i think those pigs are gonna be flying before these goons recognize their duty to the greater good

“A sweatheart of a journalist” - that is, one of that rare breed of journalists who has a heart, and manages to work up a sweat?

I can’t tell you how sorry I was to see Richard Parker’s name in that company. He was my Con Law professor, many years ago, and I used to have a great deal of respect for him. Damn. Maybe he went over to the dark side.

Christy, what a timely and needed post. This is exactly what is wrong with the justice system in the US.

Hi Christy,

I tried to send an email to you regarding a meeting yesterday and it was returned stating no such recipient. Is the address up top correct?

Afternoon, Christy:

Your third para: Judge Walton, living in…should be Judge Walton lives in…

living introduces a dangling participle.

i am not a david broder fan, but what he wrote about walton and the sentence, i liked………hate to admit it, but i liked it…..and in spite of the few low shots and misinformation included inbetween, i detected a tone change in his overview….and no, i’m not forgetting who i’m readin’ just sayin’ i liked the info he offered concerning judge walton

http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....02398.html

Oh Lord, Reggie has even been linked at Bitch Ph.D who opines: “Seriously. Seriously. Follow that first link, download the .pdf linked as “today’s order” and read the footnote. You’ll thank me. As Mr. Kotsko pointed out to me, it’s bitchier than anything *I’ve* ever written.” You can find it here:

Bitch Ph.D

I love that Judge Walton commends these worthies for getting their collective legal-opinion act together

in the course of only several days

although I think this is a slap at Barbara “Roots” Comstock, since she probably organized the draft and signatures.

Christy,

I had similar thoughts when I first read the footnote. These “great lawyers” should have learned by now that you really shouldn’t make the Judge angry. But I guess they don’t practice in the real world.

De-lurking to say “Thanks”, Christy and every one of the denizens of the Lake. Been here since the Libby trial. Stay here for the mind-saving intellect and humor. You good medicine.

Carol Leonnig is a sweatheart of a journalist,

Sweatheart?

I’ll skip the jokes but will observe that you’re probably accurate in both your slip and your intent when you talk about Ms. Leonnig.

former fed at 10:

Christy,

I had similar thoughts when I first read the footnote. These “great lawyers” should have learned by now that you really shouldn’t make the Judge angry. But I guess they don’t practice in the real world.
==========================================
i really think, since i first read that, that their hubris got the best of them…..they really think influence wins, no matter what….they went for the kill, thinking they won the kill, forgetting that an alpha male lion was still in charge………

buncha hyenas.

This reminded me of an email I received in 2003 from State Delegate Marian Van Landingham, about the budget negotiations with Republicans that year, which made quite an impression on me, so I went and searched for the exact text:

They first supported and then killed state matching funds for programs like OAR and Virginia CARES. These programs work with ex-offenders to help them re-enter society rather than continuing a life of crime with all of its costs to the public and the Commonwealth.

I was the lead defender of these programs in the House debate and pointed out that by reducing recidivism the state saved thousands of dollars in additional court costs and $20-$30,000 a year per inmate in prison costs.

The response from the lead opponent was that these are “bleeding heart” programs wasted on bad people. I was appalled by this argument and said so as some of the opposition laughed. It was a new low point in House debate.

Laughed. This is the world of the modern conservative; criminals are just inherently bad people, and despite the evidence that crime prevention and followup can prevent the destruction of both would-be criminals’ lives and their victims’ and saves money, they’re sure there’s nothing to be done about it. Just like undocumented immigrants are nothing but “illegals,” and there’s no point in trying to eliminate the conditions that breed terrorists because they’re just crazy bad people who want to kill us and trying to understand it is “blaming America.” Just ‘bad people.’

So of course when one of their own is judged a criminal, they know he’s not a ‘bad person,’ so something must be wrong. And in true wingnut fashion, they adjust the facts to fit the theory — they can’t be wrong about criminals being inherently bad people, so it must be that he’s not really a criminal!

Want to throw the bad guys out, short of a revolution? And get the good people in? Public financing of ALL elections.

I trust Judge Walton checked on whether or not this collection of boneheads and bozos are doing pro bono for the poor before he put his footnote in there, but do we know for sure that Robert Bork, Vikram Amar, Randy Barnett, Alan Dershowitz, Viet Dinh, Douglas Kmiec, Gary Lawson, Earl Maltz, Thomas Merrill, Robert Nagel, Richard Parker, and Robert Pushaw do no pro bono for such clients as the judge described?

