Di Fi Aye Aye..!

Congress to look at
voting problems

"Sarasota's voting controversy has given new life to election reform advocates in Congress, prompting the incoming leader of the House to make the issue a top priority for the new year and triggering hearings in the U.S. Senate.

More than being just a battle over who won the 13th Congressional District, officials on Capitol Hill say what happened in Sarasota has wider implications for the nation, giving a more substantive edge to what previously was mostly a theoretical debate over the reliability of touchscreen voting machines."

"Feinstein also intends to re-introduce legislation in the new year to require all voting systems to have verifiable paper trails."

"In the House, two members have called for new legislation mandating paper trails and a spokesman for incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the issue is high on her agenda for the new Congress. Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said what happened in Sarasota underscores why the need for paper trails will be a priority for the speaker-elect."

"The national attention on the voting machines and the upcoming hearings on the matter are critical if the public is to be reassured that the machines can be trusted for the 2008 presidential elections, said Larry Sabato, Director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia." <more>

Easy Does It..?

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

Iraq Panel: Gradual Pullback of Troops
The bipartisan Iraq Study Group reached a consensus on Wednesday on a final report that will call for a gradual pullback of the 15 American combat brigades now in Iraq but stop short of setting a firm timetable for their withdrawal, according to people familiar with the panel’s deliberations. <more>

In like a lion, out like a turtle.

Class Act...

Black loses bid to strike details of his lifestyle

Conrad Black, the former Hollinger International Inc. chairman and chief executive charged with looting the company, lost a bid Wednesday to keep jurors from hearing prosecutors' claims that he had a lavish lifestyle.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve in Chicago refused to strike from the indictment references that Black's lawyers argued would evoke "class prejudice" among jurors. <more>

Champagne kisses and caviar dreams, Conrad?

Happy Wednesday...

What's new?

Today's Origami...

Jacta Alea Est!...

This your legacy, Mr. President.

Emotions flare over
Iraq memorial

Hill of crosses lauded, slammed

Each man who has held the office of President of the United States--from George Washington to George W. Bush--leaves behind a unique legacy.

These men have led the nation through times of national crisis and celebration, economic ups and downs, through horrendous wars and times of peace. Their politics, personalities and leadership skills have shaped the world today, for good and for bad.

The die is cast - do what is right.

Dick Cheney - Exit Stage Right..?

‘Rumsfeld’s Leaving Is Just The Beginning,’
Cheney Might Be Next

Tell me something I don't know...Quick Draw McGraw and Snagglepuss sure miss their loyal sidekick Scooter Looey. New Contest: Name the next V.P. - Baker, Condi, Hagel, Frist, Lieberman, Macaca, Harris, Dobson, Arnold, 41, Barney...?

Paris Hilton Or Judy Miller..?

I was just thinking to myself - Who has the more interesting phonebook?

This is going to be HOT!

Lukewarm Or Scalding..?

Survey of Americans' feelings towards politicians, on a scale of 0 to 100, gauging the "warmth" people feel towards each (and the number in parens is the percentage of people who don't know enough about the person to say either way).

1) Rudolph Giuliani - 64.2. (9)
2) Sen. Barack Obama 58.8 (41)
3) Sen. John McCain 57.7 (12)
4) Condoleezza Rice - 56.1 (7)
5) Bill Clinton - 55.8 (1)
6) Sen. Joseph Lieberman - 52.7 (16)
7) NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg - 51.1 (44)
8) John Edwards - 49.9 (20)
9) Sen. Hillary Clinton - 49 (1)
10) N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson - 47.7 (65)
11) Sen. Joseph Biden 47 (52)
12) Nancy Pelosi 46.9 (34)
13) Gov. Mitt Romney - 45.9 (64)
14) Former VP Al Gore - 44.9 (3)
15) President George Bush - 43.8 (1)
16) Sen. Evan Bayh - 43.3 (75)
17) Newt Gingrich - 42 (15)
18) Sen. Bill Frist - 41.5 (53)
19) Sen. Harry Reid - 41.2 (61)
20) Sen. John Kerry - 39.6 (5)

Just In The Knick Of Time...

no time...no time to lose.

