‘allo?

HA!

birthday zed!!

(okay, it’s not until tomorrow, but I’m planning to ignore tomorrow in its entirety)

Happy birthday, jayt, and congrats.

ETA: I’m still laughing over “Embrace Your Inner Constitution.” I plan to steal that.

from the Inner Circle link:

The email traffic which has surfaced already—and it is only a tiny fraction of the total—shows how Rove and Miers repeatedly relied upon the Federalist Society and its members to help them out in addressing recalcitrant U.S. Attorneys who would not debase their office by converting it into a political tool.(my bold)

And just where are those contempt citations for Mr. Rove and Ms. Mieres again?

I feel absolutely great this morning. And here’s why.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. will review its aid to Pakistan after the country’s military ruler suspended the constitution.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 6

I feel absolutely great this morning. And here’s why.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. will review its aid to Pakistan after the country’s military ruler suspended the constitution.

She’ll probably get the same guys who evaluated Blackwater after the September shootings. They will, no doubt, suggest sensitivity training for Musharraf.

Condoleeza Rice has got to be one of the most vacant human beings on the planet.

The Malcolm Nance piece in SWJ
is a good addition to the Evan Wallach WaPo story on waterboarding. With no exaggeration intended, this Administration and the Republican Party qualifies as a “Crime Against Humanity”.

Morning, Christie…

Clapton’s still good, but he can’t seem to touch what he used to be able to do: e.g., his work with Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Cream.

In reference to your previous post, Louis Freeh may be a great lawyer, yadda yadda yadda, but he’s also an incredible Luddite whose distaste for computers put the FBI into it’s current sad state of affairs. The man, apparently tossed his government-assigned PC into the shitter when he arrived at FBIHQ for the “big job” and never looked back. He was, I believe also responsible for single-handedly stifling much of he agency’s ability to keep abreast of new technology by just ignoring it.

Carnivore? Maybe, but dollars to donuts it was the work product of either someone with a different “godfather” or was so far along he never really “got it” and just signed the checks hoping they would leave him alone.

Freeh is probably the best thing to happen to civil liberties in terms of data mining if he stayed true to form over the past decade; hell they’ll probably be using punch cards DOJ-wide by 2009. LOL!

Christy, I mean.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 6

I feel absolutely great this morning. And here’s why.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. will review its aid to Pakistan after the country’s military ruler suspended the constitution.

I think she and Gates may differ:

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of state of emergency in Pakistan does not affect U.S. military support, a spokesman said.

link

jayt @ 5

from the Inner Circle link:

The email traffic which has surfaced already—and it is only a tiny fraction of the total—shows how Rove and Miers repeatedly relied upon the Federalist Society and its members to help them out in addressing recalcitrant U.S. Attorneys who would not debase their office by converting it into a political tool.(my bold)

And just where are those contempt citations for Mr. Rove and Ms. Mieres again?

Out of sight; out of mind. Of course one could argue that for my party (Dem), that it doesn’t take ‘out of sight’ to avoid critical issues and holding lawbreakers to account. Even when criminals are around, the Democrats tend to be the do-nothing party. Impeachment… anyone?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 6

I feel absolutely great this morning. And here’s why.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. will review its aid to Pakistan after the country’s military ruler suspended the constitution.

AP March 31st, 2008- Secretary of State Rice said today that the State Department continues to review the U.S. aid package to Pakistan.

Steve-AR @ 13

Oklahoma kiddo @ 6

I feel absolutely great this morning. And here’s why.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. will review its aid to Pakistan after the country’s military ruler suspended the constitution.

I think she and Gates may differ:

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of state of emergency in Pakistan does not affect U.S. military support, a spokesman said.

link

The view here is that the bottom line will be tha same.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 6

I feel absolutely great this morning. And here’s why.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. will review its aid to Pakistan after the country’s military ruler suspended the constitution.

Well, she is VERY disappointed with Pakistan.

-GSD

Our beauty of a president suspended the U.S. Constitution a long time ago. What’s the ‘biggie’ with the dictator of Pakistan’s action?

I am not prepared to say waterboarding is not cool with the Constitution. So says our soon to be AG.

OT..

FOXNews Sunday: Poppy Bush Gets Emotional Remembering How We USED To Treat Prisoners

C&L

The psychopathic son, I am sure, thinks of “pops” as a sentimental old fool and a P****.

