Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will be testifying before the House Judiciary Committee this morning, beginning at 9:30 am ET. The committee website will be streaming the testimony I am told, and C-Span3 will also be broadcasting the hearing according to their website.
I'll be liveblogging it as well, and I'm sure there will be ample opportunity to talk about the myriad of "I don't recall" answers that we'll be hearing from the ever-informed, ever-in-command-of-all-the-facts AG. (Yes, I'm expecting nothing less than the same bravura performance that we saw before the Senate Judiciary Committee because, frankly, the AG hasn't done anything to pull himself out of the ditch into which he drove several weeks ago as far as I'm concerned.)
I do hope that the members of the House Judiciary Committee are more prepared with questions this morning because, frankly, they left James Comey hanging in a lot of ways during the hearing last Friday. A good witness answers only the questions asked, doesn't rise to the bait for anger (as Rep. Cannon of UT was trying to repeatedly do, and given Comey's reputation for verbally eviscerating people who are idiots I would say Cannon was good bait for that, but he failed.), and especially doesn't offer extraneous information because that then adds a taint of agenda.
For a Congressional witness to be effective in a hearing, what is required is substantial preparation from the members of the committee and, frankly, I was disappointed in a number of them on Friday. Here's hoping for much better, concise, insightful and targeted questioning today — because the AG owes the American public some honest, thorough answers as to why he was too weak to protect the justice department from a political takeover.
There have been so many bits and pieces that have trickled out about this mess over the last few weeks, but this particular bit of information that was dropped into an interview with the Seattle Times just ticks me off. I don't care how you dress it up, this is just wrong:
McKay said he began to have concerns about politics entering the Justice Department in early 2005, when Gonzales addressed all of the country's U.S. attorneys in Scottsdale, Ariz., shortly after he took over as attorney general.
"His first speech to us was a 'you work for the White House' speech," McKay recalled. " 'I work for the White House, you work for the White House.' "
McKay said he thought at the time, "He couldn't have meant that speech," given the traditional independence of U.S. Attorneys. "It turns out he did."
He looked around the meeting room and caught the eyes of his colleagues, who gave him looks of surprise at Gonzales' remarks. "We were stunned at what he was saying."
We have been hearing bits and pieces of the politicization of the DoJ for a while now. It has been fairly clear for quite a while that Alberto Gonzales has never been anything other than George Bush's personal lawyer — both in his own mind and in the minds of the folks at the White House who sent him forth to do their bidding whenever it was convenient for them.
But this is the first time that I am hearing about this very public speech of the AG to all of the USAs — all of whom would have heard this and should have raised some questions with the appropriate folks about this sort of "you work for the White House's political needs" mentality. Whether they did or not, though, is a mystery — because this is the first that I have ever heard of this from anyone who would have been at that meeting.
Which immediately makes me curious, so I'm going to do a little digging.
When Murray Waas scooped his National Journal article on the delegation of authority letter to Sampson and Goodling, I was appalled, but not exactly shocked. TPM has the letter up now, and Marty Lederman has an excellent dissection of it up at Balkinization that is well worth a read. From Marty:
So why the change? Obviously, it's because the Bush White House had concluded that as long as the DAG and Associate were in the loop, as a practical matter the White House did not have sufficient control over employment decisions.
And why would that be? Because in the ordinary course of things, the prosecutors and other professionals in the DAG and Associate's offices served as an internal check to make sure that persons hired are not simply partisan hacks — that they satisfy certain minimum professional qualifications and would be among the best available persons for the jobs. In other words, for more than a quarter-century, the process roughly ensured that potential hires would be fully vetted through a comprehensive process, and that eventual employees would satisfy two constituencies — the political/policy folks, and the professionals.
What the WH political shop could not afford was principled, ethical people who thought doing their job properly was why they were hired mucking up the plans for using the DoJ to their own ends. That pesky rule of law and decency business just gets in the way, doesn't it?
I expect we'll be hearing a number of questions on this today, along with many, many others that need to be not only asked but answered. The only way to cleanse this taint is to spread everything out in the sunshine. But I'm afraid the most we'll get today is going to be a nasty pile of turdblossom taking cover behind the AG.
Here is one thing that I do know: if there are other former (or even current) DoJ employees who are sitting on revelations about this and who have not come forward with them regarding direct involvement of anyone in Rove's WH political shop with this mess, every day they sit on their hands and don't talk to Congress is yet another day that Rove and his fetid minions get to keep their nasty paws on the DoJ. It is time to step forward — for the sake of your nation, for the public good, and for the rule of law. True patriots ought to put country before party.
(Please don't put your doggie in a party dress. Just wrong. Photo via Coffee Monster.)
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Zed?
Deuce!
OT ~ Support the Troops…maybe not all of them! Marine: Leader shot unarmed Iraqis
“Just Wrong“
This one baby seal I don’t mind seeing clubbed.
At what point does Congress realize that the only way to take down bullies like Bush and Rove is with strength? Gonzo’s defiance should be met with impeachment.
Christy: Good morning. You yesterday raised the issue of politicization of the AG’s office and I would like address that issue. You have written during the Libby trial about the immense discretion a prosecutor has. Surely that is true. Given that discretion, it is not unusual for a White House to ask prosecutors of their party to address the political goals of their administration. By “political”, I do not mean partisan political. I mean that in Democrat Administrations it will be a natural tendency to attack crimes of big business with more vigor. In Republican Administrations, it is more likely to focus on terror related offenses, or possibly immigration and border offenses. None of this is wrong. It is simply that given the vast quantity of wrong doing that exists, there will be differences in the priorities in which Administrations address issue. I fail to see why that is wrong.
IMHO, Conyers should shut the hearing down after Abu Gonzo utters the phrase “I don’t recall” 5 times.
He should then hold a very public press conference excoriating the AG for his ineptness.
Fight fire with fire, never capitulate.