Supreme Court: "Fitz Is Right"
Orders New York Times to Hand'em Over NOW!

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled against The New York Times on Monday, refusing to block the government from reviewing telephone records of two Times reporters in a leak investigation concerning a terrorism-funding probe.

The one-sentence order came in a First Amendment battle that involves stories written in 2001 by Times reporters Judith Miller and Philip Shenon. The stories revealed the government’s plans to freeze the assets of two Islamic charities, the Holy Land Foundation and the Global Relief Foundation. <more>

How short and sweet it is...WTG, Ruthie baby!

IT'S MILLER TIME!

Chile Today - Hot Tamale, Augusto...

Pinochet Indicted for 1973 Executions

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet was indicted Monday and ordered to remain under house arrest for the execution of two bodyguards of Salvador Allende, the freely elected Marxist president who was toppled in a 1973 coup. <more>

And for the record, AP (very sloppy) get your facts straight...ask Allende's niece, Isabel - Salvador did not commit suicide. Use the Google on these keywords: "Church, Kissinger, Geneen, Allende, Pinochet and CIA" to learn which American evildoers put this genocidal Chilean evildoer in power.

Bush Twins Gone Loco Wild..!

U.S. Embassy in Argentina Says Last Call for Alcohol

South of the border-equator mayhem? FYI, gossip is not usually on my radar, but in this case national security comes to mind along with the phrase "chip off the old block."

"O" No...

It's on my birthday!

Global Orgasm
for Peace Day

Only in Hot-Tubistan could they come up with an idea like this...My colleagues are going to rib me to infinity and beyond over this!

I Supported Which Candidates..?

where?

"Buy a shirt, Help oust a corrupt politician"

"All profits from the Thank You Stores go to ActBlue for democrat races."

Oy!

Clarice Feldman E-XXX-sposed..!?

An Open Letter To Clarice Feldman from the PJFFC

Dear Ms. Feldman,

We're writing to you, women-to-woman, because it's come to our attention that you may need a bit of assistance in the romance department. You see, we've decided that your many denouncing editorials, your complaint to the DOJ professional responsibility board, and your apparent dislike of the man is nothing but a ruse. We believe that you're madly in love with Patrick J. Fitzgerald.

We are the Patrick J. Fitzgerald Fan Club, and we understand your suffering. If he would only just go OUTSIDE once in awhile so we could get more pictures of him from the media photographers posted outside his offices (our stalker proxies), or once again hold a flurry of indictment news conferences? We merely want pictures! We're only guilty of love in the first degree! Indict US if you must!

We digress.

Clarice, come on. You can't resist those piercing blue eyes and that sweet smile, can you? You want to lay your head on one of those broad shoulders while he whispers sweet nothings in your ear, like "statute," "admissible," and "satisfy...the court". (You're feeling a little warm right now, aren't you?) You want to fall asleep on his office couch while he reads a file from a case heard in 1994, right? How about those late nights discovering the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth -- boxers, or briefs?

Be honest. You wouldn't be so obsessed with him if you didn't really, truly, in your heart of hearts, admit that he makes your toes curl, doesn't he? If you want to date him, you'll have to do what every other woman since the dawn of time has had to do to get a man's attention: Play hard-to-get. Flirt with another guy in his office. (We do know that Mr. Shapiro would like some attention, for instance.) <more>

Oh my...who's next, Maureen Dowd?

Reference - see: I Am In Big Trouble Now..!
(Clarice's scathing letter to DoJ Office of Professional Responsibility)

Clarice Masquerading As A Frequent Thinker...

and attorney.

A Political Exercise Masquerading
as a Civil Lawsuit

I Am Feeling Lucky...

Pimp my ride.

Email Of The Week...

Mr. Fitzpatrick,

Perhaps you could have the timer fixed on your blog to have the Earth rotating at something approximating natural cycles?
Regards,
XXXXX X.
Boston, Ma.

Dear Dizzy in Boston,

I will ask "Russell" "No Comment" Samborn to look into that right away - seeing that he has plenty of time on his hands - but we do like our coffee strong and frothy. ;)

Knock Knock..!

Can Judy and Philip come out to play?

