Christine O'Donnell Investigation: Criminal Probe Into Campaign Finances Reportedly Underway: "BALTIMORE — Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation to determine whether failed U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell broke the law by using campaign money to pay personal expenses, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
O'Donnell, the Delaware Republican and tea party favorite who scored a surprise primary victory this year only to lose badly in the November general election, denied the charges and suggested they were being driven by her political opponents on the right and left, including Vice President Joe Biden."
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
START APPROVED!
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Sunday, December 26, 2010
Robert Gibbs: 'It's Going To Be A While Before' Guantanamo Closes
Robert Gibbs: 'It's Going To Be A While Before' Guantanamo Closes: "Get Politics Alerts
If there was one macro-lesson to be learned from the process -- painful as it was -- of overturning the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, it's that major legislative change can take time.
The Obama administration followed a process, entrusted Congress, and endured the (justified) impatience of the gay-rights community. Ultimately, it worked.
But it doesn't always go according to the legislative plan. And while the president followed through on his promise to overturn DADT, his failure to do the same on another campaign pledge -- the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay -- remains conspicuous, and no closer to any apparent resolution.
On Sunday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked when Gitmo was going to be closed, as the two-year deadline for the president's initial closure promise nears. 'It's going to be a while before that prison closes' he told CNN's 'State of the Union.'
From the station's transcript:"CANDY CROWLEY: The first is, we are a month away from being a year late in closing down Guantanamo Bay prison. When is that prison going to close?
GIBBS: I don't -- it's certainly not going to close in the next month. I think it's -- I think it's going to be a while before that prison ...
CROWLEY: Another year?
GIBBS: -- closes. I think part of this depends on the Republicans' willingness to work with the administration on this.
The White House's inability to follow through on Gitmo's closure may be more about legal hurdles than a lack of political will or strategic missteps. But it also underscores how the president has been dependent on a compliant Congress. The administration, even in the most opportune of climates, couldn't find Republican backers (beyond the John McCain-Lindsey Graham nexus) to support Guantanamo's closure.
If there was one macro-lesson to be learned from the process -- painful as it was -- of overturning the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, it's that major legislative change can take time.
The Obama administration followed a process, entrusted Congress, and endured the (justified) impatience of the gay-rights community. Ultimately, it worked.
But it doesn't always go according to the legislative plan. And while the president followed through on his promise to overturn DADT, his failure to do the same on another campaign pledge -- the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay -- remains conspicuous, and no closer to any apparent resolution.
On Sunday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked when Gitmo was going to be closed, as the two-year deadline for the president's initial closure promise nears. 'It's going to be a while before that prison closes' he told CNN's 'State of the Union.'
From the station's transcript:"CANDY CROWLEY: The first is, we are a month away from being a year late in closing down Guantanamo Bay prison. When is that prison going to close?
GIBBS: I don't -- it's certainly not going to close in the next month. I think it's -- I think it's going to be a while before that prison ...
CROWLEY: Another year?
GIBBS: -- closes. I think part of this depends on the Republicans' willingness to work with the administration on this.
The White House's inability to follow through on Gitmo's closure may be more about legal hurdles than a lack of political will or strategic missteps. But it also underscores how the president has been dependent on a compliant Congress. The administration, even in the most opportune of climates, couldn't find Republican backers (beyond the John McCain-Lindsey Graham nexus) to support Guantanamo's closure.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
House Democrats Push For New Foreclosure Regulations
House Democrats Push For New Foreclosure Regulations: "279
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Email Comments 262 Several key House Democrats are circulating a letter urging support for new regulations that would crack down on what critics say are rampant foreclosure abuses in the nation's banking system.
The letter, authored by Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.) encourages federal banking regulators to rein in practices at bank divisions called 'mortgage servicers.' Servicers are responsible for collecting and processing payments, charging late fees, negotiating with troubled borrowers and implementing the foreclosure process. Servicers have been criticized for committing widespread fraud in recent months, charging improper fees and incorrectly evicting borrowers."
views Get Business Alerts
Email Comments 262 Several key House Democrats are circulating a letter urging support for new regulations that would crack down on what critics say are rampant foreclosure abuses in the nation's banking system.
