“I count one, two, three, four, five, six, seven Democrats here today. If anybody’s watching C-SPAN 3 or if the staffs would notify Republican senators, I could use some company,” said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the lone Republican for most of the Judiciary Committee’s Wednesday hearing on the U.S. attorneys’ firings.
Meanwhile, a House Judiciary subcommittee voted Thursday to seek contempt charges against former White House counsel Harriet Miers, who — following President Bush’s orders — refused to appear at a hearing on the firings.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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45 Comments
The Senate Republics are in the midst of a Monty Python approach to governing:
“Run away! Run away!”
Sam Brownback’s non-voting record isn’t merely the product of his inane presidential campaign. (They have jets that fly from Iowa to Washington, after all.) He doesn’t want to be associated with Shrub.
John McCain, the one GOP contender who’s embraced George WMD Bush’s Iraq policy has made his candidacy implode…even among Republics!
Anyone who’s been paying attention knows the Justice Department has been politicized beyond all credibility.
Shrub has systematically ruined the Republic Party’s credibility. They can no longer claim to be the party of smaller government, of integrity in power, of traditional conservatism.
The only thing Republicans have left is to decieve and disrupt. We can only hope that the GOP is in it’s dying throes and will wind up on the trash heap of history, a fate it richly deserves.
Quote from the story says it all about the Democraps and their “fishing expeditions.”
“Rep. Chris Cannon of Utah, the ranking Republican on Sanchez’ subcommittee on commercial and administrative law, warned Democrats that a contempt citation would fail evidentiary standards in court.
“You can’t go to the courts essentially and say, ‘We don’t know what we don’t know, therefore give us a subpoena so we can find out,’” Cannon said.”
Republipuke is typing, therefore, he’s lying.As usual.
So what you’re saing, “K A H N” is this:
“If you can cover up a crime, the crime was never committed.”
Somehow that mindset doesn’t strike me as the least bit “conservative” or “patriotic” or “Christian” or “Republican.”
But thanks for your inpuy on this forum. I’ve wondered about the 27% who still adore George WMD Bush. They cannot possibly belive he’s a competent President of the United States anymore.
Your only grip on current events is your visceral hate of any issue promoted by the Democratic Party. The Democrats could come out in favor of chocolate as a good flavor and hard-core Republic Party advocates would come out against it.
With nearly 80% of Americans disagreeing with the Shrub Agenda, you’ve been marinalized into cranks who refuse to face reality. Oh yeah. It’s the “Liberal Media’s” fault. Or it’s some sort of left-wing conspiracy.
Fact is, “K A H N,” your political fantasies just don’t work in the real world.
Watch the Demos delay, hinder, and screwup this investigation just like they did the Iran-Contra. The Reps never fear a Demo led Congress, too soft, too weak, to ever get anything accomplished. We Reps are all like Dick Cheney, we prove our love for the NRA by shooting lawyers, and he talks up family values with a muff diving daughter in the house. We’ve got guys like Pat Roberts.. Phase II Report, we lie and say, ‘it’s coming’, ‘the check’s in the mail’, and it’s not done and no one cares. Hell, until the Demos get like us all they can do is sit and whine. But then, when they get tough like us they’ll be Reps.
No MonkeyHawk, the fact is the Democraps only look for the failures of things by description or in presenting legislation.
Your party MonkeyHawk is so full of negatives and hate, they will never successfully hold power again because they failure in everything.
There is not a positive bone in the Democrapic party.
this is about time when Dems can finally get some action in there. It is ridiculous that the Republicans are STILL flipping covering for the president. They love to keep everything so secret, no matter how dirty and low it is.I’m glad that the American people have come to realize how crooked the republicans really are.
It’s so much fun watching the Repukes in Congress run for cover and the BushBots elsewhere try to vover their retreat. If these Repukes in the Senate are so sure of their position let them attend the hearings instead of crawling back under their rocks.
There is not a positive bone in the Democrapic party.
Posted by: ***K H A H N*** | July 13, 2007 at 07:47 AM
the American people have come to realize how crooked the republicans really are.
Posted by: political_mom | July 13, 2007 at 07:54 AM
the Repukes in Congress run for cover and the BushBots elsewhere try to vover their retreat
Posted by: Ben | July 13, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Yep. You’re all right!
