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Conyers: Bush Decision "Inconsistent with Rule of Law"
Just out from House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI):
"Until now, it appeared that the President merely turned a blind eye to a high ranking Administration official leaking classified information. The President's action today makes it clear that he condones such activity. This decision is inconsistent with the rule of law and sends a horrible signal to the American people and our intelligence operatives who place their lives at risk everyday. Now that the White House can no longer argue that there is a pending criminal investigation, I expect them to be fully forthcoming with the American people about the circumstances that led to this leak and the President's decision today."
Update: According to a senior aide at the House Judiciary Committee, the committee is planning a hearing on the commutation, "as early as next week."
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Comments (35)
BVD wrote on July 2, 2007 6:37 PM:There is no recourse - Impeach.
tmac wrote on July 2, 2007 6:39 PM:security code = shame
kailuacaton wrote on July 2, 2007 6:41 PM:no more ink need be spilled
This tops off another wise shitty day.
danceswithwoodchucks wrote on July 2, 2007 6:42 PM:I'm tired. I'm just very, very tired.
Ted P in IA wrote on July 2, 2007 6:42 PM:If you don't impeach the criminal Bush now... when will you? What further evidence is required to see that he views himself and his co-conspirators as above the law.
PLEASE, Rep. Conyers... bring this terrible person to justice for his misdeeds. I would be ashamed to be an American if he is not called to answer for this latest in a series of horrendous crimes.
cevrero wrote on July 2, 2007 6:49 PM:yeah!!!,.... and we want a new federal prosecutor to get to the bottom of this.
charlie don't surf wrote on July 2, 2007 6:49 PM:Remember, just after the inauguration, every member of the Bush administration swore an oath to avoid not just impropriety, but even the appearance of impropriety.
It seems to me that in every case, the Bush administration has avoided not just propriety, but even the appearance of propriety.
justadood wrote on July 2, 2007 6:50 PM:Will the house do anything *substantive* about this? Well....if one listens to the con-call between the Speaker and several bloggers yesterday, the answer is: NO. Sorry, but I don't count hearings as "substantive"....Yakking about an injustice is not *doing* something. The Emperor has No Clothes, and the Congress has No Balls.....Put these together, and the Nation has No Future.
Mike wrote on July 2, 2007 6:51 PM:More of the goddam same! Rules are for other peons, not for us big guys! When will we have some cojones from the congresionals?
charlie don't surf wrote on July 2, 2007 6:53 PM:1
Just after the inauguration, every member of the incoming Bush administration swore an oath to avoid not just impropriety, but even the appearance of impropriety.
However, it seems that in every case, they have chosen to avoid not just propriety, but even the appearance of propriety.
RandyR wrote on July 2, 2007 7:01 PM:If the courts no longer work stronger measures must be taken. Impeachment must be put back on the table.
Kasta wrote on July 2, 2007 7:11 PM:Security code: Ms. Pelosie it's time to cut the cord on this bastard child.
FORGET ABOUT SCOOTER LIBBY HE IS JUST A PEON
Kasta wrote on July 2, 2007 7:12 PM:VOTE FOR
CHENEY/SATAN '08
FORGET ABOUT SCOOTER LIBBY HE IS JUST A PEON
dws wrote on July 2, 2007 7:15 PM:VOTE FOR
CHENEY/SATAN '08
Security Code: "screw"
insert ironic comment here
Styve wrote on July 2, 2007 7:24 PM:Good rapid response, and strategy to strike while the iron's (Americans) hot! Wonder if Fitzgerald will change his tune.
parrot wrote on July 2, 2007 7:24 PM:Again, it is not hard to see that impeachment and a full review by the US Senate is the only way to get to the bottom of the crimes committed against the Constitution, the People, and common sense! Let's get to the bottom of precisely why this leak occurred and why it was done. From there lies the utter contempt for the rule of law that this President took an oath to uphold.
As someone has pointed out previously here, there is ample evidence that propriety is not the order of the day with these degraders of our Constitution and Laws. The honor of the American People has been besmirched for years with their thuggery and we need to correct this before the high crimes against the People, the Congress, and the Constitution become so horrendous that there will be no correction short of armed insurrection against tyranny and oppression. The Bill of Rights is not honored. The will of the People is ignored. The Laws that were put in place to prevent tyranny are considered "quaint" and respect for them wanes daily. When will there be some peace in the land and confidence that no one can be snatched from the street and put in a legal limbo by the Bushites?!
In the case of Mr. Libby, he lied to avoid the truth prior to the 2004 Presidential election to aid these criminals in being returned to besmirch their own oaths for another term. Libby did so intentionally and decisively...and now he stands commuted by the President whose henchmen he is protecting in their contempt of the law and our Constitution! They wish the return of a King to power and they act as if the Bill of Rights and Constitution does not forbid their wild grab for power...for, perhaps, it does not...and it is the People, with or without the Congress, that must reassert our own Rights that are being trampled upon!
parrot wrote on July 2, 2007 7:27 PM:Again, it is not hard to see that impeachment and a full review by the US Senate is the only way to get to the bottom of the crimes committed against the Constitution, the People, and common sense! Let's get to the bottom of precisely why this leak occurred and why it was done. From there lies the utter contempt for the rule of law that this President took an oath to uphold.
