Senators Call For Appointment Of Special Counsel To Investigate Gonzales For Perjury
Senators Call For Appointment Of Special Counsel To Investigate Gonzales For Perjury
At a news conference this afternoon, four members of the Senate Judiciary Committee called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Alberto Gonzales on perjury charges.
Sens. Charles Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, Russ Feingold, and Sheldon Whitehouse explained in a letter to Solicitor General Paul Clement that “it has become apparent that the Attorney General has provided at a minimum half-truths and misleading statements” to the Judiciary Committee. They wrote:
We ask that you immediately appoint an independent special counsel from outside the Department of Justice to determine whether Attorney General Gonzales may have misled Congress or perjured himself in testimony before Congress.
Yesterday, the AP revealed documentary evidence that contradicted Gonzales’ sworn testimony regarding the NSA warrantless wiretapping program. Gonzales had said a White House intelligence briefing in 2004 were in regards to “other intelligence activities.” Then-National Intelligence Director John Negroponte confirmed in a May 2006 memorandum that the meeting was in fact about the NSA program.
Yesterday on MSNBC’s Countdown, Sen. Patrick Leahy urged Gonzales to look back at the transcript of his testimony and correct the record. Instead, Gonzales and the White House have refused to concede any errors. On Wednesday night, the Justice Department said Gonzales “stands by” his Senate testimony. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said, “The attorney general was speaking consistently. The president supports him.”
At a press conference this afternoon, Schumer said Gonzales has violated his constitutional oath:
He took an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Instead he tells the half truth, the partial truth, and everything but the truth. And he does it not once, not twice, but over and over and over again. His instinct is not to tell the truth, but to dissemble and deceive.
Watch it:
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) previously suggested the possibility of appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the U.S. attorney scandal.
UDPATE: A copy of the letter can be found here.
UPDATE II: Sen. Feingold: “Based on what we know and the evidence about what happened in terms of the gang of eight and what he said in that sworn testimony in the committee, I believe it’s perjury.”
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And then there’s the underlying reason for the obstruction: Profit for the Neocon Cabal. I think the RICO statutes apply.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:21 pmBREAKING NEWS FROM CNN
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy says he will subpoena White House adviser Karl Rove about attorney firings.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:23 pmI can see Bush shaprening his commutation pen already.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:23 pmDi Feinstein? Aw shucks, she’s as close to being an “elected Republican” as you can come in CA. She’s calling for a special counsel? This MUST be bad.
BTW, MoF, I’ve been calling for RICO for MONTHS now! RICO the SOBs, indeed! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:24 pmwho cares? There’s a possibility that this will distract them and lessen the opportunity to do MORE DAMAGE TO OUR COUNTRY!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:24 pmRICO definitely applies.
This is a classic protection racket.
Lieberman was brought on board by Bush/Rove to protect Chertoff’s job, as he’s part of the racket as well.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pmGonzo needs to be investigated. Too many red flags.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pmDi Feinstein? Aw shucks, she’s as close to being an “elected Republican†as you can come in CA. She’s calling for a special counsel? This MUST be bad.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Or she’s up for re-election in ‘08. :)
Is it too much to hope for Fitz as Special Prosecutor?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pmAh yes, a lying politician. Is this surprising to anyone?
We’ve let these people get away with their half-truths, propaganda, and outright lies for far too long. When you bend the rules for years and years, eventually you end up with politicians who feel the rules don’t apply at all.
Sounds familiar, huh? Alberto and the rest of this criminal gang are taking advantage of what we’ve allowed for a long time - they’re just much worse. Maybe it’ll be a reminder to us to have a “healthy distrust” of everyone in government - like the founders advised us.
Some reading:
“Politicians Lie? Say it Ain’t So!”
July 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pmhttp://www.populistamerica.com/ politicians_lie___say_it_ain_t_so
I can’t believe there are so many people buying this dog-and-pony show. None of these criminals will pay for their atrocities; too many lawmakers are complicit in these crimes. The only remaining choice for patriots is to go into exile, or start a revolultion. Anyone left when the dust settles will be just another concentration camp inmate, already sentenced to death.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:29 pmThis country never learns. The best advice on investigating the government came from DeepThroat during the Watergate investigations:
Follow the money.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:29 pmI am so sick of this witch hunt. I wish Democrats would do the work of the people, not the fringe left. Instead of leglislating, they are investigating. Sad state for their very partisan party.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:30 pm#
I am so sick of this witch hunt. I wish Democrats would do the work of the people, not the fringe left. Instead of leglislating, they are investigating. Sad state for their very partisan party.
Comment by God Help Us — July 26, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
There were no witches - so your use of the term “witch hunt” implies there has been no lying and no obstruction of Justice.
The evidence will prove otherwise.
If you don’t like the fact that our government has been tied in knots by lies and deceit, demand impeachment now.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:33 pmI am so sick of this witch hunt. I wish Democrats would do the work of the people, not the fringe left. Instead of leglislating, they are investigating. Sad state for their very partisan party.
Comment by God Help Us — July 26, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Please please tell me you had the same feelings during the Clinton witch hunting. Consistency is all I ask.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:33 pmI can’t believe there are so many people buying this dog-and-pony show. None of these criminals will pay for their atrocities; too many lawmakers are complicit in these crimes. The only remaining choice for patriots is to go into exile, or start a revolultion. Anyone left when the dust settles will be just another concentration camp inmate, already sentenced to death.
