Comments (68)

Mike Valentine wrote on August 20, 2007 10:29 AM:

Senator Leahy is a New England gent. This is his reply to Cheney's go " F*ck yourself."

wm wrote on August 20, 2007 10:45 AM:

If there is no response from the white house or more cloak and smoke by the deadline, the judiciary commitee should hit back fast and hard against this bullshit. Keep the pressure ongoing.

Terminus Est wrote on August 20, 2007 10:46 AM:

Hmmm...I daresay that the response from Leahy will be to (drum roll) give them ANOTHER extension!

That is all they EVER do, or barring an extension, simply throw up their hands, harumpf, and say, "We tried. Who's up for some crabmeat for dinner?"

Molly Ivans wrote on August 20, 2007 10:52 AM:

Raise Hell !!

steve duncan wrote on August 20, 2007 11:10 AM:

Leahy will roll over on this like everything else. I don't like Republican's macho posturing when it comes to national security. However, it pains me to admit if bullets were flying and I had to share a foxhole with somebody there aren't many Democrats come to mind. The smell of feces and urine as they lost control of their bowels is reason enough to avoid them. Dubya commands sit up and bark and Dems meekly comply. Sickening.

DLM wrote on August 20, 2007 11:13 AM:

WH plan -- Run out the Clock - Run out the Clock
Let the next administration sort out the mess in this country.

itwasntme wrote on August 20, 2007 11:35 AM:

Hate to disagree, steve duncan, but when the chips are down, the Republicans would desert the foxhole fast, claiming they had very important paperwork to do. I'd rather find myself next to a flinching, weeping Democrat who'd pass the ammo than rely of a proven band of big-talking cowards, the Repubs.

JEP wrote on August 20, 2007 11:35 AM:

Steve Duncan;
"However, it pains me to admit if bullets were flying and I had to share a foxhole with somebody there aren't many Democrats come to mind."

Would you trust Foley? Hastert? Cheney?

Lets not let our partisan ignorance get in the way of a meaningful dialogue.

I am quite certain you have managed to offend more than one Democrat who is currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, so I hope it made you feel like a real tough-guy.

There are tens of thousands of Democrats fgighting Bush's war for him, and people like you just make them feel like it is for nothing.

Did you even stop to consider that your partisan politics might offend some real warriors? I doubt it even crossed your mind that there are Democrats serving, under fire RIGHT NOW, who are much braver than you are.

PARTISAN HYPOCRITE!

Don't call yourself a patriot when you are calling more than half our brave, FIGHTING soldiers "cowards."

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 11:39 AM:

Gasp!! It may be time for another strongly worded letter!

JEP wrote on August 20, 2007 11:40 AM:

"but when the chips are down, the Republicans would desert the foxhole fast,"

No, they would probably never get into the foxhole in the first place, they would certainly not volunteer, and if they faced the draft, they would find "other priorities."

And every deferrmant the loopholes offered them.

That is, if Dick Cheney is the kind of example we are talking about...

Calling all "Democrats" cowards is like telling half your family they are bastards, when they look a lot more like your daddy than you do...

James wrote on August 20, 2007 11:42 AM:

Prepare for the White House to launch another whining campaign about those mean Democrats, who wouldn't give us yet another extension (which would also be ignored). Those horrible Dems are just engaging in a political witch-hunt, they haven't laid a glove on us, etc., etc.

Legalize wrote on August 20, 2007 11:46 AM:

Boy, I bet we get answers THIS time!

TheraP wrote on August 20, 2007 11:49 AM:

The Dems are keeping the pressure on. That means the repubs can't vacation as is their wont. Good!

Don't trash the Dems. This has to play out legally.

JEP wrote on August 20, 2007 11:51 AM:

deferrmant?

that was just a typo, I know how to spell deferment...

looseheadprop wrote on August 20, 2007 12:04 PM:

The fact that Leahy has come back to DC during the recess seems to indicate that this is not business as usual.

He has all of the DC press corps to himself and except for natural disasters (weather) and man made disasters (mines)--it has been a really slow news week(s) for a while now.

I wonder what Senator Leahy is planning?

Punchy wrote on August 20, 2007 12:08 PM:

I'm with TheraP. Quit trashing the Dems on this. It's not like they can just start knocking people out to get this stuff. They're forced to formally ask, then subpoena, then go thru the courts. The process is halfway done.

