Civil rights, etc.
via TPM:
You’ve probably already seen some of the news about the Bush White House engaging in a seemingly unprecedented spree of firings of US Attorneys across the coutry. Conveniently, they’re being replaced without senate approval under a provision of the Patriot Act. We’re digging into now and we’re finding a bunch. More soon.
– Josh Marshall[edit]Here’s some more on this:
Okay, so we already know that the White House has now taken the unprecedented step of firing at least four and likely seven US Attorneys in the middle of their terms of office — at least some of whom are in the midst of corruption investigations of Bush administration officials and key Republican lawmakers. We also know that they’re taking advantage of a handy provision of the USA Patriot Act that allows the White House to replace these fired USAs with appointees who don’t need to be approved by the senate.Given that these new USAs are being plopped into offices currently investigating Republicans and other administration officials and others into states with 2008 presidential candidates, there’s certainly ample opportunity for mischief.
via Washington Times:
A last-minute addition to a federal spending bill at the end of the last U.S. Congress now makes civilians eligible for military courts-martial.
With the addition of just five words, the provision sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was signed into law by President Bush, and makes civilian government employees and journalists eligible for prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Washington Post reported Monday.
And (perhaps, some good news) Barack Obama on his decision to run for President:
Government “… so gummed up by money and influence…” In other words, money buys influence in D.C. I hope he means it, and will turn his back on the lobbies at least a little.