HOUSE DEMS TO ASK JUSTICE TO APPOINT SPECIAL BLACKWELL PROSECUTOR

[rawstory]

Just got word.

"Around noon, the house judiciary members are filing a criminal referral with doj requesting a special prosecutor to investigate blackwell and other matters."

Latest: http://rawstory.com

Direct link: http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=552

###

My quick take: Would Bush's justice Department would investigate their own campaign manager for a state that 'delivered' the clinching victory? Not likely.

[ladjf]

1. Depends on how secure they feel and if they would want

to allow such a great piece of political theater to take place. I tend to agree with your assessment however.

[ForensicMD8]

2. yeah. right.

that's going to happen!! Maybe in Disneyland!!!

[ClassWarrior]

3. Sometimes it's worth doing things just for symbolic reasons.

NGU.

[Goldeneye]

10. Good enough for me...

although I'd love to see Blackwell hauled away in handcuffs...


1000th post!!!!

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. May I be the first to congratulation you?

Congratulations!

[merh]

18. Not all repukes are neo-cons!

Some hate the weed as much as we do!

Can't make folks happy, they are angry if nothing is done and ridicule if something is done.

I'm with you, this is definitely worth doing.


(BTW - miss the DUDQ threads.)

[Patsy Stone]

23. Me too

My instrument is getting rusty. :)

:hi: We've missed you at the KOEB quilting circles.

[merh]

24. Ah thanks (kicking the sand). I've popped in,

but things have been kooky at my end, I haven't had the chance to get involved while KO is on the air. Hopefully things will settle down so and I can enjoy actually participation in the threads while KO is on the air and not just make after the fact comments.

:hi:

[Patsy Stone]

34. Well, I hope so!

We need more estrogen in there -- NOT!

:)

[DearAbby]

43. How about menopausal Members of the KOEB~ Estrogen Lite :P

Gotta watch out for us...Our mood swings are dreaded, ask my husband

:spank:

[helderheid]

31. Then can we quit calling them "repukes" and "repugs"??

[merh]

33. Why? They haven't proven to me that they deserve the

respect you ask that I show them. If they vote for a special prosecutor, if they investigate the buy off of the media, if they actually show me that they love the nation more than their party, then I will refer to them in a different manner. Just because I stated that not all are neo-cons doesn't mean I believe that they are willing to put the interests of our nation over their party interests.

[electropop]

4. Probably won't happen

but it is our representatives' solemn duty to keep pressing this issue, and I completely approve of these members' actions. Keep it visible! These folks will be handsomely rewarded by the voters next time (whether the votes get counted is another matter...)

[ooglymoogly]

5. this would be a slow boat up sh*t creek without a paddle

for the pugs......not going to happen...its like asking the mafia to investigate itself in public.

[ClassWarrior]

6. There's value in just asking - loudly and forcefully.

NGU.

[WiseFawn]

9. Lots of value, and plus,

it will be interesting to see if they are willing to have a fall guy.

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. This is what I will be VERY interested to see.

Can they afford to release a fall guy on the legal system? Hmmm.....

[ooglymoogly]

47. you bet there is!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pithy Cherub]

7. For the cause,

it is very important that this formal request be on the record. Un no, ** will only undertake an investigation only under the most severe distress. Huge appreciation for the House Judiciary Committee to pound this one into the cement so that it becomes a regular staple in the list of complicit lies and illegal actions these * criminals have taken.

[impeachthescoundrel]

8. How about if they add this line

"We have a tight election reform deployment schedule, too few allocated federal and state dollars, and not one electronic voting device certified under Ohio's standards and rules,"

What a putz.

[liam97]

13. What can we do to support this?

should we not also start an email/letter writing campaign - best would be of course a rally in Ohio

[troubleinwinter]

14. OMG! As I stepped out of bed this morning, my exact thoughts:

"What do we want? A Special Prosecutor. How do we get it? Conyers."

Well, GOOD! At least if they don't appoint one, I betcha the congressmen all sit down and READ Conyers' 102 page report, now!!

[troubleinwinter]

15. One of the crimes is 'perjury'. Wonder what that's about. ???

[rdmccur]

60. I think there's a lot

of information being gathered (by Arnebeck et al) that we don't know about.

[troubleinwinter]

63. Well, it seems that the perjury accusation is against

a BOE official in Franklin County, not Blackwell. It's in the letter from Conyers. I had asked the question before the actual letter was available on line. It's now on Raw Story site.

But I think you are right, more info. seems to be coming out each day.

Hang the suckers.

