Full Strike
Posted in Uncategorized on 08/25/2003 10:04 pm by admin
Full Strike
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US $7.99
Three Strikes You're Out! Fair? Unjust? Effective?
The three strikes law has caused tremendous controversy since the 1990s. Does it work properly as intended? Does it unjustly punish repeat petty offenders? Is it really necessary or can this decision be made by a judge? The three strikes law has now been in effect for 13 years. It came into existence due to two gruesome crimes: 12-year-old, Polly Klass was kidnapped and murdered by a parolee and the murder of 18-year-old Kimber Reynolds. Mike Reynolds said originally people “laughed off” the measure when it was first brought to them in 1993, but after the Klass case, “you either got on board or you got out of the way”
California has set the standard for the rest of the states to follow. However, California has tailored the law uniquely. It requires when convicted of a second serious or violent felony, the criminal receives double time than that received for the first conviction. Thus if he/she is convicted of a second rape and served six years for the first rape, he would minimally serve twelve for the second conviction. The third strike could be any felony as long as the criminal has committed two prior serious or violent felonies. The third strike carries a mandatory 25 years-to-life sentence on top of what the crime they committed carries. In these cases it does not have to be the same crime as long as they are both considered to be violent or serious felonies. Some of these crimes include; murder, rape, manslaughter, aggravated assault, out of state kidnapping, continuous sexual abuse of a child, penetration by a foreign object, and any felony that carries a life or death sentence.
On November 7, 2000, 60 percent of California’s voters supported an amendment to the statute (offered in Proposition 36), which scaled the law back by providing for drug treatment instead of life in prison for most of those convicted of possessing drugs. On November 2, 2004, the voters rejected an amendment (offered in Proposition 66) that would have required the third felony to be classified as “violent and/or serious. Approximately 5.5 million Voters (47.3 percent) voted in favor or proposition 66, but 6.2 million voters (52.7 percent) voted no.
After the three strikes law was initially passed, offenders were prosecuted for many low level crimes in order to prove that the legislators were going to be tough on crime, and that the law was serious. Since 1996, the number of life sentences given out has dropped significantly, and so has the number of large sentences. Consequently the prison rate has been lowered and since 1996 it has been declining almost every year. This decline can be attributed to greater selectivity by prosecutors, a general drop in crime, or the fact that many repeat offenders are now behind bars and cannot commit crimes.
More than half of those convicted of violent felonies in large urban areas between 1990 and 2002 had prior convictions. Nearly 4 in 10, or 38 percent, had some type of prior felony conviction, while an additional 18 percent had a prior misdemeanor conviction. 15 percent were guilty of a prior violent felony - murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Rapists were the least likely to have a prior conviction. When it comes to judge cases, most violent felons, 88 percent plead guilty. Of these offenders 59 percent were represented by a public defender, who works for the state. California paroles 125,000 inmates a year and 71 percent are back in prison within 18 months. Thus, by putting in the three strikes law it takes these career criminals off these streets and studies say it saves two million people from becoming victims. Nearly all the violent felons were male, 91 percent, and 41 percent were black.
The three strikes law seems to be unjustly punishing other races more frequently then whites. African Americans strike out 12 times when compared to Caucasians. This rate is peculiar considering that 28 percent of people are in prison are white and 29 percent are black. Latinos strike out 78 percent more often then whites, and only outnumber white in prison 37 percent compared to 28 percent.
In 1994, opponents of the three strikes law made five predictions as to the effects of the nation’s toughest crime law. Firstly, California prison population would double in five years, reaching 250,000 but in fact, the prison population has remained constant. Prior to the law, California’s prison population expanded 400 percent. Secondly, California would need to build 20 new prisons. Ten years later no new prisons were built and in the ten years prior to the law, California had to build 19 new prisons. Thirdly, crime reductions would be minimal at best. California has seen the longest and greatest drop in crime in those ten years since records started being recorded. California’s crime has dropped and its population has increased by one-third of what it was in 1993. Fourthly, more courts would be needed due to the clogging by defendants taking their cases to trail, but actually no new judges were needed. Lastly, there will be more deaths of police officers having to catch more desperate criminals. During the eight years prior to the law, 45 officers were killed in the line of duty, while in the first eight years after the law, 50 were killed in the line of duty. Whether pure coincidence or as a result of the implementation of the three strikes law, only one of five predictions, for those holding an oppositional stance, proved correct. The death of police officers has increased, but only marginally.