Comment by ThoughtcrimeRising
In the meantime, you don’t mind if we try, do you?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pmI am so sick of this witch hunt. I wish Democrats would do the work of the people, not the fringe left. Instead of leglislating, they are investigating. Sad state for their very partisan party.
Comment by God Help Us
Hate to tell ya the TRUTH, GHU, but investigating the rampant corruption w/in the Bush Cabal/GOP IS the work of the people. If the GOOPERs had exercised any valid oversight at all over the last 6 plus years, we wouldn’t be in this mess.
“Witch hunt” - nice and vague and therefore meaningless.
“Work of the people” - WTF does this mean?
“Fringe left” - Huh? That’s even vaguer than the above 2.
“God help their partisan party” - Partisan party??? Would that be anything like KKKarl’s self-described “permanent Repub majority”?
Take your time, GHU. You don’t have to answer all at once.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pmGod Help Us,
The Attorney General has lied to Congress. You realize that’s a crime right? Aren’t you ‘tough on crime’?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:36 pmIs it too much to hope for Fitz as Special Prosecutor?
Comment by Zehava
What’s that old Alka-Seltzer jingle - Pop, po, FItZ, FItZ, oh what a relief it is!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:36 pmI hear Fitzgerald’s free… ^_^
July 26th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI am so sick of this witch hunt.
Comment by God Help Us — July 26, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
It is a bit much, GHU. You might want to divert yourself by keeping up on the latest from Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, et al.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:37 pmAnd no dirty words either! Or personal attacks… Aw shucks…
July 26th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI am so sick of this witch hunt. I wish Democrats would do the work of the people, not the fringe left. Instead of leglislating, they are investigating. Sad state for their very partisan party.
Comment by God Help Us
Yeah, those Democrats are so partisan. Not like the Republics at all, who consistently embraced the Democrats when they were in power. They were so open!
You clearly don’t understand that investigating, and oversight of the executive, is just as important a function of Congress as legislating. And, of course, that it’s quite possible to do both at the same time, which is what they’ve been doing.
If you’re sick of the “witch hunt” it’s probably because the Democrats are getting closer and closer to actually busting this criminal administration.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pmSouns like Leahy didn’t join in on this. He wants to give Gonzo another week. Whatever.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pmWill Clement actually approve the request for a special prosecutor? He’s probably sitting with David Addington and Dick Cheney right now drafting a denial.
It’s time for a new special counsel law–but the GOP would probably obstruct it!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pmSens. Charles Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, Russ Feingold, and Sheldon Whitehouse explained in a letter to Solicitor General Paul Clement that “it has become apparent that the Attorney General has provided at a minimum half-truths and misleading statementsâ€
Libtalk for: “our fishing expedition has gone on too long and we need to show results, any results, no matter what.”
Now the dems are prosecuting over the term “misleading”, in other words their inability to understand.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pmFitz is part of the club. Otherwise, he would have followed up his investigation after Libby was convicted. After allm it’s fairly obvious that someone committed treason.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:41 pmGonzo and Rove both being investigated and subpeoned who wants to bet we will be hearing a lot about executive privilege in the next few weeks?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:41 pmHey ace, why was Liebermann brought on board the Bush cabal? Why HIM and not a different dem senator?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pmI am so sick of this corrupt administration. I wish Republics would do the work of the people, not the whacko religious right. Instead of administering, they are pilfering, lying, warmongering, spending our children’s inheritance and generally bringing shame on the nation. Sad state for their very partisan party.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pmNow the dems are prosecuting over the term “misleadingâ€, in other words their inability to understand.
Comment by Pizza the Hutt — July 26, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
I think it’s up to the special prosecutor to call it what it really is, perjury.
Gonzo, be a man and resign now!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pmWhat’s that old Alka-Seltzer jingle - Pop, po, FItZ, FItZ, oh what a relief it is!
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Heh.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pmFitz is part of the club. Otherwise, he would have followed up his investigation after Libby was convicted. After allm it’s fairly obvious that someone committed treason.
Comment by Minister of Fact
He was on a limited timeline with an empaneled grand jury. He followed up as much as possible, especially given the obstruction that Libby was convicted for.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:43 pmIt’s about damn time.
And they should give this special prosecutor broad authority to investigate ALL administration violations of the law, including:
From The Next American Fuhrer
ul>
Falsifying evidence of weapons of mass destruction to justify an unlawful war of aggression.
Directing the exposure of a covert CIA agent in time of war.
Using presidential signing statements to circumvent laws passed by Congress.
Illegal wiretapping and surveillance conducted against American citizens.
Extraordinary rendition and torture of detainees in violation of the Geneva Conventions.
Illegal suspension of the right of habeas corpus.
Destruction of executive branch records whose preservation is required by law.
Unlawfully terminating U.S. attorneys for political purposes.
Employing executive privilege for the purpose of obstructing justice.
Suborning perjury by administration officials.
Threatening to prosecute journalists under the Espionage Act for reporting government wrongdoing.
Dereliction of duty and failure to faithfully execute the office of President and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Read The Next American Fuhrer and demand that the media and ALL presidential candidates go on record as to how they will reverse the criminal precedents of this administration.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:43 pmPatrick Fiztgerald comes to mind.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pmImpeach Gonzo now!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:46 pm#
Hey ace, why was Liebermann brought on board the Bush cabal? Why HIM and not a different dem senator?
