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CIA Leak Case Watch: Valerie Plame Retires From CIA
Valerie Plame, the woman at the center of the CIA leak investigation, drives away from her home in Washington December 9, 2005. Plame will retire from the CIA after two decades, a source familiar with her plans said on Tuesday.
The ASSociated Press has Valerie Plame Said to Leave Job at CIA
Valerie Plame, the CIA officer whose exposure led to a criminal investigation of the Bush White House, spent her last day at the spy agency Friday.
Neither the agency nor Plame’s husband would confirm her departure, but two people who have known Plame for a number of years confirmed she was leaving.
Married to Bush administration critic and former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, Plame was working at agency headquarters in Langley, Va., in 2003 when her CIA status was disclosed by conservative columnist Robert Novak. That triggered a probe that led to the recent indictment of Vice President
Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby.Plame had served for many years at overseas postings for the CIA, and her employment remained classified when she took a headquarters desk job, traveling overseas periodically.
Thanks for your service……..
The SPY GAME like POLITICS is serious business……..
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Dentistry Today: Polish Dentists Swedish Teeth
The reception at the new City Dental in Stockholm 24 November 2005. The clinic, staffed by Polish dentists, opened earlier this month and sees a continious streem od Swedes who are searching for a cheaper alternative to the expensive Swedish clinics. The Polish dentists will leave after six months to avoid paying taxes and will be replaced by new.
AFP has Polish dentists and Thai doctors a toothache for Swedish model.
Sweden’s oft-criticized healthcare system has become the arena for competition from low-cost countries which are offering high-quality services at cut prices, challenging the Scandinavian country’s famous social model. Foreign health professionals are giving Swedes frustrated with long queues and worsening service in public healthcare the cheap private-sector alternative many have been looking for.
Like “the Polish plumber”, who in France has come to symbolize the challenges of low-cost services from new EU members, Swedes are grappling with the phenomenon of Polish dentists and Thai doctors, who are offering services at half the cost of their Swedish competitors.
While Stockholmers with toothaches are flocking to “City Dental”, which opened earlier this month in the heart of the capital and is staffed entirely by Polish dentists, not everyone is happy.
Hard to keep capitalism down…….
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Polish dentists Swedish teeth
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Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: Los Angeles Councilmembers Urge Calm over Tookie Clemency
Sheila Rodden gives a thumbs down as she walks past a rally in support of clemency for death row inmate Stantley Williams at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005. Earlier in the day Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger held a clemency hearing at his Capitol office to gather information before making a final decision on Williams execution which is to take place Tuesday, Dec. 13.
KNBC 4 News Los Angeles has Council Members Urge Calm Over ‘Tookie’ Williams Decisions
Four Los Angeles City Council members called for calm Friday as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger considers whether to grant clemency to Crips co-founder and death row inmate Stanley “Tookie” Williams.
With less than four days to go before Williams’ scheduled Tuesday execution, sporadic-yet-credible threats of civil unrest have prompted the council members and representatives from the city and county human relations commissions to ask religious leaders to emphasize a message of peace during weekend services.
“We picked up information that led us to believe that there were some planned and intentioned acts of violence that could occur in the wake of the decision or the execution planned for Stan “Tookie” Williams,” Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, said during a news conference at City Hall.
Toma declined to list the affected communities or elaborate on the threats.
Councilman Bernard Parks said he spoke earlier today about potential civil unrest with Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger of the South Bureau.
Parks said Paysinger assured him the LAPD would remain “vigilant” this weekend, but there was no immediate need to put the city on tactical alert.
And why would the good members of the African American community in Los angeles be outraged if clemency is not granted?
Tookie is a “BANGER” and a MURDERER.
He is NOT an oppressed model citizen who has been unfairly treated and injustly convicted. He has had after all 24 years of legal appeals.
“All you need is a few to disrupt the entire city,” Parks said, referring to the events that led to the 1992 riots. “You don’t need large numbers of people to start a problem.”
Parks, along with council members Jan Perry, Herb Wesson and Bill Rosendahl, said they are asking religious leaders to deliver a message of peace in the days leading up to Williams’ scheduled lethal injection execution at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday at San Quentin Prison.
