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2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #22 “What’s in a Word?”
What’s in a Word?2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #22The proud theme of this column has been Liberty. In choosing this theme, I took the risk of sounding like a political nerd, because I know that some...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #21 “Liberty and Media Responsibility”
Liberty and Media Responsibility2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #21 This past month has witnessed yet two more senseless and horrific shootings, this time in Charleston, South Carolina. As a...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #20 “Eschew Mediocrity, Pursue Excellence”
Eschew Mediocrity, Pursue Excellenc2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #20Instead of our normal 2 Paragraphs, this week I am forwarding to you a copy of a column I published on Thursday, June 4, 2015 in Costa...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #19 “Liberty vs. the Drug War”
Liberty vs. the Drug War2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #19By now you have probably heard numerous arguments in favor of or against our nation’s policy of Drug Prohibition, and you also probably know that I...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #18 “Liberty and Healthcare”
Liberty and Healthcare2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #18When I was growing up in the 1950s and middle 60s, it was not even a topic of conversation that people could not get quality healthcare for...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #17 “Is This A Failure of Liberty?”
Is This A Failure of Liberty?2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #17Have you noticed? Many of our colleges and even high schools are getting away from the teaching of marketable skills, and instead are focusing...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #16 “The Common Thread: Liberty”
The Common Thread: Liberty2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #16THE COMMON THREAD: LIBERTY The one common thread throughout our history that has been the link to progress and prosperity is Liberty. Not only is...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #15 “Liberty and Marriage Equality”
Liberty and Marriage Equality2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #15To Libertarians, the 14th Amendment dictates that people should not be discriminated against due to their race, religion, gender, place of...
LIVING OUR LIVES TO THE FULLEST
LIVING OUR LIVES TO THE FULLESTWhat is the most important thing in life? Obviously there could be many answers to that question. But to me, the best thing in life is gratification. Many other...
GANGS WILL FILL THE VOID
GANGS WILL FILL THE VOIDDo you want to have a disturbing experience? Then read the book “This Is for the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America’s Most Violent Gang” by Samuel Logan (Hyperion,...
“OUR NATION’S TOP TEN DRUG POLICY GOALS”
OUR NATION’S TOP TEN DRUG POLICY GOALS For all of our nation’s time, efforts and treasure being spent in pursuing our policy of Drug Prohibition, I have never heard anyone who supports the...
“FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH PENALTY”
FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH PENALTYFor decades the death penalty has been an emotional and almost undiscussable issue that has affected people in a myriad of different ways. But regardless of...
“FACING FACTS ON THE DEATH PENALTY”
FACING FACTS ON THE DEATH PENALTYThe death penalty is certainly an emotional issue that affects many people in lots of different ways. So today’s column will address head on most of the common...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #14 “Liberty and Traffic Courts”
Liberty and Traffic Courts2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #14During my 25 years as a trial court judge I was able to observe the continual devolution of the traffic courts from an emphasis upon safety on...
YOU CAN’T FAKE REALITY FOREVER
YOU CAN’T FAKE REALITY FOREVERReality: Although government does perform some necessary services, like military and police protection and a judiciary to enforce our laws, and provides an...
YOU CAN’T FAKE REALITY FOREVER
‘You can’t fake reality’ foreverReality: Although government does perform some necessary services, like military and police protection and a judiciary to enforce our laws, and provides an...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #13 “Liberty and the Presidential Debates”
Liberty and the Presidential Debates2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #13The Presidential Debates are rigged so that only the candidates from the Republican and Democratic Parties can participate. Previously...
2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: #1 “Liberty”
Liberty2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #1As everyone knows, the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country ends with the phrase “with Liberty and Justice for All.” But what is Liberty? I am a...
Repeal laws that violate our constitutional, human rights By James P. Gray
Repeal laws that violate our constitutional, human rightsFriday, January 2, 2015 Repeal laws that violate our constitutional, human rights By James P. Gray Millions of people all around the world...
2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #7 “LIBERTY IN IMMIGRATION”
LIBERTY IN IMMIGRATION2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #7Earlier in our history, those coming to America faced fewer immigration problems in entering our country. And, if you think about it, that should be a...
2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #5 “LIBERTY IN EDUCATION”
LIBERTY IN EDUCATION2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #5One of the most important things we can do as a society is to make the opportunity for excellence in education available to all children in our country....
Tuesday, July 31, Judge Jim Gray, Larry Sand, and Katie Grimes join Martha Montelongo, with John Seiler, Managing Editor at CalWatchDog.com, and Ben Boychuk, Associate Editor with City Journal.
