As voters were casting the ballots that elected America's first black president in November 2008, a troubling incident occurred outside a polling place in North Philadelphia, the Justice Department later contended.
There, two members of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense hurled racial threats and insults at black and white voters, federal prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division alleged in a complaint accusing the group and three members of violating the federal Voting Rights Act.
The prosecutors later won a default judgment against Minister King Samir Shabazz, whom they identified as leader of the Philadelphia chapter, and sought dismissal of charges against the organization and two other members.
Now, one of the prosecutors, J. Christian Adams, has resigned from the Justice Department amid a widening flap over the case. He said he was scheduled to testify Tuesday before the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in an investigation over dismissal of the charges.
Adams said Friday that he disagreed with the decision to dismiss charges. Though his name is on the court document seeking the dismissal, Adams said he believes the case should have been pursued.
"I was just following instructions to dismiss the case," Adams said in an interview.
Adams said there has been long-standing opposition in the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department toward "race-neutral enforcement" of the voting-rights law during the Obama administration as well as when President George W. Bush was in office.
"I believe in a robust protection of voters," said Adams, who has been busy doing interviews on Fox News and radio talk shows since leaving the Justice Department in early June.
According to court papers, Shabazz, brandishing a nightstick, and a second member stood at the entrance to the polling place in the 1200 block of Fairmount Avenue. The two "made menacing and intimidating gestures, statements, and movements," the complaint said.
While the prosecutors dismissed charges against the organization, its leader and the third member, they won an order barring Shabazz from displaying a weapon within 100 feet of any open polling location in Philadelphia on any Election Day through 2012.
Justice Department spokesman Tracy Schmaler told the Associated Press that the charges against the New Black Panthers were dropped because they were not supported by the facts or by the law.
On its website, the New Black Panther Party says that "the white man has kept us deaf, dumb, and blind," and that it seeks "the overdue debt of reparations." A group spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
I hope Adams has a good lawyer because it won't be long before they concoct something to arrest him for.
#2
Glenmore, you hit on the head in the sense of why we need to get to the bottom of Adams' claims. The idea that Holder behaved like a political appointee is hardly shocking. But, if I read him correctly, Adams is saying that there is a "rogue" unit at "Main Justice", the headquarters of the DOJ in Washington. Main Justice is arguably the most powerful non-military institution in the country, since it controls the FBI and other arms of the federal law enforcement apparatus. It is therefore the very last place you want to see misconduct among career professionals.
A point I am truly curious about is whether the legendary Office of Professional Responsibility at Main Justice is looking at this. OPR is the last line of defense.
Posted by: Matt ||
07/05/2010 12:43 Comments ||
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IIUC they are - but how independent this invesitgation is, and whether their findings will become public if they do act independent of political motives and pressure, is perhaps another matter.
#5
OS, the guy is an attorney which means that he is acting on behalf of somebody else, in this case the US of A. We don't need attorneys filing suit on behalf of the USA when they haven't been authorized to do so, anymore than you'd want someone filing a suit in your name that you didn't want filed. If what Adams is saying is true, he did the right thing by bitching up a storm and then resigning.
lotp, the most you'll ever hear is probably a quiet little announcement that so-and-so will henceforth be working with the FBI field office in Furthest Uzbekistan. As for the possibility that the Obama White House could politically influence OPR: I hope to God not. That would be the law-world equivalent of the Iranians having our launch codes.
Posted by: Matt ||
07/05/2010 14:27 Comments ||
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#6
Matt's right - resigning to testify was the right thing to do. Holder's DOJ has been defying legitimate demands for testimony and documentation because the racists are in power now. Holder should be thrown on his ass in jail along with the chain-of-command above Adams
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2010 15:15 Comments ||
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#8
On its website, the New Black Panther Party says that "the white man has kept us deaf, dumb, and blind," and that it seeks "the overdue debt of reparations."