Comment by Pizza the Hutt — July 26, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
#
Why don’t you answer that one for us? Lieberman is now an INDEPENDENT, yet somehow he manages to be the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee - preventing any/all investigation into Chertoff’s Katrina failures.
How do YOU suppose that occurred?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pmDemocrats need to look back to 1988 to see why they are making a big mistake. Remember when George H. W. Bush was behind the polls by double digits? Remember Bork? Remember Iran Contra? You had it all - or thought you did. Hate filled investigation after investigation. Then something happened. The public wanted results and didn’t see them. The Dems nominated Dukakis - (which Hillary is in a dress). AND then you lost he election.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pmFitz is part of the club. Otherwise, he would have followed up his investigation after Libby was convicted. After allm it’s fairly obvious that someone committed treason.
Comment by Minister of Fact
I don’t buy it. It may be obvious that someone committed treason, but that doesn’t mean Fitz could build a provable case — especially given the obstruction involved.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pmYes, we need a special prosecutor to investigate Gonzo for possible perjury. And to investigate the U.S. Attorney firings. And the missing e-mails. And the appropriateness of “executive privilege” declarations. The list goes on and on.
Only problem — is there a lawyer, judge, or other officer of the court left who hasn’t been bought and paid for by Bushney?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pmInstead of leglislating, they are investigating.
Comment by God Help Us
Investigating! Oh my God, no! That’s the worst possible thing anyone could do!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pm#35 ~ And he just tied up the loose ends of his last investigation, should have some free time ~ I second the nomination. …Is he too involved in the issue at hand to be fully objective? If so, where would you go to get an investigator? Anyone throw some perspective on this please?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:48 pmWhy don’t you answer that one for us? Lieberman is now an INDEPENDENT, yet somehow he manages to be the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee - preventing any/all investigation into Chertoff’s Katrina failures.
How do YOU suppose that occurred?
Comment by ace
Careful, Ace. Pizza the Hutt is one of our regular trolls with a new name and is baiting you into writing something it can label antisemitic.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:49 pmDon’t fall into the trap.
Comment by gummitch — July 26, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Heh. You got there first. :}
July 26th, 2007 at 12:49 pmDemocrats need to look back to 1988 to see why they are making a big mistake. Remember when George H. W. Bush was behind the polls by double digits? Remember Bork? Remember Iran Contra? You had it all - or thought you did. Hate filled investigation after investigation. Then something happened. The public wanted results and didn’t see them. The Dems nominated Dukakis - (which Hillary is in a dress). AND then you lost he election.
Comment by God Help Us — July 26, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
If this was about politics, you might just barely have a case.
For me, this is about holding my government accountable.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:50 pmInvestigating! Oh my God, no! That’s the worst possible thing anyone could do!
Comment by Egreggious
The Republicans have already stated that they will do everything to prevent the Dems from passing any legislation, so we might as well investigate — since they’ve given us so much material.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:51 pm#
Hellooooooo, ACE! Wake up, why did Bush enlist Liebermann to join his ‘racket’, why not a different senator?
Comment by Pizza the Hutt — July 26, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
I’m obviously wide awake. You go ahead and answer that one - let’s see how you do.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pmExcellent and about time. This is finally the end of the beginning. With a Special Prosecutor, Abu is toast. Much like the king that lost his kingdom because of a nail, once Abu goes down, Bush is in grave danger of having his entire crime operation unravel.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pmIn the meantime, you don’t mind if we try, do you?
Comment by Zehava
I would do everything in my power to support those who sincerely believe that our country can be reclaimed from its usurpers. However, I must also insist that we work with furious determination to educate our neighbors of the extent of fascist, tyrannical forces in our government.
I agree that we must keep trying to resist through conventional channels. I merely point out that our system of government no longer functions as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The forces in control of our country have one goal: total, global control at the expense of our liberty and ultimately our lives.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pmI don’t buy it. It may be obvious that someone committed treason, but that doesn’t mean Fitz could build a provable case — especially given the obstruction involved.
Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Armitage admitted as much - yet Fitz left him alone. Please explain this.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pmThe Republicans have already stated that they will do everything to prevent the Dems from passing any legislation, so we might as well investigate — since they’ve given us so much material.
Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
Nice.
BTW, Schumer specifically called for a prosecutor outside of the Justice Department.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pmhttp://www.cnn.com/ 2007/ POLITICS/ 07/ 26/ gonzales.testimony/ index.html
July 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pmForget it pizza, ace wont answer. He will spin and spin and spin and then throw it back at you, answering your question with a question. He’s runnin’ scared now.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:54 pmThe Republicans have already stated that they will do everything to prevent the Dems from passing any legislation, so we might as well investigate — since they’ve given us so much material.
Comment by Zehava — J
And all the time we need, since we won’t be passing said legislation!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pmGonzo,
You need to spend more time with your family. NOW!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pmHow about treason? And what is the punishment for treason boys and girls? There’s nothing but a bunch of fu*king criminals runing our country. Maybe the Joint Chiefs could arrest the whole administration.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pmPizza the Hutt sez:
He already did. Pity you can’t comprehend his answer.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:57 pmTake your time, GHU. You don’t have to answer all at once.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Wonderful.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:57 pmWhat is Bush’s “racket” anyway?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:57 pmArmitage admitted as much - yet Fitz left him alone. Please explain this.
