Shock and Awe, There is Justice in America! Libby Guilty

Who is really behind the U.S. vs. Libby... Coming up next?

Friends don't let friends out CIA agents...

Hot Links

Patrick Fitzgerald and his band of merry prosecutors did it! Four of Five counts and Scooter Libby is guilty as charged...so Prissy decided to re-run these hot links from last year in April- its info is still good.

When the verdicts came down today at noon, we made signs which said "Libby GUILTY 4/5 Counts" and "Merry Fitzmas" on the other side. Lot's of support in Columbus today, honks and thumbs up.

Betty and I are still working on the show, but things are coming along nicely. Stay tuned!

Read Fitzgerald's closing argument From the Desk of Patrick J. Fitzgerald: Fitz Closing - Transcript - "Let's Get Busy..."

Oh, to be a Bushie and knowing the worst is yet yet to come.

Jane and John Q. Public are up in arms over the gas prices. They are confused and angry-some had to cancel vacation plans. And how is it they voted for cheap gas and a quick war with Dubya and now we have all these high prices and wars with no end? The generals are telling us it is time to leave Iraq and forget about Iran. Dick Cheney is senile enough to wish the resurrection of the cold war years with Mr. Putin. Retired Judges coming out telling us we are looking at dictatorship, if Dubya isn't put to a halt. Not to mention 750 potential legal violations. Americans are calling and writing their "representatives" in unprecidented numbers.

And now we have Hookergate. There goes Dubya's "base".

OK-So that wasn't the real reason he gave. Porter Goss, Director of CIA resigns and Bush accepted it. Gee, the only time he accepted those things before was right before somebody got indicted...but who knows?

Maybe this time a close White House official got sick of the Bushworld way of shoddily doing the business of the people and violating our civil rights. Anything is possible.

But far more likely he is involved in the upcoming D.C. sex scandel along with Duke Cunningham. Rumor is shemales were involved. "Hookergate" -it all happened in the ole Watergate Hotel. Those guys just cannot get enough of that place. Yuk, that won't be good for business. More later...

From the Smoking Gun Libby Claimed Bush Authorized Leak See the paperwork. Easy read. Libby said Bush specifically authorized this leak for Cheney, so Libby could pass on National Intelligence Estimates to Miller.

RAW Story Gannon comes out: Former escort, conservative reporter grilled on White House visit

Jeff Gannon "came out" following a question from blogger-activist Michael Rogers, who publishes PageOneQ and maintains the blog, blogACTIVE, which reports on anti-gay politicians who are themselves gay.

Gannon emerged on the Washington stage after a liberal blog revealed that he had worked as a gay escort prior to his installment at the White House. AmericaBLOG, run by D.C.-based John Aravosis, discovered revealing photographs of Gannon, who billed himself as an "Ex-US Marine Corps Jock."

In a conversation with RAW STORY Thursday evening, Gannon spoke frankly about numerous questions this site has raised about his work. RAW STORY was the first to publish the Secret Service logs of his visits to the White House, revealing that Gannon checked in on numerous occasions but failed to check out.

BBC

CIA boss in surprise resignation

No reason was given for the move, which was presented at a hastily arranged press call at the White House, where the two men exchanged compliments.

Mr Goss has served in the role for less than two years, since being given the job of reforming the agency after a series of intelligence failures.

Mr Bush said Mr Goss had "a tough job and he led ably".

He did not nominate a successor, but said reforms of the CIA would continue.

Indymedia Interview with Jason Leopold Special Prosecutor Seeking to Indict Karl Rove in CIA Leak Case

Just one week before he made his fifth appearance before the grand jury, Rove lost his position as Bush's chief policy coordinator in a White House shakeup. Sources close to the investigation have told reporters that Fitzgerald is now seeking an indictment of Rove for perjury committed in previous grand jury testimony and for lying to FBI investigators. Rove withdrew his original denials that he had no conversations with reporters concerning the identity of Valerie Plame after he learned that Time magazine's Matt Cooper would testify that Rove was a source for his Time story on Plame.

In early April, Fitzgerald filed court documents revealing that indicted former chief of staff to Vice President Lewis Libby testified that Dick Cheney had told him that President Bush personally authorized the release of classified intelligence in July 2003 to refute critics of his administration's justification for war. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with investigative reporter Jason Leopold, who explains why he believes special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is now seeking the indictment of Karl Rove

Fellow blogger Waterflake in Germany All eyes on Rove in the CIA Leak case

The charges are piling up for Rove by Fitzgerald. Bush had to decide whether to save his friend and architect that made him or keep the Bush family for having a human stain forever on the Bush dynasty.