N.Y. Times Seeks to Bar Me From Reviewing Phone Data

The case arose from a Chicago grand jury’s investigation into who told the two reporters, Judith Miller and Philip Shenon, about actions the government was planning to take in 2001 against two Islamic charities. The United States attorney in Chicago, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, sought the reporters’ records directly from their phone companies, and The Times filed suit to stop him.

In August, a divided three-judge panel of the federal appeals court in Manhattan ruled in favor of Mr. Fitzgerald, saying the reporters were not entitled to shield their sources. The needs of law enforcement, the majority said, outweighed any protections the reporters might have in the First Amendment or other areas of law.

Ms. Miller left the paper last year after spending 85 days in jail in connection with a separate leak investigation, also supervised by Mr. Fitzgerald. <more>

Run, Don't Walk...

Capitol Hill shuffle begins

There's a double meaning in the sign taped to a Dumpster outside the Capitol Hill office of Virginia's soon-to-be-ex-GOP- Sen. George Allen. It pleads: "Allen: Do not remove." Tons of paper, furnishings, equipment and years' worth of nostalgia are being yanked from the suites of lawmakers who weren't re-elected this month or are retiring to make way for colleagues who called dibs on their office space. <more>

It should read: "Allen: Removed!"

Open Sesame...

"I smell oil."

Close sesame.

Batter Up..!

SF Bay Area attorney prepares for national case
Arguing Plame-Wilson lawsuit is major league action

"At his office last week, Cotchett picked up a 5-inch- thick binder that he had just received from the defendants in the case. It contained motions to dismiss the lawsuit based on executive privilege."

Leaning forward in his chair, Cotchett assessed the magnitude of the case.

"It's going to be the case of the next year," Cotchett said. "It's going to be the case that everybody watches, because it involves fundamental constitutional issues. It goes right to the heart of our national security." <more>

Today Is A Work Day...

because evildoers never rest.

Open Thread...

Happy Thanksgiving...

I am thankful for intelligent voices of reason...

Peter Lance, Crisscrossed

Peter’s venom spewed at Patrick Fitzgerald is particularly crazy. Consider the following claim by Lance:

How was it that Fitzgerald, the man Vanity Fair described as the bin Laden "brain," possessing "scary smart" intelligence, had not connected the dots and ordered the same kind of "perch" or "plant" to watch Sphinx that the Bureau had used against Gotti?

Well, for starters, prosecutors in the United States are not like prosecutors in France. Fitzgerald and other junior prosecutors do not have the luxury of waking up each morning and deciding on their own to follow a hunch. Moreover, they normally don’t direct Federal investigations. The investigative part is handled by FBI agents who run field offices. They collect evidence until they have a case put together that enables them to secure an indictment or an arrest warrant and then the prosecutor gets involved. Once again, Peter misses a basic fact that anyone who has watched Law and Order already knows.

What we do know about Patrick Fitzgerald is that he succeeded in putting terrorists behind jail without violating the Constitution or torturing a soul. He deserves better than to be attacked by a lightweight like Lance. <more>

I am thankful for the appeal process... "Very Special and Dashingly Handsome Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald notified the court last night that he plans to appeal U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton's ruling this month on the standards the judge will use for determining which classified materials Libby may use as evidence in defending himself. Libby faces trial on charges of perjury, lying to investigators and obstruction of justice." <more>

And finally, I am thankful for friends, family and turkeys I don't have to cook. :D

How to Defrost a Turkey...

Literally.

I am going to experiment this year by stuffing my bird with a certain kind of pastry with the initials KK. ;)

Be good and have a great holiday - we have so much to be thankful for...

DIscriminate With Us...

Q: You are on a plane with six Muslim imams, six priests, six evangelical preachers, six congressman and 432 virgins...who should be removed by the airline and airport security for safety reasons?

Six people removed from U.S. Airways flight

A: For their own safety,the 432 cub scouts. troop.

Bully..!

Democrats Plan Series of Votes on Major Ethics Reforms

"Despite divisions among Democrats over how far to go in revising ethics rules, House leaders plan a major rollout of an ethics reform bill early next year to demonstrate concern about an issue that helped defeat the Republicans in the midterm elections.

