Once again, it's time to play "Name That Party." As the Massachusetts State Legislature debates "Jessica's Law" -- named after Jessica Lunsford who was raped and murdered in Florida by a repeat sex offender -- one representative who is against the law expressed his displeasure on the floor of the House. Really expressed his displeasure. The representative, one James Fagan, said he'd
“rip apart” 6-year-old victims on the witness stand and “make sure the rest of their life is ruined.”
In a fiery soliloquy on the House floor, Fagan said he’d grill victims so that, “when they’re 8 years old they throw up; when they’re 12 years old, they won’t sleep; when they’re 19 years old, they’ll have nightmares and they’ll never have a relationship with anybody.”
Another representative, Karyn Polito, "a Republican from Shrewsbury who supports Jessica’s Law," understated the case when she said about Fagan's comments, “The words speak for themselves. I think there’s a large part of the (House) membership that doesn’t agree with that.”
Hmm. Ms. Polito's party affiliation is mentioned, but what about that of the quite-offensive Mr. Fagan? The Boston Herald's Dave Wedge doesn't offer it. Three guesses as to which party Fagan belongs ... and the first two don't count.
(h/t to James Taranto.)
UPDATE: Video of Fagan's tirade can be seen here. (h/t to The Next Right.)
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Words cannot describe
June 24, 2008 - 20:43 ET by Eileen Rightwhat I'd like to do to this miserable POS. I'd like to know how does this sorry excuse for a human being get elected, let alone remain in office.
Massadimwits
June 25, 2008 - 10:21 ET by IgnatzJFahrquar'nuff said.
Unfortunately, "stupid constituants" is not an isolated condition. Living in the Cleveland, Ohio area all my life I've seen some real winners such as everyone's all time favorite Denis "The Menace" Kucinich.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
This Liberal POS is a disgrace
June 24, 2008 - 20:49 ET by jefflebowskiThis sicko needs help and should be removed from his position. What an insult to any child or parent who has suffered such a horror. I would suggest letting the fathers of abused children alone with this POS to discuss his ideas properly!
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
said he'd “rip apart”
June 24, 2008 - 21:01 ET by Rukussaid he'd
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
As a christian I cannot
June 24, 2008 - 21:30 ET by motherbeltAs a christian I cannot forgive this drivel, sorry Lord, this is just TOO MUCH! Forgive me.
You are not required, as a Christian, to forgive him. It's not your call. God never said we have to forgive everybody for everything. Besides, you, personally, can only forgive someone for what he does to you.
And I did notice they called him Rep. Fagan. That always makes me wonder if they're hoping people will think it stands for "Republican."
He is truly beneath pond scum. But I doubt any judge would let him get away with what he threatens.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Yes Mother, I should
June 24, 2008 - 21:38 ET by RukusYes Mother, I should forgive, but it is very hard when I hear this stuff. It's very hard! But, yes, I will forgive, it's what makes us Christian strong. I will try harder. It's still hard though...
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Well I guess we disagree on
June 24, 2008 - 22:45 ET by motherbeltWell I guess we disagree on that. My feeling is that I am not God. I have no power to forgive that man. And exactly what would your "forgiveness" of him entail, should you manage it?
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
MB, let me try to answer
June 25, 2008 - 10:08 ET by WolfremMB, let me try to answer your question.
You are right that none of us are God. When asked how many times we must forgive an offender, Jesus answered 77 times 7. You see, in holding unforgiveness toward someone, not only does that keep a link between the two of you intact, but it actually holds YOU enslaved to the offender. Unforgiveness leads to hatred, which leads to bitterness. On the other hand, this man doesn't even have a clue that you nor I even exist. Thus, holding unforgiveness toward him hurts you. It doesn't hurt him in the slightest. Yes, he will got to Hell for his transgressions, but so will you for harboring unforgiveness toward him.
A parable comes to mind about the servant who owed his master a great debt. The kind master forgave the servant of his debt and released him from the obligation. The servant then demanded payment from a man the servant had loaned a few coins to, even though the man still couldn't pay it. The master was so wroth with the servant that the master had him cast out, or imprisoned (I can't remember which).
And just because he is off your hook, doesn't mean he is off God's hook. Do I want to see this man suffer for this outrage? Oh, yeah, in the worst way. But God's word trumps my emotions.
Does this help to answer your question?
My apologies to all for the Bible lesson. But it was the only way I could answer the question.
