If They Can Bust Bobby Unser They Can Bust David Gregory

Glenn links to a fine piece by Mark Steyn, who discusses David Gregrory and describes some recent examples of absurd over-criminalization that did not get a pass from law enforcement officials.

However, Mr. Steyn does not mention the bizarre story of racing legend Bobby Unser, who got lost in a snowstorm for two days while snowmobiling, was rescued, and was charged with trespassing on a Federal wilderness area. He was eventually fined $75 dollars and convicted of a misdemeanor, so he carries a modest criminal record.

If a celebrity like Bobby Unser can be busted as an inspiration to the rest of us, so can David Gregory. The Washington DC prosecutors have a wonderful opportunity to publicize their law and demonstrate that they take it seriously. And we can all imagine the outrage Mr. Gregory would muster if a prominent Republican used his influence to duck accountability for a clear criminal act.

As a matter of full disclosure, I should add that David Gregory's role in the Valerie Plame affair was complex and he has never found an opportunity to bring clarity to the part he played. He hasn't said enough about this to qualify for full "Lying Weasel" status, but I don't trust him.

FWIW, we have some follow-up on the cases Mr. Steyn did cite. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service backed down in the face of public outrage and dropped their attempt to go after eleven year old Skylar Capo, who had committed the crime of saving a (Federally protected) woodpecker from a housecat.

And Andrew K. Despres, the expelled college student who was taken down hard for wearing an ammunition belt (sans weapon) had his bail reduced from $50,000 to $500 so he is back on the mean streets and, per the local prosecutor, is the next Adam Lanza just waiting to go off. Because no college kid anywhere ever displayed an interest in guns or ammo without eventually killing twenty people.

The Despres case sounds like selective zero tolerance run amuck (he claims he wore the belt to school on other ocassions without comment or mass murder) but post-Newtown he might have wanted to show more sensitivity to the school officials' likely over-reaction.

Comments

[Melinda Romanoff]

David Gregory walks above all, brandishing his press credentials. Kurtz nods approvingly.

[Jim Eagle]

Gregory speaks French. Enough said.

[peter]

sans weapon, not sand weapon. No Clarice this morning.

[Jane - Mock the Media!]

Apparently Gregory has an exclusive interview with the President today. Given Gregory's disdain for the law I'm shocked that the secret service would risk it.

[Jim Eagle]

Is this wishful thinking?

We need a Minority Report from our Bay Staters.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service backed down in the face of public outrage and dropped their attempt to go after eleven year old Skylar Capo, who had committed the crime of saving a (Federally protected) woodpecker from a housecat.--

I'm not sure what's worse, prosecuting her in the first place or then backing down, not because the prosecution was insane but to avoid a PR blackeye.
How many people caught up in equally ridiculous prosecutions and who don't get sympathetic press coverage are not given a break?

[Captain Hate]

David Gregory's role in the Valerie Plame affair was complex and he has never found an opportunity to bring clarity to the part he played. He hasn't said enough about this to qualify for full "Lying Weasel" status

Lying Monkeyboy status would be more appropriate.

[mad jack]

JIB: Any belief in electoral success by the GOP in a
Mass Senate race is wishful thinking. Warren beat Brown by a ton. Abandon all hope that my fellow Massholes will get a clue.

[Captain Hate]

Speaking of Scottie Centerfold, he decided to kick the Tea Party members who elected him one last time by joining a bunch of Repukes (Lugar, Murkowski...) to vote for a pork laden Sandy "relief" bill which will pile on a bunch of additional spending which the country can ill afford. Would Dances with Vibrators done any different?

Good riddance.

[narciso]

No, he wouldn't, now that was the way he behaved during the 'lame duck session' with the dream act, New Start, et al

[narciso]

Pathological psychoses can't be fized, bring back the Junkers

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/german-spiegel-magazine-declares-george-hw-bush-dead_692341.html

[Jane - Mock the Media!]