But they will do it with a twist: Instead of forwarding one big bill, Democrats will put together an ethics package on the House floor piece by piece, allowing incoming freshmen to take charge of high-profile issues and lengthening the time spent on the debate. The approach will ensure that each proposal -- including banning gifts, meals and travel from lobbyists as well as imposing new controls on the budget deficit -- is debated on its own and receives its own vote. That should garner far more media attention for the bill's components before a final vote on the entire package." <more>

Dear Representatives of the People,
When you think the bill is tough enough, take it back to committee and make it even tougher!

Professor Olbermann...

offers our CinC a timely lecture on Vietnam/Iraq.

Fair Is Fair..?

The GOP's dirty deeds of 2006 Election

Buchanan "Named" Winner In Fla. House Race

new election no brainer...need for paper trails no brainer

"Corruption With A Capital C..."

Sorich sentenced in corrupt
City Hall operation

"A former high-ranking aide to Mayor Richard M. Daley was sentenced Monday to almost four years in prison for engineering a fraud scheme to cover up political patronage hiring at City Hall. Robert Sorich, 43, showed no emotion as federal Judge David H. Coar also fined him $10,000 and delivered a sharp tongue-lashing before imposing the minimum 46-month sentence federal guidelines prescribe.

"The offense is corruption -- corruption with a capital C," Coar said. He said that "for people to owe their jobs to political advancement rather than performance on the job stinks." <more>

BAM! Give my best to Jake and Elwood. ;)

Next...

Punch And Judy...

I am sorry to hear that Judith Regan's exclusive FOX O.J. interview and book deal has been axed, but to be honest I am more interested in her next project -- "If We Bought The Oval Office This Is How We Did It" by Grover Norquist, Ralph Reed and Jack Abramoff.

"Huzzah huzzah, I've killed the Devil!" - Rupert Murdoch

Loose Change & Ends...

Ohio Coingate Crook & Bush Fundraiser Gets 18 Years in Prison

TOLEDO, Ohio -- A former GOP fundraiser at the center of a scandal-plagued state investment in rare coins that helped Democrats seize power in the midterm elections was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.

Tom Noe, a prominent coin dealer accused of taking at least $2 million, was convicted last week of theft, corrupt activity, money laundering, forgery and tampering with records.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Osowik, who described the crime as an "elaborate scheme of theft on a large scale," also fined Noe $139,000. <more>

Just say, "No, thank you!" to graft. It is good to see Ohio cleaning up their act...whodothey think they are, Illinois? ;)

TGIM...

Happy Monday - Open Thread...

Washingtoon...

Humpty Dumbo..?

Embittered Insiders Turn Against Bush

Et Tu, Jason..?

Reviewed: Peter Lance's 9/11 Masterpiece
by Jason Leopold

"Peter Lance is one of the last in a dying breed. An investigative reporter who is disciplined enough to devote half a decade in pursuit of the truth. A newsman cut from the same cloth as the legendary journalist I.F. "Izzy" Stone. A gumshoe reporter who still pounds the pavement and relies heavily on public documents to present the facts - no matter where they lead or whom they implicate.

In his forthcoming book, Triple Cross, Lance, a bestselling author of two previous insider accounts on the so-called war on terror, the FBI's handling of 9/11, and Islamic terrorists, has crafted yet another masterful narrative, this time turning a critical eye on the FBI and the wide-ranging intelligence failures within the agency that led up to the tragic day that has been seared into our memories for five long years."

What's That Flaming Thing...?

asked a fellow patron seated next to me and a friend about our flaming Volcano ice cream dessert in the Cleveland Park sushi hot spot Spices earlier tonight.

"That's Grover," my friend whispered.

"Grover Cleveland..?"

"No, Norquist!"

Ah, that's right Signatures has closed. I wondered to myself how he likes paying for his own meals now.

Just as we were leaving, we saw Grover's flaming Volcano arriving. I am fairly certain that I heard him say to his FOX news looking friend, "I sure wish Jack were here to share this with us."

UPDATE: While reading today's Wa. Po. I came across an article about the controversial FOX O.J. interview and lo and behold there was a picture of "envelope pushing" publisher Judith Regan...Grover's date or publisher!? Probably not a date...

