Saturday, March 27, 2010
New twist in Don Siegelman case
I received an email from Don Siegelman, former Alabama governor, on Friday. We hope justice will prevail in the White case:
New Twist on the Siegelman Case
From: "Don Siegelman" don.siegelman@gmail.com
Date: Fri, March 26, 2010 10:41 am
To: ********@********.***
Dear ************,
Please take a moment to read this frightening statement from the wife of an Alabama
county commissioner who was subpoenaed by prosecutors to appear before my grand
jury. There is no doubt in my mind that if he had lied, as they apparently asked, he
would have never been hassled. This is the sad state that this Rove inspired
investigation sank to in my case.
Below is the statement by Judy White of Birmingham, Alabama, chosing to break the
"conspiricy of silence":
"My husband, while serving as an elected county commissioner, was subpoenaed to give
grand jury testimony against former Governor Don Siegelman and Richard Scrushy,
because he assisted in arranging the meeting between them at which federal
prosecutors contend crimes were committed that resulted in Governor Siegelman's and
Mr. Scrushy's convictions. Please understand that I was present when my husband was
questioned by federal officials, and I witnessed their demands that my husband
testify as he was told, regardless of his insistence that he could not. Following
his refusal to comply, the Office of the U.S. Attorney began investigating him, and
obtained an indictment and a conviction, which was overturned by the trial judge.
The U.S. Attorney appealed the reversal.
My husband got on the wrong side by refusing to commit perjury for their benefit. We
have complained to the Office of Professional Responsibility and to the Department
of Justice, to no avail, of numerous and verifiable instances of wrongdoing in this
matter.
On one day we were highly respected, productive citizens, taking care of our family,
and contributing to our community in numerous ways, serving on the boards of
non-profits and raising awareness and money for worthy causes, aside from my
husband's public service. Then, after my husband refused to commit perjury at the
direction of federal officials, they have viciously focused on causing destruction,
including the loss of employment, our home, relationships, and any and every
resource we might have to fight back, to the point my husband is even unable to
retain counsel.
Please help us, and please continue to help change a broken system.
If I did nothing, we would continue as we have since that fateful day when my
husband refused to lie as demanded. Ultimately, I understand someone has to speak
out and speaking out brings exposure. But if everyone with knowledge of the
corruption spoke out, it would have to end, so I have chosen to not be part of the
conspiracy of silence."
Judy White
Two years ago, I had written an article about the Gary White-Don Siegelman connection on Newsinkling. com website. Gary White, a Republican, has suffered the similar injustice as Siegelman.
Newsinkling.com:
According to an affidavit from Gary White's wife, Judy, law-enforcement authorities had sought to have White testify in the Siegelman case. . They wanted him to present certain testimony that would be damaging to Siegelman. Mrs. White said:
“Federal agents repeatedly and insistently told my husband that they ‘needed’ for [a particular] meeting [between Governor Siegelman and Richard Scrushy] to have occurred at the particular and specific date, and that they wanted him to testify that it did. My husband maintained that he could not do so, as he did not know when the meeting occurred. They even attempted to persuade him that the meeting ‘could have’ taken place on the date they stated, and reminded him that he had no calendar saying that it did not.”
Mrs. White described the “cajoling of federal agents, including an individual named Bill Long (agent of the federal government), who were working under the direction of Louis Franklin, the prosecutor of the Siegelman case.” This was certainly a clear indication that Gary White was being pressed to give false evidence against Siegelman. White refused to give false evidence to the federal agents. And not long after that, White found himself a target for a federal investigation. Mrs. White said in her affidavit:
“In March of 2007, my husband was aware that he was being investigated by the FBI. Subsequent to questioning and subpoenas to certain individuals and business entities.”
New Twist on the Siegelman Case
From: "Don Siegelman" don.siegelman@gmail.com
Date: Fri, March 26, 2010 10:41 am
To: ********@********.***
Dear ************,
Please take a moment to read this frightening statement from the wife of an Alabama
county commissioner who was subpoenaed by prosecutors to appear before my grand
jury. There is no doubt in my mind that if he had lied, as they apparently asked, he
would have never been hassled. This is the sad state that this Rove inspired
investigation sank to in my case.
Below is the statement by Judy White of Birmingham, Alabama, chosing to break the
"conspiricy of silence":
"My husband, while serving as an elected county commissioner, was subpoenaed to give
grand jury testimony against former Governor Don Siegelman and Richard Scrushy,
because he assisted in arranging the meeting between them at which federal
prosecutors contend crimes were committed that resulted in Governor Siegelman's and
Mr. Scrushy's convictions. Please understand that I was present when my husband was
questioned by federal officials, and I witnessed their demands that my husband
testify as he was told, regardless of his insistence that he could not. Following
his refusal to comply, the Office of the U.S. Attorney began investigating him, and
obtained an indictment and a conviction, which was overturned by the trial judge.
The U.S. Attorney appealed the reversal.
My husband got on the wrong side by refusing to commit perjury for their benefit. We
have complained to the Office of Professional Responsibility and to the Department
of Justice, to no avail, of numerous and verifiable instances of wrongdoing in this
matter.
On one day we were highly respected, productive citizens, taking care of our family,
and contributing to our community in numerous ways, serving on the boards of
non-profits and raising awareness and money for worthy causes, aside from my
husband's public service. Then, after my husband refused to commit perjury at the
direction of federal officials, they have viciously focused on causing destruction,
including the loss of employment, our home, relationships, and any and every
resource we might have to fight back, to the point my husband is even unable to
retain counsel.
Please help us, and please continue to help change a broken system.
If I did nothing, we would continue as we have since that fateful day when my
husband refused to lie as demanded. Ultimately, I understand someone has to speak
out and speaking out brings exposure. But if everyone with knowledge of the
corruption spoke out, it would have to end, so I have chosen to not be part of the
conspiracy of silence."
Judy White
Two years ago, I had written an article about the Gary White-Don Siegelman connection on Newsinkling. com website. Gary White, a Republican, has suffered the similar injustice as Siegelman.
Newsinkling.com:
According to an affidavit from Gary White's wife, Judy, law-enforcement authorities had sought to have White testify in the Siegelman case. . They wanted him to present certain testimony that would be damaging to Siegelman. Mrs. White said:
“Federal agents repeatedly and insistently told my husband that they ‘needed’ for [a particular] meeting [between Governor Siegelman and Richard Scrushy] to have occurred at the particular and specific date, and that they wanted him to testify that it did. My husband maintained that he could not do so, as he did not know when the meeting occurred. They even attempted to persuade him that the meeting ‘could have’ taken place on the date they stated, and reminded him that he had no calendar saying that it did not.”
Mrs. White described the “cajoling of federal agents, including an individual named Bill Long (agent of the federal government), who were working under the direction of Louis Franklin, the prosecutor of the Siegelman case.” This was certainly a clear indication that Gary White was being pressed to give false evidence against Siegelman. White refused to give false evidence to the federal agents. And not long after that, White found himself a target for a federal investigation. Mrs. White said in her affidavit:
“In March of 2007, my husband was aware that he was being investigated by the FBI. Subsequent to questioning and subpoenas to certain individuals and business entities.”
Planet Wingnut News for Saturday
Some of the most inflammatory rhetoric in recent days surrounding the health care debate has come from Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), who excused the racist, homophobic slurs at the recent Capitol Hill Tea Party by saying that they were a justifiable response to Democrats’ “totalitarian tactics.” He has also said Democratic congressmen from California are “part of this totalitarian regime in Washington” whose “votes are for sale.” McClatchy reports that he is now comparing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to infamous international dictators:
Nunes said Pelosi and her lieutenant, Rep. George Miller, D-Concord, want to cut off Valley irrigation water because “they are radical environmental crazies,” and he explicitly likened the House leaders’ water policies to those of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and the current Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe.
Saddam’s forces killed between 30,000 and 60,000 of the so-called Marsh Arabs in the early 1990s, following an uprising encouraged by the first Bush administration after the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War. Saddam’s campaign included destroying marshlands. Mugabe’s corrupt security forces practice torture and “politically motivated, arbitrary and unlawful killings,” according to the State Department’s annual human rights report. Some activists allege Mugabe’s repressive tactics include cutting off water supplies to dissident cities.
