The former Governor of Alabama, jailed after what many have alleged to be a Bush-era political prosecution, will not get a pass from President Obama's Justice Department.
From the CQ Politics Legal Beat:
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. is moving to revamp Justice Department procedures in the wake of the prosecutorial debacle in the Ted Stevens case. But Holder said today that he is not reviewing the Justice Department's prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Donald Siegelman on corruption charges, nor other corruption cases involving Alaskan officials.
The House Judiciary Committee has been probing allegations that the Siegelman case was politically motivated by the Bush administration. Siegelman, a Democrat, was convicted in 2006.
"I don't have any reviews under way at this point, but I always want to ensure that the Justice Department acts in a way that is consistent with the long tradition of this great department," Holder said.
Raw Story Investigative News Editor Larisa Alexandrovna has reported extensively on the Siegelman prosecution. Check out our library of coverage, then go read the rest from CQ.
-- Stephen C. Webster
**Update: It was brought to my attention that "will not review" wasn't 100 percent accurate, so the headline has changed.
Eric Holder is not reviewing the prosecution. He could of course change his mind.
"...but I always want to ensure that the Justice Department acts in a way that is consistent with the long tradition of this great department," Holder said...."
At least the tradition that has been followed for the last 8 years
I am appalled and, at the same time, not surprised, that the new AG is stuttering on the investigation and prosecution of Karl Rove and the Alabama Republican political machine that jailed Siegelman on trumped up charges.
What does Rove have on Holder? and what are the Republicans negotiating with to stall this investigation? Judicial appointees? Judges? Supreme Court nominees?
It infuriates me that Rove still has power to subvert the Constitution and manipulate policy after his treasonous behavior as adviser to Bush and the RNC. I had hoped that by now he would be sitting in a jail cell where he belongs.
It's amazing to me he wouldn't be looking into it. The crimes comitted by this InJustice Dept. seem clear to me. How can we ever have faith that this Great Department is truly about justice and the rule of law and not politics?
If it were, then there would be a host of investigations into the abuses and crimes of the Bush administration, the least of which is not the Siegelman tragedy.
Holder is an inept dud and should resign.If he wasn't black he would not have the job.
The article itself and the quotations from Mr. Holder didn't say he "will not review the prosecution of Dan Siegelman", instead, he said there was no review currently under way. The new administration started just a little over 2 months ago and I am guessing that Mr. Holder has a huge backlog of important matters to clean up from what has been a devastating 8 years. Even so, I would think that this case would deserve immediate attention, what was done to Mr. Siegelman was so obviously absurd and unjust. I see that the 3 judge panel ruled against granting a reprieve, so it is imperative that Mr. Holder take action on this.
Why is Holder not afraid to obey the law just for REPUBLICAN Stevens? I think
Joel Polis hit it right on the head. It is despicable. It'll be a miracle if we get
Al Franken in the end!
I am really surprised by this. I'm now wondering what about joseph cassano at AIG,
will holder turn away from that too? With panetta putting his foot down about torture........WTF.
In an effort to look "Fair" this administration is bending over backwards to help the Criminals that have destroyed this country!!!
the prosecution of Don Siegelman was one of the most political acts this nation has seen since Watergate!
I would like to know why the Justice Department has not replaced the Federal Attorneys hired by the Bush administration as is their right. Especially the US Attorney that prosecuted the Governor as it was an obvious conflict of interest for her to be involved. http://donsiegelman.org/ I am beginning to have fears about the Obama administration not being the agent of change that I hoped they would become.
Oh great, more bad news from DOJ. What's next, ceding control of the US to Homeland Security? The only good news to come out in the past couple of days from the Administration is Panetta's putting an end to all the "dark side" stuff; but even that isn't being opened up for independent investigation. If this is supposed to be a new era of honesty and integrity, some degree of good faith and willingness to stand up to public scrutiny seems in order. If the Administration wants to do something other than be looked upon as Bush III, that is.
