Posted on 06/20/2012 3:32:15 PM PDT by Bobalu
A House Committee has voted that the Attorney General is in contempt of Congress. The vote was along party lines, which is a pity, because the contempt is obvious and definitely indicated. This should not be a Party Lines affair. The Congress is the Grand Inquest of the Nation, and constitutionally is empowered to see that the President does indeed take care to see that the laws are faithfully enforced. There is no compelling reason for withholding the documents demanded by Congress in this matter.
To make it more interesting the President has bought into the ownership of Fast and Furious: he did so by invoking Executive Privilege in this matter, thus taking responsibility for the Attorney General’s refusal to hand over the papers. This make this contempt by the President, and a genuine Constitutional Crisis unprecedented since the Watergate breaking and Congressional subpoena of the Watergate Tapes.
That last affair ended with the resignation of a President and an unconditional pardon by his successor.
Nixon could have personally burned the Watergate Tapes, thus making it impossible for Congress to demand them. He chose not to do that, which would have precipitated an even more severe constitutional crisis.
This will be played for political points. It ought not be. The Constitution was clearly intended to allow Congress full powers of investigation, and that power is critical for constitutional government. Yes, the public has little confidence in the Congress, largely because everyone now expects grave matters like this to be voted along party lines; but is it still Congress that must decide whether public officials are covering things up.
(Excerpt) Read more at jerrypournelle.com ...
But unlike Watergate, it probably won’t go far.
However, if the scandal creates headaches or bad publicity for il Duce, it might be worthwhile. Just a shame Mr. Terry’s family might not see real justice.
However, if the scandal creates headaches or bad publicity for il Duce, it might be worthwhile. Just a shame Mr. Terry's family might not see real justice.
Have they wheeled out Bob Woodward yet to say it’s nothing compared to his scoop of this and every other millennium?
The DOJ has refused to even respond with a “privilege log”- stating what docs they claim are privileged.
That’s bizarre- and flagrant. Heck, what docs are Obama claiming privilege for?
Reno was held in contempt by a committee and later produced the documents so she wasn’t held in contempt by the whole House. Maybe that will happen here after a game of ‘mean, racist, Republicans’.
Interesting coming from Jerry Pournelle. Read many of his books and enjoyed the hell out of them. Good writer!
High crimes and misdemeanors anyone?
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