Should Ryan’s sentence be commuted?
November 26th, 2008 at 12:23pm Wally Haas
Sen. Dick Durbin is considering whether to ask President Bush to commute the sentence of George Ryan. So far the editorial board is split on the issue. I’m waiting for more folks to weigh in.
Those who say no, think public officials should be held to a higher standard and anyone who betrays the public trust should pay the penalty. Also, commuting the sentence would negate the hard work U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office did to get a conviction. Corruption — the selling of the highest office in the state of Illinois — either is a big deal, worthy of the strictest punishment, or it isn’t.
Those who say yes, think Ryan is a feeble, old man, whose reputation — his most valuable commodity — is in ruins. Clemency would get taxpayers off the hook for paying to house Ryan in prison for the rest of his days.
What do you think?
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4 Comments Add your own
1. shawnnews | November 26th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
How about having the same standards of law for elected officials? Keep Ryan behind bars. Maybe if they have inter-prison activities he can be friends with the death row convicts whose lives he spared.
2. Kathie | November 26th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I think that his sentence should be commuted. He is an old man and he is a great family man. I know he did things that were not legal and I believe he has been punished enough. His crime was non-violent and his service to our State should be considered.
3. Me | November 30th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I\’m not sure if his sentence should be commuted or not because I don\’t know enough facts about why he is in. However, I am grateful to Ryan for his courageous decision in commuting all the death sentences to life imprisonment. As a result of his decision my friend discovered new evidence that got his case back in court after many years. The corruption in the Illinois justice department is real and it is extensive. Ryan made the correct decision in commuting all those sentences and as a result more misconduct will be exposed in coming years.
4. Ellen Blatzer | December 8th, 2008 at 10:29 am
To pardon Geo. Ryan would make Illinois a national joke! Again, another (substitute either Cook County - Chicago - Illinois) politician gets convicted and then pardoned. Let\’s make a mockery of duly prosecuted criminals for the special interests. Ryan\’s hand was in the cookie jar for many, many years. The graft, licenses for sale, political favors, directed state contracts….he just got convicted on ONE charge, No, he does not deserve to be pardoned, as he and his family benefited for many years from the accumulated wealth & power of his crooked actions.
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