[Kevin Fine's] right arm is covered from shoulder to wrist in a sleeve of tattoos that mark various periods of his life, including the times he battled drugs and alcohol.

A good illustration of the way that Banana Republics (aka Third World sinkholes, awash in corruption, dysfunction and crime) are born and flourish. I bet the mindset and philosophy of the judge in question is similar to the justices of Mexico’s Supreme Court who a few years ago ruled that life in prison without parole — NOT the death penalty, mind you, but life without parole — was unconstitutional.

As a smoker I concur. The only thing worse (meaning self-righteous nanny) than a non-smoker is an ex-smoker.

Note the word FORMER. Now, what constitutes “long enough”? Ten years? Twenty? I’d suggest that even casual drinkers would have a problem not drinking for ten years running, and if an addict can do it, there’s strong evidence that they have a handle on it.

Assuming that the judge is a member of a 12-step group, it is inconceivable that he’s been using and isn’t being called on it. For an addict, there’s no such thing as “one” — any relapse would be fairly extreme.

Lastly, do NOT assume that a sober person has a soft spot for addicts — he’s probably heard every BS line imaginable by now, and knows it for what it is. People I know who’ve been sober a long time tend not to think much of what an active addict says.

Katrina’s revenge on Houston for welcoming NOLA folks with open arms. That’ll teach ‘em.

-Probably not the first item on his job description. Enforcing the law may come first, but maybe not under Obamunism.

says he’ll be able to spot the phonies.

-This part is true. It’s tough to lie to a liar.