Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) held a press conference moments ago to react to new emails showing that Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales had a deeper role in the U.S. Attorney scandal than they originally acknowledged.
Schumer told reporters, “I know, from other sources, that there is an active and avid discussion in the White House whether [Gonzales] should stay or not,” adding that “the odds are very high that he will no longer be the attorney general.”
Schumer also revealed that the emails leaked today came from a disgruntled Bush administration official. “One of the reasons everything is getting out here is that there are people, particularly in the Justice Department, who have been so disgusted with what’s happening that information is getting out,” Schumer said. “And I think the White House and the Justice Department know it’s gonna get out whether they release it or not.”
Watch it:
Transcript:
SCHUMER: But what’s happened — and one of the reasons everything is getting out here is that there are people, particularly in the Justice Department, who have been so disgusted with what’s happening that information is getting out, and I think the White House and the Justice Department know it’s gonna get out whether they release it or not.
+++
SCHUMER: I think there will be a crescendo for Attorney General Gonzales to resign. I think the odds are very high that he will no longer be the attorney general. I know, from other sources, that there is an active and avid discussion in the White House whether he should stay or not. It’s hard to see how he can be effective as attorney general in the future. If
Let him stay he is a good guy.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:21 pmIt isn’t that Clinton had sex ‘its that he lied about it under oath .
March 15th, 2007 at 6:23 pmFine, then — no future President better replace U.S. Attorneys for even the whiff of political reasons!
March 15th, 2007 at 6:24 pmSo what happens when Gonzales moves on? First he should be dogged by the Senate and thrown in jail if possible. Next Bush will appoint some other stupid, incompetent, as kissin Texan to the
March 15th, 2007 at 6:24 pmAG position - can you say Harriet?
Tbogg has placed his bet that the resignation will come down tomorrow evening.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:25 pm“WAAAAHHHH!!! MOMMY, MOMMY IT’S NOT FAIR!!! CLINTON DID IT TOO. WAAAAHHH!!! IT’S NOT FAIR!â€
March 15th, 2007 at 6:25 pmFine, then — no future President better replace U.S. Attorneys for even the whiff of political reasons!
Comment by Jake
I get it Jake. It’s the Nyah, nyah, nyah, nyaaahhh, nyah defense.
Very smart my friend, very smart.
Anyway, that’s all fine be me. Unlike you I hate ALL politicians.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:27 pmChuck says ““the odds are very high that he will no longer be the attorney general.â€
Oh good….maybe Chuck will agree to bring back John Ashcroft.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:32 pmOnce again, the famous Bush loyalty rears it’s ugly head.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:32 pmLet him stay he is a good guy.
Comment by Flaco
Yeah, and he hasn’t been able to help the Administration to complete it’s plans to turn the US into a Fascist country yet.
Such a shame.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pmnext AG will have to be confirmed by a Dem controller congress.. poor chimpy!
March 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pmJVP you are such a drama queen!
March 15th, 2007 at 6:34 pmRove should be waterboarded in order to determine the truth. No more of this Pre-9/11 bullshit from him!
Then he should be placed in jail with the Chiquita Banana Board of Directors and made to wear Speedos with bananas in them.
-GSD
March 15th, 2007 at 6:36 pmBush is going to appoint Jenna because he doesn’t need approval from the Senate. Then he’ll appoint his wife, Pickles to the Supreme Court and he’ll make Jeff Gannon Minister of Inflammation and he’ll put Corporal Matt Sanchez on his staff……..
-GSD
March 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pmJVP you are such a drama queen!
Comment by Flaco
Boohooo.. You are such a GOP WaterBoyâ„¢.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:40 pmFine, then — no future President better replace U.S. Attorneys for even the whiff of political reasons! Comment by Jake — March 15, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Who do you think you are - the king? You don’t rule the world, make the decisions, or decide what any future president does, you stupid old c*nt.
Pull your head out of your *ss, and STFU you idiot.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:41 pmGonzales once quipped that the Geneva Conventions about POWs are “quaint”. He should resign or be removed.
Zooey; will you be going to the protest in your area(Moscow)? I’ll be on the bus for DC leaving downtown Detroit tomorrow night.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:44 pmSchumer also revealed that the emails leaked today came from a disgruntled Bush administration official. “One of the reasons everything is getting out here is that there are people, particularly in the Justice Department, who have been so disgusted with what’s happening that information is getting out…â€
BushCo is rotting from the inside out, and soon the fragile shell will collapse on itself.
Maybe the death toll will lessen.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:45 pm#13 - “Then he should be placed in jail with the Chiquita Banana Board of Directors and made to wear Speedos with bananas in them.”
Spoken like a man needing a banana to fill out his Speedos…..
March 15th, 2007 at 6:46 pmI posted this on another thread, but it is applicable here as well.
I would be happy to let this administration off the hook for this one, and concede the whole argument to the trolls. I have no problem with this. We can agree that US attorneys serve at the liesure of the President, and he can fire them anytime he wants, no problem. I would even be OK with not requiring Senate confirmation of new US Attorneys appointed by the president. And, hell, Rove doesn’t even have to testify if he doesn’t want to. Just remember, if a Democrat is elected president, any attorney that investigates any democrats for anything is instantly fired.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:46 pmOf course, I’m not so upset that Rove and Gonzales were plotting steal elections, and completely devastated the judical system. IT’S THAT THEY LIED ABOUT IT!!!!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 6:46 pm#3.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:47 pmPrecisely one of the concepts our government was founded upon.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I would be happy to let this administration off the hook for this one, and concede the whole argument to the trolls. I have no problem with this. We can agree that US attorneys serve at the liesure of the President, and he can fire them anytime he wants, no problem. I would even be OK with not requiring Senate confirmation of new US Attorneys appointed by the president. And, hell, Rove doesn’t even have to testify if he doesn’t want to. Just remember, if a Democrat is elected president, any attorney that investigates any democrats for anything is instantly fired.
