House Contempt Order against Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten PASSES

[kirby]

Source: C-SPAN

H.RES.982 - PASSED by 223-32 - Most Republicans walked out

Title: Providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.

EDIT:
The resolution just passed also gives the lawyers of the House Chamber the authority to go to the Judicial Branch to enforce the subpeona.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080214/ap_on_go_co/white_house_contempt_4

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Good-it passed!

Glad to see that the Dems held together for this one.

[dpbrown]

77. The new AG, Mukasey, testified that he won't enforce contempt citations

So I don't see how this is anything other than "too little, too late" by the Milquetoast Democrats again.

:shrug:

[louis-t]

81. Bypasses AG.

[dpbrown]

128. Excellent

This is what they needed to do. They should have done it long ago.

[Imagevision]

132. Mukasey is going the Gonzalez route by not enforcing contempt citations, Obama will

have to replace him asap with Fitzgerald!

[Virginian]

146. or

replace him with Edwards.

[maddezmom]

2. here is a link:

House holds Bush confidants in contempt 2 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The House has voted to hold two of President Bush's confidants in contempt for failing to cooperate with an inquiry into whether federal prosecutors were ousted for political reasons.


Angry Republicans boycotted the vote and staged a walkout.

The 223-32 vote Thursday targets presidential chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers. The citations charge Miers with failing to testify and accuse her and Bolten of refusing Congress' demands for documents related to the 2006-2007 firings.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080214/ap_on_go_co/white_house_contempt_4

[Judi Lynn]

3. Thanks, a lot. n/t

[kirby]

5. Link added to my original post. Thanks n/t

[maddezmom]

7. you're very welcome

:hi:

[electropop]

45. Were any of the 32 opposed, Dems?

I hope not.

[AllyCat]

53. One: Cuellar. not sure what state/district n/t

[Hawkeye-X]

91. A useless Dem from Texas, IIRC.

DINO - and he has a challenger - Ciro Rodiriguez.

Hawkeye-X

[FogerRox]

107. Cuellar from the 28th CD. Ciro from the 23rd CD

http://cuellar.house.gov/

http://www.rodriguez.house.gov/

http://www.inboxrobot.com/news/ciro-rodriguez

[mcg]

118. Cuellar was on first on LCV's Dirty Dozen list in 2006

his environmental voting record is horrible,
from the League of Conservation Voters:

http://www.capwiz.com/lcv/bio/keyvotes/?id=8337&congress=1102&lvl=C

He got an A rating from the National Rifle Assn.

[drmeow]

105. "Angry Republicans boycotted the vote and staged a walkout."

No f**king loss - why don't they just stay out!

[Hulk]

110. I thought ALL repug's were "angry repugs" these days??

Hell, just look at their fearless leader, john mcAncient.

[SIMPLYB1980]

4. K&R

[snappyturtle]

6. I was actually clapping when the vote was announced....did my

Democratic heart good! Yes! K&R

[leveymg]

8. A year ago, we would've been ecstatic.

Six months ago, excited.

Today, look - all of six comments.

They really know how to grind the life out of the grassroots, don't they.

[maddezmom]

10. I'm still excited

Just have to wonder what will happen next.

[leveymg]

17. I'm becoming very discouraged. The Senate FISA vote really did it to me.

I have some hope, but not much, that there will eventually be some explosure of what's been going on since 2000. But, very little that there will be real accountability for the destruction of the 4th Amendment and all the other High Crimes.

[peacetalksforall]

62. leveymg, we could hold hands. I'm feeling exactly the same. I was

just trying to analyze my feelings before I sat down ... we're so close to righting some wrongs against innocent, hardwoking citizens and all the people in other countries that we'ver hurt, and we give it away, give it to Republicans. Then we have these little blips and it's not doing anything for me right now. Dems mean disappointment with blips they way it's going.

I've been in a save and fight mode for way too long. Now is our time - and it isn't. It isn't because a few (make that too many) of our leaders are not making it our time. They make me feel betrayed.

