Scott Jennings appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee:
Leahy: You work at the White House, you’re paid for by taxpayers, you work for the American people, I’m just asking you what kind of work you do.
Jennings: Sir I understand and based on my understanding of the letter I have from Mr. Fielding this falls under the president’s assertion of Executive Privilege and therefore I must respectfully decline to answer at this time.
What exactly doesn’t fall under Executive Privilege as far as George Bush is concerned? Barney’s Rose Garden bouquets?
Leahy also says that the Supreme Court has now become “an arm of the Republican party.” I hope the good Senators keep this in mind when deciding an appropriate course of action to take to deal with those who are so openly contemptuous both of our laws and their authority.
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uno? Jennings is an idiot.
Dos or tres
Bush has declared himself utterly beyond any accountability for anything. It’s worked thus far for his whole life. Ya daince wit’ da one what brung ya, as long as we let him get away with it.
Dos it was. Mister Leahy, please do something! Otherwise you will just become another snarlen Arlen.
Hi Jane:
Please enjoy YearlyKos!
I don’t know how Leahy could stand this guy this morning… and I thought Whitehouse might’ve tackled him a little bit harder, but probably figured it was a waste of breath.
These folks are giving the nation and Constitutional separation of powers a big fat middle finger. This will be their sole governing strategy for the next 18 months.
The futility of hearings will become obvious to the seventy percent by the end of summer. September had better be ass-kicking month, or Democrats will pay bigtime, too.
Why am I thinking that if I was called before Senator Leahy and refused to answer questions that I’d be cooling my heels in custody? Could it be because I’m just a lowly citizen with no powerful connections? Hmm.
How in the hell are they getting away with claiming all this is Executive Privledge? Isn’t this defined by the law as to what it includes and does not?
Off Topic I know, but over 4,000 people have written me now saying they were going to start signhanging, and I’m not only out-posting the lot of them, I’m about to start kicking their collective asses.
http://freewayblogger.blogspot…..-late.html
Rock and Roll.
There was no point in taking him on. The Dems look weaker and weaker..what a shame.
Have fun in Chicago FDL
He definitely believes he is above the law and is now Dictator.
IMPEACH
I repeat:
mental_equinox @ 3
He’s betting that no one will have the stones to call him on it. Sometimes it looks like a totally safe bet to me.
If the national emergency he declared today enables the following to be put into effect, there will no longer be 3 branches of government, and it will mean he cannot be impeached. Yes or No?
http://cliffschecter.blogspot……an-to.html
Regarding LS@66 from last thread, does this mean that Bush claims he can now mess with the government in Lebanon? What does this WH statement mean?
If I have a friend in Lebanon, and I send them money, I can have my accounts seized?
Bush is betting that by the time any judge rules on his assertions of Executive Privilege- and he appeals any adverse rulings to the highest levels- his term of office will be over.
He’s probably right.
Bush is pushing everything to the limit. It is, in effect, a hot house laboratory for seeing just how much practical power a president has- the answer so far is “A LOT”.
I have read that there are two kinds of “contempt” and that Congress has considered only the one that tracks a path through the DOJ and the Supremes. The other has no such obstacles, but hasn’t been used in years by any Congress.
I think in view of the Tillman matter yesterday, the Jennings matter today, the continuing Gonzales and domestic intelligence stonewalling, it is time to dust-off the “old ways” of doing things and put it to the President and his Chief Counsel that they are not above the law.
i don’t see how people can defend the democrats anymore.
i don’t see them doing anything except shuffling paper and covering their ass.
the fix is in. it’s been in, it’s going to stay in.
where’s that leave the people?
out.
rwcole @ 15
Well then we better get that train out of the barn, eh wot?
He could also declare the state of the bridges in the US a “catastrophic national emergency”. He will stop at nothing.
The further Bush pushes things, the more he is riding a tiger. CAN he get off? Does he want to?
mental equinox
It is a totally safe bet.
The (D) Party is just trying to appear to be doing something, and running out the clock until campaign season begins in, like, November this year.
