CNN: What the rest of the world realizes about prosecuting former presidents

[grumpyduck]

From CNN:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/23/opinions/trump-indictment-prosecution-former-world-leaders-wierson/index.html

Prosecuting a former leader for wrongdoing isn’t sand in the gears of democracy; it’s a feature that keeps in check future leaders and reassures a nation that no one person, no matter his or her rank and influence, is above the law nor immunized from accountability.

America needs to take a deep breath and realize that if Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg ends up prosecuting Trump in the case relating to hush money payments to adult-film star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, it won’t be the end of the world.

Turns out lots of former presidents have been indicted and imprisoned. More at link.

[republianmushroom]

1. like it

do it

[lindysalsagal]

2. Probably hundreds of congresspeople, too .

[jaxexpat]

3. The US made a big mistake after the civil war.

Every political representative and military officer of the Confederacy should have been imprisoned and the most egregious executed. People today do not realize how it was abandonment of the federal policy of Reconstruction which condemned the south to a century of aching poverty and lawlessness.

Also, what's good enough for O. Cromwell's remains should be good enough for R. Reagan's. (Though I'm not sure too many would cherish his head.)

[inthewind21]

7. I have

been saying that for years. Glad to hear someone else thinks so too.

[KS Toronado]

4. Might be a good question for reQublican friends, neighbors, coworkers

" If Тяцмp is indicted and imprisoned, is that going to be the end of the world for you?"
I'd be careful asking MAGAts though.

[patphil]

5. If Presidents, are able to "get away with murder", then eventually one will.

If you can't be prosecuted, then laws become nothing more than guidelines as far as a President is concerned.

This is a law that comes right out of a dictator's playbook.

[AZ8theist]

12. They wouldn't even be guidelines.

It would turn into this:

[OMGWTF]

6. WTF didn't we go after Bush and Cheney for their crimes?

ALL Rethuglican presidents since Eisenhower have been crooks and murderers who have so far, gotten away with everything.

[Raster]

8. There is NOT a Republican Presidential administration after Eisenhower that is not tainted.

[inthewind21]

9. Becasue

politicians have decided they are the oracles of "what the people think." How many times have you heard a politician say "the American people want this or don't want that?" And the American people have allowed it. We have this thing called elections, WE have the power to change our government every 2, 4 and 6 years. But we have to be a solid block. Yet the same people keep getting elected over and over and over again. And here we are. WE (meaning the voting citizens) as a country let this happen. And it's going to be a long hard road to unwind the damage. And will only happen IF the people actually WANT to unwind it.

[progressoid]

13. There were a lot of people here who were unhappy with the Dems' decision to "keep our powder dry"

[Cosmocat]

10. If this was a D POTUS there would not be 1/1,000 of the teeth nashing

Over this by Rs and the media.

[BOSSHOG]

15. Yes indeed

Gym Jordan would be touting the rule of law and the constitution. Equivalent to me lecturing the public on quantum physics and why there are no square planets near earth. Jim doesn’t know a damned thing about the rule of law or the constitution. Ditto for me and my subjects. I admit my ignorance, Jordan wallows in his.

[uponit7771]

18. THIS !!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾 and Michelle Obama agrees (link)

https://therecount.com/watch/michelle-obama-on-top-secret/2645887638

[wendyb-NC]

11. Amen, it's high time

He is dangerous.

[progressoid]

14. k/r!!

[angrychair]

16. No, what the world has seen

Is that the rich and connected will do everything in their power to protect each each other.

Only someone lying to themselves thinks drop will ever be held accountable for anything.

The world learns that power, money and violence control everything.

Trump is immune.

Guns are immune.

Republicans are immune.

Women, people of color and LGBTQ are not.

Poor are not.

The world is falling apart and all we can do fight each other over shit that doesn't matter.

[OldBaldy1701E]

17. Hear Hear! (n/t)

[3Hotdogs]

19. I put most blame on Gerald Ford.

BUT

Eric Holder compounded the damage.