I don't understand this Mark Wahlberg pardon request

[Rakehellion]

Forgiveness is a core principle of Western religions.

The state doesn't promote religious beliefs.

 

[Fern]

Broadly, some consideration should be given to people that did stupid stuff before they were even adults. But pardons should not be given easily.

I understand that he has a long track record of good behavior, but I don't understand why he needs a pardon. It's not like it's holding him down and keeping him poor. Some article suggest it's so he can grow his burger franchise (didn't know he had one, learned something new today). I don't understand why a convicted felon can't own a burger franchise. If true, I don't see why we need such a law. I can understand no gun ownership, but I thought even that right could be restored without a pardon. So a convicted felon can own a gun, but not a burger franchise? Can that be right?

Fern

 

[UberNeuman]

He claimed he would gotten the plane safely landed, which is utter buffoonery. He's a frickin' actor, not a black ops dude and commercial airline pilot.

He would have ordered the flight attendant to play 'The Happening' non-stop. That would have bored the hijackers to sleep.

 

[werepossum]

Nothing you do as a 14 year old should follow you around for life short of shooting up a school or something equivalently insane. If we held 14 year olds to the standard of "don't do anything stupid," the species would have died out thousands of years ago. So he threw rocks at some black kids. Was it stupid? Yes. Is 29 years enough time to get over it? Absolutely. The entire point of our justice system is the notion that people can reform; if three decades isn't enough time to forgive the transgressions of a child then we have utterly failed as a society.

This, exactly.

 

[cubby1223]

WGN radio in Chicago used to have a host who was a former politician & convicted felon (it's Chicago, what else would you expect?), and it was always interesting hearing his perspective on a lot of things. It's been years since he's been on, so I can no longer recite exact things he said, but he once went through explaining what happens to your life when you are a felon released from prison, it was interesting hearing all the things we take for granted but such a person has to ask permission from the government before they can do, and it lasts for the rest of their lives.

As for Mark Wahlberg, I really cannot muster up any care either way. If he's pardoned, doesn't affect my life in the slightest.

 

[Subyman]

It would be interesting to consider an examination board to cancel felonies at various milestones so people at least have a chance to live normal lives.

 

[cubby1223]

Broadly, some consideration should be given to people that did stupid stuff before they were even adults. But pardons should not be given easily.

I understand that he has a long track record of good behavior, but I don't understand why he needs a pardon. It's not like it's holding him down and keeping him poor. Some article suggest it's so he can grow his burger franchise (didn't know he had one, learned something new today). I don't understand why a convicted felon can't own a burger franchise. If true, I don't see why we need such a law. I can understand no gun ownership, but I thought even that right could be restored without a pardon. So a convicted felon can own a gun, but not a burger franchise? Can that be right?

Fern

Chicago used to have a hot dog stand themed around felons and it was staffed entirely by felons after their prison time was served. Felony Franks. The local politicians hated them and went so far as to craft specific ordinance legislation targetted to block only this one business from basically doing whatever they wanted to improve upon the business. Felony Franks finally shut down a few years ago. Being a felon makes you a prime target for people who just want to be mean.

(oh sweet, just looked it up, they're getting a new location prepped to open soon!)

 

[Zaap]

Wait, seriously? He was 14 and 16 when this shit happened? (I have no idea, I don't follow much celebrity bullshit).

If that's the case: he shouldn't get any pardon... but IMO he should never need one in the first place.

No one should be held accountable for stupid shit they did as a minor (short of killing someone or some really serious crimes) 30 fucking years later, especially if they haven't been living that same life ever since. That's insane.

 

[Hugo Drax]

The argument is that all felons should face similar 'pardons' or, at the least, have the incidents fall off their record after a certain number of years. Beating up someone as an 18 year old shouldn't be something that prevents you from getting a job 20 years later, especially, if you haven't had any criminal incidents since. Wahlberg just happens to be in a position where he can afford to fight for this to happen. And, while he is not trying to change the entire system, it could set a precedent that might help other lower profile offenders facing similar problems.

If you're convicted of a felony in the US, your job options afterwards are two things: construction and crime. Doesn't matter the felony.

