Tom DeLay Convicted in Corruption Case - Headed to Prison

I don't think they have "Dancing with the Stars" in prison...or perhaps that should be "Dancing with the Corrupt Politicians". He may have to dance, duck & dodge to survive in Texas though. I don't think Texas has any "nice" minimum security prisons. My guess is, there will be a deal to house him in a Federal facility or he will end up getting some sort of community based supervision. Although he could get 99 years, the actual sentence won't be anything close to that unfortunately.

Justice took too long in this case. Being rich and powerful affords you the ability to delay Justice. The case should have been concluded a long time ago. The country (the small percentage of people who actually pay attention to this stuff...10% perhaps) has forgotten about Tom DeLay.... but this is still a good story because it sends the message that these jackasses don't always get away with it. Sometimes they go to jail. And it could be the starting point for a serious discussion about reforming the inherently corrupt political system.... I know... that's not very likely to happen. I am more likely to find a great job, find the woman of my dreams and actually live a wonderful, fruitful life as a Black man in America, than I am to see any significant reform of the corrupt U.S. political system during my lifetime. It's definitely not going to happen with Republicans in charge - the GOP is one big brothel full of corporate whores. But this case could at least add to the debate about why the system needs to be fixed. DeLay wasn't some greedy character who acted on his own or operated outside of the cultural norms of Congress. Instead, his quid pro quo activities were encouraged and facilitated by the system in place at the time.

From the New York Times

AUSTIN, Tex. — Tom DeLay, one of the most powerful and divisive Republican lawmakers ever to come out of Texas, was convicted Wednesday of money-laundering charges in a state trial, five years after his indictment here forced him to resign as majority leader in the House of Representatives.

After 19 hours of deliberation, a jury of six men and six women decided that Mr. DeLay was guilty of conspiring with two associates in 2002 to circumvent a state law against corporate contributions to political campaigns. He was convicted of one charge of money laundering and one charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

As the verdict was read, Mr. DeLay, 63, sat stone-faced at the defense table. Then he rose, turned, smiled and hugged his wife and then his weeping daughter in the first row of spectators. He faces between 5 and 99 years in prison, though the judge may choose probation.

A few minutes later, Mr. DeLay said outside the courtroom that he would appeal the decision. He called the prosecution a political vendetta by Democrats in the local district attorney’s office, and revenge for his role in orchestrating the 2003 redrawing of Congressional districts to elect more Republicans.

“This is an abuse of power,” he said. “It’s a miscarriage of justice. I still maintain my innocence. The criminalization of politics undermines our very system.”

The verdict ends the latest chapter in a long legal battle that forced Mr. DeLay to step down. The trial also opened a window on the world of campaign financing, as jurors heard testimony about large contributions flowing to Mr. DeLay from corporations seeking to influence him, and about junkets to luxury resorts where the congressman would rub shoulders with lobbyists in return for donations.
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More from the Huffington Post

When Will The Feds Go After Ken Cuccinelli?

Ken Cuccinelli, The Attorney General of Virginia, is not even trying to hide his unethical activities. Rachel Maddow destroyed him tonight.

Are the Federal Prosecutors in Virginia asleep? This guy has done just about everything except wear a sign that reads "Feds... please investigate me".

Whistleblower Says BP Had History of Cheating on Blowout Preventer Tests

BP apparently had a history of falsifying safety tests, particularly on their blowout preventers, which are designed to prevent gas pressure from rushing up the well and causing explosions. To save money, BP and some of its subcontractors, cut corners.

Reaction to Supreme Court Decision on Corporate Money in Campaigns

Reaction to yesterday's Supreme Court Decision in case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The other reactions let me know that I wasn't the only one blown away.


Listen to NPR reports here and here.


Congressman Grayson

Howard Fineman


Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment

U.S. Supreme Court Embraces Corruption

Court rules 5-4 to remove certain corporate spending limits for campaigns.

From the Washington Post:

By MARK SHERMAN
Thursday, January 21, 2010; 10:18 AM

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may spend freely to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress, easing decades-old limits on their participation in federal campaigns.

By a 5-4 vote, the court on Thursday overturned a 20-year-old ruling that said corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for their own campaign ads. The decision, which almost certainly will also allow labor unions to participate more freely in campaigns, threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.

It leaves in place a prohibition on direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions.

Critics of the stricter limits have argued that they amount to an unconstitutional restraint of free speech, and the court majority apparently agreed.

