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MSNBC is saying that Bush will make a statement in 2 hours about the US Attorney scandal to express his support for Abu Gonzales.
With Leahy bucking Bush's offer to let Rove and Miers testify behind closed doors, it seems like a showdown of some sort is looming. Is Abu G really a goner? If so, here's hoping the Judiciary Committee will also see fit to keep some of the more heinous names out of consideration to replace hiim. I'm sorry but Ted Olsen -- after his involvement in the Arkansas project -- is just not acceptable (see Murray Waas here).
Of note in the memos so far: ol' "maverick" Arlen Specter, who did such a bang-up job as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee:
From Rebecca Seidel, January 25, 2007, 5:10 PM
Just got off the phone with Matt Miner on Specter’s staff who called to discuss the hearing….[Miner asked for various sorts of information]….Re the bill: he is organizing a Republican amendment so that they have one strategy and the Democrats don’t divide and conquer. He asked if we have any amendments to please draft and get to him.
I re-sent him the talking points (as he had given his copy away - he realized we had a lot of info in there.)
When the history of how the Bushies trashed the country is written, the firewall Arlen Specter threw up at the Judiciary Committee preventing meaningful senatorial oversight will no doubt be in for a heapin' helpin' o' blame.
And for those on document dump watch -- our good friend jukeboxgrad, who did such amazing work deconstructing the disingenous stories the Washington Post told about the reader comments following l'affair Deborah Howell, is at it again. He has created a searchable version of the DOJ email dump, a merged Adobe compilation of the PDFs that have been released.
He has links here in his dKos diary.
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Democracy!
Sorry Ted, NO SOUP FOR YOU!
All your emails are belong to us ; )
Fuck Bush and fuck Specter. If Dubya tries to claim EP once the subpoenas are issued, hand that sonofabitch some Article of Impeachment. I’m tired of this shit.
I haven’t had this much fun since Ed Meese inadvertently holed his boss Reagan’s second term below the waterline with that ill-advised press conference that touched off the Iran-Contra scandal.
Phoenix Woman @
5
Yeah, good times.
Jane, trust you’re feeling strong enough to be one of the point people at the crucial juncture in US history. There does seem to be steam building up to a constitutional crisis, no matter what happens. I for one can’t wait any longer to see amurka implode. It’s the only way back to health.
If the Dems remain strong, and they will have to show more b*lls than they have in my experience, this will be a true High Noon. And the Dems will find that most of the voters will swing right along with them, putting aside all the fears they’ve acted on for years.
And if they cave, then the system is indeed broken beyond repair, except that we, the people will know it. That in itself would be a crisis. I want my sixth grade vision of America back, and i want it now.
Have at it:
Senate Judiciary Committee
Patrick J. Leahy (202) 224-4543
CHAIRMAN, D-VERMONT
Edward M. Kennedy (202) 224-4242
D-MASSACHUSETTS
Arlen Specter (202) 224-4254
RANKING MEMBER, R-PENNSYLVANIA
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.(202) 224-5042
D-DELAWARE
Orrin G. Hatch (202) 224-5251
R-UTAH
Herb Kohl
D-WISCONSIN (202) 224-5653
Charles E. Grassley (202) 224-3744
R-IOWA
Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841
D-CALIFORNIA
Jon Kyl (202) 224-4521
R-ARIZONA
Russell D. Feingold (202) 224-5323
D-WISCONSIN
Jeff Sessions (202) 224-4124
R-ALABAMA
Charles E. Schumer (202) 224-6542
D-NEW YORK
Lindsey Graham (202) 224-5972
R-SOUTH CAROLINA
Richard J. Durbin (202) 224-2152
D-ILLINOIS
John Cornyn (202) 224-2934
R-TEXAS
Benjamin L. Cardin (202) 224-4524
D-MARYLAND
Sam Brownback (202) 224-6521
R-KANSAS
Sheldon Whitehouse
D-RHODE ISLAND (202) 224-2921
Tom Coburn (202) 224-5754
R-OKLAHOMA
This US attorney scandal is a shoehorn into the boot of a classic organised crime investigation. To get the top man, we need to keep stripping away his Palace Guard and converting them to witnesses. Personally I hope that the confirmation hearings will reflect that understanding.
It took quite awhile to get to Pablo Escobar, too, and it was only after turning and eliminating his guard that he was finally put out of business. This White House is no different.
Out with Gonzales! Out with Bush! Out with Rove!
Ted Olsen was also an attorney in Bush v. Gore in 2000.
If nominated, I predict Ted Olson’s confirmation hearing will continue through January 2009.
slainte,
cl
Brrr, have to go for my daily walk, getting arm twisted by friends. It’s a slushy mess but the dogs will no doubt embrace the opportunity to frolick in the snow and get even mangier.
