Sen. Feinstein appeared on FoxNews Sunday. And why not? They're fair AND balanced! (h/t Andrew Malcolm)
Anyway, the topic of Guantanamo came up, and DiFi reacts in, well a sane and rational way. When asked by Chris Wallace whether she would be willing to have Gitmo detainees in federal prisons in California, she says yes. Noting that the prisons are virtually un-escapable at their super-max level of security. They cannot escape to wreak havoc on the general population. And frankly, would a Gitmo detainee really have much interest in launching a solo attack on some random rural general store?
Sen. Bond's reaction is one of simple fear. "We don't want them in Missouri," he says. "They will recruit from the general prison population."
Two responses: go to a super-max prison and check it out and then ask how terrorists are viewed in prisons. Not particularly popular.
But, there's fear to be sold here, no point checking the facts when he can simply play to the basest emotions. Kudos to Sen. Feinstein for answering succinctly and honestly while presenting a snapshot of the situation as it exists in the real world.
Remember Leslie Southwick? Well, in case you forgot, he's the guy who wrote that children should be removed from gay parents. Oh, and W appointed to him to be a federal judge. Yup, that guy. If you recall, DiFi is basically the only reason his nomination got past the judiciary committee. She broke ranks with the other Dems and voted in support of the nominations with her conservative bretheren in the Republican party. Yay DiFi, thanks for tossing the LGBT community under the bus again. You really have a knack for it.
Well, once you recall all of that, the other important news is that the nomination is coming up for a floor vote very soon. And our old pal DiFi is going around telling other Senators that she's getting no negative comments about Leslie Southwick at ALL! Everybody loves Leslie! Except, that's not really the case. Her own staffers, and other senators, seem to be surprised given the news from the real world that she's getting lots of mail about this.
The good folks at FireDogLake, have some ideas on what to do. Namely, make sure that DiFi hears a loud and clear message that this vote stunk then, and it stinks now. Oh, and there will be a presser next Tuesday. I'll try to be there. Mailing info blatantly ripped off from FDL over the flip.
Well, Dianne Feinstein has finally done it: she called for the resignation of AG Alberto Gonzales on Fox News Sunday (ick!). Besides her poor choice in Sunday News programs, you have to applaud DiFi for pushing for answers on these questions.
Way back in January, DiFi issued a press release asking questions about the USA firings. And the right questions. If you go back and look as the release, you will see the same concerns she was talking about back then are the same concerns right now. There are questions in all of the USA firings, but California's firings are some of the most questionable firings.
Carol Lam was fired right after the Cunningham conviction and as she was in the process of indicting big-time GOP donor Brent Wilkes and former CIA #3 Dusty Foggo. Ultimately, the Lam case was the unforgivable sin for DiFi. It just looks dirty from every angle. Lam had good conviction rates, good performance reviews, but hadn't brought down any Dem politicians. So, out she goes.
Kevin Ryan, a self-described "company man" (aka, a "Loyal Bushie") hadn't been successful in prosecuting Don Perata (although he had made plenty of noise). After two years of trying to nail Perata, nothing of substance had emerged. Nothing. Despite the fact that Ryan's office had leaked like a sieve, nothing of impropriety could actually be found to base a legal charge. But, the Loyal Bushies really, really needed to take down a big Democrat, and Perata fit the bill. I mean, he's from Oakland and once did a construction project. He must be corrupt!! So, the Bushies needed to replace Ryan with somebody who would do more than leak, he would file charges. Enter Scott Schools, Loyal Bushie and a guy who had a role to play in the firings while he was in DC. Unfortunately, Schools will soon discover that there is no there there. Oh, and don't forget to follow the Gerald Parsky/Kevin Ryan saga.
What a mess. This whole thing has been bungled to an extreme unseen since...umm...well, Katrina, Iraq, Afganistan, wiretaps...you get the point. Bush pushes Loyalty over all else. But it is now clear that all else includes the best interests of the nation. And DiFi, despite all her flaws, has been the one person to see that from the very beginning of this saga.
Under the bill (S. 214), which passed 94-2 with only Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Kit Bond (R-Mo.) opposed, the attorney general can still name an interim U.S. attorney for up to 120 days. However, after that time the president must sent a permanent nominee to the Senate for confirmation. If that does not happen, a district court would then have the authority to appoint an interim U.S. attorney. (TheHill 3/20/07)
I beleive it was passed without significant amendments (Kyl and Sessions tried). DiFi has been very, very good on the US Attorney issues, pushing it when she (and Josh Marshall) were the only ones paying attention.
Over the flip you will find the complete text of DiFi's speech on the Senate Floor in favor of S.214 to require Senate confirmation of the US Attorneys. It is expected to come to a vote in the Senate tomorrow morning. Warning, it's quite long.
