Reader Mail
Presumptions of Guilt
A reader posse responds to Ben Stein’s treatment of DSK. Plus: What about that second helicopter?
PRESUMED GUILTY
Re: Ben Stein’s
Presumed Innocent, Anyone?
I love Ben Stein’s work but we part ways on this one. As
the former governor of California attests to, secret lives and
secret unseemly pasts can be kept quiet for a long time. And though
I agree with Mr. Stein that to single this IMFer out for being able
to afford a $3,000 a night hotel room speaks of class envy,
proffering that he should not get the same treatment as a less
affluent person would get charged with a similar crime doesn’t make
sense either.
— Robert Brennan
Presumably, though not certainly, the legal mind of the greatly-admired Ben Stein will agree that “presumed innocent” has no application outside the courtroom. We are all free to assume as we like about anyone — famous or not — accused of a crime. Perhaps when the “mighty” fall, the American imagination takes special delight, but the facts as recited by Mr. Stein concerning DSK’ s treatment do not seem that different from the manner in which the lowliest crack dealer is treated. As for his “lifetime of service,” so far, there are no facts to support that contention. All we know for certain is that an European blow-hard womanizer has been caught with his pants down and may have criminally assaulted a chambermaid.
Riker’s Island sound like a terrible place; much like the Detroit House of Correction where I spent a week-end on a spurious murder charge. The people who were in the clink with me were from all over the place. The few things they had in common were that no one wanted to be there and most of them — probably all of them — had done something to attract the attention of the arresting officer.
I’m not saying that DSK should be judged, all I’m saying is that we are entitled to think that he’s guilty. Unless we are picked to be jurors in his case.
As for the special treatment Ben want to afford him
(separate quarters, house arrest), I ask: what entitles a bigwig
Eurocrat to such amenities?
— John C. Shea
East Lansing,
Michigan
Ben Stein’s latest article is ridiculous. It assumes that the NYC cops would proceed with a case absent the type of evidence required to make the rape accusations stick.
How about you not defend the “innocent until proven guilty” rapist until the facts come out? And until then, everyone who’s heard rumors about him being a “sexual primate” can feel free to talk smack about the guy. After all, we’re not sitting trial.
If there’s anything these past few years have proven, it’s
that rich white guys don’t need any more protection than they’re
already getting from the elite power structure. Give it a
rest.
— Todd Giles
Phoenix, Arizona
I’m a liberal with nothing positive to say about The American Spectator’s political views or guiding ethos. You don’t like me. And I don’t like you.
And yet, even I — sitting here on my ivory tower with
George Soros and Bill Ayers, my French wine in one hand and latte
in the other — even I thought you guys were better than to put
your masthead above Ben Stein’s… whatever the hell that was
supposed to be.
— Andy Barr
Washington, D.C.
I am a fan of Mr. Stein, but argue that DSK deserves no extra special treatment because he is a person of breeding.
Mr. Stein in the missive comes off as an elitist. Two
thumbs down.
— Dennis Bausch
Please inform Ben Stein, that I usually enjoy his columns.
His latest one was beyond grotesque. I would be happy to engage him
in a discussion. I promise no bloody bed-sheets. Unless, he chooses
otherwise. I could not be possibly more serious. Ben, have you no
shame whatsoever? Better for you to pray to all the gods. One, will
certainly, not be enough. Shame on you!
— Ray Aube
Ben Stein says this guy is one the most recognizable
people in the world? Recognizable to who? I live in Washington,
have worked in politics and government for 35 years, and am an avid
consumer of news. I never heard of him until his arrest. Ben Stein
seems to live in some alternative economists’ universe. But I did
love him in Ferris Bueller.
— Edwin Davis
Falls
Church, Virginia
Letter to the Editor View all comments (16) | Leave a comment
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Dee See| 5.19.11 @ 9:15AM
"In politics NOTHING happens by accident
(or happenstance). NOTHING."
-FDR
Learning that 60% of the French public think
the case is, in some sense, a set up.
WHY NOW?
---Aside from the massively swelling awakening
of the general public regarding fractional reserve,
debt generating, unaccountable, international
banking ----it seems Strauss was posing a real
challenge to the absolute globalist 'fave' Sarkozy.
Cosmo| 5.20.11 @ 1:50AM
DSK posted bail and will flee the US never to return, just like Polanski did. France does not extradite his citizens. I hope the hotel maid gets the $1 million bail money, or maybe she can sue the IMF>
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.19.11 @ 9:33AM
Ben Stein's article was full of pretzel logic, but he was correct.
All he needed to go into was famous cases where sensationalism had people indicted and receiving death threats before there was a trial or even an investigation.
