Politics: A new beginning

[Not Me]

Originally posted by bilmore
But he DID get special treatment. He got treated especially badly.

Accidents happen every day. That's negligence. But, caving to public pressure, they nailed him for gross negligence, willful indifference, and the like. Historically, past driving records don't suffice for that. Further, he was driving like every other bozo in a state with miles to nowhere and eight-foot corn.

He should bleed in the civil suit. But, this shouldn't have been a criminal matter.

Agreed. They just went way overboard to show that he wasn't getting special treatment and in so doing, they overcharged him and now he is convicted and will spend time in jail for what most people never spend time in jail for.

[Not Me]

Did anyone else see Wes Clark on Chris Matthews? He was splitting hairs over whether he was asked to step down from his position or asked to retire early. What is the difference?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by bilmore
He should bleed in the civil suit. But, this shouldn't have been a criminal matter.

By his own admission, he was reckless. So why wasn't it criminal? If he got a raw deal, it was that the prosecutors were scared to cut a plea bargain with him for fear of looking soft on him. But that only means he was tried for what he did.

[Skeks in the city]

Originally posted by Not Me

since I never worked in the manufacturing sector and want to buy cheap goods produced in Asia, fuck 'em. Those in the manufacturing sector were making too much money compared to more skilled workers, like teachers and nurses, so I am not going to feel sorry for them. Let them go to college like the rest of us had to.

You want to hollow out the middle class so the left has an opening to impose confiscatory levels of taxation?

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Not Me
And so goes Berkeley

its clear you weren't privy to Nader exit polling data

[bilmore]

I just don't think Dean gets this "race" thing.

Best evidence: his big Chicago speech.

"While the address was billed as a major speech on race, only a handful of the audience members were black. The pre-printed signs, "African-Americans for Dean," were held by white supporters."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...,5661319.story

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
By his own admission, he was reckless. So why wasn't it criminal? If he got a raw deal, it was that the prosecutors were scared to cut a plea bargain with him for fear of looking soft on him. But that only means he was tried for what he did.

But when anyone else would not be tried in the first place and the only reason that he was tried was to prove that he wasn't being treated leniently, that is a raw deal.

[bilmore]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
By his own admission, he was reckless. So why wasn't it criminal?

If we prosecuted every reckless running of a stop sign, every incident of speeding, and every "oops, I was on my cell phone" that resulted in injury or death, we'd have complete gridlock in the courts.

And, no, it's not that everybody who does these things knocks it down with a plea. We just flat-out don't charge these things.

[bilmore]

Anybody here ever read Atlas Shrugged?

"From ABC News' Sharpton campaign reporter Beth Loyd:

After an intense evening of live television and SNL after-parties, it was time for Rev. Sharpton to join the celebration of the Godfather of Soul. In an attempt to avoid airport delays and make it to Washington on time for the Kennedy Center Honors, Sharpton, entourage in tow, decided to take the train. Caroline Kennedy had the same idea.

Just south of Trenton, N.J., there was a bit of a problem. An unidentified bird flew into the engine of the train, subsequently destroying the engine … and the bird.

They were stranded.

"Not so fast," said the Reverend, who then, acting as the mouthpiece of the dignitaries on board, insisted on another train. So, the Reverend and his crew, Caroline Kennedy and her entourage, the other first class passengers, and one very slick 20/20 producer boarded the "rescue train" as it pulled alongside.

While Sharpton and Kennedy made it to Washington and hit the red carpet, the remaining passengers sat there … waiting. Damn bird."

(From ABC's The Note.)

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by bilmore
If we prosecuted every reckless running of a stop sign, every incident of speeding, and every "oops, I was on my cell phone" that resulted in injury or death, we'd have complete gridlock in the courts.

And, no, it's not that everybody who does these things knocks it down with a plea. We just flat-out don't charge these things.

First, the evidence against him was particularly bad. He's been bragging about his lead foot for years. A woman testified that he nearly hit her blowing through the same stop sign something like a year ago.

Second, it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy. He's been preaching about personal responsibility for years. Advocating boot camps for teenage offenders. Seeking to have an 11-year-old tried as an adult. So if the law's on the books, why not indict him of all people?

[bilmore]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Second, it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy. He's been preaching about personal responsibility for years. Advocating boot camps for teenage offenders. Seeking to have an 11-year-old tried as an adult. So if the law's on the books, why not indict him of all people?

Because criminal law prosecutions should rarely be based on political philosophy?

(Or do you really think Tommy Chong should be in prison?)

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Second, it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy. He's been preaching about personal responsibility for years. Advocating boot camps for teenage offenders. Seeking to have an 11-year-old tried as an adult. So if the law's on the books, why not indict him of all people?

Now there's a good reason to selectively enforce a law that rarely gets enforced - because you don't agree with his political beliefs!

As Howard Dean would say, just like in the Soviet Union.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Not Me
. . . Howard Dean . . . say . . . Soviet Union.

BTW - he hit a freaking motorcyclist. Do you know how many times I have been driving UNDER the speed limit stone cold sober and have almost hit a motorcyclist?!?!? Those fuckers are always weaving in and out of traffic and driving between the lanes and YOU CANNOT FUCKING SEE THEM!!!!

They don't call them donorcycles for no reason, ya know?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by bilmore
Because criminal law prosecutions should rarely be based on political philosophy?

Originally posted by Not me
Same idea

I'm just saying why I like it; I would hope the prosecutors weren't considering his political views and activities when they indicted him.

Funny how it takes the indictment of a GOP Congressman for conservatives to bleat about aggressive prosecution prompted by public opinion. (When was the last time you saw someone indicted for perjury in a deposition? No, never mind.)

Originally posted by bilmore
(Or do you really think Tommy Chong should be in prison?)

Yes, but for his movies, even if they are a form of protected speech.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Not Me
YOU CANNOT FUCKING SEE THEM!!!!

They don't call them donorcycles for no reason, ya know?

Especially at that intersection, which is why there is a stop sign there.

I don't imagine there was much of this guy left to donate, FWIW.