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Are Rich and Powerful People Above the Law in America?

Posted on 07/01/2011 9:13:33 AM PDT by pinochet

The latest news concerning the Strauss-Kahn rape case, is that prosecutors are considering dropping the case, after Strauss-Kahn's lawyers managed to attack the reputation of the witness. I am convinced that rich and powerful people are above the law in America, because decisions on prosecuting people are made by politicians, or by prosecutors who have an eye on a political career, and do not want to piss off potential donors to their future campaigns.

In 1991, William Kennedy Smith, a nephew of Ted Kennedy, RFK, and JFK, was tried for rape. The facts of the case reported in the media were so convincing, that I had no doubt that he would be convicted. Three women had come forward with accusations that Smith had raped them in the 1980s, and were willing to testify on behalf of the victim. But my Uncle, a retired police officer in Portland, Oregon, told me that no nephew of Ted Kennedy and JFK was ever going to do time in prison. He made me a $500 bet, that the Kennedy nephew was going to walk. Foolishly, I made the bet, and I lost $500 to my uncle. The testimony of the 3 women who said that they were raped by Smith, was excluded by the Judge, and Smith was acquitted.

Two more women came forward in 2004 and 2005, alleging having being raped by Smith. One case was settled out of court, and the other resulted in a failed lawsuit. You are, of course, all aware of Kathleen Willey's rape claims against Bill Clinton, which the mainstream media had no interest in.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: New York; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: kennedy; power; strausskahn; wealth
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To: cripplecreek

>>>I wouldn’t say they’re above the law but they can sure afford to destroy others in court

According to my Uncle, a retired police officer, most cases involving rich people never make it to court. Discreet phone calls are made by the mayor or governor to the police chief, and the case never makes it to the prosecutor’s desk. Police Chiefs owe their careers to politicians, and they have mortgages to pay.


21 posted on 07/01/2011 9:26:42 AM PDT by pinochet
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To: pinochet

Yes, he said, echoing the response of others.

Always have been, always will be.

It’s rare that an athlete, movie star, or rich guy gets convicted and sentenced to prison.

You gotta go some...

OJ Simpson is such a FU that he managed to beat a murder rap and still found a way to do hard time.


22 posted on 07/01/2011 9:28:20 AM PDT by Santiago de la Vega (El hijo del Zorro)
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To: Owl_Eagle
Everything I've read was that law enforcement discovered serious character issues.

Quite different from the beginning when they claimed how believable she was along with her hospital tests. And the world knows about Strauss-Kahn's character issues - he's just a repeat offender - let him off.
23 posted on 07/01/2011 9:28:48 AM PDT by presently no screen name ( The Palin Party: The Party of Patriots.)
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To: pinochet

Of course. It has always been that way. That little charade of jailing Madoff was just that, theatre.

He’s chump change in the world of the power elite.


24 posted on 07/01/2011 9:29:00 AM PDT by OpusatFR
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To: pinochet

Or has promiscuity merely run amok to the point that rape is nearly impossible to prove in court anymore?

In the current culture I sure as heck would not want to have to sit on a jury and try to Monday Morning Quarterback what was consensual and what was not.


25 posted on 07/01/2011 9:29:00 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Hodar

Great comment.


26 posted on 07/01/2011 9:29:17 AM PDT by PORD (People Of Right & Duty!)
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To: cherry
well at least she got a quick settlment and a so-so "apology"....

And he got to walk.
27 posted on 07/01/2011 9:34:06 AM PDT by presently no screen name ( The Palin Party: The Party of Patriots.)
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To: Owl_Eagle
"Everything I've read was that law enforcement discovered serious character issues."

The maid or Strauss-Kahn?

"I think you should get your facts and thoughts together before posting a screed like this."

You too?

28 posted on 07/01/2011 9:38:32 AM PDT by GourmetDan (Eccl 10:2 - The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.)
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To: presently no screen name

The most interesting thing about the Strauss-Kahn case is the political goals that were achieved.

A french presidential contender eliminated, an IMF head eliminated.


29 posted on 07/01/2011 9:39:35 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: pinochet
"You are, of course, all aware of Kathleen Willey's rape claims against Bill Clinton"

um... I wasn't away the wiley claimed that she was raped. molested, but not raped. that was Juanita Broderick. IIRC Clinton grabbed Wiley's breasts.

30 posted on 07/01/2011 9:41:00 AM PDT by camle (keep an open mind and someone will fill it full of something for you)
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To: pinochet

Ever wonder why they never catch the Mr. Big of drug dealers?

Ever wonder where all tht money is laundered?

I have a hint for you ,Banks.


31 posted on 07/01/2011 9:41:12 AM PDT by Venturer
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To: MrB
ALL leftist elitists think they SHOULD be above the law, and not subject to the consequences of the rules they would impose on the rest of us.

I can go with that. Definitely.

32 posted on 07/01/2011 9:43:49 AM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: pinochet

When William Kennedy Smith walked across the stage to receive his diploma (MD degree I think) a year or so after his acquittal, he received a standing ovation from his fellow students. Many standing were females.


33 posted on 07/01/2011 9:44:01 AM PDT by Maine Mariner
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To: Cicero

Why would the American legal system be out to get Strauss-Kahn.


34 posted on 07/01/2011 9:46:50 AM PDT by Maine Mariner
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To: cripplecreek

Right and clinton lost his law license.


35 posted on 07/01/2011 9:47:04 AM PDT by presently no screen name ( The Palin Party: The Party of Patriots.)
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To: cripplecreek
Sure sounds like Obama’s freshman year in Chicago's politics, doesn't it?
36 posted on 07/01/2011 9:49:20 AM PDT by liberalh8ter
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To: camle

Exactly.


37 posted on 07/01/2011 9:49:25 AM PDT by presently no screen name ( The Palin Party: The Party of Patriots.)
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To: camle

>>>>um... I wasn’t away the wiley claimed that she was raped. molested, but not raped. that was Juanita Broderick. IIRC Clinton grabbed Wiley’s breasts

Thanks for correcting me on this important fact. Juanita Broderick was the woman who said she was raped by Bill Clinton. Clinton has attacked so many women, that it is easy to get the names mixed up. Juanita Broderick, Kathleen Willey, Paula Jones, Elizabeth Ward Gracen, etc. One wonders how many were unable to come forward.


38 posted on 07/01/2011 9:51:38 AM PDT by pinochet
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To: Maine Mariner
Why would the American legal system be out to get Strauss-Kahn.

The real question should be: who had something to gain from setting DSK up?

Apart from half the French Government (DSK was standing for President or some damn thing) and the whole Federal Reserve (DSK was pro-removing the artificial reserve status of the dollar), I can't think of anyone.

None of us has forgotten Tawana Brawley, nor the Duke Lacrosse case. Some women seriously do cry rape where no rape has occurred, either for money or to get out of trouble.

I don't believe DSK is a moral man, and he's certainly capable of rape - but we need evidence of rape, not evidence of sex: we can't safely convict him without it.

39 posted on 07/01/2011 10:03:25 AM PDT by agere_contra ("Debt is the foundation of destruction" : Sarah Palin.)
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To: pinochet

To me Robert Blake was the ultimate, freebie murder, in plain view case.


40 posted on 07/01/2011 10:05:23 AM PDT by ansel12 (America has close to India population of 1950s, India has 1,200,000,000 people now. Quality of Life?)
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