Posts by Lindsay Beyerstein

Lindsay Beyerstein a New York writer blogging at Majikthise.

Bob Novak Plows into Pedestrian on K Street, Attempts to Flee the Scene
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, Majikthise on July 23, 2008 at 1:22 PM.

Journalist Robert Novak plowed into a pedestrian on K Street this morning. Novak said he didn't realize he'd hit the 60-year-old man, but an eyewitness told ABC News that the victim was "splayed on the windshield" of Novak's black corvette and that there was no way that Novak could have failed to realize he'd struck the man. A bicyclist caught up with Novak about a block away from the crash and informed him that he'd just hit someone.

Watch the video. Novak was cited for failure to yield the right of way. I hope they gave him a breathalyser test. He's slurring his words pretty badly, two hours after the accident. Novak starts talking about 55 seconds into the clip, below. At about 1:22, Novak becomes almost unintelligible when the reporters ask him how his victim is doing.

Pay-to-Play: Karl Rove Taking Lead on George W. Bush Presidential Library
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, Majikthise on July 22, 2008 at 1:50 PM.

Bush crony Stephen Payne was caught on tape offering access to Dick Cheney and Condoleeza Rice in exchange for donations to the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

True to the president's legacy, the Bush Library will be a $500 million partisan institute housed by Southern Methodist University and administered with tax dollars, but accountable only to the library foundation.

The library is to be the Mother of All Think Tanks. It will reward the truly loyal Bushies with cushy jobs burnishing the legacy of George W. Bush.

Readers will not be shocked to learn that the project is being spearheaded by none other than Karl Rove.

Lobbying Firm Brags About Smoothing Way for a Stolen Election
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, Majikthise on July 14, 2008 at 12:12 PM.

The Sunday Times caught politically-connected lobbyist Stephen Payne on tape suggesting that a $250,000 donation George W. Bush presidential library could help secure access to senior administration officials.

Perhaps even more incredible is the Worldwide Strategic Partners brochure that ran with the expose. [Download payne.pdf]

Here's what WSP claims to have done for Azerbaijan, verbatim, from the last page of the brochure, emphases added:

I. Arranged for the President of Azerbaijan to visit the U.S . and meet with President Bush -- a task the Azeri government had been trying for over 3 years

II. Arranged a private phone call between the Vice-President of the United States and the President of Azerbaijan, prior to the Azeri Elections in November of 2005

III. Arranged a series of meetings for the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan during his September visit to the U.S.

IV. Worked with members of the Helsinki Commission to reduce the negative language in the U.S. press release following the November Elections

V. Implemented an aggressive media campaign to discredit the Azeri opposition candidates, allowing the government for freedom in enforcing election curfews and laws.

VI. Arranged several articles and speeches to be placed into the U.S . Congressional record

VII. Helped create/write the Silk Road II legislation

VIII . Developed a series of Op-Ed's written by influential U.S. officials to boost positive U.S. public perception about Azerbaijan including:

I. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
II . A. Elizabeth Jones -- Former Assistant Secretary of State -- Europe and Eurasia
III. Gary Buaer (sic) -- 2000 Presidential Candidate and Leader of the Christian Right

Arranging for articles and speeches to be placed in the Congressional Record echoes the tactics of Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff. One of Abramoff's specialties was "inducing" legislators to insert items into the Congressional Record.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Blogger Fired After Criticizing US Attorney
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, Raw Story on July 11, 2008 at 3:00 PM.

This 'case is definitely about the first amendment,' says Harper's journalist

The abrupt dismissal of a veteran University of Alabama employee who blogged about the firing of seven US Attorneys has added a bizarre new twist to allegations that the state's US Attorneys targeted political opponents for prosecution.

Roger Shuler -- a high-profile blogger and leading critic of Alabama's judicial system -- has written extensively about alleged corruption among U.S. Attorneys for over a year. In particular, Shuler focused on two US Attorneys from his home state: Alice H. Martin of the Northern District and Leura G. Canary of the Middle District.

An editor in the University of Alabama Birmingham publications office for the last 12 years and a university employee for 19, Shuler was placed on administrative leave May 7 and formally fired May 19.

[Read the rest at Raw Story.]

John McCain on Insurance Coverage for Viagra vs. Birth Control
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 11, 2008 at 9:55 AM.

A pool reporter asked John McCain what he thought of high-profile surrogates Cathy Fiorina's assertion that it's unfair for insurance companies to cover Viagra and not birth control. The shorter John McCain: "I certainly do not wanna discuss that issue . . ."

Karl Rove Flees the Country
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 11, 2008 at 7:46 AM.

Karl Rove was scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday. He didn't show. Not only that, the Committee was told that Rove had left the country on a "long scheduled" trip.