Comment by Chris
Idiot.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:48 pmHere are the “Top 10 Reasons Why Gonzales Must Go.”
March 15th, 2007 at 6:50 pmsay there, ventral venus, (sweetie) I’m still considered a planet when I pass over New Mexico… meet me in Roswell for an apogee?
March 15th, 2007 at 6:52 pmBoohooo.. You are such a GOP WaterBoyâ„¢.
Comment by JPV
Flaco? Naw, he has a different job.
Bush’s Personal BallWasherâ„¢
(my appologies to Lewis Black for stealing his joke)
March 15th, 2007 at 6:52 pmSpoken like a man needing a banana to fill out his Speedos…..
Comment by valiant venus — March 15, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Spoken like a woman who uses a banana to fill out “her” Speedos…..
March 15th, 2007 at 6:53 pm#13 - “Then he should be placed in jail with the Chiquita Banana Board of Directors and made to wear Speedos with bananas in them.â€
Spoken like a man needing a banana to fill out his Speedos…..
Comment by valiant venus — March 15, 2007
Republicans are OBSESSED with gay sex I say, OBSESSED.
-GSD
March 15th, 2007 at 6:53 pmOh good….maybe Chuck will agree to bring back John Ashcroft.
Comment by valiant venus — March 15, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
In chains? That would be great!
Maybe you can pretend to be a 12 year old boy for him, while he sings while the Eagle Soars! It’ll be just like those boyscout sleepovers he’s used to!
March 15th, 2007 at 6:54 pmHere are the “Top 10 Reasons Why Gonzales Must Go.â€
Comment by Angry One
You can lay this one to rest.
He’s as good as gone already.
Now onto that PIG Rove… who we can finally ouster, I hope.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:54 pmComment by Chris
Idiot.
Comment by JPV
I think you misinterpreted Chris’ meaning.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:54 pmJust sayin’
Republicans are OBSESSED with gay sex I say, OBSESSED. -GSD
Comment by GSD — March 15, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
Just look at her myspace page - she looks like a 12 year old boy, and has the manners, and attitudes to go with it. She’s clearly gender confused, just like mAnn Coulter.
http://profile.myspace.com/ index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=79943506
March 15th, 2007 at 6:55 pmWayne,
You TPers are like a bunch of dogs in here, sniffing & licking each others butts.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:56 pmZooey our resident 3rd grader is back.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:59 pmDid you do your homework yet?
Alberto Gonzales’ “Mistakes Were Made” is #1 on the:
March 15th, 2007 at 6:59 pm“Top 10 GOP Sound Bites List.”
I think you misinterpreted Chris’ meaning.
Just sayin’
Comment by Zooe
I did?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:00 pmJust look at her myspace page — ValiantVenusGrewFromUranus
22 years old.
And MA claimed to be a lawyer……
LMAO….
March 15th, 2007 at 7:02 pmWhat a Liar…
Flaco; funny you should mention sniffing & licking butts. You have your nose so far up Bus’s ass, you must be Pinocchio. snark.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:02 pmHas anyone pointed out a crime yet? It doesn’t matter if George Bush personally fired them because he thought they were tree hugging hippies, it’s still not a crime.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:03 pmYou TPers are like a bunch of dogs in here, sniffing & licking each others butts.
Comment by Flaco
Don’t confuse us with your own sexual habits troll.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:04 pmYou TPers are like a bunch of dogs in here, sniffing & licking each others butts. Comment by Flaco — March 15, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
By TPer, are you referring to the material used to clean up sh*t like you? We’re wiping your *ss, but only because that’s where you’ve lodged your head.
When you’re done sniffing Ann Coulter’s *ss, realize that you’re the sh*t that came out of it - *sshole!
March 15th, 2007 at 7:06 pm22 years old.
And MA claimed to be a lawyer……
LMAO….
What a Liar…
Comment by Wayne — March 15, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Yep, that’s what you call the *lunatic-fringe*, otherwise known as Bush’s Base ;)
March 15th, 2007 at 7:07 pmZooey; will you be going to the protest in your area(Moscow)? I’ll be on the bus for DC leaving downtown Detroit tomorrow night.
Comment by Uncle Ho
I’m planning on it, Uncle Ho. I’m also going to an Obama rally/war protest in Spokane on 3/24. I’m excited about doing these protests, but I don’t envy you that bus ride.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:08 pmDon’t confuse us with your own sexual habits troll.
Comment by Wayne
LOL! Not to mention Grade School level retorts.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:08 pmI did?
Comment by JPV
I could be wrong, but I read it as more ironic.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:09 pmAmazing how ReichWingNuts will cry “foul!” at the uncovering of crimes by their own. So ONCE AND FOR ALL, just for you ChristianWackoUnderAgeBoyLovingRepublicansWhoCantGetItStraight:
[from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 03/ 14/ AR2007031400519_pf.html ]
In testimony on Jan. 18, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales assured the Senate Judiciary Committee that the Justice Department had no intention of avoiding Senate input on the hiring of U.S. attorneys.
Just a month earlier, D. Kyle Sampson, who was then Gonzales’s chief of staff, laid out a plan to do just that. In an e-mail, he detailed a strategy for evading Arkansas Democrats in installing Tim Griffin, a former GOP operative and protege of presidential adviser Karl Rove, as the U.S. attorney in Little Rock…
…Democrats and Republicans are demanding to know whether Gonzales, Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty and other Justice officials misled them in sworn testimony over the past two months…
…The inconsistencies between Justice’s positions and the documents are numerous…
…The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers also called yesterday for investigations by Congress and a special prosecutor looking at “whether any official has testified falsely in violation of federal perjury and obstruction of justice statutes.”…
...Political considerations, for example, figured prominently in who was chosen to be fired. Sampson ranked all 93 U.S. attorneys in part on whether they “exhibited loyalty” to Bush and Gonzales or “chafed against Administration initiatives etc.”…
Get it now? Or are you still too dense to understand the truth of the matter?