[meganmonkey]

16. Does anyone know precedent for this type of request?

It seems like it makes sense for the House JUDICIARY Committee to file a criminal referral with the the Dept of JUSTICE. It sounds like normal protocol between two entities that have a consistent working relationship, in general, outside of the context of this particular issue/referral. I am wondering if this request is NOT granted how outside of protocol that would be. The committe and department SHOULD both be nonpartisan, or at least bi-partisan, and it seems to me it would be rather inappropriate and partisan for the DoJ to refuse this request, particularly in the face of the evidence already collected (which, IMHO, may not be near conclusive but at least warrants further investigation).
I would go so far as to assume the the DoJ exists, in part, to follow up on this sort of referral (again, in general) as the House Judiciary Committee wouldn't have the investigative abilities themselves.
I am going to try to look into this today, but I don't have much time and I am hoping someone out there knows something about this...???

btw, please don't all attack me for naivete or cluelessness - I realize that the current climate is such that my hypothetical scenario is absurd, as far as the DoJ cooperating. I am looking for past examples of this sort of request, not for a bunch of people telling me how dumb I am and how this will never happen. Thanks.

[me b zola]

51. No attack, here.

I had very similar thoughts. It seems as though it may be reasonable to assume--until we can research how it works--that there is no limit on how many times/how long criminal activity can be asked to be investigated. The refusal to investigate well substantiated accusations may put an AG under the spotlight of being complicit--even if he is leaving the office.

I also wondered why ask when Ashcroft is still there. Could it be because Ashcroft may be not as willing to look complicit with an administration that has used him as their whipping boy?

These are just thoughts, I'm going to go read up on statute of limitations for fraudwell's behavior.

[FreepFryer]

17. This is an incredible development. And you can indeed help.

The extraordinary step of requesting a special prosecutor means that eventually, whatever the venue, he'll be investigated for his actions.

And how can you help? Get on the record yourselves. Contact the Republican leaders of House and the Senate and make your opinions known, in a polite and determined way!

I recommend that you write Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) requesting that they assist in the effort to determine whether criminal wrongdoing took place.

Contact Congressman J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
http://www.house.gov/hastert/write1.shtml

D.C. Office
235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Batavia District Office
27 North River Street
Batavia, IL 60510
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Dixon Regional Office
119 W. First Street
Dixon, IL 61021
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM

Geneseo Regional Office
137 South State Street, Suite 336
Geneseo, IL 61254
Phone: [phone]
Office Hours: Thursday, 9 AM – 3 PM


Contact Senator Bill Frist, MD (R-TN)
http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm

Washington, D.C.
Office of Senator Bill Frist
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3344
202-228-1264 (fax)

Nashville
Office of Senator Bill Frist
28 White Bridge Road
Suite 211
Nashville, TN 37205
615-352-9411
615-352-9985 (fax)

[SaveAmerica]

26. Could you give this a thread of its own?

I think it's important and should be kept on the front page for a while.

[dandrhesse]

28. thanks for posting the addresses

I know where to look them up but it is so helpful for you to put them up for us.

[understandinglife]

36. Focus everyone; focus and act. MSM will increasingly have to cover..

...this issue. Denial by the DoJ of a special prosecutor will bring even more exposure, if that is the path the DoJ attempts.

To save the franchise will require persistent, unrelenting effort.

Start calling every Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee and insist that the scale of illegalities already documented in their colleagues 102 page STATUS report (and, that being only a 'status' report on Ohio) requires that they act responsibly and support the call for a special prosecutor.

Plenty of Republicans endorsed Senator Kerry. Many more Republicans today, than on 2 Nov 2004, are disenchanted (euphemism for pissed out of their minds) at Bush and the neocons (Iraq, torture, social security -- just a few of the reasons).

Focus. Conyers is the leader. He is taking all the correct steps. He's got backing and stature. Focus. Help him any way you can.

This is how we save our franchise of democracy; this is how we restore confidence and respect in America.

Peace.

"Bush Owns It: Let's Purge It"

[Tuesday_Morning]

41. Where's that list of Republicans...

...on the House Judiciary Committee?

Go John Conyers!!!

[understandinglife]

50. Link: http://judiciary.house.gov/CommitteeMembership.aspx

http://judiciary.house.gov/CommitteeMembership.aspx

[bettyellen]

46. thank you fryer.... will do

[darkworkz]

55. When you write your letters!!

Make sure you print them out and MAIL them! Washington is driven by paper. They can't hide the paper. Every move that's made going forward should be sent through the USPS.

Don't give the repugs the excuse that "oh, that could just be an email glitch. That's why my mail box has 100,000 emails clogging it."

Force them to deal with the volume of paper. And don't forget to put your CC on every letter!

[understandinglife]

58. Fax and US mail...

...fax to get the stuff to them in a timely manner; then mail it (takes longer because of all the mail security stuff). And, I fully agree with you, email is fine but only if you follow it with at least mailing it.

Peace.