When will these SOBS show up and oe their job? I don;t care which party you belong to, do your damn job! Show up at yor hearings. Dothe right thing. Represent the American People, or at least your own constituents. Quit being the$%$$#&^# party, whichever it is, and be the American Party. REpublicans, Bush is going down, he is a LOSER. Get over it and move on. Do the real work of the government, not the Republican party. Democrates, BUSH is a loser, everybody knows it. Forget about the “stolen” elections and move on. Do something Positive. Solve some crisis. There are plenty.
Interesting story from Time:http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1643043,00.html
Anyone think Miers may be charged with contempt?
She should have shown up, then refused to answer those questions that were deemed “executive priviledge” and let the Congress, the White House, and the courts fight it out. SHe was in contempt
Exactly, LJ.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Miers would have shown up and refused to answer on “executive privilege” grounds, the Democrat in charge of that meeting could have had the House Sergeant of Arms have the D.C. police remove her because of contempt of Congress and jailed.
Correct me if I’m wrong about this protocal.
So,using the same logic, the Democrat in charge could (and I would if it were me) ccharge with contempt, and have the dc police put her in jail. So, while she may have been able to make a case for executive priviledge for the information, she can;t claim executive appearance because she is not currently a presidential advisor, and hence, no defense. Wow. She chose well. not.
I believe you’re right about that KHAHN, but I’m not an expert in the area. What I’m not sure about is if they will charge her for not showing up at all. From my understanding, they have grounds, I’m just wondering if it will actually happen.
A former employee of the executive Branch is still tied legally to that Branch’s rules by non-disclosure agreements in which all employees have to sign.
It doesn’t matter if the employee is terminated, quits or is removed, the non-disclosure still applies.
Only the White House and the Courts can decide if disclosure is appropriate in each case.
For Ms. Miers to be subjected to the threat of imprisonment because she signed that non-disclosure agreement indicates a fly in the ointment for the Democratic exploratory team, but “thems the rules.”
Who knows if anything will happen? It depends how confident Democratic attorneys are in pursuing the issue with the Courts.
Lynz-
The procedure for filing contempt charges for not showing up, according to this article,
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1643043,00.html
Is this:”Such a decision is the first step towards bringing potential contempt charges against Miers, which would eventually have to be voted on by the full committee followed by the entire House — and then actually prosecuted by, who else, the Justice Department”
Not really likely. Too bad. She should be charged.
I do not know, but i presume a similar procedure, at least a full commitee vote, would have been required for the comtempt charge for refusing to answer questions. The answer can be found, I am sure. For some reading, always suspect in this particular reference, try
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
“Who knows if anything will happen? It depends how confident Democratic attorneys are in pursuing the issue with the Courts.”
I was thinking the same thing. This’ll be interesting to watch at the very least.
Thanks for the info lj, much appreciated.
“A former employee of the executive Branch is still tied legally to that Branch’s rules by non-disclosure agreements in which all employees have to sign.
It doesn’t matter if the employee is terminated, quits or is removed, the non-disclosure still applies.”
Fine, as to testimony. Don;t disclose. But she refused to even show up. Goes beyond non-disclosure. And I am aware of that
“The White House contends that both she and Miers fall under a Justice Department opinion which concluded that senior presidential advisors can no more be compelled to abide by a Congressional subpoena than the President, regardless of whether they are currently in the employ of the President or not.”
Maybe the Lib congress needs a refresher course on just what Separation of Powers means.
Well lj, the committee if they haven’t already could have submitted an interrogatory and seen what questions that were avoided or answered.
If they didn’t do this and were expecting to “fish out” answers where due process is sometimes thrown to the winds, then the Democratic Committee has only themselves to blame for the non-appearance.
Peoples rights don’t end just because Congress wants to explore some thing that might be something.
The Justice System still works and the Congress is getting all squirmy that they might have to go through that Justice System to get answers. They are afraid they might get told “no.”
That’s the bottom line.
It’s about political posturing in this case, not Justice.
lj, have you any information about the DOJ opinion reference in the final quotation appearing in your post? I know I can try to find it via the Google, but don’t really have the time right now. Basically, my questions are from what administration comes the opinion (I don’t automatically ascribe it to the current one), and on how many occasions has reliance been placed thereon. Other questions would be if this has been subjected to any court testing, and if so, the outcome of the case(s).
I would like to see the Executive branch fight the efficacy of complying with a Congressinal subpoena in court. Whatever the outcome, this needs to be cleared up. This will certainly not be the first time someone will be called to testify.
I just hope that Ms. Miers does not have to go to jail before it is worked out. She should not have to be the scapegoat of this issue.