The decision that Bush makes on Rove today may alter all the plans that the Bush family had strategize before his 2000 Presidential election such as the original blueprint to spearhead for oil and profits, and the financial backings of Bush’s corporate buddies, politicians, certain international countries, and the Saudis.

Rove lived the "good life" too long. But, his "good life" is about to come to end thanks to Special Prosecutor Pat Fitzgerald.

From Syracuse News Quit using our name, West Point warns Grad

The U.S. Army registered a trademark on the words "West Point" in 2000 to prevent anyone else from using the mark on educational material or a wide range of commercial goods, including golf balls, commemorative coins, Christmas tree ornaments and paper products.

"Users must have (the Army's) permission to incorporate these words in Web sites or organizational titles," D'Aquino said.

When a trademark violation comes to their attention, Army officials take action, D'Aquino said.

Cross' organization has hired Syracuse attorney Joseph Heath to battle back against the academy, located 50 miles north of New York City. In a letter sent Monday to West Point, Heath questioned the academy's stance given his client's First Amendment rights and the widespread use of the words "West Point."

Cross, a psychology professor at Onondaga Community College and family therapist, co-founded West Point Graduates with his 1962 classmates Jim Ryan, of New York City, and Joe Wojcik, of Claremont, Calif.

Glad to see these veterans not backing down. If you can, please help their cause. West Point Veterans Against the War

China Daily- Has the impending fight for democracy in the U.S.A. brought about a change of heart? Perhaps they see, by way of our Dubya, how ridiculous dictatorship looks and how people naturally resist. Wen urges pursuit of democracy

The Premier said that China should creat a democratic atmosphere that can ensure people's rights to vote, to make decision, to participating in management and to exercise supervision.

"We must enable everybody to fully grow up in an environment of equity, justice and freedom," according to Wen, adding that the country will also provide a platform for people to criticize and supervise the government.

And...Wen told the students and teachers that democracy and science must be pursued by young people, and if the goals are not achieved,there would be no socialism and modernization.

He also asked the students to balance the learning of liberal arts and science, and asked the young teachers to further understand and learn from students, who are very creative and innovative.

Counterpunch Endgame for the Constitution by American hero Dr. Paul Craig Roberts

Bush has declared himself to be the sole judge of the limits of his powers--a claim that violates Bush's oath of office to uphold the US Constitution. Bush has set aside the Bill of Rights by detaining people indefinitely without charges, by kidnapping and torturing people, and by spying on Americans without warrants. These are actions that are illegal under law as well as unconstitutional. All of these violations of law and the Constitution are serious impeachable offenses.

Yet. Congress is supine as the Bush regime exercises dictatorial powers. The exercise of these dictatorial powers by the executive is a far greater danger to American liberty than are Muslim terrorists.

Bush's apologists claim that only terrorists have anything to fear. However, unaccountable executive power is inconsistent with free societies. America is no exception. Unless Bush is impeached and turned over to the war crimes court in the Hague, Americans will never reclaim their liberties from an executive branch that has established itself as the sole judge of the limits of its powers.

As Jacob Hornberger, president of the Future of Freedom Foundation wrote last month, "we now live in a nation in which the president has the omnipotent power to ignore all constitutional restraints on his power." Bruce Fein, a Justice Department official in the Reagan administration said that Bush "is moving us toward an unlimited executive power."

Yahoo Rumsfeld Heckled by Former CIA Analyst

"Why did you lie to get us into a war that caused these kind of casualties and was not necessary?" asked Ray McGovern, the former analyst, during a question-and-answer session.

"I did not lie," shot back Rumsfeld, who waved off security guards ready to remove McGovern from the hall at the Southern Center for International Studies.

And...Three protesters were escorted away by security as each interrupted Rumsfeld's speech by jumping up and shouting anti-war messages. Throughout the speech, a fourth protester stood in the middle of the room with his back to Rumsfeld in silent protest. Officials reported no arrests.

Rumsfeld also faced tough questions from a woman identifying herself as Patricia Roberts of Lithonia, Ga., who said her son, 22-year-old Spc. Jamaal Addison, was killed in Iraq. Roberts said she is now raising her young grandson and asked whether the government could provide any help.

Rumsfeld referred her to a Web site listing aid organizations.

Thanks Rummy, more of that compassionate conservative.

