ROVE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY!

[blm]

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/6702525.htm

Interior Department IG Probes Bush Aide
PETE YOST
Associated Press


WASHINGTON - The inspector general at the Interior Department will look into possible political interference by the White House in developing water policy in the Klamath River Basin in the Northwest.

The inquiry follows the disclosure that President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, briefed dozens of political appointees at the Interior Department more than a year and a half ago about diverting water from the Klamath River in Oregon to irrigate farms.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, a Democratic presidential candidate, disclosed the inspector general's plans on Friday.

Last September, 33,000 chinook salmon died in the Klamath River in northern California. The California Department of Fish and Game laid much of the blame on low flows controlled by the federal government for creating conditions that allowed a fatal gill rot disease to spread through the fish.

A report on the fish kill by the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not been released.

Kerry had asked for the IG investigation after a story about Rove's meeting with the political appointees appeared in The Wall Street Journal.
>>>>>>>>>>

[SidDithers]

1. Damn, thougth this was about Wilson's wife....

But hey, any investigation is a good investigation.

Sid

[MoonAndSun]

3. I would anticipate that there will be more then one investigation

involving KKKarl Rove. I think the dam in springing so many leaks, it will burst eventually and wash these evil people away.

[Nevernose]

51. If Clinton is the model of investigation

Then there sure as heck will be multiple investigations.

[blm]

5. It's a start.

I'll take the foot in the door. This is just a blatant example of how the White House interferes in policy for POLITICAL reasons.

[liberalhistorian]

15. So did I!

That is one of the worst things anyone in power like that could have done, it's infuriating to think he may just get away with it! Wonder how they're going to blame Clinton for this.

[blm]

20. He won't get away with it.

I really sense that many in the intelligence community and the military are going to work quietly to bring Bush and his thugs down.

[the masses against the classes]

2. hang the bastard

n/t

[Brucey]

4. The proper punishment...

Capital punishment is too good for these goons. Let's embarass them to death.

[TacticalPeek]

9. Welcome to DU, Brucey!

The truth will send them to political hell. Shades of Richard "I am not a crook" Nixon!

[Brucey]

53. Appreciate it

Thanks for the welcome, it's nice to vent and read what intelligent and caring people think about the mess we're in. Thanks, glad to be aboard.

[Kool Kitty]

35. I don't think it's possible to embarrass this bunch

of thugs. But it's a great idea. Welcome, Brucey! :hi:

[Brucey]

54. Thanks Kool Kitty

It's so nice to read something other than the news. Thanks for being here and participating.

[otohara]

59. You Are Correct KK - Nothing Phases These Thugs

decendents of satan

[WillyT]

6. Well Thank You Senator K, I Really Do Appreciate This !!!

Way ta go John!!!

:bounce::kick::bounce:

[HereSince1628]

7. ANYTHING to keep disrupting Roverer is welcome...

Red Roverer, Red Roverer, Toss the Boss Overer...

[oasis]

8. Looks as if the Turd Blossom is about to hit the fan.

:wow:

[Booberdawg]

10. Don't get your hopes up - look at this

"If any evidence of political interference is found, "we have no authority over members of the White House staff and therefore would immediately notify the Department of Justice, Office of Public Integrity," said the letter from Interior IG Earl Devaney."

Who do you suppose are pulling the strings in those departments?

[pansypoo53219]

16. but they can lay

the shit at Bush's feet.

[sangha]

26. Even better

It can be dragged out, which will provide a number of stories in the media. That's much better than just one day of news.

And right during the campaign season. Fancy that!

[Booberdawg]

29. Who will lay the shit at bush's feet?

the Justice Dept? The people doing the investigation?

This will all get "spun" in the usual wash cycle. None of this will do squat to rove. Or bush.

I wish it would, but it's just not so.

[blm]

33. Campaign advocacy ads.

How will Bush answer it when Kerry brings it up in a debate?

They won't be able to avoid it when the focus comes down to two people, Kerry and Bush.

[TacticalPeek]

37. One of the many problems the scum will face is professionals

throughout the system, at DOJ, IG's, etc. And if they try a Saturday Night Massacre, that just adds naplam to the fire that will consume them.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

46. and shit stinks

the bottom line is these things are very hard to cleanse yourself of once it is public knowledge. Besides, this is just one small battle on a much bigger front. Death by a thousand cuts is still death.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. my wish for rove: gill rot x 10

[Emboldened Chimp]

12. The Interior Dept is investigating?

You mean the one headed by Gail Norton, handpicked by Rove himself? That Interior Dept? This will go nowhere.

