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Senator Threatens to Charge White House With Contempt

nytimes.com — Senator Patrick J. Leahy threatened to pursue contempt charges against the White House over its response to a subpoena for documents on a surveillance program.

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jshayne 1 year 51 days ago, made popular 1 year 50 days ago

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MercedRocks, on 10/10/2007, -16/+7Boring........what will "contempt" do? How about ending the war on drugs? Reforming public school system? Raising military pay? Drug company payoffs and BS?
- Akaji, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9That would require Congress to grow a brain. Good luck on that one.
  - way2muchsense, on 10/10/2007, -3/+3Actually, it would require the Republicans in Congress(and the President) to grow a brain. As long as we have Mitch McConnell to kick around (hint, hint, KY voters), good luck getting anything substantial done.
- kreneskyp, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2well lets see. bush administration cut money to schools. Has been in bed with drug companies, and tried to stop a pay raise for the miliatary.
  
  YUP looks like we should blame all the problems on democrats who barely have a majority. Don't forget about the 49% of congress that is republican because they are the ones that caused these problems in the first place
DaveV, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14OK, someone needs to read the Constitution.
- Fentekreel, on 10/10/2007, -3/+3why? its old... and sometimes governs the government....though who can read English anymore? obviously not congress...
- satanatnmtedu, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6What the ***** are you talking about? The Congress is one of the checks and balances on the Executive Branch. There is nothing in the Constitution that says that Congress has no power over the Executive branch and can't hold agents of the Executive branch in contempt. These agants take an oath to defend the Constituion; they aren't doingit by defending Bush.
- knomevol, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1yeah - the bush administration!
straybullet21, on 10/10/2007, -2/+41Bush: "I'm going to have to use my executive privilage"

Leahy: "I swear, I'm gonna turn this car around and go right home"

The time for idle threats is OVER. ***** do something or shut the hell up about it. Impeaching the pres and VP isn't gonna go a god damn bit of good when they only have like 2 hours left in their terms. the damage has been done, and congress won't do anything to fix it.
- UglieJosh, on 10/10/2007, -4/+7It WILL do a LOT of good. It will set a precedent and send a message to future administrations and make it impossible for the history books to vindicate Bush Co.
  - ubergoose, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Apparently know one reads the history books as history keeps repeating itself...
- shakestheclown, on 10/10/2007, -4/+4The time for idle threads is OVER
- TheSabre, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8Leahy is nothing more than one of those parents that threatens their children by saying "If you don't (fill in the blank) by time I cound to three... one, two...*stops*".
  - TheSabre, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1*count (just wanted to correct myself so no grammar nazis jump all over it) Just an honest typo. I know "cound" is not correct :-)
- akula696969, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2It is just idle threats to make the people think they give a schit about their liberties.......which the majority don't. They work together to achieve the same goal positioned on a faux party position.
dildoolielly, on 10/10/2007, -7/+41Democrats get impeached over a blojob but they can't impeach the Repukes over war on lies?!

What a bunch of gutterlicking, hypocritical little pussies you Democrats are.
- cciechad, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1What we need is a war on government lies. I think you meant war of lies.
- Fentekreel, on 10/10/2007, -4/+1agreed....if we could only grow a spine....then evolution could be proven... the democrats thought before they ere stamped out of existence.
  
  ah the 2 party system....why cant we have no party.... like it was originally intended for.
  - seanherman, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2oh... really... fascinating... please... do... continue...
- DeathBorn, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It's not our fault that our representatives are wimps, do you really think that the American public would rather have Democrats who get pushed around by the Bush administration?
figec, on 10/10/2007, -9/+3Buried: Dog Bites Man story.
- zadadka, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Actually, that's "Man Bites Dog"....
  - LBTS, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Ah, rabies. At last we have an explanation for Cheney.
Tyrsson, on 10/10/2007, -3/+14Wouldn't cutting funding for the White House be faster?
- mbierman, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Why either or?
  - Tyrsson, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I don't know that I presented this as an either/or option. Rather, I asked if one would be faster than the other. It remains true, however, that I have serious doubts about pursuing a lengthy legal process that likely could be extended to the end of Bush's term, especially when that route runs straight through the US Attorney's office.
    
