Due Process - Put Your Freedom Where Your Mouth Is

The president asks what ever happened to “Due Process”?

He raises a question that I have been pondering for a while. I’m a believer in due process.

I’m also a fan of Al Franken.  He got into trouble.  In my mind, he was a superior comedian. Any person that presses the edges in their pursuit, go where lesser people do not. edges.  And if you are out there being the best, you can cross the line. In comedy it would be a line of good behavior.  Yes, cross the line.  I don’t think you can be the best if you don’t.  I bet Bob Hope, a superior comedian, particularly when entertaining the troops, crossed the line.

Al Franken, admitted to crossing the line and asked for due process so that we all could consider his sins.  I looked forward to due process because I also believe him to be a superior senator. I’d like to hear and consider his situation AND that of his accusers.

I was emotionally confused when another of my favorite senators, Elizabeth Warren took a stance with over thirty other democratic senators, a stance that said Senator Franken should leave the Senate without due process.  The pressure and distraction were overwhelming, and sadly, we lost a fine senator under a cloud.

My thought then is that we no longer have a “he said, she said” environment. We now have a “she said” and that alone rules the day.  Neither works very well.

Now along comes the Porter matter in the White House.  The general details and the photo have been repeated endlessly. But the last word by President Trump is, “What ever happened to due process?” This was in the face of Porter resigning and stating he wanted no further discussion.

Who can demand due process?

The President of the United States for Mr. Porter?

Can we properly hear the women who have accused the president?

Could Mr. Porter have demanded due process rather than running into the night?

Did the wives of Mr. Porter get due process when they testified to the FBI under a felony threat for lying?  (I think so.)

Can Al Franken?  (Didn’t seem like it.)

My preference would be for some kind of due process for all. If you make an accusation, swear to it under oath with the penalty of perjury.  If you make a denial, swear to it under oath with the penalty of perjury. 

Put your freedom where your mouth is.