Revelations from Karl Rove's and Harriet Miers' Testimony

Image from source, Raw Story

I'm quite past believing that my wishes and dreams of Karl Rove being frog-marched out of the FOX "News" studios in shackles will ever come to pass. Though it is a sweet dream that is hard to abandon. But I'm glad to see Turd Blossom actually having some mud that sticks to him. So while they probably aren't going to nail him with something illegal, the ethics and morality of this stink, and that is the legacy he should be left with.

[Excerpt]

White House emails, Bush aide implicate Rove in firing of US Attorneys

The House Judiciary Committee released thousands of pages of new documents concerning the firing of nine US Attorneys under the Bush Administration — and they heavily implicate the office of onetime Bush adviser Karl Rove. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Karl Rove Erases Harriet Miers From His Alternate Reality

Karl Rove apparently thinks his "Alternate Reality Machine" is still fully functional. For many of the last eight years, Republicans would regularly create their own reality, even when video or audio evidence directly refuted real reality. It worked for a long time, and even works to this day on a slimmer and slimmer percentage of the public (known a s"FReepers").

But the Harriet Miers fiasco was a little too recent for most of us to forget about. Bill Maher rightly criticized George W. Bush for nominating his "cleaning lady" to the Supreme Court. He wasn't far off.

[Excerpt]

Rove Says Obama Can’t ‘Have A Vetting Mistake’ With SCOTUS Nominee…Even Though Bush Had One With Miers



. . .Rove left out one inconvenient detail: Harriet Miers. Justice Samuel Alito wasn’t Bush’s first choice to fill the vacancy left by Sandra Day O’Connor. Bush chose Miers, saying that her “talent, experience and judicial philosophy make her a superb choice to safeguard the constitutional liberties and equality of all Americans. . .”

Read more at: Think Progress

Karl Rove and Harriet Miers to Testify--With Conditions

Photo from source, Think Progress

It's not all we hoped for, but it's something. Now, let's just hope that "perjury" thingy comes to pass. . .

[Excerpt]

House Judiciary Committee secures Rove, Miers testimony on U.S. Attorney scandal.

After months of ignoring congressional subpoenas to testify, Karl Rove and Harriet Miers have apparently agreed to discuss the firing of nine U.S. Attorneys with the House Judiciary Committee, the Committee announced this evening. Rove and Miers will submit transcribed depositions under penalty of perjury, and the Committee has reserved the right to have public testimony from the two former Bush aides. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Obama Must Render Decision on Rove Wednesday

Image from source, TPMMuckraker

More good news--and reason for hope--for those of us who want to see justice served in the (oldy moldy) contempt of Congress charges against Bush Administration officials. What the House, Senate and President Obama should know is, we'd be happy with one little piggy roasted: Karl Rove. Anything else would be gravy.

[Excerpt]

Judge: Obama Admin Must Weigh In On US Attorneys Fight By Weds

Are things finally coming to a head in the long-running effort to get testimony on the US Attorney firings from key Bush aides?

Read more at: TPMMuckraker

More on Karl Rove Subpoena, and What it Means

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

A little while ago, I posted a clip from Countdown Keith Olbermann regarding the re-issued congressional subpoena against Karl Rove. Excuse me for going on about it, but the very thought of Turd Blossom in shackles has me all atwitter. So, sue me.

Anyway, rather than just take Olbermann and John Dean's discussion as the final word, I thought you might appreciate a little background, and a little insight on what it all mean. So, here's more. . .

[Excerpt]

Ball In Obama's Court On Rove's US Attorney Testimony

On the question of whether we'll get to the bottom of the Bush White House's role in the US Attorney firings, it's starting to look more and more like the ball is squarely in President Obama's court. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Congress May Still Force Bolten and Miers to Testify

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

Well, hello. Might the Bush Administration actually be held accountable for something? It's too early to get our hopes up, but it's nice to see that Congress is at least talking about making Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten finally comply with their Congressional subpoenas.

This is good, if they follow through with it, no matter what it uncovers. I mean, if these two (and what about Karl Rove?) aren't made to answer to the subpoena, why would anyone ever show up for one again?

[Excerpt]

House Not Giving Up The Fight On Miers-Bolten Testimony

In case you were worried, the coming of a new Congress won't stop House leaders from continuing their long-running effort to obtain documents and testimony about the US Attorney firings from White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Leahy says Contempt Charges on Rove Justified

Photo of Sen. Leahy from source, Raw Story

Yes, here's another grumpy post, with me irritated with Senate Democrats. OK, so the Senate is justified in seeking contempt charges against Karl Rove, Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten. Great! Go get 'em, right? Not so much.

