You may have heard about the climate activists who had charges and a trial pending over obstruction of commerce by blocking a coal barge to the Brayton Point electric power plant with a lobster boat? Well the DA just caved, and announced he drank the kool-aid, and is going on the climate march. Video follows
From WBGH Boston:
It was intended to be a show trial, with climate scientist-turned-activist James Hansen and 350.org founder Bill McKibben both slated to testify. Ward and O’Hara planned a necessity defense, arguing that climate change presented such a crisis – and federal climate action was so inadequate – that they had no alternative but to place their lobster boat between the barge and the power plant. Whether or not the defense was successful, it would be a statement.
Instead, Bristol County District Attorney Samuel Sutter made a surprise appearance in court Monday morning with a statement of his own. Sutter announced that his office was dropping all criminal charges, and that he, himself, would be attending the People’s Climate March in New York City later this month. He called climate change “one of the gravest crises of our time.”
Ward and O’Hara still face civil charges.
And from The Nation:
And what happened, the truly remarkable thing, was this: the prosecutor, Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter, not only dropped the charges (which could have resulted in months, or even years, of jail time), he then proceeded out to the courthouse plaza where he made a statement to the media and to the hundred or more people gathered in support of Ken and Jay. Here’s what he said:
The decision that Assistant District Attorney Robert Kidd and I reached today was a decision that certainly took into consideration the cost to the taxpayers in Somerset, but was also made with our concerns for their children, and the children of Bristol County and beyond in mind.
Climate change is one of the gravest crises our planet has ever faced. In my humble opinion, the political leadership on this issue has been gravely lacking. I am heartened that we were able to forge an agreement that both parties were pleased with and that appeared to satisfy the police and those here in sympathy with the individuals who were charged.
I am also extremely pleased that we were able to reach an agreement that symbolizes our commitment at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office to take a leadership role on this issue.
Source: http://bristolda.com/2014/09/statement-on-the-disposition-of-the-brayton-point-protest-case/
Another victim of noble cause corruption: Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter website: http://bristolda.com/
The definition of noble cause corruption is:
Noble Cause Corruption is a mindset or sub-culture which fosters a belief that the ends justify the means.
– source: Public Agency Training Council
A recent tweet says its something they feel strongly about:
https://twitter.com/NJRob973/status/509160517865570304
![LadyJusticeImage[1]](https://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/ladyjusticeimage1.jpg?quality=83)
Lady Justice was forced to take her blindfold off by this action:
Lady Justice has often been depicted wearing a blindfold. The blindfold represents objectivity, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favour, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness; blind justice and impartiality.
This was how the 14th amendment came about, when law enforcement officials would not prosecute racial crimes committed in the south.
Article VI requires that “all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution”. So this DA has, by this statement, arguably tendered his resignation from his office, since he is asserting that he will not be bound to his duties under the 14th Amendment. Someone should accept his resignation, on behalf of the people.
I do hope the voters remember that he discarded the law in favor of his own beliefs when it comes time for re-election.
h/t to WUWT reader Tom McClellan
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Since I know this will be a bad winter I hope they all freeze to death. Not that mean, considering they are freezing at least 75,000 UK citizens to death, and unknown numbers of Canadians, US citizens and people all over the planet. They might as well add themselves to the list.
They’re ready for this eventuality – several claims and papers are floating about suggesting global warming makes polar vortex winters more likely.
global warming causes severe winters, GW causes 50% increase in Arctic ice volume in one year. Sounds like one of the negative feedbacks they are so sure don’t exist. May explain why their models don’t work.
That became a slogan in the when the Northeastern US didn’t build refineries due to environmental concerns: “Let the bastards freeze to death in the dark.”
The power plant should have a “malfunction” during the highest demand point this winter and let the wackos see how bad it can be for a few hours. Of course if it was discovered to not be an accident, this same DA would likely try to bring the plant operator up on charges for not burning his coal properly for the DAs comfort.
The DA was bought off. I’d be auditing his bank account. They can do that right? Not for a private citizen without a warrant, but for a DA, that’s an elected office.
Task force on public corruption. This cull got a fat check from the Tides foundation, or some other downstream money laundering outfit.
Bought out prostitute.
