The dismissal of the Wilson’s suit was a big drag. In his judgment, Judge Bates acknowledges that “the merits of plaintiffs’ claims pose important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials.” Marcy says:
All of which is a 40-page way of saying what Cheney and Libby and Rove and Armitage did was wrong. But a civil suit is not the appropriate venue to address that wrong. And with Bush’s self-serving commutation of Libby’s sentence, the criminal courts have been foreclosed as the means to address that wrong, too.
Which leaves Congress. There is abundant evidence already in the public record showing top members of the Administration–including Bush himself–abused their positions of power to rebut Joe Wilson. Some of those actions–including the commutation itself, since it removed Bush from criminal liability for his actions–fit well within the purview of Congress.
It’s time to step up, Congress. That crappy hearing last week did much to polarize the two parties. But did little to address the evidence before us, pertaining directly to Bush’s potential move to declassify a CIA spy’s identity for political retaliation. Two judges who have reviewed the facts agree the actions were wrong. What is Congress going to do about it?
It is hard to imagine that Terry Schaivo could move Congress to such theatrical feats of midnight dramaturgy yet they can’t be bothered to do anything about this. Or the war. Everyone has their priorities, I guess.
Meanwhile, John Conyers gives Josh Bolton until 10am on Monday to comply with his subpoenas, which “could result in contempt proceedings, including but not limited to proceedings under 2 U.S.C. §§ 192, 194 or under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives.”
Which raises the question — why isn’t Harriet Miers in jail?
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zed?
Hi honey, I’m home!
I wonder what Harriet is thinking right about now….
Should I go downstairs and announce?
So why isn’t Ms Meiers being frog marched to the grey bar hotel?
For the same reason Saddam’s sons didn’t do jail time.
Well they died of lead poisoning, or am I wrong again?
QuakerGirl @ 6
Um, because they were orphans? Pls refresh my memory, QG.
Try not to worry. Our time is coming. I can feel it. ;0)
Oklahoma kiddo @ 9
our time to watch the frog march or to be in one?
I keep hearing about a process that needs to be followed….I wish I knew what the process was that is keeping them from being charged with contempt!
You’re right. This is IT! This is the time for the DEMS to stand their ground. America thinks that DEMS are pussies and if we cave in again we’ll only verify, one more time, that we have no spine. If we ever want to be taken seriously, if we want to convince the American public that we’ll fight for them, then we can not back down from this.
My second “zed”! The pups have been notified to come on up.
Great point Jane about the burden being on Congress. I haven’t followed judicial appointments too closely until the last few years. However, my friends who are law school professors have been warning me since the days of Raygun about the Rethugs packing the courts on the lower levels.
After all these years of effort,it’s no wonder so many of their kind is furious that the Dubya/Cheney hubris have revealed what’s been happening.
Just checking in for a little dose of sanity
I’m counting on FDL to keep me informed while I pack and move. Miserable thing to do. What must it be like to have to move out of a war zone!?!
Harriet Miers, Karen Hughes, Condi Rice. George, Dick and Karl. Gawd… the list is long.
Everyone of us would all ready be in jail if we defied a subpoena from congress.
I will never forget one of the weekend discussions by our congress about the Terry Schaivo case. On that same weekend there was an anti-war march in New York and one that I had wanted to make it to in Fayetteville North Carolina. The one in Fayetteville was made up mostly of Military families marching against the war. I could not make it.
Over a two day period I saw the Terry Schaivo footage of her looking at a balloon 93 times and not one moment of coverage of the military families against the war.
{{{{{{{{{{JANE!}}}}}}}}}}
I don’t think Conyers has the stomach for inherent contempt proceedings – I think he’s bluffing.
And even if he does serve up the inherent contempt proceedings against Bolten, I think he’ll go the judicial route for Ms. Miers; after all, she used to be somebody.
Doesn’t make any sense – just my “gut” feeling.
I’ve been out all afternoon and just heard the news about Valerie and Joe’s case. Makes my tummy ache. I have a lot of reading to do to catch up, but does someone have the shorthand answer to this:
Is it all over now, unless Congress acts?
EPU’d from downstairs, but now on topic. Even more relevant now that Jane has told us that the HJC responded to Fielding re: the RNC emails immediately. I believe the HJC has not sent a similar letter about Miers.
Helen @ 170
Because while I was composing the following comment a hot debate was breaking out below (which I didn’t discover until after hitting the “submit” button), and because it was situated right smack at the beginning of EPU territory to boot, I want to re-post this. Hope no one minds. (And hello, dear Jane!) —
In stopping by to wish “Happy Blogosphere Day” to my favorite Ladies of the Lake and their front-page sidekicks — and to every Firepup, past and present, I also come to share my sorrow at today’s events.
