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Dean on Mukasey
By Josh Marshall
Talking Points Memo
Nov. 3, 2007
Friend of TPM and former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean knows a few things about lawless presidents. He just sent us his thoughts on the now certain confirmation of Judge Mukasey ...
A Last Thought Before the Senate Judiciary Committee Confirms Judge Mukasey
By John W. Dean
As the Senate Democrats complete another sad concession to President Bush, and confirms a nominee who refuses to declare “water-boarding” torture, allow me to offer a brief historical reminder: the Senate Judiciary Committee has conspicuously forgotten that there are direct situational and historical parallels with Judge Mukasey’s nomination to be Attorney General and that of President Richard Nixon nominating Elliot Richardson to be Attorney General during Watergate.
Nixon’s Attorney General had been removed (and was later prosecuted for lying to Congress) – a situation not unlike Alberto Gonzales’s leaving the job under such a cloud. Nixon was under deep suspicion of covering up the true facts relating to the bungled break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate, not to mention widespread rumors that he had engaged in abuses of power and corrupt campaign practices. Today, Bush is under even deeper suspicion for activities far more serious than anything Nixon engaged in for there is evidence Bush has abused the laws of war, violated treaties, and ordered (or approved) the use of torture and political renditions, which are war crimes.
Since Judge Mukasey’s situation is not unlike that facing Elliot Richardson when he was appointed Attorney General during Watergate, why should not the Senate Judiciary Committee similarly make it a quid pro quo for his confirmation that he appoint a special prosecutor to investigate war crimes? Richardson was only confirmed when he agreed to appoint a special prosecutor, which, of course, he did. And when Nixon fired that prosecutor, Archibald Cox, it lead to his impeachment.
Before the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee completely cave-in to Bush, at minimum they should demand that Judge Mukasey appoint a special prosecutor to investigate if war crimes have been committed. If Mukasey refuses he should be rejected. This, indeed, should be a pre-condition to anyone filling the post of Attorney General under Bush.
If the Democrats in the Senate refuse to demand any such requirement, it will be act that should send chills down the spine of every thinking American.
how can someone not answer whether or not water tortue is illegal. How can we ignore the horrible choices bush's cabinet have made. I want an impartial and fair attorney general.The constitution was written for a reason. How can we not persecute bush and cheney as war ciminals but yet impeach clinton for his private? life
Submitted by The Diva on November 5, 2007 - 12:45am.
How can anybody vote for this Mukasey and listen to the man who allowed the water to be poured down his throat which went into his lungs. It would take a very hard person to allow this, even to an enemy. You have this chance to give us some hope, please don't let us down.
Rosalie Gottlieb
Submitted by howardrr on November 5, 2007 - 4:30am.
Senator Whitehouse has provided a wonderful script for the filibuster. No need to resort to a phonebook. Simply regale your colleagues on the Senate floor with Whitehouse's 10/31 statement about America's strength, the rule of law, and the Mukasey nomination. Over and over. And then again. Repetition works pretty good in adult education. Maybe some of it will actually register, even with the slow-witted. Not sure, though, about the bought-off and cowardly. http://whitehouse.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=286528&
Submitted by sailorsheart on November 6, 2007 - 6:14pm.
Schumer and Feinstein supporting a crime boss's lackey, Mukasey, is the LAST straw. This is one of those defining moments in history, where Democrats live up to their sworn duty and impeach Cheney and Bush, or we voters pull our heads out of DENIAL and admit, there are only a handful of Dems worth keeping. Just as the majority of Republicans, are ashamed of this administration's corrupt and unethical behavior, I'm feeling the same way toward the "do nothing dems!" Whining they don't have enough of a majority may fool some of the people some of the time--but it doesn't fool all of the people all of the time. Even with a slim majority, the House Speaker controls the agenda. They could easily keep the war budget off the table and bring the troops home after the money ran out, the same way Pelosi kept impeachment off the table. They had a choice, save innocent lives or worry how they'd be villafied in the press: soft on terrorism and non-supportive of our troops! What a lousy priority system! Any elected official that puts money and career above human life, isn't worth keeping! Until those without a backbone stand tall in favor of impeachment--they're off my "re-elect list." I don't care what side of the aisle the spineless live on--they've had their chance to do the right thing and they continually fail.
Submitted by Millicente on November 6, 2007 - 8:35pm.
By now we must all realize there is no more time to squander. Crazy Mukasey is a concern, but our focus should be on I-M-P-E-A-C-H and only IMPEACH. H.Res.333 is moving forward, and it is the heat we are keeping on the issue that is turning the wheel. But Cheney is not enough, we need to go after both Cheney and Bush. Now.
I have grave reservations about Nancy Pelosi, should she become acting president. But, my reservations pale in comparison to the chronic horror knowing Bush/Cheney occupy the White House.
Here in Massachusetts, Congressman Olver, who has been urged persistently to sponsor impeachment initiatives but refuses on the grounds that it is a "futile waste of time" and that the Bush crimes are "mere disagreements" rather than "criminal acts that demand impeachment".He also feels that it would be unwise to impeach because if the Democrats moved toward impeachment, then they would probably lose in 2008. Makes sense, doesn't it? (When the Democrats failed to impeach Reagan for his Iran Contra scandal, they lost handily the next election. When they moved on Nixon's impeachment, they won handily the next election.)