Back soon, nobody misbehave…
!!!Fitz for AG!!!
Hugh @ 11
Ted Olson was also a soulless viper. Grab a hoe, Chuck.
Too much fun! But darn, this pesky thing called work is after me. Gotta run out for a bit, but I will be back! Don’t let anything exciting happen while I am gone.
Yes! Fitz for Attorney General of the United States of America!
Ah, this was the other phantom thread from this morning: now you see it, now you don’t!
Glad to get a chance to read it…
Jane, where are you that you have snow?
On last night’s thread from Phoenix Woman about Perjury and the “But Clinton folks, the topic of a replacement for Gonzaales came up. I initially thought Ted Olsen was the most likely due to his having been Chimpy’s solicitor General and the sympathy factor. I had forgotten about his contributions to the “Arkansas Project.” All of the early names floated, including Olsen have significant partisan baggage.
Someone else, I think It was mentioned the best choice for a confirmation was a current or past senator with some gravitas, who would be aceptable to Dems as well as Republics. Among the names mentioned then were Orrin Hatch, Alan Simpson, Joe LIEberman, John Danforth, and this morning I saw a mention of Fred Thompson.
I knew the scenario was familiar. I was initially thinking it was from the Nixon days but it was in fact Richard Thornburgh replacing Ed Meese for Ronnie Ray-guns. It HAS to be someone “clean” and respected that will have the confidence of folks like Leahy and Schumer or there will be no AG for the remainder of Chimpy in Charge’s term. My choice, if it were given to me, is Patrick Fitzgerald and we know THAT ain’t happening. Simpson just might make a reasonable second choice as he actually seems to be in favor of the Constitution.
My $.02
Is Ted’s photo the visual definition of miserable fu*ck?
Ted Olson might be hoping for some sympathy vote/nomination. His wife Barbara Olson was on the plane that hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Maybe people will forget his 2000 SCOTUS job for Bush/Cheney.
looseheadprop @ 143
A Constitutional crisis indeed.
An interesting emergence and convergence of normally divergent groups appeared in today’s news cycle…
[1] the Senate’s 94-2 vote cancelling the AG’s power,
[2] the showdown between the House/ Senate Judiciary Committees and the White House,
[3] today’s news conference with conservatives Bob Barr, constitutional scholar Bruce Fein et al announcing the launch of their launch of their campaign to “restore checks and balances and civil liberties protections under assault by the Executive Branch”.
my, my.
karen allen@17
Yes! Fitz for Attorney General of the United States of America!
If wishes were horses… But in the meantime, into the breach! Back to TPM muckraker and the emails! This is an amazing moment for citizen journalists, between the jocular laser that is FDL and the army of readers over at TPM, I kinda feel like I’m in the last ten minutes of a Frank Capra movie. We shall overcome.
And let’s not forget that Ted Olsen’s wife, Barbara was the very she who so enjoyed the spotlight during the Clinton investigations . . . a frequent guest on Larry King, always introduced as a “former federal prosecutor”, and never as the wife of Ted. Other factoids:
Clarence Thomas officiated at their wedding.
She wrote a hit-piece book about Hilary Clinton called “Hell to Pay”.
She was on the plane that hit the Pentagon.
Ted Olsen as the chief law enforcement officer in the land? Um, no.
Tom @ 4
Can I add - Fuck Cheney and Fuck Rice, while we’re at it (I know Rice is OT, but I still despise her)
david baerwald @ 15
His wife was killed on 9/11 when the plane she was on smashed into the Pentagon.
It’s a done deal, the Monday timing of the doc dump and names being floated as replacements seal the deal in my mind, they’re giving him the boot to take the heat off the WH. They’re just feigning support until they can line up his replacement.
It might be awhile, though, they’re going to have to thread a needle to find someone who will stonewall investigations for them and still make it through congress.
Jane Hamsher @ 6
Some right-wing AM talk radio host - I think it was Mark Levin - had Meese on yesterday while I was driving around. Meese is a smooth, smooth talker, but he got agitated talking about that particular subject, claiming the Dem’s reaction was illegal.
bdu @ 28
I thought that CNN reported that he wasn’t, but I’m not thinking rationally right now
1,461 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Patriots:
As the denouement of this administration picks up speed, we must calm down and not over react to feints and dodges. First of all, the proposal of the WH to serve up Harriet and Karl behinds closed doors and unsworn was the starting point in negotiations…let’s let our Democratic folks respond before we throw ‘em all out.
With regard to the Attny. General mess, here is where we gotta be proactive in sendin’ the Democrats a clear message: no more “bushies” and no more Nazis. If they try and foist another shill on us, threaten a special prosecutor with the same charge Comey got for Fitz.
