MSNBC Chief Calls for Release of Siegelman

[kpete]

Abrams ended the segment making the obvious point: the incarceration of the former governor pending his appeal is just one more travesty in this entire seedy mess. He called for the Court of Appeals in Atlanta to order Siegelman’s immediate release pending appeal.

MSNBC Chief Calls for Release of Siegelman

NBC chief legal correspondent and MSNBC head Dan Abrams last night hosted a further detailed discussion focusing on the trial and sentencing of Don Siegelman. Abrams was joined by former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, a co-chair of the McCain for President leadership committee, and Vince Kilborn, an attorney for the imprisoned governor. This segment reviewed the conduct of Mark Everett Fuller, the federal judge who presided over the Siegelman case, refusing to recuse himself notwithstanding the fact that he previously make public statements suggesting he had a grudge against Siegelman, and as a member of the Alabama G.O.P.’s Executive Committee was directly involved in political campaigns against Siegelman. Abrams focused in on a number of serious irregularities that marked Fuller’s conduct of the trial:

more, plus Video at:
http://harpers.org/archive/2008/02/hbc-90002517

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

1. Thank you Dan Abrams for doing the right thing

You are a credit to your profession. Thank you.

[madokie]

15. he'll start getting another viewer starting tonight

I wish he would kind of tone it down a tad though but what the hell I'll put up with it. What suits me doesn't necessarily suit everyone else so no big deal.

[JerseygirlCT]

16. Well, to begin with, at least that takes his attention off his true crime

obsession. I cannot stand one more evening of Natalie Hollaway or Drew Peterson, you know?

But honestly, he's been doing a good job on this story, and I find myself actually paying attention, not just tuning in. (Or more to the point, not just leaving the set going after Keith).

[bjobotts]

26. Mukasey says" What you expect when you guys won't even impeach"

[annabanana]

42. oh LINK that one!...PLEASE!. . . . . . .n/t

[samplegirl]

2. Thanks for the update

K&R

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. Oh, Dan, you are kicking ass, my friend. K & R.

But, this doesn't let you or your network off the hook for past greivances, such as "sunny nobility".

However, this is greatly appreciated by a fellow citizen. :kick:

[complain jane]

12. Ha!

When I heard Tweety said Bush often radiates "sunny nobility" I just assumed Sunny Nobility was a brand of whiskey and Tweety was saying it was coming out of his pores.

[malaise]

4. Respect due to Dan Abrams

K & R

[lonestarnot]

5. This sounds like maybe some progress is being made with the spotlight.

[MonkeyFunk]

6. Dan Abrams is no longer the General Manager

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401490.html

[McCamy Taylor]

30. In other words, Abram refused to run the McCain '08 campaign for GE

so they gave him his own show instead and got this guy to coordinate the propaganda for old "Spent Vietnam in a Box so he could be president one day without having the qualifications for it" McCain

"Griffin, a onetime "Hardball" producer who was already overseeing MSNBC as Abrams's supervisor, said yesterday he will be "a little more hands-on" while also continuing his role of overseeing the "Today" show.


From the WaPo link

Glad to know that Dan Abrams was not responsible for the MSNBC media atrocities that I have been documenting in my journals recently--and that NBC is not giving up its talent like they did in 2003 in order to toady to its corporate masters at GE and their masters at the Pentagon and their idiotic whims.

[JPZenger]

7. Ask 60 Minutes to do a follow-up report

Siegelman's daughter is asking everyone to contact 60 Minutes to thank them for their report, and ask that they broadcast a second follow-up piece. They only had time to talk about 1/2 of the injustices, and they have plenty of taped material that could easily be made into a 2nd report.

[e-mail]

Also, I suggest writing members of Congress and asking that they seek a special prosecutor to investigate the judge and US attorneys in this case.

[hisownpetard]

32. That link didn't work for me - email was returned.

[fasttense]

39. Try this link

CBS News, 60 Minutes, [e-mail]

[hisownpetard]

43. I wrote and hope that hundreds of others will, too.

[MasonJar]

8. I am seriously astounded that nothing has yet come of the broadcast.

This is serious miscarriage of justice, placed squarely at the GOPer doorstep. It is time for release of the governor NOW. The participants in his conviction, including but not limited to the partisan judge, have committed far more heinous crimes than Siegelman is even accused of. How do these slugs sleep at night? (My sincere apology to the innocent slugs living their peaceful lives out there in the natural world!)

