Will Biden Pardon Hunter

[Big RR]

True, but who here is comment/complaining about the pardon that didn't also complain about that horrible decision? Sure the pardon is legal, but so is the court decision, whether we like it or not. And, FWIW, i see very little chance of Congress addressing either and trying to get constitutional amendments passed.

[Big RR]

True, but who here is comment/complaining about the pardon that didn't also complain about that horrible decision? Sure the pardon is legal, but so is the court decision, whether we like it or not. And, FWIW, i see very little chance of Congress addressing either and trying to get constitutional amendments passed.

[Sue U]

I am not complaining in the least about the Hunter Biden pardon. If his initial plea deal had gone through he would have been treated just like every other criminal defendant in similar circumstances. But his subsequent prosecution was clearly a political smear and now that everyone's gotten a good look at his penis there's no reason to leave him to the tender mercies of Kash Patel, who has promised to keep finding more things to prosecute him for in order to keep "Hunter Biden" a thing for the right-wing noise machine.

[Big RR]

Well, I guess reasonable minds can differ. But IMHO, we give way to much power to the president and, personally, I'd like pardons/clemency to be placed in the hands of a group which reviews the circumstances and votes up or down. And that's for any president. FWIW, with regard to hunter, I have not looked into it too much, and it may well be justified, but there is something very unseemly about a president pardoning a family member; I didn't like it when Trump pardoned Charles Kushner and I don't like it now. Face it, a president can always justify it by claiming his family members (or friends, or prior business associates...) are being targeted because of their connection to him/her (and FWIW, they don't even need an excuse to pardon anyone).

Ditto for the presidential immunity now recognized.

[ex-khobar Andy]

Why all this umbrage over a pardon that is not in the least outside the norms of presidential prerogatives, with barely a peep about the truly outrageous preemptive pardon the Supreme Court has granted Trump for all past and future crimes committed while presidenting? Hunter Biden is spit in the ocean compared to this giant turd in the punchbowl of American jurisprudence.

That.

[Burning Petard]

"Why all this umbrage over a pardon that is not in the least outside the norms of presidential prerogatives"

For me, it is bitter reforming of my opinion. Biden first ran for office (County Commissioner) in 1970. Since that time, EVERY time Biden has been on the ballot, I have voted for him. As I have posted ins other threads here, I did not like him for president, but I voted against the other guy. I think it is a prime example of the 'Peter Principle" of promotion to one's level of incompetence. But I still thought he was far above the norms for presidential prerogative.

Now I find he just another self-serving politician. Shame on you Joe. And me for actually believing he meant what her said about pardoning his son.

snailgate.

[Big RR]

And my biggest regret is that it doesn't surprise me.

[BoSoxGal]

I just can't get bent out of shape over this. Biden is still one of the least wealthy long time politicians with one of the least flawed careers in terms of ethical issues (actually substantiated, not right wing garbage), and one of the most effective and positive legislative and vice and presidential careers in terms of deliveries for working Americans, regular Janes and Joes. Meanwhile at the end of his career and the likely waning years of his life, he's chosen to keep his one remaining living son by his side rather than visit him in the federal pen when nobody else, no other Jane or Joe, would have gotten what Hunter was going to have coming to him.

Honestly, Biden has been shown so little respect - including by his own voters - for so long in the face of his really substantial record of delivery that he doesn't owe anybody any concern about their feelings for his legacy. It's HIS legacy. He knows God will forgive him his sins and he wants his family intact as he shuffles into the sunset. Thank you, Joe! You'll hear no complaints from me.

[Big RR]

It's not his legacy; it's all of our legacy. And, sadly, it will just make it that much easier for many to say "they're all alike" and "out for themselves", whether it is true or not. Or are you saying we had no right to expect better?

[BoSoxGal]

I honestly don't get the outrage. The last few presidents have pardoned far worse human beings than Hunter Biden. Joe Biden allowed his son to stand trial, to have his penis displayed in open federal court and on the floor of Congress, etc. He allowed his son to be convicted. Now he's showing his son mercy, which is the purpose of the pardon power. Is it because it's his son? Many pardons are given to friends and compatriots of presidents. How is this really any different? Beyond which, a very good argument can be made that Hunter Biden was treated disparately from any other Jane or Joe America who might have faced the same charges.

I'm not losing any sleep over this, and it doesn't diminish Joe in my view. Don't let perfection be the enemy of the good. Look at what is going down on the other side - Joe is still a fucking saint by comparison.

[Big RR]

Outrage? I have none--just disappointment. No, I won't lose any sleep over it, but when a guy like Biden, who I thought had some modicum of integrity when he said he would not pardon Hunter (following the precedents set by his predecessors) I hoped for something more. I won't cut him slack because he did good things--that hardly gives him carte blanche, And while the pardon was entirely legal, it doesn't pass the smell test--and it gives the few Trump supporters who have a conscience the refuge saying "they're all alike".

I'm not making "perfection the enemy of the good", but I am saying that we all, even Biden, should strive for better (even if most of us don't bother doing so).