Good Morning Christy and Firedogs,
EPU’d – Blank Kludge found this ‘related’ story
Speaking of ‘testimony’. Today’s Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/nat….._congress/
(By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff)
worth reading both pages – apparently some mid level brass – informed a witness from the gallery that he/she couldn’t testify and then held their breath til they turned blue and stormed out melodramatically -
Code Drab ?
Twisted Martini @ 5
It is unlikely that Gonzales will resign or be impeached. See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05…..ref=slogin
‘Morning, Christy, FirePups!
Glad to see TRex made it safely to King Kobe’s abode, too, fell asleep last night before Late Night and missed the news.
In re: the delegation of authority — I’ve read and re-read this document and the memo attached, and there’s something just not right about it, putting aside the absurdity of handing over all hiring authority to Karl’s Mini-Me.
I can’t put my finger on it yet; Lederman covers a lot of the turf, but doesn’t assuage my nagging sense there is something more in that document we are missing.
Also, just FYI folks, Robert Greenwald will be testifying about war profiteering this morning as well. It’s going to be a busy day on the Hill.
Unlike his last visit, I’m not as excited about this trip. No way he says anything meaningful (or truthful for that matter) and the more he lies about his memory, the more pissed I’ll be.
Of course, I’d love to be proven wrong!
christy, you are a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, the lake is an important source for everyone who posts but everyone on the hill as well
I am SURE there are members of congress that would be more then happy to use you as a non official adviser
while some of us here at the lake couldn’t get a direct ear, you surely can and I hope in situations like this hearing you are able to give input to specific members of the legislature, I know you would add to your advice those items you see in comments that are particularly important for members of congress to read
I am hoping you are in dialogue with someone at the hill before this hearing
now for another point
the term “politicization of…”
that term doesn’t give us the proper impact
more effective would be;
“the perversion of…”
if a little too strong then;
“the abuse of…”
“personal use and abuse of…”
etc, we have to make it a dirty word, “politicization” isn’t neccessarily a dirty word and we have to make explaining the abuse as perjorative as possible
I’ll bet Ghouliani has a unit like that in his closet, although it probably looks better on the pooch:)
oddball says
May 10th, 2007 at 5:17 am
IMHO, Conyers should shut the hearing down after Abu Gonzo utters the phrase “I don’t recall” 5 times.
I’d settle for any questioner who gets an “I don’t recall” to just break out in a big belly-laugh.
The ’sitting on their hands’ thing that Christy mentioned is what has been bothering me all along. There should be a tidal wave coming along of Justice Department employees, former and current, who will shed enough light on this fubar to scorch the guilty (the whitehouse) for the better of all.
Gonzales did not provide Congress with the Goodling/Sampson delegation order, either in response to requests for documents, or in his testimony.
By itself, that should be uncontrovertible proof of obstruction of Congress’ investigation.
I would love for the House committee to vote at the start of today’s hearing, while Gonzo is in the room, that impeachment proceedings to remove him as AG begin immediately if the committee is unsatisfied with his testimony.
The only point of this new Gonzo meeting will be some more public humiliation for him. He’s already hinting that he’s going to say “I don’t know” a hundred more times in his opening statement. Whenever Gonzo starts a sentence with the phrase, “As I recall…” you can safely translate that as “My best lie is…”
There is no reason for Congress to have to rely on his memory anyway. He should have a calender of meetings, emails and minutes of meetings at the very least, which should tell exactly what happened and when. But he’s been stonewalling on those papers, and saying he doesn’t remember anything. Congress needs to get the papers it has subpeonaed. Gonzo’s behavior in this is so clearly in violation of law and all he does is challenge Congress to do something about it. They need to do something!
LibertyLee, that is precisely what I am talking about.
albert fall @ 15
They should begin anyway, because, as you say, he’s witholding evidence and obstucting justice. Whatever he says, he needs to give up those papers!
Twisted Martini @ 19
If even Schumer thinks it’s a waste of time, I don’t think 2/3 of the Senate will convict.
Twisted Martini @ 17
Is LibertyLee hanging around here again?
Poor guy.
Georgesimian at 18 — In my experience the “as I recall” phrase is a dodge which means “you have no proof of this that I know of, because I don’t know of any documentation on this particular point, so I’m not going to answer…unless and until you find something akin to proof on this point, in which case I’ll find another dodge.” I think that pretty much covers where we are with the AG at this point.
And perris, I’m not in touch with anyone on the committee this morning. We’re all lucky that I’m up and sentient today, to be honest, after a week of dealing with a Peanut with strep. *g*
Rayne @ 10
Rayne,
Marcy wrote a bit about this yesterday speculating there should be additional documents. Perhaps that’s what you are thinking is missing?
Am rarely around (up and awake) at this time of day. But just couldn’t walk past the computer without stopping at the Lake for the good stuff.
And good stuff it is, as usual, Redd! Thanks for this, especially your very last (non-italicized) sentence. I love that most basic principle.
One thing which strikes me as oddly worded, though, is this:
You don’t really think it was a matter of him being too weak, do you? That is tongue-in-cheek, right? IMO Gonzo never ever WANTED to protect the DOJ from a political takeover, but rather that was always his goal. Because it was his master’s (Dear Leader’s) goal.
Good morning, all.
Who formulates the questions in these hearings? And how much cooperation between committees(sharing of closed door testimony) is done?
It seems seems a complex case like this scandal needs to be approached with surgical precision, and that takes planning and coordination.
Some questioning seems professional like Sen Whitehouse’s, others not so much.
hwmnbn @ 25
Whitehouse is a former USA from RI. It would seem that he has a vested interest in cleaning up the DOJ. Good thing, huh?
Christy Hardin Smith @ 21
hoping Peanut’s in good spirits and you have enough coffee.
a little selfish but I’m sort of glad when you can’t sleep so I can read you before work
Mrs. K8 at 24 — I meant it exactly as worded. The AG has a fiduciary obligation to the American public, a responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and an ethical obligation to his employees at the DoJ above and beyond whatever perceived marching orders loyalty that he got from the White House. And shame on him for not upholding his duty — that is not honorable and he needs to be called on it. Just because he doesn’t see a duty toward all of this does not mean that it is not there, and I’ll be damned if I am letting them define what the moral and legal obligations on this are.
