Can we get any more inept people working for this admnistration?

Christy!

My second zed! Timing is everything.

Can we get any more inept people working for this administration?

Christy!

On edit: Corrected spelling of “administration.”

smackdown!

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

If the government functions well, the people will want more of it. This ineptitude is working out quite well for them.

-GSD

um it seems like Abu is going to be thrown to the wolves. I just don’t see any mis-direction going on, outside of lowering expectations.

SharonRB @
1

Can we get any more inept people working for this admnistration?

Christy!

And, can their actions be any more obvious as to their guilt?

Thats rich.
Abu was supposed to be on Timmeh the Tools show because , as we found out from Cathy Martin, Cheney owns Russert.
Except Abu can’t remember his lines, so Timmeh has to soldier on with his hand picked propagandists.
C’mon April 17th.

GSD @ 6

If the government functions well, the people will want more of it. This ineptitude is working out quite well for them.

-GSD

LOL! Channeling Babs today, are we?

scarecrow @
5

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

Can’t they still bring him in to testify if he resigns?

By the way, speaking of BushCo atrocities:

The news media continue to push the theme that “things are improving” when none of the reporters in Baghdad dare go outside of their Green Zone fortresses for any but the most important reasons.

Ironyesc8psem @ 11

scarecrow @
5

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

Can’t they still bring him in to testify if he resigns?

Yes, but it won’t be as AG if he’s gone. It will be as PAST AG.

scarecrow @
5

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

Okay, I’ve got Friday the 13th around 4:30 ET.

The weasel formerly known as Attorney General.

The main reason Abu G flunked his test is because he’s failed to heed my advice to hire Geraldo and BillO to teach him how to handle serious debate in a gentlemanly manner. He’s still got a few days to remedy this.

Just heard our malaprop-rich Rep. Don Young (R – another planet) call the Kyoto Treaty “The Coyote Treaty.”

Phoenix Woman: Friday the 13th is perfect! And, of course, it will be the Friday news dump.

Can’t wait for Da Abu G Show.

-GSD

Despite years of personal loyalty to Bush, Gonzales is not even getting the courtesy of a phone call, off the record. Instead, they make him read about his own “firing” in the press, and they let him know that those he was trusting to help him prep have betrayed him. Nice friends.

It’s time for Gonzales to turn on them. It’s the only way to restore his own sense of integrity — if he has one.

Is he doing this on his own time? or is he cramming on company time?
My bet is they will cancel on the 17th.
A new “crisis” will occur.
Too bad they did not let him testify earlier.
How much worse would he have been with no practice???

Is that “Coyote” the one that was found in the party store in Illinois last week?

Which, if rove is throwing him under the bus, all the more reason to bring in rove to testify, since he seems to know more than Alberto.

At a recent “prep” for a prospective Sunday talk-show interview, Gonzales’s performance was so poor that top aides scrapped any live appearances.

If Timmeh was aware of this, and if Timmeh was any kind of actual journalist, Timmeh would have insisted that Abu Gonzales stop by.

Morning Christy:

EPU’d from last thread but on topic here:

Biodun @ 91

My prediction is that Gonzo flunks on April 17. He’s already perjured himself before Congress. Even if he were to reincarnate himself as Clarence Darrow, he couldn’t get himself out of this one.

Somehow, I don’t think having AG AG’s resignation come out of a Friday afternoon will do much to hide the news. If anything, it will insure that everyone talks about it all weekend long.

Better bet: today or tomorrow, while everyone’s talking about the fourth anniversary of the fall of Saddam.

Ironyesc8psem @ 11

scarecrow @
5

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

Can’t they still bring him in to testify if he resigns?

Yes, I assume so, but he wouldn’t be testifying as the Attorney General. His designated replacement would already have announced that they’re moving to “fix the problem,” this is old news.

What this tells me is that they don’t think Gonzales can protect Rove and the Pres while he remains AG, so they’re putting him in a boat and letting him drift. He was always expendable, as long as he doesn’t turn on them. That’s his only card left. Please use it, Alberto.

SharonRB @ 11
GSD @ 6

LOL! Channeling Babs today, are we?

I know I have the number of a good exorcist around here somewhere…

scarecrow @ 20

Despite years of personal loyalty to Bush, Gonzales is not even getting the courtesy of a phone call, off the record. Instead, they make him read about his own “firing” in the press, and they let him know that those he was trusting to help him prep have betrayed him. Nice friends.

It’s time for Gonzales to turn on them. It’s the only way to restore his own sense of integrity — if he has one.

Integrity? he’ll probably get some cushy job as CEO or on a BOD slot in some corporation

SharonRB @
11

GSD @ 6

If the government functions well, the people will want more of it. This ineptitude is working out quite well for them.

-GSD

LOL! Channeling Babs today, are we?

Oooohh….Heavens to Mergatroid—-clutching my (Richard) pearls.. and telling Poppy to ‘get me something cold and wet’, besides his hands. Preferably gin….

-GSD

Phoenix Woman @ 15

scarecrow @
5

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

Okay, I’ve got Friday the 13th around 4:30 ET.

You can’t have it. I picked it in a poll on some site about a month ago.

Since when do ‘top aides’ tell the boss what to do? Sounds more like ‘designated minders’ to me, sort of like the ‘assistants’ that used to escort Soviet athletes, dancers, and chess players while on tour.

Scarecrow @27:
I would expect the committee chair to see the “we’re fixing the problem” for what it is, delay and BS. which would keep the story out there even longer IMO.

From TP.

His advisers finally got ‘exasperated”‘ with him, the source added. ‘He’s not ready,’ Tasia Scolinos, Gonzales’s public-affairs chief, told the A.G.’s top aides after the session was over, said the source.”

File this under…..Finding the truth is hard work.

-GSD

pluky @ 32

Since when do ‘top aides’ tell the boss what to do? Sounds more like ‘designated minders’ to me, sort of like the ‘assistants’ that used to escort Soviet athletes, dancers, and chess players while on tour.

You got it!