From the Wilderness by Wayne Madsen. Mr. Madsen has extensive experience in the intelligence analysis field GRAND JURY WILL SOON ISSUE EXPLOSIVE INDICTMENTS This was from summer of 2004. We know the investigation has taken so long, because the leak turned out to continue leading to many more crimes. Extensive crimes occurred.

Looking forward to seeing what charges Fitzgerald comes up with. Will Rove be charged with the ultimate offense? Or will Rover roll over?

TREASON - This word imports a betraying, treachery, or breach of allegiance.

The Constitution of the United States, Art. III, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort. This offence is punished with death. By the same article of the Constitution, no person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Two witnesses? See articles below:

The special prosecutor has been focusing on Bush, Cheney, presidential counselor Karl Rove, Cheney's chief of staff Lewis I. ("Scooter") Libby, Cheney assistants David Wurmser and John Hannah, and National Security Council officials Elliott Abrams and Stephen Hadley.

Recently, CIA Director George Tenet and Plame's ultimate boss, Deputy Director of Operations James Pavitt, suddenly resigned within hours of one another. Intelligence sources have said the two have been cooperating with Fitzgerald's investigation of the Plame/Brewster-Jennings leak and the damage to U.S. clandestine operations which globally track the flow of WMDs.

Sensitive CIA operations that were compromised by the leak included companies, government officials, and individuals associated with the nuclear smuggling network of Pakistan's chief nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. In addition, the identities of U.S. national and foreign agents working within the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, North Korea's nuclear laboratory in Yongbyon, Pakistan's Kahuta uranium enrichment plant, banks and export companies in Dubai, Islamabad, Moscow, Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, and Kiev, and Kuala Lumpur, and government agencies in Libya, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Iran were severely compromised. The CIA has reportedly given Fitzgerald highly classified details on the damage done to the CIA's WMD tracking network.

According to Department of Justice insiders, the length of Fitzgerald's 70 minute interview of Bush was significant. Only one other prosecutor's interview of a sitting president lasted as long, that of Iran-contra prosecutor Lawrence Walsh's questioning of the late Ronald Reagan. However, in that case, Walsh concluded after the interview that Reagan actually did not know what had transpired in his administration with respect to the scandal. TodayÂ’s officials may not be so fortunate.

23 Administration Officials Involved In Plame Leak

Take your pick. From Think Progress:

23 Administration Officials Involved In Plame Leak The cast of administration characters with known connections to the outing of an undercover CIA agent. Meet the players. Click on name to find out what there connection to the case. Great work @ Think Progress!

Karl RoveSenior Advisor to President Bush (2001-2005); Deputy White House Chief of Staff (2005-Present)

I. Lewis '“Scooter'” LibbyChief of Staff to Vice President Cheney (2001-2005)

Condoleezza RiceNational Security Advisor (2001-2005); Secretary of State (2005-Present)

Stephen HadleyDeputy National Security Advisor (2001-2005); National Security Advisor (2005-Present)

Andrew CardWhite House Chief of Staff (2001-2006)

Alberto GonzalesChief White House Counsel (2001-2005); Attorney General (2005-Present)

Mary MatalinSenior Advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney (2001-2002)

Ari FleischerWhite House Press Secretary (2001-2003)

Susan RalstonPersonal assistant to Karl Rove (2001-Present?)

Israel HernandezPersonal assistant to President Bush (2001-2005)

John Hannah Aide to Vice President Cheney

Scott McClellan

Dan Bartlett

<Claire BuchanDeputy Press Secretary (2001-2005)

Catherine MartinAssistant to the Vice President for Public Affairs (2001-2004)

Jennifer MillerwiseSpokeswoman for Vice President Cheney (2001-2003)

David WurmserCheney assistant on national security

Colin PowellSecretary of State (2001-2005)

Karen HughesWhite House Aide (2001-2002); Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy (2005

Adam LevineCommunications Aide (2001-2003)

Bob JosephDirector for Nonproliferation at National Security Council (2001-2005); Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs (2005-Present)

Vice President Dick Cheney

President George W. Bush

by Artist Stephen Pitts

From Attywood, always asking the hard questions Why won't the government try the real criminals of 9/11?

But the government has been completely stymied about what do to with these people. Why -- and this is the one where it is really worth connecting the dots. It goes straight into the White House, the Oval Office and the vice president`s office because key decisions were made about aggressive interrogation techniques that were going to be used on these people.