Sure he feels so strongly about the theory of CAGW he is too gutless to debate it in a courtroom? BS
Yes, thats the thing, a good debate with an sharp judge could show the folly of Climate doom hysteria. The folly of teaching Intelligent Design as science was proved in a court of law, and it never recovered.
Tougher here, since there is actual science invloved, perverted science from the Climate zeolots, but none the less science. Actualy, probably would have been a circus with defendents demanding proof of negatives. I can hear it now, “Prove that Florida will not be under water in 50 years!. Ah ha! See you can’t! We win!” It’s like Christians debating atheists, entertaining but useless venture and the Christians always claim they won.
I believe it was precisely that…. No trial – no debate. This was possibly dictated from above as a winning solution for the Believers.
Actually, there hasn’t been any such trial. The Scopes trial didn’t address the truth or falsity of evolution, surprisingly enough, and most of the other trials were about what qualifies as science, which is an entirely different question from whether something is true. “Napoleon was born in Corsica” is a true statement, despite not being scientific. The courts have (quite properly) not assessed the evidence of evolution or its competitors – that is generally not their responsibility.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t most debates end with both sides claiming to have won? Isn’t victory usually assessed based on the audience’s opinion? There’s no need to play the village atheist around here.
stupid is as stupid does.
Climate activists are funded by Big Wind.
Big Wind (with the money of investors like Siemens and Buffet on the line),
impotent in the electric power market,
yet has some pull in politics… .
If Sam Sutter signed his own paychecks,
the story would very likely have ended differently.
Not defending him, just offering a plausible explanation for his apparent cowardice and gross ignorance of science.
******************
{Yes, the nuclear power industry also has a motive, here, but, NUCLEAR POWER ROCKS (gov’t reg.’s should be revised to promote it), so, even if they also used these slimy methods, I’ll not point the finger at them — except to say…. Yo, Big Nuke: If you guys are behind these slimeball tactics, knock it off — you’re better than that; you don’t need to stoop to the level of the Wind Crooks.}
Unfortunately that is the case with most elected officials, their morality and decision making is for sale to the highest bidder, or actually to all bidders.
Do not make the mistake that leftists make all the time. “Funded by” does not prove “created by” or “driven by.”
In this case, the truth is actually the converse: climate activism created Big Wind.
Climate activism existed long before “Big Wind” became a reality. Since climate activism was political, it produced political results, including government subsidies and favors for the fantasy power sources that suited their sound bites for the moment: solar power and wind power. The subsidies attracted big investors, who saw how they could get rich milking the government. The new wind power moguls then took some of their wealth and put it behind the climate activists, since the longer the insanity continues, the more they’ll be able to milk from the government.
Of course, as soon as the subsidy dries up, they’ll declare bankruptcy (legitimately, since wind power cannot possibly turn a real profit) and leave the awkward, metal giants to rot in the sun and wind. There are already thousands of abandoned turbines in places where the government money migrated to other locations.
Please don’t make the mistake that leftists make all the time. “Funded by” does not mean “created by” or even “driven by.”
In this particular instance, the truth is the converse: climate activism created Big Wind.
Climate activism is political, and produced political results, namely government subsidies for the fantasy power sources that fit the “renewable” meme: solar power and wind power. The subsidies attracted large financiers, who saw an opportunity to milk the government for millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars. Up went the turbines, and in flowed the cash. Then the new, wealthy wind moguls put a few of their dollars behind climate activists, who could be counted on to protect and increase the subsidies for their cash cows.
Of course, when the subsidy dries up (as it inevitably must) the moguls will declare bankruptcy immediately–legitimately, since wind power cannot possibly turn a real profit on its own. Then the pretty turbines will be abandoned to rot in the sun and wind. There are already thousands of rusting giants where the government cash was withdrawn to pursue other interests.
Not a terrible surprise, given the example being set at the top of our government: If you don’t like the laws you have, just don’t enforce them, and if you don’t have the laws you like, just create them by bureaucratic fiat.
I do find it troubling that the DA so openly admitted to acting directly out of a conflict of interest. He should be removed from office and disbarred, but obviously he doesn’t think that is going to happen.
