SENATE JUDICIARY Gonzo Grilling Thread #5

[Jack Rabbit]

I'll take the responibility to put this up since the transission from Wijk aan Zee is a little slow right now.

Somebody fill me in. Have they felt the need to waterboard Torquemada yet?

Thread #1: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3145945&mesg_id=3145945
Thread #2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3146404
Thread #3: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3146872
Thread #4: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3147199&mesg_id=3147199
Webcast URL is here: http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=2473

[Swamp Rat]

1. Turn up the heat!

:D

[Hepburn]

3. Perfect, Swamp...and TY! n/t

[bdamomma]

14. yea swamp rat he looks like one too.

[malaise]

32. That made my day

:rofl: :rofl: :popcorn:

[flamin lib]

2. check these two threads

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3062775&mesg_id=3062775

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3062766

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Thanks.

[Hepburn]

7. Jack...

...maybe it is just me, but I had trouble linking from thread 4 to this new thread. Would not click open for me. Could you ck on that just in case it is not just a problem with me?

Thanks.......:hi: Don't want anyone to miss Part II of this ass kicking!

[caligirl]

5. called Leahy's office to say"send That to KO" and thanks. I was put on hold

breifly and then I spoke to an assistant.

[Hepburn]

8. Anyone have an email addie for Leahy?

And maybe for Specter, too. We are Dems....but Specter did a good job and just IMO, it might be nice to let him know that Dems are behind him and Leahy.

[caligirl]

10. [e-mail]

[wryter2000]

15. Specter

Sometimes I have hope for the guy, and then, he goes and does something else dastardly. Turns out he's behind allowing Little Boots to appoint federal attorneys without Congressional approval.

I appreciated his grilling of the Torturer in General about habeas corpus, but dayum...you can't trust Specter.

[rosesaylavee]

17. Very true.

We've been down this road with Spector before. He takes tiny steps forward and big steps back. He only gives the illusion he's moving in our direction.

[ThomCat]

18. No, you can't trust Specter,

and I'm always amazed than anybody still does.

[caligirl]

23. your right, he slipped in a provision to the Patriot Act after all was said

and done with it that is now allowing Bush to perge state prosecutors. two in California announced yesterday they were resigning and being forced out. One in southern Cali who has subpoenas out in the Cunningham investigation. Her name is Lam.

[wryter2000]

112. He suckered me in a couple of times

I guess I'm a "you can't fool me thrice" kind of girl.

[ThomCat]

122. I'm sorry he suckered you twice

but I'm glad you're on to him now. :)

[Lugnut]

133. I don't trust him one bit

And I'm stuck with him for my senator. He's pretty good at talking the talk but bends over for the WH when it's time to walk the walk.

[tridim]

6. Anyone checked for the Freeper response yet?

I assume it'll be just as entertaining as the hearings.

[caligirl]

21. oops wrong post. I made a virgin trip over there, felt all dirty and empty handed coming back

[caligirl]

9. 202-224-4242 for Leahy's capitol offices ([e-mail])

[Hepburn]

12. Thank you, Cali....going to email NOW!!!!! n/t

[wryter2000]

11. Rateyes posted this link to watch in a previous thread

http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=2473

I don't always get CSPAN that well, but this link was great.

[caligirl]

13. cspan isn't covering it, just the open senate and house.

[RufusTFirefly]

19. Live coverage (and analysis) on KPFA.org

No pix, of course, but all of the audio fireworks as well as some interesting non-MSM perspectives from the venerable Larry Bensky and expert guests.

KPFA.org

[mod mom]

81. Thank you so much-I have a mac and couldn't get thru the senate link

welcome to DU! :hi:

[Vidar]

141. Welcome to DU.

[mzmolly]

25. I wonder why they wouldn't cover such an important hearing?

I'm downloading realplayer now so I can watch. :hi:

[cascadiance]

16. We need to do something analagous to a room full of flowers for Leahy...

.. like we did earlier for folks like Barbara Boxer.

Perhaps something nice that symbolizes courage. I was thinking of a room full of baseballs, to symbolize that he has balls and is throwing hardballs instead of softballs at the scum. But perhaps someone has some other ideas! We need something where we can reuse this gesture for others too. Perhaps send the "backbone" folks to his office with a backbone trophy. I've always liked Leahy since he was the champion of the resistance to the 1996 Telecomm act and it's unconstitutional Communications Decency Act provisions in it that he worked with folks like Paul Wellstone, Russell Feingold, and Paul Simon on. Maybe wait until he goes for the throat and issues a subpoena to someone like Gonzo to do this.

[caligirl]

22. someone said he was shoveling the shit out , I thought of golden shovels

but maybe one.

[The Witch]

20. It is apparently on C-SPAN radio, or was -

so if you can't get the judiciary committee stream, have a look at cspan.

