In my view, innocent until proven guilty is a concept that only applies to legal proceedings. It’s a vital concept to apply to the state to prevent tyranny. But the colloquial standard of proof is much lower, We know he did those things, he’s even admitted it, and those things are crimes. He committed crimes.
And, we can safely say it, and it will have no effect on the legal proceedings, because we’re not part of them. Let’s not muddy the waters, and let’s save “allegedly” in the colloquial context for things for which we have no proof. Otherwise, how do we talk about cases like OJ Simpson? Everybody knows he did it, but the state didn’t meet its burden of proof in court. In the legal sense, he’s not guilty, and in the colloquial sense, he’s guilty, and both of those things can be true at once.
I respect it by accepting the outcome of the legal process, even if I don’t like it, not by tying myself up in conversational knots. I, for one, will continue to say that he committed crimes, because he did. Whether he’s convicted is different matter.
“I already believe he is guilty” is an opinion which does not violate the legal process unless you’re in the juror’s box or otherwise involved in the justice system prosecuting him.
I don’t think so. One is a statement of (perceived) fact. The other the outcome of a process. Committing crimes is what triggers criminal legal proceedings. At least, in a just world. There are too many people convicted by a court of law who did not commit a crime, and I’m not going to call them criminals.
Committing crimes is what triggers criminal legal proceedings.
Being accused of committing a crime is what triggers criminal legal proceedings. Many people commit crimes and get away with it because they have no accusers. Many others are defendants who are accused, but did not actually commit any crime. I’m not saying that Trump didn’t commit crimes (it’s pretty obvious that he did), but I am pointing out that it is the accusation and being formally charged that causes one to be prosecuted. In my mind, it’s an important distinction.
Fair point, and a good elaboration. That dovetails with my thinking, too. If a house gets robbed and there’s no evidence who did it, we still call it a crime, even without a conviction in court. If we accuse somebody of it, that’s a good use of “accused criminal” in the colloquial sense.
I probably should have elaborated further in my first comment. The average Fediverse user seems to be highly reactionary, and I shouldn’t have assumed that people would read deeper into what I was trying to say.
We’ve all seen the evidence. We’ve seen the pictures of classified documents sitting in Mara Lago. We’ve heard the recording of Trump openly admitting that he didn’t declassify them and shouldn’t have them. It’s farcical to pretend he’s not guilty.
Actually very close to the same thing, since Trump has declared his guilt too. Just because he framed it as a good thing to do doesn’t make it any less of a confession.
I never said he wasn’t guilty. I merely pointed out that an accusation is what precedes legal prosecution, regardless of whether or not the accused actually committed a crime. Despite irrefutable evidence of Trump’s crimes existing, it remains important to remember the way the system actually works.
Hmm, I understand the concept, but this should be adjusted:
“Why Donald Trump is Being Prosecuted”
“Because he is accused of committing crimes.”
Remember, folks, innocent until proven guilty.
asdfasdf
Yep, and surprising absolutely no one.
In my view, innocent until proven guilty is a concept that only applies to legal proceedings. It’s a vital concept to apply to the state to prevent tyranny. But the colloquial standard of proof is much lower, We know he did those things, he’s even admitted it, and those things are crimes. He committed crimes.
And, we can safely say it, and it will have no effect on the legal proceedings, because we’re not part of them. Let’s not muddy the waters, and let’s save “allegedly” in the colloquial context for things for which we have no proof. Otherwise, how do we talk about cases like OJ Simpson? Everybody knows he did it, but the state didn’t meet its burden of proof in court. In the legal sense, he’s not guilty, and in the colloquial sense, he’s guilty, and both of those things can be true at once.
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I respect it by accepting the outcome of the legal process, even if I don’t like it, not by tying myself up in conversational knots. I, for one, will continue to say that he committed crimes, because he did. Whether he’s convicted is different matter.
English may be my second language, but isn’t those pretty contradictory?
“I already believe he is guilty” is an opinion which does not violate the legal process unless you’re in the juror’s box or otherwise involved in the justice system prosecuting him.
I don’t think so. One is a statement of (perceived) fact. The other the outcome of a process. Committing crimes is what triggers criminal legal proceedings. At least, in a just world. There are too many people convicted by a court of law who did not commit a crime, and I’m not going to call them criminals.
Being accused of committing a crime is what triggers criminal legal proceedings. Many people commit crimes and get away with it because they have no accusers. Many others are defendants who are accused, but did not actually commit any crime. I’m not saying that Trump didn’t commit crimes (it’s pretty obvious that he did), but I am pointing out that it is the accusation and being formally charged that causes one to be prosecuted. In my mind, it’s an important distinction.
Fair point, and a good elaboration. That dovetails with my thinking, too. If a house gets robbed and there’s no evidence who did it, we still call it a crime, even without a conviction in court. If we accuse somebody of it, that’s a good use of “accused criminal” in the colloquial sense.
I probably should have elaborated further in my first comment. The average Fediverse user seems to be highly reactionary, and I shouldn’t have assumed that people would read deeper into what I was trying to say.
Trump himself was all too happy to let accusations fly about Hunter Biden although nothing is proven guilty there.
We’ve all seen the evidence. We’ve seen the pictures of classified documents sitting in Mara Lago. We’ve heard the recording of Trump openly admitting that he didn’t declassify them and shouldn’t have them. It’s farcical to pretend he’s not guilty.
“Yes that’s me in that video murdering those people, and I’ll do it again!”
Hey guys, we gotta presume innocence!
Your joke suggests a different situation where the accused is declaring their guilt. Not exactly the same thing.
Actually very close to the same thing, since Trump has declared his guilt too. Just because he framed it as a good thing to do doesn’t make it any less of a confession.
I never said he wasn’t guilty. I merely pointed out that an accusation is what precedes legal prosecution, regardless of whether or not the accused actually committed a crime. Despite irrefutable evidence of Trump’s crimes existing, it remains important to remember the way the system actually works.
He has admitted to crimes himself on video countless times.
We’re not on the jury. We can say what’s obvious.