Xman wrote on August 20, 2007 12:18 PM:

1. Probe, probe, probe, hit a nerve.
2. Find out where the nerve goes.
3. Add it to a building mountain of evidence.

code word "crush" as in when the mountain of evidence is so large that it starts to crush.

chimpeach wrote on August 20, 2007 12:20 PM:

"Quit trashing the Dems on this. It's not like they can just start knocking people out to get this stuff. They're forced to formally ask, then subpoena, then go thru the courts. The process is halfway done."

But I'm not used to waiting for things. I want instant gratification. Right now! WAAAAAH!!!

That was my pseudo-progressive, Dem-hating whiner impression.

Fe wrote on August 20, 2007 12:27 PM:

Thank you, Senator Leahy, for the effort of restoring the people's faith to democratic government. Thank you.

NitPicker2 wrote on August 20, 2007 12:27 PM:

Molly Ivins - yes wants us to raise hell, while spelling her name correctly.

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 12:30 PM:

Thank you, Senator Leahy, for the effort of restoring the people's faith to democratic government. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 12:39 PM:

To quote a scene from the BBC sitcom Red Dwarf:

It may be time to hit them hard--and I do mean hard--with a leaflet campaign.

I'm hoping for inherent contempt, expecting a rollover like we haven't seen since The Poseidon Adventure. Or maybe like that little FISA business.

Austin Cooper wrote on August 20, 2007 12:49 PM:

Thera, I agree -- but I'm reaching my limit of patience and tolerance.

Cheney / Bush and the people surrounding and supporting them are now archetypes for everything blind, greedy and destructive about America.

Nothing these people do seems to make any rational sense -- it's as if they were purposefully setting out to create something so terrible and destructive that it can't be contained or recalled -- is this Bush's way of ensuring a Democratic President will be unable to "get out of [America's] destiny"?

Because it really *is* this bad -- because every moment that goes by that the 'administration' is simply allowed to **continue** performing as usual is like watching a helpless animal be tortured...

It's hard to simply watch Congressional Democrats, and the Democratic leadership (particularly the DLC Republican-Lites) do anything less than eviscerate these murderous clowns at every turn.

Because the expectation is that the Democrats will do it all by the book; the Rule of Law will be observed, all the niceties will be completed... and then Cheney / Bush will just tell them to go fuck themselves. Simple as that. And then what? We're back to square one.

I don't feel the Democrats should be bashed without reason -- but you can see why people are both angry and despairing.

We need champions, now; we need Leaders with real vision -- not 'politicians' who carefully parse and tiptoe to create 'consensus' with Blue Dogs and the powerful donation base of the DLC.

With deep regret, I don't see any Leaders, now.

chabuka wrote on August 20, 2007 12:52 PM:

Mr. Leahy,
you must understand it takes time to locate and destroy all copies of these documents...we are only half way done..we just need more time.

Sincerely,
Fred Fielding

Duckman GR wrote on August 20, 2007 12:57 PM:

Sen. Leahy has kind of backed himself into a corner too. And as looseheadprop rightyl notes, going back to DC suggests that this isn't just another delaying tactic. JEP is dead on. Would you trust Guiliani or Romney or O'Connell or any Gopper named Thompson, not to mention Billo and company?

The crowd that's so terrified that those damn A-Rabs (sorry) are coming to get us they'll give up their rights to a corporation in a nano second?

Gutless cowards is more like he GOP, let's keep that on the radar screen instead of pounding the Dems for their own failures and incompetencies.

TheraP wrote on August 20, 2007 1:03 PM:

Austin Cooper,

What we need, I think, are leaders willing to risk their political careers for the sake of the constitution. Nothing else will do here.

