Fleischer: ‘I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena.’
Fleischer: ‘I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena.’
Today during a panel discussion for the IFC Media Project, former Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer argued forcefully against launching an in-depth investigation of the Bush administration’s torture program. However, he said that if it does happen, he’s ready for them to bring it on:
He argued that neither Congress nor anyone else is up to the task, and that any investigation would “lead to acrimony and blame-gaming” and “devolve into the worst type of partisanship.” While noting that “no one likes to get a subpoena,” Fleischer said, “I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena. I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.” Those wanting to see Fleischer—or at least some of his former colleagues—on the witness stand include his fellow panelists Noonan, who called for a 9/11 Commission-style investigation, and Tina Brown, who quoted Senator Patrick Leahy’s contention that “before you can turn a page, you want to read it.” When moderator (and Media Project host) Gideon Yago brought up the idea of a special prosecutor, Fleischer sternly pointed out that “that assumes a crime has been committed.”
Today, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) also demanded an investigation into Bush’s torture program. “To continue to ignore the mounting evidence of clear wrongdoing is a national humiliation,” writes Byrd.
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As soon as he takes the stand, it will be “I plead the 5th!” ad infinitum…
April 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pmNoonan wants a commission? What happened to her philosophy of walking on by and trying not to see anything?
April 30th, 2009 at 6:48 pmFleischer said, “I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena. I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
Mr. Fleischer, like everyone else who works in government, you took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. You did not take an oath “to protect this country.” That is the key mistake you people from the Bush Administration keep making – your primary obligation is to protect the Constitution, not the American people.
The Constitution is what makes us Americans. If you fail to protect that, then there are no Americans to protect. You have to protect the Constitution first. You didn’t. Neither did your bosses.
April 30th, 2009 at 6:51 pmThe storm clouds are slowly gathering, and these tools are going to get a lightning bolt right up their keisters. Won’t that be a shock?!
April 30th, 2009 at 6:54 pm“I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
And anyone who questions what we did, doesn’t want to protect the country. That crap worked for a while, but we’re on to you lying bastards.
April 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pmLittle Freep Goofballs Says:
I think that these guys liked “Executive Privilege” and “the Preznit needs to get unfettered advice from his counselors” over “I refuse to answer on the grounds that I may incriminate myself.”
April 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pmOnce Ari testifies, get Fran Townsend under oath. I want to ask a few questions.
April 30th, 2009 at 6:56 pmfergus Says:
“There’s a storm brewing, the winds are strong and I am scared!”
April 30th, 2009 at 6:56 pm“I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena. I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
Ah, the Ollie North defense. Well, it worked for him, so…
Of course he might just be talking tough as long as there’s no subpeona. It’s not like these people are ever consistent or anything.
April 30th, 2009 at 6:58 pm“I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
A rousing gallows declaration. The international criminal court will give you your chance to make it truly memorable.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:03 pm“To continue to ignore the mounting evidence of clear wrongdoing is a national humiliation,” writes Byrd.
It’s more than that….IT’S A CRIME TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND THEN IGNORE IT.
Ari will be showing signs of the dreaded “Gonzo Disease”…I don’t recall, I don’t remember, they said it was legal, the president can do anything he wants, unless he’s a Democrat.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:03 pmPretty damn soon, there will be so many indicted Bushies afraid to leave the country, some enterprising soul will offer them group rates on cruises that stay within American waters.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:08 pmIf Ari’s so proud, why is it going to take a subpoena to get him to testify?
April 30th, 2009 at 7:10 pmI see Ari is already pleading the Fifth of Jack (Daniels). Only a punch-drunk GOP’er would make a statement like this.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:11 pmFleischer reminds me of a character from a mob film, he was on chris matthews the other week talking about “defending my boss”, in fact the entire Bush era has been one big mob movie, from lawyers re-defining the meaning of words to outing undercover agents for political reasons.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:11 pmFleischer: ‘I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena.’
