As Leahy knew would happen, a Republican (Specter) blocked this in the committee.

Good question, tonkatsu. I've often wondered if some of those warrantless wiretaps targeted Democratic congressmen, who the Bushies now have by the short hairs.

Am I the only person here to notice that most of Congress has been acting like Blackmail Victims for the last 8 years?

Somewhere in a safe deposit vault is an impressive stack of recordings showing our "Leadership" committing literally thousands of Felonies and/or Immoral & reprehensable acts.

The most amazing thing to me is that, in this day of the hidden camera, the lot of them don't have a security detail check every room they enter for monitoring devices before they commit their crimes ...

Go Leahy!

I won't be sending you any money because I just don't pay to be heard by elected officials. I think it's tacky and demeaning of the name "citizen." We all know what various officials should be doing and we expect them to do it.

I think you did something honorable, and I hope you'll pursue the matter.

Go Leahy!

Senator Leahy, I am extremely proud of your courageous stance against this corrupt dangerous administration.

I know my liberal friends in Vermont would not accept anything less from their Senator.

This is very much in the spirit of Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys protecting the local residents from the British.

My friends please ignore those who continuously invite us to accompany them on a trip down memory lane; an election 2000 redux, that wonderful journey that took us backwards.

Jennifer is right, progressives must remain united if we are to defeat the Republican assault on our constitution and our social values.

"That which unites us is, must be, stronger than that which divides us. We can concentrate on what unites us, and secure the future for all our children; or we can concentrate on what divides us, and fail our duty through argument and resentment and waste."
RFK

Clearly, the citations will go nowhere. But, what else can Sen. Leahy do? The best way to defeat(in the long-term ) the unitary executive branch( read fascists ) is to call them on everything. Kucininch's efforts to introduce articles of impeachment, Gravel's reading the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional record(a blast from the past), and the current efforts of Senators Leahy and Byrd to keep the power grab of the Bushies in the American consciousness ---all of this is essential to combating the Orwellian society.

"Democrats in Congress seem like scared little bunnies"

Tells you a lot. Especially when they act like scared little bunnies with regard to a President with a 24% approval rating. Attacking this President and enforcing the rule of law would be immensely popular with the American people. The Democrats in Congress have even lower approval ratings because they refuse to do the job the American people elected them to do.

Tells you a lot about the Democratic Party. Protecting the Republicans is more important to them than taking a slam-dunk popular political position that would be a sure win for them. They'll pass up the sure win with the American people to protect Bush and his agenda and his cronies. Tells you an awful lot about the Democraps.

Leahy knows the process. So the one line in the article that says any single member of the committee can stop or delay this. Leahy knows this. He's probably already talked to the members of the committee and knows a Republican will do just that.

So he goes out and makes a big announcement that about something he knows is going nowhere. And this after dragging his feet on it for months. He gets a headline for the Dems. And the Republicans get some fodder for a fundraising newsletter about how the Dems are attacking their holy leader. All the politicians are happy, and the Republic and the citizens get screwed because the rule of law is being destroyed.

I guess we'll see in a few hours, but I think the people who say this is all just BS for show are correct.

BTW, I really don't like the idea of an Olympics boycott, for whatever that has to do with this article.

I've had the experience of being in a city during an Olympics (Atlanta, '96). And its truly an amazing time.

Yes, there's a lot wrong with the Olympics, especially the crass commercialism and the nationalism.

But, that's not what strikes you when you are in a city holding the Olympics. You find yourself in a city with thousands of people from all around the world. Everyone is there to cheer on their favorite athletes. But there really is a sense of peace and community about the whole thing. The bigwigs throw a lot of nonsense around about 'the Olympic spirit', but there really is such a thing when you are out among the people at an Olympics.

I can't think of a better thing to hit Beijing than thousands of people coming to town in a spirit of peace and world community.

Yawn

Saw this movie one too many times.

Famous last words.

So, what ever happened to John Conyers and all his noble intent? Got himself holed up somewhere? Don't know how the man can show his face in the light of day.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/beijing-olympics-boycott.html

Sean Hannity would be right at home here.

"Everytime Democrats manage to take "something" to "nothing", citizens lose face, and find themselves of losing other bigger issues. Putting Rove in jail for a few months is not a goal that fixes foreign policy, health care, taxes, education or the Supreme Court."

