Law enforcement needs to re-direct its focus on crimes... to those that are REAL crimes.

I spent 5 years in Federal Prison for a marijuana offense. While I was there, I watched armed bank robbers come and go in as little as 20 months.

After 3 years 'behind the wall,' I pointed this out to the parole board. Their response: “You must understand, yours was a very serious offense.”
How do you respond to that mentality?

I laughed about the parole panel's comment for 2 more years (as I still sat in prison), then wrote my book:

Shoulda Robbed a Bank

No, it is not a treatise on disproportionate sentences. .

I wrote about the escapades that led to my incarceration. I admit, I had a great time. No one was injured, no one was killed, firearms were not involved...there were no victims.

We were Americans pursuing happiness in our own way. Harming no one...nor their property.

That’s my contribution to helping point out just how ludicrous our pot laws truly are.

An appeal to all Prohibitionists:

Most of us know that individuals who use illegal drugs are going to get high—no matter what, so why do you not prefer they acquire them in stores that check IDs and pay taxes? Gifting the market in narcotics to ruthless criminals, foreign terrorists, and corrupt law enforcement officials is seriously compromising our future.

Why do you wish to continue with a policy that has proven itself to be a poison in the veins of our once so "proud & free" nation? Even if you cannot bear the thought of people using drugs, there is absolutely nothing you, or any government, can do to stop them. We have spent 40 years and trillions of dollars on this dangerous farce; Prohibition will not suddenly and miraculously start showing different results. Do you actually believe you may personally have something to lose If we were to begin basing our drug policy on science & logic instead of ignorance, hate and lies?

Maybe you're a police officer, a prison guard, or a local/national politician. Possibly you're scared of losing employment, overtime pay, the many kickbacks, and those regular fat bribes. But what good will any of that do you once our society has followed Mexico over the dystopian abyss of dismembered bodies, vats of acid, and marauding thugs carrying gold-plated AK-47s with leopard-skinned gunstocks?

Kindly allow us to forgo the next level of your sycophantic prohibition-engendered mayhem!

So much for free market capitalism.

In our society if you want to be a doctor you have to go to school for eight years. In our society if you want to be a lawyer you have to go to school for eight years. In our society if you want to be an architect you have to go to school for four years. In our society if you want to be a mechanical engineer you have to go to school for four years. These are all minimum requirements. In our society if you want to be a cop you have to have successfully completed high school. How is it that the one job that has the largest jurisdiction requires the least amount of education? It isn't very logical is it? You hold everyone else to a higher standard, why not law enforcement? Would you let a doctor who hasn't been to school operate on you? Maybe our society doesn't want law enforcement to be educated because then law enforcement might realize that they themselves are the deceivers and just another representation of a tax man, for your straw man, in wolves clothing.

I want the best and brightest to protect and serve me. I guess that's not the most important thing on the agenda? Earlier this month Cleveland Police Fired 136 bullets at a car with two unarmed Civilians. Both civilians were murdered on site. Unfortunately due to this incident they were not able to join their families for the holidays. Reportedly there is an ongoing internal investigation. It appears as if this one will be swept under the rug. I wonder what college those Cleveland Police officers attended? Oh yeah that's right they don't have to attend College. All you need is a high school diploma a few weeks at the "academy" and the city hall will hand you a badge,a gun, and the authorization to use deadly force if you so deem necessary lol. Those sound like the perfect ingredients for a Police State. Food for thought. I'm not upset with the dog, it's a game to him. The perpetrator standing next to the dog with that poop eating grin looks as if he has trisomy 21. Who's leading who I wonder?

Hey Nathaniel in Cleveland heights you need to have at least a four year degree to get promoted to be a civil service police officer. That is becoming the norm for most departments now a days. Officers in Cleveland Heights also have law degrees, a PhD, masters degrees and as I said four year degrees. And trisomy 21, real mature. That cop with "downs syndrome" protects your was with no questions asked. nice.

FYI, All CHPD Patrolman are required to have college degrees. Moreover, I would argue CHPD could be the most educated department in the state. Out of the 60 police officers, five (5) have Juris Doctrate degrees, one (1) is a PHD candidate, twelve (12) hold masters degrees, with the rest having college degrees. Thoughts for your puffery....

As a law-abiding, non pot-head, non ex-criminal Cleveland Heights resident, that happens to still think of the police as the good guys, thank you. Great job!

Wow you guys lie through your teeth when you want to refute a claim. It's sort of a trend these days so I'm not surprised. I did the research and you are not required to have an associate, or bachelor's degree to become a Cleveland Heights Police Officer. Completing training at the academy awards some credits that are deemed college level. This is in no way, shape, or form the equivalent of getting a four year degree. That would be sweet if doctors could get on the job training and have it count for credits. Oh wait that's called residency and by that time they already have their M.D. When I say four year degree, I'm no referring to the University of Phoenix online lol. I guess some would argue that it counts. Name one president of the United states who graduated from an online university lol. I want the police to earn four year degrees from CSU, JCU, Or Case Western Reserve Universityand then become cops. I wonder how many would make it through that training. The point I was trying to make is that the people who are becoming doctors, engineers, and lawyers would make great cops and the people who are currently cops would make great janitors. Compare the aptitude of an engineer to that of a police officer. One of them is going to fall short, I doubt it would be the engineer. I want the best and the brightest, that's what the citizens deserve. I guess in the end you get what you pay for. I'm just sayin ....

You can be a bpo (traffic officer) without a degree. can't get promoted without the degree