It’s Called Justice

Not only did Michael Mukasey, in his most reasonable act as AG, refuse to act on Bush’s request that he help Ohio Republicans prevent 200,000 voters from voting.

But now, the military judge in charge of Hamdan’s Show Trial has refused the Bush Administration’s request that the jury re-sentence Hamdan so he won’t be released on Bush’s watch. 

A military judge rejected a Bush administration move to that could have kept Osama bin Laden’s former driver locked up for an additional five years.

[snip]

In a two-paragraph order, [Judge Keith Allred] said he had read the filings and legal citations, as well as reviewing the sentencing hearing transcript.

"The prosecution motion to reconsider, reassemble, reinstruct and re-announce a sentence is denied," he wrote.

I guess Poppy and Dick never told you this whole all-powerful bullshit would end as soon as you became a lame duck, huh, Bush?

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64 replies
  1. lizard says:

    Not a lame enough duck. These guys are never going to leave power quietly, and Hamdan won’t be going anywhere until Bush is self-pardoned or in prison or in hiding, or otherwise absolutely certain he is off the hook.

  2. posaune says:

    OT: wait till you see the pumpkin mr posaune carved of sarah! (hint: the wink) should look good in the window!

  3. bmaz says:

    Dude, I am of the inclination that you are a hit and run carpetbomber; but enough of the link dropping on every stinking thread we have. We saw it the first time you posted. The other 99 just piss us off.

  4. Mary says:

    Unfortunately the ruling doesn’t really (and can’t) address the other detention issues – which revolve around Gov’s argument that even if he isn’t still “serving a sentence” he can be held anyway.

    But the military again is showing up better than anyone else.

    Oh – and the UK is feeling compelled to at least appear to do something more about looking into torture.

    Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, has asked the attorney general to investigate possible “criminal wrongdoing” by the MI5 and the CIA over its treatment of a British resident held in Guantanamo Bay …
    The dramatic development over allegations of collusion in torture and inhuman treatment follows a high court judgment which found that an MI5 officer participated in the unlawful interrogation of Binyam Mohamed. The MI5 officer interrogated Mohamed while he was being held in Pakistan in 2002.

    It emerged tonight that lawyers acting for Smith have sent the attorney general, Baroness Scotland, evidence about MI5 and CIA involvement in the case, which was heard behind closed doors in high court hearings. In a letter seen by the Guardian, they have asked Scotland – as an independent law officer – to investigate “possible criminal wrongdoing”. The move could lead to a criminal prosecution.

    The evidence was suppressed following gagging orders demanded by David Miliband, the foreign secretary, and the US authorities. The action by Smith, the minister responsible for MI5 activities, is believed to be unprecedented

    Apparently not “just” looking into it, but actually tendering some non-destroyed evidence.

    Italy having a trial over our torture. Scotland asked to head an investigation. Neither candidate nor any of the major media talking about it.

  5. Mary says:

    Should I have mentioned that Scotland is the AG – Baroness Scotland?

    I’m wondering what happened to the CIA pictures of him that Ghost Plane indicates were taken when he was picked up in Morocco.

    Better yet, I am still wondering when anyone in Congress will ever get around to asking WHO told the UK that the US would not provide the UK with information critical to the UK’s national security in the future if the UK refused to cover up our torture?

    Not that there’s much point or interst.

    • skdadl says:

      Not that there’s much point or interest.

      Please never think that, Mary. I know that people follow us on these stories even when they don’t know what to say yet.

      And yes, the Baroness Scotland isn’t exactly Scotland. Shame, in a way — independent legal system there.

      You just know what that gag order demanded by Miliband and whichever U.S. authorities said, don’t you. National security, damage to international relations, etc etc etc. Our government falls back on those excuses too to cover up just about anything connected to their feeble adventures into the GWOT. Innocent lives are sacrificed, but what really matters is the public profile of the foreign minister.

      It is hard to remain respectful.

