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Rebel council to take Libya's seat at Arab League
Today's Headlines
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Page 6: Politix
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Prosecutors propose 12-year sentence for DiMasi
Federal prosecutors have proposed that former Massachusetts House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi serve 12 years and seven months in federal prison for his conviction on corruption charges.

The sentence would be the most severe ever handed down in a federal political corruption case in Massachusetts, according to court records.

The prosecutors asked US District Judge Mark Wolf to consider DiMasi's standing as speaker of the House of Representatives when he carried out the crimes, as well as his insistence on his innocence after the jury rendered its verdict. Wolf is slated to sentence DiMasi on Sept. 8.

"DiMasi's sentence should reflect the seriousness of his offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and afford adequate deterrence," prosecutors said in a 19-page sentencing proposal filed in US District Court in Boston.

"Any public official who engages in a bribery/kickback scheme severely undermines the trust that citizens place in their elected officials to act honestly and without self-interest. He undermines the work of the majority of the other non-corrupt public officials who put forth an honest effort and act in the interest of the public."
Posted by: Fred || 08/26/2011 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Sal's the third scalp in the fed's Massachusetts House Speakers Hat Trick.

1. 1996: "Good Time" Charlie Flaherty: Agreed to plead guilty to felony tax evasion for submitting false receipts regarding his business expenses.In addition, he also admitted to civil violations of state conflict of interest law for receiving free vacation housing from lobbyists.

2. 2007: Tom "Tommy Taxes" Finneran: Prior to the start of the scheduled criminal trial Finneran pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice in exchange for federal prosecutors' dropping perjury charges against him. The plea bargain allowed him to avoid jail time.

3. 2011: Sal Dimasi: Resigned from this post in January of 2009, just six months prior to being indicted on several Federal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the federal government, extortion, mail fraud and wire fraud. DiMasi was found guilty on 7 of 9 federal corruption charges on June 15, 2011. DiMasi is the third consecutive Massachusetts house speaker to be federally indicted.

No need to play "guess that party". You already know. And it's always the feds taking them down, because the last three AG's Harshbarger, Reilly and Coakley were good Dems who know how the game is played and spent the time feeding their seeing eye dogs.
Sal may not do 12, but he'll do time, unlike his scumbag predecessors.
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/26/2011 0:49 Comments || Top||

#2  Cheez, Massachusetts has almost as many House Speakers convicted as Illinois as governors.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/26/2011 9:02 Comments || Top||

#3  The difference is Illinois governors usually do time. Up here, convicted house speakers become lobbyists or get radio talk shows.
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/26/2011 11:18 Comments || Top||

#4  ""Any public official who engages in a bribery/kickback scheme severely undermines..."

On Beacon hill? Really?? That's just business as usual. Seems a bit unfair to just single a couple guys out when they're all doing it.
Posted by: My two cents || 08/26/2011 14:14 Comments || Top||

#5  Whitey Bulger's revenge?
Posted by: Pappy || 08/26/2011 15:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Whitey's done. He'll die inside.
Who they'd really want to nail is his brother Billy, the old Senate President. But it'll never happen They've tried more than once. He'll get his payback in the next world...while his wife collects half of his $200,000 state pension. With our luck, the bitch will live forever.
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/26/2011 15:20 Comments || Top||

#7  Sal sez he's willing to do...3

Lawyers for former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi say three years in prison is enough punishment for his conviction on corruption charges. DiMasi was convicted in June on charges he used his clout as speaker to steer two lucrative state contracts to a software firm in exchange for payments.

In a sentencing memo filed Friday in U.S. District Court, DiMasi’s lawyers say he "derived a very small personal benefit from the offense," and has a long record of dedicated public service.

Heh. I'd tack it on to the 12 1/2...
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/26/2011 18:53 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Obamateurism of the Day
Does this administration have one original thought? Barack Obama rolled out a new slogan for 2011 (and presumably his campaign) in the January State of the Union Speech, "Winning the Future" ... which just happened to be the title of a book written in 2005. By Newt Gingrich. This week, the Obama 2012 campaign rolled out a new GOTV effort they named "Project Vote":

President Barack Obama's reelection campaign on Thursday announced 'Project Vote,' a campaign-within-a-campaign that is aimed at increasing registration and participation among Democratic base constituencies -- including young voters, seniors, African Americans and Hispanics, plus Native Americans and gay and lesbian voters.