I understand your frustration. I too am frustrated. But I believe we have to work on all fronts. And I support any and all efforts to bring these schmucks to justice and fix all the constitutional leaks that have occurred under their reign of error.

foggylady99 wrote on August 20, 2007 1:04 PM:

surely Leahy et al know the Thugs "gum it to death" plan.
All of this has been a political cliff hanger, week to week, month to month, and I am sure there are several authors sharpening their pencils for the near future book.
Would be more entertaining if it were not such a damn serious situation.

phil james wrote on August 20, 2007 1:08 PM:

Sorry to rain on the parade but Leahy's actions are not likely to restore the people's faith in democratic government unless they are in fact effective. And judging by the track record of this administration, they are extremely unlikely to be so. For the last 6 years democratic government has been broken, out of commission, temporarily (we hope) inoperable. There are no operational co-equal branches of govenment. Just a cluster of deeply frustrated Democratic Senators and representatives who recognize that their Republican counterparts don't give a rat's ass about the separtion of powers or good government or any of those Constitutionally based cliches and who have ensured that the imperial presidency of our Lord most high and unitary executive King George and his thugs and bootlickers continues unfettered and unanswerable (see e.g. Scooter Libby). Leahy's actions merely highlight those facts. When might a democratic government be back in operation? Barring some transcendant act by an otherwise intransigent and obfuscatory administration, no sooner than Jan 2009 (assuming elections are actually allowed to go forward that is).

Ducky wrote on August 20, 2007 1:09 PM:

Instead of bashing the hell out of the democrats, let's show them the support of the people. We need to make our way to Washington, DC and stage a sit in.

Show the dems that our support carries further than our keyboards. Quietly sitting on steps would raise awareness, garner MSM coverage, and just may give the democrats the "muscle" they have been lacking.

Peaceful demonstrations always get support for the cause and make the villians, in this case republicans, look even worse for trying to stop the protest.

anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 1:17 PM:

I would never make a good politician. I could not, in good faith, allow timelines to elapse over and over again.I would look out and see the people dying in Iraq and elsewhere, and allow my emotions to get ahold of me. I would then get on national television to let the public know exactly what and why I was doing and why impeachment was important. I would use the powers of Congress to arrest, take away the funding... do whatever I could so the innocent would not lose more lives because of OUR arrogance.

I really admire thoes politicians who have the capacity to just put the continue carnage aside and look into the future, when THEY will be in power and THEY can make sure there is no accountability....

Afterall, what's a few more thousand innocent lives, compared to the chance of having the RIGHT party being in charge....

dras wrote on August 20, 2007 1:23 PM:

You Bushbreaths are all alike. Just what in the hell makes you think that the real leaders are Republican. If you ever do go into battle I just hope that you and those fools you follow so blindly are going a different direction them I am. If you have you're choice then why in God's name would you pick an AWOL chicken shit leader like GW is.
I guess it takes all kind, you know like one idiot following another idiot.

Al in Austex wrote on August 20, 2007 1:29 PM:

So Jake - concerning you & all the other Trolls that are on this thread currently -now might be a real good time to make sure that Gillispie , Rove & Mehlman cut you your last pay check because it surely looks like Sen Leahey is fixing to get real busy with the issuance of many contempt of Congress citations. The GOP ( Greed over Priciples ) party will soon be having to expend most if not all of its resources in legal defense . In short Jake this is the calm before the Impeachment Deluge.
Gonzo will be the first to be impeached , next will be Cheney - then the proceeding go to the Senate - where the trial for these two malcontents are held in the context of the 2008 elections - Are there any moderate Republican Senators that would vote not to convict Fredo of lying to the Committees ? Will there be any moderate Republican Senators prepared not to vote to convict Cheney for illeaglly spying on We the People ?
Leahey , Schumer, Waxman , & Conyers know that we go into ( potentially) the street fighting stage of this part of the rollback of the BushCo putsche thats tried to take over our federal government - these good Democratic Leaders will be engaged fully in this showdown. I pray that all of us will be as well.
Do you see the stormclouds gathering Jake -now might be a good time to seek cover buddy....

Hagop wrote on August 20, 2007 1:45 PM:

Frankly, what does it matter now that our Congress has approved, with bonus opportunities, the eavesdropping program desired by the President. If the Democratic leadership cannot exert enough pressure on its own membership to vote no, why bother with the investigation into how the program that Congress approved came into being.

streetsmart wrote on August 20, 2007 1:47 PM:

steve duncan, take a look at the list of GOP chickenhawks who never served, vs. the Dems who did. After you have educated yourself, I will expect an apology. My father, brother and two sons are all combat veterans and staunch Dems, and you just insulted them.

