Buffalo attorney Matthew Kolken takes issue with our Aug. 7 post “…a classic American success story”, which quotes him:
I am writing this in response to your article found at http://www.overlawyered.com/2007/08/a_classic_american_success_sto.htmlIt is no surprise that my characterization of the Levin family was taken out of context.
What the press and your article have failed to explain is that my characterization of the Levin family as a classic American success story was in reference to the hardships that the family endured prior to coming to the United States as refugees in the late 1970s.
The family left the Soviet Union with only $500.00 in their pockets, and their wedding bands, because all of their possessions and money were confiscated as property of the State.
Without even knowing the language, Mr. and Mrs. Levin worked from nothing to afford their children a better life. They did all of this within the confines of the law, and I am honored to be considered part of their family.
Unfortunately, their son made a tremendous error in judgment. He has paid for this error, and is forced to live with his regret.
Thankfully in this country the sins of the son are not the sins of the father, or of the family, and shame on you for casting derision without first knowing all of the facts.
Good day.
Matthew L. Kolken, Esq.
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Tsk…tsk. Where to begin? Was this guy actually trying to wax sincerity in some cavalier fashion?
As I read that letter the voice through which I heard that was non other than Breck-Girl John Edwards (note to self – ask therapist about internal dialog in the form of useless politicians). Next thing you know this guy will try and have us believe that… his client speaks through him…we can feel his pain through him…We must punish the criminal justice system and send a clear message to judges and prosecutors (and the people) that WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ACCOUNTABILITY! We must take this burden off of the criminal and place it where it belongs: back out in the street.
In closing, let me offer what can only be a suggested quantifier to Mr. Kolken’s (Esq) letter. It should read: Unfortunately, their son made [a series] of tremendous error[s] in judgment. Were it not for his apparent unwillingness to stop misbehaving, he would have gotten away with it…and those pesky kids with their dog.
I wasn’t going to take this guy’s statement seriously, but then I saw he puts “Esq.” after his name. Impressive.
The “sins of the son” are, in the eyes of a John Edwards type lawyer:
1. Getting caught.
2. Not paying for a lawyer skilled(sleazy) enough to get him off.
3. Losing his appeals.
4. Not hiding his money.
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