Comments on: Robert Novak Cited in Possible Hit-and-Run

By: Doc Barnett

Doc Barnett — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:30:14 +0000

Leaving aside the question of punishment, Novak's driving privileges must be taken away for public safety alone. That was also my initial reaction; it was hard to see how he could hit someone and not realize it, but even if you assume the best (that he was never aware of the pedestrian), he is unfit to drive. It doesn't matter whether it's sociopathic or physiological. Is D.C. traffic enforcement so lackadaisical in its duties to protect pedestrians that they'll let Novak keep his license (with a $50 ticket, woohoo) and put everyone else at a grossly elevated risk?

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:35:42 +0000

Update: Novak has brain cancer.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1077958,novak072808.article

"Novak is alert and talking — he wrote the statement announcing his illness — but in intensive care, where the hospital does not allow phone calls or flowers, according to his assistant, Kathleen Connolly. The diagnosis was sudden. Novak became ill Sunday during a family outing near Cape Cod, Mass. A family member called 911, and he was brought by ambulance to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where the diagnosis was made."

So a senior citizen with a messed up brain mows down another senior citizen. I'm afraid this may be a signpost to the future.

By: Drew

Drew — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:35:34 +0000

Assuming this is true, which it may not be maybe there was another reason. Certainly that is what his lawyer will say at the hearing. Incidentally, I was wondering why they did not charge him with leaving the scene. Here in Georgia, that's one of the few things we can charge someone with.

By: oops!

oops! — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:58:15 +0000

Oops? Reality check is this America?

By: gabby hayes

gabby hayes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:25:57 +0000

it looks like my curse has finally kicked in.

By: Eric McClure

Eric McClure — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:49:04 +0000

Novak probably figured he's already going to hell, so why stick around?

By: Susan Donovan

Susan Donovan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:18:50 +0000

"The pedestrian who was struck by prominent Washington columnist and commentator Robert Novak is in worse shape than first thought, a hospital source tells ABC 7 News.

The victim, a 66-year-old man, appeared somewhat incoherent, said the source who had seen the victim. The man appeared to have casts on his neck and back. The victim was X-rayed and a surgical team plans to evaluate him, the source said."

SOURCE: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0708/537957.html

OK. This guy could DIE, and all he gets is a little ticket after driving away from the scene of the crime?

By: Urbanis

Urbanis — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:25:30 +0000

Robert Novak has built his career on hit-and-runs, such as his deliberate exposure of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson's identity. I fail to find a shred of compassion in Novak's behavior.

By: t0rgana

t0rgana — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:16:10 +0000

Hoorah for Bono for enhancing the reputation of bicyclists and lawyers!

By: cochon

cochon — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:09:14 +0000

you are right susan. i stand corrected.

dc - "devastation without prosecution." it's weak, i know. but hey.

streetsborg, please don't censor my comment. i was nice this time.

By: Max Rockatansky

Max Rockatansky — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:03:28 +0000

I like how he was in slow traffic, driving a convertible, and can still claim that he didn't know he hit someone. Maybe it was a liberal conspiracy and the guy actually jumped in front of the car to make Novak look bad.

By: Susan Donovan

Susan Donovan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:52:08 +0000

Not the NYPD, this was in DC.

By: Susan Donovan

Susan Donovan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:28:04 +0000

"He said he was cited for failing to yield the right of way."

But he drove away! This clearly sounds like a hit-and run.