ITMFA!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 7:10 pmZooey our resident 3rd grader is back.
Did you do your homework yet?
Comment by Flaco
Missed me, huh?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:10 pmKick TRAITOR Abu Gonzo OUT, and throw his ass in JAIL for obstruction of justice.
And the NEXT Attorney General better be an attorney for the USA, NOT another assh*le yes-man of Bush’s who lets him TORTURE.
BURN IN HELL, NAZI TRAITORS,
whether Bush, Gonzo, or their azzhole-lickers like “Jake” and “Valiant Venus”
March 15th, 2007 at 7:11 pmHey Rove-Bots.
If everything invloving this group firing of US attorney’s was just fine, legal and “everyone including Bill Clinton does it” why has there been so much dishonesty from EVERYONE involved, especially Gonzales and Turdblossom?
Appearances are a lot and it appears they ALL were hiding something.
-GSD
March 15th, 2007 at 7:12 pmBush will save Rove and throw the fruit picker Gonzo under the bus. Gonzo was only needed for the Spanish vote his use is over now. But as they kick him out Bush will say it was all Bill Clinton’s fault. Yes Americans will buy that lie as they’ve believe all the lies Bush has told for 6 years and counting.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:17 pmThe Military told American Pat Tillman was killed by terrorist only years later did we find out they lied. Now Mohammed after being tortured with water boarding say he did it all even killed Lincoln and Kennedy and Americans believe it. Strange thing the confusion sounds more like the English terminology then Middle Eastern but no problem Americans will believe it. Now Danny Pearls family knows better then to believe the LIAR-IN-CHIEF so they’ll wait for the truth to come out. The media is doing a great job pushing the lie as usual.
Was it illegal for the attorneys to be fired?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:17 pmI could be wrong, but I read it as more ironic.
Comment by Zooey
Well, if that is indeed the case, then I apologize.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:18 pmOK then. Speedy is toast.
Onward to Rove.
Then finally, Bush and Cheney.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:21 pmC’mon ‘Berto, it’s the Ides of March… if you resign tonight, we’ll remember you a little bit longer.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:21 pmIf you want to wait till Saturday, St. Patricks Day, that’s just as good!
Was it illegal for the attorneys to be fired?
Comment by mandolin
When it was done in order to OBSTRUCT JUSTICE it was .
March 15th, 2007 at 7:22 pmDoes it make you feel better to pretend that things are criminal? I guess if your democratic leaders can’t find any real crimes they have to appease you in someway. No one here has explained how the firings were illegal. In fact no one has even made an attempt to explain how the firings were illegal.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:22 pmWas it illegal for the attorneys to be fired?
Comment by mandolin — March 15, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
NO, it was ILLEGAL to OBSTRUCT JUSTICE by firing attorneys who were not prosecuting POLITICAL ENEMIES or who WERE prosecuting political FRIENDS of the Bush Crime House…
God Bless America and the WORLD!
BURN IN HELL, TRAITORS BUSH AND CHENEY!
March 15th, 2007 at 7:22 pmFor liberals to be so tolerant, I sure have heard a lot of blatantly racist remarks coming from this site. Not to mention the homophobic ones. Why are the people on this site silent when a hispanic is reffered to as a “fruit picker”?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:26 pmDoes it make you feel better to pretend that things are criminal? I guess if your democratic leaders can’t find any real crimes they have to appease you in someway. No one here has explained how the firings were illegal. In fact no one has even made an attempt to explain how the firings were illegal.
Comment by mandolin — March 15, 2007 @
If nothing was illegal why has everyone been lying about it? They are all acting like they have dones something wrong. It’s the cover up stupido.
-GSD
March 15th, 2007 at 7:26 pmNO, it was ILLEGAL to OBSTRUCT JUSTICE by firing attorneys who were not prosecuting POLITICAL ENEMIES or who WERE prosecuting political FRIENDS of the Bush Crime House…
Examples please.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:27 pmIf you’re responding to “mandolin,” you will have more success if you simply begin pounding your head on your desk.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:30 pmPrefferably examples where they did it to protect political allies.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:31 pmIn fact no one has even made an attempt to explain how the firings were illegal.
Comment by mandoli
Then, clean your ears out dude.
Let’s try it again…
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
Did you hear it that time?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:31 pmExamples please.
Carol Lam–successfully prosecuted CRIMINAL “Duke” Cunningham, indicted Dusty Foggo, several MORE indictments…
David Iglesias–approached by both Pete Domenici and Heather Wilson about being “prosecuting Democrats” BEFORE the election.
EXAMPLES of OBSTRUCTION of JUSTICE.
SUBPOENAS ARE NECESSARY for Gonzales and Rove and Miers.
UNDER OATH.
If they REFUSE to SWEAR TO GOD TO TELL THE TRUTH,
like TRAITOR Bush has done with the 9/11 commission, they are TRAITORS also…
March 15th, 2007 at 7:33 pmExamples please.
Comment by mandolin
Sure here’s one…
BTW, you do know how to read don’t you?
http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0315nj1.htm
March 15th, 2007 at 7:34 pmZooey I’ll tell you this because I’m a nice person. You could quite possibly be the dumbest person on this site. You make yourself look like an Idiot continually. Everyone thinks you’re stupid but they are afraid they will hurt your feelings. I want to save you from further embarrasment, so do yourself a favor and stop posting, or at least let Wayne proof read it before sending it out.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:34 pmMandolin: “Examples please.”
Carol Lam successfully prosecuted Duke Cunningham. Her case led to information incriminating fellow Repub Jerry Lewis. She was fired in the middle of her investigation into Jerry Lewis, possible obstructing justice in this matter.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:35 pm*Carol Lam in California was investigating Bush/Coulter Republican Jerry Lewis. She got canned.