I hope the Spanish judge, Garzon, is listening.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:12 pmAri is implying that will sing like a bird. That’s very good to hear. Maybe he will somehow be cleared of conspiracy to commit torture. Maybe he will be cleared of conspiracy to commit war crimes altogether.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:12 pmHe argued that neither Congress nor anyone else is up to the task, and that any investigation would “lead to acrimony and blame-gaming” and “devolve into the worst type of partisanship.”
Fitz…
April 30th, 2009 at 7:14 pmZooey Says:
If Ari’s so proud, why is it going to take a subpoena to get him to testify?
Because like so many “born again Christians”, they have to be compelled into the act itself because their selfishness will not accept anything else.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:15 pmEmail fun today:
Date: April 30, 2009 1:33:33 PM PDT
To: jay.bybee@unlv.edu, john.white@unlv.edu, president@unlv.edu
It will not die down. Your collective silence speaks volumes.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Robert Gladd
Date: April 30, 2009 12:55:27 PM PDT
To: tmitchell@reviewjournal.com
Subject: Fwd: Condi Rice channeling Nixon at Stanford
Note the transparent attempt at “plausible deniability” ambiguity:
“…the President instructed us that nothing we would do would be outside of our obligations…” (wink, wink)
She did not say “the President instructed us to do nothing that would be outside of our obligations under the Convention against torture.”
Now, while the Lefties are havin’ an aggregate aneurism over this apparent “proof” that Bush held himself above the law a la Nixon, the reality is more mundane. Former Dilettante-in-Chief Bush, if he opens his yap at all (unlikely), will report to being dismayed and “shocked — SHOCKED!” that subordinates went beyond his constitutionality/treaty strictures. Just as your Boy Bybee is now Really, Really Sorry The Others Misused His Work.
Pass the popcorn.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Robert Gladd
Date: April 30, 2009 12:27:23 PM PDT
To: hardball@msnbc.com, countdown@msnbc.com, Hannity@foxnews.com, oreilly@foxnews.com
Cc: Christy Hardin Smith , jane.hamsher@firedoglake.com
Subject: Condi Rice channeling Nixon at Stanford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prxin-Lj5Ks
@1:13
Q: “Is Waterboarding torture?”
A: “Uh, the President instructed us that nothing we would do would be outside of our obligations — legal obligations — under the Convention against torture.”
“And, by the way, I didn’t authorize anything. I conveyed the authorization of the administration to the agency that they had policy authorization subject to the Justice Department’s clearance. That’s what I did.”
Q: “Is waterboarding torture in your opinion?”
A: “And, I just said, the United States was told, we were told, nothing that violates our obligations under the Convention against torture,”
@1:52
“And so, by definition, if it was authorized by the President, it did not violate our obligations under the Convention against torture.”
___
Wow. Whata dope.
Charming how the Bush adminstration torture circle jerk is fast becoming a circular firing squad. The rats are starting to jump from the sinking ship.
Are those the wafting, murmuring strains of incipient theme songs of numerous nascent Legal Defense Funds I hear? Maybe Hannity will consent to be waterboarded at fundraisers.
BG
Also…
Re: Your R-J article yesterday citing the Swooning former Bybee Skewlgurl Mary Perry.
“I’m proud of him and I sympathize with him,” she said. “This is a witch-hunt. Obama should be tried for treason for letting these security secrets out.”
___
LOL! OK, It was Bu’ush and his handler Cheney who argued (via their OLC etc) that the Unitary Executive had plenary authority to Insta-Declassify any State secrets where it suited them, recall? Which they did, recall?
Is this poignant dope/Shining Star of UNLV Law arguing that they committed “treason”? That ex President-Behind-The-Curtain (and future Hague Defendant) Cheney is currently proffering “treason” by calling for release of secret documents purporting to demonstrate the efficacy of his torture policy? So that our enemies might learn more regarding our sources and methods in order that they can be better prepared to thwart them? Is that it, Counselor?
Gotta love it. One marvels.
___
hardball@msnbc.com -
Chris, you almost gotta feel bad for Pat Buchanan. He was just reduced to the role of the Black Knight at the stream crossing in Monty Python’s “Holy Grail,” left to lamely whine ad nauseum the vapid tu quoque defense. Two/multiple other wrongs do not make a Right.
Call the Waaaaahmulance…!
