Day: February 15, 2007

Libby’s Refusal to Testify Makes It a Cinch He’s Guilty

Jon Ponder

Now all his lawyers have to do is kick Libby’s appeal down the road to sometime after January 2009, so that Bush can pardon him as he he is leaving office — just like his father pardoned Cap Weinberger on his way out the door:

Think about it. Your whole life is at stake in the outcome of a criminal trial. You’re innocent. And you don’t testify in your own defense?

Libby is guilty. And he’s going to be found guilty. The jury might not convict him on all counts, but he has no chance of surviving the perjury count that was proved beyond a reasonable doubt with Tim Russert’s testimony.

The multi-million dollar defense, which provided no defense at all, did not call Libby to the witness stand for one very simple reason: Libby is very very guilty. Publicly, defense lawyers cling to the text book theory that the defendant has no burden of proof and that no negative inference should ever be taken when a defendant doesn’t defend himself on the witness stand. Practically, every defense lawyer knows that the jury desperately wants to hear from the defendant and that the only reason not to put him on the stand is that he is soooo guilty that every answer he gives after his name will eradicate any shred of reasonable doubt. Think about it. Your whole life is at stake in the outcome of a criminal trial. You’re innocent. And you don’t testify in your own defense? …

Libby’s defense gave up before the opening statements in the trial. They always knew Libby was too guilty to put on the witness stand. And they were never going to call the Vice President. Telling the judge that they were going to call Libby and Cheney was just a mirage they were trying to create to misdirect Patrick Fitzgerald’s focus. I’d be shocked if Fitzgerald was fooled for even a second.

Katrina II: Bush Fails to Respond to Tornado’s Aftermath in New Orleans

Jon Ponder

As of 6:30 AM Pacific, Pres. Bush has still not responded to Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s request to declare a state of emergency in New Orleans in the wake of devastation caused by a tornado that ripped through area at around 3:00 AM Central Time Wednesday morning:

The F-2 tornado skipped across the region, hitting homes in Westwego, Carrollton and Gentilly. It produced winds well over one hundred miles per hour and was responsible for significant damage to an area that is still reeling from Katrina. A few dozen people were injured and one elderly lady was killed when her trailer was overturned.

The New Orleans area is now in shock once again, as over 200 homes and dozens of trailers were damaged by this violent tornado. Many people are asking why Mother Nature dealt another blow to the area. Local residents in the path of the deadly tornado, who did not finish rebuilding from Katrina or just finished renovating their homes, need to start over.

Unlike the delayed reaction to Katrina, yesterday, political leaders jumped into action quickly. [Gov.] Blanco and [New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin] toured the damaged areas and offered support to victims. A state of emergency was called locally, and Governor Blanco asked President Bush to declare a federal state of emergency which will qualify local victims to receive government assistance.

On This Date – February 15

Jon Ponder
  • 2003 – Millions of people around the world protested the threat of a U.S. war in Iraq. The war began on March 20, 2003.
  • 1959 – My uncle and aunt celebrated the birth of a baby girl who would grow up to be Pensito Review editor Trish. Happy Birthday Trish!
  • 1954 – Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons was born.
  • 1935 – Susan Brownmiller, author of Against Our Will and Femininity was born.
  • 1898 – Remember the Maine? The USS Maine exploded on this day in the port of Havana, killing 266 of its crew and igniting the Spanish-American war. The cause of the explosion is still unresolved.
  • 1820 – Women’s rights pioneer Susan B. Anthony was born.