[RufusTFirefly]

24. Interesting committee no-shows

Biden and Durbin on the Dems and on the Right, potential fungelical Presidential candidate Sam Brownback.

Maybe they'll show up for the afternoon session. Biden in particular normally finds almost any microphone impossible to resist.

[DemReadingDU]

26. i think they might have been in a different hearing

this morning

[The Witch]

27. welcome to DU!

:hi: "fungelical," I like that, makes him sound like a fungus :)

[Democrat 4 Ever]

35. They are bacccccck! Grab the popcorn, put your feet up and

enjoy the fireworks. Democracy is in the house.

[RufusTFirefly]

38. Thanks!

I'm a refugee from another site where I was a long-time (4+ years) poster. It feels odd being a newbie again, but I appreciate the hospitality!

[Jack Rabbit]

57. Welcome to DU, Your Excellency

The last guy who ran this place, he didn't know what to do with it.
You think it's a mess now? Just wait 'til I get through with it.

[RufusTFirefly]

60. Thank you!

Now go, and never darken my towels again! ;-)

[kentuck]

28. Are they about ready to come back in session?

I heard on Pacifica Radio...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

29. Starting now

Leahy talking now...oops-Pacifica Radio just playing highlights again. Sorry...can't give full attention as I'm monitoring phones at work....

[The Witch]

30. Not up yet on the judiciary stream ?? or am i laggered?

:annoyed:

[Hepburn]

33. Real Time shows that it is tracking time...

...but the blurb about a short recess is up on the screen and not hearing any audio.

So...it is not just you.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

34. False alarm

they thought they were going to the hearings, and then didn't--did highlights instead---sorry, didn't hear it right the first time they said due to having to work....

[Hepburn]

36. Close out RT and start again...

...I am getting the hearing now ~~ and I just did that.

[Hepburn]

31. I am not getting anything. n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

37. NOW it is starting

Grassley talking about Gonzo not getting letters.

[malaise]

39. Try now

Back in session. Leahy at the helm!

[Wheezy]

42. Is that Durbin's voice I hear??? :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

40. Grassley asking about letters

something about agriculture, and checking that letters did get through....

Now someone is talking about HC--because the Constitution prohibits Congress from suspending except....now talking about how the 1st Amendment also states things negatively....you wouldn't say that we don't have free speech or religion....why doesn't it apply to HC?

Gonzo--not an express grant of HC -- one of our most cherished rights---an observation about the language....

[underpants]

50. Gonzo on HC

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3147482

[The Witch]

41. From 0 to Squirm in 2.0 seconds!

:pokes gonzo with a stick:

hee hee!

[Hepburn]

43. Who is speaking now? n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

44. Durbin up now

:loveya:

[Hepburn]

46. Thanks....

....was listening on KPFK before going back to RT and did not recognize the voice.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

45. Durbin on next

phones, please don't ring so I can listen to all of this!

Durbin--talking about prisoners--have we abandoned due process?

[The Witch]

47. Durbin bringing up yesterday's un-American comments re: judiciary.

EDIT: And Cully Stimson!!!

[dogday]

48. Ah Shit he is telling Gonzales he did get his letters

and is giving dates and times

[Norquist Nemesis]

49. Durbin talking about Gonzo's speech at AEI yesterday

and his comments about judges not knowing anything about national security so shouldn't be ruling on it.

[malaise]

52. And the fight with the lawyers

This is great.

[mod mom]

51. Hate to sound stupid but is there a way for MAC USERS to watch this?

[Hepburn]

54. Did you try this link?

http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=2473

Then click on the WEBCAST button.

[The Witch]

55. i'm on a mac

do you have realplayer? if so, the judiciary webcast should work for you. if not, kpfa.org or whatever it is on pacifica has an itunes stream

[mod mom]

127. kpfa.org was an interesting discussion on this.

kpfa.org

Someone from the ACLU.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

53. Durbin talking about Military Commissions

for G-Mo. because Bush wouldn't cooperate with Congress.

Gonzo did speach to Am. Enterprise Inst.--"Judge will never be in a position to know about national security"...suggesting you've not only abandoned Congress, but also dissing judiciary....now talking about trying to not have lawyers for the accused.

Is this an effort to consolodate power in Executive?

[Hepburn]

56. What this is coming down to from Gonzo, IMO, is...

that Bush is in a better position to just deem someone guilty. Sheesh!

[The Witch]

58. Durbin's framing is really good. He's outraged that we would do this to OUR SOLDIERS.

A support-the-troops frame.

[Hepburn]

59. That was good from Durbin...

...and delivered in a great voice!

[fooj]

61. "The president has made his decision"...

Fuck that. WTF? I hope Gonzo burns in hell...

NOW YOU ARE AWARE THAT SOMEONE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, GONZO!

