Holder's DC Legacy: Not Much
| Wed Nov. 19, 2008 12:32 PM PST
Eric Holder seems poised to sail smoothly into a historic appointment: the first African American attorney general of the United States. He brings to the job everything you might want in the nation's top prosecutor: decades of experience working in the department he will oversee, with a special emphasis on prosecuting corrupt public officials; service as a local DC judge, and a temperament nearly as cool as Obama's. The only possible hitch in his ascension to AG is his role in Bill Clinton's pardon of financier Marc Rich, who was once married to a Clinton donor.
Given Holder's otherwise squeaky-clean reputation and a democratic Congress, that minor hiccup isn't likely to slow him down. What might give some members of Congress pause, however, is Holder's record as US Attorney for the District of Columbia during the Clinton administration. If Democrats are looking for a crusader to clean house at the Justice Department and elsewhere in the federal government, Holder might not be their man.
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Continued From Above
In 1997, I wrote a lengthy story for the Washington City Paper critical of Holder for not doing more to prosecute public corruption in the District, which at the time, was headline news. Marion Barry had recently won another term as mayor after coming out of prison, and had generated a host of good material for an aggressive prosecutor. Yet as I wrote in 1997:
[F]or all the love Holder has engendered in the community as U.S. Attorney, he has had precious little impact on the city's endemic municipal corruption. Barry has returned to his old tricks, nudging contracts and city jobs to old cronies and new girlfriends...
Holder…has not had a single high-profile D.C. public corruption case since he became U.S. Attorney. By comparison, during his 5-year tenure [former U.S. Attorney Joseph] diGenova successfully prosecuted two deputy mayors and a dozen lower-level city officials. Holder may have had his way with the media and kept the community at bay, but now that he seems to be moving on, people are wondering why he isn't leaving behind a more honest, or at least more chaste, D.C. government.
Holder is, by nearly all accounts, an extremely nice guy. As US attorney, he schmoozed with the neighborhoods, addressed the office's dismal record on domestic violence prosecution, and generated a host of gushy press reports that never failed to mention his membership in Concerned Black Men. By staying out of the cesspool of municipal government, he managed to avoid creating even the slightest appearance of controversy, something his predecessors had generated tons of (all of which makes his involvement with the Rich pardon so curious).
Even as he wooed the press, Holder knew how to keep his mouth shut, a quality Obama will no doubt value. His office was virtually leak-proof, a major change from his predecessors like diGenova, who to this day remains a serious blabbermouth. But Holder's reluctance to bring charges against city officials also prompted speculation that he distrusted city juries, a lack of confidence that's not an especially desirable quality in a top prosecutor. It also conveyed a certain amount of snobbery that only compounded the perception that the US attorney, who also prosecutes federal crime, could not be bothered with piddly little municipal corruption cases.
One city official practically thumbed her nose at Holder after she was caught holding drivers' licenses from two different jurisdictions and voting in DC elections even though she actually lived in Maryland. (She voted in a special election that was decided by a single vote.) Fraudulently registering to vote is a felony in DC. But when the Washington Post confronted her about it, the former taxicab commissioner said brazenly, "Hey, arrest me!" No one did, the woman continued to vote in city elections, and Holder's office never did a thing about the highly publicized act of lawbreaking.
Previous US attorneys in the District, who were white and Republican, had spent an inordinate amount of time and resources trying to put Marion Barry behind bars. Those decisions earned them little but outright hostility from city residents, so Holder's appointment and approach came as welcome change. Even so, members of the DC Council and other public servants working to clean up the city government complained that Holder had gone a little too far the other way. They thought he was depriving the city of some of the much-needed sunshine that can come with a public trial. Holder's reluctance to pull the trigger on many of the investigations generated by law enforcement in DC ensured that many of those responsible for the city's dysfunction continued to flourish. (As the former city auditor told me at the time, "No one ever makes the bad guys pay back the money. If you don't mind a little embarrassment in DC, you can steal to your heart's content.")
Many in DC's legal community had long speculated that the U.S. Attorney's office was just a way station for Holder, and suspected him of coveting a federal judgeship. He was clearly defensive about this when I met him. He told me back then, "I want to make clear that the decisions I've made in this office with regard to what I've said about any issue, any speeches I've given, any prosecutive decisions I've made, have absolutely nothing to do with furthering my career." Weeks later, he became deputy attorney general.
