counsel] that this-that a life sentence is too severe for this defendant under even all the facts of this case as bad as they are. And I would not impose a life sentence but for the sentencing guidelines. But ... it makes no difference what I think. I think that the sentencing guideline as it’s applied here is too harsh. I would sentence Mr. Plumman to a period of less than life if it were up to me .... If I were to downwardly depart in this case I would be reversed before the ink was dry. (emphasis supplied). This judicial proclamation confirms that, at the time of Plumman’s sentencing, the district court believed it was required to impose concurrent life sentences for Counts I through VI as mandated by the Guidelines. See United States v. Collins, 340 F.3d 672, 683 (8th Cir.2003) (<HOLDING>). Our review leads us to conclude a reasonable
holding constitutional the recidivismbased mandatory life sentence penalty created by 18 usc  3559 holding that the statute is mandatory holding that a mandatory life sentence for cocaine possession is not unusual in the constitutional sense holding life sentence mandatory under 21 usc  841b and district court could not depart from the mandatory life sentence unless government made a motion holding that the mandatory life sentence provisions of 21 usc  841b1 do not violate the eighth amendment