http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/gallagher320.htmlCHENEY'S TERROR TACTICS CONCEALED
By Bill Gallagher
snip//
Cheney's political terror tactics are well known in the Justice Department. He easily blocked the appointment of Patrick Philbin to become principal deputy solicitor general. Philbin had the nerve to oppose the warrantless surveillance program the National Security Agency used to spy on millions of Americans.
Cheney got wind of Philbin's principled opposition to the illegal wiretapping and punished him for daring to speak the truth. Former deputy attorney general James Comey, responding to written questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee about Philbin's aborted promotion, said, "I understand that someone from the White House communicated to Attorney General Gonzales that the vice president would oppose the appointment if the attorney general pursed the matter. The attorney general chose not to pursue it." What big Dick wants, big Dick gets.
Cheney has more influence over what happens in the Justice Department than that hapless liar Gonzales. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said, "The vice president's fingerprints are all over the effort to strong-arm Justice on the NSA program."
Comey also testified there was "significant dissent" within the Justice Department on the domestic spying program. But just like Libby, Gonzales lied to please his liege lord, Cheney, and his dauphin, Bush.
Gonzales testified before Congress in 2006 under oath about the government eavesdropping program he supported as White House counsel, claiming that "there has not been any serious disagreement about the program the president has confirmed."
Gonzales knew former attorney general John Ashcroft, his deputies James Comey, Patrick Philbin and many others had "serious disagreement" with the program. The attorney general of the United States is a demonstrable perjurer and he should be impeached.
But in the Bush league of loyal liars, Gonzales will endure and Libby will be pardoned and never spend a single night in jail. Lies are meritorious; only the truth will get you into trouble in Cheney and Bush's upside-down world of politics.
more...