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Poking Congress with a sharp stick may be the sport of Presidents, but I'm not sure how it's going to work out for GOP factotums and partisan loyalty extractors:
Former top Justice Department aide Monica Goodling was chided by the House Judiciary Committee for failing to turn over documents that had been subpoenaed as part of the investigation into the firing of 8 US Attorneys. Goodling is set to testify before the Committee on Wednesday.
"I am concerned, however, about your statement that Ms. Goodling is going to refuse to produce documents in her possession that are responsive to the subpoena," Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the committee's chairman, wrote to Goodling's attorney John Dowd.
In responding to an argument made by Dowd on why Goodling did not need to turn the documents over, he added, "We are aware of no authority that permits internal Department administrative regulation to allow a former employee of the Department of Justice, or any other person, to avoid the subpoena power of the House of Representatives, as that power is central to the House's ability to carry out its Constitutional oversight mandate and certainly trumps internal agency regulations."
She may well believe this prepares her for a future as a Fox news analyst, but I hope she looks good in orange. Hopefully we'll get an explanation about the mysterious David Margolis conversation tomorrow when she appears before Conyers' committee on CSPAN3. Join us for some live blogging, should be a dilly.
Meanwhile, according to an OSC report Lurita Doan has been found guilty of violating the Hatch Act, and Susan Ralston pleads the fifth. I think this should put an end to the myth that a Democratic majority in congress would be bad for business.
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Z
Second.
2? Jane, love ya!
Jane!!
Loo Hoo. @ 3
yoo too, loo hoo
(just had to say that)
Hi TRex, Jane, Voctor & Loo Hoo
excellent post, Jane! I missed the Hatch Violation. I’m particularly interested in the blantant public memo that is a defacto proffer for ralston’s immunity. Any thoughts?
Anyway, CNN has a nice hit piece on “High Flying Spring Breakers” - members of Congress wasting taxpayer money by flying places in a government jet. All Dems, natch.
It’s on this page: CNN video
Edit: here’s a LINK to the story on YouTube
Goodling really, really wants to go to jail. That’s the only way I can figure this. She wants to be bunkies with Paris Hilton.
When does Goodling report to Friend Computer’s Guantanamo Retreat for being an Islamofacistliberalcommie zombie?
We love all the gal’s @ FDL
Really OT but:
Females are tougher than nails!
I hope the dems have a spine tomorrow and this gets very interesting.
EvilDrPuma @ 9
Don’t we all?
How much does it cost us when the Bush twins run around drunk and naked in other countries during Spring Break?
Aren’t the exact terms of what needs to be turned over to the committee spelled out in the immunity agreement? How does Dowd get to set the terms now?
You know, I was going to take some chemical bombs to Jerry Falwell’s funeral, but I had to wash my hair today.
I’m so glad that one of his flock has my back.
AZ Matt @ 12
I do hope no one is starting a new religion based on this.
TexBetsy @ 6
Hi. Gotta calm down, here.
I prefer being VD free.
AZ Matt @ 12
this has happened with humans:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/en.....t=Abstract
Dr, is bunkies a physical act?
Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves.
Title of the Day.
TexBetsy @ 6
Hi Botsy! (couldn’t help myself)
Oh, Jane, I love the word “factotum” which means “a person hired to do all sorts of ODD jobs”. How could we describe Monica any more accurately? New nickname for Monica: ODDJOB
TexBetsy @ 13
Don’t hold your breath.
The GOP will be out in force, Lungren and Cannon OT beaucoup times and Conyers will let them do it.
The Dems are too concerned with appearing too “lefty” to do anything substantial. They’ll blink and blink and blink all the way to 2008. The GOP won’t have to steal the election.
The Dems have no balls and we are enabling them by standing by them in this. This is worse than having the wingnuts in control…this is impotence.
Office of Special Counsel: Doan broke the law.
ODDJOB Goodling.
I like it.
bookwoman @ 26
with Kommisar Karolosivitch as Gert Frome?
Only when the lovely Ms. Doan gets fined and serves some jail time for her (many) violations of the Hatch Act will I say that the Dems are “good for business”.
twolf1 @ 28
note the last sentence: “Doan has until June 1 to respond to the OSC report. “After Doan responds, the report will be sent to President Bush with recommendations that could include suspension or termination. The president is not required to comply with the suggestions.””
