Comments (80)

dewey wrote on August 20, 2007 4:25 PM:

So he basically just accepted the new deadline as prescribed by the WH. Way to stand up to them, Leahy!

nellieh wrote on August 20, 2007 4:27 PM:

I wish Leahy would put up or shut up. All his posturing is making him look like a cartoon and toothless tiger.Code word: face. If he diesn't do something soon he won't save his face.

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 4:28 PM:

But this new September deadline is different. This time he really means it.

mo2 wrote on August 20, 2007 4:29 PM:

Call and write your GOP Senators (and Joe) asking them to vote Yes on Contempt of Congress charges in September.

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 4:31 PM:

I hope he realizes that if he does not stand up to the WH at long last -- even if they ignore a contempt citation -- he'll lose what little credibility he has left.
He must excalate this through contempt citations to the courts if need be.

Sisyphus

doofman wrote on August 20, 2007 4:32 PM:

Umm, what exactly do you guys expect Leahy to do? Call Congress back in session to debate a contempt citation? I don't think he has the power to do that, let alone the political will to bring everyone back from their vacations. A contempt citation was ALWAYS going to have to wait until September to be executed by the full Congress, so whining that it isn't happening while Congress is on vacation is pretty much a waste of time.

Leahy's deadline only had teeth insofar as it gives the members of Congress the political will to vote for contempt in September. Today's developments only help that cause, not hurt it.

John wrote on August 20, 2007 4:33 PM:

Maybe he'll put them on double secret probation! That would teach them!!! But I do understand that there is not a lot he can do with all the rest of congress out on recess but still if you can't do anything and don't plan on doing anything why set a deadline? It just makes him look like an ass.

Code: waste, like that was a waste of time.

rf wrote on August 20, 2007 4:34 PM:

The Constitution is a house of cards in that it functions only when all sides play by the rules. So, any threats by Leahy of contempt charges are meaningless because Bush recently issued an Executive Order barring the DoJ from going to any grand jury with such charges. Thus contempt charges will not get off square one. Short of impeachment, the only path forward might be for Congress to de-fund the White House. Recent attempts at de-funding (i.e., the war) do not bode well. Thus, Game Over until 1/20/09 I suspect.

bill l. wrote on August 20, 2007 4:35 PM:

Produce those documents or so help I'll have another worthless inquiry!

I mean it!

Don't make me use my angry voice! Just ask Gonzales, Miers, and Taylor what a badass I am!

Don't you walk away from me...are you giggling?!?!?

Oh, I am so mad...somebody get me a Fresca!

Mark F. wrote on August 20, 2007 4:35 PM:

Leahy: "I'm through messing around. I'll give you five more warnings and then there's gonna be trouble. If you haven't responded to the fifth warning, oh, brother--I'll give you such a warning...!"

zk0sm0 wrote on August 20, 2007 4:36 PM:

ugh.

but i suppose leahy might find it difficult to call back enough members of the committee from their august recess to move forward with any contempt of congress charges, no?

biltud wrote on August 20, 2007 4:37 PM:

MAY be???

Just issue the damn thing and be done with it.

Oooof.

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 4:38 PM:

"let alone the political will to bring everyone back from their vacations"

Anyone who lacks the political will to call an end to recess certainly won't be teaching the class bully any lessons.

It's up to us now. If you care about your country, be in Washington, DC on September 15 to demand an end to this madness. Don't lack the political will to leave your keyboard or your television set.

http://www.impeachbush.org

Dennis wrote on August 20, 2007 4:39 PM:

How many "one more time" does this make, four?

If Leahy screws this up, his committee is done for, as well as any democrat party credibility. In the meantime, what is Specter doing behind the scenes, encouraging Lehay to proceed, or to grant more extensions, or snitching to the White House?

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

zk0sm0 wrote on August 20, 2007 4:40 PM:

Posted by: doofman
Umm, what exactly do you guys expect Leahy to do? Call Congress back in session to debate a contempt citation? I don't think he has the power to do that, let alone the political will to bring everyone back from their vacations. A contempt citation was ALWAYS going to have to wait until September to be executed by the full Congress, so whining that it isn't happening while Congress is on vacation is pretty much a waste of time.
Leahy's deadline only had teeth insofar as it gives the members of Congress the political will to vote for contempt in September. Today's developments only help that cause, not hurt it.

yes, thank you.