It will totally surprise me if we don’t see Alberto’s resignation prior to his Apr. 17th appearance before the committee. My only question is whether or not he will still have to appear if he relinquishes his office prior to appearance. Can he make resignation only effective if he gets a pass on testifying? Obviously he isn’t even able to answer questions to his own people, much less to the Senators who are already incensed because of his passed misstatements and misrepresentations.

Somewhere in the distance the familiar throttle and hum of a diesel bus engine starting up has begun to haunt Alberto Gonzales’ dreams.

-GSD

Must be messy under that bus-

Nina Totenberg homing in on Alice Fisher and the hundreds of dangling loose ends remaining in the Abramoff investigation (with the statute of limitations clock running hard) on Morning Edition. Best Fisher story I’ve ever heard on NPR. No comment from Fisher, of course.

So now the Democrats should expedite Abu’s testimony.

Mr. Gonzales, we have an opening tomorrow.

-GSD

Here’s where time itself frames Gonzo:

But Gonzales kept contradicting himself and “getting his timeline confused,” said one participant who asked not to be identified talking about a private meeting.

My bold. Fortunately (or unfortunately for some of us), Time as we know it is still linear.

rwcole @ 38

Well, after it runs over the fire hydrant, the mess will be much less. Or at least different.

I’m looking forward to his testimony, such as it may be, regardless of his AG status.

Ironyesc8psem @ 32

Scarecrow @27:
I would expect the committee chair to see the “we’re fixing the problem” for what it is, delay and BS. which would keep the story out there even longer IMO.

My guess is that they don’t believe they can kill the story so much as redirect it. If the story becomes, “the problem was an inept Gonzales, but nothing else going on here,” they win. The Dems will be trying to keep the story focused on WH political interference with the implication of obstruction of justice. The WH will want the story to be that the DoJ folks just couldn’t get their stories straight, but all the goofs are gone. They set this up on Friday, when the Christianist personnel screener resigned. Alberto is next, and the problem is solved. She misled the witnesses; he was too inept to sort it out; but they’re gone, so move along.

But Gonzales kept contradicting himself and “getting his timeline confused,” said one participant who asked not to be identified talking about a private meeting.

I admit to being completely confused by this. Why would it be so difficult to construct and memorize a timeline? I emptywheel around? She’s a master at it.

Biodun @ 41

My bold. Fortunately (or unfortunately for some of us), Time as we know it is still linear.

I’m not so sure about that. It would be easier to account for the astounding corruption of this administration if Republicans were running on cyclical time.

An open letter to Alberto Gonzales:

Dear Alberto,

Now that you’ll be resigning (sucks to be the last to know, doesn’t it?) the post of Attorney General of the United States, I’d like to remind you where your loyalties lie.

When you came to Washington with George Bush, I’m sure they whispered in your ear, “you’re going to be the first Hispanic Suprme Court Justice, be patient, it’s going to happen soon.” Well, you’ve been patient and you’ve been passed over two three times, the last time I counted.

Do you really think it’s gonna happen now?

Remember, you are an officer of the court of the greatest criminal justice system in the history of humankind. Habeus corpus, trial by jury, innocent until proven guilty, this is what you represent.

So, think long and hard about where to place your loyalties.

The law, or the lie?

Better bet: today or tomorrow, while everyone’s talking about the fourth anniversary of the fall of Saddam.

excellent guess Reverend – BUT !

they have had puh-lenty of time to find a confirmable replacement (remember that little meme?) and cut his ass and they haven’t done it

this hippie is holding to their never cutting him loose and just what that portends

. . .but now I see Scarecrow’s comment about re-directing and I may want to hedge my bet ;)

Gonzo is Gone-zales:

Courtney Elwood, a former deputy to Dick Cheney’s chief counsel David Addington, who is now working for Gonzales, has taken on a bigger role, shutting down responses to most inquiries from Congress and the news media because she views the firings flap as a purely “legal” issue. “There’s nobody quarterbacking this,” said another frustrated administration official, who asked not to be identified for the same reasons. “The department is in a state of paralysis.”

eCAHNomics @
44

But Gonzales kept contradicting himself and “getting his timeline confused,” said one participant who asked not to be identified talking about a private meeting.

I admit to being completely confused by this. Why would it be so difficult to construct and memorize a timeline? I emptywheel around? She’s a master at it.

Because Gonzo has to claim that he was the manager who competently oversees everything in his department while sloughing off the responsibility of replacing top tier managers to a bunch of unqualified underlings who acted without his approval.

Tough story to keep straight methinks.

-GSD

EPUed – I agreee with those who believe this story of Gonzo floundering in preparation is a ruse. They are lowering the bar, leading the public to believe Gonzo will be awful, and he will give up juicy information and no plausible explanation for his behavior. Then, if he delivers testimony with no smoking gun, he is seen as “doing a good job”. It’s just like when they lowered the bar for GWBs debates.

Also from last thread: Waxman is in charge of the committee looking into the secret laptops & mail servers that Rove, Gonzo and likely others used. What Senate committee would have the same responsibility? Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was my best guess. I listed the members of that committee that I found on one online list, but I’m not sure if it was up-to-date.

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has several subcommittees. Taking a WAG, one of these three subcommittees might take the lead on this type of investigation:
1. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
2. Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security
3. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia

(I’m pleased to see that Levin is on all three of these subcommittees. He is one of the Senators who has expressed great concern about these separate email servers).

By the way, is anyone else amused by the slight of hand we’ve had regarding Rove’s use of email? At first, we were told he doesn’t use it. Then, we learn he does (after evidence is shown… though he’s been long called a crackberry addict), but not using official WH email systems. Makes you wonder how many other high-level Bush admin officials who we’re told don’t use email have actually been using this system. The people who come to mind are Gonzales, Rice, Cheney, Bush… likely others, too.

scarecrow @ 27

Ironyesc8psem @ 11

scarecrow @
5

Just saw the Isikoff/Newsweek story. Looks like Rove is throwing Alberto under the bus. I think this is more than lowering expectations. They don’t want him testify on the 17th as the AG — they want him to be history — so they can say they’re fixing the problem. Alberto will read this story and know what it means.

