Recalling the offense, The Boston Globe tells us:
Finneran struck an agreement with federal prosecutors in January 2007 to plead guilty to obstruction of justice charges stemming from his testimony in a federal civil suit over a House legislative redistricting plan. He was indicted in June 2005 on charges of obstruction and perjury.In my mind they nailed him on the technicality--just like they got I Lewis Libby WRT the Valerie Plame Affair. For me his real crime was his gerrymandering of the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth after the last census and then lying to us--the People--about it.
This has a local flavor in that the redistricting plan wiped out the seat held by Representative Carol C Cleven and broke Chelmsford up into four pieces, like a soda cracker. Surprisingly, as of this moment the web site for Representative Cleven posted by the Commonwealth is still up.
Again going to the Globe article:
Bush has granted 191 pardons during his tenure, a relatively small number compared with his predecessors, though presidents typically grant more pardons just before departing office - a practice that generated controversy for President Clinton. Bush recently rescinded a pardon to a New York City developer when it was revealed that the developer's father donated thousands of dollars to the Republican Party last year.I am thinking this is a long shot for former Speaker Finneran.
Frankly, unlike Tony Accardi, over at the Richard Howe blog site, I would be willing to grant Mr Finneran a pardon. However, my terms would be for him to make a clean breast of it. Tell us the whole story about the gerrymandering of the Commonwealth and name names and describe motives. Then he would have made full restitution to the Citizens of Massachusetts and would be worthy of being accepted back into polite society.
And, as for Tony's suggestion that Tom Finneran is a secret Republican, I don't think so--although it might have been, if Massachusetts was truly a two party state and not the one party state it is today. But, then, if this was a two party state, he might not have been tempted to try and stamp out the last vestiges of the Grand Old Party.
Regards -- Cliff
My middle Brother, who apparently reads the blog from time to time, but doesn't post comments, sent me this short EMail: "The man behind "Two Buck Chuck" deserve something."
ReplyDeleteI don't usually shop at Trader Joe's--at least not since the last time I visited my late Father. However, Fred T. Franzia, CEO of Bronco Wines and the producer of Two Buck Chuck (also known as Charles Shaw Wines), has made his case to President Bush and has apparently been turned down.
So, between Tom Finneran and Fred Franzia, who has contributed more to society in the last few years? Your choice--WBZ morning drive drivel and two dollar wine.
I am still thinking Mr Finneran is a long shot. As everyone tells me, this isn't a Bill Clinton in the White House.
Regards -- Cliff