Political Prisoner Don Seigelman: Alabama's Watergate?

[L. Coyote]

Editorials - Sep 27, 2007
Alabama's Watergate?
Alabama Viewpoint by Bob Martin
http://www.southalabamian.com/news/2007/0927/Editorials/016.html


A few months back Don Siegelman stated that his conviction and imprisonment would become "Alabama's Watergate." At the time I dismissed such a suggestion as Siegelman hyperbole.

Then came allegations by a Rainsville lawyer that she overheard a telephone plot to use the Justice Department to get the former Alabama governor. Next came the Justice Department's refusal to turn over documents to the House Judiciary Committee investigating the Siegelman prosecution and the firing of eight United States Attorneys.

Now we learn that Justice is withholding 514 pages of documents pertaining to the recusal of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, Leura Canary, from the Siegelman prosecution for "personal and privacy" reasons. Siegelman's lawyers asked Canary to step away from the prosecution of Siegelman because of her husband, Bill Canary's association with Karl Rove and the Republican Party. Canary recused herself from the case in May of 2002.

These documents were requested under the Freedom of Information Act in May of 2006 and the Justice Department told Siegelman's lawyer that no documents existed .....

[L. Coyote]

1. Previous Siegelman threads on DU

Follow this link:

Political Prisoner Don Seigelman: Obstruction Of Justice Accusation Unclear
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1704777

[L. Coyote]

2. Politics is nastier than ever today

Editorials - Sept 27, 2007
Politics is nastier than ever today
By Steve Flowers
http://www.thethomasvilletimes.com/news/2007/0927/Op_Editorial/015.html


Several weeks ago I commented on the mean-spirited nature of politics today. There is a vicious, pervasive, take no prisoners, warfare mentality prevalent between the two political parties.

I attributed this acrimony to the legislative and congressional districts around the country being drawn so that they are either extremely republican or extremely democratic. ..... It is no surprise that congress has an abysmal approval rating, even lower than President Bush which is pretty low.

Speaking of low, one of the murkiest areas that has evolved in recent yeas is in the area of political prosecution or it could be referred to as political persecution. Many democrats believe that Don Siegelman was targeted by federal prosecutors directed to prosecute and persecute Siegelman. They drew a direct correlation to the Bush Administration scandal which revealed that Bush political operative, Karl Rove, fired impartial U.S. Attorneys around the country who would not do the political bidding and prosecution ordered by the political side of the White House.

The Siegelman case is hard to determine if it was politically motivated. There was certainly enough evidence and innuendo to warrant an investigation without any political pressure. There was enough cronyism to convict Siegelman on ethical lapses. Ironically he was convicted on something that was probably not illegal.

.............

[midnight]

3. If this man is guilty why do they hide the documents?

[L. Coyote]

5. Indeed. Why did they LIE?

[AX10]

4. K & R!

The GOP is filthy as a tinpot dictator.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks for posting. K&R

[flashl]

7. K&R n/t