Nunes also took a shot at aides who work on Capitol Hill, calling them “‘staff thugs,’ who watch over lawmakers during votes.”
Free manuretv: Sunday bobblehead shows
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday gasbag talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS).
• CBS, Face The Nation: Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN).
• CNN, State Of The Union: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).
• Fox News Sunday: Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL), former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-FL).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
'CONSERVATIVE WOODSTOCK': Tea Partiers Head For Reid's Hometown
As protesters flock to his tiny home town, Reid says, 'say hello to Verlie.'
TPM:
Tea Party activists are kicking off a grand national tour this weekend with an event targeting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in his small home town of Searchlight, Nevada -- an event that Tea Party Express describes as a "conservative Woodstock."
Tomorrow's "Showdown In Searchlight" event will feature none other than Sarah Palin, campaigning against the Senate Dem leader. A press release from Tea Party Express boasts of supporters arriving to camp out: "It doesn't get closer to a 'Conservative Woodstock' than this."
So what do they mean by a "conservative Woodstock?" "I guess the uniqueness of having a huge number of people descend on a place where they otherwise wouldn't be going," Tea Party Express spokesman Levi Russell told TPMDC. "Searchlight is not a destination by any means. It's a tiny town. And the locals have told us this is already by far the biggest thing that's happened in their town's history. That's how we see it, a huge number of people coming to a unique place where the draw is, we are going to put on this show and this rally."
There will also be musical entertainment, from acts that have toured the Tea Party circuit, such as Lloyd Marcus. In addition to Palin, other speakers include Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher, former Saturday Night Live actress Victoria Jackson, Andrew Breitbart and others.
SPB News for Saturday
Kaiser Permanente Pulled Plug On Woman's Insurance While She Was In A Coma
Same-sex couple can't legally get divorced
Married in MA but can't get divorce in PA where marriage not recognized.
Amid pro-Maliki protests, Allawi coalition named winner The full preliminary results from Iraq's recent parliamentary elections point to the victory of the coalition led by former premier [US-installed oil puppet] Iyad Allawi over its main rival and incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Securing 91 seats in the 325-member Council of Representatives, two more than those won by Maliki's State of Law coalition, Allawi's secular al-Iraqiya Alliance came victorious out of the March 7 elections, Iraqi electoral officials announced on Friday.
Bank of America, Wells Fargo probably won't pay income tax for 2009
By Christina Rexrode / Charlotte Observer
This tax season will be kind to Bank of America and Wells Fargo: It appears that neither bank will have to pay federal income taxes for 2009.
Bank of America probably won't pay federal taxes because it lost money in the U.S. for the year. Wells Fargo was profitable, but can write down its tax bill because of losses at Wachovia, which it rescued from a near collapse.
The idea of the country's No. 1 and No. 4 banks not paying federal income taxes may be anathema to millions of Americans who are grumbling as they fill out their own tax forms this month. But tax experts say the banks' situation is hardly unique.
"Oh, yeah, this happens all the time," said Robert Willens, an expert on tax accounting who runs a New York firm with the same name. "Especially now, with companies suffering such severe losses."
Bob McIntyre, at Citizens for Tax Justice, said he opposes the government giving corporations such a break.
"If you go out and try to make money and you don't do it, why should the government pay you for your losses?" McIntyre said. "It's as simple as that."
For 2009, Bank of America netted a $2.3 billion benefit related to income taxes, according to its annual report: It had a benefit of $3.6 billion from the federal government, and an expense of $1.3 billion that it paid to different state and foreign governments.
It's not unusual for a company's debt to the federal government to vary widely from its debt to state governments, as appears to be the case with Bank of America, said Douglas Shackelford, a tax professor at UNC Chapel Hill.
The federal government often offers more tax deductions than the states; for example, Bank of America wrote down its federal taxable income with credits from low-income housing and losses on foreign subsidiary stock.
Company tax returns aren't public, so it's difficult to say for certain how much a company pays to, or receives from, tax coffers in any year .
This tax season will be kind to Bank of America and Wells Fargo: It appears that neither bank will have to pay federal income taxes for 2009.
Bank of America probably won't pay federal taxes because it lost money in the U.S. for the year. Wells Fargo was profitable, but can write down its tax bill because of losses at Wachovia, which it rescued from a near collapse.
The idea of the country's No. 1 and No. 4 banks not paying federal income taxes may be anathema to millions of Americans who are grumbling as they fill out their own tax forms this month. But tax experts say the banks' situation is hardly unique.
"Oh, yeah, this happens all the time," said Robert Willens, an expert on tax accounting who runs a New York firm with the same name. "Especially now, with companies suffering such severe losses."
Bob McIntyre, at Citizens for Tax Justice, said he opposes the government giving corporations such a break.
"If you go out and try to make money and you don't do it, why should the government pay you for your losses?" McIntyre said. "It's as simple as that."
For 2009, Bank of America netted a $2.3 billion benefit related to income taxes, according to its annual report: It had a benefit of $3.6 billion from the federal government, and an expense of $1.3 billion that it paid to different state and foreign governments.
It's not unusual for a company's debt to the federal government to vary widely from its debt to state governments, as appears to be the case with Bank of America, said Douglas Shackelford, a tax professor at UNC Chapel Hill.
The federal government often offers more tax deductions than the states; for example, Bank of America wrote down its federal taxable income with credits from low-income housing and losses on foreign subsidiary stock.
Company tax returns aren't public, so it's difficult to say for certain how much a company pays to, or receives from, tax coffers in any year .
Friday, March 26, 2010
More WH visitor records are released today
From the Whitehouse website:
More Than 250,000 White House Visitor Records Now Online
In September, the President announced that – for the first time in history – the White House would release visitor records. Today, the White House releases its largest set of records to date – nearly 120,000 records that were created in December 2009. This release brings the grand total of records that this White House has released to well over 250,000 records. You can view them all in our Disclosures section.
More Than 250,000 White House Visitor Records Now Online
In September, the President announced that – for the first time in history – the White House would release visitor records. Today, the White House releases its largest set of records to date – nearly 120,000 records that were created in December 2009. This release brings the grand total of records that this White House has released to well over 250,000 records. You can view them all in our Disclosures section.
IRS Commissioner Debunks GOP Fear-Mongering: We Won’t Audit People To Check Health Insurance Status
Another fear tactic...
Thinkprogress:
Now that health care reform is law, conservatives have come up with a new line of attack to scare the American public: The IRS will be tracking you down if you don’t purchase health insurance. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) fueled the scare in a March 18 press release, announcing the findings of a study by Republican Hill staff:
A new analysis by the Joint Economic Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee minority staff estimates up to 16,500 new IRS personnel will be needed to collect, examine and audit new tax information mandated on families and small businesses in the ‘reconciliation’ bill being taken up by the U.S. House of Representatives this weekend.
“When most people think of health care reform they think of more doctors exams, not more IRS exams,” says U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. “Isn’t the federal government already intruding enough into our lives? We need thousands of new doctors and nurses in America, not thousands more IRS agents.”
Yesterday during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, IRS Commissioner Daniel Shulman made clear that all these claims are nothing but misinformation. He said that, essentially, Brady’s analysis was premature because the IRS is still figuring out the resources it will need “to implement the tax provisions” in the health care legislation. He also completely refuted the notion that IRS agents would be going after people to see if they have acceptable health care:
Thinkprogress:
Now that health care reform is law, conservatives have come up with a new line of attack to scare the American public: The IRS will be tracking you down if you don’t purchase health insurance. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) fueled the scare in a March 18 press release, announcing the findings of a study by Republican Hill staff:
A new analysis by the Joint Economic Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee minority staff estimates up to 16,500 new IRS personnel will be needed to collect, examine and audit new tax information mandated on families and small businesses in the ‘reconciliation’ bill being taken up by the U.S. House of Representatives this weekend.
“When most people think of health care reform they think of more doctors exams, not more IRS exams,” says U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. “Isn’t the federal government already intruding enough into our lives? We need thousands of new doctors and nurses in America, not thousands more IRS agents.”
