philly

20 Questions with Danie Greenwell

I just posted an interview I did with friend, fellow Philadelphian and Gulf Coast relief volunteer, Danie Greenwell over on Philly Future. Take a click on over there and take a read. It starts...

Albert/Philly Future [PF]: Why did you decide to go to the Gulf Coast? Who did you go with? How did you find the group? How long were you there for?

Danie: An email was sent out by Eric Loeb of Good Works PAC trying to get a group of volunteers to commit to a week in the Gulf Coast. When I saw it my thought was "I wish I could do something like that, that's so cool" and my next thought was "oh, yeah, you actually can" so I emailed Eric and signed up for a week of work with 3 days travel time. In reality, that became 5 days travel time and a little less work time.

John Roberts - SCOTUS Conference Call

I was on a conference call last night concerning the Supreme Court [SCOTUS] with big head Ted Kennedy, Ralph Neas, Joe Trippi, Chris Bowers and Armando and a slew of bloggers. The same call that Susie posted on earlier today. Joe posted last night. I must say that I was pretty star struck as I heard Kennedy's booming Masshole accent come on the line. Oh how I love that Kennedy accent. I prefer Quimby, but it's merely an exaggeration of the Kennedy Boston accent. I should note that on any other person, I can't stand that horrible grating accent - that said, I understand that NYers have an equally grating way of saying things myself included. Some background info on John Roberts.

Kennedy started off the call, he actually came in early. Trippi didn't expect him until later. Trippi's intro to the call was cut short as he let the big dog speak. He stressed how walls have been knocked down recently concerning women's rights, GLBT rights, civil rights, etc and that John Roberts could be a justice, Chief Justice, to erect new walls against the progress. Kennedy said that while serving in the Solicitor General's office, Roberts was involved in over 300 cases and that the Democratic members on the Judiciary Committee only want to see sixteen cases having to do with specific Constitutional law. He noted that even Bork's papers were turned over.

Kennedy said that he'd focus his questions during his thirty minutes today to ask questions in regards to civil rights, minority rights, women's rights and the disabled. He emphasized that nobody is entitled to serve on the SCOTUS, the nominee has to win it with the American people and that Congress is the embodiment of the American people. He stressed that nobody is denying Roberts' knowledge of the law. He said a couple times that "This nominee must be a member of the march towards progress" and that we don't need a justice that will knock down the work Congress has done in the recent past specifically with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX.

He ended his time on the call by stressing that other than the issue of going to war, voting on a SCOTUS nominee is the most important thing they do in the Senate. He feels that he was right on his vote on the war and he feels his instincts on Roberts are right as well. He was open to a follow up call before the hearings are finished [most likely by Friday].

Trippi introduced Neas as the "101st Senator" who has been looking out for the American people for decades. Neas opened by saying that over 100 important SCOTUS precedents will be overturned with a decisive Republican majority/faction. He also pointed out that with a Republican majority/faction, they will remove the Constitutional basis for progress via their interpretation of the Commerce Clause.

Neas on John Roberts... He was the key lieutenant to turn back the clock on key environmental, abortion, civil rights and other cases under Reagan and H.W. Bush. Roberts' conservatism lies somewhere between Rehnquist and Scalia/Thomas, but he is more dangerous than all of them because of his likeability. He has great social skills. This is being played up quite a bit, especially by the MSM and this sociability is dangerous because he could be very persuasive in getting votes on the bench. If the Democrats roll over on this nominee, it gives W a green light to put forth a really radical extremist to take the place of O'Connor. Neas believes that the Dems on the Judiciary Committee will do a good job. Roberts is the darling of the religious right and of big business; he is the #1 choice of big business. More than 50% of Americans do not have an opinion on him because they don't know enough about him. He is young and could be on the bench for eight or nine presidential terms if appointed.

Bowers was short and sweet. He said that bloggers must post more about Roberts. That for once, the MSM is giving the nomination more attention than the bloggers. Bloggers must make this the priority on the blogosphere.

Armando said that there were two big things to focus on: First, the hiding of documents on Roberts' past by W's administration; the unprecedented failure of the administration to turn over documents germane to Senate hearings. The Senate is supposed to be able to consider anything that they consider germane to the hearings. When the Right says that there are attorney-client privileges, they are the ones who broke that privilege with Whitewater, a criminal matter. Second, the issue of privacy, not just Roe v. Wade, but Griswold v. Connecticut and the Commerce Clause. Griswold is considered 'settled law' and will not likely be argued in front of the SCOTUS and Roberts should be able to answer questions regarding the case. Roberts said in his statement yesterday that he's an umpire and that he's only calling balls and strikes; Armando needs to know what his strike zone is, what he thinks about the Constitution.

The Q&A/Discussion session started with a question from Miriam from Raw Story on a possible filibuster. Neas said that Sen. Schumer said that he would not rule it out. It would take a constant denial of requested papers from the administration, getting key swing votes and for Roberts to appear non-responsive.

