Ahem,
what EmptyWheel said:

May 2006: Cheney Given DOJ Investigations Access

i try to keep up, But even i miss stuff at TNH sometimes
which i think is because there is so much stuff.
And this one seems like it could use some repetition and dissemination.

Cheney got what?
this is SO totally nuts!
Doctor Wheeler, if you please:

The point is this: the JPEN database disappeared just two days after Cunningham signed his plea agreement. Gonzales gave Cheney peeking rights into ongoing criminal investigations just as Goss and Foggo and MZM became targets. And all the earmarks that had supported the JPEN database dried up, just in time to close the program and hide the evidence of spying on Bush's enemies.

Think about it. This was a domestic spying program instituted under Rummy (and therefore Cheney) favorite Steven Cambone. If there are guardian angels for domestic spying programs in this administration, they are Cheney and Addington. And they got the ability to guard domestic spying a lot more closely just about the time it had to be dismantled for legal reasons.

and then Marcy magnificently completes this coup de grâce with the next line with guillotine snark:

And par for the course, Alberto Gonzales doesn't remember giving Cheney and Addington that power at all!

Thank you, emptywheel for shining the bright light of your chronology on the frigging fascist nightmare of subversion(s) of our Constitution's principles.

Dear Mr. President

Pink

If I had a Rocket Launcher

Bruce Cockburn 1984


so little has changed since then.

emptywheel: Dear Congress

Marcy Wheeler
at The Next Hurrah

John Bates has issued a ruling I've been anticipating--dismissing the Wilson lawsuit against Cheney, Rove, Libby, and Armitage. If I'm reading correctly, Bates ruled that he has no jurisdiction to rule in this matter.

This Court therefore lacks subject matter jurisdiction over plaintiffs' tort claim for public disclosure of private facts.

turn this up loud.
real loud.

Not Ready To Make Nice

Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything,
But I'm still waiting

I'm through, with doubt,
There's nothing left for me to figure out,
I've paid a price, and i'll keep paying

I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

I know you said
Why can't you just get over it,
It turned my whole world around
and i kind of like it

I made by bed, and I sleep like a baby,
With no regrets and I don't mind saying,
It's a sad sad story
That a mother will teach her daughter
that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.
And how in the world
Can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they'd write me a letter
Saying that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over

I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything,
But I'm still waiting

God(s)/Goddess(es) bless the Dixie Chicks.

chenyBu$hco's Commutation

I was impressed and gratified by Ted Sorenson's acceptance speech for the next nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States: An excellent speech hitting all the right high-minded liberal notes in stirring tones and rhythms.

Except when Sorenson writes:

" I do not favor further widening the nation’s wounds, now or next year, through continuous investigations, indictments, and impeachments. I am confident that history will hold these malefactors accountable for their deeds, and the country will move on”

This has been recognized by others as a problem.

Because it is wrong.

Now is not the time to be magnanimous

Those who do not seek redemption are irredeemable.

As has been since demonstrated by the commutation of Irving Libby's 30 month sentence for obstruction of justice and perjury.

cheneyBu$hco are recidivist traitors against our republic.

They have performed as enemies to the constitution, domestic.

They require historic condemnation and repudiation, which has begun.

And to which Keith Olbermann has contributed Bush, Cheney should resign.

Olbermann's epistle is a master stroke of focused, enraged denigration of the chronic cheneyBu$hco criminal hypocrisy.

He voices the excellent indignation of all of us who anguish from the indulgent self-serving, double-dealing fraud we suffer from the Libby supporters.

Except that resignation is not enough, not without a full investigation, a complete accounting of all the facts, a strict review of where those facts accord with and where they violate the law, appropriate charges brought, necessary indictments and public trials, even if the trials must be held in the U.S. Senate.

Not that we didn't expect some kind of pardon or pardon like move by cheneyBu$hco for irving libby.

The classic version was to be a full pardon as schrub slunk out of the White House.

Which may still happen.

But the commutation has raised that bar of hypocrisy a great deal.

Quid quo pro:
"If you don't tell on us, we will keep you out of prison."

