Comments on: Conyers to hold hearing on executive clemency. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:37:55 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Quizmos http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3912218 Quizmos Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:54:34 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3912218 John, you are like a fireman who shows up a day late with an empty water bucket in your hands. You'll waste time looking into.....get out in front on this stuff man, or, get the hell out of the way and retire. What a sad disappointment you have turned out to be; Downing Street Memos, my ass!!! John, you are like a fireman who shows up a day late with an empty water bucket in your hands. You’ll waste time looking into…..get out in front on this stuff man, or, get the hell out of the way and retire. What a sad disappointment you have turned out to be; Downing Street Memos, my ass!!!

]]> By: John Murtha http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3911980 John Murtha Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:49:17 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3911980 I can imagine Scooter Libby getting a radio show with G. Gordon Liddy. The “Liddy & Libby” show! WIthout his law license, what law firm would hire him? Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — July 4, 2007 @ 11:32 pm Or, he can switch parties and run for Congress. I can imagine Scooter Libby getting a radio show with G. Gordon Liddy. The “Liddy & Libby” show! WIthout his law license, what law firm would hire him?

Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — July 4, 2007 @ 11:32 pm

Or, he can switch parties and run for Congress.

]]> By: georgia http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3910364 georgia Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:54:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3910364 The Supreme Court upheld pardon power in 1925 too (ex Parte Grossman) but suggested impeachment when the power is abused.: <blockquote>If it be said that the President, by successive pardons of constantly recurring contempts in particular litigation, might deprive a court of power to enforce its orders in a recalcitrant neighborhood, it is enough to observe that such a course is so improbable as to furnish but little basis for argument. Exceptional cases like this, if to be imagined at all, would suggest a resort to impeachment, rather than to a narrow and strained construction of the general powers of the President. [p122] </blockquote> - http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0267_0087_ZO.html The Supreme Court upheld pardon power in 1925 too (ex Parte Grossman) but suggested impeachment when the power is abused.:

If it be said that the President, by successive pardons of constantly recurring contempts in particular litigation, might deprive a court of power to enforce its orders in a recalcitrant neighborhood, it is enough to observe that such a course is so improbable as to furnish but little basis for argument. Exceptional cases like this, if to be imagined at all, would suggest a resort to impeachment, rather than to a narrow and strained construction of the general powers of the President. [p122]

- http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0267_0087_ZO.html

]]> By: georgia http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3910351 georgia Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:51:59 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3910351 One of the reasons the Senate wasn't given the power to affirm or deny pardons and reprieves was because of the trouble it would have been to assemble the legislature, the same reason we have the out-dated recess appointment authority. Both need to be fixed via Constitutional amendment. One of the reasons the Senate wasn’t given the power to affirm or deny pardons and reprieves was because of the trouble it would have been to assemble the legislature, the same reason we have the out-dated recess appointment authority. Both need to be fixed via Constitutional amendment.

]]> By: m12 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909982 m12 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:32:35 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909982 Oh, and another Democrat: Melvin L. Watt. He's part of Conyers' committee. We are going to find that the President's power is absolute, and despite the fact that I have concerns about pardons, some of the pardons issued in this case and some of the pardons issued by prior Presidents, probably the quicker I can make this opening statement and get this hearing over the quicker it will pass. So, with that frame of mind, I really think we shed light on this. Odd, they wanted to move quickly after the Clinton administration. What hacks! Oh, and another Democrat: Melvin L. Watt. He’s part of Conyers’ committee.

We are going to find that the President’s power is absolute, and despite the fact that I have concerns about pardons, some of the pardons issued in this case and some of the pardons issued by prior Presidents, probably the quicker I can make this opening statement and get this hearing over the quicker it will pass. So, with that frame of mind, I really think we shed light on this.

Odd, they wanted to move quickly after the Clinton administration. What hacks!

]]> By: m12 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909966 m12 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:28:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909966 <i>I hope that in the end this will lead to checks on Presidential powers of commutation and pardonship. A majority Senate vote is all I ask to be added! Repubs should be all for it. </i> The founding fathers rejected this specific argument. http://www.iht.com/articles/2001/02/20/edlee.t.php I hope that in the end this will lead to checks on Presidential powers of commutation and pardonship. A majority Senate vote is all I ask to be added! Repubs should be all for it.

