(Long Island, NY) This week’s headlines prove once and for all that politicians not only look out for their own in an elaborate old-boy network; but also defy common sense in the mental gymnastics used to justify any sort of illegal behavior. Peter McGowan, former Islip Supervisor, was recently convicted of grand larceny, receiving bribes, and witness tampering. Now, Suffolk’s Democratic leader Richard Schaffer has gone on the record saying that he doesn’t believe that McGowan should go to prison. He thinks that the shame of being forced to resign as supervisor should be punishment enough.
Let’s run down those guilty verdicts again, shall we? Guilty on counts of receiving bribes, witness tampering, and GRAND LARCENY. Richard Schaffer sounds as if he’s taken leave of his senses. Grand larceny doesn’t require prison time? Hello? Is somebody talking?
Sorry about that, I was just trying to approximate the state of mind I imagine Richard Schaffer must have been in when he declared McGowan should get off scot-free, aside from having to resign, of course.
While we’re at it, Mister Schaffer, why don’t we give the guilty parties in the 1980s Savings and Loan scandal a nod and a wink? How about OJ Simpson? Saddam Hussein? What about all the GOOD things Mussolini did? Isn’t that the same mentality? Schaffer is probably, at this moment, drafting a formal apology letter to the family of Richard M. Nixon on behalf of the impeachment committee.
Wait a moment; I’ve gone off my rocker again.
I don’t think I can write any more on this subject without straying into uncharted waters dangerously close to libel, slander, defamation of character, or throwing rotten eggs. People wonder what the bloody hell is wrong with this country; Long Islanders now know it is partly to do with the fact that most of the population is paralyzed with unspeakable terror as they listen to the idiotic pronouncements of their local, state, and federal leadership; the citizenry cower in bed-wetting disbelief as our leaders take bold and uncompromising positions on behalf of convicted criminals found guilty of abusing the public trust.
Ladies and gentlemen, I submit that an army of rabid wolverines high on LSD-25 could do a better job of insuring faith in our local government than either McGowan or Schaffer. We have been warned; anyone who puts future trust in Schaffer or his cronies demonstrates a serious lack of judgment; their right to drive cars or own firearms should be suspended immediately.
Coming down a bit from my original frenzy of political angst, I now realize that I shouldn’t be at all surprised. One hand washes another; you scratch my back, etc. etc ad nauseum. Folks, I guess we’re starting to wake up to that old adage about getting the government we deserve. But how to “un-deserve” it? I imagine that the answer to that one probably has a lot to do with getting a MUCH higher turnout at the polls on election day, considerably more education for our youth about this thing called democracy, and for Mister Schaffer, a refresher course on criminal law, justice, and the oath of office.
Next time, perhaps he’ll keep his dingbat opinions to himself. I seriously hope not—we need to know the true colors of the people we have in power lest we be fooled for one second by all the other hot air they put forth on a regular basis. We actually should be thanking Schaffer, because now we all know that he is Part Of The Problem. See you at the ballot box, folks.