Same stage, same play. Some of the names and faces have changed, but that is all. Next verse, same as the first. Our republic is dead. Americans slept too long.
I am astounded if this is true. What a travesty to deny Gov. Seigelman justice.
The Seigelman case is a signal that the Department of Justice is no such thing.
@Marilyn Gjerdrum:
That would be called giving up, which is exactly what we don't need. What people in the US DO need to do is get out of malaise we've been under since 9/11, and actually start doing something to fix how screwed up things are. Saying "Our republic is dead. Americans slept too long" as if that's some sort of answer is a cop-out, imho; it does absolutely NOTHING to change things. If anything has been going on too long, it's that; what has happened in the past is pretty much off the table, in terms of that functioning as some sort of coddled yet apathetic roadblock to actual change. It was awful, but it's pretty much over; nobody has time, patience or the cash to do that anymore. It's one of the few good things that is coming out of this whole pathetic mess we're in.
If otoh you want to stay depressed, that's your prerogative (sort of), but don't expect those of us who have finally snapped out of it to sit next to you in the misery ditch, if you get my drift.
I supported and voted for Obama, but I am becoming more and more alarmed at his cautious and even backwards attitude towards the crimes and misdeeds of the BushCo criminal enterprise!
what is obama doing? seriously
just let the criminals walk away scott free
siegleman deserves justice
Aren't things supposed to be different now?
The Democratic Party exists to protect the left flank on the Republican Party.
Bi-partisan means pardoning only republicans?
We need bi-pardoning Mr. Holder ... that is if you want to be fair about it ...
You nailed it wagonjak.
First the good Gov. was innocent and prosecuted.
Now he's being Persecuted!
Some new Justice Department!
There is no difference between a democrat and a republican. It's time for a third party to develop from the liberal wing of the democratic party.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
The Justice Department should changae its title to the Department of Injustice. The Department of Justice needs the professional services of an EXORCIST!!!!
so whats it gonna be president obama?
are u going to prosecute average americans for every lil infraction while you continue to let the worst criminals (such as the siegleman prosecutors) run free and continue to harass anyone that would challenge their power?
with the recent state secrets claim and now this,it looks like more of the same
This is outrageous! This case, above all others, is so closely linked to corruption and Karl Rove, and they are not going to look into it? What!!!!! I can only hope that public outrage can change this action.
Ted Stevens gets off free because of prosecutorial injustice - hmm, maybe that was done on purpose, and Gov. Siegelman, who so obviously was prosecuted for political reasons and not corruption, is not having his case reviewed?
I'm losing faith in my government once again. Please President Obama, don't toss this aside and expect support.
Mr. Siegelman, I wrote you in prison and told you that there would be no resolution to your problem until the american sheeple 'rise up' and abolish this charade we have as a government. A patriot a long time ago said, and I quote; "if the government fails to serve the People, the People have the right to ABOLISH IT", and we are at that juncture in time when this is the only solution to what happened to you and so many others who objected to the tyranny.
People. The time has come to take this charade down and reform this nation from the ground up, or we will forever be enslaved and subjugated as mere chattel to the shadow figures that run this country.
we lost our government in 1963. we can get it back if enough people care.
Maybe there is more to this than meets the eye. Alabama Attorney General Troy King is now under federal investigation, and Leura Canary and some others who prosecuted Siegelman have recused themselves from King's situation. There have been hints that King was involved in Siegelman's situation. What's next?
WTF..! What is going on in the Obama administration...are they being blackmailed by the GOP...? Are they complicit in these crimes...? Liars..? Or are they just plain little scared babies afraid that the big old mean Republicans will call them names..? This is getting tiresome,,,"same sh*t, different day" politics...no matter which party....they throw as much garbage as you can, confuse every body and while we are fighting and arguing among ourselves..the politicians (screw us even more) by passing an illegal bill or Executive order..as quietly as possible....we the people fall for it time after time, are we really that easily fooled, that easily distracted?......We really need a party that represents the law, the Constitution and the American people (instead of the rich, the corporations and the special interests groups (with lobbying money) ) can we start some sort of labor party...(that name would scare uninformed people) but you get the idea...
