Comments (66)

RB-Chicago wrote on June 28, 2007 11:35 AM:

All these fools know how to do is whine.....

Send him to Gitmo too!!!

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2007 11:41 AM:

Lest we forget that Chris Cannon hired and nurtured David Safavian. And he's risen to such wuthering heights.

Toxophilite wrote on June 28, 2007 11:42 AM:

Wow! 1984 comes to life!

sam Guy wrote on June 28, 2007 11:42 AM:

Rep. Chris Cannon should change his first name to "Loose"

jayackroyd wrote on June 28, 2007 11:43 AM:

Digby wrote about his awhile ago. They will use any argument, in any context, without any coherence or basis in fact in order to muddy the waters and advance two central tropes:

1) Everything is partisan politics
2) Everybody does it

We are really dependent on the media to deconstruct this nonsensical use of language and argument.

Billy Pilgrim wrote on June 28, 2007 11:43 AM:

“... the Majority has stonewalled and denied the Committee the ability to interview the White House staff with the intent to promulgate a myth about wrongdoing."

Is this guy's Utah seat so protected that he can make asinine statements like this and not be held to account by voters? In any other state, he would be a disgrace to the electorate.

sam Guy wrote on June 28, 2007 11:43 AM:

Rep. Chris Cannon should change his first name to "Loose"

sam Guy wrote on June 28, 2007 11:44 AM:

Rep. Chris Cannon should change his first name to "Loose"

yellowdogfox wrote on June 28, 2007 11:44 AM:

So I guess Utah is not so insular that they don't know about chutzpah there.

bc wrote on June 28, 2007 11:47 AM:

I wasn't going to comment, but my security code is: cuckoo

RW wrote on June 28, 2007 11:48 AM:

The tactic from the Right has been to accuse others of what they are doing. It is merely red meat to the diminishing numbers in the base that perpetually think they are the ones being attacked.

I have been told by a few former insiders including former staff members on the Leahy's committee and in others that there are legs throughout the government on scandals.

They are looking for criminal charges regarding Lam, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and now Alabama. The biggest fear is that those operatives including the AG, and his immediate staff that their own legal fees could break them as the coffers are beginning to run dry with raising Legal Defense funds.

Rebel wrote on June 28, 2007 11:54 AM:

Someone tell that jackass, Cannon, that "wrong doing" is not required for oversight. Oversight, aka Checks and Balances is, in fact, a carefully crafted part of the U S Constitution.

Republicans in general should try following the constitution as written, for a change, instead of their lame-ass interpetations. Cannon, as you see, is trying to neglect hid own constitutional duty.

P J Evans wrote on June 28, 2007 11:55 AM:

I hadn't realized that people could come in from Looking Glass World.

Otherwise I have to assume that he's just lost all connection with reality, because that statement is insane.

(BTW, I bet he was all in favor of impeaching Clinton.)

jhickey wrote on June 28, 2007 11:56 AM:

Chris Cannon plays to that 41% who still think Saddam and Iraq had something to do with 9/11.I don't know who I pity more.Lord forgive them for their stupidy. But Cannon is just a tough talking jerk.JHickey

chabuka wrote on June 28, 2007 12:00 PM:

AAWW..shut up Cannon..you inbred S.O.B., no one is listening to you or any one else in your criminal cadre...sit down and shut up....we have had enough of this imperial presidency and the GOP's majority's (last six years) dereliction of duty..you could be next..hope your back porch is all nice and clean.....

Harry wrote on June 28, 2007 12:00 PM:

Yeah, and they shoulda let Dick Nixon alone too. He was only trying to do what's right. Gosh.

Mudge wrote on June 28, 2007 12:01 PM:

It's the non-accountability scenario..let's allow an administration that lies the ability to lie yet again. To require a form of testimony that requires truth, since there are consequences for lies, is obstruction.

Makes perfect sense.

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2007 12:02 PM:

My security code was "wind". Like the cold one that's blowing toward the WH. Brrrrrrr.

Frank wrote on June 28, 2007 12:05 PM:

Black is white..
Up is down....

In this country, the book *1984* competes with the bible,in parsing the meaning of reality.... or as Shakespeare said:

He who looks for logic in the world will find the world a comedy..

He who looks for feeling in the world will find the world a tragedy.

Cowboy wrote on June 28, 2007 12:07 PM:

Does Cannon even understand what "stonewalling" means? How can an investigator "stonewall" an investigation?

I mean how stupid does this Cannon guy think people are?

Oh wait, he comes from Utah's 3rd district. Look no further.

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2007 12:08 PM:

My security code was "wood". Like the wood that Chris Mathews gets when talking about Rudy G.

aarrgghh wrote on June 28, 2007 12:10 PM:

security code: "right"

as in: yeah, right you are, chris ...

not.

johnnydoughey wrote on June 28, 2007 12:16 PM:

This isn't right!

