The Obligatory Supreme Court Justice Souter To Retire Posting

Only reason I am posting about this now, is because it broke last night and I was busy with other things.

Supreme Court Justice David Souter is planning to retire at the end of the current court term.

The vacancy will give President Obama his first chance to name a member of the high court and begin to shape its future direction.

At 69, Souter is nowhere near the oldest member of the court. In fact, he is in the younger half of the court’s age range, with five justices older and just three younger. So far as anyone knows, he is in good health. But he has made clear to friends for some time that he wanted to leave Washington, a city he has never liked, and return to his native New Hampshire. Now, according to reliable sources, he has decided to take the plunge and has informed the White House of his decision.

Factors in his decision no doubt include the election of President Obama, who would be more likely to appoint a successor attuned to the principles Souter has followed as a moderate-to-liberal member of the court’s more liberal bloc over the past two decades.

via Supreme Court Justice Souter To Retire : NPR.

Most people on the right are saying that this guy was not much of a Conservative, so this might not be that big of a deal anyhow. However, it does change the balance of the Government. It tilts the SCOUTS to a more liberal court. Which has some on the far, far, right quite upset. The question is, what will President Obama do? Will he appoint a hyper-uber-Liberal to the seat, or will he appoint a moderate to the seat? Either way, it will be interesting to follow.

Personally, I do not believe that the court is going to go balls out totally liberal. If anything, there will be a ever so slight lean towards a liberal court. But there are enough Conservatives still in the court to keep a Conservative voice up there. So, I think any panicking at this point is just abject foolishness.

Others: SCOTUSblog, Top of the Ticket, protein wisdom, , Don Surber, Hot Air, Wake up America Jules Crittenden,

The Southern Avenger on "Tea Parties vs. The Warfare State"

How in praising the tea parties one week, then defending President Bush on torture and his “War on Terror” the next, conservatives negate their alleged anti-government message.

The Southern Avanger’s Blog

The Southern Avenger @ Taki’s Magazine

Rep. Jane Harmon Recorded on Wiretap promising to intervene on AIPAC's Behalf

This story, if proven to be true. Could be extremely huge.

This one comes via CQ Politics:

Rep. Jane Harman , the California Democrat with a longtime involvement in intelligence issues, was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department to reduce espionage-related charges against two officials of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington.

Harman was recorded saying she would “waddle into” the AIPAC case “if you think it’ll make a difference,” according to two former senior national security officials familiar with the NSA transcript.

In exchange for Harman’s help, the sources said, the suspected Israeli agent pledged to help lobby Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif., then-House minority leader, to appoint Harman chair of the Intelligence Committee after the 2006 elections, which the Democrats were heavily favored to win.

Seemingly wary of what she had just agreed to, according to an official who read the NSA transcript, Harman hung up after saying, “This conversation doesn’t exist.”

This, by the way, is not big news, it was reported back in 2006:

They were widely reported in 2006, along with allegations that the FBI launched an investigation of Harman that was eventually dropped for a “lack of evidence.”

What is new is that Harman is said to have been picked up on a court-approved NSA tap directed at alleged Israel covert action operations in Washington.

And that, contrary to reports that the Harman investigation was dropped for “lack of evidence,” it was Alberto R. Gonzales, President Bush’s top counsel and then attorney general, who intervened to stop the Harman probe.

Why? Because, according to three top former national security officials, Gonzales wanted Harman to be able to help defend the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program, which was about break in The New York Times and engulf the White House.

So, ol’ Alberto or as some like to call him fredo; figures he would save her skin, so she could defend his program.

Of course, Harman is doing the obvious spin and deny routine:

Harman declined to discuss the wiretap allegations, instead issuing an angry denial through a spokesman.

“These claims are an outrageous and recycled canard, and have no basis in fact,” Harman said in a prepared statement. “I never engaged in any such activity. Those who are peddling these false accusations should be ashamed of themselves.”

Yes, How dare they expose me as the crook that I am?!?!? I mean, can’t a gal be a little crooked without some johnny do-gooder opening his mouth and ruining my fun? 😉 😛

However, there are those that do not quite see it that way:

As for there being “no evidence” to support the FBI probe, a source with first-hand knowledge of the wiretaps called that “bull****.”

I read those transcripts,” said the source, who like other former national security officials familiar with the transcript discussed it only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of domestic NSA eavesdropping.

“It’s true,” added another former national security official who was briefed on the NSA intercepts involving Harman. “She was on there.”

So, it looks like Harman was caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar on this one here, and her buddy Alberto was running cover for her. How quaint.

Now I know, every Paleo-Conservative that reads this, is going to go; “Hey, Wow! AIPAC is caught in a scandal! Maybe we’ll get lucky and the Justice Dept. will finally bust these idiots and they’ll be ran out of Washington D.C. for good.” In fact, I have heard rumors that Pat Buchanan went into a full body orgasm, when he heard about this. 😉  Well, I hate to be the one to wee wee on your little parade. But, if you think for one minute that the Israeli lobby is not going to go down without a huge, and I do mean, HUGE fight; you are very highly mistaken.  As most of you already know, AIPAC and the rest of them Israeli lobby have money; big money, as in “Donald Trump” kind of big money. As in enough money to stave something like this off and make them walk away smelling like a rose. What will most likely happen is, AIPAC will just say that it was rogue element within thier organzation and will deny that they knew anything about it. Now, Rep. Harman? I hope she’s got good lawyers! Because AIPAC and the rest of ’em will leave her out to dry. There always has to be a fall guy; well, in her case, A fall gal.

