ThinkFast: April 1, 2009
ThinkFast: April 1, 2009
The Justice Department will drop all charges against former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens due to problems with the prosecution. Attorney General Eric Holder was reportedly “horrified by the failure of prosecutors to turn over all relevant materials to the defense.” In a statement this morning, Holder said, “I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial.”
The special congressional election in New York between Democrat Scott Murphy and Republican Jim Tedisco is too close to call, “with the two candidates separated by just 59 votes and a lengthy process of awaiting and counting absentee ballots set to begin.” It “might be mid-April before the race is settled,” notes Politico.
Presidential envoy Richard Holbrooke met briefly with Iran’s deputy foreign minister Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh at a conference on Afghanistan yesterday. The meeting marks “the first face-to-face encounter” between the Obama administration and Iran. “It was cordial, unplanned and they agreed to stay in touch,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Fifty-six percent of the American public still believe the war in Afghanistan is worth fighting, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Fifty-one percent believe that the United States should focus “more on defeating the Taliban military” and people are evenly divided on whether or not progress is being made in the war.
“I think of you as a goon,” David Letterman told Bill O’Reilly last night. “You’re too smart to believe what you say.” O’Reilly tried to distinguish himself from fellow hatemongers Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck by claiming that he’s a journalist. “I got a degree, I paid a lot of money for… I went out, covered stories… those guys are basically entertainers… we give information.”
Obama is planning to begin negotiations with Russia today for a new nuclear arms control treaty. Both American and Russia officials “privately indicated that they could agree to reducing their stockpiles perhaps to about 1,500 warheads apiece, down from the 2,200 allowed under a treaty signed by President George W. Bush.”
In a reverse of Bush administration policy, the Obama administration has announced that the United States “will seek a seat on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council,” saying that “working from within was the most effective means of altering the council’s habit of ignoring poor human rights records of member states.”
“Momentum among Democrats is growing to use special budget rules to push major healthcare reform this year through the Senate with a simple majority.” Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), who are possible members of a House-Senate conference committee, refused yesterday to rule out the use of reconciliation, which would prevent the use of a filibuster to block health reform.
Former Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley “is heading to the U.S. Institute of Peace — the congressionally created and funded outfit that focuses on international conflict management, as a senior adviser for global affairs.” Hadley will co-chair a working group on the Middle East with former Clinton national security adviser Samuel R. Berger.
And finally: Happy April Fool’s Day, from the Guardian.
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Former Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley “is heading to the U.S. Institute of Peace.
WTF? Is this TP’s April Fool’s joke?
Hadley & peace aren’t connected by any amount of degrees. He should be in jail with the rest of the Bush cabal.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:06 amAnother endless race for a seat in Congress, this time in New York. With the Franken race going on and on, I guess we have to get used to this….
Stevens is undoubtably corrupt, but sounds like Holder is making the best decision. He is 85 and his day was done anyway. Still….questions linger.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:07 amMy first impression regarding the Red Stevens debacle is that the failure to disclose by the Stevens prosecution was gross professional incompetence, or calculated sabotage.
TPMMuckraker should get a lot of hits from this story.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:10 amInteresting choice of words…
“paid a lot of money for…” not “worked very hard for…”
April 1st, 2009 at 9:12 amlarkohio Says:
Another endless race for a seat in Congress, this time in New York. With the Franken race going on and on, I guess we have to get used to this….
Evidence continues to pile up that election reforms are an absolute necessity. The only thing is, it would really have to be tackled by an independent third party or else it will be framed as a “partisan power grab” by whoever the minority power is.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:13 amFranken / Coleman update…
The trio of MN judges have decided to admit 400 unopened absentee ballots, as opposed to Coleman’s request for 1,360.
(The same ballots his legal team initially wanted rejected.)
That would mean Coleman would have to have 80% of those to surpass Franken. Additionally, not all of those are likely to pass muster as eligible votes.
Coleman’s team is already appealing this decision. They’ll most likely drag this thing out until mid-summer.
The upside? Coleman’s team admits it’s a ‘long shot’ to come out ahead.
The best part? The loser pays all legal fees.
