"Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 5/25-28/2009. All adults. MoE 2% (5/18-21/2009 results):
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 67 (66) 29 (29) +1
PELOSI: 30 (30) 58 (56) -2
REID: 30 (32) 53 (51) -4
McCONNELL: 22 (21) 60 (61) +2
BOEHNER: 15 (14) 64 (65) +2
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 39 (40) 53 (52) -2
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 12 (12) 72 (73) +1
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 49 (50) 43 (42) -2
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 21 (20) 71 (71) +1"
Yes, it's true, Kentucky's "Mitch" McConnell has a 22% national approval rating, but the Republican Party has only a 21% national approval rating. Among disapproval ratings, McConnell has a 60% nationwide disapproval rating, while his own Republican Party has a 71% nationwide disapproval rating. By comparison, President Obama enjoys a 67% approval rating and a 29% disapproval rating, all nationwide. Let's elect more Democrats.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Awake America and Stop the Torture!
www.DisbarTortureLawyers.com
A VelvetRevolution.us Campaign
Torture is illegal under both United States and international law. The Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment, and it states that treaties signed by the U.S. are the “supreme Law of the Land” under Article Six. The Geneva Convention and The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment both prohibit torture and have been signed by the United States. These laws provide no exception for torture under any circumstances. Moreover, the United States Criminal Code prohibits both torture and war crimes, the latter which includes torture. The Army Field Manual prohibits the use of degrading treatment of detainees.
Despite this well-established law, under the Bush administration, torture was authorized by George Bush and kept secret using classified designations. The White House requested legal memoranda to support its use of torture and it received those authored by a host of attorneys, including John Yoo, Jay Bybee, and Stephen Bradbury. Attorneys who advised, counseled, consulted and supported those memoranda included Alberto Gonzales, John Ashcroft, Michael Chertoff, Alice Fisher, William Haynes II, Douglas Feith, Michael Mukasey, Timothy Flanigan, and David Addington.
Several of these memoranda have recently been released, and clearly demonstrate that these attorneys conspired to violate laws against torture and that their actions resulted in torture and death. Accordingly, these attorneys must be held accountable. We have asked the respective state bars to revoke the licenses of the foregoing attorneys for moral turpitude. They failed to show “respect for and obedience to the law, and respect for the rights of others,” and intentionally or recklessly failed to act competently, all in violation of legal Rules of Professional Conduct. Several attorneys failed to adequately supervise the work of subordinate attorneys and forwarded shoddy legal memoranda regarding the definition of torture to the White House and Department of Defense. These lawyers further acted incompetently by advising superiors to approve interrogation techniques that were in violation of U.S. and international law. They failed to support or uphold the U.S. Constitution, and the laws of the United States, and to maintain the respect due to the courts of justice and judicial officers, all in violation state bar rules.
On Monday, May 18, 2009, a broad coalition of organizations dedicated to accountable government, and representing over one million members, filed disciplinary complaints with state bar licensing boards against the above named twelve attorneys for advocating the torture of detainees during the Bush Administration. These detailed complaints, with over 500 pages of supporting exhibits, have been filed with the state bars in the District of Columbia, New York, California, Texas and Pennsylvania, and they seek disciplinary action and disbarment. Copies of the complaints and exhibits are available below.
The individually tailored complaints allege that the named attorneys violated the rules of professional responsibility by advocating torture. The memos written and supported by these attorneys advocating torture have now been repudiated by the Department of Justice, the White House, the Department of Defense and other experts in the field. The recently released Senate and Red Cross reports on detainee treatment provide uncontroverted evidence that the torture techniques advocated by the attorneys were used on human beings over an extended period of time. We have also sent a letter to House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, asking that he initiate impeachment proceeding against Jay Bybee, who is now a sitting federal judge. The evidence is clear that, during his confirmation hearings, Mr. Bybee misused the classified status of his torture memos to portray a false picture of his legal history. Several Senators have stated publicly that Mr. Bybee would not have been confirmed if they had been aware of his torture memos. The bar complaints have been signed by our board attorney, Kevin Zeese, who also directs the Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics, and Voters for Peace.
