By Eric Florack. Posted Thursday, Apr 2, 2009 at 12:45 am Filed Under: Accountability, BitsBlog, Democrats, Featured
James Joyner at OTB, this morning brings news abot the latest action of Eric Holder’s Justice Dept:
Attorney General Eric Holder has dropped the case against Ted Stevens, NPR’s Nina Totenberg reports.
A jury convicted Stevens last fall of seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure form in order to conceal $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry executive and other friends. Stevens was the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, however, he lost his bid for an eighth full term in office just days after he was convicted. Since then, charges of prosecutorial misconduct have delayed his sentencing and prompted defense motions for a new trial.
According to Justice Department officials, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has decided to drop the case against Stevens rather than continue to defend the conviction in the face of persistent problems stemming from the actions of prosecutors.
The judge in the Stevens case has repeatedly delayed sentencing and criticized trial prosecutors for what he’s called prosecutorial misconduct. At one point, prosecutors were held in contempt. Things got so bad [...]
By Art Smith. Posted Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 1:59 pm Filed Under: Featured, Technology, US Congress
Thank goodness there must have been SOME voice of reason in the US House today regarding the switch to digital television transmission and the shutting down of analog transmissions. Although the special rules required a 2/3 vote to approve, at least the House did not roll over and give in like the idiots in the Senate on Monday night (who voted for this travesty unanimously).
Why is this bill a problem?
Well, we understand and accept the fact that, ahem, 4% of households have not yet switched to the digital format (most simply needing a $50 converter box that the government has been providing a $40 coupon for now for over a year now. Evidently, part of the issue is the sudden delay in sending out coupons. According to the Wall Street Journal:
Republicans say the extra money isn’t necessary because
By Art Smith. Posted Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008 at 8:38 pm Filed Under: 2008 Congressional Election, Tom Harkin, US Congress
This year, the US Senate seat currently held by Tom Harkin is up for grabs. I say “up for grabs” in an attempt to relieve us of the idea that the incumbent has no chance to be unseated.
Harkin has been in the US Senate now for 6 terms (24 years). Without a doubt, he has done some good things while in Congress. Probably the most positive, and the one he speaks of the most, is his authoring of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He has also been a big supporter of farmers and Iowa’s universities.
Harkin is also known in the state, like Neil Smith[...]
I am not surprised at the guilty verdict handed down against US Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) on seven counts of making false statements. And nor should anyone else. I stated earlier in the year that Alaskan Republicans needed to find another candidate, but they failed. It amazes me that people like Ted can imagine that they are not only above the law, but that in the midst of failure they should continue on with their struggle for power when they should be focusing on dealing with the issue at hand… planning a appeal. From The Hill:
The senator vowed to “fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have” and said he would return home to defend his seat.
“I am innocent. This verdict is[...]
By Art Smith. Posted Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008 at 9:38 pm Filed Under: 2008 Congressional Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Bipartisanship, Economy, Energy, Featured, Iowa, Markets, Recession, US Congress, US Treasury
Our US Senators have approved a version of the $700 Billion Bail-out Bill that provides some new features:
New tax breaks for businesses
Raising the FDIC deposit insurance limit from $100,000 to $250,000
Normally, I am all about tax breaks for businesses. I think that is one of the best ways to stimulate growth.
And without a doubt, raising [...]
By Art Smith. Posted Friday, Aug 15, 2008 at 8:17 pm Filed Under: 2008 Congressional Election, 2008 Presidential Election, ANWR, Democratic Party, Economy, Energy, Foreign Oil, If you won't vote for us we won't vote for you, John McCain, Leonard Boswell, Nancy Pelosi, US Congress
Last week I started taking my bicycle to work. It’s about 7.5 miles as the crow flies, and my shortest (and most difficult) route is about 8.5 miles… the longest (and easiest) route is 13 miles. Downtown Des Moines is at a slightly lower elevation than the suburb of West Des Moines where I live, [...]
By Art Smith. Posted Monday, Aug 11, 2008 at 5:10 pm Filed Under: 2008 Congressional Election, 2008 Presidential Election, ANWR, Democratic Party, Economy, Energy, Foreign Oil, If you won't vote for us we won't vote for you, John McCain, Nancy Pelosi, US Congress
Down! Not alot, but it dropped another $.75 today to $114.45 a barrel.
Meanwhile, the Republican Protest against the Democratic No-Vote Vacation continued into its second full week, with activity at Capital Hill and at town halls throughout the country. House Republicans want everyone (that means you and me) to contact their Democratic representatives and tell them to demand [...]
By Art Smith. Posted Friday, Aug 8, 2008 at 8:50 pm Filed Under: 2008 Congressional Election, 2008 Presidential Election, ANWR, Economy, Energy, Featured, Foreign Oil, If you won't vote for us we won't vote for you, Iowa State Fair, John McCain, Nancy Pelosi, US Congress
The Republican Protest of the No-Vote Vacation continues today, with no end in sight. CSPAN showed the following press conference (video courtesy John Boehner’s office) featuring House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), Mike Pence (Indiana), and Jon Porter (Nevada). Excellent, concise, brought a solid message back from their constituents, and continuing the push forward. Worth [...]
Although we may all support the notion that one is innocent until proven guilty, we (and Stevens) have a responsibility to ensure that we not only keep our noses clean, we do all we can to avoid the appearance of impropriaty. The fact that Ted managed to get himself in a situation where the FBI [...]
The US Senate voted today to approve the FISA bill, including immunity for the telecomm companies who acted at the government’s request with the understanding they were receiving and acting on legal requests. The bill was approved after Republicans agreed to allow Democrats more judicial and congressional oversight. And the bill passed 69-28.
Bush is, of [...]
RSS Feed
Email Feed
