President Bush Uses Executive Privilege To Block Subpoena Of EPA Documents
By Logan Murphy Sunday Jun 22, 2008 6:35pm
With a contempt of Congress vote looming by Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) House Oversight Committee, President Bush asserted executive privilege this morning to block the committee’s subpoenas for documents relating to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reject California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to override scientific recommendations on ozone standards.
Waxman’s committee had scheduled the 10 am business meeting to hold contempt votes for EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and White House Office of Management and Budget regulatory administrator Susan Dudley. On May 20, Johnson appeared before the committee, without the subpoenaed documents and evading questions about Bush’s involvement. Read on...
As you might imagine, Henry Waxman isn't too happy. From TPM:
I don’t think we’ve had a situation like this since Richard Nixon was president. When the President of the United States, may have been involved in acting contrary to law and the evidence that would determine that question for Congress, in exercising our oversight, is being blocked by an assertion of executive privilege. I would hope and expect this administration would not be making this assertion without a valid basis for it, but to date I have not seen a valid instance of their executive privilege. Read on...
As the American people sit and watch the Democrats cave to George Bush and the GOP on issues like FISA and war funding without provisions for troop withdrawal, there is little hope that Congress will step up and do the right thing. Someone should be held accountable for these crimes, but so far, the Democratic leadership has shown no real stomach to fulfill their constitutional duties. With impeachment off the table, this, like so many other crimes, will go unpunished.
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what are they going to do about it?
Issue stern letter. That is all.
With impeachment 'off the table', Bush in encouraged to keep up his contemptuous behavior,isn't he?
Whatever you Dems do, DON'T impeach the putrid lil' chimp.
one party in Amerika
the fuck the citizens over party
Does Bush plan to destroy all these documents he's blocked via Executive Privilege prior to Jan 20, 2009? Otherwise, everything he's hiding will come out into the open.
okay people this is why my blood is boiling...i know there are people that like to cap on the congress/senate but this is the opposition they face with this clown...executive privilege......and don't forget signing statements...this war and national security theme is a fxxking free pass for this administration.
The Dumbya Regime will do whatever they want without ANY fear of prosecution! Why are there so many cowards in Congress? Why are there so many so-called law makers that will not abide by their oath to defend the Constitution? This was once a country that regarded the rule of law, it has slowly receded into a banana republic.
Ohhhhhhshitfu@#$@#$@#$FuuuuuuuuK!!!
If this separation of powers thing has no check and balance at this point.... i guess the revolution is not that far off...
or better yet, " Executive Privilege , meet Inherent Contempt."
Andrew @ 6:
Don't count on anything to come out in the open, these are huge criminals that know how to cover their crimes. Just never forget we're paying them to do so!
Constitutional duties only are invoked in real democratic republics. Not in Banana Republics.
and certainly in not faux America.
dadams @ 5:
that about sums it up.
Does Bush plan to destroy all these documents
You remember that unfortunate little fire in the Naval Observatory building last year ?
Whatever records might be of interest in future investigations
will turn out to have been
deliberatelyunfortunately burnedin that fire.
May be this is worse than the TILLMAN deal,we'll never know because .....it's another secret.
i thought maybe waiting on the impeachment may be a good strategy......i am starting to wonder now
Congress is forming a committee to investigate its low popularity.
Vic @ 10:
they don't even have to commit them in secret anymore....they keep most people stunned into compliance/obedience just by committing them in the open - brazenly - as if to demonstrate their power and stranglehold on us.
also to gloat. and to dare us to do something about it.
this isn't only to protect the bush administration this is also part of their strategy to get mcBush elected....no negative republican news don't want the guilt by association theme on mcBush
Well it looks like the congress is going to accept Bush/McCain giving them the finger again. What have they ever done to fight back? Fucking pussies.
tjb @ 13:
Hah... (not laughingly btw)
how many investigations so far for the Tilman coverups? at least half a dozen right?
how many investigations for 9-11? a begrudging 1
skewed sense of priorities is indicative of something.... isn't it?
This is nothing like richard nixon, impeachment wasn't taken off the table, and nixon resigned. As things are now, bush can continue destroying this country while congress sits back and watches.
As America becomes more crowded and more corpocratic, its citizens' thinking is less about the farmer's seasonal yin/yang balance and mutual aid, and more about hierarchical competition, dominance and exploitation.
Ironically, to this mind-set, checks and balances show weakness, and are hence somehow "pinko".
Truth B Told @ 17:
Yep, they're just saying......I dare you to do anything!! And then they laugh on their way to the country club for a round of 18 holes and a few cocktails.
george carlin is right.