You know which events I mean — all the ones that make it (falsely) appear that the Dark Side will win out in its relentless battle to banish Truth and Justice from the face of the Earth.
I’m crying today, but I’m also more committed than ever to hold my head up in resolute determination to speak Truth and demand Justice no matter what, for as long as it takes, even if that should mean the fight extends long beyond the limits of my own lifetime.
I’m buoyed by this community of Justice-lovers and Constitutional patriots, and by communities of Justice- and Truth-lovers everywhere around the globe.
We can only do what we can do — but we must do THAT much, always — and then trust that our actions and our words, little though they may seem individually, will nonetheless form ripples radiating outward to join with the innumerable other ripples of Light and Truth and Justice to form the mighty rivers and waterfalls spoken of so eloquently both in scripture and in the hearts of the civil rights heroes of the past, whose examples we hold close to our hearts for courage:
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Bobby Kennedy
Nelson Mandela
Gandhi
Hans and Sophie Scholl
Martin Niemoeller
Rosa Parks
Desmond Tutu
Frederick Douglass
Susan B. Anthony
Etc. etc.
I’m sure each one of you has names to add to the list. For me, Eleanor Roosevelt is a great inspiration — for she, like me, was plagued with a lack of confidence and bouts of fear; yet she knew it her duty to dig within and find new fonts of courage to forge ahead in spite of fear.
Let’s remember to turn to our role models of the past for our courage in the future.
For just two examples — can anyone say that Nelson Mandela, a man unjustly imprisoned for how many (27?) years or Gandhi, facing down the largest, most powerful, and most heavily armed empire on the planet had it easier than we now do? Washington’s men, suffering frostbite at Valley Forge, wrestling with the fear of being on a fool’s errand which could have them hanged for treason, surely had it harder than we have it now. And yet they fought on.
If you are feeling low, as I have been today — I say, “Courage, Firepups!” and in so saying, I help to lift up my own soul. The road is long and hard, but there is none more worthy of treading than the road to Justice, which leads directly into Promised Land of Peace.
Never say die!
QuakerGirl @ 14
Well, I imagine it involves a lot less packing.
Why isn’t Harriet Miers in jail? Are there voluntary subpoenas? I thought a subpoena, by its very nature, was compulsory.
Yeah, why isn’t Harriet Miers in jail. Cuff her!
Give the whole Plame case over to Leahey and Waxman – then immediately IMPEACH Gonzo, Cheney, Bush….or something…just get something to stick to this Teflon Administration before it is too late.
Grrrr….woof…grrr
Boy I just got online for the first time all day and saw the news about Valerie. As my girlfriends and I said in high school. This place is fuc*ed.
Sometimes I feel like the dems are giving them enough rope to lasso the whole gang. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Any word from Larry Flynt?
((Jane!))
I love what Conyers said in the hearing today (hat tip to ThinkProgress):
Conyers is putting his foot down mightly loudly. I’m sure he’ll also be responding in kind regarding the obstruction to prevent DOJ officials from testifying on voter fraud investigations.
Who could’ve thought that the dog days of summer in a non-election year would be so interesting in Washington DC?
argosfalcon @ 10
Actually we are the frog…in the pot…with the heat slowly being turned up. Some of us are more sensitive to the temperature change than (28%) others.
Helen @ 20
Helen You really made me laugh. I admire you for keeping track of all that but I now know why we never know what the heck is going on – it’s the initials! I always have to stop and think about which is what. Thanks for the unintended laugh.
Tithonia @ 3
that George Bush is the dreamiest president ever, and he’ll take good care of her, just like he took care of Scooter, and she doesn’t need to worry about that icky Congress and their cooties.
I don’t work on the criminal side, so I don’t know the particulars behind why Fitz could not discuss his interviews with the Bushies, outside of the fact that it is part of an ongoing investigation. But if that is the case, I would love to see Fitz withdraw the indictment against Libby because the commutation essentially does that, which makes the whole “while under investigation” moot, and have Congress request his testimony.
Alot of procedural hurdles, I know, and I am sure the FDL crew will set it straight. But wouldn’t that be juicy (I loved when someone asked Fitz at a news conference outside the courthouse after the Libby conviction what he thought about Kaqy Hutchinson spewing Rovian crap by saying that she hopes someone is convicted on the merits, and not the cover-up: Fitz–”That talking point won’t fly” in his very Chicago accent, although he is from NY. I love Fitz).
cleter @ 25
I guess only for the White house staff and co-conspirators.