Digby is amazing:

Too Much Fun

by digby

I just saw Jeanne Moos do one of her cute little feature stories on … waterboarding. Lots of adorable stories of people trying it and timing themselves and laughing about it afterwards. Funny, funny stuff. I only wish they’d put her in a stress position for 48 hours naked so we could see how hilarious that is too.
(snip)

link

Of the two, I find Karen Hughes much more frightening than Rice.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 22

Of the two, I find Karen Hughes much more frightening than Rice.

That’s because Karen Hughes was allowed to travel under the radar for all these years.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 22

Of the two, I find Karen Hughes much more frightening than Rice.

Why? Hughes is just an annoying joke that no one takes seriously. Rice is in a position to do real damage, and is doing so every day.

‘I am the real decider. And I have decided that GWB will not be impeached’. Nancy Decider Pelosi, (with a little help from my friends Harry and HRC, that is).

BobbyG @ 24

Oklahoma kiddo @ 22

Of the two, I find Karen Hughes much more frightening than Rice.

Why? Hughes is just an annoying joke that no one takes seriously. Rice is in a position to do real damage, and is doing so every day.

Ha. Well said. I agree.

BobbyG @ 24

Oklahoma kiddo @ 22

Of the two, I find Karen Hughes much more frightening than Rice.

Why? Hughes is just an annoying joke that no one takes seriously. Rice is in a position to do real damage, and is doing so every day.

I’m not quite sure I’m prepared to say Condi determines much on her own.

As Sec’y of State, a lot of people hear the words coming out of her mouth everyday…and she does “do real damage…”. I think.
How much she determines is maybe another question.

Senator Biden said this morning on FTN that Muscharraf isn’t using the aid we shower on him for what it was intended anyway so take it from him.

A solemn Biden showed up this morning to talk with Bob. I credit him with his predictions over the years that we were heading for the place we are now with Pakistan.

Regarding the last Mukasey post, I’m trying to remember why it was such good news when Gonzales left. There are always more Bush Gonzales’s where AG came from–the dung heap.

If SCHIP cannot pass with veto-proof majority, then impeachment cannot pass with 2/3 majority.

The impresion here is that Rice is what used to be referred as a ‘figurehead’. Kinda like Gonzales was for Rove.

Are we prepared to say that Condi acts independently? Like the Veep, say, does.

On Friday Scott Horton posted an excellent article The Torture Litmus Test at Harpers. But one paragraph left me a bit confused:

The New York Times says the issue is one of legal culpability of those who have administered the program. In a speech I delivered in Ohio last October, “When Lawyers Are War Criminals,” I went over this analysis in some detail and concluded it was incorrect. The CIA personnel, military personnel and contractors all have immunity. But there is a class of persons who are probably not immunized in any effective way by the current statutes, namely the administration officials who authored this scheme: Dick Cheney, David Addington, Donald Rumsfeld, Jim Haynes and a handful of others. They are the figures “on the line” who are most adamant that Mukasey (or any substitute for Mukasey) provide them with the protection they feel they need.

How, where, and from whom exactly did the CIA personnel, military personnel and contractors get their “immunity”? Scott didn’t explain.

Cancer Cures @ 30

If SCHIP cannot pass with veto-proof majority, then impeachment cannot pass with 2/3 majority.

Impeachment only requires a simple majority, which is possible. Conviction requires 2/3, IIRC, not possible.

demi @ 28

As Sec’y of State, a lot of people hear the words coming out of her mouth everyday…and she does “do real damage…”. I think.
How much she determines is maybe another question.

Well… she is making a lot of headway in her peace “efforts” between the Israelis and Palestinians. Must be her powers of pursuasion.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 31

The impresion here is that Rice is what used to be referred as a ‘figurehead’. Kinda like Gonzales was for Rove.

Are we prepared to say that Condi acts independently? Like the Veep, say, does.

I agree except sub. David Addington for Rove..Rove never called the “big plays”. Rove was just another operative.

boy, just watched the video of Poppy Bush over at C&L getting emotional over treatment of prisoners…

he must be very afraid that judgement day for his son is not going to be kind…

junya – always flipping the bird to poppy…

Oklahoma kiddo @ 34

demi @ 28

As Sec’y of State, a lot of people hear the words coming out of her mouth everyday…and she does “do real damage…”. I think.
How much she determines is maybe another question.