Pres Bush might be a chimp but he is crafty enough to outwit the US Congress. GW has them by the balls. John Conyers is so spooked he still ain't got the guts to issue an arrest warrant for Karl Rove after he defecated on the Judiciary Committee subpoena.
orcas @ 25:
And by doing that he farted in Conyers' face. And what is Conyers doing about it? Fucking wimps.
we so-called Democrats are ALL bush's BITCHES !
RePIGlicans would NEVER be a Democratic President's willing-bend-over-fuck-victim , , , and yet , WE expect it to "magically" change ! ? !
POOF ...
Democrats have balls , , , Now ?
Never mind .
I keep hoping for something like that scene in Saving Private Ryan where the big bad German soldier is laughing at the little American soldier who couldn't stop the German from killing his friends. The German thought he was so pathetic that he didn't bother to kill him. Later, the little american confronts the arrested German who continues to laugh at him and the little guy finds the courage to do his duty finally.
I offer this as a metaphor obviously...
I'm still waiting for Congress to find its courage. The system is gamed so much and they are so out of touch they don't know what to do.
orcas @ 25:
Cheney calls the shots in this
clusterfuckAdminstration.Truth B Told @ 20:
I believe that would be eight investigations into the TILLMAN murder so can you imagine the time needed to investigate over three thousand deaths in one day times eight and besides they are about to break the anthrax distribution ring wide open.
"Executive Privilege" should be abolished retro-actively to at least the year 1900. Anyone in government failing to comply will assumed to be guilty and jailed until compliance is met.
The only complicated thing about any of this stuff is finding anyone with the will and courage to try to actually save the republic.
Honestly people...is it really lack of guts, or simply they plan it all on themselves LOOKING like that....maybe they are really just a different coloured reTHUGlican
orcas @ 25:
I don't think anybody is outwitting anyone here. Chimpy is simply breaking the law knowing Congress won't do shit about it. If he cared about "outwitting" anyone, he would at least try to look like he cared about law, which he obviously doesn't given his history of ... everything.
dadams @ 5:
100% true, once you let a cabal steal a country, lie to it's citizens, get the same citizens to defend them and call any&all criticism of them "anti-american" just because people like me (and the rest of the world) point out what is wrong with the, the country, the apathy of some and ignorance of others......... well this is what you get, they are above the law now and flagrantly laughing at the world while covering themselves just enough before retiring on billions of slightly more worthless US dollars ......
And considering that they are still there, and still doing it and still getting the support of about a third of the population, which is the scarier bit ......
Widespread @ 22:
Which is apparently the "American dream" ........ anything that isn't blind myopic obedience driven by profit and warmongering ...... is well, anti-american/socialist/liberal/European/etc/etc ......
Quick bomb Iran that will make everything better ......... oh wait that will be world war 3 that will crush America, or "force" Bush to use nukes as over a third of the US population wants .... funny that.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A member of an Iraqi city council shot at U.S. forces Monday outside Baghdad, killing at least three soldiers, two Iraqi Interior Ministry officials said.
[ In future,please take these to an open thread. Site Monitor]
Mike @ 31:
Pssst..... Executive privilege is not mentioned any where in my copy of the constitution ,could you quote me which article I can find that under?
Captain Obama’s Bitter Half Husein Kangaroo @ 26:
It's pretty obvious that Congress has no experience with handling five year old brats who are acting out (ie-George Jr.), which is a good reason why we need more MOTHERS in Congress. Nevertheless, being an optimist, my feeling is that Congress isn't going to issue any warrants, or try to indict anybody until AFTER Bush is gone. He'd just pardon them anyway, so what's the point? Alternatively, the DOJ would just decline to enforce the warrents, as they've already done. So, again, what's the point?
I hate to say it, but this whole situation really does show some of the extreme flaws with the Constitution! In THEORY there is supposed to be a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, but that balance only exists on paper. There was never any real mechanism to back it up, and no mechanism to stop the executive from staffing all the government law enforcement agencies with cronies who just choose to ignore the Constitution.
CD @ 36:
I think people are allowed to defend their country against aggressive invading occupiers who are just there to destroy the place, and rape it's resources, let alone it's people.
It's OK though, Iran will be next and the americon people will have something else to be so desperately proud about ..........
Move along, nothing to see here.
There's a good fellow....
Well send that disobedient little motherfucker a very stern letter, Rep. Waxman.
All I gotta say is there must be one big muthafuckin' skeleton in Nancy Pelosi's closet or she must be the dumbest c**t this side of East Bunglefuck to ever take impeachment off the table.
Think for a minute how low the bar is right now. This is the EPA. Why the hell has it become a political tool?
Here's a little story folks, (if you will bare with me for a moment).
Ward:
Son,your teacher called... I understand you didn't turn in your homework from last night to be graded... What's the problem?
