[Mpls] Re: Felien on Zimmermann

[Michael Atherton]

Robert Halfhill wrote: 

>    Again, I will ask the same question I asked last time.  
> Dean Zimmermann is alleged to have accepted a bribe from the 
> developer of the project at 24th and Chicago to vote to 
> approve more retail businesses on the first floor of the 
> project.  But Zimmermann voted against approving additional 
> retail on the first floor of the project.
>    How can you be guilty of accepting a bribe to do something 
> if you didn't do it?  Where is the bribe and what is the crime?

My primary concern here is not Dean Zimmermann, it's a system
that allows and, in many ways, benefits selfishness over
the general welfare.  To that extent, criminal culpability
is secondary and ethical values primary.  If Mr. Zimmermann
were to deny the events detailed in the affidavit, I would
back off, but until he does so I'm assume they are accurate.
In my view, those events show a clear lack of judgment and
a lack of ethical values.  Come on!  Greens are suppose to
be opposed to the evil influences of corporations and business
on government and the environment.  We're talking about
the undue influences of cash campaign donations on the political
process here.  Whether Mr. Zimmermann was an effective instrument
of those influences is irrelevant to me: according to the affidavit
he took the money.

Besides, while I'm not a lawyer, I suspect that Mr. Zimmermann
could still be charged with conspiracy and bribery even if
he never effectively completed his end of the alleged quid pro quo.
The key here is whether he accepted the money in exchange for
influence.  And personally, even if he had intended all along
to do exactly the same, accepting cash with the implication that
it would affect an outcome is just as unethical.

However, if I were a supporter of Mr. Zimmermann's and he were
to publicly deny the events in the affidavit, he would still have
my vote.  He has a right to be assumed innocent.  That would be
my strategy, come out strong and portray myself as a fighter for
a just society and a victim of cooperate America...but you've gotta 
have the capital to do that, because if you don't you're going
to look like one giant sleaze ball.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park