Leahy: Cheney Told GOP-Led Congress It Was ‘Not Allowed To Issue Subpoenas’
Leahy: Cheney Told GOP-Led Congress It Was ‘Not Allowed To Issue Subpoenas’
Today in a press briefing, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) revealed that the White House had missed its 2:30 PM deadline to turn over documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding legal justifications for the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program. The Committee had already pushed back the original July 18 deadline twice after the White House requested more time.
Leahy said that the administration’s stonewalling amounted to “contempt of the valid order of the Congress,” and pointed out that these subpoenas were passed by broad bipartisan votes. In fact, the Senate Judiciary Committee in the conservative-led 109th Congress, chaired by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) also attempted to ask questions about the program’s legal justifications. But Vice President Cheney personally barred him from issuing subpoenas:
In fact, we were about to issue subpoenas then and one of the senators came to our meeting and said that the vice president had met with the Republican senators and told them they were not allowed to issue subpoenas.
Not quite sure that’s my understanding of the separation of powers, but it seemed to work at that time.
Watch it:
Leahy also said that while he didn’t receive the requested documents, he did receive “a letter this morning from the Office of the Vice President identifying some documents that would be responsive to the committee’s subpoena.” In the letter, the administration claims the Office of the Vice President is not part of the Executive Office of the President.
Leahy responds, “Well, that’s wrong. … [O]h, incidentally, at least this morning, as I left Vermont, I checked the White House Web site. And even their own Web site, this morning, at least, says that the Executive Office — that the vice president is part of the Executive Office of the President.”
Transcript:
LEAHY: The administration’s failure to comply with the Judiciary Committee’s subpoena for its legal analysis gives me as chairman very, very little comfort.
I received a letter this morning from the Office of the Vice President identifying some documents that would be responsive to the committee’s subpoena.
Now, the acknowledgement of these documents is a good first step. I don’t know why it’s taken so long, but it’s a good first step. And it should be followed by the administration turning them over which, of course, is what we requested in the subpoena.
I’ve worked in good faith with this administration. I first sought this information voluntarily. I accommodated a request for time.
But when the request for more time was simply followed by delay upon delay, we issued subpoenas in a bipartisan vote. And even then, when the subpoenas weren’t followed through, we gave them more time.
The time is up. The time is up. We’ve waited long enough.
Incidentally, in the administration’s response today, they claimed the Office of the Vice President is not part of the Executive Office of the President. So it’s some kind of fourth branch of government.
Well, that’s wrong. Both the United States Code says it is part of the president — oh, incidentally, at least this morning, as I left Vermont, I checked the White House Web site. And even their own Web site, this morning, at least, says that the Executive Office — that the vice president is part of the Executive Office of the President.
+++++
QUESTION: What is your next step to ensure this? What’s your next step?
LEAHY: Well, I had hoped that by now they would have answered. They haven’t. When the Senate comes back in the session, I’ll bring it up before the committee. I prefer cooperation to contempt. Right now, there’s no question that they are in contempt of the valid order of the Congress.
QUESTION: Is your impression they’re dragging their feet?
LEAHY: Well, you know, a lot of these questions were asked by the former chairman a couple years ago, and we haven’t gotten an answer.
In fact, we were about to issue subpoenas then and one of the senators came to our meeting and said that the vice president had met with the Republican senators and told them they were not allowed to issue subpoenas.
Not quite sure that’s my understanding of the separation of powers, but it seemed to work at that time. Now have an issue. And interestingly enough, I pointed out that every single one of these subpoenas, they have been issued by a bipartisan vote. There have been no close votes on them.
So I would hope they’d do it. And, if not, the full Judiciary Committee will have to sit down and determine whether to seek contempt from the full Senate.
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Time to write another harsh letter.
August 20th, 2007 at 3:58 pmCheney is more dangerous than anyone realizes. He needs to go NOW.
Leahy needs to get moving on the Contempt of Congress issue, if not impeachment.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pmOK, Patrick, is it time to bring it? Finally? Nancy–are you listening?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pmCut off their funding…
…recall their security details…
…Mobilize the militia…
…and if they won’t comply…
…attack the Executive Branch…
August 20th, 2007 at 4:03 pmLehey needs to perform an “inherent contempt” charge and lock Cheny and the other people stonewalling the Congress up in the basement until they decide they are going to cooperate.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:03 pmWell… as long as you say so…
August 20th, 2007 at 4:06 pmCheney = turd, no blossom.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:06 pmTalk is cheap charge and arrest them if necessary, in other words “shit or get off the pot”
August 20th, 2007 at 4:06 pmI think that Leahy and other Dems are under the impression that they will look bad if they start acting ‘harsh’.
They forget. They were not elected to win a popularity contest, they were elected to PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:08 pmCheney, of course, could not legally bar the Senate from issuing subpoenas. He could only ask. The 109th Congress obeyed. Let’s see how well this one does.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:11 pmI’d like to see a list of Republicans on this committee. The one’s Leahy is referring to.
Cheney told you not to so you didn’t. lapdogs.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:13 pmLeahy has played nice for long enough. Congress has cowered and shivered, for far too long. It is time to take back the government from these neoconmen.
It is all about the Constitution. I hope our elected representatives remember that. It isn’t about politics…the next administration will have precedence to run roughshod over the Constitution and “balance of powers” if this wild west show isn’t reined in now!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:15 pmWhat the hell are you talking about hellinabuknit?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:17 pmOk Leahy, it’s time to issue Inherent Contempt citations and have the Sargent at Arms arrest the people resisting the subpoena and hold them in the jail cell in the basement until such time as they comply with the subpoena. Inherent Contempt is your only weapon against the Bush Administration’s stonewalling and if you don’t use it, you may as well just give up and go home.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:17 pmThey forget. They were not elected to win a popularity contest, they were elected to PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION!
Comment by raynman — August 20, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
No doubt my friend. The Dems act like doing there damn job is “rocking the boat” or “being too partisan”. I think every member of Congress should lose their job in 08. Pelosi/Reid/Leahy by their own inaction are as bad as the Bush bootlickers.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:18 pm*sigh*
August 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pmwhats he gonna do, write another letter?
Contact Leahy and tell him to “shit or get off the pot” and let someone else do the job:
http://leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Make up a street and enter Burlington, VT 05401
August 20th, 2007 at 4:21 pmThis is it. Their time is up. Leahy, contempt charges are warranted – the public is behind you – we cannot abide an administration who disregards and disrespects the Constitution which they are sworn to uphold. All Senators are all sworn to defend the Constitution; politics does not trump the oath. Cheney can argue all he wants – he cannot disobey the Constitution. What are we if we let them pass?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:22 pmJust the fact they they have stonewalled all this time is indicative that they have much to fear should the truth come out.
The Republican Senators are so in bed and cozy with Bush and Cheney that they don’t know how to operation on their own. Should be fun watching them run away from Bush as the 2008 elections continue to approach.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:23 pmMake up a street and enter Burlington, VT 05401
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
In honor of Allentown PA, I suggest Turner, Front, & Chew.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:24 pm“In fact, we were about to issue subpoenas then and one of the senators came to our meeting and said that the vice president had met with the Republican senators and told them they were not allowed to issue subpoenas.”
That’s the hell I’m talking about. I’d like to see the list of the lapdogs that just did what Cheney asked prior to the change in power.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:24 pmMake up a street and enter Burlington, VT 05401
Comment by bilbobaggins
Bag End
August 20th, 2007 at 4:26 pmWrite Leahy and tell him what you think:
http://leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm
August 20th, 2007 at 4:26 pmBurlington, VT 05401
Okay hell…thats a great question. I’d imagine the list includes every serving republican senator on the committee.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:26 pmoops…sorry for the double post. I didn’t see it post the first time and my id was wiped out again. It is so frustrating trying to post here!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:27 pmThis is beyond tiresome.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:27 pmI’m becoming so irritated at the state of the union, that I am lashing out at anything, and anybody, who drops the ball these days. I feel powerless, and frustrated, and it’s seeping into my daily life. I can no longer have a conversation with anyone who voted for bush because I get pissed off at trying to explain their blunder to them. The only thing that is going to shake this country awake again is reinstating the draft. That would send all the soccer moms SCREAMING to their congress people to throw these bums out of office even if it means IMPEACHMENT.
When are the elected officials of congress gonna grow some balls and hold these miscreants accountable ?
oops…sorry for the double post. I didn’t see it post the first time and my id was wiped out again. It is so frustrating trying to post here!