The Beeve:
Dad, I can't tell you the problem, I didn't turn it in, but followed the instructions to do it...
Ward:
So, son, the homework is done after all???
The Beeve:
No dad, I can't say that...
Ward:
What?? Why not son?? What's the problem...
The Beeve:
There is no problem dad, I can't tell you what may or may not have happened.. I'm involking executive priviledge.....
Any of the above make any kind of sense to anyone?? Logical sense that is??? No? Me neither... And neither does Chimpies bullshit... Is there some compelling national security interest tied up in this political EPA posturing or in any way is there a national security danger to the nation from California requiring asshole polluters to clean up their greenhouse gas emissions??? Anyone got a clue on that????
IF there is some logic at all to this executive priveledge crap Bush is pulling, I want to hear it, because right now....... Sounds like Bush has gone and turned this serious presidential check into just another 'get out of jail free' card to avoid accountability, and help other accomplices do the same...
(where executive priviledge = get out of jail free card = no accoutability required, none given).
I do not believe that is the kind of instance that was originally envisioned for this executive priviledge tool. Bush's ruination of governmental functionality and all institutions he can touch continues unabated, thanks in part, Nancy, Harry, and all the other usual suspects......... JD
How many times can the Bush regime spit in Waxman's face while he still "hopes and expects" to get anything out of them?
Waxman isn't even a paper tiger, he's more useless than yesterday's fish wrap.
Of course we're back to Nixonesque executive crimes, because we never left.
The Good Americans back then were all too willing to buy the lie that the Nixon pardon would help "heal" America. The cancer was never removed, and it just grew and grew being cultivated by Nixon underlings like Rove, Cheney, and Rumsfeld and the rest who escaped jail.
Todays Good Americans are counting the days to when they can let the latest War Criminal in Chief escape with his millions and pension for life, so that they can start to "heal" America with some hope and "change," even as they cannot describe how votes are actually(or not) counted, and don't seem to even mind that the official rules state that citizens' votes don't even count for the Presidential election (see 2000: Gore +500,000 citizen votes = still lost)
Since "representatives" in Congress have failed to thwart or punish the criminality of the Executive Branch, and indeed have become complicit in parts, it is time for a New Constitutional Convention, Open Rebellion, Revolution, or whatever you want to call it.
I used to think it was a lack of backbone on the part of the dems, but I think the larger problem is that a large number of dems are in collusion with the GOP.
I feel sorry for Waxman. He's the only one with a spine and the moral conviction to go after these crooks. It's a shame he doesn't get more support from his cowardly party.
we haven't "had a situation like this since richard nixon was president", because we haven't had a sociopathic megalomaniac in the white house since nixon
congress must impeach this criminal now!
Jo @ 42:
Thank you.
"I don’t think we’ve had a situation like this since Richard Nixon was president"
I would gladly trade Nixon for this bastard. Nixon was pro-environment and not nearly as devastating to our nation's economic health and military readiness health as Bush.
No wonder congress is polling as low as Bush for allowing The Regime to get by with murder both literally and figuratively.
So what. Pelosi thinks holding Bush accountable will somehow upset Americans so much we wont vote for democrats. Even though we, as informed and intelligent voters, dont know how badly we need to get the repubs out of office.
Well, I for one will vote for a democrat this year. And then I will work my ass off come the new election cycle to oust the Blue Dog, worthless politicians who followed this condescending, flawed, broken thinking out of office and into the same dark hole the repubs skittered to.
We must infiltrate the D-party and change it for the better. We must uphold OUR constitution. We must become our own representation because these mutts have disregarded their responsibility for too long now. Enjoy your seats for now, mutts, retirement looms and you lifted it above your own heads.
Attila the Trollop, King of Beer, Second to None @ 43:
Umm....well their former press secretary just wrote a book and stated that the Cheney Administration operates in "Permanent Campaign" mode.
In "Permanent Campaign" mode, EVERYTHING is a political tool. That's the point.
So... let's see if I have this right.... every major criminal in the country now has executive privilage from having any evidence against them seeing the light of day? Is that about the size of it?
You're right Ruthless People! Nixon would be a HUGE improvement over the criminals we have now!
The GOP: "The party of Rule or Ruin".
The Democratic party: "What are the suckers who vote for us going to do about any of it? We're the only game in town, and they've got no where else to go".
I miss George Carlin. Our country is run by a bunch of Caligulas in ties.
kablooie @ 56:
Damned right it is! And I miss him too.
Good evening, fellow serfs.
And a good evening to your serfliness too, xoites.
Waxman: "Give the documents or I'll say 'give me the documents' again".