3 guesses what he’ll do…
Jane! You are on an awesome roll today and I marvel and thank you for your marathon reports all day. Have run out of coffee just trying to keep up with your awesome posts.
FDL should be required readling in every public high school and colleges from coast to coast.
As my late Daddy was so fond of saying about Dorothy Thompson:
What a great dame! ;~)
TexBetsy @ 14
I don’t.
Good news about Lorita, that could get interesting.
And with regards to the prison inmate suits, I SO want Rove to wear the old time chain gang style with the black and white stripes.
They DO say, stripes make you look fatter.
WOOT!
Alfred Kelgarries @ 32
ignore? laugh at? burn?
tpm has gotten their hands on Margolies testimony in front of the senate judiciary comitee on this the eve of monica’s appearance, and it’s preety delish.
this s my favorite part:
She came down about 8:00 and she started by saying, “Has Kyle talked to you?” And I said, “Yeah, he came by earlier.” And then she proceeded for the next, it seemed like forever but it was probably only about 30 or 45 minutes, to bawl her eyes out and say, “All I ever wanted to do was serve this President and this administration and this department,” and then cry more, and more, and more, and more…
TexBetsy @ 14
Ummmm…no.
TexBetsy @ 36
he’ll turn them over and write signing statements on them, of course! :>
TRex @ 17
Lost some of my Diet Coke through the nose with that, TRex!
Why is it the wingnuts who both know how to and build amateur WMDs?
Did somebody say Burn Baby Burn!?!!11eleven!!
Ha, ha, Jane! You got me on the bad for business link. I was puzzled about your meaning until I clicked through. Yup — orange jumpsuits are what all the kewl GOPers are wearing this season!
Taking the Fifth? Refusing to produce documents? Requiring immunity in order to testify? “I don’t recall my recollection?” What happened to restoring dignity and honor to Washington? Guess a bl*wj*b or two wasn’t such a big deal after all, eh, GOPers?
PS:
TROOPS
HOME
NOW
from Think Progress:
Taking bets now on whether Bush complies with the suggestions. Ten bucks says he doesn’t and issues a statement saying she is good folk and he has every confidence in her.
Thanks newspaperbrat, I didn’t know who Dorothy Thompson was.
TRex @ 17
I just realized, how did a therapod get hair?
Just catching up with the posts after a whirlwind day. I read the earlier post on the Judiciary committee on habeus. Did anyone catch Durbin’s whole performance? Does he deserve a pat on the back from this constituent?
TRex @ 17
I was just planning to pass a big ripping fart over the casket.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 45
TRex, did you open that package? You were supposed to wait until your birthday to see that wig!
“Better to withhold e-mails and other documents and be thought to be a crook, than to produce them and remove all doubt.“
That is the Bush Crime Family’s approach to everything.
newspaperbrat @ 33
I don’t know…I think Jane is on a roll most every day. Or at least it seems that way sometimes.
Other than that, I agree 1000% as they say. FWIW.
See, there are continuing problems (tsf bold):
{{{{{JANE}}}}}
maybe this has already been said but, all grumpiness aside in re Dems. appearing to “cave” on military spending bill et al, is there some chance the Dems are clearing their calendar for……. impeachment???
maybe just wishful thinking…, yet…?
if true, maybe that’s a reason why Goodling’s doing things-stoopid, as a foil???
moi @ 37
I do hope someone asks her why she was crying that day.
…Jane, again way ahead of me.
Adie @ 52
Oooooooh Adie - stop my pounding heart!
I’ll give her something to cry about.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 45
I just realized, how did a therapod get hair?
When you’re fifty feet long, weigh seven tons, and have six-inch-long razor-sharp teeth, plugs can come surprisingly cheap.
EvilDrPuma @ 57
When you’re fifty feet long, weigh seven tons, and have six-inch-long razor-sharp teeth, plugs can come surprisingly cheap.
and i’ll bet EVERYONE tells how NATURAL they look…:>
TRex @ 56
She and Paris can have their own private whimper session every night.
dakine01 @ 53
what i got from that is that kyle (in true, rethuglican male fashion) fingered her.
and i don’t mean in the happy ending way.
