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Different folk, different strokes
Even in the most advanced societies, there are always the reminders of the double standards that prevail. They occur through private arrangements, which eventually see the light of day. It leaves the colluding and culpable with red faces, tongues tied, and feet tangled, as they run, in vain, for cover through silence or some excuse that were better left unsaid, so utterly foolish they sound and look.
Three examples from the Big Apple should illustrate how big officials go out of their way to make things happen for bigger people. They tell the stories of rich and poor, powerful and powerless, and those who know how to work the system to their advantage. Money and the reach that it facilitates are at the heart of the different strokes that are meted out to different folks.
There are tawdry histories of now departed financier, Jeffrey Epstein, which calls for a book by itself to tell the story of his predations involving minors, and the favors granted to the man by collaborating law enforcement agencies, one after another.
In 2008, a U.S attorney met with the predator’s counsel in a hotel room to discuss a plea deal. Believe it. He got early release and immunity from federal sex trafficking charges. Believe those, too. That was in Florida. In New York, the NYPD did not enforce at any time in eight years the court imposed 90-day check-ins that were part of the sentencing of this serial sexual predator (Source: New York Post editorial dated July 17).
His hastened death raises suspicions. Different folks, different strokes.
In New York City, a parking space is the equivalent of an oil well: scarce, but treasured. Former hedge fund headman, Noah Gottesman, took matters into his own hands and extended his personal driveway. He proceeded to carve out his own reserved area in a West Village sidewalk on Jane and Washington Streets; he did this without the permission of the Department of Buildings, since 2011, and is only now being held to account.
Should a regular citizen attempt to lean a bicycle on a lamppost in one of five boroughs, either the same NYPD or traffic wardens come out in force to hassle, charge and intimidate into compliance with NYC laws.
Over here, residents and pedestrians in Georgetown have to endanger themselves by walking before moving vehicular traffic, because well-moneyed and well-connected people have taken over what used to be pavements and spaces used by the public. It is now the norm around the town.
The poor and regular people feel the squeeze when they so much as sneeze. It is not the same standard for the big shots and heavy hitters, who pay their way to get their way. Same story, whether over there or here.
Then, there was a matter involving an NYPD lieutenant’s teenage son, who threatened to kill another child, and then proceeded to slash his head; this occurred after the alleged perpetrator sent a picture of himself with a bullet in his teeth to the intended victim.
The result should not surprise and may even be expected: no charges filed. This confirms that police departments go to great, perhaps illegal lengths, to cover for their own.
In Guyana, there were recent reports of daughters and police connections. The first involved a vehicular accident that resulted in death. The ensuing press coverage and claims of relatives point to a standard applied that was different from that of other drivers faced with similar circumstances.
The second was of an alleged felony by another daughter against a cop. That produced a comedy of errors, which should make a whole nation weep for things police. The long arm of the law deliberately amputated itself at the elbow.
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