Anaheim PD Violence, City Govt and Drug Laws, One Teachers’ Pay Hike Racket, When Defrauding and Shaking Down the Public Became “de rigueur”July 30, 2012 By Martha Montelongo Tuesday, July 31, Judge...
Jim Gray: Libertarian vice presidential candidate visits Alaska
Libertarian vice presidential candidate visits Alaska Jim Gray of California, the vice presidential candidate on the Libertarian Party ticket, drank coffee with fellow Libertarians this week at...
Judge Jim Gray On the campaign trail, May 2012
Judge Jim Gray On the campaign trail, May 2012After the Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson for president at May's Libertarian National Convention, upon Johnson's...
It’s time for Californians to get smart on crime, and put the war on drugs behind them.
It's time for Californians to get smart on crime, and put the war on drugs behind themIt's time for Californians to get smart on crime, and put the war on drugs behind them. California can no longer...
War on Drugs
War on Drugs Barack Obama drug warrior, Clarence Aaron collateral damageSan Francisco Chronicle (blog)This story provides another example of how Barack Obama is worse in the war on drugs than George...
Gary Johnson and Judge Jim Gray could catch presidential race by surprise
Gary Johnson could catch presidential race by surprise With his name slated to be on every state ballot in the country in November, Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson is an important...
Judge Jim Gray (L-CA) Homecoming – 2012 Libertarian Party VP …
Judge Jim Gray (L-CA) Homecoming - 2012 Libertarian Party VP NomineeJudge Jim Gray, 2012 Libertarian Party Nominee for Vice President, Speaks at Homecoming and Press Celebration Event in Orange...
A Look at Libertarian Party Nominees Gary Johnson, Jim Gray
A Look at Libertarian Party Nominees Gary Johnson, Jim GrayThis past weekend, the Libertarian Party celebrated its 40th birthday by choosing its candidates for President and Vice President. The...
Retired OC judge named to Libertarian presidential ticket
Retired OC judge named to Libertarian presidential ticketRetired Orange County Superior Court Judge Jim Gray’s national recognition as a drug-reform activist ratcheted up a notch last week, when he...
Retired OC judge named to Libertarian presidential ticket – Judge Jim Gray
Retired OC judge named to Libertarian presidential ticket - Judge Jim GrayRetired OC judge named to Libertarian presidential ticketOCRegisterBy MARTIN WISCKOL Retired Orange County Superior...
Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson announced his pick for V.P. — Judge Jim Gray
Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson announced his pick for V.P. -- Judge Jim GrayLibertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has picked California Judge...
Libertarians Nominate Judge Jim Gray for Vice-President
Libertarians Nominate Judge Jim Gray for Vice-President It’s official, the Libertarian ticket for 2012 is Johnson/Gray! With nearly 60% of the vote on the first ballot, former Superior Court Judge...
More on the War on Drugs www.judgejimgray.com
More on the War on Drugs www.judgejimgray.com Latin American countries pursue alternatives to US drug warWashington PostBOGOTA, Colombia — When President Obama arrives in Colombia for a hemispheric...
Guatemala President Calls For Decriminalization of Drugs
Guatemala President Calls For Decriminalization of DrugsDecrying the “war on drugs” as a complete failure, the president of Guatemala has suggested decriminalization of narcotics as a way to reduce...
Marijuana Hero – Richard Branson
Marijuana Hero - Richard BransonRichard Branson Is A Prominent Supporter Of Ending Marijuana Prohibition Is it time for marijuana supporters to grow a golden goatee beard? Richard Branson has been...
James Gray Discusses The Emotional Approach To Cop Movies InWe Own …
James Gray Discusses The Emotional Approach To Cop Movies In 'We Own The Night' In Advance Of BAM ScreeningBy now, regular readers of the site know the actors and directors we tend to favor, but...
Spend Money on Schools Instead
Spend Money on Schools Instead of the War on DrugsIf we have any hope of healing the deep wounds of race in this country, we've first got to stop the bleeding caused by mass incarceration and the...
Former police captain speaks to students on ‘failed’ war on drugs
Former police captain speaks to students on 'failed' war on drugsFormer police captain speaks to students on 'failed' war on drugs Diamondback Online Maddox — now a special assistant state's...
In Mexico, Biden Rejects Drug Legalization Talk
In Mexico, Biden Rejects Drug Legalization TalkOn the first day of a two-day trip to consult with Mexican and Central American leaders Monday, US Vice President Joe Biden was quick to pooh-pooh any...
Drug War Politics: Doing Biden’s Bidding
Drug War Politics: Doing Biden’s Bidding Vice President Joe Biden landed in Mexico City Sunday night for a two-day trip to that country and Honduras. He’s left little doubt about his mission: to...