I'm begining the think that the White House change in policy is in color only.
unfortunately, it appears the Obama administration is not change but more business as usual.....the bankers, military industrialists, etc. continue to run the show......Obama is another 'sock puppet' as was George Junior.....I dont believe you can become president of the U.S. without doing what these stuffed shirts want
and I think it is time for another impeachment proceeding....although the congress is complicit in the lies and wars and deceit. We now know that the World Trade Towers were demolished with thermite charges and no one in the administration has the gonads to go down this rabbit hole because it will lead to the indictment of many in the administration, past and present as well as the CIA, NSA, Mossad and the Israeli handlers of our supposed leaders.
WTF ! ! !
Holder.
F-You
Siegelman was framed with a kangaroo court, and 44 Attorney Generals complained, both Republicon, and Democrat.
F-You
Holder is going to ignore 44 State's Attorney Generals requests to "look into" Siegelman's political prosecution.
What an assh*le.
I hope they throw you behind bars someday for being a Democrat Eric!!!!!!!!
I'm disappointed in the DOJ, I guess I didn't see the memo about "justice for some". My bad. Carry on with selective justice.
I thought Obama had the potential to be our greatest President in ymy 56 year lifetime. That pronostication took a Big Step Backwards with Holder's pronouncement.
Something has turned ROTTEN in the State of Denmark, and it seems to be eminating from DOJ, the most Abusive and Abused department of our government the last 8 years.
My First critical comment about Obama is that the Total Rehabilitation of the Department of Justice is of utmost importance to our citizens and our laws and Constitution, and Holder does not look like he is the MAN to carry this important reorganization out.
If there was ever a political prosecution that had to be investigated(40+ former AGs agree) this IS the case, and Holder has FAILED this first, simple test of his true intentions.
Remember, for the last 8 years, the Civil Rights Division has been operating under the assumption that it is the "CIVIL WHITE'S DIVISION, making sure no WHITE voter's were taken away.
From Scott Horton: You want to know how the Attorney General should operate? Read this essay by Robert Jackson, Roosevelt's AG in 1940 and compare it to what we have heard of this last decade's prosecutions. Jackson's essay is entitled "The Federal Prosecutor)
A MUST READ
http://www.roberthjackson.org/Man/theman2-7-6-1/
Holder is a disappointment, though not unexpected given his record.
Obama seems satisfied with kicking the dirt under the carpet and he picked the perfect cabinet to do the job.
From dragging out the Iraq war, to escalating military action in Iraq and giving Bush crooks get out of jail free cards while coddling white collar criminals, Obama is doing little more than continuing warmed over Bush rule. Instead of turning the country around he seems to be driving it deeper into into No No land.
For an intelligent man, he is having an unusually difficult time figuring out what constitutes successful policy and simple justice.
It has to start exactly like the Obama team did. Coordination at the roots.
Don't be infiltrated or greenwashed by signing on with other organizations, now compromised and controlled from the top down. (Moveon is just one) denounce politcal parties, don't vote on leaders, just have organizers. Meet before for planning, and message consolidation. Meet afterward to discuss what worked and what didn't work. Be prepared to walk away from the group if it has been compromised or anarchists can't be weeded out- taking some friends with you of course. When your group grows, split up into other groups.
(These are actually rightwing tactics, but we can learn from them- they are the original terrorists. In Greece and Italy, the way to tell the right from the left is that before throwing a bomb into a building, the left wingers will get everyone out of harms way first)
There is plenty of information on the web. Part of breaking out of the supine democratic party mentality is realizing what work and what doesn't. Consider all the work everyone put into trying to stop the patriot act, the FISA bill, Last but not least, Obamas election. Unfortunately, a lot of his supporters decided they could stop thinking and go back to sleep.
There is this going on tomorrow, April 11, It would be a good way to meet likeminded people in your area, but beware there's going to be rightwing posers.
http://www.anewwayforward.org/demonstrations/
Single issues are the only way to go. Workers rights is at the base and will strengthen us for the other issues.
