#46 President Joe Biden

Ledbetterman10

Here's another....Biden just pardoned the notorious Kids-For-Cash judge Michael Conahan from Pennsylvania. If you're not familiar with him, in the 2000's, he was putting juveniles away for years for minor offenses because he was getting kickbacks from the detention centers. I WAS ALMOST ONE OF THEM after I was cited for underage drinking at a Red Hot Chili Pepper concert. Thankfully my parents got me a lawyer and I got off with just community service. But other juveniles weren't even given public defenders for some of their cases, and put away for years. He was convicted of multiple crimes in 2010 as a result. 

Here's PA Governor Josh Shapiro slamming the move by Biden...

“Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully. I study every single case that comes across my desk where there’s a request for a pardon, or clemency, or a reduction of sentence – and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case, I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings, I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.

I recognize that those on the outside can question those decisions, as you are here today, and posing a question to me as to the clemency granted by President Biden. So I’ll offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids for cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There was all kind of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back. Frankly, I thought the sentence that the judge got was too light, and the fact that he’s been allowed out over the last years because of COVID, was on house arrest and now has been granted clemency, I think, is absolutely wrong. He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.”

Shapiro on Conahan: 'Biden got it absolutely wrong' | 28/22 News

brianlux

Ledbetterman10 said:

Here's another....Biden just pardoned the notorious Kids-For-Cash judge Michael Conahan from Pennsylvania. If you're not familiar with him, in the 2000's, he was putting juveniles away for years for minor offenses because he was getting kickbacks from the detention centers. I WAS ALMOST ONE OF THEM after I was cited for underage drinking at a Red Hot Chili Pepper concert. Thankfully my parents got me a lawyer and I got off with just community service. But other juveniles weren't even given public defenders for some of their cases, and put away for years. He was convicted of multiple crimes in 2010 as a result. 

Here's PA Governor Josh Shapiro slamming the move by Biden...

“Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully. I study every single case that comes across my desk where there’s a request for a pardon, or clemency, or a reduction of sentence – and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case, I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings, I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.

I recognize that those on the outside can question those decisions, as you are here today, and posing a question to me as to the clemency granted by President Biden. So I’ll offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids for cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There was all kind of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back. Frankly, I thought the sentence that the judge got was too light, and the fact that he’s been allowed out over the last years because of COVID, was on house arrest and now has been granted clemency, I think, is absolutely wrong. He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.”

Shapiro on Conahan: 'Biden got it absolutely wrong' | 28/22 News

That sucks, man.  I don't disagree with Biden's move all together- we have way too people incarcerated for non-violent crimes (worth doing a little research on penal labor and exploitation of incarcerated workers), but he would have done well to have had a team do a better job of screening who gets a pass and who doesn't. 

And as we all know, a much worse scenario of this type will be happening soon.  Perhaps you will be at least as critical of that as well.

mrussel1

Ledbetterman10 said:

Here's another....Biden just pardoned the notorious Kids-For-Cash judge Michael Conahan from Pennsylvania. If you're not familiar with him, in the 2000's, he was putting juveniles away for years for minor offenses because he was getting kickbacks from the detention centers. I WAS ALMOST ONE OF THEM after I was cited for underage drinking at a Red Hot Chili Pepper concert. Thankfully my parents got me a lawyer and I got off with just community service. But other juveniles weren't even given public defenders for some of their cases, and put away for years. He was convicted of multiple crimes in 2010 as a result. 

Here's PA Governor Josh Shapiro slamming the move by Biden...

“Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully. I study every single case that comes across my desk where there’s a request for a pardon, or clemency, or a reduction of sentence – and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case, I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings, I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.

I recognize that those on the outside can question those decisions, as you are here today, and posing a question to me as to the clemency granted by President Biden. So I’ll offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids for cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There was all kind of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back. Frankly, I thought the sentence that the judge got was too light, and the fact that he’s been allowed out over the last years because of COVID, was on house arrest and now has been granted clemency, I think, is absolutely wrong. He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.”

Shapiro on Conahan: 'Biden got it absolutely wrong' | 28/22 News

I thought he had been released to home detention since 2020 and he’s an elderly man now. Isn’t that the case?

Ledbetterman10

brianlux said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

Here's another....Biden just pardoned the notorious Kids-For-Cash judge Michael Conahan from Pennsylvania. If you're not familiar with him, in the 2000's, he was putting juveniles away for years for minor offenses because he was getting kickbacks from the detention centers. I WAS ALMOST ONE OF THEM after I was cited for underage drinking at a Red Hot Chili Pepper concert. Thankfully my parents got me a lawyer and I got off with just community service. But other juveniles weren't even given public defenders for some of their cases, and put away for years. He was convicted of multiple crimes in 2010 as a result. 

Here's PA Governor Josh Shapiro slamming the move by Biden...

“Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully. I study every single case that comes across my desk where there’s a request for a pardon, or clemency, or a reduction of sentence – and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case, I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings, I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.

