The following was written by:
CJRHMH
Ex-law student, legal researcher,
closely observing this case and
other cases in Alabama
June 30, 2004
We have to wonder whether corruption in Alabama
is so widespread that people are unable to remember
a time when that was not so.
Have people become so accepting of corruption that they
don't recognize it anymore?
Are citizens of this State sitting quietly terrorized in their
homes afraid to acknowledge this corruption?
It is a sociological fact that in a capitalist society people
are treated differently depending on who they are.
Those in power, design, build, and implement systems to
protect themselves and their personal interests.
People who are powerless wait silently like rabbits munching grass,
unaware that they are only an inch away from the snare.
But isn't this America where systems
are designed to serve everyone?
That's what most of us believe and it was probably true
at one time but things have changed. It is natural in any
democratic society for those in power to protect themselves.
If you were in power would you design a system
that didn't serve your interests?
Of course you wouldn't. They haven't either.
If you think they have, then you're standing
very close to a snare.
If you, or your spouse, or your child, or your grandchild
stole in the state of Alabama you would go to prison.
****(see footnote)
So we need to ask the hard question:
Why isn't former Lt. Ralph Johnson going to prison?
To answer that question we have to look at the power structure.
D.A. Boyd Whigham has the option to prosecute,
in any way he sees fit, any citizen under his jurisdiction.
Why did Whigham make this choice?
We can certainly make an educated guess.
Have other people, those Whigham has prosecuted,
simply engaged in more criminalistic in behavior than Johnson?
No, a lot of people are in Alabama prisons for theft.
Were Johnson's actions somehow less criminalistic than most?
No, the law is based on the value of that which is stolen and a
criminal acting under color of law is, by law, sanctioned more
aggressively than one who is not.
Has Whigham suddenly acquired
compassion for those who commit crimes so he doesn't want to
see a police officer go to a dangerous Alabama prison?
It appears that he would have us believe that.
But we must ask ourselves: is it more likely to be true than not true?
The most educated guess we can make is that Whigham
treated this case lighter than others he's prosecuted
because it serves his own interests to do so.
We shall leave further educated speculation about the motivation
to the reader, while keeping in mind that there is already some
speculation linking Whigham to drug interests in Alabama.
The majority of citizens in Alabama do not directly serve
the power structure other than in the form of taxation.
What most may not be aware of is that the power structure
does not serve us. Institutions were originally designed to serve
all, but that original design disappeared long ago.
You didn't notice that did you?
Unless you have dangled upside down,
foot in the snare, you haven't been forced to pay attention.
The case of Lt. Ralph Johnson gives you an opportunity to
pay attention. Be vigilant, those snares are out there.
**** ALABAMA CODE OF LAW:
Section 13A-5-6
Sentences of imprisonment for felonies.
(a) Sentences for felonies shall be for a definite term
of imprisonment, which imprisonment includes hard labor, within the following limitations:
(1) For a Class A felony, for life or not more than 99 years or less than 10 years.
(2) For a Class B felony, not more than 20 years or less than 2 years.
(3) For a Class C felony, not more than 10 years or less than 1 year and 1 day.
(4) For a Class A felony in which a firearm or deadly weapon
was used or attempted to be used in the commission of the felony,
not less than 20 years.
(5) For a Class B or C felony in which a firearm or deadly weapon
was used or attempted to be used in the commission of the felony,
not less than 10 years.
(b) The actual time of release within the limitations established
by subsection (a) of this section shall be determined under procedures
established elsewhere by law.
(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §1225; Acts 1981, No. 81-840, p. 1505.)
It is an ominous sign
of an irretrievably broken system
when the
United States Federal Courts
refuse to protect a citizen's
guaranteed Constitutional Rights!
Who else are they to be guaranteed by???
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