Ravenwood - 11/01/04 06:15 AM
Recently, Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly was involved in a hit and run. Connolly smashed up a Ford Explorer and sped away from the scene, but being a prominent elected official has it's privileges. There was no doubt that Connolly, a Fairfax Democrat, would get a pass. But the controversial ruling leaves serious doubt whether Connolly should even have a driver's license.
[Judge Craig] Johnston, in issuing his not guilty ruling, said Connolly's "position and his duties have caused him to be oblivious to what is going on in his car."That's comforting.
UPDATE: For those of you who are interested, Connolly is a Democrat; not that there's anything wrong with that. (Happy Jack?) ;)
And what, pray tell, does being a Democrat have to do with ANYTHING in this case? Are you saying (or implying) that Republicans are too righteous and virtuous to be guilty of such egregious behavior? Gimme a f*****g break, willya?
Neither party has a monopoly on corruption and moral vaccuums. Connolly is a troll not deserving of his public trust. That he is a Democrat is completely immaterial. If he were a Republican, would you be pointing that out? Somehow I doubt it....
Posted by: Jack Cluth at November 1, 2004 8:07 AMSorry Jack. That is not what I was trying to imply, although I can see how you would construe it that way by the placement of the information. "He got a pass, he's a democrat." You are correct in that does appear to be a little leading.
Basically, I hate to read a story about some politician and they don't say whether or not he's a democrat or republican. I don't know why, but I usually want to know and often times have to go look it up on my own. (For the same reason I want to know gun calibers and types in crime reports, I guess.)
It's just sloppy to leave that stuff out. (Although apparently including it was a little sloppy too. I'll move it around just for you.)
And to answer your question, I would do the same if he was a Republican. (Assuming I ran the story at all.. [/rimshot])
Posted by: Ravenwood at November 1, 2004 8:28 AMHad Connolly been a Republican it is fairly certain that it would have been noted in the article. It is not exactly news that the Post carries water for the Democratic party. Sample headline :
"Republican fat-cat pol gets preferential treatment in hit and run case"
There are definitely miscreants in both parties, they are held to very different standards.
Posted by: Michael at November 1, 2004 12:46 PMJack Ryan from Illinois was forced out because of his sexual affair with his own wife. Plus I remember a certain Wisconsin Republican that was involved in a fatal(?) hit and run accident and ended up going down.
Then again, the Dems had James Traficant and Gary Condit. (Although Condit was voted out, not kicked out.)
Posted by: Ravenwood at November 1, 2004 1:11 PMDon't forget a certain Massachusettes senator that tried driving underwater and has been voted into office every election since.
Posted by: Ralph Gizzip at November 1, 2004 8:34 PMMad Orge is right. It's time to run for office.
Posted by: jason at November 2, 2004 12:24 PMI'm not a lawyer but shouldn't the FFX Court recuse itself in this case? 1. It is the County Supervisor 2. There was a Bond Ref. for Courts on the ballot. Seems to me the case should have been moved to another Jurisdiction at some distance from Fairfax. I have a sinking feeling as to why but thought I might ask.
Great site BTW! Did a Google on this story and ended up here :)
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