SELECTIVE PROSECUTION NO ANSWER FOR FAILED “WAR ON DRUGS”
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles – the mad scientist-looking dude picture above – is loving life these days. After all, he got a huge spread in the liberal (national) MSM for his “Hugs for Thugs” program.
“Progressives” are gonna be beating a path to his door now …
What is “Hugs for Thugs?” It’s an effort by Nettles to stage interventions with certain low-level drug dealers rather than incarcerate them.
“First, federal and local prosecutors identify local drug dealers with the help of the police, probation officers and community members,” explains reporter Ryan J. Reilly of The Huffington Post. “Next, they build criminal cases against them by reviewing records for outstanding warrants and conducting undercover drug buys.”
What happens next?
Yeah … that’s where it gets a little bit dicey.
“While high-level dealers are still arrested and prosecuted, some low-level offenders are given another option,” Reilly reports. “For them, Nettles stages something of an intervention. Together with the police, family members, religious leaders and other members of the community, prosecutors present the dealers with the evidence against them and give them a choice: Face the prospect of prison or participate in the pilot project.”
Hence the “hugs for thugs” label.
The “project” Nettles office is running (officially labeled the Drug Market Intervention Initiative) includes job placements, treatment programs and other support services. It also involves extensive monitoring of enrollees – who must be low-level dealers with limited, non-violent criminal histories.
Nettles says it doesn’t add taxpayer costs to his office, but …
Anyway on its surface a program like this would seem to be right up our alley. After all this website has railed against America’s failed “War on Drugs” – specifically citing the costly incarcerations it imposes on nonviolent drug users (and dealers) as a central failure.
Why wouldn’t we want to see fewer non-violent drug-related “offenders” kept out of jail?
Easy: Our objection to these incarcerations isn’t based on the mere fact these drug users and dealers should be kept out of prison – it is based on the premise that what they are doing is not wrong.
And should not be illegal …
Drug-related violence is a byproduct of its criminalization. Remove the criminal stigma, and much of the violence will disappear.
Furthermore, no matter what standards Nettles (or other prosecutors like him) seek to establish in implementing programs like this – there is a fundamental equal protection issue at play.
Specifically: Why should one drug dealer be permitted to go free while another is imprisoned? Sure, we get the various distinctions discussed above (i.e. big-time v. small-time, repeat offender v. newbie, violent past v. non-violent past) but still … we’re fundamentally talking about the same conduct aren’t we?
We give Nettles limited credit for ascertaining that the current government approach to fighting the “War on Drugs” is a disaster – but “Hugs for Thugs” is not the solution.
What is? Permitting adults to buy, sell or use drugs if they choose to do so …
16 comments
Awww…isn’t this a nice title for this article. “Hugs for Thugs”.
Don’t be scared Fits. C’mon out and say it that you along with all the other racist white folks have finally found a solid PC substitute word for nigger.
All we’ll hear from now on from talk radio, Fox News and this website when referring to those “less than savory” black people is the word thug.
Shame on you.
Whats your point?
Nettles has NOTHING to do with enacting or repealing drug laws.He is the federal prosecutor.So hes got some little program that you give him”limited credit” for?
Instead of highlighting this non story why not blast away at your buddy Tom Davis and Trey Gowdy?
Here Ill give you the headlines
DAVIS PLAYING SILLY GAME ON OBAMACARE,WHY NOT DO SOME REAL WORK REPEALING SCs ANTIQUATED DRUG LAWS?
HEY TREY HOW BOUT THOSE DUMBASS FED DRUG LAWS MAN?
Then again,Nettles is a Democrat and Trey and Davis are your”kind” of Republicans,right.
I prefer the “Slugs for Thugs” program.
Nettles is useless. If he really wanted to make his mark as the US Attorney, he wouldn’t waste time and resources on low level drug offenders. He would work to root out corruption at the Statehouse. He is in a position that is free from the political influences that impact the Ethics Commission, the SC AG, Solicitors, etc. I’m sure that Bobby Harrell mailed or electronically filed all those suspect campaign reimbursements. Can’t make a case against Bobby under state law? Bury him with mail or wire fraud.
Will never happen. Nettles is “one of them.” His former father in law is Alex Sanders who is one of Jean Toal’s bff’s. Toal saved Sanders’ Charleston School of Law and boooooyaaaaa – made Sanders several million $$$$$, Nettles’ two children are Sanders’ only grandchildren and heirs. Toal is as corrupt as it gets. Nettles will never do anything to her – and her do-boy Harrell.
Be careful Judith. Stories are already circulating about Jean Toal’s vicious retaliation and vindictive moves to those who voted against her two weeks ago. All she has to do is call Nettles who will call his FBI IT bud and they have your secret computer data and will know exactly who you are and where you are. Yes, they are that bad. I hope you have a perfect escape plan in place.
The “project” Nettles office is running (officially labeled the Drug Market Intervention Initiative) includes job placements, treatment programs and other support services.
Usually TBG is against these type government programs…but in the name of all that’s Holy…if BigT/GrandTango gets popped for dealing meth… he would get a JOB and TREATMENT!!!
How could anyone oppose such a program?
but..but.. shouldn’t the “treatment” be given FIRST?
Sure.. but this is a “government run” program.
Hey “T” there are a couple really skan… er… skinny white gals over here er…at Sifty’s, hanging out that are itching and scratching and wondering when”‘T”‘s next batch is due…”
[*Radio crackles*
” Br’er Fox…this is Br’er Rabbit. Operation Stinging Nettles AKA Briarpatch is about to go down. Prepare to release the hounds!”]
W’e’re all pullin’ for ya, “T”.
+>.. a free pregnant cat with every purchase….
I think a person should be rewarded for finding drugs. It’s a difficult journey, fraught with danger… a character building experience.
Was thins inspired by Charlie Austin’s “Hug-A-Thug” method of policing?
So Nettles has a “hugs for thugs” – big deal
The Legislature has had a “dick for taxpayers” program for years
I asked U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles in a FTF conversation why his office selectively enforces Federal Law (at the time we were talking about DOMA). Rather than engageing in discourse with a constituant and taxpayer, he asked me “What do you know about the law and politics?” I informed him that I had a degree in Political Science. He then stated, “Well, the courts hadn’t ruled on the law (DOMA.)” He then turned and walked away. I suppose he needs a refresher course in “how a bill becomes a law” or watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nKyihoV9z8
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles is a dissmissive PRICK! imho
Any street smart person knows this is a total crock of shit. Seriously, helping and treating drug dealers for their addiction to selling drugs??? MY BACK SIDE!!!!
Bill is just another libturd lawyer wanting to be relevant in the skinny socialist society.