But, there are new, more energtetic faithful who think it will work for them.

If the Dem elite steal this primary - I'm outta here.

Can't stand being owned by a CEO or a Trustee of some Foundation or a Tri-Lateral bum.

I think I'm pretty well down after yesterday.

[leveymg]

70. No holding hands icon, so have a cold beer

On me.

:toast:

This too shall pass.

[AikidoSoul]

82. Earlier I spoke with someone in Rep. John Conyer's office

who sounded so proud of the House Contempt Order against Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten passing.

I agreed that this was a positive step and then continued to press for impeachment. Throughout this conversation he would comment that "there just aren't enough votes" for it.... over and over. He insisted that "...you need to get the votes up front" and that the public is totally wrong to think that such actions are not assessed thorouly well in advance of such a major commitment.

I kept telling him that sometimes you don't know how many votes you have for something until after you strike up the band music and start giving passionate speeches.

Although it was a phone conversation, it did seem as if he was shaking his head a lot.

He also mentioned that if an impeachment effort was mounted that this would take all of the energy of the Judiciary Committee...and no time would be left for other important efforts such as getting to the bottom of the federal prosecutor scandal.

I told him that I was sure they could manage both if they tried hard and that some things are more precious than basing your actions on a political calculation and insisting that you get all the votes in advance. Some battles have to be fought by the willing heart no matter what because some things require that you take a stand.... no matter what!

I reminded him that in fact the Constitution has been defended by our own blood -- those of our forefathers who went to battle to defend it didn't calculate in advance whether the battle was winnable or whether we would walk out alive.

He said we need to concentrate our efforts on getting a Democrat elected.

It was exactly at that moment that I saw a dangerous trap being set that Congressional Dems are actually setting up for themselves.

So at that point I couldn't resist mentioning that even here in Democratic BlueDog Land folks generally look at Dems as wimps... even though they tend to vote for them from time to time. I told the aide that for many months now the locals have described the Dem's bad habit of sitting on their impeachment hands as a prime example of extreme wimperdom.

I told him that here in these parts the lack of Dem cojones to impeach serves as final evidence that Congressional Dems are not willing to fight hard for anything.

"Hell, if they can't fight for the Constitution --what the hell will they fight for" bellowed some old cracker here the other night, pulling agitatedly on his yellowed moustache.


*****************************

So I ask you... and this is the trap thing I was talking about: How will McCain, who spent five years in a Nam prison look to this old guy?

Almost all Americans admire a person willing to fight for what he / she believes in -- is McCain the way the wind will blow next November because of the wimp factor? Our citizens don't much tolerate wimps, especially in this increasingly dangerous world.

***************************

After talking to the Conyer's aide -- to make myself feel better -- I went to Sen. Robert Byrd's web site to see review some of his thoughts on the Constitution for which he is a serious and dedicated defender.

This is a poem he offered in September 07.

"Mr. President, I close with a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, entitled “O Ship of State.” Our Constitution is our ship, the heart and soul of our nation, and the stalwart vessel that will carry our nation’s liberty into the future. Long may it live.

O Ship of State
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!
We know what Master laid thy keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what a forge and what a heat
Were shared the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
‘Tis of the wave and not the rock;
‘Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest’s roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o’er our fears,
Are all with thee, -- are all with thee!

[Greyhound]

126. Gentlemen, we about to brave the storm in a skiff made of paper". n/t

[tekisui]

140. Hopefully the Senate will take new cues from the House.

[Javaman]

14. Because of their less the stella record and always stabbing their

constituents in the back, I now wear permanent back armor.

Now will they arrest them?

Like I have been saying, "wake me up, when someone is actually held accountable.

So does this mean that they will also go after ricechecks since she also ignored her subpoena?

Like I said, wake me up...

[PurpleChez]

36. couldn't agree with you more....

the first thing I always think of is "how many days until Reid or Pelosi caves on this one?"