      • chetnolian says:

        For a while I’ve been posting here that the Binyam Mohamed case might be what results in some people facing war crimes prosecution. Our judges were incredibly scathing about the pressure being brought by the US Govt. to suppress his torture alleagtions. And we don’t have to worry about being bi-partisan after January!!!!

        By the way as a Scot living in England trust me the independence of the legal system is just as great here.

  6. bobschacht says:

    Well, these are small little starlings of hope. But there are bigger raptors still roaming free, and justice will not be served until their wings are clipped.

    I will be content, for now, if Georgie Boy is finding out that being a lame duck president with a popularity ranking in the basement doesn’t have as much leverage as he might have hoped. Now there are more and more people willing to tell him “no”.

    I just wish that Speaker Nancy would get with the program and put impeachment back on the table. IIRC, just starting an impeachment investigation could forestall many pardons. And if I could ask, for that to be so, would the HJC committee actually have to name persons of interest to prevent Bush from pardoning them, or how would it work?

    Bob in HI

  7. randiego says:

    I just wish that Speaker Nancy would get with the program and put impeachment back on the table. IIRC, just starting an impeachment investigation could forestall many pardons. And if I could ask, for that to be so, would the HJC committee actually have to name persons of interest to prevent Bush from pardoning them, or how would it work?

    Man, she really needs to be replaced, but I just don’t see by who, in terms of seniority/leadership etc. Look up “fecklessness” in the dictionary and there she’ll be.

    Loved Rachel Maddow’s interview with Barry. It’s really refreshing to have an interviewer asking smart questions on policy, and the candidate actually answer them coherently.

    • siri says:

      shocker isn’t it????
      i’ve been sooooo Jonesing for one intelligent response from a US president for, well, it seems like FOREVAH!!!!!
      OMG
      i may be in total shock for years to come!
      THANK whoever you thank!
      sheeeeesh

    • kspena says:

      I agree…Listening to Rachel interview Obama was surreal; I can’t remember the last time I heard an interviewer ask not just one, but a series of very intelligent questions…AND have the interviewee give such mature and thoughtful answers, AND have the two really listening to each other…WOW…

      • bmaz says:

        See, what I got out of that interview was that Obama has no intention whatsoever of acting progressively. He is very smooth and bright, and a breath of fresh air on foreign policy, but that he is nothing whatsoever near what most of us would want on domestic policy. And there may never be a better time for true progressive thought to take hold and it is going to go to waste with freaking Obama. That is what I heard. Of course, that has been crystal clear for a long time if you listen to him.

        • masaccio says:

          I don’t think Obama is a progressive either. What I hope is that he realizes he got where he is without falling under control of the corporatist interests. He got there with the help of hundreds of thousands of individuals, giving money and time and energy to see to it that he doesn’t owe anything at all to big money. That should free him to do what needs to be done, even when it hurts the rich.

        • bmaz says:

          Agreed. I should also note that I didn’t make the last comment to be negative; just a bit disappointed deep down that he isn’t a little stronger for a real progressive platform. But, the fact of the matter is that there was no vehicle for progressives available. Clinton would not have been any better (save for on healthcare); and maybe worse I suppose. So, all in all, we have as good a horse as we were going to get; and for that I am happy.

        • Ishmael says:

          The AP reports that according to “Democratic officials”, Obama has approached Rahm Emanuel about serving as White House Chief of Staff. If this is true, it reinforces your point about Obama not likely being especially progressive, although perhaps he wants a real SOB watching the store and there are others who would move up in the House leadership in Rahm’s absence who may be more progressive. That’s the thing about Obama, he is an absolute sphinx to me at times. But like everyone here, you will hear my “Dean Scream” all the way from the North when Obama wins big on Tuesday.

        • bmaz says:

          There has been some speculation for a while that Rahmbo might be tabbed as COS for Obama. Emanuel has some pretty choices. He is powerful already in House Leadership and could easily move up even higher soon. He would also be one of the top two or three in line to be named to fill Obama’s Senate seat. And then there is the COS option. Lot of good choices for a guy that isn’t so much good.

