Buck Naked Politics

More information re: Questionable Prosecution of Siegelman (New Video) UPDATED

by  D. Cupples | The questionable prosecution of ex-Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is evidence that Congress was right track to investigate the politicization of our Department of Justice.  If well-connected operatives could turn the DoJ loose on their well-connected political enemies, how safe are politically outspoken ordinary folks?

MSNBC is actually doing its job re: Siegelman (video below).  Reportedly, his trial ended more than 18 months ago, but the court hasn't yet produced a transcript; thus, Siegelman's appeal is delayed.  White-collar criminals typically are allowed to avoid prison while waiting for appeal -- Siegelman was sent to prison immediately after trial and is there today.

It couldn't hurt to contact some members of Congress and encourage them to step up the investigation or at least let them know that you support their efforts (email links below).

Pre-Primary Polling Data: Dems in Ohio, Texas and (Prematurely) Pennsylvania [UPDATED]

by  D. Cupples | Pre-election polls don't necessarily reflect how voters will actually vote (e.g., some polls before the California and New Hampshire primaries).  Because many people enjoy looking at polling data (and I like to create a record, so I can look back and see how far off some polls were), I've listed below some data from recent polls re: the Democratic primaries in Ohio, Texas, and  Pennsylvania.

OHIO (March 4)

...........Rasmussen....SurveyUSA....Ohio Poll....PPP....Quinnipiac....ARG

Clinton.......48%................50%................47%...........50%........51%............49%
Obama.......43%.................44%................39%............46%.........40%............39%

CTV Sticks by Obama Story

by Damozel and D. Cupples |  In Ohio on Tuesday, Barack Obama told a debate-audience that he favors opting out of NAFTA if the agreement isn't re-negotiated so as to help more Americans keep their jobs.  Wednesday, CTV reported:

"Within the last month, a top staff member for Obama's campaign telephoned Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador to the United States, and warned him that Obama would speak out against NAFTA....

"The staff member reassured Wilson that the criticisms would only be campaign rhetoric, and should not be taken at face value."

Thursday, one Canadian official denied that the conversation took place. Another Canadian official seems to disagree. Today, CTV reports:

Is Mukasey Blocking Contempt Action Against Miers & Bolten?

Posted by D. Cupples |  Two weeks ago, the House voted to hold White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress after they failed to comply with subpoenas issued by congressional committees probing the possibly politically motivated firing of U.S. Attorneys.  The next legally required step is for U.S. Attorney of the District of Columbia Jeffrey Taylor to bring the matter to a grand jury.

Reportedly, Attorney General Michael Mukasey "has indicated that the Justice Department intends to prevent Taylor from complying with the law" (The Gavel via Memeorandum).  Some Bush Administration officials' disregard for our nation's laws has compelled many onlookers to wonder if the Administration is trying to hide its own criminal activities.

Did Soldier Have a Friend Shoot him So He Could Avoid Going Back?

by  D. Cupples |  It's not hard to imagine that a post-adolescent who's already seen death and destruction in Iraq might prefer spilling his own blood under controlled circumstances, over facing the risk that his blood might be spilled overseas (and in a far worse way). The Los Angeles Times reports:

"The soldier staggered, wounded and bloody, into an Apple Valley mini-mart last weekend claiming to be a victim, shot and robbed while on leave from Iraq.

"Now investigators say it was all a ploy: They believe that Army Pfc. Matthew Myers, 20, of Apple Valley arranged for a friend to shoot him so he could avoid returning to Iraq."  (Read the rest here.)

Air Force Blocks Troops' Access to Blogs

by  D. Cupples |  Apparently, it's not enough that our troops risk their lives at war and give up  legal rights in some situations, but now they're also being prohibited from reading some blogs.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Via Memeorandum, Noah Schactman at Wired reports

"The Air Force is tightening restrictions on which blogs its troops can read, cutting off access to just about any independent site with the word 'blog' in its web address. It's the latest move in a larger struggle within the military over the value -- and hazards -- of the sites.  At least one senior Air Force official calls the squeeze so 'utterly stupid, it makes me want to scream....'" 

Stupid, perhaps.  Disrespectful and ungrateful, definitely.  As a taxpayer, I'd like to know the reasons for this censorship.

Buckley Dies at 82

by  D. Cupples | I've never agreed with much that National Review founder William F. Buckley said or thought, but I felt sad when reading that he died yesterday at age 82.  I also felt surprised.  Somehow, I assumed (without thinking) that he'd be around at least until I hit 82.  'My condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Mr. Buckley was found at his desk in his Connecticut home.  Though he suffered from diabetes and emphysema, the precise cause of his death has not yet been established.  Via Memeorandum, the New York Times has an extensive write up.

Center for American Progress Shows film "Brick by Brick" (and other screenings)

by  D. Cupples | I've seen director Bill Kavanagh's documentary film Brick by Brick: a Civil Rights Story, and it's definitely a must-see. 

Following three contemporary American families' battle for equal opportunity in Yonkers, the film shows still-existing racial and class divisions -- and the importance of political activism.

The Center for American Progress in Washington, DC and the Tupelo Link Centre will show Brick by Brick this Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 and 6:30 pm, respectively.

The New York County Law Association will show the film Wednesday, February 27 at 6pm.

If you can't make a these screenings (or one listed on the next page), you can order the DVD at http://www.brick-by-brick.com/.  Screenings and directions are below.