Hmm. Why not Harriet? Is there any chance she’d do a John Dean (John?)? A sort of “This’ll hurt me almost as much as it hurts you, but I am compelled by my conscience…” Nah! Nope. I don’t doubt but that Conyers and Sanchez are not about to squander a court decision on the question of Miers’s contempt. And maybe, just maybe, Josh Bolton isn’t so well connected to “The Boss” that he can expect a Libby-like deal. So, maybe Conyers and Sanchez are aiming under her for now, hoping to get more ammo for when they do take her to task for her contemptuous and contemptable behaviour.
[btw, you, Christie and the others are working so hard, all the time, that it’s more than a little humbling].
cleter @ 25
Total loss of all acquisitions – and hoping your family gets to safety as you exit. Stress, fear, worry, moments of panic, the look of terror on your children’s faces. Mercy!
AP – Iraq is a nation gripped by fear and struggling to meet security and political goals by September, U.S. officials said Thursday from Baghdad, dashing hopes in Congress that the country might turn a corner this summer. One general said not to expect a solid judgment on the U.S. troop buildup until November.
Twain at 29 – I actually made myself laugh and I thought “Oh Gawd, now everyone’s gonna think I’m a bureaucrat” And I’m not! Or at least I haven’t been for 15 years – and I was a local one at that.
Lurkin Mod, am I in your crosshairs for some reason?
$$$$—- Five hundred and fifty billion dollars will have been spent on this unneeded and very devastating war by October posts Think Progress. The Rethugs have made it so there can be few if any social programs or help for the middle class in the next 30-40 years. Sounds like the outcome of a concerted Reagan-Thatcher-Neo-Con plan to me.
OFF-TOPIC, BUT! Have you read Bush’s latest executive order regarding freezing funds of anyone he wants?
The vid at the top. Solid rock and roll. ;0)
I don’t know why I’m torturing myself but Ed Rogers is a lying dweeb on Hardball right now. claiming that the Plame lawsuit is only harrassment and that Bush, Cheney et al should counter sue. I truly wish they would. Those depositions would be awesome
There really is no point in going after Miers or anybody else with ties to Bush for the simple reason that he will instantly pardon them. It will be best to wait till Bush is out of office to go after him and all off his pigs. And thats if the next President doesn’t give blanket pardons like Bush one did. Need to start finding out where the candidates stand on pardoning or prosecuting when they get in office. I bet Hillary would pardon.
Sorry about @34. It belongs to @22. No confusion intended. It just comes naturally :00
dakine01 @ 41
Yeah, I bet Fielding is drawing up the complaint right now. Good one, Rogers.
In the letter to Hillary Clinton from Edelman, he says that the really tough part of the “surge”, the “clear and hold” hasn’t even begun yet, and he really emphasizes how tough it will be. That must be what W was referring to when he said it would be bloody. Edelman references Fallujah.
Well I guess this is what you get when our fearless leader thinks(used rhetorically)that we are not citizens, but merely resident of the United States.
Judy Miller made me very afraid yesterday, when she said “the terrorists only have to be lucky once…” She scares me, especially her frightening articles. Put Judy Judy Judy back in jail and I will be happy again.
dakine01 @ 41
Yes they would, which is why they would never counter sue…they would lose their cover.
Jane hits another home run!
Jane sinks a 3-pointer from ‘way Downtown!
Jane Rocks!
Bob in
HI WIAZPS please see my comment downstairs on Al Gore’s new book.
Tithonia @ 3
hugs n’ kisses, W, xoxoxoxo, don’t forget me in yer pardons
oh.. for amusing reading, here are some actual quotes from Harriet memos
http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl…..02545.html
LS @ 45
Here’s the letter:
http://thinkprogress.org/wp-co…..sponse.pdf
Want to throw my switch in a good way? Do music.
Most of these Bush guys and gals will flip sooner or later. Like in tell-all books perhaps?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ORM-bqag1E
Get Tough @ 31
OK – Job 1 – Fitz is a NY’er, from Brooklyn actually, and we are very proud of him here.
To answer your question with a H/T to LHP, Fitz was “asked” and he politely declined. He is required to either get permission (which DOJ will never give) or Congress is required to subpoena him, which they are reluctant to do.
You know, wouldn’t be nice to see Congress pass a couple of amendments (among others): (1) check on pardon powers, with Congressional oversight and no last minute pardons, and (2) singing statements procedural only, like they were intended. That is probably a SCOTUS issue, but who trusts them with that one.
Get Tough @ 54
I really would love singing statements ! What a hoot!
Helen @ 53
We are proud of him everywhere, Helen. A true American.
Mrs K8 @ 21:
Not sure where I saw it earlier today but on one of the blogs or News sites there was a photo of Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and other old time statesman forming a group of senior statesmen to work together on world problems.
wish I could find it for you
Twain at 55 – Right back at ya. BWA HA HA.
