The eleven page motion filed by Rod Blagojevich calling for the subpoena of Barack Obama was news all by itself but when it was discovered that the heavily redacted document had been de-coded, the document's importance took on exponentially more significance. The motion, while posted on the internet, had been redacted in many places. However, the redactions, if copied and pasted to a Word document were almost magically revealed.
This phenomenon is going viral and the judge presiding over the case has called an EMERGENCY MEETING according to NBC Chicago:
The judge presiding over former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial called an emergency meeting Thursday evening after information that was intended to remain under seal was released to the public in a defense filing to subpoena President Barack Obama.
The parties involved are downplaying the reason for the meeting but, come on. There was obviously a glitch that permitted redacted portions of a document potentially implicating the president of the United States to be splattered all over the internet.
And we're supposed to believe that an emergency meeting called by the judge presiding over the case has NOTHING to do with these new revelations?
Uh, ok.
Whether planned or not, Blago has got to be thrilled right this very second.
Defendant Rod Blagojevich has filed a motion to have Barack Obama subpoenaed in the former's trial. Most interesting is that the motion has been posted on line with significant portions redacted. That however, didn't prevent the redacted portions from being unearthed. Simply copying the redacted portions and pasting them into a word document actually reveals them. Here is the entire motion with redacted portions revealed and in bold type.
Be sure to click on the above link to the Huffington Post and take a look at the comments. The kooks over there are unquestionably disturbed by all of this and they're not happy with Blago at all.
UPDATE: 10:09pm CST **IF HUFFINGTON POST IMAGE CAPTURE SUDDENLY NOT WORKING FOR YOU - IT'S NOT FOR ME AND I DIDN'T DOWNLOAD IT - HERE ARE THE REDACTED EXCERPTS FROM THE MOTION:
9. Yet, despite President Obama stating that no representatives of his had any part of any deals, labor union president told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to labor union official on November 3, 2008 who received a phone message from Obama that evening. After labor union official listened to the message labor union official told labor union president “I’m the one”. Labor union president took that to mean that labor union official was to be the one to deliver the message on behalf of Obama that Senate Candidate B was his pick. (Labor union president 302, February 2, 2009, p. 7).
10. Labor union official told the FBI and the United States Attorneys “Obama expressed his belief that [Senate Candidate B] would be a good Senator for the people of Illinois and would be a candidate who could win re-election. [Labor union official] advised Obama that [labor union official] would reach out to Governor Blagojevich and advocate for [Senate Candidate B].. . . [Labor union official] called [labor union president] and told [labor union president] that Obama was aware that [labor union official] would be reaching out to Blagojevich.” (Labor union official 302, February 3, 2009 p. 3).
11. According to Senate Candidate B, on November, 4 2008, Senate Candidate B spoke with labor union official about the Senate seat. Labor union official said he spoke to Obama. Labor union official said he was going to meet with Blagojevich and said “he was going to push Blagojevich hard on this. According to Senate Candidate B, labor union official’s language could have been stronger than the language that she was reporting to the government.” (Senate Candidate B 302, December 19, 2008).
12. On November 5, 2008, Blagojevich told John Harris that labor union official “talked to Barack Obama, wants to come and see me.” Blagojevich then told Harris that labor union official “was very explicit with me, “I talked to Barack about the Senate seat. Can I come and see ya? Can I do it tomorrow?’ I said, sure.” (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 261)
13. A supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama suggested that she talk to the wife of Governor Blagojevich about Senate Candidate B for Senator. (Valerie Jarrett 302, December 19, 2008). Supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama is mentioned in a phone call on November 3, 2008, having offered “fundraising” in exchange for Senate Candidate B for senator (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 149).
17.President-elect Obama also spoke to Governor Blagojevich on December 1, 2008 in Philadelphia. On Harris Cell Phone Call # 139, John Harris and Governor’s legal counsel discuss a conversation Blagojevich had with President-elect Obama. The government claims a conspiracy existed from October 22, 2008 continuing through December 9, 2008.6 That conversation is relevant to the defense of the government’s theory of an ongoing conspiracy. Only Rod Blagojevich and President Obama can testify to the contents of that conversation. The defense is allowed to present evidence that corroborates the defendant’s testimony.7
18.President-elect Obama also suggested Senate Candidate A to Governor Blagojevich. John Harris told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to President’s Chief of Staff on November 12, 2008. Harris took notes of the conversation and wrote that President’s Chief had previously worked as Blagojevich's press secretary. Obama agreed of Staff told Harris that Senate Candidate A was acceptable to Obama as a senate pick. (Harris handwritten notes, OOG1004463) President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that “he could not say where but somewhere it was communicated to him that” Senate Candidate A was a suggested candidate viewed as one of the four “right” candidates “by the Obama transition team.” (Rahm Emanuel 302, p. 5, December 20, 2008). Harris told Blagojevich Obama’s suggestion on November 12, 2008 (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 539). 19.President-elect Obama was also involved in other senate candidate choices. On December 8, 2008, John Harris’ secretary’s call log noted President’s Chief of Staff called at 10:47 am and wrote “needs to talk to you asap” (Harris 302, February 20, 2009). President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that he had a conversation discussing the Senate seat with Obama on December 7, 2008 in Obama’s car. President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI “Obama expressed concern about Senate Candidate D being appointed as Senator. [President’s Chief of Staff] suggested they might need an expanded list to possibly include names of African Americans that came out of the business world. [President’s Chief of Staff] thought he suggested Senate Candidate E who was the head of the Urban League and with President’s Chief of Staff’s suggestion." (President’s Chief of Staff, 302, 12-20-08).
