Pubdate: Wed, 02 Feb 2000
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  Viewpoints Editor, P.O. Box 4260 Houston, Texas 77210-4260
Fax: (713) 220-3575
Website: http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Page: 27A (op-ed page)
Author: Claude R. Glover

QUESTIONING CRIMINAL JUSTICE

E.F. Banks' philosophy, (Jan. 19 Viewpoints, "Simple: Don't
do drugs") asserting that the way to stay out of jail is to
not break the law could certainly be applied to realms other
than the war on drugs.

Take speeding, for example. There is an obvious threat to society
inherent in this behavior, so let's get medieval here, as well. Why
not create "mandatory minimums" for moving violations? I think 10
years for running a red light sounds about right. And what about one
year in the "big house" for every mile over the speed limit -- we
could double it for school zones. This, of course, would be applied
across the board, with no special favors for any group or individual,
whatsoever.

Oh, and don't forget to confiscate the vehicle (permanently) at the
time of arrest, never to be returned. Speeding and other infractions
of the law would disappear overnight and none of our loved ones would
ever be sent away, because they aren't lawbreakers. Right?

Claude R. Glover, 
Houston
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