Issues Under Fire: Stop Fantasizing, U.S. Presidents Don't Go to Jail

Issues Under Fire: Stop Fantasizing, U.S. Presidents Don't Go to Jail

April 9th, 2018 is a date many Americans would like to think of as the beginning of the end for Donald Trump. His personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, was served a No Knock warrant by the FBI in search of evidence related to crimes that may involve the 45th President of the United States. Why is this such a serious event? Because any No Knock warrant is a serious event. When the FBI serves a "No Knock", they're kicking your damn door down. There's no time to hide anything, grab a gun or make an escape. They've got your ass! And generally speaking, it's all downhill for the targeted subject from this point forward. Can you say, cooperating witness? But wait, eager beavers may be salivating for nothing.

Before Americans get too excited about the prospect of Donald Trump facing his overdue comeuppance, they should understand, Trump has history on his side because no U.S. President has ever done jail time. No matter what damaging evidence the Robert Mueller investigation digs up or what evidence Michael Cohen may give up to implicate Donald Trump in high Crimes and Misdemeanors, "The Donald" will never get a perp walk, let alone get a mugshot. While other nations will lock their leaders up without a second thought when caught and convicted of wrongdoing, for some unfathomable reason, it simply doesn't happen in the United States 

Just three days ago, former Brazilian President Lula was ordered to surrender to Brazilian authorities to serve a 12-year sentence for a corruption conviction. And what's even worse, that sentence will be served in a prison he not only opened during his administration, but it also bears his name on the outside. Now, that's justice. And by the way, Brazil's prisons are notoriously violent and deadly. Yet Lula, once considered extremely popular for the booming economy and generous social welfare policies that redistributed wealth to the poor, is cooling his heels behind bars. But wait, it gets better (or worse depending on your perspective). His successor, President Dilma Rousseff, recently impeached for corruption, could end up serving time behind bars as well.

Just three days ago, the New York Times reported former President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after being impeached for an influence-peddling scandal. Park was busted and convicted of collecting or demanding $22 million from three chaebol businesses. A chaebol (in South Korea) is a huge, typically family-owned business conglomerate. Think Samsung! She also got pinched for putting pressure on 18 chaebols to donate $72 million to two foundations controlled by a long time BFF. And by the way, Park's predecessor, former President Lee Myung-bak, is currently in custody awaiting trial on charges of bribery and embezzlement. Get that? Lee is in the poky already, and he's yet to be convicted. 

Just four days ago, South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma appeared in the Durban High Court where he faced charges of corruption related to a $2.5 billion arms deal. And, while it should be noted this particular charge has been around for awhile, Zuma is also facing 16 counts of racketeering, fraud and money laundering. Yep, it looks like homeboy was hooking up big time. So, if proven guilty, he'll do hard-time for those crimes. And quite frankly, I could go on and on citing examples of other nations sending their corrupt leaders to the hoosegow and worse. Some have even been executed. Click here and see for yourselves. So, by now we should be asking ourselves, why not here? Well, consider recent U.S. history:

George W. Bush took the United States to war in Iraq under false pretenses. His administration lied to the American people, as well as the international community, telling anyone who'd listen that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was ready and willing to use them. Americans were convinced a nuclear mushroom cloud over their small towns could be the first warning. As a result, hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians died, untold numbers were wounded and disfigured for life, millions were and remain displaced and traumatized to this day. And all that death and misery was just to get the green light to invade and occupy Baghdad. 

If one takes the time to consider the number of U.S. and coalition forces that were killed and wounded, as well as the trillions spent and wasted on the basis of those bald-faced lies, one would think a case could've and should've been made against President Bush. In fact, a case has been made against Bush W. and other members of his administration. In fact, Bush W. was tried and convicted of war crimes. Unfortunately, that case was conducted in Kuala Lumpur and the guilty verdict was rendered in absentia. And if the United States was a member of the ICC (International Criminal Court), it's a strong probability Bush W. and company would've faced charges and eventual convictions there too. But not here. No F-ing way!

Bottom line: If history is any guide, Donald Trump could eventually be impeached. Donald Trump could eventually be forced out of office in disgrace. And even though Donald Trump could eventually be charged with and convicted of all kinds of high Crimes and Misdemeanors, he'll never wear an orange jumpsuit, he'll never wear handcuffs and he'll never face one day behind bars. That'll never happen and Donald Trump knows it. Those who're thinking otherwise, aren't thinking clearly. Seeing Trump impeached and forced out in disgrace will have to suffice. And at this point, I'll be happy with that. Podcast below.