[eyepaddle]

21. Hang on, I was at lunch--as soon as I got back to my deks I cruised to DU

to look for more information.

Does this one thing erase months of Democratic futility? NOt really, but it could mark the start of something big. I'm hoping at any rate!

[NewJeffCT]

30. i know - when i saw the headline

I was thinking it was about a year late...

[femrap]

57. Hey, maybe one of the Dem's

overly paid 'consultants' took a poll and the Grassroots believed there is only one party left...the rich one.

So they decided to do something. I do hope they put Josh in jail first. Harriet could be a rather sympathetic victim. I actually felt sorry for her when W put her up for SCOTUS.

Was Rove ever subpoenaed? I thought he was. Why not go after him first? Oh, I guess I was asking too much. Just use a tiny bit of powder.....for now.

[bleever]

98. I think the primaries are taking a lot out of us too.

I think the glacial pace that brought us here has contributed too.

But it is a big step. They will have to follow through aggressively, though, or this will end up as another empty gesture.

I think we all need a week in Hawaii.

[SnoopDog]

9. So, what happens now?

Are they frogged marched into hearings?

[AlinPA]

11. Probably nothing. Bush** will say no, claiming executive privilege. End of discussion.

[gateley]

34. And maybe if Bush says 'no' again, they'll become so infuriated that they pursue

other actions they've been blowing off -- like impeachment!

[kirby]

16. If Bush refuses to comply...

The resolution just passed gives the Lawyers of the House Chamber the authority to go to the Judicial Branch for an enforcement showdown. My guess is that it will go to the Supreme Court.

[Nickster]

22. For a 5-4 vote.

[NewJeffCT]

31. then, do they go to inherent contempt?

I hope

[PurpleChez]

37. whatz that?

It's a new term to me, but I'm strictly an amateur when it comes to poli sci

[NewJeffCT]

40. it's when the house uses their Sergeant at arms to enforce contempt charges

instead of the justice dept. it came up in the 1920s when the attorney general refused to enforce a contempt charge against a corrupt crony of his.... so, the house had their own sergeant at arms arrest the guy & drag him in...

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/03/dusting_off_inh.html

[14thColony]

52. Inherent Contempt

From Wikipedia:

Contempt of Congress is the act of obstructing the work of the United States Congress or one of its committees. While historically the bribery of a Senator or Representative was considered "contempt of Congress," in modern times a person must refuse to comply with a subpoena issued by a Congressional committee or subcommittee - usually seeking to compel either testimony or documents - in order to be considered in "contempt of Congress."

In 1821, the Supreme Court issued a decision (Anderson v. Dunn) which held that Congress' power to hold someone in contempt was essential to ensure that Congress was "... not exposed to every indignity and interruption that rudeness, caprice, or even conspiracy, may mediate against it." ... In 1857, Congress enacted a law which made "contempt of Congress" a criminal offense against the United States.

(In cases where Inherent Contempt is found to exist), following a contempt citation, the person cited is arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms for the House or Senate, brought to the floor of the chamber, held to answer charges by the presiding officer, and then subjected to punishment as the chamber may dictate (usually imprisonment for punishment reasons, imprisonment for coercive effect, or release from the contempt citation.)

...

Inherent Contempt was last invoked in 1934, when Congress arrested, tried, and jailed William MacCracken, an attorney who allowed his clients to destroy subpoenaed documents. When he filed a petition of habeus corpus to challenge the right of Congress to jail him, the US Supreme Court ruled that Congress had acted constitutionally, and denied the petition in the case Jurney v. MacCracken.

The real threat behind Inherent Contempt is that it does not rely on the Justice Department to enforce the arrest warrant. Congress dispatches its own staff (the Sergeant-at-Arms) to arrest the person, they try him, and they remand him in custody such that it is unlawful to release him without consent of Congress. In fact, it appears not beyond reason that to release the person against the will of Congress creates a new case of Inherent Contempt.