So that is your excuse for criminality and racism? The DOJ is fostering this criminality and racism by doing nothing about it. Although this originates out the Civil Rights Division in the DOJ, ultimately, this falls on Holder's doorstep. There is nothing civil or right about this.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
07/05/2010 19:00 Comments ||
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#10
Hope someone is sprucing up the John Mitchell wing in the Fed system. Wouldn't want the EPA delay utilization because it wasn't 99.99% clean and free for occupancy.
#11
So the lawyer, working for the government is to do nothing but follow orders he knows to be wrong?
Are lawyers to be excepted from moral behavior?
If so then that is one of the prime reasons all lawyers of the "just following orders" Nazi-excuse sort should be beaten severely, pour encourager les autres.
"just following orders" That didn't wash at Nuremburg.
What happened to standing up and REFUSING to drop cases he already *justly* filed, forcing the issue?
Have some courage. Stand up for whats right IN YOUR PLACE OF DUTY. Force them to publicly relieve you of duties.
You lawyers want to know why people have low opinions of you? This is why - you have NO COURAGE. You are bootlickers.
#12
I'll try not to lick any additional boots tonight, OS.
Posted by: Matt ||
07/05/2010 21:05 Comments ||
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Have some courage. Stand up for whats right IN YOUR PLACE OF DUTY. Force them to publicly relieve you of duties.
Standing up is exactly what the guy did. He worked for the DOJ - the one that forbid everyone to respond to subpoena from the Civil Rights commision. By resigning, he can testify. Getting fired lets them set the scene. See ex-Inspector General Walprin for an example.
All previous records for "idiot of the day" have been summarily obliterated.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his "foremost" mission as the head of America's space exploration agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world.
Though international diplomacy would seem well outside NASA's orbit, Bolden said in an interview with Al Jazeera that strengthening those ties was among the top tasks President Obama assigned him. He said better interaction with the Muslim world would ultimately advance space travel. A reminder, the Taliban was one of two national governments (the other being North Korea) that officially endorsed the bat-guano claim that the US faked the Moon landings.
"When I became the NASA administrator -- or before I became the NASA administrator -- he charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering," Bolden said in the interview. Revisionism here we come. Copernicus was a secret Muslim, Columbus had a Muslim navigator, there was no "Hindu" before "Arabic numerals," and a lot of stars had Arabic names because they were advanced in cosmology and not because they put even more stock in astrology than their superstitious and shit-ignorant European contemporaries.
The NASA administrator was in the Middle East last month marking the one-year anniversary since Obama delivered an address to Muslim nations in Cairo. Bolden spoke in June at the American University in Cairo -- in his interview with Al Jazeera, he described space travel as an international collaboration of which Muslim nations must be a part.
"It is a matter of trying to reach out and get the best of all worlds, if you will, and there is much to be gained by drawing in the contributions that are possible from the Muslim (nations)," he said. He held up the International Space Station as a model, praising the contributions there from the Russians and the Chinese.
However, Bolden denied the suggestion that he was on a diplomatic mission -- in a distinctly non-diplomatic role. "Not at all. It's not a diplomatic anything," he said.
He said the United States is not going to travel beyond low-Earth orbit on its own and that no country is going to make it to Mars without international help.
Bolden has faced criticism this year for overseeing the cancellation of the agency's Constellation program, which was building new rockets and spaceships capable of returning astronauts to the moon. Stressing the importance of international cooperation in future missions, Bolden told Al Jazeera that the moon, Mars and asteroids are still planned destinations for NASA. A suggestion: (As always) FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL!
One possibility: Some Soddy prince has offered billions for spaceflight if NASA and the spaceflight community can somehow join various media and academic entities in selling Israel down the river.
Practically every university in the western world, and a high percentage of individual professors, are essentially on the take from rich Muslims. Only a fool would believe this has no effect on their actions and positions.