Why, yes. Progressives do not have to obey laws like the rest of us. In fact, when a Progressive chooses to ignore the law, it’s a clear manifestation of a superior moral awareness. Didn’t you catch the reference to their children and to the future of the planet? They serve a higher moral light than the rest of us mere mortals. So naturally, to prosecute them according to law would be unenlightened, even neanderthal.
This explains why Progressive far and wide can be seen committing illegal acts to undermine elections, demolish voter registration rolls, empower abortion mills and prostitution rings, etc. It’s because they are morally superior, and exist on a plane above the law.
Do I need to insert a “/sarc” tag? Or is the point plain enough without it?
<sarc> tags are necessary in this day and age because the
uselessuseful idiots on the Progressive side have exponentially lower logic and processing skills than the average patch of mildew eating through the paint of a wind turbine.They should keep in mind that their opponents are watching this. When the political winds shift, and their opponents are in power, all of the same tyrannical abuse of power will be in their hands. There is nothing to stop the conservative from ignoring the laws in the same way the progressives did.
Not only that, but respect for the laws is what keeps blood from running in the streets. Eventually, you reach the point when people just revolt, and no amount of law will save you then.
Hey, we’re talking Masschusettes here. It’s not as if we ever believed we were dealing with rational people, either in govt or out of govt. You do wonder where this DA ever got the idea that he had become an expert on global warming in a few hours, though. So what’s to stop these people from storming the local coal power station and shutting it down? Apparently democracy no longer exists in Massachusettes (if it ever did) – the mobs determine what the laws are.
So, coal barges may now be blocked by activists with impunity?
Methinks there must be an administrative law remedy in the US to compel a public official to perform the duties of his office.
So now if someone blocked, say, a shipment of windmill or solar parts, this same DA would presumably prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
Why? Because he has decided that he is the law, and he has the right to decide what is good, and what is bad in society. Being the judge and jury in this case, in addition to being the prosecutor, is a fun position. Too bad for the chumps who lost money by this commercial obstruction. The coal barge owners don’t care about the planet. They deserve what they get, right?
Noble Cause Corruption is the most insidious corruption, because its perpetrators presume that they, and they alone, know the Truth. And thus, they make rulings like this from their all-knowing perch.
Who needs laws on the books, anyway?
If I had the time and money, I would love to do it, just to see them squirm.
Writ of Mandamus.
It’s been a while since I read it, but wouldn’t the tug and barge have right away due to the larger mass of the laden barges? The Tugboat operator could legitimately have said he was unable to stop in time to prevent the tragedy of the sunken lobster boat.
right of way even
That’s great…. Let’s all go down the path of chaos. It’s justified right? For punishment, they should be forced to camp in Montana next week as the winter makes its preemptive strike this year. Oh wait…. That cold moving in is because of global warming…right? It couldn’t be from Pacific Ocean-warmed air rushing up to the arctic so rapidly from a large temperature differential thus forcing the polar air into central US. That air is taking path of least resistance over the pacific up to arctic for a reason…it’s not just a coincidence. It’s almost he exact same reason it happened in the 70s….but breaking out my crystal ball here…the effect will be much more prolonged this time around.
Rubbing my crystal ball some more here….El Niño will be a dud this year for California because the air is still pumping primarily up to the Bering strait.. This will continue until a much colder equilibrium of ocean and atmosphere temperature is reached……as a primary player in climate continues it’s long term holiday.
That’s right…it’s going to get much colder….
Let’s all get chaotic….. And fight over it. The DA will take a walk.
This is pure bullshit
Sutter appears to have committed Prosecutorial Misconduct
See Randall Grometstein’s review of Prosecutorial Misconduct and Noble Cause Corruption
How do we hold Prosecutors accountable to We the People for such gross misconduct? See:
BACKING OUT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DITCH: CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES FOR GROSS PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT POST THOMPSON Randall Grometstein & Jennifer M. Balboni
Maybe this should start a new chapter in:
Police Ethics: The Corruption of Noble Cause 3rd ed
By Michael A. Caldero, John P. Crank 2010
Contrast conventional Noble Cause Corruption By Steve Rothlein
Being Boston, this won’t happen, but what you’d love to see is a journalist asking the DA exactly which facts had convinced him that burning coal would destroy the planet and why he disagrees with Monkton about his estimates and so on…… I would be surprised if he came up with any reply
His reply would be ” who is “Monkton?”
