Coward

BRAVO-- Keep these lowlife idiots out of the streets polluting and ruining other lives. They can rot

The legislation is a top priority of the Legislative Black Caucus, whose members are concerned that African Americans comprise the majority of defendants jailed in Maryland drug charges. ---gee ,and they feel its undue punishment? Here again ,not taking responsibility for their actions. It happens that blacks are the ones mostly responsible for the crime in the first place

I fail to see how selling is "violent," and I also don't see why criminals should get a break because of prison statistics.

That said, it's way past due for us to treat marijuana like we do alcohol.

Though I understand O'Malley's sentiment, I think he is wrong on this one. This isn't a bill that opens up the jail, its a bill that gives discretion to judges, to be able to do what we pay them to do, judge. They aren't just there to referee the lawyers, they are there to use their judgement. I don't know why we fear the judgement of judges who see criminals and their excuses everyday to know who the bad apples are versus those in bad situations. Judges can make an intelligent decision on those, society needs to be protected against, as opposed to those who need to be protected from themselves. When you have illegal drugs and you're an addict, it only makes sense that you will try to sell drugs to maintain your habit. We need to concentrate our efforts on locking up and throwing away the key for these kingpins, who give the killing orders and prey on the vulnerable.

I dont understand how selling is violent. i mean yes some of the times it may lead to a violent crime. I think he needs to pass this bill because most of the time dealers do not see another way to make money. I think they need to be helped not just put away and forgotten about till they do it agian when they get out. I think they need to be helped and if they dont want to be helped and do it agian then they should be punished more but most of the time the dealers only see it as a way of helping and supporting their family. If they got help I think that would be alot better than just putting them away forever.

I support the governor. Drug dealing has been a cancer that has debilitated cities like Baltimore. The persistent homicide rate and the high level of property crimes are directly rooted in the drug dealing in the urban areas.Any 'discretion' in sentencing the career drug dealers will put them right back on the streets to ply their trade.

I have been telling my Legislative Black Caucus friends--never trust O'Malley. He knows how to exploit minorities, get elected and ditch the voters.

When I first read the article about Governor O'Malley's decision on whether or not to veto lessening charges for drug offenders, I was being bias. I see that the correctional facility may not be doing all it can to rehabilitate drug offenders, because they have violent crime offenders to worry about. I also feel that through rehabilitation outside of the jail, the drug offenders may be able to cope with not using drugs when they get on the outside, because they will have a less harsher approach by correctional authorities. Instead drug offenders will get help by certified counsels or pyschologist. I really do believe that Governor O'Malley should veto the bill to start the rebuilding of bad communities and build a safe house for the drug offenders.