Prosecutor: Bush appointees interfered in case.
Prosecutor: Bush appointees interfered in case.
Front-page of today’s Washington Post:
The leader of the Justice Department team that prosecuted a landmark lawsuit against tobacco companies said yesterday that Bush administration political appointees repeatedly ordered her to take steps that weakened the government’s racketeering case.
Sharon Y. Eubanks said Bush loyalists in Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales’s office began micromanaging the team’s strategy in the final weeks of the 2005 trial, to the detriment of the government’s claim that the industry had conspired to lie to U.S. smokers.
She said a supervisor demanded that she and her trial team drop recommendations that tobacco executives be removed from their corporate positions as a possible penalty. He and two others instructed her to tell key witnesses to change their testimony. And they ordered Eubanks to read verbatim a closing argument they had rewritten for her, she said.
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What???
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 amThis is proof that Clinton was crooked!!! Come on trolls, lets hear your Clinton and Carter did it too mantra you creepy little slugs.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:40 amHoly buckets.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:41 amThis is some seriously dirty dealing.
The White House needs to be emptied, and fumigated.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:41 amman, this just keeps getting better. :)
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:42 amFumigating won’t help. At this point they ould have to burn the whole thing to the ground and start over
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:44 amWill Gonzales even make it to Friday? He is one man who “needs to spend more time with his family.” There is something REALLY BIG about the US Atty thing–you can tell by the look on both Tony Snow’s and George Bush’s faces. Dumping Gonzales won’t shelter the GOP from the shit-rain they brought on to themselves. Let’s review: who was in the majority AND who was House Speaker when all this shit started? The GOP and Dennis Hastert.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:46 amI don’t know, #6…I heard that cockroaches could survive that as well…
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:47 amThat was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome?
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:47 amI miss the 70’s. Bush has done far more damage and so much more illegal activity than Nixon ever thought of. In ‘72 Bush would be swinging in the wind.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:49 amAll this shit is coming out because these people don’t want to go to jail. It will all come down to Republican Party or Karl Rove–which do “conservatives” try to save?
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:50 amThe relevant House and Senate oversight committees should form a joint committee, and negotiate with Mr. Fielding for the immediate appointment of a mutually agreeable Special Prosecutor, with adequate funds, staff and “rules of engagement”.
Obviously, the most experienced available prosecutor would appear to be Mr. Fitzgerald. In fact, the President would have to explain why he was not appointing Fiz.
Any delay in doing this risks the loss of substantial evidence. Unless someone – such as the RNC and its dedicated servers for WH business – is notified that they are the target of an investigation, or that they have material evidence related to an investigation, they have every right to destroy records in a manner consistent with their routine records retention/destruction guidelines.
First, Congress must formally start an investigation to get the ball rolling. Contact your Congress persons immediately and ask that they do this NOW.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:51 amThat was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome?
Comment by Jake
Use the f*cking Google, Jake.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:52 amThe Justice Department needs a full scale bleaching job. GOnzales is a national embarassment and I really wonder how any GOPer can stand behind this guy.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:53 amWhat America will see when they read the paper this morning is another attack on the rule of law for narrow, partisan reasons by the Attorney General. What I see is the beginning of the end of the Republican Party courtesy of A. Gonzales and K. Rove.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:55 amI want my country back.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:55 am#9 My god, Jake. You really are an ass kisser. I sure hope you are getting paid for your ill-informed opinions. Otherwise there is no reason for you to have them.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 amAnd as all the troll’s line up with their usual speel’s I will offer up a prediction….”you ain’t seen nothing yet”…By the time this administration unravel’s even the troll’s will be glad to see this bunch out of power..I won’t tell you how I know, but, I know….BTW don’t forget to put by some food, water, ammo and safety provisions, just in case..Never mind the plastic and duck tape, have a plan and figure on a few week’s…Again just in case..Don’t forget to hug a loved one and do something good for your self and your country every day, better yet something good for the planet…Plant a tree, flower and recycle…..Blessings all.Nite..
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:58 am…..and, just as you begin to think that it simply cannot get any worse than that last big scandal…it does. Something uglier crawls out of the sewage regularly like clockwork with this Bush administration.
And to imagine that the biggest lies, the lies that led to the murder of almost a million innocent Iraqis, have not even been looked at yet……..