As someone has pointed out previously here, there is ample evidence that propriety is not the order of the day with these degraders of our Constitution and Laws. The honor of the American People has been besmirched for years with their thuggery and we need to correct this before the high crimes against the People, the Congress, and the Constitution become so horrendous that there will be no correction short of armed insurrection against tyranny and oppression. The Bill of Rights is not honored. The will of the People is ignored. The Laws that were put in place to prevent tyranny are considered "quaint" and respect for them wanes daily. When will there be some peace in the land and confidence that no one can be snatched from the street and put in a legal limbo by the Bushites?!
In the case of Mr. Libby, he lied to avoid the truth prior to the 2004 Presidential election to aid these criminals in being returned to besmirch their own oaths for another term. Libby did so intentionally and decisively...and now he stands commuted by the President whose henchmen he is protecting in their contempt of the law and our Constitution! They wish the return of a King to power and they act as if the Bill of Rights and Constitution does not forbid their wild grab for power...for, perhaps, it does not...and it is the People, with or without the Congress, that must reassert our own Rights that are being trampled upon!
Sully18 wrote on July 2, 2007 7:27 PM:I become more and more amazed as these reprobates manage to defy everything I`ve ever believed to be honorable about our government.
Mark F. wrote on July 2, 2007 7:33 PM:These men know no honor.
IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH
parrot wrote on July 2, 2007 7:47 PM:Sully18,
They know the honor of "forgiving your friend anything"...as long as their "friend" remains a co-conspirator and continues to cover up the crimes against the legal framework of our system of government. They and their King joke that the Constitution is a mere "scrap of paper". And they do so openly and with utter contempt for fairness, justice, or due and sensible deliberation. By doing so, they have damaged the reputation of the United States throughout the world, undermined any attempt to even assume that anyone can receive decent treatment, let alone a fair trial in the United States or from U.S. courts, summarily, "unitarily", determined that ratified treaties to which our country was bound to honor under the law need not be applied to their actions because...they could. Now they need to pay the consequences for their hubris...consequences that I indeed are much more sever for them than it is for us, the allegedly governed.
Anti-Republicrat wrote on July 2, 2007 7:49 PM:That's it. Enough. I'm voting third-party on every federal office out there. Libertarian, maybe; at least they respect the Constitution, something no in-office Democrat or Republican seems able to do. But I'm definitely not giving my vote or support to any more Republicraps...
I suggest everyone consider doing the same. Let's show the Democrats and Republicans how sick of their shennanigans we all are, by avalanching a huge section of the U.S. votership into the other parties: Libertarian, American Independent, whatever. Nothing else will make them sit up and take notice that we're just not going to take it any more...
pointus wrote on July 2, 2007 8:53 PM:I just woke up from a nap & saw the day's news. Back to bed for me.
TheraP wrote on July 2, 2007 9:01 PM:f***
Instead of "rule of law"
We now have "rule o'flaw"
cjop wrote on July 2, 2007 9:14 PM:Not another "get nothing done hearing". I'm a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party but they showed they had no balls a while back and the Bush administration can just say "Cheney Off" and they fold. I'm not holding my breath. They are really starting to look pathetic holding all these hearings and nothing coming out of them.
JNagarya wrote on July 2, 2007 9:28 PM:"If you don't impeach the criminal Bush now... when will you?"
When the REPUBLICANS stop foot-dragging.
Stop bashing the Democrats because they don't yet have the votes to impeach -- let alone convict. The problem is the REPUBLICANS.
"What further evidence is required to see that he views himself and his co-conspirators as above the law."
What is needed, jackass, is for a clear picture of the scope, nature, and elements of the subversion of law and gov't. Of the Constitution. As long as enough Republicans can pretend its unclear and ambiguous, they will not stop their foot-dragging.
But 21 Republicans in the Senate face re-election. They are not going to volunteer to take the fall by protecting Bushit. It is increasingly either Bushit, et al., or the Republican party.
The commutation is a Bushit, et al., shotting itself in the foot. It won't be much longer before all elements of reality pile onto the collapsing Bushit, et al., criminal enterprise.
Meanwhile, clue: Conyers knows a whole hell of a lot more than you of not only the facts and evidence, but also what is going on with his committee behind the scenes.
"Posted by: Ted P in IA
JNagarya wrote on July 2, 2007 9:33 PM:Date: July 2, 2007 6:42 PM"
"Will the house do anything *substantive* about this? Well....if one listens to the con-call between the Speaker and several bloggers yesterday, the answer is: NO. Sorry, but I don't count hearings as "substantive"....Yakking about an injustice is not *doing* something. The Emperor has No Clothes, and the Congress has No Balls.....Put these together, and the Nation has No Future."