Fucking sick of the democrats issuing threats to this administration then doing nothing about it. If you won't impeach, don't bitch. The law is meaningless to this administration.
Geez, its times like this that I get an inkling how most of the decent German people felt when their country was overrun with fucking FASCISTS.
Impotent.
Waxman and the Dems need Super Nanny to show them how to handle a petulant child.
pol pot-o-cheesesauce @ 63:
Waterboarding?
Pelosi/Reid,
Is prosecution (after 01/09) off the table too? Please, give me hope....
Waxman needs to do 2 things.
1. Make a privileged motion on the house floor requiring an arrest and detain warrant be issued to the sergeant at arms for Stephen Johnson and Susan Dudley.
2. Make a privileged motion on the house floor to initiate impeachment hearings of the president of the united states on the grounds of obstruction of justice.
It's 7 years late, but it's never too late to take these thugs out.
Move on people, nothing to see here. @ 65:
As Carlin would say, "You want hope roll a big one."
How much money did Pelosi get? Our only hope = kick em all out and impose term limits; pay our politicians hefty salaries and eliminate all financial influences in any and ALL forms that they or their party or their causes may get. Until then, Waxman for president. Obama has no idea the stone walls he is going to be facing when he starts playing with the big boys.
With Big Pharm Big Oil Big Polluters Big Lobby Corrupt politicians = nothing will ever change.
This is obstruction of justice - but you knew that.
Political espionage began with Rice and the NSA prior to 9/11 - and congress didnt care.
After WWII the US (and others) identified wars of aggression as criminal. Regardless how you describe it - the war in Iraq is a war of aggression and is criminal - and congress doesnt care.
There is a long list - as you know - and congress doesnt care.
Bush is using the office of President as a dodge.
This is an criminal nation. Face it.
Will O'Bama change that? I doubt it.
I'm starting to think that monkeys will fly out of Waxman's nostrils before anything will change in DC.
District of Cesspoolia.
Democrats are enablers.
I can't even muster up much irritation about it. Bush thumbs nose at Congress. Congress cries and threatens to complain even louder. Someone wake me up when it's time for a heavily armed mob to march on the Capitol, anything less will not accomplish shit.
'With impeachment off the table, this, like so many other crimes, will go unpunished.'
Well of course. Cheney and his gang have impeccably transformed the Presidency into a tidy little dictatorship. All the while maintaining the illusion of democratic process. It's all ready to be passed onto the next person that the true owners and masters of the country see fit to give the prize to, provided Bush is planning on stepping down. He could cancel the 2008 elections with a stroke of the pen. How can you have a dictatorship when those in power are subject to 'laws'? Like I've said before Congress serves no purpose except to collect a paycheck and keep the illusion of democracy alive. Since this Administration has been allowed to do what is has virtually unchallenged and unpunished, the next President will only be worse. President's rarely relinquish powers that have been collected by their predecessors.
Welcome to United State of AmeriKa.
Jo @ 42:
the day that congress puts impeachment on the table, the terror alert level will go to crimson, and that will be a reminder to congress that bush & co will stop at nothing to hide their crimes . . . they've maimed, tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent afghanis and iraqis, thousands of our military, and an unknown number of contractors (likely thousands) . . . why would they hesitate to off a few hundred of our duly elected representatives on capitol hill?
am i paranoid? heck, yeah! these days, you'd have to be crazy and/or living under a rock not to be
Just what does it take
TO BECOME A KING
innocent bystander @ 74:
hell, if you're willing to concede just how psychopathic these people are, why not toss in about 3000 civilians. afterall, they aren't as valued to the state psyche as the troops that have been shoved into a endless meatgrinder.
Impeach Pelosi.
Some of the democrats are just as criminal as the republicans.
Some of the democrats are cowards.
Some of the democrats were born to be beaten on the playground by bullys.
I predict that regardless what the numbers are in congress in 2009, the republicans will begin calling for impeachment of O'Bama by late summer of 2009.
None of these democrats, in my opinion, can stand up to any of these republicans in a fight - and that certainly includes O'Bama - who explains and triangulates when attacked ... timid. So far, the republicans have owned him.
What can you say? Send out the marshals with live ammunition...kill a few of 'em? i dunno. but this cannkot endure
Unfortunately the Democratic leadership -- Reid, Pelosi, Hoyer -- learned nothing from the '06 election. Simply put -- If you make a deal (i.e. a compromise FISA bill) with the Devil (i.e. any Republican), you can expect to get a pitchfork up the ass. And if cogent person in the country thinks that this criminal Administration is suddenly going to turn over all these accumulated and illegal powers to a Democratic Administration in January 2009, or let a Democratic Administration have access to all these papers they now will not turn over to the Congress...I want some of what you're smoking.