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:05 amSlowly but with growing numbers every USA, bureaucrat, appointee, counselor, aide or assistant to this administration who was treated poorly, pissed on, abused or directed to act immorally or illegally is gaining courage to come forward and shed some light on that stink hole formerly known as the White House. It’s beginning to rain frogs (Magnolia 1999). The Revolution is now! (Steve Earle).
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:05 amMy name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law. My name is Jake. My fearless leaders are above the law.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:07 am#20 legaleze…Yep!…And this is only the beginning….Blessings
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:09 amThat was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome?
Comment by Jake
Yo Jake remember when Rove quit working for Phillip Morris when George, governor of Texas, was suing them?
Heh. Dumb Liberals.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:10 amCan we impeach them now?
You think some low level JAKE threw out $120,000,000,000 reward settlement to the state governments without President Bush’s approval or blessing?
If there is no evidences that Bush scream and bitched about the screwup then the deal had his approval.
Impeach him and all his JAKES now.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:11 amJake, help me out here.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:13 amSpeaking of Impeachment:
Dennis Kucinich is asking Americans if we will support a call for impeachment:
http://kucinich.us/node/3696
And, yes, I am posting this multiple times. I hope some have taken the time to follow the link and register their support for impeachment!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 amThat was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome? Comment by Jake — March 22, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Still Jake’ing off, and carrying water for the *culture-of-corruption*, eh? In case you wonder where ‘determined’ becomes ’stubborn obstinant *sshole’, it’s here, now and you.
Sorry Jake, but you, and this administration have no credibility – and the *opinion* of the Prosecutor isn’t what’s being discussed, it’s her professional *eyewitness* testimony. That means much more than your ignorant, partisan *ss gas *opinion*.
That’s the problem with you right wingnuts. You can’t distinguish your *opinion* from *facts-in-evidence*.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:15 amYo Jake remember when Rove quit working for Phillip Morris when George, governor of Texas, was suing them?
Heh. Dumb Liberals.
Comment by Firehead — March 22, 2007 @ 1:10 am
Whatever, hack. Someone that spells, writes, and debates as poorly as yourself shouldn’t call others “dumb”. Someone as st*pid as Jake, who argues what he *knows* to be a lie – is the epitome of st*pid.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 amI don’t picture Jake as some 75 year old coot sending it in from the heartland. When I read Jake’s swill, I see Washington spin and I smell Washington values. I picture a 25 year old GOP activist working out of RNC headquarters. You weren’t home schooled, were you Jake?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:17 amJake, help me out here.
Comment by Firehead — March 22, 2007 @ 1:13 am
He prefers to Jake’off himself. Are you asking him to give you a *hand*? You could use more than a *hand* dum bass.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:17 amFirehead, on the other hand, is living in his mom’s basement somewhere.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 amComment by Nostromo — March 22, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Perhaps the Mayan Priests could cleanse the White House?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 amContinue to pray that those who know of wrongdoing in the Bush Administration continue to come forward with testimony and evidence!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:20 amOne realy has to have empathy for the troll’s, or perhaps pity for them at the very least..Any one of sound mind and able to read all the new’s that is surfacing has to be mad and ashamed that the people they are backing is so corrupt….It must be hard to be so hate filled about anything other than one’s twisted view that even fact’s can’t seep in…..The troll’s often make me mad but in the end I don’t wish any one harm in the physical sence..Even bush and this dreadful administration with all the evil they have done to our country, service personell and the world I don’t wish them any more than they diserve, which is life in a secret prison with a guy named bubba…Blessings
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:20 amTalking about tobacco reminded me: The latest Republican entry for next president, former HEALTH SECRETARY, Tommy Thompson was essentially working for the tobacco industry his whole career.
The frikking HEALTH SECRETARY !!! Can Bush pick ‘em, or what?!
For the info, go here:
http://www.tobacco.org/News/thompsonfull.html
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:23 am#34 Well, empathy is not the word I would use for those useless parasites.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:24 amV V F U
You have been reverse trolled =) Read carefully.
You let a word, still, cause you emote, from a person you never knew anger you. Why?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:25 am#37 K, you just admitted you are trying to pull chains. Congrats.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:29 amPerhaps the Mayan Priests could cleanse the White House?
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
Yeh, well sh*t, the world is full of corruprion. I am working on it. =)
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:29 am#37 K, you just admitted you are trying to pull chains. Congrats.