The three strikes law was purposed to target California’s most violent criminal offenders, but ironically nonviolent sentences outnumber violent sentences two to one. Nearly 65 percent of those convicted of second or third strikes were serving time in prison for nonviolent crimes. Over 600 third strikers are serving 25-to-life for drug possession, a number that is greater than the number of third-strikers in prison for second-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and rape combined. Only two ex-felons were serving 25 years-to-life for petty theft a decade ago. This number soared to 354 in 2002. There are over 42,000 inmates serving three strikes sentences. This number is one fourth of total number of inmates. The cost of their incarceration will be eight billion more than it would have been if the three strikes law was never passed. Nearly five billion will be spent on nonviolent offenders, but remember in order to be sentenced under three strikes law, the criminal must have two prior violent or serious felonies. Many prisons are filling up with numerous lower-level drug dealers and petty criminal offenders. It costs the state of California and every other state about $35,000 per prisoner per year. In addition to the cost of incarceration, the employees also need to be paid. California’s state budget though, has doubled while crime rate have been cut in half.
The United States Supreme Court continues to stand by the law. On March 5, 2003, they court held by a 5-4 vote that three-strike sentences do not violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. On this same day the Court upheld two three strikes law convictions. Since California passed the law in 1993, 26 states have adopted or adapted some form of the three strikes law.
Critics have argued that the law violates double jeopardy. Most judges do not take this seriously. In the majority of U.S. courts, it is accepted that defendants are not at risk of double jeopardy because they are not being retired or punished again for the same set of facts from the earlier convictions. The existence of these prior convictions is being used as evidence of the defendant’s character in order to enhance the sentence for the third conviction. They have also upheld the constitutionality of using the fact of prior convictions as a factor in determining the severity of a sentence.
Since the implementation of the three strikes law fifteen years ago, significant changes have occurred. Most of these changes proved to be beneficial to society. However, other still strongly oppose it because of the few exceptions where the criminal faces extended incarceration for nonviolent crimes. The Supreme Court and voting public believe the benefits strongly outweigh the instances where the law negative effect. For years to come this topic will be debated and amended.
About the Author
Jonathan Early
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Strike - $19.99 The first full-length feature project of pantheon Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, Strike is a government-commissioned celebration of the unrealized 1905 Bolshevik revolution. The story is set in motion by a series of outrages and humiliations perpetrated on the workers of a metalworks plant. The Czarist regime is unsympathetic to the workers, characteristically helping the plant owners to subjugate the hapless victims. Finally, the workers revolt, staging an all-out strike. Here is where Eisenstein's theory of "the montage of shocks" was given its first major workout. While the notion of juxtaposing short, separate images to heighten tension and excitement was not new, Eisenstein was the first to fully understand the value of using sudden-shock images (a bloody face, a fired weapon, a descending club) to make his dramatic and sociological points. Playing to mixed reviews and small audiences in Russia, Strike proved a success worldwide, assuring Eisenstein complete creative freedom on his next project, the immortal Potemkin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi |
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Strike $6 Strike |
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Kwikset Kwikset Full Lip Strike 3437-3 $1.22 Full lip strike Lip eliminates snagging clothes or other objects on strike Polished brass (3) finish Screws included 2-1/4? H. x 1-3/4? W Bulk Brand #: Kwikset 3437-3 UPC: 042049283099 Keywords: strike plate full lip strikeplate |
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Third Strike $16.99 Eminent mystery authors Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply team up for a richly nuanced new installment in the Brady Coyne/J. W. Jackson series that is a tribute not only to two witty, smart fictional sleuths but also to the enduring friendship of their creators. It's late August, just when thousands of vacationers on beautiful Martha's Vineyard are preparing to go home so the kids can return to school. There's a problem, though. A union has gone on strike, paralyzing the Steamship Authority, which runs the ferries to "America," and creating panic and anger among many tourists and islanders alike. When an explosion destroys a boat's engine room and kills the striker who apparently planted the bomb, J. W. Jackson, once a Boston cop but now an island man-of-all-work, reluctantly agrees to the widow's pleas that he attempt to prove her husband innocent of the crime. As J.W. begins inquiries, he discovers a complex series of relationships among strikers, scabs, and boat owners, and encounters violence of his own. Meanwhile, Boston attorney Brady Coyne gets a call from a former client now living full-time on the Vineyard, who tells him about a group of armed men loading and unloading mysterious crates at a dock at midnight. Jackson and Coyne get together and discover that not only are their cases connected but that time is running out for them to prevent a crime that could have international ramifications -- and their only hope will be to confront dedicated killers face-to-face....With its winning contrast of page-turning suspense and evocative Vineyard ambiance, Third Strike is crime fiction at its best. |
