Gonzales refuses to answer: Is first-class mail of US citizens opened?

[seafan]

This sent me into orbit.

Sorry to start another Senate hearing thread, but I need to make sure people hear this. With that little, uncomfortable smile creeping across Gonzales' face, and Leahy hammering him for an answer to this ONE QUESTION, there is no doubt that

Americans' first class mail is being opened and read.


Stop this *hearing* and call the US Marshals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kurth]

1. This is fucking criminal

The Bush criminal cartel is simply out of control, and all we're seeing is a little so-called hearing???

[liveoaktx]

7. VIDEO

Leahy Round 1

[seafan]

14. Thank you, liveoaktx! The pertinent part is from 9:50----11:11

We are in deep, deep trouble.

[seafan]

17. Kick so more people will see this video. n/t

[Sparkman]

2. Gonadzales won't say the obvious..."I TAKE THE FIFTH"

[bullimiami]

11. he doesnt need to because hes not under oath.

[Sparkman]

16. And not sworn because it fits their "strategy ", not to give transparency.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. So we've gone from "we're only monitoring suspects who make international

calls" to reading people's mail? Weird how ** never mentioned that before. Or did I miss it?

[htuttle]

4. Unfortunately, the US Marshals work for Bush, as do the FBI, the CIA, etc

About the only non-executive branch Federal legal authority we have anymore is the House's Sargent at Arms, and he's unarmed.

Unless a Governor could order his State law enforcement agencies to do something about it...:shrug:

[zanne]

5. Damn right.

There's only one reason someone on the stand will not answer a "yes" or "no" question--Guilt! This should be the main subject of every newscast for weeks. (But it probably won't even get a mention).

[Sparkman]

6. At least THREE of my letters, tagged with my peace symbol & note, OPENED

by the "postal Service".

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. Did his little smile look anything like THIS one?

[kurth]

10. He's not fit to wear an American flag

[seafan]

12. This is an ominous day in what's left of our democracy.

I just am at a loss for words.

But there is no other option but to keep fighting this dark evil. So I'll carry on.


And yes, your photo depicts *the look*, although it was more subtle.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

15. As long as Bush refuses to hold himself accountable...

...and as long as we're dealing with a Republican majority, what can we really do? As much as I respect the efforts of John Conyers and a very select few, if Bush greets their inquiries with contempt, apathy, and arrogance, what can we do? What do we really gain by having Bush answer low-ball, off-the-record questions while sitting on Uncle Dick Cheney's lap behind closed doors? What do we gain by allowing Bush to receive those questions in advance?

Let's see a show of hands...everyone who thinks that Rove and others DID NOT direct a shredding party for Plame-related documents, raise 'em up.

We also need to consider the Democrats who vote for Bush agenda items on a consistent basis. Why are we electing these people?

Too many questions. Too few answers.

:patriot:

[Sparkman]

9. IF you think the gov. respects your email/postal letters...think again.

I've had THREE letters opened, after 2 week hold, then a 1 week hold, then another 2 week hold.
This is over the course of the last twelve months.
If any of you want the details...I'll provide them.
DONT TRUST THE US POST OFFICE IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR PRIVACY INVADED.
Luckily, one was a check payment to a distributer of electronic parts, one a birthday card to family, third was a check payment to an EBAY purchase!
Peace signs in the corner, and a little anti-Iraq war quip:
"BUSH LIED-OIL IS WHY".

[Punkingal]

13. What an arrogant little piece of shit.

I cannot believe he could just refuse to answer that question, and there is not a damn thing anyone can do about it. Not a damn thing. It is disgusting.

[pushycat]

24. It is hard to listen to that little pig face just brush off the questions

he doesn't want to answer. We want answers to these questions and the panel members are trying to get them. This doesn't mean repubs - they just support rat face and all the other goons in the NSA. They are getting spied on as much as anyone else - why don't they see this?

I sure hope Abu's testimony gets some kind of fair coverage in the mainstream news. It is embarrassing to watch the US Attorney General defy United Stated Senators as if they were mere potted plants. Negroponte had the same attitude last week with Senator Rockefeller. Open hostility between the US Congress and the WH Intelligence Director. How good is that for our enemies to see in full view? Talk about aiding the enemy!!

Other world leaders must be as disappointed as we citizens, watching our government run pell mell toward dictatorship.

[Whoa_Nelly]

18. Have had several pieces of mail opened and then taped shut or

placed in a plastic cover by the USPS before reaching me.

Anyone else?

A friend recently tried to send me some Interior Design software via FedEx. it never made it to me. About three weeks after sending it, he received it back with the box all but destroyed and a message attached that the package could not be delivered to the address given.

It had MY home address on it. There was no reason it could not have been delivered.

[cantstandbush]

19. I've had four first-class packages opened prior to my receiving them.

i complained at the post office and they had me fill out a form but I did not turn it in. It asked for too much info and i felt like it was just an invitation to more abuse of my privacy. What do you DUers think?

[Marie26]

20. Opening mail is a federal crime

If someone opens mail that is not addressed to them, that is actually a federal crime. This extends to employees of the Post Office or the federal government as well. Law enforcement can only open someone's mail if they have a valid search warrant. Just, you know, adding to the list of felonies here. Of course, the AG will probably argue that the War Resolution overrides this law as well. :eyes:

§ 1703. Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers

(a) Whoever, being a Postal Service officer or employee, unlawfully secretes, destroys, detains, delays, or opens any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail entrusted to him or which shall come into his possession, and which was intended to be conveyed by mail, or carried or delivered by any carrier or other employee of the Postal Service, or forwarded through or delivered from any post office or station thereof established by authority of the Postmaster General or the Postal Service, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(b) Whoever, being a Postal Service officer or employee, improperly detains, delays, or destroys any newspaper, or permits any other person to detain, delay, or destroy the same, or opens, or permits any other person to open, any mail or package of newspapers not directed to the office where he is employed; or

Whoever, without authority, opens, or destroys any mail or package of newspapers not directed to him, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

[HereSince1628]

23. Unless a war time president sets aside the law.

But of course the AG is NEVER going to get into ANY domestic spying.

Rewatch Gonzo's testimony he is ONLY referring to THE program being discussed TODAY. CLearly he is stonewalling the committee on OTHER PROGRAMS

[kurth]

26. Such a cumbersome and burdensome law!!!

The Attorney General has determined that laws considered cumbersome and burdensome to him will not apply to him or his boss.

[Marie26]

27. Ooohhh, OK

Thanks for letting me know that. That makes this OK then. Let's all support Bush in his effort to streamline government & stop cumbersome or burdensome laws! That's the way to lower the deficit!

[King Coal]

21. Does Leahy know something? What leads him to this line of questioning?

[E-Z-B]

22. kick

[kineneb]

25. I sure hope they are bored.

All I ever get is bills, and they are welcome to pay them for me...I don't send letters through the mail, I use e-mail. So to you assbites in the Gov.: I hope you enjoyed this note...go suck rocks.