[blm]

13. The investigator is a Clinton appointee.

Let Norton try to block it. Kerry won't be shy about broadcasting that news. It will be part of his campaign against Bush's environmental policies. The ads will write themselves.

[ModerateMiddle]

14. You betcha

and paid for by the Sierra Club!

[sangha]

27. That's right. This is win-win for us.

Either they cooperate, which results in day after day of revelations, or they stonewall, which leads to more stories, ads and editorials.

[John_H]

19. IG's don't fuck around

No matter who appoints them. They take their jobs seriously and there are so many safeguards protecting them they can go after anyone--including KKKarl--with impunity. This is huge. When combined with the CIA investigation (which can be fudged and controlled, alas) it could be watergate huge. That'd be two major instances where Rove played blatantly brital politics using federal agencies.

[blm]

25. I wonder if one will tag into the other....

Since it could be labeled as a "pattern" of interference.

[TacticalPeek]

38. Ah yes, my favorite Watergate word: C-O-N-S-P-I-R-A-C-Y!!!

Neocons_piracy? heehee

[BiggJawn]

17. Oh, yeah, just like the GAO and Cheney's Energy Summit papers...

The IG will get "19 pages of irrelevant filler and 4 pages of undecipherable scribblings"...None of it mentioning Unkel Karl

Hope nobody wasted any good jizz spanking their monkey when they read this...

[Booberdawg]

30. I agree. It will get swept under the rug like everything else. n/t

[aquart]

18. Rove is just a natural disaster, isn't he?

Wreckage everywhere he nods his head.

And death. Lots of death.

[Generic Other]

21. Didn't Bush just tell the Northwest he had protected our sacred salmon?

"Fatal gill rot disease," indeed! Spread directly from lying Repubs to fish no doubt.

[TacticalPeek]

22. In the next few months, the dam will burst on these punks,

and when it does, they will be covered in worse that dead fish.

They ass is grass.

[SharonAnn]

23. Or, "All they base are belong to us"

eom

[TacticalPeek]

34. Any that don't will just go fishing on election day, in disgust. Hooaah.

n/t

[bigtree]

24. Info Request Filed to Uncover White House Manipulation of Klamath Policy

http://www.earthjustice.org/news/documents/8-03/Rove_Information_Request.pdf

The letter seeks a full accounting of all costs reimbursed to the government for Mr. Rove’s political activities on the Klamath, as required by federal law, as well as a breakdown of all the taxpayer supported costs incurred by Mr. Rove while working on Klamath issues.

The groups signing on to the information request include: Earthjustice; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations; Institute for Fisheries Resources; WaterWatch of Oregon; Oregon Natural Resources Council; Northcoast Environmental Center; Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club; Defenders of Wildlife; Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility; The Wilderness Society; and Friends of the Earth


Contact:

Cat Lazaroff, Earthjustice, 202-667-4500 x 213

Kristen Boyles, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340 x33

Leslie Catherwood, The Wilderness Society, 202-454-2524

Glen Spain, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, 541-689-2000

Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-772-6116

Wendell Wood, Oregon Natural Resources Council, 541-891-4006

Tim McKay, Northcoast Environmental Center, 707-822-6918

Kara Gillon, Defenders of Wildlife, 505-248-0118

Eric Wingerter, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, 202-265-7337

Kristen Sykes, Friends of the Earth, 202-783-7400 x100

[TacticalPeek]

36. Beautimous. n/t

[Wednesdays]

28. Oh man, they should drop all the pretenses...

and just go ahead and re-name the White House, "Teapot Dome."

[blm]

32. HAHAHA...You said it!

.

[xxqqqzme]

31. jeez - wouldn't bringing this rat bastard

down answer a mountain of prayers?

[Coffee Coyote]

39. don't be fooled Duers

Nothing will come of this investigation. On the Bush Scandal Scale, this is small potatoes.

Also, this is a thinly disguised Kerry booster thread, rather than an anti-Rove piece.

[bigtree]

41. What about the issue of the salmon, then?

Is it worth any discussion at all.

One of the reasons we might not get anywhere on this is because we are putting the politics before the issue. Look after the salmon and the people of the Klamath and the political benefit will be their support against Bush and for anyone who will stand for them.