The nomination and confirmation of a new Attny Gen is gunna set the playing field for the nomination and confirmation process for Vice President when Darth Cheney resigns. These two vacancies are gunna come close on each other so the Dems gotta have their shit in order…and we in the great unwashed nation gotta help ‘em hitch up their pants.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION THE BATTLE OF YORKTOWN HAS STARTED.
Wil @ 30
No, you’re correct, CNN is reporting that he’s staying. But there’s a big, unverbalized “for now” at the end of that, as all this is just reporting the current WH line.
The events on the ground imply otherwise.
To paraphrase the movie Airplane! I picked the wrong administration to quit drinking
*xyz @
8
Correction…
Contessa Brewer to Republican hack…
“Thanks for the update but you still haven’t answered my question…”
LOL
Wil @ 30
CNN was just saying that tonight’s presser wouldn’t include a gonzo firing.
Yeah? What does he think: that we can’t read?
On MSNBC right now…
Democratic Strategist Jamal Simmons:
“The public and the Senate and the Congress gave this president a lot of rope, and now it’s around his neck and now it’s time for the Senate to hold him under some accountability to keep him from making more mistakes.”
Ed*ard Teller @
29
If Meese is a smooth talker now, he’s been spending the past twenty years taking elocution and deportment lessons, because he was a raw doofus in November of 1986 — not to mention an idiot. “See, everyone? It’s OK that we sold arms to our mortal enemy the Ayatollah! We used the proceeds to fund the Contras! …What, whaddya mean it was illegal to aid the Contras then? OH, SHIT!”
Hold on tight, Firepups. It’s gonna be a will ride!
A few people have said the bad guys would have been a lot smarter to fire all 93 because then it would cover their real agenda much better. While there may be much more going on as well this looks more and more to me like 8 were fired to provide cover for the 1 (Lam) who just opened a really messy investigation.
Fitz for AG!
Jane for Kobe’s General!
(power dynamic in the last may have been inverted)
Oops. Wild ride.
1,461 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Patriots:
How about former Asst. Attny Gen Comey for AG?
KEEP THE FAITH AND WATCH ‘EM DANCE!!
karen allen @
10
Gonzoles (toast).
Cheneycakes (not feeling well).
Fuckwad (3 friedmans before impeachment)
Rove will skate. *
* even if fuckwad dumps him after it’s too late …….
Biodun @ 37
Not only does he not think we can’t read (and not only does he not have a clue that the doc dump is dead as a delaying tactic), he doesn’t realize that the Mighty Wurlitzer’s control over the news isn’t what it used to be even six months ago.
henry waxman on charlie rose last night. awesome and inspiring as always.
http://video.google.com/videop.....&hl=en
good quote (paraphrased) “when the republicans were in power during clinton, there was no accusation too small to subpoena and hold hearings, and with bush, there wasn’t a scandal too big for them to ignore…”
speaking of obstructionism by republican legislators… since spector has been so instrumental in aiding and abetting this administration, he should be targeted again next cycle.. he was vulnerable last time. same goes for all the former committee chairs who sat on their gavels during the string of scandals and gross excesses of power by the bushits
karen allen @ 10
To hell with “out” - OFF WITH THEIR HEADS metaphorcally, I oppose the death penalty
“What is expected from the president is that he will say that Attorney General Gonzales has his full, unyielding support.”
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/
Rove will continue to float…. like a lonely turd.
metaphorically
Wil @ 33
LOL!
Ted Olson. WHAT A CREEP!!!
LIEberman hack David Gerstein is wearing enough lip gloss to blind *ucker Carlson.
I’m wondering how Tucker is keeping a straight face.
bdu @ 28
gonzoles is out the door in ten days or less. fw will let mcnulty handle it until they find their pet goat.
“What is past is prologue.” — Shake.
Arlen’s been a liar for hire for a very long time.
http://karws.gso.uri.edu/JFK/T.....ecter.html
Ed Meese Is A Pig
mc @ 27
I’m sorry she or anyone died on that awful day -
but the jihadists’ crimes do not offest Mr. Olson’s complicity in the destruction of the Republic. Olson and the Rethugs strive to do to our Constitution what the jihadists did to the twin towers: incineration.
oooops, EPU-ed on last thread.
We assume the Dems will have a response ready to go for Bush’s little presser, and that the MSM will assure it’s reported…fair and balanced and all that….
The chess game continues. The black-hearted king and his knaves must be checkmated.
Hey Norske, good to hear from you again! I am keeping the faith, and I will NOT let the bastards up!
Phoenix Woman @
5
I haven’t had this much fun since the Libby trial.
I think I remember hearing that Laurence Silberman (as in, judge responsible for getting Kenneth Starr appointed) was also on the list that was floated. That’s a non-starter, too.
Every senator who voted to repeal that hideous Patriot Act provision today had better make clear to the new AG that they expect all the “loyal Bushies” to be put through Senate confirmation.
