Could Armstrong Williams face criminal or civil penalties?

[Eric J in MN]

Do our laws against propaganda carry criminal penalties?

If not, can people who saw his propaganda file a lawsuit?

[chelsea0011]

1. No penalties for Republicans. This will be a career booster.

[Eric J in MN]

4. Are rightwingers eager to

read Armstrong Williams' columns now?

[sharman]

13. Going after the wrong criminal

Pursuing Armstrong, instead of those who bribed him, is putting the whore in jail, and letting the john go free.

To answer your question, a Congresswoman I heard on AirAmerica (didn't catch name) says it does violate a federal criminal statute, carrying penalties up to $10,000 fine and 10 years in jail

[jasmeel]

2. They used tax money to pay him. I think the GAO is investigating

[indepat]

10. I am absolutely, positively certain all culprits will be brought to swift

justice.

[stray cat]

3. Can we charge the administration with bribery?

Williams is trying to claim he is a commentator and not a journalist and not subject to the rules of journalism.

We need to challenge the media for full disclosure to see how many have accepted gifts "bribes" from the Bush Adm. It is time the media had to defend itself and its relationship to Bush Co. Pressure on the media if we're lucky will also make the media more motivated to expose Bush Co. and pass the buck.

We need to keep this in the news as a potentially widespread abuse that needs investigated.

[Eric J in MN]

5. His behavior is unethical for either a commentator

or a journalist.

I was wondering whether it's also criminal.

[stray cat]

6. Even Scarbourough attacked Bush Co ethics last night

Criminal charges against were discussed and he thought it was being investigated. Interestingly, Williams was scheduled to appear on the show and was their but left before he could be interviewed. I wonder if he decided to consult a lawyer.

I heard rumor he was already fired.

[onecitizen]

7. What we know now.......

no. BUT the Bush admin could face criminal charges. But then again, it's bush so you know how that goes.

[ooglymoogly]

8. it takes an extramarital affair for the pugs to act.

[liberalhistorian]

9. If this had happened under

Clinton, you better believe there'd be civil and criminal and personal and a thousand other penalties. But, since it's happened under extra-tough-teflon George and his merry band of fascist fuck-ups are in charge, ain't nothing gonna happen, count on that.

[Eric J in MN]

11. The Bush Admin. can't stop somene from filing a lawsuit,

claiming a $1 psychological injury from learning about Armstrong Williams illegal propaganda, and seeking a judicial order that he return the $240,000 to the Education Dept. as relief.

[H2O Man]

12. No. But better yet

the House can initiate an investigation, as there appears to be violations of the law by the administration.

Do not strike out at the puppet. Go for the puppeteer.