Comment by Minister of Fact — July 26, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
It is a bit of a conundrum. I do have a theory that the reason Fitz passed on Armitage was because Armitage lied. Armitage said he inadvertantly gave Novak Plame’s identity. I think Fitz was hoping he could prove that this was not true, that there was instead a conspiracy to out Plame, with, for instance, Rove being Novak’s second source (and therefore as guilty as Armitage).
It may be that Fitz was hoping to break Libby by having him jailed, so that a case for conspiracy could be made. When that fell through, well, here we are today.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:58 pmDemocrats need to look back to 1988 to see why they are making a big mistake. Remember when George H. W. Bush was behind the polls by double digits? Remember Bork? Remember Iran Contra? You had it all - or thought you did. Hate filled investigation after investigation. Then something happened. The public wanted results and didn’t see them. The Dems nominated Dukakis - (which Hillary is in a dress). AND then you lost he election.
Comment by God Help Us
Different times, different faces… same meaningless statement.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:59 pmzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ace, you making letter bombs in your bunker or trying to devise a plausible reason for your claim?
Wake me when youre ready.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:59 pmPerjury that’s something the Dems know about and take very serious. :)
July 26th, 2007 at 12:59 pmFor all the latest news, key reports, document releases and other essential materials surrounding Gonzales, the U.S. attorneys purge and NSA illegal domestic surveillance, visit:
July 26th, 2007 at 1:00 pm- The U.S. Attorneys Scandal Document Center
- The NSA Domestic Surveillance Scandal Center
Gonzales can lie and get away with it because he knows that he’ll be pardoned by his old friend George no matter what he says. He may look foolish, even cartoonish, but he knows what he’s doing. It takes a lotta practice to look that dumb. As an added bonus, Gonzo has no conscience. That smug look on his face comes from the fact that he already has a get outta jail free card sitting on his desk.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:01 pmPerjury that’s something the Dems know about and take very serious. :)
Comment by Flaco
WARNING!!! WARNING!!! Do not play w/ this troll.
He’ll post utter nonsense as long as he can. Nothing works on this one but IGNORING HIM!
This as been a Public Service Announcement on behalf of TP and Sanity, and remember, folks, there is NO Sanity Clause!!!
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
July 26th, 2007 at 1:03 pminsults, insinuations, investigations and inquisitions….
July 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pm—
(I will admit, I did not expect the inquisition)
The forces in control of our country have one goal: total, global control at the expense of our liberty and ultimately our lives.
Comment by ThoughtcrimeRising — July 26, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
I don’t disagree with anything you said.
But having said that, we have to do what it takes to put this country back the way it’s supposed to be, and anyone who gets in the way needs to be kicked into the ditch — left, right or center. We can NEVER give up.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pmGonzales can lie and get away with it because he knows that he’ll be pardoned by his old friend George no matter what he says. He may look foolish, even cartoonish, but he knows what he’s doing. It takes a lotta practice to look that dumb. As an added bonus, Gonzo has no conscience. That smug look on his face comes from the fact that he already has a get outta jail free card sitting on his desk.
Comment by Carmikl — July 26, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Let Bush pardon or commute all his cronies. I just want them out of my government and for the American public to see the Republic party for the slimebags they actually are.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:05 pmArmitage admitted as much - yet Fitz left him alone. Please explain this.
Comment by Minister of Fact — July 26, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Lies and obstruction. Fitz would be stupid if he took a case into court that he couldn’t prove. Fitz is not stupid. If you think the files on this matter are closed, think again.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:06 pmDon’t care if Bush pardons him. Every pardon is one more mail in thier coffins! We need to stand up in spite of all the negative tripe the Bush administration shovels as “political theater”. I guess someone that engages in political theater every day, 24 hours a day, doesn’t understand the difference between lying and the truth. Doesn’t know the difference between committing crimes for political pursposes, or ruining our country.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:10 pmThe independent prosecutor should not be limited to investigating Gonzales’ congressional testimony, but should extend to the entire U.S. Attorney firing controversy.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:14 pm“Democrats need to look back to 1988 to see why they are making a big mistake. Remember when George H. W. Bush was behind the polls by double digits? Remember Bork? Remember Iran Contra? You had it all - or thought you did. Hate filled investigation after investigation. Then something happened. The public wanted results and didn’t see them. The Dems nominated Dukakis - (which Hillary is in a dress). AND then you lost he election.”
——————————
This is one of the most creative fantasies I have read regarding why Dems lost the 1988 election.
First, remember that Dukakis was leading in the polls after the conventions, and it was Lee Atwater (and Willie Horton) that turned things around for the Repubs. Not Bork — Bork’s nomination for SCOTUS was rejected in October 1987, and Dukakis was still leading in the polls after the conventions the following year. And not Iran-Contra — same thing. Furthermore, Iran-Contra revealed plenty of slime (and convictions), so I wouldn’t characterize that as “no results”.
Second, the “investigation after investigation” is stretching things — whatever the Dems pushed for during the Reagan years is NOTHING compared to the relentless tattoo of accusation by the Repubs during the Clinton years (which also yielded “no results” except the revelation that the prez was getting BJs). Are you saying that Republican-led investigations are OK with the American people while Dem-led investigations are not?
July 26th, 2007 at 1:14 pmComment by missmolly — July 26, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
You’re good, missmolly.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:17 pmThere should never be investigations. They are just a waste of time and money. If we don’t have investigations we will have empty prisons and save lots of money!