In other words, the real scum who carried out 9/11 can't be tried because we tortured them and the Bush administration is now afraid of what would come out at a trial. So now the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 can't get the real justice that they want and deserve.

Meanwhile, the Moussaoui trial may have been a side show, but it also served its purpose for the Bush administration by keeping 9/11 -- the falling bodies, the horrific fate and heroism of Flight 93 -- fresh in the public's mind, so it can be invoked anew in Iran and wherever else the voice of God steers Bush and his war machine in the coming months.

Mission accomplished? For the White House, yes. For anyone who believes in justice? No.

Indeed, justice is required for the souls of the innocent. We must persevere.

Know something? Then please help us all and blow your whistle...here's one problem which begs for a whistleblower Here's one place to blow a whistle-they even take documentation anonomously: Government Accountibility Project GAP

Mission: The Government Accountability Project (GAP) is a 28-year-old nonprofit public interest group that promotes government and corporate accountability by advancing occupational free speech, defending whistleblowers, and empowering citizen activists. We pursue this mission through our Nuclear Safety, International Reform, Corporate Accountability, Food & Drug Safety, and Federal Employee/National Security programs. GAP is the nation's leading whistleblower protection organization.

From Wired Feds' Watch List Eats Its Own

What do you say about an airline screening system that tends to mistake government employees and U.S. servicemen for foreign terrorists?

Newly released government documents show that even having a high-level security clearance won't keep you off the Transportation Security Administration's Kafkaesque terrorist watch list, where you'll suffer missed flights and bureaucratic nightmares.

These are all more brilliant neorepublican ideas. Major Paul Hackett was hassled coming home from Iraq-they felt his clothing showed he had handled explosive materials. He was still wearing his desert tans from Iraq. Welcome Home, Soldier.

Every idea they "create" always has to do with a better way to hassle people. To not be free from search and seizure or safe in our person. Some would diagnose that as paranoia. Not one of their cases has held up. I am not impressed with the Moussaoui trial.

There were too many glaring inconsistencies in this case-otherwise he would have received the death penalty. Crazy is not yet a crime. Not yet.

A man name Ferris, here in Columbus "confessed" that he was going to cut the cables to the Brooklyn bridge for Al-Queda-with a hacksaw or some such nonsense. Ferris' ex-wife said he was a hardworking sort when he took his meds, but heard voices and other odd behaviors, but not violent. She was surprised to hear about his plans.

Prissy has an older lady friend, on Medicare, who told us that she had to sign a form, giving DHS and law enforcement access to her mental health records to continue her treatment for services. She suffers minor depression, in addition to a heart ailment. This was a new standard form, required of all. Her fear was the misuse of this policy. People who say they have nothing to worry about because they follow the rules, assume they are dealing with people who also follow the rules.

She suggests considering the possibility someone could be "pre-screened" to take the fall for a crime. The fall guy being too vulnerable to defend themselves adequately would "confess". It is 1984.

Seeing how the Bush administration has played so far, this is certainly not beneath them. Does their idea of acceptable torture, include brain damaging drugs until the mind breaks? The thought is beyond any bounds of human decency.

Flashback on Rove/Dubya/Plame connection Did Bush Lie to FitzgeraldBy Robert Parry April 7, 2006

Lewis Libby's testimony identifying George W. Bush as the top official who authorized the leaking of intelligence about Iraq's alleged nuclear weapons program raises two key questions: What did the President tell the special prosecutor about this issue in 2004 and what is Bush's legal status in the federal criminal probe?

Though the new court document does not say Bush ordered his subordinates to leak Plame's identity, the President's alleged initiative to have Libby disclose the secret CIA analysis appears to have set the stage for the Plame disclosure as well. Despite Bush's deceptive public pronouncements, the more important legal question is what Bush told Fitzgerald when the President submitted to a 70-minute interview "not under oath " on June 24, 2004.

If Bush misled the prosecutor about authorizing Libby to brief a reporter, then Bush himself could be open to charges of making false statements or obstructing justice, potential felonies and possibly impeachable offenses.

Also deserving an explanation is the curious trip that Fitzgerald reportedly made to the office of Bush's personal criminal attorney, James Sharp, on the morning of Oct. 28, 2005, just before announcing the indictment of Libby on charges of obstruction, perjury and false statements. [NYT, Oct. 29, 2005]

It's unclear why Fitzgerald would take time out of his very busy schedule that day to visit Bush's personal lawyer unless Fitzgerald had to pass on sensitive information about Bush's status in the investigation. Possibilities range from telling Bush that he would not be named in the Libby indictment to saying he had become an investigative target.

