Comments on: Cunningham Asks for Leniency Because of Age

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:16:15 +0000

Dave and Legion: Good points, both.

I do think that a lifetime of good work should be weighed in mitigation against even a most despicable act. But, yes, the fact that it was Cunningham diminishes the whole idea of heroes.

By: legion

legion — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:12:01 +0000

Frankly, his status as a legitimate American hero should also argue for greater punishment - his status gained him greater respect after his service, and his moral bankruptcy has an even greter ill effect on society than some random anonymous crook.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 13:56:05 +0000

Doesn't leniency due to age translate either to an argument for a mandatory retirement age for Congressmen or a cattle call for corruption there (which would hardly seem necessary)?