Comments on: Free Don Siegelman

By: Zan Overall

Zan Overall — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:36:10 +0000

Sounds like Gov. Siegelman is getting a raw deal, railroaded like Rep. Jim Traficant from the other side
of the aisle. Traficant went to prison for telling the truth in Congress. That does not happen often, but when it does the truth teller is severely punished.

Traficant is now writing truth for the American Free Press. Check him out at americanfreepr....

Was Rabbi Yo and the other commenters concerned when Jim Traficant was being railroaded?

By: David

David — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:35:02 +0000

Has Don file a motion to move the case under Rule 21(a) of the Federal Criminal Procedure? This rule allows a defendant to have the case moved due to prejudice. And if the judge denies the motion, Don can appeal the ruling on that motion to the Court of Appeals – BEFORE the trial even begins.

By: Jewlicious » Free Don Siegelman

Jewlicious » Free Don Siegelman — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:30:07 +0000

[...] written about Don Siegelman and the nefarious behavior by certain parties which landed him in prison. It seems his offense was that he is a Democrat. And yet, almost 4 months in office and there is [...]

By: ronpanco

ronpanco — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:25:37 +0000

people need to call atty gen ofc and ask for comment line at 202 514 2000, say what they think about this case. why is obama allowing this to happen? why is eric holder allowing this to happen? we must scream out and publicize this so much that the administration will be forced to do the right thing.

By: D. Evans Farkas

D. Evans Farkas — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:18:31 +0000

Call 60 Minutes and let them know to stay on top of this story. It took forever for the mainstream press to cover this story, and it was blocked from airing in parts of Alabama. Not my blog, but much good info in the link above. Keep the heat on 60 Mintues to follow up until this innocent man is free!

(CBS) 60 Minutes:
ADDRESS:
60 Minutes
524 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019

EMAIL: 60m@cbsnews.com

PHONE: (212) 975-3247

By: B. Horn

B. Horn — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:33:30 +0000

I read that Siegelman cannot even file an appeal because the judge who presided over the trial will not release the transcript. An official transcript is normally released within 30 days but Siegelman has been denied his for over 7 months. It’s a travesty.

By: Jewlicious » Blog Archive » Don Siegelman on 60 Minutes Tonight

Jewlicious » Blog Archive » Don Siegelman on 60 Minutes Tonight — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:43:21 +0000

[...] We’ve already covered the story in this post. [...]

By: Myriam Thelemaque

Myriam Thelemaque — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:00:22 +0000

How many more injustices will be committed by the republican machine, Bush and Carl Rove? It broke my heart when tonight
Feb. 24/08 I saw 60 minutes and the story of Governor Don Siegelman, a good human being, not like the bunch of republicans that are today in the White house. A bunch of republicans headed by Carl Rove, the actual governor of Alabama Bob Riley, his wife, his son, the judge that sent him to jail without allowing him his rights. amongst others, lied and concocted a horrible situation in which Mr. Siegelman was thrown in jail for 7 years. Is this what a Democratic country does to it’s most clean and honest citizens?
Then what do we expect from Dictatorships around the world?
Is the world supposed to look up to the U.S. for honesty and democracy? This kind of democracy? Is the gang of Rove free to defame and destroy human beings without any kind of punishment? if so, we are lost; they are few and the american people are millions, but americans are too weak or too busy with their Ipods and cell phones to fight against a few that are destroying this country. Is the blood of the republicans so contaminated with so much putrid ugliness? They act like the scum of world.

By: tandress

tandress — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:07:38 +0000

I’m surprised that as many Alabamians are informed as they are. It has been very hard to get the truth in Alabama about anything that involves Democratic politicians. Even the local TV and radio media pretty much parrots what the three largest newspapers in Alabama print. These newspapers are the Birmingham News, the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Press-Register which are owned by Communications giant Advance Publications, Inc.

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Michael Scanlon, Toby Roth, Rob Riley, etc. have represented big business clients (Mississippi Casinos, Chevron/Exxon, etc) who have funneled large amounts of money through money laundering organizations, such as the Business Council of Alabama, to campaign funds and to these larger newspapers to endorse GOP politicians in return for political favors.

It is not certain, at this time, whether the corruption is isolated to the three larger Alabama newspapers or to Advance Publications Inc.

My hat goes off to the smaller locally own Alabama newspapers that investigate and print the truth.

By: Peggy Walls

Peggy Walls — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:48:59 +0000

Don Siegelman was a wonderful governor, and his opponents have gone through the years of his political service in as detailed a manner as could be done. Please read the background on this case and pass on this heartbreaking story. Siegelman and his wife, Lori, dedicated their lives to promoting education, business, and the arts in Alabama. He started the Reading Initiative Program that has been so successful in Alabama and across the nation. See the link below for latest reports; however, don’t expect to see any credit given to him in the report. To learn that he started the program, you will have to go to the second link. The article at the AL state archives lists facts about his achievements, such as bringing four major car industries to AL during his administration. His success is what angered his opponents because the people in Alabama loved him and elected him in an overwhelmingly Republican state.

eagleforum.org...

archives.state...

donsiegelman.n...

By: David Hanlin

David Hanlin — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:42:07 +0000

I have know Don since the eighth grade and I have observed him climb the political ladder from being an officer in our student government associations to the highest office of governor of Alabama.

His father was a sales clerk in a music store and his mother was a beautician. Don worked his way through college and law school and devoted his life to improving the lives of his fellow Alabamians.

