Time’s up for Gonzales, again.
On May 21, the Senate Judiciary Committee made at least its ninth formal request for documents related to President Bush’s warrantless domestic surveillance program. Committee chiefs Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) gave Alberto Gonzales until June 5 to provide answers. He sent nothing. Leahy said today that the Justice Dept. stonewalling was “unacceptable and shows, yet again, its disdain for any kind of constitutional oversight of its activities.” (More on the NSA program in today’s Progress Report.)
Read Leahy’s full statement:
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.,
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
June 8, 2007“This Justice Department’s refusal to provide the material requested by the Committee is unacceptable and shows, yet again, its disdain for any kind of constitutional oversight of its activities.
“The warrantless wiretapping program has operated for over five years outside of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and without the approval of the FISA Court. The Committee has continued to ask for the legal justification for this sweeping and secret program, and has continually been rebuffed by inadequate and at times, misleading, responses from this Justice Department. The information we have requested has been specific to the legal justification for this program and is firmly within the Committee’s oversight jurisdiction.
“The Justice Department’s continued frustration of this Committee’s attempts to carry out its constitutional oversight function is unfortunate. We will continue in our pursuit of this information until we get it, so that we can carry out our constitutional duties.”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2007 – Elements of the 205th Afghan National Army Corps, advised and assisted by coalition forces, defeated enemy insurgents in two separate firefights in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Zabul provinces June 6, military officials reported. The first battle took place midday near the village of Petaw, in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, when an unknown number of enemy forces fired on a combined patrol. The combined patrol immediately returned fire, then quickly maneuvered to kill several enemy fighters within two hours.
The second battle took place during the hours of darkness in the Deh Chopan district of Zabul province when enemy forces fired 107 mm rockets at a coalition firebase. Afghan and coalition forces returned mortar fire then pursued an unknown number of enemy attackers as they attempted to get away. During the pursuit, the combined force exchanged small-arms fire with the fleeing attackers, killing a number of them.
No Afghan civilian injuries were reported in the separate battles.
“Afghan National Army and coalition forces will remain devoted to uprooting insurgent elements in the region,†said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “We will continue to assist and advise the (Afghan National Army) by conducting combined security operations in order to enhance the Afghan government’s ability to maintain stability in the region.â€
Elsewhere, several hundred Afghans and village elders from the Ali Khail (Jaji) and Laja Ahmad Khail districts of Paktya province forced enemy insurgents out of their villages June 4.
The Afghan villagers were angered over the enemy insurgent presence in their area and informed Afghan national police and coalition forces, officials said. Afghan civilians confronted the insurgents, took their weapons, and told the enemy insurgents they were no longer welcome in their districts.
Afghan residents near Chamkani also stopped enemy insurgents from bringing fighters, suicide bombers and material from Pakistan through the area. Two weeks ago, Chamkani Afghan police members intercepted two suicide bombers after receiving information from the local populace. As a result, one suicide bomber was not able to harm anyone and blew himself up. During that same time period, Afghan civilians came to the aid of two Afghan border control points and repelled enemy forces as they attempted to overrun the positions.
Two days ago, in neighboring Paktika province, local tribal members near Shkin pursued enemy insurgents near the Pakistan border after the insurgents killed two civilians and injured several others during an enemy direct-fire attack on the local bazaar.
In Khowst province, the local populace has pledged support to serve and protect the region from insurgents and assist the local legitimate government. In addition, Afghan civilians have expressed their support to assist local checkpoints in the Zambar region.
“Afghan civilians living in Paktya, Paktika and Khowst have decided to not allow enemy insurgents to seek refuge in their villages anymore,†Belcher said. “There is no limit to what the Afghan National Army and Afghan national security forces can accomplish with the support of the Afghan populace.â€
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)
June 8th, 2007 at 8:07 pmWill SOMEONE PLEASE PULL THE LEVER ON GONZALES?????
June 8th, 2007 at 8:07 pmGonzales must have mis-sent the “documents.”
June 8th, 2007 at 8:09 pmThis DOJ has repeatedly ignored requests from Congress. Condi is ignoring requests from Congress. The White House is ignoring requests from Congress. However, there are no consequences. Congress just resets the timeline for requests and things go on as usual. When is someone in Congress going to finally put some bite behind these requests? The administration is ignoring the constitutional mandate of the people responsible for oversight and it’s time to stop them. No more Mr. Nice Guy!