Another reason to say ‘Fuck the Fuckin’ Yankees!’
Looks like Drooliani was so in bed with them that he used to spoon with Steinbrenner. (h/t Digby)
why are we hearing about this speech for the first time NOW?
oh, wait. never mind.
gonzo is gonna do his gonzo deal. the ball’s in the dems’ court.
perris –
Regarding your thoughts at #13, I agree that the word “politicization” is too weak, in that it doesn’t get across to people who don’t think about how the DOJ should work, just what is so corrupt about that.
I like the words “subversion” and “corruption” — They subverted justice. They corrupted the Department.
For the particularly dense or uninformed, I like to say “Well, just think what things would be like if the SHERIFF were in your hip pocket.”
Twisted Martini @ 29
well, duh. where have YOU been?
waving to Mrs. K8 !
what is the pupster wearing today ?
Mrs. K8 @ 31
I have not heard EVIDENCE that there was any subversion or corruption. I’ve heard that the White House wanted their own people. I would hope I could talk to either the Sheriff or AG if I had a problem.
Sorry DMG, I’m a Met fan now living in the midwest.
Doesn’t it seem like pieces are really coming together? First, we’ve got the basic hypothesis that there were direct efforts to corrupt & politicize DoJ so that it could function as an arm of Karl’s Shop.
Then, one can believe that “straight arrows” like Comey, Iglesias, et al, were unwelcome at DoJ and pushed out, either directly, or because they were marginalized, or by virtue of their own disgust. On the other hand, “loyal Bushies” are those who would either help Karl & his shop or would look the other way why Karl’s minions did their dirty work.
OK. So here’s another timeline (mostly from Wiki):
–Ashcroft departed 2/05
–Comey announced his departure 4/05, left 8/05
–Abu started 2/3/05
–Comey’s 15-minute chat w Sampson about prosecutors who were considered weak managers on 2/28/05 (AP re Comey’s 5/3 testimony) … just a coincidence this happened 3 weeks after Abu & Karl took over?
Hard as it may be to believe, was Ashcroft, relatively speaking, a “straight arrow”? Too much of one for Karl to have the freedom to do his deeds? IIRC, I was a little surprised that Ashcroft stepped down when he did — he seemed like quite the Patriot, yet it appeared he’d been pushed out. But maybe he had enough respect for the rule of law that he was interfering with Karl?
Then, WH Counsel Abu relocates to Main Justice, even though, for practical purposes, he keeps his original job. Comey catches on pretty quick and bails? Or is pushed out?
On KO a week or so ago, reacting to the news about Abu delegating hiring/firing to Sampson & Goodling, Turley wondered what it is that Abu does all day.
Maybe we know the answer: Nothing. Just as Karl tells him.
I really want someone to ask Comey — under oath, so he can speak freely — why he left, and what the difference was in DoJ between Ashcroft & Abu.
Mrs. K8 @ 30
WOW Kate, good words, VERY on point, definitely better then “politicization”
well done..I was trying to come up with the impact you did and I couldn’t find the right express ions, you did it
Our dachshund is currently laying on the floor, with her belly fully in a rather large sunspot, looking as content as an old dog can with a warm belly. Very cute.
Twisted Martini @ 32
“Stel Og Stem”……”steL oG steM”
G’morning all.
Am I mistaken that Abu has been called back by Leahy & Co sometime soon?
Christy, glad to hear that Peanut is getting better. Some people were talking yesterday about chronic health issues and removing parts of the ear, tonsils, etc. Dr. David Simon at Chopra Center & Dr. Andrew Weil are extremely knowledgeable at treating chronic problems in a holistic way, without surgery.
I have seen all sorts of chronic conditions treated quite successfully with alternate medicines; the key is finding a knowledgeable source.
Oh, and can Abu be found in contempt for his endless “I can’t recall?” replies?
RevDeb 21 — Marcy’s right, there’s more documentation; how did they think they were going to fob off the Judiciary Committees with nothing but emails and documents directly cited in the emails as the entirety of the document dump?
Besides the bizarreness of the text in the delegation and memo — they don’t seem natural at all, extremely stilted and awkward — there’s the timeline that bothers me.
The delegation was signed 01-MAR-06; the Patriot Act reauthorization was signed by Bush on 09-MAR-06, following House vote on 02-MAR-06. The memo justifying the delegation was dated 24-FEB-06.
And Graves got his call from DOJ in January 2006.
Something about this sure looks like conspiracy revolving around Graves.
Keep in mind, too, that Todd Graves’ brother Sam was a recipient of DeLay ARMPAC money, to the tune of 35K during his tenure as House Rep for MO. Why were they dissing Sam’s brother??
good morning, all… the coffee is ready…
chiuauaha in a pink dress! too funny!
Christy -
I respect your point about the AG fiduciary responsibilities…
Keep in mind Sampson helped prep Gonzo for confirmation.
I think the fix was in.
And puts impeachment of Gonzo in order. (Along with a conspiracy w/43 to kibosh the DoJ/OPR investigation into NSA authourizations, which apparently continue unchecked.) Plus, uncountable other items.
ymmv
Oh Christy, I so absolutely AGREE!!! I certainly hope you don’t think I believe anything else but that he sold out his duty, and that you despise that with your whole heart.
I guess I was misreading the term “too weak” — because I thought the word implied that he knew his duty and on some tiny level WANTED to carry out his duty, but was too weak to do so. And I do not believe that. I think he knew what his duty was, but had zero interest in carrying it out. From the get-go. (That’s how I see it, anyway.) He is absolutely a traitor to all we hold dear.
I apologize if I gave you the impression that I believed you meant anything less than what you powerfully reiterate in #28 — Because I never thought that at all.
