Today, I give thanks that in January, Arlen Specter will no longer be head of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Why?
Because I want to see Alberto Gonzales testify under oath.
It was a detail, in a small drama, but it seemed to me to capture the full collaborative dementia of the last several years. Specter talks tough.
Like he's going to defend the constitution. Like he's going to stand up to the executive branch. Like he's going to ask real questions of judicial nominees, about torture, about wiretaps without warrants. Then, he goes out of his way to tell the Attorney General of the United States, who has volunteered to testify under oath, that he does not have to do so.
That will give way to a new drama. In which Gonzales will have to answer truthfully or lie and face perjury charges, or refuse to answer and be charged with contempt of congress and perhaps force a constitutional conflict between congress and the White House.
That will be just one of many confrontations. All headed in the same direction.
We are headed for a period of grand public drama and fabulous political entertainment. Ploys and counter-ploys, confrontations and threats, and courtroom moments that will top the Nixon and Clinton impeachments combined.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-beinhart/giving-thanks-giving-way_b_34740.html