Arizona Governor Jan Brewer filed a federal declaratory action suit today against the Department of Justice, Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke and some medical marijuana groups, asking the court to rule whether Arizona's medical marijuana law is valid when federal law prohibits it. The complaint is here and the exhibits with the letters from U.S. Attorneys and DOJ memos are here.

Despite the Governor's claimed and transparently false concern that Arizona's law puts state workers at risk of federal prosecution, medical marijuana advocates say the lawsuit is designed to thwart the state law. Yesterday, U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke said that despite the threat of the lawsuit, which now has been filed, medical marijuana in AZ is not at risk and Gov. Brewer is distorting the facts. [More....]

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich testified in his defense today. He was on the stand for five hours and most of the testimony was just telling his life story to date.

Blagojevich began a meandering testimony that had all the melodrama and filigree of a Lifetime movie. It began with his childhood and moved to his college years and beyond in a five-hour performance, one that was not finished by the time the court adjourned for the day. The intricacies were as crosshatched as the tie he wore.

He was self-deprecating, humorous and congenial. [More...]

The media seems surprised that John Edwards had lunch yesterday with 100 year old heiress Bunny Mellon, who was a grand jury witness in his soon-to-be criminal case. Edwards' attorney says the visit was purely personal and they didn't discuss his legal situation.

First, there's no secrecy rule imposed on witnesses to a federal grand jury. The secrecy rule pertains to Government prosecutors and their agents. Second, it's not the first time Edwards visited Bunny Mellon since the probe started. He flew up to see her in December, 2009.

According to CBS News today, it ultimately may be quite important for Edwards to show he has had a continuing personal relationship with Bunny Mellon since his campaign ended. Here's why: [More...]

Chief Justice John Roberts has appointed two new federal judges to the secret FISA Court, replacing two judges whose 7 year terms are up.

They are U.S. District Judges Jennifer Coffman of Kentucky and F. Dennis Saylor of Massachusetts. Judge Coffman was appointed to the federal bench by Bill Clinton and Judge Coffman was appointed by G.W. Bush. [More...]

Proving that Bill Clinton screwed up royally and should just stay out of ongoing political disputes, Mitch McConnell made some hay:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is leveraging an unusual ally to provide his party with cover from Democratic attack on the Paul Ryan budget and Medicare reform: Bill Clinton. In an extended question-and-answer session with reporters Friday, McConnell name-dropped the former Democratic president several times. It seemed like the answer to any question — whether on how many trillions need to be saved in a deal to raise the debt limit or what the Democrats’ victory in a New York special election meant for 2012 — started with the same refrain. “Let me quote President Clinton,” McConnell would begin.

Clinton must be aware by now that he screwed up. Now it is time for him to shut up.

Speaking for me only

Yesterday, the House passed its version of the the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (available here.) The roll call vote is here. The bill, which is a renewal of the 2001 authority for war, expands the authority world-wide. The bill passed by a vote of 322-96 and contains a $553 billion Pentagon base budget and $119 billion for overseas contingency operations.

It also blocks federal criminal trials of suspected terrorists who are not U.S. citizens. An amendment to strike the worldwide war provision failed. Obama has promised to veto the bill due to the world-wide war authority provision.

The bill also delays implementation of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and provides that those considered for indefinite detention at Guantanamo may not be represented by legal counsel, only a military representative. It also prohibits the Guantanamo detainees from receiving family visits. [More...]

Busy right now. Hopefully posting later.

Remember, Barca-ManU tomorrow.

Open Thread.

Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf said on CNN tonight that our entry into Pakistan to kill Osama bin Laden was an act of war.

Also today, Pakistan told the U.S. to shut down its fusion cells and its troops in Pakistan.

The liaison centers, also known as intelligence fusion cells, in Quetta and Peshawar are the main conduits for the United States to share satellite imagery, target data and other intelligence with Pakistani ground forces conducting operations against militants, including Taliban fighters who slip into Afghanistan to attack U.S. and allied forces.

Pakistan's distrust of the U.S. is growing: [More...]

Update: President Obama signed the Patriot Act bill from France with his auto-pen.

Update: House passes Senate bill, 250 to 153.

The Senate today, by a vote of 72 - 23, approved the extension of the Patriot Act's provisions on roving wiretaps, access to business records and "lone wolf" surveillance. The House is debating now and will hold a vote imminently.You can watch the debate here. President Obama will be woken up at 5:45 a.m. tomorrow to sign it.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn's lawyers have written a letter to Manhattan DA Cy Vance complaining about leaks of information, which they attribute to New York police. The letter has been filed with the court.

The letter also states they have uncovered material to undermine the credibilty of the hotel maid accusing DSK of sexual assault.

“Indeed, were we intent on improperly feeding the media frenzy, we could now release substantial information that in our view would seriously undermine the quality of this prosecution and also gravely undermine the credibility of the complainant in this case.”

The letter was also a discovery request. Apparently, what's being leaked in the media hasn't yet been turned over to the defense. Defense lawyers shouldn't have to learn the evidence against their client from media reports consisting of selectively leaked information from anonymous cops.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office just lost a big rape case. After a six week trial and seven days of deliberations, the jury acquitted two police officers of rape, burglary, and falsifying business records, and convicted only on misdemeanor official conduct charges. The cops were immediately fired due to misdemeanor convictions, and they face up to two years in jail, but they avoid a potential 25 year sentence on the rape charge.

Congrats to my pal Joe Tacopina who defended officer Kenneth Moreno. There was no DNA evidence in the case.

The jury placed little faith in what prosecutors thought was their best evidence - a secret recording in which Moreno seemingly admits to the rape, he said. "He said on that tape 24 times that he did not have sex with that woman," Tacopina said.

[More...]

Open Thread.