And thanks for your restatement of what is at stake!
Rayne, I recall that you are from Michigan, I wonder if you know someone who knows Margaret Chiara? Maybe you could arrange an introduction for Marcy? That is the strangest of all the firings to me, a reasonably competent person fired in circumstances that were personally miserable for her. Maybe she would talk to someone smart….
Here’s hoping that when Abu starts into his “I doan know” “I doan remember” “I can’t recall” dance that someone asks him what he has done for the last X days since the Senate hearing as he has been directed by the Senate to re-discover his memories of those days by providing explicit answers to those questions he couldn’t recall before.
Mornin’ pups! {{{{{{{{{{Christy and Peanut}}}}}}}}}} Not feeling well is a drag whether it’s Momma or child.
Petrocelli at 39 — This isn’t some chronic issue for her — one of the kids in her preschool class had strep, his parents brought him to school sick, and half the kids in the class caught this. It’s one of those things that happens when you are little and around other little kids, I think. Her pediatrician is not worried and she’s bounced back quickly, so her immune system is doing its job. She’s generally a pretty healthy kid — this year has just been a particularly bad one in terms of exposure to new stuff because she has a number of new kids in her preschool class this year. Better to get this all out of the way now than wait for kindergarten, though. SIGH
One of the General’s troops speaks from his innerfrenchman on how the DoJ scandal has affected his family (Regarding the slaying of Tom Wales and firing of McKay.)
Here’s hoping the committee has some good questions to ask Abu.
Good morning from L.A. So glad you are live blogging the House Jud. hearing, CHS. I’m also glad your daughter is feeling better.
OT-Howie Klein lives in the Los Feliz evac zone near the Griffith Park fire- here is link to his live blogging of the whole experience. It reads like a combo of amusing observations & Howie, get the hell out of there:
Howie Klein Blog
masaccio 42 — Marcy and I have talked a few times about Chiara. Neither of us know Chiara or anyone close to her, that I’m aware of, but we do have some lines of inquiry to follow. Fellow FDL commenter Shez is also in the hunt with us on this. ;-)
Marie at 50 — Thanks goodness Howie is okay — and he did finally figure out how to turn off his sprinklers. Poor guy!
Two questions for AGAG:
1) You have said that the USA’s were not fired for “inproper” reasons. What do you consider “inproper?”
2) For whom do you primarily work, the American people, or the President?
Just heard Snowjob tell Scarborough that Congress is less popular than the Prez. After he left, Mornin’ Joe’s sidekick said he’d looked it up and Snowjob was wrong….
Are we surprised? Well, yes. Maybe sometime the MSM will call “Bald-faced LIE” to the liar’s face. But still in the same daypart even tho’ he’s gone. It’s a start.
sorry to go OT on such an exciting morning, but Aravosis had a post up that just gives me chills:
If one of your Reps is one of the Blue Dogs, might be good to give them a call.
dakine01 @ 43
You know what would be a hoot? If the gallery counted out loud every “I don’t recall”.
One.
Two.
Three…
Wonder how long before they would be escorted out? Would House members laugh?
OT – Timmeh up on MSNBC, talking about Bush losing GOP support…
Prairie at 54 — It’s hard to make yourself start doing your job. But at least someone had the foresight to look up a fact that was so stunningly and demonstrably false and then say so. (And how sad is it that this is even remarkable? That we have sunk to the point of “Oh, yay — they fact-checked!” SIGH)
Comments above re Ashcroft are interesting. One has to wonder where the tipping point will be with Rove when what was once the the backbone of the Republican Party will finally turn on Wormtongue Rove and tear him to pieces.
Politically, Ashcroft was an anathema to me–but to give the guy credit, he did seem to be entirely consistent and transparent. He was what he was, and one of those things was a very serious evangelical Christian. And from that perspective there are lines one does not cross. Comey seems to come from the same stock. You can disagree with someone like that, you can hate what they believe in, but you have to respect their right to their own perspective, as long as it is consistent.
So–is McKay’s interview in the Seattle Times the first shot over the bow? I mean, the guy is in no way, shape or form a liberal–or even a moderate. Will their be a rebellion from within the Republican Party? Similar to what has happened with the Dems with the netroots–when the ordinairy people begin to speak up and say we want our party to reflect us and our values, not your corrupt cronyistic corporate interests. We had James Carville — they have Rove.
Not that I care all that much about Republican values, but it would be good for our country if good Republicans cleaned up the mess that has been made of their own party by the Bush-Cheney Junta.
Thinking also in terms of those 8 Republican Senators who read the Princeling the riot act yesterday re Iraq.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 47
That brings back a lot of memories with my kids, especially my youngest, who insisted on hugging everyone she met. *g*
Oye, the sleepless nights … luckily I had meditation. *g*
ITMFA !!!!
and have a DRAFT of the Articles sitting right there on the witness table
we know he isn’t going to say anything and the committee members know he isn’t going to say anything so get on with it already !
and who presides ? Roberts, Darth, or this Gentleman ?
be still my hippie heart
cbl @ 32
waving back, blowing kisses
Lessee, what’s the pupster wearing? More to the point is what she is SHEDDING, the rascal. She is shedding her undercoat as we speak. Even while lying down and lightly snoozing.
Every spring and every fall she sheds, she fairly MOLTS — under her dark outer coat is the white undercoat which gets let loose and there is white fuzz everywhere in the house.
The fuzz even flies through the air when, like now, the evaporative cooler is blowing (yesterday was in the high 90’s — we’ll be in the low triple digits for temps by the end of the weak).
If we don’t dust every day (and we don’t!!!) there accrue dust bunnies composed of pupster hair. Doesn’t matter if we brush her every single damned day with one of those wire thingies (and we DO!!!) — it seems like pounds and pounds of the fuzz still shed, on and on until summer — she even looks a good bit thinner when it’s done.
Years ago there was a strange book I saw in the store — how to spin your very own knitting yarn from your dog’s shedding hair.