"The censorship we now confront is vast in its reach," Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his majority opinion, joined by his four more conservative colleagues.
However, Justice John Paul Stevens, dissenting from the main holding, said, "The court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions around the nation."

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor joined Stevens' dissent, parts of which he read aloud in the courtroom.

The justices also struck down part of the landmark McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill that barred union- and corporate-paid issue ads in the closing days of election campaigns.

Advocates of strong campaign finance regulations have predicted that a court ruling against the limits would lead to a flood of corporate and union money in federal campaigns as early as this year's midterm congressional elections.
The decision, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, removes limits on independent expenditures that are not coordinated with candidates' campaigns.

The case also does not affect political action committees, which mushroomed after post-Watergate laws set the first limits on contributions by individuals to candidates. Corporations, unions and others may create PACs to contribute directly to candidates, but they must be funded with voluntary contributions from employees, members and other individuals, not by corporate or union treasuries.

It's interesting (and fitting in a way) that this ruling would come just as Health Care Non-Reform is perhaps taking its last breaths, after months of being changed, watered down at every turn, and dismantled by the powerful insurance lobby which threw millions of dollars into all sorts of campaigns to kill it. Even if some sort of Health Care bill passes...the insurance industry has already used its power (and the members of Congress that it owns) to shape the legislation in a way that would favor big insurance companies. So they had all bases covered either way.

The Supreme Court move will allow the insurance companies & other corporate interests to reward the members of Congress that they already own...and to (literally) buy more politicians. It's like a D.C. meets Nevada kind of thing. It makes Prostitution legal in the U.S. Congress... & turns the Capitol into a legal brothel.

Read the full decision here, or in window below.

Why Did It Take Obama So Long to Break Ties with Corrupt Acorn?

Obama has once again provided his opponents with a gift that they can use against him over and over again.
(See Part 2 of the Acorn scandal video). Corruption and shady unethical behavior on the part of Acorn isn't new....this has been going on for a few years now. Yet Obama failed to sufficiently distance himself from the group. It wasn't until this week that Dems in Congress decided to cut funding to the organization (funding that probably should have been cut a long time ago).

Once again, Obama's advisers have failed him, just like they failed him on Healthcare Reform....by being too scared to stand up and tell him "No"...when he is pushing something that is not a good idea. More specifically on healthcare reform....someone should have had enough sense to tell him that this was not the right time to try to get healthcare legislation approved....not in the middle of an economic crisis, not so soon after TARP and the Recovery legislation where we spent $2 trillion. Instead, he should have kept his eye on the ball and pushed for job creation, particularly in a new Green Economy (which he hasn't really done at all)....and fixed the economy. THEN we could have looked at healthcare....possibly in 2010, 2011 or after re-election in 2012. He could have used that lag time to really talk to voters and educate them...on his terms. Plus....by then, people would have been more willing to open the purse strings (with a recovering economy)....and more willing to accept another spending initiative.

I'm coming to the conclusion that his advisers are a group of mostly idiots who have no clue about what is happening in the real world...and are detached from the American people. This is the same group that saw flying a plane over Manhattan...or holding anti-terror exercises in Washington DC on the Anniversary of 9/11 while ceremonies were taking place as being good ideas.

Up until last year, they have had Obama giving speeches for this group. CBC members like Maxine Waters are steal dealing with Acorn. This is the kind of thing that causes me to dislike the CBC so much...and prevents me from really embracing Obama and his agenda. Years after the stories of corruption and the police investigations.... you still mingle with this crowd? That just doesn't work for me.

See another video of the above scandal (horrendous)

Can we finally get rid of this criminal organization?

Why Obama's Health Care Reform Effort Is Headed for Defeat

Obama's strategy on this was flawed from day one.

#1. Obama allowed his Presidency to be hijacked by other issues & by leftist interest groups who have their own narrow agendas apart from the rest of the Country (It was Obama's fault for allowing and even playing into this hijacking). He took his eye off the ball...which should have been the economy. Gitmo, Torture, Gay Marriage, Don't ask don't tell.... and all sorts of other distractions took over his Presidency...and of course the media couldn't resist. By putting these divisive wedge issues at the top of the agenda...instead of keeping the focus on the economy (reminding Americans of who destroyed it) he provided the Republicans with the gift that they needed. This is partly due to the wingnuts on the left.... but it's also the fault of Obama for not dealing with his own constituency effectively. The Gay folks want everything their way...right away...and they should have never had that expectation to begin with. Same with the far left enviro/human rights nuts....who are focused almost exclusively on Gitmo (when there are so many other problems). Obama failed to communicate that to these people. Now they are all going nuts....and dragging down Obama and the Democrats in the process. This is something that I expected...but I didn't expect it to happen so soon and so dramatically. These failures have been huge.