We ask other organizations to sign on to this campaign by sending an email to DisbarTortureLawyers@velvetrevolution.us. Individuals can sign on using the form below. This campaign will include a broad public relations push so we urge everyone to spread the word and for the press to contact us for comment and interviews.
You can make targeted donations to this campaign at with an earmark comment in the box at http://www.velvetrevolution.us/donate.php.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Former Judge Returns Home.
Judge allowed to return home until trial
May 14, 2009 @ 08:00 PM
The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A longtime Appalachian judge jailed since his arrest nearly two months ago in an alleged election-rigging scheme won an order Thursday to await his trial at home under strict conditions.
Russell Cletus Maricle was ordered confined to home and can only leave for medical treatment, meetings with his attorney and court appearances, under the order by U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves.
Maricle, who has been held in the Pulaski County jail, is scheduled to go before a federal magistrate judge in London, Ky., on Friday to go over terms of his release, said Maricle attorney David Hoskins.
Maricle has “held up well, all things considered” while in jail, Hoskins said by phone. “He’s been very focused on what we need to do to defend this case. I think his faith in the system has been strengthened.”
Federal prosecutors had argued that Maricle should remain jailed until his September trial.
Asked about Reeve’s order, spokesman Kyle Edelen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky said it’s the office’s policy not to comment on pending litigation.
Maricle’s home incarceration will be monitored electronically and he can receive few visitors.
Other than medical-related issues, his use of phones and computers is restricted to contacting probation officials, clergy, his attorney and relatives.
Maricle was among eight people — including a school superintendent and county clerk — accused of trying to rig several elections in Clay County in southeastern Kentucky. Maricle, a circuit judge from 1991 to 2007, was described as a “political boss” by federal prosecutors.
Maricle, 65, lost an initial request to get out of jail when U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Wier ruled in late March that he had “no confidence” the defendant would abide by restrictions to safeguard the case.
Wier’s ruling said “no set of conditions will reasonably assure against the danger that defendant would, if released pending trial, obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice.”
At a hearing, federal officials claimed Maricle directed a cooperating witness on how to testify before the grand jury investigating the Clay County case. An FBI agent said audio recordings indicated Maricle encouraged the witness to mislead or withhold information from the grand jury.
Prosecutors also claimed Maricle tried to find out the home addresses of that FBI agent and two other investigators and what vehicles they drove. The FBI agent said investigators searching Maricle’s home found a Clay County precinct list that included the names of people alleged to have been involved in voter fraud.
Reeves said in his order that the chances Maricle might try to obstruct justice, intimidate witnesses or threaten law enforcement officers was “greatly reduced” with the restrictions attached to home incarceration.
He said the chance Maricle might try to flee was “reduced substantially” by the electronic monitoring.
As part of his order, Reeves said Maricle can receive a select few visitors at home — clergy, his attorney, probation officers, relatives and health care workers. Maricle must maintain a log of visitors.
Also, any incoming or outgoing calls involving Maricle must be logged. And Maricle can’t have contact with anyone that in any way involves his case except when with his attorney, Reeves said.
Hoskins said he expected strict conditions attached to the home incarceration.
“He’ll have no problem complying with them,” the attorney said.
A Sept. 14 trial is set for Maricle and other defendants in the case.
Hoskins expressed confidence of winning an acquittal for Maricle, saying, “Thus far, I’ve seen nothing from the government that’s very troublesome.”
Others charged in the case include Clay County schools Superintendent Douglas C. Adams and Clay County Clerk Freddy Thompson.
May 14, 2009 @ 08:00 PM
The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A longtime Appalachian judge jailed since his arrest nearly two months ago in an alleged election-rigging scheme won an order Thursday to await his trial at home under strict conditions.
Russell Cletus Maricle was ordered confined to home and can only leave for medical treatment, meetings with his attorney and court appearances, under the order by U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves.
Maricle, who has been held in the Pulaski County jail, is scheduled to go before a federal magistrate judge in London, Ky., on Friday to go over terms of his release, said Maricle attorney David Hoskins.
