SNOW: "Executive Branch DOESN'T Have to Do Anything-Legislative Branch Has No Oversight Of WH".

[kpete]

CBS NEWS

This is the argument he uses to defend the administration's "offer" to have Karl Rove come in for a private, off-the-record "chat."

SNOW: "THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
The Legislative Branch has no oversight responsibility over the White House."

VIDEO:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2595472n

Transcript:
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Video_Snow_blames_CBS_host_for_0322.html

[Horse with no Name]

1. I think we should pitch in and purchase a copy of the Constitution

for Snow job--eh?

[William769]

5. Why?

So he can wipe his ass with another one?

[bdamomma]

52. can you imagine sending millions of the Constitution to him.

instead of tea how about sending them the Constitution.

[EstimatedProphet]

91. Oh, I like that

I like that a lot. Let's do it.

[hang a left]

2. Oh really now.

or so they'd like to think.

[glitch]

79. They believe the big lie repeated often enough actually becomes true eventually.

It's one of those self-created reality miracles they're so fond of.

[Marie26]

3. Is he nuts? nt

[MUAD_DIB]

20. Snowjob has never heard of checks and balances.

That's what BushCo has been eliminating for the last 6 years.

[Marie26]

26. It's probably an accurate

statement about Bush's position. That's the scariest part. Looking at their behavior, it's pretty clear that they don't think that they're subject to Congressional laws or oversight. I think Leahy & Conyers just need to issue the subpeonas NOW.

[whoneedstickets]

63. To some extent Snow is right....

It hinges on the term oversight.

Congress has formal oversight responsibility for the government and its agencies. That is why they have the advise and consent role on cabinet level appointments.

However, congress has no formal oversight role vis-a-vis the WH itself. The Executive is Co-Equal with Congress and so 'oversight' is not an appropriate designation. The Chief of Staff or the NSA or the President's Chief Council do not go through an appointment process, there is no A&C and the budgets of entities like the National Security Council or the Office of the VP etc, are lumped into a general appropriation which is usually taken straight from the President's recommendation. This is a pretty time-honored thing. Congress never messes with the WH budget requests to run the Executive Office (even under Clinton).

While calling a cabinet level official to testify on the Hill is commonplace, and sub-cabinet officials appear almost daily, calling WH staffers is much less common with the exception perhaps of the NSA and, formerly, the DCI (a non-cabinet-level agency head), or head of the EPA.

[Marie26]

74. Congress has oversight of the executive branch

The White House is a part of the executive branch, and therefore subject to Congressional oversight. Do I need to post a flowchart? Oversight is an essential function of the system of checks and balances - each branch is co-equal, with its power regulated and checked by another. Congressional oversight, and the judicial process, are checks on the power of the White House. And this check is most essential against the executive branch - because the executive branch has the capacity to become totalitarian w/o sufficient restraints. Snow said "the executive doesn't have to do anything", and he is WRONG about that. The White House is subject to Congressional subpoenas, just like everyone else, barring specific privileges. If the White House weren't subject to Congressional regulation, we'd officially be in a dictatorship.

[librechik]

76. Yeah. And Habeas Corpus is quaint

They think they can just reframe the Constitution the way they re-frame Gore's wardrobe. Sorry, Tony. We will show you how wrong you are.

[tbyg52]

93. Congress has a great oversight tool:

It's called IMPEACHMENT!

[bdamomma]

4. poor tony snow again he does not know his history.

unbelieveable how these jerks just go along and make things up.

how about 3 co equal branches of government Tony Snow you stupid fool.

oh geez, I hope they (Leahy and Conyers) get his a$$ for this stupid and false comment.

[misternormal]

53. It's even moreso...

... in the fact that they seem to get away with it...

Hopefully there will be a turn of a corner here, and the *Co agenda will become even more widely known.

[SemperEadem]

62. that's because none of the reporters in the audience know

that Slush is wrong... they just write it down and think to themselves "ok.. that'll be the denouement of my package/story"--they have no clue that Slush is wrong, that that section of the constitution has not been rewritten since it was ratified and that that was their cue to jump up and scream TREASON at the top of their lungs.

The problem is with those in the audience listening to Slush and being too intimidated and too concerned with being 'nice'--or afraid they'll get their credentials revoked if they challenge Slush.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

The WH has carte blanch privilege to rule as they see fit then?