How can you tell when a troll is lying? His fingers are moving! LOL

streetsmart wrote on August 20, 2007 1:48 PM:

steve duncan, take a look at the list of GOP chickenhawks who never served, vs. the Dems who did. After you have educated yourself, I will expect an apology. My father, brother and two sons are all combat veterans and staunch Dems, and you just insulted them.

http://awolbush DOT com/whoserved DOT html

How can you tell when a troll is lying? His fingers are moving! LOL

moondancer wrote on August 20, 2007 1:54 PM:

Assuming Leahy issues multiple contempt citations, what next? Does the chimp wait for congress to try to enforce, then get injunction?
Or does fredo go right federal court for relief? Or, as I suspect most likely, congress go to court to compel compliance.
I'm serious, I know theres' lots of attorneys on this thread, can you give us an outline of how things would likely work if this goes into the judiciary?

Austin Cooper wrote on August 20, 2007 1:57 PM:

Thera,

I'm with you; I support the idea of doing things 'by the book'

But, let's sharpen the focus: Everything about this 'administration' comes down to a single card -- Executive privilege.

The idea of a 'Unitary' Executive is essentially Cheney's; there's been enough from his scribblings already reported that support the idea. John Yoo was enrolled to provide the 'legal' framework.

Every excess of the Cheney / Bush 'administration' -- the Executive Orders, the signing statements; the as-yet unknown Surveillance "Program X"; Rove's attempt to subvert nonpartisan government bureaucracies to create one-party rule ... * all * of it depends upon Executive Privilege to remain secret, or continue.

It's fine to talk about subpoenas for documents or testimony, or for Contempt Of Congress. I'm arguing for a full-on campaign against Executive privilege **as used by this 'administration'**.

The public should be educated; there should be talking points, speakers, public debate -- the Democrats should dominate and own this issue bacause it gives everyone the opportunity to publicly air the horror (and I mean exactly that), the inhuman and monstrous acts of this government, done in our names. It focuses on Cheney and Bush as responsible. It would make their 'privilege' less defensible.

Once people really understand that this is the single issue, the one card Cheney / Bush have left to play -- then it can be pressed to the courts with everyone understanding what's at stake.

That's not the case, now -- and I feel strongly that as a country, and a society, we're running out of time.

Damian wrote on August 20, 2007 2:07 PM:

Chimpy says, "No can do! Ahm on vacayshun, choppin'and clearin' stuff. Riading mah bike! So hold yer horses, Leehay! Heheh."

"Whatchergonnado about it, anyway?"

TheraP wrote on August 20, 2007 2:48 PM:

Austin,

I see it all resting on War Powers. The illusion that being at war give the prez all the power he wants and thus he can classify everything - due to being at war, do surveillance, however he pleases - due to being at war, and take over the legislation - etc., etc., etc. I agree about the claim of executive privilege - but in my mind that claim rests on "war powers" claimed.

Essentially we are in agreement here, I think.

Trolls, yes, are trying to fool Dems into wanting to jump the gun and do something foolish before the time is ripe. But it's all drawing to big showdown here. Much of the nation is now against the war. Much of the nation no longer believes bush. And eventually will see the end game.

Patience.

steve duncan wrote on August 20, 2007 2:59 PM:

We're in the foxhole now, people. Democrats cave every single time Bush yells "Boo!" Tortue? Check, OK with the Dems. Gutting the 4th Amendment? Check, OK with the Dems. Additional Iraq war funding when it's agreed all around by anybody with an IQ beyond 50 the war is futile? Check, OK with Democrats. Enact the Patriot Act, an abomination if there ever was one? Check, OK with Democrats. Kowtow to Lieberman instead of kicking the worthless bastard to the curb? Check, Lieberman is fine with Democrats. Impeach Alberto Gonzales for provable lies to a Senate investigatory committee? Nah, leave Alberto in his job, what with the Department of Justice otherwise being run in such fine fashion. So, check, Alberto OK with Democrats. In summary, we should all be peachy with Democrats having our backs. Right guys? Guys?

Terminus Est wrote on August 20, 2007 3:07 PM:

As promised! EXACTLY as i predicted up-thread, Leahy extended his extension! That will show 'em! That will get Bushie quaking in his cowboy boots!

Ho-hum. Same shit, different day: the Democraps cave in AGAIN. It is What they Do(tm). They CAVE. On everything. They are just as bad as the GOP wrt using the Constitution as toilet paper.

Pathetic.