It is a continuation of the cheneyBu$hco cover up of the regime's conspiracy to betray one of our clandestine services' agent's secret identity, in order to intimidate those who tried report the truth that cheneyBu$hco deliberately mislead our nation into a war of aggression against Iraq.

And to destroy the intelligence asset that Mrs Valerie Wilson was, because she was in charge of the section that was not reporting threats from Iraqi WMDs.

They are keeping their Scooter out of the hoosegow, so he would NOT have to think about his crimes and maybe feel like he should come clean. Why make him feel like he should testify about the criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice?

Funny thing how they didn't think Scooter should spend even One Day in jail.
How much to they trust this guy if they don't want him in stir for even a minute?
Must be a real stand up kind of guy.
Makes Paris Hilton look macho.
I don't think your "friends" exactly trust you, Irving Lewis Scooter Libby.

The commutation is cheneyBu$hco's continuing criminal cover up of their criminality.

Although, because they may not use commutation to further a criminal enterprise, the commutation is not valid.

Which may or not not come into play.

And it seems that chenyBu$hco might be trying to run out clock since they leave office in 18 or so months.

Sweat, Irving, sweat

Think about this "Scooter":

cheneyBu$hco won't always be around to cover your ass like you covered theirs.

Apparently, not every Republican judge thinks cheneyBu$hco should get away with obstruction of justice and allowing freedom from the accountability of our checks and balances.

There will come a day when none of your buddies are in any position(s) of power to help you.

Notice how they have been burning their bridges lately.

It's not like they are holding anything back to save your ass later on.

They're just keeping you quiet long enough for them to clear out of town.

And if every one of the bodies hasn't been dug up yet
and
you haven't been pardoned for each one,
then you will still be at risk when they are found.

You know, there are a lot of people are looking for more evidence on you and your friends.

Sooner of later, Scooter, sooner or later ... ... ...

It will all come out, if only in dribs and drabs, or maybe more forthrightly.

How long is the statute of limitations on the Intelligence Identities Protection Act anyway?

Or it could be sooner, but now some folks could be waiting for your friends to leave so y'all can't hide behind any more pardons.

Even now, it does seem you are liable under the IIPA.

What if they are just waiting you out?

Until there is no one around to appreciate a liar
who exposes the identity of our secret agents,
like our enemies try to do?

One would think that you'd best be getting while the getting's good.

just a thought.

Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow.

But someday.

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/29/dreaming-of-this-nominee/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0707.Sorensen

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/29/dreaming-of-this-nominee/#comment-788598

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/29/dreaming-of-this-nominee/#comment-788613

http://psychorabble.blogspot.com/2007/07/can-you-say-obstruction-of-justice-i.html

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/04/accountability-by-footnote/

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/07/evidence-that-l.html

http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2007/07/legal-complicat.html

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/laws/iipa.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quid_pro_quo

...

Can We Say "Obstruction of Justice?" We knew we could.

Christy Hardin Smith:

MSNBC: Bush Commutes Libby’s Sentence

The entire case — from betrayal of Valerie Plame Wilson by members of her own government to the inception of the investigation into that betrayal from a referral from the CIA…all the way through to the conviction of I. Lewis Libby of multiple felony counts by a federal jury and the stiff sentence for a convicted felon meted out by a conservative federal judge — all of it has served to highlight the lies on which the invasion of Iraq rested. And how far the members of the Bush Administration were willing to go to keep those lies buried and away from the public’s knowledge.

emptywheel:

George Bush Obstructs Justice

Well, George did it. Made sure that Scooter wouldn't flip rather than do jail time. He commuted Libby's sentence, guaranteeing not only that Libby wouldn't talk, but retaining Libby's right to invoke the Fifth. This amounts to nothing less than obstruction of justice.

Digby:

Enraged

So Bush did it. The bastard commuted little Scooter's sentence, leaving the conviction in place. I'm not a lawyer, but I have to assume that this means he can still appeal --- which means he can still take the fifth if the congress calls him to to testify. Very convenient.

Jane Hamsher:

Outrage

Demonstrating his complete contempt for trial by jury, rule of law and his own Department of Justice appointees, George Bush thumbed his nose once again at the very concept of democracy and the Beltway Brahmins are cheering. The dirty unwashed masses who populate our juries are fit to judge each other, but evidently not the ruling class.

