THE smoking gun on the Roberts nomination

[BeHereNow]

I posted this in GD, no one gets it as far as contesting
the Roberts nomination.
Trying again here in the Activists forum.
THIS is the issue, the NON-PARTISAN issue, to
fight the nomination- apparently, no one understands,
so I give up.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4161012&mesg_id=4161012

Someone, anyone, PLEASE READ THE LINK connecting
Robert's wife and the Iraq/oil reconstruction deal.
THIS is THE argument against Roberts appointment.

BHN

[BeHereNow]

1. Quote PROVING the lack of non-partisan stance:

"Meanwhile, her husband's numerous investments also include Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. One wonders whether a Justice Roberts would have to recuse himself from any cases involving Iraq, including cases about profiteering; procedure regarding "detainees" rounded up in Iraq; Iraq contract fraud; and/or regulatory or other violations by satellite systems companies that hired his wife's firm or his wife herself."

Am I going crazy, or has DU fallen into a black hole?
BHN

[tnlefty]

2. Bookmarked for tomorrow.

Thanks for this, but I can't digest it now - gotta go to bed.

:dem:

[punpirate]

3. Well, sorry...

... look at how many Dems have wives with connections to possibly sensitive legislation, etc. It's a perfect opportunity for the `pugs to carve up Democrats.

Is there anything to suggest that Roberts or his wife may be complicit in any wrongdoing as a result of her legal activities? If not, it's a no-show and guaranteed to set off another round of Democrat-bashing.

Whatever else we may think about the stupidity and the greed implicit in the US glomming onto Iraqi oil and making lots of money from it, it's been blessed by Congress and the administration.

Show me something illegal that implicates Roberts himself, and you've got a winner.

Cheers.

[OneBlueSky]

6. fact is, they're all part of the same system . . .

a system in which our "national interest" is defined solely and exclusively by what will further the international reach of multinational corporations . . . a system which seeks to control the populace (that's US!) in any and every way possible, further redistribute wealth to the top 1%, further demolish the US economic base, conduct an belligerant and illegal foreign policy based on oil, actively disregard international treaties which the Senate has ratified (and which, therefore, are US law) if they interfere with corporate interests, etc., etc., etc. . .

and on the issues that REALLY count -- the war, the economy, taxation, the Patriot Act, bankruptcy, etc. -- they're all reading from the same script, Republicans and Democrats alike . . . the Roberts nomination is simply one more step in the process . . . unless our "leaders" have a sudden attack of conscience and foreswear their own interests and those of the corporate oligarchy in favor of the interests of the people, he will be confirmed with significant Democratic support . . .

[punpirate]

7. Sure--all that's true...

... but the original suggestion was that this was some extraordinary bit of information which would compromise Roberts' nomination, and I don't think so. Immoral and unethical behavior is the norm these days, and the bar is set fairly high for illegality--especially with regard to Iraq reconstruction--it's virtually impossible for a contractor to be charged criminally for anything done in Iraq.

Cheers.

[madaboutharry]

4. This was discussed last night

on Mike Malloy's program. Let us hope that our competent Senators will ask about this. Hahahahahah.

[Dragonfli]

5. Very Interesting....My hair is up...

An odd saying I know, let me explain -- I see no smoking gun directly/legally, but my instincts are firing weird synapses; "my spidey sense is tingling". I am after all just a geek Pagan.

The meaning of this is that I have a very strong feeling that something will come of this with proper research and disclosure. I don't get this feeling very often and it is far from rational, but I have come to trust it. It usually means something.

Please keep me posted, I will not be able to forget this and I must learn more!

And Please, I know I am odd, don't make a big thing of it.

[cyberpj]

8. If this Fed ruling to limit suits vs Iraq contracts gets to Supreme Court

Then Mr. and Mrs. Roberts will have a LOT to protect I'll bet!

=====================================================================Halliburton w/benefit from new Fed ruling to limit suits vs Iraq contracts

This is an outrage and happened right under our noses with no real press coverage. Please contact your congress people and newspapers about this! - And nominate for front page attention...

U.S. judge limits use of fraud law against Iraq contractors
By Erik Eckholm The New York Times
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2005

A federal judge has issued a ruling that will limit the applicability of a critical antifraud statute against corporate contractors in Iraq.

Judge T.S. Ellis 3rd of U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, held on Monday that the False Claims Act did not apply to the many contractors who were paid by the American occupation authority using Iraqi oil money.

The False Claims Act offers large rewards to corporate insiders who reveal misdeeds, and huge financial penalties can be imposed on errant companies. It is widely regarded as the government's most potent weapon against contractor fraud.

The district court decision, which is the first to provide guidelines in what has been a legal void, could derail some whistle-blower lawsuits that are in their early stages and still under seal, experts in the field of procurement law declared.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/12/news/fraud.php

[mom cat]

9. Which wife?.... sorry, I could not help myself! Very good point..along

with the $80,000 to Bush and Roberts' help in 2000 for *.