If they really wanted to end the war, defend the Constitution, restore habeas corpus, they knew what to do.
conclusion, they don’t want those things.
LS @ 18
Nah, telling truth is not his style.
Bartoo
Riding a tiger seems an apt description- but can you be more specific about what risks you see for him?
Anybody got “Impeach John Roberts” billboards handy?
Maybe we need a Patrick Henry Society, eh?
BC
sporkovat @ 21
What you said.
rwcole @ 15
Yep.
Two words: inherent contempt.
The Politico blog on Leahy is a Republican snake pit. Yahooo city!
Legal consequence. AND his ‘friends’.
Pollenti — Governor of Minna., is taking an asswhipping on the radio. He is looking bad in comparison to … wait for it… Jesse Ventura, who supported mass transit.
sporkovat @ 21
The (D) Party is just trying to appear to be doing something, and running out the clock until campaign season begins in, like, November this year.
If they really wanted to end the war, defend the Constitution, restore habeas corpus, they knew what to do.
conclusion, they don’t want those things.
The conclusion doesn’t follow, because it takes 60 votes to bring an issue to a vote in the Senate. The Rethugs are blocking everything.
Myself, I think it’s time (and past) for the House to take notice, and begin impeachment proceedings. Let’s start with AGAG, then Darth, then the Dim Son.
If the Senate can’t do anything real, then let them conduct trials.
BC
Jane–Yeah the inherent contempt thing is VERY interesting- I for one would love to see a detailed blueprint and timetable for pulling it off and handling the aftermath..I suspect that there are people here who could do a great job of developing it.
BigMitch @ 22
For heaven’s sake, put this Lebanon thing in some kind of context…this, via wikipedia, shows all instances of such “emergency” power declared since 1976: they all have to do with blocking funds from countries our government has some conflict with, diplomatic or military. Get a lawyer in here if you’re really worried.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents…..n/6216.pdf
Bargain Countertenor @ 24
Patrick Henry Society, very nice! The possibilities are limitless:
The Tom Paine Society, add your favorites.
rwcole @ 15
One caveat, Bush by proxy. It is Rove who designs the plays that Dubya executes. Often its Cheney, but this one is the work of Karl Rove. Dubya can’t even button his shirt correctly.
BigMitch @32:
That comment wasn’t directed at you specifically.
cspam3 replaying some rummy testimony
Impeachment appears to be a big waste of time and political capital…if they can’t remove anyone from office- I don’t want to see dems start down that road..they need wins not losses and not more hearings to no where..
The contempt thing is something they might be able to win.
BigMitch: “Pawlenty”
I really want to hear about the overall mood at ykos. Here’s hoping that the anger and serious concerns we have here are not dulled by DLC soft on impeachment types..
No recess!
All accountability all the time, congress!
Stop the occupations!
It’s the Constitution stupid!!
BigMitch @ 29
Now that’s scraping the bottom of the barrel. (Emphasis added.)
BC
Note to Dem leadership: If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
The most honest image of the BushCo GOP’s contempt for the American People and the Constitution are summed up in the photos of Rove thumbing his nose, and Bush flipping the bird.
Restore Honor and Dignity, my ass . . .
He who controls the purse controls the situation, and he who pays the piper calls the tune. It’s time to reduce the president’s staff.
brendan @ 32
I don’t doubt you Brendan at all. I would like to hear a lawyer’s opinion, which is why I posted it here. I wouldn’t be too casual about what they are up to. Just look at their flipping the bird at congressional subpoenas. Nevermind, just go read Hugh’s list, wherever it is.
From the NYT’s:
LINK
brendan @ 39
Yet another example of turning over a large government to someone who doesn’t believe in it.
anangryoldbroad @ 8
It is not defined by statute. Is is SOMEWHAT defined by case law. Up until US v. Nixon, there wasn’t evne that, existed only as a matter of custom
rwcole @37,
True, but the hearings is what gets them to be in contempt. Or better, to catch them lying. And finally the by-product is a citizenry more and more turned off not only from Bush, but from every Republican who has to defend this mafia ring.
So I think it’s got advantages. Certainly more action needs to be done by US.
