-
John Edwards Watch: Senator Susan Collins Does Not Believe Edwards
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R- Maine speculated on a live radio broadcast Wednesday that former Democratic U.S. Sen. John Edwards is the likely father of a child born to a woman with whom he recently admitted having an affair, Rielle HunterIsn’t this what most folks, especially women believe? In the video above around 2:10..The Key Quote:
“I mean, why is he sneaking in,†Collins said. “My staff’s so appalled that I’m discussing this right now. But would he be sneaking into the hotel in the middle of the night to see a child who’s not his? I don’t think so.â€
One of the hosts agreed: “I mean, you have to be so narcissistic and think so highly of yourself, to think that we would be so stupid to believe that you would actually be going to a hotel, just for no reason, just in the middle of the night for no reason. It makes no sense.â€
Collins added, “At 2:30 in the morning. And then hide in the bathroom.â€
Now, Fox News is reporting that there is some question as to whether some of John Edward’s PAC money was used to pay off Rielle Hunter. Here is more about the PAC payments to Hunter.
The National Enquirer says they have more dirt to deliver up on this affair.
Stay tuned……
Technorati Tags: John Edwards, Susan Collins, Rielle Hunter
-
Iran Nuclear Watch: Back Channel American Nuclear Negotiations with Iran?
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns and Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili
In an apparent major shift in United States foreign policy, William Burns, Undersecretary of State and the United States State Department’s number three official will meet with top Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili this weekend in Geneva at talks on Iran’s nuclear program.President Bush has authorized the most significant American diplomatic contact with Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, sending the State Department’s third-ranking official to Geneva for a meeting this weekend on Iran’s nuclear program, administration officials said Tuesday.
The decision appeared to bend, if not exactly break, the administration’s insistence that it would not negotiate with Iran over its nuclear programs unless it first suspended uranium enrichment, as demanded by three resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
Still, after months of accusations and counteraccusations from the United States and Iran, the meeting raised the prospect of an intensified diplomatic push to resolve concerns over Iranian nuclear activity, not unlike the lengthy and painstaking talks that resulted in a deal last month with North Korea.
William J. Burns, the under secretary of state for political affairs, will attend a meeting on Saturday with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, and Iran’s nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement on Wednesday.
The Bush Administration has NOT been successful in restraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Is this a last minute gambit in order to give cover to Israel, pending a military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities?
Should Israel attack Iran, the United States will be blamed anyway and suffer the consequences of another war and disruption of oil importation. So, could it be said then to the world community, “Hey America tried
to negotiate with Iran but they refused?”Or is this a change in the long-standing policy that the United States will NOT negotiate with Iran until they completely suspend uranium enrichment?
A change in this policy would be foolish in that Iran would continue to spin their centrifuges at Natanz, enrich enough uranium to produce a nuclear bomb and reach “BREAKOUT CAPABILITY” while negotiations drag on for another few months/years.
But, this is an interesting development.
Previous:Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will NOT Stop Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: A Deal to Halt Uranium Enrichment?
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Two Red Lines; Update: Israel is Bluffing?
Technorati Tags: Iran, William Burns, Saeed Jalili
-
Presidential Race All Tied Up
Senators and presumptive Presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama
Flap knows it is early in the Presidential race but John McCain is showing surprising strength in national polling – particularly in a down GOP year.The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows Barack Obama attracting 44% of the vote while John McCain earns 42%. The candidates had been tied at 43% for the past two days.
When “leaners” are included, it’s Obama 47% and McCain 46%. For most of the past month-and-a-half, Obama has led McCain by approximately five percentage points (see recent daily results). Tracking Polls are released at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time each day (see recent demographic highlights). McCain’s improvement in the polls comes as more Americans believe it is possible for the U.S. to win the war in Iraq.
Obama’s bounce after defeating Hillary Clinton a few weeks ago appears to be finished. And, Obama’s flip-flop on the Iraq War, coupled with American success there, appears to validate John McCain’s strength of character, resolve and political judgment.
