Yesterday I wrote about the case of Yeadon Borough Councilman Terry McGirth.
Or I suppose I should refer to him as former Councilman Terry McGirth. A Delaware County judge ruled he must be removed from office because of an old felony conviction in his past.
I wrote that I wondered about such a ruling, and what it tells us about the idea of rehabilitation, the notion of justice and offering people a second chance.
Today, my colleague Gil Spencer weighs in on the matter. In talking to Gil yesterday morning, I will admit he made a point I had not considered.
One reason for having such a law is because it is not outside the realm of possibility that voters would routinely return popular crooks to office.
Exhibit A would be one Vince Fumo. Gil correctly theorizes that there’s little doubt the people of his South Philly turf would return Fumo to his seat in Harrisburg if that was a possibility.
I’m still not sure what is happening to McGirth is the right thing to do. Is it justice? Absolutely. Is it just? I’m not so sure.
Or I suppose I should refer to him as former Councilman Terry McGirth. A Delaware County judge ruled he must be removed from office because of an old felony conviction in his past.
I wrote that I wondered about such a ruling, and what it tells us about the idea of rehabilitation, the notion of justice and offering people a second chance.
Today, my colleague Gil Spencer weighs in on the matter. In talking to Gil yesterday morning, I will admit he made a point I had not considered.
One reason for having such a law is because it is not outside the realm of possibility that voters would routinely return popular crooks to office.
Exhibit A would be one Vince Fumo. Gil correctly theorizes that there’s little doubt the people of his South Philly turf would return Fumo to his seat in Harrisburg if that was a possibility.
I’m still not sure what is happening to McGirth is the right thing to do. Is it justice? Absolutely. Is it just? I’m not so sure.
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