I doubt very seriously that there is any politician out there with higher integrity than Don.

If all politicians were scrutinized under a microscope like Don was, and several years of politically charged vendetta by the largest newspapers in the state to boot, we’d have to spend mega billions to build new prisons in which to house our politicians.

Don’s political persecution is a very sad chapter in American history and flies in the face of what our nation is supposed to be all about.

By: Elvis Allen

Elvis Allen — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:10:06 +0000

Siegelman is as Chatholic mayor gouliani, cast not pearls before swine.

By: Wilson Haire

Wilson Haire — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:26:49 +0000

Where does the warmongering independant turncoat from New England stand on this? Oh yeah, silly me, this is American injustice, and would not concern him! (lately)
Please keep up the good work, Rabbi, very few others will. W.H.

By: Frankly Speaking

Frankly Speaking — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:08:34 +0000

What does America have if we do not have fair and honest elections? Why isn’t there more discussion about the original election in 2002?

By: Anita Darden

Anita Darden — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:41:04 +0000

Thank you Rabbi Yoni!

For your support of the The Siegelman case and your love for the Siegelman family.

I posted this blog to the donsiegelman.o... website. It is such an articulate summary of the case that I put it on the “quick start” page. (If for any reason you find that this is inappropriate, notify me and it will be imediately removed.)

I found your website while researching the donsiegelman.o... website. I am not Jewish, but an evangelical Xian. However, it was Micah 6:8 that spoke to me when I was trying to decide what to do, and about my level of involvement with this case.

I thought I was grabbing a lizard by the tale with this case, but it has turned out to be a dragon! I value greatly your intercession for the Siegelman’s in your prayers, and the state of the current government as well.

Grace to you! Anita Darden

By: ramon marcos

ramon marcos — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:02:46 +0000

Ladies and Gentleman… please allow me to introduce Mr. Charles A. Lindbergh!

Which is weird, since not more than four days ago I drove right past Lindbergh’s home town. I was going to stop for gas but I started feeling very Isolationist.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:14:35 +0000

By the way, the hatred American Jews have against the Republican is helping to get people elected in America who are very hostile to Israel.

How’s that for some poetic justice. Just remember your fellow Jews in America when America turns its back towards you like the rest of the world already has.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:10:51 +0000

This is an American internal issue and is not the business of foreigners.

Israelis should stick to their own internal affairs and leave the internal affairs of other countries alone!

Mind your own business!

By: Evalynn Monsky Duncan

Evalynn Monsky Duncan — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 01:16:01 +0000

Thank you, Rabbi Yonah. “VJ,” please note that 44 (at last count) attorneys, both Democratic and Republican, from various states have asked that Governor Siegelman’s case be investigated by both Congressional Judiciary Committees. As a member of the Montgomery, AL synagogue in which the Siegelman “children” were Bat-and-Bar-Mitzvahed, and a volunteer in Don’s campaigns, I am of course not objective. I would suggest that anyone else interested in the case check out Scott Horton’s No Comment blog at Harper’s Magazine. And I would hope that many of you will be interested. As Jews, as humane beings, should we not care deeply about justice? Shalom.

By: VJ

VJ — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:35:54 +0000

Rabbi Yonah is really on to something here. This case has been noticed and championed by Josh M. Marshall’s Talkingpointsmemo.com site and his great Washington companion site TPMmuckraker.com. The posts on the Siegelman case are here in his archives:
[http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/mt35/mt-search.cgi?search=Don+Siegelman&SearchCutoff=90]

Here’s some of the more impressive news from the case:
[http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003691.php]

[quoting directly]:

“44 Former State AGs Call For Review Of Siegelman Case
By Laura McGann – July 16, 2007, 12:49 PM

The movement for a review of Gov. Don Siegelman’s (D-AL) case is picking up steam. Forty-four former state attorneys general are now calling on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees for an investigation into whether his corruption prosecution was politically motivated.

In a petition (available here) the former top state lawyers asked for a full review of the proceedings, noting a half dozen reasons the case raises suspicion.

In an unusual sentencing phase, the prosecution pressed for a 30-year prison term and the judge denied bail as the former governor awaits his appeal. (Siegelman was ultimately sentenced to seven years in prison.)

The attorneys also point to an affidavit filed by Republican lawyer Dana Jill Simpson as possible evidence of political interference. In her sworn statement, Simpson recounts a 2002 teleconference with some of her fellow Bob Riley (R-AL) campaign workers, where they discussed using the justice system to get Siegelman to back down from contesting the election results. Republican operative Bill Canary mentioned talking with Karl Rove about getting the Justice Department to investigate Siegelman, according to Simpson.

The document was not entered as evidence during Siegelman’s trial, but his lawyers said they are considering using it as grounds for a new trial or in a habeas petition.

Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) has also cited Simpson’s affidavit in asking the House Judiciary Committee to look into Siegelman’s case.

Simpson recently said she stands by her statement.”

Now think about that. The clear majority of state AG’s think this is a dirty political case. No different than the trumped up charges made ever day in China or Russia. Run up against the wrong side of the BushCo machine, and they’re perfectly willing (and eager) to pervert the course of justice to ‘get you good’. That’s what Roveism was all about. In TX, and now it’s rotting corruption has been spread nation wide. No, world wide now, to our infinite regret & ever lasting shame. It’s all about justice folks. Cheers, ‘VJ’