Twain @ 55
Yeah, like this one:
I don’t read ‘em, ba baba ba ba
I don’t give a crap, ba baba ba ba
Laws from Congress, ba baba ba ba
Sing me a Statment, and get me a nap!
Have you given to the Wilsons fight for Justice yet? Please spread this around
The Wilsons Legal support Trust
http://www.wilsonsupport.org/
QuakerGirl @ 43
I was not intending to minimize – even though it sounded that way. Snark does not always travel well.
It’s unfortunate that dueling has been outlawed. On a field of honor may well have been the only place in the land were the Wilson’s might have received satisfaction.
Get Tough @ 54
Thing one: Fuggetaboudit. Pardon power is in the Constitution. Thing two: Will you accept an ammendment? Must be delivered with tapdance accompaniment.
Bluetoe @ 62
Oooh, Valerie vs Scooter at dawn, Joe and Dick as seconds. Pity we don’t do that anymore.
well, sorry to blogwhore and go off-topic, but skippy is 43 hits away from 2 million!!
Get Tough @ 56
Not so much me. He let the big fish get away. After his conviction of Scoots, why did he not go after Rove?
I will grant that he has given every indication of being incorruptable, and his methodical takedown of Irv was textbook perfect.
BigMitch @ 63
It’s in the Constitution, but amendments work nicely by curbing certian powers, implied or otherwise, in the Constitution. That’s why they’re called amendments. It won’t happen, but it is one of the major loopholes in the balance of powers that exists.
Singing or Signing, they stink and are an abuse by the Executive.
So did folks donate for Blogosphere Day? Act Blue sure deserves a little love from all of us!
just got to chat with Fini on his blog radio show and it was great to sing the praises of all the BA supporters!
BigMitch @ 63
This is getting to be the Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney blog. It has really put me in a good mood today. Thanks
skippy @ 65
Make that 42..)
It’s past time to step up, Congress.
Impeachment is the only way to go with BushCo.
Any other effort to bring them to account will be rebuffed and dismissed.
Time to pump up the volume.
Twain @ 69
Who are they?
RalphTWaP writes “Tuesday, there wasn’t even a fuss. Wednesday, the world was a little different. By executive order, the Secretary of the Treasury may now seize the property of any person who undermines efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq. The Secretary may make his determination in secret and after the fact.” There hasn’t been much media notice of this; the UK’s Guardian has an article explaining how the new authority will only be used to go after terrorists.
[ ] politics, usa, unconstitutional, interesting, notunconstitutional (tagging beta)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news…..717-3.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worl…..06,00.html
Frank33 @ 47
Unfortunately, Bush is the little boy crying wolf surrounded by Chickenhawk Littles. CNN sure doesn’t help with pictures of steam in NYC knowing full well it wasn’t a terror plot. Losers.
Get Tough @ 67
First, an apology. I thought that you were making a joke, which i thought was pretty damned funny. No signing statements unless they are delivered in song. I could go with that. I was not making fun OF you, rather, I was joining in what I thought was your joke. Honest.
Now, for a serious response to your suggestion. Signing statements should have no force of law whatsoever. Proceedural or otherwise. I agree that a signing ceremony may be an occassion for a president to re-inforce the message of a statute. But to change one jot or tittle in the statute, is a usurptation of Congressional power to legislate.
By the time the Bush regime leaves office, and their are some legitmate questions on whether that will actually happen, the U.S. is going to be so broke and shattered that it will be in worse shape than Great Britain was after WWII. They recovered, it’s suspect whether or not the U.S will be able to. It will likely be a Baby Huey only with nuclear weapons.
Keith is hot tonite. Looks like Hillary is helping terrorists again. Special Comment: Defeatists and traitors are causing defeat in Iraq.
Keith doing the special comment right now
Get Tough @ 72
Snark?
Republicans understand this: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Lahoma says, “look out you red-neck mother fuckers”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Fozzetti @ 39
Yes we have. The irony of it is bush has done more to aid the spread of terrorism than anyone.
KO is on with a Special Comment. Not to be missed.
special comment ko!
By the way Judge Bates is a member of the FISA Court.
1,582 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Patriots:
Thank you for this post…it is time that we recognize that the crisis of our democracy since December of 2000 and the subsequent subversion of our institutions, the theft of our treasury and the treasonous acts of our executive are NOT a legal or legislative problems, they are POLITICAL problems that require the mobilization of citizens to force their politicians to commit politics in the name of democracy and throw the bastards out!!!