I think EmptyWheel has found THE next talking point for the Left on this story now we just need Keith Oberman to do a story and get us some airtime. Unless of course there is more than one kind of lefty in the supposed liberal media that I’m overlooking?

“…application of stringent sentencing guidelines provisions enacted by elected officials who use them as a means to look ‘tough on crime’ whether or not they make a dent in the actual commissions of crimes or the prevention thereof. There are a whole host of issues that truly need to be addressed in that world: underlying reasons for criminal activity, drug use prevention and rehab, application of funds and resources to early childhood prevention versus on the back end for adults who are less likely to be rehabilitated, and on and on and on.”

What, do you want them to allow judges to consider the nature of the offense, the intent of the offender, the likelihood of rehabilitation, the actual threat to society, and any other of a myriad of factors in sentencing? That might lead to reform for the individual and societal good.

An interesting aside. Soon after Bork, as acting attorney general, fired Archibald Cox, I did a radio news story on the term “Bork,” which then became a verb defining a sleazy opportunist who would obey any politically motivated order. Cox had been “borked.”

Later, when Bork failed to obtain a seat on the Supreme Court, the new meaning of the verb “Bork” came to be a word describing the process of keeping somebody from obtaining a politically controlled office. Bork had been “borked.”

In the urban dictionary, the newer term is definition # 2, the older one is #23. Wikipedia doesn’t even mention the older term under their article on the man.

Bork feral politics

I’ve read Judge Walton’s footnote now three times. I’m thinking - 1) His Honor has been reading Marcy’s blog, and 2) he could get a job writing for Jon Stewart.

One of the human rights missing in the US is the right to be genuinely represented in a court of law. Law is designed in such a manner as to squelch as far as possible, emotion and opinion to create a forum for fact to reach judgment, that at least is the myth. In doing so, all too often, a participant’s voice is squelched as well, throwing the baby water out with the bath. Rarely is anyone without huge funds available to them, able to retain effective council to assure their voice is heard in court. Pile on the ease with which allegation and innuendo can be made and the difficulty in resisting such actions, the necessity to prove what in fact had not occurred, additionally, the presentation in court of convenient selfserving lies, even the right to silence is waisted.
Without genuine council, the jails and prisons are guaranteed overflowing populations, now for private profit in increasing measure. The judicial system itself becomes a crime against humanity in increasing degree, as would happen any time “people are lost in the cracks”.
Furthermore, when Judges themselves have to get permission from the likes of police officer associations to warrent the judges tenure in order to retain their position, grave dis-service to Judicial independence can be the only result.
When the US finally joins the civilized world and accounts as a right the access to council in a court of law for ALL PEOPLE required to be present, only then can any there make a claim of civilization.

I have a few questions for Larry. Is he still around or is he off stalking Tom Allen?

from War and Piece, June 9, 2007

http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/006246.html

Reader JG: “I was catching up on Carpetbagger just now and came across this sentence: ‘I suppose it’s possible that there are better speakers than Bill Clinton, but I don’t think so.’ Well, I hit that link and found — woe! — a 2-hour, 19-minute, 50-second tape of Harvard’s Class Day 2007. But after some trial-and-error, I can report that YOU WILL BE WELL REWARDED to move the little jobbie to 1:36:40. You’ll be spellbound until 2:05:25, I can just about guarantee, and whatever else your agenda includes, you’ll have had a memorable Saturday. Flaws and all, a wizard.” Check it out.

Clinton speaks for ~30 mins., but it doesn’t feel like it; and I found what he said incredibly moving and pertinent to all persons of privilege (not just Harvardians).

Robert Nagel? Hell, I know the guy…lives here Boulder. He’s a Republican?

Bad guys: Bork, Nixon, Mitchell, L. Patrick Gray, Gonzales, Erlichman and others. Good guys: Richardson, Ruckelshaus, Earl Warren, Fitzgerald, Rodino, Sirica, Sam Ervin and others. What’s the defining difference? Principle.

Why do I think Leonnig’s piece wouldn’t have run if she hadn’t taken the obligatory shot at the “left-wing blogs”? Esp. since her “point” there is… um, exactly what???

The other four are spot-on. Comstock will be so pissed!

Arnie at 22 — I don’t know where you live, but counsel is appointed for representation for indigent defendants where I live. And the vast majority of attorneys who do appointment work here not only take their obligations under the law seriously, but they do a damned good job of it.