GOPfather wrote on August 20, 2007 4:43 PM:

The terrorists (both foreign and domestic) have won.

The Consitution has faded away without even a whimper.

Time to eliminate Congress and the Judiciary. They have outlived their usefullness obviously.

I'm tired of this charade that passes for Democracy.

GOPfather wrote on August 20, 2007 4:43 PM:

The terrorists (both foreign and domestic) have won.

The Constitution has faded away without even a whimper.

Time to eliminate Congress and the Judiciary. They have outlived their usefullness obviously.

I'm tired of this charade that passes for Democracy.

bianco wrote on August 20, 2007 4:44 PM:

agree with doofman. and as our old friend andy card used to say, "from a marketing point of view, you don't introduce new products in August."

Austin Cooper wrote on August 20, 2007 4:48 PM:

Trolls, you Jonah-fluffers, you, begone.

I'm unhappy over the length of time all this is taking, and at the near-inexplicable refusal of the Democratic Congressional leadership to pick a specific, public course of action -- coordinated action -- to address all the pending contempt issues Cheney / Bush have created.

But, remember: Congress is on an official recess.
I'll wait and see what happens in September.

Believe me, I'd like to see Cheney thrown in the back of a van with wire mesh on the windows in the company of Federal Marshals. I'd like to see Bush bitch-slapped until he weeps on national television. I'd like to see an International Criminal Tribunal called at the Hague on the Iraq war, and the so-called GWOT.

But I'll settle for a constitutional showdown.
.

Legalize wrote on August 20, 2007 4:49 PM:

I'm sorry, but what about Leahy's most recent sternly-worded rebuke gives anyone any confidence that the Congress will be able to muster the political will to actually do anything in September? How much more egregious do the actions the Bush Crime Family have to behave before they do something about it?

Perhaps Leahy is sitting on the smoking gun, but I'm not sure what even that would do. I would have a lot more faith in this Congress if they just actually let the paper fly, AS IS THEIR DUTY.

Joe Johnson wrote on August 20, 2007 4:50 PM:

Time is up?

I'd bet against it.

mo2 wrote on August 20, 2007 4:51 PM:

Let's say the White House does not hand over the documents by September and the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on contempt. 2.5 questions:
1. How many votes are needed on the Senate Judiciary Committee?
2. How many votes are needed in the full Congress? Will both Houses vote or only the Senate?

ikker wrote on August 20, 2007 4:55 PM:

Hey - Leahy is the one guy who is pushing repeatedly for information on the impeachable crimes of those at the top of the executive branch - Cheney and Rove and their sock puppet Bush.

This is how the political process works - and it seems that some people want a fairy to come down, wave her wand, and make everything OK - that's completely naive and ridiculous.

By carrying out hearings a nd inquiries, Leahy puts the information into the public domain. Once that happens, there will be no valid arguments against prosecution of the thugs at the top of the Republican ladder.

This is what the Republican autocrats fear most - exposure of their many, many dirty secrets. I would like to see some action taken on the Cheney Energy Task Force, however. Force them to reveal who was attending those meetings before the Iraq invasion - that needs to be done.

mo2 wrote on August 20, 2007 4:56 PM:

We need to avoid a Consitutional showdown and in 2009 remove Roberts and Alito (someone's idea, not mine) or impeach Scalia (my idea). We cannot have judges who do not believe in three equal branches of government on our high court.

P J Evans wrote on August 20, 2007 4:56 PM:

> any threats by Leahy of contempt charges are meaningless because Bush recently issued an Executive Order barring the DoJ from going to any grand jury with such charges

Well, there's inherent contempt, which doesn't go through a court at all: it's entirely in Congress, and he sends the Sergeant-at-arms to brign the offender(s) in. I understand Chief Justice (and former President) William Howard Taft allowed as how it's also not subject to presidential pardon, because it's not a criminal offense.

NoDeceit wrote on August 20, 2007 4:58 PM:

I don't see what the big hurry is? I mean, obviously Mr. Leahy doesn't appreciate how long it takes to redact all those documents using your standard, $600, Halliburton-issued Sharpie? Not to mention how long it takes to shred all those RNC servers.

RB-Chicago wrote on August 20, 2007 4:59 PM:

IF Leahy keeps this crap up, Bush will be gone before they comply with anything!

Set a date - stick to it - if they don't comply - IMPEACH!

mo2 wrote on August 20, 2007 5:02 PM:

Hear that? NOT subject to a pardon.