Phoenix Woman @ 39
LOL! By smooth, smooth talker, I mean he’s got that same old non-offensive California accent he had 30 years ago, when he was Gov. Reagan’s hatchet man. He sounds like Tab Hunter or even Edd Byrnes (”Kookie” in 77 Sunset Strip), but thinks more like Karl Rove…
I remember watching that press conference - November 25, 1986. If firedoglake had existed then, the world would be different now.
RealWorld @ 41
Suspect that the problem in doing that would have been discontinuity in cases where the prosecutors WERE heeding the White House dog whistle. Can’t remember where I saw this but I believe questions are already being asked about a prosecutor in Pittsburgh who has a number of cases going targeting Dems, but apparently Republicans in that District are very well behaved since cases against Dems seem to fill her dance card.
mc @ 27
She was also the viscious blond lawyer of choice for the Sunday and cable chat shows. coulter owes her career to olson dying on that plane.
Skeletor Man’s name (Chertoff) was also a name on that floated list.
Ugh.
ptrig @ 59
Have I mentioned that I am going to have to hold this site responsible when my cargets repo’ed. I stopped looking for work around week 2 of the Libby trial
v o x p o p g i r l @ 53
tucker may be blind but it’s for other reasons ……….
Speaking of Ken Starr, isn’t he doing the Bong Hits for Jesus trial before the Supremes today?
Ed*ard Teller @ 67
It was yesterday
After the PR flap that erupted after we found out that Bush lied about his support for Rumsfeld (while interviewing possible replacements), I can’t imagine Bush would make the same mistake again and support Abu in tonight’s televised statement. Already no one believes him. He’d lose his 30% support.
Therefore, I’m going out on a limb here and predicting that the real reason for tonight’s speech is to announce that Cheney is resigning for health reasons.
Well, a girl can dream
Kirk Murphy@58
The irony, of course, is that Olson argued to have Bush installed as President. Then Bush ignored the PDB that stated “al Queda determined to attack within the U.S.”
And then Ms. Olson was murdered by the people that Bush ignored as the paramount threat to our country’s security.
To help the Norske Flamethrower and his campaign to help the congressional dems “hitch up their pants,” i’d like to see some political theater on the steps of that domed (doomed?) congressional building.
Let’s see some Patriots dress up as Mohawks, but without tea to dump, how ’bout… Bong Hits for Democracy! No Document Dumps without Subpoenas. Gather ’round the open source Liberty Tree, Firepups! No GE/Hallibuirton Lobbying without Free Elective Representation. MSM is irrelevent in the face of The Toobz, your lying and shilling is a dinosaur (apologies to our fave theropad.)
This is serious, but as Will Rogers might have said better, “You can’t be serious without humor.”
Just to refresh my memory of the Senate vote to confirm this foul AG, here are the names– and yup, the usual DINOs voted for him.
http://www.senate.gov/legislat.....3#position
v o x p o p g i r l @ 65
chertoff could well be the guy. he has all the qualifications that fuckwad looks for in a cabinet officer. and he will give fw great pleasure. you may be sure …….
good lord, eager pleaser Mike Allen just said “ya gotta feel for Tony Snow”…
there’s Mike empathizing with his abuser…
btw, folks: it’s Ted Olson.
They are just terrified of Rove and Miers being compelled to testify. And they’ll do anything to prevent it, probably inclding cutting Abu loose.
They’re running out of time and options. Boo hoo.
v o x p o p g i r l @ 76
Mike Allen. Putz.
“When the history of how the Bushies trashed the country is written, the firewall Arlen Specter threw up at the Judiciary Committee preventing meaningful senatorial oversight will no doubt be in for a heapin’ helpin’ o’ blame”
Didn’t Specter interfere in an investigation a long time ago?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_bullet_theory
http://video.google.com/videop.....&hl=en
Wasn’t Ted Olson the one who murdered his wife by changing her flight reservation on 9/11/01 to one he knew the terrorists would take?
Ok, totally without evidence, I know. But since he was knowingly involved in pushing the Vince Foster allegations well after they were proven wrong, turnabout is fair play.
Wil @ 70
duh, uh, pass that pipe, dude, things are moving pretty fast…
i tend to think they’d pick — should he choose to accept — Ted Olsen. What better way to bookend end the last 18 months of the Bush Administration, than with the man who went to the legal mats for them all the way to the Supreme Court at the beginning (of their illegal reign)?
Wil @ 67
Wil, are you the one who turned down an interview to continue reading the blog? Oh no! Some one on FDL must have at the very least a paid intership for you. I have a house with much work needed done on it, but no money to hire.
The only reason Chimp would talk at 5:45 is to trash the dems as witch hunters. The news channels are stooges for carrying his message.