It varies by jurisdiction, but where the attorneys on both sides of the aisle take their work seriously, the system works rather well. So it is not true at all to say there is no representation — because in a lot of places, there is very good representation. If it isn’t working well in your area, then it if time to get on the phone to local legal organizations and politicians, to speak up at city council and county commission meetings, and to talk with folks in your state legislature. Nothing changes unless you do something about it.

We saw Judge Walton’s patience wear thin when Irve’s attorney read the Libby Lobby’s letters into the record. Didn’t he say then, “I’ve read those letters.”? This further high-powered piling-on makes me realize, as does Walton’s appointment to the FISA Court by CJ Roberts recently, that there may not be many corridors of power in which Reggie remains welcome.

It’s got to be tough, to have worked yourself up to the level he has against all odds, to find yourself spurned for being what they showered accolades on you for earlier: a law-and-order judge throwing the book at an unrepentant defendant.

I hope Judge Walton writes his story of this trial someday.

dave at 27 — I actually didn’t even take that as a shot at left-wing blogs overall. To be honest, I’m a little tired of explaining that particular point over and over again myself. *g*

I see these letters and op-ed pieces in support of freeing Libby as evidence that Bush is not going to pardon Libby right now. Having made the decision not to pardon because it would be too politically explosive, they got together the letter writing campaign, the 12 judicial ‘luminaries’, and the op-ed corps to implore Walton for the pardon Bush and company can not give immediately.

Leonnig writes:

He was exercising standard prosecutorial discretion when he decided not to charge Rove

Now, just who around here does that sound like? *g*

Teddy at 29 — My understanding from a number of folks is that Judge Walton is well-respected among both sides of the aisle for the most part, that he is a stickler for following the laws as written, and that he does not — nor has he ever — tolerated fools gladly. Team Libby should have done better research. More likely, though, they are playing to a different audience than Judge Walton — the friends of Dick and George club. (And hoping to pull Lawrence Silberman as one of their appeals panel.)

Eureka Springs @ 20

Bork feral politics

LOL!

I had concerns about Judge Walton during the trial - mainly points that were raised by Marcy and the play-by-play FDL reporters. This footnote reveals something about the judge I neither perceived nor expected. I think its great and spot-on. Thanks for sharing it. Walton is one of the good guys.

sailmaker @ 31

I see these letters and op-ed pieces in support of freeing Libby as evidence that Bush is not going to pardon Libby right now. Having made the decision not to pardon because it would be too politically explosive, they got together the letter writing campaign, the 12 judicial ‘luminaries’, and the op-ed corps to implore Walton for the pardon Bush and company can not give immediately.

I also think they are evidence that Fred Fielding has W walled off from the pardon-seekers. Fielding must know, from his own experience and that of his mentor and former boss John Dean, that the President is in impeachable territory if the pardon is discussed around him, since it can be evidence of furtherance of a conspiracy to obstruct. So — how do the WH folks keep Shooter away from the BoyKing?

TRex’s hiatus has caused him some snark withdrawal “issues”. Hope he’s read Reggie - TRex will be fine!

And the thundering audacity of those on the list of “prominent and distinguished current and former law professors of well-respected schools” is breathtaking. Reggie’s response was exactly appropriate.
But… I remember the judge in the Microsoft antitrust matter a few years back letting rip with some rather intemperate remarks maligning Gates and Micrisoft, and those remarks were used to undercut the prosecution. That’s the second thing that came to mind after reading Reggie’s remarks. The first was, “How am I gonna get this s***-eating grin off my mug?”
Thank you Christy!

How much weight do “letters” in support of the defendant actually carry in criminal cases? My experience as a former probation officer is not much. I used to get ‘tons’ of them. Of course I was not dealing with high-power criminals like Mr. Libby.

From Mary and James to the judge. Have your barf bag at the ready.

I think this heavy press may have as much to do with a public display of affection for Scooter’s ego and keeping Mrs. Scooter on the range than getting him a pardon. I have often wondered since the trial whether her blurt of “we are going to fuck them” (or something to that effect, since I haven’t had the time to look that quote up again - anyone remember the exact wording on that?) may have kicked things into a higher public kabuki gear for her sake. Because when momma isn’t happy, no one is happy… *g*

The high and mighty on both coast are looking at the world a little different today.

With Paris in the lock up and Scooter on his way to the pen, what are the rich and powerful to think.

If privilege and cash can’t keep reality from the door, what good it is?

I am amused by all the high priced legal talent in LA spinning the Paris is the victim talking points. It also appears that the fix was in, from the beginning, for the Sheriff to spring Paris early.