Face it, all these little hints being dropped by right-wing talking heads about bombing Iran is just a prelude to what they are planning -- another emergency, another cooked-up catashtrophe -- more dead Americans but who the hell cares -- oil will hit $200 a barrel and GIs will continue to die for oil and Haliburton.
And the Democrats -- who are supposed to be in charge of the Congress just keep getting weaker under Pelosi and Reid -- God help us all...
Ruthless People @ 50, when Nixon was president, Dick Cheney was Special Assistant to Donald Rumsfeld in the Office of Economic Opportunity. Seriously.
He was in a key position to observe the mistakes that Nixon made and he has certainly has applied that knowledge masterfully. His former bosses taught him well.
Jo @ 62:
Agreed.
Mac @ 80:
The democratic party was broken by Clinton and replaced by the DLC. It has never recovered.
typo, he has certainly applied ... you know what I mean ...
equilibrio @ 46:
I never believed in faith healing, either for diseases or politics.
anon @ 78:
I bet you are correct. What do you think it will be?
Hey Democrats, thanks for nothing ya big bunch of gas bags.
We really need to march on Washington, drag that bastard out of the Oval Office, tar and feather him, and dump him in the middle of Baghdad...
But then again, our Democratic Congress won't do a damn thing about the man and his crimes...so we'd need to drag THEM out and send them packing, too.
Is our American government system too broken to be fixed?
calgarylady @ 81:
No shit?
"Office of Economic Opportunity" obviously was not some sort of group set up to help underprivileged minorities, etc.?
Couldn't there be a citizen petition and/or arrest? We can't just sit here and accept this crap.
fastfeat ... indeed, a reasonable person could not make this stuff up. Then again, these are not reasonable people we are dealing with here.
HEY, NANCY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Impeach or f'ing resign! You too Harry.
Failure to impeach is a violation of Congress' oath of office.
enough @ 89:
the fact of the matter is that, until we act to stop these monsters, who commit their atrocities in our names with our tax dollars, we are their enablers
boycotts worked in the segregated south . . . how about a nationwide work stoppage? everyone who isn't performing an essential service (medical, police) just stays home . . . we don't drive cars but take public transportation . . . we man soup kitchens to feed one another . . . we are more powerful than they are, we just don't realize it
if good citizens could risk their lives to do the right thing in nazi germany and occupied europe, surely we can risk something in bush's amerika
chris [not the troll] @ 92:
exactly . . . upholding the constitution is not optional, and congress doesn't have the power to legislate away our 4th amendment rights, either!
Screwtape abides @ 91:
Cindy Sheehan is running for Pelosi's seat this Fall.
She's on Malloy's show right now.
chris [not the troll] @ 92:
No sh*t! Pelosi should be thrown out. Reid too. And don't forget Hoyer. And what the hell is Obama doing about this? He's the de-facto leader of the Democrats. Show some backbone Barack!
Bush knows he can violate the law with impunity, so what reason does he have to obey it? None of course! Hell, he'll probably start a new war with Iran this fall.
anon @ 78:
you have your right to your opinion.........my opinion is your wrong
Pericles @ 38:
I'm not an expert on the US constitution but isn't there provision to remove all members of the Congress (House and Senate) AND the Executive (the simian warmonger) if 2/3 of the states pass a resolution to do so? If so, then that's the way to remove the corporatist (read "anti-democratic") courtesans and religionists (read "Fundamentalist Xtians") and toss them into the Potomac.
Someone should be held accountable for these crimes, but so far, the Democratic leadership has shown no real stomach to fulfill their constitutional duties. With impeachment off the table, this, like so many other crimes, will go unpunished.
So how does one go about getting congress investigated. They took an oath to uphold the constitution and they are not doing their job.
Having lived and worked in DC, I've often wondered why a determined person/group couldn't simply get their hands on an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) or a mortar and simply take this fucker out at some Rose Garden ceremony. It's easy to get quite close to the White House. There are many times the president is vulnerable, and illicit arms are easy enough to get if you know the right people.
I'm not advocating it, but if it happened, I would cheer those who did it.
Never thought I'd say that about the country's president, but then again I never thought I'd see a president do such things to the country I love.
innocent bystander @ 93:
A LARGE number of citizens refusing to pay taxes could overwhelm the Federal prison system.
Hey, three hots and a federal cot may beat being foreclosed on these days...
Joke....Congress is.
Matt in Texas @ 100:
Got a feeling that there would be huge New Orleans-style funerals all across the country.
fastfeat @ 103:
LOL. Oh, the irony!!!