“Regardless of your personal views on Mr. Williams’ situation, I believe we all share a desire to ensure that people find outlets in which they can respectfully and positively voice their opinions,” Perry said. “I believe that our religious institutions provide guidance and leadership to thousands in our community, and it is times like these that we must turn to each other for support.”
If people do NOT respect the rule of law then arrest them and if they are unruly subdue them.
This is not France and rioting will NOT be tolerated.
If clemency is denied, Parks said he will ask religious leaders to open their churches and synagogues for community discussions.
Rosendahl added: “I’m standing here as a white guy that represents the 11th District who realizes it impacts all of us, we’re all in this dialogue together. In my district, black and white and brown and Asian together are mixing and discussing this issue. It’s of great concern to all of us.”
Stay tuned………
Previous:
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: FATE in the Hands of California Governor Schwarzenegger
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Schwarzenegger Considers Tookie’s Fate
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Scenes from the Clemency Hearing
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: A Question of Mercy @ 10 AM Clemency Hearing?Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Cobb – But That’s Different
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: NAACP Chief Bruce Gordon Champions “CRIPS†Founder
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Political Risks
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Clemency Hearing to Include Claim there were Errors in Trial
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: NOT Afraid to Die
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: A Tookie Store for Conservatives is NOW Open
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Stars rally around Condemned Killer
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: California Supreme Court Refuses to Halt Execution
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: NO REMORSEStanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Tookie’s “Human Angelâ€
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Isn’t it The Truth By Cobb
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Schwarzenegger to Hold Private Clemency Hearing
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: California Governor Schwarzenegger MULLS ClemencyStanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: FLAP Over “Tookie Must Dieâ€
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Jesse Jackson, Bianca Jagger Plead for LIFE
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: SNOOP DOGG BEGS SCHWARZENEGGER FOR CLEMENCY
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: California’s Life-and-Death Politics
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Death Warrant Signed
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stanley Tookie Williams, Crips
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Michael Ramirez on Ramsey Clark
Flap thought he was talking about Howard Dean or was it John Kerry?
Previous:
Hillary Clinton Watch: Anti-Iraq War Challenger Launches Senate Campaign
Howard Dean Watch: United States Won’t Win in Iraq Updated
Iraq War Watch: John Kerry – Americn Troops are Terrorists
Howard Dean Watch: United States Won’t Win in Iraq -
Gaggle – Newbusters.org
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California Supreme Court Watch: Schwarzenegger Names Carol A. Corrigan to High Court
State appeals court judge Carol Corrigan smiles in her San Francisco office Sept. 15, 2005. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated Corrigan to the California Supreme Court on Friday, Dec. 9, 2005, deciding on a moderate Republican and former prosecutor to fill the post of conservative jurist Janice Rogers Brown. Corrigan, 57, an associate justice on the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, succeeds Brown, who resigned in June after the U.S. Senate confirmed her to the federal appeals court in Washington.
The ASSociated Press has Schwarzenegger names San Francisco appellate judge to high court
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated San Francisco appellate judge Carol Corrigan to the California Supreme Court on Friday, deciding on a moderate Republican and former prosecutor to fill the post of conservative jurist Janice Rogers Brown.
“This is the best of the best that we have in the state,” Schwarzenegger said during a Capitol news conference called to introduce her.
Corrigan, 57, an associate justice on the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, succeeds Brown, who resigned in June after the U.S. Senate confirmed her to the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
Brown was the only black on the seven-member court, prompting speculation that Schwarzenegger would name another black to maintain the court’s ethnic balance. He also was said to have closely considered Vance Raye, a black Republican sitting on the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. Corrigan is white.
Schwarzenegger said his only concern in naming a successor was finding the most qualified person and making a decision that “was best for California.” He praised Corrigan as being someone of “unimpeachable character.”
Judge Corrigan has impressive credentials:Judicial and Professional Positions: Associate Justice, 1994 – Present (Appointed 1994; confirmed by voters, 1994). Judge, Alameda County Superior Court 1991-1994 (Appointed 1991; elected by voters. 1992). Judge, Oakland, Emeryville Piedmont Judicial District 1987-1991 (Appointed, 1987; elected by voters, 1988). Senior Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County 1985-1987; Deputy District Attorney, same county, 1975-1985.