Just as Judge Walton was “surprised” how quickly the legal minds came to Libby’s rescue; the legal arguments on the separation of power between the sheriff and Judge are already being offered up by the LA Legalrati.

Hell has not frozen over, but there is a slight chill in the air.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 33

Teddy at 29 — My understanding from a number of folks is that Judge Walton is well-respected among both sides of the aisle for the most part, that he is a stickler for following the laws as written, and that he does not — nor has he ever — tolerated fools gladly. Team Libby should have done better research. More likely, though, they are playing to a different audience than Judge Walton — the friends of Dick and George club. (And hoping to pull Lawrence Silberman as one of their appeals panel.)

Since more diligent lawyers would have done this homework, can we presume that Libby’s expensive defense deferred to his wishes? It certainly seems that lawyers worth what Ambassador Carlson paid would have been more deferential to Judge Walton’s reputation.

Did Irve manipulate his expensive defense to his own detriment? And why would these first-rate defense attorneys let Irve run the show? Unless they thought Irve was speaking for the folks who paid their bills, the Cheney regime’s courtiers?

Toles cartoon is relevant, I do believe.

TeddySanFran @ 36

sailmaker @ 31

I see these letters and op-ed pieces in support of freeing Libby as evidence that Bush is not going to pardon Libby right now. Having made the decision not to pardon because it would be too politically explosive, they got together the letter writing campaign, the 12 judicial ‘luminaries’, and the op-ed corps to implore Walton for the pardon Bush and company can not give immediately.

I also think they are evidence that Fred Fielding has W walled off from the pardon-seekers. Fielding must know, from his own experience and that of his mentor and former boss John Dean, that the President is in impeachable territory if the pardon is discussed around him, since it can be evidence of furtherance of a conspiracy to obstruct. So — how do the WH folks keep Shooter away from the BoyKing?

Excellent point, Teddy. That sounds absolutely correct. So much radioactivity everywhere. A brush- clearing trip is in order.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 40

I think this heavy press may have as much to do with a public display of affection for Scooter’s ego and keeping Mrs. Scooter on the range than getting him a pardon. I have often wondered since the trial whether her blurt of “we are going to fuck them” (or something to that effect, since I haven’t had the time to look that quote up again - anyone remember the exact wording on that?) may have kicked things into a higher public kabuki gear for her sake. Because when momma isn’t happy, no one is happy… *g*

Marcy had this, but the actual “quote” eludes me.
*g*

When reviewing “letters” prior to issuing a pre-sentence report and recommendation, I always looked for a pattern(s). Common threads if you will.

Teddy at 42 — You know, that is a tough one. I’ve been on the receiving end of a controlling client whose ideas were not in his best interest and, as an attorney, you have to walk a careful line with that: your client controls the defense, but there are things you cannot allow (like putting someone on the stand who you know will perjure himself, for example). I have had to part company with clients with whom I could not reach accord because I didn’t feel that it was appropriate to represent them in the way that they wanted — either not being willing to step close to ethical lines that I wasn’t willing to breach or otherwise. In Libby case, so many of the people helpign raise funds for him — or doing PR for him — were Cheney acolytes. And I aksed myself a LOT during the course of the trial how much of the strategy was Libby’s, how much was his legal team’s and how much might have been undue influence from people trying to protect Cheney’s end of the investigation. And it is impossible to know from the outside — truly — but the fact that I was even asking myself about it raises a whole host of questions in my mind about it.

Would love to sit down with Jeffress some day and get the inside scoop — his viewpoint, especially, would be very enlightening based on my observations of him in DC. But he’d never be able to discuss it without a waiver from Libby — which would not be likely, I am certain — so I’ll just have to pull out bits and pieces as it comes out over the years, I suppose.

Hmmmm. Looks like this one is on official letterhead.
letter to Judge Walton

They need Mrs. Scoots in their camp. Christ, what Mrs. Scoots knows could take the whole mess of them down. Scooter was a key player, planner and a gifted intellectual amoung dim wits. He was loyal also - that was his downfall.

Mrs. Scoots should graciously decline any offers of Texas canned quail hunting with the Dick.

Walton must be fuming, and he should be! What a rsponse. Go Walton..go Fitz ..Go Emptywheel.

Walton “The Court will certainly not hesitate to call for such assistance from these luminaries, as necessary in the interests of justice and equity, whenever similar questions arise in the cases that come before it.”

Finally, an activist judge shinning a light. Thanks for pointing us in the right direction.

After reading about this Bork-fest for a day I have yet to see anyone express any real worry that Fitz appointment may indeed have been unconstitutional. Was this brief really just legal falderol?

Christy, When will we know and who decides the make up of the appeals panel?

Kathryn in MA @ 48

Hmmmm. Looks like this one is on official letterhead.
letter to Judge Walton

Yeah, that’s the guy from NIH/ By using the official letterhead he JUST tops Gen Pace is the most inappropriate letter writer.

ok kiddo at 46 “When reviewing “letters” prior to issuing a pre-sentence report and recommendation, I always looked for a pattern(s). Common threads if you will.”

did you also pay attention to what wasn’t said? that is what i look for, what isn’t said is most telling.

Eureka at 52 — They have to file the appeal first. There is no assignment until there is an official filing.

General Pinochet’s best friend writes to the Judge on behalf of Dick Cheney’s best friend.

I am SO glad I took the few minutes to compose and send an anti-Scooter letter to Judge Walton. It even appeared in the PDF file!

I’d much rather that Marcy/Jane’s letter had appeared instead; but the latter one was unaccountably missing.

I’m also SO glad that Judge Walton thought so little of the pro-Libby letters, him being a convicted felon and all. Throw away the key for 30 months!!!

=====
Check the website linked to my name above for Social Networking stuff, including the ‘PupMap, which now has 651 pins and counting! :)

Eureka Springs @ 52

After reading about this Bork-fest for a day I have yet to see anyone express any real worry that Fitz appointment may indeed have been unconstitutional. Was this brief really just legal falderol?

Christy, When will we know and who decides the make up of the appeals panel?

Obviously IANAL, but I think Judge Walton pretty much addressed it during the earlier hearings into the legality since if Fitz was not legal, it pretty much assures that at a certain level, NO ONE could be prosecuted. He HAD been confirmed into his USA position. And as an aside, if AGAG could delegate most of his non-career attorney hiring to Croc-a-Kyle and MG, then surely Ashcroft/Comey could delegate the prosecution of a Libby type to a special prosecutor within the laws. Just cuz Judge Bork fired Archibald Cox doesn’t mean Cox wasn’t operating legally and I, personally would place this in a similar vein.

“…that the President is in impeachable territory if the pardon is discussed around him, since it can be evidence of furtherance of a conspiracy to obstruct. So — how do the WH folks keep Shooter away from the BoyKing?”

Actually I think John Conyers and company more or less took care of this on Thursday with their letter to Cheney telling him to recuse himself on anything to do with Scooter or/and Pardon. He can’t claim he was not officially warned should he put in his 2 cents worth.

I actually think Bush is fairly well painted into a corner on this one — so far he has refused to comment given that the legal process is underway. Appeals are a legal process, and the most safe thing for him to do is to hold on to that position. I think the mass of Libby Letter writers probably understand this, and the flurry of love notes as to Libby’s great character and love of children has more to do with reinforcing group identity than anything else.

In the past I’ve compared this case in historical terms to the prosecution of Alger Hiss in 1950 for two counts of Perjury. That trial was famous for the stream of Old and not so old New Dealers who volunteered to come to court and testify to Hiss’s intelligence, hard work, and character. This week EJ Dionne picked up on this in one of his columns, suggesting some of Libby’s Letter Writers might want to read, or re-read Alister Cooke’s book of those times, “Generation on Trial” for historical contrast. Dionne has it nailed down…that is precisely the historical look-back that should be recommended to the Pro-Libby ‘it doesn’t count if you lie to the FBI for a good cause’ advocates.

CHS at 47 — don’t you think these same questions would be foremost in Judge Walton’s mind as well, as he watched this odd defense play out in front him, and fail so spectacularly? Wouldn’t that make a judge angry — to see justice perverted in this way in his own courtroom without his being able to stop it?

dmac @ 54

ok kiddo at 46 “When reviewing “letters” prior to issuing a pre-sentence report and recommendation, I always looked for a pattern(s). Common threads if you will.”

did you also pay attention to what wasn’t said? that is what i look for, what isn’t said is most telling.

You can bet I did.? ;0)

CHS @ 22
Thanks for your reply, I am sure most practicing Law are conscientious and well meaning. Clarence Darrow IS one of my Heros.