Unfortunately, my dream (and many others' dream) of seeing Karl Rove frog-marched off to jail is probably not gonna happen. I can't imagine why not. The only people who love--or even like--Karl Rove are people that the Democrats are not going to win over anyway. On the other hand, the "netroots" people who are ticked off at the Lieberman decision, would be thrilled at the prospect. So, c'mon Senator Leahy. . .throw us a bone. A big, pork-covered bone!

[Excerpt]

Leahy report justifies Rove contempt; possibility of charges remains murky

The Senate Judiciary Committee is releasing a 60-page report justifying its contempt of Congress citations aimed at Karl Rove and other Bush administration figures, but the chances the Senate will actually vote to pursue criminal charges are slim. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers Get Away With It

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

We left-wing liberal moonbats have been warning for a long time that the Bush Administration would try to "run out the clock" on many of its scandals, hoping that charges against it would either expire, or that people would lose interest in them.

Well, it has happened. The Congressional subpoenas issued for Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers were ignored by both, and nobody thought anything would be done about it. And while some in Congress apparently tried, it has come to that. Nothing.

[Excerpt]

Court Delays Miers and Bolten Congressional Testimony

Monday did not bring good news for the House Judiciary Committee. A federal appeals court has delayed the testimony of Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten, in the latest ruling (pdf) in the epic back and forth between the executive and legislative branches. The decision pushes the issue into the next administration. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Pentagon Defies Congressional Subpoena

Photo from source, TPM Muckraker

Notice to Congress: This is what happens when you let the Bush Administration defy Congress again and again. Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten defied subpoenas, claiming "executive privilege." Karl Rove defied his, and denies that he's using executive privilege. . .he just thinks he's beyond the law. A judge has ruled that the excuse doesn't work anyway, but what's being done about it? More threats, more deadlines. But no teeth.

Now, the Pentagon is getting in on the act, and John Conyers is not amused. But what did he expect? He's had the power for months to haul Miers, Bolten and Rove before the Congress and charge them with inherent contempt. But he hasn't. And now they're all thumbing their noses at you. Congress had better stand up for themselves soon, before it is too late. If it already isn't.

[Excerpt]

Defying Subpoena, DoD Orders Sexual Assault Program Chief Not To Testify Before Congress

The Pentagon defied a Congressional subpoena yesterday by refusing to let the head of its sexual assault program testify at an oversight hearing about sexual assault in the military.
The House panel had issued a subpoena for Dr. Kaye Whitley, the director of the Defense Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Court Rules White House Aides Must Testify

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

Well, what do you know? The claim of executive privilege that Harriet Miers, Josh Bolten and Karl Rove have used as an excuse to refuse to comply with Congressional subpoenas has been shot down. Now, Rove is saying he never exerted such a claim. OK then, Turd Blossom. . .what is your excuse?

Crossing my fingers very hard on this one. . .

[Excerpt]

Senate Reacts To Court Ruling With New Call For Testimony From Rove And Bolton

Just hours after a federal judge shot down the White House's claim to sweeping immunity from Congressional oversight, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) fired off a round of letters renewing his demand for testimony from Karl Rove and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten.

The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman sent a letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding asking whether the two officials will agree to testify in light of today's ruling against the Bush administration's blanket claim of executive privilege. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Karl Rove Still a No-Show. . .Except on TV

Photo from source, LA Times

Five days ago, Congress gave Karl Rove five more days to appear before them, as ordered by Congressional subpoena. Nobody expected him to do it, of course, because Bush Administration officials are apparently immune from the rule of law. Unless Congress gave him five business days, though, his five days are up. And so far--though I may have missed it--I haven't seen much about it.

If Karl Rove (and Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers) are let off the hook for this, it seems to me that this is the straw that breaks the camel's back as it applies to Congressional power. They'll have shown that they have none. Do you suppose that they're just hoping for a Democratic administration, and that they won't need the power? I can't quite figure it out. But I really wish hour Congress would just collectively grow a set. Yes, Nancy Pelosi too.

[Excerpt]

Karl Rove snubs Congress but gabs with TV critics

He may be snubbing Congress, dismissing a congressional subpoena as just another scrap of paper caught in the war between the White House and a House committee over executive privilege.

But former White House aide Karl Rove, now a Fox News analyst, wasn't too proud to be a prop for Fox News in a Q-and-A session the network laid on Monday at the Television Critics Assn.'s summer press tour in Beverly Hills. On a panel that also included Fox analyst Howard Wolfson, a former acolyte of Hillary Clinton, Rove opined aplenty. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Keith Olbermann: Bush Worse than Watergate

Have you ever heard the famous Richard Nixon quote, "When the President does it, that means it is not illegal?" Well, the Bush Administration has been behaving as if that quote made it TRUE. And since it is often easier to absorb this sort of information by seeing video rather than reading long paragraphs, here is an excellent clip of Keith Olbermann and John Dean explaining it for us.

