Busted for crime? Say how sick you are
The New York Times says that Patricia Dunn of H-P "pretexting" fame is about to be indicted. Yesterday, her camp announced that she's about to undergo chemotherapy for recurring ovarian cancer.
That timing is interesting. Reminiscent of Neil Goldschmidt laying out his heart condition less than a week before Willamette Week was set to bust him for statutory rape. Lots of mafia dons and other gangsters also seem to have their medical conditions "worsen" right before it's time for them to face criminal charges. "No sense locking me up -- I'm going to die soon anyway."
Then there's Ken Lay, who was right -- they never took him alive.
UPDATE, 3:02 p.m.: Just as I posted this, the news came in that she has indeed been indicted. An ex-H-P lawyer and some others also face charges.
| Posted at 2:39 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
I grew up in an oil town in Arabia, and even at a young age I noticed how the person in charge - the CEO - could set the moral tone for the entire company. While I don't hold President Bush responsible for the actions of others, it is damn interesting how a moral culture that says spying on people is okay, plays into this HP case. I also believe our reckless, violent approach to the world has made us a more violent society. We have a leader who says that preemptive strikes and spying on private citizens are acceptable. That is going to show up elsewhere in society.
And if you challenge me on these observations, I want to point out I recently had a cold, and therefore I'm the real victim here.
Posted by Bill McDonald | October 4, 2006 3:51 PM
Don't forget that priest who groped you, too...
Posted by Jack Bog | October 4, 2006 3:53 PM
Actually, I was an altar boy. Thank God I was an ugly kid.
Posted by Bill McDonald | October 4, 2006 3:56 PM
Ovarian cancer is really nasty. There aren't too many Get Out Of Jail Free cards with that diagnosis.
Posted by Amanda Fritz | October 4, 2006 5:08 PM
Agreed. But it's interesting that everything is kept quiet about these awful illnesses until the person in question is fired, disgraced, and about to be indicted, and the multi-million-dollar paychecks stop. Then all of a sudden they wear the disease like a badge.
Posted by Jack Bog | October 4, 2006 5:11 PM
Yeah Jack, my first thing to come to mind after reading your post was 'Mark Foley'.
His recipe? Check yourself into rehab (never mind that those close to him know he's not an alcoholic, nor does it explain his IMs during legislative session or right after a long workout), then blame it on some mysterious priest abuse when people call 'BS' on the first. $20 says he moves to 'chronic blackouts from bad prescriptions' if that one doesn't pan out...
Oh, and I'm SO surprised Fox News keeps calling Foley a Democrat... ladies and gentlemen, the gentle slide into fascist propaganda is nearly complete. Celebrating 10 years of state-run media! Happy Birthday Fox!
Posted by TKrueg | October 4, 2006 6:51 PM
I didn't see the HP "leak investigation practices/privacy violations being worthy of Congressional Hearings.
Besides the obvious (grandstanding) value of being shocked and dismayed in an election year, how is the public interest being served? Maybe the California AG (who is running for higher office!) has jurisdiction, but the U.S. Congress?
If HP had been investigating some broad spectrum of the public, then I see why Congress might be interested. As it stands currently, it seems more like a civil suit for those whose rights were violated. Or perhaps a shareholder lawsuit (excepting the fact the stock is trading a 52 week high).
Posted by Mister Tee | October 4, 2006 8:35 PM
"..they wear the disease like a badge."
I have noticed this with some puppet heads of certain Oregon government or quasi-governmental agencies; I am glad someone is finally talking about the phenomenon. A criminal's human frailties don't mitigate against the crime.
Posted by Cynthia | October 4, 2006 11:23 PM