Elliot Spitzer, casualty of the war on terror

A friend of mine recently wrote this intending on submitting it to his local paper, but due to the length, was unable. After reading it, I decided that it was important that it see the light of day.

16 March 2008--Austin, Texas.

Elliot Spitzer, New York Governor, has resigned effective Monday March 17, recently being exposed for visiting a prostitute. A man elected by an overwhelming majority of constituents. A man who previously held the high profile position of State Attorney General where he made a reputation for fighting for living citizens over corporate citizens. This man was trusted by many to make important and fair judgments for the public good, and performed time and time again. A distinguished career wiped out by a poor personal decision; an indiscretion made by many in all classes and walks of life. Does this punishment fit the crime? Will citizens of New York and the country be better or worse for this resignation?

More importantly, who will benefit most from Spitzer's absence from public life? And why was he found out in the first place? These questions may have been mentioned by "mainstream" (read corporate) media but never received any traction since the tabloid type stories are much less controversial to corporate citizens and focus all the attention on Spitzer and his poor judgment.

It has been reported Spitzer raised red flags in a computer program that analyzes all bank transactions that occur in the United States to identify terrorist financing and money laundering. A program that looks at all bank transactions you and I make as well. This set into action an investigation by Federal investigators to figure out the destination of the suspicious funds. When it was determined that the money had gone to a prostitution ring this information was acted upon and Spitzer was ruined.

This is a perfect example of why the government should not be granted special powers to investigate Americans in the name of Terror. Without excusing the actions of the Ex-Governor of New York, it is quite obvious he has become a casualty of the War on Terror. When it was obvious that the flagged transaction was not supporting terrorists why was the investigation pursued? Why have none of the other "Johns" names been disclosed?

I suggest that there is much more to this case than is being publicly reported. This very well could have been a witch-hunt made possible by legislation intended to execute the "War on Terror". If this is the case, this legislation needs to be reexamined for usefulness in achieving its intended goals. If it can pick up is a man trying to hide his visit to a prostitute, and ruin him, maybe it can see too deep into our personal lives. If this is how the legislation is to be used it certainly needs to be repealed.

The Constitution protects us from illegal search. No law was broken with the funds transfers yet this “suspicious” activity began the humiliating chain of events.

The Bush justice department has investigated Democratic to Republican politicians 6 to 1. There is no evidence that they are more or less corrupt than the other side. Is this politically motivated? You bet! These types of personal matters with little to no bearing on public policy scream of last ditch efforts to oust a better opponent. Who will be next?

-Brad T.