Think Progress reports » White House Blames Gov. Sebelius For National Guard Shortages. Basically when cornered, the White House does what is usually does, it lied.
White House Press Secretary Tony said: "If you don’t request it, you’re not going to get it. … As far as we know, the only thing the governor has requested are FM radios. There have been no requests to the National Guard for heavy equipment."
Think Progress documents 5 such requests over a year and half.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
New Story for Purgegate Emerges
The Washington Post has a new angle on the firings of US Attorneys. "A U.S. attorney in Seattle was singled out for dismissal in part because he clashed with senior Justice Department officials over the investigation of a federal prosecutor's murder, and he was recommended for removal 18 months earlier than was previously known, according to newly disclosed documents and interviews."
Read the whole thing, it's pretty amazing.
Read the whole thing, it's pretty amazing.
Jose Padilla
Yesterday was the 5 year anniversary of the arrest of Jose Padilla. "Five years after his initial arrest, Padilla's criminal trial appears finally destined to actually take place, with jury selection concluding today and opening arguments scheduled to begin next Monday, May 14."
The article points out that the trial might be anti-climatic on this case. Remember he was a US citizen arrested on US soil and declared an enemy combatant and held in a military brig for 3 years. There were rumors of him being a terrorist, plotting to blow up a dirty bomb in the US, etc.
He petitioned for habeas corpus, but the government fought to deny him his basic right. It made it to the Supreme Court but it was ruled on a technicality. Shortly before it made it back to the Supreme Court, he was transfered to a civilian prison and indicted on charges he "conspired to murder, kidnap and maim people overseas." The scary thing about this case is that the US government arrested and held a US citizen as an enemy combatant without charges for 3 years and then let him go on anything that would allow that action.
This is one of the real reasons that Alberto Gonzales shouldn't be Attorney General.
The article points out that the trial might be anti-climatic on this case. Remember he was a US citizen arrested on US soil and declared an enemy combatant and held in a military brig for 3 years. There were rumors of him being a terrorist, plotting to blow up a dirty bomb in the US, etc.
He petitioned for habeas corpus, but the government fought to deny him his basic right. It made it to the Supreme Court but it was ruled on a technicality. Shortly before it made it back to the Supreme Court, he was transfered to a civilian prison and indicted on charges he "conspired to murder, kidnap and maim people overseas." The scary thing about this case is that the US government arrested and held a US citizen as an enemy combatant without charges for 3 years and then let him go on anything that would allow that action.
This is one of the real reasons that Alberto Gonzales shouldn't be Attorney General.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
4 Months Later, Democrats Secretly Undo Corruption Reforms
Not quite 4 months in, Democrats are already undoing efforts to clean up Congress. Now "Friends" can fly congressmen under new rules. Always be suspicious of a voice vote at midnight. And it was unanimous.
"Led by House Ethics Committee chair Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), the House of Representatives on Wednesday unanmiously agreed to loosen strict rules on members' acceptance of free airplane rides that were adopted when Democrats took over Congress in January. The measure, adopted on a May 2 voice vote minutes before the House of Representatives adjourned at 11:59 p.m., was labeled as an effort to 'clarify certain matters relating to official conduct' of the House of Representatives."
No he wasn't a lobbyist, he was my personal friend who happens to be a lobbyist. I guess this proves that flying commercial sucks too much for Congress. Boo hoo.
"Led by House Ethics Committee chair Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), the House of Representatives on Wednesday unanmiously agreed to loosen strict rules on members' acceptance of free airplane rides that were adopted when Democrats took over Congress in January. The measure, adopted on a May 2 voice vote minutes before the House of Representatives adjourned at 11:59 p.m., was labeled as an effort to 'clarify certain matters relating to official conduct' of the House of Representatives."
No he wasn't a lobbyist, he was my personal friend who happens to be a lobbyist. I guess this proves that flying commercial sucks too much for Congress. Boo hoo.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Three New Get a Mac Ads
Apple has posted three new Get a Mac Ads: Choose a Vista, Genius, and Party is Over.
Oh Yeah, Iraq...
James Love, who I've never heard of, has an interesting article in the Huffington Post, The Future of Al Qaeda in Iraq, If We Pull Out "The U.S. occupation of Iraq has given Al Qaeda whatever popularity it has in the Islamic world. Our belated departure from Iraq will allow the Iraqi people to deal with Al Qaeda, and they are likely to be far more effective at curtailing its activities in Iraq than has the occupation by our highly vulnerable and greatly resented armed forces."
