Paul gets 7 years; Joe gets life! Fair?


Is there anyone besides me who fails to see fairness in our courts when it comes to treating the rich vs. the poor?

Is there anyone besides me feeling outrage at the light sentences handed to Paul Manafort?

Let’s put politics aside for the moment. It makes no difference whether Mr. Manafort managed a campaign for the President or not. His political affiliation means nothing right now. The man got arrested on charges of conspiring against the United States, and conspiring to obstruct justice. And it must not have been the result of a “witch hunt,” because he entered pleas of guilty. He admitted in court that he did these things.

In appearances before two federal judges, Mr. Manafort has now received two sentences. It appears that he’ll serve a total of about 7 ½ years in prison.

Does something not seem quite right about that?

Before we move on, let me point out that Mr. Manafort is white and rich.

OK, now let me give you a comparison right here in the State of Michigan. We could cite numerous examples, but I’m going to focus on just one. Some 38 years ago, when he was just a kid, Joe Johnson and a buddy decided to hold up the operator of an ice cream cart. Nothing violent was going on. In fact, they paused to let a little boy buy some ice cream and even made sure he got the correct change. But, they stole money…some 40-dollars if I remember correctly.

Just like Mr. Manafort, Joe pleaded guilty…he knew he had done wrong. He was sentenced to life in prison. As of today, he has spent more than 37 years behind bars!

Mr. Johnson may have needed some pocket change, but at least he didn’t try to sell out his country in order to get it!

Only now, after a member of the HFP team took a personal interest in this particular case, has the Parole Board even shown any consideration of a possible release.

The other factor here that deserves to be mentioned: Mr. Johnson is black and poor.

The prophet Isaiah said: Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.

Somehow, I think we missed that message.




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