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Streetcar Line
Holder’s Perez: Perjury on Panthers?
The corrupt Obama-Holder Justice Department earns another rebuke.
Late last month, the Obama/Holder Justice Department suffered another embarrassment, and showed that its leaders probably merit criminal prosecution, in a too-little-noticed spin-off from the infamous New Black Panther Party case. As I have written repeatedly, the politicized leadership of the Holderites is thoroughly corrupt, and a menace to the very cause of justice.
The embarrassment came in the final court action of a long-running suit brought by the indefatigable Judicial Watch. The watchdog group had pressed requests based on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to force the Department of Justice (DoJ) to divulge more information about its seemingly inexplicable, and certainly unexplained, decision to drop voter-intimidation cases against the Panthers for their actions outside of a Philadelphia polling place in 2008. As it has done in numerous other instances, the Obama administration stonewalled, claimed spurious “privileges” against disclosure, and prevaricated wildly through its embarrassingly unprofessional press office and via sworn testimony by Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez. Yet Judicial Watch prevailed in part, even against a none-too-friendly judge, thus forcing the release of some of the withheld records.
The latest ruling from federal district judge Reggie Walton involved Judicial Watch’s request for the government to pay its attorneys’ fees as a result of Judicial Watch’s partial win. The judge agreed that the government ought to be liable for at least some of those fees. In doing so, he wrote the following passages, which would be deeply embarrassing for any administration with the grace to feel embarrassment, especially if an establishment media weren’t pathetically in the pocket of said administration:
The documents reveal that political appointees within DOJ were conferring about the status and resolution of the New Black Panther Party case in the days preceding the DOJ’s dismissal of claims in that case, which would appear to contradict Assistant Attorney General Perez’s testimony that political leadership was not involved in that decision. Surely the public has an interest in documents that cast doubt on the accuracy of government officials’ representations regarding the possible politicization of agency decisionmaking.
And:
The Court therefore concludes that the DOJ has failed to show that its withholding of some documents from Judicial Watch prior to the filing of this lawsuit was legally correct or had a reasonable basis in law.
This is about as gentle a way as possible to say that Perez probably perjured himself — a point some of us have been making for years now as in the Washington Times editorial noting this:
On May 14, Mr. Perez swore under oath before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights that there was no “political leadership involved in the decision not to pursue this particular case any further than it was” and that it was only “a case of career people disagreeing with career people.”…. [Yet] By our count, Deputy Associate Attorney General Sam Hirsch, not only a political appointee but previously a top, cutthroat election attorney for the national Democratic Party, sent or received 58 e-mails about the case. The “description of withheld information” provided by the Justice Department indicates that Mr. Hirsch weighed in on the decision to drop the cases.
At least a dozen of Mr. Hirsch’s e-mails went back and forth up the chain of command to Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli, not down to people that the department now calls “career employees” (who themselves at the time were filling political positions). The list also shows that Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden was involved by contributing “current thoughts” on the matter. The office of Attorney General Holder was kept in the loop as well. These are all political appointees.
This is all of utmost importance, if only because it serves as a microcosm of how the Holder DoJ operates in general — not as a neutral law-enforcement outfit, but as a highly politicized, bullying group pushing an agenda both leftist and racially weighted in favor of groups thought to be politically in hock to Obama.
Remember that it was the window opened by the Panther case that shone light on Perez’s policies, as announced by deputy Julie Fernandes, of refusing to enforce civil rights laws against black perpetrators and of refusing to enforce federal law requiring that voting rolls be cleaned up. This revelation should have served as ample warning of the sorts of shenanigans being conducted now, in which the administration is suing multiple states to block voter-ID laws favored by more than 60 percent of the public and actually suing states like Florida to block it from scrubbing the names of non-citizens from its voter lists.
These aren’t legitimate legal disputes; these are raw attempts to steal the election if it is close enough to be stolen.
This is the same Justice Department which, directly or through other administrative agencies it represents, has been shown repeatedly to be in flagrant violation of propriety. Let us count some of the ways.
First, the Fast and Furious fiasco. Second, the continuing Obama effort to harm military voters, just as DoJ also did in 2010. Third, the obnoxious effort to force the trial of terrorist detainees to be held in New York City. Fourth, the unanimous Supreme Court decision absolutely smacking down the Obama administration in the key religious-liberty case known as Hosanna-Tabor v. E.E.O.C.