The founding fathers rejected this specific argument.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2001/02/20/edlee.t.php

]]> By: m12 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909959 m12 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:26:21 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909959 <i>But I do believe that the Congress has prohibited what you described, in that he would be pardoning a potential witness against himself or his vice president. And I can’t imagine the framers believing something like that should be allowed. </i> The courts and the founding fathers, in fact, believed the power of the President to power is absolute. So does Patrick Leahy. http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200102/010214.html We need to view President Clinton’s pardons as a whole and in their historical and constitutional context, not focus exclusively on one or two controversial cases. The pardon power lies with the president, just as it lies with the governor in each of the states. When I was State's Attorney for Chittenden County, I did not always agree when the Governor of Vermont used his clemency power, but I understood that it was his power to exercise as he saw fit. The pardon power is absolute. It is absolute for Republican presidents, and it is absolute for Democratic presidents. Even the Supreme Court of 1866 said (It) "is not subject to any legislative control. Congress can neither limit the effect of his pardon, nor exclude from its exercise any class of offenders.” But I do believe that the Congress has prohibited what you described, in that he would be pardoning a potential witness against himself or his vice president. And I can’t imagine the framers believing something like that should be allowed.

The courts and the founding fathers, in fact, believed the power of the President to power is absolute.

So does Patrick Leahy.

http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200102/010214.html

We need to view President Clinton’s pardons as a whole and in their historical and constitutional context, not focus exclusively on one or two controversial cases. The pardon power lies with the president, just as it lies with the governor in each of the states. When I was State’s Attorney for Chittenden County, I did not always agree when the Governor of Vermont used his clemency power, but I understood that it was his power to exercise as he saw fit.

The pardon power is absolute. It is absolute for Republican presidents, and it is absolute for Democratic presidents.

Even the Supreme Court of 1866 said (It) “is not subject to any legislative control. Congress can neither limit the effect of his pardon, nor exclude from its exercise any class of offenders.”

]]> By: Johnny Swank http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909860 Johnny Swank Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:49:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909860 Bill Clinton was convicted of the same exact crime that Libby was, lying during an investigation. Bill Clinton tried to deny the rights of an ugly woman he wanted a blow job from. When she sued him,he lied about pulling his pants down and asking for the favor. Libby wasn't the intended target and you know it. But when they couldn't get Cheeney or Bush,Libby got hit for it. There was no crime commited by Libby that the original investigation was seeking. During testimony he he tripped up. Your intended target was Cheeney,not Scooter! It's time you lefties face some cold hard facts;your not going to get Cheeney,and your not going to get Bush! They are to smart for your,our, dumb ass Congress. Bill Clinton was convicted of the same exact crime that Libby was, lying during an investigation. Bill Clinton tried to deny the rights of an ugly woman he wanted a blow job from. When she sued him,he lied about pulling his pants down and asking for the favor. Libby wasn’t the intended target and you know it. But when they couldn’t get Cheeney or Bush,Libby got hit for it. There was no crime commited by Libby that the original investigation was seeking. During testimony he he tripped up. Your intended target was Cheeney,not Scooter! It’s time you lefties face some cold hard facts;your not going to get Cheeney,and your not going to get Bush! They are to smart for your,our, dumb ass Congress.

]]> By: Parrotlover77 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909718 Parrotlover77 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:05:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909718 I applaud Rep. Conyers for doing this. I hope that in the end this will lead to checks on Presidential powers of commutation and pardonship. A majority Senate vote is all I ask to be added! Repubs should be all for it. Their boys are on the way out and it will give them a power to control future Democratic presidents -- which I'm not against! I applaud Rep. Conyers for doing this. I hope that in the end this will lead to checks on Presidential powers of commutation and pardonship. A majority Senate vote is all I ask to be added! Repubs should be all for it. Their boys are on the way out and it will give them a power to control future Democratic presidents — which I’m not against!

]]> By: katie http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909441 katie Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:55:36 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909441 "Bush Prevailed where Clinton failed. I hope next time you will vote republican. Thanks and god bless america “excecept for the demoncrats a-o!" You are right. Bush prevailed at destroying this once great nation while Clinton failed. Actually, Clinton never tried to destroy this country. He did a very good job of taking care of us. And he left the government coffers in great shape. As far as anyone here voting Republic, in your dreams sucker. Won't happen. And the Independents are not voting Republic. Your goose is cooked. I even know Republics who are so ashamed of what their party has become they, too, are voting Democrat. November 2008 can't come soon enough. It will be a Republic blood bath, one that was well earned. “Bush Prevailed where Clinton failed. I hope next time you will vote republican. Thanks and god bless america “excecept for the demoncrats a-o!”