Yesterday during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, IRS Commissioner Daniel Shulman made clear that all these claims are nothing but misinformation. He said that, essentially, Brady’s analysis was premature because the IRS is still figuring out the resources it will need “to implement the tax provisions” in the health care legislation. He also completely refuted the notion that IRS agents would be going after people to see if they have acceptable health care:
JPMorgan, Lehman, UBS Named in Bid-Rigging Conspiracy
Bloomberg:
-- JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and UBS AG were among more than a dozen Wall Street firms involved in a conspiracy to pay below-market interest rates to U.S. state and local governments on investments, according to documents filed in a U.S. Justice Department criminal antitrust case.
A government list of previously unidentified “co- conspirators” contains more than two dozen bankers at firms also including Bank of America Corp., Bear Stearns Cos., Societe Generale, two of General Electric Co.’s financial businesses and Salomon Smith Barney, the former unit of Citigroup Inc., according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on March 24.
The papers were filed by attorneys for a former employee of CDR Financial Products Inc., an advisory firm indicted in October. The attorneys, as part of their legal filing, identified the roster as being provided by the government. The document is labeled “list of co-conspirators.”
None of the firms or individuals named on the list has been charged with wrongdoing. The court records mark the first time these companies have been identified as co-conspirators. They provide the broadest look yet at alleged collusion in the $2.8 trillion municipal securities market that the government says delivered profits to Wall Street at taxpayers’ expense.
-- JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and UBS AG were among more than a dozen Wall Street firms involved in a conspiracy to pay below-market interest rates to U.S. state and local governments on investments, according to documents filed in a U.S. Justice Department criminal antitrust case.
A government list of previously unidentified “co- conspirators” contains more than two dozen bankers at firms also including Bank of America Corp., Bear Stearns Cos., Societe Generale, two of General Electric Co.’s financial businesses and Salomon Smith Barney, the former unit of Citigroup Inc., according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on March 24.
The papers were filed by attorneys for a former employee of CDR Financial Products Inc., an advisory firm indicted in October. The attorneys, as part of their legal filing, identified the roster as being provided by the government. The document is labeled “list of co-conspirators.”
None of the firms or individuals named on the list has been charged with wrongdoing. The court records mark the first time these companies have been identified as co-conspirators. They provide the broadest look yet at alleged collusion in the $2.8 trillion municipal securities market that the government says delivered profits to Wall Street at taxpayers’ expense.
Planet Wingnut News for Friday
There's a new Harris poll that was just released and the results are pretty hysterical. It's not scientific, but based on who decided to take it online during the height of the health care debate, so take it for what it is:
On the heels of health care, a new Harris poll reveals Republican attitudes about Obama: Two-thirds think he's a socialist, 57 percent a Muslim—and 24 percent say "he may be the Antichrist."
On the heels of health care, a new Harris poll reveals Republican attitudes about Obama: Two-thirds think he's a socialist, 57 percent a Muslim—and 24 percent say "he may be the Antichrist."
To anyone who thinks the end of the health-care vote means a return to civility, wake up.
Obama Derangement Syndrome—pathological hatred of the president posing as patriotism—has infected the Republican Party. Here's new data to prove it:
Obama Derangement Syndrome—pathological hatred of the president posing as patriotism—has infected the Republican Party. Here's new data to prove it:
67 percent of Republicans (and 40 percent of Americans overall) believe that Obama is a socialist. The belief that Obama is a “domestic enemy” is widely held—a sign of trouble yet to come.
57 percent of Republicans (32 percent overall) believe that Obama is a Muslim 45 percent of Republicans (25 percent overall) agree with the Birthers in their belief that Obama was "not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president" 38 percent of Republicans (20 percent overall) say that Obama is "doing many of the things that Hitler did" Scariest of all, 24 percent of Republicans (14 percent overall) say that Obama "may be the Antichrist." These numbers all come from a brand-new Harris poll, inspired in part by my new book Wingnuts. It demonstrates the cost of the campaign of fear and hate that has been pumped up in the service of hyper-partisanship over the past 15 months. We are playing with dynamite by demonizing our president and dividing the United States in the process. What might be good for ratings is bad for the country.
• Michelle Goldberg: What the Polls Really Show The poll, which surveyed 2,230 people right at the height of the health-care reform debate, also clearly shows that education is a barrier to extremism. Respondents without a college education are vastly more likely to believe such claims, while Americans with college degrees or better are less easily duped. It's a reminder of what the 19th-century educator Horace Mann once too-loftily said: "Ignorance breeds monsters to fill up the vacancies of the soul that are unoccupied by the verities of knowledge."
Could Goldman Sachs do to CA what it did to Greece?
Recent reports that financial legerdemain engineered by Goldman Sachs helped destabilize the Greek economy ought to make Californians nervous. It’s time to ask if Goldman could do to us what it appears to have done to the Greeks and, indirectly, to the rest of Europe.
In February, major news organizations reported that the Federal Reserve Board is investigating the role that Goldman – a major recipient of federal bailout funds during our own financial meltdown – played in the Greek debt crisis. The firm used complex financial instruments called “derivatives” to help the Greek government hide the fact that it was in debt up to its eyeballs and getting in deeper.
That, in turn, allowed Greece’s participation in the Euro, Europe’s common currency, under what may have been false pretenses. “One deal created by Goldman Sachs helped obscure billions in debt from budget overseers in Brussels,” the New York Times reported. The deal, “hidden from public view … helped Athens to meet Europe’s deficit rules while continuing to spend beyond its means.”
There are reasons to be nervous about California’s entanglement with Goldman, which has been a major participant in bond sales to finance our state’s ballooning deficit.
For example, the Los Angeles Times reported in November 2008 that Goldman had urged some of its biggest clients to place investment bets against the very California bonds that it had helped sell. Such actions could increase investors’ fears about the state’s credit, officials told the paper, thereby driving up the interest rate the state must pay to sell the bonds, increasing the cost to taxpayers.
Read on.
In February, major news organizations reported that the Federal Reserve Board is investigating the role that Goldman – a major recipient of federal bailout funds during our own financial meltdown – played in the Greek debt crisis. The firm used complex financial instruments called “derivatives” to help the Greek government hide the fact that it was in debt up to its eyeballs and getting in deeper.
That, in turn, allowed Greece’s participation in the Euro, Europe’s common currency, under what may have been false pretenses. “One deal created by Goldman Sachs helped obscure billions in debt from budget overseers in Brussels,” the New York Times reported. The deal, “hidden from public view … helped Athens to meet Europe’s deficit rules while continuing to spend beyond its means.”
There are reasons to be nervous about California’s entanglement with Goldman, which has been a major participant in bond sales to finance our state’s ballooning deficit.
For example, the Los Angeles Times reported in November 2008 that Goldman had urged some of its biggest clients to place investment bets against the very California bonds that it had helped sell. Such actions could increase investors’ fears about the state’s credit, officials told the paper, thereby driving up the interest rate the state must pay to sell the bonds, increasing the cost to taxpayers.
Read on.
SPB News for Friday
Coburn blocks extension of unemployment benefits, threatens start of recess — Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has blocked passage of a crucial package of expiring provisions, including extended unemployment insurance benefits that are scheduled to run out on April 5.
Senate passes reconciliation fixes 56-43
Republicans Block Bills Ensuring Continuation Of Military Health Care
Senate passes reconciliation fixes 56-43
Republicans Block Bills Ensuring Continuation Of Military Health Care
House passes reconciliation bill on 220 to 207 vote Congress passed the final piece of President Obama's landmark health-care package Thursday, the last legislative hurdle in a year-long debate over the issue. On a 220 to 207 vote Thursday night, the House approved a reconciliation bill that amends the newly enacted health-care law and includes a major overhaul of the student loan program and expansion of Pell Grants. The bill now goes to Obama for his signature.
Bin Laden: We Will Execute Americans If You Harm KSM --U.S. Official: Osama's Threat 'Height of Absurdity' In an audiotape released Thursday, 'Osama bin Laden' threatened to kill any captured Americans if the U.S. government executes accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Muhammad. U.S. officials are trying to authenticate the message, but believe it is in fact bin laden's message. The message first aired on Al-Jazeera television. In the message, bin Laden said al Qaeda would take revenge against Americans if Muhammad, who has taken credit for planning the 9/11 attacks [after being waterboarded 183 times], or any other al Qaeda operatives in U.S. custody were to be executed.
