Opus 2017-287: Headlines: A Pardon for Joe

As you may have heard, the president has pardoned Sheriff Arpaio.  A couple of points of interest maybe lost in the hysteria of the left.  It is the president’s first pardon.  It is for a misdemeanor.  The man was not convicted of grand theft, extortion or treason.  He did not wipe his illegal server or take millions in bribes while secretary of state.  He did not riot in the streets, burn buildings or throw urine at the police.  He was guilty of contempt of court.  In that regard he joins a lot of Americans.

Some interesting tidbits from the Washington Times story.

People on the left need to go back to their government classes, only this time have the class taught by someone who has actually read the Constitution.  This one demonstrates ignorance on steroids.

“Anger went beyond just immigrant-rights groups, however, to encompass the entire liberal alliance — including environmentalists, who said the pardon was a strike at the core of the Constitution.”

The power to pardon is part of the Constitution. 

The reason that pardons were included in the powers of the president was to short circuit just the kind of political shenanigans by activist judges as we are seeing more and more today.  It is the last refuge for justice from courts that are trying to make up law instead of interpret it.  Another example of this is the actions of Judge Gloria Navarro who did everything she could to get men involved in the Bundy case thrown in jail.  About half way through the article on AZCentral you find the title “Judge's restrictions on the defense” and this interesting paragraph.

“Navarro also restricted defendants from raising constitutional arguments, or mounting any defense based on their First Amendment rights to free speech and their Second Amendment rights to bear arms. In her rulings, Navarro said those were not applicable arguments in the case.”

Picture this.  A federal judge saying that arguments regarding the First Amendment and Second Amendment were not to be allowed.

Fortunately in this case the jury was awake.  The president will not need to use the power of the pardon here.  Of course the same leftists who call the pardon “a strike at the core of the Constitution” will feel the same about a jury verdict they disagree with. 

So pay attention.  If you are ever on a jury remember that you are the one with the last word, not the judge.  That is why we have juries of our peers.  And remember that judges are usually appointed.  Elections matter.

Vote the sucker out.

homo unius libri