Year: 2011

Civil Forfeiture for a Quarter-Ounce of Weed

So, if you have a quarter-ounce of weed in your home, should police be able to take all your possessions. That’s what can happen and has happened in Michigan. And the problem is getting worse in tight economic times. If you do think it is OK, why shouldn’t police be able to take your car…
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Daily Roundup

Two interesting articles: 1) Bring back the drunk tank. 2) Chicago Fighting Police-Misconduct Lawsuits–and Winning.

1 in 4 leave Detroit in past 10 years

I bet Baltimore’s Eastern District is no different. Because I do know that between 1990 and 2000, the Eastern lost 30% of its population, can’t imagine the last 10 years were any better. Here’s a story about Detroit. I’ve still never been there.

Ken Jefferson for Jacksonville Sheriff

Ken Jefferson of Jacksonville, Florida, that is. Now I’ve never met Ken Jefferson and I’ve never been to Jacksonville, but I did get this email from a professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville: I thought you might like this story from my class, an Intro to Communication Class. The context is students are presenting…
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Union Power

From our local “International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers,” comes the best union logo I’ve ever seen. From Astoria Ugly:

New York Police Station Architecture

The other day my wife and I were walking down a street near we live and I stopped across the street from a handsome old brick building. View Larger Map “I bet that used to be the police station,” I said. “How do you know?” “I don’t know.” I didn’t know how I knew. But…
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Regulated Vice

Legalizing and regulated vice sure makes things easier and safer. Here’s the latest story, from the BBC, on such matters as prostitution in Amsterdam. The war on prostitution doesn’t affect society like the war on drugs does. But it’s just as crazy! Of course prostitution should be legal and regulated. Duh!

The cost for weed arrests just went up

Last week I reported that marijuana arrests in New York City cost the city $75 million per year. In truth, that’s a pretty conservative estimate. One thing left out is the cost of actually testing the drugs people are arrested for. Now if somebody takes a quick plea, the drugs may never be tested. But…
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Eastern District Officer Shot

On Harford road by armed guy on a bike. The suspect was also shot. The story in the Sun.

Movies: Adjustment Bureau & Precious

Not that you asked (you didn’t), but here’s what I thought of two movies I just saw: “Adjustment Bureau.” Good stuff. I liked it. Cool. Great concept. Good New York movie. But really I’m here to tell you about the other one: “Precious.” What? “Precious”? Isn’t that so 2009? Yes, but I didn’t see it…
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