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
Why do the ids keep getting wiped out?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:29 pmScrew the subpeona. Would someone please just kick Cheney in the balls.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pm“…a good first step…I’m not sure why it’s taken them so long…”
Um, Mr. Leahy, you’re a cool guy and all, but can you at least feign anger here? Can we get a more broad condemnation of the Bush regime’s stall tactics and the fact that they believe your role as a US Senator is totally meaningless? Can you please get angry on our behalf, not just a little bit but a whole lot more???
August 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pmWho cares what Leahy says. He’s shown himself to be one of the ever growing list of spineless, useless senators – asking ‘pretty please’ and telling the administration ‘you’d better give me those documents this time or I’ll… I’ll… well, I’ll do something, you just wait!’…
Until he actually DOES something I hold him in as much contempt as any of the other cowardly so-called representatives who’ve failed to protect our freedoms.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pmHere are the current members:
Patrick J. Leahy
CHAIRMAN, D-VERMONT
Edward M. Kennedy
D-MASSACHUSETTS
Arlen Specter
RANKING MEMBER, R-PENNSYLVANIA
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
D-DELAWARE
Orrin G. Hatch
R-UTAH
Herb Kohl
D-WISCONSIN
Charles E. Grassley
R-IOWA
Dianne Feinstein
D-CALIFORNIA
Jon Kyl
R-ARIZONA
Russell D. Feingold
D-WISCONSIN
Jeff Sessions
R-ALABAMA
Charles E. Schumer
D-NEW YORK
Lindsey Graham
R-SOUTH CAROLINA
Richard J. Durbin
D-ILLINOIS
John Cornyn
R-TEXAS
Benjamin L. Cardin
D-MARYLAND
Sam Brownback
R-KANSAS
Sheldon Whitehouse
D-RHODE ISLAND
Tom Coburn
R-OKLAHOMA
I don’t have the list of who was in this committee prior to the change in power so I’m going to ask them if Cheney told them they can’t issue any subpeonas and they went along.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pmI totally agree with you, gallery.
The mood of the country is frustration, almost as if we are all on a precipice.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:34 pmI find I feel lost on a daily basis. (thus not posting here too much because the news is so depressing and angering.)
Oh for the love of…
What is it going to take?
The VP is claiming dictatorial powers over CONGRESS. Congress who represents the American people!!
For sh*t’s sake, Dems, DO SOMETHING!!
WILL YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FOR CHRIST’S SAKE?!?!?
WTF?!?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:34 pm# 11 I’d like to see a list of Republicans on this committee. The one’s Leahy is referring to.
Comment by hellinabucket — August 20, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Here’s the list.
109th Judiciary Committee Members
Republicans
Arlen Specter (Pa.), Chairman
Orrin Hatch (Utah)
Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Jon Kyl (Ariz.)
Mike DeWine (Ohio)
Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
John Cornyn (Texas)
Sam Brownback (Kan.)
Tom Coburn (Okla.)
Democrats
Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Ranking Member
August 20th, 2007 at 4:35 pmTed Kennedy (Mass.)
Joe Biden (Del.)
Herb Kohl (Wis.)
Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
Russ Feingold (Wis.)
Chuck Schumer (N.Y.)
Richard Durbin (Ill.)
Are the Repugs that didn’t get voted out in 06 still under the assumption they are safe? If so, 08 will be a rude awakening, as it will be for some Dems too.
It is sick that BushCo and the NeoCons have come to the brink of financially, morally and militarily destroying this country and the US Constitution and the Rule of Law.
And all the while the Repugs were blindly sucking at the BushCo Teat, their party was hijacked and almost destroyed in the process!
Must really suck to be a Repug!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:35 pmnothing will happen because democracy is dead in america. this is all just for show…
August 20th, 2007 at 4:37 pmRemember back then when the dems werent ALLOWED by the repugs to hold a MEETING on the hull? I doubt the msm would have noted a dems displeasure wit the state of affairs even if they shouted it to the rafters of the congress.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:37 pm“Leahy said that the administration’s stonewalling amounted to ‘contempt of the valid order of the Congress’”
Okaaaaayyyyyy…that’s quite an accusation.
Now what? Are you actually going to do something about this? It’s long overdue you know….
August 20th, 2007 at 4:38 pmIf democracy is dead I have the ammunition available to bring it back to life…
August 20th, 2007 at 4:38 pmCome on, this is stupid. No wonder why the Democrats cannot convinced the public that they have the balls to lead this country. These are infantile tactics. If he is not part of the executive branch, then he is part of the Congress and subject to its rules. Go after both at the same time. When he refuses to immediately comply, file contempt of congress charges as well as impeachment. Make the fuc–g Republicans defend his double tracking. Hit the talk shows, produce commercials ridiculing these tactics. FOR GOD’S SAKE, DEMOCRATS DO NOT DESERVE TO LEAD IF THEY TOTALLY LACK BACKBONE. YOU LOOK LIKE IDIOTS.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:39 pmNews Flash: The administration has contempt for other two branches of the government.
No kidding Pat. Motivate on it!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:41 pm“Not quite sure that’s my understanding of the separation of powers, but it seemed to work at that time.”
Well, of course it seemed to work at the time. At the time, the GOP ran everything and Congress played the part of obedient lapdog to whatever Bush and Cheney wanted. It was that way for six years.
I wish Leahy, Pelosi, et al would realize that just rattling their sabers is causing the WH to stonewall, obfuscate, lie, act contemptuously, and generally behave as if they are guilty of something. And the American people know it.
So let’s quit rattling and actually draw a sword. The White House has had every chance to come clean. America wants some accountability. It’s time for the Senate to act.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:42 pmthanks Beachcomber for the list.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pmwhy, despite their oath, did the GOP Congress listen to/agree with the White House? It appears the GOP in Congress-Executive Branch have illgally violated their oaths of office, and engaged in malfeasance.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:45 pmCurious why, despite their oath, the GOP Congress listened to/agree with the White House. It appears the GOP in Congress-Executive Branch have illgally violated their oaths of office, and engaged in malfeasance.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:46 pmWhat else did the WH-EOP-GOP agree to; and what others things did the Congress not do that it had an oath to do?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:47 pm[sorry for the multiple post]
August 20th, 2007 at 4:47 pmCheney Jedi mind trick … and it worked!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:51 pmDurbin is one of my Senators and I’ve already sent off the request for his view on this.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:52 pmPersonnally, I believe that Leahy is about to actually extend his talons. Why would he have flown down to DC to look at a document that could have been faxed to him by his office staff.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:53 pmAs an aside, impeachment arises in the House, not the Senate. It is well within the authority of the Senate to issue an inherent contempt charge, however.
Like the Dems are going to do anything. They wont, maybe issue another strong worded letter but that’s it.
They’re just like some dumb old dog that rolls on its back whenever kicked.
And the Dems wonder why people tag them with terms like ’spineless’
August 20th, 2007 at 4:53 pmYet another chapter of “Democrats wussing out.” Enough of this finger wagging – drop the hammer and let’s set King George’s kingdom to burn.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:54 pmI noted this statement in the Leahy public release:
However, my undersatnding is that the Senate only issued to the White House counsel. Perhaps this has been raised: If the VP is “not” in the Executive Branch.
Perhaps this is the obvious question: If the VP office is “not” in the EOP, why did the WH provide this information outside the Executive branch to the VP?
Again, taking the VP’s absurd argument to its logical conclusion: Once the President “disclosed the response to Leahy” “outside” the White House to the VP’s office, that would amount to a discloseure (using the WH-OVP “logic”) of a disclosure of information outside the executive Branch.
Even if we rely on the the OVP absurd reasoning, to assert the OVP is “outside” anything, means that the President and WH — in responding to the Senate and coordinating with the OVP — have, in the OVP “logic-nexus” — disclosed information outside the shield/umbrella of Executive privilege. The issue isn’t that this is true, but the inconsitency in the argument means one thing: The WH-EOP-OVP is attempting to argue to shield something using inconsitent legal arguments. That is not a credible shield, but somethign the Judicial Branch could easily conclude is linked more with an unjust objective, not with a bonafide claim of privilege.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pmLet me guess – Leahy is going to give them another extension, write a letter, or tell his mom. Heaven forbid he actually do something. Didn’t Pelosi say something to the effect of “actions have consequences”?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:58 pmOK Democrats. No more bullshit! It is time that you DO SOMETHING about this out of control administration. Neither Bush nor Cheney has any respect for you or the constitution. Bush has already asserted that it is just “a goddam piece of paper” and Cheney has already told you to F off! When will the Democrats EVER GROW A SPINE!?!