I agree with the main point, our presence in Iraq is making things worse. That's not a knock against our troops, it's a knock against our policy. Iraqi's don't want us there and that's radicalizing people.
Bush veto's a bill that would fund our troops because it "substitutes the opinions of politicians for the judgment of our military commanders." However, Retired Major General Paul D. Eaton says "Respectfully, as your former commander on the ground, your administration did not listen to our best advice. In fact, a number of my fellow Generals were forced out of their jobs, because they did not tell you what you wanted to hear."
On the 4th anniversary of Mission Accomplished Think Progress compared then and now by the numbers. I think the most telling ones are the number of insurgent attacks when from 8 to 149 per day and the number of insurgents went from less than 5,000 to about 70,000. Explain again how this is working?
Daily Kos points out that 90 days ago Rep John Boehner (R-OH) said we'd know in 90 days if the surge was working. They have a kept track of Friedman Units which are estimates that in 3-6 months we'll know if it's working, but the problem is, we're always 3-6 months away from knowing. Then again, some of us already know.
I agree with the main point, our presence in Iraq is making things worse. That's not a knock against our troops, it's a knock against our policy. Iraqi's don't want us there and that's radicalizing people.
Bush veto's a bill that would fund our troops because it "substitutes the opinions of politicians for the judgment of our military commanders." However, Retired Major General Paul D. Eaton says "Respectfully, as your former commander on the ground, your administration did not listen to our best advice. In fact, a number of my fellow Generals were forced out of their jobs, because they did not tell you what you wanted to hear."
On the 4th anniversary of Mission Accomplished Think Progress compared then and now by the numbers. I think the most telling ones are the number of insurgent attacks when from 8 to 149 per day and the number of insurgents went from less than 5,000 to about 70,000. Explain again how this is working?
Daily Kos points out that 90 days ago Rep John Boehner (R-OH) said we'd know in 90 days if the surge was working. They have a kept track of Friedman Units which are estimates that in 3-6 months we'll know if it's working, but the problem is, we're always 3-6 months away from knowing. Then again, some of us already know.
Americans Are Not Safer
Tornado Death Toll in Greensburg KS Hits 10. The Governor was quick to point out that the recovery efforts will be difficult because much of the National Guard's equipment and manpower is in Iraq. Apparently 50% of the trucks are there and 12% of the manpower.
'I don't think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower,' Sebelius said. 'The real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg, because the recovery will be at a slower pace.'
"White House spokesman Tony Snow rejected the criticism, saying the National Guard had equipment positioned around the country to respond to disasters when requested by states. 'There's been an enormous amount of help on the scene already, frankly, when it comes to what's been going on with the tornado. FEMA has certainly been actively engaged, and the administration is doing whatever it can,' Snow said at the White House. 'And if there's a need for equipment, it will arrive.' Five trailers to house displaced families have arrived, and 20 more are on the way, said FEMA Director R. David Paulison. He said if his agency can house 80,000 people on the Gulf Coast, it can handle 1,000 people in Greensburg."
See they did such a good job on the Gulf Coast, a small Kansas town will be easy. The point is that due to the war, the ability of states to respond to emergencies, natural or manmade, is worse than it was before. It's been almost 6 years since 9/11, you think it would have improved.
And while we waste time in Iraq, we've forgotten about bin Laden. US News reports U.S. spy agencies say al Qaeda's top leaders, once on the run, have regrouped. "When President Bush talks about Osama bin Laden these days, it's usually to rally support for the U.S. effort in Iraq. Last month, he told an audience that bin Laden and his al Qaeda network "have made it clear they want to drive us from Iraq to establish safe haven in order to launch further attacks." But over the past year, U.S. intelligence agencies have completely revised their assessment of al Qaeda and reached an alarming conclusion: Bin Laden already has a safe haven-in Pakistan-and may be stronger than ever."
'I don't think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower,' Sebelius said. 'The real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg, because the recovery will be at a slower pace.'
"White House spokesman Tony Snow rejected the criticism, saying the National Guard had equipment positioned around the country to respond to disasters when requested by states. 'There's been an enormous amount of help on the scene already, frankly, when it comes to what's been going on with the tornado. FEMA has certainly been actively engaged, and the administration is doing whatever it can,' Snow said at the White House. 'And if there's a need for equipment, it will arrive.' Five trailers to house displaced families have arrived, and 20 more are on the way, said FEMA Director R. David Paulison. He said if his agency can house 80,000 people on the Gulf Coast, it can handle 1,000 people in Greensburg."