[kentuck]

63. His job is not to defend the "president"...

He is supposed to represent the people of the United States.

[Blue_In_AK]

109. That's exactly what I said. n/t

[malaise]

64. Gonzo is not sounding as

confident thse days. It's so good watching these evil men squirm.
Here coems the new man in town.

[fooj]

I'm thrilled to hear that he was a former AG.

Right on!

[malaise]

128. He clearly knows these matters

That was great.

[The Witch]

Whitehouse vs. the White house... a former AG, Leahy says!!

W00t!

[fooj]

62. Woot! I didn't know Whitehouse was an attorney general.

[Hepburn]

70. Whitehouse....

He previously served as United States Attorney (1994-1998) and state Attorney General for Rhode Island.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Whitehouse

I did not know that either ~~ not even aware that he is an atty.

[fooj]

108. Most excellent news!

[bdamomma]

130. that is my new Senator from RI

yes, we let go Chafee and voted in Whitehouse.

[malaise]

77. There will be no bobbing and weaving Gonzo

there will be no lies GOnzo or you're going to prison.

[fooj]

111. Yep. Straight talk from Whitehouse.

[fooj]

65. Gonzo HAS considered the chilling effect...

:grr:

[Norquist Nemesis]

66. WH: "You should consider the chilling effects"

Gonzo: "We already have"

hmmmm....

[The Witch]

67. WH: Consider the Chilling effect of firing AGs on public-corruption cases.

Not pressuring but he IS new :)

[WritersBlock]

68. WHOA!!! Executive testimony before Congress! Go Whitehouse!!!! n/t

[madokie]

79. Another good new senator, Whitehouse is gonna be good no doubt

[The Witch]

69. WH on executive branch testimony and what a witness is obligated to do.

I vote for Step 1 to be "Not lie." That's just me, tho. :eyes:

[fooj]

71. WTF? When are we gonna IMPEACH this rat bastard?

[Norquist Nemesis]

72. LOL! What about swearing in witnesses?

:rofl:

Go Whitehouse!!!!!

[WritersBlock]

73. When did the AG office become the Counsel to the Executive????

I thought it was the office responsible for prosecuting Federal crimes, not providing counsel to the White House.

Talk about a conflict of interest!!!!!!

[Supersedeas]

80. the People's Attorney is still beholden to his old boss--it sounds like Dubya

[The Witch]

74. He's setting up to get AG on perjury. 'The effect of swearing' (re: Gonzo's prev testimony)

Oh Sheldon. Do it! Do it now!

(Harder! Faster!)

:evilgrin:

[Cameron27]

78. Yep, I think that's exactly what he's doing.

Sounds like a prosecutor right now.

[fooj]

82. He NAILED the SOB.

What a tangled web we weave...

[Marie26]

145. Suborning perjury

If those "guidelines" are telling witnesses to lie.

[fooj]

75. Whitehouse throws down the CONSEQUENCE guantlet...

[dogday]

76. Whitehouse is doing a great job... nt

[Hepburn]

84. My heart is just pounding...

...as a former USAtty, Whitehouse KNOWS what he is doing in questioning a witness and IMO this is showing like crazy! Wow!

[kentuck]

86. Yes, he is!

:)

[riderinthestorm]

83. I'm missing the gist of what Whitehouse is doing with Gonzo. Can anyone clarify??! nt

I'm on dialup so I can't stream any of the coverage - just relying on commentary here on DU...

[malaise]

85. Nailing his ass re the rules re perjury

and bobbing and weaving.

[Supersedeas]

92. So what happened....perjury discussion but what content to follow that up???????

[malaise]

115. He was just checking

Gonzo's understanding of matters perjury. Whitehouse was great. He politely threatened him re any lies spewed. :D

[The Witch]

88. He has clarified the AG's rules on testifying before Congress

to get those on record so he can hang him with his own rope.

I predict that he will get the AG in a situation where he will either have to confirm something criminal or disobey his own rules. And if he claims they aren't the rules, Whitehouse will get him on perjury for him having falsely stated those rules under oath.

[riderinthestorm]

90. Thanks malaise and Witch! It sounded important but the commentary wasn't clear.

:bounce:

[CottonBear]

98. So, is Gonzo under oath? I missed the beginning of the hearing. n/t

[madokie]

99. Yes

[riderinthestorm]

101. Yes!! Finally! nt

[bdamomma]

135. hey, that is my senator who is grilling gonzo!!! yes, I hope he

nails gonzo's a$$ on perjury charges, gonzo is going to be gonzo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fooj]

87. KATRINA!!!!

[dogday]

89. Bringing up Charles Stimson and his stupid remarks

Go Leahy.....

[CottonBear]

91. Leahy says he is very angry about US Atty Stimpson's comments about pro bono lawyers

donating legal services to Gitmo detainees.

