Comments (87)

bobh wrote on August 8, 2007 3:26 PM:

bleat bleat

please leahy - do something to prove your not just another sheep.

Eric Stepp wrote on August 8, 2007 3:28 PM:

This is getting ridiculous. Leahy should KNOW by now that the administration isn't going to give up their documents.

So, he's extended the extended, extended deadline.

Sincerity and out-spokeness certainly count for some. However, competence counts for more, in my opinion.

FMarouet wrote on August 8, 2007 3:31 PM:

Leahy: "And if you don't comply, I'll hold my breath until I turn purple. I might not eat my vegetables, either. And then you'll really be sorry."

More Leahy: "Hey, Arlen, that's really showing 'em, isn't it? Now we really have them where we want them!"

Specter and Rove, in unison: "Hahahahahahahahah!"

cdelarge wrote on August 8, 2007 3:50 PM:

This White House has given NOTHING. A blind man can see that they will get nothing. I'm so sick of these extented deadlines. By the way, whatever happened to Ms. Miers et al. I'm still waiting on them to haul her in!!!!

emal wrote on August 8, 2007 3:52 PM:

Shorter Leahy....I really really really mean it this time.

This is pa. the. tic!

bp wrote on August 8, 2007 3:53 PM:

All Leahy seems to be able to do is bluster and threaten. Forget it. The White House won't comply because they think they can get away with it. And nothing you or Specter can do bothers them one iota. You men are long on talk and nothing else. Get the subpoenas out, enforce them and let the Courts take over. All you have done (Sens Leahy and Specter) is to give us a load of bs on the way a gentlemen's club work. All talk and no action.

Max Renn wrote on August 8, 2007 4:03 PM:

Ooooohhhh, da puddy tat is getting soooooo angwy... da poor widdle White House is in weal twouble NOW oooohhh....!

cjop wrote on August 8, 2007 4:04 PM:

Oooh. "I'm mad now." Too late you weak pathetic man. Time to get some real Democrats elected. This includes my two Republicans in Democrats clothing here in South Dakota.

BlueInTexas wrote on August 8, 2007 4:05 PM:

Does this mean Sen Leahy is working through the August Recess?

Billy Pilgrim wrote on August 8, 2007 4:05 PM:

This is a chess match. Although not be obvious to the casual observer, the administration's position weakens with every exchange. Its pawns have been taken and its queen is cornered. Leahy is carefully moving in for the final check.

The only way out for BushCo is for someone to upset the table.

Karen wrote on August 8, 2007 4:08 PM:

Leahy's extensions gave Congress time to pass a bill making wiretapping legal -- so what's the point in continuing this charade? The Bushies know they don't have to comply with Leahy's demands.

I wish Congress would just stay out on vacation until after the 2008 election: they are doing too much harm being in D.C.

Max Renn wrote on August 8, 2007 4:12 PM:

Never forget Leahy is the wimp that let another man tell him in public to go fuck himself and didn't instinctively knock him to the ground in response.

Scott L wrote on August 8, 2007 4:14 PM:

Enough already either pull the trigger or get out of Dodge. You Democrats are so stupid that you don't seem to get the fact that a very motivated large block of the American people would help ANYONE break the back of this wannabe Imperial President. The majority of the people of this country understand NO ONE should have this power.

NCBlueneck wrote on August 8, 2007 4:16 PM:

"Don't make me draw another line in the sand!" "This time I really mean it!" "You're really making me mad this time!" Pathetic little weenie! Do something! You're a friggin' Senate committee chairman! I'm sure KKKarl is just snickering, smirking, and sneering -- just as W is. Is it any wonder Congress's approval rating is lower than W's?

Dennis wrote on August 8, 2007 4:21 PM:

I doubt that Leahy will win. Not because he doesn't seem to be trying, but because congressional democrats are not going to back him - especially, "bluedog" democrats.

If democrats really wanted to make Bush tow the mark, they could have done it a long time ago. They don't have the spine for it.

In the meantime, American civil rights go down the drain and American soldiers continue to die for a lie.

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

kilo wrote on August 8, 2007 4:29 PM:

I mean what the fuck do you want Leahy to do? Go tag-team with Waxman and kick the White House doors down? Everybody can complain but none of you fools have said anything that could be possibly done. Stop flooding the internet with your nerd-rage. With the Democrats ONE PERSON MAJORITY in the senate and the Republicans never-ending dick-sucking for each other there's not much anyone can do.

Remember the democrats aren't really "unified" like the republicans.