Comments
The author should have defined terms better. There is corruption within the political arena and then there is also corruption within the Judiciary branch of government. Some U.S. Atts. police the politicians (Legislative branch) while the courts are themselves big offenders and the same U.S. Atty would never prosecute fellow lawyers and forget judges. I listened to one U.S. Atty. brag about convicting a local mayor for receiving a single $1,500.00 bribe. Its laughable. The LOWEST performing law firm with juice lifts $-millions per year above their due. Sort of like the 'drunk driver' condemning someone for being double parked.
As to Eric Holder, we (who pay attention) shall know his true calling within 2 months after he assumes the office--maybe sooner. For now, I like the idea of an uppette Black (non-Republican) head of law enforcement.
What a dork!!!! (putting it nicely!!!!)
Ha, ha--consider:
U.S. Attorney Urges Responsible Behavior (Eric Holder Delivers African American Keynote)
Lawyer for Chiquita in Colombia Death Squad Case May be Next U.S. Attorney General (Huffington Post):
--"In its recent report entitled, 'Breaking the Grip? Obstacles to Justice for Paramilitary Mafias in Colombia,' Human Rights Watch had specific recommendations for the U.S. Department of Justice."
"Eric Holder would have a troubling conflict of interest in carrying out this work in light of his current work as defense lawyer for Chiquita Brands ..."
"Chiquita has already admitted in a criminal case that it paid the AUC around $1.7 million in a 7-year period and that it further provided the AUC with a cache of machine guns as well."
"Indeed, Holder himself, using his influence as former deputy attorney general under the Clinton Administration, helped to negotiate Chiquita's sweetheart deal with the Justice Department in the criminal case against Chiquita."
"In the end, Chiquita was fined a mere $25 million ..."
"This is incredible given the havoc wreaked by Chiquita's aid to these Colombian death squads."
For another like instance, only substitute Coca-Cola for Chiquita, see: Sinaltrainal v. Colombia--Wikipedia.
This man is a dork!!!! (putting it nicely!!!!)
"...there must be ways in which we restrict people from, in essence, letting people know how you can develop these kinds of things, these kinds of bombs."
"It's always a question of how you strike a balance between public safety and free speech."
From: Weekly Media Briefing with Deputy Attorbey General Eric Holder, DOJ, April 22, 1999.
Wacky Holder wants to restrict our freedom to instruct others in bombmaking (ha, ha), only he somehow overlooked... how there's already a law against such a practice... In 1997, Congress passed 18 USC 842(p), which bans distributing bombmaking information with the knowledge or intent that the information will be used to commit a violent federal crime...
Actually, my point is: Where a certain TV documentary found that a certain Identity Thief was using a certain other person to send him packages--all addressed to many, many various people at the same address, for forwarding overseas to the thief--yet no grand jury investigation followed, no DOJ investigation, no nothing...
Good idea: Deaf, Dumb, Blind--choose this guy to lead the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A cooler head must prevail here...!!!
To quote E.H.: "We're dealing with a different world now. Everybody should remember those pictures that we saw on September the 11th. The World Trade Centers aflame, the pictures of the Pentagon and any time some petty bureaucrat decides that his or her little piece of turf is being invaded, get rid of that person. Those are the kinds of things we have to do."
New Year's Eve, 1982: NYPD's bomb squad rushed to headquarters at One Police Plaza--a Puerto Rican Independance Group (FALN) bombing had destroyed the entrance...
A total of 4 FALN bombs exploded in a single hour that night--including at the Manhattan FBI office and a federal courthouse in Brooklyn...
Though Puerto Rico voted to remain a part of the US, the FALN waged war on America with bombings, kidnappings, threats and intimidation. The most horriffic attack was the 1995 Fraunces Tavern bombing in Lower Manhattan--timed to go off during lunch hour...
"After members of the FALN were arrested, they threatened Judge Thomas McMillen's life ... Carmine Valentine told the judge, "You are lucky that we cannot take you right now," ... Dylcia Pagan warned the courtroom: "All of you, I would advise you to watch your backs." And Ida Rodriguez told the judge, "You say we have no remorse. You're right. ... Your jails and your long sentences will not frighten us."
"Eight of these FALN terrorists later would receive pardons from President Clinton ..."
"Holder played a central role in freeing these terrorists ... in this case he recommended that clemency be granted--despite vehement opposition from the FBI, the Bureau of Prisons, and his own Justice Department."
