Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2021)
NATION 6A — BAKER CITY HERALD THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 Trump pardons Bannon, but not himself or his children By Jonathan Lemire, Eric Tucker and Jill Colvin Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon in the fi nal hours of his White House term as part of a fl urry of clemency action that benefi ted more than 140 people, in- cluding rap performers, ex-members of Congress and other allies of him and his family. The last-minute clemency, an- nounced after midnight on Wednes- day, follows separate waves of pardons over the past month for Trump as- sociates convicted in the FBI’s Russia investigation as well as for the father of his son-in-law. Taken together, the actions under- score the president’s willingness, all the way through his four years in the White House, to fl ex his constitutional powers in ways that defy convention and explicitly aid his friends and sup- porters. Trump did not pardon himself, despite speculation that he would, in the face of potential federal investi- gations. He had previously asserted that he had the authority to do so. He also did not pardon his children or his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. The fi nal list was full of more con- ventional candidates whose cases had some prison time, the pardon nullifi es the prosecution and effectively elimi- nates any prospect for punishment. Bannon was charged in August with duping thousands of donors who believed their money would be used to fulfi ll Trump’s chief campaign promise to build a wall along the southern border. Instead, he allegedly diverted over a million dollars, paying a salary to one campaign offi cial and personal expenses for himself. His co- defendants were not pardoned. “Steve Bannon is getting a pardon from Trump after defrauding Trump’s own supporters into paying for a wall that Trump promised Mexico would Drew Angerer/Getty Images-TNS pay for,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., President Donald Trump turns to reporters as he exits the White said on Twitter. “And if that all sounds House on Jan. 12, 2021. crazy, that’s because it is. Thank God we have only 12 more hours of this been championed by criminal justice administration to drop an investiga- den of thieves.” activists. One man who has spent tion into the looting of a Malaysian Other presidents have issued con- nearly 24 years in prison on drug and wealth fund. Another was Ken troversial pardons before leaving the weapons charges but had shown ex- Kurson, a friend of Trump son-in-law White House. But perhaps no other emplary behavior behind bars had his Jared Kushner who was charged last commander in chief has so enjoyed sentence commuted. So did a former October with cyberstalking during a using the clemency authority to Marine sentenced in 2000 in connec- heated divorce. benefi t not only friends and acquain- tion with a cocaine conviction. Bannon’s pardon was especially no- tances but also celebrity defendants Even so, the names of prominent table given that the prosecution was and those championed by allies. Trump allies nonetheless stood out. still in its early stages and any trial Wednesday’s list includes its share One pardon recipient was Elliott was months away. Whereas pardon of high-profi le defendants. Broidy, a prominent Republican recipients are conventionally thought Among them were rappers Lil fundraiser who pleaded guilty last of as defendants who have faced Wayne and Kodak Black, both fall in a scheme to lobby the Trump justice, often by having served at least convicted in Florida on weapons Tiger Woods documentary opens narrative about role of parents in youth sports Late last week, I was at home in front of our fi re- place as my wife began to scroll through HBO to fi nd something to watch on TV. Not paying atten- tion, she asked if we could watch a new documen- tary that was being promoted on HBO’s home screen. I looked up and immediately recognized the red Nike polo shirt and the charming smile. We began the 90-minute plunge into “Tiger,” part one of a two-part documentary. We dove into what life was like before Tiger became immensely famous. We began to garner more of an under- standing of how early his career in golf began, as well as the beginning of his career. Though the documentary centers around him, what left me in shock was the infl uence and actions of Tiger’s father, Earl, throughout the earlier part of his son’s life. Tiger was born less than a year after Earl Woods ended his military career, which included a stint in Vietnam with the Green Berets. Before Tiger turned 2, Earl was teaching him golf. Once they realized the extent of Tiger’s talents, Earl stepped aside to let others continue to teach, but