I’m really tired of hearing Dems whine about what this administration does or doesn’t do and then turn around and capitulate to everything they complain about.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:58 pmThis delaying sets a bad example. Lie, cheat and steal then stall and it will go away.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:00 pmGood luck To Sen. Leahy on this, but he must act now and not just talk big about it. Darth Dicky Cheney should be locked up in the Capital building jail. Just give him water and bread till he fesses up.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:01 pmI might also say that Sen Tim Johnson is returning when the Senate reconviegns in September. That will remove LIEberman as a monkey wrench in the machinery.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm“The boundaries between the three branches of government are also strongly affected by the role of custom and acquiescence. When one branch engages in a certain practice and the other branches acquiesce, the practice gains legitimacy and can fix the meaning of the Constitution.â€
August 20th, 2007 at 5:03 pmnothing will happen!
if a dem gets elected president…policies will not change…
it’s over…
August 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pmI say stop funding the Executive. Appropriate no more money to this government and brings things to a screeching halt. Let Bush use his segway to come and go to his incessant photo ops instead of using Air Force One and the cast of thousands that follow him around the country and use Air Force One and the helicopters and other transport aircraft like SUVs. I say de-fund the Bush Administration and starve it out.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pmSomething else that Leahy mentioned caught my eye, suggesting the OVP-assertions about their status relative to EOP-WH relates to classified documents:
The VP claim that the OVP is “not” in the Executive Branch. This appears linked to an effort to say the OVP is “not” subject to various classification requirements or Exeuctive Orders. This is a redherring argument; the truth is the OVP is subject to various classification guidelines under stomething that has no relationship to the issue of whether the OVP is or is not part of the EOP. That standard is 32 CFR 2800, OVP Security Classification guidelines. OVP has no basis to say that it cannot provide documents on the basis of its asserted relationship or non-relationship with the WH-EOP; 32 CFR 2800 creates an independent legal obligation on the OVP to store, retain, preserve, and cooperate with lawful subpoenas related to all documents in OVP control consistent with 32 CFR 2800.
The OVP has exceeded its 60 day review timeline:
August 20th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Taking his most threating posture Senator Leahy puffs up his feathers, struts around the senate and shows his gums.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pmI say send in a team of Special Forces guys to arrest Cheney, send him to Gitmo for extensive waterboarding and *then* bring him back to Washington to appear before Leahy’s committee. If, for some reason, he still doesn’t want to talk, blindfold him, cover his eyes with black goggles, ears with sound stopping earmuffs, chain his wrists and ankles, put him in diapers and strap him in one of those drafty, freezing, CIA planes bound for some top secret Eastern European prison….they have ways of making stubborn types like Cheney talk!
August 20th, 2007 at 5:20 pmSomeone should ask Arlen is this what happened and get it on record.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pmI listened to an extremely passionate cry for impeachment from a hard core rightwinger over the weekend. He thinks that the Bush Administration has taken some horrific actions to disembowel the Constitution and he argues for impeachment before a Democratic President takes over.
Hard to argue against that. Not all right wingers are the sycophant losers we see here.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm… and shluulres moshed of hish words like shapenna.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:26 pmIs the champagne brunch charter flight from Vermont to Washington, DC great or what?
Leahy reminds me of Groucho Marx: “I’ve got a good mind to ring his doorbell and run!” Yeah, another letter. That’ll show ‘em, Pat.
Besides, what’s the point of sending letters to a President that can’t read?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:31 pmComment by Jay Randal — August 20, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Don’t forget the microwave, Jay. There is nothing worse then cold bread and water.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:32 pmJudas F*cking Priest!
Enough of the letter writing and press briefings! Get busy and do something truly noteworthy! NOW, goddammit! Something judicial, perhaps?
In the time being they should rename themselves the Senate Inaction Committee (SIC).
This Committee and the Dems in particular, need to grow some cojones.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:34 pmWhat ever happened to the likes of Edmund Muskie, Frank Church and Mo Udall?
The Democrats are using their “hearings”, “investigations” and what not like the Republicans use dividing social issues like abortion and anti-gay rights…
They are all talk to get elected, but do nothing so that they can use them again next time. If they actually did something about those issues, they feel that they would somehow have nothing to run on next time. I would like to think that we are smarter than they give us credit for because we are looking for results and will re-elect based on them, but I am not so sure this is true for the voting public as a whole.
At this point it is hard to see the Democrats as using the Administration as anything but a punching bag to seem big and tough by letting the daily atrocities pile up one after the other, but not actually doing anything about it.
I want to be proven wrong.
Do it for Democracy. Do it for the Constitution. Hell, do it for your children and grandchildren you shady bastards.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:35 pmOh oh! Now the Bush admin has really done it. They’ve used up their last chance. That means they now only have 10 more really-last chances before Leahy moves from nasty letters to downright mean letters.
This is all just a show. The Bush admin won’t do anything unless forced to and Congress won’t do jack and are only killing time to keep the masses quiet about standing up to Bush.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:38 pmLike the Dems are going to do anything. They wont, maybe issue another strong worded letter but that’s it.
They’re just like some dumb old dog that rolls on its back whenever kicked.
And the Dems wonder why people tag them with terms like ’spineless’
Comment by Buddy Rich — August 20, 2007
Unfortunately, I agree.
However, the actions of Cheney, Bush and their PNAC masters show WHY people tag them with terms like “WAR CRIMINALS and TRAITORS”.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:38 pmHard to argue against that. Not all right wingers are the sycophant losers we see here.
Comment by nanlichi — August 20, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
No — quite a few right wingers are fervent libertarians who bemoan the loss of our freedoms and the impaling of the constitution the current Repubs have been doing. They support LESS Big Brother, not more.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:40 pmPat Leahy will just write another letter and then give them one or two months to respond. Then he’ll get angry and write another letter and give them one or two months to respond. Repeat this over and over again till 2008 and no one will really get hurt and Pat will look like he tried. But as we all know, we are equally frustrated with the Democrats in office as they are incredibly weak, not just in numbers in the Senate but also in the balls department. There is a reason for the Democratic stereotype, most are inefectual pussies.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:41 pmThere is a reason for the Democratic stereotype, most are inefectual pussies.
Comment by James
Again, agreed.
And the reason for the Rapeublican stereotype is that most are
August 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pmTRAITORS to the USA who put PARTY before COUNTRY…
Raw is reporting OVP Counsel is saying the Senate Subpoena is wrong.
HOwever, if you look at the Supboena related to FISA, the “Definitions” clearly includes OVP wihin the definition of White House. DOesn’t matter if OVP agrees. Also, note at the bottom of the pgae on this link: Look who’s name was on the subpoean –(Subpoena packet for documents from the Office of the Vice President, sent via Shannen Coffin, Esq.) — The same OVP Counsel that says, “You didn’t send it to the right people.”
How is OVP Counsel responding to something they “didn’t get”?
OVP Counsel from the Raw Report:
- Her name is on the Leahy webpage for the issuance of supboenas
- Her name is on the letter Leahy Sent
- Page 8 and 9 of the Suppoena with her name on it is to David Addington; and includes in the definition of White House the OVP Staff.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:57 pmLook at the definition provided in the subpoena page 9 :
Doesn’t matter if OVP counsel agrees or disagrees with that definition. THe supboena was issued/approved/served to OVP counsel with that intent. Doesn’t matter if OVP Counsel agrees or disagrees with the Senate intent.
This appears to be a dilatory action by OVP Counsel. Encourage DC Bar to review.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:02 pmPresident Eddie Haskell and Vice President Lumpy Rutherford: Leave it to Brush-cutter and Dead-eye…
August 20th, 2007 at 6:02 pmHere’s some added emhasis on the definition, under “Definitions” of terms in the subpoena Item 6, page 9:
August 20th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Cheney is in no position to tell Congress that they can’t issue subpoenas. He needs to read the Constitution. He is clearly part of the executive branch. It is ridiculous to claim otherwise. He is not above the law. He is accountable to the people just like Bush and everyone else inside the White House.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:07 pmPublic caning is what this Machiavellian ass-rapist deserves.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:08 pmCheney is in no position to tell Congress that they can’t issue subpoenas. He needs to read the Constitution. He is clearly part of the executive branch. It is ridiculous to claim otherwise. He is not above the law. He is accountable to the people just like Bush and everyone else inside the White House. His claim is baseless and false.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:08 pmComment by Probus — August 20, 2007 @ 6:07 p
Probus, you know damned well that the VP is a unique creature, a unicorn, if you will, part of neither the Exec branch, nor the Legislative branch.