This should be a very interesting story to follow!

Finally! Something worth blogging about! 😀 😉 😛

Oh Boo Hoo! Convicted Muslim Child Killer's husband to sue because Islam was insulted.

What a joke!:

The police booking photo of alleged child killer Nour Hadid released Tuesday is an “insult against our religion,” says Hadid’s husband, Alaeddin.

Orland Park police detectives say the 26-year-old Muslim woman was treated as any other suspect in a murder probe would be, and they did not intend to humiliate her when they photographed her Sunday without her headscarf and wearing only a skimpy top.

Nour Hadid is accused of beating her 2-year-old niece Bhia Hadid to death over four days at her home on the 9000 block of West 140th Street. The child had 55 separate bruises and was beaten “from head to toe,” according to prosecutors, who say Hadid confessed.

But Alaeddin Hadid – who insists his wife is innocent – said Orland Park police are “really going to be in big trouble” for releasing the woman’s booking photo to the news media after she was charged with first-degree murder.

The Hadids are Muslims and Nour “never leaves the home without covering up,” said Alaeddin, who’s vowed to sue.

via Islam ‘insulted’ by wife’s mug shot, husband says :: The SouthtownStar :: News.

Here’s hoping that this woman and family runs up against a jury that knows that the Muslim customs end at the booking spot and at the jail cell. Women mercilessly kills a child and then complains because her religious customs were violated? Unreal.

She’s damned lucky she did not mysteriously end up dead in the jail cell.

…and they call it a Religion of peace. I call bullshit! If she was not in America we would not have this problem. The solution is a mass deportation away.

Others: PoliGazette, Tim Blair, Moonbattery, Jihad Watch, Riehl World View and JONATHAN TURLEY

Awesome Local Story: Cop Saves Man from Burning Car

This for all those who believe that the police are our enemies:

The Video:

The Story via WXYZ-TV:

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) – Talk about a close call. A police officer raced into action and made a daring rescue to save a man from a burning car. And, just seconds after the man was pulled from the vehicle, flames devoured it.

Thursday morning Clinton Township Police Officer Mark Krutell noticed smoke billowing from outside Tower Automotive on Groesbeck south of Hall Road. At about the same time, a 911 call was placed that a man fainted inside his locked 2002 Ford Escort that was partially on fire in the parking lot.

When Krutell arrived, bystanders were trying to break open the window with rocks. The officer ended up smashing the glass with his flashlight, opening the door and dragging the unidentified man to safety. Seconds later, fire engulfed the car. All of this was captured on Krutel’s dash-cam video.

The man in the car apparently had some type of medical condition and passed out with his foot on the accelerator and the accelerator pushed to the floor. The car overheated and caught on fire.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. Inside the hospital, officers say he shook Krutell’s hand and thanked him for his actions.

This man is a hero and should be treated as such. I post this here because as of late the police have been getting a horrible rap for a few bad apples. This man went well beyond the call of duty and should be commended for it.

Justice is Served -Blagojevich, brother and top aides indicted

One again, I have faith in our Nation’s justice system:

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother, and a former top fundraiser were among six men indicted today on political corruption charges, the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago announced.

In addition to Rob Blagojevich, 53, and fundraiser Christopher Kelly, 50, charged were Lon Monk, 50, a lobbyist and former Blagojevich chief of staff; John Harris, 47, also a former chief of staff to Blagojevich; and William Cellini, 74, a Springfield insider for decades.

The sweeping indictment comes four months after Blagojevich was arrested and charged with engaging in pay-to-play politics in a major federal complaint that accused him of trading state jobs, contracts and regulatory favors for campaign contributions.

via Blagojevich, his brother, top aides indicted – Chicago Breaking News.

Let’s hope that this fool gets sent up the river for a long time.

Others: Hot Air

Senator Ted Steven's Conviction Voided

There is a bunch of discussion in the Blogosphere regarding the voiding of the conviction of Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens.  I do have an opinion on this, I will share it after the quote.

Via NPR:

The Justice Department on Wednesday asked a federal judge to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

A jury convicted Stevens last fall of seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure form in order to conceal $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry executive and other friends. Stevens was the longest-serving Republican in the Senate. However, he lost his bid for an eighth full term in office just days after he was convicted. Since then, charges of prosecutorial misconduct have delayed his sentencing and prompted defense motions for a new trial.

In a move first reported by NPR, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said he has decided to drop the case against Stevens rather than continue to defend the conviction in the face of persistent problems stemming from the actions of prosecutors.

