White House spurns Democrats on CIA leak probe

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15327765.htm

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The Bush administration on Wednesday spurned the advice of Democratic senators who had urged steps to ensure White House aides cooperate with a federal criminal probe of a news leak identifying a CIA operative.

"We believe it is inconsistent with the constitution's separation-of-powers principles for members of Congress to direct the president's management of White House employees, as it would be for the president to suggest specific ways in which senators should handle their own staffs," White House counsel Alberto Gonzales wrote to a group of Senate Democrats.

The leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity came after her husband, former diplomat Joseph Wilson, publicly criticized Bush administration Iraq policy.

Steps suggested by the Democrats included firing any staffer who did not cooperate with Justice Department investigators or tampered with records sought in the probe.

more

[Dookus]

1. naturally

we know that a Republican congress would NEVER involve itself with the internal workings of the White House.

OW! I just hurt myself by rolling my eyes clear around my head.

[patdem]

2. So lets see...Treason...no reason to cooperate...Sex....better or we will

supbena your records??? Is there a disconnect here?

[BloodyWilliam]

3. We. Can. Not. Let. This. Go.

[Catherine Vincent]

4. Give me a freaking break!

Did these hypocrites heed that advice when the last elected president was in the White House?

[Ugnmoose]

5. There is only one solution

We the people must bombard our Repuke Congressman and Senators and tell them we insist on an impartial and unbiased investigation. If not they will be held accountable as co-conspirators.

[Rose Siding]

6. Like polygraphs for Democratic Senators?

I'm surprised Alberto can SPELL separation of powers.

[Gman]

7. Mr. Gonzales, you arrogant bastard,

the day the Executive Branch outed an undercover CIA agent, it became EVERYONE's business.

[calimary]

8. 1 (800) 839 - 5276 - TOLL FREE Capitol Hill Switchboard.

Call your reps tomorrow, for FREE! They'll transfer you to anybody's office in the House and/or the Senate. DEMAND A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR!!

Don't be afraid to call some rethugs, either. They need to have this hammered into their heads more than any others. Call your Dems, if you have any, and tell 'em you're here to offer calcium supplements for their spines! Demand a special prosecutor from them, too. Tell 'em to keep pushing.

Do it, guys. It doesn't cost anything and it only takes a few moments! You could do it while you're waiting for your coffee to heat up in the morning...

By the way, when I tried this, this morning, I attempted to avoid any confrontation and said something like "can I add my voice to the millions of Americans who want a special prosecutor? They're all aware of this by now, judging from the responses I got from some 30 people this morning (I called a LOT. And I called a Lott, too!!!) In days past, when I've called, rethugs get in my face and very defensive (and I've been much more confrontational myself), but maybe one or two, this time, claimed not to know what I was talking about when I said "we want a special prosecutor." Last week when I was calling on this, msny of them countered "for what?"

I find that intriguing.

[Webster Green]

9. I would imagine that Constitutional Separation of Powers.......

also allow for impeachment of Presidents who commit or aid in the commission of treason.

[Hieronymus]

10. ROTFL

Ignorant cons, the ones who get their news from Faux and Rush, probably think this is logical. :shrug:

[Rebellious Republican]

11. Email all the members of the Ethics Committee.........

http://congress.org/congressorg/webreturn/?url=http://ethics.senate.gov


ANYONE BUT BUSH IN "04"
:kick:

[goforit]

12. Well..........DEMS....What are you gonna do?

You just don't get it!!!

You can whine all the way to China but nothing is gonna happen!!

Have y'all thought of arresting them on your own???

Or are you WEAK and POWERLESS????

Have you noticed that nobody is listenning to you???

Do you even know that America died????

Do you support living under a Tyrranny????


What are the poor little Dems gonna do????

You gave this putz all the Power and now there is nothing you can
do!!!

I'm not crying for you either!!!!

[tom_paine]

13. Holy shit, these people lie like STALIN!

"We believe it is inconsistent with the constitution's separation-of-powers principles for members of Congress to direct the president's management of White House employees, as it would be for the president to suggest specific ways in which senators should handle their own staffs," White House counsel Alberto Gonzales wrote to a group of Senate Democrats.

:wtf: :wtf:

Amazing! Up is down, he says. Absolutely and unequivocally up is down.

No, this isn't "directing management". It is a felony investigation!

So this is how Cicero felt (or in my case, one of the Cicero faction) when Octavian told him to shove his Constitution up his ass.