Can’t they still bring him in to testify if he resigns?

Yes, I assume so, but he wouldn’t be testifying as the Attorney General. His designated replacement would already have announced that they’re moving to “fix the problem,” this is old news.

What this tells me is that they don’t think Gonzales can protect Rove and the Pres while he remains AG, so they’re putting him in a boat and letting him drift. He was always expendable, as long as he doesn’t turn on them. That’s his only card left. Please use it, Alberto.

but what if his memory really is as lousy as he claims. It’s like he uses the flashy thing from Men in Black 3 times a day.

The folks at Federal Prison Camp Montgomery, on Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, might want to spiff up the “John N. Mitchell Suite.” If things are going this bad for Gonzales in the . . . ahem . . . trial run, just imagine how they’ll go at an actual trial.

Can you say “Fifth Amendment”? Sure you can, and so can the Attorney General. But the pile of evidence is growing, even without his testimony.

eCAHNomics @ 44

I admit to being completely confused by this. Why would it be so difficult to construct and memorize a timeline? I emptywheel around? She’s a master at it.

It shouldn’t be necessary to construct and memorize any timelines in the first place, if one was directly involved with events and intends to tell the truth about them. Gonzales’ problem is that he couldn’t keep track of his crib notes. He’s a cheat, pure and simple.

landofthefree @ 50

EPUed – I agreee with those who believe this story of Gonzo floundering in preparation is a ruse. They are lowering the bar, leading the public to believe Gonzo will be awful, and he will give up juicy information and no plausible explanation for his behavior. Then, if he delivers testimony with no smoking gun, he is seen as “doing a good job”. It’s just like when they lowered the bar for GWBs debates.

If Gonzales had ever shown a comprehension of anything that rose above utter ineptitude, you might have a point.

I had breakfast last week with a very accomplished Latina educator and we were lamenting the fact that Gonzales was the highest ranking Hispanic official thus far in the political scene.

What a disapointment!

cbl — I’m thinking the Isikoff story is a signal that the WH thinks they have a replacement — I don’t think they would push Gonzales out if they didn’t have someone lined up. Question is, do they really think they can push a political hack through the Senate, or have they concluded they have to accept someone who might actually clean house — in which case we should hear some rumblings soon from the worried political appointees. A huge chunk of the DoJ may be in play, if our speculation is correct — and it is speculation.

Which Sunday talk show interview would that be, exactly? Hmmmm…let’s go back to our Talking Head thread and see which Sunday show was missing a marquis booking. Why, that would be Meet the Press, wouldn’t it? Anyone get Russert on the record to confirm or deny that such a booking was, indeed, precipitously cancelled so that a panel of peers had to be stretched into an entire show? Because, that would be news…except for the fact that Russert considers everything off the record unless and until the official gives him permission otherwise.

I give TIMMAY six months, tops, and he’s going to be off MTP. the testimony that showed him to be a complete neocon shill during the Libby trial has rendered him completely ineffective, and partisan.

How can you be “the press” when you’re a PR guy for one side?

Even the Grinch wants Gonzo to begone:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joining a growing list of Republicans, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Sunday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should consider resigning. The possible presidential candidate said the botched firing of U.S. attorneys has destroyed Gonzales’ credibility as the nation’s top law enforcer.

”I think the country, in fact, would be much better served to have a new team at the Justice Department, across the board,” Gingrich said. ”I cannot imagine how he is going to be effective for the rest of this administration. … They’re going to be involved in endless hearings.”

(snip)

Once again I feel compelled to point out that Gonzo is t-o-a-s-t. His sole purpose is to be that bright shiny object we are distracted by so we won’t notice the sound of and smoke coming from the overworked shredding machines.

Gonzo is the last line of defense for this administration’s cesspool of corruption- when he goes all the pus starts oozing from the cracks unabated with DOJ cover no longer available.

By the way, I know we saw a picture of the shredding truck heading up to Darth’s place; did we ever get a picture of it leaving? Or did they just slap some siding on that bad boy and make it part of his house?

rxbusa @ 51

but what if his memory really is as lousy as he claims. It’s like he uses the flashy thing from Men in Black 3 times a day.

Hehehe! Love the visual.

It could be that if Gonzales really is that bad at remembering what happened (in a convenient manner so as to not incriminate himself or others… i.e. remembering what the fabricated cover story), then they will go for the “incompetent dweeb” defense. It seems like they’ve been flipping back & forth between “nothing illegal or improper happened” and “Gonzo wasn’t directly involved in making decisions, he’s just a rubber stamper”. The “nothing improper” is probably not going to fly if Gonzo can’t keep his story straight. So, “incompetent dweeb” might be the plan – and the admin might want him to testify so that the country can see him as a Brownie-heckuva-job type. He becomes the scapegoat, and they wash their hands of the problem.

My money is still on the notion that this story leak is a political ruse. He’ll remember the fabricated story.

jayt @
6

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

That’s not a “cold”! It’s a serious addiction to “fuckery”! And Waxman is going to share his stash with us!!

o/t

via Greg Sargent

the newspaper of record finally gets around to Republican hooey about Pelosi trip

my standing apologies if prev. posted

not to go all proofreader on ya, but it’s edward r. murrow, not morrow.

yes, i noticed the unseemly roundtable edition of mtp. seems to me russert ought to be doubly ticked at the admin, for being named in the libby trial as uniquely pliable, then left hanging when the ag cannot measure up to talking points. when will we start a fund to buy russert a pair of stones?
perhaps we could finance it with the “gonzo is dead” pool. friday 4:30 definitely sounds right on target.

OK Speedy- let’s go through this again- so what meeting did you NOT attend FIRST? What was the first decision that you were ignorant of?

scarecrow @ 56

cbl — I’m thinking the Isikoff story is a signal that the WH thinks they have a replacement — I don’t think they would push Gonzales out if they didn’t have someone lined up. Question is, do they really think they can push a political hack through the Senate, or have they concluded they have to accept someone who might actually clean house — in which case we should hear some rumblings soon from the worried political appointees. A huge chunk of the DoJ may be in play, if our speculation is correct — and it is speculation.

