Federal Judiciary

Stupid is as stupid does

Man I loves me some good ol' fashion public shaming. It is part of the rich history and tradition of American criminal justice, beginning with pillories and stocks. Schadenfreude might be a German word, but it's an American value.

Here's a more 21st century, post-modern approach to humiliation, in a case from Wisconsin:

A judge gives a man a choice: Spend time in jail or hold a sign saying "I was stupid."

Wednesday, he made that choice. He decided he'll hold the sign.

Judge Paul Lenz says over the years, he's handed out 20 or so similar sentences.

"It's something for them to think about," Lenz says. "Even if they don't choose to do it, they have to think about it because they have to think about whether they'll select the option. That means they'll think more about the consequences."

Consequences for cases like Shane McQuillan's. He was found guilty of criminal damage to property after he rammed his car into the closed gate at Eau Claire's Waste Water Treatment Plant in March.

McQuillan told an officer he had been drinking and was quote "just being stupid." Now, the 22 year old will hold a sign telling everyone "I was stupid".

First of all, too bad this guy wasn't from Sheboygan, right Seth?

The reporter attempted to contact Mr. McQuillan for comment on this story, and shockingly, he declined to comment. I guess he's giving the "being smart" approach a try.

And why don't we make those f#^*tards at Lehman Brothers, and AIG make a similar display outside the NYSE?

Full post as published by Supreme Dicta on October 10, 2008 (boomark / email).