Several of my misguided friends try to compare the pardoning of Arizona Sheriff Arpaio with some other presidential pardons by misrepresenting the facts. But even if you take them at their word that President Obama pardoned a drug dealer, please ask yourselves these questions:
In any society, who wields the most power to do irreversible harm to people, under the guise of appropriateness and under the color of the law? A county sheriff or a petty criminal?
Who served more time for his crimes? Sheriff Arpaio or those who President Obama pardoned?
Who is more detrimental to our rule of law? A county sheriff who intentionally violated a federal court order, or a petty marijuana dealer?
If our guiding principle is, "much is expected to whom much is given," we must ask ourselves: Was Sheriff Arpaio given much?
When does a presidential pardon have the most propensity to politically benefit a president in further sustaining his continued occupation of his office? At the beginning of his first term, or the very end of his second term?
If you think Arpaio is a hero, think again. John Oliver's expose is right on point. The man was a vile law breaker who took advantage of the very most vulnerable of our society. These were people who (though they must be held accountable to our laws, as he should have been), according to our traditions of being our brother's keeper, merit our care, concern, and restraint.
(Posted video: Joe Arpaio: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver [HBO])
Loren M. Lambert © September 18, 2017
In any society, who wields the most power to do irreversible harm to people, under the guise of appropriateness and under the color of the law? A county sheriff or a petty criminal?
Who served more time for his crimes? Sheriff Arpaio or those who President Obama pardoned?
Who is more detrimental to our rule of law? A county sheriff who intentionally violated a federal court order, or a petty marijuana dealer?
If our guiding principle is, "much is expected to whom much is given," we must ask ourselves: Was Sheriff Arpaio given much?
When does a presidential pardon have the most propensity to politically benefit a president in further sustaining his continued occupation of his office? At the beginning of his first term, or the very end of his second term?
If you think Arpaio is a hero, think again. John Oliver's expose is right on point. The man was a vile law breaker who took advantage of the very most vulnerable of our society. These were people who (though they must be held accountable to our laws, as he should have been), according to our traditions of being our brother's keeper, merit our care, concern, and restraint.
(Posted video: Joe Arpaio: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver [HBO])
Loren M. Lambert © September 18, 2017
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