#2. Obama should have never proposed massive healthcare reform in the middle of an economic crisis....when the nation is completely broke. It was one of the most stupid political moves that I have ever seen. Massive healthcare reform would be an uphill battle even in good economic times... but it's impossible during an economic crisis. There is no money to pay for all of these proposals...unless there is a tax increase...an option which is not on the table. You can't raise taxes in the middle of an economic downturn. But even in good times, it would be difficult to get a tax increase (but you could at least talk about one).

#3. Obama lost the PR battle (as I expected). The Republicans have the most dominant media apparatus in American history. I have been saying for years...that Progressives need to establish their own media if they want to have any hope of controlling their own message. Clearly the American people have bought into the Republican message, at least on this particular issue...and on Torture and so forth...the polls show that to be the case. The Republicans control the narrative on these issues. This is one thing that Republicans do well... controlling information... using their media dominance to their advantage and influencing public opinion. Of course their talking points don't have to be based on facts or common sense... they simply have to talk the loudest and repeat their point over and over again until Americans buy their arguments. And if you repeat a lie enough times... folks will eventually buy into the lie.

#4. Obama is trying to make reforms in a Country where Americans want to see changes...and want better healthcare, but they don't want to pay for it. Americans don't want to pay for anything. Republicans have successfully turned the Country into a tax-averse nation. Conservatives have successfully convinced Americans that investing in the Country is bad...that it is somehow unpatriotic to invest in our own nation and our own people. In other words...they have been taught that all taxes are bad....and that they should fight any efforts to raise them (even temporarily). This is why this Country is in the midst of a slow death and will continue to be so...with its crumbling schools, crumbling bridges and infrastructure, poor transportation (when compared to other developed nations), deteriorating health system and stagnant and now falling standard of living. Another reason for the decline is the nations incessant focus on foreign conflicts, instigating wars, and its support for a huge military industrial complex. Approximately 1/4 of this Country's annual budget goes towards defense or defense related costs, and that doesn't include the full costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans don't complain about that spending...because they are convinced that the nation needs to maintain its empire status in order to keep them safe. This is a nation that is more concerned with spending money to build more bombs than to build better lives. It is more concerned with investing in military hardware than investing in its own people. That's a recipe for disaster....and we are starting to see the results. America's priorities are still out of order. Until that is changed...the nation is doomed. (and this is a sentiment that comes from a man who believes in a strong military and a strong defense). But I firmly believe, that if we were to change our current aggressive, pro-war, Truman Doctrine based interventionist foreign policy... then we would be able to scale back military spending while still maintaining a robust defense. The U.S. could save in the neighborhood of $200 Billion to $400 Billion or more per year. That's half of your health reform money. The other half could come from creating efficiencies and raising revenues (modest taxes on income, tobacco, liquor, etc).

#5. It's not that Obama is trying to do too much. The problem is... he is trying to do too much at once. A better approach to this issue would have been to concentrate first on healing the economy. After a couple of years...once the economy had a chance to recover sufficiently...and after bringing more troops home (thus decreasing military expenditures and having more money available from that change) then he could have tackled healthcare. I never believed that he would accomplish this in his first term... let alone his first year. His strategy was far too ambitious... and his overly ambitious approach to problems is now catching up to him. But the bottom line here is that healthcare would have been an easier sell if there was more money available...and there was a better economic outlook. There would have been more options to deal with costs if the deficit and the total debt outlook were more manageable (which is what would have been the case in a few years).

#6. The American political system is thoroughly corrupt. Obama should have dealt with rooting out the systemic culture of corruption and should have fought for a campaign finance overhaul before actually trying to get serious healthcare or financial legislation passed. Obama failed to cut the cord between corporate America and politicians in Washington before he set out to do all of these changes. A recipe for disaster. Members of Congress (from both parties) are servants for corporate America... they act as lobbyists for private industry. And when I say cut the cord... I mean cut it completely. Obama should have been pushing for public financing of elections, the elimination of all Quid Pro Quo activities between politicians and private interests... but he failed to do so. This means that private corporations will continue to have strong influence over legislation and over members of Congress. In fact, corporations still write legislation (just like the Tobacco Bill from a week ago...which was written by the Tobacco companies). In this kind of environment, serious change really isn't possible.