My point was the system is in overload, those who require help the most have little access to the best and brightest without having cubic money. Without basic rights to access the best and brightest available, an inequity exists for all citizens wrt economic status. It is that I was addressing. The good judge’s comments shed sharp illumination on just that point, I thought.

and dakine-
inside joke-thanks for your compliment the other day, couldn’t comment without lighting up fireworks……..amen……we know who we are, don’t we?

keep on defending manners, and truth.

and in my family, you are king/queen for a WEEK when you have a birthday, and no matter what is going on in the house, it is a free week, like being at camp, all is forgiven during birthday week

so hail to the king of birthday week!!!!!!!!! genuflecting.

S.O.S in MA@57

I think the reason why Marcy and Jane’s letter did not appear in the PDF file was that it wans’t a pro or con Scooter letter, but, rather an appeal to allow the letters to become public.

Kathryn in MA @ 48

Hmmmm. Looks like this one is on official letterhead.
letter to Judge Walton

however good a scientist he may be (and i just don’t know), anthony fauci had shown signs of being a political hack before (not a great link - most of the goods ones are behind the wall at science.com).

with this libby-love letter, he’s proven to be a hack.

very, very sad for those of us who care about scientific research in support of the public welfare. (christy, this probably how you feel about what’s been done to the doj).

That Judge Walton’s got himself some serious snark there.

I’ve never liked these mandatory sentencing guidelines. Seems to me that just saying “this crime is worth two to five years” is enough. Some criminals, the repeaters who never learn how to live within the law, should be in jail as long as possible. Those who made a mistake often and seem genuinely willing to not repeat that mistake should probably serve smaller sentences. I think it makes sense to put in place judges and advocates who are willing to try to do what makes the most sense in a particular case.

I was very happy to see Conyers weigh in on Shooter’s pardon chat; we know the VicePresident is surrounded by bad lawyering, so it was most generous of Congress to give him their opinion! Cheney will seek an opinion that reinforces what he wants to do, though — just like torture, rendition, and eavesdropping. Cheney finds lawyers who’ll tell him he can do what he wanted to do in the first place.

I’m wondering if tomorrow’s WaPo will have Hiatt’s no-signature advice to the President. He’s already published a “commute the sentence” op-ed, but that can’t be the last word from the Editorial Board, can it?

I am only part way through the Libby Letters, but the ones supporting the Scooter are a “Who’s Who” of neo-cons and stealth neo cons. As well as the usual suspects, there are lesser known versions of Libby, such as W. Bruce Weinrod, and Gary Schmitt.

The Libby letters from supporters, (especially lawyers) have few anecdotes and tend to emphasize his “intellect” and “courtesy”. But there seems to be no substance to these endorsements. Libby’s own supporters portray an empty suit-no emotions, no humanity. Mary Matalin claims that Libby’s children should not suffer “additional devastation to them and the many other children who love Scooter”. I have not yet found letters from children who love the Scooter. A typical Libby supporter emphasizes the trivial:

In recent years, during what must have been a difficult time for him, he took the time to send me handwriten notes. He is also devoted to his family-as I recall, he would take time out from his hectic work schedule to return home to put his young children to bed.
Ruby M. Itchon, part3.pdf p 19

Teddy at 70 — Actually, you see that sort of thing a lot in conspiracy cases, especially drug ones when you have a defendant who doesn’t want to rat out the next level up in the dealer network, for example, because of threats to him/herself or family members. In a lot of that sort of multiple-person types of cases, you get a weighing of not just the self-interest issues in the current charges, but a whole host of outside issues as well.

dmac @ 63

and dakine-
inside joke-thanks for your compliment the other day, couldn’t comment without lighting up fireworks……..amen……we know who we are, don’t we?

keep on defending manners, and truth.

and in my family, you are king/queen for a WEEK when you have a birthday, and no matter what is going on in the house, it is a free week, like being at camp, all is forgiven during birthday week

so hail to the king of birthday week!!!!!!!!! genuflecting.

Yeah, that’s why I didn’t say anything when you first “spoke out” the other night. ;})

dave @ 27

Why do I think Leonnig’s piece wouldn’t have run if she hadn’t taken the obligatory shot at the “left-wing blogs”? Esp. since her “point” there is… um, exactly what???

The other four are spot-on. Comstock will be so pissed!

Yeah, that “Myth” #2 is certainly the weakest one of the 5.

“…for now, it’s rank speculation to suggest that they hold information about the Plame case or would have pushed Fitzgerald to charge Rove with perjury.”

So, well, maybe its a myth but maybe it isn’t. Usually, when talking about a myth, you don’t have to preface it with the words, “for now”.

