DeLay case demonstrates loose justice

Newsday says that former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) "faces up to 99 years in prison ... and should be punished accordingly" ["Let sun shine on campaign donations," Editorial, Dec. 7].

Unfortunately, he could also could get zero years, if he's foolishly awarded probation. It's insanity for a given crime to be subject to such widely disparate sentences. The crime he committed was either relatively unimportant or heinous; options for it should be minor or severe - not both. For a nation of laws, we sure have some lousy laws.

Our U.S. Supreme Court building says "Equal Justice Under Law" above its entrance, but how equal would probation for DeLay be if someone else might get 99 years for the same crime?

These sentencing variations make as much sense as allowing cars on the Long Island Expressway to go as fast or slow as any individual driver felt like traveling.

Richard Siegelman

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