boxbanger_

If anyone from San Diego reads this, you may be aware of these two cases: Randy Cunningham’s sentencing (for taking bribes; tax evasion) and the possible sentencing of Angelina Padilla's hit-and-run killer--an event that has attracted media attention since the identification of the suspect. What I ask is this: is justice served by sentencing "Duke" (a highly decorated Fighter Pilot) to eight years in prison, whereas someone charged with a fatal hit-and-run (someone who has multiple drunk driving convictions, and who was already in jail for an unrelated crime) has a maximum sentence of four years eight months? I think no. In the first case, it is not as though "Duke" once released, will re-offend--he will be under intense public and government scrutiny, as well as not being able to get a job that would allow him access to such bribes. Seeing that he is very old, and that he has certainly enjoyed the fruits of his ill-gotten labor, would a more just punishment (and I mean this for most white-collar criminals) be to deprive him of all money for the period of his sentence? Allow him the option of serving a sentence, or tax him like 90% for the rest of his life. It seems the only way to punish this type of crime is with money. I will use Martha Stewart as an example--she goes and serves six months, and when she is released, nothing. Wouldn't taking her money away be more punishment? I say these things not because I want to go around taking people's money from them, but because I hate to see someone like these two put into maximum-security prison for ten years, when violent criminals serve half the time. "If I could talk one on one with Randy right now, I would tell him that he was a good pilot and brave vet and has done a fine job for us in pushing for such programs as child protection, and others. His BIG weakness was anything connected with the almighty dollar, budgets, appropriations, etc. We have seen this all before with bank comptrollers, accountants, treasurers, trust managers, et al being too weak to resist the temptation to subvert funds to feather their own nests. Certain people just cannot be trusted with direct access to others funds. They might make wonderful truck drivers, factory workers, engineers, or whatever and do just fine. That said, Randy you are not a person that would shoot a 21-year-old 7-11 clerk between the eyes after he has given you all his money just to eliminate him. You are not a low life child molester, mega drug dealer or a contract hired killer. We need to keep things in perspective here and realize this is a person that has done many good things in his life too. Greed is a terrible temptation but it is not lethal in scope. I would tell Randy I will choose to remember him as a Vietnam Vet that has done a whole lot of good things for us all, but fell victim to an inherit weakness surfacing by being in the wrong job that allowed that ready access. I choose to reserve my real 'hatred' for the vicious, heartless killers and child abusers that walk amongst us daily." eowawa, san diego

I doubt many have ever considered Anton Chekhov, but I read it and see many parallels. Try these five short stories: The Black Monk, The House with the Mezzanine, The Peasants, Gooseberries, and The Lady with the Toy Dog. If anyone else has any knowledge of these, speak up.