by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
This week saw two very different scenarios play out with individuals who testified before Congress regarding the political dealings of Donald John Trump.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a decorated Iraq War veteran who gave damning testimony during the impeachment hearings about Trump's dealings with foreign leaders, was on an Army list for promotion to the rank of full colonel, but that promotion was being argued against by Trump himself. LTC Vindman finally withdrew from the fight and retired from the service rather than endure any more of Trump's intimidation and bullying.
Alexander Vindman had been truthful with Congress and wound up losing his career because of it.
And, on the other side of that same coin was Roger Stone, a political operative whose time in the sewers of politics extended all the way back to his personal services for Richard Nixon. Stone was convicted of seven charges last November, including lying to Congress and obstructing the proceedings of a congressional committee - and federal prosecutors originally recommended that he be sentenced to up to nine years in prison. Trump's chief Capo at the Justice Department, Attorney General William Barr, railed that the sentence of nine years would be much too harsh.
All four of the original prosecutors wound up quitting in disgust at Barr's interference before sentencing, and four new ones came on board who also supported the original heavier sentence, even though their boss, William Barr, was still carrying water for Stone and Trump and opposed the long sentence. The judge sentenced Roger Stone to forty months in prison, and his term was to have begun on July 14th.
This week when Roger Stone was asked about the possibility (or likelihood) of a pardon by Trump, Stone replied that he would prefer a "commutation" of his sentence. (Instead of being forgiven for his "crimes," commuting the sentence from forty months down to zero days would come nearer implying that he had done nothing wrong).
Trump took that advice and yesterday in a Friday evening news dump, commuted Roger Stone's sentence. His fixer would now not have to serve any time in prison, and all of Trump's secrets would remain safe with the grateful Roger Stone. And, perhaps most importantly, future witnesses against Trump would be able to see for themselves that he willfully punishes his enemies (like LTC Vindman) and takes care of his friends (like Roger Stone). Gangsters have long seen the advantage of making examples of people as a way to facilitate the behavior of others.
Clearly James Madison, the father of our Constitution, did not envision a president who would use the powers of clemency for self-preservation, and clearly Donald Trump is delighted with Madison's error in judgment.
Donald Trump continues to ride roughshod over the law, but on November 3rd Americans will have one final opportunity to rein him in. May we all rise to the occasion!
Citizen Journalist
This week saw two very different scenarios play out with individuals who testified before Congress regarding the political dealings of Donald John Trump.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a decorated Iraq War veteran who gave damning testimony during the impeachment hearings about Trump's dealings with foreign leaders, was on an Army list for promotion to the rank of full colonel, but that promotion was being argued against by Trump himself. LTC Vindman finally withdrew from the fight and retired from the service rather than endure any more of Trump's intimidation and bullying.
Alexander Vindman had been truthful with Congress and wound up losing his career because of it.
And, on the other side of that same coin was Roger Stone, a political operative whose time in the sewers of politics extended all the way back to his personal services for Richard Nixon. Stone was convicted of seven charges last November, including lying to Congress and obstructing the proceedings of a congressional committee - and federal prosecutors originally recommended that he be sentenced to up to nine years in prison. Trump's chief Capo at the Justice Department, Attorney General William Barr, railed that the sentence of nine years would be much too harsh.
All four of the original prosecutors wound up quitting in disgust at Barr's interference before sentencing, and four new ones came on board who also supported the original heavier sentence, even though their boss, William Barr, was still carrying water for Stone and Trump and opposed the long sentence. The judge sentenced Roger Stone to forty months in prison, and his term was to have begun on July 14th.
This week when Roger Stone was asked about the possibility (or likelihood) of a pardon by Trump, Stone replied that he would prefer a "commutation" of his sentence. (Instead of being forgiven for his "crimes," commuting the sentence from forty months down to zero days would come nearer implying that he had done nothing wrong).
Trump took that advice and yesterday in a Friday evening news dump, commuted Roger Stone's sentence. His fixer would now not have to serve any time in prison, and all of Trump's secrets would remain safe with the grateful Roger Stone. And, perhaps most importantly, future witnesses against Trump would be able to see for themselves that he willfully punishes his enemies (like LTC Vindman) and takes care of his friends (like Roger Stone). Gangsters have long seen the advantage of making examples of people as a way to facilitate the behavior of others.
Clearly James Madison, the father of our Constitution, did not envision a president who would use the powers of clemency for self-preservation, and clearly Donald Trump is delighted with Madison's error in judgment.
Donald Trump continues to ride roughshod over the law, but on November 3rd Americans will have one final opportunity to rein him in. May we all rise to the occasion!
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