Judge rules White House logs are public in Abramoff case.
Judge rules White House logs are public in Abramoff case.
The AP reports:
White House visitor logs are public documents, a federal judge ruled Monday, rejecting a legal strategy that the Bush administration had hoped would get around public records laws.
The ruling is a blow to the Bush administration, which is fighting the release of records showing visits by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and prominent religious conservatives.
The records are created by the Secret Service, which is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. But the Bush administration has ordered the data turned over to the White House, where they are treated as presidential records outside the scope of the public records law.U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth said logs from the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney’s residence are subject to public records request.
Earlier this month, the Bush administration tried to argue that the Secret Service records were “highly sensitive” and could not be “publicly revealed.”
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Good news. Hope the finding holds.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:57 pmAnother wheel is falling off the fearwagon.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:59 pmNow the Dem leadership will vote with the Republican minority to retroactively seal these records. Just watch.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:59 pmShould be good for Jeff Guckart/Gannon visits as well, no?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:01 pmThe courts have spoken... of course W will appeal... and even if Supreme Court rules against the Administration, will it matter?
A bit of history: Worcester v. Georgia
Worcester v. Georgia, 31 U.S. (6 Pet.) 515 (1832), was a case in which the United States Supreme Court held that Cherokee Native Americans were entitled to federal protection from the actions of state governments which would impinge on the tribe's sovereignty.
The result? Other than setting a precedent, the decision had no effect - President Andrew Jackson chose not to enforce the ruling!
Quote frequently attributed to Andrew Jackson regarding the decision:
"John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!"
What Jackson really said:
"The decision of the Supreme Court has fell still born, and they find that they cannot coerce Georgia to yield to its mandate."
I've also heard the sentiment expressed as, "And just how many troops does the Supreme Court command?" - also attributed to Jackson.
In any event, there is nothing to compel W to comply with a court's decision.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:02 pmThat's why the office is oval-shaped.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:05 pmHow is this decision good for the country?
It means the rule of law still lives in this country for just a little bit longer.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:06 pmToo bad the shredders were already in full swing...
December 17th, 2007 at 2:07 pmHow is this decision good for the country?
Comment by Frank M — December 17, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
-----------------------------
It's called Transparency, Frank. It used to be considered a good thing. Let me use the same argument that you no doubt use to justify warrantless wire tapping: If they don't have anything to hide, what are they worried about???
Now go clean your room.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:11 pm"Clinton did it, too"? How tired.
Cue the smearing of "activist judges" in 3....2.....1......
December 17th, 2007 at 2:14 pmWhat about Warren G. Harding?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:15 pmHave the Clinton’s logs been released yet, or are they still burried in their library?
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 17, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
December 17th, 2007 at 2:15 pm-------------------------
Not that you really care about the answer, but YES. They were released long ago by the secret service, just like Bush Sr's, Reagan's, Carter's, etc. What does your idol W have to hide?
Have the Clinton’s logs been released yet, or are they still burried in their library?
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 17, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
ROTFL!!! So you're saying that Hillary is YOUR moral compass, just like Osama is YOUR moral compass when it comes to terrorism and torture? You sad little morons! You CLAIM moral superiority, yet you NEVER DELIVER it!!! What a 'tard!
Oh, and for the record, YES THEY WERE!!!!
But don't let that stop you from MAKING A FOOL OF YOURSELF - JUNIOR!
December 17th, 2007 at 2:17 pmHave the Clinton’s logs been released yet, or are they still burried in their library?
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 17, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Where the hell are Millard Fillmore's logs?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:21 pmSo, where's the breach of our Constitution in that?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pmRight you are Vet. My apologies
December 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pmComment by cold_hard_left — December 17, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
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See? Transparent government is a GOOD thing! What is W hiding?
Cue Sandy Berger making copies of material he wrote...
December 17th, 2007 at 2:23 pmwonderful... now let's get them released immediately or start making arrests...
December 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pmRight you are Vet. My apologies.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 17, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
We're ALWAYS RIGHT, you're just TOO 'TARDED to REALIZE IT!! ROTFL!!!
So tell us 'tard, WHEN are you WINGNUTS going to HOLD YOUR PARTY, YOUR POLITICIANS and YOURSELF - RESPONSIBLE for a change? And STOP ACTING LIKE SAVAGE LITTLE CHILDREN?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:33 pmI noticed with hunt mentioned in a previous post...
