So after an email correspondence with an editor at The New Yorker, they responded at length and denied pretty much everything: “The particular facts and comparisons you cite…don’t seem specific to your work.” Really?I beg to differ. But what can I do? I still think Adam Gopnik needed to cite me in the magazine. Gopnik now says rather nice things…
Category: Police
NYC marijuana and jail
Two good posts from Zachary Goelman. One on the latest death caused by marijuana (prohibition). The other on the new jail in Brooklyn.
The attempted murder of Officer Brennan
I wish Officer Brennan and his family the best. Nobody recovers completely from a gunshot wound to the head. Nobody. And I can’t help be moved by this amazing photo by Robert Stolarik for the New York Times capturing a failed two-bit criminal being himself. The caption reads: Luis Ortiz taunted photographers and jeered at onlookers as he was taken…
Low-Level Marijuana Arrests Rise for Seventh Straight Year
Andy Newman of the Timesreports: Low-level arrests for marijuana possession in New York City increased for the seventh straight year in 2011, according to a study released Wednesday — despite a September memorandum from the police commissioner that reminded officers to follow the letter of the law and not arrest people with marijuana unless they have the drugs in plain…
The more things change… January 25, 1830
Don’t worry, the Department has your back! Yeah, right. No Police Constable shall take proceedings at law or by indictment for an assault upon himself, unless he has previously obtained leave in writing from the Commissioners. The Superintendents will in each case inquire into the circumstances, and report their opinion upon it to the Commissioners. The Constables will understand that…
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I was flattered enough to send this letter to the New Yorker: To the Editor, As a long-time New Yorkersubscriber, I was thrilled to see Adam Gopnik’s recent article, “The Caging of America.” I appreciate Mr. Gopnik bringing this important subject to the attention of the New Yorker’sreaders (and I couldn’t…
Richard Branson on the Drug War
From the Telegraph: For all the successes I’ve had in business, I’ve also learnt to accept when things go wrong, work out why, and try to find a better way. The war on drugs is a failed enterprise. We need to have the courage to learn the lessons and move on. [thanks to Menczel]
Old mug shot
[old pics always taken from Shorpy]
The more things change… January 16, 1830
After this date no Police Constable is permitted to apply for a warrant to apprehend any person for an assault upon him (the Constable) without first reporting the case to his Superintendent, and getting his permission in writing to make such application. Source: Metropolitan Police. Instructions Orders &c. &c.1836. London: W. Clowes & Sons. [I’m on break. Regular blogging will…
Please stop acting like “idiots and assholes”
The solution to all crime? Philadelphia Mayor Nutter hits the nail on the head: “The first way to stop this kind of stuff is for young people to home, where they’re supposed to be home, and for adults not to act like idiots and asshole out in the streets of our city.” Kind of like in 2008 when he saidafter…