SleeStackFace @ 102:
Yoda...you are?
fastfeat @ 101:
yeah, but there may be waterboarding and/or electrodes involved
innocent bystander @ 106:
Oooh, sounds good! Haven't had water or electricity for days...
Today's Observations
1. The english pound is worth $1.90 dollars
2. My neighbor house has been officially foreclosed.
3. CBS tv shows are for the brain dead.
Matt in Texas @ 104:
Got to remember to add party hats and beads to my hurricane supplies this season, just in case...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0s3NdfVpOE
So, when the next "terrorist" attack comes in October and Bush cancels the election what are we going to do about it? Send a stern letter? Better read up from the Anarchist's Cookbook or my favorite, The Poor Man's James Bond. And be ready to take action. The thing that really, really pissed me off about 2000 and Florida was the paid Rethuglican mob outside the recount office, beating on the doors and windows. Where were the local Democrats? Cowering under their beds? That worked real well and these crooks count on similar fear to act this time.
Rollover you toothless hoes, your going to take it like you have a thousand times. Fricken Democrats, they wonder why there is no respect for them.
Hey, HEY! Mr. President you better stop that or I might let know how upset I am, and I'll tell on you to the American people. Take that!
This is just more fuel for impeachment and Bush's attempt at obstructing justice - AGAIN!! And, if this democratic controlled Congress continues to play sycophant and complicitous participant in more Bush charades (like FISA, et al), then they do not deserve to take the White House in November.
These clowns in Congress misled the people by making promises they failed to deliver. Recognizing the fact that the GOP obstructionists thwart their attempts, they still should never be caving in to the criminal demands of this administration and it's GOP criminal accomplices.
This does not bode well for the Democrats in November. The Repukes will turn around and use their "continuous caving" against them - this we will see, as they have already done.
Wake up, Democrats! Your goose is about to be cooked. The people who trusted you and turning their back on you and will take it out on you in November if you continue to bend over to this corrupt administration.
I really must say that this continued capitulation of Democratic ideals to the whims of the criminal GOPhers will not read well in November. Many like myself are losing faith in the Democratic party right now.
I can't vote for McSame but I also do not think the Democrats deserve the White House for the way they're handling the mandate of the midterms and their continued spineless complicity with Bush and his cronies.
Maybe Bob Barr will be the spoiler for both sides? Maybe someone else will spring forth from the Independent side of the ledger. I surely hope so!
Screwtape abides @ 91:
We need to send that message attached to a flaming arrow.
VegasRage @ 113:
Why stop at an arrow? These people lied to you. They lied so you would vote them into power. Now they are showing they are nothing but Bush-lite. Time to make all the liars accountable for their actions.
You referred to "Democratic Leadership." I would like to see an example.
[ Deleted, Please take this to an open thread. It's off topic. Site Monitor]
The Democratic Party would love to have you believe they are "spineless" and are just "caving in". Nothing could be farther from the truth. They are political whores, as are the Republicans. They are bought and paid for by campaign donations from Corporate America. The Dems throw a few crumbs to Progressives and then screw us. What Republican leader said, "Impeachment is off the table?" What Republican presidential nominee says he reluctantly supports the FISA Bill passed by the House, eliminating the Fourth Amendment? So, they're actually Democrats. Anyone surprised?
Deleted, Take this to an open thread. Site Monitor]
fastfeat @ 77:
Yes! I am not a lawyer, but I have wondered, is their some kind of civilian suit that could be filed when the Speaker of the House is engaged in a "cover-up" for the executive branch?
Change in this country will have to come from the people. The corporate owned politicians in both parties will not get it, until the folks are in the street, and they are forced to do something about it.
Can you imagine what will be written about Nancy Pelosi 100 years from now in the history books, if we ever shake off the iron fist of corporate fascism? This is unfucking real!
Why is executive privilege NOT treated as precisely that? If it's a privilege --not a right-- then it can be revoked or lost just like one loses any other privilege (i.e. driving) by breaking the law that grants that privilege.
Sometimes it feels like we can't see the forest because of all the trees...
Those weak-knee Democrats are scary. Sure hope they take the majority in the house and senate (and use it wisely). If they don't, the first time Obama farts at a state dinner the rethugs won't hesitate to bring impeachment charges.
What the fuck? Does every democrat in congress have secret photos or something???
Jesus H Christ on a pogo stick.
What the fuck does Bush have to do??
This issue may get more traction with Dems than FISA because they can communicate it to their dumbed-down constituencies easily. For all of the rants here and elsewhere about FISA, in the 'real world' people could care less. They're perfectly willing to sell their rights down the river so they can feel 'safe'. They actually trust these idjuts, even Bush, enough to not care that they can be wiretapped without court oversight, at the whim of some government turkey who trumps up terror fear cards.