Before real change can be accomplished, there must be fundamental changes to the underlying structure of business and politics in this Country...and changes to the way Congress operates. Without new rules of the road on that front... everything else is really a joke.

Like I have stated... if there is a healthcare bill... it will be watered down to something pointless by the time Obama signs it. And he will use what little PR system he has to celebrate the legislation as a victory... (IF anything passes at all).

The same is the case for the new financial policy proposals. That will be watered down too... because the banks and the financial firms don't want it... and they usually get what they want because they control much of Congress.

Roland Burris Caught On FBI Wiretap

Burris: "I might be able to do this in the name of Tim Wright"

Roland Burris- who told Illinois lawmakers under oath that he had no discussions with anyone in the Blago camp about Obama's Senate seat or about providing favors for the seat...and that there was no talk of transferring money- was apparently caught on FBI phone taps wheeling and dealing with Rob Blagojevich, the brother of then Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich.

Yes... Burris was in a dilemma, as indicated by the conversation, but it was not because he genuinely wanted to avoid a conflict of interest. Clearly his concern was simply not getting caught. Why discuss providing money in someone else's name? Apparently Burris' business partner, Fred Lebed, may have also been involved in discussing the seat on Burris' behalf. Emptywheel from Firedoglake has an interesting take on the roles that surrogates might have played. See more here.

I knew how dirty and corrupt politics could be, but Chicago has taken corruption to new heights. Federal Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald had never seen anything like it.
It reinforces my cynicism about politics.

Hopefully Burris will be forced to finally step down. But he is so narcissistic and hungry for power that he isn't likely to step aside. It will probably take an indictment to get the Democrats to take any action. Blacks of course will cry foul. Black people, for the most part, are o.k. with having a tainted, corrupt Black Senator in office - because he's Black. Blacks seem much more tolerant and open to the idea of being represented by corrupt politicians. This is why Black support is so often associated with crooked and unaccountable Mayors in cities across the Country. Blacks elect the same kinds of Mayors over and over again...and then wonder why their cities are a mess. Blacks always seems to support these folks & always will (because they are Black...and by golly...we need Blacks in these positions).

Hear Full Audio of conversation between Burris and Rob Blagojevich (Blago's brother) back in the Fall of 2008.

More on Roland Burris - Yet Another Revelation

Not only did Burris fail to mention that he was approached for a bribe by someone in the Blago camp.... but it now looks like he failed to mention an even more explosive fact - That he actually tried to pay the bribe.

Lord Please Have Mercy!!!!

This is why I was so skeptical and cautious about Burris... this is why I am cautious when Black folks are screaming about the need for a Black person to be in a certain position just because they are Black (I really hate that nonsense) ignoring all context - ignoring everything else about the individual or the circumstances surrounding the appointment. This kind of blind race allegiance can lead down a rat hole so easily and leave Black folks worse off in the end. I wish more Black people would stop with this mentality... and realize that they should judge individuals on the merits.... not based on Race. I believe that race can be a factor sometimes.... but not most of the time and it certainly shouldn't be the only factor or even factor number one. An occasional factor under certain circumstances-- yes. Blind allegiance for a Black person at all costs...because they are Black-- absolutely not. This is one of the reasons why Black folks are in the condition that they are in today. The racial litmus test has not been good for them (although many are so brain screwed that they are convinced that it has been great for them). Just look at America's chocolate cities where Blacks have been running the show for years. And yes, I still believe that Tammy Duckworth (a white woman...an extraordinary woman) would have been a kick ass Senator...probably one of the greatest to ever serve. But Negroes are too worried about skin color (as if they have a claim on a Senate seat based on some legally established race quota... it's sickening and embarrassing).

Now exactly what I stated would happen...is probably going to happen after this. Burris has made the road tougher for decent, qualified Blacks who may seek a Senate seat in the future. Future Black Senate candidates will have to be burdened by this Bull----. We know that's true. Blacks are so often judged by the wider society by what some other fool has done before...even when we have nothing to do with that person. It happens in the workplace all the time (I can tell you some stories that involved me in the workplace...but i'll spare you). This is especially true when Blacks are just breaking ground in a new area.... just like the U.S. Senate...an institution where Blacks are so much of a minority and where they are slowly trying to gain footing. This will make it especially difficult for those Black candidates who may come behind Burris. The damage is incalculable.

Harry Reid should be removed from his position immediately.... There are plenty of Democratic Senators who could provide real leadership. Reid is a disgrace. Not only did Reid cave and embarrass himself and his Party... but he helped to facilitate and enable Burris and Blago. Nice going.