Professional Activities: California Judicial Council, 1997-present. Judicial Council Task Force on Jury Instructions, 1997-present (Chair). Commission on Future of California’s Courts 1991-1994. Center for Judicial Education & Research, Governing Board, 1994-1997. President’s Commission on Organized Crime, 1983-1986. Special Consultant, President’s Task Force on Victims of Violent Crime, 1982. Adjunct Professor of Law: U.C. Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1984-1987, 1990-1994; U.C. Hastings College of Law, 1981-1987, 1989; University of San Francisco School of Law, 1988-1990; University of Puget Sound School of Law, 1981. Faculty: California Judicial College, 1988-present; Continuing Judicial Studies Programs, 1989-present; National Institute of Trial Advocacy, 1981-present (Distinguished Faculty Award, 1997).
Community Involvement: Board of Directors: Holy Names College 1988-present (Chair, 1990-present); Saint Vincent’s Day Home, 1982-present (Chair, 1991-present); Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay, 1985-1989.
Education: B.A., magna cum laude, Holy Names College, 1970 (Student Body President, Founder’s Medal). J.D., Univ. of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1975 (Law Journal, Note and Comment Editor). Doctoral program, Clinical Psychology, Saint Louis University, 1970-1972.
Personal: Born: August 16, 1948, Stockton, California.
Corrigan spoke briefly, saying the cornerstone of her judicial philosophy is that “the law doesn’t belong to judges, it belongs to people.”
At the news conference Friday, she said her nomination was a tremendous honor and thanked Schwarzenegger for the consideration.
“I will do my very best to live up that expression of your confidence,” she said.
People v. Ray, 64 Cal.App.4th 868,
Vorse v. Sarasy, 53 Cal.App.4th 998,
Rivero v. Superior Court, 54 Cal.App.4th 1048
Flap handicaps an easy confirmation for Judge Corrigan.
This is a “SAFE” Republican pick for the Governor.
Stay tuned……..
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Iraq War Watch: Retreat and Defeat
Michelle Malkin has True Colors.
The White Flag – Retreat and Defeat video is here and here.
It is very moving.
The question to the Lefties and other Anti-War folks:
What is your plan?
Check out Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democrat Party in this Code Pink photo:
And what say you Hillary Clinton?Previous:
Hillary Clinton Watch: Anti-Iraq War Challenger Launches Senate Campaign
Howard Dean Watch: United States Won’t Win in Iraq Updated
Iraq War Watch: John Kerry – Americn Troops are Terrorists
Howard Dean Watch: United States Won’t Win in Iraq -
Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: FATE in the Hands of California Governor Schwarzenegger
Opponents of the death penalty hold signs in support of condemed killer Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams outside the California State Capitol where California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held a clemency hearing in Sacramento, California. Williams, the founder of the notorious Crips gang, is scheduled to be excecuted 13 December 2005 unless Schwarzenegger grants him clemency.
The Los Angeles Times has Gov. Quiet on Williams’ Fate
Prosecutors and lawyers for the convicted killer make their arguments as his execution date nears.The fate of Stanley Tookie Williams rested in the hands of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday after lawyers for the condemned man made a final plea for his life and prosecutors said his crimes merit society’s harshest punishment.
After hearing attorneys’ arguments during a private, 75-minute meeting, Schwarzenegger made no comment and aides could not say how soon he would decide whether to grant Williams clemency.
“He will deliberate as long as it takes to make a conscientious, fair and just decision,” press secretary Margita Thompson said. She said Schwarzenegger would release a written statement as early as today or as late as Monday.
Flap handicaps a Friday afternoon release of a statement in time for the Saturday media cycle. The California Corrections folks need to prepare for the Tuesday, 12:01 AM execution of Tookie.
Will there be a last minute legal stay? Perhaps.
The filings are being completed probably as this is being written.
Unless the governor acts or a court intervenes, the four-time convicted murderer and co-founder of the Crips street gang will die by lethal injection at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, becoming the 12th man executed in California since 1978.