July 26th, 2007 at 1:18 pmJoe Scarborough called this guy a disaster this morning. I had to agree. He’s been nothing but trouble since he took office!
July 26th, 2007 at 1:23 pmI’m with Chuck.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:23 pm“BREAKING NEWS FROM CNN
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy says he will subpoena White House adviser Karl Rove about attorney firings.”
It’s about time. Could this mean that the Democrats are finding their spines finally? I sure hope so because time is running out on our democracy and the rule of law.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:27 pm“Is it too much to hope for Fitz as Special Prosecutor?”
Why in the world would you want Fitzgerald? Look at the good job he did on the Valerie Plame affair. He never brought charges against anyone, even the people who ADMITTED that they had outed her. At the very least he should have brought treason charges against Knovak. He knowingly outed an undercover agent and he knew she was undercover because he also outed her COVER company.
I firmly believe that Fitzgerald was a fix. The Bush Administration knew that they had to give up someone or else it would eventually land in Bush and Rove’s lap. So, they hired Fitzgerald and told him to go after only Libby, and that’s what he did even though Rove and Armatiage both admitted to outing Ms. Plame.
I wonder what Mr. Fitzgerald’s reward will be for his service.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:32 pmComment by Egreggious — July 26, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Thanks, Egreggious. I should have also pointed out that yes, there IS a real danger of “over-investigation” and the patience of the American people. Because of the Clinton witch-hunts, there are more people in this country who see the investigator in a more negative light than the “investigatee” — and BOTH parties need to be careful.
Same goes for impeachment. During the Nixon years, impeachment was considered to be a very serious matter, reserved for the gravest transgressions by our elected leaders (and rightly so). The Repubs managed to turn that into a mere political tool during the Clinton years, so much so that congressional Dems are extremely wary of even approaching it as an option for dealing with the flagrant abuse of our constitution by this administration, for fear of being viewed as engaging in a witch-hunt of their own. Sad that it has become cheapened like that.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:33 pmThere should never be investigations. They are just a waste of time and money. If we don’t have investigations we will have empty prisons and save lots of money!
Comment by Charles Manson
I’m with Chuck.
Comment by Ed Gein
Don’t bother w/ these 2 (they’re probably the same person) folks. They’re just a couple of “psychos” looking for attention.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:34 pmHow did Gonzales get this job in the first place? As near as I can tell from his resume, he never prosecuted or defended a criminal case, nor did he sit as a judge on a criminal case. He was only appointed to the Texas Supreme Court because Governor George Bush wanted to give his friend a cushy job before he left office. When George Bush found him he was practicing business law in Houston, Texas.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:35 pmCongressional calls for a Federal level review are meaningless. Yet, there is a solution: As with the FISA violations, the State AGs have a role: They can enforce the law against the President, VP, and Members of Congress. The court says justice requires a solution; and the Federal government cannot compel deference to what is illegal.
Time to stop waiting for Congress to realize they’ve been blocked — again — and work with the State AG’s in their efforts to enforce arrest warrants against the President, VP, and Members of Congress.
What You Can Do: Please contact your State AG today, and encourage them to prepare indictments against the President, VP, and Members of Congress. Backup; and Sample letter to your Stage AG on this.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pmSad that it has become cheapened like that.
Comment by missmolly
Agreed, missmolly. Also, liked the rebuttal you posted about 1988. I just didn’t have the energy to round up all the facts the way you did. Nice!
July 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pmI agree. I always thought Fitzgerald was a “fix:.
Justice in America
July 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pmRIP
“Sounds like Leahy didn’t join in on this. He wants to give Gonzo another week. Whatever.”
What I don’t understand is why they give him a chance to change his lies. A lie is a lie is a lie. And if Gonzo were to come back and say “Oh, I goofed, it must have been something else”, that does not negate the lie. And the lie was perjury because he said something completely different at another time.
Does Leahy want to give Gonzo an out? If so, why?
July 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pmHis cronies may not be able to be pardon. This may go past Bush term which will end in January 2009. Hopefully a Replug will not win the Prez election in 2008 and the Dems keep the majority in Congress.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:38 pm#78, if you read the statute in question, the bar for proving a crime is very high - you have to show both knowledge and intent. The obstruction and perjury prevented Fitz from ever being able to show either conclusively.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:45 pmYou know, I don’t think there would be this urgent need for investigations if Congress had been doing their job by conducting oversight the first 6 years of this Administration while under Reublican control. Now, it is abundantly clear how corrupt this Administration is and we are only beginning to learn just how many lines have been crossed.
There has to be investigations before there is accountability whether that means Impeachment or not. I personally think there MUST be impeachment to prevent ANY (Rep. or Dem.) future presidency from abusing their power on this level again. This is about protecting and preserving the Constitution and enforcing our laws. This is about proving to the American people that the Constitution works and that our laws mean something. This is about proving that there are 3 equal branches of government, put in place to prevent any branch to abuse their power. This is not about party affiliation, this is about protecting and preserving our democracy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Separation_of_powers_under_the_United_States_Constitution
“Separation of powers is a political doctrine under which the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government are kept distinct, to prevent abuse of power. This US form of separation of powers is widely known as “checks and balances.”"
July 26th, 2007 at 1:46 pmWouldn’t bother me a bit to see this guy step down. He is truly an idiot. He only got the position because he is a minority. Affirmative action is racism and it needs to stop so we don’t get morons like this in important positions.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:49 pmI am so sick of this witch hunt.