The letter, authored by Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.) encourages federal banking regulators to rein in practices at bank divisions called 'mortgage servicers.' Servicers are responsible for collecting and processing payments, charging late fees, negotiating with troubled borrowers and implementing the foreclosure process. Servicers have been criticized for committing widespread fraud in recent months, charging improper fees and incorrectly evicting borrowers."
Monday, December 20, 2010
Haley Barbour's Account Of Civil Rights Era In Mississippi Assailed By NAACP, Historians
WASHINGTON -- Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) has set off a firestorm of controversy over his comments on the civil rights era in his hometown of Yazoo City, and now the president of the state's NAACP organization is calling his remarks "offensive" and akin to revisionist history.
"It is quite disturbing that the governor of this state would take an approach to try to change the history of this state," said Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi NAACP. "It's beyond disturbing -- it's offensive that he would try and create a new historical reality that undermines the physical, mental, and economic hardship that many African-Americans had to suffer as a result of the policies and practices of the White Citizens Council."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/20/haley-barbour-civil-rights_n_799365.html
"It is quite disturbing that the governor of this state would take an approach to try to change the history of this state," said Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi NAACP. "It's beyond disturbing -- it's offensive that he would try and create a new historical reality that undermines the physical, mental, and economic hardship that many African-Americans had to suffer as a result of the policies and practices of the White Citizens Council."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/20/haley-barbour-civil-rights_n_799365.html
Where 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Goes From Here
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'Lie of the Year': Government Takeover of Health Care
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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Shepard Smith Unloads On Blockers Of 9/11 Responders Bill: 'How Do They Sleep At Night?' (VIDEO)
Shepard Smith Unloads On Blockers Of 9/11 Responders Bill: 'How Do They Sleep At Night?' (VIDEO): "Shepard Smith excoriated the Senators who are holding up the so-called 'Zadroga Bill' to assist 9/11 first responders who suffer from medical problems as a result of their time at Ground Zero. The bill, which provides $7 billion for the responders, passed the House but is being held up by Republicans in the Senate.
Speaking to Fox News colleague Chris Wallace on Friday, Smith asked, 'How do they sleep at night after this vote on Ground Zero first responders from 9/11? Are they going to get that done, or are we going to leave these American heroes out there to twist in the wind?'"
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Passes Senate 65-31
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Passes Senate 65-31: "6,6294,263
views16,009 Get Politics Alerts
Email Comments 15,930 WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted 65-31 on Saturday to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell, defeating a 17-year policy of banning gay and lesbian service members from serving openly in the military. Six Republicans initially crossed the aisle to vote against the policy: Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio).
The Senate vote is a vindication of Obama's decision to push for congressional repeal as opposed to unilateral executive action, though activists note he could have done both. The Senate will make a final vote on ending the policy at 3 p.m."
views16,009 Get Politics Alerts
Email Comments 15,930 WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted 65-31 on Saturday to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell, defeating a 17-year policy of banning gay and lesbian service members from serving openly in the military. Six Republicans initially crossed the aisle to vote against the policy: Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio).
The Senate vote is a vindication of Obama's decision to push for congressional repeal as opposed to unilateral executive action, though activists note he could have done both. The Senate will make a final vote on ending the policy at 3 p.m."
Friday, December 17, 2010
Extended exposure to Fox News makes voters stupid, university study finds | Raw Story
Extended exposure to Fox News makes voters stupid, university study finds | Raw Story: "The troublesome record of spin by conservative television station Fox News has long been a cause for concern to many Americans, who frequently allege that the nation's most viewed 'news' network has the effect of dumbing down voters.
Turns out, they were right.
A University of Maryland study (PDF) published earlier this month found that people in the survey who had the most exposure to Fox News were more likely to believe falsehoods and"rumors about national and world affairs when compared to those who paid attention to other news outlets.
