US District Judge Samuel Kent has been convicted of obstruction of justice for lying about his sexual misconduct toward at least two female members of his staff and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison. Even though he'll be in jail, he gets to keep his $174000 annual salary unless he is impeached by Congress. The two staffers that came forward testified at his sentencing trial and yesterday provided testimony before Congress on the assaults they have endured for years.
The humiliation of the events themselves coupled with the emotional trauma from testifying in public twice to ensure this Judge is stopped should be more than enough to support impeachment. Why this went on for as long as it did until these women came forward isn't an issue and so far it hasn't been. I say this as it was the first thing I thought of although not as a means of defending the offense. Being male naturally disqualifies me as any judge of the torment suffered by the victims. My disgust for the crime and the added insult of continuing to pay the judge becomes relevant to me when I put myself in the position of the husband, son, or father of either victim. My respect and appreciation of their courage comes from the same comparison.
I've gotta ask why any congressionally appointed official doesn't automatically lose their salary and pension when convicted of a felony?
They should lose their salary, pension and all benefits if they are convicted of a felony.
ReplyDeleteIf it was anyone else, they would lose everything. I guess this is telling us that some are more equal than others.
Very true. Our elected officials seem to have more rights than the rest of us. Why I don't know but they do.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very sad. Women who are victimized are victimized over and over, once by there attackers and then repeatedly by the system, in the name of justice.
However in order to get justice that's what happens. Sad, but true statement. Now if he is impeached, they will probably have to go through it again. So again they will have to live through it.
And Pres. Obama gets vilified for saying he wants a judge with empathy...this is where empathy comes in.
Eddie - My thoughts as well although "some being more equal than others" states it so much better!
ReplyDeleteAnnette - Well put. How can empathy developed over one's lifetime of experiences not be a factor. It can't be avoided and it should be considered for both pro & con of any nonminee.