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Strike (DVD) $50.4 Sergei Eisenstein's first film is, without doubt, one of the most astonishing debuts in film history. His introduction of dialectical montage--which included then-innovative shock cuts to such violent images as a raised club, a bloody face, and a bull's throat being cut--both disturbed and galvanized contemporary audiences. Combined with the expressionistic compositional style Eisenstein had absorbed from French and German films, it established its director as a new force in world cinema. Commissioned by the government to commemorate the first, failed Bolshevik revolution, the film covers a 1912 strike at a metalworks factory whose workers have been bullied and humiliated by the plant management. When a fired worker commits suicide, the workers organize a peaceful strike. But the plant bosses make use of agents provocateurs and eventually bring in the czar's troops, who crack down on the strikers with maximum brutality. Aside from his editing innovations, Eisenstein pioneered the concept of the collective group as a character, influenced by the example of the newly formed Soviet Union, as well as the Constructivist art of the period.DVD Features:Region 0Full Frame - 1.33Single Side - Single LayerAudio: Dolby Digital Stereo - EnglishAdditional Release Material: Audio CommentaryInteractive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Access |
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Bio-Strike $7.99 Global stability and the New World order are in peril, and American businessman Roger Gordian, star of POLITIKA and SHADOW WATCH, must again mobilize the full resources of his multinatinoal corporation to counter the threat. Bearing all the hallmarks of classic Tom Clancy, the fifth Powerplays novel serves up another dose of international intrigue and political brinkmanship. Intricate plotting, exceptional authenticity and knife-edge suspense will see this book repeat the massive success of its four predecessors. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. |
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Strike Zone $8.99 Deep in the uncharted regions of our galaxy, the Kreel, a primitive, warlike race have stumbled upon weapons powerful beyond their wildest imagination. The Kreel have used those weapons to attack their most bitter enemies, the Klingons. Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise TM are called in to mediate the dispute by ferrying diplomatic teams from the two warring races to the source of their conflict, the mysterious planet where the weapons were discovered in an attempt to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, and discover the origins of the super-powerful weapons. Before the entire galaxy errupts into a full-scale war... |
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Airhead AHST22 Strike II $69.99 "Airhead Strike II Brand New Includes 90 Days Warranty, The Airhead AHST22 is mainly designed to provide the full and the highest water sport experience to you. This is 54 inch round towable with 4 nylon wrapped handles and neoprene knuckle guards. The Strike II with free Aqua Zooka water Gun has RF welded PVC bladder fully encased by a durable double-stitched nylon cover . STRIKE is equipped with a Boston valve for easy inflation and deflation, covered by a neoprene flap. AHST22 Features: Product # AHST22, Strike II, Up To 1 Rider, 54 inch Round Towable, 4 Nylon Wrapped Handles, Neoprene Knuckle Guards, RF Welded PVC Bladder, Durable Double-stitched Nylon Cover, Boston Valve f/ Easy Inflation & Deflation" |
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PC - Counter-Strike: Source $51.2 A remake/update of the original Counter-Strike, running on the Half-Life 2 Source engine. This title was made available through Valve`s Steam downloading service in October of 2004, with a retail release in the Fall of 2005.With a full complement of real world pistols, rifles and shotguns, Counter-Strike`s battle of terrorists and counter-terrorists became the basic blueprint for many modern team-based online shooters. Now enhanced with the power of the Source engine, the game features drastically improved visuals, enhancements on classic maps, offline skirmish play with AI bots and more. The retail version of Counter-Strike: Source also includes Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and Day of Defeat: Source. |
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Gundam MG Strike Freedom Gundam Full Burst Mode Scale 1/100 $92.95 Bandai has gone all out in making this one of the best Master Grade releases ever with not just one but two MG versions (normal and full burst mode) of everybody's favorite mobile suit, Strike Freedom Gundam, and what an amazing kit it turned out to be! This full burst mode special version box comes packed with the same MG kit as the normal version of MG Strike Freedom Gundam except that this special box include gold coating parts, Dragoon effect parts, a special clear blue base stand, and a clear illustration poster of Strike Freedom vs Destiny. Clear stands for each Dragoon are included, which can be attached to the special base stand and display them being sent flying out to its target(s). Stickers and custom decal markings are included to detail-up the completed Strike Freedom Gundam kit. Needless to say, this is THE MG kit to get for fans of this spectacular mobile suit! |
