The thing is, if they try to zap stuff from the hard drives before handing them over, that’s doomed to failure. I’ve seen data being pulled from hard disks that were literally smashed with a sledgehammer.

That means that for guaranteed concealment, they would have to totally sand/melt down all the hard drives and then be very selective of what they backed up onto the new hard drives they plan to present to Waxman. (Oh, and they have to avoid being caught doing this, or they get nailed for obstruction of justice.)

But if –as we have good reason to suspect– the crimes they’ve committed, and which the emails would reveal, are bad and far-reaching enough, obstruction of justice might seem like the rational choice for them.

I mean, if the cover-up is successful, there might be little else to prosecute them for and –should we be lucky enough to have someone as good as Fitzgerald doing the prosecuting– the only convictions might of one or two more lone officials.

This is not to underestimate the public relations debacle this would mean for the White house… but, then again, their ratings couldn’t really get any lower. And, in a way, being able to get away with giving the finger to Congressional investigation in that way might even amount to a victory of sorts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thumbscrew

Last I heard, Susan Ralston was requested to appear before the Rep. Henry Waxman’s House Oversight Committee on Thursday, April 5th (tomorrow) at 10:00am.

Nothing on C-Span website about this. Is this still on? Anybody know? Live blogging?

Tell me O great attorneys present: Did the invasion and disruption of the recount polls in Florida by John Bolton and Co. break any election laws? Caught on video for all to see.

If so, ask Mr. Waxman to extend our Johnny boy an invite…..seems he was rewarded for illegal behavior with a UN ambassadorship.

I have to say that, as a physician, I really don’t understand this. Every time I apply for any sort of job, I have to prove that I really got my MD. And I can’t just say, “Here it is!” There has to be an official transcript sent from my med school. When I applied for my Texas medical license, I had to have the New York state medical board send the Texas medical board a letter saying I had a license in New York, even though you can verify medical licenses online. Why don’t high-ranked governement officials have to go through a similar sort of protocol?

Well, it’s usually called Congressional oversight, confirmation hearings and an agreessicve and honest news media to enable an informed electorate. Then, put in well qualified people and the results lower down will speak for themselves.

Of course, in the age of Rubber stamp Republicans, Recess appointments (Fox just got is Belgium gig), corporatized Media that passes sensationalism and lies as “news”, destruction of fairness in media (thanks Ronnie!) and an uber-conservative agenda to steal this country in the works for 30 years and well… here we are!

hand Rove over on a platter.

“Turn runt Rove over, pronto!”

They should ask for messages related to the US Attorney firings while they’re at it.

raven @ 61

When does the Repub attack machine go after Henry?

I think they are afraid of him. He has personal subpoena power, and is not afraid to use it. I think the press are probably a bit fearful of him, too, for what he can do with any e-mails he comes across. Using the press as Pravda also probably falls under the mandate of Congressional Oversight.