Jeralyn Merrit:

Hypocrisy, Thy Name is Bush

Finally, amidst all the protests and cheers that Scooter Libby dodged the warden with a get of out jail free card, will anyone remember, as Bob Dylan might say, that the Vice President of the United States didn't have to stand naked?

Jane Hamsher:

Americans: Scooter Should Do the Time

According to a new SurveyUSA poll, people actually do care about this case and don’t like what has happened — 60% think Libby should serve his sentence. Only 21% agree with the President’s decision.
Contrary to the GOP talking point that Bush is playing to his base, he’s not. It’s clearly not about poll numbers. Bush is covering his own tracks and obstructing justice.

so

Paris Hilton has already served a sentence
LONGER than Irving Libby will ever serve.


....

"Terrorists Attacks! Terrorists Attacks!!"

Explosives-Packed Car Defused in London

Britain's new home secretary, Jacqui Smith called an emergency meeting of top officials, calling the attempted attack "international terrorism."

"We are currently facing the most serious and sustained threat to our security from international terrorism," she said afterward. "This reinforces the need for the public to remain vigilant to the threat we face at all times."

NYPD: Bombs meant to inflict 'mass casualties'

The New York Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau has prepared a threat analysis of the thwarted London car bombings, NBC News reported on Sunday. The white paper, obtained by NBC, was written for private-security officials in the U.S. It finds that "there is no evidence of high explosives" in the two Mercedes sedans, and that the London bombs were "designed to inflict mass casualties."

Britain Versus the Bomb Plotters

Once the doors were opened, the smoke cleared to reveal something much more sinister-a device fashioned from gasoline, gas canisters and nails that, according to Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, the head of Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command, could have caused "significant injury or loss of life" had it detonated.

Nature of London and Glasgow Plot Links Probed

Both vehicles in the thwarted London attacks contained cylinders of propane gas, containers of gasoline, nails and in at least one case was rigged to sophisticated detonators. The Jeep that attempted to crash and turn into a fireball inside a Glasgow airport was said to contain both propane cylinders and gasoline. However it did not appear to have a remote detonator or any nails, police, officials and ABC sources said.

Five arrested in connection with airport attack, London car bombs

One of the men set himself on fire after he jumped from the burning vehicle. He remains in critical condition at the Royal Alexandra Hospital near Glasgow, a hospital representative said.

If this wasn't so hysterical it would be funny.

meanwhile:

Gas canister bomb 'an amateur job'

"If you are making a bomb and you are limited in the amount of explosives you can acquire you could easily get some gas cylinders of propane to add to them. They would give a more impressive fireball on TV," he said.

"They are probably keen amateurs who could not get their hands on the real thing and do not realise the limits of what they are doing."

The Metropolitan police's head of anti-terrorism, Peter Clarke, said there was also a "significant quantity" of petrol and nails in the car, as well as the gas. A witness reported nails were lying on the floor of the car, which Mr Alford said was another indication the bomb makers were inexperienced.

"Nails could be considered as an additional way of extending the potential damage and lethal range of the device but putting them on the floor is an incompetent way of building a bomb. They would go straight into the ground," he said.

Glasgow's Burning--Run For Your Lives

Larry Johnson says:
While I am not an explosives expert I am good friends with one of the world's foremost explosives experts. Propane tanks and petrol (gas for us Americans) can produce a dandy flame and a mighty boom but these are not the tools for making a car bomb long the lines of what we see detonating on a daily basis in Iraq.

Consider the level of coverage of these British guys for bombing their Mercedes, for comparison purposes.

also consider this from CBS News August 14, 2002 'Dirty Bomb' Suspect A Nobody?

In early June, Ashcroft announced from Moscow via satellite hookup that Padilla was arrested at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. Ashcroft's deputies also convened a news conference in Washington.

"We have disrupted an unfolding terrorist plot to attack the United States by exploding a radioactive dirty bomb," Ashcroft said, adding that the government's suspicions about Padilla's plans came from "multiple, independent, corroborating sources."