The fascists need to create another crisis to occupy Congress this summer to take the heat off the Iraq war, so we’re gettin’ the in-your-face rejection of subpeonas and the creation of another situation to be resolved by the kangaroo Supreme Court. So the Democrats need to stand up and yell “Bring it on!!” and issue the subpeonas, claim contempt of Congress and focus the attention of the media on the lawlessness. All this, while still passin’ legislation on all the domestic issues important to the people…even if it means involkin’ the “closed rules” of the last 3 congresses. This requires committing politics of a very high order and means that grassroots pressure has gotta come from the street to force the Democrats to get their shit together. If people can be mobilized across the nation this summer to be organized and prepared after Labor Day, I think we can bring the bastards down and get Cheney and Gonzales impeached.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION…THE IDEA OF DEMOCRACY IS WORTH FIGHTIN’ FOR!!
Olbermann is doing the lifting.
Dennis Eros @ 84
Might as well start callin him Justice Bates.
Woohoo! Keith Olbermann!
Scroll down to the third picture
Bush: Look! A big tree!
Harriet: He’s brilliant!
BigMitch @ 75
No offense, Mitch. I went with Twain’s comment on the “singing” statements, too.
As for procedural or otherwise, if this issue were before SCOTUS, completely eliminating it would be difficult because the Executive Branch per the Constitution is charged with executing the laws–SCOTUS won’t touch how the Executive may execute those. I think even Breyer would write the opinion on it if anyone tried to strip the Executive of signing statements that provide HOW the law is to be applied, then categorizing in the CFR. But as to substance? They act as line-item vetoes, to say the least, and infringe on Congress’ role in drafting the laws. An argument on the substantive role wins the day….
KO esta en fuego
Quick, somebody get the marshmallows, Ko is on fire again!
That letter may backfire bigtime on Edelman by producing sympathy for Hillary Clinton.
LoudounLib @ 91
SI !
Good God Olbermann, you are blowing Lahoma away. She’s excited. And so am I.
Twain @ 79
Twain @ 79
I gave you a snark, ba baba ba ba,
Because you got me good, ba baba ba ba,
Now keep on blogging, ba baba ba ba,
Like you know you should….
You Go KEITH!!! THIS SIR IS YOUR WAR! Go To baghdad and fulfill finally your military obligation.
WOW
LoudounLib @ 91
What is he saying? For the benefit of those of us still at work, please, do tell!
“Go and fight YOUR war… yourself.” -KO
BigMitch @ 97
We’ll even take up a collection to pay for the air fare.
Anyone think there is a relationship between the letter to Hillary from the Under Secretary of Defense and the EO signed on Tuesday?
Could the EO take her campaign $$$ or any Dem $$$ for language that opposes the war?
The timing is amazing…
Get Tough @ 96
I simply broke up as I pictured Bush singing his statements. Have a goofy sense of humor. It was just in fun. Hope you took it that way.
RevDeb @ 101
With a lifetime layover at the Hague.
KLynn @ 102
I’d like to see them try it.
Kerry. Doing the job on Olbermann!
Twain @ 103
I certaintly did, Twain. Keep on rocking.
Jailhouse Rock?
Eric Clapton – Cocaine (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnn1dDVmZyQ
Senator Clinton. I find the ice may thinking about melting.
sniff some of us have to wait for C & L
Is my party finding it’s soul?
Elliott @ 110
It’s worth waiting for. And then you can download it and keep it on your computer to watch over and over again.
Gore, President
Clark, Vice
Obama/Biden, Sec. of State,
Rubin, Treasury
Edwards, Labor
Fitz, AG
Slick Willy, Ambassodor to UN
Hillary, Senator from New York
That’s a start
I’ve only raised my voiced here twice, but when KO came on I raced here to help raise our flag with some like minded soulmates.
I everybody!
RevDeb @ 112
tis true!
and I’m grateful for that.
KO with another GRAND SLAM!
Bush is a liar, a cheat, a thief and a coward. Above all else, our president is a fascist.
Anybody need a review on signing statements? This is from my blog, Jan 4, 2006. Note, Alito’s role in the evolution of signing statements.
Keith calls the Prez a liar in so many words, Tells him to go to Iraq and fight his own damn war, and threatens to Impeach him. KO better put all his property in his wife’s name!
Get Tough @ 113
;0)
Hi smallg,
I’m jumping up and down on the couch. IEEEEE!
*Now* can we impeach the SOB’s?
smallg @ 114
and
I everybody!
KO has no wife. He has a VERY young girlfriend.
conniptionfit @ 120
He’s not married. Would his 23 year old live-in girlfriend do? : )
Jane asks:
Why Aren’t More Republicans Doing the Jailhouse Rock?
Up here in Alaska, the answer to that will soon be “Because we’re already full of ‘em!”
On the crawler on KO:
#4 Shirk & Awe
I feel better after listening to KO and Kerry. They can hide behind their walls and walls of lies, but unless they blow us all away, they are toast. We’ve got good people in Congress and in the public that know what’s goin’ on. 71% of the Nation, oh yeah, that Nation, the United States of America, know what’s up!!! They can take their freaking treasonous “Homeland” speeches and bugg off. This is America. My America. Your America.
