tiered justice system

Can I register my home as a congressional office? Seriously? Is there any senator or representative out there that wouldn't mind setting up a filing cabinet and a desk or two downstairs in my basement? You don't have to keep much here, just a few useless papers, maybe some stationary. That way, when the police or FBI or whomever shows up at the door with a warrant I can proudly tell them that they aren't allowed in because it may intrude upon the congress members duties. I could have a closet full of dead hookers (I may already!) and there wouldn't be a thing they could do about it according to a recent ruling.

excerpt

Jefferson argued that the first-of-its-kind raid trampled congressional independence. The Constitution prohibits the executive branch from using its law enforcement powers to interfere with the lawmaking process. The Justice Department said that declaring the search unconstitutional would essentially prohibit the FBI from ever looking at a lawmaker's documents.

What?! Ever? Whatever!

They found $90000 wrapped in aluminum foil in this guy's freezer. Is that off limits too because it was next to the congressional ice and the lawmaker's Lean Cuisines? He needs ice for his beverages so he can continue his filibuster and frozen dinners because a man's gotta eat even if he is watching his waist line. That means this freezer is off limits, Mr. D.A., A.G. (or who-ever-the-hell prosecutes representatives).

So what's the real problem here? I'll tell you. It's idiots playing fast and loose with the English language. It's the same judicial phenomenon as in Kelo vs. New London when "public use" became distorted into the more vague term "public purpose." In that case public purpose means nothing more than higher government revenues and maybe an extra half-acre of premium green park-space somewhere amongst the high-rises, but I digress. This case is not too different. A rule in the Constitution barring arrest and other impediments to a congress-person showing up for their job is being "interpreted" as "oh by the way, you can't look at any of the stuff in my office."

They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

See? Back in the day, it was not unheard of for lawmakers to be detained in order to keep them from voting on important matters, filing amendments, debating bills, etc. so they wrote in a provision making it illegal to interfere with that process. So the obvious solution here? Let's expand that statement to include assorted paperwork and such in the dude's office. Oh, and don't forget to totally ignore the part that says except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace."

Last I checked, when the police show up at my door with a search warrant, I don't get to reschedule their search. That'd be retarded. I'd have moved the bodies by the time they came back. So why does the law apply to us Regular Joes one way and another to an "ultra-important" congressman? No! Fuck that! There isn't anything in your office Mr. Congressman that shouldn't be made instantly available for public scrutiny. Who do you work for? Oh yeah! Me! Your fucking boss along with millions of other taxpayers. Who pays your salary? You want the hundred grand in the freezer instead? Work for someone else, maybe the person that gave it to you, but have the decency to at least put in your resignation first.

Where is the outrage? I know it's trite and overused, but tell me this wouldn't have played out differently in the news if this had been a Republican. Or a white dude. Don't get pissy! The Democrats are the ones that pulled out the race card. Read the article if you want proof.

Following his indictment, Jefferson's supporters accused the Bush administration of targeting black Democrats to shift attention from the legal troubles of Republican congressmen.

Yeah, that was the plan. Look at how well it worked. Third rate ranking on the CNN page below top stories such as Madonna's latest adoption woes and Ving Rhames' dogs mauling a guy. "You 'Publicans are so mean tossing this fucker to the dogs just to cover your own scent!" Eat my ass conspiracy mongers. This type of argument should be left to professional third graders, not a person put in office by his/her electorate. Give me a break.

In other justice news, do you think Vick has a chance in hell of spending even one night in jail? I think the answer is no, a la O.J., as in he has enough money to pay a defense to effectively confuse the hell out of everyone in the courtroom to the point that they think he's really being accused of mixing Fruit Loops with Cheerios and not using skim milk. "If the rape stand does not fit, you must acquit!" But then again, it seems that not even Paris Hilton had enough money to elude jail time. But that was all planned for publicity. Stop yourself. You're starting to sound like a conspiracy monger yourself.

And by the way, anyone want to join the union with me? Stupid.