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US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has pardoned 15 people including two men convicted of lying to investigators in a probe into the president’s election campaign.
George Papadopoulos, Trump’s 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump’s presidency for nearly two years, was among those pardoned.
He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
Trump’s actions in his final weeks in office show a president who is wielding his executive power to reward loyalists and others who he believes have been wronged by a legal system he sees as biased against him and his allies.
He issued the pardons – not an unusual act for an outgoing president – even as he refused to publicly acknowledge his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who will be sworn in on 20 January.
Also in the group announced last night were four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Thank you, Mr. President!!! This means the world to me and my family!
— George Papadopoulos (@GeorgePapa19) December 23, 2020
Supporters of Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard, the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide, had lobbied for pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence.
All four were serving lengthy prison sentences.
Last month, Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate, Roger Stone, days before he was to report to prison.
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The pressure of exams is not nice. Peer pressure is awful in this country too. If you are poorest in a countryside school that doesn’t have deis status and your parents can’t afford the school “voluntary” contribution who could be literally embarrassed to death for the money by teachers nevermind fellow bullying students.
@abcyz: Wait till you go to work…
Thanks to the lack of education and awarness, our little country is in the stone age when it comes to the myriad of mental health issues. Much like we were for those with special needs back in the 80s. There seems to be an attitude of, unless you have a problem that is physically visable or can be diagnosed, then anything else is your own problem. Addiction is rife in this country, alcohol, drugs both prescription and non, gambling, sex and the list goes on. Depression, anxiety, as well as other more specific mental issues. The reality..Unless you are strong willed or have funds for private help, you have a good chance of ending up in a morgue. This is the sad truth. To those suffering in silence ending up there is NOT the best option. What you are going through will pass, this is certain.
@Jim: Jim you are pretty much talking out of your hat, if may say so.
@Nick Drake: Be a tad more specific Nick. Your comment lacks any sort of counter suggestion.
@Nick Drake: and while you are at it, can you tell me how long the public waiting list is for any individual seeking a mental health professional? Where is their first port of call? You do realise that mental health issues arent cured with a chat and a cup of tea…They require the correct professional, competent in the individuals needs…So lets say i am an alcoholic that also suffers with severe depression. I am working part time….where will i go Nick…the clock is ticking? You my friend are the one talking out of your hat. Where as I see the nett results of this scenario every day.
Very sad ,hard topic,as a father,i can see ,today’s teens,are under awful pressure,from peers,us parents,and society,as a whole,social media most of all
This country needs a kick in the ass when it comes to mental health. Just because you can’t see a physical injury doesn’t mean that the person isn’t suffering. Not been able to understand or talk about how you are feeling is crippling and to have text book people patronising you is so damaging. When you feel so down and alone in the blackness of your mind all you need is for someone to understand what is going on for you, “I know I’ve been there and still struggle every minute of every day ” there are more suicide’s than there are road deaths and yet all the media keep pushing it in your face! For all the families out there that have been affected by suicide don’t feel ashamed or blame yourself it wasn’t you’re fault at all!
@Linda Hughes: good points boy,but I think we’re getting there,albeit,snail slow,wouldn’t/couldn’t discuss this on an open forum like this a few years back
have your say