Thursday afternoon, we witnessed a flurry of major news break all at the same time. Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was found guilty of 11 counts of corruption, and we learned the tragic news that comedy legend Joan Rivers had died. We saw you engaging in great discussions around these events. Here we present your reactions, in your own words.
READ: McDonnell and wife found guilty in corruption trial
On the Bob McDonnell verdict:
%22An%20American%20Jury%20actually%20found%20a%20politician%20guilty%20of%20a%20crime%20based%20on%20laws%20passed%20by%20politicians%20who%20sought%20to%20exempt%20themselves%20from%20such%20laws%3F%0D%0AThis%20will%20be%20appealed%20from%20now%20until%20we%20run%20out%20of%20lawyers%21%22′
%22There%20are%20crooked%20politicians%20in%20both%20parties.%20Nothing%20new.%20However%2C%20if%20the%20sentence%20handed%20down%20sent%20a%20message%20not%20to%20engage%20in%20this%20type%20of%20behavior%20in%20the%20future%20it%20might%20act%20as%20a%20deterrent.%20Make%20an%20example%20for%20all%20to%20see%20both%20Democrats%20and%20Republicans.%20No%20white%20collar%20prison.%20Make%20him%20pay%20his%20time%20like%20any%20other%20criminal.%22′
%22As%20a%20Republican%20let%20me%20say%20this%2C%20%22GOOD%21%22%20The%20laws%20are%20loose%20enough%20that%20politicians%20can%20enrich%20themselves%20and%20keep%20it%20completely%20legal.%20Anyone%20who%20does%20this%20type%20of%20garbage%20should%20be%20convicted%20and%20serve%20time.%20I%20said%20a%20long%20time%20ago%20what%20McDonnell%20did%20was%20far%20worse%20than%20what%20Blagojevich%20went%20to%20prison%20for.%20Blagojevich%20went%20to%20prison%20for%20talking%20about%20committing%20a%20crime%20…%20McDonnell%20had%20the%20money%20spent.%20This%20isn%27t%20about%20team%20it%20is%20about%20reminding%20those%20in%20office%20they%20serve%20the%20people%21%22′
On the death of Joan Rivers:
%22What%20a%20hoot%20she%20was%20…%20Both%20Joan%20Rivers%20and%20Robin%20Williams%20will%20be%20rolling%20the%20heavens%20with%20laughter.%20Trust%20me%20…%20they%20will%20not%20by%20any%20means%20be%20resting%20in%20peace%20…%20they%20will%20be%20just%20doing%20their%20thing%20…%22′
%22My%20fondest%20memories%20of%20Joan%20were%20her%20many%20appearances%20on%20the%20Ed%20Sullivan%20show.%20She%20was%20consistently%20hysterical.%20Her%20love%20and%20respect%20for%20Ed%20was%20well%20known.%20Ed%20really%20knew%20how%20to%20spot%20and%20present%20new%20talent.%20Similarly%2C%20her%20guest%20hosting%20spots%20on%20the%20Tonight%20Show%20were%20television%20gold.%20She%20kicked%20the%20door%20open%20for%20funny%20women%20everywhere.%20She%20was%20a%20true%20television%20pioneer.%0D%0A%22′
%22This%20woman%20was%20a%20national%20treasure%20and%20never%20held%20back%2C%20whether%20you%20liked%20her%20humor%20or%20not.%22′
%22Hopefully%20Joan%20taught%20some%20people%20not%20to%20be%20so%20sensitive%20and%20defensive%20and%20to%20lighten%20up%2C%20she%20was%20an%20equal%20opportunity%20insulter%20and%20she%20did%20it%20well.%20America%20has%20become%20too%20sensitive%20and%20she%20knew%20that%20and%20used%20it%20as%20an%20opportunity.%22′
MS NOW staff