Tuesday, January 17, 2006

55 years in jail for selling marijuana

A 25 year old young man was in the USA sentenced to 55 years of jail for selling marijuana. See here and here.
Now when reading the story it is obvious Mr. Angelos is no saint. He did commit a crime selling marijuana three times while being armed and would have sold more if not stopped. But consider this:
  • Marijuana is a very light drug, alcohol is worse IMHO.
  • He did not brandish the gun
  • He has no prior offenses
  • He is a young man
  • He is a father
Consider also, that other offenses such as second degree homicide or child molestration would have given much smaller sentences.

This is one crazy world. At least I think a young man should have one more chance as in a light sentence, when the crime is so light.

In Denmark a father has been renting out his 10-11 year old daughter for sexual services to a number of perverted men. While the father is still waiting for a sentence, those perverted men have been receiving sentences of between 12-16 months . Even in Denmark this has shocked. Especially considering the maximum penalty for this crime is up to 12 years. Why on earth did the judges give such light sentences? A while ago somebody cheating in tax was not only forced to pay his dues, and a huge fine but also given 5 years of jail...

How can cheating in tax be considered 5 times worse than sexually molesting a child?! This is one sick world.

Concerning justice I cannot but wonder on how people are treated differently depending on sex, race, social status, crime, where they live and pure chance. This is not a just world.

I wish Mr. Angelos and his children a happy life. After all, when Mr. Angelos is 80 he can take his kids to the zoo again.