a potus who has done time

[shart_attack]

Could you vote for someone to be president of the United States if he/ she had done time in prison?

It's an interesting question worth exploring IMHO, particularly because of the American fascination with locking up nonviolent felony offenders — also known as the American prison-industrial complex.

I have known several people who I think would make outstanding leaders of (what's anachronistically still called) the free world, yet because they have been at some point locked up, they will never again be allowed to vote — let alone run for president some day.

I would myself have no problem(s) whatsoever with voting someone into the Oval Office if he or she had been convicted of a felony, and pursuant to that felony, done time. For me, it really would depend on what the aspiring US president's alleged crime was.

Would you?

(The poll in this thread is multiple choice, by the way. )

 

[Pogo]

Could you vote for someone to be president of the United States if he/ she had done time in prison?

It's an interesting question worth exploring IMHO, particularly because of the American fascination with locking up nonviolent felony offenders — also known as the American prison-industrial complex.

I have known several people who I think would make outstanding leaders of (what's anachronistically still called) the free world, yet because they have been at some point locked up, they will never again be allowed to vote — let alone run for president some day.

I would myself have no problem(s) whatsoever with voting someone into the Oval Office if he or she had been convicted of a felony, and pursuant to that felony, done time. For me, it really would depend on what the aspiring US president's alleged crime was.

Would you?

(The poll in this thread is multiple choice, by the way. )

What, I coulda voted more than once?

The fable we grew up with that there is this "underclass" of "evil" amid a world of white hats and black hats is pretty much just that -- a fable. There's a thin line between a "criminal" and a "non-criminal" and which side one falls on depends more on luck and circumstance than anything in their heart.

And the idea that felons can't be allowed to vote, that's Bolshoi.

 

[shart_attack]

Could you vote for someone to be president of the United States if he/ she had done time in prison?

It's an interesting question worth exploring IMHO, particularly because of the American fascination with locking up nonviolent felony offenders — also known as the American prison-industrial complex.

I have known several people who I think would make outstanding leaders of (what's anachronistically still called) the free world, yet because they have been at some point locked up, they will never again be allowed to vote — let alone run for president some day.

I would myself have no problem(s) whatsoever with voting someone into the Oval Office if he or she had been convicted of a felony, and pursuant to that felony, done time. For me, it really would depend on what the aspiring US president's alleged crime was.

Would you?

(The poll in this thread is multiple choice, by the way. )

What, I coulda voted more than once?

Patience is a virtue, Pogo.

Most ex-cons know that much.

The fable we grew up with that there is this "underclass" of "evil" amid a world of white hats and black hats is pretty much just that -- a fable.

There's a thin line between a "criminal" and a "non-criminal" and which side one falls on depends more on luck and circumstance than anything in their heart.

Which explains the popularity of tv dramas like Weeds, Breaking Bad and Orange Is the New Black.

Most Americans can unfortunately identify with those shows because most of us today know someone who has been to prison.

Today's antihero is yesterday's outright antagonist.

And the idea that felons can't be allowed to vote, that's Bolshoi.

I agree with that 100%.

 

[Pogo]

Could you vote for someone to be president of the United States if he/ she had done time in prison?

It's an interesting question worth exploring IMHO, particularly because of the American fascination with locking up nonviolent felony offenders — also known as the American prison-industrial complex.

I have known several people who I think would make outstanding leaders of (what's anachronistically still called) the free world, yet because they have been at some point locked up, they will never again be allowed to vote — let alone run for president some day.

I would myself have no problem(s) whatsoever with voting someone into the Oval Office if he or she had been convicted of a felony, and pursuant to that felony, done time. For me, it really would depend on what the aspiring US president's alleged crime was.

Would you?

(The poll in this thread is multiple choice, by the way. )

What, I coulda voted more than once?

Patience is a virtue, Pogo.

Most ex-cons know that much.

A virtue I've never known.

The fable we grew up with that there is this "underclass" of "evil" amid a world of white hats and black hats is pretty much just that -- a fable.