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The Commandos Strike at Dawn $9.83 Rated: NRSynopsis: Scripted by Irwin Shaw from a story by C. S. Forester (of "Captain Horatio Hornblower" fame), Commandos Strike at Dawn is a wartime morale-booster, largely set in coastal Norway. Paul Muni stars as Eric Toresen, an apolitical and basically pacifistic Norwegian fisherman who is galvanized into action when his village is occupied by the Nazis. With a group of courageous resistance fighters, Toresen first endeavors to sabotage and demoralize the German troops then escapes to Britain, there to help organize commando raids against his country's oppressors. The supporting cast includes Anna Lee as the hero's true love, Alexander Knox (two years away from his starring stint in the patriotic biopic Wilson) as an icy Nazi commandant, Cedric Hardwicke as a stiff-upper-lip British officer, and Lillian Gish (in her first film appearance since 1931) as an iron-willed Norwegian townsperson. Hal EricksonPRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL NOTES:Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)Presentation: B&WFeatures: Digitally mastered audio & video ; Remastered in high definition ; Full screen presentation ; Audio: English ; Subtitles: English, French, Japanese ; Bonus trailers ; Interactive menus ; Scene selectionsLanguage: EnglishSubTitles: English, Français, JapaneseTime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes |
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Strike Up the Band $9 By George Gershwin (1898-1937). Arranged by John Whitney. Orchestra. Full Orchestra; Score. Pop Concert Full Orchestra. Light Concert; Movie; Patriotic; Pop; Standard. Grade 4. 24 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing |
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Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS. $56.99 This Nerf-N Strike gun will fire at extreme speeds whilst the shield will protect you from incoming shots! Precision is vital as you take down the enemy. The gun is a completely safe toy and also encourages imaginative play. Unleash a full auto-storm of darts from the extended 18 dart clip.Attach the shield to deflect incoming fire.Includes shield, three 18 dart clips, one 6 dart clip, pop out bi-pod and 60 darts.Batteries required: 6 x D (not included).For ages 8 years and over.EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 5010994539931.WARNING(S):Not suitable for children under 3 years old. |
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Paging Mr Strike $24.99 Track Listing: 1. All of Them Ladies, 2. Pussy Town, 3. Take It Slow, 4. Rollercoaster, 5. Line of Silver, 6. Wot U Got, 7. Amorous, 8. My Ex-Girlfriends Boyfriend, 9. Mouth, 10. Mirrorballs Starting to Rock MK 2, 11. Full Moon, 12. Girl of My Dreams (Is Giving Me Nightmares), 13. Chase the Dragon, 14. Let Me Be (Your Dirty Fuckin Whore), 15. Just Bcoz, 16. Hundred Fresh Disciples, 17. Not Afraid of Romance, 18. Drugsex, 19. Fore, 20. Got My Mojo Pumpin, 21. Summer, 22. Smooth Sexy Monkey, 23. Mutha Fukka, 24. I Dance Electric, 25. Blacklamb, 26. Horny Blonde Forty, 27. Butter My Ass With a Pigeon, 28. 45, 29. Manywords, 30. Final Word, 31. Unsent Letter |
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Superhawks: Strike Force Alpha $6.99 Call it all-American pride. Call it vengeance. The Ocean Voyager is on course. A thirty-thousand-ton undercover assault warship set loose in the Middle East. For Colonel Ryder Long of the U.S. Air Force, fighting to win is in his blood. The same could be said for Bobby Murphy-real identity unknown-a shadowy military genius and super spy programmed for revenge. The crew: Superhawks, a crack secret op team bound by a single war cry: "Remember the Twin Towers!" Their target is Abdul Kazeel, a notorious madman with connections throughout the Persian Gulf. Infamous in the terrorist underworld and top mission planner for Al Qaeda, he's planning a new attack on America with a destructive force that threatens the future of the free world. Only the Superhawks can stop this enemy dead in his desert tracks as they declare their own war in full explosive fury and enforce world peace through any means necessary. |
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Fishing - The Strike Rear Window Decal $89.95 The Fishing - The Strike rear window decal is made of perforated vinyl, allowing the driver to have a virtually unobstructed view to the outside world. Micro-perforations create a 50% open area in the vinyl surface, which helps reduce damaging UV exposure. All images are printed using outdoor quality UV resistant inks, which provide long term durability. Images can be removed easily in minutes. Glass cleanup normally requires little more than a strong window cleaner. Size's Available: Avalanche - 53" X 14" Compact Pick-Up - 58" X 18" Full-Size Pick-Up - 66" X 20" SUV/Van - 66" X 29" |
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Nerf N-Strike Tactical Vest $37.99 Don't be caught off guard! Be ready, no matter where or when your opponent strikes, with this awesome Tactical Vest Kit. Built to carry four Quick-Reload Clips, 12 darts, blasters and swords, your vest isn't just an accessory -- it's a line of defense! This kit comes with two clear clips and 12 Clip System darts, so you've already got ammo on-hand. Add other elements from your N-STRIKE arsenal and you're ready to take on anyone! Vest kit includes 2 clear clips and 12 Clip System darts. (Blasters, swords, additional clips and darts sold separately). One Size fits most. Ages 6 and up. CAUTION: Do NOT at aim at eyes or face. To Avoid Injury: Do not modify darts. Size: Full-Size Type: Action & Reflex Gender: Male Age: Child |
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Anti-Strike Full-Finger Bicycle Gloves-Size L(Brown and Black/Pair) $12.84 - Size: L- Abrasion resistant, anti strike design- Great for sport activity likes motorbike- Designed for better grip- good choice for safe auto racing |