his presence never left. This documentary not only COREY KIRK painted a better picture of Earl, but also of his wife, Kul- tida. They wanted the best for Tiger. But he was so im- mersed in golf that he never had a chance to accomplish something most of us take for granted. To be a kid. The documentary explores Tiger’s desire to try other sports, only to be encouraged by his parents to focus on golf, because no other sport would give him such a chance for success. So Tiger stayed the course. Watching this documen- tary, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief for how my parents raised my brothers and me. We were never told what sports to play and what sports not to, we were only encouraged to give our best effort. Playing a multitude of sports, I’ve seen every kind of parent. One that sticks out in my mind was a Little League teammate whose overbearing father would lecture him for the smallest mistake. His son grew to hate baseball, and he stopped playing before he got to high school. Parents like Earl and Kul- tida exist in sports, among ev- ery level of play. Parents who expect the absolute best out of their children, and are ready to help them make the best of their experiences. They won’t let any outside noise prevent them from reaching their full- est potential. Don’t get me wrong, talent at such a young age is hard to predict. Tiger certainly had it, and with his father pushing him, he developed an intense focus. I think it’s quite easy to overlook with the younger generation the importance of the numerous lessons you can learn in sports. It’s an opportunity to build lifelong friendships, the ability to handle your losses as well as your wins, and to understand the importance of simply hav- ing fun. Some parents will expect their kids to be the best, rather than giving their best effort. Earl Woods’ approach with Tiger convinced me that when that day comes, I want my kids to enjoy playing the sports they choose, and rather than put pressure on them to compete at a high level, I’ll tell them to just have fun. charges. Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, has fre- quently expressed support for Trump and recently met with the president on criminal justice issues. Others on the list included Death Row Records co-founder Michael Harris and New York art dealer and collector Hillel Nahmad. Pardoned were former Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican who was sentenced to three years for corruption, money laundering and other charges, and former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham of California, who was convicted of accepting bribes from defense contractors. Cunning- ham, who was released from prison in 2013, received a conditional pardon. Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served about seven years behind bars for a racketeering and bribery scheme. Trump had already pardoned a slew of longtime associates and supporters, including his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort; Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law; his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone; and his former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Bannon was the only most recent. He did not respond to questions. OREGON STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL Beavers end Trojans’ win streak CORVALLIS (AP) — Jarod Lucas and Ethan Thompson scored 13 points apiece and Oregon State beat Southern Califor- nia 58-56 on Tuesday night, snapping the Trojans six-game winning streak. Both teams struggled offensively down the stretch as Oregon State did not make a fi eld goal in the fi nal 3:13 and USC did not score in the last 2:19. Rodrigue Andela made a pair of foul shots for the Beavers to cap the scor- ing with 1:49 left. USC’s Drew Peterson missed a 3-pointer with fi ve seconds to go. Roman Silva added 12 points for Oregon State (7-5, 3-3 Pac-12) on 6-for-7 shooting. Evan Mobley scored 12 points and Pe- terson added 10 for the Trojans (11-3, 5-2). Both teams were 20-for-48 (42%) shoot- ing. Oregon State was 6 for 15 (40%) from 3-point range and USC 6 for 20 (30%). The Beavers shot 12 for 14 from the foul line and USC went 10 for 18. Oregon State is scheduled to play at No. 21 Oregon on Saturday, Jan. 23. Be prepared fo for winter winte ter driv driving ivving ✓ WINTER CHECKLIST ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ T RACTION T IRES S NOW W HEELS T IRE S TUDS C HAINS ✓ ✓ B ATTERY S IPING S ANDBAGS W IPER B LADES Lew Brothers Tire Service Try the SHIP TO STORE feature at millershomecenter.com BRINGING QUALITY PRODUCTS AT AFFORDABLE PRICING TO EASTERN OREGON 3815 Pocahontas Road, Baker City • 541-523-6404 3109 May Lane, La Grande • 541-963-3113 541-523-3679 210 Bridge St. Baker City, OR
