The Bush White House

Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:03 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress

The New York Times says that Senate Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy “threatened on Monday to pursue contempt charges against the White House next month over its response to a subpoena for internal documents on the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program… Mr. Leahy’s comments ratcheted up the battle between Congressional Democrats and the White House over access to secret documents on the legal underpinnings of the eavesdropping program, which authorized the N.S.A. to listen in without a court warrant on Americans’ international communications.”

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Comments

bush whitehouse is very similar to the hitler bunker mentality, make stupid mistakes, blame everyone else for his stupid mistakes and get as many people killed as possible because he beleives he has divine guidance, kinda like a radical of the worst sort. No 14 year olds need reply without written parental consent.

mikeeg,bdn,wa (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:20 AM)

Gonzo-Gate it just will not go away.

Z (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:21 AM)

Whatever tact succeeds Senator Leahy, I support you. I hope you prevail.

Steve, San Diego (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:23 AM)

Bush, Cheney, Gonzales et al continue think it's perfectly ok and within their rights to eavesdrop, snoop, stonewall, and hide behind "executive priviledge" whenever anyone, Congress included, dares to question their motives, dissembling, and convenient and persistent inability to find and produce any documents which might shed light on their wholesale disregard for the Constitution and open and democratic government. Senator Leahy should continue to pursue any and all documents and information necessary to get to the bottom of Bush's illegal surveillance of American citizens. If there is a bottom...

R.Merrell (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:25 AM)

On a vacation and he returns to Washington for a little circus time? Must be seriously boring in Vermont.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:32 AM)

"pursue contempt charges against the White House"...Its about time! Hold their feet to the fire! Oh, I can see what's coming on this thread, here come the comments about whining liberals...like our founding fathers were whiners...whining about no taxation without REPRESENTATION. And they DID something about it. Lucky for ALL of US. Well something IS being done now too. You'll see the results in '08. OK right wingers, skirt the issue of your corrupt leader by slinging inane insults...its funny to read it...

PJ (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:33 AM)

Jerry, the only boring thing is your posts. Stop attacking like Rove trained you, and start defending your useless GOP. Oh wait, there is nothing to defend.

DEMs Fighting Back Against Demonic Wingnuts (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:58 AM)

Hey, if they are going to ease drop on us, It's only "fair" that we ease drop on them. How about a web cam with a live microphone in the oval office. Gee that would be fun !

Robert F. Kennedy, Boston, Mass. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:58 AM)

Alberto, it's George on line one and he dosen't sound very happy.

Mel Brooks Jr., Holloywood, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:05 AM)

Remember to sign up for the Gonzo-Gate vidio comming out this Fall. Only one per customer due to such high demand. Not recommended for audiences who have their heads in the sand.

z (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:24 AM)

Nail their asses to the cross!

F StLouis (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:25 AM)

Let's see, the rethuglicans spent millions of our tax dollars to impeach a president who merely lied about an affair, knowing full well there werent' enough votes in the Senate to remove him, and that's ok. But, it's not ok for a Senator on the Judicary Committee to raise questions regarding illegal surveilance by the White House? "Hypocracy" must be the new title of the republican national platform for the upcoming 2008 elections.

Pat, Huntington, NY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:35 AM)

You go, Leahy!! Don't screw around with second-stringers like Scoots, go for the Heart of Darkness, the kingpins of the
Empire---The White House! All the Constitution-trashing filth flows from there, so, as Bush would like to say, "take the fight TO the enemy". Take it right to the doorstep of the enemies of freedom, liberty and the Constitution! As Bush would also say, "Bring it on!"

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:50 AM)

Time to escalate the constitutional crisis and bring Gonzogate to a boil.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:50 AM)

Considering the end of this disastous Bush administration thankfully coming within sight, Congress should work on legistlation that would make it possible to bring to justice previous administration personnel, including the president and vice-president, for improper or corrupt use of executive powers and priviledges for their own political benefits and their cronies. The new president, congress or the justice department can then rescind the claims of executive priviledge on the personnel and documents of the previous administration for full investigation and proper administration of justice to the individual(s) involved. Such a system would help to eliminate the corrupt schemes and absolute abuse of powers perpetrated by this president or at least hold him and his cohorts accountable for their past misdeeds.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:05 AM)

I have to go take a ---- be right back, don't go away.

