[Vision2020] Sunil and His Defense of Terrorists and ConvictedChild Molesters

[Sunil Ramalingam]

Tom,

It is true that I defend convicted child molesters at sentencing hearings 
that occur after a client has been convicted by a jury (or a judge in 
juvenile cases) at the sentencing hearing and in subsequent legal 
proceedings, or at a post-conviction hearing filed by a client who is 
usually in prison.  If a convicted child molester is charged with a new 
crime, then I may defend that person.  As a public defender I don't judge my 
clients; there is no shortage of people ready to do this (regardless of how 
much or how little information they have about the crime or the criminal) 
and it's not my place or job to do so.  I try to represent them to the best 
of my ability, and I don't apologize for this.

I have never represented a convicted terrorist as a lawyer, though I would 
were I to be appointed to do so or if I were retained to do so.  I did 
represent a witness in Sami al Hussein's case, and am happy I was able to 
offer him assistance.  Perhaps Donovan would like to insult me for doing so.

As one who believes our judicial system has underlying principles, I believe 
that all people who are held have the right to due process and a fair and 
proper hearing.  I do not believe that we have the right to imprison people, 
no matter what we label them, forever, or to try them in kangaroo courts.  
This is a defense of legal principle and human rights.  I consider it a 
defense of our country, and the notion that we have enduring principles 
These are beliefs that Donovan neither shares nor supports.  He is a fan of 
expedience.

Though Donovan does not support the Iraq war, he appears to find the Bush 
Administration infallible once they arrest or confine a Muslim.  At that 
point he believes it is appropriate to hold that person indefinately.  I 
find this position shameful and disgusting, and Donovan finds me repugnant 
because of this, I am willing to live with the loss of his approval.

It is interesting to note the subject line of Donovan's most recent post.  
He has claimed he only attacks those who attack him.  Most recently he 
incorrectly made fun of Keely's spelling; I asked him if he wanted the same 
done to him.  Since we all post all too quickly, we all make spelling 
errors, and few of us would really want to have our own posts criticized for 
our typos.  This is the point I was making.

Donovan, in the thoughtful and Christian response we have all learned so 
well, responds by attacking my character in a way that has the smallest germ 
of truth but is intended to be a slur.  I have written him offline and 
pointed out that hatred of Middle Easterners has often resulted in racial 
slurs and threats being directed towards me; I have told him that I consider 
his calling me a defender of terrorists could actually be harmful to me.  
You see the effect (or is it 'affect' Donovan?) my request has had on him.

Of course, this is the man, or aging adolescent, who has suggested it would 
benefit the gene pool if children were to die playing in construction sites 
that should be off-limits if their parents fail to provide proper 
supervision, so I would be foolish to expect better of him.

Sunil


>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: "'Donovan Arnold'" <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com>,        "'Sunil 
>Ramalingam'" <sunilramalingam at hotmail.com>,        <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Sunil and His Defense of Terrorists and 
>ConvictedChild Molesters
>Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 07:05:37 -0700
>
>Arnold -
>
>
>
>Your statement, here on a public listserve, that Sunil Ramalingam defends
>convicted child molesters and convicted terrorists, reflects upon your lack
>of maturity and sense of decency, and in virtually all litigious circles
>maybe considered libelous.
>
>
>
>Name ONE convicted child molester which Sunil has defended!
>
>
>
>Name ONE convicted terrorist which Sunil has defended!
>
>
>
>Failing either of these requests, you owe Sunil a VERY meaningful and VERY
>public apology.
>
>
>
>Tom Hansen
>
>Vandalville, Idaho
>