See they did such a good job on the Gulf Coast, a small Kansas town will be easy. The point is that due to the war, the ability of states to respond to emergencies, natural or manmade, is worse than it was before. It's been almost 6 years since 9/11, you think it would have improved.
And while we waste time in Iraq, we've forgotten about bin Laden. US News reports U.S. spy agencies say al Qaeda's top leaders, once on the run, have regrouped. "When President Bush talks about Osama bin Laden these days, it's usually to rally support for the U.S. effort in Iraq. Last month, he told an audience that bin Laden and his al Qaeda network "have made it clear they want to drive us from Iraq to establish safe haven in order to launch further attacks." But over the past year, U.S. intelligence agencies have completely revised their assessment of al Qaeda and reached an alarming conclusion: Bin Laden already has a safe haven-in Pakistan-and may be stronger than ever."
Bush and the Economy
If I ask some Republicans to name one thing Bush has done well, they often say that the economy is doing well. The Democratic Caucus's Senate Journal has a report: Middle-Class Life Under Bush: Less Affordable and Less Secure. "President Bush's record of fiscal incompetence and mismanagement, and Republicans' close ties with special interests, have helped lead to both lower wages on the one hand and skyrocketing costs for basic necessities like gas, health care, and college tuition on the other. "
Worst job creation record since Hoover Administration
Unemployment has increased 7.1 percent and long-term joblessness has nearly doubled
While families work harder, their wages continue to decline
Earnings for workers with college degrees declining
It also lists things the Democrats are trying to do to improve things.
Worst job creation record since Hoover Administration
Unemployment has increased 7.1 percent and long-term joblessness has nearly doubled
While families work harder, their wages continue to decline
Earnings for workers with college degrees declining
It also lists things the Democrats are trying to do to improve things.
More on SCOTUS and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003
FindLaw's has a two part article on: New Justices, New Rules The Supreme Court Upholds the Federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 part 1 and part 2.
Presidential Job Approval Ratings
I'm not sure how long this will stay available at the Wall Street Journal but I found this look at U.S. presidents' job-approval ratings very interesting. Click on the links at the left for more details.
Birth Of An Apple Store
I can't believe there's a live webcam of the construction of the new Apple Store in Boston. Mac fans really are fanatics.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is soon to be over and I've been watching. I didn't watch at first but then tried it, liked it and saw all the back episodes. The one that really sold me on the series was the third, Meadowlands, where AJ learns his father is a gangster. Warning, spoilers follow.
I haven't been that impressed with the second half of season 6. I find it's a little slow, particularly when whole episodes have concentrated on just one story (Tony at the lake, Tony and Paulie traveling). I like the tension of will Tony kill someone (first Bobby, then Paulie, etc.) but then it's good to get back to the whole crew. Given what seems to be fitting less in an episode it's odd to see them spend time on Vito's son; which was kinda interesting but seemed to come out of no where.
I liked yesterday's episode with Christopher. It was interesting to see how hard it would be for a recovering alcoholic to be in the mob (this is a face-to-face business, you gotta be there, we don't leave voice mail messages about stolen goods). I don't get why Paulie was stealing from his own guy's stash, that seemed kinda rude and dumb, but I guess that's in character.
I think this season starting out showing the various paths Tony could take:
Eugene tried to retire to Florida but wasn't allowed and ultimately hung himself (he was also an FBI informant)
Christopher has been trying to get into a new line of work and deal with addiction
Vito ran away but couldn't hack it in the real world
Johnny Sack went to jail (and got sick and died)
Bobby is still in but his family is more important to him now
Paulie is still in but is a loser
And of course Tony got shot and almost died
With this second half of the season they seem to have Tony back to his old self and a little less confident. I think that's probably the most realistic choice but the least interesting. I hope they don't do a movie, that gives them more freedom in ending the series.
The police could always arrest him but it's not clear if his informing the FBI about what he thinks might be muslim terrorists makes that more or less likely. There's always the New York mob who might wack him. He could have potentially run away, but his new gambling debts seem to make that unlikely. He seems to be ending his therapy which might have helped get out of the mob but hasn't. His family life seems pretty constant though now that AJ is suicidal that might be a traumatic event. For a while he was groom Christopher to take over but now it's not clear that anyone is in position to do so. Carmella's speech about a piano hanging over him seems foreshadowy.
I suspect they might go boring and just leave things continuing on as always, with some underlings getting wacked. I hope they do something more interesting. Maybe Christopher gets pinched for the murder and turns states evidence because he's pissed at them for enabling the alcoholism. Maybe Phil will kill Tony for a business reason.