We pretty much know the pigs are running the farm, but now the Berkshires are fighting the Yorkshires... it's becoming a breed war!

I'm glad the rest of us animals aren't involved, and we can just sit back and watch from a distance. I just hope the winning pigs take good care of us...

c4logic wrote on June 28, 2007 12:19 PM:

Sounds like Cannon is taking his orders from Karl Rove. This is a classic Rovian political ju-jitsu. If your candidate is violating the constitution, accuse your opponent of shredding it. If your candidate gives to charities that help children--call him a pedophile. If your candidate is a war hero--say he wounded himself so he would get some medals--or say his wounds were insignificant and pass out purple bandaids at your political convention. I wish the American public was smarter--but they just don't seem to care if they are taken to the cleaners every day of the year. Hey! Paris is OUT of JAIL!

DelRPCV wrote on June 28, 2007 12:28 PM:

"stonewalling": You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Security code: Memory, as in feature lacking in Bush administration officials under oath.

Ray wrote on June 28, 2007 12:29 PM:

We should amend the constitution to allow the rest of the union to kick a state out of the US if they become a cult or just act like a bunch of Nazis.

Utah would be gone on both counts.

John wrote on June 28, 2007 12:34 PM:

I drove thru Utah this winter. It's a scary state!

Xman wrote on June 28, 2007 12:34 PM:

I'm sometimes (and lately, a lot) so ashamed for my religion (Mormon).
Cannon, Sampson, Romney, Hatch...and keep going. They are not just as bad as the rest, but even distiguish themselves in their badness.

And yet my church leadership says nothing about their behavior. They say nothing about torture and instead invite Cheney to give this years commencement address at BYU.

It is terrible when the bad apples think the are hearing God's voice and are doing God's work.

Beware any people who call themselves "chosen".

Allen wrote on June 28, 2007 12:34 PM:

One must realize that Loose Cannon comes from a state with barely 1% of the entire U.S. population. Who gives a flying f&@k what he thinks much less what he says? And Loose Cannon should be reminded what his Constitutional duty is as a member of Congress: oversight of the executive branch, the branch the Framers considered especially dangerous.

BTW, Loose Cannon, the documents and testimony thus far demonstrate probable wrong doing.

BTW, interesting Idaho as no big business. However, Cannon, a multi-millionaire received 84% of his campaign funds for the 2006 election cycle came from big business, none based in Idaha. And we cannot forget his payment to Jack Abramoff well after Abramoff's indictment. Is anyone brave enough to find out what it was he "bought" from jailbird Jack?

Cowboy wrote on June 28, 2007 12:36 PM:

Johnnydoughey, have you ever considered that maybe the pigs are running the farm because good citizens let it happen?

For my part I don't trust the pigs to take care of anyone. However, I know if they're held to a standard, and the rules of the game that I won't have to rely on "hope" for good treatment.

I will "expect" good treatment, because I have chosen wisely, not because I have let someone else make the choice for me. My parents, and grandparent taught me that I was born to stand on my feet, not to worship earthly power on my hands and knees . . . .

When a politician says an investigator is "stonewalling" an investigation, I appreciate that that politician is talking out of his backside. An investigator can slow-walk an investigation by refusing to take initiative, or by putting inept investigators in charge, but an investigator cannot "stonewall" an investigation. Especially in cases where the subject of the investigation is failing to provide information. I know Cannon isn't stupid, but the people who put him into office certainly are.

Vince wrote on June 28, 2007 12:37 PM:

Attack your strengths!

kaye2 wrote on June 28, 2007 12:41 PM:

Just like Nixon. Just like Nixon. Just like Nixon.
(Sorry, just cant say it enough)

goshdarn wrote on June 28, 2007 12:44 PM:

Chris Cannon is Mormon. Mormon myth says in the latter days the constitution will be hanging by a thread and a mormon on a 'white horse' will ride in to save it.

So shredding the constitution plays well back home. They can then celebrate the truth of their revelation

Sam's Uncle wrote on June 28, 2007 12:45 PM:

How does a guy like Cannon stay true to his fundie faith while spewing bald face lies like this one? Does anyone think he's going to confession and spewing his sins to some priest on the other side of the screen, thereby absolving his conscience of the sins he committed? The problem here is his constituents believe he is a man of true principle and honor, no matter the overpowering stench that rises from his pile of lies.

code word here is gullible...as in people will believe anything they're told, so long as it comes from an authority figure.

illlich wrote on June 28, 2007 12:46 PM:

I believe this is just meat for their conservative minions, the regular Limbaugh/Foxnews/et.al supporters: provide an "out", a way to placate those conservatives who might be having doubts about the Bush administration. "Oh-- it's the DEMs who are causing the problem! Of COURSE, why didn't I see that before, THEY are the ones who are 'stonewalling', not the GOP!"