Well… she is making a lot of headway in her peace “efforts” between the Israelis and Palestinians. Must be her powers of pursuasion.

Yeah. I wonder if she’s conferred with Former President Carter for any Background Points.
You know, learn from history and all.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 25

‘I am the real decider. And I have decided that GWB will not be impeached’. Nancy Decider Pelosi, (with a little help from my friends Harry and HRC, that is).

http://slate.com/id/2172547/

Pelosi has threatened the removal of Michigan Rep. John Conyers from his chairmanship of the House judiciary committee if an impeachment inquiry were even opened, according to reliable congressional chatter.

Yes. Condi is a real powerhouse. Just look at how she neutralized Putin on Iran. If course the Secretary’s particular field of expertise is, afterall, Russia.

dov12348 @ 38

http://slate.com/id/2172547/

Pelosi has threatened the removal of Michigan Rep. John Conyers from his chairmanship of the House judiciary committee if an impeachment inquiry were even opened, according to reliable congressional chatter.

.
I like this quote from the Fein article you link to:

But even if the speaker’s political and strategic impeachment worries were valid, the Constitution is beyond party. It has remained generally unscathed for more than two centuries only because our leaders have subordinated their parochial concerns when looking into a constitutional abyss.

Sure, Condi didn’t do much diplomacy in while in Russia, but she did buy some expensive Pravda shoes.

-GSD

The Inner Circle article has me wondering about the odd position any AG nominee is in with this administration. Anyone who said water boarding is torture would get their name yanked by the Bush admin. If they said water boarding isn’t torture, they may not get senate approval.

Would someone lie/fudge/weasel to get in the job, then actually do their job, name a special prosecutor and deal with the criminals in the White House? And how would we know, until it’s too late?

Benito Stooliani sez he tortured mobsters.

Tough talking twit.

-GSD

TheOtherWA @ 42

The Inner Circle article has me wondering about the odd position any AG nominee is in with this administration. Anyone who said water boarding is torture would get their name yanked by the Bush admin. If they said water boarding isn’t torture, they may not get senate approval.

Would someone lie/fudge/weasel to get in the job, then actually do their job, name a special prosecutor and deal with the criminals in the White House? And how would we know, until it’s too late?

I love to hear that the inner circle is sweating it.

OldCoastie @ 36

junya – always flipping the bird to poppy…

‘Clap louder, America‘

;>)

Hooray. Someone else thought of the same thing I did, and THEY can make it happen. At the Justice Dept. Tomorrow. High Noon. A volunteer will be waterboarded. More details here (text). Schumer and Feinstein have been invited to attend. I’m sending a fax now to her, as a consituent. Anyone else up for gentle urges that they better inform themselves (and re-consider their decision)?

GSD @ 43

Benito Stooliani sez he tortured mobsters.

Tough talking twit.

-GSD

But Rudy, remember your stooge (who was who’s stooge) Bernie Kerik was doing financial business with organized crime.

Laura Doty @ 46

Hooray. Someone else thought of the same thing I did, and THEY can make it happen. At the Justice Dept. Tomorrow. High Noon. A volunteer will be waterboarded. More details here (text). Schumer and Feinstein have been invited to attend. I’m sending a fax now to her, as a consituent. Anyone else up for gentle urges that they better inform themselves (and re-consider their decision)?

Yeah, but who’s the volunteer? A Kool-aid drinker who will then say it’s not so bad? That won’t help.

darkblack @ 45

OldCoastie @ 36

junya – always flipping the bird to poppy…

‘Clap louder, America‘

;>)

That is two mockerys of two shams.

-GSD

As politics and the economy sometimes mix. I wanted ask about Citigroup, I believe America’s largest bank, going from 47 to 37 in just over a month. I believe Chuck Prince III will resign today, but that’s not really going to help Citigroup or the economy.

Lea (no uh) @ 48

Laura Doty @ 46

Hooray. Someone else thought of the same thing I did, and THEY can make it happen. At the Justice Dept. Tomorrow. High Noon. A volunteer will be waterboarded. More details here (text). Schumer and Feinstein have been invited to attend. I’m sending a fax now to her, as a consituent. Anyone else up for gentle urges that they better inform themselves (and re-consider their decision)?

Yeah, but who’s the volunteer? A Kool-aid drinker who will then say it’s not so bad? That won’t help.

No. Read the link.

