“The value of harsher sentencing as a tool of prevention is debatable: Hoodlums typically don’t consult the sentencing guidelines before committing crimes. But we also know gang members don’t fear prison now because punishments are too lenient. So let those who don’t get the message otherwise learn the hard way. (Sen. Kwame) Raoul calls it a ‘common sense’ approach.'” – Chicago Tribune editorial board in Harsher punishments of gun offenders would save lives in Chicago [via chicagotribune.com]