There have been some very idiotic accusations by those on the far right, that this was a political move and that the Democrats somehow or another wanted this guy out and so on.  There’s only one little problem with that. These charges were not level by the Justice Department under Eric Holder. They were issued by the Justice Department under Michael B. Mukasey, who of course, served at the behest of George W. Bush.  Not to mention that there was some serious misconduct by some of persons involved, like the FBI and the prosecutors.

So, while it might be easy and convenient to blame the Democrats for this, I am quite afraid that those accusations are not founded in the truth. This was another one of the disasters, that was part of the rather sad process that was known as the Bush White House; and once again Obama’s White House is left to clean up the mess.

So, while as much as I dislike the Democratic Party’s Socialist Agenda; which is being implemented by the Obama Administration. I cannot sit here accuse the Democrats of something, that they had zero to do with.  That would be abject foolishness, of which I want nothing to do with.


The Southern Avenger on "9/11 Truths"

How “911 Truth” conspiracy theorists who believe the U.S. government orchestrated 911, aren’t any more “crazy” than those who believe Saddam Hussein did.

The Southern Avenger’s Blog

The Southern Avenger @ Taki’s Magazine

Is the Obama Administration letting G.M.'s New C.E.O. do it's dirty work for them?

Full Disclosure: My Father is a Retired General Motors Worker and U.A.W. Member.

——-

It sure as heck looks that way to me here.

The reason I ask this question is because a new report from CNBC that the new C.E.O. of GM is essentially saying that bankruptcy is the only option:

General Motors’s new chief executive told CNBC that filing for Bankruptcy may be the best option for the struggling automaker.

In a taped interview to be aired tonight on NBC Nightly News, Fritz Henderson said that because of greater demands from the Obama administration to restructure, GM is considering the bankruptcy option. The auto giant previously had ruled out such a move, saying it would discourage people from buying GM cars.

Henderson’s comments came after President Obama bluntly rejected turnaround plans by GM and Chrysler and demanded that both companies make fresh concessions in order to get more federal aid.

Henderson, who was GM’s president and chief operating officer, was named the new CEO after the government forced the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner on Sunday. GM’s board is also being restructured.

Henderson told reporters that the company would still prefer to restructure outside of court, but the level of support Washington is offering would help the company quickly restructure through bankruptcy.

Henderson says GM  needs to work faster and go deeper to get more concessions from bondholders and the United Auto Workers union. President Obama has demanded that GM come up with a better restructuring plan in 60 days in order to qualify for more government aid.

I find it very interesting that President Obama, instead of doing the dirty deed himself, ousted the CEO of G.M. and basically has let the new G.M. head honcho be his fall guy for basically screwing the bond holders and also the unions. This way, Barry comes off clean. It is a strategy that is quite slick, quite risky; but none the less slick.

The Wall Street Journal has more:

Inside a windowless, ornate room Thursday just across from the Oval Office, President Barack Obama and a group of senior economic advisers began the job of remaking the American automobile industry.

The first order of business: Oust General Motors Corp. Chief Executive Rick Wagoner.

It “wasn’t the hardest decision,” said one government official.

Steven Rattner, a former investment banker who is heading the administration’s auto restructuring; chief economic adviser Lawrence Summers; and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner were among those gathered around the polished wood table of the Roosevelt Room in the White House’s West Wing. They were there to decide under what conditions the government would continue to prop up once-powerful Detroit car companies GM and Chrysler LLC.

In the post-World War II boom, they were at the pinnacle of a quintessentially American industry. At Thursday’s meeting, once the Obama administration concluded the pair were running out of money, their effective dismantling began.

Beyond seeking Mr. Wagoner’s resignation, the officials also gave failing grades to GM and Chrysler for the restructuring plans they submitted to the government Feb. 17. They also set a deadline — one month for Chrysler, two months for GM — after which the government might force a bankruptcy restructuring of both companies and break up two of America’s business icons.

Many of GM’s problems didn’t start during Mr. Wagoner’s term, and most predate the economic downturn that sent car sales slumping, such as union contracts and the costs of paying for retiree health care. GM made a bad situation worse with huge bets on trucks and SUVs that piled up on dealer lots amid soaring gas prices last year.

While I will be the first to tell you, that General Motors has had its own share of issues. What Barack Obama did to G.M. and by proxy to the Union members and Employees of the company; was just flat out cowardly. Instead of forcing General Motors into bankruptcy himself.  Obama is allowing the new head honcho of the company and his Auto Czar; do it for him. This way Obama does not burn through his political capital as quickly and more or less comes out looking like the hero. Of course, President TelePrompter will say that he inherited this mess, and by rights he did. But to pass off the basic executing of a company and it’s people to someone else, is quite the cowardly move in my book.

Hey Barry, If you ever happen to read this; Grow some freaking Gonads,will ya? I mean, come on. If you going to screw the American worker; why not do it yourself? Instead of letting your damned patsies do it for you. Just a thought.

An Interesting Movie

I post this because I believe that it is interesting. Alex Jones has always struck me as a kook. Someone amongst the “Tin Foil Hat” crowd. However, it is something interesting to watch.

Enjoy…

What do you think? Do you think that there is any truth to this?

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