Comments on: Norm Stamper on Reason TV

By: Packratt

Packratt — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:33:52 +0000

anon, we’re still dealing with the same shit.

Besides, call me a softy, but I have a hard time holding grudges, takes too much effort. So… I prefer to judge people by who they are and what they do, not who they were and what they did.

By: anon

anon — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:45:18 +0000

When Stamper was police chief, he failed to reform the SPD. He resigned in shame after his cops went apeshit on peaceful protesters, and thereafter, citizens and bystanders. Stamper is a fraud who binges on sour grapes. Had he not been forced to resign, we’d be dealing with the same shit.

By: Helmut O' Hooligan

Helmut O' Hooligan — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:52:15 +0000

Keep speaking out Norm! Hopefully, it will encourage other officers, retired or currently serving, to “come out” as opponents of drug prohibition.

Due to pressure from administrators and paternalistic pols, this can be a tough decision. Many officers have a fear–quite justified–that they will be marginalized or lose a job they care deeply about if they call bullshit on this issue. I am involved in testing for a couple agencies right now, so I know this pressure all to well. But police will need to raise their voices on this issue sooner or later. In fact they may need to lead the charge to shake up the political establishment and the public. Incidentally, Stamper is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group of criminal justice practitioners that believe we should legalize, then regulate, currently illegal drugs. I will become a member soon, and I urge Agitator readers to lend LEAP your moral (or financial) support.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:30:00 +0000

“Weed of Mass Destruction” is a lie, for which the police make people die.

By: Ronald St.John

Ronald St.John — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:14:32 +0000

Why are there not more intelligent people like Mr. Stamper?
I live in Santa Barbara,California where our sheriff has just expended untold amounts of money to find marijuana farms in our back country . He is an ignorant man but not too much more ignorant than most law enforcement bureaucrats. When we we come to our senses!? I sat in a forum with this sheriff when he made the statement “I don’t believe in the legalization of any drugs. We have enough problems with alcohol” Do you have to be stupid to be in law enforcement?

By: primus

primus — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:59:54 +0000

Claude: the reason the people do not understand and agree with his position is that the people are stupid and uneducated. Therefore, they are easily duped by any glib politician, especially if the pol is from the party their parents voted for.

By: Edintally

Edintally — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:01:42 +0000

I think most people do understand and agree with his position. It’s the elites of this country who either fail to see or don’t want anything to change.

By: claude

claude — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:35:07 +0000

Excellent video. Its amazing this sense of logic and reason escapes so many of my fellow citizens.

By: Howlin' Hobbit

Howlin' Hobbit — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:57:29 +0000

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Stamper once (he was at a benefit for the historical society where he currently lives, I was in the band).

He’s not like that just when he’s speaking publicly, he’s like that in normal, everyday interactions. The term “all-around good guy” nails it pretty good.

(He’s also a hell of a good dancer. :-) )

By: Lori Wilson

Lori Wilson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:53:19 +0000

Oh My God!

Norm Stamper for President!

By: Packratt

Packratt — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:50:59 +0000

Thanks for posting that, he’s one of the few police officials and officers who have had the decorum and integrity to speak honestly about police culture and the need for reforms.

Indeed, he is an “all-around good guy”.