But there's another reason why Olver is very concerned about the 2008 election. He is quite certain that Bush plans to bomb Iran that day so that he can call the election null and void, and place his golden thrown in the White House for good.
One more thing on impeachment, which is encouraging. Congressman Olver assures his constituents that Nancy Pelosi, the magnificent Nancy Pelosi, has a "potent" plan, better than impeachment, in store for Bush. What could this cryptic plan be, other than to pass the buck to foreign courts and try them as criminals, as Rummy is being tried now in France, Argentina, and Sweden? Didn't our Founding Fathers draft articles of impeachment in their Constitution for exactly this reason? Wasn't the Constitution built, after all, to keep America safe from foreign powers? And....DESPOTISM?
My solution is this: typing in our zip codes online and hitting submit isn't enough. We need to, en masse, bombard EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS, regardless of party, with a formal DEMAND from We, the People, for THE IMMEDIATE IMPEACHMENT OF BUSH AND CHENEY according to the oath which they swore to uphold when they assumed office. Next time we click submit, the demand for impeachment needs to be distributed nationwide, every single Civil Officer.
Submitted by Bill Harding on November 6, 2007 - 8:52pm.
Unfortunately, petitions, letters, and "demands," are not effective once the election is over. That has been proven very pointedly by the aftermath of the 2006 elections. We, The People, only have an opportunity to influence politicians once every 2-4 years -- in the voting booth.
As long as "Independents," and other third-Party spoilers keep voting for the neocons, or even worse -- staying home on Election Day -- the American People will continue to be disenfranchised. Withholding a vote is the very same as voting for continued representation of the corporate fat cats who fund these neocon traitors' campaigns.
So unless you are a Democrat, and vote Democratic (even if you don't like the candidate), you will continue to enable K Street, Madison Avenue, and the DLC, to elect your representatives for you. "Independents," Reformers, and Greenies have no audible voice in Congress, and it is not likely that they ever will in our lifetimes. There is power in numbers, but only if those who make up the numbers are unified. The Republicans learned this long ago.
Our first task, as Democrats, is to clean up our own house. That means replacing the neocon-leaning, New Democrat "centrists" of the DLC, DSCC, DCCC, who have been appointed by their corporate donors as "leaders" in our Party.
Vote for a real Democrat who will represent the voters instead of corporate money, and return this country to a level playing field in Congressional representation.
Update your address so we can find your Senators and Representative. If your current address is correct but your Representatives are missing, please contact us so we can fix your data.
Will a single Senator
Will a single Senator finally show some guts ?
Mukasey
Subject: John Dean on Mukasey
Dean on Mukasey
By Josh Marshall
Talking Points Memo
Nov. 3, 2007
Friend of TPM and former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean knows a few things about lawless presidents. He just sent us his thoughts on the now certain confirmation of Judge Mukasey ...
A Last Thought Before the Senate Judiciary Committee Confirms Judge Mukasey
By John W. Dean
As the Senate Democrats complete another sad concession to President Bush, and confirms a nominee who refuses to declare “water-boarding” torture, allow me to offer a brief historical reminder: the Senate Judiciary Committee has conspicuously forgotten that there are direct situational and historical parallels with Judge Mukasey’s nomination to be Attorney General and that of President Richard Nixon nominating Elliot Richardson to be Attorney General during Watergate.
Nixon’s Attorney General had been removed (and was later prosecuted for lying to Congress) – a situation not unlike Alberto Gonzales’s leaving the job under such a cloud. Nixon was under deep suspicion of covering up the true facts relating to the bungled break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate, not to mention widespread rumors that he had engaged in abuses of power and corrupt campaign practices. Today, Bush is under even deeper suspicion for activities far more serious than anything Nixon engaged in for there is evidence Bush has abused the laws of war, violated treaties, and ordered (or approved) the use of torture and political renditions, which are war crimes.
Since Judge Mukasey’s situation is not unlike that facing Elliot Richardson when he was appointed Attorney General during Watergate, why should not the Senate Judiciary Committee similarly make it a quid pro quo for his confirmation that he appoint a special prosecutor to investigate war crimes? Richardson was only confirmed when he agreed to appoint a special prosecutor, which, of course, he did. And when Nixon fired that prosecutor, Archibald Cox, it lead to his impeachment.
Before the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee completely cave-in to Bush, at minimum they should demand that Judge Mukasey appoint a special prosecutor to investigate if war crimes have been committed. If Mukasey refuses he should be rejected. This, indeed, should be a pre-condition to anyone filling the post of Attorney General under Bush.
If the Democrats in the Senate refuse to demand any such requirement, it will be act that should send chills down the spine of every thinking American.
**************************************
how can someone not answer
how can someone not answer whether or not water tortue is illegal. How can we ignore the horrible choices bush's cabinet have made. I want an impartial and fair attorney general.The constitution was written for a reason. How can we not persecute bush and cheney as war ciminals but yet impeach clinton for his private? life
Filibuster and Mukasey
How can anybody vote for this Mukasey and listen to the man who allowed the water to be poured down his throat which went into his lungs. It would take a very hard person to allow this, even to an enemy. You have this chance to give us some hope, please don't let us down.
