The problem we need to be addressing is the entire criminal justice system most specifically the privatization of prisons. Wackenhut, CCA, and others have benefited from the Reagan revolution to the detriment of millions of minority youth who will never be the same.

Our prisons are only facilities which are expected to turn a profit, not places where young minds can be rehabilitated and made to feel that they do have a second chance. I’m a retired NYPD captain and I know that what we’re doing to successive generations of black and hispanic youth is not helping us to become a more diverse country. Electing a black man is wonderful, but the baggage this guy is dragging behind him is unacceptable.

I thought the catch phrase the night of the election victory was “no retreads.” I’m no genius but I think there have been nothing but retreads either named or touted since that night. Not one original appointment or mention, not fucking one.

This is same old, same old and the right wing is lining up unpacking the scripts they used during Clinton’s presidency, all ready to delegitimize Obama’s historic accomplishment.

Here’s a question, why not Caroline Kennedy for AG?

The Mark Rich pardon — that’s a tempest in a teapot as far as I’m concerned. That’s the power of the Presidency, when the man can play God and presto-chango, you’re free! The bigger problem is the proliferation of youth and men and women of color in our criminal justice system. A whole generation of Americans will be released into the real world and not have tools to function, especially as our government is bankrupt, financially. We need to change our emphasis on retribution to rehabilitation. I’m not sure Mr. Holder is up with that. It was during his Administration (one in which I worked, I will admit) that Congress turned a blind eye to the cocaine v. crack debate. I am an accomplice, you might say, but in my own justification, I decided to work on int’l white collar crime cases, instead.

I would like to see someone else in charge of the Justice Department. I think Holder would make a great Supreme Court appointment. But we need a new kid on the block in the halls of Justice. I’ve been gone from it for over 10 years, and am ashamed of what it has become. I’m glad I never bought a T-shirt from it, honestly, as I would not be proud to wear it now.

We’re startin’ a revolution. Wanna come?

Sounds like fun, but no guns please. Geez, we haven’t had a good revolution around here for a long long time.

Calm down folks, lots of kool aid drinking going on today. How many of you know anything about what goes on at DOJ or DC?? Do you want another Carter entourage? I prefer someone who knows what is going on and how to get things done.

Whatever – Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Slightly OT – Isikoff says that Elena Kagan and David Ogden have the inside track for DAG.

The AG’s office has seen more baggage in the last eight years than many airports. In that regard, I was hoping for a new AG whose background was less luggage-filled.