Oh, my, oh, my. For some serious Mitt Romney screwup fun, go here.
Hee, hee! I don’t ordinarily post blind links, but I don’t want to give it away, and trust me, you’ll be glad you looked.
Specter is pathetic but I think he has taken a bum rap for the “mid-night” USA clause. The probable culprit is Orin Hatch and his Utah boys. Brett Tolman inserted the clause.
“I then contacted my very able chief counsel, Michael O’Neill, to
find out exactly what had happened. And Mr. O’Neill advised me that the
requested change had come from the Department of Justice, that it was
handled by Brett Tolman, who is now the U.S. attorney for Utah and that
the change had been requested by the Department of Justice because there..”
http://time-blog.com/swampland.....t_the.html
Tolman was a Hatch staffer and was sent to Specter after Specter became chairman. Hatch sponsored Tolman for the Utah USA job. Kyle Sampson was to get the other Utah job..but not now.
I really think Specter was had by Hatch.
ptrig @ 82
That would be me, Jane says that I win a prize for the most obsessed firepup. I asked for 5 guilties, but only got 4. She owes me one, I want Rove
I need a tutorial in editing, I meant to say his not him. Preview is now my new friend.
[Mod Note; fixed. We live to serve.]
Redshift @
86
brilliant! Great catch, Redshift.
Redshift @
86
BWAAAAAA-HAAAAAA-HAAAAA!!
HEEE HEEEEE HEE!!
*wipes eyes*
Oh, that’s rich.
JPL @
85
Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi should demand equal TV time immediately after Bush’s speech in order to defend their respective judiciary committee chairs, Leahy and Conyers. Since the Democrats are the majority party in both chambers, the TV networks should consider this an offer that they can’t refuse.
We need Billy the Kid…
Steve @
87
you’re more charitable than me. at the very least i think specter turned a blind eye. either that or he’s hoplessly incompetent (which is certainly arguable).
Do you think Bush will appoint a hack like Olsen as a recess appointment?
Rep. Conyers needs to put the House Sergeant at Arms on speed dial. He is the highest ranking law enforcement official in the House, and can even arrest members of Congress. Looks like he may be needed.
Shrub will go into attack mode at 5:45. He will tell us it is not true that any politics was played with the dismissals. Then he’ll accuse the Dems of abuse of power and conducting a witch-hunt. (They always accuse the Dems of what they themselves are doing!)
Then he will stand back and see how it plays. If the MSM buys it hook-line-sinker, he might scare the Dems (who are afraid of their own shadow anyhow) into “compromise.” A risky play that just might work (given that the MSM are mostly Repub shills).
If public response is negative Gonzo’s gone before the week is out.
Here comes the kiss of death, heckuvajob moment!
This is rather amusing, from: the Chicago Tribune:
v o x p o p g i r l @ 23
WHOA! And double my, my. well, well, well, too.
things are getting more and more interesting.
Patrick J. Leahy (202) 224-4242
CHAIRMAN, D-VERMONT
Edward M. Kennedy (202) 224-4543
D-MASSACHUSETTS
xyz thanks for posting these numbers, I’ve found that Leahy and Kennedy’s #s were inverted - the above one’s are listed correctly.
FWIW, re Patrick Fitzgerald:
Http://waynemadsenreport.com
“White House seeks dismissal of CIA
March 20, 2007 — On March 14, 2007, WMR reported that a copy of a March 2005 Justice Department e-mail sent to the White House listing all 93 U.S. Attorneys in three categories:
“Bold = Recommend retaining; strong U.S. attorneys who have managed well, and exhibited loyalty to the president and attorney general.
Strikeout = Recommend removing; weak U.S. attorneys who have been ineffectual managers and prosecutors, chafed against administration initiatives, etc.
Nothing = No recommendation; have not distinguished themselves either positively or negatively”
…was taped over in several cases. The copy of the e-mail was sent to Congressional investigators looking at the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys. WMR noticed that one of the names, that of
Northern Illinois U.S. Attorney (and CIA Leakgate special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald),
was also taped over. A non-redacted copy of the e-mail now shows that Fitzgerald was put into the third category by the Justice Department: “No recommendation; has not distinguished himself either positively or negatively.”
Its official — Bush White House on Patrick Fitzgerald performance: “has not distinguished himself either positively or negatively.”
That includes his performance in indicting key officials of Hollinger Corporation, a neo-con multinational media operation controlled by ex-Chairman Lord Conrad Black, Richard Perle, and Henry Kissinger.
We wrote, “If it turns out that Fitzgerald was . . . on the chopping block to lose his Chicago base of operations”
that could constitute White House interference in Fitzgerald’s investigation of the CIA leak. The malfeasance of the Bush administration clearly calls for Congress
to re-enact the Independent Special Counsel statute with a view towards the criminal prosecution of Karl Rove and other senior White House personnel.”
