Dear Editor

Hunter Gets A Second Chance

As expected, Hunter Biden is going to get a second bite of the apple.

Since he willfully thumbed his nose to appear for a Congressional deposition, Congress thought it over and decided to really get tough – give Hunter another chance.

Would anyone else be granted a similar opportunity?

Unlikely. Unless, their daddy is the President of the United States.

Let's face it, Hunter hasn't been a model citizen. His escapades in the drug fueled environments of society's alternate lifestyles – as documented in his own laptop computer (how smart was that?) – illustrated the second son of Joe and Jill Biden has repeatedly been involved in various schemes and scams.

Legal and otherwise.

For several years, the FBI has known about the shenanigans revealed in the laptop but, for whatever reasons, has neglected to pursue the matter.

Unpleasant stuff sometimes happens in families. That's life. However, the leniency of law enforcement towards Hunter's dubious exploits seems out of the ordinary.

Could it be because his dad is a prominent Democrat politician, well connected to Washington's inner circles for nearly 50 years? With Joe being a U.S. Senator, then Vice President, then President would indicate Hunter has probably been exempted from most criminal penalties imposed upon less fortunate suspects involved in similar nefarious activities.

When Hunter is exposed for an alleged crime, his wealthy friends provide the best lawyers money can buy – not an ordinary court appointed defense attorney.

Current federal income tax and firearms violations cases are pending. Previous tax issues were dismissed because of expiration of time mandated by the statute of limitations.

In other words, due to the government's bumbling to bring charges within the required period, Hunter avoided tax payment on millions of dollars of earned income.

Not many can brag they've accomplished this trick. Then again, not many in Washington are directly related to #46.

All of this nonsense could be better tolerated – even somewhat excused -- by the public if it wasn't so obviously in contrast to the way Joe's Department of Justice is treating former President Donald J. Trump.

Nearly three years after leaving office, and one year before the General Election in 2024, Trump was suddenly slammed with four federal and state indictments, amounting to 91 separate charges. Should he be convicted on all counts, Trump could face over 700 years in prison.

Putting that number into perspective, if Trump had come to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620, and immediately imprisoned for inciting a mutiny, he wouldn't be released until 2320 – 296 years from now.

Then, he'd probably have to register as a "ship offender" for another 150 years.

In the meantime, Congress is still waiting for Hunter to show up for a required hearing to discuss his, and his father's alleged involvement in shady overseas business dealings.

In defiance, instead of appearing for the subpoenaed hearing, Hunter presented his own press conference outside the steps of Congress, complaining how mistreated and disrespected he and his dad had been.

Since those were his feelings, all he had to do was walk back inside the building, pull up a chair and discuss his grievances, answer a few questions, offer explanations, and try to work out an amicable agreement with several members of Congress. A special time and date had been set aside for that very purpose.

Hunter didn't do this.

Consequently, the Congressional House Committee conducting the hearing was faced with three options: 1. Physically bring Hunter in. 2. Cancel the meeting. 3. Reschedule the hearing.

They chose the latter. His second Congressional meeting is scheduled for Feb. 28.

Why it takes over a month to reschedule a hearing with a guy who ignored the first subpoena is a mystery to me? Can't DOJ simply dispatch a few U.S. Marshals or FBI agents to go get Hunter?

Similar to what they did when two of Trump's Republican staff members were arrested at gun point, cuffed, and hauled off for failing to appear at a comparable hearing.

One of the individuals was recently sentenced to four months in prison.

Why should Hunter be treated more kindly? Oh, that's right, he's the Democrat son of the Democrat president. Different strokes for different folks.

What happens if Hunter flips-off Congress again or responds to Congressional inquiries with "I don't know," "I don't recall," or "On the advice of counsel, I decline to answer the question"?

Apparently, a Congressional committee is sitting on shopping carts full of documents, bank statements, records, and witness testimony indicating the Biden's involvement in foreign transactions amounting to tens of millions of dollars.

Alleged RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) violations have been bantered about.

On the surface, it's not a good look. Something definitely appears irregular when the president and his son are having secretive discussions with foreign individuals, using aliases, and being wired substantial sums of money for some unknown purpose.

Making the situation more unbelievable, Joe has repeatedly said he is not involved in his son's business, when the evidence -- to all appearances -- indicates differently.

Also, if Joe loses the election (or, drops out) his term in office ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025. As does his "presidential immunity" from being civilly and criminally prosecuted. At 12:01 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2025 (Washington time), Joe becomes just another regular citizen (with Secret Service protection), subject to the same laws, rules and regulations as anyone else. Supposedly.

Like Trump is presently going through. Except, if Trump wins, the shoe will be on the other foot and old Uncle Joe may have his chance to experience what "pay back" feels like.

A year from now, the legal loophole could be "Joe's too mentally confused to stand trial," brushing aside the sad reality he probably won't be any more confused then than he is now.

Which is exactly what happened when Joe was reported by Special Counsel Robert Hur as "Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview with him, as a sympathetic, well meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." – NBC News, Feb. 8, 2024.

Sort of an updated version of the "Hillary Defense," when the Director of the FBI excused Hillary from prosecution for destroying thousands of pieces of evidence, saying no prosecutor would bring such a case.

Not totally unexpected – Hillary's a lifelong Democrat.

In Joe's case, the basic excuse is "He's just too old, frail and forgetful to criminally prosecute. He didn't know what he was doing. Let's just go home and pretend none of this ever occurred. Besides, it was a victimless crime. No one really got hurt."

Let me see if I've got this straight -- a Special Counsel has determined Joe's advancing age and deteriorating mental condition are reasons to avoid prosecution, but he's competent enough to remain President of the United States, fly around on Air Force One and run for office again?

Joe's been pulling various questionable stunts since he's been in Washington for half a century, and now we are supposed to accept the explanation because his brain has turned to pudding, we should simply shrug off these past infractions as if they never happened?

Humm. . . Undoubtedly, I'm missing an important piece of the puzzle. Or, as usual, being intentionally lied to. Again.

Regardless of the DOJ's continued lingering in resolving Hunter's and Joe's suspicious activities, the longer it takes to sort out this sordid mess the fishier it smells.

Most importantly, if we are to maintain the perception of "Equal justice under law," then the "Rules for thee, but not for me" attitude immediately needs to be corrected by an unbiased Department of Justice, enforced by a fair and impartial judiciary.

A two- or three-tiered legal system, depending upon who is involved and their social and political standing in society, will ultimately destroy any semblance of honesty and integrity still remaining in our government and courts.

We are seeing the initial stages of this legalistic corruption evolving in Trump's contorted courtroom dramas, at the same time President Joe Biden is touted as being too old and feeble to stand trial for his alleged misdeeds.

If the influence of one president and his allies can persuade government prosecution of a former president and political opponent, then we are headed down a dangerous and dark path that leads to a very unpleasant place.

Mike Bibb
Safford, AZ

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.