I mean what are you fools going to do, vote republican to punish the democrats? That's fucking retarded and will lead to more of this bullshit.

Mark Richards wrote on August 8, 2007 4:29 PM:

YAWN

jhickey wrote on August 8, 2007 4:29 PM:

Sen. Leahy cannot be as frustrated as all the good people who voted to put a majority in the house and the senate.Screw these people in the WH.Speed every request up.No more Mr. NIceguy.Playing the waiting game is right up their alley.

TheraP wrote on August 8, 2007 4:30 PM:

Thank you, Billy Pilgrim, for that comforting last thought.

Just in case Leahy needs extra help:

Are you that "one person?"

"Some do Care."

Click my name.

(on second thought, maybe Leahy should read that!)

JohnJ wrote on August 8, 2007 4:30 PM:

I want to agree with 'Billy Pilgrim' that this may be a chess game, BUT there is, unfortunately, no precedent that this is the case.

Leahy's moves do seem that way, and he'd be an idiot to let ANYONE know if that is what he is doing (sorry guys, including the "liberal" bloggers).

But history has shown, so far, that he's just talking.

Keep your fingers crossed; the future of democracy is on the line.

Chesire111 wrote on August 8, 2007 4:30 PM:

Kind of reminds me of the old Bulwinkle cartoons...

Leahy: "Hey Feilding! Wanna see me pull a rabbit outta my hat?"

Feilding: "Again?!?"

Leahy: "Nuthin' up my sleeve..."

JohnJ wrote on August 8, 2007 4:38 PM:

Thank you kilo 4:29pm. My sentiments exactly.

As frustrated as we all are, we can't counter illegal activity with illegal procedures. If we don't follow the law in catching these crooks, we will have accomplished nothing. How can the Dems restore the constitution when doing such would let the Cheney Mafia go; because the trials were illegal?

That's the kind of circular reasoning that the crooks in the WH use to justify what they are doing.

Dr. Zaius wrote on August 8, 2007 4:41 PM:

You'd better do it, or by God I SWEAR I'll set another deadline. You wouldn't want that!!

Shut up, Leahy. The Democrats already made all of that legal.

skeletonman wrote on August 8, 2007 4:42 PM:

It's past time for a Maginot (?sp) Line in the sand. It's time to call the bluff of the ass lickers in the white house and

1) clap Rove, Miers, et al in irons for inherent contempt of congress and incarcerate them in the basement of the capitol

2) impeach that moonbat Gonzales for the crime of making false statements to congress (to be differentiated from perjury, a different crime)

3) as the truth emerges in the House's investigation of said moonbat, indict the smarmy suckhole for perjury, then offer him immunity if he rolls cheney and chimpy

4) impeach those other 2 nefarious SOB's before they allow something/create something dastardly enough to allow that blue blood shit for brains bastard to proclaim himself Grand Imperial Poobah (pursuant to his own executive order earlier this year).

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 4:44 PM:

MaxRenn you are so right about Leahy. I used to believe in this coward but not any more. I just wish I could speak on behalf of the repukelicans I would tell Leahy the same, go fuck yourself! Ah that feels so good. Now I want to say this to all the dems in congress. Go Fuck Yourselves!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Boy that feels really good.

sc: army, as in democratic leadership is an army of fools

Chesire111 wrote on August 8, 2007 4:46 PM:

What would be illegal about enforcing subpoenas, threatening impeachment, or maybe not giving these crooks meaningless deadline after meaningless deadline? How about not joining them in passing unconstitutional FISA revisions?

Request the documents and be ready to issue subpoenas five minutes after they fail to produce them. Once they fail to produce them, cite them for contempt. Once the WH instructs the USA not to prosecute, impeach for obstruction of justice.

Billy Pilgrim wrote on August 8, 2007 4:57 PM:

Leahy's prodding may very well provoke BushCo to upset the chess table. Following what may turn out to be an unimaginable calamity, our democracy may then have a chance to right itself. But it will be a long shot.

Dennis wrote on August 8, 2007 4:57 PM:

Kilo @4:29, might want to ask, if the Department of Justice will not cooperate, then what is Leahy to do? Congress is no damned help. Congress has capitulated to the Bush regime.

We're stuck until the next elections. And the Republicans know it.