Ed*ard Teller @ 69
Oh dear. Guess I’ve been outta the loop. Please ’splain.
Phoenix Woman @
5
Speaking of the Iran/Contra scandal, wasn’t it a Democratic congress that followed the pardoning of all those involved? Why weren’t there effective Congressional hearings to get to the bottom of what happened then. Or am I just totally forgetting? Wasn’t a lack of investigation because they thought it was a moot question, since all had been pardoned or had served their time already? First, I think it should be pointed out that it is not Democrats habit to be vindictive just for vendetta’s sake. Second, I think it should be made clear that this is a matter of the Bill of Rights and the Rule of Law being destroyed by this administration, and we just can’t let that happen. It’s very, very important that Dems not fold like an oragami cutout this time. Not if we want a political future. It’s up to those elected officials who want to keep our legal government to perform…whatever it takes. Please say they’ve got the strength of their convictions.
Crazy Horse @
90
mitt a commie? i heard that too …….
here we go! If the dems accept this offer they are dead. Therefore, it is time to bring this government to its knees!
Reed stopped it once.
If the goopers want to stall then the dems can do it just as well.
If, on the other hand, the dems don’t stand then they are dead and I will lead the charge to remove as many as possible from office in 08 as I can.
Biodun @ 22
But Ann T. Culture officially under cut that defense when she claimed it was unfair that you couldn’t criticize the 911
harpieswidows.fahrender @ 94 Specter has done huge damage to this country..but if my speculation is correct, I think he was had by Orin Hatch, who is really a vile human being.
Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.
All of this sound and fury because Carol Lamm’s got some secret goods on the Duke Cunningham circle of friends of which Dick Cheney seems to be included.
My, my. What if it’s Cheney in a limo with a woman other than his wife?
After all, he was in Texas on a “hunting trip” with what’s her name.
Mandrake @ circa 103:
Ken Starr is representing a school board that suspended a student for waving a sign at a school function (not on school property, I believe) saying “bong hits 4 Jesus.”
Ted Olsen? Would you want the top law enforcement guy have a possible personal vendetta against some possible suspects? Not saying he has one, but think of the implications. Rule of law, pshaw.
I just called Kennedy’s office. The staffer didn’t know anything about the Miers-Rove smoke and mirrors game. I told her that if I, a regular citizen of this country, were being investigated by the Senate Judiciary Committee, I would be recorded, transcripted, and under oath for my testimony which would then be broadcast on CSpan. I asked if there is another class of citizenship I should look into trying to obtain. She didn’t know of any. I told her then I better not see my Senator accepting any other form of testimony before his committee.
She promised to pass it on.
With Chertoff and Olson, I think Bush is building a government of the UnDead. Scarrrrrry people.
Redshift @ 86
Tee hee. Thanks for sharing. This sorta stuff makes my day. My day was made yesterday with this sweet lil nugget.
Slothrop @
109
I don’t think it was ever firmly established that those hookers were FEMALE.
klyde @
65
Given his personal connection to that tragedy, it is hard to imagine how he could work for a cowardly socially promoted dry-drunk who was “standing-down” on 9-11 while terrorists talked their way into a cockpit and flew his wife’s plane into the Pentagon.
One of the reasons Bush did not bother to read the PDB titled “al Queda determined to attack within the U.S.” is because he was too busy overseeing John Ashcroft’s dismantling of the FBI anti-terrorist unit so the federal resources could be transferred to investigate and combat prostitution in New Orleans.
Well, at least they cleaned up New Orleans. . .
The joys of moving for work purposes. I called and e-mailed my current Sen (Cornyn) to request his support for subpoenas for Rove and Miers to force them to testify under oath and in public on the firings. Having moved 9 times in 12 years, I have a lot of former senators on the list and have called each of them as well. The implication and fact is, I have friends and acquaintances in all of these areas and am willing to request my friends to vote against anyone who does not support the subpoenas.
Steve @ 108
and sneaky also. i said as much in the last thread ……
sonate @ 97
Um, he’s tried something like this with EVERY scandal that’s hit this Administration. It has NEVER worked to turn things around. In fact, the only positive response I’ve ever seen to one of his CYA speeches was the one he did post-Katrina: Almost everyone agreed that the lighting was good on that one. Other than that, he always just makes things worse.
Frank Probst @ 119:
he [Shrub] always just makes things worse.
I sincerely hope that you are right.
Slothrop @ 109
Ah, the elusive Swiss Miss. The MSM never did catch up to her, did they?
In his defense, I think Cheney has conclusively proven that he was carrying a loaded shotgun on that trip, so at least there’s SOME evidence to support his story.