Whatever branch Cheney is hanging off of, it does seem like he’s a little far out on it at this point.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:10 pmJust a thought…
Could it be that the Dems aren’t pushing too hard because they are afraid the Repubs will pull out all the tricks in 2008 and do what they can to regain control? Sure, we have evidence of vote tampering what with corruptable electronic voting machines and at least one prosecuted case of Repubs flooding the phone banks of a Dem “Get Out The Vote” effort, but for the most part America is still asleep. America basically yawned at these two instances of the Repubs trying to control the voting. And you can be sure that they’ll try such tactics again. Sure, there may be court cases and people will be found guilty, but as with the two issues I mention above, the damage will already be done; for example, there were convictions in the phone bank issue above, but they took one for the team.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:18 pmWhatever branch Cheney is hanging off of, it does seem like he’s a little far out on it at this point.
Cheney is at an evolutionary dead end on the Tree of Life
August 20th, 2007 at 6:19 pmCheney is at an evolutionary dead end on the Tree of Life
Comment by Raven — August 20, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Strange fruit, indeed…..
August 20th, 2007 at 6:25 pmHere’s more bad news for addington: Page 2 of 5, defining specific duties for Addington, subject of the Senate subpoena to OVP:
Page 3 of 5 is also a problem for EOP and OVP: “5) Transmittal of Classified Material—
(i) Outside the Office of the Vice President
and the White House Complex.”
Addington well knew about this, as did all EOP-OVP legal counsel.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
“Sargent of Arms, GO GET cheney and bring him in by force”….it’s time to do this.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:39 pm“Hard to argue against that. Not all right wingers are the sycophant losers we see here.”
All the Republicans that I know are furious at Bush and Company and all of them are going to vote Democratic in the next election. And they will vote for ANY Democrat that runs. They think they only way to wrest control of their party from the neoCONs is a complete and utter failure of the party in 2008. I tend to agree with them.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:39 pm“vice president had met with the Republican senators and told them they were not allowed to issue subpoenas”
The vice-president has no right whatsoever to make such a command and the GOP senators who curtsied are worthless dross unworthy of service in any elected office.
It’s time to dump every last remaining Republican.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pmbilbobullshit—you are a lying pos just like Leahy, who is a superannuated drunk and moral leper=kinda like most lib-trash on this thread.
I’m po-ed at Repubs, but won’t vote for trash like yourself, Leahy, Pretty Boy John & a flyweight fraud like B. Hussein Obama. Luckily, Leahy is walking proof of life after death, but it’s a toss-up between Rudy & Hillary in my book. And Bill Richardson is the smartest of any Dem running right now.
If the Dems listen to the pathetic LOOOZERS on this thread, they probably will lose again, against all odds. And you’re the biggest pos loser here BBS.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pmStrange fruit, indeed…..
Comment by Zooey —
Mutant
August 20th, 2007 at 6:47 pmcumenboca,
What is it you like about Bush? Is it just the way his balls slap you on the chin?
What is it bubba?
August 20th, 2007 at 6:51 pm83. Curious comment: ”’“Could it be that the Dems aren’t pushing too hard because they are afraid the Repubs will pull out all the tricks in 2008 and do what they can to regain control? ”’ The notion of “not pushing hard” would suggest they are not fully asserting their oath. Doesn’t matter what their “reason” is: They’re supposed to use all lawful options. They may have a motivation, but given the disclosure today that GOP-WH agreed not to engage in discovery with subpoenas, leaves much to be desired: DNC has some catching up to do. Today. Doesn’t matter what their 2008 election objectives are. Today, they have a legal duty to force a response. What may or may not happen in the future is speculative, irrelevant, and cannot be the basis to refuse to act today.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:59 pm88. Aplogies to all readers. 88 is confusing as formatted.
Everything after “(j) Penalties. Any individual breach . . .” should not be italized or indented.
Comment: The citation ends before “Wiki Information: FISA, CIA, and EOP”; and this should not be italized or indented. Sorry.
Clarifiction: These three lines should not be indented or italized; they are not part of the link:
1. “Wiki Information . . .”
August 20th, 2007 at 7:05 pm2. “Wondering what this is . . ”
3. “There is no basis for the WH. . .”
I’m po-ed at Repubs, but won’t vote for trash like yourself, Leahy, Pretty Boy John & a flyweight fraud like B. Hussein Obama. Luckily, Leahy is walking proof of life after death, but it’s a toss-up between Rudy & Hillary in my book. And Bill Richardson is the smartest of any Dem running right now.
If the Dems listen to the pathetic LOOOZERS on this thread, they probably will lose again, against all odds. And you’re the biggest pos loser here BBS.
Comment by daveinboca
Bush, Cheney and their PNAC masters like Libby are TRAITORS to the USA who need to be in Gitmo and TORTURED for their TREASON against
The United States of America
August 20th, 2007 at 7:10 pmThis time the harsh letter has to really,really mean it.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:11 pmCheney needs to be arrested for Inherent Contempt of Congress.
When the Capitol Police come to get him, he will, of course, resist.
The police then need to beat Cheney’s head with their clubs till bloody…
August 20th, 2007 at 7:13 pmJust follow through and de-fund the Office of the Vice President.
Or, better yet, impeach him.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:19 pm(you really don’t need a reason to impeach, remember?)
Give ‘em a stern threat and another thirty days.
Maybe we should start calling a month “a Leahy.”
The WH staged a coup and Congress has acquiesced.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:26 pmYa’ know, eventually more of a majority of the American people will
avert their attention from their consumer ways to the destructive
process being brought upon this country. I strongly urge all
Congress and’08 candidates to shy away from your
corporate trough. Hell hath no fury like an American
defending the Constitution Mr. Leahy. Remove your pancake makeup
from your cameo role, get to work, and remember who really
pays your salary.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:58 pmComment by daveinboca #90
…go eat what’s left of your parents…
…inbred cannibal…
August 20th, 2007 at 9:05 pmCan’t we all just get along?
August 20th, 2007 at 10:08 pmI wouldn’t be surprised if there was some back-room dealmaking happening right now, aimed at bringing enough Repugs on board to finally crush this crazy “unitary executive” coup attempt.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pmIf we can’t all just get along, then can’t we all just pretend we are all getting along? And if we can’t pretend, then let’s just imagine that we are pretending to get along.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pmFolks, if you’re tired of the same old same old; if you voted repug or dumocrat because you wanted change and are mad you didn’t get it; Why do you keep voting for it?
Why do you keep wasting your vote?
You say you want to vote for a ‘winner’ but what did YOU win?
Stop voting for these clowns.
Honestly look at other parties.
Vote your conscience – not what some bobblehead tells you.
Run for office yourself.
There is a huge grass roots movement behind Ron Paul right now.
Let’s use that and grow it.
We have the numbers.
We are stronger than ‘them.’
You have three methods to affect change:
The ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.
Exercise your first amendment rights of speech, assembly, and petition.
If the first amendment fails, use the second. That’s what it is there for.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:17 pmArrest everyone in the white house before they declare martial law!
August 20th, 2007 at 10:24 pmthis is what Bush wants to stay president for life! white house is desparate to have a torrorism in the US in order to delare martial law!
All terrorism is made up by the US! Look it up on the inernet – prison planet, jeff rense,etc
Cheney= the real “president”. Bush is not smart enough to negoitiate his way out of a paperbag, and everything then administration has done over the last 4 years has Cheney’s fingerprints all over it.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:29 pmTo hell with Democras, Republicans and everything in between. Politics is nothing but illegally legalized crime. The modern version of “one flew over the cuckoos nest.” Act like A Congress and a House of Reps, get over your cranial-rectumitis and get the job done. This BS has gone on entirely too long now.
Enough of the useless Congressional hearings that cost us taxpayers money. You were (as mentioned above) elected to protect the citizens and the constitution of the U.S.
Use your Constitutional powers and put an end to these blatantly illegal and highly secretive activities that continue to sever basic human rights. Simply freaking amazing.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:30 pmLeahy’s been hamstrung all summer by the fact that the Democrats don’t have the clout to force contempt charges through on their own. They have to have Republicans on board, and they will run like rabbits if this looks partisan in any way. He is really preaching to the Republicans with his endless delaying – trying to make the case to them that there really is no other choice. It is enormously frustrating to those of us who want action now, but Leahy is building a coalition to actually move this along.
If he is making public statements like this, I would be willing to bet that enough Republicans have signed on (in secret, of course) to make contempt charges actually stick. If the White House has lost the Congressional Republicans, September is going to get real interesting.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:31 pmGo get ‘em, Senator Balsa Wood! Threaten them with another deadline!
