The whole point of free speech is not to make ideas exempt from criticism but to expose them to it.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

This takes my breath

I got a phone call today from some folks who got busted yesterday. They were driving from the Shrine of Democracy to Rapid City. Their crime was having California plates. A Highway Patrolman harassed them for about five miles, pulling alongside, pulling ahead, dropping back, trailing them, finally stopping them for "lane driving." That's supposed to mean they didn't stay dead center in their lane for five miles.

The cop ascertained that they were indeed Californians, then threatened them with The Dog, and "things'll go better for you if you just give it up now." They (father and son) 'fessed up to having cannabis, and produced their California medical cards, which provoked a smirk from the HP.

The father has arthritic pain from wounds suffered in Vietnam. The son has Crohn's disease (look it up; there's not much worse). They had a little over 2 oz. (felony is 2 oz.). They were released today on $17k cash bond. SEVEN GOD DAMN TEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS! For an amount of weed half the lawyers in Rapid City have in their desk drawers. They are being charged with felony possession and felony intent to distribute. For 2.5 ounces.

F*** me.

12 comments:

Bob Ellis said...

I know this is hard for criminals like yourself to get a handle on, but that's just what happens.

You become a lawbreaker, you're gonna pay the price.

It's a really simple concept. Why not just be a man, quite whining and accept the consequences of having broken the law?

Or better yet, stop breaking the law.

Bob Newland said...

Yes, Bob. A refreshing point of view indeed.

Bill Fleming said...

A while back some people were arguing that if you could carry a concealed weapon legally in Piedmont, you should be able to carry one in Central Park as long as you were still a South Dakotan. I'm guessing Bob Ellis is a "states rights" kind of guy until he's not. It's an interesting situation, Bob.

Bob Ellis said...

The last I checked, South Dakota was smart enough not to legalize yet another intoxicant.

Perhaps you've smoked too much of the wacky weed to have a clue of the difference between what's good and bad, what's right and wrong.

Or maybe you just never knew the difference to begin with.

Bill Fleming said...

If you're talking to me, Mr. Ellis, I'll argue ethics with you any time. Regarding intoxicants, why is it that Jesus offered one (wine) as a means of communion with the divine? And why did he divine it from water at his friends' wedding? Do you eat sugar? Do you take any prescription drugs? Do you think taking aspirin (willow bark) for pain is wrong? How about Motrin? Please advise.

Bill Fleming said...

By the way, Mr. Ellis, marijuana (THC) is not an "intoxicant" (inebriant), it is a psychoactive substance with a mixture of stimulant and depressant, properties. As such, it is also a clinically recognized analgesic.

Bill Fleming said...

"Anonymous" I hope you feel better having written that. FYI, you don't get to post like that here without identifying yourself.

Bob Newland said...

For the record, I thought what Anonymous said about Ellis was entirely appropriate and accurate, although I'll defer to Fleming's decision to take it down.

But Ellis is a mean-spirited little bitch with a political philosophy that curls back on itself and bites itself at various places like an enraged rattlesnake.

Bill Fleming said...

I'm just trying to enforce our rule about anonymous ad hominem remarks. It's unfair. I'll reconsider if the poster at least uses a consistent pseudonym.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous reply...
It's ok my post was deleted. LOL I do understand. I like being anonymous when I electronically bitch slap someone. And I understand your stance to my post.
So Mr. human compassion Bob Ellis will just have to imagine what I think of him. I get the feeling he could be a lot more critical about it than I was anyway. HaHa
Carry on!

Bill Fleming said...

Thanks, for the good humor, Anon. I really don't like deleting anybody's comments. And believe me, I understand your position as well. ;^)

Thad Wasson said...

You could buy a late model Buick, keep the plates legal and drive 3 mph below the speed limit and carry drugs sea to shining sea. Chances of getting busted - zero.