Why was Griffin so keen to be installed in Arkansas? Is he from there? Same with Sampson going to Utah. Do they have roots there — which would make them a more competent prosecuter — if not, then it is clearly for political reasons.
Gnome de Plume @
19
Connecticut. We’re back.
It’s frigging cold out there. Did I miss anything, aside from Tucker Carlson’s chiron blaring “Dems Trying To Buy Votes” for the past 10 minutes?
Digby predicted this.
Jane Hamsher @ 123
Good patient Jane. I’m sure the poodles are loving this–at least this part of the Rx.
Biodun @ 22
Considering the 9/11 connection, I can see Bush humping that one pretty hard.
I mean no disrespect to this poor deceased lady, but we all know, if he is nominated, the WH will exploit this to the hilt and it’s a good way to try to scare the Dems into confirming. Same tactics, different day.
TRex @ 91
And as a bonus, an awesome Boston Herald cover about it!
“if Mitt is a twit, he sure stepped in the shit!”
Pectopah @ 122 Kyle Sampson, Brett Tolman LDS from Utah. Tim Griffin is from Magnolia Arkansas.
re: Romney’s huge, huge gaffe - ROTFLMAO.
Did anyone follow the link in a comment to the Boston Herald photo? Even funnier.
alittle knowledge (of Spanish, of a culture) is a dangerous thing.
david baerwald says:
March 20th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Grab a hoe, Chuck.
Is this another Vicki Toensing thread?
I’d really rather that Abu stayed and answered questions for that nice Senator Leahy and that nice Chariman Waxman. A new AG will just get us the Knodell run-around, “I don’t know, I wasn’t there.”
So, in about an hour Bush goes on the air to announce his undying eternal support for soon-to-be fired Attorney General Gonzales?
400 quatloos says Gonzales resigns on Friday.
emptywheel @
124
They are. But they have long fur coats. Did I mention it is friggin’ cold out there?
who is the guy standing next to Dick Armey on Situation Room? he’s speaking up and quite clearly…
sonate @ 110
Thanks. That sounds ’bout right, all things considered.
I just called Grassley, my clueless GOPer senator as well as LEAHY, a true Hero. I used a different yet reasonable tone with each but this is the checks and balances moment.
HotFlash @ 131 Just because he is out of a job doesn’t mean he can’t be subpoenaed to appear before a congressional committee.
Friggin’ cold walkin’ on the tundra, too, Jane. Warm healing thoughts to you.
*****
And the cold icy finger of fate on the House of Bush.
see your 400 quatloos and raise you 200 with a Thursday.
What is this—”friggin’ cold” of which you speak?
Sunny and 72 here in FL.
….A reporter approached Rove to ask him what he thought of rumors that former Missouri Sen. Jack Danforth could replace embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. “How about you go over there and do your job,” Rove replied, pointed back to the media pool… This is from a link that Think Progress provides to the Kansas City newspaper. I still believe that TV stages who cary Bush are being used as stooges for his anti democratic tirade. Time will tell.
from the end of the previous thread (did this get passed up to here?)
I’d personally like to see Conyers get out ahead of shrub’s presser this afternoon.
Prairie Sunshine @ 138
Done!
Who wants tomorrow?
I’ll take tomorrow.
Thanks Old Coastie
Anybody have a clip of that Meese Moment(tm)? I wasn’t paying any attention to US politics at the time.
Youtoob doesn’t know him.
Quzi @ 144
no problem - sometimes around here, ya gotta repeat yourself!
cleter @ 141
I’ll take 5:55 tonight!
Jane Hamsher @ 132
When you’re used to central CA weather, *everywhere* is friggin’ cold by comparison. Especially with the nice late spring weather we’d been having for awhile. Rainy and nasty here now that you’ve left, though.
I’ll take rainy and windy for a thousand, Alex.
I don’t do cold well anymore.Arthur-itis in my Busted Knuckles.
kirk murphy @ 147
Good for you! I admire your optimism.
bdu @ 148
bdu - are you on the central coast too?
The Specter tidbit Jane posted demonstrates Specter is asking the very people he is supposed to be investigating is who he is asking for talking points in the investigation.
here is the whole email as posted at TPM comments:
If Specter is a Hatch patsy (and I don’t think for a nano second that he is) then why is he defending once again the indefensible with the culprits talking points? Why hasn’t he fired his staffer, Mr O’Neill?
A new weave up top.
http://www.firedoglake.com/200.....t/#respond
v o x p o p g i r l @
38
Jamal Simmons, metaphor mixer!
Cheney goes to hospital for blood clot.
newspaperbrat @ 150
South Bay area, actually. Wacky techy land.
HotFlash @ 131
Hey dere, Hotflash! You just summed up exactly what I said earlier this moanin’
Unfortunately, considering Bush’s unbroken pattern of praise & dump, we probably won’t be so lucky.