*David Iglesias in New Mexico wouldn’t speed up an investigation against a Democrat BEFORE the 2006 election, and he was pressured by Bush/Coulter Repulbicans Pete Domenici and a congresswoman.
-GSD
Now you will say, is that all………But I have given you two answers and that is that.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:35 pm40# Comment by mandolin — March 15, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
But lying to Congress about it, and doing it so as to impede corruption investigations IS a crime.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:35 pmZooey, you are being judged by a person who can’t, for the life of him, see any possible examples of obstruction of justice in this current prosecutor firing scandal. Keep that in mind. If someone so demonstratably clueless thinks you are stupid, chances are you’re smart.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:37 pmZooey I’ll tell you this because I’m a nice person. I could quite possibly be the dumbest person on this site. I make myself look like an Idiot continually. Everyone thinks I’m stupid but they are afraid they will hurt my feelings. I want to save myself from further embarrasment, so I will do myself a favor and stop posting, or at least let Wayne proof read it before sending it out.
Comment by mandolin
March 15th, 2007 at 7:37 pmZooey; it is an all-night bus ride(531 miles), but we make periodic stops for 15-20 min. for a bathroom break and grab a quick bite along the way. It ’s hard on the butt(I fell off a ladder the day after Thanksgiving putting up Christmas lights along the roof-nothing broke, but sure came close to shattering my spine & tail bone). Going there the hard way, but it’s for a worthy cause.
I’m out of here for a few days as of now. Gotta pack & make my signs. Keep the faith.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:38 pmClear your ears out JPV. Obstuction of Justice doesn’t make the firings illegal. That would be a different crime all together( A crime that didn’t occur) You think there is something wrong with a president firing attorneys for political reasons .It is reffered to here as a scandel. It is not and if you think it is you are a braindead moron.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:38 pmBut lying to Congress about it, and doing it so as to impede corruption investigations IS a crime.
Comment by lestatdelc
Let me translate this in a way that a GOP Troll/Paid Talking Points Operativeâ„¢ can understand
It’s not the blowjob, but the fact that he LIED about the blowjob.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:40 pm#67 Mandolin to Zooey:
George W. Bush is a TRAITOR coxucker PUNK who deserves to be TRIED, CONVICTED and EXECUTED by a US Army FIRING SQUAD
of soldiers permanently MAIMED and WOUNDED by Bush’s Iraq WMD lies.
Zooey, I hope you like my response to this TRAITOR MORON “mandolin”.
NOTHING ELSE is as important as Bush BURNING IN HELL,
WHERE HE BELONGS
March 15th, 2007 at 7:41 pmhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17618954/
March 15th, 2007 at 7:41 pmhttp://www.batesvilleheraldtribune.com/ statenews/ cnhinsall_story_073092949.html
March 15th, 2007 at 7:43 pmIs “active and avid conversation”
March 15th, 2007 at 7:44 pmpolitical code-speak for
“panic and frenzied hysteria”?
So by your logic, armed robbery is not illegal since owning a gun is legal, and robbery is a separate crime, so armed robbery is not illegal.
mandolin logic = hiring contractors is legal, killing someone is a separate crime, therefore hiring a contract killer is not illegal since hiring contractors is not illegal. QED.
Given the level of stupidity you display mandolin, how do you manage to put shoes on in the morning?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:46 pmNo one here has explained how the firings were illegal. In fact no one has even made an attempt to explain how the firings were illegal.
Comment by mandolin
It would help to read the articles, not just the posted comments. You might want to go back a few days, to 3/7 or so. Come back and post after you’ve caught up.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:46 pmClear your ears out JPV. Obstuction of Justice doesn’t make the firings illegal. That would be a different crime all together( A crime that didn’t occur) You think there is something wrong with a president firing attorneys for political reasons .It is reffered to here as a scandel. It is not and if you think it is you are a braindead moron.
Comment by mandolin
Well, I have a feeling that we shall quite soon see what the legal system has to say about the matter.
Idiot.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:47 pm“Clear your ears out JPV. Obstuction of Justice doesn’t make the firings illegal. That would be a different crime all together( A crime that didn’t occur) You think there is something wrong with a president firing attorneys for political reasons .It is reffered to here as a scandel. It is not and if you think it is you are a braindead moron.
Comment by mandolin — March 15, 2007 @ 7:38 pm”
Why are the people from the right soooooo s l o w ? ? ?
OK…. It was not a crime for him to fire them…. That is NOT THE POINT! The point is that it was political……. Because they were doing their jobs and were not playing political favors……. Unlike the WH they had ETHICS!!!!
Once the WH lied to CONGRESS, IT BECAME A CRIME!
Now!!!!! What do you NOT understand??
March 15th, 2007 at 7:48 pmGiven the level of stupidity you display mandolin, how do you manage to put shoes on in the morning?
Comment by lestatdelc
Mommy helps him/her/it.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:48 pmSo the administration is going through all of this in order to protect Jerry Lewis? He’s not even that funny. The french love him.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:49 pmQuestion, If a US attorney was a political hack(I’m not saying they are) but if they were and they were targeting some people while ignoring others, would it be illegal for the president to fire someone if they were in the midst an investigation. That is essentially what you are saying. If the president(who can remove attorneys for ANY reason because he has that power as the head of the exutive branch) fires any attorney that is working on a case against any member of his party, you would charge him with obstruction of justice.
It would help to read the articles, not just the posted comments. You might want to go back a few days, to 3/7 or so. Come back and post after you’ve caught up.
Comment by Lily
It would help if He/She/It had a brain… so you might as well give up on it.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:49 pmComment by mandolin — March 15, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
You are apparently A-OK with a President firing U.S. attorneys 7+ years into his term simply because they were not Bush loyalists and didn’t keep the heat up on Democratic politicians, or were pursuing Republican politicians and turning up the heat on them.