Biden Visits Mexico, Honduras Amid Calls to Debate Drug Strategy
Biden Visits Mexico, Honduras Amid Calls to Debate Drug StrategyOn the first day of a two-day trip to consult with Mexican and Central American leaders Monday, US Vice President Joe Biden was quick...
A drug bust that fueled Mexico’s drug cartels; a controversial mountain lion …
A drug bust that fueled Mexico's drug cartelsA drug bust that fueled Mexico's drug cartels; a controversial mountain lion ...Los Angeles TimesWilliam C. Rempel's Op-Ed article on the 1989 cocaine...
State of Michigan buying new printer for medical marijuana cards | Michigan Radio
State of Michigan buying new printer for medical marijuana cards The state of Michigan has ordered a new printer that will allow it to produce 4,000 medical marijuana cards a day. Rae Ramsdell, who...
Mr. Obama, Go Gentle on Honduras
Mr. Obama, Go Gentle on HondurasDear President Obama, now that the United States government has concluded its war in Iraq and is moving to withdraw all US combat troops from Afghanistan by the end...
Treat marijuana like wine – Judge Jim Gray
Treat marijuana like wine Filling a prescription for most Napans simply requires a trip to one of the city’s many drug- or grocery-store pharmacies. But for one segment of Napa’s sick, getting...
Former Judge to File Initiative to Regulate Marijuana
Former Judge to File Initiative to Regulate MarijuanaSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- He was once a determined drug warrior, but now former Assistant US Attorney and Superior...
CARPE DIEM: Who’s Winning the Drug War? According to Judge Jim Gray, Six Groups Are, Including The Terrorists
CARPE DIEM: Who's Winning the Drug War?According to Judge Jim Gray, Six Groups Are, Including The Terrorists Jim Gray, a conservative judge in conservative Orange County, California, is featured in...
ROUND TABLE MEETING WITH JUDGE JAMES P. GRAY, JUDY K. THOMPSON & RON NIEHOUSE (MCJ)
ROUND TABLE MEETING WITH JUDGE JAMES P. GRAY, JUDY K. THOMPSON & RON NIEHOUSE (MCJ)Judge Gray on the issues of Medical Cannabis and Cannabis Prohibition: By: Judy Thompson & Ron Niehouse,...
Amazon.com: Wearing the Robe: The Art and Responsibilities of Judging in Today’s Courts (9780757002427): James P. Gray: Books
Wearing the RobeAmazon.com: Wearing the Robe: The Art and Responsibilities of Judging in Today's Courts (9780757002427): James P. Gray: Books Amazon Link :...
Amazon.com: Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed: A Judicial Indictment Of War On Drugs (9781566398602): James Gray: Books
Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed: A Judicial Indictment Of War On DrugsAmazon.com Book Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs 1st Edition...
USA: Regulate Marijuana like Wine | Marijuana.com
USA: Regulate Marijuana like Wine | Marijuana.comUSA: Regulate Marijuana like Wine | Marijuana.comUSA: Regulate Marijuana like Wine NRAmerica /January 16, 2012 At the last … traveling with an ounce...
Jim Gray talking about America´s “failed and hopeless policy of drug prohibition”.
Failed and hopeless policy of drug prohibitionJim Gray talking about America´s “failed and hopeless policy of drug prohibition”. Describing himself as a “conservative judge” who has never used...
Retired Superior Court judge wants marijuana strictly regulated and kept away from minors
Retired Superior Court judge wants marijuana strictly regulated and kept away from minors SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- He was once a determined drug warrior, but now former...
ON-LINE TOWN HALL TONIGHT, Judge Jim Gray
ON-LINE TOWN HALL TONIGHTReminder: Town Hall tonight, March 1, 2012. I will be joined for this informal on-line chat by a very special guest, Judge Jim Gray. We will be discussing the drug war and...
Uncle Jim is more than a namesake – by Judge Jim Gray
Uncle Jim is more than a namesakeAs my father told the story, when he asked my mother to marry him, the only condition was that if they had a son they would name him after his younger brother Jim. I...
It’s A Gray Area: A chance to support regulating marijuana – Judge Jim Gray
A chance to support regulating marijuanaIt's A Gray AreaOn Sept. 1 you will have a chance to help us make history. On this date there will be an event to support the Regulate Marijuana Like Wine...
It’s A Gray Area: Trip to the ‘Promised Land’ has a profound effect – by Judge Jim Gray
Trip to the 'Promised Land' has a profound effectIt's A Gray AreaMy wife, Grace, and I just returned from a two-week tour of Jordan and Israel sponsored by Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal...