I'm waiting for them to blame the DEMs for Cheney's complete misunderstanding of the three branches of government.

Legalize wrote on June 28, 2007 12:49 PM:

code: "snake"

Come on! These codes have to be planted!

goshdarn wrote on June 28, 2007 12:49 PM:

"How does a guy like Cannon stay true to his fundie faith while spewing bald face lies like this one?"

It's called 'Lying for the Lord'

Billy Pilgrim wrote on June 28, 2007 12:51 PM:

c4logic

You're absolutely right. Cannon was given the ticket to spew Rove's doublespeak this time because there are woefully few Republicans with safe seats left in the Congress who can risk making an offensive statement like that.

These Rovian remarks are so predictable. For fun, the Congressional Democrats could hire a high school summer intern, give him/her a copy of *1984* and then ask him/her to pen the Rovian response before an announcement is issued. Then they could compare it to what jerks like Cannon would say. My bet would be that the high-schooler would do a better job.

Dennis wrote on June 28, 2007 12:55 PM:

What this dude is promoting is more unsworn testamony, behind closed doors, no notes taken, no recordings, a "gentlemen's agreement".

Well, we've seen where those have brought us - to the present "constitutional crisis".

BRING IT ON!!!

You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

Orwell's Intuition wrote on June 28, 2007 12:58 PM:

Projection is the greatest strength of the Repubs. I can't understand, are they all under some sort of weird spell or something? Even Bruce Fein is hinting at impeachment of Cheney. See http://www.crooksandliars.com

Code: wind, as it's an ill wind that blows from Cannon's mouth.

Orwell's Intuition wrote on June 28, 2007 1:03 PM:

(BTW, I bet he was all in favor of impeaching Clinton.) Posted by: P J Evans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Cannon

"In 1999, as a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, Cannon was one of the 13 House members who prosecuted the case against President Bill Clinton in the impeachment trial in the U. S. Senate."

IOKIYAR has become a GOP mantra.

Orwell's Intuition wrote on June 28, 2007 1:05 PM:

(BTW, I bet he was all in favor of impeaching Clinton.) Posted by: P J Evans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Cannon

"In 1999, as a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, Cannon was one of the 13 House members who prosecuted the case against President Bill Clinton in the impeachment trial in the U. S. Senate."

IOKIYAR has become a GOP mantra.

mo2 wrote on June 28, 2007 1:11 PM:

I wonder who told him to say this, Cheney or Rove.

Allen wrote on June 28, 2007 1:12 PM:

I'm still waiting to hear Loose Cannon's reponse to his connections with felon Jack Abramoff.

Allen wrote on June 28, 2007 1:13 PM:

I'm still waiting to hear Loose Cannon's reponse to his connections with felon Jack Abramoff.

Johnsnottoodistracted wrote on June 28, 2007 1:13 PM:

Interesting this guy lives in the same city as all the activity he is discussing and has no clue.
He works in the same buildings where the memory lose disease has set in.
Maybe that's it.He does not remember the lose of memory by all involved.
Or, he just listens to allot of that really informative talk radio.
Who asked this guy to comment anyway?

Sam's Uncle wrote on June 28, 2007 1:19 PM:

p.s. I meant to take out the fundie statement in my earlier comment. I know that not all Mormons are fundies, just the ones who marry more than one spouse at a time, under the "celestial" agreements. I also know that lying for the lord is a time honored practice, but so is following the lemming in front of you off the cliff.

code word here is glass.. As in Cheney's efforts towards his very own Kristelnacht

cevrero wrote on June 28, 2007 1:26 PM:

Well Mr. Cannon,
When you fire US Attorneys for partisan political reasons and you have a Justice Department who isn't honest about why they fired them in the first place, changing and bending the story a notch each time along the way. Then you have a constitutional problem, you have obstruction of justice and most of all, severe incompetence which puts into question how independant is the Judiciary branch of government from the executive. You have a white house dictating DOJ policy at its own will to influence their occupancy of power. Do we have to explain the obvious to these turd brain republicans at each step. They try to tire us with their relentless stupidity, but we will not surrender.

The Educated Bullet wrote on June 28, 2007 1:27 PM:

For some time I've been convinced that there are good and honorable people on the Conservative side of the street. I guess I'll just have to keep looking.

nofltwlt wrote on June 28, 2007 1:28 PM:

Chris Cannon will be gone next election cycle. Americans are fed up with this shit. The administration is dirty and we want to know what they have done and are doing.

theWalrus wrote on June 28, 2007 1:29 PM:

Having watched a number of hearings now it's obvious to me that the (minority) Republicans (who even bother to show up) are absolutely totally befuddled and disoriented over their loss of power.

They just don't know what to do!