    The Founding Fathers gave Congress the power of the purse for a reason. It shouldn't be used frivolously, but neither should "Executive Privilege," a "privilege" that is not even codified in our Constitution.
truspark, on 10/10/2007, -0/+15They are laughing at you like a hapless hall monitor Leahy.
readthis, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Executive privilege is not a free ticket to break the law. Congress has the power to cut funding. Do it. Call your congressman today and demand action.
- yodaj007, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I did. She acted like Nelson, pointed at me, and said, "HA HA!"
pabster, on 10/10/2007, -5/+2LOL. Leahy has about as much teeth as my 96 year old grandmother. (Hint: NONE)

This will go absolutely nowhere. The only use it will be is fodder for the left-wing moonbat blogs and forums.
- Anachronus, on 10/10/2007, -4/+1"This will go absolutely nowhere. The only use it will be is fodder for the left-wing moonbat blogs and forums"
  
  Which is exactly the point.
- yodaj007, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You should take your grandmother to the dentist. What a bad grandson you are.
gjscds, on 10/10/2007, -8/+4This is such complete crap. If this "spy" program is such a bad thing, then why did the HOUSE DEMOCRATS just vote to expand the program?

Further, this "spy" program "spies" on NON US CITIZENS who are BEYOND OUR BORDERS and have known ties to terrorism.

I just do not understand this tin-foil chicanery.
- arbulus, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3No, it has already been shown that they spy program eavesdropped on every single american citizen.
  This is not a matter of listening to foreigners ouside the US, it's a matter of spying on innocent people with no just cause, no warrant, no reason, because that is what's happening. They're just blanket spying on everyone and hoping that they catch something while they're at it.
- Bcodms, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1You are misinformed.
MadScientist68, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Well, Congress doesn't care about the constitution. This is just more political posturing in trying to appeal to his base. He is trying to look like the brave Political Warrior fighting the good fight, but he is disingenuous knowing that he will never make it happen.
espek, on 10/10/2007, -0/+15Yawn.

Somebody wake me up when the Democrats find their balls and actually carry out their threats against the White House.
- seanherman, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Congress is in recess, Leahy can't do anything immediately. As the story mentions, Leahy is finished waiting for the Administration to cooperate, and claims he will absolutely support contempt citations when they're brought (and they will be). Unfortunately, until congress is back in session in September, nothing whatsoever can be done. This is a final deadline, and there will be no more extensions.
  
  I've said it before, but some people don't seem to understand that cooperation is the more effective legal route. The Democrats, being reasonable people, tried pursuing that route first, in hopes of avoiding lengthy, complicated legal battles that could carry on for years. The administration is clearly unwilling to cooperate, so they've started pursuing different avenues.
way2jaded, on 10/10/2007, -7/+2Just exactly who is the Senator from Vermont wanting to charge with contempt????

What no names... Hmmmm
Sorta like no pictures or it didn't happen..

I call Shenanigans!
Piedramente, on 10/10/2007, -4/+7BREAKING: Senator threatens useless action and wastes more time.
Neurocat, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4STOP THREATENING. PUT UP OR SHUT UP.
StormTrooperVII, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8This guy needs to stop threatening and start doing
TherealObadiah, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5Little leaky Leahy and his 18% supported Democrat Congress.

Bwahahahaha....what next, Leahy threatens to hold his breath until he turns blue??
Buckler, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I agree that Congress should put up or shut up. It won't make any difference in the end, though; the DoJ has already said that they won't pursue contempt charges. The only hope, I think, that Congress has is to attempt a charge of Inherent Contempt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inherent_contempt#Inherent_contempt