From: FALN, Holder, and Obama: The Price Paid by One 'Ordinary American,' Human Events.com
"Federal law enforcement agencies considered these individuals (FALN) so dangerous, extra security precautions were taken at their numerous trials. Courthouse elevators were restricted and no one, including the Court officers, was permitted to carry a firearm ..."
"To push the deal through, signed statements renouncing violence and expressing remorse were required by the Justice Department. The FALN prisoners ... declined to accept these conditions. Committed and unrepentant militants who did not accept the authority of the United States, they refused to apoligize for activities they were proud of in order to obtain a clemency they NEVER REQUESTED."
"Hilary Rodham Clinton was in the midst of her ... run for Senate in New York, a state which included 1.6 million Hispanics."
From: The Clintons' Terror Pardons, Wall Street Journal
So..., Holder proclaimed that "the next president must move immediately to reclaim America's standing in the world as a nation that cherishes and protects individual freedom and basic human rights."
One day Holder is lacing-up his jack-boots, the next he's gushing about how "we let fear take precedence over the rule of law."
Hummm, anyone else notice--this arrogant Dufus is going to fit right in (granting clemency to Obama's good-buddy Tony Rezko???)
WHAT?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephanie:
PlaceHolder, your earlier story:
--"With 12 years' experience prosecuting public corruption at the Justice Department, U.S. Attorney Eric Holder was a perfect choice to clean up a corrupt city. But after three and a half years, he may be moving on, and D.C. is still one of the most crooked cities in the nation"--
really "defines" what's going on; but, you know--it's all happening deliberately...!!!
Yes..., nothing could be truer--the capitol of our country remains entirely lawless.
Holder has all the right answers--when explaining why he's looking bad here--and a USA Today article recently reported how prosecutors are being laid-off because of cutbacks/economy; I'm saying look who's turning a blind eye to certain criminals...???
You know what I'm saying--the issue isn't that Holder used his DOJ contacts to make sure that "Chiquita came though smelling like a fresh rose," rather that nowadays there's so much money in dope, the Government has gone outlaw!!!
Think...: DC is like the Wild West, who knows what's going down--though Hon. Greene did remark that the Police Affairs Unit was, in fact, actually enabling corruption...
Because, maybe, that's why Clinton/Holder released those Terrorist/Bombers...
A Coke Dealers' favor to his own supplier...
--You say: What are you complaining about--
Yeah, but, now try getting the stuff legalized...
Ha, ha--what I'd like to see is pot legalized for sale/use only at bars (under liquor license), where the Govt. subsidizes $1 guraanteed THC-level bong-loads, and $5 cigarette-size 'joints."
Nice at you're wedding--pass around a couple $100 doobies of Martian Wowie...
So..., five guys pay a buck and get loaded after work..., the bar is making $5 bucks..., the tax can go to something good...
You're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't. I'm certain there must be someone somewhere who hasn't spent time under a rock! I urge you all to write to President Elect Obama (see his website for links) to let him know that, "Hey...we voted for change!" Personally, I have little confidence in our Government. Old and new. Unfortunately, we have been bought and sold by special interest, big business/pharma./financial and multi-national corporations who all have psycopathic profiles. Good Luck Mr. Obama. I guess we should have asked him to elaborate on his interpretation of Change (in this instance).
...Here consider how:
"GAO Criticizes Homeland Security's Efforts to Fulfill Its Mission (Washington Post):
"'If you look at these grades, nearly one-thrid fall into the lowest category, and among those third are critically important, almost foundational tasks upon which the otheres rest.'"
Loopholes Seen in US Efforts to Secure Ports (NY Times):
"The Department of Homeland Security's efforts ... may have may it easier at times to smuggle unconventional weapons into the US ..."
Arab role in running U.S. ports under fire (Associated Press):
"Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Sunday defended the security review of Dubai Ports World of the United Arab Emirates, the company given permission to take over the port operations."
CIA: UAE is a DRUG transhipment point (& money laundering)--(Democratic Underground):
"... as Sen. Menendez' pointed out on Keith Olbermann, the UAE supported the Taliban and have been implicated as a major financial source for the 9/11 attackers as well as a transshipment point for nuclear armaments ..."
"Meanwhile, it's important to realize that the UAE already has a contract to provide stevedoring of what amounts to FORTY PERCENT of the US Army's shipped cargo ..."
Heroin is "Good for Your Health": Occupation Forces Support Afghan Narcotics Trade (Multibillion dollar earnings for organized crime and Western financial institutions)--(Global Research.ca):
"The occupation forces in Afghanistan are supporting the drug trade, which brings between 120 and 194 billion dollars of revenues to organized crime, intelligence agencies and western financial institutions."