Fifth, the administration’s citation for civil contempt of court for its imposition of a drilling moratorium after the BP oil spill disaster. Sixth, the Holderites’ continued moves, vigorously opposed even by Mayor Bloomberg and even in part by the Village Voice, to institute racial hiring quotas for the heroic Fire Department of New York — even for Fire Academy applicants who missed 70 percent of the simple questions on the entrance exam. Seventh, the DoJ Inspector General’s just-released report finding improper hiring practices in another DoJ division. Eighth, the senior non-political DoJ official’s harsh override of the Obamites’ findings against Bush administration lawyers John Yoo and Jay Bybee.
Other examples are numerous, but that’s enough for now. The reality remains that Barack Obama and his racialist, race-baiting attorney general Eric Holder, he who sees “a common cause that bonds the black U.S. attorney with the black criminal or the black doctor with the black homeless person,” are steadily trying to turn the Justice Department into a corrupt law unto itself. In effect, Holder’s team is brandishing the billy club of federal power, threatening to wield it for nefarious ends. It is a thoroughly hateful enterprise, without any “reasonable basis in law.”
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
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Intelligent Design| 8.8.12 @ 7:53AM
After Romney is inaugurated, he should look at criminal charges against Holder, et. al.
c. j. acworth| 8.8.12 @ 8:22AM
If Romney is elected the paper shredders and E-mail erasers will be working overtime between Nov. 7 and Jan. 20.
MK48| 8.8.12 @ 10:03AM
All.......and I mean ALL of these traitors, liers, theves will walk into the SUNSET untouched.
Cobalt| 8.8.12 @ 10:42AM
Will never happen. Never.
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 8.8.12 @ 5:09PM
Romney can't read, he couldn't read Jared Diamond's book; so how could he read anything connected with this?
spike59| 8.9.12 @ 6:28AM
is that the best you can do, lickspittle?
sad...truly sad
TLP| 8.8.12 @ 8:11PM
And what have we learned about Voting for Blacks for high office?
Is this The Most Corrupt Administration EVER? Or, is it not?
Is this the Lyingest, American Hatingest President that we've ever had?
Is he the most Racist President we've ever had?
When he shucks and jives, all over the stage, talking sh*t to HIGH SCHOOLERS. Is he the most Classless President we've ever had?
When he sends out that Thieving Ccksckr - Harry Ried- to speak his scurrilous lies, from the Senate Floor, about a man who's never done anything even APPROACHING Illegal, in his life? Is he the Slimiest President we've ever had?
And, when he has his Super Pacs put out LYING ADS, blaming Mitt Romney for the DEATH of some poor woman? Is he the Piece Of Shitinest President we've ever had, and a Scumbagm of a Human Being?
(May her Lying Husband Burn in Hell)
ANY MEANS NECESSARY!
Was NYC better with their Black Mayor and their Black Police Commissioner? Or were they in Free Fall?
Was Detroit a better place before the Great Black Migration to the Mayors Office, and the City Council? Or is it better now, after Generations of Home Rule from "The Community".
What about Oakland? Baltimore? Philly? DC?
Is there anyplace ON THIS PLANET that's being run by a Bunch of Black - White Hating, Jew Hating, Socialist America Haters, that DOESN'T look like a "Land of the Lost" movie, and wouldn't be better off Bulldozed to the Ground and begun anew, without them?
There is not.
What have we learned?
Indy| 8.8.12 @ 8:06AM
The attacks this Justice Dept has made on states is appalling. Romney has done a terrible job of calling out Holder and team, 4 more years of Obama = 4 more years of Holder, Sebelius, Valerie Jarett, all the czars and cabinet officials and even more leftists will be appointed to various agencies.
NedB| 8.8.12 @ 9:47AM
Calling out Holder and the others? Why would he do that? He's the one telling them to do all this.
Von Mises Jr| 8.8.12 @ 8:10AM
It was just reported that an illegal alien from Mexico was pulled over by the police in Newark, DE and although he had ten (10) misdemeanors and was driving without a license, the regime ordered him released.
The travesty of releasing the "Dreamers" being Mexicans under 30 with clean records is clearly a lie and a dictatorial, imperial diktat. The driver was not thirty or under and was a criminal, but apparently the rules are a fraud.
People better wake the hell up because the Republicans in DC are not standing up for the rule of law or the Constitution. This is what led to the French Revolution, privilege and abuse in addition to national bankruptcy.
Today on Drudge, the not-so Great nation of France who elected a socialist are now having 75% tax rates imposed on any significant earnings. So the outcome is shared poverty by all. It is always how socialism ends. Vote for Obama and you can live in poverty too.
TLP| 8.8.12 @ 8:28AM
What have we learned?
Von Mises Jr| 8.8.12 @ 8:47AM
Apparently many have learned to feed at the roadside like the animals in Yellowstone. Even the government understands and posts sign "Do Not Feed the Animals."
But those animals are of little use if rounded up and put in a work camp. Agenda21 "Smart Growth" Sustainable Development need to be populated with "Brave New World" drones and Soros thinks people like Perp, DRedful and Twitdim are more educable than buffalo. I beg to differ.
Adams'| 8.8.12 @ 10:44AM
Nothing! The American electorate is incapable of learning.
George S| 8.8.12 @ 11:38AM
We learned that if you ever get pulled over with a cooler full of dead hooker parts, just say to the officer in your best Speedy Gonzalez:
"Como puedo ser de ayuda? No ingles, senor."
Albert Constantine Jr.| 8.8.12 @ 5:16PM
VM Jr.:
There are currently hundreds of illegal aliens on probation in Delaware that active steps have been taken by state officials to prevent their identification so that they can be turned over to ICE (who will then not deport them).
Mimi | 8.8.12 @ 9:42AM
First, we have to win the 2012 election....then the unwinding of the corruption....The hope is , we have enough time to do the massive repair job needed.
What a letdown we will have if Romney excuses all this! We need justice for all the wrong doing and blatent lies....the rule of LAW must prevail!
merlin| 8.8.12 @ 9:52AM
Unfortunately, a Romney win has to be greater than the margin of recount.
MK48| 8.8.12 @ 10:06AM
Yes...... and it is going on as we speak in VA.
Adams'| 8.8.12 @ 10:43AM
Herr Holder, the keeper of the black kitty, the protector of das Fuhrer, the liar of the Century. Great Liberals, great Government...
Oldefarte| 8.8.12 @ 10:50AM
First, if either Quin or anyone else here could inform me of the possible situation post say a Romney/Republican victory in November, as to how this DOJ problem would/could be effected thereafter, I 'd appreciate same. Obviously Holder goes and a new AG is appointed, but what about this Perez and the obviously overstocked radical lawyers within the DOJ that are either/or political appointees [assume they go also] or career attorneys. Can a new POTUS then legally fire/terminate their employment and cleanse out this federal department????????
Pecos Pete| 8.8.12 @ 12:03PM
Just like with King O, President Romney could issue illegal executive orders firing the whole bunch of progressive (Communist) bureaucrats. Then ignore the law, if any are broken. Fire them all, then take the heat. We are at war, take no prisoners.
Oldefarte| 8.8.12 @ 5:03PM
Thanks. Vaguely remember Bush firing or replacing some DOJ lawyers and getting political flack from same. Think not only DOJ but State might be in line for a cleansing of sorts after November!!!!
Oldefarte| 8.8.12 @ 5:09PM
Do know that in private industry, in order to fire/terminate an employee, a FILE BUILDING or FOR CAUSE has to be established and presume government would be no different. Suppose if theres a will, there would be a way to do so effectlively [although lawsuits would surely follow same]!!!!
sickofit5| 8.8.12 @ 11:24AM
There are so many areas for the Romney campaign to attack yet he doesn't. It is a target rich environment. The camp just keep saying that this election is about the economy and that is what they focus on. It seems they have not made the connection that if Romney loses our economy is dead forever. Do they not understand that a rogue Justice Dept. effects the economy? All of this, not just the job numbers, effects the economy. Who the EPA goes after, what companies DOJ attack. Don't get me started on tax returns. Every time he is accused about not releasing more and being the most secretive candidate the response should be automatic, where are all of BHO's records and why are the sealed? It is all related and in play. I pray that he is just waiting for the official nomination for hell to be unleashed yet I don't have much hope.
Pecos Pete| 8.8.12 @ 12:05PM
SickOfIt: " It is all related and in play. I pray that he is just waiting for the official nomination for hell to be unleashed yet I don't have much hope."
Romney must unleash the attack dogs. We are at war, take no prisoners.
cicero| 8.8.12 @ 1:15PM
When the Republicans get into power, they usually play the same old song, "We don't want to tear the country apart by prosecuting the misdeeds of the party leaving office.". The Dems then just wait for their chance to return. The only way to stop the nonsense is to send the malefactors to jail for a long time. There has to be consequenses for bad conduct, or no lessons are learned. Even a 3 year old know that.
Don't we remember the Clinton departure? No consequenses for the corruption, and both of them are still idolized by the Left. An why not? They have shown how real pros play the game, and come out multi-millionaires. Harry Truman once said, "You show me a politician who comes out of government office with more money than he went in with, and I'll show you a thief." Truth never changes.