In reading over the glossy mailings from candidates for office, you would think we have the gems of political jewels.

That, obviously, is fiction.

Over the past four years, the comments and complaints about elected officials and their questionable decisions have been less than complimentary.

However, the glossy brochures that have been arriving in our mailbox indicate the good ol’ boys’ network is thriving.

In spite of the past four years of controversy, contention and criticism about District Attorney Jeff Rosen the past four years … voila! In my mailbox is a glossy brochure listing every elected Democrat in the county endorsing his re-election.

That looks more like an endorsement for a fraternity brother rather than an endorsement of a political candidate.

Behind closed doors, the discussion about District Attorney Jeff Rosen among local attorneys is somewhat different. The scuttlebutt is that few local lawyers consider Rosen a capable and competent district attorney. Most recently, a judge removed Rosen from a case because Rosen was using it to campaign and raise money.

Santa Clara residents have witnessed his prejudice in handling former city council member Anthoney Becker.

Becker decided to run for mayor of Santa Clara. Current mayor Lisa Gillmor did not like that idea. The solution? Eliminate Becker’s chance of running for office ever again.

Enter political associate of Mayor Gillmor, District Attorney Jeff Rosen.

Becker was accused of leaking a copy of a Grand Jury report. This was not a major infraction and could be passed off as a minor hand slap. However, District Attorney Rosen set Becker up with an interview by the Grand Jury. You might wonder why.

When asked if he “leaked” the Grand Jury report, Becker answered “no.”

Aha! Gottcha! Rosen’s trap was successful. Rosen and his office ransacked Becker’s home and confiscated Becker’s phone, computer and personal papers. While nothing of interest was ever discovered on Becker’s devices, District Attorney Rosen has still not returned Beckers’ personal items after TWO years. Rosen also used Becker’s case to raise campaign money, while the case was in court.

Rosen’s response was to demand a jail sentence. Unfortunately for Rosen, California doesn’t have “hard labor” sentences, or Rosen would have asked for that, too.

There is also Rosen’s campaign to change the death penalty sentences he had asked for. As California has a moratorium on executions, this was also a pointless expenditure of public time and money.

Now, you and I are to believe that District Attorney Jeff Rosen is a capable, competent and caring candidate?

Rosen may be a “good ol’ boy” in the eyes of his political allies. However, his lack of respect for our justice system reveals who and what he really is.

Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Your Vote is Vital – Opinion
Milestones – Good Sense is a Decision – Opinion
Milestones – The Missing Tracks – Opinion