June 8th, 2007 at 8:15 pmTime for Gonzales to be held “in contempt of Congress” and impeachment proceedings begun immediately. This guy clearly feels that he’s above the law, is smug about it, and needs to have his sorry butt hauled into court.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:18 pmImpeach the whole sorry lot of them. Congress has been more than kind and understanding in allowing them the time to trample all over them as well as the constitution of this country. It’s time to pull them all out of office and bring their butts to justice - it’s “over time” and the people have had a belly full of their chicanery and ignorance of our laws.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:19 pmAnd I’m getting pretty sick of seeing whimpy old Harry Reid make threats in his typical monotone, do nothing voice! Let’s get some muscle behind these threats or the people will begin to also throw the Democrats to the wolves as well for their complicity. Complicity or negligence in upholding the law is also a serious offense and it’s no longer a “choice” of the democrats to bring about impeachment proceedings.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:21 pmNo more Mr. Nice Guy!
Comment by Candyce
Wouldn’t that be Mr Nice GuyS, and Gals, too? It takes alot of clowns to put up a circus like this.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:22 pmThe clock should be ticking and penalties assessed for every day that Gonzo is late in providing the requested documents - which, today, numbers 3 and by Monday will be 6. This is totally outrageous behavior and needs to be seriously punished. Unless/until we bring these criminals to justice, the entire country will feel that they are also above the law and we will begin to see a serious erosion of our safety within this country. After all, if the role models break the law and get away with it, why can’t everyone else? The laws in this country will mean absolutely nothing soon if the people do not press for this administration to be impeached and, where appropriate, incarcerated.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:24 pmTo #6 & 7, Verits: RIGHT ON! I want to hear MORE!
June 8th, 2007 at 8:25 pmArlen Specter might be mostly useless, but come on, don’t call him a Democrat.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:27 pmPick one…
1. “But Clinton did it too!”
2. “We’re fighting them there, so we don’t have to fight them here.”
3. “He serves at the President’s pleasure.”
4. “Libtards are cowards.”
5. All of the above.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:29 pmComment by m12 — June 8, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
You’re the only useless part of this thread.
As to Fredo, he can’t recall if he remembers to send those. What were we talking about again?
June 8th, 2007 at 8:33 pm“We will continue in our pursuit of this information until we get it, so that we can carry out our constitutional duties.â€
Ok fine, but what are you going to DO!?
F*ck formal requests! Take it to the next level — whatever it is!
This is insanity!
June 8th, 2007 at 8:34 pmArlen Specter might be mostly useless
Comment by m12 — June 8, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Naw, Arlen is very useful to you guys. He talks a big liberal game, but he votes NeoCon 100% of the time. Besides, he gave you guys a magic bullet.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:36 pmis “arlen specter D-PA” on purpose?
June 8th, 2007 at 8:44 pmComment by m12 — We never finished our talk yesterday. You left in a huff. More on your condition; the psychopath understands the wishes and concerns of others; he simply does not care . . . The psychopath believes that rules and morals are for others, weaker people who obey because they fear punishment . . . The psychopath rarely maintains a regular job . . . and usually blogs all day to express this pent up anger. Apparently, blocked from fulfillment at deep levels, the psychopath is not unnaturally pushed toward some sort of divertissement. Even weak impulses, petty and fleeting gratifications, are sufficient to produce in him injudicious, distasteful, and even outlandish misbehavior. The psychopath’s world is make believe and he will justify his existance in that world at all costs. The world is a game, people are the ponds.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:47 pm#15
Hardly. He just voted to dump my tax dollars into stem cell research….even the Democrat from his home state voted against it.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:51 pmWell Sen. Leahy impeach Gonzales, or Bush Regime will consider you a wussy Democrat without a spine.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:52 pmbelieve me - I don’t want to shut p anyone but for crying out loud. How about staying on the bloody subject?
June 8th, 2007 at 8:56 pmGreg Palast (Armed Madhouse) NYC- 2007:
June 8th, 2007 at 8:57 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du9QWpCWbbY
The world is a game, people are the ponds.
Comment by JTitor — June 8, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
Ponds? Huh? We are bodies of water?
I think you meant “pawns”…
June 8th, 2007 at 9:09 pmveritas #s 5,6,7,9 Right on! I whole-heartedly concur.
