While soliciting votes at the Libertarian National Convention over Memorial Day weekend, two non-libertarian presidential hopefuls — Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – promised political prisoner Ross Ulbricht if elected.
This promise is very much for libertarians. Ulbricht, 40, has been serving two life sentences, without the possibility of parole, for about ten years for the “crime” of running a website.
Yes, you’re right.
You may hear other, darker allegations about what Ulbricht did, but those allegations were so weakly supported by evidence that even corrupt and demagogic U. S. Attorney Preet Bharara was afraid to indict Ulbricht for them.
Unfortunately, corrupt U. S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest, after blatantly rigging the trial to secure a jury conviction, used those unproven allegations to justify the draconian sentence.
In the end, the excuse for Ulbricht’s imprisonment boils down to this: he ran an e-commerce (Silk Road), and a few other people were selling stuff in that Array. . . things that the government disapproves of, like certain medications.
That’s right. That’s all. There’s nothing else. He ran an online page and is now sentenced to die in court for running that online page.
While I wouldn’t possibly vote for Trump or RFK Jr. (I’m another candidate promising to “free Ross,” libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver), I thank them for their offers.
But really, why do we (or, more importantly, Ross) have to wait until next January to fix this?
Yes, Trump or RFK Jr. , if elected, could make good on their promise and do the right thing.
But President Joe Biden can do the right thing TODAY. Biden can simply impose the sentence on Ross or pardon him and put the matter aside.
That would be the right thing to do. . . and also politics.
Two of Biden’s main warring parties have pledged to get the job done.
With an undeniable coup de grâce/change of pen, Biden can take the challenge away from those opponents.
Politically, this would be an easy and flexible proposal.
Supporters of Ross’s release may not be numerous, but neither are the most likely margins of victory in November. Fewer than 50,000 votes in key states separated Biden’s victory from defeat in 2020. He wants all the votes he can get. SOME grateful Americans would praise a pardon or a commutation at the ballot box.
Supporters of keeping Ross in prison are, for all intents and purposes, nonexistent. The small organization that supports his continued incarceration will replace his votes.
What could be better than doing the right thing? Do the right thing, stick your nose into your warring sides, and raise voices in your column at their expense.
Mr. Biden, tear down that (prison) wall. Free Ross!