Comment by JPark
No, trying to get you to unchain yourself. =)
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 am#40 That is kinda creepy.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:36 amLook….they’re stealing waterlogged sneakers in New Orleans!!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 am#40 That is kinda creepy.
Comment by JPark
You said you had chains to pull, not I.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 amhttp://www.tobacco.org/news/211185.html
nothing suspicious here.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 amLook….they’re stealing waterlogged sneakers in New Orleans!!!!
Comment by markers make
Look, Contractors are stealing a billion in repairs paid for by taxpayers!
BTW, haven’t you ever washed sneakers and dried them?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:42 am22 Sharon and 33, I’m with ya. This is just the beginning, the trickle before the deluge.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:42 amMade you think dint I?
Good.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 am“We might be through with the past, but the past ain’t through with us.”
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:45 amLook, Contractors are stealing a billion in repairs paid for by taxpayers!
Comment by Firehead — March 22, 2007 @ 1:42 am
Yeah but that doesn’t look dramatic on the teevee
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 amAnyway, those contractors are “finding” billions of taxpayer dollars.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:51 am#45 Jeez, you almost sound liberal!! I thought you were moving to UAE.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:51 am#43 Oooo…K
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 amYeah but that doesn’t look dramatic on the teevee
Comment by markers make
So someone ’stealing’ a worthless pair of shoes, is somehow more important than and more dramatic than American Idol?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:54 am#53 Not sure that was his point there, reverse. Actually, maybe it was. People stealing to live is a little more dramatic than “reality” shows.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:56 amLet’s keep our heads in the game people….more distractions…..Stat!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:00 am#46 Legeleze, Yep again…Second verse to “Don’t Dream It’s Over”.Crowded House..Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup..So fitting, no bucket is going to be big enough…The flood gate’s are opening, the public is waking from apathy and sleep mode…We may be able to remove the evil soon..Blessings
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 am#53 Not sure that was his point there, reverse. Actually, maybe it was. People stealing to live is a little more dramatic than “reality†shows.
Comment by JPark
Your getting there. How does a pair of shoes make one live?
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:03 amhttp://www.tobacco.org/news/211185.html
nothing suspicious here.
Comment by Geoff
don’t know if you agree with me and are sarcasticly saying “nothing suspicious here” or not.
For instance, the link says that the largest contributor for the former HEALTH SECRETARY was PHILLIP MORRIS.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:11 amThat was just her OPINION
Comment by Jake — March 22, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Right, and her opinion could not have any weight. After all, she was only the head of the team, and only had over 20 years of experience as a lawyer at the DoJ.
Not enough experience or knowledge there, right Jake?
what was the eventual outcome?
Obviously you didn’t even bother to read the article. Do so before spouting inanities.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:25 am#58, yes you do know, you are just losing confidence. :-)
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:15 amIf Nancy Pelosi becomes President because of the dual impeachments or pending impeachments of Cheney and Bush. Would she run for President in 2008?
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:58 amMy god, Jake. You really are an ass kisser. I sure hope you are getting paid for your ill-informed opinions. Otherwise there is no reason for you to have them.
Comment by JPark
Would stupidity count as a reason?
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:11 amWe need Ron Paul more than ever!!! This is not shocking to me. Why are you surprised??? He was plugged on Fox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyEfd2ZxlGM
Now we need the world to know what he is about.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:13 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHxQGSiuLf4
Well, it seems that Pandora’s Box has just been officially opened.
Expect more of the same to come out in the ensuing weeks and months. I’m assuming that attorneys are now going to be coming out of the woodwork, left and right, with similar grievances.
Also expect an attack on Iran to come ahead of schedule. It will be their only way out and their only way to keep their grip on power.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:29 amIs it August 8, 1974 yet???
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:10 amThis is getting too fast paced for me. I agree with Sharon, that this is just the beginning, but I didn’t anticipate the whirlwind pace in which this administration’s failures are brought to light.
Even the trolls seemingly are enjoying the roller coaster ride, if their frequency in showing up here is any indication. Green in their faces with fright and loudmouthed as ever, but definitely enjoying the ride it seems.
Well I intend to make the most of it. We started betting on the lifecycles of certain administration officials. No good odds on AG Gonzales. I don’t find anybody who opposes my view. But, on a more serious note: There is still Iraq and the dying there.
