Traficant arrives at federal prison (Will Run For Congress From Jail)

Akron Beacon Journal ^ | August 6, 2002 | Julie Wallace

[PJ-Comix]

In an ironic sort of way, the humor surrounding Traficant's squirrel wig might actually be the instrument to free him from prison. You will find out more info on this in a few days.

Oh, and please participate in this online POLL on the following question:

Should the U.S. Justice Dept. investigate possible prosecutorial misconduct in the Traficant case?

Right now the results show over 72% YES votes. Cast your ballots HERE.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[spudsmaki]

Traficant ain't running for nothing, and especially from Ohio.

You must reside in the state from which you run. He wanted to go to Elkton, OH. He is in Pennsylvania now, where he's staying, unless he starts shooting off his mouth again, in which case he'll get diesel therapy.

Sorry Jim, prison life is like the military. You don't always get to pick your duty station and MOS.

[PJ-Comix]

Uh, then how do you expain THIS:

Constitutional experts say he could serve from another state. Federal courts have ruled that a person's residency is not determined by ``physical or legal compulsion'' -- such as a prison sentence.

[PJ-Comix]

LOL! Great cartoon! Keep checking this forum. I predict that there will be an online article soon that will put incredible heat on Traficant's prosecutors (including the Judge who was essentially a part of the prosecution team). The ironic thing is that awful squirrel/wig may well be the instrument to Traficant's release from prison.

[steamroller]

If Traficant gets diesel or "bus" therapy he will soon behave better,ths's for sure.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

When it comes to bribery and illegal campaign activity, Traficant can't hold a candle to "The Torch".

(pun intended)

[spudsmaki]

Physical compulsion because of military service, yes. Military is allowed to pick their residence, and most do on the basis of state income tax.

Compulsion because of criminal conviction, no. Once convicted you no longer have rights, just occasional priviliges.

While I enjoyed him as much as anyone, especially from his Chuck Harder and Marcy Kaptur days, the Traficant sideshow is over.

[hobbes1]

They never read the whole article....

[PJ-Comix]

Constitutional experts say he could serve from another state. Federal courts have ruled that a person's residency is not determined by ``physical or legal compulsion'' -- such as a prison sentence.

[gunnedah]

Laugh if you like but dont think it cant happen to you.I really dont know if he is guilty or not but from all indications Torricella did as bad if not worse and he got a slap on the wrist.My problem is "Equal Justice Under The Law" and from first hand knowledge I know that doesnt happen.And contrary to what your Congress will do I will take a polygraph as to my statements.Those in control and mostly lawyers are controlling this country with an Iron Fist and they determine what is said and presented and what is or is not guilty.The American public has little to say about our system and the justice it despenses.Those in conrol are really the controlling legal authority Bill Clinton spoke of.

[TontoKowalski]

From someone who doesn't know his district...

Assuming it's a Dimcratic district, how reasonable are the chances that he'll muddy the waters enough for the Republican candidate to slip in?

Does she have what it takes to pick up this district regardless of what Traficant does?

[Graewoulf]

Afterall, is not Captain T. just "visiting" his jail cell as a guest of the Feds? He does not own the cell, and he certainly is not renting it.

[Kenton]

You must reside in the state from which you run. He wanted to go to Elkton, OH. He is in Pennsylvania now, where he's staying, unless he starts shooting off his mouth again, in which case he'll get diesel therapy.

lol... funny! I'm not sure you're right though. He probably maintains Ohio as his official residence and regards the Pen as a temporary residence, kind of like when you're in the service. Not sure if we have an actual precedent for anything like this.

All I can say about Big Jim T. is that as an Ohioan, he's always been good for a laugh, he's given the Democrats fits by being uncontrollable, and he went to prison as a Democrat. I just can't see a dowside to this, except for Jim T, of course.

[Catspaw]

Wasn't there an article a few days ago that said that a federal prisoner cannot continue his business or profession? I looked for it in the Vindicator and the TribuneChronicle, but if it was published there, it's no longer on line.

[PJ-Comix]

Wasn't there an article a few days ago that said that a federal prisoner cannot continue his business or profession?

According to this article he can run for Congress.

[Catspaw]

He can run for office--at least according to this article--but will the federal prisons allow him to work in his profession?

[BJungNan]

You must reside in the state from which you run. He wanted to go to Elkton, OH. He is in Pennsylvania now...

I'm surprised they did not ship him off to some gulag in Siberia. I suppose sending him to Pennsylvania served their purposes.

Terrible injustice that has taken place. Clearly a case of using the justice system to eliminate one's political opposition. So sad what has become of this country. Even sader the Republicans went along with it.

[BJungNan]

All I can say about Big Jim T. is that as an Ohioan, he's always been good for a laugh, he's given the Democrats fits by being uncontrollable, and he went to prison as a Democrat. I just can't see a dowside to this, except for Jim T, of course.

Wow, I see this as a big loss. Not so much in terms of what Traficant may or may not have done for the district he represented but that it is so clearly a case of political opposition being run out of office.

In other countries this type of political activity led to very terrible and troubled times. I hope we don't experience that kind of a loss.

I suppose you have to accept my premise that he was run out of office to accept my position. Maybe you don't see it that way.

If that is the case, may I ask, why is it that others whose crimes were much worse still sit in the "honorable" house?

[Commiewatcher]

"Does she have what it takes to pick up this district regardless of what Traficant does?"

Womer-Benjamin is a RINO, and she has already stated that she will not run a "traditional Republican" campaign, whatever that means. She has already come out as not being too supportive of SS privatization, for instance.

IMHO, it's real simple. If Traficant gets to run her chances are slim to none, but it's there. Without Traficant in the race there is no chance.

The RATS will be putting big money on a youngster named Tim Ryan, and Gepfart will be personally involved in this one. He is the most likely winner and if he wins he will simply hand over his congressional voting card to Gepfart. There is yet another dude in this race named Davis, a longtime union "leader" who is somewhere way to the left of Lenin. He is still bound to get union votes to take away from Ryan. Add Traficant to this mess and the chance is there. It may make a difference whether the GOP will put any money into this race or not.

RINO or not, we need Womer-Benjamin to keep control of those House committees else they be stuffed and chaired by "progressive caucus" socialists led by a jerk named Dennis Kucinich.