Anyone who the government wants to lock up, it can. And yes, that includes YOU.
Atlas, Shrugging
I was called for jury duty this week and selected as a juror on a battery case. In my state of Florida, battery is defined as “actually and intentionally touching or striking another person against the will of the other.” Ever had someone you barely know come up to you and give you a hug, and you’re thinking a simple “hello” would have suited you better? That’s battery in Florida.
As a juror, I was thinking that lots of people commit battery every day, without any intent to harm anyone. But any unwanted touching is battery.
Driving in to work today, jury duty behind me, I passed by a police car, mostly hidden, waiting to snare unsuspecting traffic violators. Part of my commute takes me over a four-lane divided highway with a 45 mph speed limit. Everybody goes faster, though, and I keep my speed about 55 on that road. In 22 years making the commute I’ve only picked up two speeding tickets. But every day I’m violating the law, and I’d be blocking traffic if I actually drove the speed limit.
If the police really wanted people to drive the speed limit, they would park their marked cars in conspicuous places as a signal to slow down or run the risk of a ticket. Instead they hide, sometimes in unmarked cars, not to deter traffic violations but to stop people who mean no more harm, and are no more of a threat, than those people who give you the unwanted hugs.
“Did you really think we wanted those laws to be observed? We want them broken. … We’re after power and we mean it. … There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.”
Once we lived in a free society ... But we're all criminals now.
True... we really don't recognize it (we really don't want to) but the conversion of citizens into criminals has really been complete for quite a while.
But, but ... It's for the children!
Sad. Isn't it?
Prostitution laws are similar. You are supposed to be able to hire a prostitute. Few people go to jail for hiring a woman. But prostitutes, the actual service providers, get harassed for a profession that is condoned. A huge number of people are in prison for drug offences. Its very expensive. I have known a couple. And frankly they weren't criminals. They one was in the top of his profession. He got three years for possession of marujana. He's a bartender now. And the Laws simply do not work. Year in and year out, interdiction and imprisonment fails but we go on supporting a system that is widely oppressive, productive of misery and is a waste of money.