Rep. William Jefferson Letting LA Down

Representative William J. Jefferson, (D-LA) stands accused of accepting bribes from a Nigerian internet company. While he, like all of the Republicans who are indicted or under investigation is innocent until he pleads guilty or is found guilty by a court of law, the press and Republicans are eager to paint him guilty and part of the Republican culture of corruption in Washington. If Jefferson is guilty of accepting bribes, then he is certainly corrupt. However, he stands on his own. He is not part of the Republican machine of corruption. These people network it.

Jefferson's former aide, Brent Pfeffer, has already pleaded guilty to charges of aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy on January 11, 2006. He implicated Bill Jefferson in his plea deal. Jefferson has been charged with requiring monetary favors for he and his family in exchange for assisting the internet company in Nigeria.

For more information on the charges see Wikipedia or this article at The Washington Post. Josh Marshall has also set up The Grande Ole Docket to help keep track of all indictments, pleas and court dates associated with them. You might also find more in this discussion going on at The Daily Muck.

Dick Cheney Shoots 78 Year Old Man

How utterly embarrassing.

UPDATE: The Washington Post version of the story has Armstrong blaming the other hunter. It's obviously OK to get shot by the Vice President because she's been peppered pretty good herself. I wonder who shot Armstrong? The story gets more and more ridiculous as the long versions come out.

I have been quail hunting. I just don't see how this can happen. But then, we don't shoot each other for sport up here in North Carolina.

Hat tip FDL.

Senators from Both Sides:Cheney Should be Investigated

The AP is reporting that Senator Jack Reed, (D-RI) and Senator George Allen, (R-VA) should be investigated in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson.

According to court documents disclosed last week, Libby told a federal grand jury that he disclosed in July 2003 the contents of a classified National Intelligence Estimate as part of the Bush administration's defense of intelligence used to justify invading Iraq.

In another version of the same AP release Allen is quoted as saying,

"I don't think anybody should be releasing classified information, period, whether in the Congress, executive branch or some underling in some bureaucracy," said Allen, who appeared with Reed on "Fox News Sunday."

Allen went on to praise Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor in the case saying he is very professional and articulate.

Vice President Cheney has been interviewed by the special prosecutor, but was not under oath. Fitzgerald may already have plans to interview Cheney again in front of the grand jury. Before calling the Vice President of the United States to testify in front of a grand jury you can bet Fitzgerald will be prepared. He isn't easily intimidated and that should keep Cheney off his game. Intimidation and fear as Cheney's favorite cards to play and Fitzgerald won't be impressed.

Jane and Redd at Firedoglake have written extensively about this case. You can find a few of their writings here, here and here.