Which is of course why, I am eager about August 27. President Bush is coming to visit my town (Bellevue, outside of Seattle) for a re-election campaign fund booster for Representative Fourth Reichert. So time to don the protest suit!
rwcole @ 37
I agree on the contempt issue, if and only if Congress takes the inherent contempt route. Bush has made it clear that he won’t allow the DoJ to prosecute contempt of congress. Probably because they’d have to start in the oval office…
As far as impeachment goes, I think we could get a W on Abu Gonzales. See what develops there, and then look at Darth.
BC
AZ Matt @ 46
You gotta be f’ing kidding me. No transcript! And with lawyers! I know the results already, i.e.I can’t remember, I don’t recall, I can’t answer that, my memory is unclear. Spare me, what is Waxman thinking!!
I wonder if the this new EO from Dictators’R US covers aid to Isr**l, if Z**nists attack Lebanon, again. Nothing would do more to undermine the democratic government and institutions of Lebanon, than another attack by Is**l.
LS @ 44
Here
sporkovat @ 22
that’s my working hypothesis also.
so, next question is what action can we, the people, do now to hold our Ds in congress accountable? i open to any ideas (that use moral means). but what i’m doing now isn’t cutting it.
“That there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by
keeping up the quarrels of Nations, is as shocking as it is true; but when
those who are concerned in the government of a country, make it their study to
sow discord and cultivate prejudices between nations, it becomes the more
unpardonable.”
— Thomas Paine, “Rights of Man”, First Part, Preface to the English Edition
Bargain
I agree- Gonzo could be a W. Needs careful thought and wargaming- but could be worth doing.
Bargain Countertenor @ 50
Rove in the pokey, baby. Rove in the pokey.
OT New Froomkin
LS @ 44
What I sort of objected to was what seemed to me the arbitrary plucking of an executive act to present of evidence that Bush is establishing a dictatorship, when (you don’t need me to tell you) the immediate, visible constitutional crisis, the naked grab for dictatorial power, is going on right on tv.
Jane Hamsher @ 27
I think Leahy is correct..the fix is in at SCOTUS…If the House voted out an inherent contempt citation (unlikely IMHO), a Federal Judge and/or SCOTUS would grant a restraining order, Habeas, or just declare the practice un-Constitutional. After 01/20/09 SCOTUS will be the major obstruction to repairing the Constitution and restoring the rule of law.
As the Brown decision showed, the Roberts court doesn’t care about precedent..all of the previous court opinions re: inherent contempt, including Scalia’s opinion in Young v. US will be meaningless.
Frank33 @ 52
I agree. At the same tme remember that Isr*el really lost big time in the last attack, looking both militarily ineffectual and immoral.
Goopers are allowing Bush to roll up a snowball of executive power that may be under the control of a dem in 18 months. They ain’t always swift.
dude @ 17
May I recommend: http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..entatives/
Richmond @ 51
and i thought, after yesterday’s hearing, that i couldn’t be angrier at the house oversight committee.
once again i was wrong.
Bargain Countertenor @ 41
Pawlenti is a Democrat so he will get tarred with this just like Blanco in LA. Ventura was an Independent. Anytime the MSM can slam the hell out of a Democrat its going to happen.
The federal gov was largely responsible for the condition of the dikes re: Katrina disaster.
The bridge in MN was connected to a federal highway. It may be discovered that the federal gov would not provide the funds to repair it or replace it.
Bush threatens to veto the health insurance bill (it takes money fed money away from the private Insurance Industy) for children because it is too costly.
Orrin Hatch says it costs too much money to ask a WH staffer some questions.
How much is it – 12 billion a month for the Iraq war with billions going to privateers?
rwcole @ 62
What makes you so sure they won’t rig the next election like the last two? Remember we still have the same electronic voting machines
brendan @ 59
Right. I’m just saying that “other” EO’s, like continuity of government, etc., say that he can decide what an emergency is, and when he does, he can deem himself in control of all three branches of government. He would possibly be unimpeachable. I didn’t invent it, they did. The other “naked grab” ends up almost irrelevant, if we are subjected to his claims of power over all the branches via an emergency order setting that into motion. I’m saying that his rampant disregard for the law, is evidence that he already thinks he is in a dictator posture. I hope that makes sense.
