[Newsbot]

Title: Calgarian who operated ecstasy drug lab describes rollercoaster life, jail term, return to society
Category: Law & Order
Posted By: DrCaleb
Date: 2012-02-24 11:19:46
Canadian

[DrCaleb]

I think this is exactly what Kevin O'Leary is trying to do with the show "Redemption Inc.". He's trying to show that although people may have a inclination for the fast cash, they still possess the ability to succeed and need a second chance to prove they have reformed and can be of benefit to society.

I have a friend who is having a very difficult time getting a job right now because he smoked a bit of weed in University. Since then, no one cared he had a criminal record because of it. Now, they completely ignore his applications because of it.

[andyt]

Well, that's as it should be. He did something illegal and should have to pay the price. He's one of the lucky ones for whom weed wasn't a gateway to the hard stuff, like it is for so many that try it. I mean think of he incalculable damage we would do to society if we legalized weed. Nope, sorry, no sympathy here He's a criminal scumbag who should be rotting in jail.

[DrCaleb]

andyt andyt:

Well, that's as it should be. He did something illegal and should have to pay the price. He's one of the lucky ones for whom weed wasn't a gateway to the hard stuff, like it is for so many that try it. I mean think of he incalculable damage we would do to society if we legalized weed. Nope, sorry, no sympathy here He's a criminal scumbag who should be rotting in jail.

Sadly, not being able to feed your family for something he did 20 years ago, but being squeaky clean since somehow strikes me as ironic. I know you are being sarcastic, but when does society decide he's paid the price? He paid the price that the Judge said he had to society. He's been good at his job for 20 years, for which he went to University for itn the first place. Now that some companies decided that HR would take a zero tolerance policy on people with criminal records, he's SOL. (and with so many companies taking the same position, the wait times to get a pardon are something like 18 to 24 months!) But he still has 20 years of valuable experience! Companies have been good about his record for 20 years - what changed?

People stopped thinking rationally, is my only conclusion.

[andyt]

I'm being sarcastic, yes. But lots of people on this forum express the idea of no forgiveness. It's the conservative mindset. Part of the whole tough on crime view. This is what happens.

But this is pretty weird. Usually if somebody has 20 years of experience in their field and no further criminal charges, companies are eager to hire them.

[DrCaleb]

andyt andyt:

I'm being sarcastic, yes. But lots of people on this forum express the idea of no forgiveness. It's the conservative mindset. Part of the whole tough on crime view. This is what happens.

But this is pretty weird. Usually if somebody has 20 years of experience in their field and no further criminal charges, companies are eager to hire them.

And yet you call me a rightie!

You'd think! But, no. A zero tolerance policy leaves no room for consideration. A joint 20 years ago, 20 years of excellent experience . . . nope, can't hire dangerous "criminals".