[Texan5]

Ernie’s tagline seems more and more appropriate the longer this thread goes-

I came back to this thread from eating dinner to see if reason had prevailed, only to find that some here are no longer satisfied to merely join a mob to convict and lynch people because their name of “Kennedy” proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt never mind due process-but now they have decreed that “defending a Kennedy” makes one a troll who advocates violence against women. Being intolerant like that makes FReepers look worse than liberals.

[mkjessup]

Ernie’s tagline seems more and more appropriate the longer this thread goes

You said it FRiend.

I came back to this thread from eating dinner to see if reason had prevailed, only to find that some here are no longer satisfied to merely join a mob to convict and lynch people because their name of “Kennedy” proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt never mind due process-but now they have decreed that “defending a Kennedy” makes one a troll who advocates violence against women. Being intolerant like that makes FReepers look worse than liberals.

As I have tried to state many times, this isn't about "defending a Kennedy", the name of the defendant is irrelevant and immaterial, at least that is what we teach our kids (or should be teaching them) and that is why Lady Justice has a blindfold on, because we are ALL supposed to be entitled to 'equal justice before the law'. It is the most simple minded and foolish thing to automatically assume that based on somebody's name, they are guilty. Are the Kennedys a pox on America? I'm inclined to agree, they have caused us plenty of grief as a Nation, and I think the worst of the lot was indeed Fat Teddy, but I'm not going to assign the sins of that dead fat frat boy on someone who had nothing to do with the original offenses.

Douglas Kennedy has been charged with misdemeanor offenses, he (like any American) is entitled to his day in court. If he is found guilty, I'll be the first to say that he should pay whatever penalty the court deems appropriate. But I'm not going to dispense with any pretense of due process and say "he's guilty" and if anyone dares to suggest that a trial might be in order, accuse them of "defending violence against women" like a certain nauseating little troll has been doing. If the court concludes that Douglass Kennedy is guilty, he will be punished according to the law.

Until then, whether we like it or not, he is innocent until proven guilty, which is exactly the way ANY of us would want to be viewed if we were facing criminal charges of any kind.