TRex @ 56
I dunno. I think it might be better for you to give the repugs on the HJC something to cry about instead.
Somehow, I have an idea that some of the D questioners on the HJC will have Monica not-so Goodling in tears more than once tomorrow.
EvilDrPuma @ 57
When you’re fifty feet long, weigh seven tons, and have six-inch-long razor-sharp teeth, plugs can come surprisingly cheap.
–
So, TRex is Teefs-n-Tufts-Two? Does Biden know he has an FDL twin?
Yay — Keith’s back!
I suggest the Committee start off with waterboarding to get Monica to talk.
And if that doesn’t work, aggressively interrogate the lawyer.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 32
Let’s see…
If he already thinks of the Constitution as a “goddamed piece of paper”, well uh, never mind.
KO in tonight.
Keith: At least we’ll get a new picture of Monica.
moi @ 60
Damn, I SO want to say something but…
dakine01 @ 53
It’s pretty obvious that she realized that it was all falling apart and she was going to be the fall girl for a series of crimes. It’s why she was so quick to tell everyone she was going to take the fifth and wanted immunity.
Why should Monica worry about upsetting Congress? They have today proven that they’re all just a bunch of Hillarys: Gutless and Spineless.
Why should Monica worry about telling the truth? Or getting cought in a lie? Congress won’t do anything…..backing down, and doing nothing is merely what a Gutless and Spineless outfit will do.
Congress should be ASHAMED of itself. As for Monica, I’m sure she’s partying tonight. For tomorrow, she just has to sit thru a bunch of cowardly clowns.
Ghostman
—-> young person no longer in the room.
[Pant, pant, running breathlessly from downstairs]
Geez, I can’t keep up with you guys!!!
EPU’d from downstairs:
Last night, in honor of Monica’s upcoming testimony, I submitted the lyrics to the old Zombies song, She’s not there!. For Cassie, who has probably never heard the song and its dynamite bass line, and who will probably giggle helplessy at the preppy blazers and ties young rock & rollers were wearing back in those days, here’s the video.
Oh, and BTW, I hope this song is NOT prophetic, and that Ms. Goodling really is THERE! and spills all the beans right into Rove’s sappy lap.
Bob in HI
I was wondering what happens after all these DOJ, WH and GOP people ignore their subpoenas, so I got this from Wiki.
That last part looks scary.
dakine01 @ 67
come on, you know we want you to :)
Bob Schacht @ 71
No one told me about her…
Alfred Kelgarries @ 7
YES! At last! A Hatch Act conviction! Hopefully, the first of dozens more to come!
Bob in HI
JH!
I hope the HJC zero’s in on what I think Goodling needs to try to accomplish tomorrow. I see her as a true-believer who will try mightily to spare the higher-ups without perjuring herself (I assume that if she does lie and it can be proven, her immunity deal is off, no?). This far into the investigation, and with this many facts on the table, that would seem a fairly tight squeeze.
I am so ready for this, but I would really like HJC to have a few more teeth… like Paul Hodes (D-NH).
Keith is as mad as we are.
He’ll stand behind her 100 percent.
snowbird42 @ 77
indeed. as well he should be.
snowbird42 @ 77
That’s why we love him so.
moi @ 73
Nope. Not gonna do it. I let my vestigial remnants of sexism out too much anyway. And not just because of the youngster in the crowd either. Although the reality is, I doubt if Kyle and Monica could have fun in that way…
TRex @ 78
W-A-A-A-Y behind.
Paul Reichkopf of I&AVA: “Iraq isn’t some geopolitical cup-a-soup where you can just add troops.”
Do not join the military. Don’t enlist.
Paul Reikoff (sp) on KO:
Total 28 brigades later this year.
Troops are not going to make it better, and is not sustainable. Long term damage on our military.
The expectations put on troops are ridiculous. Troops are losing faith in civilian leadership. divorce.
Military happy the money is coming.
Integrity problems within the dem party. If they’re going to defund the war, they need to do it. Losing the base.
Only as long as she bends over and pulls up her dress.
TeddySanFran @ 83
Reichkopf needs to work on his metaphors. Bush won’t understand cup-a-soup.