You are right. Bush prevailed at destroying this once great nation while Clinton failed. Actually, Clinton never tried to destroy this country. He did a very good job of taking care of us. And he left the government coffers in great shape.

As far as anyone here voting Republic, in your dreams sucker. Won’t happen. And the Independents are not voting Republic. Your goose is cooked. I even know Republics who are so ashamed of what their party has become they, too, are voting Democrat.

November 2008 can’t come soon enough. It will be a Republic blood bath, one that was well earned.

]]> By: Edward R Olbermann http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909373 Edward R Olbermann Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:06:19 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909373 can we take back the pardons of all the tax cheats and drug dealers that billy gave out? can we take back the pardons of all the tax cheats and drug dealers that billy gave out?

]]> By: AnthonyMason http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909360 AnthonyMason Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:27:23 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909360 Why the pussy footing? Why not go straight to impeachment? Mr. Conyers, stop wasting the people's money. Holding hearings on the Libby's pardon isnt going to get us anywhere. Let the impeachment of Bush roll! Why the pussy footing? Why not go straight to impeachment?

Mr. Conyers, stop wasting the people’s money. Holding hearings on the Libby’s pardon isnt going to get us anywhere. Let the impeachment of Bush roll!

]]> By: loretta http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909336 loretta Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:12:11 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909336 I look at what's happening here and can't help but think of Congress as first-time parents running around doing childproofing AFTER their toddler (George Bush) is up & running about. The problem is, there is still time for this out-of-control child to do some real damage, but unfortunately we are in reactionary mode. One more point, to the impeachment crowd-- I am all for it, and believe that it could get us started in the right direction to save our country-- HOWEVER--for impeachment to work, some of your Senators will have to do the right thing, and I don't think they are ready to do that just yet, and may not be before it's too late. I happen to live in a glorious blue (mostly) state--both Senators are Democrats, as is my Representative, so no problem there. It's the rest of you, as constituents to Republican Senators and/or Representatives who need to apply pressure. We could still turn this thing around, people. I look at what’s happening here and can’t help but think of Congress as first-time parents running around doing childproofing AFTER their toddler (George Bush) is up & running about.
The problem is, there is still time for this out-of-control child to do some real damage, but unfortunately we are in reactionary mode.
One more point, to the impeachment crowd–
I am all for it, and believe that it could get us started in the right direction to save our country–
HOWEVER–for impeachment to work, some of your Senators will have to do the right thing, and I don’t think they are ready to do that just yet, and may not be before it’s too late.
I happen to live in a glorious blue (mostly) state–both Senators are Democrats, as is my Representative, so no problem there. It’s the rest of you, as constituents to Republican Senators and/or Representatives who need to apply pressure.
We could still turn this thing around, people.

]]> By: TomInMaine http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909328 TomInMaine Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:52:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909328 Instead of Conyers wasting his time on another hearing that won't go anyplace, why don't he and the rest of the Democratic caucus put there energies to good use and hold a series of meetings with Nancy Pelosi to convince her to retract her statement about taking impeachment off the table and get the show on the road! It would be useful to know which one's if any of the blogs out there Pelosi reads, I for one would be constantly posting on those blogs just how terrible a mistake she has made by that decision. I believe in effect Nancy Pelosi is as complicit in the continuous raping of our system as are the administration is because she in effect has given them a free reign to their illegal behavior by not putting the ultimate solution to this mess we are in by impeaching those responsible. Instead of Conyers wasting his time on another hearing that won’t go anyplace, why don’t he and the rest of the Democratic caucus put there energies to good use and hold a series of meetings with Nancy Pelosi to convince her to retract her statement about taking impeachment off the table and get the show on the road!

It would be useful to know which one’s if any of the blogs out there Pelosi reads, I for one would be constantly posting on those blogs just how terrible a mistake she has made by that decision.

I believe in effect Nancy Pelosi is as complicit in the continuous raping of our system as are the administration is because she in effect has given them a free reign to their illegal behavior by not putting the ultimate solution to this mess we are in by impeaching those responsible.

