Remember, this isn't us saying it; it's a former Republican operative in Alabama who outed Rove here. Thank God there are still some Republicans in the country with a conscience. You can read about the 60 Minutes story here or just watch it on Sunday. But here is a quote from the piece that give you a sense of the injustice that Don Siegelman has suffered at the hands of these hatchet-men:
Siegelman was convicted of bribery in a case that has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans. In fact, 52 former states' attorneys general from both political parties petitioned Congress to investigate Siegelman's case, resulting in hearings held last fall.
"I haven't seen a case with this many red flags on it that pointed towards a real injustice being done," Grant Woods, the former Republican attorney general of Arizona and one of those who petitioned Congress, tells Pelley. "I personally believe that what happened here is that they targeted Don Siegelman because they could not beat him fair and square."
This is what the US Attorney scandal is really about. They politicized US attorneys in order to pursue political goals inside the Justice Department. And it had real results, like convicting innocent men and sending them to jail. That's what is actually criminal. If we had a real Justice Department, they would be looking into charges against Karl Rove instead. But no matter what, one thing is clear, it's way past time to free Don Siegelman.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)
1. Rove is the goat and cheney holds the rope. We are'nt questioning deep enough or hard enough. Unfortunetly our congress is geared for self protection 1st, legalities and justice come 2nd or never!!! When our Electrates find out one of their own commits an outrageos and unforgivable act they wave their fists in the air and "We'll get to the bottem of this!" Then the goat gets scolded,slapped on the butt,and pushed out of eye sight of the public. Then they PUBLICLY congratulate each other and we're supposed to give them the unearned "JOB well done" and being contented Americans,forget all about it. Let's keep on bloging and those who can afford it, buy news paper adds and write letters to news paper and magazine editors. Whith enough saturation maybe we'll be heard
Bob Wilkinson at 4:10PM on Feb 23rd 2008
2. Cenk, I don't think you got the memo about the US Attorneys. They serve at the pleasure of the President. They can be fired at any time for any reason. Clinton replaced all of them when he was in office. To "politicize" the Justice Dept. is in the eye of the beholder.
For Democrats - the very people who willingly and gleefully hold our national security hostage while they falsely accuse the President of spying on Americans - and their proxies in the media, to accuse Republicans of holding anybody hostage is laughable.
Democrats tried to destroy Karl Rove and Sccoter Libby, accusing them of outing Valerie Plame. Scooter Libby Spent a small fortune defending himself over what Richard Armitage and the prosecuting Attorney knew was a demonstrably phony charge. Democrats didn't care if an innocent man went to prison as long as they extracted their pound of flesh.
Democrats have carried out a scorched earth campaign against the President and his Administration. They've called him a torturer and a terrorist and a murderer and a tyrant. They've written books and movies about assassinating him.
However, if what Cenk is saying about Karl Rove is true, I suppose Mr. Rove is now qualified to join the Democrat Party and maybe run the DNC.
Dave at 4:47PM on Feb 23rd 2008
3. Where was the Democratic Party when this was happening? Why didn't they come to the rescue of Don Siegelman instead of trying to defend himself?
This inaction is not limited to the Democrats. When a member of either party gets in hot water very few, if any other member of the party will stand by the accused or behind them.
David Rosenberg at 3:31PM on Feb 24th 2008
4. I so sick of people acting as if this is some sort of equal contest between the Rove neo-cons and the rest of us. Rove is a criminal. His tactics are criminal. He goes far beyond the usual political tricks employed by both sides. He deserves nothing less than a long prison term.
ChuckL at 5:49PM on Feb 23rd 2008
5. WHAT THE HELL IS A "REPUBLICAN OPERATIVE"? IS THAT A CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT WHO THINKS HIS PARTY MOVED TOO FAR TO THE LUNATIC LEFT? IF ROVE IS REALLY THAT GOOD, WILL HE BE COMING AFTER THE YOUNG TURKS?
OH,,,,WAIT,,,,THEY'RE NOT WORTH THE BOTHER. JUST SOME DUDE NAMED CENK WHO KINDA LOOKS LIKE JOHN BELUSHI, ONLY NOT AS GOOD LOOKING. LOLLLLLLLL
KLIFF KLAVEN at 6:10PM on Feb 23rd 2008
6. Why is the MEDIA dilbrately ignoring the story about Obama's alleged GAY AFFAIR????!!!!!
McCain is being accused of an affair even though the woman involved denies it. With Obama - we have a guy who has times, dates and places regarding his alleged sexual liason with Obama and the Media ignores it????!!! Wierd!!!!