Numero Uno McLean Stevenson/Hello Larry Fan wrote on August 20, 2007 3:11 PM:

Today I officially have even less respect for the Leahy than I do for Bush/Rove/Cheney. You expect lies and deceit from that crown but I've decided Leahy is actually more concerned with covering for them or he is completely fucking clueless as to the type of people he is dealing with. If that is the case he is a total idiot. Of course he could be he has no balls and is terrified of standing up to the thugs in the White House. Oh well- note to Leahy and all other cowardly Dems, by cowering and trying not to piss off Republicans you have thoroughly pissed off your base- you know, THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ACTUALLY GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION! Fuck all of you assholes. It's back to the Green Party for this Dem. You stupid fucks are worthless.

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 3:16 PM:

What we need, I think, are leaders willing to risk their political careers for the sake of the constitution. Posted by: TheraP

Good luck finding any. Feingold, Kucynich, Ron Paul....but I'm not running out of fingers, much less toes.

wilsom4 wrote on August 20, 2007 3:25 PM:

Terminus Est (and others), do you have a link to the Leahy "cave", I'm not seeing it in the usual places...

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 3:27 PM:

I changed my registration from D to I recently. Felt pretty good. It gave me a little control. It was more thrilling still to tell the Democratic fundraiser who called me (under the mistaken impression that I'd actually pay to elect more of these weenies to the Senate) to f___ off.

Now, one more thing I can do -- all of us can do -- is show up in DC on September 15.

It's well past time to show both sides in this little charade that we're mad as hell and not going to take it any more.

slangist wrote on August 20, 2007 3:31 PM:

leahy at 2:30 presser said he would seek full committee vote on contempt of congress citations when the senate returns. from there it would go to the floor for ratification by entire senate. not sure if such a motion can be made filibuster-proof. if it passes, next stop, sgt at arms arrests named "contumacious individuals" (as senate called them in a 19th century contempt case.) this ain't no dud firework today. it's a long fuse.

Spade wrote on August 20, 2007 3:32 PM:

If the Republicons were in charge the line would be, "Nothing to see here. Move along."

Austin Cooper wrote on August 20, 2007 3:37 PM:

Good God, the number of trolls pretending to be betrayed, formerly-loyal Democrats on this thread today is... stunning!

simulacrums never play like the real thing, though. However, you've made your quota as strong and loyal Americans, "Fightin' Keyboarders" in service to... well, we all know what you're in service to.

The "Back To The Green Party" note with the profanity was a particularly interesting touch -- don'tcha think?

Yossarian wrote on August 20, 2007 3:42 PM:

Oh please Mr. Leahy save us the whole dog and pony show of this subpoena crap. When it counted you gave this shit head of a president all the power he needed and now you want this crap. Save us the whole baloney and hold your head a little tighter cause me thinks the rest of thou hair is about to falleth. Out with Repukes and Reid/Pelosi shit heads in the next election!!!

Anonymous wrote on August 20, 2007 3:44 PM:

The only thing Congress can do is impeach Gonzales. Yes, that process starts in the House, so don’t remind me of the fact. The senate could call for the initiation of proceedings.

They won’t do it because they, like the White House, only want to run out the clock. They actually believe a Democrat will win next year. Damn fools. Why do they think the election will be fair? And even in the remote chance it is, they have given the public nothing to vote for. ”Meet the new boss, same as the old boss,” isn’t a winning campaign slogan.

If they weren’t also screwing me, I’d say they are getting what they deserve.

Flabberghasted wrote on August 20, 2007 3:51 PM:

More sound and fury...

All bark, no bite...

A Tree falls in the forest...

Well, you get the idea; frankly I'm getting a little tired of Democratic impotence on dealing with this blantant lawlessness and obstructionism.

Ladies and gentlemen, for the Democratic Party we are making the 08 elections harder, not easier, with this kind of weak demonstration.

mo2 wrote on August 20, 2007 3:53 PM:

Call and write your GOP Congresspeople and tell them to vote for Contempt of Court in September.

If we can get the votes for contempt, then we can get the votes to impeach Gonzales, too.

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 4:11 PM:

"Good God, the number of trolls pretending to be betrayed, formerly-loyal Democrats on this thread today is... stunning! Posted by: Austin Cooper"

Well, Austin, expect to be stunned still more, because there are more of us formerly-loyal Democrats (just shy of four decades for me) being created every day. Calling us "trolls" -- as if anyone who disagrees with you must be masquerading -- doesn't help either.

My indignation is genuine, and it is growing deeper by the day. I am sick of seeing the Constitution shredded while a do-nothing majority sits trembling.

MOLLY IVINS wrote on August 20, 2007 4:13 PM:

Molly Ivins - yes wants us to raise hell, while spelling her name correctly.
Posted by: NitPicker2
Date: August 20, 2007 12:27 PM

THERE ARE NO "I" s IN HEAVEN, THERE ARE NO EGOS THERE

EdNSted wrote on August 20, 2007 4:18 PM:

Trolls? Well, I can only speak for myself but I have a 35 year voting history that would argue otherwise.

There may in fact be trolls posting in the way some here suggest. I don't know - I'm only posting for myself. But to assume there are not a significant number of Democratic leaning voters who are very disatisfied with the current state of Democratic leadship risks making a serious problem much worse.

The 'lesser of two evils" argument rings quite hollow these days.

.

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 4:22 PM:

"Trolls, yes, are trying to fool Dems into wanting to jump the gun. Posted by: TheraP"

Again with this "trolls" nonsense? Were they trolls who turned on both parties to oppose the Vietnam War? Thise who are satisfied with Nixon vs. Humphrey deserve Nixon vs. Humprhey. Some of us want something much different, and that doesn't make us trolls.

Movements have to start somewhere.

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 4:27 PM:

Posted by: EdNSted

Indeed. "Mainstream" Democrats would do well to pay attention. Your party is in real danger.

Al in Austex wrote on August 20, 2007 4:41 PM:

This was nicely done - this means we can all talk up our Senators during the recess to vote for the contempt of Congress Resolution when they return to work .
Ignore the trolls , try to buck up the demoralized Democrats that have left the Democratic Party - Its all going to be ok come mid - September -first of October latest -the Senate will be hearing the case for convicting at least Gonzales -if not Cheney ..
This is the beginning of the end for BushCo -the Gordon Smiths & Christopher Shays want to win their next election -they will not be drinking any neocon Kool Aid -they want to be re-elected .
Patience continues to be a Virtue

FedUpWontTakeItAnyMore wrote on August 20, 2007 4:47 PM:

So...yes, I see that we have the media's attention. Looked at CNN - even the politics section - Michael Vick is the big story. Actually no mention of Leahy and the deadline anywhere. Good thing that the media has the constitution and protection thereof squarely in its radar screen.

Another life time Dem getting running rapidly out of patience with our so called leadership...both sides!

Mark F. wrote on August 20, 2007 4:57 PM:

Leahy: "Alright, I've had just about enough of this. You've been warned. Now I'm going to get serious. You've got five more chances and then there's gonna be trouble. Following those five chances, there's gonna be a warning. And following the warning we're gonna put together a preliminary subpoena investigation committee. Then THEY'RE gonna warn you. Then you're REALLY know you've been warned."

apeman wrote on August 20, 2007 5:34 PM:

playing KICK the Can forever.

groundhogday wrote on August 20, 2007 5:55 PM:

So, now MUST be the time to get that dry powder out. Load up for ...double secret probation....that should scare 'em silly.

Numero Uno McLean Stevenson/Hello Larry Fan wrote on August 20, 2007 6:35 PM:

The "Back To The Green Party" note with the profanity was a particularly interesting touch -- don'tcha think?
Posted by: Austin Cooper
20 years as a registered Dem. Voted against Clinton his second term- not a big fan of NAFTA- but other than that always voted Dem. Anyway, I guess the reason the approval numbers for Congress are at record lows is because all of us "trolls" were dumb to expect the Dems to try and reinstate the rule of law in this country. The brainwashed Dems are gonna be in for a rude awakening after they nominate Hillary and she gets trounced in the general election. And believe me, she will not win. This upcoming election should have been a cakewalk. Oh well, all who disagree with you are a troll. Whatever. The country is beyond repair. There's no fixin' it. The Dems aren't even really trying.

Official A wrote on August 20, 2007 8:10 PM:

"Patience continues to be a Virtue" Posted by: Al in Austex

Patience in rising to the defense of the Constitution is no virtue.

