With as many flaws in the Death Penalty system, it needs to be abolished.

Jeralyn Merritt has a good post summarizing many of the flaws in the system of the Death Penalty here in the U.S. The worst is that it gets guilt wrong too often, and second after that even for the guilty the likelihood of getting teh death penalty is a random-chance crap shoot.

I still want to know why Attorney General Ashcroft was in such a hurry to have Timothy McVeigh executed. We never got the full story behind McVeigh, but we know enough to be certain that American right-wing militas or paramilitaries had a lot to do with it, and there are indications that McVeigh may have had assistance from outside the U.S.

Combine that with the fact that Ashcroft was known to associate with non-reconstructed Southerners who desired a return to the Confederacy, and I suspect that there was a lot that the current administration did not want to come out about McVeigh.

The death penalty robbed us of the chance to learn who or what was behind McVeigh. It also gave McVeigh the status he wanted as a martyr.

In short - the death penalty is dangerous, short-sighted, randomly applied (and hence not a deterrant) and generally not something civilized people should practice.

Guide to the Wednesday (Feb 21st) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index of links to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Marcy Wheeler [Emptywheel of The Next Hurrah.] Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual live-blogged trial reports. The others are discussion.

When you reach the end of each Firedoglake Libby trial post you will see a place for a credit card or an address to mail a check to. If you are reading this material, there is no money to pay for publishing it except donations or the pockets of Jane Hamsher and the bloggers, none of whom are wealthy. And Jane is delaying the start of her chemotherapy to be in Washington D.C. for this.

Please contribute whatever you can afford.

And if you are teed off (as I am) about how the for-profit news organizations are cutting back on reporters and investigations, this is partly because the newer news media has not figured out how to pay these costs and the older Newspapers and TV are losing revenue they used to get. Go to Frontline (PBS) and check out the series called "News Wars." It explains a lot.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

• What's it all about, Alfie?
  by Jane Hamsher.
  This is Wednesday's Politics.com video with Jane and Marcy as they discuss what the trial has been all about, where it might go after, and kick back until the jury comes in. [Added Feb 22, 12:19 PM]


• Fitzgerald: "There Is a Cloud Over the Vice President"
  By Jason Leopold at Truthout.
  [This article restates what Fitzgerald said about the perjury/obstruction of justice charges against Libby to place it into perspective. Libby's lies and obstruction of Fitzgerald's investigation have prevented the investigation from getting into the underlying crime - the outing of Plame at the orders of Cheney and perhaps Bush. This trial is an effort to go deeper, which "Scooter" Libby has prevented. Editor.]


• Hey! Guess who snuck into a courtroom!
  by Marcy. Discussion.


• From Huffington Post - "Missing the Forest for the Trees."
  by Jeralyn Merritt.
• To the Jury - "The Waiting Game"
  by Christie Hardin Smith.
• 1. Jury Instructions and Free Form Liveblog
  by Marcy [Emptywheel]
• Discussion of Prosecution closing - "Wilson's wife wasn't a person but an argument."
  by Scarecrow.

This trial offers a lot of hints at the many crimes committed by Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and others.

It also clearly lays out how our mainstream media has failed us. If you want an extremely clear example of the problem in our media, go read today's column by Glenn Greenwald in Salon. Newsweek's Richard Wolffe describes what a fantastic job the media is doing, and how misunderstood they are by the Bloggers. Glenn then takes his claims and shows the words published by Wolffe himself that demonstrate his lies or psychotic failure to understand the reality of his own failed work.

Guide to the Wednesday (Feb 14) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index of links to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Marcy Wheeler of Firedog lake (and the Next Hurrah.) Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual (paraphrased, not verbatum) live-blogged trial reports by EmptyWheel.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

• Lawrence O'Donnel (Bio) announces that Libby will be found guilty. Also at Huffington Post.


• Jane Hamsher provides a discussion of the trial at Huffington Post.


• Jeralyn Merritt discusses the trial after both sides rest.
  From Huffington Post.


• Marcy Wheeler speculates on why various witnesses were not called.