#1
Bolden is an Obama appointee, therefore? Corrupt:
Charles Bolden, the first African American to head NASA, is under fire for wanting to cancel a $10 million biofuels project. Supporters of this project include his deputy, Lori Carver. Bolden is being investigated by the NASA inspector general because he consulted on the project's merits with Marathon Oil, where he served on the board of directors and still holds up to $1 million in company stock. Marathon Oil has competing biofuels technology under development, which some suggest is the reason Bolden quashed the project. Bolden's actions in light of his relationship to Marathon Oil triggered the investigation. This is not looking good for a man with a storied career.
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2010 17:14 Comments ||
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...a retired United States Marine Corps major general, and former NASA astronaut. A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he became a Marine Aviator and test pilot. After his service as an astronaut, he became Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy.
#3
Free trips to Venus for everyone! I hear tell Venus is PARADISE! People who take a vacation trip to Venus never want to return to Earth they like it so much. Better hurry up and move there before the Zionist claim it.
#5
"NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his "foremost" mission as the head of America's space exploration agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world."
That's it. We're fucked. America's self-abasement is complete.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
07/05/2010 18:09 Comments ||
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No! Not until I see the results of the Indonesian experiment - specifically what is considered a day (orbit or 24 hours) and apparatus to continually adjust direction towards mecca, and if altitude zenith over mecca actually exists.
Second, what are the effects if any on the amount of intensity of natural disasters on earth by having the United States of America flag on the moon instead of an Organization of Islamic National Countries flag?
And there is really no point in continuing propulsion technology and radiation protection until it can be decided that upon reaching Mars, does one worship its moon system or Earth's? And can one take an astroid chip from the belt for the Martian kabaa (if necessary see above)?
#7
Add NASA to Dept energy, Dept education and Dept labor as prime for eradication.
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
07/05/2010 20:28 Comments ||
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#8
This has to be a joke? How in the F can you make sense out of NASA improving relations with people who actually believe the contents of the Koran? Like using science to connect with 7th century tribesmen....oh wiat, thats Afghanistan now isn't it?
#9
I want to cry but I gouged my eyes out earlier this year. WTF. Also, Obama wants NASA to inspire children. Earth to Obama, they'd been doing that for over 50 years and it involved something known as SPACE. The only space Obama is aware of is that which exists between his ears.
Posted by: Rex Mundi ||
07/05/2010 20:44 Comments ||
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Reminds me about the old joke about why there are no Muslims in the otherwise exceedingly multiethnic crew on the starship Enterprise: Because the story is set in the future.
Police are examining complaints that George Galloway gave an inflammatory speech at a rally attended by thousands of Muslims in which he claimed that far-right English Defence League (EDL) activists would have to fight their way "through 10,000 dead bodies" if they interfered with members of the Islamic faith in Britain.
The Metropolitan Police said officers are now looking into statements made by the left-wing Scottish politician during the speech made to more than 3,000 people at a rally and march in London in June.
The police have video footage of the former Glasgow MP, who is a founding member of the Respect Party, telling the rally: "To the EDL, take a look around you boys. Take a look around you. If you dare touch a hijab [hair cover] on a Muslim woman's head, if you dare touch the hair on the beard of a Muslim man in Tower Hamlets, you will have to fight your way through 10,000 dead bodies first."
Oklahomans affected by last month's record floods will not receive help from the federal government. Gov. Brad Henry announced in a news release that the White House has denied his request for disaster assistance. This means grant programs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will not be available to residents. However, the news release said that the state is working to find other ways to help Oklahomans, including attempting to secure Small Business Association low-interest loans.
Is Oklahoma being punished ahead of time for the vote in November?
Or for the last one? Or just because they aren't urban and minority-heavy?
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2010 00:00 ||
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Henry is a democrat, despite the fact Obama lost all 77 counties, even those area which proudly state they "spray for republicans".
The federal government prolly denied flood assistance because a large majority of the homes flooded were built in flood plains, which means even the federal government won't provide flood insurance, or assistance.