It’s A Gray Area: Hall of Famers give back to younger players – by Judge Jim Gray
Hall of Famers give back to younger playersIt's A Gray AreaThanks to Ron Yary, a former Outland Trophy winner at USC and Minnesota Vikings all-pro tackle, and Dr. Casey Cooper, a noted sports...
It’s A Gray Area: Making peace, even while in prison – by Judge Jim Gray
Making peace, even while in prisonIt's A Gray AreaA few years ago, a woman named Susan Russo, who was serving a life sentence without possibility of parole at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla,...
It’s A Gray Area: Fundamentals are the answer to the recession – by Judge Jim Gray
Fundamentals are the answer to the recessionIt's A Gray AreaThe fledgling program TAP America is trying to strengthen the U.S. economy by encouraging people to buy more American products as a matter...
Remember the four Cs when making friends – by Judge Jim Gray
Remember the four Cs when making friendsWithin the first three to five minutes of meeting someone new, that person will have formed a strong feeling about who you are, how much they will like, trust...
Time to privatize out government work – by Judge Jim Gray
Time to privatize out government workWhen former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger first took office he promised to address the out-of-control worker's compensation system, and he did. Unfortunately,...
So much fun, history on Balboa Island – by Judge Jim Gray
So much fun, history on Balboa IslanA few weeks ago at a book signing at Martha's Bookstore on Balboa Island, I met and began talking to Sharon and Bob Lambert, who live on the island. They told...
Take in a bit of history with your theater – by Judge Jim Gray
Take in a bit of history with your theaterDo you want to treat yourself to great theater for a truly modest price? Get tickets for the upcoming production of "The Hiding Place," based upon Tim...
Live and preserve your heritage – by Judge Jim Gray
Live and preserve your heritageAt this point in my life, I have lost my grandparents and parents and all of their siblings. So as far as who the "elder statesmen" are on my side of the family, my...
Let parents make best school choices – Judge Jim Gray
Let parents make best school choicesOne simple question should resolve the "school choice" issue for most thoughtful people: "Who is in a better position to decide how and where children can best be...
Are we watching? Do we care? – by Judge Jim Gray
Are we watching? Do we care?In the April 18 edition of Newsweek, columnist Philip K. Howard published a "Dear Congress" letter setting forth several national policies that are broken, and demanding...
Political correctness pulls us apart – by Judge Jim Gray
Political correctness pulls us apartA feeling of resentment by many minority groups smolders beneath the surface of some of our country's laws. These minorities feel relegated into second-class...
Judge works to legalize marijuana – by DAVID WHITING
Judge works to legalize marijuanaThere are times when our convictions take us places we never wanted to go. With the smell of marijuana wafting into the Anaheim Convention Center during last year's...
Regulate marijuana like wine – by Judge Jim Gray
Regulate marijuana like wineIn my public discussions about our nation's failed and hopeless policy of marijuana prohibition, I often say that Proposition 19 actually won the election last November,...
An open letter to Rep. John Campbell – by Judge Jim Gray
An open letter to Rep. John CampbellAs was discussed in this column on March 20, the immigration system in our country is not hard to repair, but the problem is that neither many Republicans nor...
Governments need to outsource services – by Judge Jim Gray
Governments need to outsource servicesMy Aug. 12, 2007, column recommended that all governments pass sunset laws requiring each of their agencies to receive a positive vote every six or seven years...
Interpreting the 14th Amendment – by Judge Jim Gray
Interpreting the 14th AmendmentWhy are Arizona and an increasingly large number of other states taking their own action regarding illegal immigration? It results from the frustration of the federal...
Justice must come before peace – by Judge Jim Gray
Justice must come before peaceProbably the biggest tinderbox in the world today is the Holy Land, with the problems between Israel and Palestine continuing to deteriorate. But before I say more, I...
Could clean water come from coal? – by Judge Jim Gray
Could clean water come from coal?This column a few years ago discussed nuclear power and how our country was underutilizing it in generating electricity. A man who works for a company called...
A worthy celebration of the justice system – by Judge Jim Gray
A worthy celebration of the justice systemI was privileged on Feb. 18 to attend a celebration of how our system works, particularly when good people use it for the right purpose. Sometimes it takes...
With our help, the brain-injured can thrive – by Judge Jim Gray
With our help, the brain-injured can thriveOne of the true embarrassments of our times is that there is no facility in the western United States where brain-injured adults can live, receive...
