Liberal Forum

This is similar to getting a speeding ticket and learning about the mayor's wife getting out of her DUIPerfectly acceptable to you, as a LiberalI'm amazed at how you came to that conclusion after the things I've said.I guess you keep forgetting that I'm the one who cited the example of Rush Limbaugh walking free, while some poor guy in a wheelchair went to jail for committing the same exact crime.You not only think this type is justice is normal, but you are openly advocating for it.Wow! You must be high if you inferred that from any of my posts.I'm done.Goodnight Chuck.

Prosecutorial Discretion As an elected or appointed official, the prosecutor is the most powerful official in the criminal justice system. Prosecutors exercise unfettered discretion, deciding who to charge with a crime, what charges to file, when to drop the charges, whether or not to plea bargain, and how to allocate prosecutorial resources. In jurisdictions where the death penalty is in force, the prosecutor literally decides who should live and who should die by virtue of the charging decision. Prosecutors exercise the most discretion in three areas of decision making: the decision to file charges, the decision to dismiss charges, and plea bargaining.Charging Once an arrest is made, a prosecutor screens the case to determine if it should be prosecuted or dropped. The decision to prosecute is based on the following factors: The sufficiency of the evidence linking the suspect to the offense. The seriousness of the offense. The size of the court's caseload. The need to conserve prosecutorial resources for more serious cases. The availability of alternatives to formal prosecution. The defendant's culpability (moral blameworthiness). The defendant's criminal record. The defendant's willingness to cooperate with the investigation or prosecution of others.Dropping Charges After a prosecutor files a charge, the prosecutor can reduce the charge in exchange for a guilty plea or enter a nolle prosequi (nol. pros.). A nolle prosequi is a formal statement by a prosecutor declaring that a case is discontinued. Reasons for entering a nol. pros. include insufficient evidence, inadmissible evidence, false accusations, and the trivial nature of some crimes.Plea Bargaining Prosecutors also exercise discretion in negotiating pleas with defense counsel. A plea bargain is an agreement in which a prosecutor permits a defendant to plead guilty in exchange for a concession, such as reducing the charges or recommending a lenient sentence. There are advantages of plea bargaining to both the accused and the state. For the accused, it offers the possibilities of a reduced sentence and cheaper legal representation. For the government, it reduces the financial costs of prosecution, improves the efficiency of the courts by having fewer cases go to full trials, and allows the prosecution to devote its resources to the more serious cases.http://www.cliffsnot...leId-10015.html That was a whole lot of nothing The police wouldn't charge, even though the crime was committed on national TV. The prosecutor didn't have anydiscretionto use, And a court of law will never decide whether is was ok or not Your whole post is moot,,,,

The prosecutor didn't have anydiscretionto use...The prosecutor always has discretion to use.That's why they call it prosecutorial discretion.I guess you won't be happy until David Gregory is behind bars.Goodnight.

Consistency checkDo you think David Gregory should be prosecuted for violating the large capacity magazine ban in DC, when he waved the mag on the air?Or do you think he shouldn't be prosecuted because he only violated that law to make a journalistic point?Wrapping this subject up......I agree with the D.C. Attorney General's decision not to prosecute David Gregory.I think it would be a waste of time and resources.There is a big difference between a talk show host borrowing an extended magazine (no gun or bullets) from it's legal owner to use it as a prop on a show where the banning of extended magazines is being discussed, and someone who buys one illegally, and also illegally owns the gun and the bullets that go with it.If you can't see that, then I can't help you.As far as this subject being political, please don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining by denying that it is indeed political.I know that, because when you Google it, most of what comes up is from right wing blogs calling for Gregory's head, and it was those same right wing blogs and gun rights advocates who were the first ones calling for David Gregory's indictment. They even started an online petition.If it had been Sean Hannity who did this, I'm sure the left wing blogs would be doing the same.David Gregory is seen as a member of what right wingers call, 'the Liberal media', which is ironic, because week after week he allows Republicans to lie their asses off unchallenged.As far as your 'consistency check' goes, if it HAD been Sean Hannity who did this, I wouldn't want him to be prosecuted either.Looks like the president of the NRA agrees with me.NRA President: Don't Prosecute Gregory for 'Silly Felony'And the Wall Street Journal editorial board, who are anything but lefties.....Free David Gregory

MistyBlue, I must say I admire you for discussing anything pertaining to guns with a gun-advocate. If anyone changes their mind in the least, I hope you'll let me know.

