Mar. 22, 2007 - 20:56T

BETTER THAN ASSASSINATION

I keep shaking my head over the political situation in our country. Is it a glory seeking, "damn the torpedos, full speed ahead," of the Bush Administration. Or "Believe me because I say it is so," and "You can question my men, but not televise them or record in any way their answers. No subpoenas." "No oaths.

There is an article in this morning's The Rocky Mountain News by David Espo of the Associated Press that deals with this contretemps. Quoted in full here:

CONGRESS FLASHES MUSCLE IN FIRINGS

Panel OKs subpoenas of Bush aides to learn why prosecutors let go

WASHINGTON -- "President Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress careened closer to a full-blown legal showdown over the firing of federal prosecutors Wednesday."

"A House subcommittee voted subpoenas for top administration officials in defiance of the White House."

"After two months of stonewalling, shifting stories and misleading testimony, it is clear that we are still not getting the truth about the decision to fire these prosecutors and its cover up," said Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif."

"In response, an unyielding White House threatened to rescind its day-old proposal for top strategist, Karl Rove and other officials to answer lawmakers questions away from the glare of television lights and not under oath."

"If they issue subpoenas, yes, the offer is withdrawn," said presidential spokesman Tony Snow."

"Despite the rhetoric, Rep. John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, repeatedly suggested there was room for negotiations in a confrontation that has threatened Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' hold on his job and forced his chief of staff to resign."

"What we're voting on today is merely a backup," said the Michigan Democrat, adding that he would refrain from issuing the subpoenas, at least for the time being."

"Documents, made public Wednesday did little to clarify circumstances surrounding the firings of the eight U.S. attorneys."

"Instead they showed the Justice Department scrambling to answer questions from California Republican lawmakers critical of the record compiled by the U.S. attorney's office on immigration cases."

"Carol Lam, the U.S. attorney at the time, was among the group that was fired."

"In an apparent attempt to mend fences, Gonzales arranged a series of meetings in the coming days with groups of U.S. attorneys around the country, beginning today in St. Louis."

"It seemed likely the next act in the political drama would be a separate vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve a second set of subpoenas for Rove, former White House counsel Harriet Miers and William Kelley, who was Miers' Deputy."

"Senate Democrats, in particular, have been insistent on gaining testimony UNDER OATH, and Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., dismissed the idea that Rove would be allowed to answer questions on the White House terms. "Anyone who would take that deal isn't playing with a full deck," he said."

"Republicans forced a delay in a vote on Senate subpoenas a week ago, and it was not clear whether any of the GOP members of the panel were now prepared to support them."

"The clash comes less than 100 days after the new Democratic-controlled Congress took power and pledged to confront Bush aggressively."

"Both Houses are to vote soon on legislation requiring the start of troop withdrawals from Iraq after four years of war."

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Of course, no publicity, no TV, but above all NO SWORN OATHS. Isn't that typically Bush ?

Makes me wonder just what depths the president is willing to go.

And how much taxpayers money will be spent on Gonzales trips and meetings around the country for face saving purposes ?

Of course, getting rid of U.S. Attorneys by firing is so much better than the modern way of the world, after all it is BETTER THAN ASSASSINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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