I have long thought any replacement’s a problem. Anyone who could pass the Senate would clean house & that the Ws cannot have. So what about letting the post stay empty, while putting hack after hack up to get smacked down by Senate? Or what other run-out-the-clock schemes are there?

I just noticed from this TPM article (talks about the LA Times story about the secret laptops & emails) that Rove’s Blackberry was issued by the RNC. Do we know if Gonzo had an RNC-issued Blackberry?

scarecrow @
20

Despite years of personal loyalty to Bush, Gonzales is not even getting the courtesy of a phone call, off the record. Instead, they make him read about his own “firing” in the press, and they let him know that those he was trusting to help him prep have betrayed him. Nice friends.

It’s time for Gonzales to turn on them. It’s the only way to restore his own sense of integrity — if he has one.

Had that surgically removed in 1994.

Poor Gonzo. To receive the dreaded “Does not lie well to others,” on his report card. That’s the kiss of death in this administration. Just ask Scotty.

What a difference a month makes. Talk about Time’s arrow and linearity. From Gonzo’s March 6, 2007 “editorial” in USA Today:

They lost my confidence

By Alberto R. Gonzales

As any employer or manager knows, the handling of personnel matters — especially the termination of employees — is one of the most challenging tasks in any business. Personnel matters in the federal government are no exception.

To be clear, it was for reasons related to policy, priorities and management — what have been referred to broadly as “performance-related” reasons — that seven U.S. attorneys were asked to resign last December.

The Justice Department, out of respect for these individuals, would have preferred not to talk publicly about those reasons, but disclosures in the press and requests for information from Congress altered those best-laid plans. Although our reasons for their dismissal were appropriate, our failure to provide those reasons to these individual U.S. attorneys at the time they were asked to resign has only served to fuel wild and inaccurate speculation about our motives. That is very unfortunate because faith and confidence in our justice system are more important than any one individual.

(snip)

Scarecrow @ 56: When is the next Senate recess? Bush could just wait until then to appoint a new AG.

In my opinion, the fact that Bush did NOT “accept” Gonzo’s resignation last week & recess appoint a new AG means the WH has confidence that he can spin his way out of this.

Recess appointments….hmmmmm….they’re out for this whole week…What happens if they dump Gonzo on Friday night with a recess replacement?

Dick Cheney Controls Tim Russert.

Or what other run-out-the-clock schemes are there?

bwaahaaahaa! they can’t reach in to the usual Bush 41 bag of surrogate tricks b/c they’ve blown them all off at this point !

LS – the Senate is not in recess this week. They were late last week and perhaps today. The Senate website indicates they resume business on the floor tomorrow morning.
http://www.senate.gov/

“Gonzales’s performance was so poor that top aides scrapped any live appearances.”

I can just imagine Gonzo’s eager face as he waited for his aides to tell him how he did following each practice session.

landofthefree @ 74

LS – the Senate is not in recess this week. They were late last week and perhaps today. The Senate website indicates they resume business on the floor tomorrow morning.
http://www.senate.gov/

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if it went through this whole week too.

And yes, this also applies to the entire duration so far of the Bush Administration:

“This is the most mishandled, artificial, self-created mess that I can remember in the years, in the years I’ve been active in public life,” Mr. Gingrich said on “Fox News Sunday.”

The president, of course, is always eager to get the advice and consent called for in the constitution- but sometime it’s just too darned HARD ta do.

“worst self inflicted mess”

Well of course there’s the BLOW JOB- but that wasn’t self inflicted-

rwcole @ 78

The president, of course, is always eager to get the advice and consent called for in the constitution- but sometime it’s just too darned HARD ta do.

The preznit is too buy bringing in his brush harvest to be involved in the details of his presidency.

Isikoff focused on the Clinton b J in a big way. His priorities are odd!

This is the question that keeps coming up in my mind. Could Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty’s investigation and upcoming A-pac/Rosen trial be effected by this AG scandal.

Why are Kristol and Frum so excited about this scandal and why do they want Gonzales gone. Do they want to take out McNulty?

Well, I remember at a fairly recent press conference Abu had that kind of stammer a person gets when they’re extremely nervous and the mouth is dry, and the tongue starts to stick to the roof of the mouth. Maybe Kyle Simpy can lend his sippy cup.

pluky @ 32

Since when do ‘top aides’ tell the boss what to do? Sounds more like ‘designated minders’ to me, sort of like the ‘assistants’ that used to escort Soviet athletes, dancers, and chess players while on tour.

Yeah, and his new designated minder is none other than Cheneyite Courtney Elwood. The same Courtney Elwood who never met an illegal NSA spying operation that she didn’t love.

Why is person who’s previous claim to fame was that she was the rationalixzer for NSA warentless spying suddenly in charge of THIS?

I’m confused

rwcole @ 79

“worst self inflicted mess”

Well of course there’s the BLOW JOB- but that wasn’t self inflicted-

Jeez, I hope not!

Isikoff focused on Bills B..J obsessively. Isikoff’s priorities are odd.

I keep wondering why the right wing radicals are so excited by this AG scandal? Do they think that Deputy Attorney General’s investigation/A-pac trial will somehow be effected by the AG scandal.

Why are Kristol and Frum so excited by this scandal?

Abu should respond only is Mexican- that’ll throw em for a loop.

conniptionfit @ 61

jayt @
6

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

That’s not a “cold”! It’s a serious addiction to “fuckery”! And Waxman is going to share his stash with us!!

Oh my – please tell me there’s no re-hab involved….

I am having a problem with my comments being posted

“Only IN Mexican”? You mean Spanish, don’tcha?

If Bush attempts to recess-appoint a lacky AG, I actually do expect the Dems cut off all DoJ funding.

