Arkansas Blog

What a shame, and what a waste of talent.

No one said you have to be smart to play football.

Say it ain't so Matt!!!

Dumb, dumb, dumb. Dumb!

They're saying it was SIX GRAMS of the white powder.

You should probably scrub the SSNs from your PDF.

OK...if you're so bad off that you allow a cop to walk up on you snorting coke...you definitely need removed from the streets. And I'm so shocked that another football player isn't a saintly role model. At least no women were abused/raped...

The shocking thing is that this made it into the media. The power of the Razorbacks must be slipping.

What a crushing disappointment. I always thought of this young man as one who had a good head on his shoulders; one not likely to succumb to the foolishness of youth and fame, or to do harm to himself in this way. I'm sure he's embarrassed beyond measure. Let's hope the claws of coke (and whatever else he may have been playing around with) aren't so deeply embedded that he can't shake it off his back.

I guess the mayor up there had booted him out of his extended stay motel.

ironfortified is probably right. All of those guys' SSNs are in that PDF you're linking to.

Don't worry folks...when Judge Mary Ann Gunn (the best drug court judge in the state...possibly the country) gets finished with Matt...he'll rue the day...rue the day.

The Fayetteville Cops are out of control.

What does a guy have to do for our football program to get a stern warning.

Surely a decent lawyer can get these kids off because I don't see how this cop had probable cause at all. The alley behind 313 Dickson is known for crime???

Yeah right.

And I know I know Cocaine is bad

But I got news for you, its everywhere and yes your kids are doing it. Not saying it's right just don't be naive I promise your kids are doing it.

Personally I don't see how sitting in your car not bothering anyone warrants a felony arrest.????

Cops in Fayetteville need to get a grip and actually worry about stopping an actual crime.

The PC sounds shaky to me too, if the car was legally parked. Surely they're not going to call it a Brady stop.

I also don't see this as a reflection on the Razorback football team; the boys arrested (yes, boys) were in their 20s.

While you're deleting the SSNs from the PDFs, you might want to take out the phone numbers too. But it's entirely up to you -- I'm putting Matt on speed dial on my mobile right now...

Fayetteville has seen some violent muggings this past week in the Square/Dickson St area. I visited Dickson St last nite with an old friend. Neither of us had been there for a long time. It was too loud and too rambunctious for two over the hill guys like us. I suspected a snow man must have dusted the entire area before we arrived. We left, couldn't handle the high, loud energy at two places. My fav sushi place was closed down.

It's easy to see how that parking lot behind a string of resturants/bars, like Hose's and Common Grounds, is the perfect place for bike cops in dark uniforms to make an arrest. Trees block the few street lamps there.

Noted the 3 fuball players were misdemeanor charges. Doubt they will end up in drug court not that Mary Ann wouldn't enjoy chewing out such an all-American hunk.

They didn't have to search the car to see it. They could see it by looking inside. It is like if you have pot growing in your house with the blinds up. A cop can see it and charge you for it. The report says the officer saw the white substance before he opened the door.

That's it! I'm taking my damn salt shakers off the kitchen window sill.

24fps makes a good point. That's A LOT of cocaine. 3.5 grams makes an "8-ball" (1/8 ounce of coke). Possession is a Class C Felony in Arkansas Law. 1 g. of cocaine in possession creates a rebuttable presumption of intent to deliver. Sale is a Class Y felony: depending on amount, prison from 10 to 40 yrs. or life and fines between $25,000 and $250,000; Subsequent offense: double penalties; increased penalties within 1000 ft. of school.

Somebody needs a GOOD lawyer.

Let's see, OE: "Stopping an actual crime."

Like arresting an illegal alien?

Or maybe waiting until a coke-head mugs you so he can buy another fix, or breaks into your home and steals your valuables or shoots you?

"Stopping crime." AFTER it's happened?

"Protect and Serve" suggests something about crime prevention.

But I guess breaking the law using illegal drugs isn't breaking the law. It's only bending it a little, like driving only 10 miles an hour over the speed limit, or flying through a stop sign.

Probable cause isn't really a problem when you are sitting in a car in a public place with cocaine in your lap in plain view. Generally speaking, police don't need probable cause to look in a window of a parked car. Observation of items in plain view is not even a search.

I hope this unfortunate incident doesn't end the career of one of my favorite Ark. QBs. If I were his attorney, I'd advise him to immediately check himself into an in-patient rehab clinic. He can probably get into drug court - and eventually have the charge expunged.

"Let's see, OE: "Stopping an actual crime."
Like arresting an illegal alien?"

- Springflower

You have been watching to much Fox News lately. Are you suggesting we arrest people BEFORE they commit a crime?????

Okay Minority Report.

So if you don't stop someone from doing coke with his friends on a Wednesday night, then the next night he mugs you?

Have you completely lost it? Are you from Springdale?

Hog Lawyer I agree but the cop did not see anyone doing anything he just saw three guys parked in a car. (And sense the Fayetteville PD doing absolutely nothing but bust college kids drinking or doing drugs I think he had a pretty good idea of what they were doing). But saying the area behind 313 Dickson is known for crime is just absolutely bullshit.

And sorry I think muggings, theft, hell even a fist fight is a much bigger crime than do drugs in your car not bothering a damn person.

RickBaker,
I'm sure you have nothing to worry about unless you're holding it in your lap and cutting it with a card.

I don't understand why so many people are concerned about probably cause in this case. Matt was allegedly sitting there with a white substance in his lap, in a dark parking lot, with two other guys, cutting it with a card. The cop would have been negligent to have ignored it.

Why are we arguing about this?

Matt isn't eligible anymore, so we don't have to worry whether he will be suspended for a series against the dangerous I-AA Western Illinois Leathernecks.

I've always said the game, the real game,and I tell my kids this before every game for a reason, right before we pray for Jesus to help us crush the other team and guide us to victory and chastity, is played between the white lines.

Now they'll know what I'm talking about.

OK, so now everyone knows I'm a coach. But you don't know where so I'm OK with that.

I'm not a lawyer well not that kind anyway, but according to one or two classes I remember or was it a flashback to Beverly Hills Cops, that if you have cocaine on your lap and a big powdery, white mustache, and dilated pupils and you are parked in a dark alley then the police officer can approach the vehicle and peer inside to either ask for a snort and/or make inquiries as to what is going on and take some action. The officer can, if he so desires, also shoot the inhabitants of the car, plant guns on them, steal their cocaine, sell it to his brother-in-law, keep some for he and his mistress, and get promoted tot Sergeant first Class.

Discrepancy in punishment of different crimes is always baffling.

Instead of gov't getting a cut of an obscenely high salary (pro sports), gov't will now spend hundreds of thousands over the years trying, convicting, incarcerating, parolling, etc. for a victimless crime.

If the bastard attempts to drive drunk or high and risk life and health of others, then punish away. If not let citizens be free to be as unhealthy as they like.

Freedom is the ability to be as idiotic as you choose as long as others are not enfringed on.

I am okay with this as long as it part of Matt Jones master plan to play

FOR THE COWBOYS!!!!

Hell doing coke in Dallas is as common as drinking Dr. Pepper.

Matt would be the perfect slot receiver or 2nd receiver alongside T.O., Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton.

Jerry Jones get on the phone

I wonder why that stuff doesn't come already cut, so you don't have to do that with a credit card...I wonder why a guy who makes as much money as Matt Jones doesn't get some nice private hotel room to do his tooting in, instead of doing it out on the street..........I wonder why these ex-Hawgs all seem to have to come back to Fayetteville to get popped, when they could just as well get popped anywhere else...........I wonder what would happen if a cop saw somebody snorting baking flour.....I wonder why they didn't think this particular white powder was Anthrax, like they did a year or so ago when they found flour on the square during some marathon run event and shut the whole town down for several hours......I wonder what would happen to a guy if he did snort Anthrax (what a buzz!)........I wonder if all this rain is going to cause me to mow my yard more than once a week...I wonder what I'll have for lunch. Think I'll go find out.

Wow! Added meaning to the term "high five".

Breaking News:

CNN, my sources are telling me, is about to report that John Daly and Matt Jones recently purchased a 50-50 interest in a 1971 vintage VW Van and are planning a coast-to-coast Arkansas Traveler Ambassador tour. Sponsored by Hooters, Jagermeister and the Arkansas Razorback Foundation, the tour will coincide with the three remaining 2008 PGA tour events that Daly has sponsor exemptions to and in which Jones will caddy, with the remaining tour stops aligned with cities sporting Arena Football Teams where it is hoped Matt can resurrect what was once a promising NFL career.

Obviously we are interested in this story here - but check out the responses in the Florida Tims-Union blog:

http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ah3f5jt65mudzZj4l8K9Usj.uLYF/SIG=14915et6o/**http%3A//news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/07/10/jaguars-receiver-matt-jones-arrested-in-arkansas-on-possession-of-cocaine-police-say/

As someone mentioned - having 6 grams of cocaine is serious - and is 6 times more than what is necessary to charge someone with possession with intent to deliver. If they can prove you possessed the drugs - then you have to prove you didn't have the intent to sell them or even give away for free to friends. Not an easy thing to prove either. And - the possession on school grounds can add up to ten more years on the sentence.

I was curious is he is even eligible for drug court. Each court is different and the prosecutor and judge get to decide if a defendant is eligible. Judge Gunn's drug court is no joke - look at the requirements:

3 Phases: Each 3 months, minimum of nine-months. Stay in program can be extended by the authority of Judge Gunn.
Phase I-per month:
-48 2 hour group counseling sessions
-12 1 hour individual counseling sessions
-Anger management or family counseling, if recommended
-Minimum of 36 urine drug screens (drug screen patches, oral swab test or breathalyzer test may be required
-24 outside AA or NA 12 step meetings
-4 2 hour Moral Reconationclasses with written assignments
-Weekly employment verification and must maintain stable housing
-Weekly percentage reported

Phase II-per month:
-36 2 hour group counseling sessions
-12 1 hour individual counseling sessions
-Anger management or family counseling, if recommended.
-Minimum of 24 urine drug screens
-36 outside AA or NA 12-step meetings
-4 2 hour Moral Reconationclasses with written assignments
-Weekly employment verification and must maintain stable housing
-Weekly percentages reported
Additional Requirements:
-Residential Treatment not less than 28 days as court ordered
-Secure GED if not high school graduate
-Obtain valid drivers license
-Pay all fines and costs
-10 hours of community service per phase, 30 total
-22 hours in court
-Must be 100% current on fees
Candidates are subject to home visits at any time and also must call in every Saturday and Sunday to determine whether they have a random weekend drug screen.

from page 19 of the Drug Court Manual http://courts.state.ar.us/pdf/Drug%20court%20operational%20fact%20book.pdf

OE: No, I wasn't suggesting arresting people BEFORE they commit a crime. I was responding to your statement, "Cops in Fayetteville need to get a grip and actually worry about stopping an actual crime."

I was referring to "actual crime."

There are three issues here:

1. I was suggesting that perhaps you'd prefer the Fayetteville police to focus upon stopping an "actual crime," such as illegal immigration, i.e. an illegal alien.

2. You wanted the police to focus upon "stopping crime." How do you "stop [a] crime" BEFORE it is committed if you don't arrest the people who have already commited a crime?

3. As I understand it, the possession or distribution of illegal drugs IS an "actual crime."

As for Fox News: Don't watch it. Don't have cable. Don't care to watch it if I did have cable.

And this rejoinder is pretty far out: "So if you don't stop someone from doing coke with his friends on a Wednesday night, then the next night he mugs you?

Have you completely lost it? Are you from Springdale?"

Nope. Haven't lost it. Not from Springdale.

But did spend several years providing substance abuse counseling in a prison. By their own admission, I treated people who had mugged people to get money for a fix, as well as stolen and robbed. I didn't treat any actual murders, as they were housed in another institution; but I've been told stories--by the people who were there, or at least admitted to being there.

I doubt the three arrested in Fayetteville would need to resort to mugging to get a fix. They apparently are sufficiently solvent. But how are the police to determine that BEFORE they arrest them?

The 1/3 of the residents in the facility where I worked who were there for alcohol- and drug-related offenses weren't mugging, stealing, or robbing during the time I was there. So to some extent, the police were protecting my family and me from behaviors such as theirs.

But while we're discussing this, please tell me how you suggest that police "stop" crime if they do not arrest people who are committing crimes.

Also, what in your value system constitutes "an actual crime"?

Which crimes do not qualify as "actual crimes"?

Yeah, should have been "murderers," not "murders."

My fingers didn't get the signal from my brain.

Maybe they could get the judge to assign Teresa Pruett, Houston's good buddy) from Conway as his probation office. Or maybe instead of prison he could be forced to live with her.

it's not probable cause that the cop had to have in order to approach the vehicle. all the cop had to have was reasonable suspicion that there was illegal activity was occuring when he affectuated his investigation. the facts so far released show that there was a vehicle located behind the bar district at 12:41am, there were three men inside the vehicle and the area has recently had some violent incidents. The cop is allowed to use his prior expeiences in dealing with illegal activity and the other above stated facts to allow this officer to determine that there is a reasonable suspicion that there is an illegal activity occuring here. NOT probable cause, however a caveat is that once the cop's suspicion that there is an illegal activity NOT going on, he has to end his stop/investigation. However, it appears that he had the legal right to investigate and therefore the legal right to be standing next to the vehicle where he "viewed" the white substance located in the back seat so the evidence is admissible under the "plain view doctrine." However, not being familiar with arkansas courts, I would think that as long as MJ has no prior offenses that his lawyer will plead this matter and he will move on with his life. At least that was how we handled it in ann arbor when dealing with similiar matters.

You guys , everyone, please tell me you are not going to seriously discuss the finer points of probable cause ad nauseum here are you? Like a buzz kill in what could be an otherwise great blog thread, one filled with extreme sarcasm and mean-spirited remarks about the rise and fall of elite jocks etc. So much potential here. So many ways to run with it.

Damn, if someone says anything about habeus corpus I'll scream.

habeas corpus I meant.

Not that I thought many were going to catch that mistake. (Just kidding. Really)

Let's see Spring Flower an actual crime would include:

Theft, Aggravated assault/battery, mugging, driving under the influence, Fraud, Embezzlement, Rape, Murder, Arson, etc. and of course the obligatory starting a war by lying and causing the death of 4,000 Americans...Definitely a crime!

Not a crime: doing coke with your friends, drinking a beer with your friends, smoking a joint with your friends, and sitting in your own car in a parking lot doing your own thing. Might be illegal but it ain't a crime.

So if these cats were breaking up ritalin in the car everything would be fine and dandy!

Anyhoo your little plea to your Good Samartan side doesn't wash. Doing drugs does NOT lead directly to violent crimes. It can, just like drinking or being abused or being stupid or WATCHING NASCAR can lead to violent crime but I don't think you stop any future crimes by busting a bunch of kids who happen to be doing some recreational activities on a Wednesday night.

Seriously the Fayetteville PD need something to do

"The 1/3 of the residents in the facility where I worked who were there for alcohol- and drug-related offenses weren't mugging, stealing, or robbing during the time I was there. So to some extent, the police were protecting my family and me from behaviors such as theirs."

-Spring Flower

Wow add you to the roster of stupid people on this blog. You make my point exactly...why are we filling up our jails with non-violent drug offenders???? They need to be sent to rehab not jail. Here is a crazy suggestion lets keep some jail space for the muggers, thieves, and violent criminals.

I love how you said the litmus test is whether the drug offender is financially "SOLVENT". So basically poor drug users have a greater potential to steal and should be locked up in order "to protect your family"

Wow you are not the sharpest knife in the drawer

Anyway I am staring the the "FREE THE JOSE"S PARKING LOT 4" movement. I am going to make T-shirts with Matt Jones dunking the football after the Auburn 80 yard TD run.

On the front have it say, "IF SUPERMAN WANTS TO DO SOME COKE, WE SAY HOW MUCH!"

WE LOVE YOU MATT JONES, don't let Officer Rice and the MAN get you down!

I wonder why that stuff doesn't come already cut, so you don't have to do that with a credit card.<<<

Well Rick, I can see you never worked in law enforcement. When the stuff is uncut, I mean like totally, it's a somewhat hardened crystalline form. It's ground up and cut with various powder-like substances like 'baking soda. Depends on the skill of the dealer in the mixing-cutting process on how fine and well mixed the substance becomes. Quality dealers mix the carrier substance into a finer powder requiring less "cutting" but, you have to keep in mind that to small amounts of humidity will cause it to crystallize just enough to reque the user to mix-cut it again.

Back when cocaine was the recreational drug of choice among social elites and before it was criminalized many fancy, ornate containers were avaiable for it in fine stores everywhere. Most of those now-collectible containers were relatively air-tight.
Then some guys down in Atlanta figured out a way for the common joe to get his share of the stuff.
They bottled it up with some sugar water and carbonated the mixture. It was really popular too, so popular drugs stores couldn't keep it in stock. So, like all good capitalists they put it into individual
containers and sold it everywhere. Half the nation was feeling good and helped make us the most productive nation in the world.

Thanks for your efforts to keep the thread more interesting, more fun, and more on topic, IABL. I did, however, catch "habeus corpus" [habeas], as well as another frequently mangled phrase, "ad nauseum" [nauseam].

And while I'm being picky, hoglawyer, I hope you don't base your billing on your math skills, as demonstrated here: "6 grams of cocaine is serious - and is 6 times more than what is necessary to charge someone with possession with intent to deliver ... " Sorry, it's 6 times *as much as* 1 gram, not 6 times *more than*. Six times more than 1 gram would be 7 grams.

Now, back to topic. I, too, am disappointed that Matt and his friends must have thought they could get away with flagrant disregard of the law--maybe just because they were in little ol' Fayetteville. I must add, though, that it's ultimately not a surprise. It's become increasingly clear that young stars seem prone to developing a sense of entitlement to exemption from the laws that the rest of us must live by. What was it Britney Spears sobbed as she was being carted off to the pokey? "It's not fair!!!" Yup, missy, it is.

Matt's future depends heavily on how he deals with this. It will help immensely if, when he shows up for his hearing(s), he will have lost that stupid Brett Favre scruff, among other things.

widji

Point well taken on the ad nauseam. That was a well deserved zinger back at me. I'm just having fun but iI did deserve that one. If I dish it I have to be willing to take it.

Glad it wasn't my math. I never venture into math. I'm on shaky enough ground trying to fling a little Latin around all these years later but wouldn't ever enter the math realm in a public forum.

A hundred years ago while schlepping scotch and quiche to the more solvent at a Little Rock bistro I had a customer ask me to cut up his steak for him. I didn't understand his request and got a dressing down from the coke whores, I mean sorority sisters, at his table. I just thought the guy was another pushy drunken asshole in a wheelchair. I didn't recognize that this was Steve Little and that his performances as a footballer made him due special consideration for life, albeit a short life.

These cats made a stupid move to cut up a bump in public. Would we have as much protest about what they were doing in the privacy of their vehicle if they'd wrapped around a tree down the road? This cop might have saved their lives, or someone else's.

There are drugs and there are drugs. Counselors will try and tell you not to play good drug bad drug but cocaine is a bad drug. I mean count the bodies. Nicotine? Yeah, you knew I was going there. The bodies, count 'em.

I love the read all the excuses for drug usage..... and please whoever wrote the one about when cocaine was not criminal, when would that be???? let's just hope that this is Matt's infamous "wake up call>'' because he has certainly made it easier for Jacksonville to cut him.

OE: I now get the hang of it. If it's illegal and YOU do it, it's only illegal; not a crime.

But if it's illegal and someone else does it, then it's a crime. I see where you're coming from.

But hold on thar, Bobbalouie: You've shifted premises and ommitted a qualification:

"Doing drugs does NOT lead directly to violent crimes."

1. You've shifted from "actual crime" in your former post to "violent crimes" in this post. If we're going to debate, you have to stay on topic, not change it in the middle. No fair shifting premises. (Blow the whistle on him, referee.)

2. And doing drugs DOES lead directly to crimes, even violent crimes, at least in SOME cases. But you didn't say "does not ever," you just said, "does not lead," and that's simply a statement contrary to fact without a qualifier. In some cases it does/has. And I've worked with the people involved in some of them. One of the most personable men with whom I worked in prison was a really likeable guy who, unfortunately, got high on coke and raped his neighbor. I can't be sure, but I suspect that if he'd asked her out on a date, taken her to dinner and a movie or concert, probably she'd have spent the night with him in the motel of his choice. But he took the short, direct route, she said no, and he was doing up to 40.

Yes, I noted your, "it can," "but", although that didn't come until the next sentence: And that's one of my points. Busting those kids this Wednesday night just might show them the error of their ways and prevent their graduating to more serious offenses next week, next month, or next year.

Why do you think parents punish little children for their minor offenses? Do you think they should wait until they do something REALLY serious, like drowing the cat, cutting the dog's throat, or maybe shooting grandpa with a shotgun? "Boys will be boys, after all."

As to your subsequent post, OE:

Just because you call me stupid doesn't mean I'm stupid, OE. Name-calling is the lowest form of argument.

OE: Please tell me how we distinguish between the violent ones and the non-violent ones if we cannot observe all of them under all circumstances?

As for "sending them to rehab, not jail": The ones with whom I worked wouildn't go to rehab when it was offered outside. And the ones with whom I worked inside were only the ones who wanted to get into recovery--or at least said they did and pretended they did. I never was able to do anything for an alcoholic or addict who didn't want to be helped. Mandatory treatment programs have a relatively low success rate. It would be kinda like sentencing you to attend church at least once every Sunday for the next ten years in the expectation that you would become spiritual.

I see that my acknowledgment that the three arrested in Fayetteville weren't likely to go out and mug someone (therefore, according to your logic, they should have been left alone) was a little too subtle for you. My apologies. My point was that theoretically ANYONE who uses coke on Wednesday night could be a mugger on Friday night, although admittedly these three probably didn't pose such a threat; but are the police supposed to check their financial status BEFORE they arrest them?

Didn't offer it as a litmus test. Never said it was. Don't put words into my mouth; I have enough of my own to deal with, and enough trouble dealing with them. Just making the observation that the general public has less to fear from the millionaire coke-head than from the unemployed and broke one. Don't remember anyone's ever being mugged by an NFL athlete. So, admittedly, arresting an NFL athlete for drugs on Wednesday night probably doesn't make anyone safer on Friday night. I acknowledge that.

No, I don't propose arresting the financially-challenged while overlooking the financially elite. That's the reason that I wholeheartedly approve of the arrest of these particular citizens. Not because they might or might not mug someone, but because the activity in which they were engaged is illegal. Which, to my notion, does not make them above the law.

And not certain exactly where my "Good Samartan" [sic] side got into this discussion, or what it has to do with anything, if I do, indeed, have one. So I can't really respond to that. Never really considered myself a Good Samartan. In fact, not really sure what one is.

Also, never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. But then, didn't know this was the sharp-knife contest. Thought we were discussing police activities in Fayetteville.

But perhaps you lost sight of that, not being the brightest bulb in the chandelier.

Not impressed......

/click name for pic

Widj, you are confusing your drug-using, crotch-flashing, trashy celebrities when you ask, "What was it Britney Spears sobbed as she was being carted off to the pokey? "It's not fair!!!"

That would be Ms. Paris Hilton, upon being informed that she couldn't do home detention for violating her DWI probation.

Why is simple possession of cocaine a felony ? Don't we have enough felons ? Perhaps, to quote Rick James, is it because "[c]ocaine is a hell of a drug."

widj: I know I wasn't invited, but could I slip into this nit-picking party for a moment?

First, I'm arithmetically challenged, so I'm not offering anything authoritative; just wanting to get my two-cents in.

On the issue of "6 times more than" and "6 times as much as."

Let's see, in arithmetic, 1 x 6 = 6. So that looks like 6 times more than. Six is equal to six times one; it's more than one six times. On the other hand, 6 - 1 = 5. So six IS only five more than one; but is it only "5 TIMES more than"?

But 1 + 6 = 7, which looks to me as if THAT would be 6 times as much as. But it seems this is a question of semantics more than math.

And I'm not sure whether "times as much" refers equally to amounts above as amounts beneath.

I readily understand "1/6 as much as," or "only one-half as much as," but I find "six times as much as" a bit confusing. "As much as" seems to suggest less than, whereas "more than" clearly expresses a larger quantity.

But that's just me. And probably because I'm arithmetically challenged.

Not an authority; just discussing the question.

Thanx for the lesson eLwood. Now there's one less thing for me to worry about.
And, "law enforcement".....me?....No. But I did help sustain gainful employment for many
of them in my younger years.
You're welcome.

What does one expect from a guy with a neck bigger than his head.
Love those sports teams don't we! Makers of men. Give us a break jock strap lovers.

for bloghead2 --

"In the same year, the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act [1914] outlawed the sale and distribution of cocaine in the United States [not the possession]. This law incorrectly referred to cocaine as a narcotic, and the misclassification passed into popular culture. As stated above, cocaine is a stimulant, not a narcotic. Although technically illegal for purposes of distribution and use, the distribution, sale and use of cocaine was still legal for registered companies and individuals. Because of the misclassification of cocaine as a narcotic, the debate is still open on whether the government actually enforced these laws strictly. Cocaine was not considered a controlled substance until 1970, when the United States listed it as such in the Controlled Substances Act."

I was shocked, not because it was drugs itself, but because MJ allegedly was doing coke out in the open. I do know this, he will probably get off easy due to his past "fame". Hopefully, this will be a wake up call. Sports heroes are bad role models: what is sadder that some of our leaders in government are worse. This war, and incompetence of the Bush administration are much worse than ex-"hogs" getting busted for drugs, drunk driving, and wearing stiletto heels in public.

What happened in New Orleans three years ago is a national disgrace the way Bush and FEMA took "care" of things. I also remember a local TV station preempting a Dateline episode on NOLA right after Katrina because MJ was in a preseason NFL game playing against the Cowboys. Seems our priorities in Arkansas are all FK'd up at times.

Thanks Janus for the info on cocaine,,,,it is hilarious that we are even discussing the legality due to it NOT being a narcotic... the most serious drug we have in our culture now is meth, and cocaine is a stimulant in the same category as meth..... for those that think cocaine is NOt addictive perhaps you would like to converse with those people in Arkansas that used it recreationally in the 80's,,,, NOT addictive,,, you must be HIGH

Classic example of having 2 sets of laws in the good ole USA, one for the rich and one for the poor. Some of you sound like all he should get is a slap on the wrist since after all he is Matt Jones. Woe to the average Joe to get caught with a gram and off to prison he goes for 10 years or more and no one could care less. I just want him to get what average Joe would get, nothing more, nothing less. Thank God, literally, that He is no respector of who you were when it's your turn to stand before Him.