August 20th, 2007 at 10:38 pmLeahy needs to put a return to sender on that letter delivered in 2001.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:47 pmArticle. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term
August 20th, 2007 at 10:52 pm#109: Leahy’s been hamstrung all summer by the fact that the Democrats don’t have the clout to force contempt charges through on their own. They have to have Republicans on board, and they will run like rabbits if this looks partisan in any way. He is really preaching to the Republicans with his endless delaying – trying to make the case to them that there really is no other choice. It is enormously frustrating to those of us who want action now, but Leahy is building a coalition to actually move this along.
You’re basically correct, in that the Democrats do not hold a large enough majority to impose meaningful oversight on the administration by themselves, without Republican support. The only way Republicans will insist on accountability for the administration will be if the public makes them do it–in other words, if they fear that their failure to act will harm their chances of re-election.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:00 pmIt doesn’t matter if the Democrats have the votes. They have to protect the Constitution and if they lose a vote, that isn’t the end of the world. But, if they do not take the proper steps to protect the Constitution, Georgie will be further empowered to blow off Congressional oversight. The Democrats need to keep the pressure on the Bush Crime Family and not allow them to ignore Congress.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:08 pmLarry Rafferty
Boy, they sure try hard to make it “look” like Dems and Repubs are against each other when they are all together against the American people. Most people will just see this and think, “We need to elect Democrats”, and then when Dems get their time at the trough, repeat step 1. Funny if not so sad. Put an end to this and elect Ron Paul, champion of the people!
August 20th, 2007 at 11:09 pmThe minds that possess American leadership are not human.
Never in my 63 years of life have I WITNESSED leaders so bent on death, destruction and dissing the whole nation.
They must be removed as leaders, and the system changed so that nutcases like these NeoCons can never wrest power away from the system, “Governance BY CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED,” which these men have plundered, pillaged, and wasted.
:sigh:
August 20th, 2007 at 11:35 pmIs anyone surprised. This is the G.O.P. machine in action.. Please. We are just scratching the service….
August 20th, 2007 at 11:39 pmlast time I checked, ron paul was running AS A REPUBLICAN, so he is no different.
Kucinich, that’s the only one willing to stand up and impeach these criminals on their acts of repeated domestic and international war crimes.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:44 pmDemocrats need a clear threat: no impeachment hearings=no votes in 2008 even if a Repug gets elected. The Dems for whatever reason are taking no real action and are part of the problem. Until they act to reinstate rule of law and our Constitution they deserve NO SUPPORT.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:56 pmCongress has no enumerated right to issue supoenas. If a member of the administration refuses to testify, the committee must obtain a majority vote on the floor. Only then, may congress go to court to request enforcement. Before all the whingeing, learn the law.
Sergeant at arms has power on the Capitol grounds, office buildings, and against members. At the Executive Branch, he’s just a functionary with a title and no power. Attempting to seize the President or VP would result in Secret Service action.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:59 pmThis is what happens when people are suffocated with the shit their fed about who should run this country.
These presidential hopefuls are hopeless.
Pathetic college pussies.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:59 pmI am tired of this stupid lip diddling by the congress in the media. If they have the power to force the administration, then they should get on with it…or just shut up. Every few days, Leahy comes up with these threats that seem to go nowhere.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:07 amHave the Capitol Police arrest his ass. He has little protection, after all, he says that the vice president is not part of the Executive Office of the President.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:18 amCongress needs to mind their own business. Who made them the investigative branch? Congress is supposed to make the laws, that’s it.
All they do is run around with special prosecutors trying to get whoever is in office.
This is the Judicial Branch’s job.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:29 amWe are the point that it really doesn’t matter if the DEMs have the votes. The American People are demanding action. They have to at least try and contempt charges need to be attempted. The people want the DEMs to stand up for them, win or loose. If the GOP backs Bush, Cheney and Gonzalez in their corrupt efforts to stonewall, they will look just as corrupt and incur the wrath of the people. The DEMs in the House and Senate don’t seem to realize that all we want is for them for fight, stand up and show some committment to the Constitution, the law and ethics. Winning is not everything, but doing the right thing is. Fight the good fight and the people will back you. Continue to cowar and you will loose us in 08.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:32 amI just wrote an email to mr. leahy saying this……
August 21st, 2007 at 12:33 am“how much longer you and the country are gonna keep taking shit from bush and cheney….
if you can’t do you job or are afraid of these assholes just……resign!!!!!”
“Wake up, boys there’s a light at the window, I can hear some one knocking on the door.”
“There are voices in street and the sound of running feet, and they whisper the word… Revolution.”
“There are men coming down from the valley, there are tall ships lying off the coast, and they carry the light, in the dark of the night, like a whisper in the wind, Revolution.”
“Bring my gun and a hand full of silver, by the sea we will gather for the fight. It’s been so many years, so many tears, we have lost once before, now we’ll settle the score, when our cannongs will roar……… Revolutionnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!”
Chris De Burgh’s Song from the album The Getaway
“I hate them, I really do hate them……. Those Naybob’s.” Col. Walter E. Kurtz
August 21st, 2007 at 12:44 amWe need to get all of our factions together and march on D.C. to show our disgust for this administration. I don’t care if there is no draft, we can rally to the cause. I believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We know this admin is NOT. How can we get all the groups together?? We need to show some superior force. No more talking. Let’s work on this. Please!
August 21st, 2007 at 1:11 amIf you take the time to read and post here, take the time to contact Sen. Leahy and all the other Judiciary committee members as well as your state’s reps. We have to let them know there is a large majority that wants some accountabilty from this Executive Branch. Here’s the one I just sent:
Senator Leahy,
I know your site states that “we can only respond to messages from Vermonters or those with ties to Vermont”, but the role you have as Judiciary Committee Chairman is one that affects all Americans. Along with Appropriations I feel that your committee is the most important, especially during these times of looming constitutional crisis.
I have always admired your tenacity and your ability to function regardless of which party is in power. I believe you are a good man and know what you have to do to protect this country, Her citizens and the Constitution. The time for compromise has passed. The time for political maneuvering has passed. NOW is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.
Time to shine light into the darkness. Time to remind your fellow statesmen “who works for whom”. Time to bring accountability to the White House. Time to redirect the priorities of this nation and rescue Her from the forces that have sent Her down a path of darkness and despair.
Know this; many Americans have been quiet in their contempt and disgust at the current state of affairs. I have heard the rumblings of the silent majority – silent no more – clamoring for relief, for change, for sanity.
This majority will be behind you as you do what is necessary. Hold them accountable. No more letters. No more warnings. No more extensions. Time is up. Subpoenas, followed by the arrest of those who do not comply. Impeachment if necessary.
The majority will also not forget if the proper measures are not taken immediately. In 2008 I will work hard to remind all voters who erred on the side of caution and who stood firm to protect the United States Of America, Her citizens and Constitution.
In closing here are some quotes from your fellow Senators across the aisle:
“I will have no part in the creation of a constitutional double standard to benefit the President. He is not above the law. If an ordinary citizen committed these crimes, he would go to jail.” Bill Frist(R-TN)
“I suggest impeachment is like beauty: apparently in the eye of the beholder. But I hold a different view. And it’s not a vengeful one, it’s not vindictive, and it’s not craven. It’s just a concern for the Constitution and a high respect for the rule of law. …” Henry Hyde (R-Ill.)
“All in all, the framers would probably agree that it’s better to impeach too often than too seldom. If presidents can’t be virtuous, they should at least be nervous. ” Joseph Sobran
August 21st, 2007 at 1:15 amI love it “When the First Amendment doesn’t work you use the second.” One more war. Class war!
August 21st, 2007 at 1:17 am3 words people : Revolution, and Armed Insurrection…….. This seems to be the only way we will get our country away from the greedy and self dilluted elites, and back into the hands of the common American. Term Limitations for Senators and Congress-peoples. If it’s good enough for the PRES. it’s good enough for them.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:26 amCheney gets his paycheck from the President and the President is the only one that can fire him. This fourth branch is bullshit…the 109th Congress, filled with willing Republicans allowed Cheney and Bush plenty of latitude and so they think there’s another branch of government and they want everyone else to think that. It’s pure crap. This is treason and it is contemptuous disregard for the Congress. There are enough criminal acts by this administration to tie up a grand jury for years. When…when, I say when will the Congress step in to these crooked bastards and stomp them hard. Pelosi and self-respecting democrats and republicans need to cut short the assault on the constitution and IMPEACH Fredo, Cheney, and Bush. When they’re out of office, especially Bush since he won’t have pardon power, then they need to indict these peckerheads for obstruction, perjury, torture and especially spying without warrants. How long will it take for Leahy and the rest of Congress, at least those that care about justice, law, and the constitution, to spit in the eye of the bully?
