Jim Black: Guilty Liar

Well finally Jim Black is gone from the General Assembly. Jim Black was the incredibly corrupt liar from Matthews, NC, who was the leader of the Democrats and Speaker of the House. He officially resigned yesterday and will plead guilty to at least one federal felony today, and perhaps other, related, state charges at a later date.

However, even in his guilt, he's apparently very happy. He said that he is "extremely proud of [his] many accomplishments." He does not say if he is proud of stealing and bilking millions from the taxpayers and using taxpayer funds for personal use; or rewarding traitors with taxpayer cash.

He is ready to "move forward with his life and attend to the health and welfare of my family." I guess that "moving forward" to him means spending time in a federal jail. Apparently that's where his family is, since that's where he appears to be headed and he wants to attend to his family.

Of course, he's only resigning now because he would be convicted anyway -- oh, and because the election is over and he can effectively appoint his successor. No need for elections here, this is North Carolina. The people don't elect their representatives, the representatives tell the people who will represent them. Even in departing, Jim Black ensured that tradition of the Democrats will continue.

Now the crime to which Mr. Black is supposed to plead guilty to today has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Many people are bemoaning the lack of trust in the political system that Jim Black created. And they say that it is a sad day, but trust needs to be restored. Want to restore trust? Put the 71-year old in jail for all 10 years. No, I'm not holding my breath. My guess is he will get a couple months supervised probation and that will be all. Somehow that will "restore faith" in the system.

And even now, when Jim Black is admitting he is guilty of federal corruption charges and a total breach of the public trust that was given to him, the Democrats STILL don't think he has done anything wrong!

And Jim Black doesn't think he's done anything wrong. He openly says in his resignation letter that he's PROUD. Yes, he's incredibly corrupt and he's openly proud of it!

Democrat Joe Hackney who will replace Jim Black as speaker -- and will have direct access to all the same cash that Black used illegally -- says, "We know Jim Black as a friend and we prefer - most of us - to remember the good things that he did for North Carolina over the years." Nope, he didn't actually do anything wrong. He's a nice guy, just a little misguided. Get ready for more of the exact same from Mr. Hackney, apparently.

The Democrat leader of the Senate, Marc Basnight, says that Jim Black "never used this place for any personal gain." In other words, it's okay that he took millions of dollars and spent them on his personal things. And Mr. Basnight, Democrat leader, says it's perfect okay to break the law when you're "concerned of others and their station in life." Sure, that restores my confidence in the corrupt system, doesn't it you?

Keep in mind that already five people who were close friends of Mr. Black have been found guilty of criminal acts. The NC State Board, strongly controlled by Democrats, finally admitted that Mr. Black clearly and openly broke election laws -- but the Democrat state Attorney General decided not to actually press any charges against Jim Black.

Dr. David Mclennen, a political science professor in Raleigh, thinks that Jim Black is just a nice guy who was tempted, so it's apparently okay: "This is just a system that lends itself to good people doing things that aren't considered to be ethical or legal." It's not that Black did anything WRONG, apparently, it's just that what he did "happened to be" illegal.

Many House members are fretting yesterday as a "sad day." I wonder why. I think most of them think it's a sad day because one of their members got caught -- not because he actually did anything wrong. Remember, those who are feeling sorry for Jim Black -- he was accused of these wrongdoings over 2 YEARS ago. For TWO YEARS he has been lying and claiming that he never did anything illegal or wrong. TWO YEARS of lies have finally come to an end. That's not a sad day, that's a good day. Now if justice is done, and Black is send to prison, it will be an even better day.

One of the few public names that actually gets this is Linda Daves, of the NC Republican Party: "When men or women disregard the rule of law, a day of accounting usually comes. That day seems to have arrived for Jim Black." Again, hopefully there will be some justice done.

Ferrel Guillory, director of the Program on Southern Politics at UNC Chapel Hill, doesn't think this is any big deal. He honestly believes that this doesn't really affect "North Carolina's reputation for good government." Apparently he either doesn't understand representative government, or he thinks that people actually electing representatives is "bad" government.

And the self-appointed King of Mecklenburg County, Parks Helms, when asked about Jim Black's guilty plea, said that he still stands by Jim Black. Even when Jim Black himself is admitting he is guilty of federal crimes, Parks Helms, Democrat, still feels that Jim Black hasn't done anything wrong.

Putting Jim Black in jail is right. Jim Black should be sentenced to the full, maximum 10 years in prison -- it makes no difference that he's 71 years old. Any sentence less than the 10 years will show those entrusted with political power at the state level that corruption and stealing DO pay. Anything short of the full 10 years will show the people that corrupt politicians can work and survive in Raleigh with impunity. If anyone wants to restore any semblance of faith in North Carolina state government, throw this corrupt criminal in prison. Teach him and everyone else that there are consequences to your actions.

It is a good day when a bad person is caught doing something wrong. It is a good day when someone who has been stealing and lying for years finally admits that he's a lying thief. But it will be a better day if justice is served.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:46 PM

Comments

Posted by: William Teach at February 16, 2007 02:47 PM (doAuV)

Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2007 02:58 PM (oifEm)

Posted by: Narik at February 19, 2007 10:20 AM (G2+uS)

Posted by: Ogre at February 19, 2007 12:33 PM (kft0e)

Posted by: Martyhouse at February 18, 2012 04:13 PM (BU+1K)

Posted by: Bobby at March 25, 2012 11:46 AM (9tn1g)

Posted by: Carlee at May 10, 2012 08:25 AM (Vejcw)

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