FBI Raid on William Jefferson's office upheld by the Court

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday July 11, 2006 · 2:55 AM PDT

2006/07/11 · 02:55

Well, it seems that no matter how much whining the 'bipartisan advisory committee' could whip up, for once the rule of law (and common sense) prevails. Boehner and Hastert must be so disappointed.

In a sometimes scolding tone, Judge Hogan wrote that the warrant had not violated Mr. Jefferson's rights against unreasonable search and seizure, nor did it step on constitutional principles. "The facts and questions of law here are indeed unprecedented," the judge wrote. "It is well established, however, that a member of Congress is generally bound to the operation of the criminal laws as are ordinary persons." [emphasis mine]

It's not surprising that Judge Hogan would feel this way- he signed the original search warrant. What is refreshing is the way he managed to point out what we here in Reality Land know to be true: members of Congress can and must be held accountable if the rule of law is to mean anything at all. More gems from the judge below the fold...
Read More

Of Nazis and Straw Men

VaMPKiSS1

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday July 10, 2006 · 12:53 AM PDT

2006/07/10 · 00:53

My second diary, and I'm already diving into murky water. Unfortunately, as a New Yorker, I was conceived without Fear, and so yes ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to go there. I have to go there. I've been watching diaries bandy about this issue of whether or not Nazi is an appropriate term to use at all; whether or not calling this administration 'fascist' is overstepping the bounds of decency.

I should probably say here that this isn't a diary meant to chastise the users of those terms, or to take those terms off the table as inappropriate or somehow taboo. I'm sure if someone more versed in history than I would be so kind as to share in the comments (and they probably will), there are probably a lot of historical similes between pre-WWII Germany and the US of today. In my very own first diary the other day, I was referencing Sinclair Lewis all over the place. Clearly I believe it might be happening here.

That's not my problem. What is my problem? Read More

First Time Diarist: It Can't Happen Here (updated)

VaMPKiSS1

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday July 05, 2006 · 4:02 PM PDT

2006/07/05 · 16:02

Well, I'm no longer a member of the tin foil hat club. Why not? Because when I opened the Times today, this is what I saw:

I really, REALLY wish I had photoshopped this. I really wish. If you haven't run screaming from the computer by now, go with me below the fold... Read More

RSS