Maricle has “held up well, all things considered” while in jail, Hoskins said by phone. “He’s been very focused on what we need to do to defend this case. I think his faith in the system has been strengthened.”
Federal prosecutors had argued that Maricle should remain jailed until his September trial.
Asked about Reeve’s order, spokesman Kyle Edelen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky said it’s the office’s policy not to comment on pending litigation.
Maricle’s home incarceration will be monitored electronically and he can receive few visitors.
Other than medical-related issues, his use of phones and computers is restricted to contacting probation officials, clergy, his attorney and relatives.
Maricle was among eight people — including a school superintendent and county clerk — accused of trying to rig several elections in Clay County in southeastern Kentucky. Maricle, a circuit judge from 1991 to 2007, was described as a “political boss” by federal prosecutors.
Maricle, 65, lost an initial request to get out of jail when U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Wier ruled in late March that he had “no confidence” the defendant would abide by restrictions to safeguard the case.
Wier’s ruling said “no set of conditions will reasonably assure against the danger that defendant would, if released pending trial, obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice.”
At a hearing, federal officials claimed Maricle directed a cooperating witness on how to testify before the grand jury investigating the Clay County case. An FBI agent said audio recordings indicated Maricle encouraged the witness to mislead or withhold information from the grand jury.
Prosecutors also claimed Maricle tried to find out the home addresses of that FBI agent and two other investigators and what vehicles they drove. The FBI agent said investigators searching Maricle’s home found a Clay County precinct list that included the names of people alleged to have been involved in voter fraud.
Reeves said in his order that the chances Maricle might try to obstruct justice, intimidate witnesses or threaten law enforcement officers was “greatly reduced” with the restrictions attached to home incarceration.
He said the chance Maricle might try to flee was “reduced substantially” by the electronic monitoring.
As part of his order, Reeves said Maricle can receive a select few visitors at home — clergy, his attorney, probation officers, relatives and health care workers. Maricle must maintain a log of visitors.
Also, any incoming or outgoing calls involving Maricle must be logged. And Maricle can’t have contact with anyone that in any way involves his case except when with his attorney, Reeves said.
Hoskins said he expected strict conditions attached to the home incarceration.
“He’ll have no problem complying with them,” the attorney said.
A Sept. 14 trial is set for Maricle and other defendants in the case.
Hoskins expressed confidence of winning an acquittal for Maricle, saying, “Thus far, I’ve seen nothing from the government that’s very troublesome.”
Others charged in the case include Clay County schools Superintendent Douglas C. Adams and Clay County Clerk Freddy Thompson.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Republicans continue their firing-squad-in-a-circle!
The trouble with Republicans, when someone says "Let's form a firing squad!" they always form it in a circle and start taking pot shots at each other.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
4,284 U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq War!
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,284
The Associated Press As of Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at least 4,284 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,440 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
The AP count is two fewer than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Tuesday at 10 a.m. EDT.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/
The British military has reported 179 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia and Georgia, three each; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand and Romania, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and South Korea, one death each.
Since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq, 31,245 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department's weekly tally.
---
The latest deaths reported by the military:
- No deaths reported.
---
The latest identifications reported by the military:
- Two Army soldiers died Saturday after they were shot by enemy forces in Mosul; both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Killed were Spc. Jeremiah P. McCleery, 24, Portola, Calif., and Spc. Jake R. Velloza, 22, Inverness, Calif.
4,284 U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq War are enough U.S. Military Deaths there! Let's bring 'em home, now. Kenneth Stepp.
The Associated Press As of Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at least 4,284 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,440 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
The AP count is two fewer than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Tuesday at 10 a.m. EDT.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/
The British military has reported 179 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia and Georgia, three each; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand and Romania, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and South Korea, one death each.
Since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq, 31,245 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department's weekly tally.
---
The latest deaths reported by the military:
- No deaths reported.
---
The latest identifications reported by the military:
- Two Army soldiers died Saturday after they were shot by enemy forces in Mosul; both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Killed were Spc. Jeremiah P. McCleery, 24, Portola, Calif., and Spc. Jake R. Velloza, 22, Inverness, Calif.