Bob in HI

Off topic - please forgive the interruption - thought some would want to know.

C-SPAN
Tomorrow am - times EDT

Sunday morning - Book TV (C-SPAN2) rerun
MARCY WHEELER (emptywheel)
“Anatomy of Deceit” 9am(45mins)
(Drinking Liberally & firedoglake.com)

Sunday morning 10:35 am
C-SPAN 1 - Senate Judiciary Hearing
Leahy, etc - SCHLOZMAN, GRAVES (rerun)
Dismissal of US Attys -
re-run - 2 hrs 18 min

also, Tonight Sat C-SPAN1
PATRICK FITZGERALD, graduation speech
at Amherst 9:45 pm - 1 hr
(repeats at 12:50 am Sunday)

Quite likely the last TV screening of these events.

christie=
sent you an email called “please advise”
YGM

Helen @ 64

S.O.S in MA@57

I think the reason why Marcy and Jane’s letter did not appear in the PDF file was that it wans’t a pro or con Scooter letter, but, rather an appeal to allow the letters to become public.

Interesting point, Thx Helen @ 64. Most probably true… but I went thru the ‘Lake for that letter’s text but couldn’t find it; all I remember of it was that it was in their usual razor-sharp rhetoric.

Anyone got its text or a pointer thereto? TIA :)

Christy -

Under what circumstances would Federal sentences for multiple offenses be served consecutively?

SunnyNobility @ 72

Off topic - please forgive the interruption - thought some would want to know.

C-SPAN
Tomorrow am - times EDT

Sunday morning - Book TV (C-SPAN2) rerun
MARCY WHEELER (emptywheel)
“Anatomy of Deceit” 9am(45mins)
(Drinking Liberally & firedoglake.com)

Sunday morning 10:35 am
C-SPAN 1 - Senate Judiciary Hearing
Leahy, etc - SCHLOZMAN, GRAVES (rerun)
Dismissal of US Attys -
re-run - 2 hrs 18 min

also, Tonight Sat C-SPAN1
PATRICK FITZGERALD, graduation speech
at Amherst 9:45 pm - 1 hr
(repeats at 12:50 am Sunday)

Quite likely the last TV screening of these events.

Word of warning for those who missed the Schlozman hearing and have not yet seen it - Be careful for your ears WILL hurt from his voice. We were NOT joking by calling him AL-VIN. Whether you prefer chipmunk voice or helium filled, either way it is painful to hear.

C-SPAN
Tomorrow am - times EDT

Sunday morning - Book TV (C-SPAN2) rerun
MARCY WHEELER (emptywheel)
“Anatomy of Deceit” 9am(45mins)
(Drinking Liberally & firedoglake.com)

A little early, even for Sunday?

How come Jefferson’s sentence could be as high as 235 years for “allegedly” taking bribes and Libby only gets 30 months for obstruction of justice in the investigation of the outing of Valerie Plame?

selise @ 65

Kathryn in MA @ 48

Hmmmm. Looks like this one is on official letterhead.
letter to Judge Walton

It does, indeed. Here’s the HHS home page:

http://www.hhs.gov/

Of course, I could make really good copy of that symbol in no time.

however good a scientist he may be (and i just don’t know), anthony fauci had shown signs of being a political hack before (not a great link - most of the goods ones are behind the wall at science.com).

with this libby-love letter, he’s proven to be a hack.

very, very sad for those of us who care about scientific research in support of the public welfare. (christy, this probably how you feel about what’s been done to the doj).

Yes, it is very sad. This and Gen. Pace’s letter make me wonder just how many folks in government are left who aren’t sycophants of the Bush Administration.

SunnyNobility @ 72

Off topic - please forgive the interruption - thought some would want to know.

C-SPAN
Tomorrow am - times EDT

Sunday morning - Book TV (C-SPAN2) rerun
MARCY WHEELER (emptywheel)
“Anatomy of Deceit” 9am(45mins)
(Drinking Liberally & firedoglake.com)

Sunday morning 10:35 am
C-SPAN 1 - Senate Judiciary Hearing
Leahy, etc - SCHLOZMAN, GRAVES (rerun)
Dismissal of US Attys -
re-run - 2 hrs 18 min

also, Tonight Sat C-SPAN1
PATRICK FITZGERALD, graduation speech
at Amherst 9:45 pm - 1 hr
(repeats at 12:50 am Sunday)

Quite likely the last TV screening of these events.

Thank you.
BTW, is anyone else having problems loading C-Span’s archived Real-Player clips? I’m trying to bring up the NASA hearing from this week, but it/they will not stream (connection issues).