• Jane Hamsher, Jeralyn Merritt and Marcy Wheeler provide the day's wrap-up on U-Tube.
  Excellent review of the last day of testimony and what the prosecution and defense teams need to do next.


• Swopa discusses "Libby's state of mind" at the time of the leak and the Defense tactics during the presentations to the jury.


• Jane Hamsher provides information on jury valentines day dress.
  It appears interesting that one cantankerous juror did not go along with the rest.


• 3. One last stipulation from the Defense.
  Defense rests. Ms. Kedian reads one stipulation into the record for the prosecution.


• 2. Craig Schmall was to have testified for the Defense. His testimony and that of others is instead given to thejury in the form of "stipulation" between prosecution and defense attorneys.


• 1. More tedious legal arguments before witnesses are called.
  Beginning of Marcy Wheeler's liveblog of today's trial events. Fitzgerald (Prosecution), Jeffress (Defense) and Walton (the Judge.)


• St. Regis by Morning Christie Hardin Smith's introduction to the liveblogging of Feb 14.

Craig Schmall a CIA briefer who had briefed "Scooter" Libby. He was previously called by the prosecution and now is being called for the defense to provide testimony on a different subject.

Fuhrman An FBI Section Chief. He, with others, interviewed Addington July 12, 2004, and Furman prepared the report from which a part of the stipulated information was taken.

John Cline An attorney for the Defense. Reads some of the stipulated data given to the jury.

Jenny Mayfield Jeffress (D) read three articles from her files as part of the stipulation. Jenny Mayfield was Libby's personal assistant during leak week.

Former Inspector John Eckenrode Special Agent in FBI in charge of the investigation concerning possible unauthorized disclosure of Plame's affiliation with CIA. He spoke to Tim Russert by phone on Nov 14 and Nov 24, and wrote reports to record the information Russert provided.

Stipulation An agreement between parties to a court action that a certain fact or set of facts is (are) true or uncontested. The stipulation must be in writing unless it or they are part of the court record

Guide to the Tuesday (Feb 13) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index of links to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Jane Hamsher of Firedog lake. Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual (paraphrased, not verbatum) live-blogged trial reports by EmptyWheel.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

• Jeralyn Merritt (of TalkLeft) further discusses status of the Libby trial at Huffington Post.


• Jeralyn Merritt (of TalkLeft) discusses status of the Libby trial at Huffington Post.


• Emptywheel (Marcy Wheeler) discusses the day at The Next Hurrah and offers the same U-tube presentation as below. The Defense rests tomorrow.


• U-Tube discussion of today and tomorrow, and Jane Hamsher discusses the case.
  The Defense has announced that neither Libby nor Cheney will be called as witnesses. Hannah is as close as we get. Defense has three CIA briefers and then will rest tomorrow.


• Jim Marcinkowski discusses the case.


• Jury sent home due to snowstorm. Tedious legal arguments here.


• 3. John Hannah (TYOI) - Part Two.
  Cline (C) continues questioning for the Defense, then Fitzgerald (F) begins cross examination.


• 2. Defense calls John Hannah - Part one. Cline for the defense, Hannah called "The Year of Iran. (TOYI)"
  The name "the Year of Iran is explained in Marcy Wheeler's book "The Anatomy of Deceit." See my blog sidebar for the book.


• 1. Jill Abramson (JA) called. Jeffress (J) questioning. Bonamici had a single question.


• Christy Hardin Smith discusses which witnesses the Libby team are not calling after all - and why.

Jill Abramson was an editor (not the main one) to Judy Miller at the New York Times.

John Hannah Works at Office of the Vice President, currently VP's NSA. Advising VP on all matters concerning national security and foreign policy.

Jim Marcinkowski former CIA agent who has been publicly outspoken against the outing of Valerie Plame.