Leahy is dragging GW around by the short hairs.

RWN wrote on August 20, 2007 5:03 PM:

This is quite simple. To proceed whether it is a contempt of Congress or perjury they all lead to one road, Boulevard of Impeachment. Ultimately the only discipline the Congress has on the Executive Branch is the power to throw them out. To do this is entirely political as it should. Leahy and Co. must put out so much rope that once pulled it appears without a question.

fortunately the WH remained greedy and even with the new FISA law they are doing what they do anyway, a full flaunt. Leahy needs at least 12 votes in the Senate Republicans, possibly 13 or 14. In the House Conyers needs at least 50 to make the charges stick.

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 5:19 PM:

That's it, Mr. Leahy...

Be cordial, negotiate, give them time...

Even though you state you are aware these folks have lied to the Congress and public, taken away freedoms unnecessarily, tortured guilty and innocent alike, skewed intelligence to get us into a war, caused the unnecessary deaths of countless thousands of Iraqi women and children, along with our own soldiers...

Even though these guys are subverting the Constitution and their own offices, are turning many of our allies against us, are directly or indirectly causing an increase of terrorists by their actions, are protecting and supporting Saudi Arabian Rulers who kidnap 6 and 7 year olds to ride their camels...

Even though these guys currently have the capacity of further harm to the world by attacking Iran with the same quality of proof as they did in Iraq and can continue to put covert CIA persons at risk...

I admire you, Mr. Leahy, beause even after all this, and much more, you have the ability to continue to desire to work and cooperate with these people... even give them extensions... in order to come to a resolution acceptable to both you and the administration...

Oh, by the way, Mr. Leahy... During this past extension, from July 18th to August 20th, 90 more servicemen have died... most of them in their early 20s...

Xenos wrote on August 20, 2007 5:24 PM:

We need to avoid a Consitutional showdown and in 2009 remove Roberts and Alito (someone's idea, not mine) or impeach Scalia (my idea). We cannot have judges who do not believe in three equal branches of government on our high court.

This is the final nuclear option for the Democrats, to be used if there is a transparently dishonest and deeply unpopular vote that limits congressional oversight over the President. If the jamokes in the Senate could think a few moves ahead they could be laying the political groundwork for this already.

The Edge of Texas wrote on August 20, 2007 5:32 PM:

Note to mo2:

Only a majority of votes is required in both the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate to pass a contempt citation. Democrats have a majority on the Committee and a bare majority in the full Senate.

"Inherent contempt" is an act of either house of Congress to compel compliance with a subpoena and to punish the violation or ignoring of a subpoena. Under this measure -- not used since 1934 -- the Senate or the House issues a contempt citation and the body's Sergeant at Arms is dispatched to arrest the defendant and bring him/her before the full body for trial. Upon conviction by a majority of the House or Senate, the defendant is remanded to a jail until he/she complies with the subpoena or until the term of Congress expires (January 2009.)

Xenos wrote on August 20, 2007 5:35 PM:

But is not the vote sending the issue to the floor of the senate for the majority vote subject to filibuster? I hope not, but do not know the arcane Senate rules...

theWalrus wrote on August 20, 2007 5:36 PM:

OK. Leahy is offically a boob. He's showing real weakness. He's had enough - but not had enough? Sheesh. It's becoming a joke.

The ONLY way he's going to "find out what happened" (if that's even possible with this bunch of hoodlums in the WH!)is WITH contempt proceedings and the courts. The longer he waits the more useless the whole thing becomes - just what the WH wants.

gcs wrote on August 20, 2007 5:38 PM:

Oh for shit's sake, Leahy. Grow a goddamned pair already. Bush and Cheney are pissing themselves laughing at you.

oh_please wrote on August 20, 2007 5:56 PM:

So..."By September"? This means we've got until after September 30--five weeks from now--before we hear another empty threat from Leahy. Can't wait! What do you think it will be next? I bet it will be really, really scary.

Codeword, "horse" as in the shit we're now wading knee-deep through.

Tom L wrote on August 20, 2007 6:00 PM:

"This time he really means it."

No this time he really, really, really, really means it!

foggylady wrote on August 20, 2007 6:05 PM:

Facts of Impeachment...........

the House of Representatives... "shall have the sole power of impeachment."

