CONGRESSMAN JESSE JACKSON, JR. "PROBE" HAS GROWN TENTACLES THAT MUST BE CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.The Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Witch Hunt must stop. This is getting absolutely ridiculous! How did the probe into whether Jesse Jackson, Jr. attempted to negotiate the purchase of Obama's vacant Senate seat from then Governor Rod Blagojevich turn into a full-on investigation into how Rep. Jackson used of his own campaign resources? This dual investigation (one by the Feds, the other by a Congressional committee) has nothing to do with its original purpose - was there a quid pro quo agreement between Jackson and Blagojevich?

In a previous blog I write:

JESSE JACKSON, JR. WITCH HUNT PREPOSTEROUS - PRESS HAS FORGOTTEN THE ISSUE: BLAGOJEVICH'S ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO SELL SENATE SEAT

In late May 2009, it was reported that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has paid his wife approximately $250,000 for her assistance in his campaign. Article here.

Most importantly, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee states that at least 40 members of Congress, from both parties, employ spouses or family members in their campaigns. As for Illinois, the practice is very very common.

The Office of Congressional Ethics probe, which was launched in April 2009, is supposed to investigate a matter for 30 days before making a recommendation to the House members' chief ethics panel, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. That committee can take action, refuse action or continue the probe.

It has now been over FIVE MONTHS of investigation! The purpose of the ethics probe was to determine if Rep. Jackson was involved in any quid pro quo with Gov. Rod Blagojevich. They did not find any such wrongdoing or involvement with Gov. Blagojevich; therefore, the probe should have come to an end.

Instead, the committee has gone well beyond its original scope, so much so that the Feds have asked them to STOP. 

According to today's Sun Times, "The Office of Congressional Ethics revealed Wednesday it was probing whether Jackson improperly used his congressional staff to wage a political campaign for appointment to the U.S. Senate. Federal authorities have asked a congressional ethics committee to temporarily back off its probe of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., fearing it would interfere with an ongoing investigation." Article here.

The latest "investigation" is into whether Congressman Jackson had his staff send out letters to constiutents regarding his campaign for the Senate seat. Really? 

Let's just do a cost-benefit analysis: the cost to taxpayers for TWO investigations: 1) the Ethics Committee investigation that has now proceeded for five months, and 2) the Federal investigation. The COST of the two separate investigations has gone WAY BEYOND the alleged "inappropriate" spending of Rep. Jackson. Why doesn't this "Committee" do something else with their time; instead of reading Jackson's financial statements, read that +1000 page health care bill? And maybe the Feds can spend more time on bringing down the bad guys instead of determining whether Rep. Jackson asked his staff to mail some letters?

I don't really care if you "like" Rep. Jackson or not. That's not the issue. The issue is that the probe has gone well beyond its scope, well beyond its purpose, and well beyond its allotted deadline. Clearly, there are ulterior motives since neither committee found what it was looking for, i.e. the Blago-Jackson quid pro quo zinger. The nonsense must stop!

 www.xpunged.com and www.tamaraholder.com

ARRIVAL OF 1ST GITMO DETAINEE IS PREMATURE - NOWHERE TO GO POST-CONVICTION...BUT, MONEY TALKS

Guantanamo Prison

The first Guantanamo detainee, Ahmed Ghailani, has arrived on U.S. soil to face trial for a bombing in 1998 that killed 12 Americans, 224 people in all. Article here.

He's an American detainee, accused of killing Americans; thus, he should be tried by America. Fine.

But then what? It reminds me of when I was in high school and my parents wanted to send me to boarding school...or somewhere...for being a "bad kid"...even though they wanted to give me the boot and punish me, they had to formulate an exit plan first: Where do we sent this kid?

Obama needs to determine where to send these boys! Instead, he's brought this guy over to the U.S., with no idea where he'll be permanently placed. That's just silly.

Issue is WHERE not WHEN

President Obama has not resolved the issue of where the Gitmo detainees will serve their sentences, if convicted, even though he promised to close Gitmo down by January 2010. But how can he close the doors on Gitmo before having new doors open? What a premature promise!

How Much Will You Give Me to Take Them In - The Prison "Industry" Will Prevail

Money talks. As of right now, it doesn't seem like any states want the detainees. We know Obama asked for $81 million to close Gitmo. But how much will it cost to house these guys in America? How much are the Feds willing to give the states for these guys? There has been talk on the Hill about states (per the Governors' consent) being given extra money if they agree to house the convicted detainees. Article here.