Ed*ard Teller @ 125
you seem to be reeling them in up there.
about the guy, eric edelman, who laid the smack down on HRC today:
http://wotisitgood4.blogspot.c…..t-one.html
Oklahoma kiddo @ 117
and an unlucky, incompetent, lazy, incurious fool, to boot.
I posted a comment on the previous thread’s kerfluffle down at its bottom…
Lisa’s lovely land deals got a little more scrutiny today on the radio.
BigMitch @ 123
Just one?
KLynn @ 102
the Edelman Letter… Edelman the neoconman pre-emptive war architect playing lickspittle to comblicker Wolfie.
OT question: if Conyers brings charges of Inherent Contempt, can Bush still invoke Executive Privilege?
Cozumel @ 125
How do you folks find this stuff out? Not that I care, but now that I know he is even more my Hero.
Elliott @ 128
Unlike with Scooter, we’re not going to do catch and release, either. I’ll offer my smokehouse when they run out of room in the regular hoosegows.
Republicans. I am warming to the idea of shoving Senator Clinton down your throats.
BigMitch @ 87
…or Master Bates…
BigMitch @ 131
Where?
So the commercial between Countdown segments is PHARMA promoting the S-CHIP program. Cognitive dissonance on so many levels.
Get Tough @ 113
Oklahoma kiddo @ 136
;-)
Ed*ard Teller @ 137
good to know you are at the ready ;)
The Repubs like to push Clinton on the Dems to make us rebel against her, because they pushed her on us. At the same time, they spend hours and hours trying to trash her. Their reverse psychology will blowback in their faces one way or another.
Tithonia @ 134
OT question: if Conyers brings charges of Inherent Contempt, can Bush still invoke Executive Privilege?
I’m pretty sure the correct answer is no. It’s an extra-judicial proceeding.
KUDO. I was on my way to court in the divorce hearing so I don’t remember details. But generally she got the land at 100 grand below retail.
Thank you for the comment downstairs. I challenge anyone to find where I called names or was disrespectful in the previous thread.
BigMitch @ 145
What divorce? I guess I missed it somehow. What’s up?
RevDeb @ 140
PHARMA would. They get more drugs through the govt reimbursement. Even though it’s the pharmacies that dispense the drugs they deliver to the masses (and deal with the resulting headaches of insane pricing).
Although the news i’ve been following? Medicare part D is hell on non chain pharmacies, becuase the govt (of course) is so damned SLOW in reimbursing said money. Slowest its ever been, i’ve heard.
Not so much cognitive dissonance for them, no. More like outright greed.
BigMitch @ 123
And the point is?
BigMitch @ 146
Bummer. How did Sen. Murkowski do?
LS @ 144
Do keep in mind that Rupert Murdoch is supporting Hillary.
‘nuf said.
Senator Kerry was so great on Washington Journals C-Span this morning.
http://www.c-span.org/homepage…..iveDays=30
Worth the watch.
I am kind of surprised that Think Progress or Crooks and Liars have not linked some of his comments today. He rolled over so many Bush administration myths/lies in one half hour it was amazing.
Thanks, jayt @ 146. That is huge.
jayt @ 146
I’m pretty sure the correct answer is no. It’s an extra-judicial proceeding.
Correct. Pardon is for crimes. Inherent contempt is not criminal in nature. As the saying goes, she goes to court with the key in her pocket, meaning that she can get out anytime she agrees to testify. The purpose is therefore not punative, but rathe coercive.
Do you think that Josh Bolten and the rest snicker when they receive these letters from Waxman, Conyers and Leahy?
skippy @ 65
Hey, congrats, Skippy. I didn’t record my comment, but that’s basically what I said. Way to go!
Subway Serenade @ 138
I got to introuduce William F. Buckley back in 1971 as “America’s Master Debator.” He didn’t smile. Bush probably would, though, for a few seconds.
Kathleen @ 155
I’m thinking a they are close to pooping their pants. They go along with the plan bc it has worked so far, but they aren’t all idiots. They know the risk.
Tithonia @ 134
Bush has already invoked Executive privilege. The HJC has voted in both the Miers and the RNC email cases that they do not accept that. Now they must decide what to do next with; Inherent Contempt one of the options.
Although something interesting was said by Sanchez today. If one of the lawyers could explain this, it would be much appreciated. She was reading off all of the reasons why the EP claim was not valid and I believe one of them was that Bush had to invoke it. Does she mean as oppposed to a Fielding letter or does she mean Bush has to actually show up in person and invoke it? Something else?