[Lerkfish]

12. wonderful! marvelous!

glad to hear about it (not near a tv at the moment)

[trashcanistanista]

13. So now what?

Do they go to the basement jail?

[yurbud]

15. this should be rec'd in the thousands

[Baby Snooks]

18. They have probably gone to Saudi Arabia...

On urgent family business. Like Prince Bandar and Princess Haifa.

It is nice to see some have finally woken up. Despite Madame Speaker.

[bluesmail]

97. HA! Dubai

[dmosh42]

19. I believe they have some options...

The first is they will expect the AG to carry out the law, meaning enforcing the arrest, and carry out a trial in fed courts. If he refuses to comply, then I think the House can do a trial themselves,(inherent contempt) and sentencing for the period left in the administration. Of course if the AG refuses, then he leaves himself open to the same charges too.

[The Wizard]

106. Impeach the AG

The Senate approved him and they can boot him.

[GOTV]

20. What happens now? As I remember...

... since they didn't go for inherent contempt, and just tried plain old contempt, it is turned over to the justice department to be acted on, or not, at their discretion. And I further seem to recall that Bush has specifically barred the Justice department from acting on any findings of contempt.

Does anyone else remember differently?

[mirrera]

23. Wow Republicans stage a walk out! Why don't the Dems do stuff like that?

The Pubs walk out in protest over calling criminals on their criminal behavior, but Democrats vote on what ever bill they bring forward. I do not get it.

Glad they did this, but I am nervous that if the republicans throw themselves on the floor and start pounding their fists they Democrats will say their sorry and take back the contempt charges...

[sce56]

26. They should have voted on Impeachment at that time when The Rethugs walked

Missed Opportunity I think!

[mirrera]

27. That would have been great!!! n/t

[AikidoSoul]

88. Exactly!

It's what I dream about

[99th_Monkey]

24. Rethugs walk out on maintaining their own Congressional integrity. Screw them.

Is that a spine I see growing in the Congressional Dems??

Let's hope it's a turning point in that direction.

[sce56]

25. If the Dinocrats would only look at the election results they would see the country is behind them

by a 2/3rds majority all of the past elections this month had Democratic votes counted by two to every one Republican vote! That is about the same % of people that support Shrub!
It is about F'ing time they did something!

They can grow some more spine the country will back them.
:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

[NewJeffCT]

33. asking them to show spine is a lot, though

it would be a complete 180

[99th_Monkey]

28. Rethugs are coming unhinged on the floor about the Contempt Motion.

Whining and yelling at the House Leadership about procedural issues... poor Rethugs.. boo-hoo. :nopity:

[kirby]

29. "Political theater"

While the vote on contempt was taking place the Republican leadership and many members stormed outside where microphones were already assembled. As their hair flapped in the breeze, they proclaimed in the most dramatic fashion, that the Democrats were putting on 'political theater' by voting on trivial matters instead of protecting the homeland from terrorists and passing the Senate bill without delay or reconciliation.

[12string]

42. Republican Contempt

Not withstanding the fact that I seriously doubt that any of these asshat repubs would accept anything less than prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law if you or I tried to ignore a subpoena,I suspect what this political theater is really designed for is to ratchet up the rhetoric about terra,terra,terra.Planting the seeds of the future mass hysteria that will be necessary to sell their upcoming false flag operation to the citizenry long enough to get away with imposing martial law. I get the feeling these criminals know they can't afford to cede the reigns of power.

[Raksha]

129. These idiot Republicans...

blind to their own hypocrisy as usual. They would be absolutely OUTRAGED if the situation were reversed, with a Democratic administration refusing to enforce contempt of a Republican-majority Congress. They'd be in full drama-queen mode, pontificating about the "rule of law," etc. etc. etc.

And the ironic thing is--they'd be RIGHT! Are they really so naive and short-sighted as to think a Democratic administration WOULDN'T use the Miers-Bolten contempt of Congress as a precedent?