A special election has different turn-out than a national election, but I wouldn't bet against Mad Jack after last November.

[MarkO]

It's best if you stay inside and do as you are told.

[Pofarmer]

So, yeah, owning a piece of tin that can be used to hold Rifle ammunition is a crime. I actually hope they prosecute this.

[Jim Eagle]

To all the lawyers:

If the DC prosecutors decide not to prosecute Gregory, does that set a precedent in case some one like a public citizen displays one at a rally? IOW's can the defense just say "you refused to charge and prosecute Gregory and therefore my client should receive the same deal"? Is selective non-prosecution a defense?

[narciso]

Hey, Po, how have you been?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Bit of trivia;
I went to school with Bobby Unser's nephews. They were the sons of the oldest Unser brother, Jerry, IIRC, who was killed at Indianapolis when the guy in my class was just a baby.
The guy in my class, Johnny Unser raced at Indianapolis a few years back.
His older brother as I recall was cross eyed which probably would have made driving 200 mph problematical.
Super nice guys.

[narciso]

Now. TM, the difference between Depres and Unser, with Gregory is the latter deliberately broke the law, also he is a protected class, as opposed to the other two.

[narciso]

Actually it's not so surprising,

http://pjmedia.com/ronradosh/2012/12/28/the-meaning-of-pat-buchanans-surpising-endorsement-of-chuck-hagel-as-secretary-of-defense/?singlepage=true

[narciso]

Wisdom like this, can't be taken for granted;

http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/12/obama-calls-for-banning-these-high-capacity-clips-during-david-gregory-interview/

[Jane - Mock the Media!]

"you refused to charge and prosecute Gregory and therefore my client should receive the same deal"? Is selective non-prosecution a defense?

We saw how well that worked with Turbo-Tax-Timmy as in, not at all.

[An American at the end of his patience.]

Yes, one must maintain the same level of awareness regarding the administration of Fitchburg State as one would on the street passing obvious schizophrenics. There's no telling what is going to set them off.

[Pofarmer]

Hey Narc, been fine, just busy.

[Manuel Transmission]

Ig, my mom babysat the younger Unsers when the dads came to Phx to race. I think Robby was one of them.

[Captain Hate]

Actually it's not so surprising,

No, not at all. Conservatives should all shun Pat; a lesson that's lost on Laura Ingraham.

[Danube of Thought]

"If the DC prosecutors decide not to prosecute Gregory, does that set a precedent in case some one like a public citizen displays one at a rally?"

Sadly, no. The prosecutor has almost unfettered discretion.

[Pofarmer]

EEEeck.

Feinstein is off the deep end.

* Banning firearms with “thumbhole stocks” and “bullet buttons” to address attempts to “work around” prior bans.

# Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.
# Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:

* Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment;
* Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes; and
* Exempting antique, manually-operated, and permanently disabled weapons.

# Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, to include:

* Background check of owner and any transferee;
* Type and serial number of the firearm;
* Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;
* Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and
* Dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration.

Surely this thing is a non-starter? Thumbhole stocks have become extremely popular on sporting firearms.

[daddy]

Captain,

Speaking of Lisa Murkowski...

Murkowski crosses aisle to rein in Super PACs influence:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is teaming with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to clean up the indulgent and secretive excesses of so-called political Super PACs.

Murkowski and Wyden explain:

"This influx of unregulated political cash stemming from the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision spawned a particularly vitriolic political cycle. Groups on both sides dumped some $6 billion into tearing down candidates for public office.

Super Pacs and Lisa Murkowski. Sound familiar?