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:26 amI tried posting this on the troll command center, freeRepublic, it was pulled right away and then my posting privilege was revoked. Boy, they don’t want any thruthiness posted on their little Bush pom pom site. They’re really stuck inside of that Bush can do no wrong bubble. Very cult like, very scary folks they are, those freepers like Jake.
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:42 amIt’s not only this one that’s been mishandled, here’s more on:
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:07 amNo a single entity in this administration does their job right, here’s CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/21/iraq.reconstruction/index.html
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:09 amWow if this is real someone needs to go to jail.
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:42 am[...] via Think Progress this morning comes this Washington Post story: The leader of the Justice Department team that [...]
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:07 amgogreen sez:
Burn it to the ground, plow the ashes into the earth, sow the earth with salt, and then get the entire mess purified by a Mayan priest. ^_^
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:18 amJake sez:
And it’s your OPINION that they weren’t. Which person should we trust here…hmmmm…
That’s just plain retarded. According to that logic, I could try to murder you, and get off scot-free if my attempt failed.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:23 amBriseadh na Faire sez:
Thanks again for the link, BnF.
Please, continue posting it. If anything deserves multiple postings, it’s this.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:26 amtony snow is already getting his ass reamed on the morning shows. Gloves are off, folks.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:33 amThink about the Microsoft settlement….
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:35 amit’s clear who controls the country – corporate interests… obviously, Republicant officials did not want their corporate benefactors to lose their jobs… it would hurt their own pockets too much…
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 amJust another cog in the machine of the Republican Culture of Lying and support for the Cancer Industrial Complex.
Who you gonna trust, some prosecutor or the honest folks in the Bush political department under the vulture like wings of Karl Rove.
-GSD
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:45 amRacketeering, eh? Haven’t heard that word since Al Capone’s heyday!
Another “smoking gun” of the charges against Gonzo and Bush of “OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE”.
Impeach BOTH CHIMPS now!
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:45 am…Comment by Jake
“That was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome?”
Who gives a shit what the outcome was? Is a botched robbery any less a robbery? By your logic, if they didn’t get the money, no crime was comitted.
I finally figured out what it takes to continue supporting these criminals: Lack of conscience.
You and people of your ilk are the expression of sociopathy.
Sick.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:49 amImagine the ming-boggling number of ‘potential whistleblowers’ this gang of thugs has amassed in 6 long years of manipulating the truth?
I believe, if I were Bush, I’d roll over on this one and let the chips fall where they may – before his whole “ugly truth” of obstruction of justice in all things – and in every aspect of his administration – is outed to the american people. If he doesn’t take the hit and resign on this attorney scandal, he’s in for two years of criminal investigation which have his fingerprints all over them. At that point, not only will he have a legacy for being “the most corrupt president ever” but will be a virtual “pariah” to the american people.
Anyone surprised that he’s just purchased a huge amount of acreage in a foreign country? Good hideout? You betcha!
Be ready to see why Haliburton really moved to Dubai as well….the one thing we can all agree on is that this truly has become “a transparent presidency”…. not in the tradition way of honesty and truth….but due to it’s obvious chicanery and corruption. Do they really believe that the people can’t see through their shenanigans?
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:50 amWhat never ceases to amaze me is how all these “Bushies” in lock-step with the concept of a totally closed mind is that they are so demented, twisted, and amoral that they really don’t see anything wrong in their behavior and tactics. But I guess neither did Adolph Hitler! Nor Al Capone…
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:52 amRepublicans are cutting and running from the truth, from the facts and from reality.
-GSD
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:52 am“Sing”….”Sing a song”….The whistleblowers are singing all day long!
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:53 amAnd the Truth shall prevail so the american people can bring the bums to justice….sooner rather than later. It’s happening, folks…AND it is the only way for this country to recover, renew, and start the recovery process.
