Change Pixie Dust We Can Believe In
Man oh man, Greg Craig is not doing Obama any favors as White House Counsel. In this installment, he apparently told (probably) Senator Whitehouse or Feingold that he believes in Pixie Dust.
al-Haramain: the Dead-Enders Misrepresent Their Appeal to Dismiss the Need to Wait for Obama
To dismiss the concern that Obama has not yet weighed in on the al-Haramain case, the dead-enders asking for an appeal claim that that appeal has nothing to do with issues that Dawn Johnsen and Eric Holder have raised about the warrantless wiretap program. But to do so, they misrepresent both their appeal and Judge Walker's order.
Three Data Points on Blagojevich
Three items of note in the Blago trial: Edward Genson, Blago's attorney, has quit after Blago repeatedly ignored his advice. Blago's wife Patti was fired from her day job. And Fitz has gotten four tapes from his investigation released to the IL state senate for use in the impeachment trial.
Obama's Executive Privilege Order and the House Judiciary Committee Lawsuit
Obama's EO may give us access to evidence Bush has been withholding. But it won't give us everything we need to ensure proper oversight of any and all presidential administrations.
Working Thread on WH EMails "Compliance"
Much of this is Greek to me--and it'll take a while to upload it all--but I'm sure MadDog and WO can make some sense out of what the Bush Administration says is proof they're complying with requirements to save their emails.
Copy Set Inventory
Copy Tapes
Damaged Tapes
The "Obama" Support for Stay Pending Appeal in al-Haramain
The Obama administration has, in theory at least, supported Bush's motion to appeal Judge Vaughn Walker's al-Haramain decision. But that's with an administration that doesn't have a DOJ yet.
How to Prove Intentionality of Domestic Surveillance?
The FISCR has stressed that its ruling did not rule on whether or not
Dick Still Complaining that His Beloved Firewall Didn't Get Pardoned
Boy, let's hope this continues: Dick bitching about Bush's refusal to pardon Libby. Maybe--just maybe--these two will finally start taking each other out.
Whitehouse: We Have to Look Back
Sheldon Whitehouse argues that we must look foward, but we also have a duty to look backwards to understand what happened, as well.
Emptywheel to Senator Whitehouse: We Only Have 7 Weeks to Indict Bush
I reminded Sheldon Whitehouse yesterday that the clock is ticking on Bush's illegal wiretapping of American citizens. Hopefully, the reminder will spark Senate Dems to counter Bush's efforts to run out the clock on their actions.
Russell Tice Confirms Everything We've Surmised About Bush's Illegal Wiretap Program
Some thoughts on Russell Tice's explosive revelations.
Obama Gitmo Draft Executive Order Working Thread
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bmazAs I indicated in comments, I have a copy of the supposed final draft of Obama's Executive order on Guantanamo. Perhaps I will append the main post later, but i want to get it up now. Especially since William Ockham reports that the ACLU has beat me to the punch. That is what I get for actually driving home and opening a bottle of wine for my wife I guess. Go figure.
Carl Levin on Torture Investigation
Carl Levin speaks about the SASC torture investigation.
President Obama's New Presidential Records Order
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bmazHere it is, President Obama's new Presidential Records Order!
More Comments from Reid, Progressive Media Summit
We have to look back. We are increasing the funding for investigations, we're even considering having a select committee to go back and look at these things.
Reid on Lieberman
Without prompting, Reid offered this explanation on Lieberman at the Progressive Media Summit:
What were we going to do with Joe Lieberman? I know how to count votes. That's been my occupation since 1998. One vote in the Senate means a lot. I was upset with some of the things he said in the campaign.
Obama Drafts Order To Close Gitmo; Suspends Habeas Cases In DC Circuit
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bmazPresident Obama has drafted an order to close Gitmo and has moved to suspend tribunal proceedings at Gitmo, and the military panels have started entering the orders. As further evidence of the determination to immediately address, and bring a new sense of enlightened justice to, the detainees in Guantanamo, the Administration has imposed analogous continuance motions in pending Habeas cases in United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bush Opts for Continued Protection Over Payback
In a thoroughly unsurprising move, Bush chose to make sure that Libby will continue to shield his own role in the CIA leak case rather than pay Libby back for taking the fall for Bush and Cheney.
President Obama Officially Halts GITMO Show Trials
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bmazHours after taking office on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama ordered military prosecutors in the Guantanamo war crimes tribunals to ask for a 120-day halt in all pending cases....The request would halt proceedings in 21 pending cases, including the death penalty case against five Guantanamo prisoners accused of plotting the September 11 hijacked plane attacks in 2001.
Colin Powell Tees Off A Parting Shot At Bush & Cheney
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bmazInauguration Day was not kind to the Bush/Cheney cabal (nor should it have been for that matter). In many ways and forms, the outgoing cabal literally got pounded, but few cuts were as unkind as those delivered by Colin Powell.