Spitzer's Antithesis

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As almost every patriotic American in the blogosphere knows by now, New York's Governor Eliot Spitzer has backed down from his moronic proposal to give New York State driver's licenses to illegal aliens. At least for now (don't be surprised if the limousine liberal tries to resurrect it again). On this event itself, I have little more to say than that which has already been propounded by the various pundits.

I do, however, call attention to a judicial opinion by Justice Thomas F. Liotti of the Westbury Village Justice Court, to wit, People v. Juana Ventura, 2007 NY Slip Op. 51949(U), 2007 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 6932, N.Y.L.J., 13 November 2007, p. 19, col. 3 (Vill. Just. Ct., Westbury, Nassau Co., 11 October 2007). Though decided a little over a month ago, it only appeared in the New York Law Journal yesterday. The defendant is an absentee landlord accused of renting illegal apartments. Many if not all of the tenants are, in all likelihood, illegal aliens. Justice Liotti granted bail, but set some interesting conditions on the bail, including reporting the matter to Homeland Security and the IRS.

As background information, please note that:

(A) The guys and gals who wear the black robes in New York's various Village Justice Courts are not required to be attorneys, and usually have some sort of other day job in addition to their VJC duties; and

(B) Justice Liotti IS an attorney with a thriving criminal defense practice; who comes from a politically-active family; and who is no stranger to the political process.

People v. Juana Ventura is a detailed read, but worthwhile, and positions Tom Liotti as the antithesis of Eliot Spitzer in his immigration policy.

I know not what Tom Liotti's particular political aspirations may be, but would not be the least bit surprised to see him set his sights on the chair now nominally occupied by Eliot Spitzer.