Meth stings

Language Log explores the linguistic aspects of meth stings.

Hat tip to Explananda.

Comments

[Eli]

What an interesting post, and what an interesting question about applying reasonableness standards in transactions in a multilingual society. I think the post goes a bit overboard in trying to make its case, though. For example:

Owner: What are you doing with these? It's none of my business but--

Agent: Makin' money ma'am, makin' mo--(inaudible second syllable).

It's hard to imagine how mo-- can be understood as meth and the simple count of syllables doesn't add up to "makin' meth."

Well, no. But it seems fairly clear that the store owner in the case was aware of the unusual nature of the purchase, and if the actual response was "makin' money," anyone who could understand the words could likely figure out what it meant. There's nothing unreasonable about expecting the operators of stores that sell drugs that can be used to cook meth to be aware of it, and anyone who was aware of the possibility would put two and two together in that instance.

Still, I think the law might be unreasonable on other grounds. I wonder if the statute's drafters ever actually dealt with a meth user in person. I'm not terribly comfortable requiring a lone clerk in an empty store to refuse one the drugs he or she needs to manufacture more meth. It's not exactly the same thing as turning down 14-year-olds who want to tip out on Coricidin HBP. Coming between meth users and more meth isn't necessarily something I'm comfortable requiring civilians to do in this setting.

[Eli]

"Trip out," rather.

[gordo]

Eli--

I think you're right about the burden placed on clerks. There should be bright lines drawn between what's legal and what's not.

In the story about the possible misunderstanding, there's a link to this story about the sting in Georgia. 80% of the convenience stores in the area are white-owned, but only 1% of those caught up in the operation are white-owned.

In that context, it looks to me like a plan to mention meth when confronted changed when not enough clerks went along with the sale. Thus, the garbled verbiage at the end of the exchange is reported as "making money, making meth."

[Mike Nilsen]

More like exploring 'the lazy racist cop' aspects of meth stings.

[aguilera christina donald duck]

I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. I just don't have much to say right now, but so it goes. I've basically been doing nothing to speak of, but shrug. Today was a loss. I don't care. That's how it is.