Defense: 'Duke' may die in prison

North County Times ^ | 2/19/06 | Mark Walker

[GSlob]

So what? As if he's not going to die some day, somewhere.

[ansel12]

"White-collar crime shouldn't require you to die in prison."


White collar crime is the worst, I can fight a thug trying to take my $50.00, but I don't stand much of a chance against white collar crooks. When you think of all the precautions and uneasiness you feel everyday about crime, almost all of it is about white collar crime. Paper shredders, computers, insurance, fear of lawyers,pension fears, rip offs at the auto garage, most of our constant state of fear of crime, rarely involves a fear of strong arm tactics.

[calcowgirl]

Lock 'em all up and throw away the key!

I can't speak to Janklow, but Duke's activities went beyond stupid.
10 years is not enough, imo, whether he has cancer or not.

[Descendant]

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

[jecIIny]

"White-collar crime shouldn't require you to die in prison."

I would generally disagree. I think it would be fair to say that white collar crimes do not merit a sentence of life in prison (in most cases). Thats not the same as saying someone in poor health should be spared jail if their crime merits it. Now if it could be established that Mr. Cunningham was in fact in the late stages of a terminal illness (as in months or less to live) then I think a Christian might see their way to letting him spend his final days with his family under house arrest. But unless I missed something here thats not what is being claimed. Also if he is as destitute as now being alleged it's actually likely he will get better medical care in prison than on the outside. (Thats a sad comment in itself.)

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Descendant]

"White collar crime is the worst, I can fight a thug trying to take my $50.00, but I don't stand much of a chance against white collar crooks."

Absurd. You'd truly rather you or someone you love be the victim of a violent crime over a white collar crime?

If I were king, the cages would be only for the violent or unrelenting criminals. Let the non-violent live in their homes and work and pay restitution. And the violent would NEVER be released. That seems appropriate to me.

[jecIIny]

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

I completely agree, except that some form of justice needs to be asserted. I have argued on FR (and taken some heat for it) that pardons and commutations of sentence are too rarely used. But thats not the same thing as giving someone a free pass.

[Descendant]

We're too easy on the violent and too harsh on the non-violent.

We give out years like candy to non violent drug offenders when one year is a very long time to spend in prison. If a criminal is violent that is another matter.

In those cases the cage protects society in addition to being a punishment. I think some mercy may be in order in this case. I would say let him live under house arrest and pay back restitution.

The man has fully accepted responsibility and has expressed remorse for his actions. He has repented and that also should be worth something.

[opinionator]

White-collar crime shouldn't require you to die in prison.

WTF? Everyone who goes to jail stands a chance of dying there. It's called immortality. Do you have some kind of crystal ball that we can use for these white collar criminals so that we let them out before they die? Maybe, give them their last year of life in freedom.

[Descendant]

Nobody wants to appear "soft on crime" but I think we should recognize a huge difference between violent and non-violent crimes.

[jecIIny]

"If I were king, the cages would be only for the violent or unrelenting criminals. Let the non-violent live in their homes and work and pay restitution. And the violent would NEVER be released. That seems appropriate to me."

Thats an interesting point of view not often seen on FR where the usual battle cry is "LOCK EM UP AND THROW THE KEY AWAY." I think there could be a really strong case made for sentencing reform. We have way too many people locked up who are one time nonviolent offenders and are a threat to no one. Prison does not reform offenders. It creates smarter criminals and makes them violent by necessity of survival. If the sentencing guidelines were altered to lock up only violent or career criminals I would be OK with some other form of punishment. Your point is worthy of discussion in its own thread.

[peyton randolph]

Everyone who goes to jail stands a chance of dying there. It's called immortality.

---

???????

 

[ansel12]

"Absurd. You'd truly rather you or someone you love be the victim of a violent crime over a white collar crime? "

Speaking for myself isn't absurd at all. I've been on the receiving end of both white collar and violent crime and the white collar crime effected my life much more, in fact more than once totally changing it. I really should have been more careful in wording, so I could avoid questions like "So losing your business and life savings is worse than having your twin daughters murdered?". Just see if there is any thing useful in my post, but please lets not go down the road of endless scenarios.

[Al Simmons]

I am speechless after reading about the breadth and depth of Cunningham's crimes. Given his position, he should not expect nor receive mercy.

One thing bothered me while reading this, however - the fact that the 'Toon, his wife, and his closest accomplices are living the Life of Riley - and their myriad crimes - when they finally all come out - will make Cunningham look like a piker..........

[hole_n_one]

Nice catch.......

[goldstategop]

The chutzpah. After betraying his constituents, stealing from his country and dishonoring his office, Cunningham wants to be let off lightly? Give me a break. 10 years is too light for him and in any event he's getting country club accomodations.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[goldstategop]

Amen. Don't do the crime, don't do the time. Its funny how law and order conservatives beg for mercy when they're caught. I would have been more impressed if he had taken responsibility for his actions.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[LeoWindhorse]

http://www.acepilots.com/vietnam/cunningham.html

[Pompah]

HorseShit.!!