Autistic Teen Picks First Two NCAA Rounds Perfectly
An autistic teenager from the Chicago area has done something almost impossible.
Nearly 48 games into an upset-filled NCAA tournament, 17-year-old Alex Hermann is perfect.
"It's amazing," he says. Truly.
"It's amazing," he says. Truly.
The teenager predicted that Northern Iowa would beat the Kansas Jayhawks. He picked Ohio to knock off Georgetown. And Cornell to knock off Wisconsin.
In fact, he picked every game through the first two rounds correctly. The odds of anybody doing that? One in 13,460,000, according to BookofOdds.com. It's easier to win the lottery. Twice.
"I'm good at math," Alex, a Glenbrook South High School student, said. "I'm kind of good at math and at stats I see on TV during the game."
Alex entered the bracket on CBSsports.com's bracket challenge. His 24-year-old brother Andrew, who helped him enter his picks into CBS' bracket manager, also entered the contest -- and ranks behind 500,000 other people.
“My bracket is totally shot,” hist 24-year-old brother Andrew said. “So is everyone else I know.”
ESPN estimates around 4.78 million played in their bracket challenge, but no one picked all the games correctly. The leader at ESPN’s bracket has already missed four games.
ESPN estimates around 4.78 million played in their bracket challenge, but no one picked all the games correctly. The leader at ESPN’s bracket has already missed four games.
Update: Kansas St. beat Xavier in a nail biting 2OT game last night..
GOP State Legislators Threaten To Impeach Dem Attorney General For Not Suing Against HCR Law
TPM:
With all the Republican state attorneys general who are challenging the health care bill in court, there is also one Democratic attorney general who is taking heat for not suing -- Thurbert Baker of Georgia, who is also currently a candidate for governor, and who now has Republican state legislators calling for his impeachment.
Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, who is term-limited this year, asked Baker to sue the federal government, which Baker then refused. In response, Perdue has appointed a "special attorney general" to mount the lawsuit, anyway. What's more, some Republican legislators are reportedly moving to impeach Baker, arguing that he was legally required to pursue the lawsuit at the governor's request.
"I was elected to be the attorney general of this state, to give my best legal advice on these legal questions," Baker told TPMDC. "And I answered the governor's question as to whether there was a legal basis to file a lawsuit against the federal government to overturn health care reform. I did what I was supposed to do which is research the law and give my opinion of it."
Read more »
With all the Republican state attorneys general who are challenging the health care bill in court, there is also one Democratic attorney general who is taking heat for not suing -- Thurbert Baker of Georgia, who is also currently a candidate for governor, and who now has Republican state legislators calling for his impeachment.
Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, who is term-limited this year, asked Baker to sue the federal government, which Baker then refused. In response, Perdue has appointed a "special attorney general" to mount the lawsuit, anyway. What's more, some Republican legislators are reportedly moving to impeach Baker, arguing that he was legally required to pursue the lawsuit at the governor's request.
"I was elected to be the attorney general of this state, to give my best legal advice on these legal questions," Baker told TPMDC. "And I answered the governor's question as to whether there was a legal basis to file a lawsuit against the federal government to overturn health care reform. I did what I was supposed to do which is research the law and give my opinion of it."
Read more »
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Ah, Duh? HC Bill Includes Mandate Opt-Out For States
Huffington Post:
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has a message for all the attorneys general and Republican lawmakers who are threatening lawsuits and claiming that an individual mandate for insurance coverage is unconstitutional: You don't have to abide by it -- just set up your own plan.
The Oregon Democrat isn't inviting opponents to defy the newly-enacted health care law. Instead, he's pointing out a provision in the bill that makes moot the argument over the legality of the individual mandate.
Speaking to the Huffington Post on Tuesday, Wyden discussed -- for one of the first times in public -- legislative language he authored which "allows a state to go out and do its own bill, including having no individual mandate."
It's called the "Empowering States to be Innovative" amendment. And it would, quite literally, give states the right to set up their own health care system -- with or without an individual mandate or, for that matter, with or without a public option -- provided that, as Wyden puts it, "they can meet the coverage requirements of the bill."
"Why don't you use the waiver provision to let you go set up your own plan?" the senator asked those who threaten health-care-related lawsuits. "Why would you just say you are going to sue everybody, when this bill gives you the authority and the legal counsel is on record as saying you can do it without an individual mandate?"
And what is Obama's response? From TPM:
In a speech today in Iowa, President Obama dared Republicans to make good on their threat to run on repealing health care reform.
"Now that we passed it, they're already promising to repeal it. They're actually going to run on a platform of repeal this November," Obama said. "And my attitude is, 'Go for it.'"
"If they wanna have that fight, we can have it," he went on. "Because I don't believe the American people are gonna put the insurance industry back in the driver's seat. We've already been there, we're not going back. This country's moving forward."
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has a message for all the attorneys general and Republican lawmakers who are threatening lawsuits and claiming that an individual mandate for insurance coverage is unconstitutional: You don't have to abide by it -- just set up your own plan.
The Oregon Democrat isn't inviting opponents to defy the newly-enacted health care law. Instead, he's pointing out a provision in the bill that makes moot the argument over the legality of the individual mandate.
Speaking to the Huffington Post on Tuesday, Wyden discussed -- for one of the first times in public -- legislative language he authored which "allows a state to go out and do its own bill, including having no individual mandate."
It's called the "Empowering States to be Innovative" amendment. And it would, quite literally, give states the right to set up their own health care system -- with or without an individual mandate or, for that matter, with or without a public option -- provided that, as Wyden puts it, "they can meet the coverage requirements of the bill."
"Why don't you use the waiver provision to let you go set up your own plan?" the senator asked those who threaten health-care-related lawsuits. "Why would you just say you are going to sue everybody, when this bill gives you the authority and the legal counsel is on record as saying you can do it without an individual mandate?"
And what is Obama's response? From TPM:
In a speech today in Iowa, President Obama dared Republicans to make good on their threat to run on repealing health care reform.
"Now that we passed it, they're already promising to repeal it. They're actually going to run on a platform of repeal this November," Obama said. "And my attitude is, 'Go for it.'"
"If they wanna have that fight, we can have it," he went on. "Because I don't believe the American people are gonna put the insurance industry back in the driver's seat. We've already been there, we're not going back. This country's moving forward."
GOPer Schmidt: I Also Received Threat Over Health Care Stance
TPM:
Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) received a threatening voicemail last night that's being investigated by the Capitol Police, The Hill reports.
Citing her chief of staff, The Hill reports that Schmidt's office received a voicemail last night from a caller "who talks of wishing the congresswoman had broken her back" in 2008.
The voicemail reportedly specifically referenced the time Schmidt was hit by a car while jogging in 2008.
According to The Hill, the caller also threatened to assault Tea Partiers with a gun, and called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner racists.
Schmidt's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment or confirmation.
Read on.
On a side note: Rep. Eric Cantor claimed that he received threatening emails and letters and vandalism to his office. Here is an update:
The Richmond Police Department released the following statement Thursday, along with this incident report:
Richmond Police Investigate Cantor Building Vandalism
March 25, 2010
The Richmond Police Department is investigating an act of vandalism at the Reagan Building, 25 E. Main St., Richmond, Virginia. A first floor window was struck by a bullet at approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23. The building, which has several tenants including an office used by Congressman Eric Cantor, was unoccupied at the time.
A Richmond Police detective was assigned to the case. A preliminary investigation shows that a bullet was fired into the air and struck the window in a downward direction, landing on the floor about a foot from the window. The round struck with enough force to break the windowpane but did not penetrate the window blinds. There was no other damage to the room, which is used occasionally for meetings by the congressman.
The Richmond Police Department is sharing information about the incident with appropriate law enforcement agencies.
At this time there are no suspects.
Read on.
Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) received a threatening voicemail last night that's being investigated by the Capitol Police, The Hill reports.
Citing her chief of staff, The Hill reports that Schmidt's office received a voicemail last night from a caller "who talks of wishing the congresswoman had broken her back" in 2008.
