QandO

July 20, 2004

"Grossly Unfair"
Posted by Dale Franks

Megan McArdle, otherwise known as Jane Galt, says she doesn't have much to say about the whole Sandy Berger Deal. But, she says it well.

But perhaps we should not be so sceptical. I recall that someone, who shall remain nameless, was unfairly subject to a similar investigation while we were in high school. This person had, entirely inadvertently, stuffed some things into their trousers while browsing in their local supermarket. Unfortunately, they forgot to take them out again to pay, resulting in the sort of grossly unfair investigation that Mr Berger is now suffering, although in their case it was conducted by a bystander who turned out to be an agent of the NYPD. The story was then "maliciously leaked" to our hapless victim's parents, resulting in much embarassment as they attempted to explain how they had 'forgotten about" a pack of bologna, two one liter bottles of soda, one jar of Vlasic Extra Large Dill Sandwich Pickles, and a can of whipped cream. The years have not dimmed the fallout from this malicious smear, perpetrated by a store owner who was no doubt a member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. As this stories develop, we need to keep in mind that many Americans use their underwear to store things when they have too much to carry. Innocent until proven guilty ain't just a river in Egypt.

Once, as a young child, I was at a grocery store with my grandmother when I inadvertently swallowed several grapes in the produce section. My grandmother's response, upon discovering me in the act of this entirely understandable error, was similarly unpleasant.

Grossly unfair.

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