WJI's Daily Reads for Aug. 8, 2022

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Unsealed federal complaint alleges City of Milwaukee planned "containment zones" of poor people.

"Within these containment zones, building codes and zoning ordinances are not enforced, blight and slums are the norm, and crime is permitted. Law enforcement contains the crime rather than stops the crime," the complaint states.

They accuse the city and Milwaukee County of violating federal anti-discrimination laws in addition to state and local safe housing laws while claiming to be in compliance in order to receive federal funds.

Urban Milwaukee: Gov. Tony Evers issues 49 pardons.

Foundation for Economic Education: Economic benefits of criminal-justice reform.

According to the Center for American Progress, criminal recidivism reduces annual GDP by $65 billion a year. Moving to a less punitive criminal justice system in which prisoners have access to more educational and job-training opportunities would reduce recidivism, and, by expanding the labor force, boost the economy. Furthermore, removing occupational licensing laws that prevent ex-criminals from entering certain professions would help accelerate economic reintegration.

LawFare: Thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court's case restricting the Environmental Protection Agency.

In 1970, Sen. Roman Hruska of Nebraska achieved a dubious immortality when he argued that mediocrity deserves “a little representation” on the Supreme Court in remarks supporting the failed nomination of G. Harrold Carswell. Were he alive today, Hruska could say, “Mission accomplished.” A reading of the Court’s opinion in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June provides abundant evidence of ignorance, bad faith, and, yes, mediocrity in the arguments presented in limiting the EPA’s authority. Despite all that, thanks to a sea change in the economy, the Court’s decision may have only a minor impact on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. It could, however, hurt international efforts to coordinate action on climate change.

Associated Press: Jury hits Alex Jones with $45.2 million in punitive damages for his lies about the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

It could be a while before the plaintiffs collect anything. Jones’ lead attorney, Andino Reynal, told the judge he will appeal and ask the courts to drastically reduce the size of the verdict.

After the hearing, Reynal said he thinks the punitive amount will be reduced to as little as $1.5 million.

’We think the verdict was too high. ... Alex Jones will be on the air today, he’ll be on the air tomorrow, he’ll be on the air next week. He’s going to keep doing his job holding the power structure accountable.”

Above the Law: Harsh sentences for marijuana occur not just in Russia, but here at home, too.

Everything about what’s happening to Brittney Griner is wrong, but don’t let the fact that a terrorist regime is trying to make an example out of her give you a false sense of moral superiority. An ounce and a half of pot has a man in prison without the possibility of parole for the rest of his life in the United States of America in 2022!

Marijuana Moment: Federal government to fund study on how concentration of marijuana compounds in breath changes over time. 

Despite numerous efforts in the past decade to design and manufacture a device that works like a breathalyzer does for alcohol, there still exists no broadly accepted method to detect acute cannabis use in the field.

Madison.com: U.S. Senate committee plans Bureau of Prisons oversight hearing after BOP keeps embattled former director on as an adviser.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who demanded Michael Carvajal be fired last November amid myriad failings, told the AP in a statement he was dismayed by continuing misconduct within the agency and by its unwillingness to completely cut ties with the former director.