I wish I had that book! Wouldn’t it be a hoot to wear a sweater, the smell of which would confuse the hell out of your own Pupster???
Rayne @ 56
How about holding up cards with an “R” kinda like the “K” cards used when strikeout pitchers are throwing?
Christy Hardin Smith @ 44
My son says that about his girls and preschool. He doesn’t know how much they’re learning there but they sure are getting immunized to everything. Him and J’net, too, he says.
Christy, a big thank you for live-blogging this. Yesterday I read several newspapers and a selsction of news mags (waitng for Mr HorFlash at the dentist). There is no news there, just some reporter ‘analysis’ and a couple of quotes. No background, no expert analysis, no context, *no transcripts*. Jeesh! I am so spoiled by the real news you guys give us. Thank you a thousand times for Firedoglake.
I have to be away from computer today, but I know you guys won’t let me miss any good stuff. will check back when I can. I love albert fall’s idea at 15, it would be lovely to have impeachment for lunch.
cbl @ 8
The link appears to be bad. I get “page not found.”
jayt @ 15
How ’bout a little bell, like on a deli counter, for each questioner?
“I don’t recall.”
DING!
“Congressman, I just don’t recall.”
DING!
“Congressman, I’ve wracked my brain (cell), and honestly don’t recall.”
DING! DING! DING!
Impeaching Gonzo would be like impeaching Bush in absentia. A good start and much easier to do. Gozo has very little support. And the investgation would start the ball rolling to make impeaching Bush et al seem inevitable.
OldCoastie @ 51
I think this may be what started that ‘rumor’:
Just wonderin’
Marie Roget @ 50
Wow. Poor Howie.
I hope we see a yo way different Committee than the one that questioned Comey. I thought the questioning from top to bottom was pretty awful last time around…Sanchez seemed sincere but entirely in too deep of waters. Conyers disappointed too. I didn’t want to be disappointed but he seemed almost disengaged. On top of everything else, Cannon was allowed to run rough-shod…he’s a bloviating bully and they allowed it.
I know they got some stuff out of Comey but it was largely anti-climatic and diffuse as far as I was concerned. The experience made me wonder whether it wasn’t better to leave the heavy hitting to Leahy and his merry crew. Hopefully today will be different…although I don’t think that a week is enough time for personality transplants.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 51
Agreed. LAFD & crews really tamped that one down before it hit any homes but-
Reports on the local news of displaced animals wandering the streets up there & down the hills into Hollywood- that area was a lovely habitat for them…
Sidney Blumenthal has a great read on Salon today. I heard somewhere earlier in the week that they had to have a “practice dinner” for the President because he didn’t know which fork to use when and a lot of the other social niceties. For a man whose grandpa was a Senator and a father who was also President, how is it possible that social graces were utterly ignored in his upbringing? They have a family compound in Kennebunkport for hell’s sakes and he attended prep schools where they teach that sort of thing regularly…
Have you seem Abu’s opening statement? Holy shit, this guy is gonna get creamed!
If the firings were criminal acts in and of themselves -
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
then it makes sense that everyone involved should want to
have plausible deniability that they were
THE DECIDER
here ya go Mrs. K8
one of my favorite side trips on the toobz are some knitting and weaving sites ( I do neither – but it’s like the sewing circles of old)
and sure enough, folks are out there doing it :)
Wigwam,
my bad, forgot to re- embed
Boston Globe
For the Boston Globe Article try this:
Boston Globe Penetagon article Link
Good morning, Christy! Should be very interesting today. I can hardly wait.
Rayne @ 50
Do you know where Chiara is working now?
Christy here is another “just wrong” issue this morning. C-Spans Washington Journal just provided a half hour to Republican Congressman Tiahrt(Kansas0 to repeat proven lies. He connected 9/11 to Iraq over and over again, he kept saying that “we did not ask for this war”, that it was “brought to us”. He also kept referring to the war in Iraq as “an away game not a home game”.
Christ All Mighty this guy is frightening and a liar! I really think folks should listen to the half hour for themselves when it is posted and then hopefully contact C-Span and ask them WHY THEY PROVIDED A PLATFORM FOR SUCH COMPLETE LIES TO BE REPEATED. I understand the need for providing a platform for different opinions but a platform for COMPLETE LIES TO BE REPEATED IS INEXCUSABLE!
The speech McKay refers to is here:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speech…..erence.htm
It isn’t as offensive as McKay makes it sound, but it still makes for a pretty infuriating read.
My questions for Abu:
Who made up the d**n list? You and Sampson keep saying it was “senior department officials”. Aren’t you a senior official? Are you trying to tell us you are an empty suit? What was your job at the DoJ, No really. What was it?!?
JF @ 51
That ‘improper’ framing/meme has bugged me from the start. It sounds like something innocuous…forms filled out without a checkmark here or there; or filed under the wrong letter….
What’s the dividing line bt ‘improper’ ‘malfeasance’ etc and ‘illegal’?
——
Globe’s Bryan Bender on DoD ‘testimony’ restriction guidelines link:
http://www.boston.com/news/nat….._congress/
Previewed for hotness. Seems to work.
artshu @ 71
isn’t his case referred to the ag?
and isn’t he depraved enough NOT to recuse himself?
Tom @ 73
I don’t know, I was very disappointed with Conyers & Co. at the Comey hearing, as were a lot of people at FDL. I hope Feingold & Whitehouse have had a ‘word’ with Conyers.
LibertyLee @ 9
Liberty Lee:
From the article you linked:
“For anybody to be suggesting that this matter is over or closed is pretty far off base,” Mr. Conyers said, adding, “My experience is when the president says he’s standing behind you, that’s when you should really be concerned.”
That sums it up pretty well for me. Remeber Don Rumsfeld?
how about a cattle prod ?
Marie Roget @ 50
Everything’s fine now, except the air quality. It smells like “burned” mixed with the chemicals they poured on the fires. In about an hour I’m going for my regular morning hike– which is preetty much right through the areas where the fires came.