        • Ishmael says:

          I had heard more spec about Daschle as COS than Rahmbo, but I would actually prefer Rahm in the White House as COS – I don’t sense that Obama will let his COS have a big policy role, more as a liaison to the Hill, and Rahm could do less damage as COS than as a Senator or Speaker of the House.

        • prostratedragon says:

          Right you are. Furthermore, I understand it that the chief is kind of the president’s s.o.b. Pres. Obama will need a good s.o.b., and Emanuel might fit the part much better than I think Daschle would, based on the latter’s term as majority leader.

          As to the Illinois mafia, freepatriot, curb your enthusiasm. After all, the fellow we’re just talking about for cos rose effortlessly to the top.

        • rosalind says:

          so less than a week out the obama campaign is suddenly springing leaks?

          s’possible, though i suspect the “democratic officials” trace back to rahma dhama ding dong’s side of the aisle.

        • freepatriot says:

          sounds more like Obama is going to move the Illinois Gang in crongress to the Whitehouse

          it’s kinda like bush’s texas mafia, cept, you know, competent an shit …

        • wavpeac says:

          As someone with a predatory loan and some insider knowledge about the problem, I am unimpressed with his Obama’s “fixes” for the mortgage crises so far. A 90 day moratoriam on foreclosure gives those mortgages companies three unfettered months to add fees to those loans. They WILL do this.

          GMAC is the company with the absolute worst complaints against it. They are better than the ones who have been caught, at skating underneath the law. They focus on fees because these remain relatively unregulated. GMAC got a big bunch of money from the bailout, they are now trying to buy up another company to prevent themselves from going under. They remain fearless in violating TILA and RESPA laws. They are using the bailout money to grow. This scares the beejeebus out of me. I hope then, the idea is that they will pay punitive damages to those they stole houses from, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the money is not going to make to those who have been harmed by the law breaking.

          Google Homecomings financial or GMAC mortgages and you will find literally hundreds of complaints, dated July, Aug, and Oct of this year about not returning phone calls while in foreclosure, fees, not giving insurance checks back to homeowners after hurricane damage (after requiring the mortgage holder and insurance payor to sign the checks over to homecomings)so they can repair their homes. One thing after another. Legally those checks have to be used for repairs, homecomings “holds” them indefinetly if the borrower is behind. They have a right to dispurse them to a contractor but not to apply to outstanding debt or to hold them indefinetly. This means lots of complaints from people who cannot afford to repair their homes. If the company cared about making sure the money was spent on the homes, they would release these checks.

          Obama has not spoken to me in a way that says he really understands the law breaking behind these companies. A moratoriam hurts the borrower because they jack up the fees during that three months, each month more penalties and lawyers fees. If they don’t do something to regulate these fees soon, this situation is going to explode. It bothers me that the behaviors are continuing despite such close scrutiny. It ain’t over yet, but I haven’t heard him say a word to reassure me.

          I am voting O, and I believe he’s our best choice, but I didn’t like the way he jumped on the bailout, and I don’t like what these companies are doing with the money.

  8. JimWhite says:

    this whole all-powerful bullshit would end

    I don’t think those guys are going to be very welcome residents of the reality based community, but it does look like they’re on their way back to join us.

      • freepatriot says:

        they just DISAPPEAR ???

        I don’t like that

        too creepy

        you guys should come up with a little message saying the post was deleted to spare the poster embarrassment or exposure as an idiot

        otherwise the thread looks different, and that really fucks me up …

        you can’t just turn off a photographic memory, ya know

        • PJEvans says:

          How about if they get disemvowelled? (My memory doesn’t quite reach photographic level, fortunately.)

        • R.H. Green says:

          “They just disappear?” Sort of like going into “the memory hole”, and thus, never was (except for the footprints of comments referring to … to something).

