~ Here Comes The Judge! ~

MONEY TALKS

(And Justice Walks)

    What do I think of Judge Madenspacher’s ruling?  (Click here to read his full opinion.)  Not much.  Not much at all.  A bunch of hooey to try to support his temporary injunction.  He does make one powerful statement:

    “It is the function of the judiciary to enforce and apply the law, not to make it.  For the Court to issue an injunction to a legislative branch of the government enjoining them from passing legislation that is not even pending would be an unconstitutional usurpation of their power and a clear violation of the separation of powers doctrine.”

    Thank you for that, Judge.  You would think the Lancaster Newspapers should know that and not have the PSP try to sue to keep elected officials from doing their job.  Madenspacher also does not address the “gag” order that was requested, perhaps because it was so absurd.   Why didn’t you rebuke them for these ridiculous portions of their lawsuit and the waste of your time, Judge?

    Judge Madenspacher was extremely busy on Monday, July 17th when he heard closing arguments in the above case at 10:30 a.m. in his courtroom.  Prior to that, he took care of this little matter and perhaps hoped it would be overlooked with everything else going on - “Woman gets probation for stealing from boss,” click here.  

    As soon as you read this article you know one thing for certain - this woman is not black or Hispanic.  Over the course of three years she stole $98,000 from her boss and she got probation.   She apparently doesn’t even have to pay all of the money back – just $28,000 of it.  And as one Talkbacker asks – what did she spend the money on?  If she stole to give to the poor, then maybe that would be a mitigating circumstance.  What did she spend the money on?

    And the article is obviously wrong when it says, “Under state law, Hamer could have received up to nine months in prison.”  Only nine months and paying back a third of what you stole?  Heck, everyone and their brother would be stealing $98,000 from their boss.  You spend only nine months in prison (or maybe none!) and then come out with $70,000 to spend?  What a system! 

    “I really don’t believe this will happen again,” Madenspacher is quoted as saying in the article.  That’s nice and probably not -  because I can’t imagine anyone would ever hire this woman again.  But if I were a member of her husband’s congregation, the Celebrate Life Christian Church, I’d want to see where every single penny of my donation went.
    Every single penny.

    A Talkbacker posted this and sadly, I have to agree: 

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     What I'm hearing Madenspacher say is:

    "Guys, c'mon you know I love you like a (blood) brother, and I really want what's best for your pocketbooks. But I'm a JUDGE darn it, and I have to at least act like one around here. I can't hog-tie government officials or change the meaning of agreements just because it’s causing you headaches. I thought I explained that at the club 2 weeks ago.
    Listen, I'll word my decision to sound a little vague and as harsh on the County as possible. Meanwhile, before the final hearing you better bring me something I can work with, and it better at least look legal and binding. I can't get you a free ride unless my final decision is littered with terms like 'overwhelming evidence', so get out there and make some up."

Tomorrow – Racism and boycott the Lancaster Newspapers.