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Readers have mixed reactions to Doyle sentencing
We asked:
Do you agree with the sentence for former state Rep.
Dan Doyle? Click here to read the story. Should he
have gotten a shorter or longer jail sentence? Why?
What is the impact of his crimes on the public?
You said: Comments appear here as they were submitted
to the Statesman Journal. They are listed in the order
in which they came with the most recent at the top.
Some comments without authors' names have been
omitted.
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051022/STATE/51022001/1042
How can you people say that this sentencing was unjust? 10 months in prison and an
incredible fine from the secretary of state is rediculous! Dan is a good man. He was
genuine in all that he said in his apology. I feel sorry for him and his family who
have had to endure this pain month after month. The Doyle family is an example of
true love and faith in God. It is ignorant to say that his life is over. Some of you
people are crazy!
Doyle family friend, 42, Manager, Salem
I wish ya‘ll would stop whining and making generalizations about politicians and our
government. We, the people, are the government. If you want to improve the system
then get involved and do something constructive about it. Run for office yourself.
See if you can make a positive difference. Our elected officials are imperfect people
~ like you and me. I’m thankful that there are those among us willing to serve. Our
form of government is still the best in the world. I also think that the temptation,
once elected, is to think you’re more than you are. And to forget that you are to
serve the public and not yourself. I think what has happened to Dan Doyle is terribly
sad, but he brought it on himself. I do find it incredulous that he gets sentenced to
jail while our rapist ex-gov gets off scott-free. And, finally, to those who think
all republicans are rich and uncaring about the working class ~ give it a rest. The
ones I know are hard-working people. They're the ones who most often come up with an
idea for a business, work 16+ hours a day at it, 7 days a week, make less than
minimum wage while doing it ~ if that ~ to get it started, and when they finally
start to make a profit ~ are expected to give it to those who are sitting on their
lazy butts with their hands out.
Dama Curtright, 48, self-employed, Turner
Many of those who have repeatedly burgled homes, destroyed private property, sold
drugs, and assaulted people are given a slap on the wrist and sent on their way,
while someone prominent like Dan Doyle is treated more harshly by our court system
and the Media. He lied about his finances. He made a serious error of judgment and
will have to bear the responsibility for that, and his family will suffer from it.
But it is a victimless crime: no one was physically injured or traumatized; no one's
house or property was broken into or damaged; he wasn't involved with selling drugs
to school kids. I know there are those who will say that we must make an example of
him because of his position of trust. Compared to how real criminals are treated
every day in the same courts, I cannot help but believe that his sentence is neither
fair nor just. I believe that the anguish he must feel about what has happened is
punishment enough. Does anyone think that he would ever do something like this again?
I believe that probation would have been an appropriate sentence.
Don Snowdon, 66, Retired, Salem
I think his punishment was too severe, and that people and the press are just piling
on, largely because he's a Republican. I think a lot of other politicians have done
much worse and receive no punishment. The administration is mostly Democratic and
they like to vilify Republicans on the least opportunity. I'm sorry for Mr. Doyle;
he's losing everything for a relatively petty crime. So many murderers and thugs get
light sentences; this man hasn't hit anybody or hurt anybody and his whole life is
ruined.
Elizabeth, 70+, retired, McMinnville
I agree with Rodney when he says this with Doyle is just a drop in the bucket. Our
Country is run by thieves and the States are run by people who lie, cheat and flat
out rob us without a gun in raising taxes or finding new way to think up new taxes.
If you look at the amount of money the State takes in but it is never enough. As far
as his lawyer saying it is hard for a family to live on the amount listed why does he
not look at the rest of us that live on that amount or less. There is so much
coruption in the Government today clear from the White house to the State Capitals.
