Crimes of the Bush Administration

With the Bush Administration on their way out, I thought there should be a (somewhat) comprehensive list of the possible crimes committed in the past 8 years.

1. Warrantless Wiretapping Program
2. Outing of CIA Agent Valerie Plame
3. War Crimes committed by direct order in Iraq (possibly also Afghanistan)
4. Destruction of CIA tapes of interrogations
5. Rendition program
6. US Attorney firings

Still working on above, but I'm limiting the list to actual crimes, not just crimes against conscience.
Here's a good list for those

Warrantless Wiretapping Updates

Back to work.

The Rachel Maddow show has aired an interview with NSA whistleblower Thomas M. Tamm, who blew the whistle on NSA's warrantless wiretapping program.
Here's the interview:



Here's a primer from the EFF on the FISA law which was considered too restrictive by Bush Administration officials.
FISA Primer

Here's the text of the Fourth Amendment.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The NSA was searching and seizing millions and hundreds of millions of personal calls and records of American citizens, under the code name "Stellar Wind". The FISA court allows retroactive warrants, allowing for the immediacy the Bush Administration was claiming it needed and which had caused them to bypass the laws of our nation. When reading the text above, I wonder if perhaps BAOfficials believe that because they did not get warrants, they did not need probable cause as described above. My God.

Here's some discussion on Democracy Now!





Here's a link to the EFF's efforts regarding the NSA's WWProgram. The EFF are currently engaged in two lawsuits, one against the government specifically citing those responsible for the WWP, the other against AT&T. Support the EFF, they are doing great work.


Here's an old article from SFChronicle about the WWP being declared UnConstitutional.

President-Elect Obama!

Congratulations to President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden and their families!

Gallup final estimate puts Obama at 55%, McCain 44%

Gallup Poll Daily tracking has Obama up by 11 for the final poll before tomorrows election. STORY

After all of this years votes have been cast, I just wanted to say how grateful I am to be able to see this contest. It has been an historic fight, from before the first primaries to today. It has been plain exciting to watch, and we have even gotten to see policy debate creep into the Presidential race. Yes, there was personal political usual-ness, but over all I would rate this election as the best I've ever seen. Of course the end result is what matters, and I am confident that my guy will win, but I don't want to put the cart before the horse, I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on how engaging this contest has been.

Of course not everyone agrees with me. Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard writes a story that to me sounds like a downcast kid kicking a rock in the road. Maybe that's what it's like to lose an election, but I don't really remember being that involved in an election with a clear victory. The 2000 election was my first real entry into involvement in politics. When that election didn't end, there wasn't a way to feel one way or the other, besides cheated. The thing that I look forward to this year most of all is a landslide, an uncontestable outcome, a clear answer. In this post-modern world that seems to be the hardest thing to find.

One thing in particular that I am especially enjoying are the people that I talk to who normally have no interest in politics who are engaged and excited, some of whom had never voted before and are looking forward to casting their ballots on Tuesday. I think of my friend who could have voted in the last 2 elections, but didn't, who this week sent her son to school in an Obama t-shirt. This will be her first voting experience. I'm proud of her.

Now as far as voting goes. Don't wear t-shirts or buttons from any campaign, bring your wallet (depending on where you're voting you may need id), and read the instructions carefully before casting your ballot. If you make a mistake, tell the poll worker, as usually they will allow you to fix the mistake in some way. Good luck!



On election night there are some key things to consider. The first polls close at 6 p.m. EST in Indiana, and though I predict Indy to go for McCain, it is tight enough that Obama could squeak out a victory. McCain is only up by a point in polling, so anything could happen. If Obama wins Indiana, you don't even need to watch the rest.

The real anchor of this election will be Virginia. I have been saying this for weeks, but watch Virginia. The beautiful thing being that polls close in Virginia at 7 p.m. EST. If Obama takes Virginia, McCain MUST win PA, OH, IN, WV, MO, NC, and FL, to take 268 electoral votes, which still is not enough for a win. The good thing (or bad thing by pov) is of course that in many of those states Obama leads by a wide margin.

So go, vote early, vote often, and be proud of yourselves. You've all done very well.

Coal and the future of American energy policy and consumption

I have to say that I was not surprised when I just checked the polling and saw a few blogs with "explosive new audio" regarding Senator Obama's remarks regarding carbon emission caps and new coal fired power plants. It finally made sense, this is why Senator John McCain had been spending all his money in Pennsylvania. He really thought that this would be enough to help him clinch it in the last days. The release of this so late in the game only shows what little legs the story has. It is audio from last January, and all of a sudden 'surprise!'. I have to laugh.

I could go on, but just feel like shaking my head, which I will go and do now.


Unfortunately for McCain, this is all the political equivalent of the following movie.

Joe Trippi is getting his ideas from me

Ha! Well I find it strange, or at the very least flattering that the election projections that I posted at CNN's dashboard site on October 2nd have been duplicated by none other than Joe Trippi.

Joe, welcome to the party!

I have to say I just thought that was pretty cool.
I had him beat by 25 days though! Let's just hope we're right Joe!