We live in funny times. I would have thought that if you see a dead skunk in the middle of the road, and something is stinkin’ to high heaven, you can conclude beyond reasonable doubt that the smell is coming from the skunk, especially if the smell gets worse the closer you examine the skunk. But apparently not:
The Supreme Court heard former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s appeal of his sentence on political corruption charges Wednesday, and appears to be leaning in his favor. McDonnell was convicted and sentenced to two years for accepting gifts from a businessman, including a $20,000 Fifth Avenue shopping spree, more than $5,000 for a monogrammed Rolex and the use of a convertible Ferrari, a custom-made golf bag, and a sizable personal loan. The questions from the justices raised concerns that “the government’s concept of bribery was so broad as to criminalize many routine actions by public officials.”
via Daily Kos
He actually argued that “buying access and influence with public officials is protected by the 1st Amendment“, and the Supreme Court, apparently, has got his back. I remember back in the olden days Justice Stewart said he couldn’t define obscenity, “but I know it when I see it”. Not a great standard to judge pornography, but it comes to mind when reading about the McDonnell case.
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