Richmond—Nothin I guess- but many were sayin that dems couldn’t win in 06 because of the dreaded voting machines- but they did- and big too- so whatever the power of the voting machines amounts to- it’s not absolute apparently.
Waxman to Fielding on Tillman
selise @ 54
It is now a matter of courage and conscience,
the Dems are afraid. I’m not convinced they are afraid of the right thing (no pun intended). It may be that the Dems will not stand up. Let us ponder what WE shall do if that reality confronts us. Just in case.
I just put in calls to my senators, Kennedy and Kerry.
I told them if nothing is done, no impeachments, no pull out from Iraq, I’m not supporting nor voting for any democrat in the next election.
I’ll vote for Nader, libertarian, whoever, but I’m not supporting a party of do-nothings whose only concern is positioning for re-election.
I’m totally disgusted with all of them.
Hackworth, The gov. of Minnesota is a republican who vetoed the transportation bill.
Remember the “Nuclear Option”- had goopers actually pulled the trigger on it when they threatened to- they’d have no fillibuster power- they don’t always think ahead.
On supremes as Republican tool now, what would happen (assuming we do get a Dem president and increase Dems in Congress-big ifs) if they seek to increase the size of the court as Roosevelt attempted, thereby mitigating some of the power of the Opus Dei cult members now in control there?
hackworth @ 65
Pawlenty is a rethug…not a Dem
Leahy also says that the Supreme Court has now become “an arm of the Republican party.”
Nixon just smiled in his grave. But Checkers is furiously pawing, trying to get out.
JPL @ 72
Oh, good. We got a break. Nevermind. Let the hammering persist. My bad.
Apparently the bridge was under repair at the time of the accident- haven’t yet heard what sort of repair..It’s possible that an error in the repair caused the accident..to much not known to start lookin for political scalps at this point- although there’s a lot of ass coverin goin on already.
rwcole @ 62
They have zero intention of allowing a Dem to take over control in ‘09, or ever. They have so far controlled the elections in two of our presidential elections. Rove has put in place a blatant structure to attempt to guarantee permanent Repub control led by the neocons. Something really serious has to happen now, to prevent throwing the elections and anything else they can cook up.
What are we supposed to do about this? These people work for us… Senator Reid is the Senate Majority leader and some punk from the White House can just tell him to go f*** himself?
I am losing patience at a rate that’s making me nauseous and I am also starting to think we need a very serious reworking of our government.
Our political goal has to be the destruction of the Republican Party as a National Party. Restoring the rule of law should do it..the Republicans provided the method for their undoing, greed..they are all felons.
Here is another reason to throw the Thugs into the trash bin of history.
Proposed Bill Would Require Ohio Women To Get Permission From Man To Get Abortion
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/08…..-abortion/
This is important because there are always two parents and fathers should have a say in the birth or the destruction of that child,” said [Rep. John] Adams, a Republican from Sidney. “I didn’t bring it up to draw attention to myself or to be controversial. In most cases, when a child is born the father has financial responsibility for that child, so he should have a say.” As written, the bill would ban women from seeking an abortion without written consent from the father of the fetus. In cases where the identity of the father is unknown, women would be required to submit a list of possible fathers. The physician would be forced to conduct a paternity test from the provided list and then seek paternal permission to abort.
Steve-AR @ 81
Oh…that’s because Ohio is the first state in the Homeland, not the United States of America.
rwcole @ 78
Yes there is mucho ass covering already. There was a report of a jackhammer sound (in the first moments of the report on MSNBC) that was quickly recanted.
I was watching the votevets guy on Hardball. He was taking apart the right-wing sock puppet very effectively on the Tillman matter when the special report cut in.
rwcole @ 78
It was surface work only, the problems were structural. The impact of these mega heavy SUVs also are destroying our bridge system. But you know where car weight and gasoline standards have gone in Congress. No where.
