All posts in the topic Zimmermann Convicted on 3 of 4 counts (Short link)
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- There are 4 posts — by 4 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Michael Mackey at 2006 Aug 11 00:27 UTC
http://www.minneapolisconfidential.blogspot.com/ "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
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)
I'm sorry to hear that Dean Zimmerman was convicted. He is a good guy.
Having said that, the co-mingling of his personal funds and the funds
contributed for the redistricting lawsuit was a major error. That's
a line that public officials simply cannot cross. Although Dean's
handling of the money was more grossly negligent than truly criminal,
if you let Dean get away with the "no harm, no foul" defense, you
create a loophole a mile wide that other, more devious, council
members could drive a truck through.
As a reference point, state law prohibits a political campaign from
accepting donations if there is no one designated as treasurer, and
thus responsible for keeping track of funds. Precisely to avoid this
scenario.
The other problem is that Dean's somewhat detached view of the role
of money in life is not widely shared. For Dean and his supporters,
the idea that Dean could use the money for his own purposes while he
acted as a conduit to pay the lawyer is just not a big deal. But
under the law, and for the vast majority of citizens who make up the
jury pool, strict rules about the handling of money and property are
the norm.
I think the better argument for injustice is the application of the
federal sentencing guidelines in this case. According to the Strib,
Dean is looking at 4-5 years in jail, and that's too long a time for
what Dean has done.
Greg Abbott
Doug Grow's column in the Strib, "Zimmermann bumbles his way to prison," hits the nail on the head. Grow writes that Zimmerman is a "bumbler, more than a crook," and "probably most guilty of being in over his head." Grow also notes: "More sophisticated pols have other people who take the money in legal ways." Zimmermann's lackadaisical approach to life and to his public office does not exonerate him for his crimes. The only travesty here is that much graver acts of influence peddling are committed daily by pols who are savy enough to keep their corruption just within the bounds of legality. I guess it's just generally easier to catch the small-time bumbler. Doug Grow's column: http://www.startribune.com/465/story/607377.html P Michael Mackey, Uptown