August 21st, 2007 at 1:28 amFor those who think ALL republicans are in bed with Bush and Cheney – think again! Ron Paul is running for President in 2008 as a Republican and is also known as Dr NO in the House of Representatives, for the reason he has never blindly gone along with either Dems or Reps – this in 10 times being voted into the House of Representatives from (get this) Texas! Please, every thinking U.S. citizen, check him out at http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ He is *THE* Man we NEED NOW! (or we’ll never again see freedom in this country)
August 21st, 2007 at 1:31 amIf we don,t impeach we will have set precedent for whoever follows to also claim the powers this regime has bestowed upon itself.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:33 amIf our representatives won’t vote for the impeachment of both Bush and Cheney then the military needs to go into the White House and drag Cheney and Bush off to an assylum. These arrogant bastards spit on the consitution and those representatives in DC who want truth, which is something Cheney and Bush have complete contempt for.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:39 amThat’s it! No fruit basket for you Cheney!
Congress seems content (particularly the GOP members) with being a toothless, powerless body equivalent to the Russian Duma.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:40 amPresident can’t fire the VP, but can cut off most of his duties, except President of the Senate and breaking a tie vote. Ignoring a supoena us not an impeachment offense. Must go thru the courts first.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:42 ambig papa… words of wisdom…sagacity…where do you get it?
August 21st, 2007 at 1:46 amAs to the comment about Ron Paul, he’s as miserable a right-wing conservative who ever lived. He wouldn’t give a starving person the leftovers from his meal. Paul believes government shouldn’t spend any money to help anyone. You want better heath care or even an aspirin, you want help from the government so your kids can go to college, you want your city or town given aid after a disaster like Katrina or after a tornado, don’t count on Ron Paul; he wouldn’t let the governmemt spend a dime. You’re on you’re own. Ron Paul has his and if you don’t, the hell with you. Leave it up to Ron Paul and you’d see a nation of ill people unable to even see a doctor. If you think the homeless situation is bad now, vote for Ron Paul and see what happens. The man makes Scrooge look like Bill Gates.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:48 am“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, THE TRUTH IS THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE STATE.” — Joseph Goebbels, German Minister of Propaganda, 1933-1945
August 21st, 2007 at 2:09 am“The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of an eye: the more light you pour on it, the more it contracts.”
Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, U.S. Supreme Court
“When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.†-Sinclair Lewis
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.”
– Theodore Roosevelt, 1911
I can’t believe what America’s citizens have allowed their corrupt politicians to throw away.
The American Republic is dead. The coup obvious and Amerika is now a fascist empire run by a select few plutocrats who rule as they please over frightened, subjugated citizens.
Your founding fathers foresaw this possibility and gave you the tools to prevent it. You didn’t use them. You still won’t use them.
Wake up REAL Americans. Defend The American Constitution that gives you absolute moral and legal authority to remove tyrants from office.
Americans must act to take back their nation – for the sake of us all.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:12 amI wonder how my Senator Gordo Smith responded. I’m guessing Senator Birdseye saluted and goosestepped to the news from Cheeney.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:26 amRon Paul was an Independent and became a Republican. He voted to support the Tom Delay crew. He opposes reproductive rights. Ron Paul is no better.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:28 amDon’t look now, but while Congress is playing word games with Cheney, Bush is up in Canada selling out the country. We are living in the last days of the USA. These traitors at the top have sold us out… the new boss has all the money and power and it will be centuries before freedom will ever break out again in this world.
There is a storm a coming and no one can escape. The New World Order is run by same pirates that have funded every war in the last 200+ years… They are responsible for millions upon million of deaths. Cheney and Bush serve these masters.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:30 amLeahy needs to build support for his investigation. He has the support of the ranking member of the committee which is crucial. He needs other republicans to voice their support as well because the democrats can’t do this alone they don’t have the votes. So the investigation doesn’t look politically motivated Leahy should take as much time as he needs to build a broad bipartisan support.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:36 amImpeach the thugs!
August 21st, 2007 at 3:20 amThe Bush administration’s ongoiong utter contempt for Congress and the rule of law ONLY makes sense if they don’t expect there to be any consequences for the contempt. I think they are expecting Martial Law to take care of that pesky need for accountability. Can I get a new false- flag terror attack? Can I get a what what? C’mon people, open your eyes. This is not business-as-usual, even for the Republicans.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:31 amDuty Before Re-election Concerns
Regardless the fact that the DoJ is so partisan and corrupt it will not act on behalf of serving justice, regardless the fact that the Democratic Senate “majority” is not really a majority (with one non-voting Democratic member out ill, one Indepenedent inclined to support Democratic causes, one independent so deep up the dirty end of Republican issues and the Evil Dick as tie-break, there is no voting Democratic majority), and regardless the fact that maybe 30-40 of the Dems in the House are “Blue Dogs” that side, in principle, with most things Republican…
It is to “damn the torpedos” and press and press and press on issues of Contempt of Congress and/or impeachment. Yes, Bush should go, yes, Cheney should go but, I believe, that the first and achievable impeachement should be of Alberto Gonzalez. He is the one bad actor that bars the path to pushing these actions into a real system of justice.
And — it is something that can be accomplished. I don’t believe I have the electronic tools to implement a mass action (perhaps this site of Kos could coordinate or spearhead such a move) but I believe a coordinated petition or letter writing campaign to flood senate and house members of Congress might be a concrete incentive to push them off their sticking point of fear.
Just a thought.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:41 amAction on the part of Congress is long overdue.
Is not Congress now in comtempt of the People?
August 21st, 2007 at 3:49 amThe outrage here is less Cheney’s statement (we have come to expect such things), but Leahy’s lukewarm, milktoast reaction to it and all the rest of this administration’s unAmerican, anti-Constitutional shennanigans.
August 21st, 2007 at 4:25 amthe democrats and republicans are one in the same. They are like two criminal syndicates with different styles battling for control of our government. Yet no matter who gains control, it is the citizens that get screwed. Aren’t you sick of the corruption and lies!?! Well as long as we keep yelling “encore!” with our votes, they will keep performing for us this twisted Orwellian political theater called politics. Choice is only an illusion. Freedom, a fleeting dream. I would rather waste my vote on a third party candidate that I believe in, then choosing between the lesser of two evils…..we have tried it that way long enough. A lesser evil is still evil.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:29 amIt is not just what is going right now that is disturbing about this. It’s the fact that this administration is setting an extremely dangerous precedence for future presidential administrations to lie about government and the U.S. Constitution.
Dick Cheney, you may well be the instigator of our great Democracy’s downfall.
August 21st, 2007 at 6:52 amThe one who was willing to dig down into its granite foundations, its steel underpinnings, and hack away at it with jackhammer, torch and dynamite — simply to entrench power and ensure obscene wealth meant for the public good and not meant for the private pockets.
Translation: Cheney to Leahy (again): Go f*** yourself.
Democratic threats don’t seem to be a viable strategy. Does anyone in Congress have a hammer to come down with?
August 21st, 2007 at 7:13 amYep, another angry letter will be about as effective as the last. Articles of impeachment won’t get further than 50% of Congress, and a super-majority is required. Guess the letters and censure threats are all Congress can do.
August 21st, 2007 at 7:21 amAddressing Comment by “TheWatcher”… You mirror my thoughts and words. May I add to what is present and upcoming in 2008… there will be no election. Unfiication of Mexico, USA, and Canada will keep the critically ill patient, USA on the operating table for as long as the anethesia holds out. Operation time for repair work on America’s body, I refer to as martial law,
August 21st, 2007 at 7:23 amwill cease when a “fixed-new-body emerges”. And who pays for this transformation? Why, the Amerio of course!
The senate is hamstung with that traitor Liberman in it. Hes has to go. Deport this ass.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:46 amI was just reading the Declaration of Independence and so much of it points to Bush and Cheney that the document is absolutely chilling. We have a responsibility to the Constitution to end this police state and its attempt to wrest power and tyrranize the country. It is time for a second Revolution — this one to restore what has been stolen from us by these evil men.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:48 amWe have what I udsed to call a silent coup. Its not the first time as the republicans ried to overthrow FDR until Gen Butner exposed it. Real loyaltty to the world corporations.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:49 amTell me again why impeachment of off the table?????