Norm Coleman: Flip flopper, liar, and only has served because Paul Wellstone was killed.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:13 amDr. Moth Matt Says:
Doocy: “Putin is actually in the United States right now showing the federal government how to seize businesses”
I wish Putin would pay a visit to Doocy and show him how the KGB “seizes” lives.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:14 amWe’ve needed a third party (at least) for decades now :(
April 1st, 2009 at 9:14 amOnly the weak and poor get punished in America. Time to rename the “Justice” Department.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:15 amO’Reilly tried to distinguish himself from fellow hatemongers Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck by claiming that he’s a journalist. “I got a degree, I paid a lot of money for…
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A journalist? Well, I suppose in a kind of “National Enquirer meets the mafia” kind of way. REAL journalists aren’t going to claim any kinship.
Oh, and Bill? I know a number of people who “paid a lot of money” for their degrees, yet managed to learn nothing while getting them. The price tag on your degree doesn’t impress me.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:15 amZimzone Says:
Franken / Coleman update…
How can Coleman, on the one hand, turn to his constituents and claim to be operating in their best interests, while on the other hand, denies them full representation in Congress? What a shitbag!
April 1st, 2009 at 9:15 amI dream of a day when our votes are counted by wildly partisan left-wing companies.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:16 amwags camponotus saundersi Says:
We’ve needed a third party (at least) for decades now :(
I know wags…I actually meant like an elections supervisory “party” like Jimmy Carter’s group, to implement systemic election reform – including both how votes are gathered and counted and how elections are financed. Then that would set the stage for the emergence of a true third party.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:18 amPerry logan Says:
Evidence continues to pile up that election reforms are an absolute necessity.
I dream of a day when our votes are counted by wildly partisan left-wing companies.
Too bad ACORN doesn’t make voting machines… /mildly snarky
April 1st, 2009 at 9:19 amAttorney General Eric Holder was reportedly “horrified by the failure of prosecutors to turn over all relevant materials to the defense.”
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I hope there’s a lesson learned here. The next corrupt politician may not be an 85-year old man. Let’s hope our prosecutors get their act together.
Of course, I don’t blame Holder — this didn’t happen on his watch. Now that the Justice Dept. has a new pilot, we shouldn’t see this kind of glaring incompetence anymore.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:20 ammisscoleopteramolly Says:
O’Reilly tried to distinguish himself from fellow hatemongers Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck by claiming that he’s a journalist. “I got a degree, I paid a lot of money for…
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A journalist? Well, I suppose in a kind of “National Enquirer meets the mafia” kind of way. REAL journalists aren’t going to claim any kinship.
You know what?! F*$% IT!!! We’ll do it LIVE!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 9:21 amQuestion: Does BillO polish his Peabody with his falafel?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:22 amI think of you as a goon,” David Letterman told Bill O’Reilly last night. “You’re too smart to believe what you say.”
Letterman was too funny – his distaste for O’SillyO was very obvious. I must admit I enjoyed watching pompous O’SillyO squirm. He’s such a lying, arrogant worm.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:22 am“I think of you as a goon,” David Letterman told Bill O’Reilly last night.
That was too kind, by half. But I guess he couldn’t call him a phuckwit on network teevee…
Bill-O’s remark abut having paid “a lot of mnoney” for his “degree” exemplifies PERFECTLY what is wrong the university anymore: people get degrees which they “pay” for, and that expense alone validates them. Most people today, in my experience at 2 major universities, attend for two reasons: to get their ‘tickets’ stamped, and to ratify their own unexamined prejudices…
April 1st, 2009 at 9:22 ammisscoleopteramolly Says:
Of course, I don’t blame Holder — this didn’t happen on his watch. Now that the Justice Dept. has a new pilot, we shouldn’t see this kind of glaring incompetence anymore.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:20 am
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It’s a victory for the rule of law. I may not like the outcome, but I’m so happy to have an AG who’s at least trying to play by the rules.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:23 amC`mon even oreilly knows hes not a journalist. Anyone with Rupert Murdochs signature on the bottom of his paycheck is just a talking head for the right wing bullsht.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:23 amTechnically, the NY20 seat shouldn’t make much difference to either Party so Tedisco may not pull a “Norm” (Coleman).
On the other hand, as Republicans always seem to Party above public interest and as they are so desperate now Tedisco is probably coming under a lot of pressure to follow orders.
It probably depends on how much self respect and respect for the election process Tedisco has.