The voicemail reportedly specifically referenced the time Schmidt was hit by a car while jogging in 2008.
According to The Hill, the caller also threatened to assault Tea Partiers with a gun, and called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner racists.
Schmidt's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment or confirmation.
Read on.
On a side note: Rep. Eric Cantor claimed that he received threatening emails and letters and vandalism to his office. Here is an update:
The Richmond Police Department released the following statement Thursday, along with this incident report:
Richmond Police Investigate Cantor Building Vandalism
March 25, 2010
The Richmond Police Department is investigating an act of vandalism at the Reagan Building, 25 E. Main St., Richmond, Virginia. A first floor window was struck by a bullet at approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23. The building, which has several tenants including an office used by Congressman Eric Cantor, was unoccupied at the time.
A Richmond Police detective was assigned to the case. A preliminary investigation shows that a bullet was fired into the air and struck the window in a downward direction, landing on the floor about a foot from the window. The round struck with enough force to break the windowpane but did not penetrate the window blinds. There was no other damage to the room, which is used occasionally for meetings by the congressman.
The Richmond Police Department is sharing information about the incident with appropriate law enforcement agencies.
At this time there are no suspects.
Read on.
Special Wingnut News; Open thread
Also this latest:
Coburn’s Erectile Dysfunction Amendment Is Killed
The amendment would have barred federal health programs and insurance exchanges from covering the cost of erectile dysfunction medication for convicted sex offenders.
The amendment would have barred federal health programs and insurance exchanges from covering the cost of erectile dysfunction medication for convicted sex offenders.
Update from the Senate website, Senate worked on heathcare reconcilation bill throughout early Thursdaay morning. Some provisions of the bill is sent back to Congress to vote. Democrats voted down all 23 amendments or motions put forward by Republicans in an effort to derail the bill:
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010
The Senate convened at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 2:55 a.m. 29 record votes were taken.
The Senate convened at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 2:55 a.m. 29 record votes were taken.
Pope implicated in cover-up of Wisconsin sex abuse case
As a cardinal, Pope Benedict XVI and other Vatican officials did not punish or even hold a trial within the Catholic church for a Wisconsin priest who may have molested as many as 200 deaf boys, according to The New York Times.
The Times reports that despite warnings from "several" bishops to then-Cardinal Ratzinger about Father Lawrence Murphy, a priest at the St. John's School For The Deaf in St. Francis, WI, the Vatican chose not to act and ultimately allowed Murphy to go unpunished before his death in 1998. The Times reports:
In 1996, Cardinal Ratzinger failed to respond to two letters about the case from Rembert G. Weakland, Milwaukee's archbishop at the time. After eight months, the second in command at the doctrinal office, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, now the Vatican's secretary of state, instructed the Wisconsin bishops to begin a secret canonical trial that could lead to Father Murphy's dismissal.
But Cardinal Bertone halted the process after Father Murphy personally wrote to Cardinal Ratzinger protesting that he should not be put on trial because he had already repented and was in poor health and that the case was beyond the church's own statute of limitations.
"I simply want to live out the time that I have left in the dignity of my priesthood," Father Murphy wrote near the end of his life to Cardinal Ratzinger. "I ask your kind assistance in this matter." The files contain no response from Cardinal Ratzinger.
Read on.
The Times reports that despite warnings from "several" bishops to then-Cardinal Ratzinger about Father Lawrence Murphy, a priest at the St. John's School For The Deaf in St. Francis, WI, the Vatican chose not to act and ultimately allowed Murphy to go unpunished before his death in 1998. The Times reports:
In 1996, Cardinal Ratzinger failed to respond to two letters about the case from Rembert G. Weakland, Milwaukee's archbishop at the time. After eight months, the second in command at the doctrinal office, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, now the Vatican's secretary of state, instructed the Wisconsin bishops to begin a secret canonical trial that could lead to Father Murphy's dismissal.
But Cardinal Bertone halted the process after Father Murphy personally wrote to Cardinal Ratzinger protesting that he should not be put on trial because he had already repented and was in poor health and that the case was beyond the church's own statute of limitations.
"I simply want to live out the time that I have left in the dignity of my priesthood," Father Murphy wrote near the end of his life to Cardinal Ratzinger. "I ask your kind assistance in this matter." The files contain no response from Cardinal Ratzinger.
Read on.
White House about HCR lawsuits:Health lawsuits 'nothing new,'
The Obama administration is striking a confident note as it prepares to defend its sweeping health-care program against constitutional challenges.
In a conference call with reporters today, senior White House officials said that the lawsuits filed Tuesday are "nothing new" in challenging congressional authority. They likened the lawsuits to those that tried, unsuccessfully, to strike down the Voting Rights Act and other major legislation.
“Similar constitutional challenges have been raised in the past,” one official said. “We’re confident that the recently passed health-care legislation will face a similar fate.”
Read on.
In a conference call with reporters today, senior White House officials said that the lawsuits filed Tuesday are "nothing new" in challenging congressional authority. They likened the lawsuits to those that tried, unsuccessfully, to strike down the Voting Rights Act and other major legislation.
“Similar constitutional challenges have been raised in the past,” one official said. “We’re confident that the recently passed health-care legislation will face a similar fate.”
Read on.
Bush shakes Haitian’s hand, wipes off his hand on Clinton's shoulder
lol I kid you not. And it was caught on video. Boosh certainly lives in a bubble and it is not confortable being around folks with no Texas swagger.
Truthdig:
Note to anyone considering running for president: If you win, or even if you don’t, you must repeat to yourself “I am always in a fishbowl” as many times as necessary to have it sink in better than it apparently did for George W. Bush, who was captured in this BBC video making a seemingly incriminating gesture.
After apparently shaking the hand of a Haitian at one of the camps of displaced survivors he and Bill Clinton visited as part of their work for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Bush gave No. 42 a chummy pat on the shoulder that lingered into a swipe on Clinton’s sleeve. Next time, Bush might want to wait a beat or two longer before going for the handy-wipe move.
Here’s a link to the BBC’s original video and report about the Haitian sojourn of the two former commanders in chief
Truthdig:
Note to anyone considering running for president: If you win, or even if you don’t, you must repeat to yourself “I am always in a fishbowl” as many times as necessary to have it sink in better than it apparently did for George W. Bush, who was captured in this BBC video making a seemingly incriminating gesture.
After apparently shaking the hand of a Haitian at one of the camps of displaced survivors he and Bill Clinton visited as part of their work for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Bush gave No. 42 a chummy pat on the shoulder that lingered into a swipe on Clinton’s sleeve. Next time, Bush might want to wait a beat or two longer before going for the handy-wipe move.
Here’s a link to the BBC’s original video and report about the Haitian sojourn of the two former commanders in chief
SPB News fo Thursday
Ann Coulter's Ottowa Speech Canceled After Protests, Fire Alarm
CA judge halts state employee furloughs
Republicans feeling blue as Scott Brown win backfires — Republican folk hero Sen. Scott Brown is being taunted by triumphant Democrats - and slammed by irked conservatives - after the historic health-care bill he was elected to kill was signed into law by President Obama yesterday.
Coffin placed on Carnahan's lawn — A coffin was placed on a Missouri Democrat's lawn, another in a string of incidents against lawmakers after their vote Sunday on a health care overhaul. — Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) had a coffin placed “near his home,” a spokesman said Wednesday evening.
Coffin placed on Carnahan's lawn — A coffin was placed on a Missouri Democrat's lawn, another in a string of incidents against lawmakers after their vote Sunday on a health care overhaul. — Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) had a coffin placed “near his home,” a spokesman said Wednesday evening.
Orly Taitz Challenges Constitutionality Of Health Reform: It Blocks My Right To Practice Dentistry
TPM:
Joining a distinguished group of state attorneys general in challenging the constitutionality of the health reform legislation, now comes Orly Taitz, who in a new federal court filing argues that the bill violates her "right" to practice dentistry.
Along with her lawyerly pursuits, Taitz operates a dental office in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Read more »
Joining a distinguished group of state attorneys general in challenging the constitutionality of the health reform legislation, now comes Orly Taitz, who in a new federal court filing argues that the bill violates her "right" to practice dentistry.
