Thanks to Branchflower for reporting what he found out by the deadline he was given. That, in itself, is unusual for a special investigator - not allowing stonewalling to affect the production of a report.

I will look forward to his supplemental report incorporating their additional testimony.

Posted at October 11, 2008 11:52 AM in response to Stonewalling By Key Witnesses Proved Effective

Great.
Now we will have another set of hearings with no results other than volumes of used paper.

Waxman, save some trees, either start prosecuting as a result of these hearings, or get off the oversight committee.
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Posted at October 8, 2008 7:34 AM in response to Waxman To Probe Fannie and Freddie

The Senate has dress standards?

It would be interesting to see an elected Senator refused permission to represent his constituents based on what he was, or wasn't wearing.

Sounds unconstitutional to me.
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Posted at October 7, 2008 5:27 PM in response to The Senator's New Clothes

It is my hope that the judge recognizes these delaying tactics and keeps the trial moving along while all these motions to delay the trial and obfuscate the issues are being dealt with. Just because the defense makes a motion or a claim does not mean that there is reason to delay the trial. Only after a motion or a claim is determined to have merit should have an effect the continuation of the trial.
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Posted at October 3, 2008 7:28 AM in response to Stevens' Trial Still On, Judge Says

Nazism? Fascism?

Try googling Smedly Butler coup. He was a 30+ year marine General who became Commandant of Marines in the 1930's. In 1933, Preston Bush (GHWB's father and GWB's grandfather) wanted him to assist in a coup d'etat against Roosevelt and to set up a fascist state in the United States modeled on Italy (Mussolini) and Germany (Hitler).

With GWB's assualt on constitutional rights, it seems that the desire to create a fascist state in the Unites States is still alive and well.

If you can't beat them and force changes on them, join them and change them from within.

Can you remember any of this in your American history, or of it being brought up in the 2000 or 2004 Presidential campaigns?

Posted at September 26, 2008 9:41 AM in response to Condi Admits White House Role in CIA Interrogation Talks

"In particular, Rice wrote in the Sept. 12 statement that officials discussed simulated torture techniques that elite U.S. soldiers were subjected to as part of a survival training program, and that she and other officials were told that such methods "had been deemed not to cause significant physical or psychological harm."

So, the "simulated" torture techniques "had been deemed not to cause significant physical or psychological harm."

Not surprising, What about the real thing causing significant physical or psychological harm?

Typical, sidestepping the issue, hoping people will apply a misleading (but probably true in itself) statement to the subject under discussion.

Posted at September 25, 2008 9:57 AM in response to Condi Admits White House Role in CIA Interrogation Talks

From several sources, it seems that Branchflower has a lot of information which indicates that Palin did, in fact, use her position as governor to influence the outcome of a family dispute. With Palin and the Republicans not making themselves available to testify, it is hard to see how Branchflower's report can exonerate Palin. Also, the Palin defense should have no complaint that their side of the arguments have not been heard as a part of Branchflowers investigation since they themselves refused to appear and testify.

Things do not look good for Palin.

Posted at September 23, 2008 5:11 PM in response to AK Lawmakers Fire Back on GOP Bid To Shut Down Trooper-Gate Probe

Why aren't the Democrats setting up a system to challenge those challenges at the polling places?

And what happens when a challenge is challenged?

Mukasey has taken a lot of flack over his declaring that he won't enforce congressional subpoenas. Is that really one of his functions? Isn't the mechanism to enforce congressional subpoenas within Congress itself with Contempt of Congress proceedings, the arrest of the perpetrators and having the Sargeant-at-Arms hauling them before Congress. Congress could even hold them until Congress is ready to take their testimony - about a year or twenty would be about right.

C'mon Conyers and Leahy, give the Sargeant-at-Arms some actual work to do.

Posted at September 17, 2008 7:57 AM in response to Senators Seek DOJ's Help in Preventing Disenfranchisement of Voters Losing Homes

Thank you Conyers for helping the Bush Administration run out the clock on your investigation.

While we all understand that Mukasey will not enforce a subpoena for himself to appear and testify before your committee, that refusal to enforce the laws of the land should by enough to bring impeachment charges against him.

Quit helping the Republicans stall.

Posted at September 12, 2008 9:21 AM in response to The Daily Muck

There should be special penalties for people like Abramoff who enrich themselves by subverting the democratic process. Thirty years at hard labor breaking large rocks into small rocks seems just about right.

Posted at September 4, 2008 9:04 AM in response to Abramoff's Letter to Court: "I'm Not a Bad Man"