RF: Feds Sue AZ, DOJ Drops Charges Against Black Panthers, Felons May Have Put Franken in Office

I’m starting a “Rapid Fire” segment, where I cover several topics in short order. First off the bat, the Feds have decided to sue Arizona over its controversial Immigration Laws, and the enforcement thereof.

So, they’re finally pulling the trigger. I had a feeling. But I doubt that the Feds can really pull this off. They may be able to ensure some slight changes in enforcement, but the AZ law is, by many accounts, almost identical to Fed Law. In another article, Bob Christie states, “Arizona’s new law is nearly identical to federal immigration law. At issue is how it is enforced. The federal government says the state law is unconstitutional because it usurps federal authority to protect U.S. borders and American citizens. Arizona counters that the federal government is not doing its job, which forces state officials to step in.“

We’ll see how this turns out, but seeing as how most Americans support the AZ Immigration Law (61% of Americans want a similar immigration law in their own state), I think this will be a losing battle for the Feds, and another nail in the Democrats’ coffin this Novemeber.

Next up, the Department of Justice dropped the case against a Black Panther who intimidated voters with nightstick at a polling station during the 2008 election.

Yeah, I haven’t been a fan of Eric Holder’s for a while now, but this really takes the cake. This guy would resign if he had any sense, and if we have any sense, we’ll demand it. And of course, my personal favorite for all of those who think that King Samir Shabazz (the guy with the nightstick) is just a regular guy, and the world is turning on him for no reason, check out this next video of him telling us what he thinks of “crackers”.

Cheese, anyone?

And lastly, I want to talk about Senator Al Franken and the convicts that may have put him in office. “The day after the election, GOP Senator Norm Coleman had a 725 vote lead, but a series of recounts over the next six months reversed that result and gave Democrat Al Franken a 312 vote victory.” - John Fund, Wall Street Journal

I always thought that was fishy, but never had any evidence. That’s changed, now that we know 340 felons voted illegally. “‘What we did this time is irrefutable,” McGrath (Minnesota Majority’s Executive Director) said. “We took the voting lists and matched them with conviction lists and then went back to the records and found the roster lists, where voters sign in before walking to the voting booth, and matched them by hand. The only way we can be wrong is if someone with the same first, middle and last names, same year of birth as the felon, and living in the same community, has voted. And that isn’t very likely.’” - Ed Barnes, Fox News

“Statistician John Lott’s own work in Washington State found that felons were 37% more likely to be registered Democrats even when accounting for race, gender, education level, religious habits, employment, age, and county of residence. No one knows for sure how the felons tagged by Minnesota Majority voted, but a thorough review of records in all of Minnesota’s 87 counties seems in order.” – John Fund, Wall Street Journal

Oh, Franken. Almost smart enough to make people like you…

Related:

AZ Governor Bans Attorney General From Immigration Lawsuits

Attorney General Consults Few in Terrorist Trial

Standard of Conduct

Disappointments in My President

I’m starting a series of posts listing and discussing some of the important disappointments I’ve had with President Obama and his administration. I want to preface this by saying that he’s not necessarily a bad guy, and not everything he has done is bad. But I think it is important to have this list as a refresher when he eventually runs for re-election.

The first disappointment I will bring up actually took place after the election, but before Obama took office. I’m sure everyone knows about the Blagojevich scandal, but very few ever made the logical connections that show that Obama must have known about it before the story broke. One of my first posts on this blog was about Roland Burris, but in that post, I took the opportunity to explain my theory and frustration with the original Blago scandal. Since then, I’ve come across a blog post by Professor Jim Lindgren where he hashed out all of the details in chronological order, and it paints the same picture.

Let’s start with David Axelrod, interviewed on Fox News, saying, “I know [Obama] has talked to the Governor, and you know, he’s – there are a whole range of names, many of which have surfaced, and he’s – I think he has a fondess for a lot of them.”

