1669

Yeah, I’m really not getting it. I mean, the example you are using is one where the person who did it was an absolute monster, and then was punished to the absolute maximum.

I’m just not seeing how it provides a good example of making a false report not mattering.

In her case, her lying about a black guy murdering her kids would have been terrible and worthy of punishment… If she hadn’t already maxed out her punishment through multiple capital crimes of the worst possible type.

Maybe this will help me understand what you are trying to say… In that woman’s case, what would have been a better outcome that would have made you care more about this more recent case of a guy making up a story to the cops?

1670

Exactly. The next guy who has something real happen to him will be treated like he made it up. But I guess because he is a star, is black and gay, we should just ignore it and pretend it never happened. I hope the next guy who it really happens to is that understanding.

1671

This already happens. Unfortunately, a number of the people you can ask about it are dead.

1672

And so because of that we should forgive the guy who really does make it up.

It’s must be nice to pick and choose who you want the law to forgive and forget. This has nothing to do with how others are treated, if we look at every act that way society will soon break down. This only makes it harder to change things for the better.

1673

By whom? Not by me.

Who said we should forgive him? Not me.

Isn’t Chicago the city where police ran secret torture prisons? I mean, that’s a travesty of justice. This thing doesn’t even register on the travesty scale.

1674

I mean, this is the context:

Cops shoot black man but don’t get charged? Business as usual. Black man lies about racist assault but doesn’t get charged? Outrage!

1675

If no one dies, it’s not a travesty. It’s appalling, but that’s about.

1676

I don’t know who you are talking to, but no one is pretending anything. I am pretty sure he’s only getting a pass because someone or some department screwed up so badly they can’t proceed with the case.

Yeah, and then of course a white person lies, shrug, no outrage just oh well business as usual, not like we’ll suddenly start not believing when someone walks in and points to phantom black criminals or say stupid ass things like hey the anti-racists will suddenly have more credibility.

1677

Some more Smolett weirdness. The Cook County police released a slew of documents, then were forced to take them back.

Meanwhile, here’s the Cook County lead prosecutor (she recused herself from the case due to having conversations with Smolett’s family), on why she believes that the charges were dropped.

If you took the celebrity out of this and looked at Class 4 felonies, or if you were able to isolate out what happens with other disorderly conduct cases when the defendant is not a celebrity, and to see if this is out of line, and I think that gives greater clarity.
…

Certainly. No two cases are the same. But I think we start with the initial context of this is a Class 4 felony. And so we look at what are the remedies under a Class 4 felony? Then we also look at our defendant. Is this someone that has a background? Do they have a violent background? Do they have any prior convictions? These are things that we ask in every case that we do.

But when we start asking the question what is available under a Class 4—is diversion available under a Class 4? Yes. Is this person eligible for that based on his or her background? Do they not have a violent history? Do they not have a conviction in their background? Yes, they’re eligible. What’s the outcome? And I think when you look at other Class 4 felonies, I think when you look at other disorderly conduct, and you ask have we done this before? I think the data will shed some clarity on that.

So the tl;dr is that the DA didn’t think they’d reasonably be able to get a conviction out of this, and even if they did it was going to be something less than a slap on wrist. $10K and some volunteer work was an easy alternative.

1678

Any way you slice it, it seems like the Cook County DA is grossly incompetent.

At best, they charged the guy with more than they should have.

But then their handling of that poor decision became even more incompetent, in that they stated in public, “Yeah, we think he did in fact do these things, and we stand by our charges. But we’re gonna drop the charges too.”

1679

So much apples and apples. I guess the next couple black guys who shoot cops should get free passes based on the inequalities built into the system. ( I am kidding )

Probably this. It’s not like he deserved prison.

1680

I guess reasonable people might ask what is the federal jurisdiction or issue in the Smollett case?, but there aren’t any reasonable people there.

1681

That’s nice and all, but when is Trump going to follow through on his campaign promise to jail Hillary?

1682

Nevermind Fox News viewers can stay hard over this! The FBI has some free time now right?

Fucking christ this is a joke.

1683

Reasonable people already know there isn’t one.

I mean if the Feds can start cracking down on people being too lenient on rich offenders… well, lets just say this wouldn’t end the way Trump and friends would want it to.

1684
1685

It’s pretty remarkable how angry people are over this considering, well pretty much everything else.

1686

It’s almost like there must be something else motivating the impulse. I can’t quite put my finger on it…

Also that Popehat take is a good one @gruntled

1687

Apparently he sent himself a threat letter through the mail, which I guess means there may be mail fraud?

1688

Here’s some Chicago stuff to be outraged about.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/chicago-cops-were-looking-for-drugs-instead-they-raided-a-4-year-olds-birthday-party-a-family-says/ar-BBVkvv2