]]> By: futureStar http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909315 futureStar Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:22:20 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909315 Bush had no idea what he was doing. He never does. Never has. It just felt Presidential, sounded good, like it might be fun. This dooface could be no more clueless. He is though rather enamored with his sly, crooked grin, and good-old boy smarts. Damned if he ain't gettting one over on us time and again. I bet his sides have been stitched back countless times for the laughs he treats himself to at our country's expense. His simple tears of joy could quench any drought and heal the sick. Wonders. They never cease. Always amaze. A child in the top room of the castle. The glory he sees. Bush had no idea what he was doing. He never does. Never has. It just felt Presidential, sounded good, like it might be fun. This dooface could be no more clueless. He is though rather enamored with his sly, crooked grin, and good-old boy smarts. Damned if he ain’t gettting one over on us time and again. I bet his sides have been stitched back countless times for the laughs he treats himself to at our country’s expense. His simple tears of joy could quench any drought and heal the sick. Wonders. They never cease. Always amaze. A child in the top room of the castle. The glory he sees.

]]> By: Carthago Delenda Est http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909189 Carthago Delenda Est Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:04:43 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909189 We can only wait. Any concrete steps taken that would impose some actual threat of accountability will be shot down by both sides. I can only guess that the Democrats aren't more decisive because they don't want to appear to be supporting 'terror.' It's this great trick that has been pulled on not only the clueless, but the informed in office as well. They don't want to risk their reputations in any way, so the speak loudly but carry a small twig. In his theater of <strong>panem et circenses</strong> he will always hold the upper hand. <em>/And further I am of the opinion that Carthage must be destroyed</em> We can only wait. Any concrete steps taken that would impose some actual threat of accountability will be shot down by both sides. I can only guess that the Democrats aren’t more decisive because they don’t want to appear to be supporting ‘terror.’ It’s this great trick that has been pulled on not only the clueless, but the informed in office as well. They don’t want to risk their reputations in any way, so the speak loudly but carry a small twig. In his theater of panem et circenses he will always hold the upper hand.

/And further I am of the opinion that Carthage must be destroyed

]]> By: warren tarrah http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909060 warren tarrah Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:02:58 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909060 #39 - Scooter ain't gonna need a job. He's gonna be a seven figure annual payoff for the rest of his life from Dickhead and Idiot Enfant for covering their asses. Scooter's kids will be going to the toniest schools and Ivy League colleges with seven figure jobs ready for them when they get out of college with gentelman C grades. I just hope Biff and Binkie are sufficiently embarrassed when all the sludge from the GW admin is released decades from now. #39 – Scooter ain’t gonna need a job. He’s gonna be a seven figure annual payoff for the rest of his life from Dickhead and Idiot Enfant for covering their asses. Scooter’s kids will be going to the toniest schools and Ivy League colleges with seven figure jobs ready for them when they get out of college with gentelman C grades. I just hope Biff and Binkie are sufficiently embarrassed when all the sludge from the GW admin is released decades from now.

]]> By: warren tarrah http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909042 warren tarrah Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:54:06 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909042 Sorry,but I ain't impressed by Conyers. The Monica Goodling hearing was godawful. Nadler is much more of a pitbull. I liked the way he ran the Christie Todd Whitman hearing. Conyers just lets everybody preen like a freaking peacock. If he was smart he'd let Nadler/ A. Davis handle all the questions. Davis I believe is a former prosecutor. Sorry,but I ain’t impressed by Conyers. The Monica Goodling hearing was godawful. Nadler is much more of a pitbull. I liked the way he ran the Christie Todd Whitman hearing. Conyers just lets everybody preen like a freaking peacock. If he was smart he’d let Nadler/ A. Davis handle all the questions. Davis I believe is a former prosecutor.

]]> By: Wayne A. Schneider http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909005 Wayne A. Schneider Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:32:17 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909005 I can imagine Scooter Libby getting a radio show with G. Gordon Liddy. The "Liddy & Libby" show! WIthout his law license, what law firm would hire him? I can imagine Scooter Libby getting a radio show with G. Gordon Liddy. The “Liddy & Libby” show! WIthout his law license, what law firm would hire him?

]]> By: Muhammad Saad Al-Bashi http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/comment-page-1/#comment-3909003 Muhammad Saad Al-Bashi Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:31:32 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/04/conyers-to-hold-hearing-on-executive-clemency/#comment-3909003 yes, yes, impeach, IMPEACH! yes, yes, impeach, IMPEACH!

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