The State complains if someone is on welfare but they make these young girls pay for
day care, and everything goes up but the wages don't. Then when the minimum wage does
go up the business owners cry and so does the big shots that don't want people to
earn a decent living. Look at the money that the ones who run the State make and the
head of all of the State offices. Who needs over $100.000.00 a year to live on and
then expect the people to live on one hell of a lot less. When someone wins the
lottery look how much they actually take home after taxes. If you win a law suit they
State takes a big part of it on certain types of cases. What happens to all of the
money they take in from traffic fines, marriage license, DUI fines, fines from all
the drugs, fees for being on probation and only God knows the other money the State
takes in but ask them and they will say they don't have money for things. Look at all
the money the State got from the cigarette companies. I thought it was to go to help
people to quit smoking but try and get help and they say there is no money to help
the people. I have said over and over and I am saying again they need to audit all of
the different agencies that run the State and have an accounting of where the money
goes. The Legislatures sit in session and don't get anything done as they are
fighting over who is going to get what stupid law passed like the speed zone in
school zones. Look at measure 11 and how much it is costing the State of Oregon to
lock these peopel up for the required months and yet they let the sex offenders roam
free. Some of them go to prison or jail but only after they have been picked up many
times and have ruined a lot of childrens lives. If anyone of us had of done what
Doyle did we would of got a lot longer sentence than 10 months and it would of been
embezelment. The lady who worked for the sheriff office in Monmouth got it for
embezelment not long ago and a lady named Judy stole a bunch of money from the Marion
county sheriffs office but they called it embezelment and she stole a lot less than
Dan Doyle. I guess it pays to be a big shot and have the trust of the people and then
it is campaigne fraud but if someone else takes money it is embezelment. Like the old
saying goes it is now who you know but who you B_O-. I guess by the ones who run for
office think they are for the people and work for the people so what they do is their
own business and what the people don't know will not hurt them. All of the Government
all the way from the President down to the Governors and to the ones heading the
State offices and the ones who make the laws need to be replaced by people who care
about the Country and not their own pocket and filling them. Have you ever tried to
call a State office and talk to the one that is in charge. They are away from the
office or they are on vacation or they are someplace but they make thousands of
dollars while we the people are expected to live on minimum wages or even less. Look
at the complaining that is being done about the PERS that the State workers took pay
freezes to be able to have a decent retirement. Now it is being changed and the
people are losing and it is not fair. They are not over paid and they do the work
while the head of the agencies are OVER PAID AND THEY DO NOT DO THE WORK. If you ask
someone to help you they will tell you it is not in their job description or they are
of a differnt class and can not work out of class. Our whole Government needs to be
impeached and get some honest workers in there and I bet the budget would be managed
and not in the hole all the time. Put people who know how to budget into the offices
and things would change. It takes money to get elected and then they lie to get into
the office and they ROB US BLIND AND DON'T EVEN USE A GUN. THEY CALL IT TAXES but if
you go back to when taxes were put in they were a one time thing and then the crooks
who run the country saw it as a way to make big bucks and pay big bucks for the
elected officials and to hell with the ones who do the work. I say Doyle should of
got 90 months and should of been sentenced under MEASURE 11. What do they say you do
the crime you do the time. Now his lawyer said it is hard to live on what he got from
the Legislature pay. Nobody said he had to work on the Legislature and I know most of
Salem lives on a lot less. There are no jobs and if the people are lucky enough to
have a job and if it is minimum wage there is not enough to live on after taxes. What
if everyone who works with money borrowed money like Doyle did? How much time would
they get? I bet it would be a lot more than 10 months. They could use the excuse they
couldn't live on what they were paid and maybe the lawyer could say the same thing
but then we would have to have a court appointed attorney who can't get clients on
their own so have to sit in the court room and run up when the Judge appoints them to
represent some one. There is not Lady Justice as they call it except for the rich.
Mary, sick of thieves, disabled, Lake Isabella
The sentence that Dan Doyle received is ridiculously short, considering he had the
potential of serving 55 years in jail had the maximum judgement been rendered. I must
admit, after a prior dealing with Mr. Doyle, that my view may be biased. He is
certainly less than an honest individual.
