Two things: 1. There are a number of accounts created in the last 30 minutes commenting on this thread, including yours. Did you just happen across HN? If so,

Two things: 1. There are a number of accounts created in the last 30 minutes commenting on this thread, including yours. Did you just happen across HN? If so, welcome! 2. If you read my other comments, you'll see I'm very much in favour of reforming non-violent drug law sentencing. I'm even in favour of clemency for the vast majority of non-violent offenders. I also think you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone in this thread who thinks in the way your strawman/caricature does. The whole point is that draconian prison sentences are a shame and do little do address the core problem (whether it's drug abuse or violent crime). I also think using phrases like "your average racist white" is unnecessarily provocative, and the phrase itself is inaccurate.