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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
@tim3 ..I am here until jan 20, 2009....
Good for you.
Thought I should say that while I was still surly.
These things I assumed you knew.
Where would I go to find them? Or is it just something which is "in the air" or extropalated from the latest Indy rock hits?
Does progressivism have any basic and immutable principles? What are they?
Making politics or policy out of a vague desire for things to be nicer is commendable (I think), but it's a quick road to being co-opted.
When someone says some action or policy is "progressive" what do you check it against to see if that's true. Or does anything which makes you feel good, there and then become progressive.
Oh BTW, who gets the short end of the stick under progressive government. Or are you going to say that no-one does? Okay, sure. Who gets the shaft under progressivism, or is it just Utopianism, without the sex and drugs?
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/11/18/21472/416
Eric Holder : Wanted Return of Mandatory Minimums and Tougher Pot Penalties
By Jeralyn
Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 08:47:02 PM ESTAs U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., Eric Holder sought to raise marijuana penalties and restore mandatory minimum penalties for drug crimes.
From the Washington Times, December 5, 1996 (via Lexis):
Eric Holder yesterday said he will seek to make marijuana distribution in the District a felony and reinstate mandatory-minimum sentences for convicted drug dealers. Mr. Holder,...said the D.C. Council's vote a year ago to repeal mandatory minimums was "misguided," leading to a backlog in the court system. He also warned that the city is on the verge of an explosion in violence associated with the sale and use of marijuana.
[More....]
"The truth of the matter is that marijuana is a significant problem for the city," said Mr. Holder in an interview. "Crack cocaine still drives most of the violence in this city, but marijuana violence is increasing. We need to nip it in the bud."
His proposals have two thrusts: The first involves setting minimum sentences of 18 months for first-time convicted drug dealers, 36 months for the second time and 72 months for every conviction thereafter.
Mr. Holder would also make the penalty for distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana a felony, punishable with up to a five-year sentence. Currently, the crime is a misdemeanor, regardless of the quantity of the marijuana or if the buyer is a child, Mr. Holder said.
* * * * *
The Washington Post, 7/12/2000 (Via Lexis):
The D.C. Council voted yesterday to toughen the maximum penalties for the distribution of marijuana, making it a felony subject to a five-year prison term rather than a one-year misdemeanor....Eric H. Holder Jr. began pushing for tougher marijuana penalties in the District in 1996, when he was the U.S. attorney.
I'm calming myself. Oooohmm.
Under what provocation, or to acheive what end, will we fight wars? To what extent are you prepared to sacrifice what you have so that others may live? And what are the principles of progressivism? Again, what are the principles of progressivism. At what point does progressivism draw a line and say: "You may not pass!"
I don't speak for "progressives" as such. But you already know that. I can only tell you what I believe. I don't believe war, in any conventional sense regarding terrorism, will bring us (and, lo, millions of others) anything but misery. Law enforcement--and all that entails--regarding the likes of al Qaeda is the preferred approach.
As for "You may not pass!" I defer to the universal idea of decency. That means, whether it involves torture, rendition, gay marriage (or any other civil right, here, in the US), these are the things that must be in accordance with our own Constitution and international laws/treaties that we've subscribed to (and if we haven't yet, then we should).
I'm certain I haven't covered all bases to your satifaction, but perhaps you'll give me a little leeway on that. Because they aren't mentioned doesn't mean they aren't important.
Sod off and buy yourself an indent, fella. We make the largest and most uniform astronomical mirrors and grow the world's best smoke right here in the good 'ol USA. And if you don't like it, tough.
Where would I go to find them? Or is it just something which is "in the air" or extropalated from the latest Indy rock hits? Does progressivism have any basic and immutable principles? What are they?
Nope. You're free to reject what I've written. You're free to explore these things on your own, as you see fit.
I see no need to provide you with a classical, all-encompassing definition of present-day progressivism. You'll understand (and I know you will) when I say I have better things to do with my time. I enjoy your writing and your sense of humor.
So you subscribe to a politics which has no principles except the completely fungible "decency" and basically equates to, self interest with better manners than the Repugs. No wonder you get anxious when you are asked about it.
Progressivism has a long history in the US, and we once did have a Progressive Party. From them, you will have inherited support of eugenics and strict race separation.
Progressive, as it relates to our politics today, has no meaning. Okay, except wanting things to be better, if we can be decent about it.
So when do we get to "progressive libertarianism"? Do you see anything wrong with that?
No wonder you get anxious when you are asked about it.
Please.
I see no need to provide you with a classical, all-encompassing definition of present-day progressivism.
You sure as hell don't, do you? Do you think that's because there isn't one?
You can't even be bothered to give me a link? One little stinkin' link?
Thanks, Tim. I can see how much progressiveism means to your life.
"...but marijuana violence is increasing. We need to nip it in the bud."
Is Holder trying to be funny here?
I think Holder started as just a mustache and parthenogenesis did the rest.
---
We are no monsters, we're moral people
and yet we have the strength to do this
This is the splendour of our achievement,
Call in the airstrike with a poison kiss
--Everybody happy as the dead come home--
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
The survivor and author is upset about comparisons some on the right are making to genocide
219 Democrats and one Republican join in favor of the legislation, which passed by a narrow margin
Salon headlines in your mailbox