December 17th, 2007 at 2:43 pmA bit off topic, but let me mention a real witch hunt going on:
Bernie Ward, one of the very few liberal radio talk show hosts has been silenced for an error in journalistic research he did years ago. He may go to prison.
Petition to sign:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/33/justice-for-bernie-wardJustice for Bernie Ward
How is this decision good for the country?
Comment by Frank M — December 17, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Uhhh... government transparency?
Whatsammatta, Frankie, afraid we'll finally find out who Jeff Gannon was visiting over and over and over again?
(My money's on KKKarl...)
December 17th, 2007 at 2:56 pmI can only assume that in the middle of any GOPer convention is a big sandbox, where all the little boys can play together and taunt each other with mommy and daddy barbs, honing their mastery of that classic tome -- Karl's Political Discourse.
Hey GOPers, "What about Clinton..." is no way to start any sort of logical discussion. It's only a way of saying "I am a child. I just poopied my pants. Wanna see?" It’s the equivalent of "But Mommy, Johnny did it first." What is terribly telling and sad is that this sandbox level of discourse works for you guys. You all have just never developed an adult brain. Maybe that's why some GOPers enjoy comparing genitals with underage pages.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pmJeff Gannon's private visits with George W. Bush are no ones business!
-GSD
December 17th, 2007 at 3:00 pmBill Clinton's log has been scrutinized quite closely by the GOPerverts.
-GSD
December 17th, 2007 at 3:01 pmBill Clinton’s log has been scrutinized quite closely by the GOPerverts.
-GSD
Comment by GSD — December 17, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
The Clenis!
December 17th, 2007 at 3:05 pmAnd the witch-hunts never end…
How is this decision good for the country?
Comment by Frank M — December 17, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Discovering the exposing covert CIA agents during a time of "war" is now a "witch hunt"? How anti-American of you.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:07 pmSo, where’s the breach of our Constitution in that?
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — December 17, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
Awww, it's just meant to be a distraction by this maroon, that's all.
The topic of the thread is the court ruling, not what happened the better part of a decade ago.c= Let's try to stay on topic here, which is the continuing malfeasance and law-breaking of the Brusch Regime!
December 17th, 2007 at 3:07 pmThe Insurgency manages a wry smile.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:09 pmhttp://www.tshirtinsurgency.com
Can't wait to find how many times he Jack-off ed in the White House and with whom.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:09 pmJust imagine if reich-wingers held the current president to the same level of scrutiny and accountability as they continue to hold the former president.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:09 pmFrank M: Public records are public records...
December 17th, 2007 at 3:11 pmIf herr dubyah and the reich-wing did nothing wrong, then there shouldn't be any worry.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:12 pmWhat, me worry? Alfred E. Neuman / George W. Bush
December 17th, 2007 at 3:22 pm"the Bush administration tried to argue"...
how many times have they tried to argue points that go against US law? let me count the ways... maybe if we're lucky they'll just create another executive order or signing statement to skirt the law.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:31 pmAnd how about the Presidential Records of TRAITORS Reagan and Daddy Bush.
TRAITOR Junior used 9/11 as the excuse to BLOCK all of Reagan and Daddy's records, which would CLEARLY show their TREASON and their
involvement in Iran/Contra.
Also, TRAITOR Junior sent all of HIS Governor's records to his Daddy's library, and then declared them "off-limits".
70 YEARS of Bush Crime Family TREASON---and MORE!!
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 17th, 2007 at 3:51 pmYes the Gannon/Guckert visits are much more juicy. And Americans get really "get behind" a good sex scandal.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:53 pmHow is it good for our country that we know whether someone connected with "influence" peddling / bribing had unseemly access to the WH ?
Pay me a couple of million and maybe I'll change my mind.
As Pinky would say, "NARF!"
December 17th, 2007 at 4:00 pmThat paper shredding contract just got worth another $million.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:43 pmComment by Frank M — December 17, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Not until we find all the witches.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:44 pmOnce upon a time, it was the American people who had a right to privacy; and we had a right to know what our government was doing. Since Georgejr took office, it's exactly the reverse - our president reserves for only himself and his henchmen the rights he has taken away from us.
Wouldn't it be nice if some honest true red-blooded American NSA officer came forward with the wiretaps of the White House covering the past seven years?
December 17th, 2007 at 4:48 pmRepublicans say they are the party of treason. When they say it, the leading t is silent.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:03 pmYup, those logs were really 'sensitive'.
That's why they made great toilet paper!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:00 pm