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

mo2 wrote on August 8, 2007 5:03 PM:

Emptywheel provides insight. Also scroll down to her August 6 article on Iglesias cover-up.
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/

OCPatriot wrote on August 8, 2007 5:04 PM:

Long and short of it is Leahy and the others are victims. They act like victims; they complain like victims; they take no firm action. Hamlet's quote is appropriate here: "To be, or not to be, — that is the question: — Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?" Leahy and the rest are the inactive worrying Hamlets; the victims; the enablers.

Rjks58 wrote on August 8, 2007 5:08 PM:

If they don't send US Marshalls in for these crooks one minute after the so-called deadline the country is lost and all the rhetoric in the world will not put it back togather.

johnd wrote on August 8, 2007 5:10 PM:

Okay, no one has been able to lay a glove on Bushco. That's even when Libby is convicted of lying under oath, Cheney shoots a guy, the economy is in a slower "slog" than Iraq and terrorists are growing more dangerous every passing day. Sending my kids to college is going to break me as it appears now. I now pay healthcare ins. premiums combined with medicare tax and out of pocket healthcare costs of about $16,000/yr for my family and we are extremeley healthy. My takehome pay has increased less than 4% in Bush's presidency but the rate I am invoiced out to my companies customers has increased 25%. The greedy are winning.

Is Leahy a pussy because he gives this extended deadline instead of instructing the DOJ to proceed with contempt charges immediately?

Exactly what do you Leahy bashers think will happen if contempt charges are initiated by congress? Let me answer that for you: absolutely nothing would happen. It would be not only a fruitless exercise in bringing Bushco to bear, but it would be a made to order example to be used by Republicans of Democrats pulling political stunts. Sometimes political stunts can get a President elected if the public is tuned in enough to the issue at hand. This is not such a case.

Remember, there is absolutely no arguement that Democrats gaining control of congress last year made it LESS likeley a Democrat will beat the Republican candidate in 08.

We always claim we are in the "reality based" community as opposed to Republicans who (at least in public) always stay on their ideological message and claim superior policy/governing results regardless of the actual facts.

I would like to see a Democrat in the Whitehouse with a Democratic party controlled house and senate,

I need labor laws to be brought back to where they were 10 years ago. I need defense spending to go down. I need a government committed to policies that reduce poverty, protect the environment, guard my liberties, end discrimination, improve education, reduce the prison population, produce healthcare reform and improve retirement security. There are some proven strategies for attacking these issues that Republicans wake up every day and try to undermine, I think because many have more self serving asperations and/or are ideologically comited to working against Democratic style government.

Go ahead and whine that our little majority in the legislative branch are feminine if you want. But all your doing is playing into the Rove playbook.

Chesire111 wrote on August 8, 2007 5:21 PM:

"Exactly what do you Leahy bashers think will happen if contempt charges are initiated by congress? Let me answer that for you: absolutely nothing would happen."

Since enforcing the law is the central function of the executive branch, failure to prosecute would constitute an impeachable offense.

Give the WH theopportunity to comply, when they don't, cite the obstructionists with contempt then impeach for obstruction of justice if the contempt citations aren't prosecuted.

(If not, why not? I'm not a lawyer, so maybe there's something that I'm not understanding here; if so, I would appreciate being corrected.)

Chesire111 wrote on August 8, 2007 5:21 PM:

"Exactly what do you Leahy bashers think will happen if contempt charges are initiated by congress? Let me answer that for you: absolutely nothing would happen."

Since enforcing the law is the central function of the executive branch, failure to prosecute would constitute an impeachable offense.

Give the WH theopportunity to comply, when they don't, cite the obstructionists with contempt then impeach for obstruction of justice if the contempt citations aren't prosecuted.

(If not, why not? I'm not a lawyer, so maybe there's something that I'm not understanding here; if so, I would appreciate being corrected.)

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 5:25 PM:

Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!
Out with the dems and in with the hens!!!

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 5:26 PM:

Why does TPM even post the dribble of the dems? Does anyone truly believe the dems will do anyything? Thisnis utter fucking nonsense and even wasting time posting the inance ramblings of this feckless geriartric eunuch further embarrasses our country.

As stated before, Leahy and the rest of the dickless dems feign disgust with BushCo soon after after they loxked lips with these same miscreants and passed FISA.

The dems as a party should receive a best supporting actor/actress Oscar for their portrayal of the good cop in this sickening Kabuki.

By the way, where were the probing questions about FISA, warrantless wiretaps, unanswered subpoenas, a corrupt DOJ and Gonzo at last night's debate? Although perhaps passionate, in the final analysis Olberman is a vain well-coiffed self-impressed boot licking eunuch of a yes man for his master MSNBC/GE.