I recognize that those on the outside can question those decisions, as you are here today, and posing a question to me as to the clemency granted by President Biden. So I’ll offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids for cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There was all kind of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back. Frankly, I thought the sentence that the judge got was too light, and the fact that he’s been allowed out over the last years because of COVID, was on house arrest and now has been granted clemency, I think, is absolutely wrong. He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.”

Shapiro on Conahan: 'Biden got it absolutely wrong' | 28/22 News

That sucks, man.  I don't disagree with Biden's move all together- we have way too people incarcerated for non-violent crimes (worth doing a little research on penal labor and exploitation of incarcerated workers), but he would have done well to have had a team do a better job of screening who gets a pass and who doesn't. 

And as we all know, a much worse scenario of this type will be happening soon.  Perhaps you will be at least as critical of that as well.

If you’re referring to potential ridiculous pardons by Trump, I think all the other regulars here will make so many posts about them that you won’t need me to bring them up. 

shecky

Ledbetterman10 said:

brianlux said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

Here's another....Biden just pardoned the notorious Kids-For-Cash judge Michael Conahan from Pennsylvania. If you're not familiar with him, in the 2000's, he was putting juveniles away for years for minor offenses because he was getting kickbacks from the detention centers. I WAS ALMOST ONE OF THEM after I was cited for underage drinking at a Red Hot Chili Pepper concert. Thankfully my parents got me a lawyer and I got off with just community service. But other juveniles weren't even given public defenders for some of their cases, and put away for years. He was convicted of multiple crimes in 2010 as a result. 

Here's PA Governor Josh Shapiro slamming the move by Biden...

“Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully. I study every single case that comes across my desk where there’s a request for a pardon, or clemency, or a reduction of sentence – and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case, I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings, I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.

I recognize that those on the outside can question those decisions, as you are here today, and posing a question to me as to the clemency granted by President Biden. So I’ll offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids for cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There was all kind of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back. Frankly, I thought the sentence that the judge got was too light, and the fact that he’s been allowed out over the last years because of COVID, was on house arrest and now has been granted clemency, I think, is absolutely wrong. He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.”

Shapiro on Conahan: 'Biden got it absolutely wrong' | 28/22 News

That sucks, man.  I don't disagree with Biden's move all together- we have way too people incarcerated for non-violent crimes (worth doing a little research on penal labor and exploitation of incarcerated workers), but he would have done well to have had a team do a better job of screening who gets a pass and who doesn't. 

And as we all know, a much worse scenario of this type will be happening soon.  Perhaps you will be at least as critical of that as well.

If you’re referring to potential ridiculous pardons by Trump, I think all the other regulars here will make so many posts about them that you won’t need me to bring them up. 

shecky

OnWis97

Hitler was named the same...it's about impact, not greatness.

I personally think it should have been co-president-elect Musk. His deep dive into Twitter/X nonsense drove us here. Then again, save him for 2025.

josevolution

shecky said:

You love the two hand job dance 🤣 I’m sure you’ve practiced it at home in front of your mirror be honest you know you have 😂

mrussel1

shecky said:

That CAN'T be the picture they're using, is it?  But hey, check this out.  See if you can pick out a pattern:

2000 POY


2004

2008




2012


2020



Got the pattern yet?

shecky

Biden commutes sentence of official who stole $53M from small Illinois town, sparking outrage

Biden commutes sentence of former Dixon, Illinois, comptroller Rita Crundwell, convicted in largest municipal embezzlement in US history                                                                                                  

By Breck Dumas FOXBusiness

President Biden made history on Thursday when he commuted the jail sentences of nearly 1,500 people and granted 49 pardons, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

In the sweeping move, Biden shaved years off the sentence of the person convicted in the largest municipal embezzlement in U.S. history, angering the current leaders of the small town she stole from.

Included in the list of inmates Biden released who had been placed under home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic was Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, who was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to nearly 20 years behind bars for stealing nearly $54 million from the town of 15,000 people over two decades.

Crundwell, now 71, admitted to embezzling from the city of Dixon during her time as comptroller, using the stolen funds to support a lavish lifestyle, which included bankrolling her horse breeding operation, purchasing real estate, and buying more than four dozen vehicles and a luxury motor home.

Crundwell was set to serve out 85% of her sentence, which would have kept her in prison until Oct. 20, 2029, according to CBS News. But she was released on house arrest early on Aug. 4, 2021, where she remained until Biden commuted her sentence this week.

"The City of Dixon is shocked and outraged with the announcement that President Biden has given Rita Crundwell clemency for the largest municipal embezzlement in the history of our country," current Dixon City Manager Danny Langlossa said in a statement reacting to Biden's commutation of Crundwell's sentence. "This is a complete travesty of justice and a slap in the face for our entire community."