Along with her lawyerly pursuits, Taitz operates a dental office in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Read more »
Pelosi Cautions Insurance Companies: Behave, Or You Won't Be Listed On Exchanges
Washington Post:
A couple of hours after President Obama signed the health-care bill, an elated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with a group of columnists and commentators, issuing a warning to insurance companies and offering a surprising view of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Asked if insurance companies might raise their rates on health coverage and blame the increases on the new health-care bill, Pelosi said that the insurance companies should be aware that they’re not “automatically included” in the new health exchanges the bill creates.
“Unless they do the right thing, they’re not going in,” she said. “They will be relinquishing the possibility of having taxpayer-subsidized consumers in the exchange,” she said.
Under the new law, the health exchanges Pelosi referred to will be created in 2014. By pulling customers together, they will give individuals and companies a better chance of bargaining when they buy health insurance. Because the exchanges are expected to serve millions of new customers, insurance companies will want to be part of them.
A couple of hours after President Obama signed the health-care bill, an elated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with a group of columnists and commentators, issuing a warning to insurance companies and offering a surprising view of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Asked if insurance companies might raise their rates on health coverage and blame the increases on the new health-care bill, Pelosi said that the insurance companies should be aware that they’re not “automatically included” in the new health exchanges the bill creates.
“Unless they do the right thing, they’re not going in,” she said. “They will be relinquishing the possibility of having taxpayer-subsidized consumers in the exchange,” she said.
Under the new law, the health exchanges Pelosi referred to will be created in 2014. By pulling customers together, they will give individuals and companies a better chance of bargaining when they buy health insurance. Because the exchanges are expected to serve millions of new customers, insurance companies will want to be part of them.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
HCR rollout timetable
Official summaries and timelines for the rollout of health care reform are now posted on the Democratic Policy site. Presumably these do not yet include the changes made by the reconciliation bill now under debate.
One of the more striking highlights of this list: Each and every item on the list is a benefit to most Americans, which translates to an increase in disposable income or opportunity. It's going to be tough for Republicans to take this list to their constituents and threaten to repeal it.
2010 Provisions
Calendar year 2010
Tax credit assistanceSmall businesses are eligible for a 35% tax credit; non-profits may receive up to a 25% credit.
Medicare Part D "donut hole" begins to close. Seniors receive a $250 rebate for prescription expenses in excess of $2,830.00.
Adoption Credit Increases adoption credit by $1,000, makes it refundable, and extends the credit through the 2011 tax year
Health students' assistance - Expands student loan programs, scholarships and loan repayments for medical services students, also allows exclusions from gross incomes for health professionals serving in underserved areas.
March 23, 2010
Federal grants to states to implement consumer assistance for complaints
April 1, 2010
Medicaid - Allows states to opt to cover parents and childless adults up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level and receive federal funds under the current (strengthened) formulas
Continue reading »
One of the more striking highlights of this list: Each and every item on the list is a benefit to most Americans, which translates to an increase in disposable income or opportunity. It's going to be tough for Republicans to take this list to their constituents and threaten to repeal it.
2010 Provisions
Calendar year 2010
Tax credit assistanceSmall businesses are eligible for a 35% tax credit; non-profits may receive up to a 25% credit.
Medicare Part D "donut hole" begins to close. Seniors receive a $250 rebate for prescription expenses in excess of $2,830.00.
Adoption Credit Increases adoption credit by $1,000, makes it refundable, and extends the credit through the 2011 tax year
Health students' assistance - Expands student loan programs, scholarships and loan repayments for medical services students, also allows exclusions from gross incomes for health professionals serving in underserved areas.
March 23, 2010
Federal grants to states to implement consumer assistance for complaints
April 1, 2010
Medicaid - Allows states to opt to cover parents and childless adults up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level and receive federal funds under the current (strengthened) formulas
Continue reading »
Another state AG joins HCR lawsuit; CA AG doesn't
Read here: KY AG refuses to join lawsuit
And looks like CA AG Jerry Brown is not joining the choir:
LA Times:
Brown says that of the attorneys general filing suit, "all but one are Republican" and that "healthcare is not the place, with people's lives at stake, to engage in poisonous partisanship."
The statement goes on: "At this critical time in our nation's history, we need to come together to forge a common purpose."
Several GOP lawmakers are demanding that Brown join the suit against the federal government, a position supported by Brown's GOP rivals in the governor's race. But the state's top Republican, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is not joining that chorus. Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said the governor is not at this time seeking to involve California in the litigation. "Right now our focus is on working with the administration and the congressional delegation to ensure the state is not saddled with an unfunded mandate," McLear said.
And looks like CA AG Jerry Brown is not joining the choir:
LA Times:
Brown says that of the attorneys general filing suit, "all but one are Republican" and that "healthcare is not the place, with people's lives at stake, to engage in poisonous partisanship."
The statement goes on: "At this critical time in our nation's history, we need to come together to forge a common purpose."
Several GOP lawmakers are demanding that Brown join the suit against the federal government, a position supported by Brown's GOP rivals in the governor's race. But the state's top Republican, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is not joining that chorus. Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said the governor is not at this time seeking to involve California in the litigation. "Right now our focus is on working with the administration and the congressional delegation to ensure the state is not saddled with an unfunded mandate," McLear said.
VA tea partiers endorse posting Rep. Periello’s home address
Several lawmakers' offices have been vandalized from the anger of the historical HCR. Now VA Rep. is targeted.
Thinkprogress:
On Monday, Lynchburg Tea Party member Mike Troxel posted what he believed to be the home address of Rep. Tom Periello (D-VA), encouraging people to drop by for a “good face-to-face chat”:
Just in case any of his friends and neighbors want to drop by and say hi and express their thanks regarding his vote for healthcare. I personally believe it’s so important for representatives to remain fully grounded and to remember exactly what it is their constituents are saying and how they are telling them to vote. Nothing quite does that like a good face-to-face chat. It has a much more personal touch to it.
As Politico explained, the address Troxel posted was actually the address of Periello’s brother, who lives with his wife and four children under the age of eight. “If they [Periello's staff] would like to provide me with the address of Tom, then I’d be more than happy to take it down,” he said. “I have no reason to believe it’s not his house.”
However, yesterday, after receiving evidence from a commenter that the address did indeed belong to Periello’s brother, Troxel erased it, even though he didn’t yet have the congressman’s address. (The site is currently down because the “bandwidth limit” has been exceeded.)
The FBI is now investigating an “incident” that occurred at the home of Periello’s brother. “This is very preliminary at this point, so we’re not making any comment at this time,” a local FBI spokesman told Politico.
ThinkProgress contacted the offices of several GOP Republican and conservative officials, as well as state Sen. Robert Hurt, who is running against Periello. None of them responded to our requests for comment.
Update More information on the incident at Periello's brother's house:
Federal and local authorities are investigating a severed gas line at the home of U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello’s brother, discovered the day after Tea Party activists posted the address online so opponents could “drop by” and “express their thanks” for Perriello’s vote in favor of health care reform.
The gas line to the home’s propane tank was slashed, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Coleman responded that he is "shocked" at the news, saying, "I obviously condemn these actions." However, he "added that he is not certain that the incident is related to the posting of the home’s address."
Update At least 10 members of Congress have requested extra security due to recent threats, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
Update Statement from Periello:
My number one priority right now is ensuring the safety of my brother’s family, and I am grateful to law enforcement for their excellent work. While it is too early to say anything definitive regarding political motivations behind this act, it’s never too early for political leaders to condemn threats of violence, particularly as threats to other Members of Congress and their children escalate. And so I ask every member of House and Senate leadership to state unequivocally tonight that it is never OK to harm or threaten elected officials and their families with anything more than political retribution. Here in America, we settle our political differences at the ballot box.
Thinkprogress:
On Monday, Lynchburg Tea Party member Mike Troxel posted what he believed to be the home address of Rep. Tom Periello (D-VA), encouraging people to drop by for a “good face-to-face chat”:
Just in case any of his friends and neighbors want to drop by and say hi and express their thanks regarding his vote for healthcare. I personally believe it’s so important for representatives to remain fully grounded and to remember exactly what it is their constituents are saying and how they are telling them to vote. Nothing quite does that like a good face-to-face chat. It has a much more personal touch to it.