Good morning, everyone-Christy, to what degree can the committee build upon the Senate testimony? Can they reference the facts as established there, or do they have to start over for themselves? Sorry, I should know this-fuzzy after LateNite! BTW, dachschunds chasing butterflies through tall grass! The cutest!
Someone should write a little parable about Gonzalez after Borges’ “Funes the Memorious.” Call it “Abu the Immemorious (and Mendacious).” Of course nobody would get the reference. But the author might give her/himself some self-gratifying chuckles.
LibertyLee @ 9
Maybe the most that can be hoped for was summed up by Schumer at the end, “Whether he stays or goes, it really doesn’t matter anymore. Someone else will be running the department.” Doesn’t give me any satisfaction though. This guy needs to be hung around the neck of this administration with a chain, along with every other incident of them pissing on our country. AG should be brought up and denigrated every time a dem get in front of a microphone.
God damn I’m pissed off.
Tom @ 73
Keith said last night that it is virtually the same as the last one.
I don’t see Petrocelli at 39, but just my sad tale of strep. My daughter, who was treated right away, went to the oral surgeon to have her wisdom teeth out two weeks later. We informed them of the strep and the treatment, and they said it would be fine and went ahead with the tooth extractions. The strep came back with a vengeance, invading kidneys and skin (glomerule nephritis and gutate psoriasis – I think that was what it was) and they said it might never leave her skin.
So we were hyper about responding quickly with every sore throat. But once again she got it and we treated immediately. Now some of the docs think that may have triggered her more severe OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder); there is some suggestion in literature of a link between the two.
Treat this “ordinary” problem with respect, care and diligence.
Howie at 87 — Glad things stayed settled down through the night. Be safe on your hike and watch for snakes and other displaced critters. Hugs, Howie — so glad you are safe.
mui @ 80
You know that if this were Waxman’s committee that Gonzo would dead meat, roadkill, buzzard bait. We can only hope that someone with huevos on the committee shows up today.
Kathleen @ 79
Hey Kathleen, how’s it goin’, eh?
At this point, I would say let them keep talking, esp. on TV, to a wide American audience … it is working against them.
cbl @ 86
“We don’t torture.”
Nola Sue @ 36
Nola Sue – Ashole never betrayed much respect for the law, but I suspect he did have too much ambition for the WH crowd. Remember those weekly press conferences he started giving just after 9/11? Rumors at the time said he was pissing off Rove/W by showboating, and committed the ultimate sin: taking attention away from Dubya by going his own way. The conferences stopped shortly thereafter, and John got pretty quiet for the rest of the 1st term. I wasn’t all that surprised when he left, and I think it’s a “slam dunk” that he was forced out.
As for Turley’s apt question, I started wondering the same thing during Abu’s last appearance, along with these: “Does he remember his name?” and “Who ties his shoes before he goes off to work?”
“…so I’m going to do a little digging.”
Made me think of this line: “Got to kick at the darkness ’till it bleeds daylight.” (Lovers in a Dangerous Time-Bruce Cockburn)
Good morning firepups, all around the world!
One thing that I don’t miss about LA are all the fires. Between the droughts and the arsonists, if you live anywhere near “nature” (brush) you have to live with the very real possibility that your house could burn to the ground in a flash. I was there during the Malibu/Topanga and Rodney King Verdict fires. It seems to have only gotten worse since then.
AZ Matt @ 76
Can they do that? Doesn’t Congress have the power to invite/subpoena troops of lower rank than colonel?
cbl @ 72
Why, thank you so much!
Initially I got a “404 page not found” error, but I looked at the link and decided to try adding an “L” to the very end of the address “HTM” and sure enough, up it popped.
I had no idea there were places where you could ship off your dog’s fur and someone will spin and card it for you!
It’s a shame it’s too expensive. I’ll still poke around for a book, if it’s a popular idea there must be at least one book, if not more. But I won’t need it until autumn, for the second shedding. It’s too damned hot already, 103 predicted for tomorrow.
Very interesting website, though!
Morning Howie,
Glad you’re back in your house. I assume you will reposrt on your hike so I’ll check your blog later. Fires are hard on people but mey heart goes out to the animals who can’t get away.
Weather and news these days, it’s like living in a Thomas Covenant book, the second series.
So glad you’re ok, Howie. Take good care on your hike.
RevDeb says:
May 10th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Whitehouse is a former USA from RI. It would seem that he has a vested interest in cleaning up the DOJ. Good thing, huh?
Do ya suppose that we could get away with slipping one of those fake glasses-nose-mustache disguises to Whitehouse and have him slipped in for a little Abu-questioning in the House hearing this morning?
Cuewhiffle @ 78
I’ll bet ‘infuriating’…
Keep in mind McKay is from a family R with long roots in WA and his older brother was the WWA/USA before him. (Maybe why he’s hot about that murder…) OLder brother was running the new hires from DC when this McKay was up for confirmation. He recused himself, and rightly so. They both get praise from both sides of the aisle in WA. (except for the wingers who wanted his head for not going all out to reverse the double recounted GOv. election that went Dem by a couple hundred votes.)
So, to have him be gobsmacked says something to me.
howieklein @ 84
Howie –
I’m so glad you’re OK, and that your house didn’t burn down. Take good care now, we all need you!!!
Wigwam @ 99
The article mentioned that a subpeona is still a subpeona and they can’t ignore it and that these rules don’t apply.
That photo is just so very appropriate.
it’s not torture – it’s enhanced interrogation techniques
IrishJim @ 85
Don Rumsfeld retired with honor. The President and and Attorney General both want him to stay. Stay he will. There will not be a majority to impeach in the House and certainly not 2/3 of the Senate. I think you all know that too, which makes these little exercises ones of futility for all.
Kathleen @ 79
Fair and balanced. Each hour of truth has to be balanced by an hour of something else.
cbl @ 106
Sounds like you could have a career in public relations.
