On March 9, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on one of Barack Obama's latest nominees. This time it was to assess the suitability of Tony West, Obama's nominee for the assistant attorney general in charge of the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Division. Things went "smoothly" according to the San Jose Mercury News, also publishing a nice bio of West. The Washington Post merely mentioned the hearing was "notable." Similarly the East Bay Express simply makes mention of the hearing having occurred. Apparently there was nothing of interest in West’s nomination.
Curiously enough, though, not one of these brief reports mention that Tony West was "American Taliban" terrorist John Walker Lindh's defense lawyer. Another key bit of info left out of these announcements was that Tony West raised $65 million for Obama's presidential campaign. Money well spent if it gets a cushy government job, I suppose.
In fact, for many of us, it took James Lileks to remind us all that West was Lindh's lawyer (H/T HotAir.com). It took Lileks because none of the media bothered to make the connection.
As Lileks says, West was a pretty good lawyer. Did well for his client. Made the case as a good defense lawyer should that his client is innocent and, in this case, not a terrorist. Maybe West is a perfectly competent lawyer?
But here is the main point. This appointment of a terrorist's defense lawyer to the Department of Justice announces that Barack Obama is in favor of a more lenient stance on terrorists. As Lileks says, it is evidence of a going back to 9/10 thinking. Also, since the Old Media have not made a single peep about this, it announces to the world that neither the crimes of 9/11 nor terrorism are any longer of interest to those that make the news. Says Lileks, "It just seems like one of those things that might have stuck out, once upon a time."
So, in a era when most of us still acutely feel that Islamic terrorism is an important worry that should still feature prominently in our planning, Barack Obama is appointing a terrorist's lawyer to one of the very agencies that is supposed to protect us all.
And the Old Media does not find this fact the least bit interesting.
(Photo Credit: San Francisco Chronicle)
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The "old media"...............
March 13, 2009 - 03:33 ET by old croare involved in a lot more than this cover-up. My right-wing paranoia tells me that there is a cabal of institutions out there trying to destroy this country. My right-wing common sense says buy a gun.
Khalid al Mansour-Bill Ayers-Rev Wright all tell the story-
March 13, 2009 - 09:51 ET by JIMMY1660to include this left winger-BHO is changing the face of the American make up. We are going farther left than Karl Marx. BHO is out to destroy America, fill his pockets, just like WJC has done, move off shore, and leave us all shaking our heads in disbelief.
BHO- ill equipped to lead America
John Walker Lindh's defense lawyer
March 13, 2009 - 05:45 ET by slpJohn Walker Lindh was entitled to a defense lawyer, especially since his family paid for the lawyer.
As Lindh's lawyer, West was obligated exploit all the holes in the prosecution's case and present any and all mitigation evidence at the time of sentencing.
Just because he defended Lindh does not mean that West supports al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or terrorism.
Of course not
March 13, 2009 - 05:52 ET by Sergeant ROCKA lot of lawyers are not guided by principles or morals. So, of course just because he defended a 'terrorist' doesn't mean he supports terrorism.
I guess that explains why there are so many lawyers in the MSM and the democRATic party.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
John Walker Lindh was
March 13, 2009 - 07:09 ET by motherbeltJohn Walker Lindh was entitled to a defense lawyer, especially since his family paid for the lawyer.
That's true, but if he were a Bush nominee and he had once defended, say, a former CEO of Halliburton, don't you think the media would mention it at some point?
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Re JWL...
March 13, 2009 - 09:42 ET by slickwillie2001Exactly poster. It's the double standard. Any lawyer that worked with President George W. Bush on the 2000 recount has no hope of ever getting through the Senate for any position. Ken Starr, a brilliant man, would not be confirmed by the Senate for any position ever. That's likely true whether it is a Republican or democratic controlled Senate.
In our society, Lindh's
March 13, 2009 - 10:03 ET by BDIn our society, Lindh's attourney had the responsibility to try and convince his client to confess his obvious crimes.
Since Lindh was captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan in the midst of a firefight in which he participated against US special operations forces actively fightingfor our nation, he did not deserve the legal processs he was afforded. To my mind the trial should have been conducted by a company grade officer and execution swiftly carried out.
I think the $65,000,000
March 13, 2009 - 09:40 ET by shirtsbyericI think the $65,000,000 rised for the campaign is a little more telling.
follow the money
March 13, 2009 - 10:58 ET by soosanshirts is right. he was able to raise the money from the left because he defended a terrorist.
True True True! Just follow the 'yellow brick road' the $$$
March 13, 2009 - 12:28 ET by Cape Conservativetells you ALL you need to know!
Which was why Obama's campaign took the HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE (to all but the msm), if not illegal, steps to disable the credit card verification process as they raked in millions of ILLEGAL contributions from around the world!!!
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
I am beginning to believe the Organizer is a closet Muslim
March 13, 2009 - 12:40 ET by R D Helm-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
Methinks that everyone
March 13, 2009 - 12:57 ET by rockyracoonMethinks that everyone Barcky Hussein knows is either a tax cheat, a reprobate of one kind or another, a terrorist, or terrorist sympathizer.
I agree with poster BD, "Since Lindh was captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan in the midst of a firefight in which he participated against US special operations forces actively fightingfor our nation, he did not deserve the legal processs he was afforded. To my mind the trial should have been conducted by a company grade officer and execution swiftly carried out."
These are the only people the teleprompter POTUS knows!!
Current Attorney General Eric Holder
March 13, 2009 - 14:16 ET by david999The current attorney general Eric Holder worked at a lawfirm that represents 17 terrorists!!!
What Enemy? What terrorists?
March 13, 2009 - 16:58 ET by bigtimerI just got here not long ago or I would have posted this link here as it was just breaking news as I was coming on to the site...it sure fits here perfectly... Holder and crew....the enemy within, the terrorists best buddy.
Read it and be outraged...if you have the time.