Kennedy, and McKinney, are two examples of how some politicians can get a mere slap on the wrist. Ordinary Joe Lunchbucket hits a cop, he goes to the pokey. Mr. Average Wage-earner crashes his car in front of cops, he by God gets a field sobriety test.

BTW, why didn’t Jesse Jackson get upset when Patrick shoved that airport secu- oh, never mind… white liberal men can do that sort of thing. I forgot.

Crimes aren’t political… they’re simply crimes that should be investigated and prosecuted on their merits. This doesn’t, in my opinion, have anything to do with him being a Democrat (except that if he was a Republican, the mainstream media would give him a harder time).

Still, drunk driving… or driving under the influence of drugs… changing your story with the public now saying you don’t remember things you previously remembered… lying to the police… obstucting justice and misusing the constitution as a shield to avoid prosecution… these are all serious and have nothing to do with politics.

The only thing that makes it in any way political is that he’s a politician. I follow crime cases where non-politicians are involved.

The name “Kennedy”, a person’s political affiliation, money, or being a Member of Congress shouldn’t change anything.

And that’s the point. I’m not yet completely sold on the concept that his being a Kennedy caused the Capital Police to back off. Maybe, but I’d have to see the results of their investigation before I formed an opinion on it.

What we do know for certain 100% incontrovertible is that the Speech and Debate clause of the U.S. Constitution forbids the police to arrest or detain a Congressman while travelling to or from the House while the House is in session except under very narrowly defined circustances – and Representative Kennedy told the police he was headed to a House vote when there was no vote. I think this is highly troubling.

Crucify him because he’s a Democrat? Never! That’s pointless as hell.

Bore into his story because it began falling apart within minutes of his first telling? You betcha! Nail the jerk! For getting behind the whell, for lying, for abusing his position as a Representative. And any other charge that will stick! Enough pampering.

Lives are at stake with that man on the road!

Aside from putting the public at risk (which I object to… when you’ve been lucky enough – since they’re not dead – to hear loved ones scream out in pain as a result of drunk driving, it tends to put things in perspective), he abused his position as a Member of Congress. This goes right to the heart of the relationship between the government and the governed.

Background info: According to two independent sources, Kennedy probably lied about not using alcohol:

Capital Police incident report states Kennedy under influence of alcohol
Bar hostess says Kennedy drinking that night

As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, if he lied to the police about this, that was obstruction of justice.

However, there is a much more serious side to this.

Kennedy told officers he was going to a House vote at 2:45 AM. As you may be aware, the U.S. Constitution protects Members of Congress from being arrested or detained by the police in most circumstances providing they are going to or from the House. This is to protect from interference in the Democratic process by the administration or police.

He lied to the Capital Police officers and told them he was on his way to a vote at 2:45 AM… when there was no vote (but bars had recently let out)… which may have caused the Capital Police to confer with higher-ups and the higher-ups to order not to arrest Kennedy because of the U.S. Constitution… is Kennedy guilty of obstruction of justice: a felony?

If I was on a jury, I’d have to conclude he was.

He’s trying to escape legal jeopardy.

Q. Why did he lie about his drinking to the officers if he did so?
A. Obstruction of justice.

Q. Why did he lie about going to a vote at 2:45 AM if he wasn’t?
A. Abusing his power as a Congressman to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruct justice.

So now he’s saying he wasn’t drinking, but he was abusing prescription drugs. This despite the two previous sources I cited that state he was either “under the influence of alcohol” (the cops) or “drinking” (bar hostess).

And Kennedy’s own statement said that he took precisely the prescribed amount of his prescription drugs and no more.

His statements have changed multiple times, but it’s his actions that night, which were in my opinion felonious.

If it walks like abusing his power to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruction of justice and if it talks like abusing his power to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruction of justice, it’s a duck.

Key Point:

Patrick Kennedy abused his power as a Congressman to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruct justice when he lied to the Capital Police about going to a House vote at 2:45 AM when there wasn’t any House vote at that time.

Shame on us for allowing it. If Washington is not going to clean itself up, it is time we clean it for them, and keep it clean. There are far too many elected officials, and potential candidates that appreciate the honor of the job, and they should be who we concentrate our efforts on. Unfortunately, we are faced with the Cunninghams and Kennedys that make a mockery(and I am being kind) of the office.

ABC News is reporting that the Capitol Police are conducting multiple investigations – both into Kennedy’s actions and how and why the Capitol Police let Kennedy walk away from the scene without being arrested.

- Bang

***If you’re behind on the Pat Kennedy controversy, see my original Thursday post that includes many updates, details, and twists in this matter. So as I give you a quick update and link round-up with brief commentary, know that…

I’m generally opposed to federal funding of research, but I’d favor a grant for the purpose of discovering why the Kennedys are lionized by so many, and how they’ve retained popular affection in the face of so much destructive (and self-destructive) behavior.

Karl

Bill didn’t seem to think it was either, as he called for Patrick’s prosecution later in that same post:

If he was driving under the influence of sleeping pills, as he seems to have admitted, he should be prosecuted for that. I am no lawyer, but I believe that is illegal, just as driving under the influence of alcohol is.

“Patrick is a member of The United States Congress. He created the situation that Bill is claiming that people are taking advantage of.”

I’m not sure what your point is there. Of course he created the situation. The point is that the situation shouldn’t be used as an excuse by anyone on the right to make an a$$ out of themselves by expressing joy at what’s happened. That was Bill’s point, and mine as well. No one in their right (no pun intended) mind is saying he should be let off the hook, Pam, which seems to be what you’re implying that I (and also Bill) am/are asserting. I believe you and I are more in agreement than disagreement.