Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
So who's interested in committing political suicide this week? You there, with the inappropriate comment about Ted Kennedy? No? You'll hold off? Okay.
Yes, embattled New York Gov. David Paterson, step right up! There are rumors circulating that you might pardon the recently convicted former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress of all charges stemming from his whole capping himself in the leg incident. That is a particularly grisly political suicide, sir.
Thing is, in all likelihood Paterson is on his way out of office next year anyway, by way of his staggering lack of popularity -- recent polling shows him trailing primary opponent state attorney general Andrew Cuomo by 34 points. He doesn't stand to lose a whole lot if he does go through with the pardoning.
In the event the unlikely does happen, a lot of questions immediately spring up: Just how much outrage would flow forth if Plaxico gets the instant pardoning treatment? More or less than Vick's return? As surprising as the move would be, the sentiment that his two-year sentence for shooting himself is excessive is gaining traction. However much they might crack jokes about the incident, a lot of people don't like Michael Bloomberg making an absurd example out of the guy. Would Roger Goodell step in and issue a suspension (possibly exceeding Donte' Stallworth's full year) in the vacuum of punishment from the judicial system?
Absent any indication from the governor's office that this will happen, all the compelling cases in the world don't mean much, but as it stands weird political circumstances completely out of his control could work out in Plaxico's favor.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
7 comments
Comments
two points: the excessive support for cuomo is due to his race and burress should be pardoned because of the ridiculous sentence the incompetent buffoons in the court hit him with.
by scurds on Aug 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions
I was hoping the great Premier Bush would pardon OJ Simpson but this is’nt necessary. Have the man serve the time. It sends a much stronger social message.
by bizkilla on Aug 27, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions
"Step into the club smooth, with the gun in my hand….. b*tches know I’m a freak, like the Elephant Man."
by L'etat, c'est moi on Aug 27, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions
A better sentence for Burress: a year of minor-league baseball promotions where little kids shoot him in the leg with water pistols.
by bveo12 on Aug 27, 2009 8:06 PM EDT reply actions
If you did not see the E-60 report on his story and what actually happens, (because the media never really tells the whole story,) those who believe he should go to jail would change their minds. I, for one hope he is pardon. There is no way this man should be put in jail for 2 years. No way!
by honeyb43 on Aug 28, 2009 4:33 AM EDT reply actions
The sentence is excessive but there are many less-famous inmates that deserve a pardon more than Burress.
by CBass3 on Aug 28, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions
this is crap on the highest level the man shot himself accidently and had no intention of harming anyone protecting himself after his teammate was robbed at gunpoint seems logical to anyone who hears what happened. he needs to be pardoned so that he can speak to younger ppl or incomming rookies about life in the nfl
by volsteel on Aug 29, 2009 12:17 AM EDT reply actions
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