How many remember Richard Jewell, a security guard whose life was destroyed by law enforcement in mere moments when he was falsely accused of planting a bomb.
The truth is that Richard Jewell discovered the bomb and saved many lives, yet, the media went with the phony notion put forth by incompetent law enforcement that he was guilty.
A rush to justice is never a rush to judgment.
james wilson| 5.19.11 @ 11:00AM
If people would never step out of their usual persona to surprise us in an opinion we would never know who they really are. All neo-cons are partial-cons, or they would not embrace the tag.
Lew Dunbar| 5.19.11 @ 11:29AM
I can't think of any internet published writer who has written as many dumb columns in the last 5 years as Ben Stein has.
Bensteinery:
Writing marked by cluelessness about the current situation and dishonest, pervasive Pollyanna-style peddling of "everything is OK" mantra. Such people should probably stick to exposés of organic vegetables. Markets, media and economics are not their forté, especially in the current situation. For example "The Bellows » Robert Samuelson Drinks Deeply From the Cup of Stupid: Washington Post columnist Robert Samuelson has long impressed me as one of the most hackish economic columnists not associated with the Wall Street Journal and not named Ben Stein, but today’s piece on cap-and-trade is dismally, embarrassingly stupid."
http://www.softpanorama.org/Sk.....nary.shtml
Oldefarte| 5.19.11 @ 12:41PM
To Andy Barr: Most of us here will put our masthead ahead [or anywhere else] of Ben Stein anytime, anywhere; and in consideration of his imperfections [applicable to everyone]. Oh, and take your Soros, Aires, french wine, etc and simply STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE!!!!!!!
Wayne | 5.19.11 @ 12:59PM
Didn't we presume the guilt of Osama Bin Laden?
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.19.11 @ 1:23PM
Osama Bin Laden bragged about it. If he wasn't in fact guilty, he was in fact stupid. Either way he got what was coming to his rotten a**.
fundamentalist| 5.19.11 @ 3:03PM
I don’t know if DSK is guilty, but I know there is a huge difference between a philanderer and a rapist. Rape is a special kind of evil. KSB has been accused of philandering, but not rape as far as I know.
k alongi| 5.20.11 @ 12:51AM
attempted rape - so he didn't get away with it .. but Sounds Like he tried apparantly. More details r in order - just how did he 'force'? But its really none of our concern (unless u get picked for jury).
Rich Rostrom| 5.19.11 @ 7:08PM
"KSB has been accused of philandering..."
KSB AG? (formerly Maschinen- & Armatur-Fabrik Klein, Schanzlin & Becker)
Kansas State Bank?
Kernel Socks Bouncer? (a Linux kernel module)
KiteSurfing Belize?
Kentucky School for the Blind?
U.S. Representative Kinsley Scott Bingham (D-MI, 1847-1851)?
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k alongi| 5.20.11 @ 12:48AM
Re Ben Stein's Presumed Innocent - Yes, we can assume he's innocent - but whenever one is charged, true or not, police have a job to do -& that unfortunately necessarily assumes the guilt of the person charged, in one sense. Presumed innocent until trial, but in case guilty, put in custody like every other criminal. The police probably cracked or broke my son's rib when they hauled him off the street for driving 3 blocks while a bit inebriated .. of course he was guilty - and seemed angry (so they were naturally wary) - just to say - the police have a job to do & its not an easy one.
I totally agree that the woman could be a total freak or liar or whatever; I also agree there should be a pattern - and there probably is one, hidden tho it may be. It will take some investigating, by better minds than ours. Let's let them do it, and put our minds on better things!
PolishKnight| 5.20.11 @ 9:33AM
Hmm, I'm amused that there seems to be a collision between the traditional notion of political conservatives as respecting wealthy, powerful men and a more working values segment that appears to be growing. At the turn of the previous century, leftism claimed to represent the common man.
For some time now, the Marxists of the left have been getting away with taking private jets and a seperate set of justice and rules for themselves and their right wing colleagues in government living similar lifestyles looked the other way while shoving us in front of the bus.
Bill openly acted like he should be allowed to sexually harass women and the feminists followed suit. This was just after the big noise made about it in the 90's. Remember those days? If a man said any small thing in those days, he was instantly fired. Today, you still have to watch what you say although it's not as bad.
This guy claims to represent the common man so it's appropriate that he go to prison and hang out with them for a while. Really. It's like Paris Hilton going to jail.
Robert Amaya| 5.23.11 @ 3:13AM
Spanish based law is like that. Mexico is one of them. Watch out south of the border.
http://www.articlespeak.com/ac.....us-review/