The Smell Of Witch Meat Roasting On An Open Fire

georgia10 at dailykos provides a detailed rundown of the accusations made against Allan Mollohan, the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, who has temporarily stepped down due to accusations made against him. There's something mighty familiar about that odor wafting through the air… Ahh, yes, the scent yet again of Republican accusers making loud but unsupported allegations, so the accused is conveniently unable to defend himself against any specific charge. It has been the routinely-practiced modus operandi of self-appointed morally superior religious conservatives since the days of Salem witch burnings. Tom Searls for The Charleston Gazette reports that The National Legal and Policy Center, founded in 1991 and based in Falls Church, Va., has received millions since 1995 from three Scaife family foundations, according to Media Transparency, a Web site that researches conservative organizations. The center turned over to the Justice Department a more than 500-page report on Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., and his relationship with the Vandalia Heritage Foundation. The center has refused to release the report publicly, saying some items it contains may not be accurate. -- Now I certainly have no idea where the truth lies in this circumstance. However, in situations like this - not knowing the true established facts, in a case where no particular specified crime is alleged, preventing the accused from the ability to address particulars in defense - there is only one honest, even-handed, and unbiased way to go about an inquiry - both journalistically and legally. Investigate the accused! Absolutely. People in positions of high authority are subject to the law. And guilt or innocence must surely be determined. But equally an investigation of the accusers is imperative too. Because falsely reporting a crime is a federal criminal offense too. And false accusers must be held accountable for their violations of law as well. Crimes and Criminal Procedure - 18 USC Section 35 Sec. 35. Imparting or conveying false information (a) Whoever imparts or conveys or causes to be imparted or conveyed false information, knowing the information to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made, to do any act which would be a crime prohibited by this chapter or chapter 97 or chapter 111 of this title shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 which shall be recoverable in a civil action brought in the name of the United States. (b) Whoever willfully and maliciously, or with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, imparts or conveys or causes to be imparted or conveyed false information, knowing the information to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made, to do any act which would be a crime prohibited by this chapter or chapter 97 or chapter 111 of this title - shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Moreover, the West Virginia Constitution has this clause: CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA ARTICLE III BILL OF RIGHTS Sec. 7. No law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, shall be passed; but the legislature may by suitable penalties, restrain the publication or sale of obscene books, papers, or pictures, and provide for the punishment of libel, and defamation of character, and for the recovery, in civil actions, by the aggrieved party, of suitable damages for such libel, or defamation.