Daniel,

How can you be so consistently wrong? How can you not see that the rule of law dictates that precedence be established today specifically so that the future can deal with tomorrow's criminals?

The citizens lose face? Have you looked at many of your fellow citizens' faces lately? We are past despondent because your impotent Democratic Party can't even muster the courage to do their sworn duty to support and defend our constitution.

My God, what is the matter with you? Can't you see the criminality that is staring you in the face? Can't you see that it is because of the lack of interest to uphold the rule of law that we are in this fuckhole of a mess?

If you were the owner of a business and your partner was looting money from the business, would you look the other way and concentrate on marketing and taxes and health care? Go ahead, try it. See you at the bankruptcy sale!

Sorry to all of you singing Leahy's praises but I see this all as kabuki theatre meant to fool the American people into thining the Dems are really interested in doing their jobs. This is outrageous and nothing will come of it, and you are all in for a rude surprise when you realize that once again they are cynically doing only what they think will look good---not what it takes to save our country from its slide to fascism.

Heavyrunner, only a 10 Million Count Violation of the Presidential Records Act the Bush Administration appears guilty of?

How about 300 Million counts of Felony Violations of the FISA statute, and 300 Million more Counts of Treason agaist the Constitutional Right against random search and seizure? Which is why they are retroactively trying to change the rules.

How about over One Million Counts of Murder - as the Iraq BushWar is illegal? How about 7 Billion Counts of Reckless Endangerment and Attempted Manslaughter of everyone on the planet through the BushWar on the Environment? Or 8 Trillion Counts of Counterfeiting, Extortion and Larceny for printing dollars and fencing them to their banking friends? Or god-knows-how-many Counts of Corruption in using their offices to enrich their corporate cronies with public tax money, public treasure, and public property? In California, being found guilty on three consecutive occasions of stealing a slice of pizza will get you a Life Sentence. What do these monsters deserve?

And yet, the Democrats in Congress seem like scared little bunnies frozen in the headlight of the oncoming Bush Train Wreck of America. The Democrats need to know they are dealing with gangsters and liars, who will smile in front and stab them in the back every time, like Jumpin' Joe Lieberman of the Lieberman--for-Lieberman party (a Republican front group). There is no dealing with this current crop of Republicans. Don't even bother. For example, Bush just made a foreign treaty with Iraq that he calls an 'Agreement' to prevent Congressional oversight. So he and Cheney are, once again, telling Congress to Go Fruck Themselves.

But Pelosi and Reid apparently think that maybe if we just be polite. Yeah, and these schoolyard thugs will just take your cookies too, Pelosi and Reid... and Leahy. The reason I think Leahy did not move for Contempt (a Bush Administration specialty) before is that he knows it would come to naught, as it will definitely be blocked by Republican gangstas. I guess he just did not know what else to do now. But what weak tea. The Bush foursome must be having a good laugh at Leahy's expense.

When, like a modern-day Mr. Smith, Sen. Leahy calls for the Impeachment of Bush and Cheney on the floor of the Senate, and turns his committee into a de-facto committee on Impeachment, THEN I will believe the Democrats are a True and Noble and Worthwhile Opposition and Majority Party.

Until that happy day, I can only mourn the fact that it seems the Corpo-Fascist Moles of the DLC have hi-jacked the party, have corrupted too many in this Democratic Congress with the money fix, and made it worthless.

Too bad Senator Leahy isn't running for president. He'd surely make a great cabinet officer, vice president or Supreme Court justice. It's refreshing to see him continue the same courage, patriotism and decency as his illustrious father, even as Bush continues the same ignominious tradition as his father.

12 months in prison and a 1,000 dollar fine? That's peanuts compared to what Rove will get if he is ever investigated and charged for his behind the scenes foul play.

Common Dreams artist in residence Natasha Mayers posts her artwork voluntarily. Her artwork is for sale if you will follow the links to her site. Even volunteer work only can go so far.

Bu$h the inferior and the gang will avoid this justice because they are beneath contempt.

OK, I am sorry!