Of course, unless their mentally impaired, they have to recognize the level of personal hypocrisy they employ. When a dem does something, it’s patently “wrong”; when they do it, the find ways to twist the truth to condone it. Won’t work any more Re-THUGS! Case in point was Snowjob Tony’s words during the Clinton Administration which were published and quoted verbatim to him yesterday in which he criticized Clinton’s attempt at “executive privilege”….well, either Snowjob has a total about face on his own philosophy….or, well, you know the drill…..being paid like a whore to distort the truth??? Of course, the babbling, bumbling Snowjob doesn’t realize that his credentials and career have been handily finished by his ludicrous performances while trying to parse words and make corruption palatable….We know it’s de rigeurfor this administration now – we know that and have prima facie evidence of that. So Tony’s continuing to prostitute himself is truly becoming excruciating to watch. It’s like watching a televised personal character execution – live.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:57 amLet’s subpoena Shirley Eubanks, too! No doubt she’ll “sing” when pressed for the truth.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:59 amI think people like Jake, as penance for enabling this monstrosity of a government to continue, should be issued a rifle and sent to join the surge (which he so valiantly supports). Pronto. Chop, chop! Off you go!! Show us what a patriot you are and go die for the Chimp.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 amsorry….”they are”….they’re…
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 amAnd, if the sycophantic corrupt mainstream media doesn’t stop distorting the “facts”, then they will be held to the laws which prevent distortion of the truth when provided as “legitimate news”. Already, people no longer trust the corporate-owned media like Fox News, CNN, etc. Eventually, no one will care what they have to say nor will be watching so they will find themselves eclipsed by the internet. This is happening all over the country as people realize that they’re being fed a daily dose of pure drivel and PROPAGANDA.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:03 amWe want an subpoena for Shirley Eubanks! We want a subpoena for Shirley Eubanks!! Let’s just see how Shirley attemped to “obstruct justice” in her micromanagement of this case. IT’S THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KNOW THE TRUTH! THE TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL AND THIS CONGRESS HAS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORTING THEM….AS THEY REPRESENT AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE! Go get em’ Congress! Grrrufff!
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:04 amShirley Y. Eubanks….any chance the “Y” stands for “yellow”?? or “yeswoman”….just wondering.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:05 amAt what point will all of this criminality be rolled into one big RICO Act prosecution?
From Wikipedia,
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (commonly referred to as RICO Act or RICO) is a United States federal law which provides for extended penalties for criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. RICO was enacted by section 901(a) of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, Pub. L. No. 91-452, 84 Stat. 922 (15 October 1970). RICO is codified as Chapter 96 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. § 1961 through 18 U.S.C. § 1968.
Under RICO, a person or group who commits any two of 35 crimes—27 federal crimes and 8 state crimes—within a 10-year period and, in the opinion of the United States Attorney bringing the case, has committed those crimes with similar purpose or results can be charged with racketeering. Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $25,000 and/or sentenced to 20 years in prison. In addition, the racketeer must forfeit all ill-gotten gains and interest in any business gained through a pattern of “racketeering activity.”
When the U.S. Attorney decides to indict someone under RICO, he has the option of seeking a pre-trial restraining order or injunction to prevent the transfer of potentially forfeitable property, as well as require the defendant to put up a performance bond. This provision was placed in the law because the owners of shell corporations often absconded with the assets. An injunction and/or performance bond ensures that there is something to seize in the event of a guilty verdict.
There is also a provision for private parties to sue. A “person damaged in his business or property” can sue one or more “racketeers.” There must also be an “enterprise.” The defendant(s) are not the enterprise, in other words, the defendant(s) and the enterprise are not one and the same. There must be one of four specified relationships between the defendant(s) and the enterprise. This lawsuit, like all Federal civil lawsuits, can take place in either Federal or State court. [1]
Both the federal and civil components allow for triple damages.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:08 amIf you think the politicization of every department of the government beaurocracy since day one was Rove’s first priority in 2001, then you’re probably correct.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 amRep. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) is standing on the Capitol steps while I’m watching C-Span and he is absolving the Rep party and pretending that it was simply a mistake that there was no WMD. According to him the WMD is still there and simply has not been found!
We need to clear out both sides, abolish the two party system and as citizens we must be more vigilant in our efforts to defend our constitution. We need not be compelled into patriotism by act or law and as citizens we must make it crystal clear that without liberty we have nothing to defend!
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 amAnd McCallum, for his efforts in letting big tobacco off the hook, was rewarded with an ambassadorship to Australia.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:27 amAlberto Gonzales set to become Mexico’s first illegal immigrant!
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:30 am-Story at 11:00
“He and two others instructed her to tell key witnesses to change their testimony.” Is that not subornation of perjury?
