Dec 08 2008

Don Siegelman Needs Our Help

( – promoted by buhdydharma )

Don Siegelman’s fight for justice against the false charges made against him by elements in the Bush Administration reaches a critical point tomorrow.  His appeal goes before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday, 12/9/08.  We hope the 11th Circuit will throw out the false charges against Siegelman and clear this good man.

But Don needs our help.  He needs to raise another $30,000 toward his legal fees.  Not only for Don, but the magnitude of this case and it’s relation to the firings of attorneys across the country could blow the lid off the case for numerous Justice Department crimes of this past and passing administration.

Don Siegelman isn’t just fighting for his freedom — he’s fighting for the integrity of our democracy. I hope you’ll join me in supporting his legal defense fund today, before his appeal hearing tomorrow.

Al Gore has sent a letter on this.  Find:

                    “A Message from Al Gore regarding Don Siegelman”

                                         …below the fold–

 

                       “Message from Al Gore regarding Don Siegelman”

Dear,

As Americans we are always proud of our leaders. In the state of Alabama we’ve elected one great New South Democratic Governor who won overwhelmingly over an incumbent Republican. Don Siegelman was the first Democratic Governor to endorse me when I ran for President; he was a great Governor for Alabama and for the Democratic Party.

But now Don needs our help.

Don’s legal battle is at a critical stage. Tomorrow, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear his appeal, which could throw out the false charges. But Don needs our help to raise $30,000 to cover legal costs to clear his name.

Please donate to Don’s legal defense fund today — before his hearing tomorrow — and help him keep up the fight for justice.

While I am sure you know the story, the American Trial Lawyer Magazine labels Don Siegelman as America’s #1 “Political Prisoner.”

Time exposed how selective prosecution was used by Karl Rove’s Republican prosecutors and CBS’s 60 Minutes exposed how they knowingly extorted false testimony to secure a conviction.

Don’s sentence was actually enhanced for speaking out against the White House lead prosecution. Don was handcuffed, shackled, and put into solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison for something The New York Times has said has never even been considered a crime in America. 54 former state Attorneys General agreed and filed a Friend of the Court brief in support of Don.

Tomorrow’s hearing can put this right. I am asking you to give right now online or mail your contribution to:

Siegelman Legal Defense Fund

3963 River View Drive

Birmingham, AL 35243

Don is now engaged in two important fights: One for his own freedom and the other to save our democracy by seeing that Karl Rove is brought to justice.

Don needs our financial help to keep these fights going. He needs to know we care, especially as he prepares for tomorrow’s hearing.

Please donate to Don’s legal defense fund today and help him keep up the fight for justice.

The writing on the wall is clear.

Earlier this month, Time revealed that the Department of Justice has been involved in a cover-up of unethical and criminal activity within the Department and the U.S. Attorney’s office. Last week’s New York Times story reveals further prosecutorial misconduct.

The government has reportedly spent over 40 million dollars to prosecute Don. Don and his family have spent virtually all of their life’s savings to fight these false charges.

I know times are tight but I hope you will give as generously as possible. Don’s Legal Defense Fund can take donations of corporate, PAC, foundation, or personal money of any size.

Please donate today — before Don’s hearing tomorrow — and help Don set a legal precedent that politically motivated prosecutions have no place in America.

As Don recently said, “We must win these fights to unravel the injustices that have been perpetrated against our democracy. With your help, Karl Rove and his accomplices will be held accountable for their abuse of power — and I can clear my name for good.”

As Americans, we have a responsibility to protect our democracy from those who would take advantage of it and abuse their power. By making sure Don has the support to keep up his fight for justice, we can do just that.

Please donate today!

Thank you for your support,

Al Gore

P.S. It is crucial that Don has the support he needs before tomorrow’s hearing. Please give today and then forward this email to your friends and ask them to help Don too.

Contribute Today!

Paid for by Friends of Don Siegelman 2008

Please join Al Gore and support Don Siegelman. A good man. The right thing to do.

donate here

Thanks for reading.

 

16 comments

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  2. to ever hit the political scene, by far.  I have contributed in the past and will do so again!

    • Alma on December 8, 2008 at 20:51
    • #

    Very worthy cause.  

    Am I missing the donation link somewhere?

  4. Donate to Siegelman

    • OPOL on December 8, 2008 at 22:43
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    I think the world of Don Siegelman…and hate was was done to him.

  6. …I think several folks wanted to see this FPed.  Good cause!

  7. Thanks Dharmasyd, this is a huge issue, and as is said upstream, might be sword that cuts the Gordian knot of Rovian corruption.

  8. Don called in to the Thom Hartmann show on Air America a few minutes before noon.  He was driving home from the appeal hearings.  He said he was very pleased with his reception; the judges had done their homework, asked good questions and clearly understood the issue.  No word on when the decision will be given.

    Also today, the 11th Circuit is hearing Troy Davis’  appeal of his death sentence, another case of justice gone really wrong.  I hope his case turns out well and his conviction is reversed also.

  9. …of political prosecutions which rebound on the party which perpetrated them.

    Legal Schnauzer blogspot states the relevance of this to Siegelman:

    Scott Horton, legal affairs contributor for Harper’s magazine, provides important historical perspective on the case, noting that political prosecutions can have dire consequences for the party that practices them:

    In 1798, the Federalists decided to silence an outspoken Democratic Congressman, Matthew Lyon, by prosecuting and imprisoning him. But the effort backfired. Lyon was reelected from prison, and in 1800 he cast from his prison cell the decisive vote ending the rule of the Federalists and starting the first administration of the Democratic Party, under Thomas Jefferson. The Federalist’s grip on power was shattered and they soon disappeared from the political scene altogether. The Lyon prosecution was viewed by American historians as the most outrageous political prosecution in the nation’s history . . . until the Bush Justice Department’s prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don E. Siegelman, that is.

    David Fiderer, of Huffington Post, provides an overview of the case. And Glynn Wilson, of Locust Fork World News & Journal, examines the key legal issues that are involved. Wilson will be on hand in Atlanta to provide coverage.

    The Birmingham News devotes considerable space to the appeal in today’s edition, noting that a key issue will be the distinction between a legal campaign contribution and an illegal bribe.

     

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