We felt compelled to write to you regarding your recent call for the formation of a “Truth Commission.” According to your press comments, this Commission is supposed to look at the following:
* the politicization of prosecution in the Justice Department
* the wiretapping of U.S. citizens
* the flawed intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq
* the use of torture at Guantanamo and so-called black sites abroad
These are serious allegations of criminal activity by certain members of the Bush Administration. While we applaud your initiative in looking into these matters, we feel this approach is wrong.
As the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, you already have the responsibility and legal authority to investigate matters relating to federal criminal law without having to form a special commission. You are also bound by your oath of office to support and uphold the Constitution by ensuring that those who govern also abide by the rule of law.
Furthermore, a “Truth Commission” will not fix the real problems that our country faces, nor will it guarantee that we will get to the truth. The 9/11 Commission, which you want to model your commission after, is a perfect example of that flawed process.
By Wayne Madsen Online Journal Contributing Writer
Feb 24, 2009, 00:29
(WMR) — “Sir” Allen Stanford appears to be yet another multi-billion dollar cog in a network of off-shore banks, corporate contrivances, and folding tent operations. Although Stanford is being investigated for a $8 billion fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Stanford has “extensive” holdings on the island of St. Croix, told the Associated Press that the Obama Justice Department is “not actively pursuing” Stanford.
The Obama campaign gave $4,600 in donations from Stanford to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless after the news broke about the investigation against Stanford’s firms.
A host of Democrats and Republicans reaped donations from Stanford, including jailed ex-Representative Bob Ney (R-OH), who was convicted in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling scandal; former Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX); Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY), and Senators John McCain (R-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).
In 2006, Stanford obtained a knighthood from the Antiguan government thanks to his close relationship to Antiguan Prime Minister Spencer Baldwin, where Stanford International Bank maintains its headquarters. Stanford maintains dual U.S. and Antiguan citizenship. Stanford was also close to Antigua’s former Prime Minister Lester Bird, who was accused of massive corruption.
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