You can Apply for a Series 7 and work in Wall street. His Felony conviction is past 10 years

 

[Nebor]

I don't think people should be punished their entire lives. If they're not ready to be a citizen again, and that includes voting and buying guns, they shouldn't be let out of prison.

 

[MagickMan]

He was a minor at the time, I don't see a problem with this.

 

[Jadow]

he needs it to get a liquor license for some restaurant hes trying to open.

 

[Vic]

Forgiveness is a core principle of Western religions.

Only if you're a celebrity.

 

[cubby1223]

I had to google this issue again just to remind myself why activists all have their panties in a bunch...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/mark-wahlberg-pardon-request-white-privilege

Let’s take it piece by piece. For one thing, there’s the fact that Wahlberg was unharmed while being arrested, despite having committed two violent crimes.
...
Wahlberg suffered no injuries while being apprehended by police. That’s as it should be.
...
Many Americans might prefer to erase the histories of white crime and violence from our collective memories, just as Wahlberg now requests that his own history of violence towards people of color be legally erased. This ability—to write history the way we choose, regardless of the facts—is a frightening example of white privilege. Until we make these histories a fuller part of our understanding of our shared American identity, our sense of ourselves will be as partial as a bio of Wahlberg without his teenage crimes.

Seriously, people are that full of shit still today? This country is de-evolving before our very eyes...

If I were objectively looking at this situation, I'd question why this "author" holds a lot of anger and resentment at Wahlberg and his successful post-punishment career. It seems his anger is really at other people in this world whom he believes were too nice to him. And his answer to being angry at other people is to further lay judgment and punishment down on Wahlberg? And this makes this "author" morally superior how?

If you believe the problem is blacks are punished too much by police and the judicial system, the answer to solve all is not to increase "white" punishments to the same level Is desiring more punishment on Wahlberg helping your causes elsewhere? No? I'm shocked to hear that! I would have thought it was!


"There was a moment, when I used to blame everything and everyone for all the pain and suffering and vile things that happened to me, that I saw happen to my people. Used to blame everybody. Blamed white people, blamed society, blamed God. I didn't get no answers 'cause I was asking the wrong questions. You have to ask the right questions. ... Has anything you've done made your life better?"

 

[TreVader]

I'm not saying that the way the justice system deals with felonies is fair, it's not. But, it is the law and therefore should not be selectively applied to people based on wealth and status. Whether any specific bad deed should be forgiven is irrelevant, the law is the law. Why is Mark Whalberg the exception?

Besides, it's not like he was some guy who got caught selling an ounce of pot, and put in prison for years. Look at his 45 day joke sentence for beating a man nearly to death because he wasn't white. That is a fucked up crime and frankly I think he got off easy.

If he wants a pardon, they should let him go serve the other 45 days of his paltry 3 month sentence. I would be glad to pardon Whalberg after visiting him at Twin Towers.

Hmm I wonder why he isn't suggesting that he do anything for the people he hurt? I wonder if he would have the balls to spend 45 days in county jail? I doubt it.

 

[Jimzz]

I don't think people should be punished their entire lives. If they're not ready to be a citizen again, and that includes voting and buying guns, they shouldn't be let out of prison.

I agree but that is not the point in this case. Pardons are rarely given there and he wants to be one of the few to get one. Yet he has never apologized to those that he hurt or anything other than say he forgave himself.

If he wants to change the state laws on clearing records then I could be for that in some cases. But he is trying to use his name and money to get a special deal the majority of others that went through the system will not get.

 

[mizzou]

If you can genuinely become a good person over many years....you dont deserve to be branded a criminal for life.

 

[mizzou]

It would be interesting to consider an examination board to cancel felonies at various milestones so people at least have a chance to live normal lives.

well technically this already happens with suspended sentences in lieu of probation....but its hardly universal or a record cleaner

 

[SMOGZINN]

If you believe the problem is blacks are punished too much by police and the judicial system, the answer to solve all is not to increase "white" punishments to the same level Is desiring more punishment on Wahlberg helping your causes elsewhere? No? I'm shocked to hear that! I would have thought it was!

Nothing will ever change as long as those that have the power to make the changes don't have to face the consequences of their decisions. This is one of the primary reasons the law must be applied equally to everyone.