#2
Oklahoma is a Choctaw indian word meaning "red people" American indians comprise 11% of the population while blacks are 8%, and hispanics 7.5%. I would estimate that over 80% of the population is of mixed heritage or claim to be. In MHO, some of the most beautiful (Choctaw+anglo) women in the world reside in OK. including my daughter in law and grand daughter.
#3
Chicago politics. Same reason Obastard is screwing the gulf coast states. They will not be voting for him so being the vindictive POS he is, he punishes them.
The sooner this telegenic thug is gone from the presidency, the better.
The White House on Friday released the salaries of its staff members ranging from its lowest-level employees to chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Right before a holiday weekend, of course.
Emanuel, press secretary Roberts Gibbs, senior adviser David Axelrod and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett make the top salary amount of $172,200 per year. Three staffers have their salaries listed as $0. Speaking of which, why don't the Big Four become dollar-a-year folks? Come on, Valerie, it's for the children.
In total, the White House pays its staff $38,796,307. Wrong. The White House don't pay nuthin'. We The People pay. And We ain't happy. Conspicuously absent from the list is the brains behind the operation, TOTUS. I have to assume that he's in for a big share of the post-administration boodle
Posted by: Matt ||
07/05/2010 12:02 ||
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scandal du jour at the Washington Post - they allowed opinion articles (as a panelist and blogger for the Washington Post 'On Leadership' website) by one of those upaid WH employees without disclosing: Patricia G. McGinnis, Advisor to the Obama White House on leadership programs for Presidential Appointees
Journalistic ethics? We don't need that, right, Dave Weigel?
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2010 12:29 Comments ||
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"Journalistic ethics"
That's become an oxymoron in the last couple of decades, Frank.
With the emphasis on the moron.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
07/05/2010 13:32 Comments ||
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In total, the White House pays its staff $38,796,307.
I tell ya, the stimulus plan is working--at least for my people.
Barack Obama
#4
Meh, peanuts. The original dollar-a-year men were fabulously corrupt self-dealing dicks. It's not the salaries that are the scandal - the peculiarity of the situation is that WH staffers can't make more than the president and the presidential salary is fairly low by CEO standards - it's the power abuses and future lobbying paydays they're setting themselves up for that really will reek.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
07/05/2010 19:39 Comments ||
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The dust-up this week between President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), ostensibly about Wall Street regulation, revealed more about the two parties' midterm campaign strategies than anything else.
With polls showing voters deeply concerned about the economy and government spending and souring on Democrats, Obama and his party are seizing on gaffe after GOP gaffe, intent on making the election anything but a referendum on the majority.
That means an obsessive, hour-by-hour focus on a micro-message--grasping every opportunity to shift attention away from their unpopular or tepidly-supported policies and toward anything that smacks of Republican extremism.
For Republicans, the strategy is the opposite--a macro-approach in which they brush off the excesses of individual candidates or isolated blunders by reiterating a big-picture mantra that Americans are sick of the spending and job losses that haven't taken place on the majority party's watch.
The Boehner flap provided a case in point.
In an interview last week with a Pittsburgh newspaper, the House minority leader said that Democrats' Wall Street reform legislation amounted to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
Not long afterwards, the DNC, which takes its orders from senior White House officials, jumped on the appearance that Boehner had minimized the financial meltdown by sending a furious barrage of blast emails and launching a web video.
And Obama himself elevated Boehner's remark by quoting it at an economic event in Racine, Wisconsin.
"He compared the financial crisis to an ant," Obama said, with a chuckle of incredulity.
Democrats secured their objective: capturing a few news cycles and perhaps even accumulating some fall television ad fodder for portraying Republicans as out of touch.
Boehner's reply: jobs and spending.
"Attacking Republicans is a lot easier than explaining to the citizens of Racine, who face 14 percent unemployment, why one in every 10 Americans in our workforce is unemployed nearly 18 months after the president's trillion-dollar 'stimulus' spending bill was enacted," Boehner said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2010 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
