[*BCM*] Cyclist foils heist, Boston Phoenix 9/28

[Eric Mearns]

Peter/Paul,
Yes, I definitely would like to hear James Johnson's side of the
story.  Maybe Caitlin Curran can follow up with him at the
arraignment, although I doubt there is enough interest outside of this
group to warrant it.
Wow!  I always considered myself to be a liberal guy, but you make me
look like Michael Savage!  I wouldn't trust cops or judges with my
laundry.  Our criminal justice system is definitely self-defeating, I
agree with you there.  But I also believe in natural selection.  Drugs
and poverty aside, we make our own decisions, and have to live with
the consequences.  I think everyone knows the potential consequences
of theft in broad daylight, and I am willing to bet that Mr. Johnson
was not surprised to find himself handcuffed at the end of this
ordeal.
Anyway, if you really feel strongly about this, please go down to the
arraignment and give Mr. Johnson a few bikes (or the cash equivalent,
your choice) so you can keep him satiated and the hell away from my
bike.  I'm pretty sure you won't.
Hats off to Andrew, this has been some of the best material on this
listserv since I've been on it.
-E

On 9/28/07, Paul Centro <gh3451 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> It might have been interesting if someone had spoken to James Johnson, the
> alleged perp, for his side of the story.  While I do not know his
> circumstances, let me suggest an alternative read for stories such as this:
>
> -Drug addict in the throes of addiction needs money for a fix.  John Doe of
> Boston who has been unable to find steady employment due to arrests in his
> youth for minor offenses finds himself in increasingly desperate
> circumstances.  What started out as recreational use of cocaine has become a
> $50 a day methamphetamine addiction.  "I'd like to kick, but I cannot afford
> treatment and all of the subsidized slots are filled," says Mr. Doe.
>
> "I'm really sorry about the bike, and you have to understand how desperate I
> am, I'm looking at 2 years in jail due to prior convictions.  Running is the
> only choice I have right now."
>
> Is this so far fetched?  I would argue that most of the property crime in
> this city is perpetrated for just such reasons.  Can we feel good that this
> person was caught?  What's to become of him?  Jail at 40k+ a year with no
> rehab or job training at worst, unable to work because of a CORI that will
> follow him for the rest of his life and vote dis-enfranchisement at best is
> what it looks like to me.  All this for a bike?  I see no justice here.
>
> Make no mistake, we pay for folks to use drugs and crime is the method of
> payment.  Drug laws have a human cost and I think it's time for a little
> empathy in place of punishment.  I am disappointed that someone involved
> with Critical Mass is so stoked at the result.  If these folks are unable to
> see beneath the surface of things, who is?
>
> Peter McNeff,
> Jamaica Plain
>
>
>
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