I liked the part about approving all of the presidential orders (Fredo has good practice rubber stamping all those executions in Texas). This all gives me confidence in having Fredo responsible for the wiretapping program abroad and domestically.

I also liked the article in The Hill today about increased Capital Police presence due to an increased threat between now and 9/11/07.

Keep the senators around until next week to work on this and have negotiators go in front of the cameras to respond to Bush's misinformed statement about what the DNI had agreed to privately up on the Hill. I actually don't believe Bush lied on that one as Cheney has kept him out of the loop on this issue as well.

"I am not aware of political briefings ... occurring at the Department of Justice."

You know how the "folks" in the White House are referred to as living in a bubble? I think Mr. G's in there, too.

Perhaps it's because he's been with Bush so long that no one tells him the truth about what's going on in his department. If that's the case, then maybe he really doesn't remember about all those issues he was questioned about because he wasn't told about them.

But there's also the very careful person in charge who has made it a policy in his department that he never be told about any process that leads up to his "decisions," as with the US Attorneys.

And about political briefings in the DoJ? HE'S not aware of them, but how about everyone under him? This would be in line with his careful avoidance of answering many of the questions he was asked (the ones he DOES remember something about) with words that actually relate to the question, instead answering some sort of parallel question.

Jeez, it must take a lot of energy to avoid honesty so consistently. I'd be utterly exhausted if I worked in this Executive Branch.

Great. Now, about that Nov 27 meeting where lying to Congress was discussed...?

So do something!!! Impeach the lying SOB. The longer Gonzalez holds his job, the more disgraceful the democrats appear. Get a spine!!!

they musta changed the guys job description

All interactions with AG Gonzalez should begin with "Who made the list of USAs to be fired and why?" Until he answers these two simple questions, he should not even hear another question.

What Scum we have now running our government! Of course, it depends on what the definition of "SCUM" is. IMPEACH TODAY!!! God Bless America - God damn this administration!

"I am not aware of political briefings ... occurring at the Department of Justice."

Well this time he is telling the truth..sortof.

The briefings were at the White House and not at the Department of Justice. That somehow makes it legal and OK.

I wonder how the Republics are going to feel when the Democratic President in 2009 makes our government into an arm of the DLC? Will they think that is OK? I guarantee that they will be howling. They are such hypocrites.

Kennedy's letter and the AG's response mention a July 20, 2007 Executive Order which apparently is the EO re Geneva Conventions against torture.

It is noteworthy if, as it appears, that no Senator brought up the July 17 EO which appears to authorize and direct the blocking of property of law abiding citizens who speak against the Iraq war.

I know I've reached my breaking point. Four dozen Democratic Senators and not a fucking peep about what is going on? There must be something happening that we know nothing about which is keeping them quiet and compliant. Have they all been wiretapped for the past four years, and they can't say anything or the DOJ will launch an investigation and indictments?

I don't know what they think they're doing, but I just returned from a brunch composed of people who are serious contributors to the Dems. And I mean six figure serious. Some have already given to the Presidential races, but they are unanimously fed up with what the Dems in Congress are doing. Not a single person plans to contribute. Now, come 2008 and some tight races, the checkbooks will come out, but not with anything near the enthusiasm they had in 2006. As one of the guests explained it, "These assholes aren't worth it."

6 Million People, 117 Degrees And No Water

A heinous crime against humanity committed by the occupying power.

By Richard Becker
Western Regional Coordinator, ANSWER Coalition
8-3-7

For the past 24 hours, Baghdad has had virtually no running water. Major parts of the city of six million people have lacked running water for six days, while daily high temperatures have ranged from 115 to 120 degrees. The tiny amount of water dripping through the pipes is causing many of those who must drink it to suffer acute intestinal illness.

According to reports, not enough electricity is available to run Baghdad's water pumps. This in a country with vast energy resources. Corporate media outlets-to the extent they have reported this horrific and mind-boggling story at all-have treated it as a failure on the part of Iraqis.

In reality, it is an appalling war crime committed by the occupying power, the U.S. military. It threatens the lives of tens of thousands of people in the short term and unthinkable numbers of people unless it is rectified immediately.

According to Article 55 of Geneva Conventions (1949) to which the U.S. government is a signatory: "To the fullest extent of the means available to it the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate."

Article 59 states: "If the whole or part of the population of an occupied territory is inadequately supplied, the Occupying Power shall agree to relief schemes on behalf of the said population, and shall facilitate them by all the means at its disposal."

To say that a huge city deprived of running water is "inadequately supplied" would rank as one of the great understatements of human history. Of course, the shortage of water-the most vital of all necessities-does not extend to the U.S. personnel and contractors occupying Iraq.

The U.S. government tries to relieve itself of its obligations by pretending that Iraq's "sovereignty" was restored in June 2004. But that is just another hoax. Since its illegal invasion and conquest of Iraq in the spring of 2003, the real state power in the country has been the U.S. military.

This latest catastrophe to afflict the Iraqi people is another poisonous fruit of imperialist occupation. Not even in the worst times during the U.S. blockade of Iraq from 1990-2003, did such a disaster occur.

The U.S. regime in Iraq must provide the people of Baghdad with relief in the short-term to avert unprecedented disaster. The U.S. occupation must come to an immediate end. The officials responsible for the terrible crimes committed against the Iraqi people must be held accountable. The U.S. government owes Iraq vast reparations for the death and destruction imposed on that society by an illegal war of aggression.

http://www.rense.com/general77/bagag.htm

my god is this true?

and what kind of relief is the pentagon proposing?

This is sick in a country rich in oil no power ?