In a summary carried by Alternet, the following falsehoods were most relayed by Fox News viewers:
91 percent believed the stimulus legislation lost jobs;
72 percent believed the health reform law will increase the deficit;
72 percent believed the economy is getting worse;
60 percent believed climate change is not occurring;
49 percent believed income taxes have gone up;
63 percent believed the stimulus legislation did not include any tax cuts;
56 percent believed Obama initiated the GM/Chrysler bailout;
38 percent believed that most Republicans opposed TARP;
63 percent believed Obama was not born in the U.S. (or that it is unclear
Turns out, they were right.
A University of Maryland study (PDF) published earlier this month found that people in the survey who had the most exposure to Fox News were more likely to believe falsehoods and"rumors about national and world affairs when compared to those who paid attention to other news outlets.
In a summary carried by Alternet, the following falsehoods were most relayed by Fox News viewers:
91 percent believed the stimulus legislation lost jobs;
72 percent believed the health reform law will increase the deficit;
72 percent believed the economy is getting worse;
60 percent believed climate change is not occurring;
49 percent believed income taxes have gone up;
63 percent believed the stimulus legislation did not include any tax cuts;
56 percent believed Obama initiated the GM/Chrysler bailout;
38 percent believed that most Republicans opposed TARP;
63 percent believed Obama was not born in the U.S. (or that it is unclear
Right Direction or Wrong Track - Rasmussen Reports™
Right Direction or Wrong Track - Rasmussen Reports™: "Just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, December 12. Down three points from last week, it’s the most pessimistic finding since January 2009.
Confidence that the country is moving in the right direction is down to 42% among Democrats from 59% the week before Election Day."
Confidence that the country is moving in the right direction is down to 42% among Democrats from 59% the week before Election Day."
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Nixon Stereotypes Jews, Blacks in New Tapes
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Tax Bill Passes Senate
Tax Cut Bill Passes Senate On 81-19 Vote:
Email Comments 2,556 (AP) WASHINGTON — The Senate Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a sweeping tax package that would save millions of Americans thousands of dollars in higher taxes while also reducing their Social Security taxes and extending jobless benefits.
President Barack Obama swiftly urged the House to pass the $858 billion bill without changes, a slap at Democratic liberals eager to toughen a part of the measure that permits up to $10 million to pass to heirs estate tax-free.
A wide array of tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush is scheduled to expire on Jan. 1 – just two weeks away – affecting taxpayers at every income level. The bill passed by the Senate, 81-19, would extend those cuts for two years"
Email Comments 2,556 (AP) WASHINGTON — The Senate Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a sweeping tax package that would save millions of Americans thousands of dollars in higher taxes while also reducing their Social Security taxes and extending jobless benefits.
President Barack Obama swiftly urged the House to pass the $858 billion bill without changes, a slap at Democratic liberals eager to toughen a part of the measure that permits up to $10 million to pass to heirs estate tax-free.
A wide array of tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush is scheduled to expire on Jan. 1 – just two weeks away – affecting taxpayers at every income level. The bill passed by the Senate, 81-19, would extend those cuts for two years"
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Bachmann Creates Constitution Class, Scalia Join
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She needs to learn that on her own time.
Tax Bill: Is Obama Ditching His Base?
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Holbrooke's Last Words On Afghanistan Clarified As Being Part Of A Humorous Exchange By Obama Administration: "205894
views2,225 Get Politics Alerts
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration said Tuesday that the reported last words of veteran diplomat Richard Holbrooke, its point person on Afghanistan and Pakistan who passed away this week, were meant as humor.
Administration officials sought to clarify that, according to people who were present, Holbrooke's final words, 'You've got to stop this war in Afghanistan,' were part of a jovial back-and-forth with the medical staff.
'At one point, the medical team said, You've got to relax,' State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters on Tuesday, relaying what he said he had heard from people who were in the room with Holbrooke at George Washington University Hospital. 'And Richard said, I can't relax, I'm worried about Afghanistan and Pakistan."