August 21st, 2007 at 8:51 amImpeach Chaney and do it soon…………………………….Charles Belenchia
August 21st, 2007 at 8:53 amSiting them in comtempt will do absolutely nothing because in the end it is the President of the Senate that must recommend that contempt charges be brought by the Dept. of Justice and that is after a full vote of the House and a full vote of the Senate. TDoes anyone really think that Cheney is going to recommend that he be sited in contempt? Bwahahahahahah! No way!! The only way to handle this now is to IMPEACH!!!!
August 21st, 2007 at 9:00 amIMPEACH Gonzales, Cheyney and Bush already you lame duck carcases of a house and senate. Although the lesser of two evils, I do not plan to re-elect democrats either in 2008 because they havn’t done anything important I voted for them on, that especially goes to you Boxer. Do something already.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:04 amAs we speak …
… bush is meeting with the leaders of Mexico and Canada, now if anyone here thinks that they are not discussing the soon destruction of the dollar and forcing the North American Union policy of the Amero as the new unifying currency, (if you’re not aware of the NAU – get so) and if you also think that anyone from the Democratic (except Kucinich or Gore) or the Republican Party (outside of Ron Paul – who has some serious skeletons) is going to save us, than I have a Timeshare in beautiful Downtown Baghdad I’d like to sell you.
THE REVOLUTION IS NOW! SEPT. 11th GENERAL STRIKE!
We can’t wait for the next rigged election and hope for the best.
We can’t wait for a corrupt Judicial system to repair itself and hold these criminals accountable.
Look what happened in 06′ – we voted the Dems in to END the illegal occupation and hold people accountable. Not only did they NOT stop the occupation, they granted the funding and we now have MORE military in Iraq than ever before!
They don’t listen to our letters, phone calls, emails, voices or pleas – THEY DON’T REPRESENT US! They represent the corporations.
HIT THE CORPORATIONS BACK! If you own a business – close shop. If you drive a bus – stay home! Stay home from school. Teachers – stay home. BUY NOTHING! The only power we have left is the money the corporations want from us.
Boycott GE products – Home Depot and other corporations that contribute to the war machine that is America today.
Outside of massive sustained General Strikes I see no other means to stop the madness.
It worked for Gandhi.
I know, I know, we’re talking about the American Public, but even enough of them will get on board as Critical Mass moves front and center and if we can start GS now and build them, well, I don’t see anything else really than the continued marsh towards a One World Fascist Government
August 21st, 2007 at 9:06 amI thought the unitary executive was bad, but the dictatorial Vice-President, thats just unbelievable. Why is Congress doing a very nice impression of a doormat? Aren’t there any representives or senators who believe in the power of the Legislative? Impeach Bush, Cheney and Gonzales and Save the Constitution!
August 21st, 2007 at 9:24 amCheney’s being protected by the dual-Israeli citizens who need him to attack Iran. There’s is nothing the Senate or American citizens can do about it.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:32 amIf Cheney isn’t part of the executive branch, then he must be part of the Senate as Senate president. In that case, the Senate should expel him and then cut off funding for his non-executive branch office.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:49 amYou know what the White House calls a subpoenas from the Senate Judiciary Committee?
Leahy Wipes!
I believe Bush is going to tell Congress that future subpoenas should be sent to the White House on a roll. It just makes their eventual use a lot easier.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:53 amNothing is being done because there is no THEM. It’s a smoke and mirrors. Democrats obviously want the same thing, or they would have done something about it by now! Leahy is acting like he is actually doing something, but he is just playing a part.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:06 amTo understand why Congress isn’t doing anything – I suggest taking a look at the people who want Bush to be America’s first “President For Life.”
It’s downright scary, and I for one believe that only the people can do anything to save this democracy – and as a majority, they simply don’t seem to care!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:13 amIf cheney is not part of the executive branch then there is no protection for his ugly butt under the umbrella of the President’s claim to executive privilege. What I truly believe is that this is nothing more than cheap theatrics coming from a totally corrupt whitehouse and congressional body. None of these retards are doing their jobs, they are too busy fleecing America before the enactment of the North American Union. Something Canada, Mexico and the United States has been doing in absence of any congressional role, or popular apporval. Good bye American pie.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:13 amThe Democrats need to stop pussyfooting around. They should immediately begin impeachment procedures against Bush, Cheney and Gonzales. They weren’t elected to roll over and play dead everytime administration officials give them the finger. What in the hell is wrong with these Casper Milquetoasts?
August 21st, 2007 at 10:15 amFurthermore if Darth Vador Cheney believes he is not part of the executive branch of government, Bush can’t claim executive privilege for him.
Once again Cheney is telling Leahy (and the American people) to “go f*** yourself” as he did that day on the Senate floor. To congress, no matter what party you align with: Get busy. IMPEACH BUSH, CHENEY, GONZALES. Their behavior is traitorous to the Constitution and for chrissakes it’s what the American people want! Why can’t you get that? If you don’t want to be out pounding the pavement for new careers after November 2008, you’d better start remembering who you work for and grow a pair! If you don’t believe me, just check out your poll numbers!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:23 ambig papa is right. Mobilize the militia and storm the White House. It’ll no doubt be a battle between the militia and Bushie’s BlackWater boys, but these thugs need to be brought out and downed, by force if necessary. I WANT THEM OUT OF MY WHITE HOUSE!
IMPEACH
August 21st, 2007 at 10:29 amINVESTIGATE
INDICT
IMPRISON!
siri@legitgov.org
Forget the contempt, go get a search warrant and send in the FBI and lets clear up all this crap that the Whitehouse keeps shoveling on Congress and the American people. If America is a true democracy, then the people own all of the documents written by the officials that “We the People” elected. If that doesn’t work, it’s time for impeachment. They are not above the law!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:31 amUncle Patrick is shaking his finger at nephew George and that nasty boyfriend Dickie, but he’s taking on the role of a dawdling codger who seems to have lost executive functioning. He can’t follow through on his most fundamental of plans. I wonder whether Uncle Patrick is wearing Depends and taking Aricept.
Get off your ass, Uncle Patrick, and do your job, or start shopping for an assisted living facility.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:43 amThe substitute host for Bill Press Radio Show this morning–can’t remember his name–had some very disheartening information.
It seems that the protocol set up by the constitution for the senate to issue a subpoena, is to ask the President of the Senate–umm, that would be Cheney–to ask the U.S. Attorney–umm, who might that be?–to issue a subpoena.
This must be what Cheney was referring to when he said early on that the republicans were not allowed to issue a subpoena. It seems we are very close to the ultimate checkmate–the ultimate constitutional crisis.
Only realistic option is to begin impeachment at lower levels, starting with Gonzalez. Everybody would get a taste it–a sweet taste to some, sour to others–and things might get moving.
Otherwise, our constitutional democracy is doomed–unless you believe in the very unlikely idea that the next President will simply back down, and thereby rescind the powers Bush has appropriated to the Presidency.
The time is now.
Tomasino
August 21st, 2007 at 10:44 amIf Mr. Leahy would stop drinking so much and Randy would just stop eating cheeseburgers something might get done around the trailer park, oops, I mean America.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:54 amThis seems like one more example of the new congressional majority trying to make it look like they’re doing something about those crooks whil it’s really business as usual. They don’t seem to have the stones to really confront those guys. Seems like the Pennsylvania Ave. cowboys must have the goods on them or some sort of leverage.
Why do they think we elected them?
August 21st, 2007 at 10:57 amDown with King George!!!
August 21st, 2007 at 11:01 amWhat was Pelosi promised—? Took impeachment ‘off the table’ early on, just as the ‘06 vote was moving her into the majority seat, must have been good, like a Baroness in the take over govt of george?
Hope she has it in writing. But george won’t be held for it, so it is as good as george’s word? HO HO!
August 21st, 2007 at 11:04 amTalk about spineless, why are republicans so afraid of Cheney ?
