Quote:
Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
Hey, you'll be happy to hear, then, that HB 254, which would restructure sentencing for low level marijuana possession, finally got out of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Thursday. It got unanimous support in committee, and the only real worries were that representatives didn't want to look like they were getting soft on crime. The benefit, though, is that it clears up a lot of valuable jail space, and frees up law enforcement for other purposes. According to this fact sheet on the bill 57% of all 2003 drug possession arrests in Texas were for marijuana. Used to be in this state that you were thrown in jail for up to a year for possession. Looks like it's just going to be a hefty fine soon. More info on the bill here.
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In Texas? Wow. That was my first choice pick for implementing my second choice option for drug users. If they ain't gonna just execute em in Texas, I need to think of a better second choice than execution!
On another note, some paper or another (of the majors... I think it was the NYT) this weekend had an opinion column about the "abortion reduced crime" thing. The writer was writing about a recent "debate" or something like it between the abortion-theory guy and one of the guys from the U of C... maybe even the one who argued that "concealed carry reduces crime". Anyway, according to the author, the consensus after the presentation is that the "abortion reduces crime" guy presents a pretty compelling case.
Even noting that New York legalized abortion 3 years before the rest of the country, and New York's drastic crime deduction started (arguably, of course) 3 years before the rest of the country.
Couldn't find the link. My apologies.
But this brings up another thought. I've heard in India or China, people are aborting girls waaaay disproportionately. I'd imagine here, people are aborting fetuses who are likely to be handicapped or ill etc. But I can't prove it. Anyone ever hear of any theories as to whether the incidence of Down's Syndrome kids or whatever is lower since 1973 or thereabouts... as a result of abortion? Couldn't help but wonder.
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