On the other hand, people totally understand the environment and they're either for or against it. My bet: You'll see more public support for this than you ever will for FISA.
I've had enough....either Impeach Bush or Indict Him...better yet first Impeach then Indict....and he doesn't deserve Executive Privilege, he's a criminal!!!
Another item to add to the Kucinich impeachment list. But hey, the Democratic majority that retroactively pardons Bushco's crimes, can't overcome the Republican minority, does zippo about gas prices, voted for the war, continues to fund it, and has no interest in 9/11, hey what do you expect?
The Democratic Majority is bushco's human toilet. Bush a$$phuqs Congress every single day and the only one who doesn't like it is Kucinich. Cleveland rocks!
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 119:
History books (if they'll still exist) should not be kind to Pelosi or Reid in particular. If, however, this country continues its onward creep toward fascism, expect the texts (written by Jeb's "education partners") to describe this period of American history as one of "enlightened cooperation" of the Democratic Congress with the "stunning achievements" of King George II.
Why can't they just impeach this asshole? Nothing is ever going to get accomplished while he still has the power to do this.
When the hell are the American people going to get up off their collective duffs & just say no bloody more!!!
So much hand-wringing & way too many talking heads analysing the f**k out of everything...after all that's gone on, what on earth does it take for the good people in the U.S. to stand up and just say 'no more'!!!
A cliche for sure, but...'to hell in a handbasket' is well on the way...
sad, sad, sad...
SURROUND NANCY'S HOUSE WITH PLACARD WAVING PROTESTORS! IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH!
And what did Congress, Waxman et al, expect?? Sudden compliance? You just gave Bush everything he wanted for the last 7 years with barely a debate about it, about to do it again, and you wonder why he pulls the executive privilege on you all the time. He KNOWS he can get away with it!
We are never going to see Bush, Cheney and Co get perp walked out of the White House, are we?
Impeachment must be put on the table, Madam Speaker!
I think if he's going to use Executive Privilege for every damn thing, we oughta have an "execute privilege".
His jet'll be revved-up-for-Paraguay while Barack Obama is swearing his oath January 20th.
As soon as I read the headline I thought to myself, "So what if Waxman is miffed? What's he gonna ultimately do about it? What has he done so far (other than talk about how miffed he is)? Where's Rove? I thought he was going to drag Rove in kicking and screaming?" The bottom line is; The dems are lamer ducks than Bush, and even more guilty...they were handed a 'referendum', and in turn are taking a giant crap on the citizens of America.
I see that 131 posts have all basically shared the same sentiments.
Now the question is this:
What are we going to do about it?
The Democrats keep caving to presidnt with a 24% approval rating.
why is that again ?
Matt in Texas @ 105:
fuck, what the ?
Since the wakeup call of 9/11, the Bush Administration (and now the McCain campaign) has been running on a national security ticket, citing the absence of attacks on American soil in the interim as proof of their successful stewardship. And yet the reality is that in the interim America has been rocked by a string of wakeup calls, but since there is no solution which involves shredding the bill of rights or which promotes the cause of militarism, corporatism or the political fortunes of the Republican party, this administration leaves us with no solution at all. In fact, all it has done is suppress the scientific reports which would have led to a better appraisal of the situation and which would have resulted in a better preparedness overall.
Waxman talks a good game, but he won't back it up. None of them have the balls. I am so sick of spineless democrats and lying whining cheating republicans. This makes me so angry. Bush could murder people on live TV and get away with it because no matter how many laws he breaks, these weak bastards would let him get away with it. I'm moving to fucking Canada. It doesn't matter how much money I donate, or how many letters I write to congress, nothing changes. Angry letters to the new american dictator are useless.
Just remember, impeachment is off the table.
Article IV, Section 4: the States are guaranteed a republican form of government.
The collapse of checks and balances and the successful assertion of monarchy (unitary executive) gives the states the pretense to... I don't know, demand the guarantee to be enforced? Secede? Start holding constitutional conventions?
I think it is well overdue to hold a constitutional convention. Start with a few blue states, with unofficial representatives, and make news with it. Let the sworn defenders of our current constitution defend their record of defending and preserving the constitution.
This, too, is Nancy Pelosi's fault.
Wexler needs to try and salvage a situation that Pelosi has once again sabatoged by issuing inherent contempt citations. He needs to order US marshalls to arrest Johnson and Dudley and drag them before the committee in shackles...after they've had a few weeks to cool their jets on a bread and water subsistance diet while enjoying a refreshing vacation in the Congressional brig.
Next, impeachment procedings need to be initiated against Nancy Pelosi and any other member who is impeading simultaneous impeachment procedings against Cheney and Bush (Hoyer). Pelosi is up to her ear complicit in Bush's obstruction of congress, to such point that she can no longer be considered a mere gutless abdicator. She is criminally complicit.
