The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Holder the Yes Man

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At least as the media likes to frame it, Barack Obama wants to build a "Team of Rivals" with conflicting views who won't be shy about telling him when they think he's off base -- a step away from the cronyism and uniformity that the Bush administration has been associated with. But details continue to emerge that Eric Holder was more intimately involved in the Marc Rich pardon than Democrats would like to have us believe, as even the New York Times acknowledges.

And in today's Washington Post, Richard Cohen puts it this way: "the pardon cannot be excepted. It suggests that Holder, whatever his other qualifications, could not say no to power. The Rich pardon request had power written all over it -- the patronage of important Democratic fundraisers, for instance."

Whatever Holder's qualifications, the idea that he will stand up to Obama and tell him when he's wrong, is undermined by the Rich episode.

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lisap| 12.3.08 @ 2:32AM

How can we relate the lives of animals to the lives of the human being? Do we think consequences in life can be given a pardon? What can we say to country’s culture? Some people thought she was merely a turkey of a candidate, but Sarah Palin has proven herself a turkey when it comes to public relations, too. Did you see the video of her Thanksgiving turkey pardon? Apparently Governor Palin was having a good time exercising her "governor’s duty" by saving a lucky turkey from the chopping block. Truly, isn’t it the least she can do for the flightless fowl that carries a bull’s-eye on its back during this cornucopian time of the year (that or give the poor thing a cash advance)? But what of the turkey’s poor brothers and sisters? As Palin delivers a moving oratory for the life of the beleaguered bird, what do we see in the background but a bird being slaughtered! The horror swells (as would the horror music, if you monologue internally as I do) when we think about whose neck is next. Would Palin stick her own neck out and comment on the slaughter that turned a little fun into a vino sprayfest? No! She told reporters that “this was neat.” Mind you, she was there for a light-hearted photo opportunity, which I’m sure is a welcome change of pace after that sprint to the finish with John McCain during the presidential race. But was she aware of what was going on nearby? Will she be this aware of her surroundings when she supposedly picks up yoke and plows her way into the 2012 presidential election? She may save Joe Sixpack, but what will happen to Johnny Longneck? I’m guessing he’ll need to get his hands on a fast cash advance for a thick metal collar. Click to read more on a Cash Advance.