RevDeb @ 151
I know. I’m not a Hillary supporter one way or the other. I do know, that when the Clintons were in office, our civil rights were not disappearing every other day. I also know other things, not so good, that I can’t talk about, but I’d probably still take 10,000 Hillarys over one Bush Neocon type.
“Why aren’t more Republicans doing the Jail House rock?”
Could it be that they own the jails and most of the judges?
LS “What divorce? I guess I missed it somehow. What’s up?”
– I am going through a divorce. Not as ugly as many are, but could be nicer.
Someone had suggested that given KO’s brillian phillipic, and W’s exec. order allowing him to seize assets of people he doesn’t like, that maybe KO should put his assets in his wife’s name.
Kathleen @ 155
Do you think that Josh Bolten and the rest snicker when they receive these letters from Waxman, Conyers and Leahy?
I’m thinking the physical reaction is moving south from the mouth, from where giggling emerges, down toward the colon, from where…
Kathleen @ 155
Really great question!! If they do snicker, they are delusional. If they don’t snicker, they life in a bubble of false security.
think they’re wigging out about In-Hair-Net Contempt?
Subway Serenade @ 138
Or the Bush Administrations Master Bates
Ed*ard Teller @ 157
Yeah, until he got it.
punaise @ 165
balderdash
Although something interesting was said by Sanchez today. If one of the lawyers could explain this, it would be much appreciated. She was reading off all of the reasons why the EP claim was not valid and I believe one of them was that Bush had to invoke it. Does she mean as oppposed to a Fielding letter or does she mean Bush has to actually show up in person and invoke it? Something else?
yeah, I didn’t get that either. Fielding is WH counsel; therefore he speaks for Bush. Requiring that Bush actually speak the words, or something, sounded pretty lame.
jayt @ 169
Undoubtedly, the privilege could be invoked by a letter from FFF to the committee on behalf of Bush. But that is different from telling Sarah Taylor to invoke it.
Keith will replay the Billo and Miss New Jersey interview. Is Keith dating Miss New Jersey?
BigMitch @ 162
I see, lol. I’m sorry BigMitch. That is a huge upheaval for you. Been there. I always think the freakiest thing about divorce is that you think you know the person you are married to for maybe decades, and when it is over…after awhile, you are like strangers. Bizarre. Good luck to you!
BigMitch says
July 19th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Undoubtedly, the privilege could be invoked by a letter from FFF to the committee on behalf of Bush. But that is different from telling Sarah Taylor to invoke it.
but Ms. Taylor had a letter from Fred Fielding too, instructing her to use exec privilege.
L.S.,
I came from a family of modest means, and I inherited a very small amount of money. But my mother gave me something more valuable than anything any Rockerfeller ever inherited. She taught me to look at everything and truly believe that it will work out for the best.
Thank you for your words of comfort.
prison industry.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2000/0927-06.htm
Does Halliburton have anything to do with the prison building industry?
Here is the transcript of KO’s Special Comment
http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/
jayt @ 173
But the letter was adressed to her, not to the committee. It told HER to invoke the privilege. The committee, (or Sanchez) is saying, if the Pres wants to assert the privilege HE must do so.
KO: “Retired comedian Dennis Miller.”
LOL
snowbird42 @ 176
Sorry its not the whole thing, Im sorry
Loo Hoo. @ 156
Well, he did it! When I popped in it was 2,000,017!!! Congrats, on that and on the Blog anniversary!!! 8-)
Oh man, Is olbermann taking O’reilly to the woodshed, and beating the piss out of him.
KO: refers to Fox as “FIXED”
LOL
BigMitch @ 181
Say it’s so!
McCartney offers 40 million to Heather Mills to leave him alone. I offer to do it for half of that!!
But the letter was adressed to her, not to the committee. It told HER to invoke the privilege. The committee, (or Sanchez) is saying, if the Pres wants to assert the privilege HE must do so.
I take it the point was meant to be that Bush should assert the privilege to the committee then? Ok. But Sanchez also ruled that the privilege (presumably even if it comes from GWB), is bogus, no?
Kathleen @ 175
Yes indeedy.
Special Comment video is up
Right here
LS @ 172
Sorry to go off topic. But I am also sorry Big Mitch.. divorce can be tough. Mediation, compromise, forgiveness and talking about the differences is always best(especially if kids are involved) but not always possible.
I didn’t see it, but if she did, that would be my judgment as well. FWIW.
If he asserts it, he is automatically a party to later litigation, (which, if there is a just God, will be in the U.S. Senate.)
This is weird. It is some kind of propaganda being emailed around the web…play immediately they say, before it goes away…check it out if you want to, it is supposedly from Al-Jazeera…I don’t know what to think:
http://switch3.castup.net/cune…..amp;ak=nul
BigMitch @ 189
I don’t feel comfortable leaving this to God, the good guys don’t always win. I think we’d better hustle our own bustles on this.