I do not think Holbrooke said that and I will tell you why on the show.
views2,225 Get Politics Alerts
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration said Tuesday that the reported last words of veteran diplomat Richard Holbrooke, its point person on Afghanistan and Pakistan who passed away this week, were meant as humor.
Administration officials sought to clarify that, according to people who were present, Holbrooke's final words, 'You've got to stop this war in Afghanistan,' were part of a jovial back-and-forth with the medical staff.
'At one point, the medical team said, You've got to relax,' State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters on Tuesday, relaying what he said he had heard from people who were in the room with Holbrooke at George Washington University Hospital. 'And Richard said, I can't relax, I'm worried about Afghanistan and Pakistan."
I do not think Holbrooke said that and I will tell you why on the show.
Al Franken: The Hardest Vote I've Taken
Al Franken: The Hardest Vote I've Taken: "A lot of people are unhappy that the president punted on first down, and I'm one of them. Extending the excessive Bush tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires will explode our deficit over the next two years without doing anything to help our economy. I think it's simply bad policy.
But for Minnesota's middle class, struggling to get by in a tough economy, there's a lot in this bill that will really help: tax cuts for working families, a payroll tax holiday, energy tax credits, and the extension of Recovery Act initiatives that are already making a difference."
Well history will record whether it was good or not.
But for Minnesota's middle class, struggling to get by in a tough economy, there's a lot in this bill that will really help: tax cuts for working families, a payroll tax holiday, energy tax credits, and the extension of Recovery Act initiatives that are already making a difference."
Well history will record whether it was good or not.
Allen West: Government 'Should Be Censoring The American News Agencies' That Collaborated With WikiLeaks
Allen West: Government 'Should Be Censoring The American News Agencies' That Collaborated With WikiLeaks: "1,249498
views7,975 Get Politics Alerts
Rep.-elect Allen West (R-Fla.) may have proven himself a prime pupil for fellow Rep. Michele Bachmann's forthcoming constitutional classes, when he recently displayed selective reverence for the Tea Party's most sacred document by calling for American news outlets to be censored for running stories based on the recent WikiLeaks cable dump.
Here's the transcript of what the soon-to-be congressman said on a conservative internet radio program last week, via ThinkProgress:"
Now I thought The Tea Party were the freedom of speech folks. Was I wrong?
views7,975 Get Politics Alerts
Rep.-elect Allen West (R-Fla.) may have proven himself a prime pupil for fellow Rep. Michele Bachmann's forthcoming constitutional classes, when he recently displayed selective reverence for the Tea Party's most sacred document by calling for American news outlets to be censored for running stories based on the recent WikiLeaks cable dump.
Here's the transcript of what the soon-to-be congressman said on a conservative internet radio program last week, via ThinkProgress:"
Now I thought The Tea Party were the freedom of speech folks. Was I wrong?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Boehner Cries During CBS Interview
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What would happen if a woman did this?
Health Care Reform Provision Is Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
Health Care Reform Provision Is Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules: "9412,352
Email Comments 18,081 RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A federal judge declared the foundation of President Barack Obama's health care law unconstitutional Monday, ruling that the government cannot require Americans to purchase insurance. The case is expected to end up at the Supreme Court.
In his order, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson said he will allow the law to remain in effect while appeals are heard, meaning there is unlikely to be any immediate impact on other provisions that have already taken effect. The insurance coverage mandate is not scheduled to begin until 2014.
Even so, Republicans in Congress celebrated the ruling as validation of the arguments they had made for months while the law was pending. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., issued a statement urging the White House to agree to expedite a final ruling by appealing directly to the Supreme Court without first stopping at an appeals court."
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Republicans reject bill to give $250 to seniors | wfaa.com | Home Page
Republicans reject bill to give $250 to seniors | wfaa.com | Home Page: "WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Wednesday thwarted a Democratic effort to award $250 checks to Social Security recipients facing a second consecutive year without a cost-of-living increase.
