Press Releases

Alabama Democratic Party Calls for Special Prosecutor

February 25, 2008

Dems Say FCC Should Launch Inquiry into Huntsville CBS Blackout

The Alabama Democratic Party today called on the US Justice Dept. and the US House Judiciary Committee to appoint a special prosecutor into the allegations of the political prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman after the facts and interviews were released by CBS Television Network in their 60 Minutes program this past Sunday night.

Executive Director, Jim Spearman says there is too much smoke and too many facts for DOJ and Congress to ignore. "Abuse of the federal prosecutorial system for partisan political gain must be taken very seriously. The accusations by the 52 former state attorneys general, including the former republican AG from Arizona Grant Woods should be taken into account by the US Attorney General", Spearman says. Congress should not delay in taking the next step to call witnesses and to hold those not answering supeanoes in contempt of Congress.

For the Alabama Republican Party to issue its statement yesterday prior to the airing of the 60 Minutes segment trying to discredit CBS even before the program airs shows that indeed republicans may have something to hide. "How can the ALGOP really try to discredit a former republican AG who is now a co-chair of their US Presidential Nominee's Arizona campaign effort,"Spearman notes.

Also today, Alabama Democratic Chairman Joe Turnham says he will send a letter to the Federal Communications Commission asking for a formal inquiry into the CBS Huntsville affiliate black out of the the Siegelman airing. It has come to the attention of many Democrats in North Alabama that the principal owners of WHNT are Bush Pioneers and major republican donors. Many suspect that enormous pressure was put on CBS to not air the Siegelman story. If CBS received political pressure to stifle the first amendment rights of the network or affiliate, the FCC and Congress should take appropriate oversight into the matter.

XXXXp=

| | Comments (4)
Comments
Alabama Or Afghan? What's the difference?

Posted by: jdw on February 25, 2008 10:04 PM

ALABAMA’S EXTREME LEFT GOP “60 Minutes Done A Great Job” The Bush’s elete group of corrupt GOP’ers are scared to death that Don Siegelman may be on the streets before the election. Slick Bob is so nervous that he is combing his hair and spraying his mouth and under arms every five minutes. He’s hoping that the next president will be John McCain a republican and that Riley will be asked to be McCain’s running mate. If the next president is a Democrat he/she will probally appoint new U.S. Attorneys in Alabama. Riley along with most of the top GOP operatives could get Federal charges filed against them for taking millions of dollars from Michael Scanlon and Jack Abramoff. This money was used to defeat Siegelman’s lottery and to fund Riley’s two campaigns for governor.

Posted by: T. Andress on February 25, 2008 10:13 PM

I think that it is really revealing that the statement that I saw on TV by the Alabama Republican Party Chairman in which he dares CBS to prove that the claims made by the so called "low level" Alabama Republican Party operative are actually true, that the Chairman does not really deny that they are true. It really reminds of the line from the Shakespear play which goes something like "me thinks he doth protest to much." By the same token though it really does appear that there is "something rotten in Denmark."

Posted by: HH on February 28, 2008 6:56 AM

The Siegelman case flags several constitutional blunders, which must be stopped, else a chosen few running government will have runaway tickets for tyranny. If the Huntsville area broadcasting station is found to have premeditated or planned the blackout of Siegelman's "60 Minutes" documentary, it has violated the First Amendment of the Constitution, and victimized the civil rights to information of thousands of innocent people. Responsible advertisers should be taking the station to task. The other issue with the Siegelman case is that of the court reporter, now deceased, named Jimmy Dickens and the fact that Judge Mark Fuller has refused to release the transcripts. Information via internet, suggests the release of these transcripts would aid in, and in fact, are necessary for Siegelman's release and appeal. The other question, while personal but pertinent to Siegelman's case pertains to the cause of Jimmy Dicken's death. While the legal system utilizes stalling tactics in its win/lose sport of justice, there must be limits to these laws which blatantly violate the United States Constitution. While Judge Fuller continues to postpone the release of transcripts, those investigating the case should realize Siegelman's right to an appeal thus, fair trial has been neither fair nor speedy. In fact, his ordeal has been mentally cruel and torturous, as was the devious plan to dehumanize him by placing him in handcuffs and shackles. Is this present Alabama administration of leadership one who particularly enjoys human torture and deprivation of justice? And are they conscious of the number of constitutional errors they have made in this case alone?

Posted by: mlooney Author Profile Page on March 1, 2008 11:06 AM

Post a comment




Remember Me?