The Docile American: The Nexus of God, Labor, Health Care and the Fear to Strike
http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/5495
Another issue is that we have been brainwashed to believe that calls and letters to our congress people work, and that our votes count.
one person = one vote, and one dollar = one vote. This is why we are losing and the only way back is to shake the foundations and scare the hell out them.
Passive protests without supportive covert methods (not violence) are much akin to screaming into a tube. dummies hanging in effegy by a noose from a freeway bridge, see sons of Liberty 1776.
Michael Nueman on the meagar record of nonviolent protests.
http://amerikanbeat.net/2009/01/27/385/
Un-fucking-believable. While it's all fine and dandy that Holder's looking to revamp the DOJ moving forward, investigating the wrong-doings of the Dubya-era DOJ would go a looooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnng way to restoring confidence in the DOJ. Unless and until that's done, I will have NO faith in the DOJ.
I gave $1,000 to Obama during the primaries and general, and I feel betrayed, betrayed, betrayed.
The real diffence in these two cases is Sen. Ted Stevens is GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS. He admitted he accepted work done on his house without paying for it! Gov. Siegelman is NOT GUILTY of anything even close to the good ol boy Stevens. And they are letting KKKarl Rove "testify" and not NOT under oath!!!
I am truly dissapointed in President Obama and am totally disappointed by Eric Holder. The Obama administration is apparently not going to be cleaning up much of any of the crap that was part of the Bush crime family. They are keeping the Bush crime family's spying records on Americans and letting the republiKKKons get away with wire tapping us. Where's the broom and mop at?
My worst fear is that President Obama is nothing more than a republican in Democratic drag. He is much like Bill Clinton turned out. It is truly a shame since he had the faith of the nation behind him. He could have done great things and become a great President. Instead it's politics as usual in Washington with the worthless republiKKKons still leading America pulling the Democrats around by their tails. We are about ready to abandon this country just like the Obama administration and Democrats have abandoned us.
No surprise here. The new DOJ is the same as the old. No difference here. And Obama is not going to investigate anything that requires some effort. Including the illegal wiretapping and surveillance that occured. As we have all read, he has decided not only to let it go, but to try and invoke some kind of SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY given to the king or in our case the government spying on us. Mr. Obama has again thrown the Constitution under the bus along with another of our rights. And for the next four years I will never again listen to anything he says.
He has thrown out the case that was brought against the NSA. Jewel vs NSA. Now it seems they can spy and we cannot sue the king. As long as the information is not released publicly. It is like saying a thief can come into your house and steal your money, but as long as he does not spend it, then it's not recoverable and you can't do anything. Mr. Obama does not want to fight the security agencies who are fighting the so called war on terror.
A war incidentally that only England knows how to win. They don't do huge sweeps that take in hundreds of people they eventually have to release. They do it with police work. And guess what? They do it well. And they did it again last week.
Eric Holder is just another political hack. The difference being, he is smarter then our last one. Siegelman will remain in no man's land until Holder dumps him back in jail.
Can you blame Obama for not going after Bush? Americans are too lazy to take to the streets and MAKE HIM. Dancing With The Stars is on..... We get the government we deserve. If all we want to do is complain, and "blog" in our pajamas, don't ever expect the corporations that control our government and our White House to give up their stranglehold on power.
Psssst. Do Something...... Crybabies.
Camp Casey. Bush's Ranch. I was there.
Were you?
Crybabies.
Change we can believe in! What a joke.
WTF?!? And STEVENS goes FREE?
The Bush gang simply has too much dirt on Holder, plus Holder doesn't have the stomach for a nasty court fight ending in the Supreme Court. The most damage done to America by Bush's legacy is his packing of the Supreme Court. It would still be a close contest, yet Holder just (sigh) isn't up to it.
You idiots still supporting the Obama administration are incredible. Do you not see that he has no interest in fulfilling his Constitutional oath?