Of course Axelrod backed out of that one in a hurry, once the scandal broke. Obama said that he never talked to Blago, and Axelrod said he was mistaken when he said that Obama did. But let me ask, how likely is it that someone who vacates a Senate seat to assume the office of the President would take no interest in who succeeds them in that post? It would be very prudent, I think, to talk to the Governor about possibilities, at least. But no, Obama insists:

But wait, there’s more! Not only does Mr. Obama’s story not make sense, it was refuted by some court documents that mysteriously unsealed themselves online for a brief time on April 22, 2010. ABC has a beautiful excerpt available online, and I’ll copy it here. These documents had parts blacked out to keep this information from becoming public, but some sort of “glitch” cleared it up just long enough for the truth to get out. Below are some very detailed summaries of evidence in the Blagojevich case, which indicate that Obama and his staff were in contact with Blago and his staff (I find section 17 particularly interesting). The bold parts are the newly (and accidentally) released bits:

9. Yet, despite President Obama stating that no representatives of his had any part of any deals, labor union president told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to labor union official on November 3, 2008 who received a phone message from Obama that evening. After labor union official listened to the message labor union official told labor union president “I’m the one”. Labor union president took that to mean that labor union official was to be the one to deliver the message on behalf of Obama that Senate Candidate B was his pick. (Labor union president 302, February 2, 2009, p. 7).

10. Labor union official told the FBI and the United States Attorneys “Obama expressed his belief that [Senate Candidate B] would be a good Senator for the people of Illinois and would be a candidate who could win re-election. [Labor union official] advised Obama that [labor union official] would reach out to Governor Blagojevich and advocate for [Senate Candidate B].. . . [Labor union official] called [labor union president] and told [labor union president] that Obama was aware that [labor union official] would be reaching out to Blagojevich.” (Labor union official 302, February 3, 2009 p. 3).

11. According to Senate Candidate B, on November, 4 2008, Senate Candidate B spoke with labor union official about the Senate seat. Labor union official said he spoke to Obama. Labor union official said he was going to meet with Blagojevich and said “he was going to push Blagojevich hard on this. According to Senate Candidate B, labor union official’s language could have been stronger than the language that she was reporting to the government.” (Senate Candidate B 302, December 19, 2008).

12. On November 5, 2008, Blagojevich told John Harris that labor union official “talked to Barack Obama, wants to come and see me.” Blagojevich then told Harris that labor union official “was very explicit with me, “I talked to Barack about the Senate seat. Can I come and see ya? Can I do it tomorrow?’ I said, sure.” (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 261).

13. A supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama suggested that she talk to the wife of Governor Blagojevich about Senate Candidate B for Senator. (Valerie Jarrett 302, December 19, 2008). Supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama is mentioned in a phone call on November 3, 2008, having offered “fundraising” in exchange for Senate Candidate B for senator (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 149).

17. President-elect Obama also spoke to Governor Blagojevich on December 1, 2008 in Philadelphia. On Harris Cell Phone Call # 139, John Harris and Governor’s legal counsel discuss a conversation Blagojevich had with President-elect Obama. The government claims a conspiracy existed from October 22, 2008 continuing through December 9, 2008.6 That conversation is relevant to the defense of the government’s theory of an ongoing conspiracy. Only Rod Blagojevich and President Obama can testify to the contents of that conversation. The defense is allowed to present evidence that corroborates the defendant’s testimony.7

18. President-elect Obama also suggested Senate Candidate A to Governor Blagojevich. John Harris told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to President’s Chief of Staff on November 12, 2008. Harris took notes of the conversation and wrote that President’s Chief had previously worked as Blagojevich’s press secretary. Obama agreed of Staff told Harris that Senate Candidate A was acceptable to Obama as a senate pick. (Harris handwritten notes, OOG1004463) President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that “he could not say where but somewhere it was communicated to him that” Senate Candidate A was a suggested candidate viewed as one of the four “right” candidates “by the Obama transition team.” (Rahm Emanuel 302, p. 5, December 20, 2008). Harris told Blagojevich Obama’s suggestion on November 12, 2008 (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 539).

19. President-elect Obama was also involved in other senate candidate choices. On December 8, 2008, John Harris’ secretary’s call log noted President’s Chief of Staff called at 10:47 am and wrote “needs to talk to you asap” (Harris 302, February 20, 2009). President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that he had a conversation discussing the Senate seat with Obama on December 7, 2008 in Obama’s car. President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI “Obama expressed concern about Senate Candidate D being appointed as Senator. [President's Chief of Staff] suggested they might need an expanded list to possibly include names of African Americans that came out of the business world. [President's Chief of Staff] thought he suggested Senate Candidate E who was the head of the Urban League and with President’s Chief of Staff’s suggestion.” (President’s Chief of Staff, 302, 12-20-08). 20.