Coming soon, a Jack and/or Grover tell all book or a Grover - Bernie Kerik catfight?

Find This Book Listed Under "Fiction..."

next to Harry Potter, the DaVinci Code and all Bill Bennett's books.
Maureen Dowd

Triple Cross: How bin Laden's Master Spy Penetrated the CIA, The Green Berets and the FBI - And why Patrick Fitzgerald Failed to Stop Him.

Good Vs. Evil(doers)...

November 16, 2006

The Honorable Alberto Gonzales Attorney General United States Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Attorney General Gonzales:

Recent press accounts indicate that, after years of denials, the Central Intelligence Agency has acknowledged the existence of additional documents detailing the Bush Administration’s interrogation and detention policy for terrorism suspects. According to press reports, the CIA recently disclosed the existence of two interrogation-related documents – a presidential directive regarding the CIA’s interrogation methods and detention facilities located outside of the United States, and an August 2002 Department of Justice Memorandum to the CIA General Counsel regarding CIA interrogation methods (the “2nd Bybee memo”) – in connection with an ongoing FOIA lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.

As you know, for more than two years, I have repeatedly sought answers from the Department of Justice, the FBI, the CIA, and the Department of Defense regarding reported and, in some instances, documented cases of the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody. The photographs and reports of prisoner abuse in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere that have emerged during the past two years depict an interrogation and detention system operating contrary to U.S. law and the Geneva Conventions.

Prisoner abuse is one aspect of a broader problem, which includes the use of so-called “extraordinary renditions” to send people to other countries where they will be subject to torture. We diminish our own values as a Nation – and lose credibility as an advocate of human rights around the world – by engaging in, or outsourcing, torture.

The American people deserve to have detailed and accurate information about the role of the Bush Administration in developing the interrogation policies and practices that have engendered such deep criticism and concern at home and around the world. I ask that you promptly respond to the following questions and document requests.

1. Please produce any and all directives, memoranda, and/or orders, including any and all attachments to such documents, regarding CIA interrogation methods or policies for the treatment of detainees, including but not limited to the directive signed by President Bush governing CIA interrogation methods, or allowing the CIA to set up detention centers located outside of the United States.
2. Please produce any and all Department of Justice directives, memoranda, and/or guidance, including any and all attachments to such documents, regarding CIA detention and/or interrogation methods, including but not limited to the August 2002 Memorandum from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel to the CIA General Counsel regarding CIA interrogation methods (the “2nd Bybee memo”).
3. Please produce any and all documents in the custody of the Department of Justice regarding the legality of specific interrogation tactics and/or federal criminal prohibitions on torture and abuse that were used in the preparation of the 2nd Bybee memo referenced above.
4. Please state whether the 2nd Bybee memo was withdrawn, replaced, or modified after the Administration withdrew the Office of Legal Counsel’s memorandum regarding U.S. obligations under anti-torture law, dated August 2002 (the “1st Bybee Memo”) in December 2004. If so, please produce any and all revisions, or modifications of the 2nd Bybee memo.
5. Please produce any and all Department of Justice documents that interpret, or advise on, the scope of interrogation practices permitted and prohibited by the Detainee Treatment Act or the Military Commissions Act.
6. Please produce an index of any and all documents relating to investigations and/or reviews conducted by the Department of Justice into detainee abuse by U.S. military or civilian personnel in Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib prison, or elsewhere.

I look forward to comprehensive responses to the above questions and document requests.

Sincerely,

PATRICK LEAHY United States Senator

cc: General Michael V. Hayden, USAF Director Central Intelligence Agency Room Number 7D56 OHB Washington, D.C. 20505

One Day...

Some 'what if' books you may never get to see

"The one book I've been waiting for apparently has no takers.

'If I Could Tell You How To Vote,' by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, theoretically reveals the names of politicians who are not corrupt.

As one publishing executive said, 'It was too depressing.'

All of the pages are blank."

Separating Fact From Spin...

5 Myths About the Midterm Elections

Travel Agents Of Terror..