The Bush administration says they were fired for performance issues, yet they have yet to produce any evidence that this is the case, an act that would clear this up mighty quick and put all the Democrats to shame IF you are to believe their reasons for firing the U.S. A’s. In fact, I believe in all but one case, the most recent performance evaluations were quite positive. Haven’t been keeping up, have you?
Apparently not. Seems you missed part of the data dump yesterday proving that a list of attorneys was made that consisted of two groups: one set of attorneys that were friendly to the Bush administration, and another set indicating those that were not.
U.S. attorneys are supposed to be impartial and apolitical. Or do you not agree with this? If not, WHY not?
Or would it be just fine with you for a Democratic president to appoint all, or a majority, of attorneys that were vetted first, and only were faithful to that president?
Finally, maybe you can explain to all of us here this evening what the hell a provision is doing in the Patriot Act that allows the President to bypass Senate confirmation for new attorneys. Can you explain what that has to do with national security and the “war” on terror?
March 15th, 2007 at 7:50 pm“I sure have heard a lot of blatantly racist remarks coming from this site. Not to mention the homophobic ones. Why are the people on this site silent when a hispanic is reffered to as a “fruit pickerâ€?”
I agree with this comment, but, this is an open forum and anyone can post, even republicans. it’s called freedom of speech. enjoy it while you can, unless we can stop bush.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:50 pmIf you’re responding to “mandolin,†you will have more success if you simply begin pounding your head on your desk.
Comment by Zooey — March 15, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
I’d rather pound my desk with Mandolin’s head.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:51 pmSo by your logic, armed robbery is not illegal since owning a gun is legal, and robbery is a separate crime, so armed robbery is not illegal.
Maybe you shoud think that one through. By your logic owning a gun would be illegal because you commited armed robbery. Good try though. Metaphors can be tough.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:52 pmIt would help to read the articles, not just the posted comments. — Lily
mandolin never actually reads the articles, because he has a very bad reading comprehension problem.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:52 pmForegt his resignation, send him to the World Tribunal where he will face War Crimes Charges and life in jail. Also, watch this video and see why the Bush administration is suddenly shaking in their boots.
Truth Surge:
March 15th, 2007 at 7:53 pmhttp://www.freedomtown.org/ Site/ Freedomtown%20Videos.html
It would help if He/She/It had a brain… so you might as well give up on it.
Comment by JPV
Silly me. And I thought Madolin really wanted answers to his questions.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:54 pmSo the administration is going through all of this in order to protect Jerry Lewis? He’s not even that funny. The french love him.
Comment by mandolin
Yeah, well that shows just how knowledgeable and qualified you are to speak on the matter…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Lewis_(politician)
Idiot.
LOL!!! LOL!!! LOL!!! LOL!!! LOL!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 7:54 pmJaywalking and/or parking tickets or the biggest corruption scandal since teapot dome?
Sell your bullshit to someone else.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:56 pmU.S. attorneys are supposed to be impartial and apolitical. Or do you not agree with this? If not, WHY not?
I’m not saying the system always has good results. I didn’t like the fact that Clinton replaced all US attorneys(except for Michael Chertoff) I suppose Clinton did it for “apolitical” reasons though. That doesn’t make it illegal. US attorneys are appointed by politicians. How can the process not be political. The only way to avoid politicizing the US attorney process is decide them by lottery every 8 years. Do you want to that? I didn’t think so.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:58 pmmaybe Chuck will agree to bring back John Ashcroft.
Comment by valiant venus #8
…only if Johnny promises to sing his famous anthem…
On a serious note:
…The DOJ (like the CIA, and FBI) has been hemmorhaging career civil servants…
…these are people who have dedicated their lives to protect and serve the American PEOPLE…
…who now find themselves in a circus where CLOWNS loyal to the incompetent and corrupt…
…cowards in the WH…
…are placed in leadership positions for which they are neither qualified nor intellectually capable of handling…
…the emails on Rove’s involvement in the firings were obtained by Democrats the same way those on FBI, NSA, and CIA misconduct were…
…disgruntled, disenchanted, and disgusted PATRIOTS “leaked” them…
…the days of the criminal Bushite junta are drawing ever nearer to a forced closure…
…Abu Gonzales may (or may not) get thrown under the bus…
…but the fact is…
…SERIOUS government civil servants in sensitive positions are TIRED of being made fools of…
March 15th, 2007 at 7:58 pmBush personally intervened to sideline the Justice Department probe in April 2006 by taking the unusual step of denying investigators the security clearances necessary for their work.
Hey Mandolin…
Would you consider this a high crime or misdemeanor? If not, why not?
And answer this for me. None of your Bush-loving apologists have been able to explain it. Instead, they ignore the question every time I have posted it.
Why does Bush not have a problem going to the FISA court for a warrant to wiretap a domestic to domestic call, yet refuses to do the same for a domestic to international call? In the first case, Bush is not the least bit concerned about any terrorists getting away because there is not enough time to go to the FISA court, which is the only reason he gives for NOT going to the court in the second situation.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:59 pmYeah, well that shows just how knowledgeable and qualified you are to speak on the matter…— JPV
As I said, mandolin has a very bad reading comprehension problem….
March 15th, 2007 at 7:59 pmIts the Standard with room temperature IQ trolls LOL
Wrong again.
My logic says that if you use a gun in a crime you can and should be charged with the crime, and your gun ownership and your fingerprints on the weapon is evidence to be shown in how you committed the crime.
Just like obstructing justice in a criminal corruption investigation and then lying to Congress about it is a crime.
Not sure why you have a problem with understanding that firing attorneys in order to commit a crime (obstructing justice) and then lying to Congress about the firing (also a crime) is somehow not a crime.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:00 pmSilly me. And I thought Madolin really wanted answers to his questions.