House Files Suit for Contempt by Miers, Bolten

Photo from source, New York Times

Can I get a woo-hoo? In a rare move, Congress did not drop the ball, and followed through with their threat to file suit. If they hadn't, any future Congressional subpoenas would be effectively meaningless. The White House, of course, is balking. But tell me, if they've got nothing to hide, what are they afraid of? Isn't that the line they're using on us, regarding domestic spying?

[Excerpt]

Panel Asks Judge to Rule in Contempt Case

The confrontation between the White House and Congressional Democrats escalated on Monday as the House Judiciary Committee asked a federal judge to force Harriet E. Miers, former White House counsel, and Joshua B. Bolten, White House chief of staff, to provide information about the dismissals of federal prosecutors in 2007. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Florida Rep. Wexler Explains Contempt of Congress

Sometimes political fights--even those we feel passionate about--can come across as petty, boring or confusing to other people. News media often plays up only one angle or one side of an issue, or they might just largely ignore the whole story. If you throw in right-wing radio, which might be painting the story as inconsequential, or just the whining of the opposition, it becomes very difficult to get people to sit still and listen to why an issue might be worth their time.

Among the many things that have outraged me about the Bush administration, the two I know and care the most about--the fight over telecoms, and the contempt of Congress of the Bush Administration--are both unsexy, and difficult to get people to sit still for. That's why I like this video, by Rep. Robert Wexler (R-FL), regarding the latter of my two pet issues. In a relatively short video, he spells out the importance of the issue, using just enough words to explain the issue without causing drowsiness.



If you care about the issue of this Imperial Presidency and their unchecked power, and have that one person (or persons!) who you are trying to sway, show them this video. Maybe you'll get them on board.

And by the way, good on you Rep. Wexler! Your state needs a champion for justice, and so does this country.

Attorney General Refuses Contempt Citations

Photo from TPM Muckraker

The "rule of law" party--as Republicans like to refer to themselves--is officially a farce, if it wasn't already. Attorney General Michael Mukasey has refused to order a Grand Jury on the contempt of Congress citations against Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers.

The case is pretty straightforward. Bolten and Miers were subpoenaed to appear before Congress. They ignored the subpoenas, and simply didn't show up. That's contempt of Congress, pure and simple. They claimed "executive privilege," but plainly are not President or even Vice President (and even Dick Cheney claims to be apart from the Executive Branch).

Mukasey's argument seems to hinge on the fact that George W. Bush told them not to go, so it's OK. WHAT? This stinks on ice, and I'm not only hoping, but imploring Nancy Pelosi to take this as far as she can.

[Excerpt]

Mukasey refuses probe of Bush aides

Attorney General Michael Mukasey refused Friday to refer the House's contempt citations against two of President Bush's top aides to a federal grand jury. Mukasey said White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former presidential counsel Harriet Miers committed no crime.

As promised, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she has given the Judiciary Committee authority to file a lawsuit against Bolten and Miers in federal court. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Nancy Pelosi Wants Grand Jury for Bolton, Miers

Photo from source, CNN

Yay!

[Excerpt]

House speaker seeks grand jury probe of 2 Bush aides

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday requested that a federal grand jury be appointed to investigate whether a top White House official and former official should be prosecuted for contempt of Congress. . .

Read more at: CNN

John Conyers on Restoring the Constitution

Photo from Raw Story

I just got a letter from Congressman John Conyers, and I had to share it on the blog. Of all the Bush administration scandals, the straw that broke the camel's back for me was the Contempt of Congress of Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten (and Karl Rove, but we may have to wait a while longer for the great white whale). It was just galling that they could thumb their noses so brazenly at Congress, as though working in the Executive Branch insulates you from the rule of law.

So I covered the developments in this case yesterday (here, here and here), and I'm now featuring Conyers' personal account of the situation. Conyers is helping to restore my faith in Congress. Sure, my balloon could be popped, but right now it's still rising.

[Excerpt from letter]

"As the morning's papers covered this story, many of them recount the Judiciary Committee investigation that began a year ago. They talk of the fired U.S. Attorneys who testified, the thousands of pages of documents produced by the Department of Justice, and of the subpoenas ignored by the White House.

I hope that as you read those stories, you will remember that the path to today's contempt vote did not begin with just a subpoena, or a hearing, or even the firings in December, 2006."

Read the entire letter by clicking the link after CONTINUED.

John Conyers' Letter

A Good Day for the Constitution

Yesterday the House of Representatives took several historic steps towards protecting our system of checks and balances. First, by a vote of 223 to 32, the House passed resolutions referring criminal contempt citations for former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, as well as authorizing civil actions against them should the Justice Department refuse to prosecute. Second, we did not succumb to the White House political pressure concerning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Yesterday's contempt vote upheld the simple Constitutional principle that no one is above the law. If an ordinary citizen could not ignore a subpoena without facing severe consequences, the same must hold true for the White House.

