Letters to the Editor
Jebbie
Published Letters: 1084
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Geeze
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I feel like Alice just after she fell down the hole.
Greenwalds main complaint against Obama isn't that he said he would vote for this FISA bill, it's the fact that Obama did a complete 180 on the issue and did so after raising campaign money and gaining supporters based upon his previous position.
Same for Olbermann. Glenn's bitch about Olbermann wasn't based so much on the fact that he used his show to cover for Obama, but that he also did a complete 180 on the issue and is now broadcasting excuses for both his and Obama's flips.
Anyone reading this blog for over a week should know that one of Glenn's Big Issues is that of journalistic integrity. In doing what he did, Olbermann threw his own journalistic integrity out the window in blatent support of a politician or issue - it matters not what the issue is or who the politician is, journalists should not do that. Had Olbermann not taken an editorial position against both the guts of the FISA bill and telco immunity, I doubt if Glenn would have mentioned him at all. But that's not what happened and Olbermann was called on it. It really doesn't matter whether Olbermann's excuse is (and that's what Dean's opinion is - merely an excuse), the fact remains that Olbermann pretends to be a serious journalist and reaps the rewards of being thought of in that way. By blatently withdrawing his previously stated objections to the FISA deal in order to lend support to a politician - any politician - Olbermann has effectively relinquished any claim to journalistic integrity which he may have had.
Disclaimer: I've previously stated that I am not a lawyer so the opinion I shall now give isn't based upon anything other than street experience:
The fact that criminal liability is not mentioned in the FISA bill means absolutely nothing. There will be NO criminal prosecutions of private parties as a result of an Obama victory in November because there will be no record available to judge who did and who did not break the law. The civil case(s) which will be thrown out as a result of the immunity provisions in the new FISA bill will effectively shut the door to discovery and testimony which historically has been the breeding ground for criminal prosecutions. If we really believe in the Constitution, we must accept and support the concept of not charging anyone (even Telco scum) with crimes without having a reasonable suspicion that the person did, in fact, commit a crime. Without evidence of a crime, no prosecution can take place. Frankly, I'm surprised that Dean didn't mention this on the Olbermann show because he should know better than anyone. Without the Nixon tapes, there would have been no serious convictions in the Watergate brouhaha and his own conviction (not to mention the resignation of Richard Milhous Nixon) would have been in question. The discovery process in the currently ongoing civil litigation with the telcos, was the equivalent to the Watergate tapes. Discovery would have opened the door and shown light on what was going on. No doubt, the telcos would have fudged the process as much as possible but generally, a competent lawyer can cut through the bullshit and get to the truth sooner or later. With these suits shut down, that won't happen and thus there can be no prosecution of private individuals under our law.
The only thing which might change this is if an Obama administration were to open the files of the Bush administration and declassify a shitload of intelligence programs. That won't, and shouldn't, happen.
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Oh!, Mona
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Because I am a rational adult, I have no "need" to believe otherwise.
Mom, have you been hiding something from me? You always told me that you leaned libertarian and now you're claiming to be a rational adult?
Have you flip-flopped?
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Oh!, Mona
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Naughty, naughty Jebbie -- trying to stir up THAT pot. Mom will have to spank you.
Please.
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-- Crotus Haereticus
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]P.S. I live in Ohio, fucknut :)
Then you should write in the name of Dennis Kucinich, not Ralph Nader. That way, President Kucinich can appoint Nader as Secretary of Transportation.
Then, when President Kucinich sees another UFO, he can call Sec. Nader to make sure it's safe before he gets on board.
If you have Nader's ear, Crotus, please tell him to make sure Shooter gets on board with the President. He'd just love to score a ride on UFO One.
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Ich verfehle Sie, My Little Pedinska
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Wo sind Sie?
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-- susan sunflower
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]In fact, all sorts of hard fought for "gun control" provisions from the possession of guns by felons to requirements of registration to requirements for gun locks or secure storage are about to be challenged, and likely struck down.
Upon what facts do you base this assertion?
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-- Pedinska
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Intelligente Bewegung! Honeybunch. Oder ist dieses heinie Bündel?
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-- susan sunflower
[Read the article: Keith Olbermann's reply and Obama's secret plan to protect the rule of law]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Susan, I read that interview and from what I read, Holmes-Norton seems to be quite upbeat about the decision on guns.
The clause which the Court decided has been argued back and forth for decades and, to be honest, it can be read both ways by honorable persons.
The best way to ensure more rulings that you won't like, is to help John McCain become President.