One final point: “torture” (”is/is not”) has become a distractive Bright Shiny Thing.
Read the statute, 18.USC.2340. Read Common Article 3, etc. They proscribe “torture” and other forms of abuse/degrading acts — even threats of them.
Cheers -
BobbyG
April 30th, 2009 at 7:16 pmHe’s starting to catch on. Once someone explains the evidence part he just may get it.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:18 pmThose wanting to see Fleischer—or at least some of his former colleagues—on the witness stand include his fellow panelists Noonan, who called for a 9/11 Commission-style investigation
Did she forget that she just argued the opposite this last weekend? The conservative crack-up is also occuring to individuals, it appears.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:19 pmGideon Yago brought up the idea of a special prosecutor, Fleischer sternly pointed out that “that assumes a crime has been committed.”
No, it assumes that we must determine if a crime has been committed, and the best person for that, is a prosecutor.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:23 pmHey Ari,
If you’re a REAL American then go down to the local newspaper office or police station and start talking. Tell all. Don’t wait on anything.
Otherwise you are a mealy mouth, coward.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:29 pmbarfly Says:
“I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
A rousing gallows declaration. The international criminal court will give you your chance to make it truly memorable.
Maybe one of the hangmen will record it on his camera phone…
.
barfly Says:
No, it assumes that we must determine if a crime has been committed, and the best person for that, is a prosecutor.
Quite correct. First you investigate, then you prosecute. If guilty, you then convict, and finally punish. This is something they seem to have forgotten while detaining and torturing people.
How do they not know these things? When did so many people get so stupid about the simple basics of U.S. citizenship?
April 30th, 2009 at 7:29 pm@22 wiley Says:
Ari has a thread you can pull, but it will make him cry.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:30 pmMy Bybee “Wanted” poster here.
:)
Pay it forward.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pmAri Fleischer has no credibility. He was on Hardball recently, and was still peddling the outrageous lie that Saddam Hussein hit us on 9/11.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/11/ari-fleischer-battles-chr_n_174082.html
He’s not even worthy of an interview with former MTV veejay, Gideon Yago.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:34 pm226 ElBruce Says:
When did so many people get so stupid about the simple basics of U.S. citizenship?
I know that’s retorical but i can’t resist. It happened when they were not prosecuted properly the first time boschCo committed high crimes. People get stupid when crimes are not prosecuted and people are not punished for their crimes.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pmWell, send that a**hole a subpoena then.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pmAri needs a subpoena because it’s an instant invitation to all the talk shows and that’s easy money.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:46 pm“I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
What a thug. I don’t think torturing people was ever about protecting our country. Please send Ari a subpoena.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:52 pmHe says he’ll be glad to testify.
So issue a subpoena and see what he does ?
I predict like Hannity would be happy to be waterboarded.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:05 pmL.I.A.R
April 30th, 2009 at 8:11 pmAfter Ari testifies, euthaanize.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:14 pmThe motherf@cking neocons need to pay for the raping of America. They made themselves wealthy via the blood of our servicemen, our reputation as a Nation, our economy and the unheard agonies of the souls who were tortured in order to fulfill the neocons dream of Iraqi oil. Ari is a proud little chickenhawk. I hope his pride affords him solace while he rots in prison for abetting war crimes. He willingly offered aid and comfort as the propaganda mouthpiece for the Bush Administration. As a proud member of PNAC Mr. Fleischer was more than the average run of the mill Press Seceretary, he was a participant in the planning for their restructuring of the Middle East. He is a member of PNAC’s latest incarnation as well (recently re-branded just like Blackwater-same criminals/new name). Ari Fleischer along with the rest of the neocons and various criminals that made up the Bush Administration deserve to die by the noose as traitors to America for treating our most cherished document, one that defines us as a nation, our Constitution, as toilet paper for eight long years. The tentacles of this criminal group run deep into our Government and need to be weeded out and punished for the sake of America’s future. NO MORE!
April 30th, 2009 at 8:25 pmYou know after reading his words and seeing his twisted logic…is Ari our local troll “Proud”?
April 30th, 2009 at 8:27 pmHe’s going to plea executive bs.