None of the lawyers would disclose details of their presentations during the morning session, which took place in the governor’s Ronald Reagan Cabinet Room, nor would they characterize Schwarzenegger’s reaction.
The governor, seated at the long wooden table that dominates the nondescript conference room, was accompanied by legal affairs secretary Andrea Hoch, advisor Peter Siggins and two other members of his legal team. He did not ask questions, but received a letter from Williams, the contents of which were not disclosed, and viewed some material on a large screen.
Williams’ attorneys had hoped to present a videotaped plea from the death row inmate, but San Quentin Warden Steven Ornoski denied the request. Tape-recording of prisoners has been restricted since a gun smuggled inside a recording device figured in a bloody uprising at the prison in 1971 that left inmate George Jackson and five others, including three guards, dead.
Demonstrators calling for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant clemency to convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams rally at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, California December 8, 2005.
Asked to assess the chances of clemency, Peter Fleming Jr., the lead lawyer arguing for Williams at the meeting, told reporters, “I’m not an oddsmaker.”
Fleming, who earlier in the week called the governor “a man of courage and independence,” said he is “frightened to death” that his client will be executed rather than be permitted to live out his life behind bars.
Los Angeles County prosecutors, meanwhile, said Schwarzenegger was gracious during the hearing. In remarks to the media, Deputy Dist. Atty. John Monaghan said Williams deserved to die for the senseless and brutal shotgun murders of four people during two robberies in Los Angeles in 1979.
Monaghan also said that the considerable public support for Williams should “absolutely not” sway Schwarzenegger.
“The evidence in this case is truly overwhelming,” Monaghan said, and Williams “should pay the ultimate penalty for his crimes.”
Peter Fleming Jr., attorney for condemed killer Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams, leaves the California State Capitol following a clemency hearing with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Sacramento, California.
On Thursday, Fleming said that when he met Williams, he told the inmate, “If you did this, you should confess to it because it will help.”
According to Fleming, Williams responded: “If my innocence will cost me my life, so be it.”
Williams has confessed to many robberies and assaults, specifically in his memoir, “Blue Rage, Black Redemption.”
With fellow Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorneys Patrick Dixon (L) and David Walgren (R) beside him, Deputy DA John Monaghan (C) talks at a press conference after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held a private clemency hearing for Crips gang co-founder and convicted murderer Stanley Tookie Williams at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, California, December 8, 2005.
Law enforcement officials, including Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, have strongly opposed clemency. They call Williams a coldblooded killer and a founding father of one of the nation’s most vicious gangs.
While the lawyers made their arguments inside the Capitol, about 100 supporters at a rally outside urged the governor to show mercy.
One large banner reflected hopes that the governor’s Austrian roots might make him inclined to spare Williams and read: “Arnold Would You Execute an Austrian?” There is no capital punishment in Austria, and the governor has been harshly criticized there for allowing an earlier execution.
Stay tuned…….
Anti-death penalty signs are placed outside of San Quentin State Penitentiary in San Quentin, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005.
Previous:
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Schwarzenegger Considers Tookie’s Fate
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Scenes from the Clemency Hearing
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: A Question of Mercy @ 10 AM Clemency Hearing?Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Cobb – But That’s Different
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: NAACP Chief Bruce Gordon Champions “CRIPS†Founder
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Political Risks
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Clemency Hearing to Include Claim there were Errors in Trial
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: NOT Afraid to Die
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: A Tookie Store for Conservatives is NOW Open
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Stars rally around Condemned Killer
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: California Supreme Court Refuses to Halt Execution
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: NO REMORSEStanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Tookie’s “Human Angelâ€
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Isn’t it The Truth By Cobb
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Schwarzenegger to Hold Private Clemency Hearing
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: California Governor Schwarzenegger MULLS ClemencyStanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: FLAP Over “Tookie Must Dieâ€
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Jesse Jackson, Bianca Jagger Plead for LIFE
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: SNOOP DOGG BEGS SCHWARZENEGGER FOR CLEMENCY
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: California’s Life-and-Death Politics
Stanley “Tookie†Williams Watch: Death Warrant Signed
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stanley Tookie Williams, Crips
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Day By Day by Chris Muir