And why this persistent name-calling? Everyone who doesn't buy into the mainstream Democratic stall tactics, hoping for (and gambling everything on) a sweep in 2008, is a troll?

Fine, then I'm a troll, and damn proud of it. Count me out of your club.

I'll be in DC on September 15 protesting against this prostitution ring we used to call government. Where will you be? Sitting comfy in front of CSPAN, listening to Leahy's next deadline extension?

Numero Uno McLean Stevenson/Hello Larry Fan wrote on August 20, 2007 10:02 PM:

From one troll to another props to you Official A for standing up for your country.

Al in Austex wrote on August 20, 2007 11:41 PM:

Official A :
We may very well need a third party -if the Democratic Leadership fails us in Sept /Oct - but I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt -in fact I am highly confident that Leahey et al will come through for us.
I will not be in DC 15th September -I do not have the time or the money to go -but I fully support those that can and applaud their collective civil disobedience .

Official A wrote on August 21, 2007 9:01 AM:

Al, thanks for the encouragement. I hope you are right about Leahy.

One of the reasons I will be in Washington, with my family, is that I feel like we need to demonstrate to members of Congress, Democrat and Republican, that we want this nonsense to cease. I believe our elected "representatives" lack the political will to deal with this...running out the clock is just so much easier...and real citizen outrage is needed to provide some impetus. To bring this to the attention of the media (and thus to the forefront of our "representatives' limited consciousness), we need a hundreds of thousands of people visible in Washington on September 15.

Everyone who reads this, please try to be there.

It's important, and a teaching moment for future generations.

As in 1968, the whole world is watching.

james larkin wrote on August 22, 2007 6:14 PM:

Flaunting presidential power merely to show it off to "protect it" without regard to the consequences is an abuse of otherwise legitimate power.

There seems no earthly public good in a “signing statement” declaring the president may ignore minimum requirements of experience and education for FEMA directors. And yet, to just such a law, the president added just such a statement claiming that he may substitute his own unnamed standards in place of the ones in the law. He does not explain what his substitute qualifications are. He does not explain under what circumstances he would apply them instead of the ones in the law. He does not explain how a FEMA director meeting his own personal-loyalty standards will serve us better in times of disaster than one meeting the legal standards. He merely decrees it.

When Hurricane Katrina unleashed her destruction, we discovered too late that the FEMA director, chosen by this president according to his own criteria, was avidly loyal to the president but utterly lacking the experience and skills needed for national emergency management. Who suffered for it? The people. The nation.

That is why the minimum qualifications were introduced in the law – but he decreed his own judgment on standards to be potentially superior to that of Congress and reserved for himself the right to ignore the law.

When the President uses his powers to ignore laws passed by Congress, he may deny us the benefits the laws were meant to provide. When he does this with no accounting of how the people or the nation will benefit by his rejection of the law, but merely claims the right to ignore it as a show of power, he abuses his otherwise legitimate powers. The president is the only person who can explain his reasoning. He should be called to appear before Congress and account for this assumption of superior judgment, as it will affect the safety and lives of the people of the United States. If only impeachment can make him comply, so be it. Perhaps then he can explain how his own specified requirements will make for more effective emergency management.

But if his sole reason for the “signing statement” was to protect and defend his own powers by using them randomly, exercising powers in frivolous displays of presidential braggadocio merely to show them off without regard to the public good, it is a grave abuse of his office. There is no law or oath stating the president must place the interests of the presidency above the interests of the people of the United States. That is an abuse of power of the very sort the framers of the Constitution foresaw. That is an impeachable offense.

Legal allies of the president say Congressional acquiescence is a mute but official endorsement of his use of power. Indeed, who among those in Congress who reject impeachment will answer the arguments for impeachment? Who among them will explain how their toothless inactions will discourage future abuse of power more strongly than calling presidents to account for questionable assertion of powers, as the Framers intended? Not a one. Who will suffer for their abnegation of duty? The people. The nation.

Over three hundred years ago, American revolutionaries overthrew a dictatorial regime and established a democratic nation, a government “of laws, not men”, and gave Congress the power of impeachment to check homegrown tyrants, to act on the people’s behalf by challenging abuse of presidential power. Today, most in Congress have meekly stripped themselves of the power of impeachment without answering the best-considered arguments for it. Who suffers when Congress kneels before tyrants? The people. The nation.