Matt Stoller of BOP News asked if Thomas Neas thought Thomas was misleading in his testimony, and if so, since there were no effective consequences, why wouldn't Roberts be just as misleading. Neas said that Thomas was misleading, especially regarding Roe v. Wade.

Peter Daou from the Daou Report said that with the filibuster not being on the table as of now, there is not as much excitement right now and everyone is staying with Katrina coverage. Daou asked if there was one "CNN Question of the Day" that bloggers could use to really turn heads. Neas immediately said that the privacy issue was it. Neas went on to say that he has never seen a better candidate reflective of the DC establishment. Roberts has seduced journalists, politicians, other lawyers... They're all willing to overlook his judicial philosophy [or lack thereof revealed] because of his charm and likeability. Too many think that this is the best nominee that will come out of this administration and that this is a done deal.

Trippi concluded the call saying that he wanted to organize a couple more calls on SCOTUS and the timetable ahead. The hearings will likely be over by Friday and Frist wants a vote by the end of September to have Roberts in place for the start of the next SCOTUS session which starts October 3rd.

It was a whirlwind call that was pretty interesting. To build on Neas' final comments, it doesn't help that the Democratic establishment seems to have rolled over already. Basically taking the filibuster off the table and with muted Democratic attacks. SCOTUS and Roberts need to be kept on the front burner with this short timetable.

***UPDATE*** 9.14.05
The audio of the call is available for download via Joe Trippi.

Poaches: First Degree Murder Charge

Latoyia Figueroa's ex-boyfriend and accused killer Stephen Poaches will stand trial on two counts of murder in the first degree. Poaches' alleged confession, told to Det. Charles Boyle, was read aloud during the hearing.

I accidentally let the temper get the best of me, resulting in La'Toyia's death. We had an argument, a couple of blows.
She was hitting me on the shoulders and face. That's when I grabbed her neck to try and stop her from hitting me. I squeezed a little too long.
I panicked. I was going to move the body.

The article stated

Poaches allegedly told detectives he strangled her that day, and temporarily hid her body under his bed in his apartment in the 5800 block of Walton Avenue. Late that night, he wrapped her body in trash bags and dumped her in weeds in Chester with the help of another man, Boyle said Poaches told him.

Poaches was denied bail at the hearing.

Figueroa Was Strangled

This DN article tells that the PPD are saying that LaToyia was strangled by her ex-boyfriend Stephen Poaches. I'd imagine it to be an incredibly frightening way to die that I cannot even begin to imagine. She probably watched him. Her last image alive was probably of his face.

Christina Lewis, a long time friend of LaToyia's wrote down her thoughts and shared them with the DN and her thoughts probably echo the sentiments of those who have become involved in this story:

To Stephen. To a man. I can't even call you a man. You are a monster.
A man won't hurt a woman of God. A woman who has a warm heart. A woman who believes in Jesus Christ.
A woman who took great care of both her children. You may have hurt Toyia's flesh and Toyia's heart but you will never hurt Toyia's soul or the soul of your baby.
And if you think you were keeping Nyla and Toyia away from us you are so sadly mistaken.
Because I can still feel Toyia and see Toyia... The love Toyia had for you was the same loveshe had for [her 7-year-old daughter]. You know Toyia loved me as the sister she never had and you lied to me and the people who took care of you, grew up with you, went to school with you.
There's a special place for a monster like you. Police caught you moving Toyia's body.
And I sat and thought why would a monster return to the scene.
And do you know it came to me: Toyia haunted you and made you come back to get her.
But this time she had help on the way. Toyia asked God to reveal you. You had no damn right to take Toyia and Nyla away from her family and friends.

The DN has another article with more information on the case. Let's see how our Tough Cookie handles this case which may or may not rightfully her's to prosecute.

Latoyia Figueroa

I've had countless discussions with friends on how the media feels the need to make a story out of a missing white person over a non-white person. Case in point, Natallee Holloway v. Latoyia Figueroa. I missed it yesterday on All Spin Zone, but not today. From Richard in his letter to CNN's Nancy Grace:

* * * * * *

Latoyia Figueroa is still missing after 8 days. And as tragic as the Natalee Holloway case might be, Natalee doesn't have a seven year old child wondering where she is, nor was Natalee (to the best of our knowledge) 5 months pregnant.

Here's an overview of the important details in this "missing woman" case:

1) Latoyia (we should only use her first name) is not white.
2) She does not have blonde hair.
3) She was not scheduled to get married last weekend.
4) She's from West Philadelphia.
5) There may actually be a lead or two in her case.
6) HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY.
7) To the best of our knowledge, no one from Texas has yet offered to bring in cadaver dogs to search for Latoyia, nor have forensic dive teams volunteered to scour the Schuylkill or Delaware rivers.
8 ) Also to the best of our knowledge, the FBI hasn't been requested to participate in the investigation (even though Philly actually is in the US of A), nor have any DNA samples been rushed to Washington, DC.
9) HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY.

I hope this enough for you to run with - certainly, the crackerjack CNN research team available to you can fill in any speculative details or obscure leads of prurient interest. While it's doubtful that Latoyia's family can offer $100 reward, much less $1 million (as has Natalee's), I'm sure they'd still have an undying gratitude for any of your viewers who could turn up a lead on Latoyia.