;-)
Morning Jane,
Have the poodles or hot coffee been able to get the Trex up yet? His post was very busy without him last night!
have not had time to read anything in the last 2 days. assume y’all have seen this: WAPO More Fired USAs
Are there more? Maybe Josh knows and can alert the media.
Americablog is saying that the Dems will give Bush his blank check….
makes me sick
Gonzo up in 10 mins! Is he gonna show? Who’s gonna count “I don’t recall” and “nothing inappropriate here.”
snowbird42 @ 111
I’m hoping that’s just a bad rumor.
Still, it might be good to clog up the phone lines of all the Congresscritters on the list there. Let them know that it’s in their interest to be on the side of the PEOPLE in the VAST MAJORITY.
snowbird42 @ 114
Spine is a terrible thing to waste.
Now there’s an empty bucket.
Didn’t AbuG go to Harvard Law School? Aren’t there HLS grads all across the country cringing at his stupidity?
Bush, while he’s dumber than a pile of dog poop, at least provides Yale & Harvard Bus. with “cover” because everyone knows he got in as a legacy.
But Abu. . .
Lou at 68: I think the concern is just that: Concern. I think everyone is wise to pay attention to any attempt Bush makes, no matter how pointless it seems, to get his blank check for Iraq. That being said, I think any Democrat would be out of their minds at this point to vote for a blank check. I have yet to see any polling data from anywhere to suggest that the public supports this, and they’re already moving the September “progress date” to April. When the President calls, it’s polite to listen, but I don’t think any Dems are going to nibble on his bait at this point in time.
assuming Christy will put up a new post in a few minutes to liveblog. we can keep using this one for stray comments to lighten up the load? hold onto your hats folks. gonna be a bumpy ride (I hope).
Hi Jane!
TiredFed @ 113
From the link. On Graves
Holy crap who would do such a thing?
well I’m sure it makes these 44 families feel better -
http://projects.washingtonpost…..states/ks/
especially this one !
http://projects.washingtonpost…..ie-davila/
what a souless asshole !
I am j in shock that Washington Journal allowed CongressLIAR Tiahrt to repeat lies about the war! C-Span really should be ahamed and lambasted for providing him with a platform to repeat these proven lies! A differnece of opinion is one thing, allowing lies to be repeated is not responsible journalism!
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Buddha, Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Mohammed, HELP US! Congressman Tiahrt (R))kan) kept referring to the war in Iraq as “an away game, not a home game”! This LIAR has lost any marbles that he may have had at one time, there is not any signs of a conscience or a soul.
650,ooo dead Iraqi’s, thousands injured, millions of refugees. 3200 dead American soldiers, 50,ooo injured. (AND COUNTING) And this psychopath from Kansas(Congressman Riahrt) calls this war “an away game”, and Washington Journal provided a national platform for lies to be repeated. Heaven help us! No wonder why people around the world are terrified.
ONWARD JUDEO/CHRISTIAN KILLERS! WHAT A NIGHTMARE FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE!
Jane at 108 — It took me an hour of surfing around last night to find just the right photo for this. And I have another lovely one for the liveblogging. hehehehehe
Hi, hope the peanut continues to get better, Christyjayt @ 15
Or after several of those, folks in the room start shouting out, five– six– seven–
Of course this hearing is too serious for antics but darn, how to shake him loose and get valid answers, not wasting time with insolence — I also hope committee is prepared and has some really piercing questions today.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 48
Pre-schoolers: Human Petri Dishes
Wigwam @ 110
Providing a platform for PROVEN LIES to be repeated is not fair and balanced!
jayt @ 104
… or even some questions “on loan” from Shumer, Feingold, Whitehouse …
I have a question — if anyone has any thoughts or ideas. Why hasn’t either the House or Senate Committees hired a committee counsel to do some of the questioning of these witnesses? As was done with Iran-Contra and Watergate?
It’s painful to watch some of the rambling, incoherent and ineffective questions by some of the committee members–particularly in the House.
Jane –
Good to see you, and I hope you are feeling just fine, lady! If the quality of your posts is any indication, you’re firing on all cylinders, and then some.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 72
I tend to side with Bush here. I had never even heard of a “white tie dinner” until the Queen’s visit. To me, “formal” means that I can’t slurp the soup directly out of the bowl. I’m the guy who’s usually eating his entree with his salad fork and drinking iced tea out of his wine glass.
I wish I was talented in a “youtube” kinda way. I’d do a collection of video clips of AGAG saying “I don’t recall” from the Senate and House testimonies – with bits of the old 3 Dog Night song played as soundtrack:
“Liar! Liar! Liar!”
New rule – every time someone from the DOJ says “I don’t recall” during their testimony before Congress, they have to make a donation to charity – for a small touch of irony, how ’bout the “Humane Society”?
AZ Matt @ 112
Jane (whispering softly) … keep the poodles away … Theropods are very hungry (and angry) when they wake up.
Liberty Lee:
The new chip just arrived. Insertion will not be as difficult as last time; they’ve learned how to do it subdurally now.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 125
Oh, merciless teasing!
FWIW, Christy, our usually healthy 6yo kindergartener (after 2 yrs of preschool) had more frequent rounds of various nasties this year, too, including his first bout of strep, which he generously shared w/ me. Hang in there, and glad you’re both feeling better!
We rented a house in Kennebunkport that overlooked the Bush compound in 1998. The tour buses were nonstop the whole time we were there!
Hi to all the AZ folks….. up early … will be over 100 today!
And I see LibertyLee has been running through the place with scissors… regurgitating Repug talking points….. first out of the gate… the one that takes me right over the edge….”Democrat Admin”
ITS Democratic Party, IT is Democratic Administration…… ONLY is the the word Democrat is used is when you say …… Rep. Conyers is a Democrat. BUT he is the Democratic Congressman and a member of the Democratic Majority held Congress. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK
Let’s count how many times Gonzales says “I did not like the plan”, “or I did not like the process”. I really think this statement came into second place after “I don”t recall’ last time. COME ON GONZALES THROW ROVE UNDER THE BUS!
