Even for Trump’s corrupt hangers-on, justice should be blind

Former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort faces a prison term. Former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort faces a prison term. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press 2017 Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press 2017 Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Even for Trump’s corrupt hangers-on, justice should be blind 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Justice is not about revenge, even when the defendant is Paul Manafort.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson did the right thing the other day when she sentenced President Trump’s former campaign manager to three-plus years in prison for fraud.

She was even more in the right when she refused to join with those who demanded she throw the book at Manafort to make up for the short sentence that another federal judge handed down in an earlier case.

That judge ignored sentencing guidelines that called for Manafort to get 19 to 24 years, saying he had led an “otherwise blameless life.” Jackson, in contrast, was limited to sentencing Manafort to 10 years tops — and came in with a term that was largely in line with what similar defendants receive.

In our justice system, each offense stands on its own. Trying to link one sentencing to some other judge’s sentencing is wrong, whether the defendant is a homeless person or a millionaire.

So it was interesting to hear many of my friends who advocate equal application of criminal justice talk about how Berman needed to make an example of Manafort.

These are the same people who loudly say the criminal justice system should be about rehabilitation and should never be used as punishment for punishment’s sake.

Manafort is 69 years old and faces 7½ years of prison. That’s just about the equivalent of a life sentence.

Meanwhile, the district attorney in New York has charged him with 16 state offenses, possibly to ensure that he does time if Trump pardons him for his federal convictions. His troubles are far from over.

Pelosi says “no”: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says that short of earth-shattering revelations or indictments, an impeachment of President Trump is not in the cards.

Too divisive for the nation, Pelosi said.

As the speaker noted, she didn’t support calls for impeaching George W. Bush for lying to the American people about Saddam Hussein’s supposed weapons of mass destruction. And those lies led to the Iraq War.

She has a point.

Compared with starting a war, lying about paying hush money to a porn star seems pretty tame.

Although selling out the country to Russia could be another matter.

London calling: Mayor London Breed had a good week.

Naming Manohar “Mano” Raju as the new public defender won universal applause in the office, including from its chief attorney, Matt Gonzalez.

Then came the promotion of Deputy Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson to replace retiring Chief Joanne Hayes-White, which likewise was embraced by just about everybody. Nicholson becomes the first LGBT fire chief in San Francisco.

The appointments gave Breed a reason to be on TV for dealing with something besides homelessness. In this town, that’s a plus.

Great eats: Believe it or not, the Daily Beast reports that there is now an app that can direct President Trump’s supporters to friendly restaurants, wherever they are.

Sort of a Yelp for MAGA types.

Movie time: “Captain Marvel.” This female action hero movie is sooooo long. The plot is convoluted and stunts are all computer-generated and lack credibility.

Still, if you like big, loud movies, you might enjoy it. I went to a 9:30 a.m. showing, when it was cheapest. You might want to as well.

“The Wedding Guest”: A good movie with a surprise ending. It’s about a bride who doesn’t want to get married, a mercenary who kidnaps her, and a wild ride through modern India.

The characters all share an absence of any loyalty to anyone or anything at any time. Truly a movie for the Trump era.

The I’s have it: Congratulations to longtime City Hall aide Martha Cohen. You’ve probably never heard of her, but for decades she has helped put together all the major civic celebrations, from World Series parades to the Fourth of July fireworks.

Cohen was being honored recently at a luncheon by the Triple I, an old-time Italian, Irish and Israeli group that mutually celebrates their national holidays.

Cohen was first hired by Mayor Frank Jordan and has stayed on through the administrations of every mayor since. She shows no sign of letting up on the gas.

The annual Triple I lunch in North Beach is about as San Francisco as you can get. The bar opens at 11 a.m.

But as longtime Three I member and lawyer Jeremiah Hallisey said just before the clocks switched over, “With daylight-saving time, it’s noon.”

That’s the San Francisco spirit.

Want to sound off? Email wbrown@sfchronicle.com