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:36 amQuestion for Constitutional Scholars: Is the use of “executive privilege” in an investigation of potential “obstruction of justice”, an overt “obstruction of justice” itself? Or am I being too logical here?
Said another way: With Bush claiming “executive privilege” in an obvious charge of “manipulation of the judiciary to obstruct justice” an attempt to obstruct justice by the President?
If so, then we have a double charge of “obstruction of justice”.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:37 amLet’s get Eubanks under oath? WHY would she capitulate and do this? She can provide names and instances and the people need to see the “ghost written” closing arguments in this case and become acquainted with it’s “ghost author”….
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:39 amThis is “perjury” or “obstruction of justice” in the Eubanks situation. Let’s get some teeth into it now.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:39 amWas it Gonzo’s “mission statement” to totally destroy the Republican Party? It’s beginning to appear that way.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 amJerry Moran – Another lying Bushie sycophant who will be driven from office soon.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 amThe first words off my lips: obstruction of justice.
Micromanaging is much too soft of a word to describe this.
Again though, this points out the need for public financing of federal elections. As we can see here, there are strings attached to the money big tobacco “gave” to the Bush campaign. The only way to remove the corrupting influence of this dirty money is to make it illegal but then replace it with public financing of federal election. We know what the problem is so why not move forward with the remedy.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 amIs this on the TV news shows yet? Y’know the Today show, or GMA, where the preoccupied middle AMerica gets their news?
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:48 amIs is on the front page of other papers, where the commuters get their news?
Sorry, guys, but I had to get some sleep there and I didn’t get a chance to answer all your questions — I guess were even now since no one answered my question — funny though how you want to SUBPOENA Sharon Eubanks for “perjury†or “obstruction of justiceâ€!! Don’t you even realize SHE is the whistle-blower in this situation? Attorney malpractice is judged not just by the outcome either.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:57 amJake:
No one is asking you questions. You’re dreaming. Go back to sleep.
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:08 amJake:
What was your question?
Here’s the answer: A chimp, stolen money, corruption of the Constitution of the United States of America, incompetence, shuckin’ and jivin’, and rampant criminality.
Does that answer it well enough?
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:17 amUntil Bushiva, L’il Dick, their minions and co-conspirators are brought to justice…
…America will be looked upon as a mirage…
…a pyramid scheme for the world’s greatest grifters…
…Tom Mix, John Wayne, and George Washington are all LIES…
…until the RULE of LAW is implemented in the case of…
…The People of the United States of America v. George W. Bush, Richard Cheney et al…
…is prosecuted…
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:21 amI like it that Jake is here. If people like Jake, Patrick1 and that other guy stopped attending TP the rest of us would quickly run out of topic to discuss since most Americans agree that Bush & Co. is corrupt!
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:22 amAt the very least, smafdy, I was asked if I remember when Rove quit working for Phillip Morris? My question was if anyone knew whether there WAS any actual detriment to the government’s case. Your “answer” is non responsive.
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:23 amFirst off, the question calls for conjecture (we have enough facts that we don’t need conjecture).
Secondly, I already answered that question: The detriment to the government’s case is that it was obstructed for political reasons.
Now, let me ask you a question:
How would the world be different if zippers were invented before buttons.
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 amImagine the ming-boggling number of ‘potential whistleblowers’ this gang of thugs has amassed in 6 long years of manipulating the truth?
Comment by veritas — March 22, 2007 @ 8:50 am
Wasn’t the person who was supposed to protect whistleblowers being interviewed or question a couple of weeks ago. And wasn’t it a Bushie who had not addressed any complaints. I’ll have to go search for that. The point is though if people didn’t feel they would be protected if they spoke up there may be hundreds of these people willing to come speak up about how they were pressured.
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:40 amAnd if this becomes corporate corruption on a massive scale how can we just allow these guys to leave office with no further punishment?
You “gummin” us to death again, Jake? Well, you’re good at that…
attaboy!
By the way little buddy- it’s a bit difficult taking you seriously with that dollop of RNC smegma dripping from your chin.
Why don’t you take a break, Jake. Clean yourself up a bit, playa.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:02 amSomething about you seems a bit… funny.