Zooey! - I agree. Whatever the “next level” is, as long as it involves “enhanced interrogation techniques”. Then, and only then, will they finally let a judge decide if it’s legal to do that to people.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:10 pmI’m sorry.. They put Judith Miller in prison for MONTHS when she doesn’t produce her source for a story, but they can’t put these guys behind bars for contempt for ignoring formal requests of Congress ? Does that hold the same weight as a subpoena? Can’t they subpoena them to hand over the documents?
Start throwing people behind bars until they get what they are asking for. Believe me, someone will start to crack. Just look at Paris Hilton..
June 8th, 2007 at 9:10 pmThere’s no “there” there. Have fun with nothing.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:14 pmI don’t want to hear anymore about Gonzales and White House stonewalling until Leahy and Judiciary show the stones to actually issue and serve the subpoenas they authorized a few MONTHS ago.
Unless and until Leahy shows that he can play hardball as well as he talks it, Gonzales and Bush have nothing to fear and nothing to answer for.
C’mon Leahy, stop bitching and start pitching.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:18 pm#25
A chimpy leg humper…no doubt. The there is running down your chin. F*ckWad.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:23 pmImpeach the whole sorry lot of them. — veritas
I would love to see that happen.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:24 pmIf Nancy Pelosi can over her “table phobia”
Here is the missing eMail message from Bush to Gonzales prooving it was a frame!
_____
June 8th, 2007 at 9:25 pm,-’ `._
,’ `. ,-.
,’ \ ),.\
,. / \ /( \;
/’\\ ,o. ,ooooo. \ ,’ `-’)
)) )`. d8P”Y8. ,8P”"”"”Y8. `’ .–”‘
(`-’ `Y’ `Y8 dP `’ /
`—-.( __ ` ,’ ,—. (
),–.`. ( ;,—. )
/ \O_,’ ) \ \O_,’ |
; `– ,’ `—’ |
| -’ `. |
_; , ) :
_.’| `.:._ ,.::” `.. |
–’ | .’ “”" ` |`.
| :; : : _. |`.`.-’–.
| ‘ . : :__.,’|/ | \
` \–.__.-’|_|_|-/ / )
\ \_ `–^”__,’ , |
-hrr- ; ` `–^—’ ,’ |
\ ` / /
\ ` _ _ /
\ ` /
\ ‘ ,’
`. , _,’
`-.___.—’
M12 is a brain dead chimpy leg humping whore. And an asswipe to boot…
June 8th, 2007 at 9:29 pm,
June 8th, 2007 at 9:29 pm|’. ,
| ‘-._ / )
.’ .._ ‘, /_’-,
‘ / _’.'_\ /._)’)
: / ‘_’ ‘_’ / _.’
|E | |Q| |Q| / /
.’ _\ ‘-’ ‘-’ /
.’–.(S ,__` ) /
‘-. _.’ /
__.–’—-( /
_.-’ : __\ /
( __.’ :’ :Y
‘. ‘._, : :|
‘. ) :.__:|
\ \______/
‘._L/_H____]
/_ /
/ ‘-.__.-’)
: / /
: / /
,/_____/—-;
‘._____)—-’
/ / /
/ / /
.’ / \
snd (______(-.____)
#29 a lot of work…nothing said…you and jimbo dude need to reread your post for clarity.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:31 pmIf Congress starts now, it can get the group rate for impeachments.
Never in the field of national politics was so much owed by so many to neocons. (Apologies to W. Churchill.) We owe these enemies of the state impeachment, indictment and imprisonment.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:32 pmThere’s no “there†there. Have fun with nothing.
Comment by Toliver
The authority of your expertise is evident, sir. You are clearly a man who knows an awful lot about “nothing”.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:34 pmLooks like ignoring Congress has been legitimized by Emperor Bosch. Just another facet in his sparkling array of precedents. Can’t wait for the time when a Republican Congress makes demands on a Dem administration. The difference is Repubs would start impeachment, win or lose. WTF is Leahy waiting for?
June 8th, 2007 at 9:53 pmIf Congress starts now, it can get the group rate for impeachments. Comment by Emerald — June 8, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
I like your thinking! ;-)
June 8th, 2007 at 10:11 pmWhere is the crime republic of stupid?