Anyone know how many House votes that takes???

then...
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present."

brings up 2 issues:
How many of the 2/3 votes does Leahy have or not have,
and
notice who our Chief Justice is.

Methinks Bush /Cheney/Rove hae stacked the deck..

Maybe not?

thoughts...????

elmerg wrote on August 20, 2007 6:35 PM:

I'm sure Dubya's just quaking in his boots back at the "ranch".
More likely just snickering as he tackles all that brush.

kilo wrote on August 20, 2007 6:53 PM:

I'm still holding out for Leahy. But there is no way we're going to see those documents (assuming they didn't "lose" all the damning ones already) without a court battle.

Creeksneakers2 wrote on August 20, 2007 7:09 PM:

I don't think Cheney has the votes to sustain a contempt finding against the White House on FISA. Democrats only have a majority of 51 if you count Lieberman and the guy who is still in the hospital who can't show up to vote. Figure Lieberman will vote against. That leaves 49. Not enough votes.

On top of that,I'm not convinced we could even get to 49 because the White House will put up a pretty good fuss about the documents being secret and how those who insist on making them public are helping terrorists. Its lame argument, but similar to the one some Democrats recently caved to on FISA.

Whatever happens will have to come from the House.

Strategery wrote on August 20, 2007 7:15 PM:

Give Leahy a break. The events of today were predictable when he set August 20 as a deadline. He clearly decided that it was more to his advantage to have the White House (inevitably) fail to produce the documents a stretch ahead of Congress reconvening. Why? I don't know, and I don't know whether I'll agree with his strategy in retrospect once it plays out. But the naivete of folks accusing Leahy of ballslessness based on the White House not producing documents today is considerable. Leahy KNEW they wouldn't. Whatever his game, he's driving it now -- not the White House.

dogjudge wrote on August 20, 2007 7:49 PM:

The Democrats better start DOING something soon.

I've been a lifelong supporter. Recently received a donation request.

Simply sent it back saying, as soon as I see some ACTION rather than all of this talk, I'll start donating again.

I'm tired of all this.

rf wrote on August 20, 2007 8:03 PM:

Thanks to those who responded to my comment by bringing up 'inherent contempt power'. That would do the job, is more limited and palatable than de-funding or impeachment, and would be doubly sweet because it resonates with all the 'inherent power' chatter from the neocon espousers of the "unitary executive" theory that is behind all of those Bush signing statements and the newly announced position that even the new, expanded FISA law is just advisory.

Mitch wrote on August 20, 2007 8:14 PM:

Soooo ... Leahy isn't gonna do a damn thing. I'm shocked! Let's do it again!

tbhull wrote on August 20, 2007 8:39 PM:

Do we really need a prolonging of this national embarrassment to tell us what we already know; namely that Bushco fully intends to continue stringing this charade out past January of 2009 without ever complying and and that Leahy is the proud leader of a gaggle of complicit corrupt of feckless cowardly pussies? Leahy, without stepping up, will die a fucking complete disaster of an joke for all the world and his family to know.

amainer wrote on August 20, 2007 8:46 PM:

You have to expect to shed some blood and suffer a bunch of pain when you tell some backwoods Vermonter to go phuk himself.

Paul wrote on August 20, 2007 8:57 PM:

What on earth gives Leahy the idea that it will be possible to get this incriminating evidence through "cooperation"?? The White House has clearly drawn a line in the sand that they will absolutely refuse to cross. They are hunkering down to run out the clock. The only way to beat that strategy is to likewise employ every tool in your arsenal in a singleminded effort to prosecute these criminals and counter their constitutional weapons with your own. Push the envelope, to the hilt. Inherent contempt hasn't been used since 1934? Time to dust it off! This is not some Teapot Dome silliness!

Or, we can always dither until 2009, and thereby help to validate the theory of the unitary executive.

enough wrote on August 20, 2007 9:11 PM:

Sputter! I can't even write. DO SOMETHING!

cjop wrote on August 20, 2007 9:12 PM:

Give it up. Nobody in DC has the stomach to take this on. As a friend once told me about the lawyers in an unnamed city, "They are all in the same shit house together.

I wish they'd turn off the camera and lights on this guy. Enough toothless threats. And to doofus and the others that think they are laying the "ground work" I have a bridge to sell you.

Bonnie wrote on August 20, 2007 9:21 PM:

These Congress people are NOT serious people and their hearings are NOT serious. This is just another big yawn. Wake me up if any real action happens.

