Detroit Mayor Goes To Jail

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been sentenced to jail for taking a trek up to Canada - in violation of the terms of his bond. Kilpatrick and a former (female) top aide are presently charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice. It seems that a sneaky little provision of Kilpatrick's bond held that he would not venture out of the country.

Kilpatrick portrayed himself as a martyred civil servant at his bond-violation hearing. In fact, the mayor was in Canada on official business - attempting "to save the city and close a $300 million deficit facing the city." Placing himself in legal peril for the benefit of his city could be construed as a noble sacrifice. Of course, resigning in favor of a person able to both govern and abide by the law would also seem a potential option. No doubt, Kilpatrick questions the ability of any other man to lead with his effectiveness. Humility does not seem to have taken verdant bloom within the good mayor.

Nonetheless, the judge was underwhelmed by Kilpatrick's pleas and sentenced him to jail. It is now for the citizens of Detroit to evaluate their leader and act appropriately. The residents of Washington, D.C. were once given such an opportunity, when Mayor Barry was found to have exaggerated in stating that he was no longer a crack fiend. The good folks of D.C. failed that particular test, electing their erstwhile mayor to another term. I wish the Detroitians better discretion in their conclusions.