Comment by God Help Us
____________________________
I bet you are, I bet you are.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:51 pmOf course, if you cared about justice and rule of law as foundations for our democracy and liberty perhaps you could see the absolute necessity for oversight and holding our elected and appointed officials to high standards. I think there is a book called “Democracy for Dummies”. You might want to put that on your summer reading list.
I wonder what Mr. Fitzgerald’s reward will be for his service.
Comment by bilbobaggins — July 26, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
I’m sorry, I don’t agree. I made two or three comments above as to why.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:51 pmGonzales can’t resign.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pmOne, he lacks any character whatsoever and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of him, but two, he knows ALL the skeletons in the Bush closet from LONG before Bush became president (as well as during his presidency). Bush has probably ordered him NOT to resign. Bush will do everything he can to keep him there. Gonzales is the person that keeps Bush’s lock on the DOJ from interfering with any of his nefarious plans. He is like the gatekeeper. If Gonzales goes, a lot of things will change (short of another PNAC shuffle).
Frankly, I would hope that it doesn’t come to Gonzales being arrested and imprisoned.. His very life at that point could be in jeopardy from those who’s secrets need to be kept…
This is non-sense:
———————
#78, if you read the statute in question, the bar for proving a crime is very high - you have to show both knowledge and intent. The obstruction and perjury prevented Fitz from ever being able to show either conclusively.
Comment by PeterW — July 26, 2007
———————
Intent and proof can be inferred from missing data, lack of evidence, and using adverse inferences. Proof isn’t required as in “I need 100% proof,”; rather, the totality of the circumstances can support a conviction: Yes, this person was beyond a reasonable doubt was an active accomplice with the illegal activity.
“Reasonable doubt” doesn’t mean entertaining Bush-VP-Congressional non-sense excuses; but _reasonable_ doubt. There doesn’t appear to be any _reasonable_ doubt that there have been illegal acts which the President knew about, has refused to prosecute, and has defied his oath in re FISA vilations, prisoner abuse, and other war crimes.
I reject your assertion that this is difficult. Rtaher, the Congress appears to be pretending “this is hard” as an excuse to avoid questions about thier complicity with this illegal activity.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pmAn offense against Congress is not an offense against the Untied States:
- - - -
I would hope that it doesn’t come to Gonzales being arrested and imprisoned.. His very life at that point could be in jeopardy from those who’s secrets need to be kept…
Comment by JG — July 26, 2007
- - - -
The President has no power to pardon him for inherent contempt; or offenses aginst the States and We teh People.
if Gonzalez gets sent to prison, that’s his problem. He should have thought about this before lying. There are legal options on the table for non-Federal officers to enforce the Constitution against the AG. Either the document is protected; or those who refuse are in defiance of their oath. This isn’t a problem, but evidence.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:54 pmI am just offering opinion here, but wouldn’t obstructing Congress from doing their job of oversight - thus keeping the balance of power in check and preventing abuses - wouldn’t that be an offense against the Constitution and therfore the United States?
July 26th, 2007 at 2:02 pmHe (Gonzales) is preventing the Constitution from working. He has distorted the separation of the three branches of government by politicizing the Department of Justice and blocking attempts of Congress from doing their responsibilities of oversight. He has lied under oath and done everything he could to obstruct any investigating to find the truth. He is supposed to be PROTECTING the truth on behalf of the United States!! NOT protecting the LIES of this President. He has clearly commited more crimes against this nation than that and does not care about how that damages the United States OR the Constitution.
if Gonzalez gets sent to prison, that’s his problem. He should have thought about this before lying
You don’t honestly think he is lying to protect himself do you???
July 26th, 2007 at 2:04 pmWhy no Senate Republicans? Where’s Specter? Gonzales is as much a humiliation to the GOP as he is the nation. GROW SOME BALLS!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:09 pmWhy no Senate Republicans? Where’s Specter? Gonzales is as much a humiliation to the GOP as he is the nation. GROW SOME BALLS!
Comment by bogtrotters — July 26, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Has Specter commented on this development? It would be fun to see what he has to say.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:14 pmI just got home and turned on the TV to see Arlen Specter - the two-faced one - denounce Schumer as being too partisan, and that there would be no need for a special prosecutor in this case.
I ask, when the hell would we need a special prosecutor?? When Bush&Co blockade the capitol and put a crown on George’s head?
Specter always plays for the cameras at hearings, and then he does the bidding of the White House.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:18 pmAtrios has Specter’s reaction.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:20 pmCynicon Implant,
“it needs to stop so we don’t get morons like this in important positions.”
So Gonzalez is a moron because he’s Hispanic? Or you actually think Bush appointed him because he’s a minority? DUMB
He appointed him becuase he’s a yes man that will do whatever it takes to see that his boss’ crimes don’t see the light of day.
This has nothing to do with affirmative action you jack-ass!!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:20 pmSorry, Marie, you beat me to it.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:22 pmDemocrats need to look back to 1988 to see why they are making a big mistake. Remember when George H. W. Bush was behind the polls by double digits? Remember Bork? Remember Iran Contra? You had it all - or thought you did. Hate filled investigation after investigation. Then something happened. The public wanted results and didn’t see them. The Dems nominated Dukakis - (which Hillary is in a dress). AND then you lost he election.
Comment by God Help Us
I can’t let this one slide by without comment.
