Quote:Judge James R. Spencer revealed McDonnell's punishment after being found guilty Sept. 4. on 11 of 13 federal charges filed against him. McDonnell was convicted of trading access to the power of the governor's office for more than $165,000 in loans and high-end gifts, and prosecutors wanted him to spend more than 10 years in federal prison.

Quote:"He's been punished enough," Speaker William J. Howell of the Virginia House of Delegates said in court testimony.

So a corrupt motherfucker who took $165,000 so bribers could get preferential treatment gets 2 years in jail and 2 more on probation and the other republicunt bastard thinks "he's been punished enough."

I rather doubt this guy stole $165,000 and he sure as shit wasn't trying to undermine the public trust.

http://articles.dailypress.com/2012-12-2...pton-judge

Quote:HAMPTON — It's been three months since a Hampton judge told Robert Via he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

Via has had plenty of time to think about the judge's decision. But on the day of his sentencing, he says he wasn't prepared. He says his mind raced and raced until it rested on one thought.

"Die in prison — that was the first thing that came to mind with 128 years," he said.

Via, 21, is appealing his case to the Virginia Court of Appeals. His appellate attorney, Charles Haden, says he anticipates filing a petition for appeal in mid-January.

Via, of Poquoson, was found guilty in a September 2010 home invasion on Arlington Terrace Road in Hampton. In March, a jury found Via guilty of conspiracy, armed burglary, robbery, four counts of abduction and firearms charges. The jury recommended that he spend 128 years and a day in prison — the mandatory minimum amount of time they could give him based on the charges he faced.

Apparently, suffering is in the eye of the beholder...especially if one of the criminals be-holding public office.

I don't think advocating a retributive justice system is any better than the issue here, Minimalist - What's your reasoning for him to spend more time? Does the law support your view? I'm not defending these assholes, rather trying to see the problem from an impartial justice point of view - But in your defense, I think a poor person would be sentenced to worse for stealing at the supermarket... There's some American laws I have trouble understanding (i.e. Jail time for incestuous relationships or possessing marijuana)

Quote:What's your reasoning for him to spend more time

He's a crook who used his elective office for personal gain. Remember, these were just the ones they caught him doing.

The prosecutors were pushing for 10-12 years. Which is still quite a break given...

http://news.yahoo.com/former-va-gov-bob-...40659.html

Quote:Twelve of the counts are punishable by up to 20 years in prison each, and two are punishable by up to 30 years. Fines can range from $250,000 to $1 million.

But, we all know that shit is just for poor people.

I still think 20 years is excessive but I live in a country where the limit is 25 inside prison so my perspective is different. I do agree that putting aside my personal position on how long sentence should be the courts seem to be giving him the benefit, as always.

The "justice" system here is fucked.

This corrupt public official gets a slap on the wrist; meanwhile, in my glorious state, there is a man who was found guilty of a DUI now imprisoned for life due to an ill-conceived, unjust three strikes law. By the way, his other two offenses were committed in the 1970s. What a country to live in.

McDonnell should spend longer than 10 years in jail and Robert's 128 years is stout.
However comparing the two crimes Roberts was far more severe. Home invasion and abduction is far worse than bribery in my opinion.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

This touches on one of my favorite natural laws:

He who makes the rules wins.
with the corollary of:
They'd be damn fools if they played it any other way.

Effective immunity from prosecution is part of the unfortunate system of positive feedback mechanisms which allows the aristocracy to gather wealth and power to themselves. McDonnell is only a doorman to the real grifters, the foul scum floating on top. Once upon a time wielding such wealth and power cyclically became unmanageable and a few aristos lost their heads when the peasants revolted. With sophisticated control of media, surveillance and technology, I'm not sure those days aren't lost forever. So sad.

(January 6, 2015 at 5:58 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

True but I bet your opinion would change if it was your house that was invaded and your family member abducted. You wouldn't be much worried about some bribe if that happened to you.

(January 6, 2015 at 7:19 pm)KUSA Wrote:

(January 6, 2015 at 5:58 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

True but I bet your opinion would change if it was your house that was invaded and your family member abducted. You wouldn't be much worried about some bribe if that happened to you.

I have to repeat for the 1000th time that the victim's opinion or personal emotional feelings on the sentence are irrelevant to determine the sentence.

Just making a correction. You're welcome.