[sce56]

13. Yep and lets pour some salt on them the GOP Criminals that is! n/t

[spanone]

9. k&r

[immoderate]

10. K&R

--IMM

[Disturbed]

11. Karl Rove is right in the middle of this Persecution.

I suspect that he will not be held accountable.
He was granted a double teflon suit by the RWing Cabal.

[yellerpup]

14. Fantastic reporting.

Free Siegelman and jail Rove!

[delt664]

17. You said it!

+1

[bonito]

18. K&R!

[Pastiche423]

19. K&R

Free Don Siegelman!

[woundedkarma]

20. Great but

While I think it's great that Siegelman is getting some air time finally (the guy deserves immediate release, appologies and the chance to see rove imprisoned in a general pop state prison :D ..) I'm just not sure exactly how much it matters that the "Chief legal correspondent" of a news channel declares to the Government to release someone.

I would think it's much more important that all the attourney generals or ex ags or something... were calling for the same. (as has been noted in most of the news on Siegelman)

[jackster]

21. I watch him from time to time...

I've always liked him but he's really been growing on me lately!

Good for you Dan! Keep up the good work!

[hisownpetard]

33. Maybe Keith is rubbing off on him...

[Iwillnevergiveup]

22. K&R with appreciation

This story is getting slimier and slimier, and I agree: "60 Minutes" just scratched the surface. There needs to be follow-up and quickly. Let's be sure also that the Alabama T.V. feeds are up and running optimally so that all the local folks are privy to the same broadcasting as the rest of the country.

[bjobotts]

23. Harpers magazine just gets better everytime I read it. Good on Scott Horton.

[bjobotts]

25. This judge had him put in shackles, Prevents appeal by refusing to give

a complete transcript of the trial...usually done within a week. It's been 8mos. That is contempt of justice by this republican conflicted judge. Doesn't recuse himself for conflict of interest or public contempt for the defendant but also invokes the harshest of treatment not even used on convicted murderers. This should demonstrate to Mukasey a strong miscarriage of justice and corruption of Alabama judiciary.

[napi21]

24. He said he was going to do that on his show the other night.

I RESPECT him for doing that, but please tell me what difference does it make if he does or doesn't? Who that matters in making it happen is going to pay any attention to him or anyone else from TV or radio?

[Canuckistanian]

27. I thought that major network bosses only TOOK orders,not gave them

And they've been following their orders very diligently up to now.

[elleng]

28. An action must be taken in a proper court,

and i can't tell right now what's going on. If/when it does get to a court, action should be quick. Investigations etc. will take TOOOOOOO long.

Saw Siegelman's lawyer on tv today, and I wasn't impressed. There should certainly be ways around or through failure of trial court to provide transcript, like, maybe, a writ of habeas corpus. I hope the family isn't stuck relying on counsel who's not up to this big fight.

[McCamy Taylor]

29. Go Abrams! Real lawyers respect the law!

:kick:

[defendandprotect]

31. I hope that this is reason for some hope on this atrocious injustice ---

[donheld]

34. K & R

[gateley]

35. Abrams has been doing a GREAT job!

I'm preferring him over KO who lately seems to be putting on a "show" for the most part -- although I still like his interviews/bits with guests. nt

[sazemisery]

36. Dan is following Keith's lead

Dan and Keith can be both irritating and wonderful. What human isn't?

[midnight]

37. Why is his release pending appeal. Release him while he

appeals.

[anniebelle]

38. Dan rocks.

He really steps up to the plate on this one. His show is becoming one of my 'must watch' shows.

[Jennicut]

40. Dan has been great lately.

He has been fair and balanced in his news reporting lately. I love his "Bush League Justice" segments and I love his ability to cut through the crap with what Obama and Hillary say about each other. If its wrong, innacurate, a blunder, or a misstatement Dan calls it like it is and he does not care who gets angry about it. This is the right way to report things and he is not a shill for the Rethugs, Hillary, or Obama. He is just a good journalist and his standing up for Siegelman is the right thing to do. To say it makes no difference is naive. The more who stand up against the atrocities the Bush administration has inflicted on others, the better. Keith can't be the only voice in the wilderness.

[Support the ACLU]

41. Thanks for posting this