MSNBC's Bizarre Debate Coverage

by  D. Cupples | I watched the Democratic debate last night on MSNBC but turned off the TV five minutes into Keith Olbermann's and Chris Matthews' post-debate chat (though I've often enjoyed watching Olbermann).

The post-debate commentary was downright bizarre. Olbermann and Matthews were talking like boozed-up spectators who'd just left Thunderdome.  I was surprised, because that's not how I think of Olbermann (admittedly, I'm not familiar with Matthews).  For a moment, I wondered if I'd watched the same debate that they had.

MSNBC Interview: Dana Simpson on Rove, Siegelman, etc (videos)

by  D. Cupples |  If well-connected political operatives could use the U.S. Justice Department against a well-connected former governor, what's to stop them from going after ordinary citizens who politically oppose them? 

MSNBC's Dan Abrams interviewed Dana Jill Simpson, the whistle blower who testified before  the House Judiciary Committee (see transcript) about the highly questionable prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman.  CBS's 60 Minutes also ran a story this past Sunday (video after continue-reading link).

Simpson said that Karl Rove led the effort to bring down Siegelman.  Rove seems to deny that he has ever met Simpson.  The chair of the Alabama Republican Party has reportedly denied Simpson's past involvement with the party.  Incidentally, the 60 Minutes story was "mysteriously" blacked out in parts of Alabama.

Penn. Governor Notices Media Bias Toward Obama (or Against Clinton)

by  D. Cupples |  At The Fix, Chris Cillizza notes:

"Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said Monday that the media's pro-Obama (or anti-Clinton) bias explains in part why Barack Obama is portrayed as running away with the Democratic presidential nomination (instead of being locked in a close fight with Hillary Rodham Clinton)...."

Suicide Bomb Kills Pakistani General and...

by  D. Cupples | While many media focus on the Off-Track-Betting-style race for the Democratic presidential nomination, things are happening in the world that may relate to problems that our next president will likely have to tackle.  The New York Times reports:

"A top Pakistani Army general was killed Monday when a suicide attacker approached his car at a traffic light in Rawalpindi and blew himself up, military officials said."

Hillary Clinton Ahead in Ohio Polls, Tied in Texas

 Three recent polls put Hillary Clinton ahead of Barack Obama in Ohio:

.............Quinnipiac (2/18-23)....Ohio Poll (2/21-24).....ARG (2/23-24)

Clinton.....51%..............................47%.......................49%

Obama......40%.............................39%.......................39%

Given the inherent limitations of polling data, there's no cause to comment -- just figured I'd share the data and links.  For commentary, speculation and a certain degree of what smells like campaigning, see CNN.

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Maybe Jonathan Alter Should... (fill in the blank)

by  D. Cupples |   Newsweek's Jonathan Alter thinks Hillary Clinton should drop out of the race -- not in April, not after next week, but before the March 4th Texas and Ohio primaries.  That would be one way to hand the nomination to Barack Obama, which does seem to be a goal of some NBC-affiliated editorialists.

Perhpas Mr. Alter is suffering from political-bias fatigue.  I know I'm fatigued by witnessing media bias, and I don't work full for a major media outlet.  Imagine actually participating in it dozens of hours a week.

Then again, maybe Mr. Alter is using reverse psychology, intended to upset Hillary's supporters and inspire them to work hyper-diligently to get out the vote in Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  Of course, this would be equally biased and equally fatiguing.

CBS' Video on Questionable Siegelman Prosecution (Update)

by  D. Cupples |  Fifty-two former state Attorneys General (including Republicans) asked Congress to investigate the questionable prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman.  In October, Time Magazine published an in-depth story about it.  Yesterday, CBS aired its 60 Minutes story.

CBS's opening question: "Is Don Siegelman in prison because he’s a criminal or because he belonged to the wrong political party in Alabama?"

It's a frightening thought: if the Justice Department would go after a well-connected former governor for political reasons, what's to stop it from going after ordinary citizens (and bloggers)? 

According to Harpers, the show was blocked (yes, censored) in part of Alabama.  If you missed it, you can see CBS's 14-minute video below or read the transcript. A few highlight, comments, and email addresses below.

Obama Pulls a "Rove" on NAFTA?

Posted by D. Cupples (photo from Senate.gov ) | Lately, Barack Obama has been attacking Hillary Clinton for her alleged support of NAFTA.  FactCheck.org indeed finds a mailer that Obama sent out about Clinton's NAFTA position "misleading."

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ABC News found inconsistency on Obama's part:

Nader Wants to Help Republicans (Again)

by D. Cupples |  Ralph Nader has a history of protecting ordinary consumers. He's also intelligent, and he understands presidential elections.  Yet, Mr. Nader has up and decided to run for president again.

Election 2000 came down to Florida -- where Al Gore lost by 637 votes, and Mr. Nader got 97,488 votes (FEC).  If Mr. Nader had not run and if only 1% of the Floridians who voted for Nader had instead voted for Gore, our nation likely would not have suffered 7 years under Mr. Bush.

Mukasey & McConnell Backtrack re: FISA Statements

by  D. Cupples |  Apparently, the Bush Administration has recognized that its use of fear-mongering in order to secure Telecom Amnesty has included the use of untrue statements.  The Los Angeles Times reports:

"A day after warning that potentially critical terrorism intelligence was being lost because Congress had not finished work on a controversial espionage law, the U.S. attorney general and the national intelligence director said Saturday that the government was receiving the information -- at least temporarily."