Sound familiar? It should. There was another "Project Vote," and it was run by ... er ...

'I get about 30 new voters or changes of address in six hours,' said Ms. Green, who was hired by Project Vote, the nonpartisan arm of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. 'I used to get 16 in 45 minutes, but now everyone's registered.'

Yes, that ACORN -- the corrupt organization that had a number of its offices accused of conducting voter fraud, resulting in more than a few indictments. What a fabulous brand for an incumbent President to assume!

Does anyone in Obama's organizations know how to Google?
I think this was intentional and they think we are too stupid to use Google. Leave no corrupt ties behind, huh Bambie?
I think it was intentional and they don't give a shit if we Google or not.
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/26/2011 10:47 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Right. "Go ahead and Google. We won."
Posted by: Bobby || 08/26/2011 12:00 Comments || Top||

#2  They will be combing the streets for any illegal immigrant they can find to "project vote".

He is such a lying scumbag. A Mobster, a turd with feet.

Go play golf Mr President, America is better for it but tell your wife to stop spending more than you are worth pleas.
A-hole
Posted by: newc || 08/26/2011 12:20 Comments || Top||

#3  I think they like the names and believe we're not smart enough to think googling it, we're supposed to concentrate on googling LOLcats and beer. Look at the assumptions Shakey
Steve made.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/26/2011 12:59 Comments || Top||

#4  "Look at the assumptions Shakey Steve made."

Do we have to, tw? :-(
Posted by: Barbara || 08/26/2011 14:52 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Dictator chic - like spending millions at Woolworths

There is a definite stylistic thread, a dictator chic, if you like. And dictator chic is about the display of wealth and power in every possible form. Firstly, there must be gold, lots of it. There should be ornate French furniture. Reproduction is preferable, being shinier than the antique stuff. Shiny, whether it be marble floors or planet-sized chandeliers, is a key element of dictator chic. There must be animals, abundant murals, and the cornerstone of dictator chic: "things in one's own image." But as dictators fall, there are odd reminders that they are human, too. Discovered in the compound were family photo albums (one, curiously, devoted to Condoleezza Rice). Yesterday, as a 10-year-old boy struggled with his loot – including a suitcase, replica gun and satellite television receiver – a soldier reportedly shouted at him to stop. “Let him take what he wants,” came the response from other Libyans. “It belongs to him.”
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 08/26/2011 06:36 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiJAcThiTH8

The Dictator shows off his collection. "The In-Laws", Peter Falk and Alan Arkin version
Posted by: mom || 08/26/2011 17:06 Comments || Top||

#2  London, Tripoli, whatsa difference?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/26/2011 17:08 Comments || Top||

#3  VARIOUS NETTERS > are debating iff Uncle Muammar had the hots for Condoleeza, + iff Condi would = would not be willing to under FGM for him, iff she felt the same???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/26/2011 22:45 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
NC Governor Declares Every Concealed Carry Permit in eastern NC Invalid Due to Hurricane
Thanks to a brain-dead state law foisted upon us by a Democratic state legislature (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-288.7), every time the governor--in this instance, Democrat Beverly Perdue--declares a state of emergency, it is illegal from that moment onward to carry a concealed weapon until the state of emergency has been declared over.

14-288.7. Transporting dangerous weapon or substance during emergency; possessing off premises; exceptions.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for any person to transport or possess off his own premises any dangerous weapon or substance in any area:

(1) In which a declared state of emergency exists; or

(2) Within the immediate vicinity of which a riot is occurring.

(b) This section does not apply to persons exempted from the provisions of G.S. 14-269 with respect to any activities lawfully engaged in while carrying out their duties.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

We've dealt with this bit of Democrat-generated stupidity before.

Governor Purdue made this declaration while the state was at work, meaning everyone who has a carry permit and lives east of Interstate 95 who was away from home instantly became a criminal by proclamation.

If we look at Google Maps, that means that a carry permit holder in Wilson dining at the Cracker Barrel is perfectly legal, but the permit holder a block to the east filling up on gas at the Kangaroo Express is now a criminal.

