No arrest for Bush at GOP convention -- take three

And now for the rebuttal.

As Countdown reported earlier, a judge in Minnesota has turned down community activist Ed Felien's petition to have President Bush charged with third-degree murder when he arrives in Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention at the end of the summer for the death of three soldiers from Hennepin County in Iraq. Felien also alleged that Bush instigated the war in Iraq for his own personal gain, conspiring with the Saudi royal family to raise oil prices and colluding with Afghan opium warlords to distribute heroin in Europe and the United States, including Hennepin County.

Patrick Diamond, chief deputy Hennepin County attorney, urged District Court Judge Gary Larson to deny Felien's request for a writ of mandamus, arguing that "whatever petitioner's, the county attorney's, or even the court's views as to the conduct of the president of the United States, we all operate under a system of laws with criminal processes designed to be fair and just."

Now, in an e-mail, Felien defends his case -- while offering praise for his legal sparring partners.

Let me say clearly, I have the greatest respect for the hard work that
Michael Freeman does as County Attorney.  He has been fearless in defending our communities from murdering marauders.  And I am grateful for the time and consideration that [Judge Gary] Larson gave my plea. The congestion of the courts is a scandal, and district judges are overworked and under-appreciated.

But, I must say, in this case, justice has not been done and it will not be
done until George W. Bush is held accountable for profiteering on the
carnage in Iraq; for conspiring with the Saudi royal family and oil
executives to raise oil prices; and for delivering opium and heroin from the killing fields in Afghanistan to the streets of Hennepin County.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press