22.However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President Obama’s former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United States Attorneys a different story about President Obama. In a recent in camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. ... Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions. ... Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such conversation. In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation and administration, which the public official denies having had.” 23.President Obama is the only one who can testify as to the veracity of Mr. Rezko’s allegations above.
The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack Obama. See, “Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake”, Dave McKinney, Chris Fusco, and Mark Brown, Chicago Sun Times, November 5, 2006. Senator Barack Obama was asked: “Did Rezko or his companies ever solicit your support on any matter involving state or federal government? Did Al Johnson, who was trying to get a casino license along with Tony Rezko, or Rezko himself ever discuss casino matters with you?” Senator Obama answered: “No, I have never been asked to do anything to advance his business interest. In 1999, when I was a State Senator, I opposed legislation to bring a casino to Rosemont and allow casino gambling at docked riverboats which news reports said Al and Tony Rezko were interested in being part of. I never discussed a casino license with either of them. I was a vocal opponent of the legislation.” Obama’s involvement with Tony Rezko and this legislation coincides with the three paragraph summary the government has provided to the defense referenced above.
As for the relevance of the redacted portions in particular and the entire motion in general, NBC Chicago identified six secrets that the un-redacted portions reveal. It is not clear whether the easily deciphered redactions were intentional but they do make things quite interesting. Claims - with names - are being made that Obama spoke to Blago on December 1st, 2008 and Blago wants the contents of that conversation admitted. There is also a claim that not only was Valerie Jarrett offered Obama's vacant Senate seat but that a quid pro quo was involved. Of course, Obama's conversations with Tony Rezko are at issue as well.
The motion filed Thursday says Obama was interviewed for two hours by prosecutors and FBI agents regarding the Blagojevich case, and the defense filed a motion asking for all transcripts, notes and reports from that interview. But the defense never received the documents, the motion said.
Here is a link to the story referenced by Blago in this motion he points to as proof that the interview between the FBI and Obama took place.
Another aspect of the motion that should raise some interest is Blago's accusation that he met with a union official ostensibly representing Obama's interests over who should be appointed to his former Senate seat. Blago says yes. Obama has denied any such claim in the past.
The motion also claims that prosecutors say Blagojevich met a labor union official whom he believed to be in contact with President Obama, and told the official he would appoint a certain candidate to the vacant Senate seat. In exchange, Blagojevich expected to be named secretary of Health and Human Services, the motion says prosecutors claim.
Click here to read the entire motion as the imaged portion above does not include pages 7 - 11.
When it comes to Islam, we all know how sensitive its followers are to any depiction of their prophet. That fact was not lost on the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who featured Mohammed in one of their cartoons.
However, obviously aware of the Muslim sensitivities, Parker and Stone didn't depict Mohammed. They implied his presence by keeping him inside a U-haul while wearing a bear suit so that no one could see him.
News of the threats to Matt Stone and Trey Parker seems to be going mainstream. Via the BBC:
Islamists have warned the creators of TV show South Park they could face violent retribution for depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a bear suit.
A posting on the website of the US-based group, Revolution Muslim, told Matt Stone and Trey Parker they would "probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh".
Predictably, the video has been pulled but here is an interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali on CNN about the controversy.
James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles may have had an even bigger impact than anyone imagined when they took down ACORN with their undercover videos. They may have inspired countless other would-be citizen journalists.
For example, these videos are extremely reminiscent of those ACORN videos even though it's very unlikely they got the idea from O'Keefe and Giles based on when they were done. Imagine a premise in which a young woman poses as a 14 year-old girl named “Brianna” who has been impregnated by a 31 year-old man and enters an abortion clinic. The clinic in this video is one belonging to the National Abortion Federation.
Here, the lie from the counselor that Brianna shouldn't be concerned because the fetus has no brain activity at this stage of her pregnancy, is proven to be just that - a lie.