Oh.. by the way... Burris is now under criminal investigation in Illinois for all of this. (See additional report from the New York Times). Hopefully he will be indicted and removed from office (only a remote possibility at this point, but it's the most hopeful sign in months that something might finally be done).

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Related Post

Politico - Burris Admits to Fundraising Effort

Roland Burris: Oh Yeah... There's One Little Thing I Forgot to Tell You Guys....

You guys aren't going to believe this... but I just remembered that Blago did try to bribe me for the Senate seat. I might have remembered to tell you earlier but.... you didn't ask me. Sorry about that.

And oh.. by the way, thanks for letting me into the Senate...(suckers). I just love my new office space and DC is just so nice. Everyone has been so wonderful. I especially want to thank my new girlfriend my new friend Harry Reid. He's been so accommodating.

And so the Blago saga continues. They couldn't write Soap Operas with this much drama.

Of course Burris is lying his ass off. And yes... he should resign. Of course he won't... because he's the type who will only do something if he's forced to...just like his buddy Blago. And with someone as pathetic as Harry Reid running the Senate... Burris knows that he has nothing to worry about...his seat is safe. Safe at least until 2010. This revelation makes this seat even more vulnerable. Burris was already considered a weak potential candidate... now he'll be even weaker.

And the blame should rest with Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Dick Durbin and other Democrats for not standing their ground. Like I have mentioned before... if there's one thing impressive about the Republicans... it is the fact that they rarely cave. They may be wrong on most everything...but at least they stick together and stand their ground to defend what they believe in. Sometimes you just have to stand for something...come what may.

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Articles

From the Chicago Sun Times - Burris Lied and Liars Get Fired

Burris Under Ethical Cloud

Burris Should Step Down

Daschle, Taxes, and the Washington DC Culture

NPR's On Point Radio had a great discussion this week on Daschle and the chorus of other Obama Cabinet choices who have run into Tax problems or are having other ethical issues. The panel talks about the culture of Washington elitism and corruption...and how entrenched money and lobbying have become.

They basically support what I stated earlier in comments regarding Daschle and Obama's decision to choose these familiar faces. Several of Obama's Cabinet choices don't quite fit with the message of "change". Since many of these people are DC and Wall Street insiders, Obama should not have been surprised about these kinds of issues popping up. Even more annoying is that Daschle apparently knew about the Tax issue for a while. Perhaps he failed to disclose everything...or perhaps Obama was "hoping" that Daschle would be confirmed anyway.

This gives the impression that Obama is o.k. with the double standard - one set of rules for ordinary folks, and a separate set of rules for the rich and powerful. Obama had to have known about some of these issues before he even nominated Geithner and Daschle.

Listen To Program

Cave-In In Washington D.C.

Actually that's just Harry Reid and the Democrats in the Senate
Sen. Harry Reid after getting owned today. Pathetic!

Roland Burris Was Blocked As He Attempted to Take Senate Seat - But The Dems Will Likely Cave As Usual

Democrats blocked Roland Burris the Clown from entering the Senate Chamber today...But the circus continues. It looks like Senator Harry Reid may have finally grown a spine (we will know for sure if he has one if he is still standing his ground once the legal battles start).

He was blocked by the Secretary of the Senate because his documentation was not in order...since it was not certified by the Illinois Secretary of State - THANK YOU JESSE WHITE!

A USAToday Survey backs them up:

A majority of Americans say Roland Burris should be blocked from taking a U.S. Senate seat and Illinois should hold a special election to fill the vacancy he was appointed to fill, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.

But I expect the Democrats to eventually cave... because they always do. Harry Reid is the weakest, most inept Senate Majority "leader" in recent history.
The Democrats in the Senate don't stand for anything... they are truly a pathetic group. One thing I can say about Republicans is that they stand their ground. It may be the wrong ground... but at least they don't cave so easily.

In the case of Burris... the Dems are already starting to cave. Dianne Feinstein, now says Burris should be seated. Expect other Senators to follow suit over the next week or so. Burris will probably be in the Senate before the end of the month. Dems would have caved by then.

Now the Dems want to negotiate.... Negotiate about an appointment made by a crook. Once again, the Dems played Chicken and it looks like they will lose pretty badly. And this is the same group of pathetic clowns who will be tasked with getting Obama's legislation passed? LOL. This is going to be funny (yet sad) to watch. Obama won't be able to get half of what he promised through the Senate... not with this group of Democrats. They can't even handle their own administrative BS without caving. How are they going to deal with the Republicans in the Senate?
LOL. Prepare for 4 years of stagnation from the Obama Administration.