Back to the topic with my two cents: You would think that any judge or prosecutor with even a smidgen of common sense or decency would not allow this kind of behavior from a defense attorney. Things like "relevance" and "badgering the witness" come to mind. Unfortunately, as other posters here have pointed out, this kind of stuff does happen in our courts. IMO, the judicial system should never have been allowed to stray from the Constitution and follow precedence set by previous judges. This is a slippery slope we have crested long ago and are well on our way down the slope.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana
We can forgive some action
June 25, 2008 - 12:56 ET by Dan The Man 2We can forgive some action against us but we dont have to forget and any consequence as a result of the action should not be forgone. So a killer may be forgiven for his deed as in taking revenge but as a society we must remit justice to the offender for teh good of society.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Yes, Dan, that is exactly
June 25, 2008 - 15:12 ET by WolfremYes, Dan, that is exactly right. Forgive does not mean forget. Nor do you have to remain in the situation and take it.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana
http://www.mass.gov/legis/me
June 24, 2008 - 21:13 ET by RickTaLifehttp://www.mass.gov/legis/member/jhf1.htm
The dreaded "D" word. :-P
This vile scum sits on the House Committee on Ethics too. Go Figure,
"This vile scum sits on the
June 24, 2008 - 21:24 ET by ThisnThat"This vile scum sits on the House Committee on Ethics too". Nope. He chairs that committee. But on the other had, this is Massachussetts, the home of Ted (The swimmer) Kennedy, John (I served in Vietnam) Kerry, and Barnie (Let me kiss you on the butt) Frank. This is the state that brought you the queer marriage laws, the term "Taxachussetts", and The People's Republic of Cambridge. The home of the Big Dig; where you have to run from home if someone breaks in (rather than confront the burgler), and where windmills are not allowed off Cape Cod because it disturbs the view of the beautiful people.
This person's behavior fits right in, I think.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Wow, TnT,
June 24, 2008 - 21:31 ET by motherbeltVery succinct!!
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
you forgot my favorite
June 27, 2008 - 10:29 ET by larry on LImass a two shits, well now it's four
*
June 26, 2008 - 20:04 ET by R D Helm*
oooh..The Next Right has
June 24, 2008 - 21:24 ET by RickTaLifeoooh..The Next Right has video:
http://thenextright.com/charles-signorile/video-rep-james-fagan-d-on-jessicas-law
A real scut
June 24, 2008 - 21:58 ET by well99They should post this all over South Boston and drop his sorry butt there at night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq-NJ1YQu8M
People can actually
June 24, 2008 - 21:56 ET by general companyPeople can actually think this, and lead others? Shameful, those that elected him should be/feel humiliated
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Massachusetts
June 24, 2008 - 22:08 ET by CattleDogIf the people of Massachusetts don't do something to remove this guy, can we kick Massachusetts out of our country?
CattleDog, that's a hell of an idea.
June 24, 2008 - 22:56 ET by R D HelmWe could always give them to Canada. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
We should trade them
June 24, 2008 - 22:58 ET by Free StinkerWe should trade them even-up for Alberta! ;-)
Nah let's go for Nova
June 25, 2008 - 08:12 ET by taterNah let's go for Nova Scotia.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
This guy needs his rear end
June 24, 2008 - 22:14 ET by Airforce_5_OThis guy needs his rear end taken to a prison and let some of the inmates swap him around for a pack of menthols. Then we will see how he feels about ripping a six year old apart on the stand.
This is why lawyers should not be in politics.
But what do I know? I am bitter and cling to my religion and guns.
The Hard-Left's Ugly Side
June 24, 2008 - 22:16 ET by AgentAmericanI clench at the dismal thought of a Communist Police State with this degenerate human waste holding the fate of innocent citizens in his hands. People like him were tried at Nuremberg and hanged by US MP's operating the lever.
The difference between Communists and Nazis are their logos. The level of brutality of the two are very similar.
Drill ANWAR
Drudge - Baltimore Mayor Corruption - Name That Party, Again!
June 24, 2008 - 22:54 ET by zeestephenJust clicked in from Drudge.
He's running a two page Baltimore Sun story on the mayor's romantic and financial relationship with a private city developer.
Political Party?
Can't find it.
The Sun does mention that the mayor has a 2004 financial connection to a Democratic state senator now under federal investigation.
But the mayor's party?
Could it be.....Democrat?
If these
June 24, 2008 - 22:57 ET by bigpapaquotes and comments are for real,,,
This POS needs to be put down... hard...
WTF is wrong with him...
Holy crap it almost makes me sick...
