Records ordered to explain Panthers handling (DOJ dropping election intimidation charge)

Washington Times ^ | 12/9/2009 | Jerry Seper

[markomalley]

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, frustrated by the Justice Department's failure to explain the dismissal of charges against New Black Panther Party members who disrupted a Philadelphia polling place during last year's elections, has subpoenaed the department demanding records showing how the case was handled.

David P. Blackwood, the commission's general counsel, said Tuesday in a letter to the Justice Department that efforts since June to obtain an explanation had proceeded "without any success" and the "dearth of cooperation" had prompted the commission to issue subpoenas.

"We are both mindful of the sensitivity of the subject matter involved and aware that, in response to similar requests, the department has raised various concerns and matters of privilege," Mr. Blackwood said. "While such considerations carry weight, cooperation with commission investigations is a mandatory statutory obligation.

"Moreover, due to the unique investigative role of the commission - akin to that of a congressional committee - disclosure to the commission of the information sought is both proper and required," he added.

The commission has asked the department why a civil complaint against the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) and three of its members was dismissed after a federal judge in Philadelphia ordered default judgments in the case. The NBPP refused to respond to the charges or appear in court.

[markomalley]

This is surprising to me.

[rarestia]

This is surprising to me.

/sarc

There, I fixed it for you!

[markomalley]

There, I fixed it for you!

No, I meant it. The Civil Rights Commission is demanding the Justice Department explain why it dropped the case against the Black Panthers from the last election.

I am actually surprised that the Civil Rights Commission (a oxymoronic name considering what they typically do) is bucking the Obama/Holder DOJ.

[cripplecreek]

Agreed, some of the civil rights attorneys were first to raise a stink over this.

[library user]

Give me a synonym for “bucking” as I’m not familiar with that term. Is it the same as “supporting”?

[markomalley]

Give me a synonym for “bucking” as I’m not familiar with that term. Is it the same as “supporting”?

bucking: opposing (as in opposing the direction in which its being directed).

[RegulatorCountry]

You’ve never heard “bucking the trend?” Not exactly an obscure turn of phrase.

[Rome2000]

Whats surprising is that that the communist hasn’t fired him yet.

Mr. David P. Blackwood, Maryland Republican National Lawyers Association

Contributing Member
Office:
1714 Winchester Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21409

Phone: n/a
Fax: n/a
Email: dpblackwood@aol.com

Practice Areas:
Civil Rights
Labor/Employment
Litigation

[rarestia]

My apologies. I read this article a different way, but understanding what you’re saying makes it clearer for me.

That being said, I too am surprised that they are going against the DOJ. Holder is a slab of pig trough dung.

[Tigen]

Well, THATS RACIST ya know.

[Artemis Webb]

I’m surprised too. But don’t worry the White House will send out their messengers to The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and tell them to stop making waves.

On another note I really don’t expect to see anything on this outside of journalistic bodies like The Washington Times.

[Lion Den Dan]

I think that the use of deadly physical force would be justified to overcome parties attempting to intimidate voters. One of the thug Panthers in Phiolly did have a deadly weapon in hand. The use of deadly physical force would certainly realign the debate.

[Kartographer]

This is surprising to me.

What do you expect when:

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

How quickly would the Department of Justice prosecuted the case if it were white skinheads intimidating black voters?

[manc]

I swear my anger is way going over the top with this admin.

They do things and never account, the latest example is the gate crashers and ex con who decides to go to a state dinner, no one is saying anything and they get away with this.

where is the flight manifest for the fly over of NY city.
I bet MO and her freeloading family were on that but of course no answers.

I could go on and on and on but I will be speaking to the choir.
The fact remains on this subject is that these racists were allowed to go free even though the evidence was there to convict.

WHY???

[True Republican Patriot]

Holder and OBOZO should be thrown out of Office over this Travesty of Justice!! and You can bet the Decision to drop charges against OBOZO’S Best Buddies, The New Black Panthers, came right from OBOZO himself as he gave a big middle finger rub to his forehead, as ususl, towards The Justice System of America! Maybe thats why Michelle had her Law License taken away from her after ONLY FIVE YEARS of PRACTICE and Failing the BAR EXAM the first time she tried to pass it! They have No Respect for AMERICA’S LEGAL SYSTEM!!

[Niuhuru]

Zero would be personally involved in the prosecution.

[Zack Attack]

The department obtained an injunction against Mr. Samir Shabazz that prohibits him from brandishing a weapon outside a polling place through Nov. 15, 2012.

Huh? Dies this mean after that date he can brandish a weapon freely outside a polling place?

[mojitojoe]

[yooling]

In January, the Justice Department filed a civil complaint in Philadelphia against the NBPP after two of its members in black berets, black combat boots, black shirts and black jackets purportedly intimidated voters with racial insults, slurs and a nightstick. A third party member was accused of managing, directing and endorsing their behavior. The incident was captured on videotape.

Four months later, the Justice Department dropped the charges because, it said, "the facts and the law did not support pursuing" them.

Don't believe your eyes I guess??????