Update:Looking at the Electoral College Maps Obama continues to enjoy an advantage:
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain
-
The Case of Dr. Roy S. Shelburne – 7 of 10 Counts Thrown Out of Court – Part Three
Dr. Roy S. Shelburne of Virginia
Flap yesterday reported that the money laundering convictions of Virginia dentist, Dr. Roy S. Shelburne, involving Medicaid fraud had been set aside by a federal judge.Now, Flap has the link to the opinion and order of federal district judge, James P. Jones.
Some key graphs:
- The government also called four local dentists, who characterized Dr. Shelburne’s work as subpar.
- At trial, both the government and the defendant relied on retained dental experts who had extensively reviewed Dr. Shelburne’s records, as well as personally examining and evaluating some of his patients. Both experts were well-qualified but their opinions were dramatically different. Dr. Marquetta Poynter, the government’s expert, found that Dr. Shelburne had performed unnecessary procedures; Dr. Susan Phillips, the defense expert, found Dr. Shelburne’s work to be acceptable and any incorrect billings to DMAS shown by the record to be only the normal errors produced in any dental office. Dr. Shelburne testified on his own behalf and denied any intent to defraud.
- The defendant argues that the evidence showed that he acted in good faith in his dental practice, with no intent to defraud.5 Similarly, he contends that he acted with a “legitimate medical purpose and within the bounds of accepted medical practice.†(Mem. Supp. Mot. J. Acquittal or New Trial 11.) I agree that his evidence supported such a defense, but there was substantial evidence to the contrary. A verdict in Dr. Shelburne’s favor certainly would have been plausible and equally supportable. Under our system of justice, however, the jury’s view of the evidence cannot be set aside where, as here, there was substantial evidence to support it.
- In summary, I find that all of Dr. Shelburne’s money laundering convictions must be set aside. I will otherwise affirm all of his remaining convictions. It thus appearing proper, it is ORDERED as follows:
- 1. The Motion for New Trial (#284) is denied;
- 2. The Motion for Judgment of Acquittal (#284) is granted in part and denied in part;
- 3. Judgment of acquittal is entered as to Counts Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine of the superseding Indictment; and
- 4. The Motion for Judgment of Acquittal is otherwise denied.
The Bristol Herald Courier quotes Tony Giorno, the U.S. assistant attorney who prosecuted the case, as saying that his team may appeal the decision. He described the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the money laundering statute as a “sea change†in the law, saying “we knew we would have problems with that…..â€â€œWe have to decide, in-house or at the Department of Justice, if we’re going to live with that interpretation in future cases.â€
Dr. Shelburne is considering whether to appeal the other three remaining convictions. Shelburne’s dental license will be revoked after he is sentenced on July 10.
However, now after reading the judge’s opinion, Flap is pessimistic that there will be a plea deal to spare Dr. Shelburne jail time and the loss of his dental license. The three remaining convictions are federal felonies and the judge denied the remaining motion(s) to set aside the verdict of the jury.
Dr. Shelburne can appeal and request bail while the case is under appeal but this may only postpone the inevitable if he loses in the appellate court. His dental license will be revoked, in any case.
Stay tuned……
Previous:
The Case of Dr. Roy S. Shelburne – 7 of 10 Counts Thrown Out of Court – Part Two
The Case of Dr. Roy S. Shelburne – 7 of 10 Counts Thrown Out of Court
The Case of Dentist Dr. Roy S. Shelburne – Sentencing Postponed
Technorati Tags: Dr. Roy S. Shelburne
-
Day By Day by Chris Muir June 23, 2008
Barack Obama’s legislative record is “THIN” from both the United States Senate and the Illinois Legislature where he was a state senator. But, he offers “change and “hope.”GAD!
When McCain, the GOP and maybe the MSM start demanding Obama discuss the issues, American voters will uncover the truth that Obama is an inexperienced typical Chicago pol.
Let the discussion begin.
Previous:
Technorati Tags: Day By Day, Barack Obama
-
Ron Paul Watch: Speaking at Minnesota GOP Convention?
Alvin Holter of Crystal, Minn., adjusts a Ron Paul for President campaign sign a short distance from where Republican presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas was speaking, Friday, May 30, 2008, outside the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn
Flap says let Ron Paul speak without preconditions.
