Comments on: Fighting back against dubious prosecutions

By: lkcape

lkcape — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:47:36 +0000

Again, Mr. Silverman’s success rate, or distinct lack thereof, at getting his thesis accepted by the courts puts him well out of the mainstream of things legal.

After all, it is not whether he can argue effectively from a strained premise, it is whether or not the legal system accepts his contention.

By: Steve Stein

Steve Stein — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:48:19 +0000

lkcape – if you’re around the Boston suburbs you’re in luck. In the Minuteman library system Ashland, Cambridge, Needham, Newton and Sudbury libraries all carry Silverglate’s book. You’ll have to reserve it – all copies are out now.

By: lkcape

lkcape — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:47:16 +0000

Mr. Silvergate’s success rate in pressing his case before the courts!

Dead giveaway.

Your fawning review was… well…a fawning review.

BTW, several of your examples have yet to be adjudicated, so the implication that Mr. Silvergate has had his view validated in those cases is erroneous.

By: Dan Kennedy

Dan Kennedy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:48:12 +0000

Ikcape: How do you know it’s propaganda? What is your evidence? What examples can you offer, drawn not from my column but from Silverglate?

By: lkcape

lkcape — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:45:53 +0000

If the local library finds it captivating enough to put it on their shelves, I just might.

I tend not to pay for reading propaganda.

By: Dan Kennedy

Dan Kennedy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:05:56 +0000

Ikcape: Many if not most of the people Silverglate writes about are former clients who have given him permission to tell their stories. Why don’t you read his book? I recommend it.

By: lkcape

lkcape — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:54:04 +0000

One quick question, Dan, if Mr. Silvergate is so sure of his thesis, why, then is he not heavily engaged in the legal defense of these poor, mistreated innocents?

Could it be that Mr. Silvergate is more interested in selling his book than anything else?

I know that you have a love affair with him, but you should, at least, offer something more than “Yes, Oh Worshipful Master” as a comment.

By: Harrybosch

Harrybosch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:55:24 +0000

“. . . is it any surprise that most of the population views the massive material wealth and/or power of people like high-level politicians or billionaires with the feeling that there simply MUST be something criminal going on?”

I submit that just the opposite is true. For example, most folks don’t seem to mind this past decades huge tax cuts for the wealthy, because most of us believe (naively) that SOMEDAY it will be us. Recall the impact of Obama’s tax increases on Joe the Plumber’s phantom business, and all of those folks who supported him.

By: Mike Coughlin

Mike Coughlin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:27:04 +0000

I agree with Dan F.

Dan K., I know Sal is your anti-casino hero, but how can you defend him or claim his prosecution is dubious? (or is that just Mr. Silverglate’s opinion?)

DiMasi was quoted saying something like “We’re finally getting some of that business around here.” referring to a bribe from Cognos.

By: MarkB

MarkB — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:13:15 +0000

You put the word “innocent” in the same paragraph with “Massachusetts House Speaker?” And you didn’t get hit by lightning?