Laura Doty @ 51

Lea (no uh) @ 48

Yeah, but who’s the volunteer? A Kool-aid drinker who will then say it’s not so bad? That won’t help.

No. Read the link.

I’m sorry…my bad for not noticing/reading the link. Now if only they will all attend.

Gawd it would be so nice to have a new president in 2009 that had no connections to the Bush’s or the Clintons.

Any word on the status of Roger Ailes’ Fox Business Channel?

Perfect timing for the coming recession.

Fox casters will be like Don Ameche at the end of Trading Places.

“Turn those machines back on!”

-GSD

What would be nice is if they’d film both the event and the reactions of people seeing it and YouTube it.

Elliott @ 40

dov12348 @ 38

http://slate.com/id/2172547/

Pelosi has threatened the removal of Michigan Rep. John Conyers from his chairmanship of the House judiciary committee if an impeachment inquiry were even opened, according to reliable congressional chatter.

.
I like this quote from the Fein article you link to:

But even if the speaker’s political and strategic impeachment worries were valid, the Constitution is beyond party. It has remained generally unscathed for more than two centuries only because our leaders have subordinated their parochial concerns when looking into a constitutional abyss.

Yep. Pelosi has almost single-handedly removed the impeachment clause from the Constitution.

Well, looks like the 110th Congress has been almost a complete waste.

Interestingly, the 111th will go into business 2 weeks before Bush is out. In my dreams the 111th hustles out an express impeachment and throws Bush’s bony ass to the curb one hour before he retires.

wigwam @ 44

TheOtherWA @ 42

The Inner Circle article has me wondering about the odd position any AG nominee is in with this administration. Anyone who said water boarding is torture would get their name yanked by the Bush admin. If they said water boarding isn’t torture, they may not get senate approval.

Would someone lie/fudge/weasel to get in the job, then actually do their job, name a special prosecutor and deal with the criminals in the White House? And how would we know, until it’s too late?

I love to hear that the inner circle is sweating it.

Heh. They ought to be sweating, considering how much legal jeopardy their buddies are in.

dov12348 @ 56

[znip]

Interestingly, the 111th will go into business 2 weeks before Bush is out. In my dreams the 111th hustles out an express impeachment and throws Bush’s bony ass to the curb one hour before he retires.

oh yeah!

Interestingly, the 111th will go into business 2 weeks before Bush is out. In my dreams the 111th hustles out an express impeachment and throws Bush’s bony ass to the curb one hour before he retires.

Bush and Cheny. We need a two-fer.

Here’s Mike! Gawd.

The Revolutionary
He has the money and the message to upend 2008. Michael Bloomberg’s American odyssey.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/68113/

Oklahoma kiddo @ 53

Gawd it would be so nice to have a new president in 2009 that had no connections to the Bush’s or the Clintons.

I will assume you do not mean Rudy!

Naomi Wolf Upstairs

32 – I think Horton goes along with the postitions taken by Marty Lederman at Balkinization (where they both blog) re: OLC opinions and their effect on prosecutions, as well as the language in the Military Commissions Act.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 25

‘I am the real decider. And I have decided that GWB will not be impeached’. Nancy Decider Pelosi, (with a little help from my friends Harry and HRC, that is).

The only real reason now to not impeach is that it would also show Democrats to be culpable. Were the Clintons some of those Dems who could be shown to be culpable? Would showing Bill’s culpability impair Hillary’s candidacy? Would records from Bill’s presidential library show his culpability? You know, the ones he’s specifically said shall not be made public?

Was Hillary involved in any decision-making which resulted in policy which now makes it impossible to impeach Bush/Cheney?

GSD @ 41

Sure, Condi didn’t do much diplomacy in while in Russia, but she did buy some expensive Pravda shoes.

-GSD

Which to wear, the Pravda shoes or the Hugo Party Boss shoes?

Sandman @ 50

As politics and the economy sometimes mix. I wanted ask about Citigroup, I believe America’s largest bank, going from 47 to 37 in just over a month. I believe Chuck Prince III will resign today, but that’s not really going to help Citigroup or the economy.

Citicorpse is skating on thin ice, even some question of its having enough capital reserves to remain a federally chartered bank.

Meredith Whitney, Forbes’ second-highest ranked stock picker for 2007, downgraded Citibank in time for last Thursday’s mega-crash and received several death threats for her trouble.