EU Officials Investigate CIA rug Plane (Mad Cow):
"While the Gulfstream busted last year has now definately been linked to CIA renditions, the DC9 airliner busted 18 months earlier flew painted with a bogus but official-looking Seal designed to impersonate aircraft from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security."
Border Agents, Lured by the Other Side (NY Times):
"... job applicants will soon be subject to lie detector tests ..."
Mexico suspects ex-drug czar took huge bribes from traffickers (CNN.com/World):
"... he may have accepted $450,000 a month in bribes from drug traffickers ..."
Drug Czar Blasted for Lack of Leadership (NPR):
" ... Ron Brooks, president of the National Narcotics Officers Association ... is angry that the drug czar's office recommended a sharp cut in funding for state narcotics task forces."
Furthermore, on the subject of legal drugs...
The Real Truth About Drug Companies (MoJo),
Nuclear Leaks and Response Tested Obama in Senate:
--Obama's radioactive-leaks bill "caved-in" to Power Co.
German Study: More Childhood Cancer Near Nuclear Power Plants (Nuclear Monitor),
Autism Risk Linked to Distance from Power Plants, Other Mercury-releasing Sources (ScienceDaily)
Mercury leaks found as new bulbs break (Boston Globe):
--broken CFL = dangerous mercury dust/vapor!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today's news has Peter Orszag installed as Obama's Budget Director...
"What is the biggest threat to the U.S. economy? According to Congressional Budget Office Director Peter Orszag, it is not credi famine, the long-term price of energy, competition from China, the loss of jobs overseas, or even a surfeit of Chrysler SUVs. It is, Orszag declared in October, "the nation's looming fiscal gap--which is driven primarily by rising health care costs."
In fact, strange as it may seem, at the same time 100% Ethanol burns very, very clean, Ethanol easily could substitute for dirty coal and oil in power plants--yet mixing gasoline with Ethanol (E85 for cars) actually causes more pollution than gas alone!!!! (See: Ethanol vehicles pose significant risk to health, new study finds / Stanford News Service)
...Furthermore, read the 1998 MoJo article: Toxic Toys R Us (The Commerce Department helps US companies crush a European ban on toxic baby toys)
Someone needs a good spanking here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In GROWING UP AMERICAN: The Challenge Confronting Immigrant Children and Children of Immigrants (Zhou, Dept. Sociology, UCLA), we find that "Immigrant children and their parents tend to perceive their host society and their relationships with it from different angles. The younger generation tends to focus on current adjustment, paying attention to the external traits of what they have come to define as being 'American." They struggle to fit in based on a frame of reference that they have acquired from their American peers and from television and other forms of mass media. ... At the school level, immigrant children often find themselves in classrooms with other immigrant children speaking a language other than English ... THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS RECENTLY IDENTIFIED 87% OF THE DISTRICT'S STUDENTS AS 'MINORITY' AND 40% AS HAVING LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY."
My point is that, on the subject of America's future Crime Chief, isn't the real deal that the Govt. wants to sponsor crime--and what better way than to "teach" kids that they are going to be judged astute and adapted to their environemnt by how well they commit crime...???
The question of low-wage-earners..., should be answered, first off, by the Govt. building huge guest worker residences...
Mr. Farmer needs some workers to gather his crop..., he puts in his order, next day the buses arrive at 6:00 AM...
The workers carry a magnetic card, and their "daily haul" is "added to their account..."
The worker residence offers "home cooking," a bowling alley, ect., ect., ect.
The economies of the under-developed countries are vastly "less-expensive" than ours; after returning home, the guest worker is paid over a five-year period, and this way there's some form of social security... (I doubt it would be such a good idea to "dump" lots on money in these foreign societies--inflation...), and, secondly, "legal" low-wage earners could be given a Govt. subsidized, significantly higher minimum-wage... (for full-time, ect., like if you work two part-time jobs...).
In the former instance..., consider how WorldNetDaily reported that Illegal Aliens Murder 12 Americans Daily, while surely we can afford to pay a decent wage and put a decent roof of the head of "our workers"...
In the latter instance..., wouldn't paying a livable-wage actually work better than stimulus checks to the rich...
Legalize Pot--so maybe kids in a "more just world" will wait to get high--instead of breaking the "Freaking Stupid Law," only to then immediately Freak on why the "Freaking Man" is so Freaking Mean...
Dig It???