Fred Harwell wrote on August 20, 2007 9:37 PM:

Leahy is not about much. Another blathering democrat

Fred Harwell wrote on August 20, 2007 9:40 PM:

Leahy is not about much. Another blathering democrat

electricphoto wrote on August 20, 2007 9:43 PM:

Failing to enforce the subpoenas and the laws behind them is just as much of a crime as breaking the law!!!

When will this CRAP end!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congress has a JOB to DO - ENFORCE THE LAW!!!!! It's not an OPTION!!!! It's the basis of your OATH OF OFFICE!!!!!

EdNSted wrote on August 20, 2007 10:23 PM:

You all just wait until the Democrats have a majority in both houses and can wield subpoena power. Then we'll see who's toothless! Those Republican will be in real trouble then.

bnr wrote on August 20, 2007 10:43 PM:

obviously the WH wants to control the message and events and timing. the demos follow process well but get "tricked" over and over by the decider and his boys and girls.

The demos weak response thusfar inspires no one. I have little faith that the demos will demand full congressional briefings, on FISA, from the WH.

I expect my congressman or women to understand the plan, and if not, or obstructed, to vote the bill down to a horrible death, until the WH is willing to explain itself.

if WH wants adjustments, to FISA, demand the documents not promises, and if greater powers are going to be granted, you better understand what you're signing the country up for.

next we have a badly damaged Attorney General, WH wants adjustments to FISA, Gonzalez removal should be on the table. Get rid of the systemic problems, America will support this, GOP will support this and its good for the country.

When Bush wants something, everyone jumps and asks how high. When congress wants something its FU.

this has got to stop. the Demo leadership demonstrates no self respect.

Bonnie wrote on August 20, 2007 10:44 PM:

Wait???????? Time is not in our side. There may be no country if we wait.

EdNSted wrote on August 20, 2007 10:51 PM:

Bonnie,

Precisely. The time for more time has ended.

Joshua the Teacher wrote on August 20, 2007 11:08 PM:

Now everyone, let's take it easy on the bushies... I'm sure it takes lots of time to black out every line of those documents with a marker before sending them over to Senator Leahy. I bet they needed the first extension because the prez started using crayons by mistake.

jasan wrote on August 20, 2007 11:10 PM:

Well Cheney told Leahy to go f**k himself, so that is what he is doing. What a waste of time. Looks like the wrong man for the right job, time to either crap or get off the pot Pat...Impeach the son of a bitch, Gonzales for staters...

Rick wrote on August 21, 2007 12:19 AM:

I've got an idea: maybe Leahy or Reid should publicly indicate a date at which Congress will cite somebody in the Bush administration for contempt (or perjury, or what have you.) Absolutely nobody is interested in the weak-ass stuff that Congress has done so far.

PJ White wrote on August 21, 2007 1:25 AM:

Come on, Leahy. Isn't it about time to take this to a District Court? Sure, the deck is stacked against you, but the American people are on tenterhooks. We would really like to know if we still live in a representative democracy (sort of) or have somehow inadvertently stumbled into a bumbling monarchy, aided by a complicit Repugnican majority in Congress, followed by a spineless Democratic one. Inquiring minds want to know.

SC: regret. And how.

BS wrote on August 21, 2007 1:33 AM:

C'mon guys!

I see three possible reasons for this.

One, Leahy is as you all say. In which case we are fornicated.

Two, the Dem leadership is hoping that the longer BushCo stalls, the more votes they will get Nov. 08. In which case, at least until Jan 2009, we are fornicated.

Three, those in power enjoy power. The Dem leadership is waiting to take the unitary executive powers for a test drive. They will like them. In which case, we are fornicated.

In any case, we are fornicated.

kentuck wrote on August 21, 2007 2:25 AM:

There is not one Senator in the Senate that can do anything by himself or herself - not Feingold, not Hillary, and not Leahy. The Democrats are holding on to the majority by a slim thread...sometimes. Without some Repubican support, at least one or two Senators, then they are powerless. As much as we would wish otherwise, it simply is not so.

As much as we would like to hold this White House accountable, it appears it will not be done in the Senate. Bush is playing hardball with the Democrats and there is not a thing the Democrats can do unless they get some judicial ruling to back them up. It is very important to put all these questions into the courts.

