tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069955.post7125683126145899891..comments2023-10-26T08:02:44.948-04:00Comments on Connecticut Commentary: Red Notes from a Blue State: Rowland Rising, TwoDon Pescihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11167988001948356357noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069955.post-10053315723402512852008-01-28T09:34:00.000-05:002008-01-28T09:34:00.000-05:00When people say “such and such is not fair,” gener...When people say “such and such is not fair,” generally what they mean is that such and such does not live up to their own personal expectations. Fairness, as the word is popularly used, lies almost entirely in the eye of the beholder. In matters of litigation, we ought to be concerned with justice. Justice can be objectively measured against a baseline of laws and traditions. Rowland’s punishment was just even though it may fall short of my own personal expectations of what I may believe should have happened to him.<BR/><BR/>When I say laws and punishments ought to be applied “fairly,” what I mean is this: If both A and B ahve committed the same offense, both should be punished equally: The punisher, somewhat Godlike, should be no respecter of persons. It is simply stupid to pretend that Rowland has not been punished. But punishment, like all good things, must have an end to it. And when punishment is ended, life should resume. The possiblity of redemption should not be foreclosed. <BR/><BR/>I must confess that I’ve lost tract of the Ben Andrews case. I do not know whether he is in prison or on his way there. In any case, Andrews, a prominent Republican, will be punished for having done – at the same time and with the same people – what Bill DeBella, a prominent Democrat, has done. Andrews is either in jail or on his way there; DeBella either has been or will be re-appointed as a prominent commissioner. If you are looking for an example of unfairness, here it is. Go to it.<BR/><BR/>There are in this sorry world of ours people who do not believe that other people who have committed offenses against that base line of laws and traditions mentioned above should be given an opportunity to redeem themselves. I’m not one of them.<BR/><BR/>Rowland will be watched. Believe me when I tell you that a thousand eyes will be upon him. If he slips up, he can be prosecuted and send back to jail. Federal prosecutors who have decided to use RICO legislation to prosecute political crimes – the legislation originally was written to ease the prosecution of mafia Dons and drug runners – make prosecution very easy. So, Rowland’s way is full of hurdles, and those who believe it would be fair had the flesh rotted of his bones in prison for what he did may yet get their wish.<BR/><BR/>I say he already has shown signs that he wants to redeem his past offenses; let him try.Don Pescihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11167988001948356357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069955.post-200704035400599912008-01-27T21:55:00.000-05:002008-01-27T21:55:00.000-05:00Buddha'd spend his own money, not fill a fresh tro...Buddha'd spend his own money, not fill a fresh trough full of yummy taxes.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16127439381646667165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069955.post-13982421211560757162008-01-27T14:30:00.000-05:002008-01-27T14:30:00.000-05:00it's a question of fiarness not forgivenessit's a question of fiarness not forgivenessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com