In this video clip, Rep. Linda Sanchez explains that Rove never told them about any trip.

Comic Dave Chapelle Misses Fundraiser for Brooklyn Congressional Hopeful
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 10, 2008 at 1:32 PM.

Comic Dave Chapelle, the much-hyped headliner for Kevin Powell's congressional campaign fundraiser, missed yesterday's event:

Comedian Dave Chappelle disappointed voters and raised doubts about congressional upstart Kevin Powell’s campaign by blowing off the candidate’s highly promoted Wednesday night fundraiser.

The hugely popular comic was the headliner at the $75-and-up fundraiser, but Powell, who is aiming to unseat 13-term incumbent Ed Towns (D–Fort Greene) in the September primary, said Chappelle missed two flights in his effort to get to Manhattan’s hip-hop club, Eugene.

Earlier, Powell had urged the crowd to bear with him, suggesting that the comedian was “on his way.” But as the 700 campaign contributors grew restless and the vast press contingent started asking questions, Powell made his admission that Chappelle actually would not be appearing. He blamed travel mix-ups.

“We were on the phones non-stop with Dave’s management to get him here,” said a contrite Powell, 42, who promised that campaign donors would get into his next celebrity event for free.

Powell also claimed that comedian Chris Rock was actually backstage to show his support for the underdog’s hip-hop-themed campaign , but Rock never took the stage — “out of respect [for] other comedians,” Powell said. [Brooklyn Paper]

Powell is a respected writer, organizer, and activist who is running on a progressive platform against a 13-term incumbent Democrat.

Rachel Maddow on the FISA Capitulation
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 9, 2008 at 10:15 AM.

Political pundit Rachel Maddow on the Democrats' capitulation on illegal domestic spying and telecom immunity.

White House Briefing Materials Describe Italian PM as "Amateur", "Hated by Many"
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 8, 2008 at 12:43 PM.

The White House has apologized for circulating briefing materials which described Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as an amateur presiding over an administration of corruption and vice who is hated by many:

The White House has apologised to Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi for a briefing describing him as a political "amateur" who is "hated by many".

The "insulting" biography was included in a press kit distributed to reporters travelling with President George W Bush to a meeting of world leaders in Japan.

He was "one of the most controversial leaders" of a country "known for governmental corruption and vice".

Only last month, Mr Bush visited his old ally, calling him a "good friend".

The four-page description of Mr Berlusconi had been taken from the Encyclopedia of World Biography.

It refers to the Italian prime minister as a man "hated by many but respected by all at least for his bella figura (personal style) and the sheer force of his will".

It says Mr Berlusconi was said to be "regarded by many as a political dilettante (amateur) who gained his high office only through use of his considerable influence on the national media". [BBC]

Young Feminist Activist Murdered by Ex-Boyfriend
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 8, 2008 at 9:27 AM.

A 25-year-old feminist activist was apparently murdered by her 46-year-old boyfriend last week. The suspect fled to New Jersey where he was apprehended and subsequently committed suicide in police custody.

Law student Jana Lynn Mackey of Lawrence, KS was found dead in her ex-boyfriend's home.

Mackey worked as a lobbyist for the National Organization For Women for three years before returning to school to study law. She served as a volunteer advocate for the Ga Du Gi Safe Center in Lawrence, KS.

A fund has been set up at Jana's former law school to honor her memory:

Jana Mackey Support for Public Advocacy Fund

c/o Dean of Law

Green Hall

1535 W. 15th St.

Lawrence, KS 66045

Nude Prosecutor Wants Job Back
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein on July 8, 2008 at 8:00 AM.

A former city prosecutor who lost his job for walking around nude at night has won the first round of his battle to get his job back:

HAMILTON - A former city prosecutor who was fired for taking nude after-hours strolls in a public building has won a court victory in his battle to get his job back.

Scott Blauvelt, 36, is entitled to civil-service job protection, Visiting Judge Thomas Nurre ruled in a decision filed June 25 in Butler County Common Pleas Court.

The decision, if it stands, means Blauvelt would be entitled to have a civil service panel consider whether to rehire him.

City Law Director Hillary Stevenson says she disagrees with Nurre's analysis of Blauvelt's job situation and will seek a reversal from the Ohio 12th District Court of Appeals in Middletown.

The saga has been going on since late 2006.

Stevenson fired Blauvelt after security cameras videotaped his naked nighttime walks through the Government Services Center downtown. Blauvelt was then working in that building.

Blauvelt's lawyer, Mike Gmoser, says Blauvelt has overcome the mental problems that fueled his odd behavior, and he's back to work as a criminal defense lawyer in Hamilton.[Cinc Inqu]

Hamilton, OH should give Blauvelt another chance. When the incident occurred, he was suffering from some mental health issues which were causing his eccentric but objectively harmless behavior. It's not even clear that he broke the law.