CIA Spook Flights

"You've heard about Abu Ghraib prison, Guantanamo Bay, and a host of other places where torture is alleged to have happened. But you've probably never heard that a company in downtown San Jose is said to have helped the Central Intelligence Agency get prisoners to the alleged torture sites. "

"They certainly pay well. They--the CIA--spare no expense. They certainly have no worry about costs. What they have to get done, they get done."<more>

Not very American...

Report: Gitmo Trials Are Shams

Maf54, Where Are You...?

Florida opens full criminal probe
into former Rep. Mark Foley

Plame Wilson v. White House: Round 1

Let the legal wrangling begin.

The showdown between the White House, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, a former covert operative for the CIA whose identity was unmasked by Bush administration officials, entered its first stage Tuesday.

As expected, Justice Department attorneys acting on behalf of Vice President Dick Cheney, White House Political Adviser Karl Rove, and other officials, filed a motion in federal court Tuesday seeking the dismissal of a civil lawsuit filed against them earlier this year by the Wilsons, claiming Cheney, his former chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Rove, and other unnamed defendants conspired to destroy Valerie Wilson's career and violated Ambassador Wilson's civil rights.

The Justice Department contends in its motion that Rove, Cheney, in his capacity as vice president, and the other defendants are immune to civil lawsuits, citing a Supreme Court decision which held that executive branch officials should be able to perform their public duty without fear their motives may result in litigation.

"The United States has a strong interest in ensuring that federal officials are appropriately protected from personal liability in lawsuits arising as a result of their official positions," said the Justice Department in its motion filed Tuesday. "The United States believes that ... the individual federal defendants have valid claims of immunity. The vice president possesses absolute immunity from civil damages claims in connection with acts taken within the scope of his office." <more>

Hugfest...

Now get to work draining and cleaning that swamp!

Let There Be Light...

on the 8th day he ate Krispy Kremes and said - "Good."

Public to get a looksee
at Scooter documents
Stylin' Reggie orders redacted evidence public by next month!

"Secrets And Lies..."

Christy at Firedoglake breaks down the latest rulings/filings in the U.S.A. vs. Scooter case.

"This says two things to me: (1) Judge Walton, like every other judge that I have ever known, does not enjoy being reversed on appeal and is going to make certain that every ruling on evidence is solidly grounded in fairness principles as well as precedents; and (2) Scooter's defense is really weak if he's dependent on evidence from the government to make his defense work." <more>

One Day In The Life Of Jack Abramoff...

Day Two...

CUMBERLAND, Md. -- Hours before entering federal prison Wednesday, lobbyist Jack Abramoff sent friends an e-mail lamenting "this nightmare" political scandal and predicting things were about to get worse _ but still looking optimistically to the future.

Abramoff, who parlayed campaign donations and expensive gifts into political influence from Congress to the White House, reported to a Maryland prison where he will earn no more than 40 cents an hour for assigned jobs. <more>

Aspen Trees In The Fall...

The latest gem from Stephen Pitt.

Bon Voyage, Inmate No. 27593-112..!

Abramoff sails off to prison

Prison, exciting and new
Come aboard, we're expecting you
Prison, life's sweetest reward
Let it flow, it floats back to you

The Prison Boat soon will be making another run
The Prison Boat promises something for everyone
Set a course for adventure
Your mind on a new romance

And prison won't hurt anymore
It's an open smile on a friendly shore
It's prison
Welcome aboard
It's prison!

Just say "No, thank you!" to graft and the theme from Love Boat.

Mole...

Rove 'knows too much,' will stay

Karma Chameleon...

The Culture Club of Treason stops here.

Boy Libby: No Plot, No Crime, Do

You Really Want To Hurt Me?

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorneys for former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter'' Libby dismissed the idea of a White House plot to leak a CIA operative's identity to the press and said Libby plans to tell jurors at his perjury trial that he had no reason to lie. <more>

Give & Take...

Shoot for the stars, settle for the moon.

Judge Walton: Scooter May Use Some Classified Data

It's all good - I'm still down with Reggie - especially his ties.

Smart Move..?

Pelosi backs Murtha for majority leader

You know how I feel about Jack...Sorry, Ms. Sloan, but he is a good egg.