Guide to the Monday (Feb 12) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index of links to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Jane Hamsher of Firedog lake. Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual (paraphrased, not verbatum) live-blogged trial reports by EmptyWheel.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

• Jeralyn Merritt (of www.Talkleft.com) discusses the trial at Huffington Post.
• Jane Hamsher discusses today at the trial over at Huffington Post.
• Politics TV of the day, further discussion of case.
• Glenn Kessler (GK) questioned by unknown Defense Atty (D), Fitz crosses - Evan Thomas (ET) questioned by Jeffress (J), no cross - Carl Ford (CF) previously at DoS questioned by new unk defense atty (D is reused), short cross by Zeidenberg (Z) - legal wranglng on memory defense.
• Robert Novak (RN) cross examined by Fitzgerald (F) - Part two.
• Robert Novak (RN) questioned by Wells (W) - Part one.
• David Sanger (DS) questioned by Jeffress (J), cross examined by Fitzgerald (F) - Part one.
• Bob Woodward (BW) questioned by Jeffress (J), cross examined by Fitzgerald (F) - Part one.
• Walter Pincus (WP) questioned by Jeffress (J) for the defense, cross-examined by Fitzgerald (F) for the prosecution - Part one.
• Early morning legal wrangling.
  The prosecution rested last Thursday, so these are defense witnesses.

Guide to the Monday (Feb 5) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index of links to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Jane Hamsher of Firedog lake. Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual (paraphrased, not verbatum) live-blogged trial reports by Swopa.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

• Playing tape of Libby's grand jury testimony - Part one.
• Questioning FBI Agent Bond part seven - SWOPA.
• Questioning FBI Agent Bond part six - SWOPA
• Libby live - Assorted legal jousting by SWOPA

Guide to the Thursday (Feb 1) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Marcy Wheeler (EmptyWheel) of Firedog lake. Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual (paraphrased, not verbatum) live-blogged trial reports by EmptyWheel.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

• Evidence prejudicial - but not unfairly so. By Marcy Wheeler. [Added Feb 2, 2007.]
• Libby trial summary by Christie Hardin Smith. [Added Feb 2, 2007.]

• Happy hour buffet. A wrap-up by SWOPA.
• 5. Questioning Agent Bond Part Five.
• 4. Questioning Agent Bond Part Four.
• 3. Questioning Agent Bond Part Three.[Actual testimony begins by FBI agent present when Libby questioned.]
• Legal discussion by Christie Hardin Smith. Christie considers this testimony as going to the heart of the case. Be sure to read it.
• 2. Questioning Agent Bond Part Two[All sidebar]
• 1. Questioning Agent Bond Part one. [All sidebar]
• With Friends like these ... an early morning introduction by Christie Hardin Smith.

Zeidenberg Today's attorney for the Prosecution.

Wells Today's attorney for the Defense.

Deborah S. Bond FBI agent who took statements from Libby.

Emptywheel has written the book (literally) on the Plame Leak Case. The book is The Anatomy of Deceit by Marcy Wheeler. Click on the image below to buy it.


Anatomy of Deceit: How the Bush Administration Used the Media to Sell the War and Smear a Critic

[Digby strongly recommends it.]
.

Guide to the Wednesday (Jan 31) Libby Trial Live-blog

This is an index to the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging. I am trying to make it as easy as possible to go read the details of the trial as recorded by Marcy Wheeler (EmptyWheel) of Firedog lake. Do not refresh any more than necessary, as Firedoglake's server is being hit very frequently. That's why it is so slow to load or sometimes comes back reporting "Unable to Connect."

As before the links are in time sequence with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. The numbered links are the actual (paraphrased, not verbatum) live-blogged trial reports by EmptyWheel.

To see all my posts indexing the Liveblog of the Libby trial from Firedoglake, click on the Label "Liveblog" (below.)

This is a partial listing so far. I will add new links as they come available today.

• Who will deliver for Fitzgerald? by Jeralyn Merrit.
• Granita, Anyone? by Jane Hamsher.
• 5. Questioning Matt Cooper, Part Three.
• 4. Questioning Matt Cooper Part Two.
• Lunchtime Treats a-la-Libby by Christie Hardin Smith.
• 3. Questioning Matt Cooper, Part One.
• 2. Questioning Judy Miller Part Five.
• 1. Questioning Judy Miller Part four.

Matt Cooper See Biography.

Judy Miller See Biography.

.