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

the key word in the Gingrich quote

“artificial”

nice try and thanks for playing

Kathleen — I’m seeing all of your comments in the thread, as far as I can tell. What kind of problem?

looseheadprop @ 82

pluky @ 32

Since when do ‘top aides’ tell the boss what to do? Sounds more like ‘designated minders’ to me, sort of like the ‘assistants’ that used to escort Soviet athletes, dancers, and chess players while on tour.

Yeah, and his new designated minder is none other than Cheneyite Courtney Elwood. The same Courtney Elwood who never met an illegal NSA spying operation that she didn’t love.

Why is person who’s previous claim to fame was that she was the rationalixzer for NSA warentless spying suddenly in charge of THIS?

I’m confused

No, you’re not confused; you’re on to something. Namely, someone high up in the administration is highly nervous.

Ironyesc8psem @ 29

scarecrow @ 20

Despite years of personal loyalty to Bush, Gonzales is not even getting the courtesy of a phone call, off the record. Instead, they make him read about his own “firing” in the press, and they let him know that those he was trusting to help him prep have betrayed him. Nice friends.

It’s time for Gonzales to turn on them. It’s the only way to restore his own sense of integrity — if he has one.

Integrity? he’ll probably get some cushy job as CEO or on a BOD slot in some corporation

I wouldn’t be too sure. These people have ways of destroying anyone who crosses them, if at all possible.

At any rate, they’re going to do everything they can to blame him for everything once he’s fired/”resigned.”

I suppose he could write a book, but it would have to be nothing but lies so I’m not sure who would buy it – except maybe the 30% – however, all them big legal words might be just too confusing.

rwcole @
91

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

A Puppy Serrano artwork. Piss Bush.

-GSD

Alberto Gonzales’s own firing offenses go well beyond politically motivated sackings of U.S. attorneys. For more, see:
“The Top 10 Reasons Gonzales Must Go.”

For the latest news, hearings, legal filings and other essential documents on the Bush DOJ prosecutor firings, see:
“The U.S. Attorney Scandal Documents.”

jayt @ 85

conniptionfit @ 61

jayt @
6

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

That’s not a “cold”! It’s a serious addiction to “fuckery”! And Waxman is going to share his stash with us!!

Oh my – please tell me there’s no re-hab involved….

The only cure for “Fuckery” is laughter…

rw — I think it’s Spanish, as Mexican is a nationality and Spanish is the language and, if I’m not mistaken, several of the Senators on that committee are more than conversant in it.

rwcole @ 89

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

Smart dog! Put him up for AG confirmation!

conniption

As I recall- our president calls the language “mexican”.

Isikoff focused obsessively on Clinton’s B..J. His priorities are odd.

Why is Kristol so excited by this AG scandal?

Does he hope that the upcoming A*P*C/Rosen trial that Deputy Attorney General Paul Mcnulty is the prosecutor for will be negatively effected by this AG scandal?

[Mod Note; Please note formating change. Thank you.]

jayt @ 86

conniptionfit @ 61

jayt @
6

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

That’s not a “cold”! It’s a serious addiction to “fuckery”! And Waxman is going to share his stash with us!!

Oh my – please tell me there’s no re-hab involved….

Oh, please no. I am so enjoying my own addiction. Haven’t had this much fun since I was just out of grad school and not yet employed and my boyfriend and I painted the interior of my parents house and got to listen to every word of the Watergate hearings. It will require a major intervention to get me off this one.

rwcole @ 99

conniption

As I recall- our president calls the language “mexican”.

Well, then! It MUST be right!

looseheadprop @ 83

pluky @ 32

Since when do ‘top aides’ tell the boss what to do? Sounds more like ‘designated minders’ to me, sort of like the ‘assistants’ that used to escort Soviet athletes, dancers, and chess players while on tour.

Yeah, and his new designated minder is none other than Cheneyite Courtney Elwood. The same Courtney Elwood who never met an illegal NSA spying operation that she didn’t love.

Why is person who’s previous claim to fame was that she was the rationalixzer for NSA warentless spying suddenly in charge of THIS?

I’m confused

My guess: Alberto knows about all of the phony “this is legal” memos, and who reviewed them, that his DoJ created to cover their felonies. Note that Addington is there too. These are the behind the scenes consigliere, and they must be worried.

GSD @ 96

rwcole @
91

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

A Puppy Serrano artwork. Piss Bush.

-GSD

Why does rw have newspaper photos of Bush all over this floor?

jayt @ 6
The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.
————
conniptionfit @ 61
That’s not a “cold”! It’s a serious addiction to “fuckery”! And Waxman is going to share his stash with us!!
————
jayt @ 86
Oh my – please tell me there’s no re-hab involved….
————
rxbusa @ 100

Oh, please no. I am so enjoying my own addiction. Haven’t had this much fun since I was just out of grad school and not yet employed and my boyfriend and I painted the interior of my parents house and got to listen to every word of the Watergate hearings. It will require a major intervention to get me off this one.

Is that sorta like the saying about a drinking problem? “I don’t have a drinking problem! I get drunk. I fall down. No problem!”

[Mod Note; Please only nest 2 or 3 quotes at a maximum. Any more may break the margins. Thank You.]

crow

Savin em fer when the outhouse is finished.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 93

Kathleen — I’m seeing all of your comments in the thread, as far as I can tell. What kind of problem?

this one made it.

They were all similar and I followed instructions for words that send a statement to the moderator

The attorney general definitely regrets how this situation has been handled,” said Scolinos. “But he firmly believes that nothing improper was done.”

There it is again. Abu/Rove/Simpy/Monica didn’t do anything wrong. It was just *handled* badly. I hope that Leahy and Schumer prep, anticipating that probably lame defense.

1,481 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..

Citizen Kathleen and the Firepup Patriots:

“Why are Kristol and Frum so excited about this scandal and why do they want Gonzales gone?”

This is a great question and I think that the A*P*C-Rosen ditty is as close to the bone as Plamegate…it gets to treason and relationships which if they get exposed to the light of day could not only change the political balance in this country forever but might ta change the entire balance a power in the middle-east.