In the meantime, if Burris is seated...and odds are in his favor... the perception of Blacks in politics (and Blacks in general) will take yet another hit. And the Republicans are loving this. They have been salivating... quietly hoping that Burris gets the seat. The Republican media machine is already preparing to use this against Democrats and Blacks. Yippee!!!

Here are comments that I left on another blog... that pretty much sum up my thoughts. This is from an African American blog where the author believes Burris should be seated despite the authors reservations about links to Blago. The author also pretty much believes that Black representation (of any kind) is more important than the circumstances surrounding the appointment... values, integrity, image, Blacks being used and dragged through the mud, etc... just don't seem to matter, since these issues are not of much concern to Blacks anymore.

These are the kinds of things that make me question my racial identity (further fueling my identity issues). I'm not quite suicidal yet... But...

My comments:

Black representation at any cost?

By hook or by crook, lets get “a brotha” in the Senate. It’s ridiculous…and it’s not going to do Blacks any good in the long run.

The proper thing for Burris to do would have been to approach Pat Quinn and express his interest in the seat. Perhaps he would have been chosen…at a later time or at least he could have participated in a special election.

This move just continues to erode the image of Blacks in this Country… and solidifies the perception of Blacks as whiners…wanting a handout….Blacks as just affirmative action picks, etc. It doesn’t help at all. I know… power trumps all else in the “Black Community”… moral standing, integrity, etc.. really don’t hold sway for Blacks. But how Blacks are perceived is only going to worsen as a result.

Burris will be dead weight in the Senate… he will have no clout, will get very little respect from his colleagues, and won’t hold any major committee assignments. And when 2010 rolls around, he won’t get support. And with his history of losing every big election he has participated in…. i’ll place my bets on another horse.

Even Obama is against the appointment (I don’t think he’s against Burris per se… but against the appointment from Blago). It has been a while since I agreed with Obama on anything.

Your first gut reaction was that something wasn’t right about the Burris pick (Regarding Burris and - by extension - Black folks being used as pawns for Blago’s benefit).

Even if Reid caves (and he usually does because he has no balls and no backbone to speak of)…. Those who opposed this appointment will still be right.

Governor Rod Blagojevich Has Been Arrested

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on corruption charges.

He was caught on FBI wiretaps just within the past few weeks.... wiretaps that (if he had a brain) he had to have known were likely put in place for the other accusations he faced. How stupid can this man be? Apparently he was caught attempting to sell Obama's open Senate seat.

Meanwhile.....Obama's FBI briefing has been Cancelled!

Apparently Rezko did a lot of talking about Blagojevich as part of his agreement with the Court.

From the Politico:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was captured on tape saying that unless he received “something real good” for the appointment of a top adviser to Barack Obama to fill the president-elect’s Senate seat he would appoint himself, according to the criminal complaint.

“Unless I get something real good [for Senate candidate 1], s***, I’ll just send myself, you know what I’m saying,” Blagojevich was taped saying on November 3rd, the day before Election Day.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, added that the Senate seat “is a f***ing valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”

Continue reading the Politico report


Patrick Fitzgerald - a Federal Prosecutor who no politician should ever want to face off with - is doing a number on Blagojevich. In addition to being really really stupid Blago is also turning out to be one of the most corrupt politicians in modern history.

One of the subjects of the wiretapped phone calls was apparently a member of Obama's new White House staff.

A major part of the Chicago (and State of Illinois) political machine has been toppled today....and it's not clear how much (if at all) Obama will be ensnared in all this. I had been following the story of Blago's corruption scandal off and on for the past few months...and apparently this was a huge investigation....involving a lot of people. The net was apparently pretty wide. We shall see.

More Updates to Come Throughout the Day

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See a copy of the official criminal complaint (pdf)
I'm still reading through the court papers... tons of charges

See report from the UK Times

See a timeline of the investigation from the Chicago Tribune

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"Feel Free To Tape My Conversations" -- Blago just a day before his arrest.

AMAZING!!!

He also states... "I have nothing but Sunshine hanging over me".

Well Blago... it looks like you will have more than Sunshine hanging over you... in Prison. Perhaps a new boyfriend will be hanging over you... under you...and all around you in that cage. That's if they don't send you to one of those fancy low security College Dorm prisons....also known as "Club Fed".