David W. Bartoo @ 70
the strange thing is that by 2002 i had given up on electoral politics and the system in general (courts, congress)… thinking that social movement work was where i should put my efforts.
it was only jane’s focus on the ned lamont campaign and howie’s awesome work on blue america that renewed my faith in the “system”.
sadly, the dem leadership in congress as well as our inability to hold them accountable are undermining all the hope and faith in the system i had found last year.
Steve-AR @ 81
rico Rico RICO
scarlet p. @ 9
I know it is a lot more letters, but the “War” is long over and it is now an Occupation……
When the dems came into power, I expected gridlock (which happened) and investigations (which happened). I didn’t expect any legislative victories (which didn’t happen) nor did I expect impeachment. I hoped for realistic, detailed, insightful investigation into the war- which may yet happen- and the beginnings of a withdrawal (which also may happen..)
I want to see a strategy for dealin with the executive privilege bs- and some actual VICTORIES against the shrubbery monster.
On the whole- they’re not doing badly given their narrow majority and the power of the pres.
rwcole @ 78
DOT(?) inspection of the bridge in ‘05 showed problems..the bridge was rated as a “50″ out of a possible score of 120.
lost_nacf_gop @ 89
Throw their asses in the slammer. By definition they’ll hold the key to their own cell. All they’ve got to do is talk.
selise @ 86
Yes. We have been presented a profiund opportunity, frightening as it might be.
We will spend much of the rest of our lives
glad that we seized it or lamenting that we did not. The motto on our coinage should rerad: ‘IT’s up to US.’
Richmond @ 85
Yes, they’ve gone somewhere. Bushco has done everything to increase the size of vehicles and reduce the gas mileage. The farm equipment tax loophole (its ended now) allowed for buyers to write off the purchase of behemoth SUV’s including the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.
LS @67:
Of course it makes sense: signing statements are the salient example of what you’re talking about. But I think you understand my point: a disclaimer that this declaration is not unprecedented — at least on the surface — would have been appropriate.
rwcole @ 90
I agree..keep up the exposure of greed and illegal behavior. Any real change has to be bottom up..hopefully by ‘09, public opinion will be demanding prosecutions by the thousands..if that doesn’t happen, this country is truly screwed.
House is going to postpone action on cafe standards until after the break apparently.
A side note- the Toyota Prius gets nearly fifty miles per gallon and costs $20,000. It has less than one percent market share- and this at a time when gas is at $3 per gallon..
I support action by congress- but there’s no action by the people– americans don’t really give a shit- and that’s the REAL problem here.
Steve-AR @ 60
Can SCOTUS do that in re inherent contempt? If so, an impeachment inquiry would be the only route left open. Or could SCOTUS influence that, as well?
Thank Gawd, Texas leads the way again! What would we do without to brillant Texas Leg?
The Eyes of Texas are watching your every move!
Steve-AR @ 81
In the Virginia legislature a few years back some Republican got with the program a littel too enthusiastically and proposed requiring women to inform the police in the event of miscarriage.
Please, please, do NOT watch this video from RawStory. It is about Bill Kristol and his disgusting and repulsive reality.
One State Under God – I don’t even recognize this country any longer.
brendan @ 94
I agree – not unprecedented. However, other factors were not in place when other EO’s went into effect. That’s the part I’m talking about, and you are absolutely right about the signing statements.
Arca @ 71
I sometimes feel the same way, but I’m voting for Konos anyway.
Texas children are required to kiss replicas of the president’s ass every mornin before their “no chile left behind” education starts.
Via @ 98
IANAL. It was my impression that Congress is an independent entity when prosecuting inherent contempt. They even have their own jails, i.e., those of Washington DC.
Frank33 @ 100
Also over at RawStory: Ex-White House aides to be interviewed ‘off record’ on Tillman: Soon
IIRC it was a $25k small business tax credit..Has it ended? the last that I read was that the Thugs were fighting it.
rwcole @ 104
you funny!
Steve-AR @ 81
OK, burkas for all us ‘merican women are just around the corner.