[PurpleChez]

138. silly liberal, it's NOT a precedent!

Don't you know? Republicans can do as they please, because their leaders take their marching orders from Jesus. Democrats are enemy combatants and therefore cannot invoke any precedents.

Edited for spelling

[Hulk]

111. Is that anything like "condemning MoveOnOrg's ad of betrayus"???

[pinto]

32. Good one. See you in court.

:kick:

[Chalco]

35. The rule of law only applies to Democrats.

Repugs can do whatever they want with impunity.

[PurpleChez]

38. that's coz Jeebus tells 'em what to do

when you get yer marching orders from the most high you get to do as you please

[peacetalksforall]

100. This was blatantly true all through the 90's. They expected saintliness from Dems

all the while they were performing character assasination with lies, deceit, and exquisite coordination. They got the FBI to help impeach Clinton. They got millionaires to pay for it. They put themselves up as the most moral of decent people ever seen in this country while Dems were seen as disgustingly immoral. All the while some were planning massacres, invasions, pillaging and plundering in Iraq. (Well, they probably did plan success, but they are not into contingency planning so it was planning in the negative). Causing phosphoric glowing of skin, torture, blowing up weddings, flying able bodied men around the world in Leer jets owned by the CIA, making deals with Israel and The UK. and many other nations. Talk about moral. How many people are stuffed into Syria and Jordan? How many Iraqis did their friends the Saudi Arabians accept into their country? How many died by decapitation with or without blindfolds? Yeah, very moral. How much money have they stolen from the citizens of this country. Moral? How many rights have they stolen from us? Christian and Jewish morality in practice by some of them. AGAINST DEMOCRATS. AGAINST SOME OF US, THE CITIZENS.

[Parche]

39. Republicans are GD &%$&^%$&#@%(*&^)* babies

F them i repeat F them all

I hope the Dems start playing tough now.......:grr: :grr: :grr: :hi:

[kirby]

41. Who voted against party lines? These guys...

Democrats:
Henry Cuellar (TX)

Republicans:
Ron Paul (TX)
Walter Jones (NJ)
Wayne Gilchrist (MD)

[texastoast]

43. Henry Cuellar

District 28 needs to find a real Democrat.

[Usrename]

46. There ya go!

Do you know anybody who lives in 28?

:toast:

[jmowreader]

50. Walter Jones is from North Carolina, not New Jersey

This is the guy we used to call "Freedom Fries Jones" for his actions in the House to defend the Constitution against the ever-present threat of fried potatoes and egg-soaked bread.

He's turned into an okay kinda congressman, but I still wouldn't vote for him.

[femrap]

60. Isn't Walter Jones NC?

Or am I confused? Was that the 'french fry' guy who finally saw the light and is now against the war?

[BearSquirrel2]

76. Ron Paul ...

Wow, Ron Paul the "independent". Apparently, he doesn't mind if the President scoffs at the Constitution.

[Laurab]

96. It says he voted against party lines , so I think that means w/Dems. nt

[existentialist]

86. Did you notice that Rep Gilchrist just lost in the Maryland primary

to a candidate who ran against him calling him a RINO with major support from the club for growth.

That's the bad news, the good news is that just might put the 1st Congressional district of Maryland in play, where it had previously been considered to be safe Republican.

[WahooJunkie]

44. List of votes?

Where can I see the list of how each congressman voted (or those that walked out?)

Thanks

[kirby]

47. Here is the link:

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll060.xml

[pleah]

48. I am STUNNED! They actually passed this. K&R

:woohoo:

[AllyCat]

49. Pelosi let this come to the floor? How did that happen?

Well, I'm sure she'll do everything in her power to stop any further action.

[sce56]

63. We need to do more to put the heat on her and this is a starting point. See

Here is her web page please donate! http://www.usalone.com/donations_golub.php

She has raised $10,540 so far this week from 201 Supporters on Act Blue.
We need to make Madam Speaker accountable to her Constituents

[AllyCat]

66. Donated to Golub yesterday. Someone has to hold Pelosi accountable

and I can't think of anyone better than a challenger in the primary. Wonder how Ms. Golub's Thursday noon "on the table" went today.