22. However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President Obama’s former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United States Attorneys a different story about President Obama. In a recent in camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. & Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions. & Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such conversation. In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation and administration, which the public official denies having had.”10

23. President Obama is the only one who can testify as to the veracity of Mr. Rezko’s allegations above.

10 The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack Obama. See, “Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake”, Dave McKinney, Chris Fusco, and Mark Brown, Chicago Sun Times, November 5, 2006. Senator Barack Obama was asked: “Did Rezko or his companies ever solicit your support on any matter involving state or federal government? Did Al Johnson, who was trying to get a casino license along with Tony Rezko, or Rezko himself ever discuss casino matters with you?” Senator Obama answered: “No, I have never been asked to do anything to advance his business interest. In 1999, when I was a State Senator, I opposed legislation to bring a casino to Rosemont and allow casino gambling at docked riverboats which news reports said Al Johnson and Tony Rezko were interested in being part of. I never discussed a casino license with either of them. I was a vocal opponent of the legislation.” Obama’s involvement with Tony Rezko and this legislation coincides with the three paragraph summary the government has provided to the defense referenced above.

Given all of this information, I find it amazing that Judge James Zagel didn’t subpoena Obama for the case against Blago. But that’s a side note. Everything in this issue points at least to someone in the Obama camp knowing what Blago wanted to do (even if you only go back to my original argument that Blago couldn’t know Obama’s answer unless Obama gave an answer). And if someone in Obama’s camp knew what Blago wanted to do, I think it’s astronomically unlikely that they would answer for Obama without asking him. So, agree with it or not, I’m pretty sure that Obama knew about Blago, and the fact that he didn’t turn the guy in (and that he lied about his involvement later) is shameful. That’s my first disappointment with our president. It’s not the last.

Independence

On July 3rd, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife: “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” He was wrong, of course. Few, if any, celebrate July 2nd, the day that the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of independence. Rather, they celebrate July 4th, the day Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Indepence.

By all other accounts, though, Adams was spot on. The people of this great nation have celebrated, proudly, the birth of this country, year after year. This country lights up every year like Adams couldn’t have even dreamed of. And yet, it’s hardly our country anymore.

It’s a sad thing, but we’ve surrendered the reigns of our government to wolves. And I’m not talking about this last election. I’m talking about a decades-long process of complacence, spreading like a cancer through our society to the point where our elected officials (our servants!) serve mostly themselves, while paying lip service to our needs. Our government did away with transparency decades ago, whether thinking that we didn’t need to know, or hoping we would never know, what they did to/for us with our money. Watching with infant eyes, as I have slowly gained political awareness, and seeing the decadence that pervades every level of government, I am sickened and saddened and outraged that WE ARE LETTING THIS HAPPEN. Because, mostly, we don’t care! Life’s a gravy train, and when the government takes large portions of our paychecks, we don’t ask questions. At least we don’t until something goes wrong. Then we let smiling faces feed us non-answers and we go back to our infantile, ignorant slumber.

“Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall all become wolves.” – Thomas Jefferson

“Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason.” –  Benjamin Franklin

Well, I hate to pull the alarm here, but I see wolves! Everywhere! Self-serving bureaucrats getting fat off of our hard work and giving little in return. And this isn’t about party lines, either. This cancer has no ideology. That’s too constructive for it. This is inertia, greed, sloth, and ignorance, and it’s all around us. It’s in us! And until we gather the courage to change ourselves, we will never be able to take our government back, and return it to the servant it once was.

“If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great Security.” – Samuel Adams

The only way we can fix our government is by exposing it to the light of day. We need to spend more time deciding who we should vote into office than deciding who to vote for on American Idol. If we expect a responsible government, we first need to become a responsible people. Stop demanding entitlements when you can provide for yourself. We can’t expect responsible leaders when we pick them from stock that has proven to be irresponsible. Debt? That’s our fault – you and me. Our public debt would be very manageable (or non-existent!) if we the people stopped demanding so many entitlements. Or if we demand all of those entitlements, we have to stop complaining about the costs! Entitlements aren’t free. You have to pay for them.

“But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years.” – Thomas Jefferson

It’s ironic to celebrate independence when we live in a society of willful dependence. There’s no longer any doubt that most of our entitlement programs are unsustainable, so it’s time we stood on our own two feet. It’s time for real independence again. The United States is supposed to be a self-government, but when its people willfully fall into ignorance, it’s as if the driver of a car put on the cruise control and took a nap. What end other than disaster do we expect? I’ve heard it many times before, so I’ll repeat it here: In a Democracy, people get the government they deserve. Give that some thought while you celebrate “Independence”.

“The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty.” – John Adams

“In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it cost nothing to be a patriot.” – Mark Twain