COMarc is right, they're just running out the clock. however, leahy is no different than the rest of the democratic party - they've all turned patsy on the situation, allowing bush his way. just look at yesterday's news conference. where are the democrats today? impeachment/treason, you name it, should all be leveled at cheney first, then bush. wait, that leaves us with pelosi.

and so sorry, jennifer, although we may be dealing with a president who has a child's mentality, it's time to put the gloves on. this sonofabitch has had his way for the last seven years, actually, his whole life, and look at what he's given us, at what he's done to the world. done any foreign travel lately? if so, are you embarrassed to tell them you're an american? if you're not, they're certainly embarrassed for you. you present to us here how you'd give positive feedback to a war criminal. we're not talking about putting toys away or making the fucking bed.

you give positive/negative reinforcement to someone/something ATTEMPTING to do a good job or make the effort. if you think bush is in the good behavior mode, go fill up your car with gas. better yet, read crossing the rubicon, or american dynasty.

Does anybody realize how long this process will take before a final judgement is provided? By the time the Supreme Court meets on this matter you will have a new president.
Pres Bushwacker will have given this crew clemency. Do you think Leahy has a since of this process? I wounder what the real reason he is doing this ?
Does any body know if he is up for election?

Good Lord Jennifer its like dog training. Of course most of Congress acts like cowardly mongrels.

Right on, Spacecase44! $10 to Sen. Leahy. Let's encourage him to keep going!

In response to the comments of Rebel Farmer and COMarc, I would like to point out that, at this dire (and I do mean dire) point in our society, we are going to have to support what works as a means to an end! The end, of course, being the preservation of our nation as it was laid out in the constitution; not allowing a would be despot to rise ever higher in his fascist aspirations.

20,000 American citizens are added to the terrorist watch list every month.

It is great to have high ideals, COMarc. Great. But we can't be going with the shoulda-woulda-coulda mentality.

And Rebel Farmer, its all about baby steps, not with the way we wish it could be. Think of it the way you would think of a child: Reward good behavior! If you're trying to get a kid to clean his room and he begins to put his toys away, you encourage him! Positive feedback yields positive results. The next thing you know, the toys are put away and he's on to making his bed (even if it takes him a couple of days). More praise! I don't care if it takes the kid a month to finish the task, the most important thing is that he set a goal and achieved that goal. Good job! Whether a person is 6 or 60, there is no need to withhold encouragement.

They refuse to honor subpoenas, but don't have to get them for people they wish to question or spy on.....this is a run away train.

The people of Venezuela have more interest in their government than the Democrats will ever have.
Bush's tryanny would never meet the standards of a democracy in any other nation.

keyinside...I would never bet against a SURE THING. It's already in the trash heap of all the Dems false starts. Does anyone have information on anything that came out of all these investigations with which these committees have been SO BUSY? Remember Blackwater? Where did that go? None of it ever goes the distance. It's just a pacification technique to keep the masses in line.....fat and happy, believing it's all working the way it's supposed to. Well, it does work the way it's supposed to, but not for us..only for the elites and special interests who keep busy planning their next strategy to continue the RAPE OF AMERICA.

How about this? Let's water board these guys and then we can get "the truth" out of them. Remember bush(The Worst) said water boarding is not torture!

Any bets on how quickly the democrats chicken out like the cowards they are? I give them 3 days before the contempt charges are "taken off the table."

Justice will be served when Bush, Rove, Cheney and the rest are boiled in Saudi oil.

Why would I send money to Leahy? If nothing else, he's been the first person dragging his feet on this by waiting months to even think about holding this hearing.

And to me he definitely should get asked the question, 'where the heck have you been for the last 6 years.' Like most the phony opposition, he refused to oppose a lot of this for years. Now that Bush's approval numbers are getting ready to fall from the 20's into the teens, he gets enough spine to finally start to do the slightest first step towards enforcing the power of the committee he's been chairing for a year now.

What is this, Leahy's wife posting out here looking for her Christmas fund? :)

If you want to send $10 somewhere, send it to the Green Party. If you'd had a Green majority for the last year, you'd have seen such a difference that having one Senator actually do the job he's supposed to be doing as committee chair wouldn't impress you so dang much.

Is this just like all those "strongly worded letters" I keep hearing about? Leahy has said a lot of good things in the past. I'll send him $10 when I see it get on the floor of the Senate. If he gets that done, I might even send him a hundred bucks.

Here's a novel approach. How about if everyone who really gave a damn sent 10 bucks to Leahy. If there is one thing that every member of congress and government pays attention to, it is MONEY.

Spread the word, email friends, get it out there.

If a huge number of individuals sent Leahy ten bucks (or even one dollar, or two) and said "thanks for beginning accountability " our lily livered Congress might begin to get its priority back.

I plan to mail a check to Leahy today. I don't know the man, I live in California but he is headed in the right direction. Lets give him a leg up for the simple act of attempting to make the Bush Administration accountable.

If enough of us do it, we might get the people we voted for to stop this would-be dictator.

It is always about the money!!!

Key line ..."Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., hasn't decided how to move forward."

Remember, Reid has been part of the Democratic leadership that actively protects Bush\Cheney by blocking any impeachment investigations. Given his track record of protecting Bush and Bush officials, if Reid is signalling that it may not go to the Senate, then it isn't very likely to go to the Senate.

Gotta love the blinding speed the Dems are moving at hear. They've ignored these ever since last summer, and just now they are thinking to maybe schedule a committee vote.

Leaves one thinking that they are deliberately running out the clock with the Bushies. The Dems want headlines about the issue. But they seem determined to time things such that any impeachment type actions won't happen until Bush is already leaving office.

Charge em', prosecute em,' lock em' up, and throw away the key!

An outrageous act for an outrageous bunch--RIGHT ON Sen. Leahy!

I was just reading on TruthOut an article detailing the 10 million count violation of the Presidential Records Act the Bush Administration appears guilty of. Fitzgerald, the Special Prosecutor in the Plame outing case, reported that the missing e-mails obstructed his investigation. Of course he should have filed obstruction of justice charges against the entire crew over there, but didn't.

The missing "ten to twenty million" e-mails are from the time period of 2003-2005. It is probably safe to assume that within those e-mails, if they are ever located, there will be conversations detailing the theft of the 2004 election. Bob Fitrakis and Henry Wasserman have been able to deduce that certain conversations took place by the results at the other end in Ohio and other places.

Also the investigators looking into the imprisoning on cooked up charges of the Democratic governor of Alababa think that evidence of Karl Rove's involvement in that conspiracy, which involved the corruption of the offices of the Federal Prosecutors in the Atlanta and norther Georgia areas, would also likely be found in those e-mails.

But just ten million counts of violation of the Presidential Records Act should be enough to lock the bastards up for a long time.

What we need is an Attorney General who will do his job. The article on TruthOut comes at the story from that angle and wonders if Mukasky will do his job.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/120507J.shtml

Don't hold your breath.

Dennis Kucinich has promised to appoint an Attorney General who will prosecute to the full extent of the law any lawbreakers from the previous administration.

For that reason alone, everyone should vote for Congressman Kucinich in the primary.

Quality Time (12:02 pm) is precisely right -- there's zero chance of anything happening here.

If you've got a masochistic streak, just reflect for a moment how many times since 2001, there's been some media suggestion that the Dems were about to do such-and-such, that would result in exposing & nailing the criminals in the White House. Not a single one of these things has come to fruition.

Bush has won EVERYTHING, without serious challenge. Stolen elections, illegal wars, lies about WMD, torture, eavesdropping, indications that the administration had advance knowledge of 9-11 -- all of this and more, Bush has won. Even when the Democrats took back Congress in 2006, it made absolutely no difference.

The astonishing fact that Monday's NIE refuted everything the Bush regime has been saying about Iran -- you might have thought that that would surely knock the stuffing out of Bush's position. But just watch: after a few days, that too will vanish into the ether. Pelosi has already said that "The NIE illustrates the effectiveness of international monitoring and targeted sanctions to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction." In other words, to her, the NIE isn't proof that the US is governed by a pack of lying criminals; it's proof, rather, that US policy is generally correct, & that no major changes are warranted!

That's why I can't relax. Everytime Democrats manage to take "something" to "nothing", citizens lose face, and find themselves of losing other bigger issues. Putting Rove in jail for a few months is not a goal that fixes foreign policy, health care, taxes, education or the Supreme Court.

Let's hope Cheney's old "advice" to Leahy is not about to come true by default.

Relax. Nothing will come of this.

If there was any justice, Tyrone would be waiting on the inside to make Turd Blossom his squeal like a pig bitch.