And then he says.... (paraphrasing) "any efforts by others to record him and get him on something smells like Nixon and Watergate" Well Blago.... It's actually YOU who smells like Nixon and Watergate. You and your Chief of Staff John Harris.

This guy is unbelievable!



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The Official Press Conference with Patrick Fitzgerald, announcing the arrest.




See video of Fitzgeralds Full Statement

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"If Illinois is not the most corrupt State in the Country it is certainly one hell of a competitor" - FBI SAC Robert Grant (See clip)


________________________________

Illinois State Legislature to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.


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A silver lining for Obama in all of this?

Reports suggest that Obama "would not play ball" in Blagojevich's scheme....and that Raum Emmanuel may have aided Federal authorities.

Well I would hope that they wouldn't be stupid enough to take part in this...especially at this point. Common sense would tell you not to get involved with someone who is likely under FBI surveillance and possibly being wiretapped. It just shows that they (unlike Blago) had enough brains to recognize the obvious.

Dollar Bill Jefferson FINALLY is beaten

Anh 'Joseph' Cao beats Rep. William Jefferson in 2nd Congressional District
by Michelle Krupa and Frank Donze, The Times-Picayune
Saturday December 06, 2008, 11:40 PM

Indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson suffered what may be the final blow of his storied political career in the most improbable way Saturday, when an untested Republican opponent took advantage of Louisiana's new federal voting rules -- and an election delay caused by Hurricane Gustav -- to unseat the nine-term Democrat.

With the upset victory, Anh "Joseph" Cao, a eastern New Orleans attorney who fled war-ravaged Saigon as a child, becomes the first Vietnamese-American in Congress. He will represent a district that was specifically drawn to give African-Americans an electoral advantage and one in which two of every three voters are registered Democrats.

Jefferson, the first African-American to represent Louisiana in Congress since Reconstruction and a force on the local political stage for three decades, finished a close second among four general election candidates after beating back stiff challenges from within his own party during earlier rounds of voting.

His defeat came on a day of abysmally low turnout, which political pundits had predicted could be Jefferson's undoing despite his demographic and political advantages.

Ironically, had Gustav not postponed the voting schedule one month, the general election would have been held the same ballot as last month's presidential election, when high turnout among African-American voters likely would have carried Jefferson to a 10th term.

Senator Ted Stevens Found GUILTY of All Counts

From Yahoo

Ted Stevens found guilty in corruption case
1 hr 10 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor.

The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens was found guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate financial documents.

The verdict throws the upcoming election into disarray. Stevens is fighting off a challenge from Democrat Mark Begich and must now either drop out or continue campaigning as a convicted felon.

The trial hinged on the testimony of Stevens' longtime friend, who testified that his employees dramatically remodeled the senator's home.

Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count but, under federal sentencing guidelines, will likely receive much less prison time, if any.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jurors in Sen. Ted Stevens' corruption trial passed a note with "a potential verdict" to a federal judge Monday, a courthouse spokesman said.

The jury has been beset by problems since deliberations began Wednesday. Courthouse spokesman Sheldon Snook said the panel sent a note Monday. Attorneys for both sides were called back to court Monday for a reading of the note.

Court officials were also testing the jury microphone, which is normally reserved for the reading of verdicts.

The ambiguity of the note's description, though, apparently leaves open the possibility that jurors have been unable to reach a unanimous verdict. If so, the judge likely would send them back to continue deliberating.

In a tight election year, the verdict has the potential to alter the nation's political landscape. The Senate's longest-serving Republican is fending off an aggressive Democratic challenger. If Stevens is convicted, it would hurt his chance of keeping a seat he's held for generations. And it could push Democrats toward a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Stevens is charged with lying on Senate financial forms about $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts he received from an oil contractor.

Stevens spent three days on the witness stand, vehemently denying that allegation. He said his wife, Catherine, paid every bill they received.

Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count, but under federal sentencing guidelines, he would likely receive much less prison time, if any.

Stevens' trial hinged on the testimony of Bill Allen, the senator's longtime drinking and fishing buddy. Allen, the founder of VECO, testified that he never billed his friend for the extensive work on the house and that Stevens knew he was getting a deal.

Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since before statehood. His knack for steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state has drawn praise from his constituents and consternation from budget hawks.

Sounds good to me.

Is Everyone For Sale?

I wonder if Obama will really change Washington when I read stories like this. Both of the "reform" and "change" candidates (although McSame is as phony as can be on "change") have gotten tons of money from Fannie and Freddie lobbyists. I will be watching to see whether he reforms campaign finance.... will he require all candidates to drink from the same Public cup...with a limit on how much money can come from the Democratic or Republican Parties (or any other Party)? Will he stop the system of "bundling"? or will he keep the same corrupt system in place?

