The FDIC Takes Over a Bank
60 Minutes shows you what a bank takeover looks like.
Unemployed Bush Lawyers and the OPR Report
Is it a coincidence that David Addington and Alberto Gonzales--the White House lawyers who authorized torture even before John Yoo's memos on the subject--are also the two who can't get a job?
Tell Us How the Signing Statements Were Used
Obama promises he won't use signing statements ... too much. But he doesn't offer any way for us to know how much damage signing statements have already done.
John Yoo's Wrestling Match with the First Amendment
Read with the close attention with which John Yoo refuses to read our Constitution, Yoo's latest attempt at self-defense is even more pathetic.
The Diplomatic Bridge To Somewhere In The Middle East
Ten days after the election, I wrote what turned out to be, at the time, a somewhat controversial piece on the meaning of the hints by Obama that Hillary Clinton might be his Secretary of State, opining that it might portend a serious and affirmative play on middle east peace by the incoming Obama Administration. It is still in its infancy, but it appears that is proving true.
Getting Their Kicks: The American-Saudi Go Around Come-Around
Despite a decent amount of negativity roiling around the socio-political scene lately, on a fine Saturday night right here in the ole USA, this gives me a lot of heart somehow:Then, with a scream of revving engines, it begins: a yellow Corvette and a red Mitsubishi go head to head, racing down the road at terrifying speeds, just inches apart.
The Northeast Takes Over Freedom and Commerce in Georgia
All because Bush screwed up the economy so badly that another bank failed.
(And yes--it's Saturday night. So let me have my stupid fun.)
They Picked a Bad Week to Stop Sniffing Glue
The Judge deciding whether or not to dismiss the Jose Padilla lawsuit against John Yoo, having read the memos released earlier this week, doesn't seem inclined to dismiss the suit.
Not Seeing Storm Troopers, Not Scratching My Head
People still seem to be missing the forest for the trees on last week's al-Haramain activities.
A Few Thoughts on the Torture Tape Inventory
We can discern a few details from the torture tape inventory the ACLU just got.
Burris' Partner Fred Lebed Spoke of Favors for Blagojevich
It seems that Fred Lebed, Roland Burris' partner, may have been thinking of favors he could do to support Burris' candidate to be Senator.
Most Convictions Against Siegelman Upheld
Three Republican-appointed judges have upheld most of the convictions of Governor Don Siegelman--while throwing out two counts of Mail Fraud. Their arguments aren't very convincing.
Justice Ginsburg to Senator Bunning: "Screw You"
Apparently, one of the things motivating Justice Ginsburg to get back to her regular schedule is Jim Bunning's prediction of her imminent demise. Heck. If one of the most conservative Senators wants to motivate one of the most liberal Justices to stay at work, I'll take that.
The Secret State Continues to Crumble
The DC Court of Appeals just ruled that it--the Court--and not the Administration gets to determine whether information will be of use to a detainee in a habeas petition. And if it is, the Court ruled, then the Administration must turn that over in some form.
Elena Kagan Confirms Her Vacuity and Farce
Yesterday's Judiciary Committee consideration of Obama Solicitor General nominee Elena Kagan proved that confirmation hearings are not totally useless, we learned something new about Kagan before the SJC. She was for honest and open answers to Senator's questions at confirmation hearings before she was against it.
Dana Jill Simpson and Greg Craig
Dana Jill Simpson is pissed that Greg Craig didn't recuse himself from negotiations over Rove's testimony. And in the process, she dished that Richard Shelby fronts a corrupt aviation firm through the corrupt judge who presided over the Siegelman trial.
The HJC Agreement with Rove and Miers
Here's the written agreement between HJC and the Bush Administration for Rove and Miers' testimony. Some highlights: The House Judiciary Committee (the “Committee”) will interview Karl Rove and Harriet Miers, but there will be no additional interviewees / witnesses (subject to the one exception [possibly Bill Kelley]). [snip]The scope of the interviews will be limited to:
The FISA Dance in the Wake of 9/11
Looseheadprop asks some good questions about the September 25, 2001 opinion on FISA David Kris requested from OLC. While I think I can explain the timing of that opinion, what truly disturbs me is the move to eviscerate the Fourth Amendment (to justify warrantless wiretaps) precisely as PATRIOT went to Congress.
Breaking: Turdblossom and Harriet to Testify
I guess Karl Rove doesn't look so tough now that he's out of office. He and Harriet will soon give a deposition to the House Judiciary Committee.
Spanking Spak and Spec
Arlen "Scottish Haggis" Specter has debased himself to fronting for the intellectually flaccid Hans von Spakovsky. Really. Is this what the conservative movement has come to?