Speaking of Jacks - CREW, has a nice new Abramoff website <here>

Torn Between Two Lovers...

the Giants

vs.

da Bears

Oh my!

Happy Saturday...

and Veteran's Day!

Open Thread.

TBIF - Too Bad It's Friday...

What a great week it has been!

Everybody Dance or Freak Out depending upon your POV.

I Love The Smell Of Subpoenas...

in the new year.

Democrats are set
to subpoena
Expected to hold hearings on military spending & the Iraq war -- just for starters.

New Senate, New Probe Into Pre-War Intel
Two thumbs up!

Chicago Tribune Trifecta...

Tale of 2 Fitzgeralds:
A gloves-off story

"The old man's eyes filled with tears as Peter Fitzgerald was telling a great political story. The former senator explained to a downtown luncheon crowd on Thursday how he outfoxed White House guru Karl Rove and the Illinois Combine pressuring Rove to stop politically independent prosecutors from being brought to this state. "Karl Rove called back and said if you will not appoint anyone [from] out of state, we'll let you pick anybody you want, as long as that person is from Chicago," he said, as laughter broke out at the lunch for the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. Political operatives know the history. Fitzgerald went to the press first, to announce his choice of New Yorker Patrick Fitzgerald (no relation) as U.S. attorney in Chicago. This angered then-Gov. George Ryan and House Speaker Denny Hastert, City Hall and the crowd that figured they owned the federal hammer in Chicago." <more>

Push to pick prosecutor told
Ryan, Rove both had idea, ex-senator says

The shrinking mayoral campaign
"The audience at a Chicago lunch sponsored by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a nonpartisan watchdog group, heard a candid, even stirring talk titled "Fitzgerald on Fitzgerald." Former U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald recounted why and how he chose New York federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald as his candidate for U.S. attorney in Chicago. Peter Fitzgerald was determined to attack the Illinois culture of political sleaze by recruiting a U.S. attorney who would eviscerate public corruption here. Thus did Patrick Fitzgerald, who's never run for office or passed out palm cards at a Chicago ward breakfast, become the most powerful force in Illinois politics. (Anybody want to argue with that?)"

The Road To The White House...

is often littered with its fair share of self-inflicted road kill.

.................THE RISE AND

......................FALL OF GEORGE ALLEN

After 2 Decades in Ass-cent, A Stunning Breakdown

Play Ball..!

Stephen Colbert and newly elected Rep. John Hall sing a two part harmony of our national anthem...goosebumps...or as they say in Hawaii "chicken skin."

Sixty Days Notice Ought To Do It...

and let the door hit him on the way out! ;)

Rangel To
Evict Dick

Harlem's newly powerful Rep. Charles Rangel wants to stick it to his White House nemesis Vice President Cheney - by taking over his spacious House office.

At the same time, the veteran congressman offered a limp olive branch to the vice president yesterday, saying he regretted publicly calling him an SOB last week.

"I take back saying that publicly. I should have reserved that for him when we were together privately," said Rangel. "Believe me, he would have understood."

Rangel (D-Harlem), poised to become the next chairman of the important House Ways and Means Committee, spoke of the need for bipartisanship with the Republicans, even as he continued his feud with Cheney.

"Mr. Cheney enjoys an office on the second floor on the House of Representatives that historically has been designated as the Ways and Means chairman," Rangel mused. "And, I've talked with [future Speaker of the House] Nancy Pelosi ... and I'm trying to find some way to be gentle as I restore the dignity of that office to the chair."

Boss Nancy D'Allessandro Pelosi...

Political Party Power Broker (PPPB) - you can call her "Madame Speaker."

Facts of Life

I hear Condi is seething...

Who, Me..?

Daley's most fearsome
foe still out there...

"There is little doubt that Daley would likely crush Jackson and Gutierrez at the polls. The mayor is master of all he surveys.

But City Hall is worried about another possible matchup for 2007. Giant patronage armies and fundraising dominance can't help the mayor in this one. It's a contest that all of Illinois--including Jackson--is waiting for:

Daley vs. Fitzgerald." <more>

It's nice to be appreciated. :D

Chortle Of The Day...

I Know Nothing...

