The best line from Froomkin (WashPost)....ever....

[Aviation Pro]

...it completely encapsulates the entire Bush administration:


Bush's Monica Problem

By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com
Tuesday, March 27, 2007; 11:48 AM



Will another presidency be tripped up by another Monica?

As suspicions about the White House role in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year continue to deepen, one of the people who could shed light on what happened -- Monica Goodling, the Justice Department's White House liaison -- has suddenly decided to clam up, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Juries in criminal cases are sternly lectured not to assume guilt when a defendant takes the Fifth. It is, after all, a Constitutional right.

But when a fairly minor player in what had heretofore not been considered a criminal investigation suddenly admits that she faces legal jeopardy if she tells the truth to a Congressional panel? Well, in that case, wild speculation is an inevitable and appropriate reaction.

For one, it's not at all clear what she's trying to say. Undeniably, if she chose to lie to the panel, she could face perjury charges. Her recourse, therefore, would appear to be to tell the truth.

So is she saying that if she told the truth, she would have to admit a crime? What crime?

Or is she saying something else: That she'd have to admit someone else's criminal behavior? Well, that's not something you can take the Fifth to avoid. Sorry.

Or is she just afraid of being grilled by an antagonistic bunch of congressmen? Well, that's not something you can take the Fifth to avoid either.

In my column yesterday, I wrote that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is almost certainly still getting his marching orders directly from the West Wing. I speculated about which Justice and/or White House aides were charged with delivering those orders. It's widely known that the White House has in many cases turned over the micromanagement of Cabinet officials to untested youngsters whose paramount qualification is that they follow orders.

Now it looks like the 33-year-old Goodling's terrified, whining refusal to own up to what she did may end up exposing one of the weaknesses of relying on such people. When the going gets tough, they can't necessarily be trusted to either stand up to pressure -- or take the fall. Instead, they panic.

Read the rest here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/03/27/BL2007032701000_pf.html

[DCKit]

1. AS THEY SHOULD

This administration has abandoned people left and right with every scandal since the beginning. Perhaps the loyalists are beginning to wise up.

[Aviation Pro]

2. Reading further....

...we find out that Ms. Goodling is a product of evangelical education. If I've said this once, I've said it a million times, we are at the mercy of third tier people who are cowards to boot.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. Yes, Messiah College and Pat Robertson's law school. Wonder if she passed the bar.

Interesting that I couldn't find her in Martindale's lawyer locator:

http://www.martindale.com/

[Supersedeas]

7. She knows who's boss....and it is not Congress, I guess.

[northzax]

6. you didn't know?

Jesus totally took the fifth.

[Nikki Stone1]

9. "Third tier people who are cowards" I love that description

It really fits

[Danascot]

16. It's ironic that the product of evangelical education

ended up working for the minions of evil.

[PhilipShore]

4. I agree

[northzax]

5. and here, I thought the problem

was that Monicas couldn't keep their mouths shut!

[jhain]

8. BAWHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA n/t

[Straight Shooter]

10. Monica talks real tough when she thinks she's in a position of strength

STATEMENT OF MONICA GOODLING, SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2004

"Next week, as trial begins in New York, Nebraska, and California, the Justice Department will work vigorously to defend the law prohibiting partial-birth abortions. The Department will be devoting all resources necessary to defend the bipartisan findings of Congress that this violent practice is unnecessary, as well as painful and cruel to the partially-born child. A bipartisan majority in Congress reached this conclusion after eight years of testimony from respected medical professionals who stated that partial-birth abortion is never medically necessary. As (bush) has said, this law 'will end an abhorrent practice and continue to build a culture of life in America.' The Justice Department will be working hard during these trials to fulfill the goal of (bush) and Congress to protect innocent new life from the practice of partial-birth abortion."

http://editorials.arrivenet.com/government/article.php/79.html

===================

She shrivels up and assumes the fetal position without the bush administration's minions supporting her, though. Tough darts, Monica. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

[central scrutinizer]

13. descent of man

bully -> misunderstood victim -> crybaby -> craven coward -> sacrificial lamb

[Straight Shooter]

14. True, dat. n/t

[leftchick]

11. some idiot Justice Dept. correspondent said "Monica Lewinsky"

I kid you not! It was on ABC or NBC. He said it in his report at 7:00 am then quickly corrected himself with Goodlings name.

:rofl:

[moc]

12. ....

:spray:

Karma's a bitch, but it's sweet revenge to be on this side, isn't it?

:rofl:

[Blackhatjack]

15. Froomkin has this one pegged... and his questions get right to the heart of this inquiry

If she is committed to upholding Christian principles, I am sure she would not be involved in anything so sordid as covering up the crimes of another higher-level official.

Truth is the best medicine for what ails her.

[GeorgeGist]

17. Maybe she's afraid ...

to testify because as a loyal Bushie she would lie.