Our government is criminal but we already knew that

if they dont get the water flowing there should be war crime prosecutions .

Re.: "Well this time he is telling the truth...sort of.

"The briefings were at the White House and not at the Department of Justice. That somehow makes it legal and OK."

Ms Henry,

I said it at 10:18 last night in this post, but I want to put it out there again:

"[T]here's also the very careful person in charge who has made it a policy in his department that he never be told about any process that leads up to his "decisions," as with the US Attorneys.

"And about political briefings in the DoJ? HE'S not aware of them, but how about everyone under him? This would be in line with his careful avoidance of answering many of the questions he was asked (the ones he DOES remember something about) with words that actually relate to the question, instead answering some sort of parallel question."

I want to think they're stupid. I want to think they're inept. I even want to think they're simply evil.

But I think they're all much worse than that: They have a vision for America that only includes people who believe exactly what they do, and that requires having a "permanent Republican majority," as Rove has put it.

They're going to do everything and anything it takes to achieve that goal. And the rest of us? Grist for the military-industrial mill.

SC: screw. 'Nuff said.

"The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, SHALL be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Shall means it is mandatory. Perjury under oath is a crime. Bankrupting our country and arming our enemies is treason. Taking money from contractors to insure re-election, and then lining the pockets of those contractors is bribery. Patently unconstitutional presidential directives to confiscate the assets of anyone Bush identifies as interfering in his and Cheney's and Kristol's and Lieberman's plans is a high crime. Violating international law and treaties is a high crime. Gonzales has his paws all over all of this. How much more evidence do we need?

But instead we get another cave in because Bush said so. No impeachment, no accountability, no prosecution. Are they all brain dead in Washington? Is there stupid juice being pumped into the water system? So much fear is being pumped out of Karl Rove's butt hole. Can't these people question anything?

No more do overs.

I plan to visit my august Senators on their August vacation and deliver constitutions. Oath? What oath?

And, Molly is indeed with us.

Here we are so far into this and still playing word games.
All this looks like a prearranged semi-drama to make it look like there some progress.
This ag and in fact who ever tells him what to do are not fit or capable to run a small county jail with no prisoners.
When the head is corrupt the whole body reeks.
And this gang seems to follow the leader.
Who is the main toxic distributor/s?
Find the leader and you find the cesspool leaking into this whole septic gang.
Better find it fast.The leak is starting to gush into every part of the country and accumulate.
As the waste materials pile up it becomes visible.
Act now before it backs up into your home.
You may already see signs of accumulation in your neighborhood.
Demand the truth.
Sceptic waste must flee when truth shows up.

Gonzales is not the sharpest tool in the Bush-Cheney shed. He had to go back and let Addington do damage control on his 'testimony. And what comes out of it? He didnt intend to mislead and he's sorry for the confusion. What a piece of work!

All we get from this Administration is lies.

Last week two Brookings Institution "scholars", O'Hanlon and Pollack did a road show on how great our military escalation is going in Iraq. You know, I didn't realize what a bunch of phony apologists those "think tankers" O'Hanlon and Pollack were until Frank Rich outed them today. Bottom feeder sell-outs like O'Hanlona and Pollack are truly the scum of the Earth. In the grand tradition of Fox and the Fox-Republicans, these partisan cheerleaders disguised as non-partisan experts try to pass themselves off as something they're not. In the process, US soldiers are dying and being wounded because of the denial and idiotic foreign policy that posers like O'Hanlon and Pollack enable through their deceit. What a way to make a living. I guess they can continue it down in Hell after they are through.

In contrast to claims of military successes, back in reality, I believe the statistics of Americans dead in Iraq last month were 81, the same number as in February and March, before the most recent escalation started. Iraqi casualties rose 33% over the prior month. And by the way on the political front a Sunni faction walked out of the government.

http://select.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/opinion/05rich-1.html?hp

It is amazing that issues such as being acountable for your actions has taken precedence
on the ground floor of our economic structure when no one else cares. When lying is taken on a new meaning ... when corruption is rampid. when
the office of president has taken on a new definition. When the words trickle down are taking place in front of our very own eyes. And is hurting every American citizen with exceptions. And those are the closest loyalists to the Bush regime.

Where is the public outrage? Without people chanting and waving signs outside your office door in your home District, every Congressman can choose to ignore reality. Hell, most of them have been ignoring reality for at least the past six years, many much longer.

But the only reason they can get away with it is because the overwhelming majority in this country is dumb enough, stupid enough and distracted enough to just not give a fuck. And there's not a single thing we can do about it. Well, that's not exactly true, but talking about the things that could make a fundamental change might be considered by some as sedition. So, I leave the exercise to the reader.

I hear tell Leahy is the most disliked member in the senate, I know he makes my skin crawl!!

I do think Schumer comes in a close second though.

Allen Matthews -you made me laugh out loud -morphine pump indeed !
And to all the poster bashing the Senate Democrats - I really think you are misinformed ,or knowingly spreading disinformation -as in trolling. Exactly why would Leahey make one 's skin crawl -any evidence included in that statement of fact .
My bet -come mid September- Gonzo will be impeached & the Senate will be voting to Convict him .The moderate Republicans will want to save themselves this election cycle - for example Gordon Smith never drank Rover's kool aid -and he and those two gal Senators from Maine aren't about to start now...

To Al in Austex......you know 'makes ya skin crawl' as in slimy.

Reminds me of a used car salesmen, can't trust 'em as far as ya can throw 'em.

Read the post above by mutt, he'll enlighten you.

Sorry but Leahy is just creepy!