June 8th, 2007 at 11:07 pmWhere is the crime republic of stupid?
Comment by Toliver
I am astonished at your statement, Li’l Toliver. Who said anything about a crime? Congress has been asking, and asking, and asking, as is their legitimate perview, for docs and Gonzo has been stonewalling.
One could assay attempts at perjury, obstruction of justice, and probably others, but until Ole Gonz gives up the docs, no one quite knows what to make of this. It is curious that Monica Goodling resigned, took the 5th, and cut a deal for immunity if nothing illegal had happened. Why did poor little Monica take the 5th so readily and seek immunity if no crimes had been committed? Wouldn’t her rather ardent desire for immunity imply a crime, of some sort, had been committed? Or do stone innocents seek immunity?
You are living down to your own words, Li’l Buddy. Clearly you are a man who knows his “nothing” quite well and is proud of it. You would make a first-class citizen here in the Republic of Stupidity!!!
And we give door prizes, too!!!
June 8th, 2007 at 11:24 pmSorry, but there’s no crime and no reason for the fishing exhibition republic of stupid.
There is not even a scent of a crime. US attorneys may be fired when the Executive Branch sees fit. This is nothing but a a partisan smear fest, which is also what this site engages in every day. Let’s get back to the work of the people.
In other words, there will be no payback for the Clinton impeachment/disgrace.
Get over it.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:36 pmYou are living down to your own words, Li’l Buddy. Clearly you are a man who knows his “nothing†quite well and is proud of it. You would make a first-class citizen here in the Republic of Stupidity!!!
And we give door prizes, too!!!
Comment by the republic of stupidity — June 8, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
“Our concern here is with Gonzo only and nothing else; Gonzo alone and nothing further; solely Gonzo, and besides Gonzo… nothing.
What is this Nothing?
Does the Nothing exist only because the Not, i.e. the Negation, exists?
Or is it rather, the other way around?
Does the Not and Negation exist only because the Nothing exists?
Where do we seek the Nothing?
How do we find the Nothing?
What about this Nothing?
The Nothing itself nothings.”
- a “thinker”
June 8th, 2007 at 11:41 pmThere is not even a scent of a crime. US attorneys may be fired when the Executive Branch sees fit. This is nothing but a a partisan smear fest, which is also what this site engages in every day. Let’s get back to the work of the people.
In other words, there will be no payback for the Clinton impeachment/disgrace.
Get over it.
Comment by Toliver
My goodness, Li’l Buddy. You sound absolutely forceful. Seeing as you and I are simply blogging here and all of this will be decided by Real People, like Senators, Judges, very expensive lawyers. and not for months to come, and miles and miles from here, I marvel at your clairvoyance.
It will be what it will be. One does wonder why Alberto refuses to give up the docs, as required by law. We will probably find out one of these days. Whatever we say will have no bearing on the outcome.
BTW, Scotter is going to jail, and yes, he deserved it.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:44 pmWhy is it that Scooter is going away? Perjury?
The irony.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:55 pmWhat the heck, they only have to stonewall for 17 more months. And, since Impeachment is off the table, that will be no problem!
June 9th, 2007 at 12:14 amWhy stupid commentary above. I respect Think Progress and wish that it could attract a more educated following. Simper on.
June 9th, 2007 at 2:05 amTP,
Have I offended thee? The last two posts I’ve sent seem to have disappeared.
June 9th, 2007 at 2:15 amComment by Wayne A. Schneider — June 9, 2007 @ 2:15 am
I know, right?
It’s just like what candidate Edwards said the other day,
“The only reason you [that is, we] do not slip and fall into utter destruction is because TP’s appoint time for us has not come!”
Check out more of what Dem. Presidential candidate Edwards has to say here:
http://edwards.yale.edu/images/pdf/sinners.pdf
June 9th, 2007 at 2:34 am“We don’t reeeeeeaaaadd no steeenkin’ subpoenas….” — AGAG.
Cheers,
June 9th, 2007 at 2:43 am>He just voted to dump my tax dollars into stem cell research.
I’m sorry to hear that. I guess you only approve of your tax dollars being used to extinguish sentient life. typical republican.
dead iraqis = irrlevant collateral damage
June 9th, 2007 at 2:53 amdestroyed embryos = terrible taking of human life
Leahy - you’ve more than laid the groundwork when it comes to this particular issue, which is much older than the DOJ scandal. Subpoena, now, the information on both the domestic spying programS in general (there is more than one) and on everything related to the Cheney-driven hospital coup attempt on Ashcroft and the rule of law. If you don’t do it very soon, you will lose your credibility.
