from Ken Anderson: Mark,
Actually, I find Greenwald's discussion to be a lot of hot air. Trying to discern Holder's views on "the rule of law" based on impassioned speeches criticizing the Bush administration is a fool's errand. After all, we have seen Obama flop over backwards on telecom immunity, as have any number of Democrats, after roundly criticizing it as a violation of the "rule of law." Now we see Specter, having voted for immunity, still blabbering on about how wrong it is. Furthermore, let's not forget that Greenwald is a lawyer and his dismissal of criticism of Holder's representation of Chiquita is a typical knee-jerk reactionary lawyerism. This stems from the usual position that, ultimately, lawyers cannot be tainted by the actions of clients; they're just "doing their job," and admirably so, in the defense of high-minded legal principles. As Greenwald breathlessly intones, lawyers like Holder are "performing a vital service for our justice system. " Sure, one can argue that, because it makes lawyering for an admittedly corrupt and criminal enterprise a thing of noble beauty. But that is not often why any lawyer would take such a case, and Greenwald knows it. Admitted guilt in the criminal case against Chiquita had already been established. Holder's counsel was retained after Chiquita admitted to and was found guilty of criminal charges in funding and arming the death squads of a designated terrorist organisation, the AUC. With connections to the DoJ, Holder was brought in to help negotiate a sweetheart deal for Chiquita in an ex post facto civil case brought by the families of murder victims. But the larger concern is that Holder will continue to exhibit a conflict of interest performance against the HRW recommendations that certain paramilitary leaders now held by the US should be deposed to "fully disclose information about atrocities and name all Colombian or foreign officials, business or individuals who may have facilitated their criminal activities." At least one of these paramilitary leaders appears ready to sing. If Greenwald doesn't see that Holder's past association with Chiquita may create some pause within a Department of Justice that no one trusts anymore, then he has more faith in Holder than I suspect Holder deserves. If Holder does do this, well, that will be great day for honest lawyering and would evidence a newly invigorated DoJ. But don't hold your breath. -Ken > This piece is more detailed and thoughtful than the one I sent out > earlier, from MAMA Radio. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to Mark Crispin Miller's "News From Underground" newsgroup. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR go to http://groups.google.com/group/newsfromunderground and click on the "Unsubscribe or change membership" link in the yellow bar at the top of the page, then click the "Unsubscribe" button on the next page. For more News From Underground, visit http://markcrispinmiller.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