"While today's news is unimaginable, the City of Dixon is in an incredible place today," Langlossa added. "We will continue to focus on the future and work to capitalize on the momentum we have created."

shecky

APPARENTLY, TIME MAGAZINE FELT THAT JOEY & KAMMI WERE SO LAME, IT TOOK BOTH OF THEM TO EQUAL ONE PERSON.
OBVIOUSLY, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AGREED...

mickeyrat

our current first lady.....

https://www.threads.net/@theartcandee/post/DDiivdsMJw1?xmt=AQGz9GjqamsFlGMxG6SDiYusnykfy7ldGmvlk3OyWMgcbw

mickeyrat

do note the age of some of these folks and what other implications were had from the chinese national....

mrussel1

shecky said:

APPARENTLY, TIME MAGAZINE FELT THAT JOEY & KAMMI WERE SO LAME, IT TOOK BOTH OF THEM TO EQUAL ONE PERSON.
OBVIOUSLY, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AGREED...

Yes they definitely used moronic reasoning when selecting the cover to their magazine. You nailed it. 

shecky

shecky said:

Biden commutes sentence of official who stole $53M from small Illinois town, sparking outrage

Biden commutes sentence of former Dixon, Illinois, comptroller Rita Crundwell, convicted in largest municipal embezzlement in US history                                                                                                  

By Breck Dumas FOXBusiness

President Biden made history on Thursday when he commuted the jail sentences of nearly 1,500 people and granted 49 pardons, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

In the sweeping move, Biden shaved years off the sentence of the person convicted in the largest municipal embezzlement in U.S. history, angering the current leaders of the small town she stole from.

Included in the list of inmates Biden released who had been placed under home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic was Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, who was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to nearly 20 years behind bars for stealing nearly $54 million from the town of 15,000 people over two decades.

Crundwell, now 71, admitted to embezzling from the city of Dixon during her time as comptroller, using the stolen funds to support a lavish lifestyle, which included bankrolling her horse breeding operation, purchasing real estate, and buying more than four dozen vehicles and a luxury motor home.

Crundwell was set to serve out 85% of her sentence, which would have kept her in prison until Oct. 20, 2029, according to CBS News. But she was released on house arrest early on Aug. 4, 2021, where she remained until Biden commuted her sentence this week.

"The City of Dixon is shocked and outraged with the announcement that President Biden has given Rita Crundwell clemency for the largest municipal embezzlement in the history of our country," current Dixon City Manager Danny Langlossa said in a statement reacting to Biden's commutation of Crundwell's sentence. "This is a complete travesty of justice and a slap in the face for our entire community."

"While today's news is unimaginable, the City of Dixon is in an incredible place today," Langlossa added. "We will continue to focus on the future and work to capitalize on the momentum we have created."

I wonder if she gave the "Big Guy" his standard 10%?

brianlux

Ledbetterman10 said:

brianlux said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

Here's another....Biden just pardoned the notorious Kids-For-Cash judge Michael Conahan from Pennsylvania. If you're not familiar with him, in the 2000's, he was putting juveniles away for years for minor offenses because he was getting kickbacks from the detention centers. I WAS ALMOST ONE OF THEM after I was cited for underage drinking at a Red Hot Chili Pepper concert. Thankfully my parents got me a lawyer and I got off with just community service. But other juveniles weren't even given public defenders for some of their cases, and put away for years. He was convicted of multiple crimes in 2010 as a result. 

Here's PA Governor Josh Shapiro slamming the move by Biden...

“Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully. I study every single case that comes across my desk where there’s a request for a pardon, or clemency, or a reduction of sentence – and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case, I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings, I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.

I recognize that those on the outside can question those decisions, as you are here today, and posing a question to me as to the clemency granted by President Biden. So I’ll offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids for cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There was all kind of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back. Frankly, I thought the sentence that the judge got was too light, and the fact that he’s been allowed out over the last years because of COVID, was on house arrest and now has been granted clemency, I think, is absolutely wrong. He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.”

Shapiro on Conahan: 'Biden got it absolutely wrong' | 28/22 News

That sucks, man.  I don't disagree with Biden's move all together- we have way too people incarcerated for non-violent crimes (worth doing a little research on penal labor and exploitation of incarcerated workers), but he would have done well to have had a team do a better job of screening who gets a pass and who doesn't. 

And as we all know, a much worse scenario of this type will be happening soon.  Perhaps you will be at least as critical of that as well.

If you’re referring to potential ridiculous pardons by Trump, I think all the other regulars here will make so many posts about them that you won’t need me to bring them up. 

That's not what I was asking/ wondering about.  Read again. 

shecky

brianlux

mrussel1 said:

shecky said:

APPARENTLY, TIME MAGAZINE FELT THAT JOEY & KAMMI WERE SO LAME, IT TOOK BOTH OF THEM TO EQUAL ONE PERSON.
OBVIOUSLY, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AGREED...

Yes they definitely used moronic reasoning when selecting the cover to their magazine. You nailed it. 

Agreed!  That's especially true for me because I base almost all of my beliefs about humanity based on Time's person of the year selections.

Halifax2TheMax

shecky said:

How much? What determines the winner? Pictures of cash changing hands? Recordings of quid pro quo? Tax returns? Whistle blower at a bank? Contents of Hunter’s laptop? How much?

brianlux

Besides Time's person of the year photo, memes are also my major source of information.  I mean, seriously, who needs more?