On Wed, 3 Jul 2024 17:04:03 +1200, Titus G <
noone@nowhere.com> wrote:
On 29/06/24 03:38, James Nicoll wrote:
(Subject The insane progress nobody is talking about)
In article <nult7jlrj1697gnkmo2dmhhd8tmr2utfra@4ax.com>,
Paul S Person <psperson@old.netcom.invalid> wrote:
snip
Perhaps a thorough audit focused on where the money is going (ie, how
many brothers-in-law of various officials are getting the contracts)
would help.
This is /exactly/ the sort of task a sane Republican would seem to be
ideal for.
There are no sane Republicans, nor uncorrupt.
Corruption is now legal in the US after the ruling authored by Kavanaugh
in Snyder v United States last week.
( https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-108_8n5a.pdf )
In summary a bribe is organised and paid prior to some desired behaviour
so the court determined that any post-facto payments are simply
gratuities and therefore not illegal.
Well, a bribe /is/ something that is paid (or at least promised)
first.
A small town mayor, Snyder, asked for $13,000 from a company AFTER it
was awarded a town contract, was convicted but now absolved by the
Supreme Court of which some members have received substantial benefits
from billionaire friends whose interests they protect and assist being >similar to their own.
This sounds more like extortion. Or a kick-back.
Perhaps the prosecutor should have paid more attention to what a
"bribe" is in the context of our legal tradition. And found a charge
that actually fit the case. And, if appropriate, instructed the Grand
Jury properly. Sloppiness really isn't a positive character trait.
I am taking it for granted here that no agreement reached prior to the
award of the contract.
As to the dubious morals of some Supreme Court members:
if the Supremes can do it, the Mayor can do it.
Corruption starts from the top.
--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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