Vaughn Tolle–
i do not have a primary source, it is from the Tme article
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1643043,00.html
If I get time, I will look for the primary reference. I wuld guess it is the current DOJ
Meiers has been a long Bush supporter I’m fine with ANY of the crooked bunch going to jail.
LJ, your opinions about this seem to have changed. What happened to bring you fully against Bush?
political_mom, I should have clarified. Its not that I do not want to see Meiers in jail, rather I do not want to see her in jail for something she should not be in jail for.
I’ve read this is the first administration and first time that executive privelege is being claimed for a former aide, and that all other claims by previous admins. only claimed it for current aides.Congress can not let this go unchallenged. There is supposed to be separation of powers, and congress has the power and duty of oversight.
Meirs has no compulsion other than a former employers desire for her not to testify. She chose to honor it, I don’t care if she goes to jail.
Political Mom-
I don;t really know if they have changed. I have thought for a long time he was inept. I do not generally subscribe to the “out to rule the world Machievellian dictator” theory that some here propound. I think he is a bumbler, gets poor advice because he doesn;t really want to hear no, and is a poor president. Notice small p. I also happen to think he is not any more evil or corrupt or whatever than some previous presidents. However, i am for the law. I think the Dems on the judicial panel are possibly witchhunting. So what? SHe should comply with the law, regarless of THEIR motive. I have ALWAYS been in favor of the COnstitution, and the system of law, and believe both shall survive any president. or Congress, including the present office holders of each.Maybe I am just speaking out differently, i don;’t know.
This is good:The presnit finally said he was aware of someone in his administration leaking Plumes name long ago. He also stated he wondered what would have happened if that person would have come out and said, “Hey, I did it.”
Got an answer for that: If they did, he would have him/her granted immunity.
By the way, sig troll, alias khahn, republikhahn, jm, whatever, the world is round. Remember that. Not flat, like most trolls believe, you being the lowly master troll.
“If they didn’t do this and were expecting to “fish out” answers where due process is sometimes thrown to the winds, then the Democratic Committee has only themselves to blame for the non-appearance.”
Wow, I guess that means in whatever’s simple mind, anyone on trial for anything can just not show up, as any questions by any lawyer is “just a fishing expedition” anyway.
Now, that’s justice . . . or at least in whatever’s simple mind.
The Congressional hearing is not a trial Stumper.
Poor Bill, if only he’d known that anyone present or past that served your admin. could be protected from testifying, he’d never been impeached!
I wouldn’t be worried about ms. miers doing any time, you can bet she had her get out of jail card, before she refused to appear!
“The Congressional hearing is not a trial Stumper.”
Brilliant! But they can and do lead to trials, of which some are even found guilty . . . what a concept. Just ask scooter. So appearing, and answering questions, seems to me to be a part of American Justice. But what would this administration know about justice?
But you go on and keep believing in this administration, whatever, after all, someone has to. Might as well be the lowly master troll.
“Wow, I guess that means in whatever’s simple mind, anyone on trial for anything can just not show up,…”
**ahem** Separation of Powers
Separation of powers doesn’t mean almighty powers. If Meiers had nothing to hide and was honest, the congress would have no reason to call her up.
But you already know that.
“The Justice System still works and the Congress is getting all squirmy that they might have to go through that Justice System to get answers. They are afraid they might get told “no.”"
Really? On what planet? Youranus?This administration has no use for “justice” unless it would help them hide the lies and distortions they so excellently use to thwart and distort that same “justice” so many Americans have fought and died for. I guess for some the world is still flat.
Hell, I’m voting for Hillary, and one reason is to watch republicans go postal. I can see it now: Eight years of republicans crying, “Mommy, mommy . . . where’s my blanky?”
And Mommy replying, “shut up and grovel.”
“the congress would have no reason to call her up.”
You can’t believe that. Would you allow the police come into your home without a warrant?Why not? You have nothing to hide. Let them.It’s not about anything but the Libs trying to make this into something. It all about Separation of Powers.
Isn’t that your argument for the Patriot act. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear.
Harriet Miers will do anything for George Bush because she is blinded by his gorgeous physique. Miers and Condi Rice are the same type of women – desperate.
If a citizen receives a subpeona then they should appear at the hearing. If she has nothing to hide, then why not have her show up and at least say that?
For being the president that promised the country to restore honesty and integrity to the White House, Bush sure has gone out of his way to cover his people’s asses.
The only ass bush is interested in covering is his own. It’s all been self serving.