Ridiculous.
If I was governor, I would push to have all the concealed weapon holders deputized and need to report to the local law enforcement to deploy with the police after the hurricane passed to prevent looting and to aid in search and rescue. Might as well make use of the responsible citizen manpower out there instead of treating them like criminals, Mr. Governor Fucktwit.
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/26/2011 10:16 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  If we look at Google Maps, that means that a carry permit holder in Wilson dining at the Cracker Barrel is perfectly legal, but the permit holder a block to the east filling up on gas at the Kangaroo Express is now a criminal.

I'll take my chances with the "Class 1 misdemeanor" and eat at Parker's BBQ in Wilson, just like always. :-P
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/26/2011 10:24 Comments || Top||

#2  My parents live just outside Wilson. Try prying my father's hands off his guns, I dare you...
Posted by: Steve White || 08/26/2011 10:57 Comments || Top||

#3  Bastard Just crimilized every Concealed Carry holder, what a crook.

Now if you defend yourself, you're toast.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 08/26/2011 11:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Screw you Bev. I have had enough of your incompetence and nanny crap. You are the worst governor we have had. Why don't you shut your trap and let the state Legislature lead. Certainly a one term-er.

This is from a woman that decided to veto a bill our state Legislature put forth requiring ID for voting.

My fellow countrymen had not better vote for this pile of stench next time or I may go knuckles up on em.
Idiots.
Posted by: newc || 08/26/2011 12:04 Comments || Top||

#5  The article didn't say that open carry is forbidden during the emergency, only concealed. It seems to me, in my ignorance, that carrying openly during such situations is a good way to persuade would-be bad guys to take their business elsewhere...
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/26/2011 12:42 Comments || Top||

#6  On re-reading it, I have become confused. Is concealed carry forbidden, or all carrying away from home?
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/26/2011 12:44 Comments || Top||

#7  Where's the link?
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/26/2011 12:46 Comments || Top||

#8  Link
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/26/2011 12:50 Comments || Top||

#9  "Mr. Governor Fucktwit"

That's Ms. Governor Fucktwit, Darth.

/pedant
Posted by: Barbara || 08/26/2011 14:49 Comments || Top||

#10  So they have "A Situational Second Amendment?" We either have the 2nd or not--no half-assed in between BS. Our U.S. Constitution says we have it. The courts have ruled that we have it. What the hell is wrong with NC?
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/26/2011 17:31 Comments || Top||

#11  That law is written so broadly it could include pointed sticks and Everclear.

Ya know, folks like this wouldn't think twice about using the list of concealed carry licencees as Step One in gun confiscation.
Posted by: Pollyandrew || 08/26/2011 17:32 Comments || Top||

#12  So, folks in the emergency zone must evacuate and leave their guns unattended and available for looters.

Nice
Posted by: My two cents || 08/26/2011 19:09 Comments || Top||

#13  Open carry, baby....
Posted by: Barbara || 08/26/2011 21:59 Comments || Top||



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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.
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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2011-08-26
  Rebel council to take Libya's seat at Arab League
Thu 2011-08-25
  Yemeni premier back home from Riyadh
Wed 2011-08-24
  Rebels offers $1.7 million bounty for Gadhafi
Tue 2011-08-23
  Rebels Capture Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya Compound, House
Mon 2011-08-22
  Libyans Celebrate Takeover of Capital
Sun 2011-08-21
  Blasts, heavy gunfire rattle Tripoli
Sat 2011-08-20
  Pakistan mosque bombing kills at least 50
Fri 2011-08-19
  Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi wants to leave Power
Thu 2011-08-18
  Dozens reported hurt in 3-stage terror attack near Eilat
Wed 2011-08-17
  Libya rebels see victory by end of month
Tue 2011-08-16
  Libyan rebels push to isolate Tripoli
Mon 2011-08-15
  Medvedev signs order backing Libyan rebels
Sun 2011-08-14
  Tripoli Denies Rebel Capture of Western Port Town
Sat 2011-08-13
  'Cholera epidemic spreading in Somalia'
Fri 2011-08-12
  Two Hariri Murder Suspects Linked to Murr, Hamadeh, Chidiac, Hawi Cases


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