Alberto G., Washington, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:14 AM)

BUSHED is more like it .Did you hear him when rove retired he said he will be outta here soon too.18 months that is throwing in the towel a little early.But you know the thrill is gone and he would quit that job if he could but Karl iunformed him he has to stay.

kenn'Baby baby your out of time"O (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:26 AM)

You have no proof Gonzo lied. All you have are your lies about lies.

The Swimmer (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:28 AM)

Alberto you stupid ass. It is leave a.....
You of course can take it with you as you are full of it!

HOT DAM (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:29 AM)

It is time to stop all intel gathering. This country as represented by these postings deserves what ever it gets. Why try and protect these unthankful unpatriotic whine bags. I am starting to believe we are doomed. Why anyone would be offended that the govt would listen to over seas comm with people on a terrorist watch list is beyond any rational thought. In the clinton years this was done to enemies of the white house not the country. Stop and think we are in a war. We have enemies. They want to kill you and your children, if you wear a uniform or not it does not matter. They hate our way of life, the way we embrace sex,drugs,the way our women dress, homosexuality, the movies we produce and watch, this is what they fear and feel justified by allah to destroy. Wake up, however we as a country wont, it will be fashionable to be ashamed of our country again. We will be a servant nation again, we will cower with Carter again. We will fail as predicted by Soviet leaders of old, we will be destroyed from with in, by good intentions and by wanting to be all things to all people. Not realalizing being different is what made us once a great nation.WWI and WWII would also have been lost under the rules we now try and impose. I worry for my children not because of global warming but because of the loss of the greater good that has made us what we are.

just think Okc OK (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:34 AM)

Good post, Brian. I think Leahy is doing the right thing but I would rather have this Congress pave the way for the next Congress to bring these guys to justice when the iron curtain of "executive priviledge" has been torn down and exposed for how it has been used to protect scoundrels and criminals from being brought to justice. The separation of powers has taken a mighty blow. It's time to restore the Presidency, the ability of Congress to pass legislation which will become enacted into law, and the impartiality of the Supreme Court to be restored to the majority of the American people. The last thing our American government forefathers wanted was an imperial presidency.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:48 AM)

If Leaky leahy has the charges, bring them up now!!!! Where is his proof!!!!! typical democrat, plays to the press instead of doing his job. makes me wonder if people are just drinking too much maple syrup in Vermont these days

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:49 AM)

HEY FOLKS REMEMBER WHITEWATER... I THINK THEY ARE ALL PATHETIC, HOWEVER...THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SEEMS BENT ON A WITCH HUNT, THERE HAVE GOT TO BE SO MANY OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS THEY SHOULD BE WORKING ONE..OKAY SO A BUNCH OF ATTORNEYS GOT FIRED BY THE PRESIDENT THAT APPOINTED THEM..OH WELL...PEOPLE GET FIRED ALL THE TIME FOR ANY REASON...IT WAS NEVER A LIFETIME APPOINTMENT FREAKING DEAL WITH IT...PERSONALLY AT THIS POINT I COULDNT CARELESS WHY THEY WERE FIRED (NOT SURE I EVER DID), LETS TRY TO WORK ON IMPORTANT THINGS PEOPLE, LIKE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOR INSTANCE...

SICK OF ALL DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN GAMES (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 12:30 PM)

Swimmer, everyone else who's testified contradicts Gonzo. Jerry, Leahy's bringing the charges, the (In)Justice Department has already announced that they won't pursue them. Just think Okc ok(?), are you a Rod Serling reincarnation? I was looking for a logical thread throughout your rant, but the time would be better spent looking for a logical thread in a ball of yarn a kitten's played with. I think that, before we use the Constitution as toilet tissue, there oughtta be a formal declaration of war, as the Constitution mandates.

Joe Einloth (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 12:31 PM)

One more time for all the wingnuts: no one is suggesting that spying on possible terrorists is a bad thing. I defy you to produce any post anywhere at anytime on any blog that says that. What we are torqued about is the aspect of it being with no warrant and no oversight. In one post above the long-gone Clinton administration is accused of using FISA to spy on political opponents. Where's your proof, wingnut windbag? In the same breath you say that your boys in the current administration should be trusted to use this only to spy on our enemies? I don't trust any politician with this kind of power and no controls, no oversight. Its good germans like you that passed the enabling act, that let the third reich exterminate millions in the name of "patriotism". We were attacked because we interfere in their countries. Yes, they hate us, but if we stayed out of their business, we never would have been attacked. Oh, wait, thats our oil under their sand, I forgot. Wingnut.

