Abramoff Confirms That He Helped Turn Alabama Into a Political Cesspool

[Octafish]

When it comes to corruption in public office, don't forget Who's Who and What's What.

Abramoff Confirms That He Helped Turn Alabama Into a Political Cesspool

Legal Schnauzer
Thursday, November 10, 2011

EXCERPT...

But while withholding more evidence than he provides, Abramoff confirms our worst fears: He helped soil our democracy in a way that almost certainly is unprecedented--and Alabama was one of his prime playgrounds.

How did he do it? Mainly by playing conservative Christians for fools.

The book is called "Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption from America's Most Notorious Lobbyist." And after reading it, even the least rational Alabamians are likely to understand the following:

* Bob Riley rose to the governorship on a wave of GOP criminality;

* Don Siegelman, indeed, was targeted for a political prosecution--partly to assuage Abramoff's clients, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians;

* Milton McGregor was targeted for a political prosecution in the ongoing Alabama bingo case--again to protect the Mississippi Choctaws.

The big loser in Abramoff's book, however, is the U.S. Department of Justice. We learn that the DOJ uncovered only a fraction of the criminal actions connected to Abramoff--or perhaps we should say the department acted on only a tiny portion of what it uncovered. In fact, the Abramoff "prosecution" now looks mostly like an exercise in political damage control--one that, so far, has helped protect Bob Riley and his henchmen in Alabama.

CONTINUED w LINKS: http://legalschnauzer.blogspot.com/2011/11/abramoff-confirms-that-he-helped-turn.html

Gee. An "exercise in political damage control...to protect Bob Riley and his henchmen in Alabama."

That sounds like something Democrats in Congress should want to look into, even if the United States Department of Justice thought it unwise to investigate Bob Riley and his henchmen, wherever they may roam.

[fascisthunter]

1. I Seriously hope you are a Journalist

if not, you should be! Actually, come to think of it, you are!!!! HA!

[madokie]

2. I agree wholeheartedly

If he isn't he damn sure should be.
Yeah Octafish we talking 'bout you :-)

[Old and In the Way]

3. They really should update their party name

The Organized Crime Party is much closer to the truth.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Big-Time-WamPum

:rofl:

[annabanana]

5. There it all is. Plain as day.. Right out There...

Exactly how BIG can something be and still be INVISIBLE to Washington?

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. It can't. Which tells you what you need to know.

[fascisthunter]

7. exactly.... the "man behind the curtain" is exposed

this is not a democracy.

[hootinholler]

9. That's rhetorical

Right?

[Kingofalldems]

8. Yeah but Siegelman was convicted by a jury!

So says the internet republicans.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. What are the ramifications to Bob Riley?

Or is this all water under the bridge because of a statute of limitations?

[Stuckinthebush]

11. As an Alabama resident I can tell you that it had been a cesspool for years

But what was done to Don Siegelman was pure evil.

[Hotler]

12. k&r n/t

[SpiralHawk]

13. Republicon Family Cesspool Political 'Values'

Republicon scuzzbucketry against decency and honor.

As usual.

[OnyxCollie]

14. Let's see...

Gov. Siegelman files a fraud complaint against ExxonMobil for gas pumped out of Mobil Bay. A jury sides with Alabama and awards $3.6 billion. ExxonMobil appeals to the Alabama Supreme Court and the award is rejected, 8 to 1, with the sole Democrat dissenting. The $3.6 billion is reduced to $51 million.

Gov. Siegelman wants a state lottery to fund public education. He asks Richard Scrushy to contribute.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is concerned about their gambling revenues, and pays Abramoff to fight against the lottery.

Abramoff takes the money and secretly funds Christian anti-gambling groups in Alabama with the help of Ralph Reed.

Abramoff's partner, Michael Scanlon, provides money through PACs to Gov. Siegelman's anti-gambling opponent, Bob Riley.

Gov. Siegelman loses the election after a midnight recount in Baldwin County. A recount is denied by AG William Holcombe Pryor, who later is appointed during a congressional recess to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals by George W. Bush.

Pryor pays William Canary, friend of Karl Rove, $40,000 in 1998 to be his consultant.

Canary receives $38,000 from Steve Windom, Siegelman's opponent in the '02 election. Windom runs on investigating Siegelman. Windom loses in the primary to Riley.

Canary's wife, Leura, and Alice Martin are appointed US Attorneys by Bush. Canary gives assurance to Rob Riley, son of Alabama Governor Bob Riley, that "his girls" would "get Siegelman".

I've got to leave this for now. Big K&R.

[Kingofalldems]

15. Kick and Rec for the sneaky anti-Siegelman repubs to read