The current Congress resembles a gaggle of wiggling drunk dildos twisting in the wind.

Christie wrote on August 8, 2007 5:27 PM:

The founding fathers provided for this. A simple majority vote in he House of Representatives can impeach the president. Impeachment is an indictment (not a a conviction) The case is then sent to the Senate for trial.The Senate conducts the trial. A prosecution team assembled by the House presents the evidence at the trial Conviction (removal from office) requires a two-thirds majority of the Senate. Not enough votes at this time to convict? That is NOT the question to ask at the beginning of the indictment/trial process.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 5:32 PM:

Posted by: Chesire111
Date: August 8, 2007 5:21 PM

I agree BushCo's obstruction, along with FISA invasions, represent impeachable offenses. But these feckless fucktards cannot even bring the contempt citations, cannot commence "Inherent Contempt", and have not even tried to impeach Gonzo who basically told Congress on several occassions with the cameras for all to see and hear: "I am lying to you. Fuck You. You will do nothing and like it!". What makes you think Congress can stomach the pressure and testicles impeachment requires? The reason for lack of leadership stems from the fact that we have but one party with two faces. The dems are pretending.

Chesire111 wrote on August 8, 2007 5:33 PM:

"The current Congress resembles a gaggle of wiggling drunk dildos twisting in the wind."

Impressive!

You should submit that one to Hallmark, I'm pretty sure they don't yet have a card for that one!

Clay wrote on August 8, 2007 5:59 PM:

OK, enough about Leahy. As a former prosecutor, he knows how important it is, when this reaches the courts, to be able to document efforts to reach good faith agreements. Now he has that record and will be able to bring contempt citations as soon as Congress is back in session.

It won't matter, since Bush has instructed the Justice Department to refuse to prosecute contempt of Congress charges. He could go to Federal Court and seek a civil redress. After a year or so, the courts will find in favor of Congress and instruct the Justice Department that they must proceed. That will take another couple of years.

Alternatively, the Senate could pass a statute forming a special prosecutor's office. If the GOP didn't filibuster it, then Bush would veto it.

The Senate cannot begin impeachment proceedings--only the House can do that. Under the circumstances, all Leahy can do is keep these issues in the public eye and show Bush up for being unreasonable and unscrupulous.

Foo wrote on August 8, 2007 6:04 PM:

I agree! It's much too far away. As a Vermonter, though, I am mindful that Leahy is building a prosecution that may lead to impeachment, and that has to stand the direct scrutiny of the Supreme Court. I think he's pretty serious when he says he doesn't want a "show" trial. I am very impatient to hear direct charges being issued, though -- and not August 20th!

urbino wrote on August 8, 2007 6:14 PM:

This is like watching Charlie Brown line up for another kick at the football.

Gee, I wonder what will happen.

P J Evans wrote on August 8, 2007 6:20 PM:

Inherent contempt. Doesn't need to go through the courts; it's done by and in Congress (whichever house is being held in contempt).

falstaffshonour wrote on August 8, 2007 6:51 PM:

johnd, billypilgrim, at al are right. Dems need to use this politically for '08. The adamant "subpoena/contempt/obstruct/impeach" approach plays into the Rethugs hands for '08, especially since we KNOW it will be unsuccessful. We will NEVER get 18 Rethug Senators to help us convict. Never. So we need to play the politics, not the righteous indignation.

Chesire111 wrote on August 8, 2007 7:01 PM:

We need tostop playing politics and start standing for something come what may. We need to have priciples, we need to do the right thing. If we tolerate the crimes of the Bushies to gain political advantage, then how are we any different from them???

gregor wrote on August 8, 2007 7:05 PM:

Reminds me of a loser in my extended family whose every action is always one of preparation for something big which is yet to happen.

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 7:10 PM:

I am amazed about all the outrage displayed on the posts at TPM regarding the dems but what amazes me even more is that TPM hasn't made this into a central story on its site. Story after story has dems like us screaming on the posts about how inept the democratic leadership is and how disillusioned we are with the democrats but has Josh Marshall had the guts to make that into a story and post it on his main site? NO! Now that is called how one becomes part of the MSM. TPM media is now part of the MSM and has stopped listening the posters. What a world we live in!