Angry, infuriated, and
June 24, 2008 - 23:32 ET by Trix RabbitAngry, infuriated, and pissed off are hardly sufficient to describe my reaction to this POS' idiotic and irresponsible diatribe.
As one who has witnessed the heartbreak of being sexually molested, this POS isn't even good enough to inhale the same oxygen as these poor children who have had their lives ruined by pedophiles and those, like this scumbag, who would defend them.
Just give me thirty seconds alone with this wretch and I will guarantee that the rest of his life is ruined, he'll be throwing up, he'll have nightmares, and he will never have a relationship with anybody.
Thirty seconds is all I need.
Liberal: a power worshipper without power. George Orwell
This country has go to get
June 24, 2008 - 23:38 ET by bigtimerThis country has go to get to a boiling point inside...this is one example of what is going to make this come to the tea-pot whistling...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
More than that...
June 25, 2008 - 00:38 ET by AgentAmericanEveryone simultaneously needs to have a collective mind to change things. It takes one person to tell ten people and each of those ten tells ten more, and so on. It has to spread like wildfire to get the politicians to take notice.
One columnist named Stu Bykofski made a sobering, but truthful comment on how there needs to be another 9/11. I wouldn't wish that in any case, but he was right...it would take a serious tragedy to bring this country together and bring serious change. But, I would prefer a proactive solution, not what Bykofski envisioned, in reaction.
It's time to think ahead.
Drill ANWAR
Apparently, some of you
June 24, 2008 - 23:57 ET by mrsimeleApparently, some of you just make things up as you go along. Mr. Fagan was not saying he "wanted" to do any of these things. Actually, he did NOT want to be forced to into having to be tough in the courtroom on children. His point is that, unfortunately, when your client is facing 20+ years for a crime he might not have commited, you are going to do everything in your power to make things right. That's all. It's no wonder that FOX was the only station that spun this story.
You know, inncent people are prosecuted for crimes they did not commit all the time. Defense attorney's have a duty to bring the truth out in court.
Yes we understand what he
June 25, 2008 - 00:15 ET by Dan The Man 2Yes we understand what he added at the last, and no judge would allow such behavior from the bench as this POS put his case. I gues all you pedophiles are the same and think alike.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
but,,,
June 25, 2008 - 01:14 ET by bigpapahe said what he said....
to even think these things is wrong....
you know like hate crimes.... if a white man says "nigger" when he defends himself against a black man then it's "hate"
Right... to think it makes it wrong.... that's what I'm told by the MSM...
the F'n thought police are all over me so why not all over you???
All the time?
June 25, 2008 - 03:53 ET by FranksamYou're perpetuating an urban myth. Some innocent people are prosecuted, but dollars to donuts says that more guilty folks get acquited than the other way around. Defense attorneys have a duty not to lie, but they do not have an obligation to find the truth.Their only obligation is to the client's defense.
All the time?
June 25, 2008 - 03:53 ET by FranksamYou're perpetuating an urban myth. Some innocent people are prosecuted, but dollars to donuts says that more guilty folks get acquited than the other way around. Defense attorneys have a duty not to lie, but they do not have an obligation to find the truth.Their only obligation is to the client's defense.
Defense attorney's have a
June 25, 2008 - 06:05 ET by motherbeltDefense attorney's have a duty to bring the truth out in court.
Really? And what if the truth is that the client is guilty as hell?
Truth doesn't enter into it. Their "duty" is to give their clients their best possible defense within the law.
OH, that's right: they would only be mean to a young witness who they "knew" was lying.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Feel free to agree with
June 25, 2008 - 08:38 ET by Hero SquadFeel free to agree with what Mr. Fagan said.
It was repulsive, even if it was to make a point. I'm not sure how "ripping apart" a 6-year-old sways a jury. Maybe I just don't understand how a defense attorney's mind works. Thank goodness, apparently.
Oh, and the article cited here was the Boston Herald, not Fox News. And the main point was the absence of a political party identification.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Fox only one to 'spin' this?
June 25, 2008 - 10:16 ET by SickofLibsQUOTE: "I'm going to make sure the rest of their life (a 6-yr old) is ruined."
So tough cross-examination is not enough, vengeance must also be extracted, especially when dealing with young children.
I'm just going to say a prayer now for your children, if you have any. They're going to be needing it with you as their 'guiding light'.