I bet Gonzo is squirming now. What a rat bastard he is.

edit: sp.

[Hepburn]

96. Those remarks pissed me off like crazy....

...glad Leahy is hitting on this.

[Mind_your_head]

93. Is Gonzo under oath right now? n/t

[seemunkee]

95. yes

[dogday]

97. Oh Yes..... nt

[Mind_your_head]

104. Fantastic!!!

:evilgrin:

[Hepburn]

103. Yes, Leahy sworn him in at the beginning of the hearing...

...this AM and a recess in the hearing does not absolve Gonzo of being under oath.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

105. Oh yeah

and he said he'd testify differently if he wasn't.....

[Cameron27]

94. Simpson should've had his ass fired for his statements.

Good, Leahy's getting law professors' comments in the record.

What a disgrace.

[fooj]

102. Turley said the very same thing. This man should be fired. IMMEDIATELY.

[Tuesday_Morning]

100. It's stunning

just how many issues there are to talk about.

[underpants]

107. It is OVER

[Democrat 4 Ever]

113. Adjourned - it that it? I wanted Gonzo's hide nailed to the barn door.

I wanted him sitting funny for a couple of weeks. I wanted him medicated and under a doctor's care. I wanted another round of questions just to see him squirm. Damn. Watching hearings are fun.

[bdamomma]

136. oh boo hiss, you guys were really getting me excited, well my

heart was pounding. You guys are great commentators. Thanks alot, I feel some hope and justice is going to be done.

[madokie]

106. so thats it wtf

don't they work a whole day :shrug:

[MoonRiver]

120. I assume they're going back to the Senate floor to finish the day's work.

There's no reason for a Senate hearing to last all day. A lot else is going on. So much that I can't keep up with it all. Our Democratic Congress is ON FIRE today!

:woohoo:

[madokie]

138. alright, yes they are and isn't it great to see

[CottonBear]

110. Is it over or are they on a break? n/t

[Hepburn]

114. It's over?

Like...WHAM....I thought there was an afternoon session? This lasted only about 30 mins. Is this it for the day?

[Cameron27]

117. Bizarre ending, if that's what it was.

[Horse with no Name]

125. Could it be that Gonzo perjured himself

so they stopped so they wouldn't have to lose valuable testimony?

[burythehatchet]

116. WHERE IS THIS ON??

[malaise]

118. It was here

http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=2473

CSPan 1 DeFazio is tracing the rethugs defending the welfare queens - the oil barons. THis is one fine day.

[burythehatchet]

121. says its an outdated link. GRRRRR!

[CottonBear]

123. It's not on anymore. It was on the Senate judiciary committee web broadcast.

The website had a live stream link.
:hi: I hope you're staying warm and dry today! It's icky and nasty here today! :hi:

[burythehatchet]

126. I've been on the roads of Atl all day today

its been really yucky.
And I missed the fireworks. I hope it will be repeated.
:hi: How are you doing?

[CottonBear]

134. I'm working on multiple deadlines and staying inside today!

I've got to attend a mayor and commission meeting tonight. I need to get there in time to get a seat out of camera range (the meetings are televised.)

You take care on those Atlanta roadways. The drivers there are crazy fast no matter what the condiitons.

I think that CSPAN will replay this hearing later. I missed the part where Leahy yelled at Gonzo.

[Mind_your_head]

119. Gee, that was an awfully abrupt ending!?!?

It was only a 1/2 hour ago that they re-started.

:shrug:

[malaise]

124. Very strange indeed

Hope we find out why later.

[Blue_In_AK]

131. I read on another thread that they had other hearings to attend

at 2:30, something about closed door hearings on Iraq.

[malaise]

139. Thanks

Now the sudden closing makes sense.

[mod mom]

129. Post show analysis on KPFA.org

Someone from the ACLU

[Hepburn]

132. Listening to that right now...it is interesting. n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

142. KPFA coverage continuing...

... until 1 p.m. PST.
Current guest is from EPIC, the electronic privacy folks.

[RufusTFirefly]

143. Entire hearing available for streaming or downloading

Here

UPON EDIT: Actually, it's archived in chunks on the page devoted to January 18, 2006.

[mod mom]

137. Prof of International Service from American U. in DC:

Senate Dems being super cautious.

Host suggests: super cautious don't reveal anything from secretive * Administration.

Unconscionable that they let Gonzo, who was under oath-to away w/o tougher questions. Biden didn't even show up but he wants us to vote for him for Prez.

Guest: Seasoned experts outed for various reasons and let political appointees to over in positions.

[Jack Rabbit]

140. Thread 6 is up

Please click here.

(I tested the link this time.)

[WinkyDink]

144. G**dammit~ I've been at the computer all damn day, even on DU, and never saw this topic.

Maybe I'll catch it later, but BFD then.