Supreme Tire Slashing Verdict Reaction
I am pleased that Judge Brennan ignored the pathetic recommendation of the Milwaukee DA's office that the tire slashers merely receive probation.
I believe the imposition of jail time will make anyone, of any party, think twice before engaging in such behavior.
I truly believe that had this been a case of Republican operatives, including sons of two prominent GOP elected officials, slashing the tires of Democrat party voter shuttle vans, that the case would have been ratcheted up to the federal courts as a civil rights case.
It's also fair that Brennan give these men work release privileges, so they can earn money. They have fines and restitution to pay.
It will be mere moments before we hear the cries of injustice from the apologists for these men.
As a law abiding member of Congress who swore to uphold the constitution, this is what Congresswoman Gwen Moore should say:
"My son made a terrible mistake, he faced the consequences in the criminal justice system, and he will now pay his debt. I love him and stand by him and will help him get through this, much like any mother would."
But, if I were to offer a guess I'd imagine we'll get something closer to this, eventually...
"He had a deal. The judge should have honored the deal. This is yet another injustice brought upon an upstanding, strong man of color in Milwaukee."
UPDATE+++
I stand corrected. According to the AP:
Congresswoman Moore said, "I love my son very much. I'm very proud of him. He's accepted responsibility."
While the "I'm very proud of him" comment is quite odd considering what he was convicted of, at least she didn't lash out at the judge, or the 'system.'
I was wrong, and I am glad to admit it. Good for the Congresswoman for being even tempered.
4 Comments:
When the facts aren't fun, "imagine" new ones. Way to go.
Let's see . . . the mother of one of these young men is "very proud" of her son for accepting responsibility for his wrongdoing and you think that comment is "quite odd?" Why is that?
I find your preconceived notions about how Congresswoman Moore would react to this verdict to be quite odd.
I think it is quite odd that, considering her son sabotaged the get out the vote efforts of a political party, she would say she was 'very proud' of her son.
She should be embarassed by his behavior that night. Proud of him, perhaps, for finally acting like a man and accepting his punishment today, though.
As for my preconceived notions on how she would react, I based it on having witnessed her behavior and statements over the years, including her actions and statements since her son was first arrested.
As I mentioned, I admit I whiffed on the prediction today
In the interest of fairness, you really should inform your readers that restitution in the amount of $5,317.45 has already been paid by the men involved in this case. And, while you fervently desire to misconstrue Congresswoman Moore's remarks about being proud of her son - NOT, as you persist on writing, that she was proud of his involvement in this affair, but rather that she is proud that he has accepted responsibility - you may also be interested to know that Judge Brennan gave Moore's son the lightest sentence "because of his remorseful remarks to the judge during sentencing."
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Omokunde told the judge that the 2004 presidential election sharply divided America but that no matter how divisive the election, no one had the right to commit vandalism.
“As a child I was taught honesty by my family and by my teachers. Your honor, I crossed the line,” Omokunde said, as his mother watched from the front row of the courtroom gallery."
I guess we have different interpretations of what can be construed as "quite odd."
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