Senate Judiciary Committee w/Alberto Gonzales-7/24/07 Pt32

[cspander]

The problem here is the same problem that Fitzgerald had with the CIA leak. Fitz couldn't prove the crimes because Libby was hindering the investigation by lying, preventing the full story from coming out. Bush firing US attys is within his official duties, but not if he's firing them as part of a wider effort to game the elections. The problem is, Bush is blocking Congress's efforts to investigate what happened. On EVERYTHING.

[cspander]

Bush could be, my reading anyway, charged for so many acts. Bush ordering wiretapping without a court issuing warrants is illegal & isn't within his official job as Prez. Bush fabricating a case for war isn't within his official duties. But to prove them, you have to get Bush out of the way because he's claiming executive privilege to prevent the evidence from surfacing. That means impeachment is the only way to break the logjam.

[cspander]

Don't count on the next Prez or Congress going after him or the truth. If Bush & Repubs are pulling out all the stops to prevent the facts from coming out, they're not about to chance a Dem Prez or Dem Congress being able to investigate once Bush & Repubs are out of power. Either Bush & Repubs plan on remaining in power (see Bush EO of 5-9-07) or the fix is in with Hillary like it is with Pelosi.

[cspander]

Presidents have claimed that they can't be subjected to various kinds of legal proceedings with mixed success at the SC. The SC ruled during Nixon Admin that Presidents can't be sued for official acts. Clinton tried to extend that, to acts that he was accused of before he was Prez (Paula Jones) & only until he was out of the White House. The SC ruled that to allow a Prez to postpone would be to deny Paula Jones her day in court, putting Prez above the law.

[Telcontar1962]

The fix will be in to get a new president, such as another Clinton, with enough skletons in the closet to keep them on-side and keep under wraps the full criminality of the politcal regime in Washington.

If you ask me its a far far cry from what I understand of the constitution and the soldiers are fighting the wrong enemy. They should perhaps turn their guns round 180 degress and ask the president to surrender in the name of the people.

[Telcontar1962]

I've asked in a few places for clarification as to what the impeachment process actually results in as everyone is asking for it. No one has. Thanks for the reply.

[Telcontar1962]

That great thanks. So in effect those that are calling for just impeachment are in the main asking for next to nothing, though admittedly it will take up alot of politcal time and energy to obtain.

It bbrings me to my central question, even if impeachment is obtained, what use if Bush and Cheney (at the least) are not offered up for trial on capital crimes at a war tribunal not in the US? I ask because it should apply to Blair of the UK too.

[cspander]

No, the Supreme Court doesn't remove anyone from office. Here's how it works: The House impeaches, which is like an indictment or holding over for trial. Representatives in the House are like grand jurors, saying "There is/isn't enough evidence of high crimes & misdemeanors to hold the accused over for trial." If the members of the House find that there is, that's impeachment (holding over for trial in the Senate).

[cspander]

The Senate is where the trial takes place, with the senators as the jurors. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial. He's like a judge in any trial, he is there to maintain the rule of law. The case is argued for and against the accused, and then the senators vote to remove the impeached person or not to remove him.

[DrunkleBobgenx]

I really have to add thanks as well... this is so appreciated... thank you thank you thank you

[Telcontar1962]

Bush is competent. He has the whole politcal system in turmoil while he and his friends make billions out of a foreign war. That level of crime takes some carrying out.

When people talk about impeachment they have to be joking. Unless someone, somewhere brings capital offence charges against the chief movers in the administration then any legal moves are laughable. It would just be a further insult to the people if loss of office was the only punishment.

[awatiker]

Thank you for posting this. How is this guy in charge of the "second most important department in the government"?

[Telcontar1962]

Maybe because when the President and Vice President are crooks the need someone just as crooked in charge of Justice to protect their backs come what may?

[jifler]

Finally got the chance to finish watching the whole hearing. Thank you so very much for the work you do in posting these hearings.

[bolsodecano1899]

listening to gonzales speak is just painful, we all know hes lying, why doesnt somebody just tell him "we know your full of shit, when are you planing to speak the truth to the american people?" jesus christ, fire this guy and impeach bush, thats what the few americans with a brain really want.

[jaminpalm7]

Excellent work posting, thanks again. Keep up the good work

[RationalEyes]

Thank you very much for posting the whole thing