Given that he ran that stupid 9-11 ad in his campaign, I’m guessing he’ll take the lowest road, like Norm Coleman
April 1st, 2009 at 9:25 am“The Justice Department will drop all charges against former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens due to problems with the prosecution”
I just wonder if Bush could get away with his crimes like that.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:26 amI wish Putin would pay a visit to Doocy and show him how the KGB “seizes” lives.
The difference between Putin and just about every other world leader: Putin’s pulled the trigger. He’s killed people, up close and personal. You can see it in his eyes…I would LOVE for Putin to introduce Doocy to real fear…
April 1st, 2009 at 9:26 amsscncturn64 Says:
C`mon even oreilly knows hes not a journalist. Anyone with Rupert Murdochs signature on the bottom of his paycheck is just a talking head for the right wing bullsht.
You must have never heard BillO state that the Factor doesn’t endorse any particular person or ideology except BillO.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:27 amtokin librul Says:
I wish Putin would pay a visit to Doocy and show him how the KGB “seizes” lives.
The difference between Putin and just about every other world leader: Putin’s pulled the trigger. He’s killed people, up close and personal. You can see it in his eyes…I would LOVE for Putin to introduce Doocy to real fear…
Which is exactly why Bush’s “I saw into soul” comment was so schlocky and effing STUPID. The only thing he probably saw in Putin’s eyes was his own vodka soaked image staring back at him.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:28 amPresidential envoy Richard Holbrooke met briefly with Iran’s deputy foreign minister Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh at a conference on Afghanistan yesterday. The meeting marks “the first face-to-face encounter” between the Obama administration and Iran. “It was cordial, unplanned and they agreed to stay in touch,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
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Sounds kinda like two pre-teens meeting while their families are on vacation in Niagara Falls. Did they have a chance to make a “Best Frenemies Forever” collage before they left?
Every little bit of diplomacy helps, I guess, but I’d like to start seeing some cordial planned meetings between us and Iran.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:29 amlol
April 1st, 2009 at 9:30 amLooks like the fix was in. Thanks so much to our heads-up, competent, hard working Department of Justice for all they don’t do. Enjoy your money, Mr. Stevens.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:30 amMy first thought was that this was another case of Loyal Bushies doing their best to get a fellow Republican off the hook…
April 1st, 2009 at 9:36 am“Fifty-six percent of the American public still believe the war in Afghanistan is worth fighting, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.”
The question is,WHY is it “worth fighting”?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:37 amAnswering that question clearly will inform HOW the fight is conducted to reach the point where the fighting ends.
I’m still amazed that anyone in the lower 95% of the socio-economic scale can vote for a Republican. What is it that makes those folks believe we will be better off under Republican rule?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:38 amBriseadh na Firefly Says:
I’m still amazed that anyone in the lower 95% of the socio-economic scale can vote for a Republican. What is it that makes those folks believe we will be better off under Republican rule?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:38 am
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They believe Republicans will protect them from The Gay.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:39 amBriseadh na Firefly Says:
I’m still amazed that anyone in the lower 95% of the socio-economic scale can vote for a Republican. What is it that makes those folks believe we will be better off under Republican rule?
A tenuous grasp on reality? There are a lot of people out there who believe they are rich, but are really just an illness or a lay-off away from losing it all.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:40 am“EXTRA EXTRA, read all about it!…..’Tubes’ Stevens goes free, class-based justice alive and well in America!’”
April 1st, 2009 at 9:45 amAnd btw, Putin doesn’t know anything about seizing industries. You’d have to go back to Lenin to find a Russian who had any expeience in nationalization.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:47 amNow presiding over a flailing economy controlled by a gang of thugs? Putin probably has some valuable experience to share.
Bill O’Liely a journalist? LOL! The next thing you know, we will call Bush the ‘Uniter’.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:48 amBTW…good morning all!
April 1st, 2009 at 9:48 amAnother lie by O’Reilly in calling himself a journalist that’s about as laughable as Bush telling everyone Wall St got drunk?
The GOP needs to really think long and hard about the future of their political party. They look like a bunch of gray hair whiners who’s time has come to past and people are tired of that.
Why do most GOP candidates running for any office use 9/11/01 for votes-using the lives of the victims and the families for political gain, that’s terrible?
Tedisco turned me off with 9/11 message and I voted for Scott instead.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:50 am.
Way to go, Ted! Now the little old Republican hidalgo can retire to his arctic plantation and grow bananas, safe in the knowledge that he is above the law. The prosecutors totally threw their own case.