President Barack Obama and Democrats have urged approval of the one-time payment, saying seniors barely getting by on their Social Security checks face undue hardships without the COLA increase.
But Republicans contended that the nation couldn't afford the estimated $14 billion cost of the payment, and that the COLA freezes in 2010 and 2011 come after seniors received a significant boost in 2009.
The measure was brought up under a fast-track procedure that required a two-thirds majority for passage. The 254-153 vote in favor of the bill fell short of that.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the financial aid was critical to seniors facing rising costs and falling home values and was fiscally responsible. 'But unfortunately, congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it.' Twenty-six Republicans voted for the bill, while 141 opposed it. Democrats were in favor, 228-12.
COLAs are set automatically each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in 1975. More than 58 million retirees, disabled people and surviving family members receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income checks. The average monthly check is $1,072."
I wonder how the Seniors feel that voted for them?
President Barack Obama and Democrats have urged approval of the one-time payment, saying seniors barely getting by on their Social Security checks face undue hardships without the COLA increase.
But Republicans contended that the nation couldn't afford the estimated $14 billion cost of the payment, and that the COLA freezes in 2010 and 2011 come after seniors received a significant boost in 2009.
The measure was brought up under a fast-track procedure that required a two-thirds majority for passage. The 254-153 vote in favor of the bill fell short of that.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the financial aid was critical to seniors facing rising costs and falling home values and was fiscally responsible. 'But unfortunately, congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it.' Twenty-six Republicans voted for the bill, while 141 opposed it. Democrats were in favor, 228-12.
COLAs are set automatically each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in 1975. More than 58 million retirees, disabled people and surviving family members receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income checks. The average monthly check is $1,072."
I wonder how the Seniors feel that voted for them?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
GOP Wants A Crisis
Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday that if Democrats cede ground on the tax package now, it will come back to haunt them in the 112th Congress, adding that he will do "anything and everything" to stop the recently-reached deal between the White House and Republicans from going through.
"This is only the beginning," said Sanders of what he referred to as the Republican's "right-wing" agenda. "They want a governmental crisis. Then they're going to shut down the government."
The package opposed by Sanders would allow the Bush tax cuts for the highest-earning Americans to be extended for two years in return for GOP cooperation on the reauthorization of unemployment benefits for just 13 months.
Sanders told a roomful of reporters at the Capitol Tuesday that his main objective in opposing the package is to guard against future cuts in social welfare programs by not significantly increasing the national debt to give tax cuts to the rich.
"We are protecting the middle class by waging this fight and saying, 'You can't grow the national debt so that the Republicans can come back and slash benefits or move toward raising the retirement age or making other cuts in Social Security,'" said Sanders.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/bernie-sanders-tax-cuts_n_793405.html
"This is only the beginning," said Sanders of what he referred to as the Republican's "right-wing" agenda. "They want a governmental crisis. Then they're going to shut down the government."
The package opposed by Sanders would allow the Bush tax cuts for the highest-earning Americans to be extended for two years in return for GOP cooperation on the reauthorization of unemployment benefits for just 13 months.
Sanders told a roomful of reporters at the Capitol Tuesday that his main objective in opposing the package is to guard against future cuts in social welfare programs by not significantly increasing the national debt to give tax cuts to the rich.
"We are protecting the middle class by waging this fight and saying, 'You can't grow the national debt so that the Republicans can come back and slash benefits or move toward raising the retirement age or making other cuts in Social Security,'" said Sanders.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/bernie-sanders-tax-cuts_n_793405.html
Let's Make A Deal
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Monday, December 6, 2010
Sound Bite Sunday
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Saturday, December 4, 2010
Why probe Charlie Rangel -- but not Mitch McConnell?
The House Ethics Committee is far from concluding its investigation of Rep. Charles Rangel, despite his resignation from the Ways and Means chairmanship, as the Republicans will no doubt remind everyone repeatedly in the months ahead.
