Not a lot. And yes there is reason to be upset. But...
When I read Clint's editorial in the Camera I found myself agreeing with some of it (and disagreeing with some). And as I've read the posts today, I've continued to feel a bit ill at ease about many of the posts.
It's hard to describe exactly what/why on this because it is a matter of degree. But there is a flavor of storm the ramparts and slay the dragon in the posts. So first, let's step back and look at the situation.
- What happened sure seems wrong. And the Judge Klein's order appears to my untrained eye to be on shaky ground. But we don't know until the appeal process is complete if what occurred is legal. We need to watch the appeal process and from that determine if Judge Klein did a good job (followed the law even though it had an unfair outcome) or did a lousy job (the appeals court slaps him down hard). Once we get that - that is when the discussion should come up of how people should vote in his retention election. And this should time out well, we should have an answer before the '08 election.
- What Richard McLean and Edith Stevens did was unquestionably crappy. I personally view them as scumbags and if they were neighbors of mine I would serve them with a notice that they are never to set foot on my property. But they are not murders, they are not child rapists, they are not even robbers. At worst they are thieves (depending on the appeal). And they may be nothing more than law abiding scumbags. So making it clear you find their actions reprehensible - very called for. But there is a point at which actions in response to this become overkill in relation to the offense.
- Claire Levy is sticking up for her friends. This is arguably the most common mistakes politicians make (Jimmy Carter with Bert Lance). They know a person for years and in that case it is hard for the human psyche to accept that a person they respect did something that should eliminate that respect. Give her a week. If she still cannot see the problem, then we probably do not want someone that blind as our Representative. But if over the next week she can work it through, that is a reasonable amount of time to do so.
- The witnesses who supported McLean/Stevens. If they lied then they should be charged with perjury. But if they told the truth, then they deserve no condemnation for doing so as that is one of the fundamental tenets of our judicial system. We do not restrict testimony to only that which promotes the righteous cause, we require witnesses to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. No one should be denigrated if that is what they did regardless of the outcome.
- Kudos to the Daily Camera, both for their reporting and editorializing on this issue and for their open commenting on their website which has turned news into a 2 way street in the case of this story. The Camera isn't perfect (none of us are) but their people and their website both deserve a large thank you.
I am not saying don't make a fuss about what has happened. This is definitely worth a fuss. And it's not just this specific case, but how it appears to be business as usual for the political elite here in Boulder (and most other communities).
All I am asking is please keep it appropriate - and pace yourself.