As to Afghanistan, it’s over: OSAMA BIN LADEN SURRENDERS TO CANADIAN FORCES
April 1st, 2009 at 9:51 am.
You know, I’m glad Billo is going on these talk shows. It shows how much of a partisian liar he is. By distancing himself from Beck and Limbaugh, he will alienate his base. But then again, his base isn’t very smart so they will forgive him, as usual.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:54 amThey look like a bunch of gray hair whiners
Because they are.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:54 amcosanostradamus Says:
As to Afghanistan, it’s over: OSAMA BIN LADEN SURRENDERS TO CANADIAN FORCES
April 1st, 2009 at 9:51 am
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Har de har.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:55 amOnce again we see bushes justice dept coming back to bite us in the ass. The Stevens case was blown by the bush lawyers who got their law degrees in the bottom of a cereal box. Holder did the only thing he could do and maintain the rule of law.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:57 amThe Bush poltics 24 team was nefarious enough to purposefully mess up Stevens prosecution. His appeal specifically mentions prosecutor abuse. I smell Bush mendacity.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:07 am“…the United States “will seek a seat on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council,” saying that “working from within was the most effective means of altering the council’s habit of ignoring poor human rights records of member states.”
WOW! That is weird!
1) I had no idea the US wasn’t on the UN-HRC, because all the HR rhetoric from Presidents and Congresses past.
2) The “habit of ignoring poor human rights records of member states” includes the non HRC member, the USA.
3) John Bolton was appointed US Ambassador to the UN specifically to “work from within” to manipulate it.
That summary of Obama’s decision sounds positively insidious! Its giving me the creeps.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:09 amWhy does Holder NOT demand a new trial? He says it is in the interest of justice. Hell, no, it is not! It may be that the evidence has been so violated by an incompetent or corrupt prosecution team that it isn’t feasible to go forward. That is one thing. But if the interest of justice is to be served, the SOB should be retried. This stinks of a case of politicians protecting their own!
April 1st, 2009 at 10:10 amDavid Letterman looked like he was getting his teeth pulled during last night’s unbearably long segment with Bill O’Reilly. BillO’s ego took up most of the stage.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am5th estate,
April 1st, 2009 at 10:15 amWe are on the same page so to speak.
After hering that Holder had to drop the case against Stevens for prosecutorial misconduct – my first thought was could this have been deliberate sabotage?
wags notes that Billo said:
“paid a lot of money for…” not “worked very hard for…”
Isn’t that typical of repugniscum thinking? Money is the answer for everything; don’t work for anything if you can buy it.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:17 amcandide Says:
Why does Holder NOT demand a new trial?
April 1st, 2009 at 10:10 am
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April 1st, 2009 at 10:18 am
candide Says: Holder would be wasting justice dept time and money now. The evidence in the case has become so tainted by the bushie clowns that its not worth the effort.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:19 amchiroetera toasterhead: “Every little bit of diplomacy helps, I guess, but I’d like to start seeing some cordial planned meetings between us and Iran.”
No doubt they will–unlike when the Iranians made overtures to the Bush administration in late 2002 as the invasion of Iraq was clearly looming, for which effort the Iranians were rewarded as being part of an “Axis of Evil”.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:20 amI read somewhere today that Obama is all about exploring mutual interests and diplomacy, as adults in charge — he’s not interested in a “buddy-buddy” relationship with anyone.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:27 am(a smack down of Bush and his seeing into the soul of his friend, Putin)
Was Stevens’ prosecutor a Bush appointee? Sabotage seems likelier than not.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:27 amMarie Says:
I read somewhere today that Obama is all about exploring mutual interests and diplomacy, as adults in charge — he’s not interested in a “buddy-buddy” relationship with anyone.
(a smack down of Bush and his seeing into the soul of his friend, Putin)
April 1st, 2009 at 10:27 am
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They’re discussing this on Diane Rehm right now – his approach seems to be much more holistic, realizing that there are transnational and transregional issues that connect the countries of the world. It’ll be nice not to see the old stovepipe diplomacy we had with Bush.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:33 amMarie Says: “...my first thought was could this have been deliberate sabotage?”
Indeed. What simpler way to ruin a trial.
Disclosure is as elementary a principle and practice of law as simply showing-up.
