I am pleased to see that Congressman Dusty Johnson feels criminals should lose their federal pensions. South Dakota’s sole voice in the United States House of Representatives announced today that the Indian Health Service has decided to strip sex offender Stanley Patrick Weber of his federal pension:
“It’s disturbing someone like Mr. Weber would continue to receive a federal pension after what he put so many innocent children through,” said Johnson.“I’m grateful HHS and IHS took my request seriously and revoked his pension. There’s not much solace to offer in a situation like this, but I hope everyone rests easier knowing this monster isn’t receiving a government check every month and is behind bars where he belongs. A little more justice was served today” [Rep. Dusty Johnson, press release, 2021.03.16].
Does this mean we can count on Congressman Johnson to put in a word with the Army to strip man-slaughtering Reserve Lt. Col. Jason Ravnsborg of his rank and federal benefits? That press release would go something like this:
It’s disturbing that someone like Mr. Ravnsborg would continue to receive a federal pension after what he put the innocent Joe Boever and his family through…. There’s not much solace to offer in a situation like this, but I hope everyone rests easier knowing this monster isn’t receiving a government check every month…. A little more justice was served today [Any spineful South Dakota Republican, in an alternative universe where South Dakota Republicans are subject to justice, 2021.03.16].
Ravnsborg made his lawyer drive from Rapid City to Pierre last week to appear for him in court, while Ravnsborg kept himself safely sequestered in his Pierre office or his Pierre home. Through his lawyer, Ravnsborg pled not guilty to the phone-fingering and careless driving that led him to the shoulder of Highway 14 where he killed the illuminated Joe Boever with his car. Ravnsborg continues to receive his government checks, including is South Dakota Attorney General’s salary worth $118,603.03 a year.
The judicial system can be a bitch. This Mr. Weber fellow is guilty, and Mr. Ravnsborg is not yet guilty. We must let our system take it’s course, and then the mob can march. In the meantime, keep your torches and pitchforks safely stowed.
Corrections by grudznick:
“its” not “it’s”
“constitution, laws and judicial system can all be a bitch” not “judicial system can be a bitch”
Additions by grudznick:
Few are less a fan of Mr. Ravnsborg than I, let me remind you.
To be fair, Dusty also feels that federal criminals should not be indicted, much less lose their pensions, as long as they happen to be President, representing his party.
No doubt Ravnsborg felt a chill at learning that “few are less a fan of Mr. Ravnsborg than” grudznothing.
Why do I have to type in my name and email to post every comment?
Mr. Newland – You have your browser settings to blame. You must have the autofill feature turned off.
o makes a great point.
As for taking Weber’s pension, I wonder if Dusty ever considered that so long as Weber had that substantial pension coming in perhaps some of his victims might have been able to actually collect damages and restitution from him. After taking this source of funds away it obviously will be much harder to enforce the payment of civil judgments Weber’s victims might have won. The pittance Weber will earn for prison labor won’t even cover the cost of trying to collect something from Weber. Weber’s victims need not thank Dusty for making Weber pretty much judgment proof for the rest of his life.
I’m convinced that Ravnsborg’s justification for lying about almost everything involved with the manslaughter, is “He shouldn’t have been out walking on a dark highway”
He has no business in elected office or anything related to public service/trust.
Seems to me that Weber is already paying the price for his crime by doing his time. To add monetary consequences after the sentencing is not fair, unless it was a civil case. What next?
Ravnsborg, who shows absolutely no remorse, will end up paying a fine, keeping his job, and proving what we already know. Republicans are using the rule of law to defend themselves and punish others. Everything’s been so screwed up that nothing will result of it except our complaining about unfairness, more editorials asking for his resignation, and national attention that may result in more idiots like him moving here.
As a skeptic, I want a trial so the big question that I have can be answered. Why was Ravnsborg not tested for alcohol or other substances before he was allowed to go home?
In my small town, a harmless daytime car accident often results in the drug dog being called out. Maybe they’re just exercising the dog but it scares the heck out of some of us because there appears to be a pattern of profiling.
Ravnsborg needs to do some time for the murder of a man who had every right to be where he was at the time.
V,
It’s the law enforcement officer’s discretion on whether to administer sobriety tests. I’ve been in multiple collisions and never been subjected to a breathalyzer or otherwise, nor has the offending party that collided with me, and some had very extensive damage done.
O & bearcat are correct . . . taking away a pension is petty and deprives the victims from any hope at restitution and damages.
If dusty cared an iota about ‘justice’ or ‘fairness’ he’d vote to reduce the criminal trumps out-of-office perks.