Asshole: subpoenas are no laughing matter, especially as those of House and Senate Judiciary Committees are grounded upon more than sufficient hard evidence. Was Gonzles' testimony to Congress under oath "substantive"? Not as to the actual facts, but yes as hard eviddence of perjury.
If you think you know what is happening, Congress knows at least tem times as much as you. You don't know enough to be lecturing anyone. Or bashing them simply because you are clueless about what is happening, what Congress is doing, and what Congress' actions mean.
"Posted by: justadood
Date: July 2, 2007 6:50 PM"
I'd tell you to pull your head out of your ass, but I already know that you wouldn't know how.
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More of the goddam same! Rules are for other peons, not for us big guys! When will we have some cojones from the congresionals?
1
Posted by: Mike
Austin Cooper wrote on July 2, 2007 9:58 PM:Date: July 2, 2007 6:51 PM
I hate to say it... But while I support holding hearings, I'm uncertain what, exactly, will be the value.
To make a record? To embarrass the creatures running this 'administration' for the five minutes the MSM will spend in honest reporting on them? For the thirty seconds Cheney will spend getting concerned about them? He's laughing his ass off -- his doctors have allowed him an *extra* shot of single-malt tonight.
And lil' Boots isn't feeling any pain, either.
Anonymous wrote on July 2, 2007 11:12 PM:"Democrats because they don't yet have the votes to impeach -- let alone convict. The problem is the REPUBLICANS."
While I agree with Ted P in IA that the problem is the Republicans I have to say that Impeachment can be passsed by a simple majority.
I want to see Bush Impeached even if the odds for conviction are very slim. Ted P in IA does recognize that it's not just Bush, it's the whole Republican party and not just at the federal level. The Republican party is rotted to the core and always puts the interests of the party above the interests of the nation.
K Ols wrote on July 3, 2007 1:26 AM:I want Articles of Impeachment drawn up and voted on in the House. Even if the votes aren't there in the Senate to convict they should be. Just having Articles of Impeachment against you is a very black mark even if the Senate doesn't convict. If the Senate doesn't convict they are blind, deaf, and dumb to the lies and corruption.
I get sick of even Dems saying Bush and Cheney's offenses don't rise to the level of impeachment. Starting a war based on lies isn't a high crime and even treason?? Leaving people to die in LA isn't on the level of high crimes? Deliberately not securing our borders is not criminal? Spying on Americans without a warrant isn't a crime?
How much more of this are we supposed to take?
The Bush Adm. is a bunch of hardened criminals and the Republican enablers in Congress are just as guilty for turning a blind eye to the crimes and the loss of our freedoms.
Face it Americans, we are no longer a free people.
When you have to show a RFID passport to "leave" your country you are no longer free.
Never mind all the people who helped Bush become president without being elected not once, but twice. Where are all those convictions?
Max-1 wrote on July 3, 2007 2:51 AM:.
Failure for Congress to act and hold these criminals to task codifies illegality as, "Well, when the president does it, that means it's not illegal." All other successors to the throne... er... Office will use this as the benchmark of tolerable exorcise of the Office of the President of the U.S.A.
IS the President above the Law?
He IS when Congress allows him to do so.
And so far, some in Congress aren't happy. Others cheer him on. And others sit idly by.
To TRY, is the excuse for failure. For success is measured by what is achieved.
.
skyreader7 wrote on July 3, 2007 3:50 AM:Remember before you reached puberty and you played a lot of cops and robbers or cowboys and indians? You would make up the rules as you went along to suit yourself. This is what it feels like to me. George and Dick are playing president and vice president. They don't worry about the law or the Constitution, or the public. They play it however they want to. They're having so much fun, and Bush even sleeps well at night. It's all such a fun, fun game.
pops wrote on July 3, 2007 10:25 AM:Nancy Pelosi wanted the top job in congress but does not have the guts to impeach bush an channey, she should have never run for her job, she would be in charge of the war if both presidents were thrown out. She rather complain about the war then do something about it, like end it.That is what you get when you vote someone without any balls.
Doug wrote on July 3, 2007 11:36 AM:Impeach these criminals now. This is blatant abuse and it can not stand. Impeach, or swear fealty to the Empire.
SPENCER ADAMS wrote on July 3, 2007 1:50 PM:I just want to know what Conyers can do with these hearings, other than subpoena WH officials about the decision-making, and they'll claim executive privilege...
You see where this leads to; maybe Conyers wants to inform the public; other than a revelation of historic proportions, nothing will come of this.
Concentrate on the other contempt of Congress charges out there.
Thomas wrote on July 4, 2007 7:45 PM:Mr. Conyer:
This is obstrutcion of justice. It is implied in the Constitution that any President commuting a convicted crimnal is subject to impeachment. Congressman Conyer please proceed with impeachment proceedings. Thank you.
Anyone in Mr. Conyer's district should contact him IMMEDIATELY to start impeachment proceedings. CALL HIM! THANK YOU.