We need some attitude.

by John P. Flannery

Columbia Law School professors were divided over the defense tactics in the Chicago 7 trial, although, most thought, the trial was calculated to chill political speech.

It was a circus always putting in question whether the judge was impartial. Well the unorthodox defense worked.

The court found on appeal that the trial Judge Hoffman had a bias against the defendants. They also found that the FBI had bugged the Chicago defense attorney’s office, while Judge Hoffman and the prosecutors knew. As a result, defendants walked away, free.

We need some “attitude” to call out the Senate for its bias, and either the Senate will bow to the truth (unlikely) or the voters will throw the lot out in November (if we fight like we mean it).

It’s a simple strategy. It’s based on the notion that truth and law can be a disinfectant for lawless and corrupt elected officials. But it takes some guts.

JPF