Hi Michael,
In case I wasn't clear about it, I agree that "kidnapping" is not an objective way to describe the relationship between Elian and the relatives, although Master makes a good point--that there really isn't a good alternative word. IMO "kidnapping" is inflammatory. Two posters who use the word have acknowledged that it is. So I understand why you're feeling inflamed. Perhaps the "other side's" use of inflammatory words warrants your responding in kind. But it doesn't warrant your not recognizing that your characterizations are inflammatory, too.
I've pursued this point with you because I have had the impression that you are trying to be thoughtful about this issue, which I value, and because your rebuttals are civil, which I also value. I don't want to beat this thing to death. Three times in our dialog you made the point that, since the relatives were not arrested, what they were doing must not have been illegal. This time you've changed the meaning. Now you're saying that, since the relatives were not arrested, that Justice must not have had a case, in particular, a kidnapping case. That's quite different. Was the shift intentional? Is some of this feedback getting through? As you suggest, one reason why Justice might not arrest someone engaging in criminal behavior is that they don't have enough evidence to prove it. Another is that it's not worth starting a riot, as X said. Another is that they feel compassion for the relatives, think they've suffered enough and don't want to pile on. Another is that they don't want to lose whatever Hispanic vote they might have. Prosecutors have discretion and there are lots of reasons. Another possibility is that the relatives did nothing illegal. You prefer this last explanation. You're entitled to your opinion. I strongly support everyone's right to his opinion. But if you insist that the fact that the relatives weren't arrested proves that they did nothing illegal, you are badly in need of a good book on logic. That is not a matter of opinion.
<<I could be wrong, but I believe quite a few posters on this thread will have mud on their face when the 11th
circuit court issues it's ruling in the coming weeks. Not only regarding the illegal alien status recently ascribed to
defend their action, but on quite a few other grounds as well. We shall see...>>
Yes, we shall see. I'm looking forward to hearing what they have to say. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing everyone's reaction to it.
Karen |
