Democratic lawmakers say party politics, in an election year, is the reason that the Republican controlled Congress found U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt. On June 28, Attorney General Holder became the first Attorney General and the first sitting cabinet member, in U.S. history, to be found in contempt. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D. CA) says the contempt vote makes a witch hunt look like a walk in the park. If party politics is the primary reason for the Holder contempt vote, then the question remains, whether race is a close second. Democrats and President Obama have not wanted to inject race in the Holder debate. In a New York Times article last year, Attorney General Holder said race was one reason for the Republican fueled fire over Fast and Furious. Mr. Holder said he believed that a few conservatives— the “more extreme segment” — is motivated by politics and race. Last year Holder said: “This is a way to get at the president because of the way I can be … [Read more...] about Is Politics or Race the Reason for Eric Holder’s Contempt Vote?
Archives for June 2012
GOP Admits Voter ID Laws are Designed to Help Romney Win
Pennsylvania Republican State House leader, Mike Turzai, said in an interview that the new voter ID laws are intended to get Mitt Romney elected. That’s the purpose of the laws and not to prevent voter fraud. Voter fraud has never been proven to be an issue, even with Republican data. As we get closer to the election, some Republican lawmakers are comfortable with saying what the real purpose of the new voter ID laws are intended to do. All along, the GOP has made known that their number one priority is to see President Obama as a one term president. And they’ve gone all out with these voter ID laws to accomplish their number one goal. The Justice Department has denied clearance for Alabama, Texas and South Carolina’s laws. The decision pertaining to Alabama was upheld by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Texas and South Carolina have filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department. The Texas new voter ID law was intended to disenfranchise Hispanic voters. South … [Read more...] about GOP Admits Voter ID Laws are Designed to Help Romney Win
Should Zimmerman Get a Second Chance at Bail?
After being released on a $150,000 bail, prosecutors discovered that George Zimmerman’s wife lied under oath about the amount of money available to him for bail. Leading the court to believe that there was “very little” funds available to his family; Zimmerman really had almost $130,000 on hand from money raised through a web site. Prosecutors have since released the 151 calls placed from the jail, including ones between Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, speaking in code about the money available to him and their attempts to move and hide money. Judge Lester revoked Zimmerman’s bail on June 3. Zimmerman has remained in jail pending his second bail hearing on June 29. Zimmerman’s wife has been charged with perjury for her part. Zimmerman’s lawyers will have a difficult time proving that Zimmerman did not mislead the court. After all, the conversations between him and his wife are on tape. And the court has records of the bank accounts. So what’s left is for them to admit that … [Read more...] about Should Zimmerman Get a Second Chance at Bail?
Why is the GOP Partying Like It’s 1999?
Republican opponents of the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act have already started to party in advance of their anticipated celebration of the Supreme Court’s decision. The Supreme Court has not ruled yet but with a 5-4 split of justices along party lines, Republicans believe they definitely have the edge. And they’re probably right. Politico reports that Freedom Works has scheduled a party for June 26. Some tea party groups are calling their own events “Dead Mandate Walking” in reference to the anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the Affordable Care Act. Democrats and proponents of the law have been quiet and reserved hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. All of the GOP party activity leads me to wonder is there any fun in seeing Americans suffer. Republicans seem poised for their best party since the Supreme Court handed down the Bush v. Gore decision in 2000. And we know how that turned out. This time around with the precedent of the Supreme … [Read more...] about Why is the GOP Partying Like It’s 1999?
Why Sandusky is the Most Hated Man in America
From grinning and laughing during jury selection, to a somber face of a disgraced man, after hearing a verdict of guilty on 45 counts of child sex abuse, Jerry Sandusky went from once celebrated assistant football coach to became the most hated man in America. The crowd outside the Bellefonte court room erupted in cheers upon hearing the verdict. Many were happy to see the man who wrecked their happy Penn State home get convicted. That’s a far cry from one year ago when the Penn State community was in denial at hearing Sandusky’s abuse charges and the cover up involving famed coach Joe Paterno, Penn State President Graham Spanier and other college officials. Second to Sandusky being hated is his attorney Joe Amendola. Following the verdict, Amendola spoke about the deck being stacked against his client, a man waiting to be sentenced up to 442 years. In reality, the opposite was true. The defense was given the right to keep the trial in Centre County, over the wishes of the … [Read more...] about Why Sandusky is the Most Hated Man in America
GOP Plays Fast and Furious With AG Eric Holder
In true Republican style, Republicans played their favorite game of witch hunt on Wednesday against their number two enemy, Attorney General Eric Holder. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) convened the committee to vote on holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for the Justice Department's refusal to produce additional documents related to "Operation Fast and Furious." “Fast and Furious” is a botched sting operation involving guns in Mexico which landed in the hands of the Mexican Cartel and resulted in a US Border agent getting killed. Attorney General Holder produced almost 8,000 documents and offered to brief Republicans on the documents but that did not satisfy them. Republicans want his head on a plate along with additional documents. That’s how this game is played. President Obama invoked his first Executive Privilege to withhold the documents from Congress. Extraordinary demands call for extraordinary … [Read more...] about GOP Plays Fast and Furious With AG Eric Holder