Murkowski has herself benefited greatly from a Super PAC. Back in 2010, when independent expenditure groups got the green light to go hog wild, she was in a heated battle to keep her Senate seat from going to Alaska's tea party-backed challenger, Joe Miller. Miller won the primary, but Murkowski chose to stay in the race and mount a write-in campaign. With the help of a Super PAC called Alaskans Standing Together, largely funded by Alaska Native corporations reliant on federal money streams, Murkowski won re-election...In the few months between the August primary and the November election, Alaskans Standing Together raised more than $1.8 million dollars for Lisa...Miller repeatedly complained about the Super PAC and alleged it was corrupt to its core, but ultimately his protestations failed.

Oh well.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--* Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint--

DiFi = racist bitch?

[daddy]

Excellent question JiB at 11:42, and sad answer DoT at 12:21. That is disheartening.

[narciso]

I was right to look up cohomology and abelian theory, it's complex but has some value;

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/12/obama-lies-says-state-department-officials-were-held-accountable-over-benghazi-not-true-theyre-all-back-at-work/

[daddy]

Re: Narciso's 12:01 link to Pat Buchanan supporting Chuck Hagel. I liked this bit

Buchanan then asks how Hagel could be an anti-Semite, since “so many Jewish columnists and writers” are supporting his candidacy. I happen to think that those who are throwing out the canard that Hagel is anti-Semitic are wrong. But I believe the policies he favors would indeed be harmful to our country’s national interest.

I would reverse Buchanan’s question, however: why is a known anti-Semite like Buchanan endorsing Hagel? Does that tell us anything? What views which Buchanan thinks Hagel holds make Buchanan see him in such a favorable light? Is not this something we should be concerned about?

[Jim Miller]

According to Wikipedia, David Gregory is married to "former federal prosecutor and former Fannie Mae executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Beth Wilkinson".

It may be unfair of me, but I assume that anyone who held that high a position in Fannie Mae is guilty of something or other.

[narciso]

daddy, apophis, might be ahead of schedule, even Medred is making a modicum of sense, today,

Hagel's vote against sanctioning the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which has been involved in everything from the Beirut bombings, to the attempted hit on the Saudi Ambassador, is worth noting,

[narciso]

Yes, Jim, and earlier this year, she was working with the FTC investigating Google,

[Danube of Thought]

I will never register a firearm with anybody.

[Captain Hate]

Excellent question JiB at 11:42, and sad answer DoT at 12:21. That is disheartening.

Local prosecutors can be *extremely* selective on what cases they choose to pursue. The local alternative paper had a story years ago on how the state police were running an investigation on abuses of the state lottery. They turned over evidence to prosecutor Stephanie Tubbs Jones that the daughter or niece of Congressman Louis Stokes was shaking merchants down. She did nothing with it. When Stokes decided to retire, guess who he recommeded to take his place?

[narciso]

You're going to have to give a larger hint, Captain, is it smaller then a breadbox?

[Captain Hate]

Well, in this case, small enough to fit in a fairly super-sized casket.

[daddy]

Captain,

I'm sure Lisa Murkowski will recommend legislation to deal with that Lottery problem after she takes her cut.

[Frau Hosentraeger]

And Andrew K. Despres, the expelled college student who was taken down hard for wearing an ammunition belt

Maybe Ammo Andrew can bring back

[Frau Hosentraeger]

Jim Miller @ 1:36 has peeked behind the curtain.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--It may be unfair of me, but I assume that anyone who held that high a position in Fannie Mae is guilty of something or other.--

Absolutely. Just like every Dem at Fannie/Freddie, and everywhere else for that matter, she's guilty of caring too much.
Caring just a little too much for the poor and the downtrodden and the chilren...and if she or anyone else feathered their nest with millions of taxpayer dollars illegally well, that's just like someone who doesn't care at all to begrudge her her trifles and put filthy lucre before people, especially small, poor, brown ones.

[jimmyk]

I would be quite confident that the general counsel's job at Fannie Mae was to enable them to fleece the public as much as possible while still remaining within the letter of the law.

[Pofarmer]

"I will never register a firearm with anybody."

I think there's more than two of us with that thinking. I think there will be a lot of firearms "lost" if this goes through.