Near the top of the ethics docket, they are sure to mention, are allegations concerning the Harlem congressman's fundraising for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College of New York, a $30 million project at his alma mater. Rangel has acknowledged using his congressional stationery to solicit funds for the center, a violation of House rules. But he has denied more serious charges -- based on an investigative report in the New York Times -- that he may have exchanged legislative favors for corporate donations to the center.
When ranting on about Rangel, however, what the Republicans surely won't mention is that he's not alone in questionable fundraising for a vanity academic institution that bears his name. Leaders on both sides of Capitol Hill have done likewise for years -- notably including the odious Trent Lott -- but the most troubling example is none other than Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who now holds Lott's former post. If the term "Senate Ethics Committee" weren't an oxymoron, he would be enduring an intense investigation, too.
McConnell is a graduate of the University of Louisville, a place of higher learning that he is seeking to transform into a display case for his limitless narcissism (as well as that of his wife, former Bush Labor Secretary Elaine Chao). Lots of nice things at the university are named after him, but above all there is the McConnell Center for Political Leadership, a special program much like the Rangel Center at CCNY. In such places, young and idealistic scholars are introduced to the tradition of public service represented by these great men, etc.
According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which has named both Rangel and McConnell to its annual lists of the "most corrupt" legislators, the list of donors to the McConnell Center was kept hidden by university administrators. When the Louisville Courier-Journal sued to obtain the names of those donors, the Kentucky Supreme Court handed down a curious decision. Future donors to the center would have to be revealed, the court ruled in August 2008, but 62 past donors could remain anonymous.
SEE : http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/joe_conason/2010/03/05/mcconnell
Near the top of the ethics docket, they are sure to mention, are allegations concerning the Harlem congressman's fundraising for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College of New York, a $30 million project at his alma mater. Rangel has acknowledged using his congressional stationery to solicit funds for the center, a violation of House rules. But he has denied more serious charges -- based on an investigative report in the New York Times -- that he may have exchanged legislative favors for corporate donations to the center.
When ranting on about Rangel, however, what the Republicans surely won't mention is that he's not alone in questionable fundraising for a vanity academic institution that bears his name. Leaders on both sides of Capitol Hill have done likewise for years -- notably including the odious Trent Lott -- but the most troubling example is none other than Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who now holds Lott's former post. If the term "Senate Ethics Committee" weren't an oxymoron, he would be enduring an intense investigation, too.
McConnell is a graduate of the University of Louisville, a place of higher learning that he is seeking to transform into a display case for his limitless narcissism (as well as that of his wife, former Bush Labor Secretary Elaine Chao). Lots of nice things at the university are named after him, but above all there is the McConnell Center for Political Leadership, a special program much like the Rangel Center at CCNY. In such places, young and idealistic scholars are introduced to the tradition of public service represented by these great men, etc.
According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which has named both Rangel and McConnell to its annual lists of the "most corrupt" legislators, the list of donors to the McConnell Center was kept hidden by university administrators. When the Louisville Courier-Journal sued to obtain the names of those donors, the Kentucky Supreme Court handed down a curious decision. Future donors to the center would have to be revealed, the court ruled in August 2008, but 62 past donors could remain anonymous.
SEE : http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/joe_conason/2010/03/05/mcconnell
Trade Deal US and Korea
pp
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Friday, December 3, 2010
Tax Cuts: 'Chicken Crap' or Compromise?
pp
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Obama Issues Pardons
WASHINGTON -- President Obama, who had gone nearly 700 days without using his clemency power, finally issued nine pardons on Friday afternoon to a very minor rogue's gallery of small-time felons who long ago did their time, if they did any at all.
Far from sending a message about the excesses and errors of the judicial system, Obama picked minor and sometimes ancient offenses -- such as a 1963 conviction for "mutilation of coins" -- to forgive. He also chose not to commute any sentences at all.
P.S. Ruckman Jr., the editor of the Pardon Power blog and a political science professor in Illinois, told HuffPost he was struck by the minor nature of the crimes that Obama selected.
