Cory Booker - I thought for a long time about where to post this. Yes, it is about Cory

[PatrickforO]

Booker, but it is about something he's been working on for years, well before his presidential run.

I saw a piece earlier today on MSNBC highlighting the effort, and it is something you all need to know about, because it has true bipartisan support, and could dramatically improve the lives of many, many people, particularly people of color.

The Dems support it because it is morally right and saves money. Republicans support it because it saves money - they don't care much about morality.

So, here's the article. You can read it yourself, and I sincerely ask you to make a quick call and/or send an email to your US Senators and Representative in support of this legislation. It is past due, and if we light up the proverbial switchboard, we can really accomplish something nice this year!

So, please, I urge you to act for this excellent purpose. We say we are for leveling the playing field and getting rid of institutional racism, and we are! But here's a real-life chance to make a change that does that!

Cory Booker aims to give aging prisoners 'a second look': The Democratic presidential candidate is unveiling new legislation to take prison reform another step forward.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/cory-booker-aims-give-aging-prisoners-second-look-n1029711

William Underwood, 65 years years old, is one inmate who wasn't eligible for release under the First Step Act. He has been in federal prison for 30 years, convicted of conspiracy, racketeering and non-violent drug-related crimes. Although it was his first felony conviction, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole under mandatory sentencing guidelines.

Booker, who first met Underwood in 2016, says he's a prime example of the kind prisoner who should be eligible for release. He points to Underwood's age, the time he's already served and his record of good behavior as as reasons why more reforms are needed, noting that even the prison guards have said Underwood doesn’t belong there.

The bill would also give people who have served more than ten years an opportunity to petition the court for release. And for prisoners over the age of 50, they would be offered the presumption of release, which means the the judge would have to show that the inmate should remain behind bars because they are a threat to society.

The measure likely faces an uphill battle in part because it would shift the burden onto the judicial system to make the case that a prisoner should remain locked up.

Now, it has some problems, like how there isn't an exclusion for certain crimes, which is why it faces an uphill battle. But if you don't like that, maybe suggest to the staffer you speak to that your person could add an amendment excluding those crimes you don't think should be considered under the law.

But this is a good thing, good policy. We've known for YEARS that people of color are disproportionately affected by the justice system, and here's a piece of good policy that could release people who should never have been sentenced as harshly as they were. Like this Underwood.

Thanks for listening!

And, by the way, I could easily support Booker if he ends up being our candidate.

[True Dough]

1. Further proof that

any Dem candidate is head and shoulders above Trump, as has been pointed out by many, many DUers. It's true!

[customerserviceguy]

2. The article didn't say

what was William Underwood in for? A third strike involving theft of some money (without a weapon) or rape and murder of a child?

There's a big difference there. That lack of an exclusion for the most heinous crimes is a big obstacle, and makes this a virtual impossibility.

[brer cat]

3. 1st paragraph quoted in OP

"He has been in federal prison for 30 years, convicted of conspiracy, racketeering and non-violent drug-related crimes. Although it was his first felony conviction..."

[customerserviceguy]

7. Thanks, I missed that somehow

Yeah, I can see cutting him a break, but I wouldn't do that for a Bernie Madoff. It would depend on the amount he swindled people out of, and who the victims were.

[PatrickforO]

6. Well, yeah, this is a sticking point. That's why, in my OP, I suggested that

when you're talking to your Senate staffers, maybe suggest they add an amendment to the bill. This is done all the time. If someone committed child rape, for instance, I say leave them in prison, but Booker is mostly talking about non violent drug related offenses. Like, back in the 60s one person got sentenced to life for having a joint.

A person of color is more likely to be arrested, jailed and when tried have a heavier sentence, just because they are a person of color.

That's how our justice system rolls.

So, the hope is that all these old guys that have been rotting in jail for years and years and are now 50 or over can petition to get out. I'm all for some exclusions, but you know, I'm kind of with Johnny Cash on this one - here's the lyrics to Man in Black, one of my all-time favorite songs (check the last two lines of the second verse) :

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the time.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mourning for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believin' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believin' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black

[George II]

4. Cory Booker is a good man, highly principled and cares about people.

[tishaLA]

5. Yup. I have said more than once that he's

Living at the wrong time. We've become such a cynical society that we see his earnestness and goodness as inauthentic. And that says more about us than it does about him

[brer cat]

8. Sad but true.