Post in Zimmermann Convicted on 3 of 4 counts

2006 Aug 10 23:23 UTC

Having followed Dean's trial, and having seen the evidence, I am
shocked that the jury could have convicted him.

But why should I be surprised, when we live in a world that so
routinely punishes the innocent and the honorable, while it rewards
the guilty and the greedy?

Peace activists give of their time and energy without pay, while the
war-makers get rich.  Civil-rights activists are beaten by the police
while racists employ their demagoguery to attain power.  Those
who feed the poor and heal the sick remain poor themselves, while
the owners of agribusiness and health insurance companies profit.
And those who work hard for the benefit of us all in the
slaughterhouses, the foundries, and the farm fields live in poverty
while their employers become obscenely wealthy.

Dean Zimmermann is and has been a man of the people, a peace
activist, a civil rights activist, a consistent friend of the poor, and a
hard worker.  So many other politicians care nothing about their
constituents as they raise millions of dollars from corporations who
see their contributions as investments in favorable public policy.  In
such a corrupt system, should it be any wonder that Dean is the
one singled out by the FBI for investigation and prosecution?

I continue to stand with and support Dean Zimmermann, and I hope
you will also.  I have known Dean as a friend for many years, so
perhaps I am biased.  More likely, it is my knowledge of Dean and
his character, in addition to the evidence presented, that convinces
me of his innocence and integrity, despite the finding of a jury of
strangers.

Dave Bicking
Corcoran neighborhood
(and fellow Green Party candidate for Mpls City Council in 2005)