August 21st, 2007 at 11:06 amPost 119: Do you recieve requests for contributions from any politicians? May I suggest you write “Impeach, first” (or some similar and perhaps more specific message) on the insert and ship it back to their campaigns postage paid? It is mail the campaign surely opens, and with enough of them the message might wriggle its way to the top. BTW, it works for reps and sens and hopefuls and party advocates, as well- though only the house impeaches, support from anyone is welcome. One more BTW: Mr. Gonzales is a diversionary tactic. It’s Cheney first, then gb43, IMO.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:11 amTrent Lott brags about how this obstruction is costing the Democrats. It makes the Dems look so spineless. What kind of spineless, gutless hack does it take to set back and snicker because the Dems don’t have the votes (or the guts?) to save the republicans from a “president” who will destroy his own party for years to come. There have never been arrests for the Anthrax attacks, having come from a lab in Maryland, there probably never will be. If anyone has reason to fear, it would be Leahy. Instead, he seems to be the one begging his fellow “statesman” to do their duty. Their duty is to the constitution and to us. We better be demanding someone break the news to Cheney that the Constitution is the law of this land-he needs to be a bad memory.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:18 amThey need to make this happen now. This adminstration just wants to run out the clock. GO TO COURT NOW, Leahy.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:24 amAll this weak ass bunch of do nothings needs is a bit of brow beating from this Admin and they crumble. They have no backbone. They have no course of action. They have given away their powers and are useless. Time to write a new Constitution, cause this one has been eliminated under this Congress` watch.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:32 amWhat a waste of time. I think that we should fold up everything, file it away and if we manage to make it to the end of this administration we hire a gang of good lawyers and go after each and everyone of these bastards in a real court and scare the hell out of them when they see that they could do some real time as well as pay a very stiff fine.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:34 amIf the Vice President’s office is not a part of the Office of the President America needs to hold a special election right now for Vice President. Every other elected office has its own discrete election. Cheney cannot claim that he’s not part of the President’s office if he is not elected to his own office on his own merits.
Connski
August 21st, 2007 at 11:34 amCheney just needs to be hung.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:43 amI think one more strongly worded letter and empty threats of contempt charges will finally break the will of Tricky Dick. They’ve got him now! Just one more letter!
August 21st, 2007 at 11:53 amIt’s time to issue contempt of the senate charges, arrest and put Cheney in the basement and begin aggressive interrogation–what Gonzo does not call torture–that includes anything short of organ failure.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:09 pmITMFA
August 21st, 2007 at 12:13 pmMaybe the Democrats have a reason in being so lackadaisical.
http://www.ashby2008.com
August 21st, 2007 at 12:13 pmArlen Specter KNOWS better than what Cheney told them. He is the always who is always barking loudly on t.v. and then goes behind the scenes and writes little laws that back them up. You can’t tell me that ANY of those Republican Senators didn’t know better than that. What garbage!
August 21st, 2007 at 12:32 pmThere we go again–thinking with our Dick. When will this bad rerun of “Father Knows Best” finally stop?
August 21st, 2007 at 12:33 pm“America needs to hold a special election right now for Vice President.”
Actually, the Office of the Vice-President was originally filled by the person that received to 2nd most number of electoral votes. This might be a more balanced approch because now, under the 25th Ammendment, only the Vice-President can begin the process of having the President declared incompetent. If you have a strong V.P., e.g., Cheney, and someone that really isn’t interested or up to the demands of the Office of the President, the V.P. simply manipulates the dufus at the top.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:42 pm“Time to write another harsh letter.” > Comment by Menehune
The very 1st poster, Menehune, had it right, if not misdirected. Leahy et al have continued to give ground and be humiliated by the WH & AG, it’s true.
It IS time for a (lot of) harsh letter(s) to be directed to Leahy and the rest of the Demo-Rats that are allowing/abetting the shredding of the constitution.
Their continued lack of action is just as problematic as the admin’s overt actions.
Write Leahy (his web site does allow out of state input) and tell him to ’saddle up’ the Sergeant-At-Arms and go get the the docs/hard drives and break out some handcuffs and throw the resistors into the Capitol Hill jail! Rove – Gonzalez – Cheney et al (perhaps some ‘non’ torture would clarify their recollections…?)
See my letter below:
________________
The Honorable Senator Leahy:
With all due respect…
“The time is up,†Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said after the 2:30 p.m. deadline passed. “The time is up. We’ve waited long enough.â€
Mr. Leahy said he would bring up the administration’s stance before the full Senate when it reconvenes after Labor Day. He hinted at the possibility of seeking a contempt of Congress citation but emphasized, “I prefer cooperation to contempt.â€
WTF!?
I must take issue with your assessment that ‘We’ve waited long enough.” YOU have waited far to long! For months you’ve allowed these criminals to continue to ‘kick the can down the road’ while they continue to withhold information, dismantle the constitution, and mock you, the Judiciary Committee, and we the people.
These criminals will not stick their heads in the noose and hand you the testimony, documentation, emails and hard drives that you need. SCREW seeking a contempt of Congress citation, what nonsense! Do you seriously think they give a rat’s ass?! You have to ’sack up’ and send the Sargent At Arms over there and TAKE Rove’s hard drives (before he leaves town) along with everyone else in the WH + the facilitators at the AG’s offices.
or…
just give it up, announce your retirement and let someone that has the strength/resolve to ascend in VT that will ’stop the bleeding’.
You’re embarrassing yourself, the Judiciary Committee, and the American public.
Sincerely,
Kenneth E. Tucker
August 21st, 2007 at 12:44 pmHas Senator Leahy signed H. Res-333, Congressman Kucinich article to impeach V.P. Cheney….?
August 21st, 2007 at 1:00 pmElect Dr. Ron Paul in 2008 for a return to the Constitution!!
Get out the word! No more shenanigans. How bout a government of the people, by the people and for the people!!
Wake up the slumbering!!
Ron Paul 2008.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:43 pmIf any of you on this board thinks for one minute that George and the gang have any intention of giving up the power they weild, you might rethink. What do you think the two presidential directives that bush si9d into law on may 09 were all about.
Sorry for the bad news ,,,,,,,,,,,
August 21st, 2007 at 2:03 pmAt the moment only 18% of the American people think Congress is doing a good job.
If the Democrats let this get away, they can kiss off any hopes the American people have in them for any reform.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:39 pmWhy oh why are we waiting for this b.S. to continue. Chaney and Bush are Criminals….people must direct their States for a Militia immediately! We must march on DC and take our Government back…NOW….March on your state capitols and make your state reps aware they are in dire danger.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:24 pmEveryone must buy guns and march and arrest the DC criminals. We must have passion and I mean passion like our Forefathers had. Those in DC dont give a hoot or ever will about the laws, therefore we must arrest all that are complicit with Bush….that includes all police, secret service agents as well as Blackwater agents. They are all illegal and are stealing our Country. I am waiting to join the group of Militias and fight the enemy that stole our rights. lets go people!
talking to these inbred neos-is like talking to a pile of shit.dubya is their messiah.they all will hang for crimes against humanity mark it down.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:13 pmOk, now if they Democrats let these Republicans get away with this, they may as well forget getting democracy back for our country. I cannot believe they allow Cheney and Bush to continue to push them around like play ground bullies!!! Throw these people into jail!!!!!
August 21st, 2007 at 5:29 pmSo in other words Chaney is the real President?
Weak as piss this lot in congress.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:32 pm205 posts…. How many of you contacted Senator Leahy and told him to get some backbone. I did. Come on people, commenting here and not to your congressman is like pissing in the wind.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:51 amDoes Cheney work for Al Qaeda? You know, people who are greedy and evil like Cheney do everything for money.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:52 amDick Cheney has been a worse influence on America than any terrorist ever could. Impeach him already.
I hope the doorknob hits him on the way out.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:56 amEnough of this shit! Act like you are the majority. What use is a majority if you don’t use it. Don’t ask, demand and if you don’t get it make them sorry. By now the jail cells in the basement of the senate should be full of these criminals. Call the Sargent at Arms and have these criminals put in jail for ignoring this subpoena. I am sick and tired of the sniveling and whining. I want action. Do it. It is after all, your job. If you can’t do it someone else can!!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:17 pmI think that Leahy and other Dems are under the impression that they will look bad if they start acting ‘harsh’.
They forget. They were not elected to win a popularity contest, they were elected to PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION!
Comment by raynman — August 20, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Who cares what they look like? If they bring articles of impeachment for Cheney and Chertoff, and a Congressional trial for Gonzales’ perjury, and they lock up Miers, Rove, and that other twit for contempt of Congress, even if they lose on everything, the Dems will gain the respect of the American people (some ofd them Conservative) for trying to do what they were sent to do–TELL THE EMPEROR HE HAS NO CLOTHES!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:45 amThe despised Republican Neocons were formerly far-left Democrats! They weren’t getting their agenda through fast enough so they’ve high-jacked both parties. The Democrats aren’t going to do anything about Bush… they don’t want the war stopped either! Divide and conquer – the so-called neocons have Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the mess we’re in, and screaming about why nothing gets done, while they slither to victory. It doesn’t matter who you vote for – they win.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:47 pm