Jennings said in testimony today that he was given an RNC blackberry as soon as the USA scandal came to light. He had asked for one earlier, but was not given one.
rwcole @ 96
I would buy one tomorrow if it came in a small pick up truck model.
Congress authorized a tax credit for purchasers of hybrids- but they LIMITED it to so much per model- the Prius has used up most of it’s credit- so purchasers get very little now- purchasers of SHITTY hybrids- on the other hand- still get the full credit..
Talk about a fucked up bill!!!
The link to the Waxman/Fielding piece did not come up; did anyone else have trouble?
LS @ 110
Do you mean WH blackberry? He was given his RNC at the beginning, as I understood it…
rwcole @ 89
it’s not only that they haven’t gotten some important stuff done or have been frequently completely lame in their oversight hearings…
it’s also some of the stuff they’ve done… like h.con.r.21 or the secret trade deal with bush. or paying for the iraq war/occupation escalation. or the stupid energy bill (corn ethanol) and jumping on the lebanon attack last summer. or s.amdt.2073. including the hydrocarbon law in the benchmarks for iraqis….. and the list just goes on and on if i let it.
twolf1 @ 106
There is a link at my 69 to the letter from Waxman to Fielding.
rwcole @ 96
So true, and alas, in my neighborhood the most pro-war residents (from neo-con-zion, to rethug, to hard hat) are those with the biggest, newest SUVs with the largest yellow “support the troops” decals. If my 91 corolla (which has better milage than some hybrids) were to roll over anytime soon I would go with a Prius.
Does accepting the terms of the WH to interview on their terms, in some way acknowledge executive privilege?
Via @ 114
I thought it was the other way around…hmmmm.
selise @ 86
there’s a great quote from Gandhi somewhere…
from http://onlinejournal.com/artma…..2241.shtml
there was a great social movement, the antiwar movement, having huge demonstrations of 100,000 people, until it was co-opted into the (D) Party orbit, and now has lost a lot of strength and relevance.
I like Dean, I wish he was the nominee, I would have gone all out for him, and for Lamont, but I cannot support neo-con warmongers, even if they are anointed with a magic (D) in front of their names.
I wish we on the left weren’t so taken for granted that we can be walked over and betrayed constantly. Their big money donors and powerful-lobbies-on-trial-for-espionage don’t get double timed like that, only their grassroots supporters.
What to do? 3rd party organizing, social movement organizing, or just withold support, don’t vote for a neo-con nominee.
and don’t fall for the Congressional Kabuki, the feebleness defense of ‘we don’t have the votes.’
Have a vote, see who is for and against the United States Constitution, and hold it against them at election time. Simple.
Don’t be so afraid of what the noise machine will say if the vote doesn’t succeed, so what? they’re going to say sh*t anyway.
I am beginning to regret that the Democrats won in 2006.
Once again they are putting their stamp of compliance on Bush’s power-grabs by ineptitude and lack of resolve.
If America is going to dissolve into a totalitarian state I’d rather the opposition go down fighting, not bending over.
-GSD
BHatten @ 113
Link again
I did a little exercise the other day to figure out how much it costs to drive an SUV vs a Prius at different gasoling price points—I figure that most americans won’t start ditching their gas hogs until we reach $6 per gallon. They’ll pay $300 per month for the privelege of fuckin up the country.
rwcole @ 96
rwcole @ 112
reasons number 234 and 235 of why i’m pissed at the dem leadership.
LS @ 118
Of course. No records, no oaths.
-GSD
rwcole @ 123
I might as well say it: I liked living in Sweden with my socialized medicine, and didn’t even particularly mind gas rationing in the 70’s.
wigwam @ 106
IANAL either, independent entity? In the past SCOTUS has defended the the right of Congressional contempt..With the Roberts court who knows.
BHatten @ 113
I tried again and it did about the 3rd time.
Selise @ 115
keep that list handy. In November 08 they’re going to be boasting about all of their mighty sucesses.
