Re: The insane corruption nobody is talking about

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.'"