I wsa just on the DOJ website looking somethng up for Marcy and the list of US Attoenys has an * next to the names of people Like PAtFitz and RozMAuskaupf who were appointed and confimed in the regular way.
Others, including the bushbots just put in place during the massacre of 8, do not have a *.
THERE ARE 21 names without a *
Paging Josh Marshall,
Honey, it’s 21 not 8
Biodun @
22
Olsen is one of the SOBs that got us into this mess. Never forget.
Thread Theorist @ 92
Ding! If anybody’s *staff is reading this*, please pass it on!
Frank Probst @ 119
We should be ready to phone all the media and screech if they look like they are trying to sell us that line.
holy shite - the DOD website fianly loaded.
Last night they were up to document 2-9 (?)
Now up to
11-612.Whole lotta dumping goin’ on.
Abu Gonzales’ Justice Department appears to be suffering from short bowel syndrome.
mc @
72
I thought it could have been a pay-off. As TRex says, I have no evidence, but it sould be irresponsible not to speculate.
Redshift @ 86
Crazy Horse @90
dezigged
hitchhiker @ 25
So let’s gossip. What’s Ted marital/dating status now?
So..let’s see…Darryl Issa is all over Lamm…but look at this:
http://www.ocweekly.com/news/n.....all/20776/
eCAHNomics @
166
Ew. Don’t ask, don’t tell. Please.
Oh, lovely. Leahy has told the WH no deal on no oath for Karl. We’ve got a live Senator. (from a banner at CNN.com)
Ohhh poor grumpy chimpy.
Mandrake — for Bong Hits 4 Jesus highlights, see Dahlia Lithwick’s column today at Slate. Comedy gold.
Is there any resource, other than google, to review all the investigations and court rulings that went against Clinton in the days of the Clinton witch hunts? I would like to see some of those rulings to come and bite all the Republicans in the butt. I remember one ruling that claimed there was no attorney/client privilege between Clinton and one of the White House attorneys. My memory is that it was quite an extraordinary ruling.
HE’S STONEWALLING!!!!!!! GEORGE BUSH IN ON TV RIGHT NOW HAVING HIS NIXON MOMENT!!!!
Bush is losing his shit on live TV. This is great!
Where on tv is Bush?
He’s sorry they had to attack their own US attorneys, but not sorry for exposing Valerie.
No transcript, to testimony under oath and behind closed doors!!! Time for the subpoenas. What BS!!!
This is heading for a Constitutional crisis. No way will Bush allow Rove, Meirs etc. testify underoath. The cookie is crumbling and the only thing they have left is to stonewall. They will play the media for the chumps and enablers they are saying the Dems are just on a partisan fishing expedition and the good chumps they are they will echo the Republican talking points. It might be time for a 2 million person march on Washington!!!
March 20, 2007 - the beginning of the end.
And it’s the first day of spring, too!!
Frank Probst @ 168
Marital dating status? What’s Mark Foley doing these days?
The Chimpy is on right now. I tried. The good lord knows, I really and truly tried to watch and listen to what he is saying. But the man is so incoherent and incomprehensible and totally ef’fing CLUELESS that I cannot stand to watch him try to defend his gibberish. I applaud those of you who are capable of stomaching his BS, but I just cannot do it. It is not within my skills to sit and watch him without my blood pressure rising to dangerously high levels. And I got nothin’ to smoke that can bring it back down. Lawdy mercy!
At least he stops talking after the turkey timer in his belly pops.
Honestly, dakine, this is the first time in years that I’ve been able to watch one of his appearances without at least hitting the mute button. Today, however, I loved every moment of it because it really is the moment when George Bush put his own neck in the noose. Someday, that press conference will be an Important Moment in History.
Further example: I had to turn my tv away from Tweety on MSnbc when he began following the Bush line that it’s just a “partisan fight; Presidents fire US Attorneys all the time.”
Elsewise, I’d have thrown something through it.
Ed*ard Teller @ 63
I remember watching that press conference - November 25, 1986. If firedoglake had existed then, the world would be different now.
Or more people read The New Yorker which reported most all political scandals, precursor to todays premeir blogs, FDL, Salon, Digby, TPM/Muckraker, Mahablog, Power of Narrative, Glen Greenwald, etc. (not necessarily that order). All the best…….
jayt @
130
Hi Hat, snare drum, crash!
Seriously, though… Did she lie under oath last Friday, and if she did, isn’t that like… a crime? Am I wrong about that? (Though I was thinking more like the hoe you garden and kill snakes with)
Where’s Martha Mitchell? Now THAT was fun!
Jane, thanks for your kind words. I’m sorry I didn’t comment here sooner. I was busy creating a new, improved version of the searchable email dump. The new version is linked in my diary which you cited.
I’m still a huge fan, even though I haven’t been in touch!