One of my heroes Lt Col karen Kwiatowski at Military Week (had not gone to MW) in a while.
Getting Screwed
“Screwed up, screwed over, and just plain screwed. The brutality of this language sadly fails to approximate what is happening to oursoldiers and Marines in Iraq, and afterwards.”
http://militaryweek.com/column……php?id=51
I am sure you have read Kwiatowski’s “The New Pentagon Papers” but just in case you have not
http://dir.salon.com/story/opi…..index.html
john in sacramento @ 186
thanks!
and whoa.
Kathleen @ 188
I am going to leave soon to play racquetball, so I will answer, firm in the knowledge that this conversation will not hijack the thread. Of course you are correct that mediation, compromise, forgiveness and talking about the differences is the best. Yes, there are two gorgeous children involved.
When I was a lawyer, if someone came in and wanted a divorce, I would say (if it was true) that I didn’t have time, but that if they brought in the spouse, I would sit down with both of them and in an hour tell them exactly how it was going to turn out, crank out a no-faulty kind of thing, and send them on their way. If they wanted to fight, they had to take it elsewhere.
My wife’s lawyer is doing the opposite. She is fanning the flames of discord. She opposes things without talking to my wife, and then the judge orders them anyway. To make matters worse, she used to be my office mate. In that capacity she was privy to some aspects of my private life — nothing illegal; nothing that Bill Clinton hasn’t done — that I am not nearly proud of. She took the liberty of laying them all out for my ex-2-be, guaranteeing that there would be no settlement or compromise. For what it is worth, the conduct in question was 10 plus years ago.
She will get attorney fees, money that my wife would otherwise spend on my children. I have always defended lawyers when I hear lawyer jokes, etc. However, I hereby, officially and for all time, exempt her from my defense of lawyers. She is the very thing that gives lawyers a bad name. Plus, she is a dope.
Wish me luck in racquetball.
New thread.
eureka springs @ 70
loo hoo. @ 156
thanks, eureka springs, and loo hoo, and everyone else who has ever patronized my blog!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 149
15? 23? 35? 41? How old is KO anyway? He can date either of my daughters and I would be happy. They are 30 and 33.
BigMitch @ 194
If I had any power I would make it a law that couples have to go through 10 mediation sessions before marriage and 10 to get out. Or something like that.
I bet the divorce rate would go down as well as marriages.
Kathleen @ 198
Off to racquetball. Goodbye for now.
US Attorney in Pittsburgh admits she only targeted Dems:
On June 15, investigators from both committees interviewed Pittsburgh’s U.S. Attorney, Mary Beth Buchanan, for six hours.
Though her testimony has not been made public, it is referred to in a footnote of the letter sent to Mr. Gonzales. In it, Ms. Buchanan told investigators that she has only prosecuted Democratic officeholders.
“Yet U.S. Attorney Buchanan has not brought charges against at least two Republican officials who, like Dr. Wecht, are alleged to have misused their office staff,” the letter states.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07200/802831-84.stm
Harriet Miers is teaching Democrats that having some spine goes a long way.
Doesn’t Judge Bates also own a Motel?
Or maybe I’m just confusing him with some Psycho relative of his?
Which may explain why Judge Bates is covering for the Republican Psychos in the White House, Republican Psychos who didn’t think twice about disclosing the top-secret covert identity of a career CIA officer, who was responsible for protecting our nation, and our nation’s children, from the threat of other Psychos getting their hands on nukes or other WMD.
Yep, Psycho-loving Judge Bates has done a great, great service for the criminal Psychos in the Bush administration, but has done a grave, grave disservice to our nation.
Because the Dems know that if they put a woman, any woman, in jail, it’ll be used against them.
Just yesterday, Chris Matthews called Judy Miller(!) a hero(!!!).
If the press could morph this week’s Republican obstruction into a Democratic filibuster (and they did), just imagine how they’d glorify poor, poor, pitiful Harriet.
Tithonia @ 88
K.O. does a kayo! He said — nearly shouted — the word IMPEACHMENT.
LS @ 144
We saw that happen in NY when Clinton’s slimy opponent (Lazlo?) went after her in too obvious a way. A visible blowback — he was toast thereafter.
I know there’s like 205 comments ahead of me, but I just got off work and would like to respond to Jane’s question: Why isn’t Harriet Miers (Myers?) in jail?
The reason is simply this: there are plenty of reasons to get all huffy-duffy about things, but it’s just not nice to send girls to jail, OK?
argosfalcon @ 135
He’s twice her age! what would they have to talk about? uh, oh, never mind.