Good morning! Happy Hearing Day!
well, after an hour and a half on watching MSNBC, not a single mention of Today’s Abu hearing.
Time to fire up C-Span….
Frank Probst @ 132
Being a southern born and raised with a “belle” for a momma, the rule as I was taught was to use outside in for all silverware.
Petrocelli @ 134
I had not been up that late before on FDL.
Zigs, Zags, laps, taser talk. I felt like I needed a cigarette after all of the FDL x rated talk and I don’t even smoke!
NZ Pat -
if you’re still here and if you haven’t done so already – look around for OCD Yahoo groups – I subscribe to a similar group and there’s been some kind of seismic shift in recent months along those very lines ;)
CSPAN 3 up live in hearing room
Wigwam @ 100
Congress can subpoena pretty anybody they want, with possibly a handful of exceptions covered by executive privilege and it should be noted that executive privilege is an asserted right and does not occur in the Constitution.
Restriction of who can testify before the Congress is a fairly unreported aspect of the Administration’s strategy to avoid oversight. This first came to my attention when the DOJ attempted to keep Evangelos Soukas a convicted felon serving time from testifying (on identity theft and tax fraud) although such felons have appeared more than 40 times in the past.
katymine @ 138
katymine @ 136
Only in the 80’s up north.
Libertylee, 6, you state:
“In Republican Administrations, it is more likely to focus on terror related offenses, or possibly immigration and border offenses.”
What other Republican Administrations are you referring to? Just asking.
c-span 3 just switched to the hearing….
Game Time!!
I was very disappointed in the committee’s questions to Comey also. They were clueless about digging for the information. As an experienced prosecutor, Comey knows not to offer anything more than he has to — keep it short.
I can’t imagine that they are going to get anything more than “I don’t recall” a hundred times from Gonzo today. I am not sure what the committee hopes to accomplish today.
Christy, sending good well wishes for your Peanut. We have a 3-year-old and just got over flu followed by strep — it was a miserable month. Get well soon there!
Not happy reading that NYT’s artilce that Gonzo expects to weather this storm. I prefer McKay’s take on it: criminal charges!
dakine01 @ 141
I was told just to eat outside.
Frank Probst @ 132
Doesn’t it seem the Queen of England is grossly supportive of every Republikan president? Or is it just me?
Code Pink in attendance- before switching to read only mode, may I say that even Gonzales’ flag lapel pin pisses me off this morning…
LS @ 149
I am specifically referencing the Reagan and Bush 41 Administrations. Reagan focused on Communist subversion and labor corruption; Bush 41 focused on subversion during the Gulf War.
Kathleen @ 142
You should be there when the Aussies turn out in force. *g*
Gang, we are going to close the comments on the Late Night thread to cut down on server drag. Just a heads up.
Solai @ 127
Same goes for new teachers – they tend to be sick a lot in their first years as well.
oddball @ 7
how about Conyers threatens to lock him up until he CAN recall!
Christy:
Do you have a list of questions that SHOULD be asked, just in case the committee members need a little encouragement?
:)
Someone was just asked to leave for wearing a message shirt
JUSTICE FOR ALL
lolo got the ZeD☼
There’s a new Thread
I can’t look at this putz. Gonzales makes my tummy sick.
katymine @ 138: You all have your opinion. In my opinion, there is nothing democratic about the Democrat party. We say the Democrats. We don’t say the Democratics. We DO say Republicans. Not Republics. This is terminology that has been accepted for more than 50 years that I have been in politics. It only has become an issue fairly recently.
Rayne @ 10
could your nagging sense have something to do with the fact that delegations of authority are typically used to shift work to another decisionmaker? in this case, Sampson and Delilah were obviously not the deciders and Gonozo surely could not have delegated authority to Rove. seems to me a funny way to use delegations, but I think it makes some sense given that Rove wanted total control over DOJ.
Twisted Martini @ 30
fuckin A. red sox nation.
Has the hearing started I can’t get the C-Span link to work and NPR isn’t covering it at all.
LibertyLee @ 9
But Gonzo can still twist, slowly, slowly in the wind.
Greg Palast says Let Gonzo Twist.
Other Pat @ 96
G’mornin’ all.
A cattle prod’s not torture – doesn’t cause organ failure or death.
Palast
Specter does nothing that he hasn’t been told to do. He’s a made man, that how they work.
Christy upthread..Bush’s ignorance of social graces for the well bred. This odd characteristic may be related to alcoholism. Have you ever seen videos of Bush campaigning for gov. in Texas? He was relatively articulate and nice looking. He looks like an old drunk now. So does his father. The last time I saw him on TV, he looked like the skid row type. When they pass out it’s not called fainting. Prescott also had that problem. It’s a disease but frightening for the leader of the most powerful country on earth.
Even if any of the USAs did question that speech at the time, it would of been to another republican and they would of just made up some excuse as to how it was no big deal or ignored it.
masaccio 78 — no, only indicator so far is a report in a state-local newspaper that Chiara was located at an apartment in East Lansing MI; this suggests a few things to me, that she did obtain some role at MSU like the one she mentioned in the course of her emails inside DOJ, since MSU is located in East Lansing, more than 1.5 hours away from DOJ’s office in Western Michigan District in Grand Rapids.
TiredFed — no, it’s pretty obvious on the face of it this was a delegation to White House handmaidens, but there’s still something weird about the delegation that I can’t put my finger on yet. I’ve worked in a corporate legal and finance department, handled delegations of authority and the subsequent audit questions that came each year; this just doesn’t look like a delegation I would want to touch in front of an auditor, without even doing too much digging into the background. It smells.
“That pesky rule of law and decency business just gets in the way, doesn’t it?”
W said during his first year that it would be much easier to run the government as a dictatorship. Now we know that was his plan. Efficiency, damn it, Efficiency!!!