682 days into his presidency, Barack Obama, the slowest Democratic president in history to exercise the pardon power, has finally discovered the dark corners of Article II of the Constitution by granting 9 pardons. We expected as much since 1 out of every 2 pardons granted over the last 39 years has been granted in the month of December. The offenses addressed in the 9 pardons are from the following decades
1960s (2)
1970s (1)
1980s (3)
1990s (3)
As a result, the average distance between each sentence and the subsequent pardon is a whopping 28.3 years! The smallest distance is over 11 years. Poor Russel Dixon ... his liquor law violation was more than 50 years ago! As Samuel T. Morison has pointed out, increasingly pardons are granted to people who need (or benefit from) them the very least.
In addition, six out of the nine pardons were granted to individuals whose violations were so minor they were not even given a prison - or even a jail - sentence. Instead, they were merely placed on probation.
James Bernard Banks (1972) UT, illegal possession of government property (2 years probation)
Russell James Dixon (1960) GA, liquor violations (2 years probation)
Laurens Dorsey (1998) NY, false statements (5 years probation, restitution)
Ronald Lee Foster (1963) NC, coin mutilation (1 year probation. fine)
Timothy James Gallagher (1982) AZ, cocaine (3 years probation)
Roxanne Kay Hettinger (1986) IA, cocaine (30 days, 3 years probation)
Edgar Leopold Kranz, Jr. (1994) military (24 months)
Floretta Leavy (1984) IL, cocaine/marijuana (1 year and 1 day)
Scoey Lathaniel Morris (1999) TX, counterfeiting (3 years probation, fine)
Kind of weak wouldn't you say? But on the bright side it is something.
"Six out of the nine pardons are for people who didn't even go to prison," he said.
Some observers had hoped that, as a constitutional lawyer by training and the first African-American president, Obama might issue pardons and commutations that made a powerful statement about the justice system past and present.
Far from sending a message about the excesses and errors of the judicial system, Obama picked minor and sometimes ancient offenses -- such as a 1963 conviction for "mutilation of coins" -- to forgive. He also chose not to commute any sentences at all.
P.S. Ruckman Jr., the editor of the Pardon Power blog and a political science professor in Illinois, told HuffPost he was struck by the minor nature of the crimes that Obama selected.
682 days into his presidency, Barack Obama, the slowest Democratic president in history to exercise the pardon power, has finally discovered the dark corners of Article II of the Constitution by granting 9 pardons. We expected as much since 1 out of every 2 pardons granted over the last 39 years has been granted in the month of December. The offenses addressed in the 9 pardons are from the following decades
1960s (2)
1970s (1)
1980s (3)
1990s (3)
As a result, the average distance between each sentence and the subsequent pardon is a whopping 28.3 years! The smallest distance is over 11 years. Poor Russel Dixon ... his liquor law violation was more than 50 years ago! As Samuel T. Morison has pointed out, increasingly pardons are granted to people who need (or benefit from) them the very least.
In addition, six out of the nine pardons were granted to individuals whose violations were so minor they were not even given a prison - or even a jail - sentence. Instead, they were merely placed on probation.
James Bernard Banks (1972) UT, illegal possession of government property (2 years probation)
Russell James Dixon (1960) GA, liquor violations (2 years probation)
Laurens Dorsey (1998) NY, false statements (5 years probation, restitution)
Ronald Lee Foster (1963) NC, coin mutilation (1 year probation. fine)
Timothy James Gallagher (1982) AZ, cocaine (3 years probation)
Roxanne Kay Hettinger (1986) IA, cocaine (30 days, 3 years probation)
Edgar Leopold Kranz, Jr. (1994) military (24 months)
Floretta Leavy (1984) IL, cocaine/marijuana (1 year and 1 day)
Scoey Lathaniel Morris (1999) TX, counterfeiting (3 years probation, fine)
Kind of weak wouldn't you say? But on the bright side it is something.
"Six out of the nine pardons are for people who didn't even go to prison," he said.
Some observers had hoped that, as a constitutional lawyer by training and the first African-American president, Obama might issue pardons and commutations that made a powerful statement about the justice system past and present.
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