They already know Bush doesn't care.

[Coffee Coyote]

43. don't get me wrong

It is a VALID issue, but it won't get much attention from the public. Look how many Bush scandals get a pass - Enron being the crown jewel.

But beyond that, blm is a Kerry-booster who posted this more to call attention to his candidate than to indict Bush or call attention to the salmon.

[bigtree]

44. So what if he's a Kerry booster?

Talk about the issue. Its serious. Its immediate. The focus on the campaign could elevate the issue and force action.

Coyote follows all ambition. Look back and see what he is collecting of what you are leaving behind.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

47. she

is one of the most noble and relentless Kerry boosters. But she is right and fair and a great, great asset to this board.
you go blm! :)

[Brucey]

60. Ambition makes one...

...look pretty ugly

[Gemini Cat]

48. I'm not so sure about that.

Sometimes it's the small prick in the hoof that brings the elephant down.
They will fall. There are too many pricks in their collective hooves for them not to fall.

[blm]

56. SHE is a Kerry supporter

and that minimizes the NEWS story?

With that standard, I'd better go post warnings like yours on every REAL campaign gimmick like populist petitions from a centrist candidate.

Nah...I won't.

[Andy_Stephenson]

63. Um....blm is a she not a "he"

I like her very much...yes she is a kerry booster as misguided as it may be. But I do believe her intentions were honorable.

Even though Kerry's aren't.

[blm]

55. Kerry started this many MONTHS ago.

And he has been working on environmental issues for over 30 years. If this had happened in 1999, he would STILL pursue it because THAT is what he has always done.

If you prefer he not be part of the equation, then petition another lawmaker to pursue the investigation.

[DemBones DemBones]

40. Good for Kerry! I hope this investigation goes somewhere.

[ibegurpard]

42. Good for Kerry

I must admit my heart stopped when I read this...I thought that it was going to be about him outing the CIA agent.

[roguevalley]

45. Its unbelievable the water situation in this area.

I go to Lakeview every year -through Bly, a tiny little stop in the road where my aunt lives that was supposed to have an Al Qaeda training camp OF ALL THINGS - and its war over there on water. I am
so sick about how this drought stuff is working out.

By the way, the FBI came in two years before they dragged those Seattle muslims into jail over this 'camp' and asked around. My aunt said they told them, "WTF?!" <in a nice way that is>

They went away. Two years later when bush needed hostages, they were gathered in.

Interesting place, eastern Oregon.

RV, posting number 991

[bigtree]

58. drought stuff

The farmers are using the most water - about 95 percent of all surface water - but they contribute less and less to the region's economy. Thirty years ago, farm sector earnings accounted for eight percent of Klamath County's total income. Now the earnings are .05% and less.

The federal government enforced by the Endangered Species Act to protect the threatened coho salmon and shut off water to most of the farms on the Klamath Reclamation Project in 2001 to let more flow down the Klamath River. Farmers, who were already members of the Klamath Water Users Association, demonstrated and gave the administration a wedge issue where they could pit the environmentalists against the farm community, like they are doing in the old-growth forests. This classic Rove, a student of the late Lee Atwater's wedge politics.

But it has backfired. Now, even the commercial fishermen, who had openly resented the preferential rights to the use of water given the Indians, have put aside their differences to join in the fight against this administration. So can we.

In recent months, three counties lying along the river or its tributaries voted to join the fishermen's lawsuit, challenging the Bush administration's water plan for the Klamath. Of the three, Trinity, Del Norte and Humboldt, the first two voted for Bush in 2000. There it is.

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/5436938.htm

[blm]

62. Ouch....every picture tells a story.

That is an advocacy ad right there.

[kispoko]

49. here's somethin'

somethin' else about this issue.... conservatives enjoy the myth that saving the environment will come at a cost to the economy, for obvious reason. and actually studies have shown that not to be true, and that states with the best environmental records also tended to have the best economies, but of course don't let facts get in the way when they're inconvenient....

well of course they tried that shit with the situation in the klamath basin. made it an issue of saving 'mere fish' over peoples' livelihoods.... nevermind that the klamath and yurok tribes depend heavily upon the fish and knowingly destroying a peoples' resource for sustenance is a form of genocide. it's not a trivial point by any stretch of the imagination, but of course, it's far from a concern of conservatives whether or not brown people live or die, which is why they advocate the same thing in anwr.

but what's interesting is that, again, the environment and the economy actually worked in tandem before better than now.... the irrigation hasn't only killed off the fish, but hundreds of fishing jobs as well, which took more money out of the economy(ies) than farming allowed to flow back in.

so i guess destroying the environment to these people has no cost too great to bear, including your job and your well-being.... not to mention your culture, but, who cares about that anyway? it's destroying the environment that's important

[PAMod]

50. You remember how it works - get them all under oath...

and let the games begin.

