First,let me clear my throat. The crow doesn't go down very easy. I was one of those who said these two would both be found guilty. But let's not leave this out. Just because charges were dropped doesn't make them innocent. So before we raise our hands in victory, and start giving God the glory. It just means they won't be going to jail. I'm glad they didn't though, because I don't revel in my brother's downfall. Neither do I think these two are really bad people. They did what they saw others doing and they got caught. My only wish is that they take a long hard look at themselves and mend their ways. Instead of getting it wrong and thinking they're invincible. It was the grace of God that spared them, but he didn't sanction their actions. Somebody during that time was in the dark, truly through no fault of their own. They just didn't have VIP status like Mr. Ford and others did. Though not by themselves. They both were guilty of being part of the system that allows stuff like that to happen.I think Edmund Ford has probably learned his lesson. This chapter in his life is going to cost him quite a bit. The city won't be covering any of his expenses. So he's worth more working than he is behind bars. I never thought of that before now. He's the one politician that was on trial that really has a job. From now on he will cover his expenses with money he earns, and not another taxpayer funded deal. He has severed any possible connections he might have had in the city. Nobody would touch him with a ten foot pole. But he still has to pay his lawyer, and good representation doesn't come cheap. I would love to see Michael Scholls tab. The Ford brothers alone have paid him a pretty penny this year.
I'm not so sure about Joseph Lee. The same character flaws that got him in this mess to begin with. Might lead him to believe he has a future in politics. I heard him say he wanted to do something in public service. How soon he forgets. Even though he wasn't found guilty of anything. He would be hard pressed to find another job equal to the one he left. I think he had a once in a lifetime opportunity that isn't likely to come again. Standing around after the fact, bragging about how weak the FBI case was, isn't vindication. Joseph Lee paid a hefty price in the form of his job.
Whatever these two men do now, they should count it a blessing. Especially Edmund Ford. He can truly say he dodged a bullet. Not only would he have lost his freedom, but his livelihood as well. They are free to pick up where ever they left off. Legally they have a clean slate. They dropped all the charges.
Mayor says he's target of removal effort by biased justice system, media
ReplyDeleteBy Nevin Batiwalla (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Originally published 01:30 p.m., June 26, 2008
Updated 02:39 p.m., June 26, 2008
In a City Hall press briefing covering a myriad of topics, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton blasted the Memphis business community, justice system and media today for trying to run him out of office "by any means necessary."
Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton answers questons on a wide range of topics about his administration from from the Joseph Lee investigation to city school funding during a media forum at City Hall Thursday morning.
Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton blasted the Memphis business community, justice system and media.
"Its abundantly clear to me that there is a very serious effort that is ongoing to remove Willie Herenton as mayor by any means necessary,” Herenton said.
The mayor cited the recently dropped case against former Memphis Light Gas and Water Division chief Joseph Lee III, whom he had appointed four years ago, as evidence of a justice system skewed by race and politics. Both Herenton and Lee are African-American.
“It was a shameful utter disgrace to witness what happened to a fine young man, Joesph Lee,” Herenton said. “It was never about Joseph Lee. Its always been about Willie Herenton and anyone around mayor Herenton is a target for investigation.”
Herenton said he was “very proud” that city administration has never been a part of public corruption during his time.
“They (The FBI) never came to Willie Herenton,” he said. “I take pride in that.”
On the topic of education, Herenton, a former head of Memphis City Schools, said the recent search for a superintendent was not successful.
“We did not bring candidates that represent the best in America,” he said adding that he was not “hating on” incoming superintendent Kriner Cash.
He said he preferred someone from Memphis to get the job but said even if the board of education had offered it to him, there was “no way” he could have taken the position.
“There is a particular date that if I had left there would be a mayoral election in November. “The voters of Memphis would not have had ample time to consider candidates for mayor.”
“… I didn’t want to trigger a premature election.”
Herenton said withholding city funds from the schools, a plan approved by the City Council, would be a mistake.
“It will damage the school system,” he said.
The mayor also talked about school reform. He said he supported the idea of the city school system becoming a city division with a board appointed by the mayor.
I see someone schooled Joseph Lee, he didn't come on the radio.
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