* * * * * *

The story has been picked up by AlterNet. When will it be picked up by the national MSM?

The All Spin Zone and the Philadelphia Citizen's Crime Commission have established a reward fund for information on Latoyia. More info here.

***UPDATE*** 12.22p
CNN.com front paged an article on Latoyia. I guess the answer is nine days. Hopefully she is found and hopefully it is not too late.

A roundup from the blogs over on Philly Future

Photo: WPVI

Man Shot in Tube Had No Bombing Ties

According to this NY Times article, the man who as shot yesterday on the London Tube had no connection to the string of bombings and bombing attempts in London.

LONDON, July 23 - Scotland Yard admitted Saturday that a man police officers chased and shot to death at point-blank range in front of horrified subway passengers on Friday had nothing to do with the investigation into the bombing attacks here.

Senior investigators and officials of the Metropolitan Police said the man was believed to be South American; it was not known whether he was Muslim. No explosives or weapons were found on the man's body after the shooting, police officials said.

The incident sent shock waves through the country's 1.6 million Muslims, already alarmed by a publicly acknowledged shoot-to-kill policy directed against suspected suicide bombers. And it has dealt a major setback to the police investigation into suspected terrorist cells in London.

"This really is an appalling set of circumstances," said John O'Connor, a former police commander. "The consequences are quite horrible."

Azzam Tamimi, head of the Muslim Association of Britain, said: "This is very frightening. People will be afraid to walk the streets, or go on the tube, or carry anything in their hands."

The admission by the police that it had killed a man not involved in the investigation revived and fueled an already tense debate over the arming of British police officers. It also came after a series of police misstatements since July 7, when four bombing attacks on three subway trains and a double-decker bus in London killed 56 people, including the four suicide bombers, and injured hundreds of others.

While frightening that this person was seemingly completely innocent of everything short of wearing a bulky jacket on a summer day, it is a breath of fresh air to see the London Police and Scotland Yard admitting to the error.

Man Shot Dead by Police on Tube

Man shot dead by police on Tube, BBC News reports. For some reason, I thought that English police officers didn't carry guns, only billy-clubs, nightsticks and rods. I guess I'm very wrong.

Citizen Journalism and the London Bombing

The NYT has an article up describing how ordinary people helped inform others of what was going on via the internet. Main stream media [MSM] used images off of sites like Flickr and Moblog UK for photos of the scenes around the bombings.

The article quotes Dan Gilmour on citizen journalism:

A lot of what's being done by the citizen-journalist will be most useful as people start pulling together the best images and stories... There was a cliché that journalists write the first draft of history. Now I think these people are writing the first draft of history at some level, and that's an important shift.

The article also mentions the usage of Flickr for people to share images of Live8 via the Live8 tag. There are currently over 8,000 images tagged with "Live8" up on Flickr [700 are mine].

These online sharing tools are revolutionizing the way we learn things every day. Ordinary folks like you and me are changing how things are done and it's pretty cool. We are writing the first draft of history how and we're simulatneously checking on the MSM's second draft for errors.

London Bombings

I'm still not feeling ready to comment on this. But author Ian McEwan is. An excerpt of his NYT Op-Ed piece:

The police were fanning out through Bloomsbury, closing streets at both ends even as you were halfway down them. The machinery of state, a great Leviathan, certain of its authority, moved with balletic coordination. Those rehearsals for a multiple terrorist attack underground were paying off.

In fact, now the disaster was upon us, it had an air of weary inevitability, and it looked familiar, as though it happened long ago. In the drizzle and dim light, the police lines, the emergency vehicles, the silent passers-by appeared as though in an old newsreel film in black and white. The news of the successful Olympic bid was more surprising than this. How could we have forgotten that this was always going to happen?

The mood on the streets was of numb acceptance, or strange calm. People obediently shuffled this way and that, directed round road blocks by a whole new citizens' army of "support" officials - like air raid wardens from the last war. A man in a suit pulled a fluorescent jacket out of his briefcase and began directing traffic with snappy expertise. A woman, with blood covering her face and neck, who had come from the Russell Square tube station, briskly refused offers of help and said she had to get to work. Groups gathered impassively in the road, among the gridlocked traffic, listening through open windows to car radios.
...
But once we have counted up our dead, and the numbness turns to anger and grief, we will see that our lives here will be difficult. We have been savagely woken from a pleasant dream. The city will not recover Wednesday's confidence and joy in a very long time. Who will want to travel on the Underground once it has been cleared? How will we sit at our ease in a restaurant, cinema or theater? And we will face again that deal we must constantly make and re-make with the state - how much power must we grant Leviathan, how much freedom will we be asked to trade for our security?

The full piece here.

BBC News
The Guardian
The Times
The Independent

London Bombing

I'm really numbed by this, similar to the feeling[s] I had on 9.11.2001. I don't know what to say. So I'll just let the numbers speak for themselves. No commentary is really necesary.

BBC News 2.38p EST

37 Dead

700+ Injured