Posted on 12/23/2010 8:33:25 AM PST by TPOOH
It seems to me that Pollard's supporters are fools, seeing only Pollard in jail, and ignoring the goal. If Pollard is released and Tel Aviv and New York are nuked, what profit is there for Pollard, Jews and Americans? Pollard's supporters see him as a martyr? Fine. Then make sure his martyrdom is not for nothing, and stop undermining Israel by bringing him up.
His “loyalty” is why the CIA/FBI were suspicious of allowing Jews into the ranks, or at least the official given reason. But then again here you come all but goosestepping your racial loyalty over this poor old hick who dares to speak his voice to power. You know better than that.
So, no doubt, you feel the same way about the spies who were convicted of espionage, including espionage for a foreign power, and received mush more moderate sentences and parole. They should have been executed.
“27 years and 2 months a**hole.”
What a keen intellect. You really got me there. /s
I’m researching the daring missions you were on in the years up to 1983 and I’ll get back to you. Just wait right there.
Well put. My view is, Pollard plays the role of pawn in this; there’s no realistic chance of his release. Of course, if he had spied for *any* other country, Zero would release him because Zero undermines the US at every chance.
Wow you play the victim so well!!! You must be a Muslim. A Muslim oppressed by the big bad Jooos
Think of it! 14 million Jews control this planet. That is what you Muslims and other nutters think. Now does that say Jews are supermen or that the rest of the planet are abject fools? Or maybe both? Maybe you can elaborate
Please do. I’ll wait.
Figure it out yet, Scooter?
Suicide by Muslim inmates..
You are lapsing into ignorant bigotry, good day. I’m done I am going to enjoy Xmas with my family if that doesn’t upset you too much.
“Please do. I’ll wait.”
OK. You keep waiting.
“Figure it out yet, Scooter?”
Figured it out a long time ago, Gomer.
Yes, I do.
However, you are allowing your religion to get in the way of being an American, IMHO.
I could care less if a Christian spy is executed for betraying his country.
However, you support a man for betraying his country simply because of his religion.
That is sad.
Let’s say for the sake of argument that my level of interest in this case is greater because of religious affinity and that I am biased.
Does that mean the points I might make in favor of clemency are invalid on that basis alone, even if they are factually and logically valid? You seem reasonable enough to concede that that doesn’t really make sense.
So yes, perhaps I am taking the trouble to argue the case because of religious affinity, but I will never insult you or any other FReeper by making spurious arguments just because of the defendant’s religion. And please remember, my interest is not to excuse or justify what he did. Only that 25 years is (more than) enough for what he did.
BTW, you should know that there have been cases of Jewish people committing crimes where I have been fiercely arguing that they should get the maximum punishment BECAUSE they were Jews. Madoff is one that quickly comes to mind. He brought terrible shame on the Jewish people and desecrated G-d’s name in the world, one of the worst transgressions possible according the Judaism. On top of that, he fueled the ancient fires of hatred for Jews as cunning, devious and dishonest people. Add to that, his crime was hideous with no mitigating circumstances for leniency.
I am a very loyal, patriotic American. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with trying to help someone who shares your religion, ethnicity or other affiliation from taking a special interest in members of their group as long as you remain intellectually honest.
That’s where you and I part. I don’t believe in Clemency for betraying your country.
Traitors like Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen, and especially unrepentant spies who once caught still try to leak intel from prison deserve the death sentence.
They put my life and everyone in the USA’s life in danger.
You don’t get a second chance for something like that.
Otherwise, if future spies knew the punishment would be light, they would be willing to take the risk.
OK. I hear you. That’s a legitimate position, but it is not the law of the land. As it stands now, clemency, parole and probation are available means of adjusting penalties the circumstances of the case. Even for espionage. Moreover, the the statutory scheme under which Pollard was sentenced has explicit different penalties depending on the specifics of the crime: whether the defendant spied for hostile or friendly powers, eg. as was the case with Pollard.
America is a Judeo-Christian country. We take into account differences in the degree of criminal acts, balancing justice and penalties to fit the crime. In appropriate circumstances, we even revisit justice, commuting sentences, granting clemency and even pardons. Even though I agree with your notion of the deterent effect of harsh penalties, there is simply no one-size-fits-all system. Without personal insult, I suggest this is the definition of a civilized system of justice, the true meaning of the rule of law.
I respect your position in the sense that you are obviously motivated by your fierce patriotism. But I respectfully submit that even patriotism can be taken too far.
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