There's a thin line between a "criminal" and a "non-criminal" and which side one falls on depends more on luck and circumstance than anything in their heart.

Which explains the popularity of tv dramas like Weeds, Breaking Bad and Orange Is the New Black.

Most Americans can unfortunately identify with those shows because most of us today know someone who has been to prison.

Today's antihero is yesterday's outright antagonist.

But...... those are all .... TV shows.
I think. Never seen any of 'em.

And the idea that felons can't be allowed to vote, that's Bolshoi.

I agree with that 100%.

 

[Two Thumbs]

It would depend on the offense and when it occurred.

youthful indulgences done decades ago, ok, a year ago, no.

 

[shart_attack]

The fable we grew up with that there is this "underclass" of "evil" amid a world of white hats and black hats is pretty much just that -- a fable.

There's a thin line between a "criminal" and a "non-criminal" and which side one falls on depends more on luck and circumstance than anything in their heart.

Which explains the popularity of tv dramas like Weeds, Breaking Bad and Orange Is the New Black.

Most Americans can unfortunately identify with those shows because most of us today know someone who has been to prison.

Today's antihero is yesterday's outright antagonist.

But...... those are all .... TV shows.
I think. Never seen any of 'em.

But shouldn't a person as well-versed as yourself know that art imitates life, Pogo???

 

[Pogo]

You did NOT just put the word "art" into a post about TV.
I need my oxygen tank.

You oughta be locked up.

 

[Disir]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

But some believe shoplifting is a capital crime - IF you're black. We had a prez and veep were who were very violent criminals, responsible for the deaths and maiming of hundreds of thousands and they have been rewarded for their crimes.

 

[jwoodie]

To treat this poll question seriously, someone would have committed a high crime (felony) or serious misdemeanor to go to prison. Since those are prescribed bases for impeachment, that person should not be President (unless pardoned by Clinton or Obama, of course).

 

[Pogo]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

Ah, you're thinking of Harken Energy?

I still think such a candidate should be turned away because he's an unqualified and dishonest loser riding Daddy's coattails, not specifically because he committed a crime. Although the nature of that crime can (and should) certainly inform a voter's reasoning.

By contrast though, drunk driving (as applies to both pictured above), that's where we get into irrelevancies based on emotions rather than reasoned analysis. It would be as silly as deselecting a candidate for, I dunno, having sex with an intern or sump'm.

 

[shart_attack]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

Ah, you're thinking of Harken Energy?

I still think such a candidate should be turned away because he's an unqualified and dishonest loser riding Daddy's coattails, not specifically because he committed a crime. Although the nature of that crime can (and should) certainly inform a voter's reasoning.

By contrast though, drunk driving (as applies to both pictured above), that's where we get into irrelevancies based on emotions rather than reasoned analysis. It would be as silly as deselecting a candidate for, I dunno, having sex with an intern or sump'm.

In most states, drunk driving is a misdemeanor. Until, say, the fourth offense, at which point it becomes a felony — and yeah, likely prison time.

But people are not incarcerated for misdemeanors.

 

[Disir]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

Ah, you're thinking of Harken Energy?

I still think such a candidate should be turned away because he's an unqualified and dishonest loser riding Daddy's coattails, not specifically because he committed a crime. Although the nature of that crime can (and should) certainly inform a voter's reasoning.

By contrast though, drunk driving (as applies to both pictured above), that's where we get into irrelevancies based on emotions rather than reasoned analysis. It would be as silly as deselecting a candidate for, I dunno, having sex with an intern or sump'm.

That wasn't were I was at. In fact, it didn't cross my mind at all.

Don't laugh........I initially went here:
Skinner v. Oklahoma ex rel. Williamson | The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law

For the past ten years there has been a push to empty prisons of nonviolent criminals. White collar criminals do not drum up as much fear. Society tends to slap them on the wrist and carry on.

In fact, you can find some instances that an individual doesn't even make it to prison but is placed on house arrest and has to pay restitution.

