Pubdate: Sun, 19 May 2002
Source: Marietta Daily Journal (GA)
Copyright: 2002 The Marietta Daily Journal.
Contact:  http://www.mdjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1904
Author: Bill O'Reilly
Note: Veteran TV news anchor Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The
O'Reilly Factor" and author of the new book "The No Spin Zone."

SELLING HARD DRUGS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY

WASHINGTON - This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Rockefeller drug 
laws in New York State. The statutes' most severe provision requires that a 
judge impose a prison term of no less than 15 years to life for someone 
convicted of selling two ounces or possessing four ounces of a narcotic 
substance.

Now there is an outcry by some to revoke those laws. The argument goes like 
this: "Drug dealing is a non-violent offense, and the perpetrators need 
drug treatment since they are often addicts themselves. We are throwing 
away valuable lives by imposing draconian penalties on drug-involved 
offenders."

Are you buying that? Well, if you are, listen up. Selling hard drugs is not 
a "non-violent offense." Instead, it is a crime against humanity. A few 
days ago, a New Jersey couple in their early 20s sat down in front of an 
oncoming Amtrak train and were killed instantly. Authorities say the pair 
was addicted to heroin and spent thousands of dollars a month on the drug. 
Shortly before the suicide, the couple had been evicted from their 
apartment for non-payment of rent. Relatives say both individuals were in 
despair.

So what about the people who sold the heroin to these Americans? What is 
their responsibility? Some will argue the pushers have no responsibility, 
that the users make the choice. But that is nonsense. If nobody sold drugs, 
there would be no drug problem.

You may have also heard about little Rilya Wilson, the 4-year-old foster 
child in Florida who has been missing for 16 months. Rilya's mother is a 
crack addict. She had not contacted her child in nearly two years. When 
Rilya turned up missing, that despicable mother reportedly made noise about 
suing the state of Florida. It turned my stomach.

So what about the people who sold crack to Rilya's mother? Are they not 
partially responsible for the abandonment of the little girl?

When are Americans going to wise up? Drug dealing used to be considered the 
lowest form of human endeavor. Now it is glorified in some rap songs, and 
many misguided Americans have downgraded this terribly destructive crime to 
"non-violent."

The truth is that selling hard drugs to people who may die from using them, 
may become enslaved by addiction, may abuse their children while 
intoxicated, and may commit crimes to buy more drugs is a vile enterprise 
that should be condemned by society. The Rockefeller laws were passed to 
protect Americans from people who would prey upon them. The average pusher 
on the street sells to scores of people every day. The damage that person 
is doing is enormous. Yet when caught, the pusher is being portrayed as a 
victim of an unfair sentencing arrangement.

Here's the truth: In order to get sentenced under the Rockefeller Law, you 
have to be one bad seed. You have to have prior convictions or not 
cooperate with police in their investigation of the drug pipeline. In other 
words, you have to be hard-core. Yes, there are a few people that got 
caught up in something they didn't understand, but that is rare.

Most of those doing hard time under Rockefeller are the dregs of the earth. 
Ask any district attorney. The overwhelming majority of them want to keep 
the harsh sentences in place.

But many in the establishment media find this attitude cruel and unusual. 
We have to try and rehab these people, they wail. It's just not fair.

Baloney. Dealing narcotics is a conscious choice. You just don't 
accidentally do it. It isn't a crime of passion, a spur-of-the-moment 
decision. Drug dealing is a nasty, hateful way to make a buck. It destroys 
lives. It corrupts children. It is unmerciful and brutal.

In short, selling hard drugs to another person is a crime against humanity. 
Do the crime, do the time.
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