Former lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff has written a book. And he's having a book party. And the book party is being held by noted used-to-be-on-television conservative Tucker Carlson, which is raising a few eyebrows because of that whole
convicted felon part.
You may remember Abramoff from his previous role in mail fraud, bribery of public officials, defrauder of Native American groups, and a bunch of other things. Now, however, his debt to society (well, 42 months in minimum security prison, because conducting multimillion dollar wire frauds or bribing Congressmen and other officials with golf trips to Scotland is, let's be honest here, not really worth that much punishment) has been paid, and it is apparently now the time for the redemption.
Oh, Tucker. Why throw a book party for Jack Abramoff, of all people?
“I’m doing it because I hate pile-ons,” Carlson wrote. “I can’t stand to listen to one more self-righteous windbag denounce him as evil when, as anyone who lives here knows, what he did is hardly out of the ordinary for Washington.
“And in any case, unlike most of the many people here who deserve it, Abramoff actually served his time, quite a bit of it. So in a small way, I hope this party serves as a well-earned middle finger to the various breast-beaters, professional reformers and other holier-than-thou whiners who make this city less fun to live in,” Carlson continued.
I admire the premise that those that have served their time should be given the respect of a fresh start. I'm not quite sure I admire it so much when it is couched in the "everybody here does it" and "hey, crimes like his make our city fun" arguments.
Ah well. I suppose has-beens need to stick together.
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