Wrapping this subject up...... I agree with the D.C. Attorney General's decision not to prosecute David Gregory. I think it would be a waste of time and resources. There is a big difference between a talk show host borrowing an extended magazine (no gun or bullets) from it's legal owner to use it as a prop on a show where the banning of extended magazines is being discussed, and someone who buys one illegally, and also illegally owns the gun and the bullets that go with it. If you can't see that, then I can't help you. As far as this subject being political, please don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining by denying that it is indeed political. I know that, because when you Google it, most of what comes up is from right wing blogs calling for Gregory's head, and it was those same right wing blogs and gun rights advocates who were the first ones calling for David Gregory's indictment. They even started an online petition. If it had been Sean Hannity who did this, I'm sure the left wing blogs would be doing the same. David Gregory is seen as a member of what right wingers call, 'the Liberal media', which is ironic, because week after week he allows Republicans to lie their asses off unchallenged. As far as your 'consistency check' goes, if it HAD been Sean Hannity who did this, I wouldn't want him to be prosecuted either. Looks like the president of the NRA agrees with me.NRA President: Don't Prosecute Gregory for 'Silly Felony' And the Wall Street Journal editorial board, who are anything but lefties.....Free David Gregory lol. i guess all criminals can just say their illegal contraband was a borrowed prop and that will settle it. you either believe in these gun laws or you don't. obviously.....you don't.

There's a new scandal brewing in D.C.Bob Menendez Denies He Was With Prostitutes In Dominican RepublicWASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Menendez's office says he traveled on a plane owned by a Florida physician who is a friend and political donor, but denied that the senator had engaged with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.The New Jersey Democrat's office issued the denial Wednesday. It said he traveled on three occasions on Dr. Salomon Melgen's airplane. The FBI searched Melgen's West Palm Beach, Fla., office Tuesday night and early Wednesday, but it was unclear if the raid was related to Menendez. Menendez's office said the trips were "paid for and reported appropriately."The Daily Caller, a conservative website, reported shortly before the election that Menendez traveled on Melgen's private plane to the Dominican Republic to engage in sex with prostitutes. The FBI has refused to comment on whether Menendez is under investigation.Menendez is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.OOOOPS! Menendez is part of the bipartisan group of eight Senators working on the immigration bill.He is divorced and prostitution is legal in the D.R.But, the Daily Caller is alleging that one of the prostitutes was 16 years old.Make some popcorn, sit back and watch it unfold.

Would you correct my Gabby Giffords OPheadline to "grab" please?

MistyBlue, I must say I admire you for discussing anything pertaining to guns with a gun-advocate. If anyone changes their mind in the least, I hope you'll let me know.That won't happen jayjay, but I still enjoy mixing it up with Chuck.Would you correct my Gabby Giffords OPheadline to "grab" please?Done.

Thanks Edited by KINGBLAM, 30 January 2013 - 05:28 PM.

Thanks Anytime Sweetie.

Thanks lol. quick-draw Mc-edit.

lol. i guess all criminals can just say their illegal contraband was a borrowed prop and that will settle it.Yes, because we always believe what criminals say.And for that to work, they would have to have a TV show.you either believe in these gun laws or you don't. obviously.....you don't.I believe that putting David Gregory in jail, serves no useful purpose.And many people on both sides of the political spectrum agree with me.We Libs don't see everything in terms of black or white, all or nothing.Sometimes, there are shades of gray (and not the dirty book). LOL