They also need to address the family. I'd like to see Carmella stuck supporting herself. They've done nothing with Meadow, they keep trying to show she's smart and good but she keeps coming back to the family that ruins her relationships (kills her boyfriends, disapproves of her boyfriends, scares off her boyfriends). I suspect either AJ will kill himself or put himself in a position where he is killed. That should send Carmella over the deep end but she'd still have no realization that she's a horrible mother. Maybe it will be the event that gets Meadow away from her family.
What do you think?
I haven't been that impressed with the second half of season 6. I find it's a little slow, particularly when whole episodes have concentrated on just one story (Tony at the lake, Tony and Paulie traveling). I like the tension of will Tony kill someone (first Bobby, then Paulie, etc.) but then it's good to get back to the whole crew. Given what seems to be fitting less in an episode it's odd to see them spend time on Vito's son; which was kinda interesting but seemed to come out of no where.
I liked yesterday's episode with Christopher. It was interesting to see how hard it would be for a recovering alcoholic to be in the mob (this is a face-to-face business, you gotta be there, we don't leave voice mail messages about stolen goods). I don't get why Paulie was stealing from his own guy's stash, that seemed kinda rude and dumb, but I guess that's in character.
I think this season starting out showing the various paths Tony could take:
Eugene tried to retire to Florida but wasn't allowed and ultimately hung himself (he was also an FBI informant)
Christopher has been trying to get into a new line of work and deal with addiction
Vito ran away but couldn't hack it in the real world
Johnny Sack went to jail (and got sick and died)
Bobby is still in but his family is more important to him now
Paulie is still in but is a loser
And of course Tony got shot and almost died
With this second half of the season they seem to have Tony back to his old self and a little less confident. I think that's probably the most realistic choice but the least interesting. I hope they don't do a movie, that gives them more freedom in ending the series.
The police could always arrest him but it's not clear if his informing the FBI about what he thinks might be muslim terrorists makes that more or less likely. There's always the New York mob who might wack him. He could have potentially run away, but his new gambling debts seem to make that unlikely. He seems to be ending his therapy which might have helped get out of the mob but hasn't. His family life seems pretty constant though now that AJ is suicidal that might be a traumatic event. For a while he was groom Christopher to take over but now it's not clear that anyone is in position to do so. Carmella's speech about a piano hanging over him seems foreshadowy.
I suspect they might go boring and just leave things continuing on as always, with some underlings getting wacked. I hope they do something more interesting. Maybe Christopher gets pinched for the murder and turns states evidence because he's pissed at them for enabling the alcoholism. Maybe Phil will kill Tony for a business reason.
They also need to address the family. I'd like to see Carmella stuck supporting herself. They've done nothing with Meadow, they keep trying to show she's smart and good but she keeps coming back to the family that ruins her relationships (kills her boyfriends, disapproves of her boyfriends, scares off her boyfriends). I suspect either AJ will kill himself or put himself in a position where he is killed. That should send Carmella over the deep end but she'd still have no realization that she's a horrible mother. Maybe it will be the event that gets Meadow away from her family.
What do you think?
Back to the Gym
So I made it back to gym today after a long period off. See I like walking to the gym so I like going in good weather. I know that's backward, gyms are for winter and in the good weather you should be outside taking advantage of it and playing sports or something. Maybe that's the walking part. Oh well, I've always "thought different". Hopefully it's the start of a trend.
Maybe I could get a sponsorship?
New Balance Sneakers
Gap Shorts
Life is Good T-Shirt
iPod Shuffle - Tiny and filled with NPR and Astronomy Podcasts
Etymotic ER-6 headphones - light, small, good sounding, blocks out the crappy gym music
Be Like Howard.
Maybe I could get a sponsorship?
New Balance Sneakers
Gap Shorts
Life is Good T-Shirt
iPod Shuffle - Tiny and filled with NPR and Astronomy Podcasts
Etymotic ER-6 headphones - light, small, good sounding, blocks out the crappy gym music
Be Like Howard.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Microsoft and Yahoo?
The rumor of the day is that Microsoft will acquire Yahoo. That's certainly possible but John Gruber in Daring Fireball explains why that's a bad idea. "Most of the reaction I’ve seen regarding the rumor of a Microsoft acquisition of Yahoo centers around the business aspects...But at a technical level, it would be quite a thing, because Yahoo’s software isn’t written using Microsoft technology."