Our prison system is currently extremely overcrowded. Keep in mind, there are only 240 detainees; it's not like we are talking about thousands of beds here. But, these men will be housed in the maximum security facilities. It will cost taxpayers millions of dollars per year, per Gitmo convict, to house these men.

This issue of "WHERE" gives states a tremendous bargaining chip in this time of financial crisis. States that decide to house these men are in a position to receive an additional hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Overcrowding may become a secondary issue...give the states enough money and they'll surely find a way to put these dudes somewhere. Money talks!

Prison Industry Allows for Private Companies to Profit Too

Modern day slavery still occurs in the prisons. Corporations pay prisoners pennies on the dollar for work. Be on the lookout fo lobbyists supporting the states bringing the detainees to the state pen. They can make some cash off of them too. See my blog on this here.

www.tamaraholder.com and www.xpunged.com

GOV. BLAGOJEVICH: WE MUST RESPECT OUR GREAT AMERICAN PRINCIPLES

IL Governor Blagojevich has told the world that he's going to fight for his innocence, that the truth will come out in his favor.  At the same time, the IL House began impeachment proceedings first thing Monday morning, just several days after his arrest for allegedly attempting to sell Obama's senate seat. 

As a criminal defense attorney, I know that once the Feds gotcha, you are pretty much cooked.  They use phone taps, wiretaps, surveillance, etc. before making an arrest.  They make sure their case is pretty air-tight before charging someone.  Seems like this is exactly the case for Blagojevich:  We've known the Feds have been investigating him for years; however, they waited for the final clincher to arrest him.

But remember, he still has not been convicted.  In fact, we don't even really know what's evidence they have against him besides a few released phone taps, and his use of many f-bombs.  I think it's tragic that the media and our other elected officials have rushed to convict him and remove him from power before we really know the facts.

Also, we must be mindful of the fact that the very people who are attempting to remove him so quickly from power are the very people who seek their own political gain.  AG Lisa Madigan, who is very well respected in our State, is also interested in that open Senate seat.  And her father, IL House Speaker, is the person who initiated the impeachment proceedings yesterday. Many people who want him gone have their own vested interest. Speaker of the House Michael Madigan is taking the first step toward possibly impeaching embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, seen here leaving his Ravenswood home today. Madigan did not join the chorus of officials calling for Blagojevich's resignation. (AP)

We are all innocent until proven guilty.  I don't necessarily think Gov. Blagojevich should remain in a position of power while facing such grave charges; however, it's important to take a step back and not convict him in the newsroom before the courtroom.  It's also important to look at the motives of those leading the fight against him.

www.xpunged.com and www.tamaraholder.com

IL GOV. BLAGOJEVICH IN FEDERAL CUSTODY: SENATE APPOINTMENT CLINCHER

Tribune photo: IL Gov. Blagojevich yesterday 12-8-08IL Governor Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody this morning.  Federal agents arrested the Governor at his home at approximately 6 am.  A complaint was filed; however, the document has not been unsealed so the charges are all speculation at this time. 

TIMING = SENATE APPOINTMENT

There is a lot of political pressure in IL right now regarding who Gov. Blagojevich will appoint to the Senate seat.  It was reported that one of his top aides agreed to wear a wiretap several weeks ago.  My speculation is that these conversations were about who Blagojevich will appoint to the Senate seat that will replace Barack Obama. The Feds needs just a little something more to get him.  This was it. Who wants to pay to play?

"Pay to play" isn't a new allegation in this administration.  Tony Rezco, one of Blagojevich's top fundraisers, was convicted by the feds earlier this year. (Obama is linked to Rezco as well, keep in mind!) Also, Blagojevich has been accused of "pay to play" in granting state contracts.

There is a reason why this arrest comes at this time.  The feds have been investigating him for years.  It must be because of Senate appoinment-related issues.

I have met with Gov. Blagojevich and some of his advisors.  I know people who deal with him.  I have never witnessed any promises being made; in fact, I have seen just the opposite. They've promised me that they'll start granting pardons (no, not mine) and he hasn't budged.  Well, maybe that's because he had other pressures! Remember, this Gov. also has about 2000 pardon petitions on his desk.  He granted ONE last year - and that was a scandal in and of itself. Understandably so...

A presser is set for this afternoon.  We'll hear the specific charges then.

www.xpunged.com and www.tamaraholder.com