Tillman testimony off the record, no transcript, not under oath?!?!?
wtf is that all about??
how hard is it to frame as a situation of What have you got to hide??
where does their leverage come from to put these restrictions over of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Mr Waxman?
cspan3 going back to coverage of SJC and Jennings
Selise @ 124
That tax credit was buried in one of the business tax forms in such a way that regular taxpayers were pretty much unable to find or use it. It was a crock from the beginning.
sporkovat @ 120
yeah. that’s what i was doing… helping organizing buses to dc and nyc, local protests, a teach in, raising money for anti-war ad in the newspaper, showing a movie, volunteering with the nlg, even got tear gassed and pepper sprayed … and meetings that lasted for hours.
i really thought that all that organizing energy could be amplified and coordinated via political blogs. but’s that not what has happened. at least not yet.
don’t really know what to do. i wish i had some decent writing skills.
twolf1 @ 130
thanks twolf…
OldCoastie @ 133
actually, not sure jennings is there anymore
well, let’s see what’s going on…
selise @ 124
Any wonder that American cars suck. And Michigan’s democratic congress peope are no help to the nation (or the state) on this issue.
hackworth @ 84
This is my understanding – the US Dept of T in 2006 did a study of the bridge and said it was structurally deficient. In 2001 the MN D of T did a study of the bridge and talked about obvious stress (fissures? fractures?) signs on the bridge. There was a train going under the bridge while surface repair work was going on on top of the bridge. The vibrations of both of these, along with bumper to bumper traffic, could have finally been too much.
In Michigan we had a terrible Repug governor for years, John Engler. Toward the end of his term our bridges were crumbling (causing injuries) and, under public pressure, he finally had to put some money into bridge repair. The R’s just don’t like to have to spend any money on infrastructure for some reason. You’d think a ton of money could be made on kick backs from those bidding the jobs but maybe not.
twolf1 @ 130
do you have a link?
here’s a little good news! via C & L, Coulter’s vote fraud case is still alive.
hackworth @ 84
I’ve seen him on there twice and he has been very well prepared both times, somthing that is very unusual for the left as it is shown on TV.
Richmond @ 138
here’s the page to cspan live.
however, i jumped the gun. jennings is no longer there and they have moved on to something else.
coulter’s vote fraud case
Yah mean clustefuck ain’t pardoned her yet? A mere oversight- only dems go to jail now.
Thanks, above. I never did get the Waxman link, so I will try later.
I’m curious to see if the SJC votes out some sort of supoena or contempt for Rove this afternoon.
Although I have been a dem my entire life- I have no great love for either party- I have just found through experience that dems fuck things up less than goopers. I’ll keep voting dem with modest expectations for anything earth shaking to happen except for fewer fascist judges- which is a huge issue with me right now.
We badly need a dem presidency to provide an opportunity to replace the liberal judges on the supreme court with younger models- then it becomes a race of politics and genetics- may the healthiest genes win!!
This president has fucked up everything he has touched- and we will live with the results long after he is gone- but NOTHING is as serious and long lasting as his fascist supreme court.
This testimony = chilling.
I wouldn’t trust this guy to put groceries on a shelf at midnight. O…M…G…
Anyone left on this thread that can blog the SJC hearing?
We are witnessing the failure of our form of government. Essentially the repukes have gamed the system, stacked the court, stolen elections, claimed executive priviledges which they probably don’t have, lied, purjured themselves, started a clearing illegal war, ignored the UN when convenient and bullied them when convenient. We have a dictatorship masquerading inside of a constitutional republic.
The dems should be challenging these guys in any and all ways. If they can get articles of impeachment voted, they may not have to win the senate trial, but they can use it to expose the wrong doing. That alone may wake up some more people.
It also appears that these guys are not fearful of the coming elections as they should be if they read the polls. They have some tricks up their sleeves and are not going to let us have an elected government which will then hold these thieves accountable. Just look at how corrupt the republican senators and congresscritters are.
People are numb to this and are mostly looking at flat screen TVs Ipods, text messages on cell phones, sports teams, tinsel town celebs to notice that they live in a banana republic run by an oligarchy of rich white men and their Stepford babes.