[Joanne98]

51. YAY!

[katty]

54. god I'm in major shock!

[cstanleytech]

55. Want to bet the main reason

they walked out is because they could not really vote against it without looking like they all suddenly just grew huge brown moustaches.

[blayne]

56. Yeah!

This might get good just yet.

[cottonseed]

58. Beoner's statement before the walkout was pretty pathetic.

I hope they get this on the news shows tonight. Sniveling little craps these guys are.

[kestrel91316]

59. O.M.G. They actually did it.

Color me completely stunned.
:wow:

[postulater]

61. Yeah, right. Wake me when someone is arrested and jailed.

[FATCATs]

64. Ah HA

Funny

[whistle]

65. Condi Rice should be next, she continues to lie through the space in her front teeth

[navarth]

67. please don't build my hopes up

there's going to be some way this will fail to do anything concrete...right?

what could possibly happen to make them show some guts now?

last time I looked, Waxman was talking to Roger Clemens.

[MilesColtrane]

68. I doubt Bush's water boy, Mukasey, will enforce this contempt charge.

After all, the sole reason he was hired was to run interference and cover his boss's ass.

[dbonds]

69. Could the walkout possibly be because...

the republicans thought it should pass, but did not want to anger their masters. So they just walked out not voting and let it pass.

[frylock]

71. fuck this. they had the authority to invoke INHERENT CONTEMPT months ago..

this is a bunch of bullshit grandstanding. grow a fucking spine already, DEMOCRATIC leadership.

[ClayZ]

72. Wooo Hooo K and R

[pinto]

73. LOL. Repubs walk out on up or down vote.

Why do they fear the rule of law?

[lovuian]

74. Woohoo

:woohoo:

[RoccoR5955]

75. HOLY GUACAMOLE!!!!

:kick:
K and freakin' R!

Do you think that they finally grew a pair?

[nikto]

84. Yeeeesssssss!!!!

This is what even a moderate amount of
of Dem boldness can do to the GOP.

It forces the GOP to show to the world how vile and corrupt,
and mindlessly lockstep, they really are.


The Republican Walkout/Bush Veto is about the GOP slashing another of its own veins
and bleeding real, political blood
to make a stupid, negative point in support of an administration
even most Repubs distance themselves from.

This has just got to hurt the GOP image with
the mainstream public, no question.

Kinda' makes ya' wonder about possible behind-the-scenes
blackmail within the party of Karl Rove to keep some of their own in line(?)

But regardless, the bottom-line is the same...

Nothing speaks more loudly that the
GOP IS THE PARTY OF TORTURE, ENDLESS WAR AND POVERTY FOR U.S. CITIZENS.

[davidwparker]

78. how did something like this get out of Pelosi's House? Glad it did. We

need more like this.

:kick:

[ladywnch]

79. When I heard Pelosi supported/backed this move the first thing I thought

(and still believe)was: this is just a bone she and the dems are throwing to people who are seeking impeachment and accountability from the congress and when this falls apart (and we all know it will)she can stand up and say, "see, we couldn't even get enough support in congress for something as simple as a contempt of congress action this proves we could never get enough support for impeachment proceedings. It's not my fault. I dont' want to hear anything more about this....SHUT UP".

[creeksneakers2]

101. Nancy did a great thing today

Nothing is good enough for some.

[ladywnch]

113. nothing is what she has done until today.

some accept crumbs and believe they're satisfied.

[philly_bob]

133. Watching Pelosi carefully. May have to rethink my contempt for her.

Felt good seeing her stand up at long last. Although I wish she'd stayed on attack instead of defense. The vote was about contempt of congress, not FISA. And her closing bit about Valentine's Day and hearts was lame. Sometimes I think some of our Dems don't have a sense that they are living history.