As the morning's papers covered this story, many of them recount the Judiciary Committee investigation that began a year ago. They talk of the fired U.S. Attorneys who testified, the thousands of pages of documents produced by the Department of Justice, and of the subpoenas ignored by the White House.

I hope that as you read those stories, you will remember that the path to today's contempt vote did not begin with just a subpoena, or a hearing, or even the firings in December, 2006. Rather, it began with the Bush Administration's politicization of Justice and its refusal to submit to congressional oversight. I commend my 232 colleagues who joined me in voting to hold the Bush White house accountable and who stood up for the rule of law.

I also want to commend the Democratic Leadership for standing up to the White House yesterday and refusing to succumb to political pressure concerning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Last August we allowed ourselves to be jammed by the Senate and the White House. Yesterday, we stood up in the face of the pressure and let the President know that we intend to do our jobs as legislators and not hastily pass the flawed Senate bill with retroactive legal immunity for the telecommunications firms.

The White House, of course, has complained bitterly about the contempt vote as they have with many oversight actions Congress has taken. I have linked to some articles that show breadth of this bluster.

Much more remains to be done, but this week, we made real progress. With your help, we all made a difference, and the nation and our constitution are stronger for it. Thank you.

Thank you again for your continued support for a better democracy.

Your Friend, John Conyers, Jr.

More on Contempt of Congress Vote

Photo from source, Raw Story

Yes, this is three posts in a row on the same subject, but in the first of the bunch I used FOX "News" as a source. I think it's probably necessary to get a second source on the story, and Raw Story is always one of my favorites on political news.

Besides, I am politically invigorated by this story. It has been sooo long since we've had what appears to be so in line with what I've been hoping for from Congress. And it should be a no-lose issue. If Congress issues a subpoena for you to appear, you can't just say, "Oh really, I would go, but, I just don't feel like it. Sorry." It doesn't work that way! And what power would future Congressional subpoenas have if there was a loophole like that? So, I'm crossing my fingers, and hoping this is all as good as it appears to be.

[Excerpt]

House passes contempt citations for Bush aides

Republican walk-out to protest vote

Democrats passed contempt of Congress citations against two Bush administration figures Thursday after the charges had spent months in limbo.

On a vote of 223-to-32 House Democrats succeeded in passing the contempt charges against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers, after Republicans walked out in protest. [snip]

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer took the floor to rebut Boehner's actions, chastising the Republicans for voting en mass against a measure to give the House more time to work on updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. And he took aim at President Bush for trying to stoke national security fears to force quick action from the House. . .

Read more (it's good) at: Raw Story

Wexler on Contempt of Congress

It is so refreshing to see Congress doing the work we voted them in to do. Not surprisingly, the right wing is calling the actions underway "pointless" and used other dismissive verbiage. I disagree so strongly. Oversight and accountability are major reasons for the Congress to even exist, and there has been a sad lack of both in recent years. I applaud Robert Wexler for his dedication and courage on this issue.

Political Theater: Contempt Citations & Walkouts

Photo from TPM Muckraker

What a weird day in politics. For a change, however, it's mostly good news for Democrats. The House of Representatives finally did what we're asking them to: respect the Constitution and the rule of law, and go after those who don't.

They thwarted the President's dire threats, and did not knuckle under on the "Dissect Protect America Act," did not extend it, and did not add immunity to it. Then, as they prepared to finally hold Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten in contempt of Congress for their refusal to respond to Congressional subpoenas, something truly odd happened.

Minority Leader John Boehner lead a "spontaneous" walk-out of the Republicans. Spontaneous is in quotes, because they exited to an area in front of the Capitol, already set up with a podium, microphones and reporters. Boehner gave a speech full of hoo-hah over security and terrorists, but clearly, he was really there to get the Republicans out of the chamber before the contempt vote. Which passed. Handily.

Of course, this could all come to naught. There may be some sort of back-room deal that lead to all of this theater. Or, the Democrats could act like that guy who boldly charges in front of you in traffic, only to lose all his nerve, and drive ten miles under the speed limit. They could cave later. My hope is that they feel a little puffed up, and continue in the vein they're in.

[Excerpt]

House Approves Contempt Citations for Miers, Bolten

The House voted Thursday to issue contempt citations for two presidential confidants on an almost completely party-line vote pushed by Democrats.

The White House said the Justice Department would not ask the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia to pursue the House contempt charges. However, the measure would allow the House to bring its own lawsuit on the matter. [snip]

The House supported the citations 223-32, with nearly all Democrats voting in favor of the resolution, and nearly all Republicans voting against. The vote count was suppressed after Republicans walked off the House floor in protest. . .

Read more (because I'm fair and balanced) at: FOX "News"