  9. freepatriot says:

    we all got out own personal idea of JUSTICE

    john mcsame, campaigning in pensylvania, CLAIMING HE’S POLITICALLY CLOSER TO HILLARY CLINTON THAN OBAMA

    NOW THAT’S FUCKING JUSTICE

    when a repuglitard is forced to use Hillary Clinton’s positions to attrackt voters, GOD HAS SPOKEN

    Hillary was the boogeyman for repuglitards for 16 years

    now the repuglitards have been forced TO EMBRACE HILLARY

    proof there IS a God

    and proof that God hates repuglitards

    can I get an AMEN ???

  10. freepatriot says:

    joe the plumber tells me I should know what I’m talking about before I say it

    too bad you mother didn’t teach you that joe. you had to go and make a fool out of yourself and embarrass your mother to learn that

    there’s a difference between me an joe

    about 100 IQ points

  11. oregondave says:

    Not only did Michael Mukasey, in his most reasonable act as AG

    You mean, there was another reasonable act? Good heavens, what?

  12. FrankProbst says:

    Not only did Michael Mukasey, in his most reasonable act as AG, refuse to act on Bush’s request that he help Ohio Republicans prevent 200,000 voters from voting.

    “Reasonable” isn’t really Mukasey’s strong suit. I’m guessing he couldn’t get anyone at Justice to do this for him. Why would anyone want that job, when they fully expect to have a new sheriff in town in three months who will immediately investigate them for it?

  13. FrankProbst says:

    From the second link:

    “Although Mr. Hamdan’s punishment is slated to end by January, the government maintains it may continue to detain him indefinitely thereafter, on grounds that he remains an “enemy combatant” who could take up arms against U.S. forces. The administration has not disclosed its plans for Mr. Hamdan.”

    I’m going to guess that they’ll go with a three-week detention as an “enemy combatant” and absolutely no plan for what happens afterwards.

  14. freepatriot says:

    norm coleman fails at self awareness 101

    This is now the fourth time that the Minnesota Republican has filed a suit late in the course of his runs for office.

    and then there is this:

    “It is not a tactic. Sen. Coleman is being falsely attacked.

    if you use it during campaigns FOUR FUCKING TIMES, it IS YOUR FUCKING CAMPAIGN TACTIC

    it’s a pathetic, shitty, slimy, and LAUGHABLE

    but it IS your fucking tactic

    you OWN IT norm

  15. masaccio says:

    Rachel says he sounds like he wants to govern with 62% of the people behind him, rather than the Bush 50.1% majority. Nice thought.

    • bmaz says:

      I think 62% of the people would actually be behind a fairly progressive platform if somebody would champion it and work to take the boogeyman aspect off of it that has been attached for so long. False consensus is no substitute for what is really needed.

  16. freepatriot says:

    JEBUS

    us liberals are worse than I thought

    lush limpdick says so:

    Liberalism has created the downtrodden and the unhappy and the miserable,

    at least we didn’t create the unwashed masses, right ???

    • hackworth says:

      Conservatism holds the hope that when one finally wins the Lotto, one can avoid paying taxes.

      Its the Joe The Plumber thought process.

  17. Mary says:

    12 – I may have come across bleaker than I meant to – I meant that not that Congress has much interest. I’ve pretty much lost faith in any aspect of politics – not necessarily people.

    A link on the Emmanuel spec
    http://ap.google.com/article/A…..wD945421O0

    39 – Lot of good choices for a guy that isn’t so much good. Truth.

  18. freepatriot says:

    and upon further review, I mighta made a few people unhappy, and even miserable

    but I never downtrodded anybody that I can remember

  19. radiofreewill says:

    4 Days and a Wake-Up!

    The Goopers ain’t got Nuthin’!

    Anyone who’s worried about the Election just needs to spend a little time at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com, and you’ll feel better.

    If you look at the Super Tracker Graph on the right, you’ll see that that line can’t get to the McCain side of the Graph in 4 days…it couldn’t do it in a month – that means that Obama is Going to Win the Popular Vote (95.41% Likely).

    If Obama wins the Popular Vote, McCain has Less than a 1% chance of Winning the Electoral College (0.93%).