They are like little children at the beach who have had their buckets snatched away from them. Wait until 2008 when they become even more irrelevant.

Guido Lucchetti wrote on June 28, 2007 1:44 PM:

Mr. Smith, it's a real pity you've rejected the reasonable chance to 'cooperate' by giving us your Rolex, your wallet, and that nice wedding ring without any fuss. You're 'stonewalling' us, see, and things could get ugly now.

Mcboo wrote on June 28, 2007 1:55 PM:

OK, leaving the seat up or not washing your hands is bad enough... but who left Washington and forgot to flush?

Seriously, that whole damn town and everyone in it needs to be flushed. And whoever does it might want to consider lighting a match or candle or something because...ahem...there's a decidedly nasty smell coming from there.

Clovis wrote on June 28, 2007 2:02 PM:

Allen, 12:34, Maybe I am misunderstanding your post but Cannon is not from Idaho but rather Utah. In your second BTW you mentioned that there is no "big business" in Idaho from which Cannon received election contributions. Could you clear that up for me as to what you meant? Thanks.
I have to agree with the poster about Cannon getting help from Rove. This has Rove's fingerprints all over it!

Snarky McAngus wrote on June 28, 2007 2:05 PM:

I mean how stupid does this Cannon guy think people are?

As H.L. Mencken said, "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."

The Majority is "stonewalling" and preventing the Committee from investigating?

Bwa-ha-ha-haha!

Code is "screw", as in what we're getting from these lying bastards.

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2007 2:59 PM:

I've lived in Moab, Utah for 30+ years. Some years past there was a sign as you entered this great State from Colorado: "Entering Utah set your watches back 40 years" Sounds about right.

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2007 4:57 PM:

Funny the GOP is whining about "the Constitution" after ignoring it.

Cannon has no credibility. His comments are not serious. He's delusional. He's asserting things about others that apply to the GOP.

bjobotts wrote on June 28, 2007 4:58 PM:

Better if the majority had just not questioned anything at all. The American public is leading you and your committee down this road Congressman Cannon, not the other way around.
The "cooperation" the WH offers is a joke and you know it. There is no reason to justify the WH not turning over documents or allowing staff to appear before the committee other than it incriminates them and you ,Congressman Cannon don't want to do "anything" that might incriminate a republican. We already know you don't believe in oversight and cannot begin to understand accountability since when your party had control of the congress there was neither. So if your work seems overwhelming
just think of it as playing catch up to make up for years of neglect.

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2007 5:00 PM:

It's illegal to rely on "privilege" to hide evidence of illegal activity.

Nixon learned the Hardway. Cannon might not learn this go around.

Redshift wrote on June 28, 2007 5:44 PM:

Only a Republican could claim that you have to have proof of wrongdoing before you're allowed to start investigating. Or at least before you're allowed to start investigating Republicans.

JMOHR wrote on June 28, 2007 5:49 PM:

So when are we going to wise up. The Republican Party must be destroyed as must any other criminal syndicate. It will not do to continue to work with or accept "those people" as part of this government. Note, "those people" continue to advance totally meritless arguments, press blatantly false facts, distort the law and deny that which is clear. The Republican party will never give up these tactics. The Republicans are basically ammoral, selfish and fascist. They exist merely to advance their own selfish, narrow self interes.

MN USA wrote on June 28, 2007 11:20 PM:

Frankly the Republicans have acted like spoiled brats during the hearings I've watched. They pontificate, sulk, and apologize to the witnesses because the Democrats dare to provide some oversight. Look at the mess they've let us get in during their reign! We need more of them gone.

JNagarya wrote on June 28, 2007 11:55 PM:

Does Cannon even understand what "stonewalling" means? How can an investigator "stonewall" an investigation?

I mean how stupid does this Cannon guy think people are?

Posted by: Cowboy
Date: June 28, 2007 12:07 PM

A Republican Senator named Roberts stonewalled Part II of the Senate investigation into the 9/11 "intelligence failure" because the failure wasn't actually located in the intelligence community.

Nancy Irving wrote on June 29, 2007 1:39 AM:

“... the Majority has stonewalled and denied the Committee the ability to interview the White House staff with the intent to promulgate a myth about wrongdoing."

Is he referring to Rove's offer to "testify" in private, not under oath, and without any transcript eing taken?

Ha ha.

thenothers wrote on June 29, 2007 12:40 PM:

To goshdarn (and anyone else, for debunking purposes):

Just for the record, the whole "Mormon myth" of the Constitution hanging by a thread and a Mormon on a white horse riding in to save it... is exactly that, a myth. There is no church doctrine or teaching about it. It's a rumor that has been thoroughly debunked (at least in Utah, where I live).

It's particularly easy to mock a religion when you repeat lies about it.

Nathanael Nerode wrote on July 1, 2007 9:54 AM:

New depths of psychological projection.