Yep. Knew it would happen sooner or later. Today, convicted terrorist sympathizer Sami Al-Arian is the first documented deportee who will be able to hang a picture of him on his wall in his new, as-yet undetermined "homeland".
In the end, Sami Al-Arian's decision to accept a plea deal came down to two things: his desire to end the case for his family, and his determination not to admit to a crime of violence.
The single count to which he pleaded guilty in a deal approved Monday accomplished both, said his attorney Linda Moreno.
...
What the former University of South Florida computer science professor did do, however, was publicly admit for the first time that he aided associates of a terrorist group.
By pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Arian acknowledged helping three known associates of the group with various nonviolent activities and repeatedly lying about what he knew.
As a result, Al-Arian likely will serve several more months in prison, then be deported to an undetermined country.
Sami Al-Arian? Why yes, Louise, Sami...this one.
Yes, that's Beloved Leader and Mrs. BottleInFrontaMe with Sami and Family on 3-12-00, if the date is right. I imagine that Dear Leader raised some money from this photo-op, since they don't normally let just any douchebag get a photo-op with a candidate. Or maybe they do. Any of that lucre from Palestinian Islamic Jihad? Inquiring minds do want to know.
From the first time I saw Oklahoma senator Tom Coburn on TeeVee, I had him pegged as a pretty typical wingnut whacko, and on issues like Choice, oooh, baby baby he's the gift that keeps on giving. But in terms of fiscal discipline, he's a tiger. And right now he's going for two senior senators Lott and Cochran and their bag o'earmarks.
"It is ludicrous for the Senate to spend $700 million to destroy and relocate a rail line that is in perfect working order, particularly when it recently underwent a $250 million repair," said Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who is planning to challenge the funding when the $106.5 billion war spending bill reaches the Senate floor. "American taxpayers are generous and are happy to restore damaged property, but it is wrong for senators to turn this tragedy into a giveaway for economic developers."
Coburn may want to take a peek at his republican party card...where once there was a picture of Ronald Reagan guarding the Treasury (hah!) there's now a magnetic stripe, with an imprint "No more than $100 million in earmarks per member per year...see the Leader for additional funds".
The republicans have managed to turn the US Treasury into the biggest government contractor-special interest ATM in the history of civilization. Remember Ted Stevens throwing a menopausal hissy-fit over that bridge and other Alaska appropriations? Today's republicans view cutting off their money supply as worse than selling their children into slavery...a sad fact that will bankrupt this country faster than you can say "alleged fiscal conservatives".
In a brief question-and-answer session with reporters in the White House Rose Garden after announcing his nomination of Portman, Bush declared that Rumsfeld "is doing a fine job" and will keep his post.
"I'm the decider, and I decide what is best," Bush said.
Incompetant his whole life, incompetant today. Anyone else with a record of failure like his would be living on Skid Row, pushing shopping carts laden with their entire fortune in it. Unfortunately for us, Preznit Born on Third is now the "decider" instead of being what he should be, the "beggar".
Maxim for the last six years: The 1600 Crew wins, America loses. Does it get any simpler than that?