Comment by Lily
Nah, they’re just Troll/GOP WaterBoysâ„¢ here to try and disrupt any real discussion with predigested Talking Points.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:00 pmRove is throwing him to the sharks, like was done to Libby. That is not denying both show be sent to the Hague for war crimes.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:01 pmMaybe you should look at this JPV
March 15th, 2007 at 8:01 pmhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/facetious
Not sure why you have a problem with understanding that firing attorneys in order to commit a crime (obstructing justice) and then lying to Congress about the firing (also a crime) is somehow not a crime.
Yes yes. The administration was so eager to commit the crime of obstruction of justice, they fired 8 attorneys to accomplish it. How fiendishly clever.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:03 pmAs I said, mandolin has a very bad reading comprehension problem….
Its the Standard with room temperature IQ trolls LOL
Comment by Wayne
Yeah well, only a “braindead moron” would mouth off in a self righteous and holier-than-thou manner, about such an issue, and then proceed to confuse Jerry Lewis the Comedian with Jerry Lewis the Representative from California.
It’s just too freakin funny for words.
LOL!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 8:06 pmYes yes. The administration was so eager to commit the crime of obstruction of justice, they fired 8 attorneys to accomplish it. How fiendishly clever.
Actually, NOT “fiendishly clever”.
But it seems that CONGRESS will SUBPOENA them, and THEN we’ll see whether OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE has occurred.
UNDER OATH, Bush TRAITORS.
UNDER OATH.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:07 pmSo were you scremaing when Bush Sr. replaced all fo Reagan’s attonreys as well? Like ALL presidents do when the admisnitration changes hands?
Again, this is unusual in that Bush fired attorneys who were going after Republicans and not pursuing bogus, baseless claims about voter fraud where a Democrat won a close election.
And since the administration sought fit to LIE TO CONGRESS about it, and that the firings were attempts to obstruct justice in corruption cases, it is a big deal. So are you you Saying the Republicans Gordon Smith and John Sununu are wrong to call for Gonzo top resign since there is no criminal violation here?
If there was nothing untoward in this, then why did the DoJ and members of the Bush administration LIE about it to the public and to Congress?
March 15th, 2007 at 8:07 pmMandolin, as you should have learned in the 90’s, the president does not have the “right” to obstruct justice. You asked for examples. People gave you examples. You just stare off into space as if nobody addressed your phony concerns. You are simply pure b.s.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:09 pmWhere is Zooey? I guess she took my advice. How’s your lame website coming Wayne. Last time I looked at it you said you didn’t have a computer anymore and that you would have to use your work computer. I wonder if they know that you spend all day spewing profanities over the internet. Where do you work again? Maybe I could send them an email.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:09 pmYes yes. The administration was so eager to commit the crime of obstruction of justice, they fired 8 attorneys to accomplish it. How fiendishly clever.
Comment by mandolin
Are you trying to make a point?
Hey I got an idea… maybe Jerry Lewis can do a stand-up show for the President’s next shindig?
What do you think?
LOL!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 8:10 pmZooey I’ll tell you this because I’m a nice person. You could quite possibly be the dumbest person on this site. You make yourself look like an Idiot continually. Everyone thinks you’re stupid but they are afraid they will hurt your feelings. I want to save you from further embarrasment, so do yourself a favor and stop posting, or at least let Wayne proof read it before sending it out.
Comment by mandolin
Mandolin, I will consider the source. LOL
Here ya go: Er zol kakn mit blit un mit ayter.
Bluedog49, Arn Gunnutes & WC, thank you for your kind words. :)
March 15th, 2007 at 8:11 pmZooey I’ll tell you this because I’m a nice person. You could quite possibly be the dumbest person on this site. You make yourself look like an Idiot continually. Everyone thinks you’re stupid but they are afraid they will hurt your feelings. I want to save you from further embarrasment, so do yourself a favor and stop posting, or at least let Wayne proof read it before sending it out.
Comment by mandolin
He’s a nice person, Zooey, and he apparently took a poll offline to determine what “everyone thinks”.
Is this guy 12 or what?
Dear Mandolin, the lute, the guitar, and the banjo have all requested that you either change your stupid login name or stfu. They are most insulted and are afraid that you will single-handedly destroy bluegrass music forever. At least, that’s what everyone is thinking.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:12 pmSo were you scremaing when Bush Sr. replaced all fo Reagan’s attonreys as well? Like ALL presidents do when the admisnitration changes hands?
All presidents? Actually this president didn’t replace all of the attorneys when he took over. That just shows that Bush is above politics. He truly is the greatest president in the history of this country.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:13 pmNo dumbfuck. They were eager to derail the investigation of Cunnigham, Lewis, etc. and they were willing to cover up crimes by follow party loyalists by doing this (firing investigators) then lying to Congress and the public about why said investigators were fired.
But you are A-O-K with that since it is done by Chimpy McFlightsuit and he has an R next to his. Party of country for you. Party over rule of law. Party over impartial justice system.
What traitorous dumbfucks you BushCo. apologists are.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:14 pmIf there was nothing untoward in this, then why did the DoJ and members of the Bush administration LIE about it to the public and to Congress?
Comment by lestatdelc
Here, let me translate for mandolin…
It’s not the blowjob, but the fact that he LIED about the blowjob.
Get it now?
March 15th, 2007 at 8:14 pmI think that it would be just WONDERFUL Karma…
…if Abu Gonzales got FIRED or forced to resign by the Bushites…
…then tried to file a “discrimination” suit against them…
…through HIS civil rights division…
March 15th, 2007 at 8:15 pmWhat do you think?
LOL!!!
Comment by JPV — March 15, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Is it really neccesary to write LOL . I mean you made a joke. What kind of lame idiot laughs at his own joke.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:15 pmI wonder if they know that you spend all day spewing profanities over the internet. Where do you work again? Maybe I could send them an email.