"The new administration started just a little over 2 months ago and I am guessing that Mr. Holder has a huge backlog of important matters to clean up..."
You are the type of idiot politicians love. Stupid AND gullible. You sound like an abused woman defending the man who put her in the hospital. Anything is better than facing reality, huh?
"What is going on in the Obama administration...are they being blackmailed by the GOP...? "
Rove does not have to threaten Holder. They are partners, just like the Republican and Democratic leadership.
Bush was a monster, and now Obama is the same beast.
HIS EVERY ACTION SHOWS WHO HE REALLY REPRESENTS. clue - not us.
Shocked...surprised? Not in the least! Same game just different faces. These Obama appointees are toxic leftovers from the Clintonsand the Clintons are...well, they're Clintons which is Arkansian for Reemocrats are in charge is that at least they kiss you first.
This is nuts. Why isn't Holder looking into this?? I voted for change. Not more of the same. It's clear and day that the Siegelman prosecution was very suspicious to say the least.
Unexplicably time and time again this Obama Administration capitulates to GOP ideology and whims; we have made a mistake.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...
"I don't have any reviews under way at this point, but I always want to ensure that the Justice Department acts in a way that is consistent with the long tradition of this great department," Holder said.
Key words : "I don't have any reviews under way at this point"
@ All Facts Support My Positions:
So was I, many times. It's wonderful to see a fellow Camp Casey alum reads Raw Story. Thanks for your comment!
Maybe people should hold Holder's feet to the fire until he's either removed or does his job as demanded according to these places...
http://blog.myspace.com/tom_heneghan_intel
Outrageous and unacceptable!!! He'll review Ted Stephens AND have the whole thing dismissed but won't even open the file on Seigelman??????
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!
Another question is , why are bush federal prosecuters still there ? This includes that vile Canary woman who framed Siegleman . One would have thought getting rid of these vermin and investigating them would have been one of the first orders of business . Dismissinng the previous administrations prosecuters is generally standard procedure , so whats going on ? There are a lot of WTF decisions and appointments being made by this new bunch that smell to high heaven .
what the hell does rove have on these people fercriss sake????!!!
Obama is a one term president
Pelosi is a two year speaker
Please give me a third party
[...] General Eric Holder has decided that while former Senator Ted Stevens, plainly guilty, can walk, former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, maliciously imprisoned by Karl Rover, can rot. Posted by Mark Tokarski Filed in News and politics No Comments [...]
[...] General Eric Holder announced earlier today that he is not reviewing the Justice Department’s prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Donald [...]
This is simply outrageous. The bullshit that went on in Alabama is ten times worse than the Stevens case, and yet Holder won't "look into it"? Call Holder's office and tell him what you think 202-514-2001. I'd sure like to know what it is about Karl Rove that makes him "untouchable", wouldn't you?
The Obama team won't be getting as much money next time around.
We empty our pockets to elect Democrats and nothing changes. No $$$, No Way.
There's more to the Siegelman debacle than U.S. Dept. of JUST US wants the public to know about here. It's not just about protecting Karl Rove and George Bush for illegally controlling the nations 'alleged' highest law enforcement office (high compared to what, a snake's belly?).
The answers that we'd get go to the 'deal' that Obama's team made with the outgoing mexican standoff boys, Hank Paulson and dual passport holder, Michael 'of the devil' Chertoff, to stave off the Martial Law declaration that initially was meant to keep anyone from challenging Bush prior to his departure, but then began to be used as a gambit to prevent prosecutions of the entire Bush crime cabal, once it was known due to floor speeches, that Hank Paulson had 'threatened' the Congress and the Senate with the Martial Law declaration. Had they done this, there'd been no changing of the guard after the election. We'd still have Bush crime cabal in the White House.
so, trading away the prosecutions for the 'No Martial Law" deal, I think, is what took place. Way too many politicians screamed bloody murder about Paulson's threat to declare Martial Law for that not to have been nearly implemented.
the sad 'irony' here is that the nation is much more likely to see Martial Law under the Obama administration, due to the financial 'collapse' of the U.S., and the pending 'default' on the U.S. debt obligations.
we're very close to this now. I'd be very surprised if we make it to Christmas before we are truly seeing the 'default' happening, and the declaration on national television that the nation is, and has been for a very long time, totally 'bankrupted' and unable to pay it's debt obligations, or for that matter, send out checks to government employees, retiree's and everyone expecting a government paycheck.