Iran Contra was not a hate-filled investigation. The President (Reagan) the Vice President (GHWB) and many high-ranking administration officials were involved in an illegal conspiracy that gave arms to a terrorist nation (IRAN) and avowed enemy, while also dealing in drug trafficking, illegal arming of rebels in Nicaragua, and violating a specific act of congress which forbade the arming of the Nicaraguan rebels.
The guilty either got immunity (like Ollie North) or pardons (from Bush). Caspar Weinberger got his pardon before there was even a trial.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:24 pmCover ups, contempt of congress, drug dealing, arms dealing, aiding and abetting a known terrorist nation in the acquisition of misslies and other weapons.
No hate filled investigation. Just another right wing RICO racket, swept under the rug of history by a complicit and culpable president.
Next falsehood please!
Are there two Arlen Specters?
July 26th, 2007 at 2:29 pmThe President (Reagan) the Vice President (GHWB) and many high-ranking administration officials were involved in an illegal conspiracy that gave arms to a terrorist nation (IRAN) and avowed enemy, while also dealing in drug trafficking, illegal arming of rebels in Nicaragua, and violating a specific act of congress which forbade the arming of the Nicaraguan rebels.
Did I mention that many of the Iran Contra criminals are part of the Bush administration?
July 26th, 2007 at 2:39 pm“Time to stop waiting for Congress to realize they’ve been blocked — again — and work with the State AG’s in their efforts to enforce arrest warrants against the President, VP, and Members of Congress.”
You’re joking…right? If you are referring to the State US Attorneys, there is no way any of them are going to enforce anything against the Bush Administration. They were all carefully hand picked and this whole scandal broke because they got rid of the ones they thought were not loyal enough to the President of the United States (rather than being loyal to the constitution and the people).
July 26th, 2007 at 2:39 pm“#78, if you read the statute in question, the bar for proving a crime is very high - you have to show both knowledge and intent. The obstruction and perjury prevented Fitz from ever being able to show either conclusively.
Comment by PeterW ”
Excuse me. People admitted to outing her. What more could you want. And it would be easy to prove that they had both knowledge (she was covert and working under a cover company which they also outed) and intent - they did it, what more intent do you want?
July 26th, 2007 at 2:44 pmExcuse me. People admitted to outing her. What more could you want. And it would be easy to prove that they had both knowledge (she was covert and working under a cover company which they also outed) and intent - they did it, what more intent do you want?
Comment by bilbobaggins — July 26, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
I am with you on this. I have my doubts about Fitz being as unbiased as some think he is. I judge him in this affair based upon the results. Results are zippo!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:48 pmAre there two Arlen Specters?
Comment by Egreggious — July 26, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
There’s really only one Arlen Specter. It just SEEMS like there are two of him because Fox News likes to put a (D) after his name. A reasonable person might conclude that there is an Arlen Specter in each party.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:54 pmI am with you on this. I have my doubts about Fitz being as unbiased as some think he is. I judge him in this affair based upon the results. Results are zippo!
Comment by funky p — July 26, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
I have been giving Fitz a break. I wanted him to have a chance to get Libby in a position where he might actually talk (that is, at the prison door), and thereby buttress the case against Rove, Armitage, et al.
But now that Libby will be doing no more talking, it seems the time has come and gone to indict the others involved.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:55 pmHere’s how Arlen operates.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:05 pmWhen confronted with corporate or government corruption, there is outrage and righteous indignation. When he was in charge of this committee and they called in the Oil company executives, the Democratic members wanted them to swear an oath. Arlen said no oath. Another Democrat seconded the motion, Arlen said no oath. He smacked them down with his ‘I’m in charge of this committee and I say there will be no oath’
When the chips are down, he’s partisan all the way. Remember, that’s how he got the gig in the first place (as head of the committee). The white house did not trust him, so he went and kissed their posteriors and pledged his allegiance. That’s why these investigations did not happen earlier. He was oh so upset about the illegal surveillance. Anybody remember him doing anything about it?
He’s been in the Party pocket, and there he shall remain.
I think the problems Fitz had with the Plame investigation had to do more with the ability of the WH gang intentionally not keeping their stories straight. It was as if the Watergate scandal had taught them something about avoiding getting the finger pointing back at them. I have no doubt that even if these latest principals appear before the Committee, they will lie under oath. The only oath they honor is to President Bush.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:12 pmReply #13, “God Help Us”. Your name says it all. God help us if Fredo Gonzalez stays in office after this. He is nothing more than a moron would knew someone and now he knows too much to be fired. He knows where all of the bodies are buried, therefore he must stay. He appears to be a very ignorant individual who doesn’t realize that playing games with Congress is not advisable since the other party controls the powerful commitee chairmanships.
Apparently Mr. Gonzales didn’t get the memo on November 7th 2006, that said: Ah Shit, they won! We are in big trouble for all of the BS we pulled while our party controlled congress. Please start shredding papers as soon as possible. Do not tell Congress anything if yoy have too, then please don’t get caught in a lie. The truth won’t set us free, it will get us impeached. So Fredo make sure you don’t testify at all. If they call you to testify, please call in sick. If they stop buying the sick excuse, then tell them your dog ate your homework. If that doesn’t work, then tell them you have visit Iraq. If that fails then bring up 9-11 as often as possible and make sure you don’t use the term, “I don’t recall Senator”, this will get them pissed off at us and make them hand us our asses. And remember to deny you ever read this letter because I’m not supposed to be telling you this stuff. This is not your boss writting this letter.