Attorney Sharp accompanied Bush on June 24, 2004, when the President was questioned about the Plame case, CNN reported.

Highly unusual behavior. James Sharp is a high dollar, white collar criminal defense attorney. Why have an attorney present, yet not be sworn in? Hmm...

Remember- Martha Stewart was not under oath when she made false statements to investigators-but she went to jail anyway.

New Zealand Scoop Great read. Prissy recommends reading the entire article, if you have time. Evelyn Pringle: Karl Rove Indictment Long Overdue

On August 1 and 2, 2004, both the Sunday Times and Financial Times in the UK reported that a con-man by the name of Rocco Martino admitted that he was involved in disseminating the false stories and documents but said the US and Italian governments were behind the disinformation operation.

"It's true, I had a hand in the dissemination of those documents," Martino said, "but I was duped."

"Both Americans and Italians were involved behind the scenes," he said. "It was a disinformation operation."

In July 2005, an Italian parliamentary report was issued on the forged documents and listed the 4 men likely involved as: Michael Ledeen, Dewey Clarridge (CIA operative in Iran-Contra Affair), Ahmed Chalabi, and Francis Brookes (member of a "public relations" body formed by the Pentagon to promote Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress).

The report said the forgeries may have been planned at a meeting in Rome in December 2001, attended by Ledeen and Larry Franklin.

Franklin is the Pentagon Iran analyst who earned a lengthy prison sentence last year for passing classified information to former officials with the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC. Franklin worked closely with Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith in the Office of Special Plans whose main purpose was to manufacture bogus intelligence to bolster the case for war.

On April 12, 2005, the Al Jazeera news organization reported that when the former CIA head of counter-terrorism, Vincent Cannistaro, was asked whether Michael Ledeen had been the one who produced the forged documents, he replied, "You'd be very close."

In holding off on charging Rove, it may just be that Fitzgerald is looking at much bigger fish to fry. On October 23, 2005, UPI editor Martin Walker cited "NATO intelligence sources" as saying, "Fitzgerald's team of investigators has sought and obtained documentation on the forgeries from the Italian government.

One more quote from the above article:

When the Libby indictment was handed down and it became known that Rove had definitely participated in blowing Valerie's cover, 16 former CIA and military intelligence officials petitioned Bush to suspend Rove's security clearance and Bush refused to grant their request.

After it became public that Rove was involved in the leak, on July 15, 2005, ninety-one Democrats in Congress signed a letter to Bush calling for Rove to explain his role in the leak or to resign, and 13 Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee called for hearings on the matter.

Some call him a Commie-Lyndon LaRouche. Does that mean we can't talk to him? His site has a high degree of accuracy. From Executive Intelligence Review.Cheney's Ouster Is Key to U.S. Survival

Government sources have told EIR that Rove's testimony could be vital, in shaping whether the Independent Counsel probe remains focussed on the Vice President and his top aides, or whether it broadens to include top Oval Office and National Security Council personnel. These sources indicate that the pace of the Fitzgerald probe was greatly accelerated, as the result of recent court filings by attorneys for indicted former Cheney chief-of-staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Libby's lawyers indicated that they intend to call Rove as a defense witness when the case goes to trial early next year.

And...Bush's own impeachment is also on the political agenda, along with the calls for Cheney's ouster. As of this writing, three state legislatures are deliberating on impeachment resolutions against President Bush "California, Illinois, and Vermont. The California resolution, introduced by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, a Los Angeles area Democrat, names both Bush and Cheney, and mandates the California delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to "cause to be instituted in the Congress proper proceedings for the investigation of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney, to the end that they may be impeached and removed from office."

All three of the impeachment initiatives cite Section 603 of Thomas Jefferson's Manual of the House of Representatives as the basis for a state legislature initiating an impeachment proceeding. Between 1797 and 1801, then-Vice President Thomas Jefferson prepared a Manual of Parliamentary Practice, to guide him in his capacity as President Pro Tem of the U.S. Senate. In 1837, the U.S. House of Representatives formally adopted the Jefferson rules to "govern the House in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the standing rules and orders of the House and joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Think Progress U.S. General: Iran Attack Fraught With Risk, Bush Needs to "Make Diplomacy Work"

Lt. Gen. Victor Renuart, the director of planning for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has spoken out on Iran: Military action against Iran would be fraught with risk and would have repercussions across the region, a leading American general conceded.

"Any action militarily is very complicated," Lt Gen Victor Renuart, the director of planning for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told The Daily Telegraph.

"And any action by any country will have second-order effects, and that is a strong case to continue the diplomatic process and make it work."

Gen. Renuart is the latest in a long line of national security experts and others warning of the dangers of a military strike on Iran, and emphasizing the importance of making diplomacy work. (Read the full list HERE.)

But would anyone notice?

Cannonfire Deeper into the Wilkes/MZM scandals (Updated)

Apparently, Wilkes felt queasy about housing his PAC at the same address as ADCS proper, so he set up a small office in a San Diego business park. Someone must have put down the wrong address on one of the applications.

So which candidates got chunks of that taxpayer money earmarked for "defense"?

Henry Bonilla, Roy Brown, Rick Clayburgh, Duke Cunningham (of course!), John T. Doolittle, Maria Guadalupe Garcia, George W. Gekas, Lindsay Graham, Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa, Samuel Johnson, Thaddeus G. McCotter, Constance Morella, Devin Nune, Steve Pearce, Bill Van de Weghe Jr., Jerry Weller.

All Republicans, of course. As the scandal unfolds, the pundits will try to convince us that "both sides do it." That simply is not true.

Go Cliff! From Fraud Buster Bob-didn't hear about this in the corporate owned media... Arnebeck Starts Ohio Ethics Commission Investigation

A historic press conference took place today in Ohio's capital city, Columbus. Cliff Arnebeck, the attorney for the Ohio Honest Elections campaign, revealed that he wrote a letter to the Ohio Ethics Commission asking for a broader ethical investigation" of Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell. Specifically, Arnebeck wants an investigation of the allegation by fellow Republican Matt Damschroder, Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, that Blackwell may have had a Diebold lobbyist contribute $50,000 to a political interest favored by the Secretary of State.

Also, Arnebeck wants the Ethics Commission to probe how Blackwell ended up as a multimillionaire while on the public payroll, and the effect of his minority investment in a radio company that managed to secure $2.5 million in loans from prominent banks at the same time that Blackwell was serving as state treasurer.

In yesterday's blog, I pointed out that Blackwell and his three partners turned their initial $500,000 into a $190 million windfall within 6 years. Arnebeck is asking the obvious questions. Did people like billionaire Carl Lindner, of Chiquita Banana fame, invest and facilitate Blackwell'’s rise to the top? Lindner was one of the owners of the banks that lent the initial funds to Blackwell and his three co-investors.

Dearest Readers, Blackwell gives speeches and takes campaign money from right wing white supremist groups. Blackwell is African-American. Commonly known as "Uncle Tom" in Ohio's African-American community. Prissy concurs.

Blackwell did everything he could to ensure Dubya took Ohio-apparently that is why a grateful Dubya came to Ohio on election night-to thank him.

Blackwell would sell his own mother down the river if he thought it would make his fellow neorepublicans love him.

An unhappy Ohio voter. Didn't say if he was Democrat or Republican- Only that he tossed the new voting machine to the floor and was arrested.

Online Journal Shocking Diebold conflict of interest revelations from secretary of state further taint Ohio's electoral credibility By Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman

Blackwell is the frontrunner for Ohio's Republican nomination for governor. The first African-American to hold statewide office, the former mayor of Cincinnati made millions in deals involving extreme right-wing "religious" radio stations.

Damschroder is former chair of the Franklin County GOP. He says former Diebold contractor Pasquale "Patsy" Gallina boasted of making the contribution to Blackwell. Damschroder himself has publicly admitted to personally accepting a $10,000 check from Pasquale, made out to the Franklin County GOP. That contribution was made while Damschroder was involved in evaluating Diebold bids for county contracts.

Damschroder was censured but not removed from office. On Election Day 2004, Franklin County voting officials told the Free Press that Blackwell and Damschroder were meeting with George W. Bush in Columbus. AP accounts place both Bush and Karl Rove unexpectedly in Columbus on Election Day. Damschroder has denied that he met personally with Bush, but refuses to clarify whether or not he was at GOP meetings with Bush in attendance on Election Day.

An eyewitness ally of Blackwell told a small gathering of Bush supporters, with a Free Press reporter present, that Blackwell was in a frenzy on Election Day, writing percentages and vote totals on maps of rural Republican counties, attempting to figure out how many votes, real or manufactured, Bush would need to overcome the exit poll results in Cleveland and Columbus.

Yahoo Judge Doubts Moussaoui's Claims About 9/11

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The judge presiding over Zacarias Moussaoui's sentencing told trial lawyers that she doesn't believe Moussaoui's claims on the witness stand that he knew advance details of the Sept. 11 plot.

"I still think that Moussaoui was not accurate in a lot of what he said about how much he knew about what was going to happen with which particular buildings and when," U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said during a closed hearing on April 21 outside the jury's presence. Transcripts of the hearing were released Tuesday.

This one really ticks Prissy off. Let's see-Prissys cell was AT&T-the ones that gave away customers privacy without a warrant...and now this! Ohio University Hacked, Data Of 300,000 Exposed

Ohio University's database has been compromised for over a year, and hackers have had access to the personal data of more than 300,000 alumni and other people.

Included in this data are 137,000 Social Security numbers. This news was just announced by the University yesterday surely making victims furious.

The University is urging anyone that thinks their data was in the compromised database to visit here, or call 1-800-901-2303 for helpful information.

Hackers have also gained access to a separate system that contains research and patent information that the University plans to commercialize. Both cases are under FBI investigation.

Wouldn't have anything to do with Ohio University's "kitchen grease" fuel system, that runs every diesel powered vehicle on campus, would it? Now whoever would benefit from such an idea?

USA Today Across USA, wave of anger building over gas prices

FRONT ROYAL, Va. The sunrise turns the night sky pink Tuesday as four travelers meet at the Park 'N Ride lot off Interstate 66 on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A nightmare has brought them together: the price of gasoline, which lists at $2.84 for regular, $2.94 for medium and $3.04 for supreme at the Shell and Exxon stations down the street. Their blue Kia van is bound for Washington, 60 miles away. Today, the one-way trip will cost $10.

Jennifer Sperry, 32, works at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Her mother, Linda Burnett, 51, is bound for the same agency. Regina Sommers, 39, works at a law firm. And Pete Williams, 53, is building manager at the Reagan federal building.

Two weeks ago they faced the inevitable and formed this carpool, which saves them each more than $300 a month and costs them autonomy, convenience and privacy. Sperry and her mother used to drive in together, just the two of them, free to dish and divulge as they pleased. They don't see each other on weekends; that was their time together.

And the oil companies could care less. Pray their selfish ways cease...

Zaman Iran's Kandil Strike Upsets the US

The operations in Iraq that were reportedly started by Iran against Pejak organization affiliated with the terror network PKK (Kurdish Workers' Party), are disturbing the United States.

Washington, reacting to the alleged operations, pointed out the two countries are neighbors. Upon questioning by reporters, US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said: "Good neighbors do not bombard each other. If this news is true, I think the Iraqis will have something to say."

The Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party announced news of the operation does not reflect reality, and they will respond in case of an attack. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul called on the Iraqi administration to protect its borders. Gul, warning Bagdat (Baghdad) against harboring terrorists, said, "Nobody should allow this in their own country." Mentioning the tension between Iran and the US, Gul said they are against mass destruction weapons in the region, and want to see the problem solved in peaceful ways.

As news reports that Iran bombarded Northern Iraq increase, US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack in his regular daily news conference said Washington is not happy with the attitude of Iran. McCormack maintains he has no detailed information on the strike allegations.

Harpers Magazine- More about "Hookergate" Follow-up 2: Red Lights on Capitol Hill

A few days ago I wondered aloud exactly how Shirlington Limousine of Arlington, Virginia, owned by Christopher Baker'-a man with a lengthy history of illegal activity got millions of dollars in federal contracts with the Department of Homeland Security and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and if those contracts had anything to do with Shirlington's relationship with defense contractor and accused Duke Cunningham-briber Brent Wilkes. The latter, readers might recall, allegedly used Baker's limo service to transport congressmen, CIA officials, and perhaps prostitutes to his Washington parties.

Most companies owned by a man with a 62-page rap sheet aren't nearly so lucky in winning taxpayer dollars.

ABC Teen Shares Her Horrific Experiences at Congressional Hearing Targeting Online Porn

While Masha is now safe and Mancuso is in prison, she told Congress's Energy and Commerce Committee at its fourth such hearing this year that her horror isn't over. "Because Matthew put my pictures on the Internet, the abuse is still going on," she told legislators in her testimony.

"You have to do something about the Internet," she wrote. "Matthew found the adoption agency on the Internet. They let him look at my pictures from Russia on the Internet even though they didn't really know anything about him.