"When Did Bush Know?"

[rdmccur]

62. Also

Perhaps someone who's good at lettter witing could come up with a template we all could use.

[sabra]

19. Exposure is good! Especially if it's LOUD! n/t

[teddyk23]

22. why this matters

Under Department of Justice guidelines, to paraphrase, if the Attorney General gets information that is credible of criminal wrondoing and has a conflict in investigating the perpetrator(s), the Attorney General must appoint a special counsel.

Ashcroft (on his way out the door) has never appointed one. He appointed a pseudo special counsel in the Plame matter, but didn't go through the real process.

But on Plame, he did do SOMETHING that has ensured some kind of real investigation (by US Atty Fitzgerald). Why? Because of public pressure on a story the media didn't care about (the joe wilson/plame thing), on media outlets that forced them to cover it, and then forced Ashcroft to act.

Where is that pressure on media outlets going to come from? Well, that's where you come in.

[Patsy Stone]

20. As if it being Friday and payday wasn't enough!

Could this day get any better? I don't think so!
Goody, goody gumdrops! I love this. Love it.

What are they hiding? I don't think they can hide it much longer!

:toast:

I really hope something comes of this. I fear that it will all be swept away if we don't keep on it. Let's keep on it!

NNNNNGU

[SharonRB]

25. I'm with you, Patsy --

This could be great! Has anyone sent this to Keith? I'd love to hear him talk about it -- probably no one else will. We need someone as relentless as Ken Starr, although I'm sure if they actually do this we won't be so lucky.

[Patsy Stone]

35. I have not, but I may,

because you're right: he would indeed be the only one who'd mention it. For Keef: :loveya: (so it doesn't appear that I'm slacking)

[Wilms]

21. Blackwell's got to send another fund-raising letter...

...this time, a legal defense fund.

[super simian]

27. Hm.....

Blackwell is surely a sleaze ball, but even if there is an investigation and even if an indictment does result, he would just become the fall guy for the REAL criminal who is running this country right now. Any chance this could pave the way for * to be led away in handcuffs as he so well deserves?

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[postulater]

29. Knight takes Pawn

It's like a chess game. One move at a time.

You can't often get to the king right away but if you keep picking off the lesser players and keep the pressure on, you have a better chance of nailing the king later on.

Keep the pressure increasing!

[garybeck]

30. remember... Nixon was re-elected :) ....n/t

[helderheid]

32. yes right before he resigned

:) :) :)

[understandinglife]

37. And remember what happened to his AG (n/t)

[Darknyte7]

38. I'm not going to hold my breath...

[icehenge]

39. This is great news!

Conyers is doing what is needed, and I praise him for
his work and conviction. I'll be calling my senator
Frist and voicing my opinion in support of the
investigation.

[demo dutch]

40. No and it will go on their "record", more ammunition for the next campaign

if they don't!! Can you picture the moveon.org ads!!! the voting lines etc... the conyer hearings...the protest in congress...justice dept not wanting to do anything!
It could be the dems "swiftboat" only based on facts!

[s-cubed]

42. He'll look soooo good in handcuffs and an ORANGE jumpsuit! n/t

[Twist_U_Up]

45. nobody will play them

media=Rove

[demo dutch]

49. Money talks! they will play them! Soros and the millionaires are

determined to eduacte the american people!

[DearAbby]

44. Could be they see the writing on the wall...Its a house of cards and a

strong wind of progress is blowing.

[wiggs]

48. Could be very important

Not only do we want to see Blackwell answer for partisan, if not illegal, activities in his role as SOS, but....

....even if Blackwell won't wilt under the microscope, mention of investigations, the FBI, or a special prosecutor may flush out any accomplices. A whistleblower may get nervous and surface.

We need this discussion to shake the tree and see what falls out.

[me b zola]

53. Reminds me of a Clinton campaign button I had...

SHAKE THE BUSH
SHOOT THE QUAYLE

LOL!!!

[Quakerfriend]

54. Very good point!

Me thinks there are lots of whistleblowers hiding in OH!

[mbee]

52. Wish we could get Move-On or someone else to do a

petition and get millions of signatures to demand this. We need to get busy!

[corbett]

59. Request Submitted

Love your idea! I have submitted it, along with the news item

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=552

to MoveOn.org asking them to create a new online petition.

[seabeyond]

56. prosecute. break the law go to jail

how it works in my world. how about your world. do something wrong go to jail. no excuse, just jail

gotta start doing it with the repugs. let there be a little bit of fear in breaking the law

[darkworkz]

57. Amen!

Truth and Justice rise with the sleeping giant! What the world once knew, let it now remember.

[GetTheRightVote]

61. Atleast it has been put out there for all to see how evil they are

:kick:

[bettyellen]

64. kicking......