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A step toward crack/power cocaine sentencing parity…

…but not is the way I wanted. From the Washington Post: The Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a 10-year prison sentence for cocaine possession, rejecting a claim that harsh penalties in federal law apply only to crack cocaine.

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Don’t bash the ‘stache

It’s weird there is such a thing as a “cop mustache.” Most cops don’t have them. But some do. From 10-66, Unusual Incident.

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Defense of Flogging

After 15 (count ’em) radio interviews today, I have one tomorrow on Virtually Speaking with Jay Ackroyd. Thursday, June 9, 2011, 9:00PM, New York time. I mention this because 1) He asked me to. And 2) it will also be done on Second Life. I like to think I’m tech savvy, but I’m a little confused by the concept. But…

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Just for the record…

I never liked Anthony “I’m going to tear our your f*cking bike lanes” Weiner. Normally I try and save my schadenfreude for hypocritical Republicans… but I’m happy Weiner won’t be my mayor. (Though I do hope Democrats keep his seat.) Why is it too much to ask politicians to have the common sense of, say, me? Honestly, that’s not setting…

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Welcome Home, Dear!

My wife is out of town. I think for her return I’ll surprise her with a slightly used Mexican car. I’m sure she’ll love me more than ever. No doubt. The problem is that parking around here can be a real bitch.

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Just when you think you’ve heard it all…

…The Department of Education comes with a SWAT team to bust down your door for an unpaid student loan(?). The Federal Department of Education?! Why do they havea SWAT team? For a student loan?! And, oh, yeah, turns out the woman they wanted wasn’t there. I’m thinking there must be more to this story… Man, I hope so. If this…

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The Virgin king

An interview with Richard Branson about drugs. In the Guardian: “I’ve seen the war on drugs and I’ve not been impressed.” That must be what they call classic British understatement. “I’m the sort of person who is extreme at anything they do. I’m therefore careful not to overindulge.” He has admitted to taking other drugs including cocaine and ecstasy in…

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From the UK

Ian Birrell give a nice new twist to the same-old-same-old in the Guardian’s Observer Magazine: In 1998, the United Nations committed member states to achieve a “drug-free world”, pledging to eliminate or “significantly reduce” use of opium, cannabis and cocaine by 2008. Instead, global opiate use rose by more than one-third over that time, with big rises also for cocaine…

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Real Prison Reform

I like this model, which isn’t that rare in much of the world: “Where Prisoners Can Do Anything, Except Leave.” Why not? It’s cheaper. And more humane.

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“As limp as it is dubious”

So says the Washington Times about my defense of flogging. Though I’d say overall it’s neutral (to mildly negative). The reviewer seems upset that the book is actually more about prison than flogging (but of course, that’s the point) and also that I didn’t convince her that flogging is the answer. Oh well. Here’s the full quote: “Flogging” is intriguing,…

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