4,284 U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq War are enough U.S. Military Deaths there! Let's bring 'em home, now. Kenneth Stepp.
Jim Bunning Criticizes "Mitch" McConnell Party Leadership Results!
"KY-Sen: The Jim Bunning Comedy Hour
by Arjun Jaikumar
Tue May 05, 2009 at 02:02:04 PM PDT
The man needs his own TV show.
The latest Bunning hilarity: Kentucky's junior Senator is at war with GOP el jefe Mitch McConnell, fellow Kentuckian and Senate Minority Leader.
He notes (rather aptly, it must be said) that McConnell's leadership has been a huge factor in decimating the GOP Senate caucus, and compares his selfishness to that of the Republicans' new "traitor".
"It is the fact that Arlen Specter is probably as selfish as our leader is in trying to survive, that’s the only way he thought he would survive in the U.S. Senate," Bunning said.
"Do you know Arlen Specter will be 80, has had four bouts with cancer and he still wants to run for the U.S. Senate?" Bunning continued. "And I’m being criticized at 77 and healthy for wanting to run for the U.S. Senate by certain leadership people in my party. Give me a break."
Asked if the leadership he was referring to was McConnell, Bunning answered: "Obviously. Do you want me to spell it out for you?"
He said: "Do you realize that under our dynamic leadership of our leader, we have gone from 55 and probably to 40 (Senate seats) in two election cycles, and if the tea leaves that I read are correct, we will wind up with about 36 after this election cycle. So if leadership means anything, it means you don’t lose ... approximately 19 seats in three election cycles with good leadership."
Let's replace who we can with Democrats!
by Arjun Jaikumar
Tue May 05, 2009 at 02:02:04 PM PDT
The man needs his own TV show.
The latest Bunning hilarity: Kentucky's junior Senator is at war with GOP el jefe Mitch McConnell, fellow Kentuckian and Senate Minority Leader.
He notes (rather aptly, it must be said) that McConnell's leadership has been a huge factor in decimating the GOP Senate caucus, and compares his selfishness to that of the Republicans' new "traitor".
"It is the fact that Arlen Specter is probably as selfish as our leader is in trying to survive, that’s the only way he thought he would survive in the U.S. Senate," Bunning said.
"Do you know Arlen Specter will be 80, has had four bouts with cancer and he still wants to run for the U.S. Senate?" Bunning continued. "And I’m being criticized at 77 and healthy for wanting to run for the U.S. Senate by certain leadership people in my party. Give me a break."
Asked if the leadership he was referring to was McConnell, Bunning answered: "Obviously. Do you want me to spell it out for you?"
He said: "Do you realize that under our dynamic leadership of our leader, we have gone from 55 and probably to 40 (Senate seats) in two election cycles, and if the tea leaves that I read are correct, we will wind up with about 36 after this election cycle. So if leadership means anything, it means you don’t lose ... approximately 19 seats in three election cycles with good leadership."
Let's replace who we can with Democrats!
Friday, May 01, 2009
"Mitch" McConnell Approval Rating at 21% Nationally!
Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 4/27-4/30/2009. All adults. MoE 2% (4/20-4/23/2009 results):
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 70 (68) 25 (26) +3
PELOSI: 38 (37) 45 (44) +0
REID: 35 (34) 49 (48) +0
McCONNELL: 21 (22) 60 (58) -3
BOEHNER: 16 (17) 62 (61) -2
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 44 (43) 49 (50) +2
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 14 (15) 71 (70) -2
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 54 (53) 40 (41) +2
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 22 (23) 68 (67) -2
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 70 (68) 25 (26) +3
PELOSI: 38 (37) 45 (44) +0
REID: 35 (34) 49 (48) +0
McCONNELL: 21 (22) 60 (58) -3
BOEHNER: 16 (17) 62 (61) -2
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 44 (43) 49 (50) +2
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 14 (15) 71 (70) -2
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 54 (53) 40 (41) +2
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 22 (23) 68 (67) -2
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