General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo when did the US adopt Napoleonic Code of Justice for American males?
Because that is where we have come.
If a man is accused of sexual impropriety, he is automatically assumed to be guilty and is so judged in the court of public opinion. His life and reputation are destroyed, no matter if a there is ever a real trial and he is found not guilty.
If he's black, no matter his age, he's automatically guilty of something and just might get shot and killed by cops, because he "resisted" or ran or something. Or he's probably a hyper-sexual predator. Or just a "thug".
We USED to be the party that believed in the presumption of innocence, but not anymore.
Benjamin Franklin said it is better a hundred guilty persons should escape than one innocent person should suffer, but that certainly does not apply any more.
Finally, where do men go to get their reputations and good name restored, once they have judged guilty by the mob?
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Sneederbunk
(14,207 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)duties related to due process, is NOT involved in either case. Our liberal republic's constitutional law does not apply to private parties, Napoleonic law does not apply, and even Sharia law does not apply.
Mr. Fairfax has now asked the FBI to investigate, which would involve the federal government, but it is unclear if the FBI will. Initiation of formal impeachment hearings in the VA legislature would occur within VA's laws, and allow the state to conduct an investigation if needed, but it is unclear if that will happen.
The people calling for resignations, right or wrong, or right and wrong, are private politicians and groups who seek to neutralize colleagues who have been weaponized by Republicans to use against Democrats. They all know it could be them another time -- truth is irrelevant.
The political parties once had a semi gentleman's "do unto others as you would have..." mutual protection agreement. That's been over for some while, as all those targeted by the Republicans understand very well.
Increasingly over the last 30 years, as Republicans realized their survival as a party required becoming more representative of an advancing culture, they have instead chosen a different course: replacement of all prior principles with a ruthless determination to overthrow democracy in order to rule our nation under their right-wing authoritarian government.
That's what's happening here. For all the important issues involved on our side, for them their attacks are all to further their plan to strip the citizenry of the power to stop them. If they had kept control of the house in the midterms, it might have been too late to stop them then. As it is, 2020 will decide.
wryter2000
(46,016 posts)"Increasingly over the last 30 years, as Republicans realized their survival as a party required becoming more representative of an advancing culture, they have instead chosen a different course: replacement of all prior principles with a ruthless determination to overthrow democracy in order to rule our nation under their right-wing authoritarian government. "
That's it exactly.
KT2000
(20,544 posts)investigated the first claim against Fairfax and decided against publishing.
The WP has demonstrated that journalists are capable of parsing out some facts. Shouldn't that be at least the minimum required before throwing people overboard?
It does not serve men or women if there is not a system of fairness to all concerned. Accusations should not be used as weapons against anyone. Some kind of process needs to be developed to handle such things.
wryter2000
(46,016 posts)is for trails. No one here would want Fairfax to be imprisoned without a trial.
There's a different standard to judge whether someone is fit for public office.
yardwork
(61,411 posts)What about Amy Klubacher?
Volaris
(10,260 posts)Mark my words. The ratfuckings are going to be pornhub-level for the next cycle.
We need to be READY.
boston bean
(36,186 posts)And if deemed credible one is asked to step aside.
This is not a court of law where he is facing jail time.