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Posted on 06/13/2002 5:27:08 PM PDT by Avoiding_Sulla
Originally published in the L.A. Times on June 6 under the title 'Hi, My Name Isn't Justice, Honey,' and Shame on Lockyer , it can now be found at Cato at the link above. Please see that for the whole editorial.
It short it informs us what Bill Lockyer thinks is now suitable punishment for those cases he deems special. Apparently, from his elective position of demigod, in the penal institutions of his state, inmate rapes are now semi-official policy.
There are two lines in particular that I have chosen to focus upon, to provide for FReeper consideration and to make my own observations.
They are
But his remarks do have one positive merit: They tell us what criminal penalties really entail.
This particularly sad pol has been left unmolested for other widely ridiculed divulgence of his thoughts (ranging from the merely stupid to the racist that I invite others to recount in this thread to help make my point).
Perhaps his merely being criticized by "partisans" may have served notice to him that he has some kind of free pass.
In that alone is an ominous threat that is dangerous to ignore.
But of more importance is that there must be quite a bit of acceptance by the public for the meting out of punishment in this manner. Forget both the moral and Constitutional merits of the concept that the punishment must fit the crime.
Aside from the most unrefined Paleos amongst us, how many FReepers figure that, on balance, it all works out in the end? That's not something we should be concerned with is it? After all, isn't that why we hire and elect professionals? Right? </sarcasm>
Seeing how little effort is being waged by the California GOP or even in this forum, I figure there must be more than a few. See my profile for a reminder of what incrementally growing to accept such behavior will assuredly do to our republic as was done to the Roman.
Wants troubling to me, and I hope to you, is that Bill Lockyer may be only the beginning of the types which may follow to afflict our children. Yes, I suspect he's just the tip of the iceberg.
Ya know? I think we should look at Mr. Lockyer as a gift!
"What is wrong with you Av? A gift? Have you flipped?"
No, not at all. Here we have but one thug, who, having been let into power, is so arrogant or stupid that he is willing to blow his cover. He openly reveals to us how he and his cronies really think. He makes it mandatory for us to consider: how many more, being still sane or cagey, remain hidden? How can the lack of public criticism of such a buffoon, a man in charge of "Justice" in the any state of our union, not just its largest, not be greatly worrying? Are all these others who remain silent afraid "to cast the first stone?" Maybe that's because they are not "without sin" of the same kind. I'm torn over what is more troubling: the silence itself or Lockyer's still being in office.
This guy's antics need wider publicity than they are getting. I would hope publishing this on FR might help. Democrats deserve to be made uncomfortable by their silence here. Lockyer almost makes Doofus look good in comparison. Is that why they're silent? Lockyer needs to be reprimanded and shunned by his own party. There was time when that was the norm. So FReepers, be very scornful that it is the norm no longer.
I hate to answer this thread's question with another question, but isn't it obvious?:
those who would = those [whom you] would.
Two weeks ago California Attorney General Bill Lockyer stood in front of a table for a photo opportunity with the press. On the table were various "illegal" firearms that he claimed were sold to California undercover agents at the Pomona gun show held the first weekend in May.
As you may recall, Lockyer was pointing out that gun shows are havens for illegal gun sales. So much so, his agents ran out of money early the first day implying they could have purchased illegal firearms all day long.
Highly placed sources close to the investigation within the Department of Justice have revealed a very disturbing story of deceit perpetrated on the public for the purpose of furthering gun control efforts. The agents involved in the sting operation at the Pomona gun show were from the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement Division of the California Department of Justice. Agents from the DOJ's Firearms Division were not used in the operation. BNE agents are not trained in weapons identification nor are they familiar to any great degree with federal or California gun laws. Why members of the BNE were used is not certain, but we will speculate that to obtain a "bust", the last thing Lockyer wanted were firearms experts who are looking for illegal firearms. The experts would have probably gone home empty handed. However, the BNE agents didn't go home empty handed from the Pomona show.
Unfortunately, it is beginning to appear as though they used taxpayer money, arrested dealer(s) and held a press conference to announce the purchase of illegal firearms that are perfectly legal.
Sources say the weapons Lockyer displayed for the press were, in at least some cases, not the weapons procured by undercover agents at the show. In fact, the MP-5 subgun on the table belongs to a Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement agent!
The Colt Sporter displayed is a legal firearm in California along with a number of other firearms that are legal under the 1989 Roberti-Roos Assault Weapon law. The so-called "auto-kits" are perfectly legal for sale and possession in California providing they aren't installed in the receiver of a firearm. The flame thrower is also legal providing the igniter is removed/demilled to prevent ignition. The empty LAW rocket launcher tube (no rocket in place) is not a controlled item, illegal, nor is it even considered to be a firearm.
"Is there a bottom"...Prison Rape...is this a Homosexual agenda bump???
The people there seem to like being ruled by incompetent idiots, they caused their own electrical shortage problems and this blaming of Enron is the kind of spiel that the shmoos in California will eat up.
Ronald Reagan, even today, could do a better job of running that state than the Commie Crew currently in power. I would like to see these politicians meet Spike, they are the real criminals in this story.
As for inmate rape, it is an abomination. The state has an obligation to protect inmates from crimes inside the prison. I am surprised that there has not been a multi trillion dollar lawsuit against the state over inmate rape and other crimes.
So what was so bad about Lundgren? Did he make your expenses for drug purchasing go up too much, or do you have some other complaint against him comparable to those against Lockyear? He was certainly a lousy candidate for governor, but it sounds like more than that sort of objection, seeing your language. I do remember that he was considered as a candidate for VP, back when Quayle was picked, on the grounds that the GOP rarely won the presidency without a Californian on the ticket, and Wilson wouldn't be acceptable.
Answer: No.
Davis is much more clever at hiding it. Lockjaw has revealed himself many times!
You'd think the moderators would have caught on by now that publications choose the titles they use rather than the authors of the material.
Hint guys: The L.A. Times is neither a friend to conservatives nor a fan of FR.
PLEASE STOP HELPING THEM bury the important stories!
And that is eventhough this editorial was republished by Cato, the employer of the author, and not LAT.
Apparently the rub is that it ORIGINALLY appeared in LAT. And new FR policy regarding usage of WAP and LAT articles greatly limits the amount we can post here. No more than one or two lines from the piece is what I was told. It some ways it's a positive step if you think about it. FReepmail me if you want more info. ;^)
Meanwhile, if anyone clicks on Cato Institute up at the title line it'll take them here http://www.cato.org/pubs/papers/palmer-06-06-01.html
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