The revolt of the scientists

[white cloud]

HARLINGEN — Friday started badly for John Bradley, the Williamson County district attorney selected last fall by Gov. Rick Perry to ride herd over the troublesome scientists on the Texas Forensic Science Commission.

His first official act of the morning was to violate the state's open meetings law.

Then his day got worse.

This was the first meeting of the commission under Bradley, who was appointed last September. His first official act was to cancel a meeting three days later at which the commission was scheduled to receive a report from a nationally renowned arson expert hired by the commission in its first high-profile case.

The meeting had drawn national attention because the expert found that the arson investigation that helped lead to the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham for the murder of his children was badly flawed. It was especially controversial because Perry had rejected a request to delay Willingham's execution based on similar expert analysis.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/6844768.html

[sonias]

1. I put this under your other thread too

TX panel skips misconduct talk until after primary

Sonia

[BenjaminFranklin]

2. of course the teabaggers will line up behind these criminals

Speaks volumes to the quality of their character. And then they wonder why people think they're freaking loco. Glenn Beck much?

[sonias]

3. Putting the Blame Where It Belongs—On Perry

The Texas Observer 2/8/10
Putting the Blame Where It Belongs—On Perry

The San Antonio Express-News published a blistering editorial today about Rick Perry's handling of the Forensic Science Commission and its investigation into the Cameron Todd Willingham case.

In the piece, titled "Perry's Brazen Abuse of Power," the paper's editorial board writes:

"When the going was about to get tough for Gov. Rick Perry at the Texas Forensic Science Commission last fall, Perry sacked three commission members, including its chairman. The commission — created by the Legislature in 2005 to set standards for forensic analysis and investigate allegations of negligence or misconduct — was at long last about to consider the case of Todd Willingham....

Just as the commission was set to hear expert testimony about the Willingham case, Perry's new appointee — Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley — abruptly canceled the hearing. The move benefited Perry politically by delaying an official examination that could prove to be detrimental to his re-election effort."

San Antonio Express News 2/8/10
Perry's brazen abuse of power
(snip)
The Forensic Science Commission met again last month. But the Willingham case wasn't on the agenda. Instead, Bradley mired the commission in procedural issues and tried to establish policies that give him extraordinary powers not defined by the Legislature, including the power to appoint the members and chairman of a committee to screen complaints the commission receives.

Bradley also confirmed critics' worst expectations about his commitment to transparency. The Dallas Morning News reported he prevented a film crew that is producing a documentary about the death penalty in Texas to cover the meeting, a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Hours later, after the intervention of Attorney General Greg Abbott, Bradley allowed the film crew to enter.

(snip)
"Perry's brazen manipulation of the commission represents an abuse of the gubernatorial power of appointment. Bradley's political hatchet work on the governor's behalf and lack of respect for open government render him unfit to serve as its chairman."

Good for the San Antonio Express News!!
:applause::applause::applause:

Sonia

[white cloud]

4. Good catch

Thanks for the post and keeping up with perry.

[sonias]

5. I hope the issue continues to slow boil

And burn Perry on the ass in November. It's the very least he deserves.


Sonia