Comment by mandolin
I would send one to your employers, but I’m not sure if McDonalds has e-mail in all of their locations yet.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:15 pmAll presidents? Actually this president didn’t replace all of the attorneys when he took over. That just shows that Bush is above politics. He truly is the greatest president in the history of this country.
Comment by mandolin
He replaced 80 of them at the start of his administration.
That’s almost “all”.
Idiot.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:17 pmIs it really neccesary to write LOL . I mean you made a joke. What kind of lame idiot laughs at his own joke.
Comment by mandolin
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
March 15th, 2007 at 8:18 pmThey are most insulted and are afraid that you will single-handedly destroy bluegrass music forever. At least, that’s what everyone is thinking.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:19 pmI usually use both hands when I destroy bluegrass music. Oh well I’m off to play a gig. Some Tony Rice tunes, maybe some John Hartford maybe one or two Lonesome River Band songs. So long hippies and remember to thank the stars tonight that you have the greatest president in the history of the country.
He’s a nice person, Zooey, and he apparently took a poll offline to determine what “everyone thinksâ€.
Is this guy 12 or what?
Comment by gummitch
Yeah, thanks ya’ll for tossing me under the bus.
/sarcasm :-D
Maybe we can trade this defective mandolin for a nice bass fiddle?
March 15th, 2007 at 8:19 pmFunny how animated the Righties get the lower their ship sinks….just a couple smokestacks showing above water now boys, but keep bailing away, keep the faith….you’ll save this crooked old ship if you just believe hard enough….
March 15th, 2007 at 8:20 pm[…] Schumer told reporters, “I know, from other sources, that there is an active and avid discussion in the White House whether Gonzales should stay or not,†adding that “the odds are very high that he will no longer be the attorney general.†[…]
March 15th, 2007 at 8:20 pmIs it really neccesary to write LOL . I mean you made a joke. What kind of lame idiot laughs at his own joke.
Comment by mandolin
Thanks for pointing that out, schmendrick. Now it’s LOY.
LOY = Laughing at YOU.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:21 pmOdd, others thought the same thing about you, when they overheard you in the restroom stall.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:22 pmIs it really neccesary to write LOL . I mean you made a joke. What kind of lame idiot laughs at his own joke.
Comment by mandolin
What kind of “lame idiot” confuses Jerry Lewis the Comedian with Jerry Lewis the Representative from California.
I’ll tell you who… just look in the mirror.
Idiot.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:22 pmI usually use both hands when I destroy bluegrass music. Oh well I’m off to play a gig. Some Tony Rice tunes, maybe some John Hartford maybe one or two Lonesome River Band songs. So long hippies and remember to thank the stars tonight that you have the greatest president in the history of the country.
Comment by mandolin
Yeah well, that explains it all.
Idiot.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:23 pmHey, right-wing tools:
KYLE SAMPSON himself said that CLINTON DIDN’T DO IT.
Eat it raw, boyos.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:27 pmKYLE SAMPSON himself said that CLINTON DIDN’T DO IT.
Eat it raw, boyos.
Comment by Phoenix Woman
Give it a rest. The GOP Talking Point Trollsâ„¢ have (thankfully) already given up on that BS tactic, because they couldn’t get any “traction” with it.
Can you imagine Rove testifying before Congress and saying…
“WAAAAHHHH!!! MOMMY, MOMMY IT’S NOT FAIR!!! CLINTON DID IT TOO. WAAAAHHH!!! IT’S NOT FAIR!â€
Yeah, that would go over REAL well.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:32 pmhttp://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002777.php
March 15th, 2007 at 8:39 pmMandolin….stuff it you fucking rightwing retard:
Its a done deal. The fascistmexicanmotherfucker is going out the door back to his humble roots, the pervertnazi rove is going to be grilled and I hope he lies and gets to do some well deserved jail time. I hope he gets fucked to death in prison….where he finally will find the happiness that has eluded him since his stepfather fucked him nightly as a child. Any more questions? Go fuck yourself, you lame shit.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:40 pmMy previous comment does not imply that I personally support pedophilia or child abuse but is an angry comment about the likely roots of Rove’s hate and twisted world view and need for power.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:42 pmTHE DEPRAVED DEPTHS TO WHICH Rove and Gonzales SANK TO IN THE ATTORNEYS PURGE CAN BE MEASURED BY THE BROWN SHIT-STAINS ON THEIR GLAZED-OVER EYEBALLS SHOWING JUST HOW DEEPLY THEY ARE INVOLVED, IN SHIT RIGHT UP TO THEIR EYEBALLS!!!!!
March 15th, 2007 at 8:43 pmFrom ABC (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=2954988):
March 15th, 2007 at 8:44 pmFrom ABC :
New unreleased e-mails from top administration officials show the idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys was raised by White House adviser Karl Rove in early January 2005, indicating Rove was more involved in the plan than previously acknowledged by the White House….
White House press secretary Tony Snow told reporters Tuesday that Miers had suggesting firing all 93 and that it was “her idea only.†Snow said Miers’ idea was quickly rejected by the Department of Justice.
However, Miers was Bush’s staff secretary at that time in January 2005. She did not become White House counsel for another month, after Gonzales left to become attorney general.
The latest e-mails show that Gonzales and Rove both were involved in the discussion, and neither rejected it out of hand.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:46 pmSo if the next president is a Democrat he should be able to fire any attorney who is not going after Republicans. Sounds good to me!
March 15th, 2007 at 9:17 pmSo if the next president is a Democrat he should be able to fire any attorney who is not going after Republicans. Sounds good to me!
Comment by jdw
Yawn…
March 15th, 2007 at 9:37 pmMandolin has proven once and for all that he is an idiot. That’s all. Sad thing is, he’s apparently proud of it.
