The fact that our legal system has become so tolerant of police lying indicates how corrupted our criminal justice system has become by declarations of war, 'get tough' mantras, and a seemingly insatiable appetite for locking up and locking out the poorest and darkest among us.

In this quote, Michelle Alexander critiques the growing tolerance for police lying within the criminal justice system. She argues that this permissiveness is a reflection of deeper issues within the system, where the pursuit of law and order has led to the corruption of fundamental legal principles. Alexander connects this tolerance for dishonesty to the broader societal context of "war on drugs" and the "get tough" rhetoric that has dominated U.S. policies, which often target marginalized communities, particularly the poor and racial minorities.

Alexander suggests that the criminal justice system has been deeply shaped by the desire to maintain control over the most vulnerable populations. The focus on locking up individuals, especially those who are poor or of color, has become a priority, leading to policies that sacrifice justice for the sake of incarceration. This "insatiable appetite" for imprisonment has created a system that is less concerned with fairness or truth, and more focused on punitive measures that disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups.

The quote also highlights the growing corruption of the justice system, where actions like police lying to secure convictions are tolerated as part of a broader political and legal culture. The system’s increasing reliance on such tactics undermines the idea of due process and accountability, creating an environment where the truth becomes secondary to achieving convictions and maintaining the status quo. Alexander argues that this leads to a justice system that is inherently flawed and biased.

Ultimately, Alexander’s statement calls for a critical examination of the criminal justice system, urging a reevaluation of its priorities and practices. She underscores the importance of reforming a system that has become skewed by political agendas, such as the war on drugs, and has allowed harmful practices, like police deception, to flourish, particularly at the expense of the most vulnerable in society.