Once more, we have journals about the alleged insurrection of January 6. My take on that is that even if you're a US poster, the US is a free country and thus, you are free to be idiots. I'm also free to tell you that.
But you miss the real story. I quite agree that Trump riled up a bunch of loyal supporters and pointed them at the Capitol. I quite agree that he and his lackeys then dragged their feet on defending the Capitol from a riot that he caused. Those are shitty moves, but genuine politics - meaning any supporter who put up with his shenanigans (he's done worse) to that point isn't going to be concerned about some more shenanigans. Maybe it even rises to the level of insurrection though I'd like to see more there than some impotent whining that Trump didn't sign a confession.
The nasty move is near instantly throwing those supporters under the bus. This is the real Trump. They did what Trump wanted them to do and now they're fucked without a word of encouragement or any other support from Trump. Same goes for the people who filed all those useless lawsuits.
He's over it.
Here, we have naked betrayal of his most loyal followers - rewarded for their efforts with prison time and huge fines. If Trump's critics can't run with that, then we need a new batch.
I agree that plea bargaining in the US is rife with problems, but in functioning democracies we still see conviction rates of up to 95% without trials. This is because some cases are so open-and-shut that the felon has no advantage in taking the case to trial. For example, someone charged with car theft is likely to take a plea deal when there is CCTV footage of them stealing the car, their prints are all over the wheel, and the car was recovered from their property.
Taking a plea deal should be considered functionally equivalent to being found guilty in court (again, functioning democracies only - USA need not apply).
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Thursday August 04 2022, @05:29AM (1 child)
I agree that plea bargaining in the US is rife with problems, but in functioning democracies we still see conviction rates of up to 95% without trials. This is because some cases are so open-and-shut that the felon has no advantage in taking the case to trial. For example, someone charged with car theft is likely to take a plea deal when there is CCTV footage of them stealing the car, their prints are all over the wheel, and the car was recovered from their property.
Taking a plea deal should be considered functionally equivalent to being found guilty in court (again, functioning democracies only - USA need not apply).
(Score: 1) by khallow on Thursday August 04 2022, @12:26PM
No and that's why.