Serious problems with the
vote in Florida's 13th CD

No problem. Just print out ballots, yes? And voting irregularities in Katherine Harris's former district, puh-leeeeeze!

In Case You Missed It...

Arnold's Back.

I believe moderate Steve Westly would have been much more competitive than Phil Angelides...

The Truth About Gates...

Gates Has History of Manipulating Intelligence

"If confirmed, Gates would arguably be overseeing a war that removed a dictator he personally helped to prop up. Tom Harkin, a senator from Iowa, described Gates's role in intelligence sharing operations with Iraq during a time when the United States helped arm Saddam Hussein in Iraq's war against Iran."

"I also have doubts and questions about Mr. Gates's role in the secret intelligence sharing operation with Iraq," Harkin said during Gates's confirmation hearings on November 7, 1991. "Robert Gates served as assistant to the director of the CIA in 1981 and as deputy director for intelligence from 1982 to 1986. In that capacity, he helped develop options in dealing with the Iran-Iraq war, which eventually evolved into a secret intelligence liaison relationship with Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Gates was in charge of the directorate that prepared the intelligence information that was passed on to Iraq. He testified that he was also an active participant in the operation during 1986. The secret intelligence sharing operation with Iraq was not only a highly questionable and possibly illegal operation, but also may have jeopardized American lives and our national interests. The photo reconnaissance, highly sensitive electronic eavesdropping, and narrative texts provided to Saddam may not only have helped him in Iraq's war against Iran, but also in the recent gulf war." <more>

Mr. President, we can do better than Robert Gates.

Nancy Pelosi Fires Rummy...

When the Speaker Elect talks the CinC listens.

Groovy...

Turn Out The Lights...

the GOP's party is over AND let the sun shine in!

Dems take both House & Senate.

Evildoers, sleep tight before tomorrow's reality sets in...Speaker Pelosi, John Conyers and Chuck Schumer with subpoena power -- your worst nightmares have now come true.

Ya Think..?

America Votes..!

and now I am going to put this blog on cruise control and:

A) go to bed early because I was up very early to help bake 60 muffins with a friend for PTA bake sale,
B) hit the bottle early because:
...1. election results are depressing,
...2. I am so happy I have to celebrate.
C) as usual continue working late into the night on the Libby case,
D) none of the above - the Justice Bloggers will flog me if I don't provide fresh threads for their celebrations. ;)

Cheers & more cheers...

Guilty Of Free Speech..?

or facing the music for inciting wingnuts to be themselves?

AUDIO: Radio Blowhard Laura Ingraham Tells Listeners To Jam Voter Protection Hotline

One classy dame or what?

Hi-Tech Voting..?

is the problem, not the solution.

Nightmare on Main Street USA: Voting problems grow

They were warned...

Heads Will Roll...

Dems Want Feds To Probe GOP "Robocalling" - Jason Leopold

FBI looking into possible Va. voter intimidation
Officials probing reports of phone calls
allegedly intended to confuse voters

The people behind these robo-calls will go to jail.

Sen. Allen's Campaign Connected To Phone Call Threatening
People With Arrest If They Show Up To Vote...

Swami Sez...

Democrats 35+ gain in House and a 6 seat gain in the Senate.

What do you think, Justice Bloggers?

Great headline! <here>

Campaign Photo Of The Week...

Is Your Refrigerator Running..?

It's an Eviloder Calling...Again
Republicans Deny Subterfuge as Phone Barrages Anger Voters

Judgement Day Or Theft In Progress..?

Candidates Make Dash for Finish Line

Campaign Ad By Anonymous...

The power of the blogosphere...food for thought or breakfast of champions?

Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS

Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball:

THE HOUSE: +29 Dems = 232D, 203R

THE SENATE: +6 Dems = 51D, 49R

Full Analysis <here>

Getting The "Help" He "Deserves.."

Rev. Ted Haggard To Be Saved...Again

James Dobson, the Rev. Jack Hayford and the Rev. Tommy Barnett have been tapped by New Life's overseer board to perform a thorough analysis of Haggard's mental, spiritual, emotional and physical life.

I hope they practice "safe" counseling.

Interview with the preachers gay hustler.