He goes on to point out that MS is really the only large company left that creates all the software for their environment themselves, including the OS, compilers, tools, browsers, servers, databases, etc. Every other company uses open source for some if not most of these things. And certainly all web companies do.
This results in two things: First it's hard for MS to acquire web companies because the technical intgration is daunting. Second, most students learn open source these days, it's hard to move to an MS world. Still it is a large MS world and I'm not predicting MS's demise any time soon.
He goes on to point out that MS is really the only large company left that creates all the software for their environment themselves, including the OS, compilers, tools, browsers, servers, databases, etc. Every other company uses open source for some if not most of these things. And certainly all web companies do.
This results in two things: First it's hard for MS to acquire web companies because the technical intgration is daunting. Second, most students learn open source these days, it's hard to move to an MS world. Still it is a large MS world and I'm not predicting MS's demise any time soon.
Movie Review: Spider-Man 3
I saw Spider-Man 3 in IMAX on opening day. For the most part it was ok but there were definitely some annoying parts and they were mostly at the end which made it pretty unsatisfying.
Tobey Maguire is back as Peter Parker, in fact it seemed as if every character from both of the previous films were back as well as several new ones including two new villains. There's a lot going on in the film with Norman Osborn seeking revenge on Spider-Man for killing his father, an alien symbiote turning Spider-Man evil, a new villain made out of sand, MJ having job problems, Parker getting new competition at the paper, and more. For everything crammed into it, the plot is remarkably easy to follow, but there are also annoying holes. I could get passed the (brief) stupid science stuff, but MJ seemingly forgetting about an attack by the Green Goblin stretched my suspension of disbelief.
There's also a lot of crying. I think all but one major character cries, it gets to be a bit much. Spider-Man has always been about relating to the average troubled life of Peter Parker but the problem is that a lot of the emotional weight is just through an unreasonable lack of communication.
The special effects were good particularly the Sandman and Venom characters. The action sequences are pretty good, at least I think they were. In spite of the giant IMAX images, they were pretty hard to see what with the camera constantly flying around every character which were also constantly flying around. I thought Happy Feet felt like a roller coaster, but this was that and more as it was in tight spaces and with rubble flying around. But the worst was when it was following a plain human cop walk around a truck. The camera was shakier than a jell-o mold in a hurricane. As much as 300 tried to freeze the action to look like a comic book panel, this film didn't.
There are some funny scenes including Bruce Campbell as a maitre d' but they are often offset but bizarre sequences particularly a Saturday Night Fever homage. I'm not sorry I saw it and I can see how some people liked it, but I liked the first two much better.
Tobey Maguire is back as Peter Parker, in fact it seemed as if every character from both of the previous films were back as well as several new ones including two new villains. There's a lot going on in the film with Norman Osborn seeking revenge on Spider-Man for killing his father, an alien symbiote turning Spider-Man evil, a new villain made out of sand, MJ having job problems, Parker getting new competition at the paper, and more. For everything crammed into it, the plot is remarkably easy to follow, but there are also annoying holes. I could get passed the (brief) stupid science stuff, but MJ seemingly forgetting about an attack by the Green Goblin stretched my suspension of disbelief.
There's also a lot of crying. I think all but one major character cries, it gets to be a bit much. Spider-Man has always been about relating to the average troubled life of Peter Parker but the problem is that a lot of the emotional weight is just through an unreasonable lack of communication.
The special effects were good particularly the Sandman and Venom characters. The action sequences are pretty good, at least I think they were. In spite of the giant IMAX images, they were pretty hard to see what with the camera constantly flying around every character which were also constantly flying around. I thought Happy Feet felt like a roller coaster, but this was that and more as it was in tight spaces and with rubble flying around. But the worst was when it was following a plain human cop walk around a truck. The camera was shakier than a jell-o mold in a hurricane. As much as 300 tried to freeze the action to look like a comic book panel, this film didn't.
There are some funny scenes including Bruce Campbell as a maitre d' but they are often offset but bizarre sequences particularly a Saturday Night Fever homage. I'm not sorry I saw it and I can see how some people liked it, but I liked the first two much better.
Friday, May 04, 2007
The First Republican Debate
I didn't watch the first Republican Debate (or the Democratic one) but Blogcritics did and reports Three Of Them Don't Believe In Evolution! "Did you see that three Republicans raised their hands to signify that they did not believe in evolution? ...They have been identified as Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AK), and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO)."