That said, if Pelosi stands up for the Constitution when Congress returns to session like she did yesterday, I'll be happy with her, I'll apologize for the mean things I've said -- and I won't donate to her challenger.

[derby378]

80. So, are we going to see some handcuffs in Harriet's future?

Or is the decision to enforce the subpoena strictly within the realm of the Bush junta?

[cascadiance]

83. According to the L.A. Times article a few minutes ago a civil contempt suit was also authorized

... by the congress against Miers and Bolton. Kind of interesting:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-contempt15feb15,1,1529502.story

House holds 2 Bush aides in contempt

Lawmakers seek criminal charges against current chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers. They failed to answer subpoenas relating to the firings of U.S. attorneys.

By Richard B. Schmitt, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
2:59 PM PST, February 14, 2008

...

The resolution passed by a margin of 223-32. Before the vote, Republicans declared the exercise a political stunt and walked off the House floor in protest. The action was partly symbolic; Atty. Gen. Michael B. Mukasey has indicated that the Justice Department would not pursue contempt charges under the circumstances because department officials have ruled that Miers and Bolton were protected by executive privilege.

But today's resolution also authorized a civil contempt suit by the House against Miers and Bolton. That lawsuit -- which would be filed in federal court in Washington -- could be initiated at any time, and would not depend on the approval of the Justice Department.

Interesting that they are trying to go through the civil courts too now to work around the Justice Department. I wonder if Bushco will try yet again to add to their record-breaking use of "State Secrets privilege" dismisals of cases with this one too. Perhaps this case is where congress FINALLY takes on the constitutionality of state secrets privilege in civil suits, and perhaps will put together legislation that is analagous to CIPA (Classified Information Procedures Act used in criminal cases) to cover civil litigation where CIPA isn't currently available for use to force their hand.

Perhaps that might free up people like Sibel Edmonds and Maher Arar to pursue appealing their civil cases again, though I'm sure that Bush will be forced to using signing statements or vetos to stop this sort of thing.

[BumRushDaShow]

85. Took a LONG time

to get to this point.

[natrat]

87. encouraging but probably just more bs political theatre to calm the natives

[ElsewheresDaughter]

93. crape hanger!

[Exultant Democracy]

89. Happy V-Day!

[bluesmail]

90. Knock me over with a feather

[ElsewheresDaughter]

92. NOW THIS IS NEWS........FINNALY

[Wednesdays]

127. No it isn't.

I go to mainstream message boards and all they're discussing is the school shooting.

:shrug:

[myrna minx]

94. Finally! n/t

[TankLV]

95. It's about fucking TIME!!! Finally - some GOOD news for America...

way to go...

don't back down now...

[Misskittycat]

99. It's about time. Let's hope they keep up the good work defending the Constitution.

[creeksneakers2]

102. Far Out!!!!

[BigBearJohn]

103. Is there a video of this vote up yet? Anyone know?

[totodeinhere]

104. That's good news, but...

those two are little fish. What we need is a commitment from both Clinton and Obama that whoever gets to be prez will not pardon Bush and Cheney when they are convicted of war crimes.

[Indenturedebtor]

108. WOOT

WTG Dems! Now do something with it! :bounce:

[natrat]

109. nice-what will they screw us with now that we are distracted

[Rabrrrrrr]

112. Other breaking news: Pelosi decides to toss it in the dustbin.

"That was a past time", Pelosi said, "And so we won't be pursuing anything now. It's time to forget and forgive, so we can move forward and rubber stamp more Republican legislation so that we don't look like obstructionists or elitists or, God forbid, partisan. Now excuse me, I have to go wash Cheney's balls as an act of goodwill."

[onehandle]

114. Wonderful. Now, how about Rove? nt

[bonito]

115. Outstanding!

Yes!!!

[Brigid]

116. *Rubs hands together*

This is too good to be true! Now we'll see what happens from here.

[acmavm]

117. I am so damn surprised I just don't know what the hell to say. So I'll just

stop while I'm ahead.