Doug, San Diego (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 12:41 PM)

"I worry for my children not because of global warming but because of the loss of the greater good that has made us what we are. " If I were you, I'd worry about them because they were born of an incoherent lemming who thinks honest presidents are bad and Constitutional criminals are good, and opposing Constitutional criminals makes you a "whine bag." No wonder they want to cut our stupid heads off.

GO back to sleep (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:28 PM)

They must be out of diapers in Vermont. He has leaked all over himself and has to come to D.C. for a descent Depends. This man is waaaaay past his prime. Time for the old rocker for him. He can take Eddie Munster Shumer with him too.

IntheMiddle, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:29 PM)

Wet Drawers Leihy, at what he does best. Run off at the mouth. This man is my grandparents age and Im 38. He needs to go somewhere and sit down.

Jackson, Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:31 PM)

Bush administration-"And they all lived together in a crooked little house"-nursery rhyme

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:52 PM)

Typical wingnut Jerry. Makes me wonder why you play to fear and smear. He is doing his job, and OBTW he is a former prosecutor and a current U.S. Senator. Maple syrup snide comments mean nothing; just like your idiotic rants. Is this what Rush said on his show today?

DEMs Fighting Back Against Demonic Wingnuts (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:55 PM)

Hopefully, Leahy's getting ready to whiz all over the White House. If so, I'll gladly buy him the first beer!

Joe Einloth (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:55 PM)

Jerry you passed up two more golden opportunities.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:56 PM)

I wish one of these idiot Bush-ites would tell me why they need to circumvent the checks and balances that were already in set up by our constitution to allegedly root-out terrorists by spying on everyone, anywhere, any time, through any means, and without any sense of liability. Seriously, the Bush administration was wrong about the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, they could not get their intelligence right about North Korea and their Nuclear weapons, they showed a complete disregard to intelligence regarding 9/11. Isn't it clear that these people can't get their intelligence right, and when intelligence is given them, they totally mis-use it and go on their own wild goose chases, so why would anyone trust them with ANY intelligence what-so-ever???

Jason, Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 3:21 PM)

"By any means neccessary" Malcom X

IntheMiddle, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:03 PM)

Inthemiddle, I believe you were talking about Fred Thompson, on the campaign trail in Vermont;oh wait he's not a candidate yet.

bb (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:26 PM)

It would not be so bad to bring charges against people for wrong doings, but the line-ups so far have been to set up perjury traps.

Scooter was not guilty of a crime, because none was commited until he witheld evidence from a criminal investigation of a crime that was not commited.
The Republicans have already agreed to release enough information to form an educated judgement, but with the chance of seeing jail time for purjury if anyone mispeaks, well, justice is going to be denied. Offer immunity to perjury charges, let them talk, and if someone is found out to lie, then plaster their names across the internet. It is real hard to support someone who has commited proven crimes.

Please, let the trash talk start. If Leahy has enough to prosecute, then bring it. If there was enough to prosecute in the CIA Leak case, then bring it. Trust me, Republicans want the house cleaned too. They lost the election because of 'corruption' and the iraq war. Well, with Jefferson we can see the corruption did not go away, and with my last check, congress has yet to vote to defund the war.

And this congress is no better than the last one, approval ratings are at a historical low. And this president is no better than the last one, approval rating are at a historical low.

I hate the patriot act, but boy oh boy did it pass with bi-partisan furvor. "Those who surrender freedom for security deserve niether."

We need a complete overhaul of our system. The constitution allows for the citizens of the united states to disolve thier government, why not give that a try?

Bill, Albany NY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:53 PM)

And while we're at it, how about bench warrants for all the "presidential advisers" who have refused to respond to subpoenas. They are not elected officials and should be subject to the same laws and due process as any other citizen. It's way past time to stop the stonewalling and call this administration to account for its raiding of our nation's reputation and resources.

Jael, downstate Illinois (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:19 PM)

Just another mean spirited liberal wasting our tax $!

Bush Republican (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 7:55 AM)

Cheney is locked-in between the European constriction/energy contracts of 1963 and the forced Iraq coalition with the Netherlands.
Please compare www.complexxon.org

Stephan Tychon, Maastricht, the Netherlands (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 10:40 AM)

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