Rosalie Gottlieb
delivering the message
Senator Whitehouse has provided a wonderful script for the filibuster. No need to resort to a phonebook. Simply regale your colleagues on the Senate floor with Whitehouse's 10/31 statement about America's strength, the rule of law, and the Mukasey nomination. Over and over. And then again. Repetition works pretty good in adult education. Maybe some of it will actually register, even with the slow-witted. Not sure, though, about the bought-off and cowardly.
http://whitehouse.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=286528&
Democrats need a reality check and a major attitude adjustment!
Schumer and Feinstein supporting a crime boss's lackey, Mukasey, is the LAST straw. This is one of those defining moments in history, where Democrats live up to their sworn duty and impeach Cheney and Bush, or we voters pull our heads out of DENIAL and admit, there are only a handful of Dems worth keeping. Just as the majority of Republicans, are ashamed of this administration's corrupt and unethical behavior, I'm feeling the same way toward the "do nothing dems!" Whining they don't have enough of a majority may fool some of the people some of the time--but it doesn't fool all of the people all of the time. Even with a slim majority, the House Speaker controls the agenda. They could easily keep the war budget off the table and bring the troops home after the money ran out, the same way Pelosi kept impeachment off the table. They had a choice, save innocent lives or worry how they'd be villafied in the press: soft on terrorism and non-supportive of our troops! What a lousy priority system! Any elected official that puts money and career above human life, isn't worth keeping! Until those without a backbone stand tall in favor of impeachment--they're off my "re-elect list." I don't care what side of the aisle the spineless live on--they've had their chance to do the right thing and they continually fail.
It's up to us: We, the People
By now we must all realize there is no more time to squander. Crazy Mukasey is a concern, but our focus should be on I-M-P-E-A-C-H and only IMPEACH. H.Res.333 is moving forward, and it is the heat we are keeping on the issue that is turning the wheel. But Cheney is not enough, we need to go after both Cheney and Bush. Now.
I have grave reservations about Nancy Pelosi, should she become acting president. But, my reservations pale in comparison to the chronic horror knowing Bush/Cheney occupy the White House.
Here in Massachusetts, Congressman Olver, who has been urged persistently to sponsor impeachment initiatives but refuses on the grounds that it is a "futile waste of time" and that the Bush crimes are "mere disagreements" rather than "criminal acts that demand impeachment".He also feels that it would be unwise to impeach because if the Democrats moved toward impeachment, then they would probably lose in 2008. Makes sense, doesn't it? (When the Democrats failed to impeach Reagan for his Iran Contra scandal, they lost handily the next election. When they moved on Nixon's impeachment, they won handily the next election.)
But there's another reason why Olver is very concerned about the 2008 election. He is quite certain that Bush plans to bomb Iran that day so that he can call the election null and void, and place his golden thrown in the White House for good.
One more thing on impeachment, which is encouraging. Congressman Olver assures his constituents that Nancy Pelosi, the magnificent Nancy Pelosi, has a "potent" plan, better than impeachment, in store for Bush. What could this cryptic plan be, other than to pass the buck to foreign courts and try them as criminals, as Rummy is being tried now in France, Argentina, and Sweden? Didn't our Founding Fathers draft articles of impeachment in their Constitution for exactly this reason? Wasn't the Constitution built, after all, to keep America safe from foreign powers? And....DESPOTISM?
My solution is this: typing in our zip codes online and hitting submit isn't enough. We need to, en masse, bombard EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS, regardless of party, with a formal DEMAND from We, the People, for THE IMMEDIATE IMPEACHMENT OF BUSH AND CHENEY according to the oath which they swore to uphold when they assumed office. Next time we click submit, the demand for impeachment needs to be distributed nationwide, every single Civil Officer.
Unfortunately, petitions,
Unfortunately, petitions, letters, and "demands," are not effective once the election is over. That has been proven very pointedly by the aftermath of the 2006 elections. We, The People, only have an opportunity to influence politicians once every 2-4 years -- in the voting booth.
As long as "Independents," and other third-Party spoilers keep voting for the neocons, or even worse -- staying home on Election Day -- the American People will continue to be disenfranchised. Withholding a vote is the very same as voting for continued representation of the corporate fat cats who fund these neocon traitors' campaigns.
So unless you are a Democrat, and vote Democratic (even if you don't like the candidate), you will continue to enable K Street, Madison Avenue, and the DLC, to elect your representatives for you. "Independents," Reformers, and Greenies have no audible voice in Congress, and it is not likely that they ever will in our lifetimes. There is power in numbers, but only if those who make up the numbers are unified. The Republicans learned this long ago.
Our first task, as Democrats, is to clean up our own house. That means replacing the neocon-leaning, New Democrat "centrists" of the DLC, DSCC, DCCC, who have been appointed by their corporate donors as "leaders" in our Party.
Vote for a real Democrat who will represent the voters instead of corporate money, and return this country to a level playing field in Congressional representation.