Reichoff slams Dem for the losers they are!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 84
They wouldn’t take me if I tried
Monica is the very definition of a loyal Bushie. She won’t answer a single question that isn’t asked from every conceivable angle. She believes in her president, and those evil Democrats are going to try and make her testify the truth. Will she lie under oath? Will she martyr herself for her president?
HeirofPatriots @ 46
Is the replay available on Politics TV or someplace else?
Bob in HI
You have to remember that Monica probably thinks she did nothing wrong.
Paul Rieckhoff says on Olbermann says there’s a lot of “integrity problems in the Democratic Party” with respect to Iraq. Ain’t that the truth!
Wow — Keith knows his audience. I wonder how the network newscasts will spin the Democrats’ cave? Keith is not pulling any punches.
Howard Fineman certainly enjoyed this moment, quoting a “Democratic strategist on the Hill.” Gotta wonder who that was.
{{ smells like Dangerstein }}
Alfred Kelgarries @ 21
Well, if you consider ovarian teratomas and moles as “offspring” I guess. Jesus Christ! For a second I though Mssr. de Grouchy might be publishing in the Journal of Irreproduceable Results.
Georgesimian @ 92
Then it’s time for her to learn something about the wider, more expansive frame of reference we call “reality.”
dakine01 @ 81
ah, yes: the old “vestigal version”
bookwoman @ 26
Myrmidon?
Georgesimian @ 92
That would motivate her, having gotten an incomprehensible (to her) immunity deal, to tell the truth, right?
Fixed.
cinnamonape @ 95
You mean the Ig-nobel Prize? My point was that the more complex the organism, the less possible parthenogenesis becomes. by the human stage, you get junk.
Altho IIRC there have been rumors of parthenogentic human births, girls of course, but I don’t know that any have ever been substantiated in modern times…
OT
With 54% of the precincts reporting Beshear is leading the KY Dem primary with 45% of the vote to Lunsford at 20%.
GOP primary Fletcher (Inc) leading Northup 48% to 38%
40% is the cut-off to avoid run-off
dakine01 @ 102
is this good or bad for us?
Bob Schacht @ 91
Don’t know. I’m on dialup and have never gotten anything there to load successfully.
Argh. Keith says Lieberman’s threats to switch parties may be key to the cave?
I hope everyone who fucked up the Ned Lamont race is kicking themselves tonight. Plenty of arrogance, incompetence, political opportunism and short-sightedness to spare on that one.
TexBetsy @ 13
Don’t hold your breath tomorrow. These Democrats are eunuchs and they will never, never redeem themselves.
Too wimpish to stand up to the spoiled son of the king of the wimps?? I’d rather have the original wimp than these poseurs.
I’ve voted Democrat my entire life…I got in trouble for organizing base personnel for McGovern on Quantico Marine Corps Base when I returned from Vietnam…21 months in Vietnam to be exact.
This is the extent of the backbone of the party I chose to defend?
Not one more Democrat gets my vote.
Jane Hamsher @ 105
Jane, who do you blame for that loss?
moi @ 37
Apparently she wasn’t so concerned about serving the Country, the Constitution, the Law or even….GOD! All she EVER wanted to do was be a political myrimidon for a political movement.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 103
Beshear is the good Dem, Lunsford is the DINO tool friend of McConnell, so this is good news.
OMG, why doesn’t the Senate Judiciary Committee call in Ashcraft?
Alfred Kelgarries @ 103
Way good! Fletcher has JAR about at level of BushCo. Lunsford is a pseudo Dem who gives more money to Repugs than to Dems. Lunsford has also been known to abuse the workers in his companies and rip off taxpayers while milking medicaid/medicare payments.
Beshear is about as progressive as you can find in Kentucky and with all the legal and ethical problems that Fletcher has had, Beshear SHOULD win in November. Plus he will replace the current head of the KDP who is also a pseudo Dem and will work to replace toothless Mitch in ‘08.
Poor Margolis - he tried to calm her down - that didn’t work, he tried to make her laugh - that didn’t work, he tried to change the subject - that didn’t work - he tried to give her advice, but she wouldn’t take it.
Boo, hoo.
What a scenario. Do you think she’ll cry through her testimony??
Loo Hoo. @ 110
And Mrs Ash