Prissy feels for this young lamb. But don't let congress decide what goes on the internet. They will use child pornography issue to abuse the rest of our democracy. Odd, since the same ones who wish to clamp down on the internet are often perverts themselves.

Prissy just hopes they weren't enjoying what they heard-don't say "Oh Prissy"

Prissy has seen wife beaters who claim to be against "that sort of thing", too. See list of republican perverts from previous post.

Judicial Watch Judicial Watch Compels Secret Service to Produce White House Logs Detailing Abramoff Visits

While the Secret Service acknowledged receipt of Judicial Watch's FOIA request on February 2, 2006, they failed to produce the records. Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit on February 22. On April 25, 2006, Judge Penn executed a joint stipulation and agreed order directing the Secret Service to produce the requested records by May 10, 2006.

The records requested by Judicial Watch could show the frequency and length of Abramoff's White House visits, thereby shedding some light on the nature of the relationship between Jack Abramoff and Bush administration officials. Once Judicial Watch obtains the White House logs detailing Abramoff's visits, it will make the records available to the American public on the Internet as part of its public education mission.

"The American people deserve the truth concerning admitted felon Jack Abramoff's visits and meetings with Bush administration officials in the White House,"” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "We don't know what these records will show, but it's time we get more of the facts on the table."

All stickers from Northern Sun

The Scotsman UK troops 'doomed to fail' in Afghanistan

"There are widespread allegations that the poppy eradication process is corrupted at many levels and that wealthy individuals are being exempted from eradication," says the report.

"According to farmers, the eradication teams only eradicate fields where the owners or farmers do not pay a 'ransom'. There are strong indications that the farms belonging to powerful people are not being eradicated while the poorer farmers' livelihoods are being destroyed."

Although the British government has stressed that its troops will not carry out eradication but provide security for those involved in it, the report says local people will not see that distinction, and will turn against international military forces.

"The local population has now come to identify international troops with eradication activities rather than with reconstruction efforts."

And now drugs are legal in Mexico, so apparently they feel the coalition is interferring with Afghanistan business transactions...

US Newswire Congress Says No To Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq; Senate Vote Challenges Bush War Plans, Blocks U.S. Control over Iraq Oil

WASHINGTON, May 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Responding to a huge wave of popular opposition to U.S. war plans in Iraq, the full Senate today declared the United States should not establish permanent military bases in Iraq and added a clear statement that the U.S. does not wish to control Iraq's oil resources. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) congratulated Sen. Joseph Biden (DE) on winning approval for the measure, which specifically prohibits the use of any new funds to establish permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. The House passed a similar ban in March.

"This is an important milestone in the development of U.S. policy toward Iraq. For the first time since the U.S. launched the invasion of Iraq in 2003, both chambers of Congress have now said the U.S. must change course in Iraq," said Joe Volk, Executive Secretary of FCNL, the 63-year-old Quaker lobby that has the largest team of peace lobbyists working on Capitol Hill.

The president recently said U.S. troops will remain in Iraq at least until 2009, while senior U.S. military commanders have argued in public testimony that the U.S. may decide to permanently station military troops in Iraq. "The Senate vote today sends a clear signal to the people of Iraq, to the international community, and to the people of this country that the United States does not intend to permanently occupy Iraq," said Joe Volk. "This Congressional action also is a strong signal that the Bush administration has to change policy in Iraq now."

Well,well- Congress remembered they were Americans living in a democracy. They ha d better...or Prissy's Granny will be after them next.

US Newswire Pelosi: Sham Lobby Reform Bill Does Nothing to Reform Republican Culture of Corruption

"When the energy companies write the energy bill, we have gasoline that costs $3 a gallon; when pharmaceutical companies write the Medicare prescription drug bill, we have a bill full of giveaways to cronies, but nothing for America's seniors; when lobbyists write the lobbying reform bill, we end up with a ruse that winks at reform and does nothing to curtail the culture of corruption.

"Democrats offered real reform legislation: banning gifts and travel from lobbyists and organizations that retain or employ them; banning official travel on corporate jets; shutting down the K Street project; subjecting earmarks to the full light of day; closing the revolving door between government officials and lobbying firms; and bringing back fair, open, and honest procedures to the House floor. Republicans voted that legislation down.

"Republicans don't want to end the culture of corruption because they continue to benefit from it. It's time for a new direction."

Quotes of the Day

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.--Thomas Jefferson

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.--Thomas Jefferson

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.--Thomas Jefferson, to Archibald Stuart, 1791