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=56626
Sleaze charge: 'I took drugs, had homo sex with Obama'
Minnesota man takes his case to court, YouTube, $100,000 polygraph challenge
BARAK IS ON THE DOWN-LOW?
taylor at 6:47PM on Feb 23rd 2008
7. This election year is going to get very ugly. Rethugs know no depth when it comes to character assassination.
Captain Negative at 6:53PM on Feb 23rd 2008
8. I think Kark Rove is a sleazebag, but what you do not provide here in your story, Cenk, is exactly what Mr. Siegelman did. Conservative or not, judges do not send people to prison over nothing. I believe it was also a conservative judge who sent Scooter Libby to jail also. So let's be fair.
That said, as to Dave #2, sure, Democrats have been out to get Bush in some ways. But please do not forge the Republican witch hunts during the Clinton administraton. The GOP controlled Congress wanted nothing more than to drive Bill Clinton from office; accusing him of everything from rape to murder.
So, as they say, paybacks are mother f**kers.
David S. at 7:26PM on Feb 23rd 2008
9. I HATE Karl Rove (and hate is a word I only use for insurance companies and the devil), he is the evil mastermind behind all the GOP dirty tricks. BUT, I live only a few miles from the Alabama state line, and the Governor was guilty of the charges brought against him, as he was involved in his friends Scrushy's illegal business dealings. And I am a democrat, but I can't defend Siegelman. Although, Rove's latest escapades in trying to find an affair and exploiting it, can you say John McCain's black illegal child in South Carolina, 8 years ago? The man is pure evil.
What would be interesting is to find out which person dominated the Bush WHite House - Rove or Cheny? Who did the dirty bidding of the other? I consider them both evil and have often wondered which one of them had his hand rammed up Bush's arse to control the puppet President? Cenk, what do you think, Rove or Cheny?
Sarah at 7:28PM on Feb 23rd 2008
10. Sarah writes...
"BUT, I live only a few miles from the Alabama state line..."
-----------------------------------------
Plese accept my sympathies.
Interesting question reagarding which is the lesser of two evils, Rove or Cheney. As far as sheer damage to this republic, I would have to vote, "Cheney." But it is a tough choice and I am open to changing my vote.
Captain Negative at 7:46PM on Feb 23rd 2008
11. I'm not sure who does a worse job of reporting the facts. The ultra liberal "Young Jerks" or the New York Times. Both of them are an embarrasment to news...
Taint at 9:15PM on Feb 23rd 2008
12. Dave S., are you keeping a straight face when you say "Judges do not send people to jail over nothing." You really are that naive?
How many persons have been imprisoned and PUT TO DEATH and they were innocent, damn just Google it.
They do say 'Ignorance is Bliss'.
rhodalee at 9:46PM on Feb 23rd 2008
13. Hey Karl: Help Destroy Obama!!!!!!!
Ever heard of Larry Sinclair? Apparently Barack Hussein Obama is alleged to have known him since they were sex and drug buddies back in 1999.
http://www.youtube.com/user/larrysinclair0926
Wonder if Democrat Barack Obama is going to get the Larry Craig treatment from the Liberal Media and the Hypocritical Left Wing Partisan Hacks.
(:(:(:(:(:(:(: ROTFLMFAO :):):):):):):)
Paul Sparcello at 9:59PM on Feb 23rd 2008
14. Cenk
Your playing an old Democrat Crooks story to make look Karl Rove the bad bad guy-SAD.
Play out Don Siegelman with some facts of this convicted Democrat crook. The Alabama US Attorney, a Clinton Democrat Appointee and a Democrat, started to investigate Spiegelman in 1999. He was convicted by a Jury of 1 count Conspiracy Mail Fraud; 4 Counts Mail Fraud; and 1 count Obstruction of Justice. Hardly just a minor thing,
While Governor of Alabama
He executed eight people, 7 in the electric chair, 1 a woman. Hardly a man with a warm heart.
In his 2002 very close Governor election he won by a very small margin, a election stole in Baldwin County with voting mechines. That caused Alabama Legislature to Change the Election Code.
All of this CENK over a Democrat who should be in jail, where he is. CENK, would never have seen you
crying foul if Don Siegelman was a Republican
Source-Wikiedia
robert okane at 10:03PM on Feb 23rd 2008
15. My wife teaches middle school kids. She notes that in each class there is a cadre of predatory girls out to defame and injure other girls who are supposedly not as cool. They work on the sly. They spread lie-saturated innuendo intended to slash reputations and spirits. They play dirty tricks. There is no confrontation (as with boys who would just as soon kick the s*** out of their rivals - stupid but direct). My wife thinks of Karl Rove as a particularly viscious 8th grade girl. He comes at you from behind and never leaves a fingerprint. But he outdoes the 8th grade girl in that he wants more damaging results. His intent is to destroy the rest of a life.
Lord Jesus, how is it that such a moral dwarf has been exalted in this country?
Paul at 10:19PM on Feb 23rd 2008