Arlen Specter is the key to the Judiciary committee. If he cannot find the strength to do the right thing and stand up to those in his own Party that are shredding our Constitution, then there is not really much that can be done. There is not even a certainty that it would get out of the Committee.

Leahy is putting all the pressure he possibly can at this time, in my opinion. What would you have him do? And how many votes do you think he would get?

If the courts rule in favor of the Constitution, then the Democrats will have all the credibility to issue subpoenas or whatever. The Republicans will have a more difficult time standing with Bush against the Courts and the Constitution. The wheels of justice turn very slowly sometimes.

The table is being set for an historic ruling by the courts. If the White House ignores the Courts - as they have the Congress - the Democrats will have no choice but to pursue subpoenas and a prosecutor. Then the Republicans will have to decide which side of our law they wish to stand on...

Carol Lam wrote on August 21, 2007 3:39 AM:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/20/133136/882

Update: ACTION ITEM
Yet again, many of us feel let down and are hopping mad.
What can we do about it?
Leahy is definitely an ally here, but he may need some help

He's our best hope in the near term. Call often, be friendly.
Leahy's office---202-224-4242

Let's add our voices to the call for justice obviously driving Leahy's persistence in conducting investigations and let him know that this matters to us.

While you are at it, call the other Democratic members of the SJC listed below. Emptywheel at The Next Hurrah has a great suggestion you should raise with the Senators you call:

But there is something he can do now. Why don't those on the Senate Judiciary Committee--and anyone else in the Senate who'd like to join in--submit a friend of the court brief in support of the ACLU's motion to unseal the FISC rulings. It seems that the Administration's defiance of a Senate subpoena--for which they're not making a blanket claim of privilege--is reason enough to intervene.

It makes the issues the ACLU raised more pressing, since the Administration is defying normal oversight. And it supports the ACLU argument that the Administration is playing games.

Link To contact info for HJC members.
Ask The Senate Judiciary, esp. the repubs to support Leahy:

Please support Sen. Leahy in charges of INHERENT CONTEMPT against Karl Rove, Miers and their aides and I support a special Counsel to investigate gonzales misuse of our Justice Dept. to hide the immense criminality of mr. bush and his cronies

Scall wrote on August 21, 2007 3:47 AM:

Someone posted on another blog that Blackwater has a large homebase in Virginia near to DC and that the Congress is afraid Cheney will send them to arrest them and that Cheney often meets with Prince at St. Michaels in Maryland. It is interesting that two of the non-bluedog dems that voted for the FISA betrayal bill were Jim Webb, VA and Barbara Mikulski, MD. Keep this in mind when you call Leahy names, he is anything but a coward. We have not been steadfast in supporting him or Feingold, or Hinchey, or McDermott, or Maxine Waters or Cynthia McKinney in their brave stands. Please continue to write and call Congress to impeach and to support Leahy in charging Inherent Contempt. It is really the least we can do.

http://www.noprivatearmies.org/news.html

Blog to stop Blackwater and other mercenaries from training and basing their operations on US soil.
____

The Virginian-Pilot - May 20, 2007

Suit against Blackwater over contractor deaths moves to arbitration

Interviews with Jeremy Scahill
YouTube
At Center Network

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7299516817223053846&postID=6953501877749945071

I thought I would sent you my blog.
I collect information about the connection between Cheney and Prince. It is very scary, and maybe it will help you in your endeavours to rid the world of this evil.
Maybe you can put a link on your blog to this page
Kind regards

woodguy wrote on August 21, 2007 3:52 AM:

You've been watching too many Jimmy Stewart movies. The Repuglicans decided what side of the law they're on long ago, around 1973 or so.

Code word: shoe, as in put shoe on foot and kick some ass.

JoeW wrote on August 21, 2007 7:08 AM:

I have a simple question: Is it possible to start contempt of congress proceedings before congress returns to session? Is this a matter of Leahy being soft, or is there nothing he can do until Sept?

pentangle wrote on August 21, 2007 8:50 AM:

Leahy doesn't have support within his own party for meaningful action. Those who blasted Specter for being toothless should realize Leahy is in the same position.
The Democrats aren't 'spineless,' they are just putting on an act to get your votes. In the process, they are taking Article I of the Constitution and making a bonfire with it.

Paul in LA wrote on August 21, 2007 9:14 AM:

The ongoing mystery is that people don't have a CLUE about how things are done in politics. They want Leahy to send his posse over to the White Palace and snap the cuffs on the Murderer-in-Chief.