Uggg. What a statement. :puke:

[rodeodance]

35. that statement sure makes it sound like it!

[acmavm]

6. He thinks he can lie to anyone at anytime and no one will know

the difference.

[The Doctor.]

33. If I recall, this is not the first time he's made a fool of himself.

Especially with regard to the Constitution.

[loudsue]

41. It's obvious that repervlikins, in general, know NOTHING about the constitution

And, apparently, that is exactly how they've managed to take total power over the country: the media, the judiciary, the military/industrial complex, the voting machines, the prisons, etc.

They just tell their footsoldiers what to do, and they DO IT! Nobody in the republican party knows, or CARES, about what the United States was founded on. They're simply told that Democrats are devils, that Democrats want to take all their money, and that ANYTHING they do against Democratic evildoers is legit and righteous.

And their STOOOOOPID footsoldiers believe them!! Unphuckingbelievable!!

:kick::kick::kick:

[The Doctor.]

82. That sounds like the perfect summary.

Most 'Republicans' pay very little attention lately.

[eleny]

7. They keep trying to drag us through the looking glass

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

In their Bizzarro World, it doesn't! But here on Planet Earth it does!!!

:rofl:

[valerief]

8. Well, that's true, now that we're a dictatorship. nt

[Beelzebud]

9. So he is basically saying Bush is a Dictator... Lovely.

IMPEACH

[Hubert Flottz]

61. That is exactly what it sounds like he's saying.

[Epiphany4z]

10. well then who

does?

[Loge23]

11. I heard that too - thought I was hearing things!

Is this freakin' outrageous or what??
This is rapidly becoming much more of a crisis than we possibly ever have imagined.
Thank you, Mr Snow, for clarifying the crime family's position on this.

[bdamomma]

12. is there a transcript of this interview I would love to fax this to

Senator Leahy's office.

[mmonk]

13. If the founding fathers were still in charge,

you can bet your ass this administration would have been removed by now.

[Perky]

14. Is he making a disticntion between the WH/EOP and the executive branch?

[rodeodance]

15. my gawd. Snow is really stupid to have said that!!

[radfringe]

16. so the executve branch is not accountable to anyone for anything?

it's an autonomous entity unto itself and can do anything it damn well pleases?

gee - didn't we invade a country about 4 years ago to get rid of a dictator?

Has Tony Snow just declared bush dictator?

fighting for democracy over there so we won't have it over here

[Supersedeas]

43. and Frankenliar is not accountable for the words he used against Clinton

[AndyA]

17. Well if that's the case, I wonder what that little stipulation in the Constitution

about Congressional oversight of the Executive Branch is all about. Is there another Congress somewhere we don't know about? Is there a different Executive Branch this applies to?

Tony would be wise to shut his big fat mouth and do some reading before making stupid comments like this again. He must have graduated from the George Bush AWOL Alcoholic Drug Abuse College of Stupidity.

[rodeodance]

18. REC

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Oh REALLY? Wouldn't that make the psycho a DICTATOR?

These people are dangerous.

[solara]

30. Indeed it would

"We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. Free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction." -George W. Bush

Out of the mouths of idiots...... :eyes:


INVESTIGATE IMPEACH INDICT INCARCERATE :patriot:


k&r

[in_cog_ni_to]

38. Fascism...we're living it.

14 POINTS OF FASCISM



1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism

From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights

The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause

The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.

4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism

Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.

5. Rampant sexism

Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.

6. A controlled mass media

Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.

7. Obsession with national security

Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.

8. Religion and ruling elite tied together

Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.

9. Power of corporations protected

Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated

Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.

11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts

Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment

Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption

Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.

14. Fraudulent elections

Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.



NOTE: The above 14 Points was written in 2004 by Dr. Laurence Britt, a political scientist. Dr. Britt studied the fascist regimes of: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does any of this sound familiar? As America sinks deeper and deeper into corporate greed will this country continue to be a democracy by the people and for the people or will it be ruled by the few? Will the trinity of money, power and greed over come one of the greatest countries in the world? Only we, the people, can keep it free. SPEAK OUT AND LET YOUR THOUGHTS BE KNOWN...ONLY BY SILENCE WILL WE BE DEFEATED!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What no one seemed to notice. . . was the ever widening gap. . .between the government and the people. . . And it became always wider. . . the whole process of its coming into being, was above all diverting, it provided an excuse not to think for people who did not want to think anyway . . . (it) gave us some dreadful, fundamental things to think about . . .and kept us so busy with continuous changes and 'crises' and so fascinated . . . by the machinations of the 'national enemies,' without and within, that we had no time to think about these dreadful things that were growing, little by little, all around us. . .