June 9th, 2007 at 2:58 amPerhaps Leahy may well be afraid to take the next step — fearful that doing so will result in another anthrax letter being sent to his office. The first time was shortly after 9/11 when he wanted some questions answered before proceeding forward with the PATRIOT Act (Daeschle was the other recipient). Bush Administration officials reportedly started taking Cipro (the preferred treatment at the time for exposure to anthrax) on 9/11, giving them a few days’ head start on everyone else. The fate of the most courageous member of Congress at the time, Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, who died with his family in a small plane crash days before the 2002 election, has also likely created an unmistakable impression. Let’s hope that justice can still prevail under such daunting circumstances.
June 9th, 2007 at 3:22 amTime to ratchet up the pressure, formally ask a tenth time.
June 9th, 2007 at 9:15 amI don’t know why Leahy et al are dragging their feet and I don’t really care. They’ve taken the job, along with it’s comcomittant side-effects (whatever they may be) and do not have the luxury of copping out at this point. Perhaps it’s the anthrax possibility? Perhaps they’re concerned about blackmail or outing of their own skeletons garnered by Bush’s illegal wiretapping?? Whatever it is, the people are being abused by their inaction. This democracy is being destroyed and they will be labeled as “enablers”. We trusted them to do the “next right thing” and bring this administration into accountability - holding them to the letter of the law - and this congress is failing us miserably at this point.
Our founding fathers created Congress as part of the ‘balance of power” for precisely this situation we now have before us. How are we stacking up? Abysmally, that’s how. Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves as we fail to take the action necessary to balance this unprecedented level of corruption in the highest offices of this country.
That’s why Congress is “equal to” the power of the Executive and “equal to” the power of the Judiciary. Bush has the Judiciary in his pocket and the ONLY power of the people left is the Congress. They caved when they could have used the “power of the purse” with continuing to fund this war and play games of semantics with the lives and dollars of the people - allowing some wingnuts to define “progress” as a determining factors to further continue this mass genocide of our military and the Iraqi people.
What webs we weave when our intention is to deceive?
Are the people being further deceived by this new Congress? It’s beginning to look that way.
If this Congress really had the power of it’s convictions and if any of the Democratic candidates was worth his salt, they’d be screaming for the impeachment of Bush and his entire cabal at this point. Where is the outrage? Where is the courage to take action?
Unfortunately, it’s beginning to appear that the american people have no voice in their own government at this point - that we’ve all been sold down the river, again, by those we’ve trusted.
As the adage goes: First time, shame on you! Second time, shame on me!! It’s beginning to look like we deserve what’s happening to us.
June 9th, 2007 at 9:25 amThis is getting ridiculous and feeds into the meme that Dems are weak! The Repubs sent Clinton thousands of subpoenas RATHER than letters!
June 9th, 2007 at 10:42 amGet off your butt, Leahy!
The Democrats are COWARDS! They have the power to find Gonzo in contempt of Congress, but are afraid they will hurt someone’s feelings if the do their job. Gonzo has figured out that they are COWARDS and isn’t afraid to challenge them. They could impeach him, but that would take guts and balls, and they don’t have either. If you can find one Democrat with guts, I’ll eat my hat.
Why did they want control of Congress? Apparently so Gonzo and Bonzo could tell them to take a flying leap. This is exactly why they lose to Republicans. They are so caught up in playing the nice game, they forget to use the power we gave them. I’m a life long Democrat and I’m ashamed to admit it. COWARDS! COWARDS! COWARDS!
June 9th, 2007 at 11:19 amSpecter is a Republican
June 9th, 2007 at 11:53 amAnd these spineless wussies still aren’t even talking impeachment.
June 9th, 2007 at 12:53 pmMaybe they should try saying…
…”pretty please with cherries on top”…
June 9th, 2007 at 9:24 pmCould it be that just maybe they were spying on ppl that they shouldn’t have been? Maybe just alittle….like Democrates in Office, Reporters, Critics, anyone that disagrees with them…just maybe.
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good - Trolls bad
June 10th, 2007 at 12:32 am