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[None]

"Texas pardons a guy for reasons. Let's talk about the reasons."
"Anyone can be pardoned."

Great. We're not talking about the reasons with the statement 'anyone can be pardoned'. Yes, the logic is correct that anyone can be pardoned, but detracts from the conversation being had.

So what's your point that anyone can be pardoned?

[Frumple]

Though it's not actually true anyone can be pardoned? For what it's worth. The things have to be requested and/or accepted, and even in Texas there's a process involved beyond the governor.

That's a technical note when the substantive thing going here is a state governor indicating they'll pardon someone for the outright murder of political opposition, though.

[EuchreJack]

My point is that many pardons are for fairly shitty reasons, so I don't see much use analyzing this particular shitty reason, since they're often for fairly shitty reasons.
Or, "hey let's not look at this in a vacuum, like it's the only time this has ever happened", unless you want to, I dunno, bring in actual facts that it is.

It's also hypothetical:
The defendant hasn't even been sentenced yet!
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/08/1168830220/texas-governor-abbott-pardon-army-sergeant
It also requires a referral that could be denied, and probably a waiver of appellate remedies. This Governor might not even be in office when the case gets through the Criminal Court system, depending on what path the defendant chooses.

[Frumple]

I mean, I can't remember the last time a governor said they wanted to pardon someone of the outright murder of a political protestor?

This particular shitty reason is actually kinda' remarkably shitty even among shitty reasons.

[None]

My point is that many pardons are for fairly shitty reasons, so I don't see much use analyzing this particular shitty reason, since they're often for fairly shitty reasons.
Or, "hey let's not look at this in a vacuum, like it's the only time this has ever happened", unless you want to, I dunno, bring in actual facts that it is.

It's also hypothetical:
The defendant hasn't even been sentenced yet!
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/08/1168830220/texas-governor-abbott-pardon-army-sergeant
It also requires a referral that could be denied, and probably a waiver of appellate remedies. This Governor might not even be in office when the case gets through the Criminal Court system, depending on what path the defendant chooses.

So it's a hypothetical future promise that relies on the accused's (or the public reading about it's) ignorance about the pardoning process for a could-be conviction that hasn't been given yet, and the crime is murder that may be politically motivated.

Stepping away from whether or not the accused is convicted, what is the messaging that Abbott is giving here about potentially politically-motivated crime? Why is Abbott making this promise regardless of whether or not he can fulfill it? How might this affect the court proceedings?

[hector13]

Nah the dude has already been convicted, he’s not been sentenced yet. Possible range of 5 years to life in prison.

Abbott does want the body that processes potential pardons to expedite this case though, despite the ink still being wet on the guilty verdict.

[None]

Oh, sorry, thanks for the factual corrections; I'm a little behind on the event. More reason to talk about it, eh.

[hector13]

T’be fair the only reason I know about it was because it was a BBC article. Looked into it a bit more just to be sure of the reported facts before posting here.

[nenjin]

Fox settled with Dominion for $787 million, right before opening statements.

Hurray for American "Justice."

[hector13]

It sets a standard for the other lawsuits with the other right-wing nutjob networks, and the right-wing nutjob individuals they’re also suing.

[nenjin]

Meanwhile, the donations from fools who can't afford to do so keep rolling in......

[Lord Shonus]

That represents close to half the yearly profit for the entire Fox Corporation (as in everything - their broadcast stations, their sports networks, etc - not just Fox News), and nearly a tenth of the company's publicly-declared financial assets. It is far from a slap on the wrist, and is completely impossible to appeal because any attempt to get out of it would break the settlement and head things straight to trial. This is also essentially a confession in any derivative lawsuit against FOX from other parties, virtually guaranteeing that any such derivative suit will succeed. At least one such suit is already in progress, and there's clear grounds for an uncertain but significant number more. Fox will survive this, but it is a body blow, not a flesh wound.

[EuchreJack]

Fellow Americans, get your FREE money!_{if you had a Facebook account}
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/20/1170987739/facebook-settlement-lawsuit-privacy

[nenjin]

SC protects access to the Abortion drug that Texas tried to ban, 5 to 2. Alito and Thomas dissenting.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/21/politics/supreme-court-abortion-pill-mifepristone/index.html

Safe. For now.

[EuchreJack]

That represents close to half the yearly profit for the entire Fox Corporation (as in everything - their broadcast stations, their sports networks, etc - not just Fox News), and nearly a tenth of the company's publicly-declared financial assets. It is far from a slap on the wrist, and is completely impossible to appeal because any attempt to get out of it would break the settlement and head things straight to trial.

I dunno about the value versus profits, but yeah it's binding.  Unless Fox declares bankruptcy, which might be its strategy.

This is also essentially a confession in any derivative lawsuit against FOX from other parties, virtually guaranteeing that any such derivative suit will succeed. At least one such suit is already in progress, and there's clear grounds for an uncertain but significant number more. Fox will survive this, but it is a body blow, not a flesh wound.

No, it's not a confession. But they've shown weakness and an ability to settle, so everyone else is gonna expect a similar payout.

My guess is that Fox is gonna settle out everything, then declare bankruptcy (reorganization).