Guess Who's Afraid of an Open Internet?

It just goes beyond anything I can comprehend and can't wait to see what "gifts" Bush still has in store for US.

Open Internet advocates just received a parting gift from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

In a Thursday filing to the Federal Communications Commission, Gonzales' Department of Justice urged the agency to oppose Net Neutrality -- the principle that all Internet sites should be treated equally.

The DOJ stated that broadband companies like AT&T should be able to erect toll booths and filter traffic -- upending the even playing field that has made the Web an unrivaled engine of democratic discourse and new ideas.

The DOJ ruling once again proves the point: Powerful corporate and government gatekeepers are working together to dismantle Internet freedoms and impose their will upon the Web.

While Gonzales' feckless reign at Justice is near an end, his legacy at the department is becoming clear: The DOJ has established itself as a friend to the powerful and enemy to the basic freedoms that Americans once took for granted.

As Gonzales slinks back to Texas, he is merely pulling last-minute favors for friends in high places. This week's filing reeks of the same sort of cronyism that has left a slime trail wherever the attorney general has gone.

Via mediacitizen.

Gonzales to Get Power In Death Penalty Cases

This is something I find truly amazing. It's the rare case where the media is reporting the story everywhere, but where are the bloggers? Perhaps wingers are picking up the torch (I rarely read them), but I've not seen any mention of this on the left.

Gonzales should be kicked out of office and not rewarded with more powers. So I have no idea why there seems to be no outrage.

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, under political siege for his handling of the U.S. attorney firings and other issues, is to get expanded powers to hasten death penalty cases under regulations being developed by the Justice Department.

The rules would give Gonzales the authority to approve "fast-track" procedures by states in death penalty cases, enabling them to carry out sentences more speedily and with fewer opportunities for appeal if those states provide adequate representation for capital defendants.

Such powers were previously held by federal judges, but a provision of the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill approved by Congress last year hands the authority to the attorney general.

And just why does the Attorney General need such power? If federal judges already have the power, isn't that adequate? What does the AG bring to the table?

(read more)

One-third of prosector posts went to Bush insiders

Now this here's news, folks. Big news and you found it here.

About one-third of the nearly four dozen U.S. attorney's jobs that have changed hands since President Bush began his second term have been filled by the White House and the Justice Department with trusted administration insiders.

The people chosen as chief federal prosecutors on a temporary or permanent basis since early 2005 include 10 senior aides to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, according to an analysis of government records. Several came from the White House or other government agencies. Some lacked experience as prosecutors or had no connection to the districts in which they were sent to work, the records and biographical information show.

Why you may ask is this big news? I'll tell you why. That means Bush didn't appoint "loyal Bushies" to about two-thirds of the positions. HE BLEW IT!

Sorry I'm so imprecise there, but I had "About one-third..." and "...nearly four dozen..." as my facts from the story. Why can't the pros do better than that?

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US Navy Conducts a Dress Rehearsal for Operation Iranian Freedom

Yeah, I'm lazy, but this is a must read IMHO.

Things aren't going well back in Washington. It's all Alberto Gonzales and the fired US attorneys, 24/7 on the cable news channel. What can the administration do to change the conversation? How about sending the US Navy to engage in a few maneuvers off the coast of Iran.

I lost the link, sorry, but the author said his sources say an attack on Iran will be on April 6 or April 8. I really hope he is wrong. Nothing good will come from an attack on Iran. And many disastrous outcomes are much more likely.

Check out Booman Tribune.

Important blog site

Anything They Say is a goodie and nails the Gonzales situation cold.

Quote of the day

“It is not fair to say that we all are agreed upon what the ideal Attorney General should be. But it is fair to say that Gonzales falls short of any ideal I can think of.”

-- Stanley Katz
legal historian
Princeton
University