Fielding: 'Interviews private, not sworn, no transcript, no future testimony or any future subpoena'

[seafan]

The moment has arrived, this final act of defiance of Congress by George W. Bush, that will determine the survival of the rule of law in our Constitutional form of government.

"Such interviews would be private and conducted without the need for an oath, transcript, subsequent testimony, or the subsequent issuance of subpoenas," Fielding said in a letter to the chairman of the House and Senate judiciary committees.

[annabanana]

1. Talk about a "no deal". .

The Repugs on the Senate Judiciary are whining and moaning and "poor poor beleaguered Georgie". .

[hobbit709]

2. I see Fielding

is trying the same advice he gave Nixon. Stonewall, stonewall, stonewall. We know how well that worked out.

[peacetalksforall]

3. If forced to the law - we would never get Gonzales giving permission

for a federal investigation. We are left with a civil lawsuit? That possible?

Sad day when the Attorney General is sitting on top of rotting pile of power and a high profile lawyer sides with stench.

[mmonk]

4. Impeachment, plain and simple. Either he co-operates

or is impeached for obstructing Congressional investigations.

[seafan]

5. As John Dean indicates: Gonzales can be impeached.

Dean, December 15, 2006:

Focusing On Bush Administration Officials

Lowering the aim of an impeachment effort to focus on those who have aided and abetted, or directly engaged in, the commission of high crimes and misdemeanors, would have all the positives, and none of the negatives, of going after Bush and Cheney. It would not be an effort to overturn the 2004 election, but rather to rid the government of those who have participated, along with Bush and Cheney, in abuses and misuses of power; indeed, many among them have actually encouraged Bush and Cheney to undertake the offensive activities.

Many of these men (and a few women) are young enough that it is very likely that they will return to other posts in future Republican Administrations, and based on their experience in the Bush/Cheney Administration, they can be expected to make the offensive conduct of this presidency the baseline for the next president they serve. Impeachment, however, would prevent that from happening.

It will be recalled that Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution states: "Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States." (Emphasis added.) After any civil officer has been impeached, under the rules of the Senate, it requires only a simple majority vote to add the disqualification from holding future office.

In addition, it is likely that the impeachment process of any official in a position below that of the president or vice president, would be treated the same as the impeachment of federal judges. The work is done in both the House and Senate by special subcommittees, so it does not consume the attention of the full bodies until the final votes.

Gonzales is not driving this bus. Congress IS. Impeach and remove this individual, and bar him from ever holding a position in government again.