Latest Threads
Latest
Greatest Threads
Greatest
Lobby
Lobby
Journals
Journals
Search
Search
Options
Options
Help
Help
Login
Login
Home » Discuss » Journals » kpete » Read entry Donate to DU
Advertise Liberally! The Liberal Blog Advertising Network
Advertise on more than 70 progressive blogs!
Kpete's Journal Documenting the Atrocities
Posted by kpete in General Discussion
Wed Aug 27th 2008, 12:57 PM
Out of Slammer, Ney Slams Bush Admin: "They've Taken Bloodsport to a Whole New Level
By Kate Klonick - August 27, 2008, 11:39AM

Freshly released from prison, former Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney is ripping into the administration, leveling charges that they were behind his prosecution.

Ney, who has taken to the airwaves as a radio commentator, recently appeared on the Thom Hartmann show to talk about the Bush administration's role in his prosecution and his past life as a felon.

"I made the bullets, I gave them the bullets," Ney says of his prosecution for bribery, but goes on to suggest that his willingness to challenge the administration's head-in-the sand approach to Iran made him a target.

From the transcript:

Thom: You were prosecuted by the Bush Administration for what Ellen has characterized to me as, you know, one possibly serious crime, one largely irrelevant crime. But mostly something that probably, a number of things that probably many members of congress could be gone after, and she seems to be of the opinion that your prosecution was a political prosecution because you were pushing back on Iran. You want to, can you speak to that, please?

Ney: But at the end of the day, you know, I brought a lot of things on myself. . . And I did some things that were wrong. But I also believe that part of this was fueled in the sense of the Iran issue. It's been no secret that when I went to prison I gave permission for a secret meeting I'd had with Mr. Guldimann (Tim Guldimann, then Swiss Ambassador in Tehran) who came from Switzerland. He presented a document that was absolutely incredible, where Iran would have recognized Israel and a whole host of other things, would have let our inspectors on their ground; and I sent that to the White House.

I'll stand by that today; the White House denies it, but Colin Powell's former assistant admits that that came over to the State Department and the White House wanted no part of it. And I believe that every step of the way, and I think it came more from Cheney's people, but every step of the way that I attempted to deal with Iran, it got pretty harsh back. And so I think part of this, I made the bullets, I gave them the bullets, but I think some of the force was also involved with, you know, Iran and people that would rather see those countries not communicate, no matter who is head of Iran.

Later, Ney amps up his critique, saying that the administration has "taken bloodsport to a new level":

Thom: It so sounds like the Don Siegelman story and the Paul Minor story, and if you're not familiar with those two stories, I encourage you to do a little Googling. I think that we have political prisoners in the United States now.

Ney: Well, I know that the harshness of the administration, and again, I take culpability, I did some wrong things, but when you get in their path, I think they've taken bloodsport to a new level in this administration.

more at:
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/
Discuss (11 comments) | Recommend (17 votes)
Profile Information
Profile Picture
kpete
Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your ignore list
17410 posts
Member since Fri Sep 17th 2004
My Art Work
You can reach my art gallery at http://www.kpetestudio.com


I long for meaningful discussion of our shared values as Americans; I fear only the sound of silence. In the spirit of progressive hope, and while honoring tradition, I poured out my life, heart and soul into the hope of showing the spark of democracy within the paint. I submit my deep longing for the fireworks of a greater democratic deliberation, one that serves us all, as the hoped for result of the sparks in "Freedom in Love."

Before putting paint to canvas for this latest series on the outer path, my preparatory process included: (1) four intense years of research, (2) posting tens of millions of lines of political discourse and images among over 12,000 blog posts, and (3) actively listening to the opinions of others contained in the responses to my posts. I learned much, and the core of this is present in "Freedom in Love."

Notable similarities emerge between my earlier work on the path of the soul and my present work on the path of freedom and democracy. In both, windows represent seeing, or ways out, and pathways symbolize journey. Trees traditionally represent soul, their gnarled qualities a reflection of the forces that buffet them. Birds are wildness, but also observers, the "nonvoters" of nature who still see with dignity and a worthy opinion. Stars and moons are elemental forces of nature and soul-guides. In democracy they are the guide-stars of ideals or principles, lighting the way down the path of democracy. I feel this series of paintings reveals both inner and outer paths as the same journey.

kpete
Freedom in Love Series
Visitor Tools
Use the tools below to keep track of updates to this Journal.
 
Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals  |  Campaigns  |  Links  |  Store  |  Donate
About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy
Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.