Mark wrote on August 8, 2007 7:23 PM:

I suggest we 1) bombard this idiot with mail/email saying to grow a spine, 2) write our reps/speakers our displeasure, and 3) give money to organizations that threaten and/or sue to see how legal warrantless wiretapping is. (The only drawback is if this conservative court declares it ok, but then there are now more emigrants to Canada than since Vietnam ;) )

slb wrote on August 8, 2007 7:28 PM:

>> Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? <<

Hamlet was pondering the pros and cons of killing himself. Is that what you want Congressional Democrats to do, commit collective suicide?

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 7:42 PM:

slb that wouldn't be a bad idea! I think if they commit collective suicide that might serve the country more than what they are doing alive. Metaphorically speaking of course.

slb wrote on August 8, 2007 7:43 PM:

>> Story after story has dems like us screaming on the posts about how inept the democratic leadership is and how disillusioned we are with the democrats but has Josh Marshall had the guts to make that into a story and post it on his main site? NO! <<

This is an opinion blog. Maybe Josh has not written a post like that because it is not his opinion that that Leahy is inept. Josh gets to write whatever he wants to write on HIS blog. You want to make it into a bigger story? Put it on your own blog here, or go start your own site.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 7:46 PM:

Yes to your questions. They cannot be any less effective.

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 8:04 PM:

slb, First of all I wasn't talking about just Leahy being inept I was talking about the whole democratic leadership being inept. Second, Josh's blog ain't his blog any longer because now he has people working for him as "reporters" or "editorialist." However, if you think he has decided to become Rupert Murdoch and help only the democratic party then he can't pretend to be "fair and balanced" and Fox not being so. He has stated so many times how fox's reporting is unfair, so this should make him one as well. Third, journalism is supposed to be facts being reported but the MSM has become opinions with facts thrown in to support their arguments therefore TPM has become MSM. Get it? Thank you.

Rudy wrote on August 8, 2007 8:26 PM:

another deadline......like the administration’s going to listen to this one. when are the dems going to take off the gloves and exercise the power that the have. spineless i tell ya!!

Rudy wrote on August 8, 2007 8:27 PM:

another deadline......like the administration’s going to listen to this one. when are the dems going to take off the gloves and exercise the power that the have. spineless i tell ya!!

Bob wrote on August 8, 2007 8:36 PM:

They first need to insert a revision into the Department of Justice's authorization bill that allows the Inspector General to investigate criminal acts by all Justice personnel. Right now they can't investigate any of the attorneys. That's handled by people handpicked by the Attorney General.

The "blue dog" Democrats who've provided Bush a facade of legality for this unconstitutional behavior are just White House lapdogs. Instead of yapping about Bush, the Democrats should be telling the rural district blue dogs that they won't be getting many votes for their pork barrel bridges to nowhere and their farm aid.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 8:41 PM:

Posted by: Rudy
Date: August 8, 2007 8:27 PM

Q: when are the dems going to take off the gloves and exercise the power that the have?

A: Never.

Despite this, TPM will continue to post the ramblings of the dems as if they really were backed by conviction and ultimate action.

TPM and the rest of the blogs are just another screen to watch this Roadrunner cartoon. Leahy and the dems are not too different than Wile E. Coyote, Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck, etc. The dems will continue to fall off a cliff in the Grand Canyon, have a stick of dynamite blow up in their face, or have their bill rearranged by a double barrel shotgun blast to their face. TPM willing, they will knock the dust off and get back up for another faux fight resulting in the same pre-ordained result.

Perhaps more absurd, futile and/or sickening is the fact that the MSM, TPM and other blogs will cover the next cartoon like it really matters and that perhaps anything short of continued war and unconstitutional government power grabs will continue. DC needs to tumble hard.

eyeball wrote on August 8, 2007 9:14 PM:

i've given this some thought today. I remain gloomy and sick about last weekend's cave-in over the FISA act. I look at leahy now and I wonder whether he even realizes that his investigation has become mooted and laughable as a result of his own party's collapse. even if Judiciary can prove they broke the the law, as we know they did, congress has given them an ex-post-facto 'get out of prosecution free card.' so where does this leave us?

well, it's back to basics. its up to the netroots to plan NOW for the 6-month re-enactment deadline. and maybe we can use leahy and his committee cohorts to good effect. we need to make the public aware of just what a threat to each of us this expansion of FISA is. leahy needs to turn his investigation into a lengthy civics lesson on why joe & jane middle-america are at risk of rogue wiretapping and eavesdropping acts by the feds now. he has to summon constitutional scholars from the left and right -- there are some strong rightist voices out there now, like turley and fein and barr, who agree this sucks and would say so - would say it's anti-conservative. the panel's message has to be simple and incessant: YOU are being spied on by the bushies. YOUR emails are being amassed and inspected. YOUR kids' emails IM's to their friends abroad are being read. YOU are being spied on. jackbooted NSA types; black helicopters. the whole thing.