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE! Let’s move forward with this U.S. Attorney purge scandal and bring this all out into the open. The WH is so desperate to NOT let this all out that they’ll do anything to prevent it from happening. Let the testimonies begin and the investigations steam ahead. Trials are needed ASAP. Seriously.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:03 amProsecutor Sharon Y. Eubanks serves at the pleasure of the President. The President is now officially displeased.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:35 amHe and two others instructed her to tell key witnesses to change their testimony.
Who the hell is “he”?
This is clearly obstruction of justice, and should be dealt with immediately.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:49 amHow many cracks in a dam before it finally caves in and the water goes cascading down, down, down……
This dam is a spiderweb of cracks that are slowly widening..
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 amsmafdy:
You might as well have “answered”: The detriment to the government’s case is that it was detrimented. That’s called circular reasoning, which can be applied to your question just as easily. If anyone ELSE wants to answer my question, let me know.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:55 amRUCerious:
Seven.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:57 amAs for the “he”, the article says she named three (so take your pick: Robert, Peter, or Dan) who were subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by OPR. What I still have not found (and no one here, of course, has answered my question), what was the detriment? The government still won the case. For those who don’t know, in the jurisdiction at issue, there’s a whole trial-within-a-trial standard for attorney malpractice — would the government had achieved a better result without Robert, Peter, or Dan?
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:05 pm“Alberto Gonzales”:
Do you guys even read the linked articles? Maybe I should not assume that from now on.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:06 pm#94 – I totally agree there – there is plenty of evidence on the record to support RICO prosecution against the RNC. For all that they have screwed up, wasted, and stolen – with premeditation and wanton negligence, the Republican’t Party should face some collective sanction – should be indicted and prosecuted, just like any other “crime family” has been / would be.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 pm“Alberto Gonzalesâ€:
Do you guys even read the linked articles? Maybe I should not assume that from now on.
Comment by Jake
Of course I don’t read the linked articles. Hell, I don’t even read my own emails. I’ve overcome a lot of obstacles in my life to become Attorney General. Nor am I aware of decisions. So far as I knew my chief of staff was involved in the process of determining who were the weak performers.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:22 pmI was not involved in seeing any memos, was not involved in any discussions about what was going on. That’s basically what I knew as the Attorney General.
Anyone know how much money big tobacco contributed to the Bush/Cheney campaign? I’m curious what the going rate is to bribe them to obstruct justice.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pmWell looky what Google turned up:
In a 1997 deposition, Rove testified that he worked as a Philip Morris consultant from 1991 to 1996, taking about $175,000 in fees. He said that Bush was aware of his Philip Morris ties beginning in 1993.
Rove admitted in his 1997 deposition that he steered Bush toward pushing the tort reform issue as a central prong in his campaigns, though Rove denied ever misusing his ties to the governor to advance the interests of Philip Morris. Bush did deliver a major rollback in victims’ legal rights — highlighted in his presidential campaign — to the benefit of Philip Morris.
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=896
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:35 pmSo as chief litigator not yet retired she dutifully read the closing argument prepared for her by the supervisors who she knew were sabotaging her case. Their defense? “Her claims are totally false in terms of [us] trying to weaken the case,” McCallum said. “Her claims were looked into by the Office of Professional Responsibility and were found to be groundless.” So, will one of the questions become, did a member of their internal OPR also dutifully report what was written for him by higher-ups?
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:55 pmIf anyone ELSE wants to answer my question, let me know.
Comment by Jake — March 22, 2007 @ 11:55 am
NO Jake, nobody wants to answer your questions. Nobody want to hear from you or answer your questions.
Circular reasoning – that’s what you use in your daily barrages isn’t it. Somebody answers one and you turn around and come up with a different one based on their answers all getting back to the same place. Nowhere.
I don’t pretend to speak for everybody but I can tell you MOST of us are sick of hearing anything you have to say.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:02 pmshane:
I am fine with the lurkers out there noting that nobody wants to answer my question which was definitely on-topic to: “Sharon Y. Eubanks said Bush loyalists in Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales’s office began micromanaging the team’s strategy in the final weeks of the 2005 trial, to the detriment of the government’s claim that the industry had conspired to lie to U.S. smokers.”
See you on the next thread.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:07 pmJake
That was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome?
Read the article, Jake.
News reports on the strategy changes at the time caused an uproar in Congress and sparked an inquiry by the Justice Department. Government witnesses said they had been asked to change testimony, and one expert withdrew from the case. Government lawyers also announced that they were scaling back a proposed penalty against the industry from $130 billion to $10 billion.