The Washington Justice Department was purged somewhat,but Mukasey came in as a caretaker and did nothing but stall reform. The ‘Fifth Column’ of right-wing partisan appointees still exist in many State JD’s and Alaska has to be riddled with them.
TPMMuckraker is IMHO the best source for info and analysis on this.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:34 amGOP releasing their budget right now. Same old. Same old.
Open federal areas to drilling
April 1st, 2009 at 10:42 amRescind stimulas $$
Reduce Corporate tax rate
tax breaks
Moratorium on earmarks
Cut discretionary spending
Marie Says:
(a smack down of Bush and his seeing into the soul of his friend, Putin)
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I can only imagine that it took every last bit of Putin’s self-control to not break down and laugh so hard he cried.
Vlad to confidantes back at the Kremlin, recounting the moment: “And I felt as if I were looking into… how do the Americans say… Howdy Doody’s eyes…”
April 1st, 2009 at 10:43 amI am convinced that there is no rule of law in the United States. When criminals like Ted Stephens, Bush and Cheney are walking around free, but Joe the potsmoker is in prison, there is no reason to believe that there is any justice in America.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:49 amBush lackey Frances Townsend got her latest payday, after defending Cheney’s assasination ring and burying corporate for-profit hospital deaths after Hurricane Katrina.
Frances Fragos Townsend, former Bush homeland security adviser, today joins the Washington office of the law firm Baker Botts as a corporate partner heading a new practice group called Global Security and Corporate Risk Counseling.
That’s the James A. Baker, III, long associated with the Carlyle Group. Of course, I commented:
http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2009/04/frances-townsend-earned-job-with-baker.html
April 1st, 2009 at 10:53 amTheresa Lady Bug Says:
GOP releasing their budget right now. Same old. Same old.
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Funny… is it SOP in Washington for the party in the minority to produce their own competing budget plan?
Or is this more cheesy grandstanding on the part of the GOOPers?
Can’t WAIT for Fox to report on this!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 10:59 amTheresa Lady Bug Says:
GOP releasing their budget right now. Same old. Same old.
Open federal areas to drilling
Rescind stimulas $$
Reduce Corporate tax rate
tax breaks
Moratorium on earmarks
Cut non-defense discretionary spending
Fixed it for you, because they always include that qualifier. The defense budget is sacred and untouchable, no matter how many retarded weapons systems the pentagon blows the money on.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:01 am#67, you are correct with that fix. My bad. Was typing that list while Ryan was speaking.
Also include “and veterans benefits” after “non-defense”.
We all know how much they like to take care of the vets.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:12 amHad it been a poor black kid from the projects accused of selling some coke to get by, I’m pretty sure they would have gotten a conviction – prosecutorial misconduct be damned (or more likely, encouraged).
April 1st, 2009 at 11:22 amBill considers himself a journalist?
NOT…being a journalist requires due diligence and investigative reporting. When all you do is chase people down in the street like dogs during the day and then try to investigate your employee’s panty drawer during your off hours, you can’t really consider yourself a journalist.
Now @sshole?…that’s more like it.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:27 amNotice Bill-O describes his degree as something he paid a lot of money for. A financial transaction.
Not like a degree should include work and intellectual probing.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:41 amTime to remind the repubs (and non-avoidable trolls) on this,
having the charges thrown out on prosecutorial misconduct does not mean innocent. Doesn’t even mean not guilty.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:43 amChiroptera–
April 1st, 2009 at 11:53 amIt is not double jeopardy for a defendant who has had his case thrown out for a technicality to be retried. Some evidence may be tossed out, but on a finding like this, the State can demand a retrial.
MapleStreet Says:
Notice Bill-O describes his degree as something he paid a lot of money for. A financial transaction.
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I wonder what kind of degree he got when he paid Andrea Mackris to keep quiet…
April 1st, 2009 at 12:05 pmThe bright side of the Stevens trial debacle is that now Nolder has the perfect reason to remove as many Bush Justice Dept. employees as he likes. And any of the US Attorneys that he doesn’t trust as well.
Ted is old and irrelevant anyway, and having a conviction dismissed is NOT the same as aproclamation of innocence, All thinking Americans already knew he was a crook.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:38 pmThis is an insult to goons everywhere! I’m going to pursue this with the Amalgamated Union of Goons, Mooks, Second Bananas And Other Professional Henching Persons, Mister Letterman! Now where’s the number of my representative… TV’s Frank, TV’s Frank… Ah, here it is…
April 1st, 2009 at 12:40 pmBriseadh na Firefly Says:
I’m still amazed that anyone in the lower 95% of the socio-economic scale can vote for a Republican. What is it that makes those folks believe we will be better off under Republican rule?
