It's not necessary to read Eugene Kane's column, "McGee bail is game of bait and switch."
Why bother?
Did you think he would argue that the jailed Ald. Michael McGee Jr. should be denied release on bail and remain behind bars?
Can you imagine race-baiter Kane applauding the fact that McGee's wardrobe now consists of an orange jumpsuit?
Can you picture Kane supporting U.S. District Judge Rudolph T. Randa's decision that it's best for the community in the long run to not unleash McGee at this time?
Did you actually think that Kane would speak out about McGee "attempting to intimidate witnesses and sway testimony" from his jail cell?
Really, if you know Kane's writings, there's no need to read his Thursday column. You already know exactly what he'll say.
He writes:
[U.S. District Judge Rudolph T.] Randa ordered McGee to remain behind bars until his federal trial is over, which could be months or even a year from now.
It seems the state and federal authorities in charge of setting McGee's bail have played a confounding game of bait and switch that has his supporters wondering if the justice system can pretty much pick and choose which procedure to follow depending on the defendant's reputation.
Apparently, McGee's tendency to flout the rules of the court even behind bars convinced Randa he wouldn't follow instructions not to contact possible witnesses. The end result - McGee behind bars for the foreseeable future - served as stunning confirmation for McGee supporters that when some people talk about "justice," what they mean is "just us."
I have previously suggested the feds must view McGee as Milwaukee's own Tony Soprano. But when the federal government prosecuted local crime boss Frank Balistrieri and his two sons in 1984 on conspiracy and extortion charges, the defendants remained free on bail despite government concerns that they could intimidate witnesses.
Political kingpin Chuck Chvala, the former Senate majority leader who was convicted of felony corruption charges, wasn't imprisoned after being charged with extortion even though prosecutors expressed fears that if he were free he could intimidate witnesses.
At this point, it's not even about guilt or innocence for some McGee observers. Even the hardcore McGee faithful seem willing to accept the fact that he will eventually have to stand trial and face the various allegations against him.
But according to an urgent e-mail message distributed this week, a virtual "Who's Who" of black Milwaukee - including politicians, businessmen, clergy and activists - is dismayed at the latest turn of events that suggest McGee is being treated unlike any other defendant in recent memory.
If the federal authorities are so concerned about losing their case against McGee that they want to stack the deck by keeping him off the streets until trial, that's understandable. But it shouldn't be acceptable.
Making McGee Public Enemy No. 1 in order to keep him behind bars might make lots of people in town happy, but it's not the way America is supposed to work.
What did I tell you?
Kane and other McGee apologists and supporters are wrong if they think lots of Milwaukeeans find pleasure in the thought of McGee staying in jail.
Some sickos may find happiness in that, but I think for most people, they're just glad that justice is being done.
Because that's the way America is supposed to work.
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Read about what's right with the McGee family and gain some new insight on the jailed McGee here and here..
There's actually a responsible and upstanding brother in the family, Justus McGee.
Go back to Kane's column and note this line:
The end result - McGee behind bars for the foreseeable future - served as stunning confirmation for McGee supporters that when some people talk about "justice," what they mean is "just us."
It would be nice if McGee supporters would abandon their allegiance to Michael and talk more about Justus.
Nice, but unlikely.
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