You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

2009-01-17 | Filed under Politics |

Embattled* Governor Blagojevich’s lawyers have quit in protest, referring to the “lynching” of their client. Throwing this word around has been a pet peeve of mine since the Clarence “doesn’t know the meaning of high-tech either” Thomas hearings.

Lynch, per Merriam-Webster: “to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction”

The Governor’s life is not in jeopardy. That’s first and foremost. Much as we might fantasize about executing corrupt politicians, that’s not where impeachment trials go.

IANAL, nor am I particularly well informed as to the particulars of the impeachment process. It’s possible that something is rotten in Springfield and the proceedings are grossly unfair. But even a kangaroo court is a far cry from a mob. (It may arguably be mebeliworse, if one is forced to choose between a completely corrupt legal system or individual instances of criminal violence. But they’re nowhere near the same thing.)

You can’t be properly lynched if you’re part of the establishment not even if you’re dragging out of bed by a mob and strung up. Lynching happens to the outsider, the oppressed individual or community. I won’t go so far as to say you can’t be lynched in the U.S. unless you’re black…but it’s really tough if you’re not the member of at least one suspect** class.

* A word that is now reserved (as far as I am concerned) for politicians with serious legal and PR problems.
** Or those that clearly should be.