I understand that this time around he had to go private, because he would have been steamrolled by Republican Party money. But will he change it once in office? This is something he will have to tackle in his first term... that's if he is able to somehow defeat John McSame.... which will likely require a miracle.

I will give Obama the benefit of the doubt, and give him a chance to change the system once elected. He was in a tough position this time around. But these reports still raise questions.

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When I say TRIFLING, you say KWAME....TRIFLING...KWAME

TRIFLING...KWAME

Ah, the Hip-Hop Mayor can't seem to stay out of trouble, can he?

From the WDIV-Detroit:

Kilpatrick Pleads Not Guilty In Assault Charges
Judge Orders $25,000 Bond
POSTED: 3:39 pm EDT August 7, 2008
UPDATED: 1:41 pm EDT August 8, 2008

LANSING, Mich. -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick entered a not guilty plea Friday during a video arraignment at the 36th District Court on assault charges against two Wayne County Sheriff's detectives.

Kilpatrick did not appear in person during Friday afternoon's hearing but was seen on a video screen. He wore a suit and stood with his hands folded in front of him.

He was charged earlier in the day by the Michigan attorney general. Police say Kilpatrick confronted a detective trying to deliver a subpoena to the mayor's friend last month.

Magistrate Renee McDufee set his next court date for Aug. 15. She also ordered a $25,000 bond and adopted the conditions of Judge Thomas Jackson's earlier ruling Friday, that Kilpatrick must wear a tether and is not permitted to travel, for violating the terms of his bond in a separate case.

Kilpatrick was ordered not to have contact with the plaintiffs in this case.

Rest of story at link above.
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Now, 9 times out of 10, if there is a dispute with a Black man and the PO-Lice, I am inclined to eye the charges with skepticism until fully proven.

Mayor Trifling is the 1 out of 10 exception.

He's going to get into with police about someone ELSE'S business?

He TRULY believes his own press, doesn't he?

Detroit, do what you should have done after you found out he messed up the city's credit card. Back then, it would have only cost you the $250,000 he ' mishandled'.

Now, you're on the hook for what, $8 MILLION because of the lawsuit?

Kick.him.to.the.curb.

Ted Stevens And The Bridge To Federal Prison?

Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican Senator in history, has been indicted on Federal corruption charges (7 felony counts). Stevens was caught taking gifts from an Alaskan oil services company and then lying to authorities in an effort to cover it up. (It's probably no coincidence that the Republicans have been so adamant about drilling for oil in Alaska). This could not have come at a worse time for Republicans. It will surely remind voters of "The Republican Swamp" of corruption that helped fuel the mid-term election rebuke from American voters back in 2006.

What was once a safe Republican Senate seat in Alaska will now be up for grabs in November, with Democrat and Mayor of Anchorage Mark Begich looking to unseat Stevens. The Democrats will need all of the Senate seats that they can get this November to get over the Liar-berman obstructionist problem, and to gain the 60 votes they need. I don't think they will quite get to 60, but the closer the better. There are a handful of Moderate Republican Senators who may be willing to join Democrats and a Democratic President in order to get things done.

The fact that Stevens is the longest serving Republican Senator carries a certain level of symbolism...the kind of symbolism that Republicans probably don't want.

Hopefully this will cause the media to finally take a look at other Republican members of Congress and to take another look at John McCain in particular to examine his relationship with lobbyists, especially those who have been connected with his campaign.

I am hoping that the Stevens case drags on well into 2009, after Bush leaves office. That way, Bush won't be able to set his buddy free. Hopefully, if Obama can win in November by some strange miracle, Stevens will actually have to face punishment. Unless Obama sets him free. Hopefully Obama is not going to bring that kind of "Change" to the White House. Of course Stevens's lawyers will site his age as a reason to keep him out of prison (which would be club Fed anyway).

Read the Indictment (pdf)

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Learn how drug marketing deregulation has led to a free-for-all in advertising. Direct to consumer prescription drug marketing (once prohibited) is now big business. But it has led to the overuse of prescription drugs - good for the drug companies, but not necessarily good for the health of patients. The cozy relationship between doctors, and drug companies is down right scary to me.

How much can we really trust the drug efficacy research? Do we really know all of the risks?

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Amy Goodman from Democracy Now looked at this issue last year in a piece called "Big Bucks, Big Pharma". Watch/Listen Here.

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