... spoken taxes... has to be wasted every year to finance crimes against peaceful people in the US and other countries?

Or I guess we could just keep cracking down on New Yorkers, More searches, More national guard everywhere transit related, and by GOD there aren't enough meter maids, yeah that sounds better.

http://www.leap.cc

Comment by Aaron Knoll on August 6, 2010 at 3:01pm

Why do we keep voting to allow this clown to "represent" us?

I'd like to see some facts to back up those assertions. For example, do those treatment programs "not work." With Albany's budget problem is it more economical for us to lock people up (Dear Peter, the state pays for those people in prison) rather than to focus what money we do have on fighting real crime. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You want more money for police from the state, but want more money from the state for incarcerating non-violent offenders.

Top notch work there from a career politician.

Comment by Jennifer on August 5, 2010 at 1:57pm

I'm very disturbed that he included the relaxation of the draconian Rockefeller drug laws in his litany of reasons for the spike in crime. I can't imagine his numbers are accurate unless he thinks every drug user is also a dealer.

Comment by Ran Craycraft on August 5, 2010 at 1:36pm

This is interesting, just read it in the Astoria Times Ledger:
"The 114th Precinct is in the midst of getting new staff after Deputy Inspector Paul Vorbeck unexpectedly retired from his post late last month and three other high-ranking detectives also left the precinct."

Comment by Hernán Amorini on August 5, 2010 at 1:34pm

It's the usual "look at me, I'm so moral and vigilant" crap that makes grandmas go vote for people like that or that makes a politician sound "good and honest"...well, well, I dont buy it for a minute...and I agree with you Jen, those laws were very harmful for many innocent people, mostly kids, who just wanted a good herbal high...

Comment by Jen Rock on August 5, 2010 at 12:58pm

Wait... weren't the Rockefeller drug laws sending a lot of kids to jail for misdemeanor drug possession, while not making much of a difference on drug dealers, leaving jails overcrowded with otherwise harmless offenders who came out worse than when they went in?
I find that sort of blame misplaced. Also, were the recent murders all drug related? Do they even know why they occurred?