I was just about to point out that Republicans are quite anxious to see whoever hacked Sarah Palin’s Yahoo email account indicted. I was ready to agree that since accessing someone else’s electronic information is illegal, perhaps an arrest should be made.
I was also prepared to point out the inexplicable inconsistency of Republicans in defending Todd Palin’s refusal to comply with lawfully issued subpoenas, which is also a crime. It’s almost as though Republicans are being intellectually dishonest simply because it’s an election year. Then I realized that lots of Republicans are intellectually dishonest (or at least embarrassingly hypocritical), election year or not.
I also found this great piece by Glenn Greenwald making essentially the same points, so no need to reinvent the wheel. Here’s the best part, though:
Bill O’Reilly, Wednesday night, calling for the arrest of Gawker’s owners and managers:
The website knows the law, and says “you know — I’m going to do it anyway. I dare you to come get me.”
Associated Press today, on Todd Palin’s refusal to comply with the Alaska State Senate’s subpoena:
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s husband has refused to testify in the investigation of his wife’s alleged abuse of power, and key lawmakers said Thursday that uncooperative witnesses are effectively sidetracking the probe until after Election Day.
Todd Palin, who participates in state business in person or by e-mail, was among 13 people subpoenaed by the Alaska Legislature. Palin’s lawyer sent a letter to the lead investigator saying Palin objected to the probe and would not appear to testify on Friday. . . .
Ignoring a legislative subpoena is punishable by a fine up to $and up to six months in jail under Alaska law. But courts are reluctant to intervene in legislative matters and the full Legislature must be in session to bring contempt charges, Wielechowski said. The Legislature is not scheduled to convene until January.
The whole thing is worth reading.