The Siegelman saga has become the Obama presidency's sinkhole. How could Governor Internet Tubes have his conviction tossed while Siegleman remains in jail?
Something's going on in the US that's larger than we can imagine. Evidently, the Cheney administration still has substantial power. But why? How? Obama's either an imbecile (which he is not) or something very dark (no pun) is in control... and... in the making.
It's likely too late for us.
you're right about Cheney, he ordered '6' nukes launched against U.S. cities from a B-52H, then had his military 'hit squad' murder the entire 9-member crew of the plane for 'declining' the launch orders.
one of the AGM-129's is still 'missing', remember the big Steve Fossett search in the Nevada desert back in September of 2007, well that was a big 'ruse' because they were really looking for the nuclear armed AGM-129 with the 'variable yield' warhead in it that got offloaded at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas on it's way to Barksdale.
so, we're really screwed. We have dominionist piles of shit that can't wait to start 'armageddon' because those sick fuckers think they'll all get beamed up to the 'mother ship' in 'rapture' if they bring the entire world to an early conclusion.
yep, we are fucked now. and Obombaton is in on the shit, or he wouldn't be protecting them all.
Apparently Obama thinks one can build a spiffy new house on the rotting foundation of the old house.
Look, I know the man overcame much to get where he is, and has a myriad of other challenges, and I'm sure as hell happier that he's there instead of Caribou Barbie and Crazy Uncle Fester, but come off it. Did he think we were just gonna continue cheering him when he fails to deliver the goods AFTER the speeches?
As my momma always used to say, "Actions speak louder than words."
Do not speak to me of freedom, and then do nothing to punish those who violated my 4th Amendment rights. Do not speak to me of freedom while invoking the states secrets provision. Do not speak to me of freedom, while letting torturers off the hook. Do not speak to me of freedom, while letting those who LITERALLY railroaded a good man into jail for political purposes, get away scott free.
THERE MUST BE A RECKONING.
Obama needs to SHOW ME he's serious about justice. And that's going to mean PUNISHING those who violated the law in the previous administration. That's just the way it is.
He's a Constitutional scholar? Then he damn well better act like it.
Danish Scientist blows whistle on Danish TV about THERMITE USED TO BRING DOWN THE WTC TOWERS AND WTC-7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_tf25lx_3o
and the whitepaper and scientific proof, that the right wing nutjobs are doing their best to attack and debunk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1oPmuZZ98
this has the neocon treasonous scum so shook up, they're pissing their pants over fear that the compliant and co-opted MSM over here might air it, but to be honest, hell will freeze over first before TRUTH APPEARS ON U.S. TELEVISION SET!
here's the white paper for those who actually are able to read (this excluses the mouth breathing republican filth who like this dictatorship and mass murder!)
enjoy!
it's reality. now will the co-opted shills in the U.S. ever show it on TV? I doubt it.
http://www.bentham-open.org/pages/content.php?TOCPJ/2009/00000002/00000001/7TOCPJ.SGM
and, if you're into the Cheney backchannel control of NORAD and the nation's strategic and tactical nuclear weapons, go here:
http://globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=7158
how does one deal with cornered, scared, treasonous rats?????
you watch out for another FALSE FLAG attack, because these Neocon bastards know their time is about to run the fuck out.
and you might want to calculate the odds that every single member of this B-52H would otherwise be 'deceased' now?
what did they know that had to be silenced forever?
http://projectcamelot.org/barksdale.html
you decide.
The more I see of Obama's wimpishness, the more disappointed I get.