Something fascinating is happening today online at the Portland Press Herald story by Kevin Wack. Readers are posting impassioned responses to James Tobin’s ten-month sentence for phone-jamming. I was surprised by the near-unanimity in this morning’s first comments:
Justin of Saco, ME
May 18, 2006 7:44 AM
He should have to do more time for this…I question why the Herald staff isn’t looking more closely at the numerous calls he placed to the White House during this whole scheme? That is where the big story is.Robert Malloy of Portland, ME
May 18, 2006 7:39 AM
He should have got a stiffer sentence… I also wonder why the RNC poured two million dollars into James Tobin’s legal defense–might they be covering up some naughty doings?
Phil of Portland, ME
May 18, 2006 7:36 AM
Regardless of how upstanding his character might be in other portions of his life, he made a “direct assault” on the democratic process, and feels no remorse in his actions. He should have received the maximum sentence.vince of glassboro, nj
May 18, 2006 7:23 AM
How did I know before reading past the headline that this guy was a Republican ? He’s just another in a long list of GOP operatives that think nothing of playing “dirty tricks. To them the “frat house rules” are fine in our government. Gordon Liddy, Donald Segretti, Ollie North, Tom Delay, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove.Jim of Brunswick, Me
May 18, 2006 7:00 AM
He should have received the maximum sentence. According to the judge Tobin was not particularly remorseful and didn’t appreciate the gravity of what he had done. Another Republican scandal goes insufficiently unpunished.Matt of Wells, ME
May 18, 2006 6:51 AM
No the sentence is not fair. He should have gotten LIFE. Anyone that interfere’s with an election is the most VILE enemy of our way of life. There should be no mercy for such criminals.
Later others chimed in, for the opposite point of view:
Jennifer of Arlington, VA
May 18, 2006 11:11 AM
I am outraged that the Portland Press Herald would sink so low as to ask its readers whether they think Jim Tobin’s sentence was fair. Jim Tobin is a man of integrity and heart, evident by the countless individuals who spoke out on his behalf. He should not be subjected to liberal criticism by folks who know little to nothing about the true facts of this case; and I would be willing to bet that most of your readers fall in that category. Mr. Tobins sentence is completely devastating to his family, friends, community, and church. There are far better ways to take shots at the Republican Party. Jim Tobin should not be your scapegoat.Jeff of Portland, ME
May 18, 2006 11:00 AM
The reality, which most of you seem to have missed, is two other people who were obviously guilty threw a good man under the bus. They were trying to save themselves and lied and did whatever they could to get what they wanted, much shorter jail time for their crimes!!!! They should be ashamed of themselves, as should all of you who are writing comments with absolutely no frame of reference.Rick Bornemann of Bridgton, ME
May 18, 2006 10:24 AM
Despite appeals to Jeffersonian rhetoric threats to the sanctity of voting, and whining about violated “rights,” the Tobin verdict was, and the 10-month sentence is, beyond ridiculous.Mr. Tobin and friends engaged in a harmless, though silly, prank. It was the political equivalent of “jamming” a homeowner’s phone to ask whether he had Prince Albert in a can. We’ll also have to start arresting 10-year-olds when they violate another right – that to “privacy” – by using the phone to ask the elderly and other “vulnerable” people whether their refrigerators are running. And, the tykes advice to “catch it” would get them another 6 months…
Go read them yourself; this is a stirring example of free speech in action–messy, confusing, sometimes not a pretty sight. But it’s what our nation is built on; we can’t thrive without it.