First he must write a book so he can lie it his way.
TYPICAL teabagging ZeR0s. Z0mb0s.
this typical loud mouth liar will:
say just about anything now, just enough to get his book signing fee.
NEXT
he will lawyer up but claim with a sneer that he’s bursting with answers to our obvious questions.
FinALLY
but can’t tell them under advice of he slimebag lawyer.
it’s a worn shit stain teabaggers’ playbook.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:39 pmguys! I think ABC could use a little help at their comments section regarding their story just released about the arcitects of bush’s torture system. they are getting bombarded with assaults from the drudge report people. can you go over and give abc support?
April 30th, 2009 at 8:42 pmWhile noting that “no one likes to get a subpoena,” Fleischer said, “I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena.”
***************************************************
Three words…TALK IS CHEAP. I’ll believe that Fleischer is willing to testify when I see him physically appear in a court room or Congressional chamber — not before then — and even if he does, my guess is that he’ll either claim he can’t remember anything or he’ll try to plead the Fifth. Granted, the position of White House Press Secretary is probably not the best career choice for someone who believes in the virtue of frankness — but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Fleischer, McClellan, Snow, and Perino were all particularly blatant examples of the political spinmeister. (For pity’s sake, Snow used to work for Fox News before taking the post…’nuff said). Fleischer wasn’t telling the truth before — so what makes people think that he’ll be willing to tell the truth now, especially since his words make it clear that he doesn’t think either he or Bush did anything wrong?
April 30th, 2009 at 8:53 pmt0lls:
Remember what good old Rev. Wright said??? huhh, repugs the teabaggers.
It’s like your club is under stupid control.
airy is actually proud of going above the law.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:04 pmArrogant SOB isn’t he. Subpoena his a$$.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:06 pmFleischer said, “I’ll be proud to testify if I get a subpoena. I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
I say, “We’ll all be proud to watch you go down along with Condi and the rest of your co-conspirators.”
April 30th, 2009 at 9:14 pmAri talking big now but when Pat Fitzgerald questioned him Ari pissed in his pants and cried like a baby he was so affraid he would have to testify and maybe go to jail. Now if Fitz is called as the Special Prosecuter, Ari will be on his knees begging for help and a pardon from the Prosecuter. It’s so funny to see the picture of Ari looking like he is a man. Rove is so scared of Fitz he can’t even sing without saying his name. Cheney shoots birds and call them Pat Fitzgerald.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:18 pm“I’m proud of what we did to protect this country.”
He means Israel. He doesn’t give a flying fck about the USA…
April 30th, 2009 at 9:26 pmFunny how getting a blowjob from a consenting adult woman in private merited impeachment, but running a torture program that has killed dozens of people and, according to intelligence and military sources, is the strongest motivator of attacks on Americans abroad isn’t worth talking about. Strange.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:58 pmVIA: NNDB http://www.nndb.com/people/648/000024576/
Ari Fleischer AKA Lawrence Ari Fleischer
Born: 13-Oct-1960 Birthplace: Pound Ridge, NY
Gender: Male Religion: Jewish Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Government Party Affiliation: Republican
Nationality: United States Executive summary: White House Press Secretary, 2001-03
Former White House Press Secretary for George W. Bush.
Brother: Michael Fleischer (Director of Private Sector Development, Coalition Provisional Authority, Iraq) Wife: Rebecca Davis (b. 1976, m. Nov-2002) Daughter: Elizabeth
University: BS Political Science, Middlebury College, VT (1982)
White House Press Secretary (2001-03) Congressional Staff Press Secretary to Sen. Pete Domenici (1989-94) Congressional Staff Press Secretary to Rep. Joseph J. DioGuardi (late 1980s) Bush-Cheney ’04 Freedom’s Watch Board of Directors George W. Bush for President Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund Advisory Board John McCain 2008 Republican Jewish Coalition Board of Directors Took the Fifth Granted Immunity
Author of books: Taking Heat: The President, the Press, and My Years in the White House (2005, memoir)
Fleischer is a dual US-Israel citizen. (JUST ANOTHER STOOGE FOR ISRAEL)
P.S.
