If convicted, Spitzer Must be sentenced to the full 5 year maximum...

[catnhatnh]

...I won't argue the pros and cons of legalizing prostitution.I will not deny that if ever a man was facing a horrifying humiliation it is he.However, the facts seem clear and Mr. Spitzer has already admitted some culpability.Maximum sentences are designed to punish the worst offenders-who other than Mr Spitzer could so offend? Mr Spitzer ran for and gained a position of public trust based at least partly on his past performance as an enforcer of laws, including those he violated. He is probably the most uniquely knowledgeable John of the last few decades in terms of prosecutable acts and the penalties involved.If he was at any point convinced that this maximum sentence was excessive, he held not one, but two positions (AG and Governor) from which he could have pushed for legislating a lighter sentence.He did not and prosecuted others for the same acts.His wife and his family have my full sympathy but he does not.If the legal maximum sentence is to have any legitimacy it should be applied here.

[apnu]

1. The poblem is he went accross state lines for the Feb. 13 deal in D.C.

Which makes it a federal offence. Is he a worst offender? Well he was a http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0310082spitzer1.html">repeat customer to the service. That's gonna factor in somehow.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. And for Vitter?

[tom_paine]

6. Don't you know? When Bushies commit crimes they are legal.

[Thepricebreaker]

8. Don't look over here, look over there.. Spitzer fucked up plain and simple - stop deflecting...

[Qutzupalotl]

9. Not deflecting. Is anyone talking about prosecution for Vitter?

And if not, doesn't that constitute a double standard?

[slackmaster]

15. Different states, different standards

Prostitution is not a federal crime.

[ljm2002]

10. For Spitzer...

...disgrace and resignation.

For Vitter, momentary embarrassment, then back to the Senate amid a standing ovation from his Republican colleagues.

SOP these days.

On the other hand: Spitzer, thanks a lot asshole.

[catnhatnh]

27. So I'm the Asshole...

Not the guy who claims to be one of us and then gets off on fantasy women after being given our trust...

[ljm2002]

29. Oh dear, I didn't mean you!!!

When I said "thanks a lot, asshole" I was directing that remark squarely at Spitzer himself!

Sorry it wasn't clear!

[Redbear]

3. He has been charged with a crime? (n/t)

[MrCoffee]

5. As far as I know, Spitzer was not charged with any crime.

[AnneD]

4. There are plenty of CEO's

that he sent to jail-that will welcome him:eyes:
Spitzer was great as AG and protected many a small investor. WS hated him. I hate to see this happen.

[catnhatnh]

11. Sadly, so do I....

...but we must muck out our own stables before we mock the Republican's. Vitter? Craig? Foley? All three are problems, but not of Democratic making. Our job now is to push for the fairest sentence for this huge betrayal of our ideals and his promises. That's why I call for the maximum sentence-because I believe we are better than this.

[AnneD]

28. While that may be true....

why haven't we mucked the biggest stable....THE WHITE HOUSE?

[Jed Dilligan]

7. I'm sure he presided over many draconian drug sentences as AG

I hope he does do hard time.

[selador]

12. oh please spare me

people who solicit prostitutes routinely get probation and a small fine.

i've seen it happen dozens of times.

i don't think he should receive a harsh penalty. he should receive the same penalty as is average.

and yes, technically since he mailed the money across state lines bla bla bla that makes it also a prosecutable federal crime, but please get real.

some kid who mails his buddy in another state $50 for some bud is also technically guilty of the same type of offense, and should he get 5 years?

now personally, i don't even think prostitution should be illegal. but i am aware it is. i am also aware that it's generally looked upon as a very minor crime, and the penalties are routinely handed out in such a manner.

he's out his job, he's been publically shamed. i think probation and a fine is MORE than just, especially if he accepts responsibility.

[catnhatnh]

13. Fair enough.....

...now describe for me the hypothetical offender who "deserves" the maximum sentence. After all, he supported the penalty AND prosecuted others for the crime.

[selador]

18. for example

the maximum sentence for the interstate money transfers would be someone who was transferring, for instance, gains from an illicit murder for hire, for instance, vs. paying for a prostitute.

look at it this way. in my state, if you alter the birthday on a driver's license, that a serious felony (forgery of a govt. document) with a max penalty of several years prison time.

clearly, some kid who does it to buy beer deserves probation IF THAT, and wouldn't even be charged with the felony

otoh, somebody who forges a govt. tax rebate check technically committed the same state crime, but should get a much more serious penalty.

[zanne]

14. He should have to pay the consequences...

But five years is ridiculous.

[catnhatnh]

16. Sure it strikes me as ridiculous....

...but it never seemed to strike him as ridiculous.And who could violate this law more egregiously?

[stray cat]

17. Is it a misdemeanor or a felony?

[BigDaddy44]

19. There's a precedence for this

Spitzer busted others for soliciting prostitutes. He should get no less than the most severe punishment of those he prosecuted.

[redqueen]

20. Precedent.

I'll be so glad when campaign season is over...

[MrCoffee]

21. lmao

:rofl:

[redqueen]

22. Why are you laughing? I'm completely series.

:eyes:

:P

[MrCoffee]

24. I did not mean to cast asparagus on your post.

I'm truly repentant.

[redqueen]

25. Hahahahah

That's my favorite!

Asparagus. <3

[Stinky The Clown]

23. I could not agree more

Your logic and mine are exactly the same.

[ConcernedCanuk]

26. Convicted of what? - As far as I know he has not been arrested, or charged with anything.

.
.
.

And remember this.

Bill Clinton did not lose the Presidency over a sexual indiscretion.

BC lost for lying about it under oath.

He was neither arrested or charged.

Correct me if I'm wrong.