His reply would be “Monckton is financed by Big Oil,” without knowing who Monckton is, seeing a shred of evidence supporting the claim, or answering the question, “What does ‘who finances’ have to do with the scientific question?”
The AGU Intelligencia will be Crowing LOUD to the Heavens on this since they bank rolled Hansen and pay for his “executive suite” at the San Francisco Marriott and tickets to the Giants-Seahawk Game in 2013 with membership funds and delayed his “illustrious” /sark “Lecture” otherwise a “speech” to faithful of the AGU Church of Scientology.
Bad days ahead for the AGU “executive” and “president” and their apparatchiks.
This is what happens when the rule of law no longer has any meaning. He must have a pen and a phone, as well.
Maybe he plans to run against/with Hillary.
I left MA along time ago partly because of the corruption. Apparently it’s reached Obama levels. This guy should be eliminated, but I’m sure that won’t happen in the far, far left state of MA. I guess there, as with obama, any oath to enforce the law. He’s a criminal There’s lots of them these days
It’s a miracle! Can you gimme’ a “hallelujah”?
Laws are for the little people…
As many have suggested, this will certainly embolden the left wing, progressive activists to break the law with impunity in the name of climate change.
Let’s say a store owner has spoken out as a skeptic and an activist trashes his property. The activist has all charges dropped. Where do you think this will lead? And it won’t stop at climate change…
If the rule of law is destroyed, the only justification for obedience is simple fear. If they really want to go down that road, they had better watch the Devil speech in A Man For All Seasons.
Kind of reduces the urge to comply with any laws or regulations.
These kind of political decisions go a long way to demonstrate a category; Unfit to hold office.
Without rule of law, all being equal before these laws, entitled nitwits like this career parasite are on very thin ice.
Progressives are such fools.
Today they rule, yes he will get away with this.
But tomorrow?
And when the power changes, this character and friends will be the first to whine about abuse of power.
D.A sounds like a description of his ethics.
Or should that be D.O.A?
We’s here to collect the ’em insurance. Yah, that’s the ticket. Lest your place happens to burns down from global warmin’, ya sees. Whole lots of places burnin’ down from a dat global warming. Can’t bees too careful.
Sail powered lobster boat was it?
Reblogged this on gottadobetterthanthis and commented:
Climate alarmism is so insane. I just don’t understand it. Scofflaw. It is madness. Next thing you know, the alarmists will be blowing up clinics, I mean filling stations, or SUVs in people’s driveways, knowing the prosecutors will not prosecute, but claim that climate alarm is the greater good. Madness. Simply madness.
That’s a good point. What if the tables were turned, an (you-know-what) clinic was blockaded, and the DA refused to prosecute? Could you imagine the howls?
Interesting analogy, Bart,
the libs promote death whenever and wherever they can… death of unborn humans…. death of birds…. no DDT = death by malaria… more swamps (a.k.a. “wetlands”) = more death by disease…. no phosphates (more fantasy science) = death by bacteria (increased potential, anyway)… no coal-fired electricity = death by freezing (or heat without AC in summer)…
lovely bunch, those libs.
btw: GLAD to see you are still posting on WUWT — ol’ Englebeen is STILL pushing the CO2-leads-temperature fallacy — we need you!) ….
Without rule of law and equality before the law, what kind of civilisation is it possible to have?
Watertown, MA residents recently found themselves forced from their homes under the barrels of Gov’t. automatic weapons and detained without cause, while their homes were searched without warrant. The citizens of Massachusetts have long since sown the wind…
This local DA has just transformed himself into a darling of the glitterati, the cognoscenti, the party of the hip and the cool.
Watch for Sam Sutter to make a run for Governor.
Ah, so Sam Sutter may not be writing his own paycheck, but he appears to be writing his own ticket… .
If so — he is disgusting.
(btw: still praying about you-know-what, Alan… :))
As a condidate for governor he would have the right to make political choices. As DA he does not. He should resign NOW if he wants to play politics.
According to the DA, the charges were dropped out of consideration for “the children of Bristol County.” Does that mean he believes the children would be better off without electricity?
More the point does he thing they would be better off without a constitution ?!
Jerk!