St. Valentine’s Day — past and present – by Judge Jim Gray
St. Valentine's Day — past and presentHave you ever wondered where the Valentine's Day celebration came from? I did, and so I did a little research, and no, unlike Mother's Day, Valentine's Day is...
Save the date for this year’s music festival – by Judge Jim Gray
Save the date for this year's music festivalOn May 22, there will be a music festival from noon to 7 p.m. at the Heritage Museum of Orange County. Not only will there be bluegrass, folk and...
Pursuing a truly lost cause – by Judge Jim Gray
Pursuing a truly lost causeYou have probably seen recent newspaper articles saying that the only U.S. manufacturer of sodium thiopental — the anesthetic that begins the three-drug process used in...
Honest appraisals in our times of need – by Judge Jim Gray
Honest appraisals in our times of needRecently I heard KFI AM's Bill Handel say that Southern California Edison is attempting to increase its rates by 7% so that, among other things, it can cover...
Ways to protect your home – by Judge Jim Gray
Ways to protect your homeRecently I saw a flier published by the Newport Beach Police Department titled "When a Stranger Knocks" that discusses ways to protect your home. The flier also offered a...
Why liberty is so important to us – by Judge Jim Gray
Why liberty is so important to usThe response to last week's column asking our politicians to dare to lead and dare to lose was substantial, and mostly positive. The column closed by commenting that...
Politicians should take a real risk – by Judge Jim Gray
Politicians should take a real riskAs we enter into the second decade of the 21st century, we should pause and reflect upon probably the largest reality of human life, which is that circumstances...
Correcting mistakes of Prop. 13 – by Judge Jim Gray
Correcting mistakes of Prop. 13This column has already discussed the "sacred cow" issue of Social Security, and I have not (yet) been run out of town, so summoning up all of my courage, I will now...
When it comes to kids, teach and love them – by Judge Jim Gray
When it comes to kids, teach and love themI never even held an infant until my son Bill was born. It wasn't that I was averse to small children, it's just that I was never really exposed to them, or...
Are TSA procedures really making us safer? – by Judge Jim Gray
Are TSA procedures really making us safer?Last year, thousands and thousands of Americans at the airport lost at least 30 minutes of their lifetimes by standing in longer lines and complying with...
Gratitude for ‘Cups of Tea’ author – by Judge Jim Gray
Gratitude for 'Cups of Tea' authorEditor's note: Instead of his regular column, James P. Gray this week has decided to share a letter he sent to "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson. Mr. Greg...
‘Oh, beautiful, for spacious skies’ – by Judge Jim Gray
'Oh, beautiful, for spacious skies'This Thanksgiving weekend I celebrate our national parks and other gems administered for us by the U.S. National Park Service. One thing that I want to do before...
It always comes back to values – by Judge Jim Gray
It always comes back to valuesAfter the recent election was over, one of my friends confided to me that in the final analysis that he was unable to vote in favor of Proposition 19, which would have...
The spirit that moves them at Vanguard – by Judge Jim Gray
The spirit that moves them at VanguardWe have a real gem in our midst, which is Vanguard University of Southern California, and everyone should be aware and proud of it. As I hope you know, this...
The trick of current welfare system – by Judge Jim Gray
The trick of current welfare systemRecently the Los Angeles Times reported that $69 million in California welfare money was cashed in by recipients in places like Las Vegas and on cruise ships....
It’s A Gray Area: It’s as ‘sound as the dollar’ – by Judge Jim Gray
It's A Gray Area: It's as 'sound as the dollar'I still remember my parents commenting during the 1964 presidential election about the silliness of Barry Goldwater's recommending that we go back on...
As you live your life, let it be a dance – by Judge Jim Gray
As you live your life, let it be a danceAs I turned "Medicare eligible" this year, I have been reflecting more and more about the time I have left on this planet. Maybe we all should — no matter how...
On becoming a peacemaker – by Judge Jim Gray
On becoming a peacemakerOne of the most gratifying things I did as a judge on the trial court in Orange County was helping people voluntarily resolve their disputes. Over the years I developed some...
Let’s make pot boring – by Judge Jim Gray
Let's make pot boringIt is time for us to be realistic and manage the trade and usage of marijuana instead of simply moralizing about it. The honest facts are that today marijuana is the largest...
Braving heart problems together – by Judge Jim Gray
Braving heart problems togetherThe Braveheart Project was started in Scotland during the middle 1990s by a group of coronary heart disease health-care professionals who were concerned that their...
Promote our heritage – By Judge Jim Gray
Promote our heritageMy column on July 5, 2009, cited the Heritage Museum of Orange County as being a gem, but one that needed more attention and polishing. Since then, I have accepted a position on...