Ford and Prison Time
For those that have not heard about or been following the current events in the state of Tennessee regarding corruption here is a overview -
4 State Senators (both poltical parites represented), a former senator, sevearal local politicians from around the state, and a few others have been inditated on corruption charges - our post as the story broke on May 26th here. The basic story is that the FBI set up a phony company, then they ran a sting and the officials that are charged took money to get a bill passed that benefited the phony company. Almost every state legistator or senator had been approached in some form or fashion, but the one’s charged bit.
At the center of this is John Ford a state senator from West TN. Ethic’s charges have been buzzing around Ford for awhile, but this charge brought them all to a new level. On Saturday (May 28th) Ford resigned from the state senate (WBIR Story here). Yesterday (May 31st) Ford said that his stepping down had nothing do do with charges. Of course he also said the charges were false.
In defense of Senator Ford he is innocent until proven guilty, but this case looks like he will have trouble beating it as appears he took money and there is a recorded conversation where he makes a threat regarding another person.
We have said of all that to get to our main point - John Ford was released and is under house arrest at the moment. Most people that were charged with taking a bribe (or offering a bribe to a politician) to pass a bill, or that were charged with making threats regarding others, and other various charges that Ford faces would be IN JAIL!!! not under house arrest.
Equality and fairness under and in regards to the law means that John Ford should be treated like anyone else would be facing similar charges. Billy Joe and Bobby Sue Average would be behind bars and in prison orange, and not talking freely to the press about the charges and sleeping in their own bed. The idea that some how Ford would be a risk or such in prison has got be seen as faulty considering that recent history shows several famous, wealthy, and successful people serving time and coming out not much worse for the wear.
John Ford Behind Bars Not At Home