I hereby name Mandolin tonight’s winner of the Archie Bunker Award.*
The Archie Bunker Award will occasionally be awarded to the ignorant but loveable Bush supporter who, despite being given facts, refuses to:
- Acknowledge these facts.
- Admit he may be wrong.
- Provide meaningful, logical, thought-provoking debate to the issue(s) at hand.
(*With all due respect to that wonderful actor, Carroll O’Conner)
March 15th, 2007 at 9:55 pmZooey I’ll tell you this because I’m a nice person. You could quite possibly be the dumbest person on this site.
Yes, you ARE a nice person. Retarded, but nice. Wait, no, not nice either: retarded and a prick. Hmm. By the way obstruction of justice is illegal, rain man.
March 15th, 2007 at 10:19 pm#135 You can yawn all you want; doesn’t make you any less of a tool.
March 15th, 2007 at 10:20 pmMandolin, dumb as a bug. I’m surprised he would show up here after predicting that Rove had nothing to do with the firings, only to be proven wrong just hours later. Still trying to change the subject, Mandolin? If no crimes were committed then why are your guys scrambling like cockroaches to get out of the light?
March 15th, 2007 at 10:24 pm#139 What is with righties? Liberals would not defend common criminals. Is it nature or nurture that they are such scumbags?
March 15th, 2007 at 10:54 pmI give Gonzales till the end of April.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:15 pmQuit smirking, Gonzo. You’re a no good skank and your underwear stinks.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:15 pmThe only reason why Gonzales still has his job is that Bush is scared shitless as to what is going to happen when he’s gone. His new nominee will have to go through Senate confirmation and that will give the Democrats a wonderful platform to air all of what Gonzales and the Bushies have done to stomp on the constitution and on our rights to privacy. It’s going to be a really great show folks. I can hardly wait for the confirmation hearing for the next AG.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:29 pmI thought Ronald Reagan’s Edwin Meese was the most inept and ignorant Attorney General ever and then came Alberto Gonzales. Makes Meese look like a Rhodes Scholar.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:31 pm“Sampson ranked all 93 U.S. attorneys in part on whether they “exhibited loyalty†to Bush and Gonzales or “chafed against Administration initiatives etc.â€â€¦
And therein lies the problem. Contrary to Republic beliefs, the AG and the US Attorneys are supposed to be working for us not to promote the Bush administrations agenda. It’s not a coincidence that the 93 Republic US Attorneys have prosecuted 7 times as many Democrats as Republics since Bush took office. And look at how many Democrats have been convicted and how many Republics have been convicted. Something like 7 to 1 Republics convicted to Democrats convicted.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:34 pmHey–if Dana “Dinofart” Rohabacher wants Gonzales out, then Alberto is in BIG trouble. Remember Rohabacher is the brilliant GOP HR member who thinks warming of the earth was related to dinosaur farts. Unbelievable.
Gonzo is Gone.
March 16th, 2007 at 12:04 amCan’t wait to see those emails.
Actually, Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) has seen them. What they show is that Kyle Samson had a playbook that was implemented to get around Senate confirmation of Assistant United States Attorneys. The scheme involved stalling the Senate and lying to the members. The email says that all of this will be done in “good faith.†[quotation marks in original]
Senator Pryor – one of only six Democrats to vote for Gonzalez’s confirmation –reported on the floor of the Senate today that the plan was implemented and that pursuant to it, El Generalissimo performed exactly as directed. He says,
Visit the Schapira blog, What we know so far …
“… and tell ’em Big Mitch sent ya!â€
March 16th, 2007 at 1:03 amCan’t wait to see those emails.
Actually, Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) has seen them. What they show is that Kyle Samson had a playbook that was implemented to get around Senate confirmation of Assistant United States Attorneys. The scheme involved stalling the Senate and lying to the members. The email says that all of this will be done in “good faith.†[quotation marks in original]
Senator Pryor – one of only six Democrats to vote for Gonzalez’s confirmation –reported on the floor of the Senate today that the plan was implemented and that pursuant to it, El Generalissimo performed exactly as directed. He says,
Visit the Schapira blog, What we know so far …
“… and tell ’em Big Mitch sent ya!â€
March 16th, 2007 at 1:05 amGonzales for President!!! At least he’s smarter than Bush, and now, twice as easy to impeach.
March 16th, 2007 at 1:22 amYou know you SUCK when people within the Bu$hco administration are leaking stuff to get you fired!
March 16th, 2007 at 2:00 amGood riddance! Send that traitorous illegal alien back to Mexico, where tyranny and corruption are a way of life.
March 16th, 2007 at 3:36 amLast time i had this much fun was when we had that asswipe Nixon on the ropes.Hey Flaco,you would not believe how much fun it is to watch your repuglican nationalist movement unravel under its own weight of hatred,corruption and intolerance.What a bunch unenlightened dunderheads.You folks are going down for the final count now.Love it.Love it.Love it.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:47 amImagine what a boost for the republican team it would be if somebody else could say they were Attourney General….that Karl, simply brilliant!
March 16th, 2007 at 9:00 amIt’s like the Shakespearean line “the tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive” these assies have so many lies they need to keep straight and so much illicit activity that they cannot possibly cover all of them!!!! This tale of this imploding crime family presidency is getting funnier and funnier as each hour goes by-the Dems better not let any of these crooks off of the hook and need to go all the way to the top-get Bush. Also not letting these jerks get away with testifying but not being under oath!!! They have motives for not being under oath-so they can lie, lie, lie!!!!! Republican implosion-I love it!!!!!
March 16th, 2007 at 9:16 amIt is important to remember: while the President has the right to replace any US Attorney at any time for any reason, the difference in this current situation is significant: Because of certain language put into Patriot Act II, the persons put into these positions would not have to be confirmed by the congress.
That is at the very heart of the matter. If pe