More black men are in jail in this country than are in college. More than one-third of black men between the ages of 18 and 35 are involved in the criminal justice system. The gross miscarriage of justice in Tulia is a small example of how this evil can occur. In that case, a rogue cop/informant helped put 46 residents of Tulia (39 of whom were black -- 16 percent of the town's black population) in jail following a drug sting in the summer of 1999. Even though a state district judge said that the one and only informant was guilty of blatant perjury, 13 people remained in jail until Monday because the system is stacked against them. Twelve of the 13 people were released on Monday (the 13th defendant was technically freed on bail, but remains in custody on a drug charge), but their convictions have yet to be overturned. [continues 685 words]
My comments on the county not even interviewing former Supe John Pinches for the Dept. of Transportation director's job generated mucho reaction, most of it anger tempered with disbelief. Several county officials spoke to me privately this week about Pinches being passed over for the roads position. "How could they do that?" asked one incredulous county seat insider. "Everybody knows it was John who straightened out the Transportation Department. He was the only one who understood that operation and its budget. John would have been perfect for the job. How could they not give it to him? Tell John I'm really sorry it happened. You know, we really miss him down here." [continues 418 words]
Last week I told you that it's now for certain that the War on Pot is absolutely insane. Once we start locking up senior citizens for allegedly growing the stuff, we've gone off the deep end. Equally nuts -- not to mention hypocritical -- is the reaction of the county's tongue-cluckers who are expressing ethical outrage over Judge Orr's attemt to have Mrs. Ochoa released from jail with no bail. Granted, Orr bent a rule, but judges all across this great nation of ours -- including our neck of the woods -- routinely do favors for the rich and powerful and seldom, if ever, suffer any consequences. I happen to hold public officials to a higher standard than the toiling masses, but common sense is common sense. [continues 99 words]
Last week's story featuring AIDS patient Mark Walker, of Laytonville, and his court challenge over Prop 215 pot seized during an October 1997 raid, points to the absolute insanity of the pot wars. Here's a guy who's a veritable poster bot for Prop 215 -- it's the very reason why the voters in their infinite wisdom enacted the initiative. He's suffering form AIDS, he's got a physician's prescription and certified diagnosis, and he's bent over backwards to comply with Prop 215 guidelines. Six officers of the law raid his residence, confiscate his pot, and also take legally prescribed medicine from him. [continues 250 words]