Since the Republicans had a 71,000 registered voter advantage in this district and the vote is too close to call, I’d say that a lot of Republicans are finally getting it.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:40 pmDamn, I have a lot of typos today… oh for an edit button…
April 1st, 2009 at 12:41 pmAdamkun says
“Henching persons”
Is that PC for henchmen?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:42 pmWell see, it was meant to be a parody of The Amalgamated Union of Philosophers, Sages, Luminaries And Other Professional Thinking Persons. If I had run with henchmen, it would have changed the joke.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:31 pmIsrael FM rejects Annapolis deal
Israel’s new ultra-nationalist foreign minister has said it is not bound by a US-sponsored 2007 agreement to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians.
“The Annapolis conference, it has no validity,” Avigdor Lieberman said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7977002.stm
April 1st, 2009 at 4:01 pm>Why does Holder NOT demand a new trial?
Polticial reasons. Although the proof against stevens was ironclad (they had him on tape for chrissakes), and his excuse laughable (I was waiting for years to get a bill and didnt ask any questions when I never got one), it looks like the bush justice department defenitely had some of its members sabotage the case. Even though stevens is guily as sin, and in fact the statute of limitations was the only thing that prevented charges of outright bribery from being piled on as well, unfortunately if the case against Stevens was taken up again, the pundits would be screaming “political prosecution of a poor old republican”…in many, many ways, Obama has bigger fish to fry and other things to spend poltical capital on.. Also, as one commententor mentioned, someone at the bush department may have so badly sabotaged the case that getting a convinction, or even avoiding a motion to dismiss by the prosecution, would have been impossible. If you are a prosecutor, there are many instances where the toothpaste cannot be put back into the tube, so to speak…Look at it this way…A federal judge didnt think the prosecutorial misconduct was bad enough to dismiss the case, and federal judges don’t like to make decisions that would be overturned on appeal….stevens is now known as a bribe taker, he’s out of the senate, and hopefully his political career is over, so honestly, the positive results of exposing his criminality have be acheived..
April 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pmSen. Orrin Hatch said that Ted Stevens was “screwed” by misconduct. The American people were screwed by yet another failure of the Bush administration. Rather than bringing a corrupt politician to justice they prosecuted the case so badly that their successor is allowing him to go free rather than trying the case again. It is a sad day for America. The only silver lining is that Ted Stevens can no longer do any damage since he is out of office. And, hopefully he’ll be way too old to run when the seat comes open again.
I’m sure Judith Regan has a book deal all lined up for him.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pmOne might think today’s real news is a bad April Fool’s joke:
1. Ted Stevens conviction is dropped, per request of the Obama Justice Department
2. Stephen Hadley is appointed to a Congressional Peace Commission
3. Frances Townsend joins Baker Botts to advise on government investigations. Fran & James A. Baker wrote hapless reports on Hurricane Katrina and BP’s Texas City Explosion. The people who died deserved more than whitewashes for The Carlye Group & BP’s Lord John Browne, which later became one and the same.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pmHolder gave Stevens a get out of jail free card because he said there were problems with the prosecution.
If this is the case, I expect Gov. Don Seigleman’s case to be dropped for the very same reason.
So far Obama’s attorney general has refused to prosecute criminal Republicans and has sprung other criminal Republicans free, but Don Seigleman has to face the same Bush attorneys on these fraudulent charges again soon, because Obama didn’t get rid of them and told them they could continue to corrupt our justice department until Obama gets replacements confirmed.
Seigleman will also have to face the same judge that put him in a maximum security prison in solitary confinement for the crime of being a Democrat during a fascist coup of our democracy.
I don’t want to hear one word about how Holder is reforming the justice department until he demonstrates equal justice under the law and not special protection from justice for Republicans.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:46 amStevens was in no way exhonerated. He simply got off on a technicality and complicity.
We know he committed these crimes and we know Don Seigleman did not.
Where is the real justice, Holder?
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 amOK Pat obviously senile dementia has set in. Time to see the nice young men that will need to take care of you soon.burun estetigi rent a car arac kiralama
April 18th, 2009 at 6:16 amsac ekimi