it's all we have - old-fashioned political shoe leather, with the netroots spreading the word. this is a VITAL push. and if we fail -- well, we live in a country where the majority thinks this form of government intrusion is A-OK and we'll have to deal with that. (personally, i'm going to start using the post office again, and those disposable cell fones.)

well, there we have it.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 9:29 PM:

Posted by: eyeball
Date: August 8, 2007 9:14 PM

It will not happen. Government craves this awesome power and will not give it up. Leahy is part of government and, like a wolf in sheep's clothing is part of the problem. Quit fooling yourself that he will make a difference. Ask yourself, what has he done to date other than grumble, posture and write letters? Leahy's efforts are an absolute complete fucking joke of a canard and you know it if you are honest.

Richard Cowen wrote on August 8, 2007 9:40 PM:

You know, I love this site. I greatly admire the work of the men and women who put all of this together everyday. I gotta say though, the headline is wrong. Leahy didn't set the deadline, HE EXTENDED IT..... AGAIN! Please call it what it is.

dircha wrote on August 8, 2007 9:43 PM:

The Democrats should realize that they aren't getting any points with the public by being courteous with these subpoenas. And they certainly aren't getting any sympathy from the administration. It wasn't until Schumer started making noise about a perjury investigation that the mainstream broadcast media really covered the committee hearings for the first time in months. And without mainstream broadcast media coverage, most of my family, friends, and co-workers - and most Americans - don't have the slightest idea what has been going on in these committee hearings.

eyeball wrote on August 8, 2007 9:59 PM:

Posted by: tbhull
Date: August 8, 2007 9:29 PM

Exhibit A in the useless remarks category.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 10:06 PM:

Posted by: eyeball
Date: August 8, 2007 9:59 PM

My words, your words, all words posted here are no less useless than the words that litter each of Leahy's letters and press releases.

I am not a betting man, but if I were I would wager Leahy and his committee will neither do nothing that produces results take any action on of any your suggestions.

Al in Austex wrote on August 8, 2007 10:15 PM:

Yo Yossarian -are you really Jake the Troll come back to haunt this site ?
Billy P.is right -this is a chess match -and if your were paying attention you would know there were a whole lot of other stuff going on that well bear fruit. - only one example would be the Fitzgerald grand jury .
Listen up trolls, you all are going to be real surprised when all the RICO indictments are issued for BushCO come 2009 -when Dubya cannot pardon anyone .And come Sept/Oct -the VEEP & Gonzo will be IMPEACHED & will have the trial in the Senate starting to take off..
Meanwhile lay off Josh & tpm - this is not faux noise.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 10:17 PM:

Posted by: eyeball
Date: August 8, 2007 9:59 PM

My words, your words, all words posted here are no less useless than the words that litter each of Leahy's letters and press releases.

I am not a betting man, but if I were I would wager Leahy and his committee will neither do anything that produces results nor take any action on of any your suggestions.

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 10:17 PM:

I call for resignation of all the party heads in the democratic party. If they don't oblige we should do what some prosecutors did with the neo-nazi/white supremacists, they went after their pocket books and sued them for punitive damages and bankrupted them. I say we the liberals do the same with the democratic party and then start a new progressive party. I know it will be tough but nothing good ever came easily.

ddc wrote on August 8, 2007 10:18 PM:

Senator Leahy ought to just go home. This guy is no threat to anyone.

tbhull wrote on August 8, 2007 10:20 PM:

Posted by: Al in Austex
Date: August 8, 2007 10:15 PM

I could live with the scenario you paint. However, I have little faith. Why wait to impeach Gonzo?

bjc wrote on August 8, 2007 10:32 PM:

Senator Leahy has to be the biggest joke to the Republicans on the Hill. He threatens, he huffs and puffs before the cameras, he makes speeches on the Senate floor that everyone ignores, he sends out letters that Bush/Cheney ignore; what the hell has he accomplished? He damn near gave Bush all of the right-wing judges that came before him; after Hatch essentially blocked most of Clinton's nominees during his last year as President. I know, he wants to be fair to the Republicans. WOW!!!