As Politico explained, the address Troxel posted was actually the address of Periello’s brother, who lives with his wife and four children under the age of eight. “If they [Periello's staff] would like to provide me with the address of Tom, then I’d be more than happy to take it down,” he said. “I have no reason to believe it’s not his house.”
However, yesterday, after receiving evidence from a commenter that the address did indeed belong to Periello’s brother, Troxel erased it, even though he didn’t yet have the congressman’s address. (The site is currently down because the “bandwidth limit” has been exceeded.)
The FBI is now investigating an “incident” that occurred at the home of Periello’s brother. “This is very preliminary at this point, so we’re not making any comment at this time,” a local FBI spokesman told Politico.
ThinkProgress contacted the offices of several GOP Republican and conservative officials, as well as state Sen. Robert Hurt, who is running against Periello. None of them responded to our requests for comment.
Update More information on the incident at Periello's brother's house:
Federal and local authorities are investigating a severed gas line at the home of U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello’s brother, discovered the day after Tea Party activists posted the address online so opponents could “drop by” and “express their thanks” for Perriello’s vote in favor of health care reform.
The gas line to the home’s propane tank was slashed, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Coleman responded that he is "shocked" at the news, saying, "I obviously condemn these actions." However, he "added that he is not certain that the incident is related to the posting of the home’s address."
Update At least 10 members of Congress have requested extra security due to recent threats, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
Update Statement from Periello:
My number one priority right now is ensuring the safety of my brother’s family, and I am grateful to law enforcement for their excellent work. While it is too early to say anything definitive regarding political motivations behind this act, it’s never too early for political leaders to condemn threats of violence, particularly as threats to other Members of Congress and their children escalate. And so I ask every member of House and Senate leadership to state unequivocally tonight that it is never OK to harm or threaten elected officials and their families with anything more than political retribution. Here in America, we settle our political differences at the ballot box.
Planet Wingnut News for Wednesday
No Viagra for sex offenders — Republicans are doing their best to use Senate procedure to derail the reconciliation bill. And true to form, Republican Sen. Tom Coburn has introduced a few amendments that will be very hard for Democrats to vote against, including no Viagra for sex offenders.
Rep. Louie Gohmert Wants To Eliminate Voting For Senators
(h/t MediaMatters)
Remember that old saying, "Elections have consequences"? Well, apparently, Louis Gohmert (R-obviously, TX) doesn't think that should apply to him or his Senatorial cohorts:
Yesterday, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) suggested another response to the passage of health reform: eliminating the right of American citizens to elect U.S. Senators. According to a press release from Gohmert's office:
Rep. Gohmert stated, "The usurpation of the rights of the states and of the people perpetrated by the U.S. House last night is blatant, arrogant, and cries out for action. A potentially bankrupting 'mother of all unfunded mandates' needs to be stopped. The courts may or may not do it, but the states are not helpless. Article V of our U.S. Constitution anticipates a time when states perceive a looming crisis and provides an avenue for amending the Constitution. It makes clear that if two-thirds of the states are fed up with the federal government's abusive action, then they simply apply for a convention, and the Congress SHALL call such a convention for proposing an amendment."
Ever since the safeguard of State legislatures electing U.S. Senators was removed by the 17th Amendment in 1913, there has been no check or balance on the Federal power grab for the last 97 years. Article V requires a minimum of 34 states to request a Convention which in this case, would be an Amendment Convention for only ONE amendment.
(h/t MediaMatters)
Remember that old saying, "Elections have consequences"? Well, apparently, Louis Gohmert (R-obviously, TX) doesn't think that should apply to him or his Senatorial cohorts:
Yesterday, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) suggested another response to the passage of health reform: eliminating the right of American citizens to elect U.S. Senators. According to a press release from Gohmert's office:
Rep. Gohmert stated, "The usurpation of the rights of the states and of the people perpetrated by the U.S. House last night is blatant, arrogant, and cries out for action. A potentially bankrupting 'mother of all unfunded mandates' needs to be stopped. The courts may or may not do it, but the states are not helpless. Article V of our U.S. Constitution anticipates a time when states perceive a looming crisis and provides an avenue for amending the Constitution. It makes clear that if two-thirds of the states are fed up with the federal government's abusive action, then they simply apply for a convention, and the Congress SHALL call such a convention for proposing an amendment."
Ever since the safeguard of State legislatures electing U.S. Senators was removed by the 17th Amendment in 1913, there has been no check or balance on the Federal power grab for the last 97 years. Article V requires a minimum of 34 states to request a Convention which in this case, would be an Amendment Convention for only ONE amendment.
SEC employees watched porn for stress relief while economy was tanking
Over the past two years, more than a dozen Securities and Exchange employees and contractors have tried to view pornography on government computers at least 8,273 times. Here's what they were looking at while the global financial system cratered.
The Washington Times broke the story of the SEC's porn problem, which became the subject of numerous inspector general investigations, last month. And Dealbreaker subsequently published one report of an inspector general investigation into an SEC regional supervisor who viewed transvestite porn at work as stress relief.
Now we've obtained reports of 16 investigations into porn-surfing by SEC employees and contractors (one of them is a woman!), including one man who said his daily porn viewing at work was limited to "no longer than an hour and a half a day." The man told investigators that his porn habit grew out of looking at photos of men in bathing suits, which is sometimes known as "gateway porn":
Read on.
The Washington Times broke the story of the SEC's porn problem, which became the subject of numerous inspector general investigations, last month. And Dealbreaker subsequently published one report of an inspector general investigation into an SEC regional supervisor who viewed transvestite porn at work as stress relief.
Now we've obtained reports of 16 investigations into porn-surfing by SEC employees and contractors (one of them is a woman!), including one man who said his daily porn viewing at work was limited to "no longer than an hour and a half a day." The man told investigators that his porn habit grew out of looking at photos of men in bathing suits, which is sometimes known as "gateway porn":
Read on.
13 state AGs sue against HCR bill; DOJ signal willingness to defend HCR law
The Justice Department is already signaling its willingness to "vigorously defend" the health-care reform law that has been challenged as unconstitutional by a group of attorneys general.
In a statement to Main Justice, a DOJ spokesman said:
The Department of Justice defends statutes that have been passed by Congress and signed by the President and are therefore the law of the United States. Accordingly, we will vigorously defend the constitutionality of the health care reform statute, along with any other claims, in any litigation that is brought against the United States. We are confident that this statute is constitutional and we will prevail when we defend it in court.
In a statement to Main Justice, a DOJ spokesman said:
The Department of Justice defends statutes that have been passed by Congress and signed by the President and are therefore the law of the United States. Accordingly, we will vigorously defend the constitutionality of the health care reform statute, along with any other claims, in any litigation that is brought against the United States. We are confident that this statute is constitutional and we will prevail when we defend it in court.
SPB News for Wednesday
Court Rules That Mississippi School Violated First Amendment Rights Of Lesbian Student
Who Got The 20 HCR Signing Pens?
Who Got The 20 HCR Signing Pens?
Patrick Kennedy leaves note for Ted on gravesite: “Dad, the unfinished business is done.” — The political odyssey of health care reform in many ways is the story of Ted Kennedy, and as President Obama signed the historic bill into law Tuesday, Kennedy's gravesite was a place of quiet celebration and poignant reflection.
Bleckley school officials allowing gay prom date
Discovery expected to land “Sarah Palin's Alaska” — Sarah Palin to Discovery? You betcha. — Discovery Communications is expected to announce that it has won the Sarah Palin tourney. The cabler had been a front-runner to land the untitled Alaska-themed series, to be produced by Mark Burnett Prods., along with A&E.
Discovery expected to land “Sarah Palin's Alaska” — Sarah Palin to Discovery? You betcha. — Discovery Communications is expected to announce that it has won the Sarah Palin tourney. The cabler had been a front-runner to land the untitled Alaska-themed series, to be produced by Mark Burnett Prods., along with A&E.
Protesting Health Reform, GOP Attempts To Bring Senate Hearings To A Standstill By Blocking All Proceedings — There is a little-known rule in the Senate stating that hearings can't happen after 2:00 p.m. each day without unanimous consent. However, every day, at the start of business …
First Corporate Campaign Ads Appear After Supreme Court's Citizens United Decision
A Texas company recently took out a political ad in several local newspapers, making it one of the first corporations to do so in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling that lifted restrictions on corporate political spending.