Now, two law enforcement officials close to the case say there is no evidence a plot was under way. However, one had been "thought out as a possibility," an official said.

Press conference from Russia?
this guy had nothing.

Now, for contrast, compare those levels of coverage
to the level of reportage of this domestic terrorist incident.

less than one year after Ashcroft presser about the Dirty Bomber:
no mention about Bill Krar.

As I commented at Firedoglake:

December 12, 2003, Noonday, Texas:

Found in Noonday were hundreds of bombs and machine guns, and 500,000 rounds of ammunition. The inventory list of what was found is extensive. But the most startling discovery was the combination of sodium cyanide, acid and gunpowder. Mixed together it becomes a lethal chemical bomb capable of killing everyone inside a 30,000 square foot building. Authorities believed Krar a threat to national security, suspecting him of being a part of a “criminal scheme” to violently attack the U.S. Government.

May 4, 2004 Noonday, Texas

From the Houston Chronicle:

East Texas man gets 11 years for cyanide cache

NOONDAY — A man who stockpiled an arsenal of illegal and chemical weapons at an East Texas storage facility was sentenced today to more than 11 years in federal prison while his common-law wife received nearly five years.

William Krar, 63, pleaded guilty in November to one count of possessing a dangerous chemical weapon and could have received life imprisonment. Judith Bruey, 55, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess illegal weapons. She faced up to five years.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/supremacists/supremacists126.html
Hoarder of Arms Gets 11 Years

Krar has declined to cooperate with investigators, and federal officials say they do not know why he was hoarding weapons. One FBI affidavit said authorities thought the weapons could have been intended for use in a "covert operation" that "could potentially include plans for future civil unrest and/or civil disorder against the United States government."

and i quote myself from february 17, 2006:

Ever heard of Tyler, Texas? Or Noonday? Noonday, Texas? The one in Smith county; Hundred some miles from Dallas. It's just outside of Tyler. Maybe 600 folks or so.

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1562621

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0911FD3E580C708DDDAB0994DB404482

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3733385

http://www.thebulletin.org/article.php?art_ofn=nd04reynolds

http://www.rickross.com/reference/supremacists/supremacists126.html

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2003-12-19/pols_naked6.html

http://www.alternet.org/rights/17514/

http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1151_0_26_0_C32

http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/003410.html

http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2004_05_02_dneiwert_archive.html#108372108971437668

and

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article5350.htm

One Mr. William J. Krar had more Weapons of Mass Destruction than Saddam Hussein had.
Well, at a minimum, Krar had more chemical weapons than Saddam had in all of Iraq.
He had them less than three hundred miles from our house in Austin.
Austin, Texas? The only liberal enclave on the blood red state of Texas.
Where would a liberal hater like Krar want to use a sodium cyanide bomb?
Why would Mr. Krar seem a greater danger than Saddam Hussein or bin Laden?
Is it just me?

And when is this Krar guy getting out?
How many more Krars are out there?

Of course it was those PATRIOT act empowered super surveillance systems of the Homeland Security Department that saved the day and caught Mr. Krar, right? All that high-dollar, high-octane whiz-bang security safety stuff pays off! Way to g... ... ...

Wha? No big press conference announcement of the capture of these armed and dangerous terrorists (and their weapons) inside the United States?

What? ... ... It didn't happen that way? They didn't catch him?

Krar mailed incriminating stuff to the wrong address?

With a note inside? That said, "We would hate to have this fall into the wrong hands."

Hmmm ...

Krar gets out of prison when?

hmm ... he went in in 2004; he got 11 years; he gets out in 2015, at the latest.

Well, who's to say ol' Bill Krar was really such a bad guy anyway?
Paul Krugman?
Who does Krugman think he is anyway?
Well, someone who used to be "Calico Cat" begs to disagree and disparage these insinuations against Citizen Krar.

How many more Krar sympathizer Calico Cats are there out there?

Anthrax, anthrax ... someone was trying to poison prominent liberal icons with anthrax?

Whatever happened to them?

so anyway, i have more to say which i will update here later.
thank you for your support.
bong hits for jesus.