Oldfart,
In re winnowing out the undesirables: of course societies must protect themselves. Does anyone reading this post honestly believe that the good Mr. Foley will regain his position of power? Does anyone reading this post honestly believe that he will ever again run for public office? Of course not. But if he did, and if he was able to persuade a majority of the voters in that campaign that he would be able to improve their lives, is it for me, or you, or anyone else to prevent those voters from doing what they think best for themselves?
If there is good reason to believe he violated the law, then bring an indictment against him and try him in a court of law. If he is found guilty, assess an appropriate penalty. Here in the States dozens of politicos are indicted each year, usually bringing their visions of a New World Order to an abrupt halt. Tom DeLay, the former House Majority Leader, is a recent example of such a fall from political grace. If you want an entry from the other side of the aisle, Wilbur Mills, who headed the House Ways and Means Committee comes to mind. The legal pruning shears are quite active and effective – although some would have you believe otherwise.
You did raise a significant issue with your observation in re the burden of proof required – and why.
Quote:
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… Easily said until tried. These people call for a burdon of proof way over the common man in order to defend these people from unfounded politically motivated actions.
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Yes sir, quite correct – and eminently justified.
Consider the case of President Clinton's
Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, forced out of office in 1994 by allegations that he improperly took gifts from businesses and lobbyists.
Independent Council Donald C. Smaltz spent more than four years and seventeen million dollars to prosecute Secretary Espy, and the result was thirty “Not Guilty” declarations from the foreman of the trial jury. A guilty verdict could have sent him to prison.
You and I and …
others ... don’t even play in the same league. Yes. The rules are different.
As Secretary Espy said of Smaltz, "He's not unlike any other schoolyard bully … You have to stand up to him. You have to let him know you're not going to back down, and sooner or later it's going to be okay."