Canned Juice
Yesterday, NFL Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison.
And I can only imagine the sorted feelings of retribution so many across the nation are feeling. I can only imagine because I cannot begin to understand why O.J. Simpson being given a stiff sentence is a cause of celebration. But appearently it is.
Before I go on, let's examine the entirety of this sentence. He was convicted on several counts of robbery and kidnapping. A 15 year sentence for kiddnapping, 12 years for assault and six years for robbery, this adds up to a possible 33 years, with the minimum being nine years. He may be eligible for parole after serving a third of the sentence. I have several problems with this. Now, I know some may think that because I have problems with the sentence, I must support O.J. Simpson in some way, whatever-the-fuck. O.J. Simpson's imprisonment changes my life none. But that doesn't change some serious issues related to the sentencing.
First of all, two things should and would stick out as relevant. First, he maximum of years of the sentence is steep, undeniably so. Secondly, there's an immediate thought to the relevance of his prior court case having an impact on the decision. It should be said that if it were anyone else, just your average convicted felon, I sincerely doubt this sentence would be given out. In fact, I doubt that if it were anyone else they'd be facing the same charges. Not withstanding those instances, what if we were talking about a over-sixty year-old, non-repeat offender in this case? Admittedly, I am no where close to being a legal expert, but somehow I doubt that this happens often, if at all. Honestly, the prosecution suggested 18 years for crimes that would carry a minimum of six. But he gets a maximum of 15 years? Seriously, can a legal expert tell me how often does this happen?
Unfortunately, there is so much more related to this case than neither the judge or prosecution would want to admit to. The fact that the judge even mentioned the previous trial during sentencing tells me it was not far from the minds of those in the courtroom. It was the 900 lb. gorilla in the room. Frankly, about everyone associated with the trial has been corrupted. Unless you 18 or 19 years old and was about four or five when the first trial when down, then it's likely you've formed an opinion on O.J. Simpson's guilt or innocence and whether you like the guy or hate his guts. And quite frankly most hold the opinion of the detrimental, which already clouds their mind and colors their lense when they approach the case. I doubt an unbiased opinion is possible.
So O.J. Simpson got what was coming to him, eh? I mean, just as Fred Goldman. I'm surprised he had shot O.J. to death yet. I'm quite sure that in the inexistent chance that O.J. Simpson would have gotten an aquittal or parole or some other freeing circumstance that he probably would have. And as a note, I never seen someone so focused and filled with hate in such a circumstance has that guy. He cares more about O.J. Simpson getting what he deserved than he is about grieving and caring for his family. The man's a bigger douchebag than O.J. Simpson. This trial had absolutely nothing to do with him. But he, being the decider of all things O.J. follows him around, calling him a monster and saying it's satisfying to see him behind bars and in shackles.
In the end though, O.J. Simpson did wrong. He was given a chance to explain himself and his actions and for what it's worth, I believe what he says. From his perspective, he was going to confront known aquantances that had items, technically or not, that belonged to him and he wanted to get them back. He probably didn't think what he was doing was a crime punishable for 33 years. Hell, I doubt anyone would have thought that. Oh well, you can't change the law. And you can't change who you are either. The actions he took were technically illegal and because he's O.J. Simpson, he's got to be incredibly dense to not know he has had a huge target on his back. He had to know that if he were going to get in any more trouble, they were going to thrown the bookcase at his ass. But it's entirely doubtful that O.J. Simpson, infamy or not, will serve 33, 15 or even nine years in prison. If I had to guess, considering appeals, parole and other considerations, he'll probably serve three to four years and released by his 65th birthday and return to the golf course.
As much as people in this country want to pretend they are beyond race just because they elected a man who has transcended the concept itself, there are still deep problems of race this country doesn't want to face. It's almost scary how thoughts and opinions on O.J. Simpson and his trials have divided almost exclusively on racial lines. Even the most liberally of minded white folks I've see be totally of the opinion of O.J. Simpson's guilt.
Frankly, it's rather disappointing. In fact, it's my greatest disappointment in this matter still. So thank you O.J. Simpson for exposing this nation for what it has been and what it will be.
