Morning Roar: CA Gov. Issues 104 Drug Pardons on X-Mas Eve, Get Ready for the Political Manifestos
California Governor Jerry Brown Issues 104 Pardons for Nonviolent Drug OffensesChristmas is often touted as a time of miracles by the true believers, and while I may be skeptical of "miracles" in the spiritual sense, I'll take any excuse to celebrate more nonviolent individuals achieving more freedom. And thanks to Governor Jerry Brown's Christmas Cheer, 105 people convicted of non-violent drug-related offenses received pardons, though he later retracted one of them. From the AP:
The governor's retraction brings the total number of the governor's traditional Christmas Eve pardons to 104, mostly for people who have been convicted of nonviolent drug offenses and burglary more than a decade ago.
Pardons included one that went to a Stanislaus County man sentenced to three years' probation in 1986 for taking expensive wine out of a wine cellar and drinking it. Michael Joseph Moradian Jr. has since "lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen," Brown wrote in his pardon.
The governor's office said all those granted pardons had completed their sentences and had been released from custody for more than a decade without committing additional crimes. The Democratic governor said he issues pardons to those who earn them by demonstrating "exemplary behavior" and living productive lives...
...A gubernatorial pardon does not erase a conviction but rather restores certain rights, such as allowing the person to serve on a jury. It also gives them the ability to own a gun, unless they had been convicted of a crime involving a dangerous weapon, and allows them to work as a county probation officer or state parole agent.
It's certainly a positive step when people can get their records expunged, though it's a shame that many people convicted for things such drug possession were ever convicted or sentenced in the first place. People who have never harmed others should never have their rights taken away from them solely for possessing a substance others disapprove of; these people are the true victims of crime in these situations.I should add that I wouldn't lump in the crime of "burglary" in with drug offenses per se. When one commits a burglary, they are violating the property rights of another individual, and that person should have to at the very least compensate the victim for the crime against their property. That is not to say these individuals should not receive a chance at redemption and have their full rights restored, but they should certainly be viewed in a separate class as those who were convicted merely of the "crime" of drug possession.Get Ready for the Political Manifestos2015 is the year we can expect a flurry of Presidential announcements, and there may be no better indication of just who is intending to announce for POTUS than by reviewing all of the political manifestos set to be published next year. National Journal has broken down the field, and you may as well paint targets on these folks, as they will all be the subject of scrutiny by the Lions of Liberty in the year ahead!Marco Rubio, American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone
