DA sues gangs at Eastex complex | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

I need a weigh in from the legal crowd...............Im as anti gang as you can get, but there are some definit infringments in this...........thoughts?

I agree. I believe that banning gang colors, symbols etc. is infringement on free speech and right to assemble, etc. Gang or no gang, violence or no violence, the government doesn't have the right to tell anyone who they can or can't associate with, what clothing they can wear, who they can call on their cell phones, what symbols they are allowed to flash, etc. You bust them on the crimes they commit.

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"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and religions." - Jlarsen

And again I find myself in the opposite camp. When it comes to crime (and BTW thats what all gangs are into)

Anything that helps stop them and their activity (which the police in this location) haven't been able to do then try it.

I think this is the first step to use the RICO Act against the gangs. But that is just IMHO.

I believe the RICO Act is the only way law enforement can get these known gangs which are in about every city and that includes smaller towns.

Look in the Current News for the Gang Thread I stopped adding to to see these gangs, yes they make video's and rap music about themselves.

And I only covered a little of the overall gang problem in America.

In the end you can't treat gangs with a slap on the hand, their business is drugs, robbery, home invasions, killings, strong arm robbery and hold ups and the lists goes on.

Here it is way back on page 14... Read some of this and view the few video's. : http://www.politicalwrinkles.com/new...at-groups.html

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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation... One is by sword... The other is by debt."

John Adams 1826

Including violating their constitutional rights?

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"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and religions." - Jlarsen

You haven't as usual had time to view the link I provided. And F their rights, you think they play by the Constitution?

Now the law has to and as I said this might be the first step to get them. Besides they have good lawyers who can fight this.

So why are you on their side from the start?

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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation... One is by sword... The other is by debt."

John Adams 1826

Just what do you not understand about my position? Why not hold your remarks and read and view this: http://www.politicalwrinkles.com/new...at-groups.html

Again I am on the citizens rights to not fear some in our Country. And back the law enforcement of ever town. If this is wrong don't you think the next news release will be courts stop the banning of colors etc.

Which just might be in the works right now. But something needs to be done to stop these gangs period.

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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation... One is by sword... The other is by debt."

John Adams 1826

Mlurp..........if they could charge them with a crime they would........claiming RICO means nothing without evidence...........And neither of us are defending the gangs.........

What you say about the gang is true and I know you aren't defending them. And I doubt that jlarsen is either. He just sees it as Constitutional law.

And my point was and is that to use the RICO ACT the first step is to show that membership is part of a continuing crimial enterprise.

So that getting a few in the act of crimial activity means all members are invoved.

I believe this is the first step in that direction... And I applaud the local LEO's for taking that step.

PT again I and I think you see it as the people vs. the gangs, with the LEO's in the middle.

I would hope that jlarsen can see it that way to. And let the courts decide the outcome.

Because the JD isn't looking out for the American people on this topic, they see it as a local problem when it is a National problem already.

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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation... One is by sword... The other is by debt."

John Adams 1826

Something does need to be done to stop the gangs. Supporting unconstitutional measures such as telling people what colors they can and can't wear and who they can and can't be friends with is NOT the way to do it. Even if it works, it is still wrong. It sets a precedent that our civil liberties can be overturned by government without conviction of a crime. This is not something we should allow regardless how positive an impact it has on reducing crime (assuming it even would).

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"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and religions." - Jlarsen

You were posting at the same time as I was. So please read what I typed above.

Let the courts work it out. What they are doing in no way will affect law abiding people.

There is a war on drugs, but gangs are just a small part of that problem they are much worst.

To make the RICO Act work they need a foot hold and this is it. It is just a start nothing more.

And it won't be used on the average citizen who at this time has alot to fear.

And with good reasons south of the boarder they have tons of drugs and violence to send north and many of these gangs are invoved.

The trouble is it is looked at as a local problem for communities to deal with.
When it comes to these gangs which the Feds put little of the drug problem on them.

And we all know the truth it is not a local problem it is worst, it is a National problem they need to face.

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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation... One is by sword... The other is by debt."

John Adams 1826