And I can only imagine the sorted feelings of retribution so many across the nation are feeling. I can only imagine because I cannot begin to understand why O.J. Simpson being given a stiff sentence is a cause of celebration. But appearently it is.
Before I go on, let's examine the entirety of this sentence. He was convicted on several counts of robbery and kidnapping. A 15 year sentence for kiddnapping, 12 years for assault and six years for robbery, this adds up to a possible 33 years, with the minimum being nine years. He may be eligible for parole after serving a third of the sentence. I have several problems with this. Now, I know some may think that because I have problems with the sentence, I must support O.J. Simpson in some way, whatever-the-fuck. O.J. Simpson's imprisonment changes my life none. But that doesn't change some serious issues related to the sentencing.
First of all, two things should and would stick out as relevant. First, he maximum of years of the sentence is steep, undeniably so. Secondly, there's an immediate thought to the relevance of his prior court case having an impact on the decision. It should be said that if it were anyone else, just your average convicted felon, I sincerely doubt this sentence would be given out. In fact, I doubt that if it were anyone else they'd be facing the same charges. Not withstanding those instances, what if we were talking about a over-sixty year-old, non-repeat offender in this case? Admittedly, I am no where close to being a legal expert, but somehow I doubt that this happens often, if at all. Honestly, the prosecution suggested 18 years for crimes that would carry a minimum of six. But he gets a maximum of 15 years? Seriously, can a legal expert tell me how often does this happen?
Unfortunately, there is so much more related to this case than neither the judge or prosecution would want to admit to. The fact that the judge even mentioned the previous trial during sentencing tells me it was not far from the minds of those in the courtroom. It was the 900 lb. gorilla in the room. Frankly, about everyone associated with the trial has been corrupted. Unless you 18 or 19 years old and was about four or five when the first trial when down, then it's likely you've formed an opinion on O.J. Simpson's guilt or innocence and whether you like the guy or hate his guts. And quite frankly most hold the opinion of the detrimental, which already clouds their mind and colors their lense when they approach the case. I doubt an unbiased opinion is possible.
So O.J. Simpson got what was coming to him, eh? I mean, just as Fred Goldman. I'm surprised he had shot O.J. to death yet. I'm quite sure that in the inexistent chance that O.J. Simpson would have gotten an aquittal or parole or some other freeing circumstance that he probably would have. And as a note, I never seen someone so focused and filled with hate in such a circumstance has that guy. He cares more about O.J. Simpson getting what he deserved than he is about grieving and caring for his family. The man's a bigger douchebag than O.J. Simpson. This trial had absolutely nothing to do with him. But he, being the decider of all things O.J. follows him around, calling him a monster and saying it's satisfying to see him behind bars and in shackles.
In the end though, O.J. Simpson did wrong. He was given a chance to explain himself and his actions and for what it's worth, I believe what he says. From his perspective, he was going to confront known aquantances that had items, technically or not, that belonged to him and he wanted to get them back. He probably didn't think what he was doing was a crime punishable for 33 years. Hell, I doubt anyone would have thought that. Oh well, you can't change the law. And you can't change who you are either. The actions he took were technically illegal and because he's O.J. Simpson, he's got to be incredibly dense to not know he has had a huge target on his back. He had to know that if he were going to get in any more trouble, they were going to thrown the bookcase at his ass. But it's entirely doubtful that O.J. Simpson, infamy or not, will serve 33, 15 or even nine years in prison. If I had to guess, considering appeals, parole and other considerations, he'll probably serve three to four years and released by his 65th birthday and return to the golf course.
As much as people in this country want to pretend they are beyond race just because they elected a man who has transcended the concept itself, there are still deep problems of race this country doesn't want to face. It's almost scary how thoughts and opinions on O.J. Simpson and his trials have divided almost exclusively on racial lines. Even the most liberally of minded white folks I've see be totally of the opinion of O.J. Simpson's guilt.
Frankly, it's rather disappointing. In fact, it's my greatest disappointment in this matter still. So thank you O.J. Simpson for exposing this nation for what it has been and what it will be.
posted by Shogunn at 3:52 AM
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