During several tense late-night meetings, McCallum repeatedly refused to suggest a figure, Eubanks said, or give clear reasons for the reduction. Brody refused to lower the amount. Finally, on the morning the government was to propose the penalty in court, she said, McCallum ordered it cut to $10 billion.
The most stressful moment, Eubanks said, came when the three appointees ordered her to read word for word a closing argument they had rewritten. The statement explained the validity of seeking a $10 billion penalty.
“Finally, on the morning the government was to propose the penalty in court, she said, McCallum ordered it cut to $10 billion.”
What is it you’re not understanding about that, Jake? Was that just her opinion that it was ordered cut to $10 billion? Was that just her opinion that a cut from $130 billion to $10 billion was to the detriment of the government’s claim?
It’s so amusing the way you pretend to be a complete imbecile. Or are you not pretending?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:26 pmchimpeach:
How much did the Court award finally?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:34 pmTHE UTTER RAMPANT CORRUPTION, WHOLESALE GRAFT AND SLEAZY POLITICAL CHICANERY of Bushland Uber Allies IS AN UNPRECEDENTED BLIGHT, A CANCEROUS TUMOR UPON THE BODY OF AMERICA THAT MUST BE RUTHLESSLY EXCISED, CUT OFF, BURNT AND DESTROYED—-GET RID OF CHIMPya, FRANKENCheney, FAT-F*CK Rove AND THE REST OF Bushland Uber Allies—-HANGING BY THEIR MISERABLE NECKS IS TOO LENIENT A PUNISHMENT FOR THESE SCUM—-THEY SHOULD BE HUNG BY THEIR TESTICLES UNTIL THEY SCREAM, WAIL AND CATERWAUL FOR THE RELEASE OF A SWIFT, QUICK DEATH—-AND EVEN THAT WOULD BE TOO LENIENT!!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:40 pmThat was just her OPINION that the changes were to the detriment of the government’s claim — what was the eventual outcome?
Comment by Jake — March 22, 2007 @ 12:47 am
It would help if you read ALL of the post, idiot. Like this part:
She said a supervisor demanded that she and her trial team drop recommendations that tobacco executives be removed from their corporate positions as a possible penalty. He and two others instructed her to tell key witnesses to change their testimony.
Nothing about an opinion in this part.
And…typical that Bushie didn’t want to give the executives a harsh enough penalty. Hell, he won’t even set benchmarks for the Iraqis and show them that there are repurcussions for not taking over their own security. Just keep pissing in the wind and hope it doesn’t hit you in the face. Just the same old sh*t. Keep pouring in more and more troops, keep saying “we’ve turned a corner,” keep telling America that the insurgents are “in their last throes,” keep telling America “just give it 6 more months.” In other words, as we know, an endless war.
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:13 pmHey Jake! Did you read about the interference from the government in another case, as revealed on TP yesterday? Just for you, I’m reposting what I posted yesterday because again you just didn’t see it or either you simply ignored it.
The thread was entitled:
A second set of emails from the gap.
The issue revolves around this, as listed on TP:
We’ve tracked down another set of emails during the 18-day gap (available HERE) between Kyle Sampson and Brent Ward, the head of the federal obscenity task force. In the emails, Ward complains about resistance from several U.S. Attorneys to prosecuting obscenity cases.
A TP contributor found more info on this case:
The case centers on an adult video vendor, Five Star Video, LC, that was indicted in May 06 for interstate transportation of obscene materials, namely a certain four videos. But here’s where it gets interesting. Five Star was not the only vendor. A bigger retailer, Castle Megastores was also selling and renting the same videos across state lines. Ironically, Castle was, and is, “under the supervision of the U.S. Trustee’s Office of the Department of Justice, and the United States Bankruptcy Court of the District of Arizona.†In other words, our government is profiting from the same videos, while indicting a competitor for violating obscenity laws.
It makes no sense to waste federal resources on penny ante pot busts and it’s certainly nearly impossible to argue one company is violating community decency standards when our own government is setting the standard by vending the same titles.
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:06 pmAnd Jake, you STILL have not answered this question:
What does the provision in the Patriot Act that allows Bush to appoint US Attorneys and bypass Senate confirmation have to do with national security?
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 pmFaxless Payday Loan
March 16th, 2008 at 2:00 pm