"It's crime" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

It’s a Crime

The Chairman of the Committee to Elect Mike Kavanaugh submitted a letter to the editor in the New Paltz Times, 9/26/19:  “Bail Reform’s Flaws.”  The author, Richard Croce, proposes that there are bipartisan concerns about the legislation on bail reform passed by the New York Senate and Assembly and signed by the Governor.  Perhaps there are . . . perhaps.   Look at his argument. 

His second paragraph begins with “Imagine . . . “  Always be on the alert with paragraphs that begin with “imagine . . . “    He goes on to describe a scene in which an 89-year-old woman’s home is invaded by an intruder who likes and steals her clothing.  (Should we imagine he especially likes her underwear?  Probably.)  He uses the devices of literary fiction, describing how the man “moves closer and strokes her, whispering something in her ear so close she can feel his beard on her face.”  (Should we imagine he is whispering, “Vote for Mike Kavanaugh”?)  And so on.

His third paragraph delivers the big reveal:  “It’s not a random hypothetical derived to fit a narrative.”  It’s all true!  It happened!  (Even the whispering and the beard!?) The judge sets a bail of $50,000.

The fourth paragraph claims that next year the new bail reform law would require the judge to release the burglar, regardless of evidence and possible length of sentence.  No specific language in the new law is offered to support the claim.  We’re expected to believe it is accurate.

The fifth and sixth ask why the assaulted woman and the community should bear the burden of the man’s freedom before trial.  Mr. Croce writes, “Let’s be clear.  Mike Kavanaugh and other experienced prosecutors support responsible bail reform, but that reform, to be fair and effective, must take into account victims’ rights and public safety….This bill has many strong points, but it also has profound flaws that ought to be addressed . . . “

Have any specific flaws in the law been detailed in the letter?  They have not.  For that matter, have any of the “many strong points”?  They have not.  Serious readers might wish to be educated.  Instead, they are left confused and maybe fearful . . . and maybe a little entertained by the “narrative.”  Instead, they are left with the message that Mike Kavanaugh wants to have it both ways:  he’s for bail reform, he’s against it.  Win/win.  Just don’t try to pin him down.  Of course, readers are concerned and sympathetic about the ordeal of the woman whose home was violated.

Mr. Croce’s letter is straight out of the very familiar Republican playbook stretching back to Willie Horton and beyond.   The core of that playbook is this:  skip reasoned arguments backed with factual evidence.  Play up lurid stories likely to be scripted for Law and Order.  Make people afraid.  Blast the opponent as “soft on crime.” 

Have you gotten a robo call or push poll yet from Mike Kavanaugh’s committee calling his opponent, Dave Clegg, “soft on crime”?  You will.  Count on it.

Oh, right, bail reform.  I forgot we were talking about that.  Can’t get the image of the beard out of my mind.  Or the stubble, whichever.  Maybe that’s the purpose of Mr. Croce’s letter.

Publishing history:

New Paltz Times 10/2/19

Saugerties Times 10/2/19