September 2005

The
Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a full blown investigation
into HCA, Bill Frist's family medical business. This of course leads to more
possible legal problems for Republican Leadership on Capital Hill.

Raw Story has also uncovered some disturbing history into the operations of
HCA. Seems like this isn't the first time they have made a killing at the right
time.

If Frist does end up getting indicted for insider trading, this will be the
second stage of a possible government triefecta. With the Valerie Plame grand
jury expiring in a few weeks, we could hit them all soon.

A federal judge ruled today that abuse photos from the Abu Gharib prison
scandal will be released despite Pentagon opposition. The following is the
report issued by the

Associated Press this afternoon.

Judge Orders Release of Abu Ghraib
Photos

 By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Writer

Saying the United States "does not surrender to blackmail," a judge ruled
Thursday that pictures of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison must be
released over government claims that they could damage America's image.

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ordered the release of certain
pictures in a 50-page decision that said terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan
have proven they "do not need pretexts for their barbarism."

The ACLU has sought the release of 87 photographs and four videotapes
taken at the prison as part of an October 2003 lawsuit demanding information
on the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody and the transfer of prisoners
to countries known to use torture. The ACLU contends that prisoner abuse is
systemic.

The judge said: "Our nation does not surrender to blackmail, and fear of
blackmail is not a legally sufficient argument to prevent us from performing
a statutory command. Indeed, the freedoms that we champion are as important
to our success in Iraq and Afghanistan as the guns and missiles with which
our troops are armed."

More on Delay from
Reuters

Indicted DeLay leaves House leadership
post

The second-ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, Tom
DeLay, said on Wednesday he would step aside temporarily from his leadership
post following an indictment on a campaign-finance charge.

A grand jury in Travis County, Texas, indicted DeLay on a single felony
conspiracy charge related to fund-raising activities by a political action
committee he created, CNN and the Austin American-Statesman newspaper
reported.

"I have notified the speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my
position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican
Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today,"
DeLay said in a statement.

Republican Party rules require DeLay to step aside in response to an
indictment, although he can remain in Congress.

DeLay dismissed the charges as having "no basis in the facts or the law."

"This indictment is nothing more than prosecutorial retribution by a
partisan Democrat," he said in a statement.

DeLay represents a Houston-area district. He has been under investigation
by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle for possible illegal
fund-raising and use of corporate funds by his Texans for a Republican
Majority committee, or TRMPAC.

DeLay's lawyer, Bill White, said in a quote reported by CNN: "It's a
skunky indictment if they have one. Like a dead skunk in the middle of the
road, it stinks to high heaven."

Via the

Associated Press

DeLay Indicted in Campaign Finance Probe 

A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep. Tom DeLay and two political
associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, an indictment that
could force him to step down as House majority leader.

DeLay attorney Steve Brittain said DeLay was accused of a criminal
conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former executive
director of a Texas political action committee formed by DeLay, and Jim
Ellis, who heads DeLay's national political committee.

The indictment against the second-ranking, and most assertive Republican
leader came on the final day of the grand jury's term. It followed earlier
indictments of a state political action committee founded by DeLay and three
of his political associates.

The grand jury action is expected to have immediate consequences in the
House, where DeLay is largely responsible for winning passage of the
Republican legislative program. House Republican Party rules require leaders
who are indicted to temporarily step aside from their leadership posts.

Will Frist be next?