Everything about this is awful. I do not support the bill and I do not support federal interference in District issues. I hope that this episode redoubles the cry for DC statehood but fear that rallying around controversial (and easy-to-mischaracterize) legislation will actually make other parts of the country less supportive of DC statehood.

Realistically, it's either the current criminal code or the one Congress is about to overturn. The Council isn't going to make some Giuliani style tough on crime code after this, they'll just throw up their hands and leave the outdated code in place.

There's also no way to spin Congress overturning any DC law as anything but a crippling blow to statehood. You are basically putting together a bipartisan majority that says that DC is too stupid to govern itself and that we can't trust DC voters to select candidates that know how to govern a city.

In fairness didn’t they elect a guy who thinks Jews control the rain?

Space lasers for thee, but not for me? [eyeroll]

Space lasers for thee, but not for me? [eyeroll]

In fairness, does anyone seriously push that GA's 14th District is too stupid to govern itself and can't be trusted to govern themselves because they elected someone who not only believes the same thing, but also has so, so much worse opinions?

You speak the unpopular yet simple truth. The council seems intent on self sabotage, which ensures they shall endure.

I totally agree!

Why does anyone who lives outside dc care about this bill?

I largely support the revised code, but I just think it's plainly obvious the realistic options are either we keep the 1900-era code (maybe with minimal changes made) or we use the new code the Council passed.

I guess we’re back to Reagan-era crime discourse. The cycle of expensive and ineffective incarceration continues. This headline is what happens when a country is incapable of learning from its mistakes.

Makes sense that senators and congressman would care - they live her part of the time. See that congresswoman who was attacked in an elevator by someone who had assaulted like 8 other people but kept being released.

Or…

They could update the criminal code with the well beibg of the citizens in mind?

That bill is so bad for DC statehood. Makes us seem unable to self govern. Like crimes going up, let’s make it even worse by making sentences less.

The people in question live here part time.

Did you miss one of them being attacked in her apt by a repeat offender?

Can you point to DC engaging in this type of incarceration in the last 5 years?

So they’re voting for themselves and not on behalf of their constituents? I guess that makes sense but I don’t think it’s how democracy is supposed to work…

The people who are repeat offenders are the ones incapable of learning from their mistakes. I’m no Republican but man my tune has changed. I say lock em up and even as I say it I know it isn’t the right solution. But while they are locked up they can’t harm the innocent.