Ron Carey, chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, said the only way Ron Paul can address the state convention is if he ends his candidacy and endorses John McCain.
“Rep. Paul waged a very credible battle here, but the battle is over and it’s time to coalesce around Sen. McCain and enhance our chances of prevailing in November,” Carey said. “There’s no benefit for Republicans to continue on with a battle after the battle has been fought and a victor has been declared.”
The GOP should be a party where ideas are debated, accepted and rejected.
Ron Paul will NEVER endorse McCain and many of Paul’s supporters will NEVER vote for ANY Republican nominee but the free discussion of their ideas is beneficial to the party.
Also, it will be McCain’s call but what about the Minnesota National GOP Convention? Flap gives it a thumbs up.
Flap says Rudy Giuliani should speak directly following Paul. What a contrast.
-
Day By Day by Chris Muir May 23, 2008
Team McCain’s reward program for becoming a “SOCK PUPPET” is not very encouraging for a GOP that needs a leader post George Bush.While Barack Obama is enjoying rock star status with massive turnouts with rock concerts preceding his speeches, the sad McCain folks want bloggers to comment at the Daily Kos.
Something is NOT RIGHT.
Previous:
-
MyBlogLog
-
Ron Paul Watch: Criminal BOTNET Fueling Ron Paul Spam? Part Two
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5LgUiz2mBA[/youtube]
Now the Ron Paul spammers are hacking into the FAKE Rudy Giuliani forum and blaming the entire FLAP on a Giuliani PAID writer, Sarah Lai Stirland. Flap linked to her piece yesterday about the BOTNETS and Ron Paul.
Allah over at Hot Air has more of the FLAP.
Check out what the Ron Paul spammers did to the Rudy Giuliani forum:
Check out some of the threads and see how Ron Paul spammers have hijacked them to smear Giuliani, promote Ron Paul or smear Tech writer Sarah Lai Stirland – trolls that they ARE.
Of course, the Ron Paul Campaign for President will deny knowledge of this activity nor repudiate it – sort of like Don Black and Stormfront.org.
Pathetic……..
Previous:
Ron Paul Watch: October Fundraising Goal Short $1.4 Million
Ron Paul Watch: Criminal BOTNET Fueling Ron Paul Spam?
White Civil Rights Web Site Hearts Ron Paul’s Tonight Show Appearance
Ron Paul Watch: Neo-Nazi Leader Don Black Donates to Ron Paul Campaign – The RESPONSE
Ron Paul Watch: Neo-Nazi Leader Don Black Donates to Ron Paul Campaign Part Two
Ron Paul Watch: Neo-Nazi Leader Don Black Donates to Ron Paul Campaign
Ron Paul Watch: The Red State Ban Part Two
Ron Paul Watch: The Red State Ban
Ron Paul Watch: Paul Campaign Solicitation on Neo-Nazi Hate Site – The FLAP Part Two
Representative Ron Paul Called “Certifiably Insane†in GOP Debate Focus GroupRon Paul Watch: Paul Campaign Solicitation on Neo-Nazi Hate Site – The FLAP
Ron Paul Watch: The November 5 Creep Show
Ron Paul Watch: Libertarians Rising?
Ron Paul Watch: The Disciples or Internet Spammers?
Technorati Tags: Ron Paul
-
Giuliani Notes: Rudy Leads Thompson By 7 in Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani smiles as he signs autographs during a campaign stop at Dodge’s General Store in New Boston, N.H., Friday, Aug. 17, 2007
The Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll for August 20, 2007
- Rudy – 29%
- Fred Thompson – 22%
- Mitt Romney – 13%
- John McCain – 11%
- Mike Huckabee – 4%
Daily tracking results are from survey interviews conducted over four days ending last night. Each update includes approximately 750-800 Likely Democratic Primary Voters and 600-650 Likely Republican Primary Voters. Margin of sampling error for each is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
The Rasmussen Reports Election 2008 Presidential Tracking Poll is updated daily, Monday through Friday. Daily results are based upon a four day rolling averageand new results are posted each day by noon Eastern.
Previous:
Technorati Tags: Rudy Giuliani