An Unwise Pardon

Yesterday, following repeated denials regarding his intent, President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter.  While he is clearly concerned that Trump's Justice Department might overreach in their handling of the case, this is an unfortunate decision as Trump aims to pardon the January 6 seditionists, among other co-conspirators.  Of course, his election erased Trump's own potential convictions.

One suspects that Hunter Biden's guilty plea was made in anticipation of this pardon and this scenario only serves to support Trump's claim that the Justice Department has been politicized.  As we face a significant threat to our Democracy, Biden's decision foments the argument that our current system of justice is broken.  If Hunter Biden's crimes were as insignificant as many of his defenders claim, the sentencing would have surely reflected that fact.

Unless Trump's incompetent and dangerous Cabinet selections are blocked by the Senate, we can expect the authoritarian leadership that most Americans feared.  Biden's pardon, while understandable on a personal level, only fuels that potential outcome.  In the interest of justice, Presidential pardons should be abolished.  

Supporting Denial & Risk

Last evening, a story on 60 Minutes (CBS) highlighted life on Smith Island in Chesapeake Bay.  The livelihood and property of the Island's residents are threatened by rising sea levels; the latter, of course, is a consequence of global warming.

The report indicated that Maryland has offered to buy the properties and have them demolished, allowing residents to move to higher ground on the mainland; apparently, there were no takers.  As a result, the State and Federal Government have initiated costly and, in the long run, futile efforts to mitigate the flooding.

Proud of their heritage, long-time residents of Smith Island certainly have the right to hold out as long as possible.  More questionable is the State's willingness to permit new construction by adventurous residents arriving from the mainland.  Island and coastal communities across the globe are threatened by climate change; do we admire their tenacity and support their high risk choices or do we limit public funding to resettlement assistance?  Denial, in the name of tradition, is not a helpful approach.