OT - I met *ilson46201 today!

I went out for a bike ride, and on my way back, I saw a bunch of tents, people, activity, etc. Asked an officer what was going on - he said it was the Gay Prider Parade today. Anyway, since he posted his picture once and mentioned something about photgraphing last year’s event, i just looked for a guy like that - and found him.

He’s doing well, said he reads the comments here occasionally, and seemed surprised and touched when I mentioned that a lot of people here had been asking about him. He was in fine form, cursing about the people in a booth called “Log Cabin Republican”, talking about Julia Carson’s voting record and how he’d bitched at her about it (but that it was still better than Maxine Waters) and that he’ll try to get back over here and comment some.

Slothrop @ 56

General Pinochet’s best friend writes to the Judge on behalf of Dick Cheney’s best friend.

After reading Kissinger’s Scooty letter, I wondered about which issues might Henry and Scoots disagree. Why would Henry mention that he and Scoots may disagree on particular issues, when indeed, they would appear to agree on everything substantial to a neocon worldview?

Sweet letter, though. Anybody is capable of being forgetful from time to time.

If I were Libby, I might, not knowing the full range of the dynamics of course, be tempted to question my defense and its motivations.

jayt @ 81

OT - I met *ilson46201 today!

I went out for a bike ride, and on my way back, I saw a bunch of tents, people, activity, etc. Asked an officer what was going on - he said it was the Gay Prider Parade today. Anyway, since he posted his picture once and mentioned something about photgraphing last year’s event, i just looked for a guy like that - and found him.

He’s doing well, said he reads the comments here occasionally, and seemed surprised and touched when I mentioned that a lot of people here had been asking about him. He was in fine form, cursing about the people in a booth called “Log Cabin Republican”, talking about Julia Carson’s voting record and how he’d bitched at her about it (but that it was still better than Maxine Waters) and that he’ll try to get back over here and comment some.

Thank you!! How lovely of you to send our regards!!! So good to know he is still kicking @$$

dmac at 73 — Will look for it. Thanks.

Henry Kissinger remains quite relevant, apparently.

Thank you Christy for featuring a footnote!

Before reading further through the comments, let me just note for the record that I’m one of those geeks who loves footnotes! I’ve been known to read through endnotes without bothering to read the associated text! In fact, I think footnotes are one of the major intellectual foundations of Western Civilization! (*g*)

I have trouble with this at work, where I’m a research director. I feel a need for footnotes– but my boss doesn’t like footnotes. I was schooled in historical and social sciences where sometimes the footnotes were longer than the text on a page.

The FDL equivalent is hyperlinks. O Lordy, I love hyperlinks! I occasionally get frustrated with the Priming the Pump workspace because it doesn’t provide a way to do footnotes– but at least it is set up to do both internal and external hyperlinks!

Bob in HI

{{{{{*ilson}}}}}

whackworth @ 82

Slothrop @ 56

General Pinochet’s best friend writes to the Judge on behalf of Dick Cheney’s best friend.

After reading Kissinger’s Scooty letter, I wondered about which issues might Henry and Scoots disagree. Why would Henry mention that he and Scoots may disagree on particular issues, when indeed, they would appear to agree on everything substantial to a neocon worldview?

Sweet letter, though. Anybody is capable of being forgetful from time to time.

Dr. Kissinger believes that waterboarding is effective at room temperature, whereas Scooter favors waterboarding at freezing temperatures.

newtonusr @ 80

BTW, is anyone else having problems loading C-Span’s archived Real-Player clips? I’m trying to bring up the NASA hearing from this week, but it/they will not stream (connection issues).

same here.

Stephen at 75 — There are a lot of circumstances, actually — you see it most frequently with repeat offenders who clearly haven’t learned their lesson, violent offenses, murder cases. It’s an issue of the judge’s discretion, and prosecutors will recommend a consecutive sentence especially where the defendant has a long string of prior convictions.

Ed*ard Teller @ 88

{{{{{*ilson}}}}}

ditto. Hope all’s well.

jayt, Great foot-note! *ilson come blog home! (and angie too)

Speaking of Henry Kissinger

Dr. Kissinger believes that waterboarding is effective at room temperature, whereas Scooter favors waterboarding at freezing temps.

Of course, its the little things. How foolish of me!

Der temperature of der vahter.

TeddySanFran @ 94

Speaking of Henry Kissinger

Damn. How is he not under arrest?