Each step was so small, so inconsequential, so well explained or, on occasion, 'regretted,' that unless one understood what the whole thing was in principle, what all these 'little measures'. . . must some day lead to, one no more saw it developing from day to day than a farmer in his field sees the corn growing. . . .Each act. . . is worse than the last, but only a little worse. You wait for the next and the next. You wait for one great shocking occasion, thinking that others, when such a shock comes, will join you in resisting somehow.

You don't want to act, or even talk, alone. . . you don't want to 'go out of your way to make trouble.' . . .But the one great shocking occasion, when tens or hundreds or thousands will join with you, never comes. That's the difficulty. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves, when everyone is transformed, no one is transformed. . . .You have accepted things you would not have accepted five years ago, a year ago, things your father. . . could never have imagined." :

http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html

[bdamomma]

44. we have reached all 14 objectives of fascism.

sadly. We got to stop these thugs.

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. Yes we have! I am SO thankful we took back Congress in November. It's our only hope.

As I see it.:(

[solara]

50. 14 points of Fascism...An excellent post... but frightening, very frightening

The legacy of Bush*t

Fascist regimes : Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), Pinochet (Chile), and Bush II (United States of America)


INVESTIGATE IMPEACH INDICT INCARCERATE before it's too late. :patriot:

k&r

[Wednesdays]

73. Wow. This deserves its own thread.

nt

[cassiepriam]

21. My high school civics teacher must have lied to me. NT

[KansDem]

70. Did we to to the same school? Have the same teacher?

Because my high-school US government teacher lied to me as well!

[cassiepriam]

75. Must be the same crazy teacher rambling on about checks/balances and the Constitution.

And the THREE branches of govt.

[NewJeffCT]

80. Obviously, your teacher has a radical liberal bias

based in reality...

[merh]

22. I guess he missed Ken Starr's victory during the Clinton years

Hepburn
Wed Mar-21-07 10:46 PM
Original message
Here's a Major Problem for the WH: There is NO Atty-Client Privilege with WH Counsel

Since Congress wants the testimony of Harriet Meiers, former WH counsel ~~ this is IMO a MAJOR problem for the WH. And, I hate to say it, but we can thank Ken Starr for this problem that the WH is now experiencing.

This is what John Dean has to say on the issue when this came up during the initial Plame Scandal:

A divided U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit agreed with Starr. The court held that a grand jury was entitled to the information. It also held that government officials -- even when serving as attorneys -- had a special obligation to provide incriminating information in their possession.

In the second case, In re Lindsey, Deputy White House Counsel Bruce Lindsey refused to testify about his knowledge of President Clinton's relationship to Monica Lewinsky, based on attorney-client privilege. Starr sought to compel Lindsey's testimony, and he won again.

This time, Starr persuaded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to follow the Eighth Circuit. The court ruled that exposure of wrongdoing by government lawyers fostered democracy, as "openness in government has always been thought crucial to ensuring that the people remain in control of their government."

Based on these precedents, President Bush has almost certainly been told that the only way he can discuss his potential testimony with a lawyer is by hiring one outside the government.

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20040604.html

This article by Dean came out when Bush "lawyered up" with a private atty when Plame first broke.

Karma is a real b*tch! <smile>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3175377

Thank you Hepburn for this lovely little Karma reminder. :evilgrin:

[K8-EEE]

88. Isn't that a clear precedent?

I don't get how they think one way is going to apply to Clinton and another to Bush.

I mean I DO...they're completely without any ethical compass, but I don't know how they can even pretend to justify it....

[merh]

89. They do believe they are above the law

After all, they have gotten away with so much these last 6 years.

[Sapere aude]

23. I can't listen to Tony Snow. I hate to be lied to like that. This whole administration is the

same. I just can't watch any of them.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

24. This is THE big fight

If the White House loses this fight, the flood gates open and the Chimp finishes his term fighting off one subpoena after another in one embarrassing investigation after another. Therefore, they will lie, they will sell their mother and father, they will give up their soul in a pact with the Devil, but they will do anything and say anything to try to keep this investigation from happening.