Dennis, 61, Administrator, Salem
Admitting to lying is skirting responsibility for the real crime, in my opinion. I
would have preferred to hear Doyle apologize for stealing political donations,
fraudulent use of funds, cronyism (rampant, but not a crime) and dragging his feet on
being honest - which further costs taxpayers to try him. Having been debarred is a
pretty stiff penalty, perhaps hurting him more than jail time. It would've been nice
to see community service time and compulsory counseling in personal finance added to
the sentence.
tim buckley, 56, writer, salem
That's just it, Scott Cantonwine, the "laundering" as you put it, is NOT "clearly" in
violation of the law. Just ask Derrick Kitts. So, he's basically getting sent to jail
for lying. Not something I condone, but if we put everyone who lies in jail, then
where are you going to put those guilty of violent crimes? If voters are too stupid
to get off their apathetic butts and fix the law so that it is clear, then they
should quit whining.
Louie, 34, student, Salem
First, I have to say that I don't understand why the theft of the funds from his
Campaign Fund is not considered theft or embezzlement but instead the only crime is
"False Reporting". Second, I find it riduculous that only after convicted Mr. Doyle
claims full responsibility and somehow that mitigates his sentence. Why didn't he
come forward in 2004 or in 2005 or at any time before his conviction to "accept"
responsibility? Finally, I think his sentence is far too short and his fine is less
than he embezzeled from the fund. What kind of justice is that? I am not surprised,
however, because the people who wrote the laws concerning finance funds
misappropriation are those who are most likely to be affected by the laws and big
surprise there is no "teeth" in the law. If you rob a bank are you charged with
failure to fill out a withdrawal slip and sentenced to a few months in Jail? If the
criminals and bank robbers wrote the laws concerning the punishment we might see
similar situations in the justice system but we don't allow that for good reason. So
why do we sit back and let lawmakers write laws with such light penalties for thier
actions? It is a sad situation when those we trust to represent the public interest
turn out to be the crooks. Did Rep Doyle get what he deserved...not by a longshot. He
deserved significant jail time, a fine at least larger than the amount he embezzled,
and he should be held up as a example of a disgraceful public figure.
William Ballard, 56, Accountant, Silverton
I am so glad he was sentenced to jail...I just wish it was for a longer term. Dan
Dolye is a theif and a liar, and being a state representative just makes is all the
worse. I had a run in with Mr. Doyle a few years ago and am thrilled to he is going
"away."
Debbie, 38, Education, Jefferson
I agree that Doyle should serve some time for his deception of the public he pledged
to serve. However, I am more concerned about his attorney's comments "As for Doyle's
$1,248-a-month legislative salary, "everyone knows you can't live on that, let alone
support a family." $1248/per month is roughly equivalent to what a full time minimum
wage worker earns - and these full time workers must somehow survive without the
wonderful state benefits package that the Doyle family enjoyed. As a side note -
Doyle repeatly supported efforts to lower the minimum wage for working families. To
further drive home the point - Legislators are only expected to work full time during
the session for which they recieve a daily per diem that greatly enhances their
income during that time to about $4000-$5000 monthly - more than most working
families earn. If Doyle could not support his family on a legislator's salary - there
was a simple and legal alternative - resign and return to his law practice. Or - he
could have taken a stand to raise wages for all workers. Instead he chose to steal.
Debbie, 31, Manager, Salem
I agree with mevin, that Doyle should have recieved a stiffer sentence. However, that
will never happen with the rampant cronyism evident in Salem. in addition, party
affiliation does not matter - the system is corrupt across party lines.
Mike, Old, Engineer, Donald
Mr. Doyle's money laundering actions are clearly in violation of the law, but I
believe his punishment is misguided. In a time where property thieves and
drug-related offenders are released into society (where recidivism rates are high),
wasting a jail bed on a small-time money laundering case is misrepresentative of how
the criminal justice system ought to serve society. I believe that a sentence of
restitution, probation, and a court-ordered financial counseling program would not
only spare jail space for a more egregious offender, but also better serve Mr. Doyle
in the long term, giving him an opportunity to truly rehabilitate from his crime.