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Jupiter Images
NASA has info and images about a Fantastic Flyby of Jupiter "Today NASA released stunning new images of Jupiter and its moons taken by the New Horizons spacecraft. Views include a movie of a volcanic eruption on Jupiter's moon Io; a nighttime shot of auroras and lava on Io; a color photo of the 'Little Red Spot' churning in Jupiter's cloudtops; images of small moons herding dust and boulders through Jupiter's faint rings--and much more"
Lots of images here.
Lots of images here.
The Veto: Why Not a Signing Statement?
Daily Kos has an article: The veto: why not a signing statement?.
DRM for HD DVDs Fails
AACS is the Advanced Access Content System and is used to encrypt the new HD-DVD and Blu-ray DVDs. A hacker, supposedly upset that the movie he bought didn't work with his unlicensed cable, found some of the encryption keys used and published them on the net. The keys are a 128 bit number usually represented as 32 hexadecimal digits.
The HD-DVD Processing Key for most movies released so far has been posted in many places and the Advaced Access Content System Licensing Administrator has issued cease-and-desist letters against sites publishing the key. Well some sites took it down and then put them back up again. EFF has a description of the legal issues.
In the mean time you can get T-shirts and more T-shirts and other things including a riddle.
The HD-DVD Processing Key for most movies released so far has been posted in many places and the Advaced Access Content System Licensing Administrator has issued cease-and-desist letters against sites publishing the key. Well some sites took it down and then put them back up again. EFF has a description of the legal issues.
In the mean time you can get T-shirts and more T-shirts and other things including a riddle.
Climate Chnage Worse than IPCC Estimate
Scott Thill writes Exponology Strikes Again! Arctic Melt Outruns IPCC Estimate in The Huffington Post.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
TPMmuckraker April 30, 2007 03:35 PM
TPMmuckraker talks about Condi Rice ignoring Waxman's supoena:
"After receiving a subpoena last Wednesday from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) regarding, among other issues, those words and how exactly they found their way into the President’s address in the midst of the march to war with Iraq, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went barnstorming across the Sunday Shows yesterday to explain why she feels entirely uncompelled to comply with Waxman and testify before his committee. The crux of her argument: this one’s already been fully investigated; nothing to see here."
I don't really like the article that basically says, I've investigated this a lot and trust me she's lying, but about at least one thing she is. It's true the Senate Intelligence Committee report explicitly didn't investigate this. When she says it's been fully investigated, she's lying. And I don't known why journalists, interviewers, Senators, Congressman, and the American people should let her get away with it.
"After receiving a subpoena last Wednesday from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) regarding, among other issues, those words and how exactly they found their way into the President’s address in the midst of the march to war with Iraq, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went barnstorming across the Sunday Shows yesterday to explain why she feels entirely uncompelled to comply with Waxman and testify before his committee. The crux of her argument: this one’s already been fully investigated; nothing to see here."
I don't really like the article that basically says, I've investigated this a lot and trust me she's lying, but about at least one thing she is. It's true the Senate Intelligence Committee report explicitly didn't investigate this. When she says it's been fully investigated, she's lying. And I don't known why journalists, interviewers, Senators, Congressman, and the American people should let her get away with it.
Gonzales Secret Order Delegated Extraordinary Powers To Aides
The National Journal reports Secret Order By Gonzales Delegated Extraordinary Powers To Aides.
"Attorney General Alberto Gonzales signed a highly confidential order in March 2006 delegating to two of his top aides [Kyle Sampson, Monica Goodling] -- who have since resigned because of their central roles in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys -- extraordinary authority over the hiring and firing of most non-civil-service employees of the Justice Department."
"The existence of the order suggests that a broad effort was under way by the White House to place politically and ideologically loyal appointees throughout the Justice Department, not just at the U.S.-attorney level."
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is already pissed. "This secret order would seem to be evidence of an effort to hardwire control over law enforcement by White House political operatives. This memorandum should have been turned over to Senate and House committees as part of requests made in ongoing investigations."
"Attorney General Alberto Gonzales signed a highly confidential order in March 2006 delegating to two of his top aides [Kyle Sampson, Monica Goodling] -- who have since resigned because of their central roles in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys -- extraordinary authority over the hiring and firing of most non-civil-service employees of the Justice Department."
"The existence of the order suggests that a broad effort was under way by the White House to place politically and ideologically loyal appointees throughout the Justice Department, not just at the U.S.-attorney level."
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is already pissed. "This secret order would seem to be evidence of an effort to hardwire control over law enforcement by White House political operatives. This memorandum should have been turned over to Senate and House committees as part of requests made in ongoing investigations."
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