Let's get ready to rumbllllllllle!

[progressoid]

25. He's right - that's pre 9/11thinking.

[jobycom]

27. Sure makes impeachment hard to understand, then.

The House of Representatives... shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union...

---------

Sounds like the Constitution expects Congress to make sure the Executive is behaving.

[Solly Mack]

28. Can we impeach Bush now?

Just asking...

[rodeodance]

34. write to Pelosi and ask her!

[Solly Mack]

36. Be nice

:)

[Dr Fate]

The DLC , "blue dogs" and "conservative Democrats" will hear of no such thing.

Swing-voters & "moderates" prefer spineless wimps who agree with Bush that his actions are legal.

[wiggs]

29. Money trumps peace

Is there nothing these guys can say that would cause widespread outrage? Are they TRYING to get kicked out of office and we're not cooperating? WTF does it take?

[Matariki]

31. So, do you think they're rallying KBR/Blackwater mercenaries yet?

[rodeodance]

32. Snow was left behind by nclb!!----Sen. Byrd needs to give him a civics lesson!!

[Arugula Latte]

37. These fucking maniacs are out of control.

That's the headline I want to see on every paper in the U.S.

"Fucking Bush Administratin Maniacs Out of Control"

Seriously.

[baldguy]

39. He's right. The President can do pretty much as he pleases with the Executive Branch.

That doesn't mean Congress has to pay for it.

[Lasher]

40. Ha ha, I am lovin' this!

It's like when a first grader tells a lie and gets caught, then keeps saying whatever he can think of, spiraling into assertions that are more and more comical.

I mean, I love old fashioned eye-gouging, hair pulling, sucker-punching, full-contact politics.
- Tony Snow

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/tony_snow.html

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/stupidquotes/a/snowisms.htm

How's it feel now, Tony boy? C'mon, get some! Can't run with the big dogs? You shoulda stayed on the porch over at Faux Noise.

:rofl:

[bdamomma]

42. I just sent the transcript to Senator Leahy saying this

needs to be brought to his attention.

[Captain Hilts]

45. Let's all mail copies of the Constitution to him. And the Magna Carta, to cover all bases. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

47. Constitution 101, Tony.

Didn't we all learn about checks and balances back in high school?

[malaise]

48. Block up his email with web copies of the

Constitution

[bdamomma]

54. does tony have an e mail address?

[Saboburns]

49. He said the exact same thing on NBC today show

this morning at around 7:07 am.

My jaw hit the floor.

It's no wonder my friends think I've become a revolutionary.

Every day is a new wonder to behold.

[femmedem]

51. Can you repeat that? I must have misheard you.

I thought you said, "SNOW: "Executive Branch DOESN'T Have to Do Anything-Legislative Branch Has No Oversight Of WH."

K & R.

[misternormal]

55. Tony Snow is an ignorant mouthpiece of the * admin...

... can we expect anything else from him???

[Hubert Flottz]

56. That's the way it worked before November Tony...

Get Over It...the GOP don't run congress anymore!

Edit...We need to send a heads up to KO on this one!

[npincus]

57. he said the SAME thing on NBC Today Show

I thought Laeur should have stopped him right there.

[SemperEadem]

65. Matt Lauer flunked junior high school civics

that's why he became an anchor. He's told what to say. He doesn't have to think critically for himself because someone else is doing it for him. All he has to do is look pretty.

[porphyrian]

58. Oh, that poor man failed Civics. - n/t

[Dr Fate]

68. Apparently, so did all the anti-Impeachment, pro Bush DEMS. n/t

YES- to be anti-impeachment is to be Pro-Bush. I said it.

[porphyrian]

84. Ooo, you're pickin' a fight...

;)

[SemperEadem]

59. didn't he used to shill for fuxnoise?

perhaps he needs to take a remedial civics lesson.

[PerfectSage]

60. Back in the good old days of Washington, wouldn't * have been tarred & feathered...

...with the constitution by now?

[Hekate]

64. The Mouth of Sauron has spoken, you fools. The Constitution is just a g.d. piece of paper.

'Scuse me while I find my anti-nausea meds, but I think for once Snowjob is speaking the truth as he and his masters see it.