[The Backlash Cometh]

52. Poetic Justice.

It would be poetic justice if the Indian and salmon plight is the catalyst that brings down the powerful Rove.

[blm]

57. Hahah...You mean, like...

It's not NICE to fool with Mother Nature!

;)

[Andy_Stephenson]

61. Kerry is good at whitewashing....

Rove better thank his lucky stars Kerry is the one investigating.

[blm]

64. Dem leaders wouldn't let Kerry on the Senate committee

because he was considered TOO HOT.

Poppy Bush was forced to pardon 6 IranContra thugs to prevent their cases from revealing more to the American public.

Almost everything we know about the BFEE today comes from Kerry's investigations of BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning. Robert Parry knows more about that time than any other journalist and he certainly would have known if Kerry was "whitewashing"....your accusations are based in your own agenda which you intend to validate through revisionist history.

[blm]

65. Here ya go, Gbnc....Try some truth on for a change....

THE NORTH NOTEBOOKS
From Washington by Tim Wheeler

EXCERPT...
In Washington, at the request of Irangate special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh, a new grand jury has been empanelled to consider evidence that Bush and President Reagan were very much "in the loop" on the criminal enterprise.

Also in Washington, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chair of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Terrorism and Narcotics, announced May 18 that he is examining thousands of newly released photocopied pages from Lt. Col. Oliver North's notebooks, which expose White House lying on the Noriega case. The National Security Archive and Ralph Nader's Public Citizen released thousands of the same pages at two press conferences on May 8 and May 18.

Senator Kerry declared, "The North notebooks confirm that high-level U.S. officials, including officials at the CIA and the NSC , knew about General Noriega's drug trafficking and corruption in 1986, kept him on the U.S. payroll and discussed helping him clean up his image in return for his help for the contras."

"The information was important because throughout 1988, while my hearings were taking place, the White House was denying that it had known about Noriega's drug trafficking." Kerry added, "There is something fundamental that is violated in a democracy when the White House can classify documents as 'Codeword Top Secret' in order to suppress politically damaging information in an election year." Kerry suggested that Walsh examine sworn testimony of former Assistant Secretary of State Elliot Abrams and Donald Gregg to determine if they committed perjury. Kerry said the documents also raise questions of whether NSC and intelligence officers engaged in domestic surveillance in violation of the law.

The North notebooks provide a wealth of new evidence. One page, released for the first time May 8, lists a "mtg w V.P." at 12 noon, August 6, 1986. North began that day by meeting with Israeli terrorist expert, Amiram Nir. According to North's notes, he then went to an extraordinary meeting at the White House with members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. According to his later testimony, North "lied, lied, lied" to the lawmakers about the Iran-contra conspiracy. North then met with several other covert agents, including Gregg. Finally he met with Vice President Bush. Did the Vice President discuss with North his lies to an official oversight committee of the U.S. Congress?

Asked about this notation in North's notebook, White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater declared, "The vice president's role in the Iran-contra affair was completely examined in the congressional inquiry and we have nothing to add."

CONTINUED...
http://www.skepticfiles.org/socialis/north.htm

KERRY DIDN'T LET THE ISSUE DROP EVEN AFTER THE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS. HE STILL WENT AFTER THEM. YOUR CLAIM THAT KERRY WHITEWASHED FOR BUSH IS FALSE!

[quaker bill]

66. Whitewash

I will give Senator Kerry his props...

all that being as it may, hindsight being 20:20, we should have impeached the entire crew of them while we had the chance.

[quaker bill]

67. Dead Salmon

I expect that the USFWS report needs a bit of Executive Branch editing, kinda like that nasty global warming report....

I am sure that somehow "national security" or "executive privledge" will become an issue.

Perhaps the chinook salmon were "enemy combatants" and are just being detained by John Ashcroft..

[gristy]

68. Welcome to DU, qb!

:hi:

[blm]

69. I'm hoping the focus of the campaign

will bring issues like this into the American peoples' sphere of awareness.