Sign W
July 26th, 2007 at 3:13 pm#103, eggregious
July 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pmThanks, I just saw it.
I’ve been reading about the psychology of trolls, or Right Wing Authoritarians. It describes the attitudes displayed here, and the reasons behind it. John Dean wrote a book on authoritarian personalities, and how they are overwhelmingly conservative Republics. The book I am reading is by the Psychologist John Dean worked with when writing his own book.
See if this sounds like any trill you know:
Authoritarian Aggression. When I say authoritarian followers are aggressive
July 26th, 2007 at 3:42 pmI don’t mean they stride into bars and start fights. First of all, high RWAs go to church
enormously more often than they go to bars. Secondly, they usually avoid anything
approaching a fair fight. Instead they aggress when they believe right and might are
on their side. “Right†for them means, more than anything else, that their hostility is
(in their minds) endorsed by established authority, or supports such authority. “Mightâ€
means they have a huge physical advantage over their target, in weaponry say, or in
numbers, as in a lynch mob. It’s striking how often authoritarian aggression happens
in dark and cowardly ways, in the dark, by cowards who later will do everything they
possibly can to avoid responsibility for what they did. Women, children, and others
unable to defend themselves are typical victims. Even more striking, the attackers
typically feel morally superior to the people they are assaulting in an unfair fight. We
shall see research evidence in the next chapter that this self-righteousness plays a huge
role in high RWAs’ hostility.
I read that book fp. A very scary, yet informative read. Yet, we are beginning to see the end. Even trolls realize when they are totally wrong, eventually.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:56 pmmissmolly, or more appropriately termed, LIAR,
The Dems went on a witch hunt after Reagan. It was disgusting. AND all the polls showed them leading until it all backfired at once in their face. Sort of today - poll after poll showing the Dems ahead and Americans fairly divided on these witch hunts.
AND Republic, you must be kidding me about Dukakis. Once your party nominates Hillary (oh and you fools will), Willie Horton will look like a vacation. This woman is at 48% unfavorable when the media does nothing but gush over her. Imagine after we challenge her on Iraq, taxes, abortion, the right to choose arms, not to mention Vince Foster’s murder, travelgate, eavesdrop gate, her brother’s pardon problems, and her shrillness. Like I said, you will wish it was just Willie Horton after we’re done swiftboating her. I can’t wait.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:38 pmSorry to repost - just scroll past if you’re not interested
Comment by O. Bigfoot — July 26, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Big Zero, you are a piece of work. To say:
In spite of Hitler’s evil, he was a fascinating character in what he was able to accomplish during his lifetime. Who knows how far Hitler could have gone in destroying European nations and rebuilding them in his image had it not been for the United States’ “interventionismâ€.
Yikes!!! You admire Hitler!!! ………………..Not good.
Hitler embarked on a war of aggression, not unlike Bush. Driven by his delusion that he was on God’s mission.
Fortunately, genocide isn’t (or doesn’t at this point appear to be) on dub’ya’s mind.
GWB started this disaster based on his desire to rectify what he perceived to be his father’s failure. He appealed to greed, his own and that of his buds, as well as his utter faith in the ignorance of the American people, to get the thumbs up. This was not a war to stop a genocide, it was a war to settle a beef. Not yours. Not mine. Not the thousands of soldiers who sacrificed their lives. For his.
If Halliburton and the Bush “Rangers†can make a buck in the process . . . . Yee Haw!
Napolean complex run amok. Perhaps that’s why you want to super-size yourself . . . size zero “big†foot.
Comment by rockyroad — July 27, 2007 @ 12:09 am
Anon,
You raise good points. Why did Pelosi come right out of the box asserting that no empeachment proceedings were in the works? I’m a bit rushed, but that’s a question that deserves an answer.
We must know who knew what and when they knew it.
Comment by rockyroad — July 27, 2007 @ 12:30 am
Recognizing that Anon is a troll, I’ve got to say . . . here in blog-land, we are demanding action, and we are getting none. If dems are complicit in the various debacles, our good dems have no ultimate incentive to tackle these problems.
These facts and this knowledge could come back and bite dems.
Perhaps Pelosi has weighed the odds and decided to obfuscate.
Me? Dem, Repug . . . . don’t care. Just want the truth.
Empeach the whole lot of them.
Comment by rockyroad — July 27, 2007 @ 12:46 am
July 27th, 2007 at 12:55 amOff topic. This is a story that every American must see.
July 27th, 2007 at 12:58 amhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 07/ 26/ AR2007072602025.html
OMG - Last night I discover that Laura Bush killed her ex-bf (1963, prob by accident) in a car wreck, and tonight, Tillman possibly deliberately executed. All way too much. I’m cancelling my internet service. : (
July 27th, 2007 at 1:09 amSo instead of hauling Ashcroft in for testimony, they are moving to appoint another special prosecutor.
“Mr. Gonzalez, it appears to us that you are lying, because we don’t want to ask people who know whether or not you are lying, thus we will just assume you are, so we are moving to appoint a special prosecutor, although we have no clue why we’re even talking about this issue as it has nothing to do with the fired US attorneys… so hah!”
Apparently legislators aren’t elected to legislate anymore. They’re elected to conduct rampant and out-of-control witch hunts against the opposing party’s elected leaders.
I wonder why only 14% of the American public approves of Congress. I wonder.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:37 am