I’ll bring my pitchfork if you’ll bring yours. I’ve had enough.
OldCoastie @ 139
The photo accompanying that story is entirely appropriate. Ann in
herits eveningwear.Diane @ 149
they’ve gone on to other issues… just takin’ care of regular business. I’ve got an ear on it – if anything breaks, I’ll post it.
Thanks OldCoastie, stuck @ work with no speakers.
OldCoastie @ 152
Maybe Jennings ran home to mommy.
twolf1 @ 154
yes, I think you are right.. also needed a shower and a change of underwear.
it occurs to me that Jennings is plenty young enough to join the Army in support of “War! Glorious War!” that his president is so enthused about.
OldCoastie @ 155
also needed a shower and a change of
underweardiaper.new thread upstairs – for a while now.
OldCoastie @ 156
He could prol’ly stand to lose the weight from basic and Iraq as well.
twolf1 @ 157
No that would be David Vitter, Republican, LA
Richmond @ 158
Thanks Richmond – I’m thinking we can hang out here and make all sorts of OT comments without anyone minding too much.
The failure of the bridge represents the failure of capitalism. When the bridge was built, cars were lighter and there weren’t that many of them. Automobile manufacture provides jobs. We don’t much care after the cars are sold that we don’t have roads for them or that they strain the bridges. I have no doubt many more bridges on the interstate system operate at or in excess of their designed capacity. In addition they are old and most likely improperly maintained.
It’s like our government. Doesn’t work anymore. There’s no reason why the American empire should last longer than the British, French, Roman or other empire that comes to mind.
Redd’s got an amazing video way up top…
Well at least he showed up. “My American taxpayer, paid government job is to suck the Presidents dick, oh and yes, end up going to jail for him if necessary.” Well he didn’t actually say it, but I don’t know what else you could call him…….and we all know what end might be up in prison.
So, when’s congress going to get pissed off enough to make the case that “Executive Privilege” doesn’t have any constitutional basis and their witnesses actually have to answer their questions?
OK Leahy, that’s all well and good, but
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
SanderO @ 150
PitchFork(s). Absolutely…!
scarlet p. @ 9
It is becoming fairly clear that We the People of the United States have no effective representation in Washington. If the Congress critters dare to come back to face their constituants, the uniform message they should be getting is “you are allowing King George to run roughshod over the constitution. You will not be back in your seat, come the next election, if King George allows another election.”
cancer_cures @ 49
You are so LUCKY!!! W wouldn’t dare come to Massachusetts these days!!
Malcontent @ 165
If Bush sticks Congress with the
fingerExecutive Privilege bullshit, Congress should cart Meiers scrawny behind and Rove’s hairy ass off to the slammer and call that SENATE PRIVILEGE. They are, after all, co-equal branches of government.Scott Jennings “I must decline at this time”
mental_equinox @ 3
A ture sign of an addict…never take responsibility for your actions. The congress and the people of the U.S. need to do an intervention.
What is the process for citing someone for inherent contempt? If Jennings or whoever pissed Leahy off to the point that he’d had enough, and said, “Enough! That’s contempt of this committee! I move that this committee hold you in contempt for failure to answer the most innocuous of questions! That letter from
your motherWhite House Counsellor Fielding doesn’t grant you the right to flout the law. That’s merely a piece of paper, his opinion. Executive Privilege – in my opinion, in the constitution, and in established legal precedent – is not carte blanche, and the questions I just asked you are not seeking privileged information. They do go to the matter of assisting this committee to carry out its mandate, and you are obligated under law to answer such questions when you are asked.” could the committee vote immediately? Or does there need to be notice? IANAL but on TV a judge can cite someone for contempt on the spot.Does the committee get copies of these letters from Fielding to White House staff which apparently deny the staffers the right to answer civil questions from elected Senators?
Kathleen @ 173
…..an enenma!
Richmond @ 74
Richmond, if I’m not mistaken, I believe additional justices have been added several times. The Roberts and Alito hijacking of the Supreme Court must be reversed.
why, Why, WHY doesnt Congress stop *all* funding for the Executive Branch?