 

[Disir]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

But some believe shoplifting is a capital crime - IF you're black. We had a prez and veep were who were very violent criminals, responsible for the deaths and maiming of hundreds of thousands and they have been rewarded for their crimes.

Some do think shoplifting is a capital crime if your black. A few believe that a spatula is a gun. Several more believe that being black qualifies as a crime.

 

[jwoodie]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

Ah, you're thinking of Harken Energy?

I still think such a candidate should be turned away because he's an unqualified and dishonest loser riding Daddy's coattails, not specifically because he committed a crime. Although the nature of that crime can (and should) certainly inform a voter's reasoning.

By contrast though, drunk driving (as applies to both pictured above), that's where we get into irrelevancies based on emotions rather than reasoned analysis. It would be as silly as deselecting a candidate for, I dunno, having sex with an intern or sump'm.

How about being disbarred for unethical conduct?

 

[whitehall]

You can't legally possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon. Put him in charge of the US nuclear agency? Surely you jest. If the media was doing it's job we wouldn't have to deal with Bill Clinton who was accused of a class A felony rape. The statute of limitations got him off the hook and Hillary is still an enabler.

 

[shart_attack]

Nope. Embezzlement is a nonviolent crime. Shoot, all white collar crime is nonviolent. Auto theft is a nonviolent crime. Property crimes are nonviolent.

But some believe shoplifting is a capital crime - IF you're black. We had a prez and veep were who were very violent criminals, responsible for the deaths and maiming of hundreds of thousands and they have been rewarded for their crimes.

Some do think shoplifting is a capital crime if your black. A few believe that a spatula is a gun. Several more believe that being black qualifies as a crime.

And some really paranoid blacks will even accuse those who post at exactly 3:11 of being a member of the "invisible empire" of a hate group. (Google that. Just sayin'.)

 

[Pogo]

You can't legally possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon. Put him in charge of the US nuclear agency? Surely you jest. If the media was doing it's job we wouldn't have to deal with Bill Clinton who was accused of a class A felony rape. The statute of limitations got him off the hook and Hillary is still an enabler.

Actually if the media was truly doing it is [sic] job we wouldn't have to put up with unsubstantiated accusations flying out of the woodwork, "didn't inhale", Shrub's DWI, Jeremiah Wright; a "bomb bomb Iran" joke; a Halcyon prescription or turns of phrase like "binders of women" and we could instead hear about actual issues.

So thanks for keeping the bar set where it is.

 

[shart_attack]

You can't legally possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon. Put him in charge of the US nuclear agency? Surely you jest. If the media was doing it's job we wouldn't have to deal with Bill Clinton who was accused of a class A felony rape. The statute of limitations got him off the hook and Hillary is still an enabler.

Actually if the media was truly doing it is [sic] job we wouldn't have to put up with unsubstantiated accusations flying out of the woodwork, "didn't inhale", Shrub's DWI, Jeremiah Wright; a "bomb bomb Iran" joke; a Halcyon prescription or turns of phrase like "binders of women" and we could instead hear about actual issues.

So thanks for keeping the bar set where it is.

Which, after your post, is where, Pogo???

 

[Pogo]

You can't legally possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon. Put him in charge of the US nuclear agency? Surely you jest. If the media was doing it's job we wouldn't have to deal with Bill Clinton who was accused of a class A felony rape. The statute of limitations got him off the hook and Hillary is still an enabler.

Actually if the media was truly doing it is [sic] job we wouldn't have to put up with unsubstantiated accusations flying out of the woodwork, "didn't inhale", Shrub's DWI, Jeremiah Wright; a "bomb bomb Iran" joke; a Halcyon prescription or turns of phrase like "binders of women" and we could instead hear about actual issues.

So thanks for keeping the bar set where it is.

Which, after your post, is where, Pogo???

I can't very well lift it by myself.
Long as the low-info unwashed like Whiteball here are easily impressed with gossippy trinkets, that's what's gonna sell. The rest of us are fucked.