[Generic Brad]

119. That will teach the Republicans to walk out

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! :kick: :rofl: :spray:

[jjr5]

120. Awesome!!!!! :)

Let's have more of these types of stands!! :)

[spindrifter]

121. Cool! I just want to

know why I didn't hear this on NPR during the drive- hour I spent listening to them. I had to wait and find out on MSM. That is totally lame. But--I'm glad the House has finally taken this vote!

[Fearless]

122. Although I doubt this could have been genuine... Harriet Miers in the SJC...

It might've happened... and now she's breaking the law... tsk tsk... How easily the weak have fallen.

Frightening isn't it... Supreme Court Justice... I shudder to think about it...

[ProudDad]

123. Way to go Dems!!!

A fucking year late and you missed the actual culprits by about 2,000 miles.

Bolten and Miers are back in cornhole, TX counting their money and bush/cheney -- who should be the real targets -- are still "in charge"...

[L. Coyote]

124. K & R + Conyers Debate VIDEO link

Rep. John Conyers: House Debates Bolton and Miers Contempt of Congress
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x93672

To REC this up on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq2F_8yTnNU

[bigmarunga]

125. Is that all they got.

What happened to all the change this congress was going to
bring? They were elected to stop the war, impeach Bush and
give us health care. And all they do is ceremonial bs, useless
endless non enforceable resolutions, bridge and building
naming, steroid investigations and political back biting and
banter. No wonder this congress has ratings even lower than
Bush-Cheney. If they don't get off their A--es they will be
gone next election. 

[drm604]

135. What they need to do is impeach Bush and Cheney.

You do agree, right?

[Wednesdays]

136. Uh-oh. Look out, drm. It's another...

[natrat]

141. crooks-throw da bums out

[bigmarunga]

130. Jefferson next?

Now that they have made political hay will they deal with a real crook, William Jefferson. Many of these congressman were elected because they campaigned cleanup corruption. How can they let this guy stay? Is he still on the ways and means committee?

[Tatiana]

131. Guess the House members realized they were up for re-election.

Well, however we get there, I'll take it.

[philly_bob]

134. Awaiting Obama and Clinton comment on all this. /nt

[frog92969]

137. Bipartisan Republicon style?

Shame they don't walk out every day.

Rec

[Imagevision]

139. Bush needs to be charged with obstruction of justice or some damn thing...!

[libbygurl]

142. Great news. Sad that someting relatively small like this is a big deal...

...for Dem supporters. Grow a spine, Dems, please!

And why can't Dems walk out like the Repubs do, in unity? Hell, the Senate FISA Telecom immunity bill even passed with the help of some Democrats!

So what happens next?

[radhika]

143. Only Inherent Contempt Counts

By going the Justice Department route, where Mukasey already declared he will not enforce contempt charges or subpoenas, we have another faux course of action. Show trial, if you will. It looks superficially like the Dems stand up, but everyone knew in advance it was a meaningless gesture and would not disrupt Bush Crime Family operations. Plus it created another distraction from the FISA debacle....

If, on the other hand, Judiciary Committee has used the tool of Inherent Contempt - Bolton and Miers would be subject to arrest by House Sargeant at Arms and both would be sitting on their little buns in DC jail (or wherever). And stay there until they squealed. That path obviates the need to work with the DOJ.

[0007]

145. Thanks for your run-down of the situlation.

[lovuian]

148. Its a first step for Congress to have a back bone

it starts the ball rolling

They are in Contempt next it Mukasey's turn
he doesn't enforce it
(He is obstructing justice)
Its one thing to say it but doing it is another
If he doesn't a civil suit will be implemented or the next step is inherent contempt

Either way this Congress needs to stand up for its subpoena power otherwise its powerless for future Congresses

[0007]

144. Man am I one surprised cat

Is the wind of time changing?

[Supersedeas]

147. in your damned eye, Muck Muck Mukasey