The Texas Tribune reports that the company, KDR Development, paid for an ad against state Rep. Chuck Hopson, formerly a Democratic member of the state legislature who switched parties and ran in the Republican primary for re-election.
The ad headline reads: "Vote for a REAL Republican," and it challenges Hopson's Republican credentials. The sponsorship line at the bottom of the ad reads: "Political advertisement paid for by KDR Development, Inc."
The ads ran in the Jacksonville Daily Progress, the Tyler Morning Telegram and the Panola Watchman, small newspaper in East Texas.
Read on.
Read on.
Pay czar orders 15 percent pay cut for bosses at bailed-out firms
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's pay czar on Tuesday ordered executive compensation at prominent bailed-out firms to be cut by 15 percent, amid voter anger over Wall Street pay.
Kenneth Feinberg said 119 executives at AIG, Chrysler, Chrysler Financial, General Motors and its troubled former finance arm GMAC would see their cash rewards slashed by a third and their total pay cut by 15 percent versus last year.
All five firms received taxpayer money to stay afloat during the financial crisis, which continues to weigh on US economic recovery.
Feinberg also sent a letter to more than 400 firms who got government bailouts before February 2009, asking them to disclose details of the top 25 executives receiving annual pay of more than 500,000 dollars.
But the list contains some familiar names from the financial crisis including; American Express, AIG, Bank of America, Chrysler, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, General Motors, JP Morgan Chase, the Bank of New York Mellon and Wells Fargo.
Read on.
Kenneth Feinberg said 119 executives at AIG, Chrysler, Chrysler Financial, General Motors and its troubled former finance arm GMAC would see their cash rewards slashed by a third and their total pay cut by 15 percent versus last year.
All five firms received taxpayer money to stay afloat during the financial crisis, which continues to weigh on US economic recovery.
Feinberg also sent a letter to more than 400 firms who got government bailouts before February 2009, asking them to disclose details of the top 25 executives receiving annual pay of more than 500,000 dollars.
But the list contains some familiar names from the financial crisis including; American Express, AIG, Bank of America, Chrysler, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, General Motors, JP Morgan Chase, the Bank of New York Mellon and Wells Fargo.
Read on.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Leaving On A Private Plane; Open Thread
A tribute to El Rushbo with John Denver and Peter, Paul and Mary song...
Distributor Cap NY:
Let's hope the fat man with the anal warts makes good on his promise when Health Care passed:
All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside my mansion
This bill has passed and I must say goodbye
Cause Pelosi is winning, and Boehner's coy
The chauffer's waitin' he's blowin' my boy
Already my anal warts hurt so, I could cry
So kiss me and bow to me
Tell me that you'll worship me
Listen to me like you'll never ever go
Cause I'm leavin' on a private jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, Costa Rica aqui vengo
Distributor Cap NY:
Let's hope the fat man with the anal warts makes good on his promise when Health Care passed:
All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside my mansion
This bill has passed and I must say goodbye
Cause Pelosi is winning, and Boehner's coy
The chauffer's waitin' he's blowin' my boy
Already my anal warts hurt so, I could cry
So kiss me and bow to me
Tell me that you'll worship me
Listen to me like you'll never ever go
Cause I'm leavin' on a private jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, Costa Rica aqui vengo
Rep. Cao: Health Reform ‘At A Par With Slavery’ Because Of Nonexistent Abortion Coverage
Brought and pay for. Cao is finished..
Thinkprogress:
Cao said he withdrew his support for health reform because of nonexistent abortion services. In an interview with the New Orleans Times-Picauyne, he further explained that the Senate bill contained abortion services “at a par with slavery.” Cao’s ugly comparison lacks substance and is insulting to his majority African American district. Statistics show that expanding health insurance coverage is “one of the most powerful tools for reducing the number of abortions” in industrialized countries. Furthermore, Cao is promoting a culture of death by trying to deny health reform to his New Orleans constituents:
– According to a report by the Center for American Progress, health reform makes a tremendous first step to eradicate the “medical apartheid” of health disparities faced by communities of color in America. The bill establishes demonstration programs to promote access to Medicare beneficiaries with limited English proficiency and provides incentives to encourage a range of needed health professionals to work in primary care settings, public health services, and in areas of workforce shortage.
– New Orleans is heavily uninsured. At about 24%, Cao’s district is 10% more uninsured than the national average. A Harvard study found that nearly 45,000 people die every year because of a lack of health insurance. Health reform will provide 31 million previously uninsured Americans with coverage, while ensuring those with coverage are never denied treatment because of their health status.
– Louisiana has a high level of infant mortalities, 9.8 per 1,000 live births. Health reform includes expanded prenatal care for low income women.
– Cao’s district has high rates of obesity and diabetes. Among many provisions aimed at decreasing chronic illness and promoting health lifestyles, health reform guarantees that all insurance companies offer free preventive care.
Despite promising to be an independent voice, Cao has now voted in lockstep against the stimulus, the President’s progressive budget, clean energy reform, financial reform, and health reform. Notably, shortly before the vote last night, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) hosted a $500-per-person fundraiser for him at the Capitol Hill Club.
Thinkprogress:
Cao said he withdrew his support for health reform because of nonexistent abortion services. In an interview with the New Orleans Times-Picauyne, he further explained that the Senate bill contained abortion services “at a par with slavery.” Cao’s ugly comparison lacks substance and is insulting to his majority African American district. Statistics show that expanding health insurance coverage is “one of the most powerful tools for reducing the number of abortions” in industrialized countries. Furthermore, Cao is promoting a culture of death by trying to deny health reform to his New Orleans constituents:
– According to a report by the Center for American Progress, health reform makes a tremendous first step to eradicate the “medical apartheid” of health disparities faced by communities of color in America. The bill establishes demonstration programs to promote access to Medicare beneficiaries with limited English proficiency and provides incentives to encourage a range of needed health professionals to work in primary care settings, public health services, and in areas of workforce shortage.
– New Orleans is heavily uninsured. At about 24%, Cao’s district is 10% more uninsured than the national average. A Harvard study found that nearly 45,000 people die every year because of a lack of health insurance. Health reform will provide 31 million previously uninsured Americans with coverage, while ensuring those with coverage are never denied treatment because of their health status.
– Louisiana has a high level of infant mortalities, 9.8 per 1,000 live births. Health reform includes expanded prenatal care for low income women.
– Cao’s district has high rates of obesity and diabetes. Among many provisions aimed at decreasing chronic illness and promoting health lifestyles, health reform guarantees that all insurance companies offer free preventive care.
Despite promising to be an independent voice, Cao has now voted in lockstep against the stimulus, the President’s progressive budget, clean energy reform, financial reform, and health reform. Notably, shortly before the vote last night, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) hosted a $500-per-person fundraiser for him at the Capitol Hill Club.
Planet Wingnut News for Tuesday
Canadian university to Ann Coulter: Your hateful rhetoric won’t fly here, so watch your mouth when you visit. Far-right pundit Ann Coulter will be in Canada this week for “a trio of speaking engagements,” including one at the University of Ottawa. In advance of her visit, a senior official at the school sent Coulter a letter warning her to use “restraint, respect and consideration” in her remarks and telling her to review the country’s hate speech and defamation laws. From the letter:
I would, however, like to inform you, or perhaps remind you, that our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or “free speech”) in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here.
You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression. For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges. Outside of the criminal realm, Canadian defamation laws also limit freedom of expression and may differ somewhat from those to which you are accustomed. I therefore ask you, while you are a guest on our campus, to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind
Texas Congressman Admits Making "Baby Killer" Remark
Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Texas admits being the person who shouted "baby killer" during Rep. Bart Stupak's health care remarks last night. But, he says he was referring to the bill, not Stupak, and insists his actual words were 'it's a baby killer'.
Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Texas admits being the person who shouted "baby killer" during Rep. Bart Stupak's health care remarks last night. But, he says he was referring to the bill, not Stupak, and insists his actual words were 'it's a baby killer'.
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