Scott Cantonwine, Senior/18, Student/Blanchet HS, Salem
he's a nice guy, we should give him some money when he gets out of jail
alice C, 4th, Highland, Salem
Rodney and John, It's amazing what you will condone as long as it is a conservative
doing it. Complaining that greedy, amoral Republicans are vilified and persecuted
seems ironic when it is the poor and middle class that are being screwed. When it
comes to sentencing for wrong doing, it pays to belong to the same country club as
the judge.
james ciaramitaro, 59, training specialist, Salem
Dan Doyle was convicted for a series of FELONY crimes, but, he was sentenced as a
MISDEAMEANOR offender. Convicted felons should go to the State Penitentiary for one
year or more to have a true FELONY sentence by statute. In my opinion, he should have
gone to the "Big House" for the 15 months that the Attorney General recommended.
Mevin, 68, Retired, Stayton
He got off real easy if you ask me. A whole lot better than he deserved. And his
apology was nothing more than lip service. Just like the the apologies issued by
murderers and rapists. Oh yea, he needs to forfeit his PERS account too!!!!
Steve, Retired, Retired, Salem
Boss Hog and Hazzard County is more real than we want to admit. It is sickening to
see how often and to what extent legislators and/or politicians (and even the police
department) "take care of their own". But there is more to life than worrying about
it--a lot of people would do the same in their position.
Steve Mucha, 47, Vice President Food Servi, Avalon,CA
Welp, he took money from those penny pinching, political conservatives don't really
care about public welfare, don't really want to help educate our kids. So, ol' Dan
got some kind of jail time, but the people he received money from, they are still
there ready to contribute more money to conservative polititians than people who
really should get the help. Putting Mr. Doyle in jail solves nothing in the final
analysis
John, 58, Paralegal, Salem
Doyle broke the law and did so with full knowledge of what he was doing. He is one in
a line of elected Republicans, starting at the top, who feel they are above the law.
One of those Republicans led us to an unnecessary war, killing thousands and
bankrupting our nation. Doyle is just part of the pack. I don't feel sorry for him or
his wife (who is also accused of doing similar deeds.)
Jackie Main, 62, retired, Salem
WOW thirty days and a fine...Well I do not think it is fair because if it was a lay
person it would of been prision time and still a fine. I think Mr. Doyle has shown
all along that he had problems and stealing money and trying to cover it up should of
showed his intent. Shame shame he got off so light..
Darlene, 59, retired, Siletz
Rod Stubbs comment pretty much says it all and I agree!
Judy Elmer, 60, Clerical, Keizer
If, this is the standard amount of time then this is what he should get. If, the
standard amount of time is longer than this; then shame on the court system.
Tim, 44, Coordinator, Salem
he should be locked up at the greybar hilton and the thrown away
don novotny, 68, retired, salem
Doyle is just a drop in the bucket compared to the real corruption occurring in
Oregon government from the Oregon Supreme Court and Governor to Agencies and first
and second tier managers. Doyle's sentence is the loss of his and his family’s means
of livelihood as a practitioner of law.. Doyle's sentence is watching his children
who must have been proud of their father whither away in disgrace. Doyle's sentence
is there is no place to turn except to God. I pray for Dan and his family. Jail time
just gives the media something to crow about wherever he should surface in the
future. What is the impact on the public? The loss of one of a handful of people
willing to look after the people's interest and keep the tax collectors at bay. His
understanding of the Oregon budget system and his ability to stop the corruption in
Oregon government is immeasurable in "this get along go along collaborative scam and
its stakeholders." That is the public's greatest loss. Doyle is one in a long line of
conservatives who have been vilified, criminalized, or murdered for interfering with
Oregon's corrupt politics. So the question is whose next? Karen Minnis? Or should we
begin to unravel the PERS scam and go after the legislators who passed the law and
then go to work for the Governor and set themselves up for lifetime retirement
costing Oregon taxpayers more than a million dollars each to pay for their “place on
the beach.” Or how about the elimination of competitive bidding and who is lining
their pockets with this windfall of cash. It is time this newspaper go to work on the
real criminals in Oregon politics. Doyle no longer exists.
Rodney R. Stubbs, 64, Land Use Planner; Realtor, Salem
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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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