Crime & Federalism

Then you should read this.

Maggie Gallagher makes some good points in her latest column on Elliot Spitzer.  Check it out.

According to this news story:

Eliot Spitzer is going to resign his post as governor. Sources tell CBS 2 HD he's using the resignation as a bargaining chip with the feds. But after negotiating all day there was still no deal Tuesday night.

Spitzer doesn't have the luxury of playing deal or no deal. Experts agree that his involvement in a prostitution ring makes him damaged goods.

"I think his career is politically at an end," noted criminal defense attorney Ronald Fischetti told CBS 2 HD.

Sources tell CBS 2 HD the governor knows this and is using his defense team, led by Michele Hirshman, to leverage his resignation against potential charges he may face.

If so, what business does the federal government have in seeking the resignation of a governor? 

The Feds should indict independent of Spitzer's resigning (or not resigning).  You might say that, as Governor, he administers federal funding.  It's thus in the federal government's interest to ensure that federal money is overseen by good stewards. 

That argument fails since Spitzer did not commit any crimes related to his duties as governor. 

Interestingly, this raises "Paris Hilton-like" equal-protection issues.  When prostitution rings are busted, johns are rarely prosecuted for structuring.  Shouldn't Spitzer be (not) prosecuted under the same standards governing regular people?

Everyone will say, "He should be prosecuted like everyone else!"  But that's flawed, since "everyone else" wouldn't be prosecuted under these circumstances.

UPDATE: Elliot Spitzer has resigned:

There were rumors that the once-heralded Democrat had negotiated a plea deal to avoid jail time in the case, but U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia squashed those rumors. "There is no agreement between this Office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter," he said in a statement to CBS 2.

This is shocking, if true:

A Miami police officer surrendered Monday to face animal cruelty and other charges in the death of his K-9 partner, a female bloodhound named Dynasty.

...

Brown reported the dog had died on Nov. 30 and told a supervisor she had gotten loose and may have eaten some rat poison at a nearby construction site. But a necropsy revealed Dynasty suffered from severe malnutrition and dehydration.

Yo can read the rest of the news story here.

Both are evil.  If you're pissed off at a Marine for throwing a puppy off a cliff, you shouldn't be feeding your pets Iams dog or cat food, either.  Go to this website to learn why.

Feed your dog or cat something from this list, instead.  I feed Amicus Dick Van Patten Natural Balance Organic. 

Those who had lingering doubts about the Marine puppy killer's identification can put those doubts aside.  According to David Motari's sister, he was indeed the Marine depicted in the video.  Details here.

CNN has finally picked up the story that I broke yesterday.   According to CNN:

"This is a shocking and deplorable video that is contrary to the high standards that we set for every Marine," Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Chris Perrine said at a news conference Monday night.

"We will investigate this and take appropriate actions," Perrine said.

He said the Marine is being kept safe in view of the anger over the alleged incident.

Not so tough now, are you Motari?

The mainstream media has begun covering this shocking story of animal cruelty.  One article is available here.  Based on David Motari's family's behavior, I am now 99% sure that David Motari is the man depicted in the video:

First:

The Herald is not publishing the man’s name because of the many questions surrounding the video.

No one can say yet whether the 17-second video is a hoax or really shows a live puppy being killed. It’s unclear where the video was created and who actually shot the video or posted it on the Internet.

Notice that there is no indication that David Motari is not the alleged puppy killer in the video.

Second:

A woman at the home listed for the Marine declined to talk.

"Could you just leave? We already know why you're here," the woman said. "Just go. There’s nothing to say."

I assume that was his wife or girlfriend.  If Motari was not the person depicted in that video, you can bet that she would have let the world know.  Instead, she sent the media away.

The next issue is whether the puppy was alive.  Based on my experience with puppies, I conclude that the puppy was alive.  One veterinarian agrees:

"If this is something legitimate, it's one of the most egregious acts of animal cruelty I have ever seen, if not the most," said Dr. Matt Mickas, chief of Community Practice Services at WSU’s veterinary college.

He said it did not appear fake to him, because of the way the animal went slack by being held from the neck.

"To me, the sound on the YouTube clip sounded like a puppy in distress — the same sound we hear when the puppies come into the hospital," Mickas said.

Sad.

In this video, someone in Iraq identified as "Motari" tosses a puppy into the air, probably killing or crippling it.  The video is very disturbing, and is located here. 

The David Motari (a United States Marine) depicted in this picture looks identical to the man posted in the video who is identified as "Motari"; though, with goggles on, it's hard to make a perfect ID.  Here is his "Bebo" profile containing additional pictures.

It could also be the case that the video is fake.  This seems highly unlikely, given the low-tech camera used to shoot the footage.   

I will keep you updated on the matter.

If David Motari is the puppy killer, he is undoubtedly a sociopath who does not feel remorse or shame.  After confirming him as the puppy killer, we must engage in an online campaign to ensure that everyone who does business with or associates with him is warned.  The puppy had no choice; humans, through education, will.

UPDATE: A rumor  has surfaced that David Motari works for Blackwater Worldwide.  A Blackwater official has confirmed that no one depicted in that video is a Blackwater employee or contractor.

UPDATE: David Motari's "Bebo" profile has been switched to private: people outside of his "friends network" are not authorized to view his profile.  He has ignore my repeated requests to confirm or deny that he is the "Motari" depicted in the YouTube video.  I will keep you updated as this story develops.

UPDATE: Others have noted, and I agree, that we must await confirmation of the puppy killer's identity before taking further action.  The matter is still under investigation, and we need to confirm identities.   Once we have confirmation, we should do everything legally within our power to make the killer's life a living Hell.  But we must await confirmation before taking further action.   

UPDATE: The Marine Corp is investigating the matter. 

UPDATE: I have an update to this post, including a link to mainstream media coverage, here.