why 3 grand juries

The idea of Ronnie Earl being incompetent is a laugh. Those of us here in Austin/Travis County know better. He's an idealist, not an ideologue. He's prosecuted both Democrats and Republicans.

DeLay and Co. are trying damage control on a national level, but the real fight is going to be in the courtroom.

<sigh>

The liberal media is a myth. Check out the other thread on it.

And I agree that all at fault should be indicted. Feel free to write your local prosecuting authority.

The idea of Ronnie Earl being incompetent is a laugh.

What about the rumor that the law DeLay was charged with in his first indictment -- conspiring to violate campaign finance laws -- was based on a statute that didn't take effect until 2003, a year after DeLay's alleged acts. Can you say ex post facto? I haven't investigated this deeply, but if true, it sounds fairly incompetent to me. You disagree?

According to a copy of memos now circulating DeLay was involved in day to day decisions about Texans for a Republican Majority, something he has repeatedly denied.

These memos implicate DeLay in coordinating strategy, raising money, taking checks and approving guest lists. They show that he was kept up to date as a high priority - and that steps were taken to screen his involvement through third parties.

The first is from state representative Dianne Delisi to Boon Pickens, and is on TRM letterhead. The first memo was on targetted races for the committee:

"House Majority Whip Tom DeLay agreed to help us and has been an ardent advocate for us by raising money, making phone calls, serving as a special gest at events and providing assistance with leading strategists."

The second, from "federalistgroup" to "goptoday", saying that companies with "big asbestos problems" will line up.

"I finally have the 2 checks from Rellant, Will deliver to TD next week."

The third indicates that lobbying was being done on corporate time, and that:

"DeLay will want to see a list of attendees for this event."

Consideration, communication, coordination.

The prosecutor clearly has a case.

But, yeah, it's all a partisan witchhunt and DeLay is as pure as the driven snow. Noone's buying that, Tico...

Cycloptichorn

Other jury declined to indict DeLay
Texas prosecutor described as angry

By Larry Margasak and Suzanne Gamboa, Associated Press | October 6, 2005

WASHINGTON -- A Texas prosecutor tried to convince a grand jury that Representative Tom DeLay gave tacit approval to a series of laundered campaign contributions, and when jurors declined to indict, he became angry, according to two people directly familiar with the proceeding.

The grand jury was one of three that considered whether there was probable cause to indict DeLay. Two other grand juries did indict the former House majority leader, who had to step aside temporarily under Republican rules.

Both indictments focused on an alleged scheme to provide corporate political donations to Texas legislative candidates in violation of state law.

The two people interviewed, who commented anonymously because of grand jury secrecy, said Travis County prosecutor Ronnie Earle became visibly angry when the grand jurors last week signed a document declining to indict, known as a ''no bill."

One person said the sole evidence Earle presented was a DeLay interview with the prosecutor, in which DeLay said he was generally aware of activities of his associates. He is charged in an alleged money- laundering scheme to funnel corporate donations to Texas legislative candidates in violation of state law.

The person said that Earle tried to convince the jurors that if DeLay ''didn't say 'Stop it,' he gave his tacit approval."

After the grand jurors declined to go forward, the mood ''was unpleasant," the other person said, describing Earle's reaction.

DeLay and political aides Jim Ellis and John Colyandro were indicted last week by another grand jury, accused of criminal conspiracy to violate Texas election laws.

After the second grand jury declined to indict, a third grand jury brought money laundering charges against DeLay on Monday.

Dick DeGuerin, attorney for DeLay, sought to have the original conspiracy charge dismissed Monday by arguing in a court filing that contended the indictment was based on a law that the Legislature changed in 2003. The original indictment alleges that the illegal acts date to 2002.

Earle said late Tuesday that he sought the second indictment of DeLay on Monday because he became aware of additional evidence.

Of course it's a partisan witchhunt. Why else is Earle saying the things he's been saying at the Democratic fundraisers? Why does he appear so desperate to indict DeLay, particularly when it appears he hasn't got much of a case against him? Why is he apparently not interested in indicting any Democrats?

Quote:

Of course it's a partisan witchhunt. Why else is Earle saying the things he's been saying at the Democratic fundraisers? Why does he appear so desperate to indict DeLay, particularly when it appears he hasn't got much of a case against him? Why is he apparently not interested in indicting any Democrats?

Um, because Earle is a Democrat. That doesn't make it a witch-hunt when he's doing his job.

He's indicted more Democrats than Republicans over his career by a significant margin. Just because it is a Republican this time doesn't make it a 'Witch-hunt.'

You can cry partisanship all day long, Tico, but it will avail neither DeLay nor you...

Cycloptichorn

A Moral Indictment
By RONNIE EARLE

Published: November 23, 2004

Austin, Tex. ?- It is a rare day when members of the United States Congress try to read the minds of the members of a grand jury in Travis County, Tex. Apparently Tom DeLay's colleagues expect him to be indicted.

Last week Congressional Republicans voted to change their rule that required an indicted leader to relinquish his post. They were responding to an investigation by the Travis County grand jury into political contributions by corporations that has already resulted in the indictments of three associates of Mr. DeLay, the House majority leader.

Yet no member of Congress has been indicted in the investigation, and none is a target unless he or she has committed a crime. The grand jury will continue its work, abiding by the rule of law. That law requires a grand jury of citizens, not the prosecutor, to determine whether probable cause exists to hold an accused person to answer for the accusation against him or her.

Politicians in Congress are responsible for the leaders they choose. Their choices reflect their moral values.

Every law enforcement officer depends on the moral values and integrity of society for backup; they are like body armor. The cynical destruction of moral values at the top makes it hard for law enforcement to do its job.

In terms of moral values, this is where the rubber meets the road. The rules you apply to yourself are the true test of your moral values.

The thinly veiled personal attacks on me by Mr. DeLay's supporters in this case are no different from those in the cases of any of the 15 elected officials this office has prosecuted in my 27-year tenure. Most of these officials - 12 Democrats and three Republicans - have accused me of having political motives. What else are they going to say?

For most of my tenure the Democrats held the power in state government. Now Republicans do. Most crimes by elected officials involve the abuse of power; you have to have power before you can abuse it.

There is no limit to what you can do if you have the power to change the rules. Congress may make its own rules, but the public makes the rule of law, and depends for its peace on the enforcement of the law. Hypocrisy at the highest levels of government is toxic to the moral fiber that holds our communities together.

The open contempt for moral values by our elected officials has a corrosive effect. It is a sad day for law enforcement when Congress offers such poor leadership on moral values and ethical behavior. We are a moral people, and the first lesson of democracy is not to hold the public in contempt.

Ronnie Earle is the district attorney for Travis County, Tex.