SOL, I am the grandfather
June 25, 2008 - 10:22 ET by bassndudeSOL, I am the grandfather of some young girls, 7mos, 5,6,9 and 10 years old. If, God forbid, anything happned to them and it was this guy that they faced in court, he might as well set up house in the court room. If he ever walked out of there, he would find himself being wheeled back in. I dont think I could refrain from making sure "the rest of his life was ruined." Face it, he is already suffering brain damage.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Whoa, Bass, thats a whole
June 25, 2008 - 10:49 ET by SickofLibsWhoa, Bass, thats a whole mess of little granddaughters - there's nothing quite like that grandpa-granddaughter thing, right?
So 'mrsimele' is slightly off-base here? I mean the part about (implied) virtual waterboarding AND PAYBACK-DESTRUCTION of little kids in court is OK, you know, to uphold the rule of law?
Anyway, his/her/it's MO is hit-n-run, so I guess thankfully this sickass thread is over...
SOL, 15 grandkids, most of
June 25, 2008 - 10:52 ET by bassndudeSOL, 15 grandkids, most of em girls, only 6 boys. And yes, the granddaughter grandpa connection is pretty strong here.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
15? That would make you a
June 25, 2008 - 14:31 ET by SickofLibs15? That would make you a Patriarch with a capital P!
Yeah, don't force
June 25, 2008 - 11:47 ET by Eileen Righthim to do what child molester and murderer David Westerfield's scumbag defense team did when they KNEW he was guilty.
Don't you have a NAMBLA meeting to attend?
Who's "making things up?"
June 25, 2008 - 15:24 ET by CobraManWho's "making things up," other than you? This man has gone on RECORD as stating that he’d grill a witness on the stand so that “when they’re 8 years old they throw up; when they’re 12 years old, they won’t sleep; when they’re 19 years old, they’ll have nightmares and they’ll never have a relationship with anybody.”
That's called harassment and it is unethical behavior and that behavior would be a valid reason for his dismissal as a legal representative for his client. This man is scum and he should lose his license to practice law.
→ James Fagan
June 25, 2008 - 03:11 ET by Cool ArrowSo if you're a 16 yr old girl in Mass. it makes some sense to get pregnant early.
Maybe the children of Mass. are staging an uprising against the lilly liveredness of their elders.
Don't get me wrong, Mass. and VT. may be the most cancerous in this regard, but all states seem to be in a hurry to achieve mass decadence.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Am I the only person that
June 25, 2008 - 03:56 ET by mostlymoderateAm I the only person that wonders HOW these guys get elected into office? My god. A guy like Imus says the *slightest* thing about a black person and all hell breaks loose in the media. However, a REPRESENTATIVE goes on a tirade about hurting little children and the media is mute. Kind of puts things into perspective, doesn't it?
Excellent point, MM
June 25, 2008 - 15:29 ET by Mica the MagnificentYou are absolutely 100% correct, MM.
Rigging the Web (recycled post)
June 25, 2008 - 06:46 ET by KillgraveI think this has something to do with web searches. If you type in "scandal" and "Republican" in a search engine, you get 10 million hits. If you type in "Democrat" and "scandal", you get HALF that. Keep in mind, all scandal articles that have Democrat subjects, but not identified by party, will not show up in the search.
This is about rigging the historical record. A person doing simple research on the web would get the impression that Republicans are 100% more likely to be involved in scandals than Democrats.
Do people wonder why
June 25, 2008 - 07:34 ET by sam.i.amDo people wonder why lawyers are despised?
He spoke the truth about his wretched profession. Meets the definition of a gaffe. There are no ethics present in lawyers--ethics as you would know them, anyway. Any humanity, ethics, or conscience is subordinated to the goal of "protecting the client" or "getting what's best for the client".
Lawyers can lie, cheat, steal, extort, destroy people, channel the ghosts of dead babies--whatever it takes. Everything is rationalized away.
MAKE THINGS RIGHT????
June 25, 2008 - 07:37 ET by allahallahoxenfreeWTF is wrong with you? What insane world do you live in where you think trial lawyers are actually the people who "make things right"??? The VAST majority are parasitic organisms on a healthy society who push the envelope on human decency for cash, notoriety, ego, everything that is not noble. This asshole is basically saying dont punish child rapists TOO severely with strict sentencing guidelines or I will be forced to treat these victims this way, and it won't be my fault, it will be yours! As for your life naive life experience, I suggest you volunteer with a victim counseling organization. I am a police officer who has dealt with innumerable victims in similar situations. These are unlike any other crime, the victims have the deck stacked against them for the rest of their life, questioning their self worth, feeling inadequate, responsible for the whole thing. Its heart wrenching. Theoretical fuckheads like you and this asshole lawyer who don't particularly feel the need to protect society's most vulnerable need to be beaten to within an inch of your life!
CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS!!!
Apparantly...
June 25, 2008 - 08:17 ET by ontheright...you are referring to "mrsimile's" post. Notwithstanding the very colorful language you use, I applaud your passion and agree 100% with your crux of your post.
It is fairly easy to spot liberals who either cannot, or just plain refuse to ground their ideas, beliefs and/or thought processes in actual reality. mrsimile is no exception, and quite frankly a prime example of a far left-wing, liberal nut-case who cannot see the absurdity even when it is captured on video and plays right in front of his eyes.
Furthermore, it is morons like mrsimile who elect morons like the dimocrat Fagan.
We need to collectively "flush" the state and federal congressional toilets and begin anew.
Yeah, for a second there, I
June 25, 2008 - 08:46 ET by sam.i.amYeah, for a second there, I thought he was answering my post. I had to go change my shorts. Ha-ha.
Actually, his first sentence is what made me think he was addressing me. I get that "WTF is wrong with you" response a lot...
I agree 100%
Wow, snippets from that
June 25, 2008 - 07:52 ET by SickofLibsWow, snippets from that video are going to make a GRRREAT campaign commercial for his Republican opponent next time around.
Oh wait, nevermind, I forgot what state we're talking about here.
Unfortunately, this
June 25, 2008 - 08:10 ET by Ruths husband BenUnfortunately, this scenerio plays out in too many courtrooms across America. The victim of child sexual abuse is abused twice, once by the perp and again by our criminal justice system. Mi esposa, who is involved in the law and order biz, has heard a lawyer ask a young child, "Do you understand that if you say these things happened, your mommy and daddy will get a divorce?"
Some defense attorneys are bigger scum than the people they represent.
VERO POSSUMUS - Latin for "Is that really your possum?"
→ I all fairness, RHB
June 25, 2008 - 08:14 ET by Cool ArrowIt was Mass. own Teddy Kennedy who spared at least one woman the double abuse of which you speak.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
True, but he got a new car
June 25, 2008 - 08:18 ET by Ruths husband BenTrue, but he got a new car out of the deal, didn't he?
VERO POSSUMUS - Latin for "Is that really your possum?"
It really takes a this
June 25, 2008 - 08:38 ET by bassndudeIt really takes a this special kind of guy, that makes you want to take him out behind the barn. Just to instruct him in the meaning of 'grilling' and 'nightmare'.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I agree with every post in
June 25, 2008 - 08:38 ET by Jack BauerI agree with every post in this thread to date, and can add no more opprobrium than has already been applied.
Don't forget though, this demented skunk gets votes. What does that say about his constituents?
Ahhhh. Once agains we see an example of the Party of
June 25, 2008 - 09:02 ET by c5thendiversity, acceptance, change and compassion.
Democrats: Do as we say, not as we do.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Without looking, I'd have to
June 25, 2008 - 09:26 ET by MassConservWithout looking, I'd have to guess this guy is from Cambridge. Yes, they're that whacked out there. Disgusting.
SCOTUS strikes down death for child rape
June 25, 2008 - 10:46 ET by Jack BauerIn a related story, the Supremes have just struck down the death penalty for the rapers of children.
Boston Herald
June 25, 2008 - 11:07 ET by Davester65To be fair to the Herald, which really isn't a particularly liberal paper, there are so many dem's in the Mass state legislature that it's almost assumed if you mention a politicians name, he's a democrat. I'm sure his constituents know what party he's a member of.
http://www.mass.gov/...
Here's a link to the fragrant Mr. Fagans page at Mass.gov. Feel free to send him an email and tell him what you think of him and his "fiery soliloquy".
huh
June 25, 2008 - 18:55 ET by PTBACFActually I read the article that you linked to. no where does it seem to have the quotes that you have in your article. So I went looking for the quotes about what he would do to a witness. Some liberal newspapers did have the quotes. but actually in context. He was not saying that he would personally do this. He did say if he was a lawyer he would have to tear apart a kid in order to get his client off. There is a difference between doing it for the jollies which is what your article makes it sound like and doing it because it is your job.
Is Fagan still walking
June 26, 2008 - 01:27 ET by ConservativeRexIs Fagan still walking around and drawing a breath? I'm surprised. Then again I knew that the folks in Mass. lost their spines decades ago.
Where can I find the full video for this?
July 1, 2008 - 10:33 ET by JamesAveryI'd like to see the full, unedited video or a transcript of it. I don't like to see stuff with spin, I'm smart enough to make up my own mind.