Green Bay Packers Hire Ari Fleischer to Spin Brett Favre Mess Posted Aug 03, 2008 7:51PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Packers
The Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre have made such a mess of this off-season — with the Packers alienating the most popular player in team history Favre tarnishing his legacy by waffling about retirement — that they’re now entering the season engaged in a PR battle.
Girding for that battle, the Packers have brought on a hired gun: Former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer. For the next month — the duration of training camp and the preseason— Fleischer will serve as a PR consultant for the Packers.
Fleischer now runs Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, whose motto is, “Ari Fleischer Sports Communications can help you handle the bad news and take advantage of the good.” That’s something the Packers need to do right about now.
FLEISCHER SCREWED UP THE ENTIRE NEGOTIATIONS!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:34 pm“The Constitution is what makes us Americans. ”
What? That’s just silly. Can you defend that? What were we before the constitution was ratified? The constitution is far from perfect; it’s been amended 29 times and still has major flaws – like being undemocratic in many ways. Many free, democratic countries manage to exist with quite different constitutions than ours. Would we really cease to be Americans if we adopted a different constitution?
April 30th, 2009 at 10:48 pmCorrection Senator Byrd, and with all due respect, but by not investigating Bush’s torture program, and ignoring the mounting evidence of wrongdoing is a global humiliation rather.
- seth ian manjos
April 30th, 2009 at 11:10 pmMaplewood, NJ
posting as ADDdaddy
Ari is one of many Bushies who retain duo-citizenship.
April 30th, 2009 at 11:19 pmOrdinarily nothing wrong with that, but in the case of Bushies, it’s worthy of question – at the least.
All these former bush jr. officials talk tough until the rubber hits the road and they have to testify. Then it’s all lawyers and excuses. Pathetic bastard, Fleischer if I ever see you in an airport, I’m going to kick your ass and then publicly plead guilty with a smile on my face, you punk.
May 1st, 2009 at 12:04 amsubpoena his ass.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:35 amYa! subpoena subrina! Inga binga!
May 1st, 2009 at 2:37 am@52 where else does Ari call home?
May 1st, 2009 at 2:39 amApe-Man Says:
People get stupid when crimes are not prosecuted and people are not punished for their crimes.
So, Nixon then? Yeah, I can see that.
May 1st, 2009 at 4:49 amThanks Sites Sesli Sohbet
May 1st, 2009 at 5:59 amSesli Chat
SesliSohbet
SesliChat
Noonan wants a “9/11 style investigation”
Why do people talk as if the 9/11 commission was some type of raging success ? because it sure as hell was not, it was a total whitewash from start to beginning, I suppose thats why she wants a similar one for torture, so they can sweep under the carpet anything that would damage the regime.
May 1st, 2009 at 6:37 amGhengis Says:
“The Constitution is what makes us Americans. ”
“What? That’s just silly. Can you defend that? Would we really cease to be Americans if we adopted a different constitution?”
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Sorry Schmengus, it’s a little more than just a piece of paper to many of us. Unfortunately for America, the Bush Administration respects the oath they took about as much as they respect average Americans and our history as a Nation. Not so much. Thanks to George W. Bush and his gang, to much of the world the word “torture” now defines us. Until we purge ourselves of these criminals this will not change.
May 1st, 2009 at 7:41 am‘Noonan wants a commission? What happened to her philosophy of walking on by and trying not to see anything?’
She probably read some comments on blogs like this that described her as the complicit, administration shill that she is.
I wonder how Fleischer and the rest of this evil cabal would answer if asked, ‘If you’re so Goddamn proud of what you did to protect the country, why did you work so hard to contravene the law and keep all of it secret?’
Answer: ‘Well, committing crimes is hard work.’
May 1st, 2009 at 8:15 am‘What? That’s just silly. Can you defend that? What were we before the constitution was ratified?’
Colonists.
May 1st, 2009 at 8:23 amThese bast@rds really do think they were above the law. This nation would do good to put them in the hoosecow.
May 1st, 2009 at 9:37 amThose are promises from Mr. Fleischer, not predictions.
May 1st, 2009 at 10:42 amsesli sohbet sesli chat
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:49 amByrd = KKK
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm