MSNBC Bush to appoint Bolton today

[whyzayker]

Sorry if this is late - MSNBC just flashed an AP story at the bottom of the screen - looking for link

[Wetzelbill]

1. Bolton, the world's second toughest man besides Bush

:patriot:

:sarcasm:

[kysrsoze]

2. Dang - just beat me. CNN has it now too...

"BREAKING - President Bush today will name John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, senior administration official says."

This should be interesting. It'll only make them look worse.

[wakeme2008]

3. link here

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

[IndianaGreen]

4. Is Congress already in recess?

Here is what we must do. Every time Bolton votes for anything in the UN, or does anything at all, we must write to the other nations' delegations represented in the Security Council and challenge whatever Bolton does on the basis that he does not represent the American people.

[meganmonkey]

5. Maybe I'm being optimistic

(which, given the circumstances is rather remarkable) but I think the UN will make him as useless as he deserves to be, with or without our letters. Although it is a good idea regardless.

;)

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

109. Tend to agree

I think Bolton won't have much credibility or effectiveness being appointed like this.

I'm somewhat surprised by the self flagellation and teeth gnashing going on by many on this board.

[MaineDem]

25. Yes, Congress is in recess. (nt)

[Kelvin Mace]

71. Actually, what the Dems should do

is refer Bolton to the US Attorney for perjury.

Which, if they had a spine, they would do.

[Wizard777]

112. I agree. Charge Bolton with perjury!

[ProudDad]

104. HEAR, HEAR!!

I just posted a similar suggestion in the other bolton thread.

We must lobby the world to oppose the right-wing fascist coup of the United States of America. We must oppose these traitors by any means necessary!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1668267#1668689

[catmandu57]

6. Not wasting time is he?

Their agenda has been thrown off by months, with the senate saying no. Now, they havfe to get this asshole in place and play catchup, I only hope the delay has opened up the eyes of many more americans, and those left in the world who don't see these bastards for the arrogant power mad evil fucks they are.

[UpInArms]

7. If all the Dems refused to return to Congress

would it not stop the government from functioning?

I do believe a mass walkout is in order.

*Co is behaving like a dictator and is destroying this country.

:argh:

[Greeby]

9. Nope

Nah, the Republicans would just pass everything without them.

[Ian David]

15. Would they have a quorum if the Dems weren't present?

Biden, Lieberman, and Zell Miller would show-up, though.

Actually, Biden would talk for 40 minutes about how important it is for the Dems to stage a walk-out, and then at the end of his speech, he'd say, "But I can't do it because..."

And then he'd go home and watch his speech on C-Span while he engages in self-abuse.

[QC]

21. Yes, they have a quorum. Miller is retired. n/t

[Ian David]

23. You're right. It looks like a quorum requires a simple majority

The Constitution specifies that a majority of members constitutes a quorum to do business in each house. The rules of each house provide that a quorum is assumed to be present unless a quorum call demonstrates the contrary. Representatives and senators rarely force the presence of a quorum by demanding quorum calls; thus, in most cases, debates continue even if a majority is not present.

More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress

[Pachamama]

63. You mean all the Dem Senators that stood up to the renewing of the Patriot

Act?

Don't count on it...our democracy is dead...

[cal04]

8. Bush Reportedly to Appoint Bolton Today/link

Frustrated by Democrats, President Bushwill circumvent the Senate on Monday and install embattled nominee John Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations, a senior administration official said.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050801/ap_on_go_pr_wh/un_ambassador

[Botany]

10. So the fact that he is on record as being a liar is a good thing?

Bolton is a made man in the BFEE.

1. Florida 2000 "I am John Bolton, stop the count."
2. He couldn't "remember" that he was interviewed about Plame's outing
3. He forced his first wife to have sex with strangers as he watched
and played with himself at a sex club in NYC in the 1970s.

Fine * appoint him ...... It will just prove to the world that you have no
morals.

[earthboundmisfit]

42. Hmmm surely someone, SOMEWHERE has pix of Bolton at the swingers club(s)?

You know some compromising photos have to exist, with a sleazeball history like Boltons. Wouldn't now be a sweet time for someone to break 'em out?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

76. Yeah, but they are all dead

if they appear

[myrna minx]

11. Geez, a recess appointment truly gives him alot of credibility.

:sarcasm:

[SammyWinstonJack]

93. Is this some of his political capitol?

:evilgrin:

[Lecky]

12. Bush is a complete bastard

[Mika]

13. He represents the BushCrimeInc admin well..

No ifs ands or buts.. he's just the man for the job.

[sui generis]

14. when all else fails . . . cheat! What else did we expect

from republicans.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

16. Just another NeoCon to be....

...frog-marched to jail after the Fitzgerald Grand Jury gets done.

[Tesla]

22. This is a slap in the face of ALL the Senators, not just Repugs

He dosen't need the Senate anymore.

[sleipnir]

17. Well, I hope the UN votes "NO" on accepting him.

n/t

[Bumblebee]

41. They won't -- need US money and the Congress would evict them

[OneBlueSky]

18. one retarded monkey appointing another . . . who cares? . . .

Bolton will be a disaster at the UN . . . he'll try to throw his weight around and make a complete ass of himself, and you can bet that other delegations will make sure the world knows about it . . .

[SpiralHawk]

19. Excellent - Mercury is Retrograde

This shall come undone.

I'd bet a doughnut hole on it.

Totally excellent.

[Tesla]

30. your correct!!

Retrograde has to be good for something!!

[DS1]

36. Well, that settles everything, doesn't it

:bounce:

[Ian David]

20. Why are we being denied an up or down vote? Or even advise and consent?

Meme: Bolton's nomination is neither sane nor safe nor consensual.

Meme: We have been denied the right to an up or down vote.

Meme: Bush has done an end-run around congress-- and around America-- by denying your representatives their right to advise and consent.

Meme: Bush is an activist president bypassing the will of the people by appointing cronies without the consent of the American people.

Meme: The Ambassador to the U.N. is supposed to represent the American people, not just The President. By denying Congress the right to review Bolton's appointment, Bush has denied the American people their right to an ambassador that represents their interests.

I hope the United Nations refuses to deal with him.

Maybe they'll even turn off his microphone.

Actually, what I would do if I worked at the U.N., would be to ask the translators to make up funny stuff for their little earphones, instead of what Bolton's really saying.

Let him stand at the podium and wonder why the delegation from Zambia is rolling in the aisle with laughter.

Bolton: "We need to reform the way the U.N. does business, so that America's interests are the primary concern."

Translator says: "I smell bad and my pubic hair is as nasty as the hair on my head."

[0007]

26. Love the "Operation Yellow Elephant"

[Julius Civitatus]

62. Because Bolton is key to build case against Iran

I think it was Seymour Hersh who said the nomination of Bolton was crucial to jumpstart the case against Iran. That's why Chimpy is installing him, no matter what.

This is not just shameless, but a bad augury of things to come.

[deminks]

24. Total abuse of power.

Before you jump and say he has the right to appoint during recess, yes, but I think it was intended to be an emergent use only, not an excuse to appoint people who would otherwise not be approved.

IS THE WHITE HOUSE TRYING TO KEEP THE SENATE FROM DOING ITS JOB?

[UTUSN]

27. Recess Appt = a Sign of Failure and Dictatorship

Failure of leadership in working with elected representatives. And, of course, the ever-popular (with the B.F.E.E.) ANTI-democracy. Fine, have the two faces (Shrub and BOLTON) plastered all over the place: They ARE what they are about.

[Generator]

111. Yes

Here comes my pointless rant.

He can't wait a minute can he, does it on the first fucking day of the recess. Asshole..whom I now officially despise more than Reagan. Never thought it was possible. Husband and I talking on the weekend, scoffed at my belief "there will never be another Dem elected president if we don't fix the voting process and bring these criminals down". He said it all started with Reagan. Yeah..we'll at least Reagan didn't start a new Vietnam and allow a 9/11 to happen. And steal TWO damn elections. How can you compare that? So told hubby of the recess appointment..wait doesn't he have to be confirmed? No, dear I TOLD YOU Democracy is over..the BFEE has complete power now.

UGH.

[tinrobot]

28. This will come back to haunt Bush

Guaranteed.

[whyzayker]

31. Of course.......

Now that Roberts has run out of "media miliage" - Bolton's appointment will help keep the MSM from drifting back to the Rove/Traitor story.

[arwalden]

29. Sneaking Him In The Back-Door Means He'll Be WEAK and INEFFECTIVE.

He won't be entering the job with the full confidence, support, backing, and approval of the senate. He's just a smarmy "yes-man" for Bush... and the world knows it.

[Bumblebee]

52. Ineffective, maybe, but weak? He'll be even more of a bully because

of it. And I hope he will be ineffective. Watch him start by continuing the FOX campaign to undermine Annan and publicize that "scandal" more, like FOX is doing, so that it takes attention away from Rove. And watch the press, or most of it, enabling him.

[Julius Civitatus]

65. They don't care. Bolton has been installed for a specific reasons

He's in to undermine the UN and start the case against Iran. There's no other reason why they are installing this ineffective bully.

[arwalden]

102. He'll Have NO Respect and NO Clout... A Persona Non Grata, Perhaps?

[Junkdrawer]

32. Why Bolton??? The guy has more baggage than an American on...

a three week European vacation.

There's something ominous about this... :scared:

[Julius Civitatus]

66. Because he hates the UN, and he is in just to undermine it

It's a big "fuck you" to the world community, and a key player to start the war on Iran by means of denigrating the UN's efficacy.

[Junkdrawer]

105. If there's any other explanation, I'd like to hear it...

Terror attack -> Iran -> Bolton tell UN what we will do.

[mwdem]

113. Isn't he a PNAC-er?

[Julius Civitatus]

114. Yes he is.

[peacetalksforall]

33. NBC - THE INNER REACHES OF PIMP LAND

I heard it - know what they said -

They said -

1. Bush was unable to get an up and down vote.

2. Some people are objecting to him because of his gruffness.

That was it.

Did Karl call with their instructions this morning or over the weekend? It sounds like this is what we're going to hear from the rest of PIMP LAND all day.

Poor little John...so many problems.

They said nothing about the real problem.

Time to educate people about the SLIME and MONSTERS of PIMP LAND and the CREATURES they PIMP FOR. Did NBC say anything about his role in lying to the world about wmd? Did NBC say anything about his bosses refusing to release precise records that the Senate asked him to submit? Of course, we know that he is a target of serious speculation in regard to the law breaking and traitorous acts involving the CIA exposure and all the consequences.
People - can you believe that this is what you are supposed to call your country?

Now it's up to the countries of the world to contain PNAC and the cabal who are on a roll - someone let them out of their dungeons and they are trying to wreak havoc, death, and theft.

[LeftNYC]

34. Who knew we lived under a dictatorship...

Whats the point of Senate hearings, and filibuster, and all the other rules that protect democracy. What a joke. Dubya has zero credibility and McMuffins better get grilled today.

[countingbluecars]

35. Definitely not a thumb

this time.

[Theres-a]

55. Good one.

[Buns_of_Fire]

37. Ipecac alert! I believe I heard the press conference will be at 10:00

I will have to assume that boosh* will be giving him his "look of love" throughout.

[Botany]

38. I forgot Bolton also was in on this too; look @ the bottom of the letter

http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqclintonletter.htm

He is a made man in the bush mafia.

[The Sleeper]

39. Of course they pull this crap....

they need Bolton in place before they do Iran.

[Callboy]

40. wow that is surprising.....

[SunDrop23]

43. Not a surprise at all

The White House does what it damn well pleases.

[Brianboru]

44. Reality imitates fantasy

Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally, The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind him.

TARKIN: The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept
away.

[rodeodance]

45. abc: BUSH WILL APPOINT JOHN BOLTON AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N. TODAY

crapola!!

Breaking News <[e-mail]>
Sent Monday, August 1, 2005 7:57 am
To xxx
Cc
Bcc
Subject Breaking News Mon., August 1, 2005

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

PRESIDENT BUSH WILL APPOINT JOHN BOLTON AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N. TODAY


http://abcnews.go.com?CMP=EMC-1396

[rodeodance]

46. we give our best to the world- (joking).

[Bumblebee]

57. and just watch people like Fineman saying it shows he is

a strong leader and what a brilliant move... He may even go up in his poll numbers among men because, let's face it, bullies have their admirers...

[Bumblebee]

47. It would be good to have a really populous protest in front of the UN

building in New York. Short of that and continuing for a number of days, neither the Dems nor the UN itself are in any position now to do anything but hurl angry words here and there. The latter may be satisfying but not very effective.

[Buns_of_Fire]

48. It's a done deal. CuckooBananas is speaking now...

:puke:

[marylanddem]

49. Bush's "F**K YOU" to us all

But it will all return to him in time. The Grand Jury will bring indictments. Bet on it.

[Catchawave]

60. That was my first reaction too.....

"F-you and by the way,God Bless the United States of Halliburton" <---sez President Noodles.

I don't think he should be allowed to "use" executive power during the investigation :( Hell, the White House belongs to all of us, I don't even want him using "my" bathroom!

[Mr. Peanut]

50. Slime ball on TV right now

appointing Bolton.

[shanti]

51. well, that's a surprise

:sarcasm:

[Edgewater_Joe]

53. And They Take No Questions, Either

Who was the biggest pussy on that podium -- Condi, Shrub, or Yosemite?

[Buns_of_Fire]

56. I didn't notice Condi up there

Was she under the podium? (I know, I know. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaad Buns... :spank: )

[Mr. Peanut]

91. Yes, Condomleeza was there

and what a trio Junior, Bolton and she made.

[Javaman]

54. Plain and simple, moron* is a coward. He's also plain and simple. ;)

[Lecky]

58. Interesting

Iran To Re-Open Nuke Plant

An escalation of the dispute could see Iran reported to the IAEA or ultimately to the UN Security Council, where Tehran could face sanction.

[Julius Civitatus]

95. Just in time. Interesting indeed. N/T

[indy_azcat]

59. * forgot his talking points memo - it's a "struggle" dammit

"This post is too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about U.N. reform.”

[moodforaday]

61. CNN says Bolton already appointed

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/08/01/bolton.appointment/index.html

[goclark]

67. Noticed his wife and kids were not present

It should have been a joyous time but it looked "fixed" and tight with Mr. and Mrs. Bush there only.

Wife AWOL - did he practice UNSAFE sex with her too?

[marylanddem]

64. Wouldn't it be poetic justice

If the grand jury handed down indictments today?
Just dreaming, but anything's possible...

[Bumblebee]

69. Don't hold your breath. He was not even interviewed by Fitz

But he did commit perjury and his questionnaire, so I hope someone files a complaint re that.

[progressoid]

73. HA HA HA - Oh what a beautiful thought!

Or at least right after he's sworn in!

[confludemocrat]

68. Bloomberg story calls the Bolton controversy "partisan bickering" (n/t)

[TOhioLiberal]

70. look what I found!

What Is a Recess Appointment?
Michael Brus
Posted Monday, June 14, 1999, at 4:48 PM PT


Earlier this month, on the final day of a congressional recess, President Clinton appointed James Hormel ambassador to Luxembourg without Senate confirmation. The move prompted Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., to remark, "Clinton has shown contempt for Congress and the Constitution."

http://slate.msn.com/id/1002994/

What hypocrisy!
:rofl:

[StaggerLee]

85. and that was just an ambassador to a country

this is the flippin' U.N. we're talkin' here!

Good catch btw.

:hi:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

86. The heir to the Hormel meat-packing fortune is gay

And was the Ambassador to Luxembourg?

There are just too many bad jokes there to contend with.

[fortyfeetunder]

72. Unless Congress is there 24/7

then recess will be considered a golden opportunity for * to appoint anyone he pleases...

[dolgoruky]

75. Is he related to Michael Bolton?

If so, he must be the one with the hair gene.

[City Lights]

74. Well that didn't take long.

Prick. Make that pricks.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

77. Breaking CNN .....Bush just made recess appointment of Bolton

Kofi to have press briefing at 1 pm

[AlienGirl]

78. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

This sucks.

Tucker

[lebkuchen]

79. Desperate (white) Houseguys

[Bumblebee]

87. He will probably say they will welcome him and work with him...

Kofi, unlike Bolton, IS a diplomat, after all.

[Fluffdaddy]

80. This is what happens when you are out of Power

Hopefully in 06 with the DLC we can start our come back

[Briar]

81. What a shining example of US democratic governance... n/t

[meganmonkey]

82. Isn't it though?

Especially given how we are 'spreading democracy' all over the world.

:puke:

[Pacifist Patriot]

83. We are talking about the man who claimed life would be

easier if he were a dictator. Who thought he was kidding?

[Strawman]

84. Not sure how to feel about this

On the one hand I think "good, this will blow up in the Repugs' faces."

On the other hand I'm reminded how important being diplomatic is to our national security as evidenced by the simple fact that a slight change in *'s tone (calling Kim Jong Il, "Mr. Kim") can make the difference between negotiation to end conflict and escalation of conflict. This Bolton character is the anti-diplomat. These morons who support * basically think that our UN Ambassador should go in there and call out every other country on *'s shit list like Stone Cold Steve Austin on Smackdown. That's how stupid they are.

Hopefully when the people who run the Money Party are adversely affected by this clown, they'll give his act the hook. That's what I suspect will happen.

[Azathoth]

88. It's still a victory for us

This reeks of desperation. Dubya has once again been unable to use the GOP majority to ram through his ultra-partisan agenda. No president has ever been forced to make a recess appointment of a UN ambassador, and Bolton's legitimacy is going to be irreparably tarnished as a result. Bolton is going to be a lame duck before he steps foot in the UN building.

[Bumblebee]

94. It would be if they had any shame...

As is, Bolton is demanding a much larger space in the State Dept for him and his retinue. They now treat the opposition as "the enemy of the people," so what 50+% think or say does not matter. They own this country -- and who is there to stop them?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

89. when will the dems learn that you can NOT play nice with bush??

and when they use the filibuster against Roberts for this they will lose again because the repukes WILL use the NUKE OPPION.....they should NEVER have agreed to the previous judicial thingre: Owens,& ther others .....fuck the 15 middle ground DLCers they SUCK BIG ASS!!!

only fucking thing in the middle of the road is DEAD THINGS!!!!

GET IT YET DLC???

[StaggerLee]

90. The proverbial bull in the china store

:argh:

[Puglover]

92. I hate to be gloomy but

I agree with a poster above. For all intents and purposes our democracy is just like Terri Shiavo. In a persistent vegetative state. I just hope that unlike Ms. Shiavo it will be revived someday. It is heartbreaking what this evil cabal headed by a moronic incurious frat boy is doing to our beloved country.

edit grammer :eyes:

[ElectricHermit]

96. Actually

Recess appointments are nothing new. Many Presidents have used them.While I agree the intent was for them to be used only when the absence occurred during the time Congress was on recess they have been used repeatedly. Just sayin'

President Bush: 106 recess appointments, including Bolton, mostly to minor posts. Among them:

_Anthony J. Principi, chairman of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, April 2005. Bush used the recess to also appoint the panel's other eight members, circumventing a move by Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., to delay the base closings.

_William Pryor, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, February 2004. The Alabama judge's re-nomination and Senate approval this June was part of a deal struck by centrist senators to avoid a judicial filibuster battle.

_Charles Pickering, 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, January 2004. First nominated in 2001, he was blocked by Senate Democrats. He retired when his temporary appointment expired last December.

_Eugene Scalia, Labor Department solicitor, January 2002. Bush extended Scalia's term by naming him acting solicitor in November 2002, with the intent of re-nominating him before a GOP-controlled Senate. But Scalia, son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, resigned in January 2003.

_Otto Reich, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere, January 2002. The former Reagan White House aide left when his recess term expired the following November.



President Clinton: 140 recess appointments over two terms. Among them:

_Former Sen. Wyche Fowler, D-Ga., ambassador to Saudi Arabia, August 1996. Put in the post two months after a bombing that killed 19 American soldiers stationed there, he received Senate confirmation in October 1997 and served until March 2001.

_Mickey Kantor, commerce secretary, April 1996. He replaced Ron Brown, who died in a plane crash, but left in January 1997 before his nomination went before the Senate.

_Roger Gregory, 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, December 2000. He was later re-nominated by Bush and confirmed by the Senate.

_Bill Lann Lee, assistant attorney general for civil rights, August 2000. Blocked by Senate Republicans, he was appointed acting assistant attorney general in 1997, then received the recess appointment to serve out Clinton's term.

_James Hormel, ambassador to Luxembourg, June 1999. A gay philanthropist whose nomination was blocked by Senate Republicans, he remained ambassador until near the end of Clinton's term.



_The first President Bush made 77 recess appointments over one term, and President Reagan made 243 over two terms.


Other recess appointments of note:

_President John F. Kennedy appointed Thurgood Marshall to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in October 1961, getting around opposition from Southern senators. Their resistance had weakened by the following September, and the Senate approved him 54-16.

_President Dwight Eisenhower made three recess appointments to the Supreme Court: Chief Justice Earl Warren (1953) and Associate Justices William Brennan (1956) and Potter Stewart (1958). Each later received Senate confirmation.

_President George Washington appointed John Rutledge of South Carolina as chief justice during a 1795 recess. The Senate rejected the nomination and his appointment expired after he served one term.


Sources: AP archives; Congressional Research Service; Senate Historian's Office.

[Straight Shooter]

100. In Bolton's case, the ends won't justify the means.

The list you've given contains barely a ripple of controversy amongst the appointees. But one thing stands out, that bush makes recess appointments which tend to polarize situations and make things worse.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[cliss]

97. This is really a desperate move, in my opinion.

Couldn't they find somebody else? Why was Bolton so unique for the job?

This is one thing that's surprised me over the years, how they hang on to "their own", no matter what they do, how badly they screw up. Look at Condiment, RumsFailed, BUSH for God's sake, and lots of others. These people keep continually screwing up, but they never get fired.

Why is that? Maybe it's because it's hard to find such corrupt people, who are willing to prostitute themselves for the Agenda.

But if you look at their actions over the past 5 years, you really do see desperation. Desperation in Iraq, and now desperation to shove Bolton in the UN so they can get on with Iran.

Everything they've attempted to do is failing. Desperation. I can feel it.

[moondust]

98. JB: A Thug Imposed.

Welkommen Reichskommisar. :puke:

[Algorem]

99. Voinovich has already spoke out against it today,just played an radio

(I'm easily impressed)

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[thebigidea]

103. i'm looking forward to more lectures from you on respecting Bush

surely we could all use them.

Anyway, since when is Bill fucking Clinton the model to follow? Didn't you guys trash him for a decade?

[Justitia]

106. Yeah, the UN is just like tiny Luxembourg! Geesh! -eom

[ProudDad]

107. The difference is in quality

not the fact of recess appointment or the quantity of same.

To speak of bush properly would be to use words that one doesn't usually utter in public.

What can you say about the puppet who is fronting a right-wing coup of the United States?

(welcome freeper)...

[Puglover]

108. I give your

lying murdering swaggering prick the proper respect he deserves.

:puke:

Welcome to DU!

[cliss]

110. How many appointments?

List them for me.

1)
2)
3)
4)

Were any of them embattled nominees? Were they controversial? Did they have a reputation of chasing people down the hall because they didn't agree with him?

Were any of them about to be indicted by the Grand Jury?