If Congress is not going to bring Pelosi and her allies to justice, then a query of states Attorney Generals needs to be conducted, in order to see if any State would be willing to exercise its Constitutional authority to force Congress to impeach.
If, Bushco is going to be brought to justice and dangerous precedents, which would become finalized merely by the expiration of Bush's term, are to be avoided, then Pelosi has got to go! That needs to become Congresses highest priority.
I meant Waxman, not wexler.
The Exotic Chico Hussein Escuela @ 133:
$$$$$$$$$$ Corporate $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Lots of $$$$$$$$$ in them corporations, because the people sure don't have a dime after 30 years of repuke policies.
Keep just enough people satisfied with the status quo and focused on each other as targets of their anger and you'll never get any real change off the ground. One group says it's the welfare mom's fault..another says it's the illegal immigrant's fault..another says it's the Arab's..another the black's..another says it's the white's..etc etc etc. Divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book. Keep everyone squabbling about who's to blame, but united in fear under a "great protector".
Until we wake up, unite, and take control (through a 3rd party?), things will never change.
Rob @ 142:
Very well stated.
I know so many people who hate Bush, but think everything is the fault of some minority that lives in poverty, or some union that screwed their workers?
The repukes figured out a long time ago, that 45% of the people in this country are fucking stupid, and they have used that to their advantage ever since. When you have sociopathic liars selling bullshit to imbeciles that are willing to buy it every two years no matter how badly they are being screwed; that is a dream come true for any criminal(s).
How else could you explain McCain's 45% support in every poll after 8 years of Bush? This, in a country where 82% of the people think things are seriously fucked up? They are stupid!
ian @ 135:
and if the next administration is barack obamas the beat goes on! hes a tool, of the corporations, why is he a tool? listen to him, he tows the bush doctorine line, were going to withdraw from iraq slowly, oh and thier may still be troops in iraq by the end of my first term! he said that! i will send any troops taken from iraq to packistan, well we sure need more violence in a country thats well known for killing any invaders like us! obamas a man of peace, right? obama like bush cheney loves him some israel, we will fight the iranians and nukes are on the table if iran goes after israel, he said that? oh yeah he said that , if we get information that thiers alkida training camps or if bin laddens in packistan we should attack them , he said that ? hey he said that! jesus hes useing the bush cheny book on american agression in the mid east! fisa, ill vote for it , cause americans got to be spied on for thier own protection, oh yeah but hes going to try to get the part where the phone companys and bush are still held accountable for the crimes they commited doing it illigaly, sure but its a hollow copout , because the fix is in and he knows the rest of the pricks he votes with will pass the bill as is, then he can say dont blame me , i tried to stop this even though i voted for it! then we get the alibis , well half a loafs better then none , we give up on fisa and maby we,ll get a new health bill in return, its a sellout , pure and simple , your either for the constitution or your not , wich is it?
troops to afganistan sorry
And so what are the Democrats going to do? President Bush cries 'Executive Privilege' every time he wipes his arse, and every time Democrats act as if they are helpless to stop him. This Administration runs roughshod over Dems, and since he knows they aren't going to, I don't know, impeach him for anything he does, then what does it matter?
And just wait till he attacks Iran. We will hear the Democrats once again complaining about something they could have stopped dead if they had the backbone (of course, I am speaking about the Congress and Senate in general. There are many courageous individuals in both Houses; unfortunately not enough of them to move impeachment proceedings forward).
And speaking of impeachment, it can only benefit Obama because it will focus Republican efforts on defending their naked emperor, which will distract them somewhat from what's going on in the general election.
How much more of this kind of thing has to happen before We the Sheeple finally see that the government simply does not care, they do as they please. We do not have representation anymore, government only answers to those with $$$. Period.
Like George Carlin said "I don't vote anymore, voting is just an illusion of choice.".
'scuse me..... LOOK OF SURPRISE... i'll go alert the media
Two of these parties don't belong to US.
Waxman will stall in court as Conyers is doing with subpoenas. Going to the court after trying it with Libby whose sentence the President commuted and who may be pardoned.
The one in control of both houses gave up trying to leave Iraq and uphold the 4th and being a real check and balance. Waxman gave up oversight efforts on the VP because of the current occupant's secrecy. Is he about to surrender the planet for the administration's censorship and suppression of science?
Republicans in Government are corrupt and evil. Democrats in Government are weak and cowardly. They all make me sick. There are just a few Democrats who honor their obligations to our country but they are outnumbered.
Why hasn't Rove been arrested yet? Why has no one been held accountable? It is pathetic.
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