Edwards trial and big picture

[veronica_rich]

Eight years ago, I voted for John Edwards - well, I voted for John Kerry, but Edwards was his VP candidate on the ticket, too. I liked some of his ideas, how he was one of the first to point out "the two Americas" and bring attention to the disparities in human services and distribution of opportunity in this country, and I liked that he didn't start out rich. (I'm also one of the few people who understands while you should never trust a lawyer too far, they're not usually evil bastards with no soul - I worked for a criminal defense lawyer for several years, knew others through him, and found they were basically decent people trying to make a living who largely believed even if a person HAD committed a crime, the justice system still needed to observe rules in treating them a certain way; trust me, they didn't like some of their clients any more than you or I would. And some of them even had lines - the one I worked for wouldn't take rape cases).

Yesterday, Edwards got off of federal charges of criminal use of campaign funds, on jury indecision and technicalities. Was this right? I don't know all the details, so I'm not going to tell you. I can say I don't think any conviction, had it happened, should have been based on his personal behavior involving his now-dead wife, mistress, and child - a low-down dirty dog he might be, but if there was campaign malfeasance, THAT'S what needed to be proven. (And I'm not saying there wasn't, just because it wasn't proven beyond reasonable doubt or convicted. Remember O.J. Simpson, y'all ...) For this reason alone, though, I know there are going to be people angry he didn't get his "just deserts." They're sure entitled to be angry with him personally, as am I. Possibly even on campaign finance law.

But what I want to know is, are these same people just as upset that there are war criminals still on the loose who were in charge of our country for the first several years of this century, who've never been charged or tried - one of whom got his portrait hung up in the White House yesterday? It's just a thought I had early this morning while driving to work.

Comments

[bayliss.livejournal.com]

We can also turn this around and say not one (and it's true) of our presidents were ever totally decent people. The first bunch owned slaves or fought the natives. We had anti-semantic, male chauvinist, KKK members in office. (I personally can't say anything bad about Obama, I kinda like him.)

I believe the Christians have a saying, "He without sin may cast the first stone." I don't think any of us have that right. Sure what he did was not very nice, but nobody proved he used those funds to fund the hiding of his other baby momma. I guess the older I get the less i care about what they do in the privacy of their private lives and care that they don't take my rights away and start wars.

[keechakatt.livejournal.com]

I don't really trust any politician. They say one thing to get. elected, and do something else when in office.

Americans are out of work and these politicians are bad. mouthing the 1%, while having. no trouble asking for $40,000 a head for the "privilege" of eating with them. If they put that much effort into the National Debt we could be free in no time.

As for Bush I'm not sure how he is a war criminal. He's no saint I 'll give you that one.

Obama had all this "Hope and Change" baloney. To me. it's along the lines of "Wish in one hand and crap in the other." It's all the same. The only. "Hope" I see are Americans hoping they can find a job after 2+ years of looking. The change is when they have to move because their house has been in foreclosure. They can't pay the mortgage. The only change are stores closing and companies folding. They are not coming back. Frankly, I'm tired of seeing ads to help feed fellow Americans. Why ? Because we send aid to countries who hate us. If you're not with us, then go back to the stone age and figure out the problems in your own country. That money could pay the deficit. That money could feed Americans.

Focus on jobs. Let's chase every agenda, but getting the economy back on track.

People use to emigrate to become citizens. There use to be pride in being an American. Now we are assimilating to become like the immigrant, not the other way around. I shouldn't have to go to Sears and see no signs English. When Americans travel abroad you don't go into their store, you don't see signs in English. No, you learn their language, as it should be.

I don't care who gets in office. Let's stop this downward spiral to third world status.

As always Ver I do respect you very much. These are just issues I have in general with the political atmosphere and uncertainty of our times. I would love to have a respectful discussion with you.

[keechakatt.livejournal.com]

Firstly, I wanted to thank you for your honesty and understanding. Your explanation was well executed.

So many times I have asked these very questions to others who are very left. They seem incredulous to the very idea that I'm by nature a conservative. I ask these questions to make informed choices, and not as a critique of someone else's beliefs. I honestly could not find any objection to anything you said.

Maybe Obama with another term can clean things up. Maybe Romney can fix things Obama couldn't. Ultimately, I think both sides can agree the system is broken. As to how to fix it, I don't know. Either way someone ends up unhappy. The amount of Government waste is staggering.

The hot issue for me is unemployment. Also the unjust treatment by the banks. They get bailout money, and have the nerve to foreclose on homes.

The Government is also getting a bit too Nanny State for me. New York wanting to cut the size of soda? If someone dies due to poor dietary habits, who is to blame?

Thank you again for your explanation of your feelings. I'm glad we can have these conversations, and not take it as a personal attack. Thank you for enlightening me. *G*

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

I always look forward to your political posts (even though I rarely comment on them). I generally agree with everything you write in these posts and you put your thoughts down in a way I don't think I could. Cudos.
(I can't even really comment on the other comments you've replied to others because I even agree with your further explanations. It kinda suck having nothing to add. LOL)