Yossarian wrote on August 8, 2007 10:47 PM:

Posted by: Al in Austex
Date: August 8, 2007 10:15 PM

Yo Al in Austex, I ain't no troll nor am I Jake the Troll. I have been reading Josh since 2000 when it first started and when you were still in your diapers, so lay off of me. I have every right to criticize TPM and speak out about their coverage of the democrats. Unfortunately, as a liberal they are the closest party I can affiliate with but I will be damned if I will stay seated and keep listening to them and Trolls like you while the repukelicans keep destroying our beautiful country.

EH wrote on August 9, 2007 1:22 AM:

I'm guessing that Gonzales is the tradeoff for the FISA debacle. He resigns in time for some fall hullaballoo and Bush gets a recess appointment for a year. Dems get the White House and all the spoils thereof.

carol lam wrote on August 9, 2007 9:07 AM:

To Yossarian/jake and the other potty mouth trolls - this is to demoralize the opposition when we are winning - we are not falling for it.

The netroots needs to offer Leahy, Conyers, Feingold and others reinforcement from the US citizens, we have not been doing our jobs not just bitching online but putting in motion state and county impeachment resolutions.

http://AfterDowningStreet.com is steadfastly keeping up with this very important movement to take back our country. Todays ADS has a pagefull of these successful efforts. Don't blame Leahy get involved in your responsibities as a citizen.

Fourth Branch - Time to Stand UP!

We the People seek redress.

Anon has pointed out what we can do.

Seek audits.

Get State Attorneys Generals involved.

Impanel Grand Juries.

To Enforce the Constitution.

Thank you Thera - you should link to the site by a dkosser with all of the mystery posters posts. Is Thomas Tann this DEEP MODEM - even if he is not we need to demand that the MSM keep us up to date on his treatment. Is he under arrest and where have they taken him and is he being given access to an attorney? This is a test case important for us all.

Johann wrote on August 9, 2007 9:20 AM:

What nobody here seems to be considering is the possibility that, through the NSA wiretapping program, the Neocons and the Bushies have gotten the goods on several members of Congress and threatened to expose them if they didn't approve the FISA revisions.

tbhull wrote on August 9, 2007 9:58 AM:

Posted by: carol lam
Date: August 9, 2007 9:07 AM

You assume no one supporting this investigation and meaningful actions for executive wrongdoing, including impeachment, have particpated in the process in addition to spewing on this oand other blogs. Nonetheless, we still have absolutely ZERO results and we have a more invasive government because of changes to FISA. I once thought Leahy and the dems could bring home the goods. I now seem them as ineffective and each day this continues I think more and more that hitching your wagon to their train is akin to sleeping with the enemy. The time to put or shut up has long passed. The current DC power structure and the media parasites that cling to this power, including the MSM and many blog sites, needs to tumble and tumble hard.

moondancer wrote on August 9, 2007 10:31 AM:

Leahy does look outmatched, but I give him credit for trying. It is demoralizing to see dems so ineffective.
The biggest hope I have is; it takes one error or one uttered phrase by the right person to bring this administration down. They have to be afraid, there is so much out there now, and so many ex-bushcos' the potential for taking one below the waterline is great. They are madly operating the spin machine for Iraq, but they are also looking over their shoulder for "the one" who'll bring them down.
I speculate that they fear noone in the dem party, but everyone they've used over the past 5 years

bushcounterfeiting wrote on August 9, 2007 11:17 AM:

Never underestimate the man that helped fell Nixon

Richard L. Adlof wrote on August 9, 2007 11:32 AM:

No more talk. Get the job done. Send the Capitol Police.

TheraP wrote on August 9, 2007 11:35 AM:

carol lam:

Thanks for joining the Project! And now that cscs has taught me how to link, I will do exactly as you suggest. I have already posted the url's - but now I can do the really fancy stuff!

Ok. And I think I'll follow up with a post on this guy. Because the bottom line is that we need to have a safety net for all whistle-blowers. That, more than anything, may foster people coming forward.

Thanks for your advice. Keep it coming!! I'll do my best to push this forward. And your encouragement is appreciated.

By the way, if anyone else is ignorant of linking, you can learn about it at cscs's blog (at TPM Cafe) today. (search for cscs - twice, second time for "users")

TheraP wrote on August 9, 2007 12:30 PM:

For the record:

I think we need to pursue redress on two fronts. Let the Congress work - if it can. It has to work legally and everything is grinding slowly there. Then, at the same time, pursue the State AG strategy, with the Grand Juries. The strategies are not mutually exclusive. Knocking people who are trying to push the process along doesn't really help, IMHO. Even the State AG's and Grand Juries will go slowly - that's the way things happen. We need patience.