Now that he's healthy again and functioning normally as a private criminal defense attorney, he deserves the opportunity to prove that he's ready to go back to work for the city.

[Photo by Lord Khan]

Woman Arrested at McCain Event for "McCain=Bush" Sign
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, Majikthise on July 7, 2008 at 5:46 PM.

A 61-year-old librarian was ejected from an ostensibly public McCain campaign event at the Denver Center of Performing Arts in Denver, CO on June 7 because she was brandishing a deadly memetic weapon: a hand-lettered sign that read "McCain=Bush."

Carol Kreck was standing outside the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which is located on city property. When she was asked to either discard the sign or get out, Ms. Kreck objected that she was standing on city property.

She was lead away by police officers and subsequently ticketed for trespassing. As she was being removed, Kreck asked if was being arrested. The officer answered, "Yes." (Approximately 1:03 into the video.)

Carol Kreck, QED. McCain=Bush.

As ThinkProgress notes: "McCain has apparently taken a page from the Bush playbook. In 2005, the White House had three activists expelled from a Denver public forum with President Bush because it was the administration’s policy “to exclude potentially disruptive guests from Bush’s appearances nationwide.”"

FBI Headquarters Not Cleared for Classified Intelligence
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 7, 2008 at 1:41 PM.

Steve Aftergood of Secrecy News reports on a somewhat awkward revelation before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Turns out FBI headquarters isn't secure enough to store classified documents:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is part of the U.S. intelligence community, has the lead responsibility for domestic surveillance of foreign intelligence and suspected terrorist targets.

So it seems like a rather crippling defect that the J. Edgar Hoover Building, the FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, cannot satisfy government standards for storage and use of classified intelligence records.

“The Hoover Building does not meet the Interagency Security Committee’s criteria for a secure Federal facility capable of handling intelligence and other sensitive information,” the Senate Appropriations Committee observed in a new report on the 2009 Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations bill.

Michelle Obama Watch
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 7, 2008 at 11:37 AM.

Women of all races are flocking to Gina McCauley's new blog, Michelle Obama Watch:

Gina McCauley's blog on African-American women in pop culture has never attracted this kind of attention.

The 3-year-old site has a mostly African-American audience. But she launched a new Michelle Obama Watch blog in June to monitor and critique media coverage of the potential first lady, and since then, feminists of all colors have been linking and commenting.

"I think new bridges are being built, and I'm excited about that," said McCauley, 32, of Austin, Texas, who noted the response to the new blog has been exponentially greater from feminist bloggers around the country. [Baltimore Sun]

"Michelle Obama Watch is a repository of all of the criticism, praise, and general chicanery thrown at Michelle Obama between now and November. If Barack wins… well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but for right now, we are looking at a 5 month obligation. If it has anything to do with Michelle, it will be on Michelle Obama Watch," according to MOW's About page.

Race-Baiting Former Senator Jesse Helms Has Died
Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet on July 4, 2008 at 1:21 PM.

One of America's most notorious race-baiters has died. Former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms passed away early this morning at the age of eighty-six. Conservatives are eulogizing Helms as one of the most important architects of their movement.

Helms wasn't just a politician who happened to be racist, racism was his politics. He entire career was an extended pitch to the worst instincts of Americans. He became a conservative icon by skillfully harnessing the media of his day to stoke the country's darkest fears about race, sex, and modernity. Along the way, he helped build what we know today as the right wing noise machine--an integrated network of media outlets, think tanks, political consultants, lobbyists, church groups, and direct-mail fundraisers dedicated to rolling back the reforms of the 1960s and "reclaiming" America for straight white guys with money.

Jesse Helms may even have been world's first vlogger. In 1960 he began producing a TV segment called Viewpoint for WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC. In all, more than 2800 2-minute Viewpoints were broadcast.

Helms used Viewpoint and other syndicated media products to establish his brand of race-baiting demagoguery. "Dr. King's outfit...is heavily laden at the top with leaders of proven records of communism, socialism and sex perversion, as well as other curious behavior," Helms announced in a 1963 edition of Viewpoint.

(As a Senator, Helms launched a filibuster against the MLK holiday. He also went to court to try to force the FBI to open its files on Martin Luther King, whom Helms denounced as a communist on the Senate floor.)

"Are civil rights only for Negroes? White women in Washington who have been raped and mugged on the streets in broad daylight have experienced the most revolting sort of violation of their civil rights. The hundreds of others who have had their purses snatched by Negro hoodlums may understandably insist that their right to walk the street unmolested was violated," he opined in a 1963 Viewpoint later quoted in The Charlotte Observer.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »