Will Justice Be Served?
11 March 2008By now only hermits are unaware of the travails of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Spitzer eared the nickname “Mr. Clean” for his crusading but that has now been replaced by the nickname Client #9. Spitzer has, apparently, committed a felony in violating the Mann Act which prohibits taking a woman across state lines for “immoral purposes.” Spitzer bought the train ticket for his high dollar prostitute to travel from New York City to Washington DC where he met her at the Mayflower Hotel.
Many, particularly on the left, will likely claim that this is just sex and a private matter, although the episode has clearly given a black eye to New York Democrats who don’t seem inclined to stand by Spitzer. But the fact is, this goes well beyond a private matter and sex. Not only has Governor Spitzer committed several felonies, they are the very same crimes that he so viciously prosecuted others for.
An angle I haven’t heard anywhere else is the question of corruption. By definition this is corruption. As attorney General Spitzer prosecuted people for precisely what he has been caught doing. That is corruption. As well, Spitzer appears to have at least used government resources to arrange his little trysts. And from the information available today it appears that Spitzer has been engaging in this behavior for at least six years and perhaps as much as ten years. So this isn’t a problem that developed since he became Governor. Spitzer was doing this at the same time he was prosecuting others for it.
Spitzer built his career and his reputation as a crusader. And not just a crusader against law breakers but against anyone he didn’t like. Of particular note to conservatives was his crusade against the pro life movement. Spitzer used his power as New York’s Attorney General to bully pro life groups even when they committed no crimes. As Governor he worked diligently to shut down the pro life movement in New York and make it very difficult for groups like Catholic charities to do what they do best.
Additionally, Spitzer used his power to bully and control CEOs and firms across New York. Many would say, and I would agree, that SPitzer abused his power. He threatened legal action against anyone he didn’t like, regardless of legal merit. He was a bully, pure and simple. And now he is on the other side of the table which raises some questions.
Yesterday Spitzer made something of a public apology, although he didn’t actually admit to anything. Noticeably the Governor also did not resign. The speculation today is that he is using the governorship as a chip in a plea bargain to avoid jail time. In my view it would be a travesty of justice were such a ploy to be successful. If crusader Eliot Spitzer can avoid jail time time for the same thing he has prosecuted so many others for, there simply is no justice. Assuming the charges are true, the only way justice can be served will be for Governor Spitzer to go to jail. Anything less is a miscarriage of justice and is simply unacceptable.
UPDATE:
FOX News is reporting (Wednesday morning) that Spitzer will resign effective Monday. No word on whether there is any plea deal.
UPDATE 2:
It’s official. Governor Spitzer has resigned. It’s not like he has much choice. Still no word on what deal may have been worked out with the justice department.
New York Congressman Peter King had something interesting to say on FOX News this morning. He said that he had little sympathy for Spitzer personally considering how he operated. But, he said, he wasn’t interested in seeing how bad he could make it for Spitzer because, unlike Spitzer, he didn’t want to follow him to his grave. That pretty much sums up Spitzer. If he didn’t like you, he’d follow you to your grave to make sure he ruined you and that is precisely what makes this so poetic. What goes around really does come around.
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March 11th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
The federal prison resort he would undoubtedly go if convicted, is not a deterrent is it?
He should have to do community service for the state of NY for 10 years with no pay. The picking up trash on the road kind. All his assets seized except enough to care for his wife and children.
That may send a message.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:43 am
I think he should serve hard time, not go to some white collar resort prison. 10 years community service picking up trash after he gets out would be good. And yes, his assets should be seized or go to his family.
From what I’m hearing I think his wife will taking most of that anyway. News reports say she won’t even look at him. I feel certain the divorce papers will be served shortly and she will take him to the cleaners.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:06 am
[...] Ron’s Musings: An angle I haven’t heard anywhere else is the question of corruption. By definition this is corruption. As attorney General Spitzer prosecuted people for precisely what he has been caught doing. That is corruption. As well, Spitzer appears to have at least used government resources to arrange his little trysts. And from the information available today it appears that Spitzer has been engaging in this behavior for at least six years and perhaps as much as ten years. So this isn’t a problem that developed since he became Governor. Spitzer was doing this at the same time he was prosecuting others for it. [...]