Great question Kathleen…now, anyone got an answer or juicy speculation?

KEEP THE FAITH AND STAY WELL OUT OF THE LINE OF FIRE…THERE’S A LOTTA ORDINANCE CLOSE TO THE HEAT!!!

scarecrow @ 103

GSD @ 96

rwcole @
91

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

A Puppy Serrano artwork. Piss Bush.

-GSD

Why does rw have newspaper photos of Bush all over this floor?

Maybe the puppy isn’t the only one pissing on the floor?

pretty much answers scarecrow @ 104

GSD @ 96

rwcole @
91

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

A Puppy Serrano artwork. Piss Bush.

-GSD

Why does rw have newspaper photos of Bush all over this floor?

the question pretty much answers itself, doesn’t it?

Badwater @ 75

“Gonzales’s performance was so poor that top aides scrapped any live appearances.”

I can just imagine Gonzo’s eager face as he waited for his aides to tell him how he did following each practice session.

while dabbing the face with an x-tra large handkerchief.

OT–Apologies, but couldn’t help this one (I actually watched him say this this morning on MSNBC):

Well, some of my best friends are…(you guessed it!)

NEW YORK (AP) — Calling himself a good person who said a bad thing, radio host Don Imus said Monday he would check his acid tongue after being lambasted for making racially charged comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.

(snip)

Imus said he was ”embarrassed” by the remarks, in which he referred to the mostly black team as ”nappy-headed hos.” He said he had made the comments in the course of ”trying to be funny,” but he was not trying to excuse them.

”I’m not a bad person. I’m a good person, but I said a bad thing. But these young women deserve to know it was not said with malice,” he said.

He pointed to his involvement with the Imus Ranch, a cattle farm for children with cancer and blood disorders in Ribera, N.M. Ten percent of the children who come to the ranch are black, he added.

”I’m not a white man who doesn’t know any African-Americans,” he said.

(snip)

Can someone email Russert and ask?

rwcole @ 91

My puppy just found a newspaper with a picture of the president and peed on it.

Junya don’t like it when his puppies mess up more than him, so I guess there ain’t gonna be any room for him in the White House Doghouse no more.

And as Jack Abramoff was fond of sayin’ about Junya’s critters: “How much is that doggie in the window?”

Tim had to get old 60 grit off the bench to fill in.

eCAHNomics @
31

Phoenix Woman @ 15

Okay, I’ve got Friday the 13th around 4:30 ET.

You can’t have it. I picked it in a poll on some site about a month ago.

It is kinda the obvious choice, isn’t it?

rwcole @ 107

crow

Savin em fer when the outhouse is finished.

Planning is important.

Georgesimian @ 114

Can someone email Russert and ask?

Oh, Timmy’s not accountable to us little people.

o/t

rwcole,
fyi – in case you missed it – looks like a bunch of dirty stinkin’ hippies are starting to crawl all over the Bajagua story and it’s “troubling” gooper involvment

Kathleen @ 85

Isikoff focused on Bills B..J obsessively. Isikoff’s priorities are odd.

I keep wondering why the right wing radicals are so excited by this AG scandal? Do they think that Deputy Attorney General’s investigation/A-pac trial will somehow be effected by the AG scandal.

Why are Kristol and Frum so excited by this scandal?

Don’t forget, McNulty was lied to by Monica Goodling during his prep, so his testimony as it currently stands is inaccurate. It could be that McNulty was set up to take the fall.

In which case, he is probably as cheezed off as Inglesisas and as inclined to tell some backstory.

All the god stuff is always in the back story.

That was the beauty of the Libby trial, it was out first real peek behind the curtain

mui @ 119

Georgesimian @ 114

Can someone email Russert and ask?

Oh, Timmy’s not accountable to us little people.

Never know until you ask. I mean, someone with some credentials asks.

cbl

what’s a bajagua?

My puppy is very anti Bush since the dog food scandal broke- she’s probably on a secret service watch list.

Ya know I just can’t get worked up about Ol’ Imus’ foot in mouth disease. Have you heard any of the shiteous crap that comes out of Glen Becks’ mouth? Harrassing Imus for his foolishness while ignoring Beck is like amputating for athletes foot while ignoring a severed jugular vein.

Georgesimian @ 124

Never know until you ask. I mean, someone with some credentials asks.

The right credentials = anyone Mary Matalin likes?

rwcole@125

Water treatment plant in Tijuana.

See link.

rwcole @ 126

My puppy is very anti Bush since the dog food scandal broke- she’s probably on a secret service watch list.

So when is your puppy going to write an angry letter to the FDA?

conniptionfit @ 124

Ya know I just can’t get worked up about Ol’ Imus’ foot in mouth disease. Have you heard any of the shiteous crap that comes out of Glen Becks’ mouth? Harrassing Imus for his foolishness while ignoring Beck is like amputating for athletes foot while ignoring a severed jugular vein.

CNN was even requesting viewer comments on Imus, I think it was Saturday night, while ignoring the rantings of Beck on their own channel.

Bilbray huh? Why that’s my congresscritter- could he be up to no good?

lhp 120,

“All the god stuff is always in the back story.”

Did you mean to say it that way, or is that a typo? LOL

From Ha’aretz:

Gideon Levy wonders why Israel now seems to be the party that is unwilling to negotiate.

Remember, for years and years, Saudi Arabia would have nothing, nothing to do with Israel. Now that it appears the Arab world is reaching out the Israelis are the ones unwilling to negotiate.

Levy says Israel doesn’t want peace.

Gideon Levy.

-GSD

JF @ 127

conniptionfit @ 124

Ya know I just can’t get worked up about Ol’ Imus’ foot in mouth disease. Have you heard any of the shiteous crap that comes out of Glen Becks’ mouth? Harrassing Imus for his foolishness while ignoring Beck is like amputating for athletes foot while ignoring a severed jugular vein.

CNN was even requesting viewer comments on Imus, I think it was Saturday night, while ignoring the rantings of Beck on their own channel.

Yeah, I think it’s just an attention diverter/innoculation.

LS @ 133

lhp 120,

“All the god stuff is always in the back story.”

Did you mean to say it that way, or is that a typo? LOL

it was a typo, it should have read “all the good stuff”

I tried to post a comment to Steve Gilliard but it disappeared into the ether.

Anyway, hang in there and get well soon – we need your voice!

My puppy’s teething- she wants a President Bush chew toy- but I can’t find one.

punaise @ 137

I tried to post a comment to Steve Gilliard but it disappeared into the ether.

Anyway, hang in there and get well soon – we need your voice!

Is Deborah Howell in charge of his blog while he’s out sick?

If AG is still the AG on the 17th and the hearing takes place, I plan to go to it. I’ll be in DC next week, so if there are enough seats for the public this might work.

I’m not going to attempt live blogging, (can’t type fast enough and probably can’t get a laptop in the hearing room) but will update you with anything interesting later in the day.

rwcole @ 138

My puppy’s teething- she wants a President Bush chew toy- but I can’t find one.

try here

Hmmmm…let’s go back to our Talking Head thread and see which Sunday show was missing a marquis booking.

“Marquee” = A projecting canopy over an entrance, especially one with a sign whose letters move from right to left

“Marquis” = A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke (i.e. Marquis de Sade)

Are the talk shows booking royalty now? ;)

rwcole: I don’t know about a Presidential chew toy, but one of my students found this in a store in Montreal and brought it back for me:
Dum Gum

How much prep does it take to tell the truth?

rxbusa @ 129

rwcole@125

Water treatment plant in Tijuana.

See link.

Yet another brewing scandal involving a no-bid contract? I sure hope Boxer and Feinstein aren’t involved at all in this.

twolf

Perfect- thanks.

sorry rw,

thought as a San Diegan you would be familiar -

it’s a big sewage boondoogle – Bajagua was awarded the contract after years of EPA and State Dept. opposition (State involved b/c of border issues)

Cheney met with them in Roswell NM and surprise! the project was awarded sole source to folks with no sewage/civil eng. background, they didn’t even have land on the Mexico side when the deal was inked

USA Carol Lam was formally requested to look in to Mr. Cheney’s involvment by an environmental group

Bilbray was a lobbyist for the group in btw terms in Congress
TPM Muck

go to SD Union Tribune and search ‘bajagua’ if you are interested

I’d love to join the pile on Timmy, but I think it might be misdirected in this case. The reporting I saw said that it was a 3/23 prep session that led to the pulling of all public appearances. Looking at the talking heads from that weekend it looks like ABC had the filler story (breast cancer piece when the others were all DoJ all the time – not that I think we should consider breast cancer stories ‘filler’).

looks like they spread it around. or maybe they thought they had to go somewhere besides Timmy to get credibility and then got cold feet?

cbl

Thanks- I usually read the LA Times- on account of the Union giving me indigestion.

OT from the last thread (which I was way too late for)

I think the next big thing for us (after the US Attorney firings) might be those email servers.

If the rquest to the RNC results in another series of document dumps, methinks we have to be set up and prepared to do overnight analyisi again.

I also took seriously what Congressman Nadler had to say about being in touch with the relevant staffers.

I know that Marcy has been doing some of this and I think Redd as well. We have devoted SOOO much more time to these issues can save those staffers from having to reinvent the wheel.

By doing so, we can help shape and guide these invesigations so that Congress is able touncover the very most information with the least amount of effort.

This involves, I believe, a little advance planning anthinking things through, but we have demonstrated to ourselves and the world, that we are an incredibly effective rapid repsonse team.

I think we could build on that credibilty to become a proactive guide and strategy team for Congress as they undertake these investigations.

If we want them to take us seriously, we have to take ourselves and the work we are contemplating just as seriously. We have done it before, we can do it again and each time to even greater effect.

Just a thought

cal @ 142

Hmmmm…let’s go back to our Talking Head thread and see which Sunday show was missing a marquis booking.

“Marquee” = A projecting canopy over an entrance, especially one with a sign whose letters move from right to left

“Marquis” = A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke (i.e. Marquis de Sade)

Are the talk shows booking royalty now? ;)

Of course. Members of King George’s court.

Fresh thready goodness, up and ready for the reading for everyone.

Christy’s unmentionables up top:

link

PLovering @ 144

How much prep does it take to tell the truth?

Speaking as a lawyer who has prepped many a witness for deposition and trial, it take approximatley double the amount of thime to prep to testify as it takes to testify.

And that is not counting the time the witness spends on document review

Sharon RB

can’t see Boxer or Feinstein’s hand in my reading so far- just the usual Southern Cal suspects -
Bilbray, Issa, Hunter, Lewis, and (surprise, surprise!) the one Dem who signed Issa’s Burn Book on Lam: Bob Filner

I’m having a hard time seeing this leak as “lowering the bar”. Fredo has some pretty strong statements out there that he needs to backpedal away from. By all accounts, he’s not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, and even the slipperiest weasel would have trouble getting out of the spot he’s in. I think the Decider really wants to keep him as AG, but the people in charge realize that he’s got to go, and they’re planting leaks like this so they can go back to W and argue their case. He’s going the way of Rumsfeld, I think, who Bush also didn’t want to fire.

Christy,

I don’t think what you heard was “howling.”

I think what you heard was the sound of Edward R. Murrow’s ghost throwing up.

And up, and up, and…

Veritas78 @ 90

If Bush attempts to recess-appoint a lacky AG, I actually do expect the Dems cut off all DoJ funding.

They can’t cut the funding for FY 2007 as they’ve already passed a continuing resolution that funds the government for the rest of this fiscal year.

They can withhold funding from the DOJ by not passing their appropriation bill for FY 2008, but that wouldn’t take effect until October 1, 2007.

looseheadprop @ 148

OT from the last thread (which I was way too late for)

I think the next big thing for us (after the US Attorney firings) might be those email servers.

If the rquest to the RNC results in another series of document dumps, methinks we have to be set up and prepared to do overnight analyisi again.

I also took seriously what Congressman Nadler had to say about being in touch with the relevant staffers.

I know that Marcy has been doing some of this and I think Redd as well. We have devoted SOOO much more time to these issues can save those staffers from having to reinvent the wheel.

By doing so, we can help shape and guide these invesigations so that Congress is able touncover the very most information with the least amount of effort.

This involves, I believe, a little advance planning anthinking things through, but we have demonstrated to ourselves and the world, that we are an incredibly effective rapid repsonse team.

I think we could build on that credibilty to become a proactive guide and strategy team for Congress as they undertake these investigations.

If we want them to take us seriously, we have to take ourselves and the work we are contemplating just as seriously. We have done it before, we can do it again and each time to even greater effect.

Just a thought

EPU’d, but I’ll second your thoughts anyway. Bring on the “dumpster divers for democracy!”

Hmmmm…let’s go back to our Talking Head thread and see which Sunday show was missing a marquis booking.

A “marquis” booking? I think you mean “marquee“.

Good post otherwise, though…

That would be Lawrence Spivak’s ghost howling in disgust rather than Edward R Murrow. Mr. Spivak ran MTP like a real news-interview program with himself as moderator and four journalists grilling the guests with questions for the full hour. If it’s Sunday Old Lawrence is spinning in his grave.

Jason at 160 — I did — major homonym error there. Thanks for catching it. Corrected above. (Hate it when I do that!)

cbl @ 155

Sharon RB

can’t see Boxer or Feinstein’s hand in my reading so far- just the usual Southern Cal suspects -
Bilbray, Issa, Hunter, Lewis, and (surprise, surprise!) the one Dem who signed Issa’s Burn Book on Lam: Bob Filner

I just saw that one reference to the fact that both CA senators supported this. Kind of took me aback a bit.

jayt @ 6

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

These days you can pass a cold @FDL. Thanks

If Gonzales can’t meet the expectations of his handlers to appear on “control the message” MTP yhey must really be crapping their pants in antipication of April 17. It has me scratching my ass trying to figure why he has to be “prepped” to tell the truth. I think they (the whole of appointed and even some career employees in the administration) are such pathological liars they have forgotten what the truth really is. Are the taxpayers paying for this? It’s like paying for a private lawyer. Is this part of Gillespies job and what is he being paid? They paid for attorneys in New Hampshire and they may be paying here. If it helps drain the coffers so be it.

I have to say, with the exception of Valerie Plame’s testimony, it is better to read your blogs of the hearings than to watch it on T.V. And that is just because Valerie’s facial expressions and vocal inflections added punch to her remarks.
My favorite parts of your blogs are the aside comments by Jane, etc.
I already know which “flu bug” I will be catching on April 17th … it’s called Baseball Fever ;-). Any better suggestions?

jayt @ 6

The “cold” I just know I’m gonna have on the 17th is coming along quite nicely.

I phrase it as “I will have been not feeling well.”

Biodun @ 25

Morning Christy:

EPU’d from last thread but on topic here:

Biodun @ 91

My prediction is that Gonzo flunks on April 17. He’s already perjured himself before Congress. Even if he were to reincarnate himself as Clarence Darrow, he couldn’t get himself out of this one.

So is there any chance AG will throw anyone under the bus? Do some straight talking? Rove would look great with some tire tracks on his body.

I thought this community was loving and helpful … sniff, sniff … let’s help Abu with some suggestions for his hearing.
My dear amigo, Abu, just repeat after every query, “I did it to save the children!”

scarecrow @ 56

cbl — I’m thinking the Isikoff story is a signal that the WH thinks they have a replacement — I don’t think they would push Gonzales out if they didn’t have someone lined up. Question is, do they really think they can push a political hack through the Senate, or have they concluded they have to accept someone who might actually clean house — in which case we should hear some rumblings soon from the worried political appointees. A huge chunk of the DoJ may be in play, if our speculation is correct — and it is speculation.

So who will it be?

Does Gingrich’s demonstration that he has mastered Spanish make him a contender?

Is there a way the Senate can simply never go into a “real” recess–just allow members to be absent for a specified period of time?

Seems the only way to control MonkeyBoy.

kathleen @
171

Does Gingrich’s demonstration that he has mastered Spanish make him a contender?

No, it gives him a veil to hide his racist ideals.

But Press the Meat was Awesome! Matthews highlighted MtheP’s roll in the questionable treason charge about Alger Hiss. 60 Years later Matthews keeps up the tradition by giving NR’s (Bill Kristols on the Other network) Katie O plenty of air time to spread complete lies.

landofthefree @ 70

Scarecrow @ 56: When is the next Senate recess? Bush could just wait until then to appoint a new AG.

In my opinion, the fact that Bush did NOT “accept” Gonzo’s resignation last week & recess appoint a new AG means the WH has confidence that he can spin his way out of this.

Someone suggested a while back that the Democrats should eliminate recesses. Can that be done?

if there’s no wrongdoing here, why does Gonzo need so much prep work to just tell the truth about the events? ought to be pretty simple.

it couldn’t possibly be that they’re trying to concoct some story to explain all his contradictory explanations now, could it?

naaah.

The Bush Administration has outsmarted itself again.

Sure, it was a good idea to lower expectations before Gonzales’s testimony.

But they tripped themselves up in the details. A guy telling the truth shouldn’t have problems with his “timeline” or contradicting himself. Clearly, Gonzales is making up a story, and he’s practicing his lines.

This is going to blow up in their faces like their cover story on David Iglesias’ firing. When they blamed his firing on “absentee” leadership, they ran head-on into the fact that he was absent because he was serving his National Guard duty. It’s against the law to fire someone for doing their military service.

Why all the fuss? Fredo just has to follow the simple Reagan method of answering questions…”I can’t remember” “I just do not recall” “I do not recollect” and “I would have to go back to my notes and give you the answer later” “I do not remember that” and “I have no memory of that”….it works every time.

And then this little gem today;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..id=topnews