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Northton

by northton from the Land of Free Speech

Last Post 1 hour Ago


Hello Fellow Bloggers!

This is the Eighth of Eleven Installments of:

"How to Be A Real American"

 

That's right, we are discussing Our Bill of Rights (YOUR RIGHTS!).

 Each week we are discussing an amendment of the Bill of Rights.  So far we've talked about freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to privacy, and the right to legal council and a trial by jury, both in criminal and in civil cases.

This week, we are discussing Amendment Eight of the Bill of Rights.   This amendment covers bail, fines, and punishment.  Let's check it out:  

 Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

  This seems pretty simple at first glance but what does it mean, really?  Here are some questions I have about the Eighth Amendment.   What is "excessive bail", and what are "excessive fines"?  After all, one man's pocket change is another man's fortune.  Who decides what is excessive?

 Have you, or someone you know, received excessive fines, or had to pay excessive bail?

Do you know of any cases where the defendants received cruel or unusual punishments?

Do you feel wealthy citizens have an advantage over poorer citizens in a court of law?

What say thee, Real Americans?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 15
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cookie-lady read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 9:39 AM

Hi Ya North!!!

You ask if wealthy citizens have an advantage over poorer citizens in a court of law; the answer has got to be "Yes."

It's sad but true. Case in point, OJ Simpson, who had the best defense money could buy. Didn't they even call it the legal "dream team?"

If it had been me on trial, I could never have afforded that sort of representation, so they would have probably locked me up and thrown away the key.

Personally, I think the Constitution, specifically, the Bill of Rights, are more a bill of ideals. At some level, those rights are in place for each of us to enjoy, but as with everything, the more one possesses the more one has.

The Fifth Amendment ensures that we will be tried and provided representation, but it does not specify quality or experience of an attorney.

The rich get richer,the poor get poorer and the people in the middle just get to continue the struggle. All so sad, but true.

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 11:06 AM

Well lets just look into the case of THE BIG SWIPE TAXES.........oh I am sorry...Wesley Shive...gosh..Wesley Snipes THE BOARD CLEAN of eluding to pay taxes for HOW MANY FREAKING YEARS......and how MANY FREAKING MILLIONS.....I definately thought this was a bit too much to swallow THE GUY ALMOST WALKED AWAY completely clean NO JAIL, maybe a freaking fine........WELL I KNOW IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ME OR YOU SHEIT.......we be in jail right now......NO MERCY......ALL BECAUSE HE CLAIM RACIAL BULLSHEIT AND WAS MISADVISED...great........

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 11:07 AM

fair I think not......EVEN LEONA HELMSLEY paid the price for tax invasion........but I guess she was discrimated nor black...........WUTZ THE FF used.........sorry Norty.....I guess YES I AM STILL QUITE UPSET AT SNIPES VERDICT OF FREAKING INNOCENSE...............mycubanassandjustmyfreaking opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mater01 read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 11:33 AM

With the way the court system has in fact shown to be merciful towards the guilty and vindictive towards the innocent...then I would say it pays to be rich enough to please the judge and make sure a lower fine is shown on record! It's the pay off's behind the scene that isn't recorded which gives that exiting smile of relieve!

BornToBeWild read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 1:07 PM

1. NO 2. NO 3. YES 4. It would seem that the less you have the higher the higher excessive fines are imposed compared to the more you have and are worth the lesser the excessive fines are applied....kind of assbackwards and unjustified! I don't recall any officals being placed behind bars with the rest of the criminals! They do it with COPS so why not elected officals?

LLRucker read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 4:13 PM

I think when those amendments were written there were not nearly so many crimes that demanded such severe punishment. Well, no actually they just took em out back and shot em or hung em.
My question is who formed the definition of 'cruel and unusual punishment'?
Personally, I think the punishment should fit he crime. Doesn't the Bible call for an eye for an eye?
AS far as the wealthy getting breaks, we all know that's true. Look at Martha Stewart; if I did a little insider trading, I'd still be in the pen, and it sure wouldn't be Club Fed.
The law has never been equal for all people, and probably never will be. The poor go to jail, the rich go to 'minimum security spas.

Meb452m read my blog
Mar 24, 2008 | 5:37 PM

Norty, go back and check out installment #6. I was a little long to answer your question. I've got to ponder this one a bit longer.

candyaquino read my blog view my photos
Mar 24, 2008 | 7:26 PM

I like it Mater01..that makes much more sense..

northton read my blog view my photos
Mar 25, 2008 | 6:55 AM

Howdy!

I was watching a show about prostitution the other day on 20/20. One woman, who could not afford bail or fines or something, had to spend six months in jail while those who were able to pay were released almost immediately.

I don't think that was fair at all. How many thousands of people are in jail right now while others, having committed the same offence, are free to live and enjoy their homes and families?

That is wrong, to me, and should be illegal. Either they should all go to jail or they should all be allowed to go home. I shudder to think that a person should suffer greatly just because their wallet is empty.

Gammies61 read my blog view my photos
Mar 25, 2008 | 1:45 PM

How do you find out where all this money is going?

DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
Mar 25, 2008 | 11:23 PM

Norty, dat ho wuz prolly undacuttin dem udda hose, what gots da pimp to get dere BLEEP back on da streets.

Poor little ho. One a dese bruddas ought get her out! Dat be bein' income!

DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
Mar 25, 2008 | 11:35 PM

In reality, the justice system works well for rich or poor in this country.
The rich can do no wrong, even if guilty, and the poor do skate because of lack of room in the jails and prisons.
Thus are released back into society until they commit a bigger crime.

DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
Mar 25, 2008 | 11:39 PM

Advantage? Rich.

DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
Mar 25, 2008 | 11:41 PM

Many poor are skating though..........

Meb452m read my blog
Mar 26, 2008 | 10:17 PM

Some bails are set excessively high and for good reason, the arrested stands a good chance of bolting if given a get out of jail pass. Bail is also given to those that either have the money outright or collaterall of value. Bond in itself is a guarantee that once posted you will appear on court, a bailbondsman has the right to protect his cash outlay. Granted there are wealthy crooks, there are poor crooks , those with assets fair better. Responsible people usually have assets as well, chiefly their freedom to begin with !

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northton

I like sharing ideas and ideals in an open forum. I may not like what you have to say but you can still say it here. I try to be fair. I'll often admit that the positions I support have flaws. I detest bloggers who always base their opinions on their political party's rhetoric and never have an original thought. I am neither a Republican or a Democrat. I vote for whoever I think will do the best job of running things. I may be wrong but at least I think with my own brain. I am looking forward to seeing an open debate between Obama and McCain. I think Obama will whip McCain so badly that you wouldn't believe it. I think Rush Limbaugh is the biggest and most dishonest jerk that ever lived. John "New Orleans Deserved It" Hagee is somewhere right alongside him. If you like Limbaugh or Hagee then you're ignorant and you suck. Whatever you think, join the blog! Come and debate! Let the politicians know what the public really thinks on an open forum like mine where free speech cannot be denied!

Member Since: 1/23/2007