Hekate

[Hubert Flottz]

66. One more K&R for Bushland Über alles

"SWEEEEEEET NECTAR OF LIBERTY!" my ass!

[Dr Fate]

67. I know wimpy "dry powder" DEMs will find disagreement- but that statement alone is a "misdemeanor"

If not a High Crime.

The Bush admin is lying about what the Constitution says- they are subverting the Constitution in an Orwellian manner to our faces.

If this is really what Bush believes, that alone is enough to impeach him. You cant blatantly lie about the basic, 8th grade civics in an effort to hide other crimes.

I know- I know what they will say:

"But-but-but I'm frightened- we dont have the votes- you are too radical-swing voters still like Bush, blah blah blah"

In advance: Shut the fuck up and get out of the way, dry powder Democrats.

[hedgehog]

69. Not being a lawyer, I would hazard that Congress can do two things:

Investigate this as long as it wants to in order to develop legislation to address a problem if found. (As a result of the investigation to date, the Senate repealed the part of the Patriot Act that allows Bush and GOnzales to appoint new US Attorneys with no oversight. I wonder what the House will do?)

Congress can also investigate this to determine if a high crime or misdemeanor has taken place.

[Dr Fate]

71. The investiagation over whether a "misdemeanor" has occured should take about 15 minutes, tops.

All you need is Google and a notepad or word document, and a few minutes of spare time. But I'll be charitable and say a few weeks, just to triple check everything and run it through spell-check.

Probably applies to "high crimes" as well.

[KansDem]

72. Here, Tony. Make a copy and pin it to your office wall...

While you're at it, make a second copy and pin it to your boss's wall...

[texpatriot2004]

83. That looks familiar, I think one of my misinformed teachers gave

me the same handout.

[pacalo]

77. Tonibaloney says the American people deserve to know the WH's offer

but he doesn't think we deserve to hear sworn testimony or read the transcripts of the sworn testimony. This is nothing more than a political-posturing sporting game to them where the public is concerned.

Did you notice that the CBS video caught more at the end than the one at Crooks & Liars. Harry Smith responded to BaloneyTony's last remark, "the people want to get the truth", with, "Yes, I do. You owe it to me."

[WernhamHogg]

78. Hey Tony

"Most of us want no part of a president who is cynical enough to use the majesty of his office to evade the one thing he is sworn to uphold -- the rule of law."

[glitch]

81. What a maroon. Hit the road Tony.

[JTG of the PRB]

85. I've got a great read for Tony Snow!

It's the... The.... Oh, shoot. I can't seem to think of the name. Let's see... It's the foundation of our democracy... Sets down the basic laws and guidelines for our government to follow... Umm... it's right on the tip of my tongue. Help me out here! It's that thing! You know, the one the President has been treading all over and undermining and shredding apart ever since he took office? It's a really important document...

OH! THE CONSTITUTION!

Yeah. Tony should really read up on it. It's got all sorts of interesting facts and quirks regarding the way our government needs to function in order to provide a fair, balanced, and equal form of leadership for the people of the United States.

Here, Tony! I even found a link for you! Just click on the links one at a time and read all the information. You might learn a thing or two!

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html#articlei

[lonestarnot]

86. They think that they have actually created a "unitary executive" by

bagging the Supreme Court. They are quite confident. We better be damned determined that they haven't.

[Canuckistanian]

87. So... Nixon resigned just because of bad press?

And that would mean that Congress had NO BUSINESS sniffing around Clinton's underwear drawer.

The double standard is breathtaking.

[nadinbrzezinski]

90. Damn Tony is channeling Erlichman

EERIE

[radfringe]

92. private discussions?

It occured to me late last night where Snow may have gotten the idea that the
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
The Legislative Branch has no oversight responsibility over the White House.

In prepping for a "press gaggle" the press secretary needs to get info from other people. It's a no brainer to assume the Attorney-Gate and subpoenas is included in discussions.

Snow's statement about the executive branch vs legislative branch may or may not be his own personal view - but the notion of such a position most likely originates from others in the white house.

On more than one occassion bush has described himself as "the Decider" and/or "Commander in Chief" which implies he is the ONLY ONE who is in charge, not Congress.

Snow's statement certainly supports this.

It may not officially be a dictatorship, but the earmarks of one is there.

[Odin2005]

94. Someone give that moron a civics lesson.