I saw this last night, and Lawrence O'Donnell tore this woman and her ridiculous argument to shreds.Looks like the witnesses invited by the Republican Senators, Gayle Trotter and Wayne LaPierre, didn't fare so well under questioning, in advancing their agenda.You can watch the video at the link in the title.Lawrence O'Donnell Eviscercates Gayle Trotter Over Gun TestimonyLawrence O'Donnell pretty well eviscerated the "Independent" Women's Forum's Gayle Trotter, and her appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, where she testified that assault weapons should not be outlawed because they were the "weapon of choice" for young mothers who need a "scary-looking gun."I was glad to see O'Donnell call out her organization for being anything but "independent" because they're not. And apparently attorney Trotter, who also opposes the Violence Against Women Act (go read why), isn't too fond of being called a right-winger. O'Donnell's back-and-forth with her starts about nine minutes into the clip above.Here's more from O'Donnell's blog at MSNBC: Guns make women safer, says Gayle Trotter. Study says, not so:The use of assault weapons among women emerged as standout topic at Wednesdays Senate hearing on gun control legislation. Gayle Trotter, a lawyer and senior fellow at the conservative Independent Womens Forum, said women need that type of firearm to level the playing field when confronted by physically stronger male attackers.The guns rights advocate told lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee that guns make women safer. To her, AR-15s are the weapon of choice because they have good handling, they're light, they're easy for women to hold. And the appearance of such a scary-looking gun deters violent male criminals during home invasions.But a recent study conducted by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center disputed those assertions. The study found that women living in states with more accessibility to guns are at a greater risk for violent death. This includes unintentional gun deaths, suicides and homicide, particularly firearm suicides and firearm homicides.During an interview on The Last Word Wednesday night, MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell challenged Trotter for not being able to provide one real life example of a case when an assault weapon specifically saved one womans life in that kind of a situation. You dont go to the Senate to imagine things! ODonnell said.While speaking in front of the senators, Trotter described a hypothetical scene of a young woman defending her babies in her home when faced with three, four, five violent attackers, intruders in her home with her children screaming in the background as a reason to own an assault rifle.The peace of mind that she has, knowing that she has a scary-looking gun, gives her more courage when she's fighting hardened, violent criminals, said Trotter, who was the only woman on the five-person panel.If we ban these types of assault weapons, you are putting these types of women at a great disadvantage-more so than men because they dont have the same type of physical strength and opportunity to defend themselves in a hand-to-hand struggle.Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse pointed out that the woman she referred to in her statement, a young Oklahoma mother who shot an intruder, used a gun that wouldn't be banned by the law."While speaking in front of the senators, Trotter described a hypothetical scene of a young woman defending her babies in her home when faced with three, four, five violent attackers, intruders in her home with her children screaming in the background as a reason to own an assault rifle."So then according to Miss Trotter, a woman would need to keep that assault weapon fully loaded and readily accessible in her home, otherwise it would be no good to her if she were faced with that scenario.What happens when one those children (who she describes as screaming in the background) gets hold of it?

Oh for God's sake, stand up for Liberty once in a while How is society benefit by locking this woman up?

Oh for God's sake, stand up for Liberty once in a whileHow is society benefit by locking this woman up?HUH?What woman?There is nothing in my last post that says anything about locking a woman up, so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

a topic from almost 3 years ago? wtf over? Wow. What a dick. now that is what I'm talkin bout

A Sandy Hook parent gives testimony the Senate should have heard.(Yesterday) another Sandy Hook parent advocated for stricter gun laws on behalf of his murdered child. David Wheeler, father of victim Ben Wheeler, spoke Wednesday at the last of four public hearings by the Connecticut legislatures Bipartisan Task Force on Violence and Public Safety. In his testimony, Wheeler called for a comprehensive system of identifying and monitoring individuals in mental distress.In Wednesdays Rewrite segment, MSNBCs Lawrence O'Donnell lamented that no one from Newtown, Connecticut, testified at todays Senate hearing, which would never have occurred were it not for the massacre of 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut.O'Donnell ceded much of the show to play Wheelers testimony, which he said the Senate Judiciary Committee should have heard today.Speaking in front of a 52-member task force, Wheeler decried the inability of agencies to share relevant information about at-risk individuals personal histories, mental states, and proximity to firearms. He also advocated a ban on military-style assault weapons, saying they belong in an armory under lock and key, and for annual registration of personal firearms.Finally, Wheeler invoked Thomas Jeffersons inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from the Declaration of Independence. I do not think the composition of that foundational phrase was an accident, he said. I do not think the order of those important words was haphazard or casual. The liberty of any person to own a military-style assault weapon and a high-capacity magazine and keep them in their home is second to the right of my son to his life.Watch Video

a topic from almost 3 years ago? wtf over?I guess you didn't read the OP where it says, "This thread is kind of like a blog, where I post the stuff that's of interest to me and vent about it. It's best to read this thread backwards, as the most recent stuff will be on the last page."There are several members here who don't start many new threads, and keep a regular thread like this where they post their stuff.

HUH? What woman? There is nothing in my last post that says anything about locking a woman up, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. Of course you don't That seems to be your style lately. Rattle off your talking points and pretend the other side isn't talking. The lady wants her guns. You don't want her to have them. So if you win, she either gives up her guns, or goes to jail. Hey Misty, How am I doing lately?