    As for the Electoral College, amongst the String-of-Miracles that McCain would need:

    – OH (Obama +3.1, 82% Likely Dem)
    – VA (Obama +5.9, 95% Likely Dem)
    – FL (Obama +1.8, 71% Likely Dem)
    – CO (Obama +5.5, 93% Likely Dem)
    – NV (Obama +3.3, 83% Likely Dem)

    He Absolutely Must Win PA – where Obama is Cruising with an +8.5 Margin, and a 98% Likely Dem Win.

    We’re close to Ending this 8-Year Long National Nightmare!

    All We have to do is Get Out The Vote (GOTV) on Tuesday!

    Take Back America!

        • Ishmael says:

          LOL! The good Governor was just 4 years or so too early! I hope that Obama is thinking about a role befitting Dean as much as he may be thinking about Rahm.

        • freepatriot says:

          let’s leave Howard Dean in charge of the DNC

          that 50 state strategy is working out pretty good

          and after we get done winning all 50 states, we can sic Howard Dean on Canada, get those people to vote for Obama too

          Yeah, that’s the ticket …

    • freepatriot says:

      you can get a better deal that way

      with no fookin lawyer selling your ass up river …

      not … that I would … know … anything about that. uhm

      forget I said anything …

    • bmaz says:

      Not sure I understand the question. Every criminal defendant is allowed to attempt to negotiate a resolution of pending charges through a plea agreement. It is up to the state, i.e. the prosecutor, to decide if they wish to accept those discussions and, if so, what agreement to make. There is nothing unusual in the least here that I can see. Furthermore, my guess is that the state in this case had their own shrink take a look at Ashley and her case, and the report to the prosecutor was that this would indeed be an appropriate resolution. It is exactly the deal I would have tried to obtain for her if I were her lawyer. That is what her public defender negotiated for her. Time will tell if it is the correct path; but it looks to be about right to me as of this point.

      Freep @ 53 – We lawyers pointed you up that river for a reason you know. Since you have not yet succeeded in killing all of us (you may have the guns, but we got the numbers), you best be careful. Mwaaaaaa!

      • freepatriot says:

        Freep @ 53 – We lawyers pointed you up that river for a reason you know. Since you have not yet succeeded in killing all of us (you may have the guns, but we got the numbers), you best be careful. Mwaaaaaa!

        I keep telling you, it’s nothing personal (but I’m willing to make an exception for you)

        I don’t know why we gotta kill the lawyers. I don’t even know how I became a commie. But I always kinda admired Eugene Debs, so I’m gonna “Go With It” this time

        while there is a criminal element, I have been amongst them. where there is poverty, I’ve had to live. As long as there is one person in prison, I cannot be free

        or something like that …

        (wink)

        ps: I think we got a “chicken-egg” conundrum here, cuz I didn’t wanna kill any lawyers till they started sellin me up river …

  20. freepatriot says:

    Lawrence Eagleburger is dead to the repuglitrds now ???

    Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over the job on a moment’s notice but, even after some time in office, would only amount to an “adequate” commander in chief.

    that’s more justice …

    stolen from huffpo

  21. Boston1775 says:

    On Wednesday, Mitt Romney appeared on WTKK and spoke about the massive fraud which Democrats (who will do anything) are supporting.

    The host/political operative interviewing him spoke of the ability to redistribute a million and a half votes in this election in light of the fact that a swing of 50,000 votes in the last one would have given us President Kerry.

    Romney says that this voter fraud is subsidized by the federal government.

    At about the 8:05 mark, I think the tape has been edited. I can’t figure out what word was that was taken out. So if anyone cares to help me, I’d appreciate it.

    Mormon money was poured into Massachusetts and now, California. This is the real deal.

    http://wtkk.everyzing.com/view…..0&x=0

  22. Boston1775 says:

    Correction: Romney implies that voter fraud is subsidized by the federal government when he says that voter suppression is NOT subsidized by the federal government.

  23. Leen says:

    Sure has taken these folks a long long time to take a stand against these thugs. They feel the wind shifting.

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