They don't understand that Chairman Leahy has to take all this time INSURING that the eventual action was not taken rashly.

It is the same case with SecState Bowen on the e-voting system fraud. People whined and moaned about her tasking the UC study, which would only tell us experts what we already know -- that the elections system was rigged. But SecState Bowen had to commission a study because the next act in the play is IN COURT, and she has to defeat those suits by showing her due diligence FIRST.

But since the habit of leftists is to ignore completely the existence of the Republican party, considering them some sort of in-joke whose daily foibles are the source of chuckles and comradery, it is simply proven impossible again for leftists to understand the luxury of ignoring their real enemies.

Chairman Leahy doesn't have the luxury of ignoring the Republican caucus. He actually has to negotiate his actions with reality, unlike blog leftists, who ignore what they don't want to deal with.

Paul in LA wrote on August 21, 2007 9:21 AM:

Scall, you are slandering Senator Webb, who I remind you is FAR better for this country than Senator Macaca he replaced, and who has to deal with a Senator Warner, the Senior Senator from Virginia, who is about as powerful as God within the actual government.

Furthermore, your careless slander ignores Warner's likely retirement, and the arch-conservatives in line for his seat, whom Webb will also have to live with.

The whole FISA issue is going right back before the Congress in September. Give junior Senator Webb a break -- he cannot turn his sow's ear situation into a silk purse fast enough, but it's going to take some work.

Paul in LA wrote on August 21, 2007 9:34 AM:

"Absolutely nobody is interested in the weak-ass stuff that Congress has done so far." --Rick

Except for the continuing resignations of top cronies in Bushco, that kind of weak-ass stuff that Congress has done so far, with more to come.

Go Chairman Leahy!

tbhull wrote on August 21, 2007 10:15 AM:

Posted by: Paul in LA
Date: August 21, 2007 9:34 AM

Many more faceless (until investigated later) nameless minions will replace the low level sycophants that have left. Alberto still stays to the dismay of the American people. While I want Leahy to succeed, high school drill team rah-rahs are not in order at this point.

SadForMyCountry wrote on August 21, 2007 10:44 AM:

Just another toothless turkey! The only seeming differential between the dumbocrats & the repugnicans is that there are more dumbocrats who talk the talk without walking the walk.

IMPEACH! Bush & Cheney & Gonzales

parrot wrote on August 21, 2007 1:41 PM:

Skip the contempt and get to the Impeachments. The House Leadership is emasculated.

Gene, Oklahoma City, OK wrote on August 21, 2007 3:49 PM:

As a (once-)proud Democrat, I am ashamed of what
the party has become. The Dems won the Nov '06 elections based on the "head count". Had it been based on the number of testicles, they would still be in the minority.

Janet wrote on August 21, 2007 5:27 PM:

Let this be the last posturing exercise. Next time you talk Leahy, make sure you use your teeth! Clamp down and do not let go and don't let them try to wriggle their way out of it once you have made your decision. Cheney and group have mocked this Congress just far too long and they either put out or we throw them out. Cheney is just a VP for crying out loud - he has no powers - the Constitution gave him none. You have all the power - so use it!

Al in Austex wrote on August 22, 2007 12:40 AM:

tbhull.
Quit your bitching. Leahey and the other Democratic LEADERSHIP NEED OUR SUPPORT. We are going into a very critical phase -right now today - for taking down BushcO .The election season is soon upon us -the moderate Republicans must side with Leahey in the coming votes for comtempt of congress -or face being defeated in the 2008 cycle. Next will be the Impeachment Proceedings for Gonzo & the VEEP .
Lets not throw our hands up just when we are about to start winning big = Believe me Gordon Smith and the rest of the GOP moderates will not go to the mattresses for Gonzo & Cheney . And me & Paul in LA are not cheerleading -- this is the politics of the NEOCON conumdrum-Any GOP candidate still supporting Bushco WILL NOT BE RE-ELECTED .How can this not be good news for Truth , Justice & the American Way !
Come on tbhull-- buck up buddy !!

Mr T wrote on August 22, 2007 6:11 AM:

Perhaps he remembers the anthrax letters. Get too pushy and you might get one of those.

olo wrote on August 22, 2007 10:52 PM:

I can't believe it's not butter that Leahy is schmoozing up his butt to help BushCo slide by.

What a scumbag.