See great diary at dkos by drational:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/9/63824/53794

Everything takes time. We need to read and comprehend the writings of Anon. We need to prioritize and organize our efforts. Yet the pace of events keeps us reading other things also, just to keep up.

And, then, there's the crucial aspect of providing "safe haven" (somehow) for whistle-blowers and other victims, who will get ensnared along the way as the "beast" gets cornered.

JerseyMissouri wrote on August 9, 2007 1:03 PM:

Im tired of Sen. Leahy's whining, pleading and acting miffed at the Administration's disrespect. What a bunch of willing victims. What a feckless congress: democrats without a spine and republicans without a brain.

kentuck wrote on August 9, 2007 1:59 PM:

Leahy believes that he needs the cooperation of Arlen Specter before anything goes out of the Committee. He does not want to create division by going out on his own. He has promised Specter that he would consult with him on all matters to seek consensus. Unfortunately, Specter, despite all his criticisms of Gonzales, will not do anything that might hurt his Party. He plays the game as an independent nn-partisan, but in actuality, he is a devout partisan. Leahy is crewed so long as he waits on Specter to agree to anything.

kentuck wrote on August 9, 2007 2:02 PM:

Link above edited: (an "edit" feature would be nice) :-)

Leahy believes that he needs the cooperation of Arlen Specter before anything goes out of the Committee. He does not want to create division by going out on his own. He has promised Specter that he would consult with him on all matters to seek consensus.

Unfortunately, Specter, despite all his criticisms of Gonzales, will not do anything that might hurt his Party. He plays the game as an independent non-partisan, but in actuality, he is a devout partisan. Leahy is screwed so long as he waits on Specter to agree to anything.

Bob's not Right wrote on August 9, 2007 3:53 PM:

I have always found it disgusting that the moral right could go on TV and scream against flag burning but were perfectly willing to burn the constitution in the back room (i.e.; Clinton impeachment). I also find it ironic that those who are screaming against Leahy for not protecting our constitution are advocating usurping some of it’s basic tenants to punish political enemies.

We are not judge & jury on facts of law and any careful lawyer would not short cut the discovery phase or the chance to build as much damaging evidence as the other party will provide. Our constitution allows and requires due process even when it is painfully slow to watch.

Of course there is political positioning and I am guilty of being vindictive, impatient and righteous on demanding immediate action. I disdain the righteousness that gets preached from the right so I will try and not repackage it for my own ammunition, but I would like to hear one simple thing from the Senate Judiciary.

“Crimes that were committed by this administration will not be dropped on Jan 20th 2009 and no one can run out the clock on violating the law.”

If I heard that I would much more patient and a little less cynical.

TheraP wrote on August 9, 2007 4:40 PM:

carol lam:

Your request @ 9:07.

Whistle Blowers Need our Support

Individuals Targeted by bushco Need our Support

Enforce the Constitution!

(click my name)

Al in Austex wrote on August 9, 2007 9:37 PM:

tthbull= man dude you are way too pessimistic.
We all need to take a chill pill. There is a lot more going on then we see or hear . Fitzgerald is quietly but steadily building a case against the VEEP - Libby was just the opening gambit in that fracas.
The midterms are soon to be gearing up -we can make Bushco & impeachment of Cheney & Gonzo an over arching campaign meta message. It can be done , and will be if we all collectively do not give in to despair .
tthbull please give it all at least until mid September - Also please be a little less critical of Olbermann - he has been real good to our side -go read HIS TRANSCRIPTS OR SEE HIS COMMENTARY ON TRUTHOUT -MSNBC & GE cannot do anything about Keith - because Countdown's viewing numbers are really pretty spectacular ..

Twopipes wrote on August 10, 2007 1:15 AM:

"Although perhaps passionate, in the final analysis Olberman is a vain well-coiffed self-impressed boot licking eunuch of a yes man for his master MSNBC/GE."

tbhull,

are you demented? olbermann

Al in Austex wrote on August 11, 2007 4:41 AM:

carol lam -
Are you the the former USA attorney San Diego ?
If so , exactly how & what should the Four Branch , we the people being doing to stop BushCo ?
On other matters-but related - Yosarrian ,et al , please quit bitching about the Congressional Leadership- its counterproductive & offensive. But could it be that is the purpose of you alls rant - to make this site counterproductive & offensive !?Anyway pls cease & desist from these diatribes ....