Have the Sergeant-at-Arms arrest the bastards and throw them in the cell in Congress' basement until they're ready to pony up the information that Congress wants. Of course, they'll never have the balls to do it.
- Bcodms, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1DOJ has blocked serious investigation of Waco, OKC Bombing, Elohim City, Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal, 9/11, Duke Cunningham, TRM, Dusty Foggo, Enron, Skyway, Andy the German, Lattimore et al. What makes you think the DOJ will produce any documentation for Congress on these matters.
icexe, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3The Senate is about as effective as the UN. Do as we say or we'll sit an talk endlessly about how bad you are!!
almostdone, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Leahy is the only Senator with balls. The rest just give into whatever the King wants.
- Nevarwinter, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0lol what a twit. Leahy has balls? Why hasn't he done anything already? It is political posturing to make libs think that they will actually accomplish something...but it won't happen.
Matjock, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1In response to ubergoose, yes, history does repeat itself. The big difference is that in the 1970's we had a Congress with some balls who acutally took it upon themselves to protect our country from a president with the same qualities as bush. Nixon also thought he was a dictator and above the law...look what happened to him. The difference now is that NOBODY wants to be bothered with doing the actual work. It's so much easier to yap and sit in front of cameras. When is the last time you saw a televised protest against the war and I mean A REAL protest. In the 1970's it was seen almost daily on tv. We also had a government that actually worked.
mbierman, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Put up or shut up already. Shesh.
gabeh73, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4The mainstream politicians mislabel our current overextension of the military and deficit spending on the military as "strong defense", when in fact we are more vulnerable to a combo military/financial attack than at any time in our history. Borrowing trillions fo dollars from china and the oil producing countries makes us INCREDIBLY vulnerable to a 1-2 attack on the dollar and then our military. The current interventionsit foreign policy is endangering our country!

Read the CFR articles now and from throughout the Vietnam war. Shockingly similar rhetoric. "Isolationism" is their dirtiest word, slung around to diparage any liberal peace niks or communist sympathizers. The only reasoning they use to argue against the current war strategy is that it is so widely hated by most americans they are scared it could make the populace go "isolationist"=peaceful advocates of free-trade =lower taxes and lower military spending. This is seen as unnacceptable by the CFR crowd so they are willinging to accept CFR team b candidates like Obama or Hillary...who will maintain military spending, foreign bases yet appease a large portion of the anti-war crowd.

In one of the issues that I agree with the published articles CFR ,opening up free trade with Cuba, it is interesting to see that NONE of the CFR presidential candidates are in favor of free-trade with Ron Paul....ONLY Ron Paul! why is this...the more you do honest research on CFR the more you can see that they are 100% pro-interventuion and military spending on every issue.

RON PAUL is the only true american running for president!
Quick2822, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5How many more times is he going to threaten the White House before he actually does something. It feels like every day or two, I see an article on digg.com that says that he is going to issue this, or charge them for that, yet nothing happens.

***** or get off the pot.
NotAChickenHawk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Threatening contempt charges is useless. Why? Because Contempt of Congress is a Federal crime like any other Federal crime. That means that the prosecutor would be the US Attorney, who can decide not to prosecute (or decide not to try very hard). Considering that all of the US Attorneys report to Gonzo, and he reports to W. Oh, and lets not forget that since Contempt of Congress is a Federal crime just like any other, the President's powers of commutation and pardon come into play too. So, something tells me that Contempt of Congress charges against any of W's inner circle will float about as well as a lead balloon.
theghoul, on 10/10/2007, -4/+3all bark and no bite...

Dems are pussies... I'm switching parties. The 'pubs may be wrong, but at least they're doing *something*
- mishaco, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1so , as long as the republicans are working , it doesnt matter to you if they are working toward destruction of american principles ?
  - Nevarwinter, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0FEAR!!! Sure, you can't look at Bush and find all "conservative" ideas there, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with smaller gov't, self-reliance and getting rid of the victim society. That is american principle at it's finest. Get the government out of our lives.
kaiser44, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1YEAH, well I am going to charge the congress of the United States with contempt,
I bet I could put together a stronger case than that old assbag from Vermont.
He is such a waste of time, I understand he is a Senator and the people of Vermont seem to like him , but Jesus this man has a record of his own that is a little shaky.
I am not in favor of President Bush and some of his policy's, but the constant drumbeat of people saying I am gonna do this and I am gonna do this, is really tired and old, Do something or get the ***** out of the way.
- swrostmore, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Leahy's record is rock-solid, which is why he's been VT's senator for the last 2 decades
  - kaiser44, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2no, you better check on that, they do not call him leaky leahy for no reason, do some research.
mishaco, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3DO IT ! and be quick about it . quit trying to pin the war on the current administration . its theirs . now cut off the funding and let them stew about it . all this sitting around and debating the same tired points contributes to the deaths of thousands and wastes millions of dollars . GET THE JOB DONE !
swrostmore, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Leahy for President! PAT LEAHY REVOLUTION
rmmcclay, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Does anyone remember that someone tried to kill Leahy with an anthrax letter? The recipients, some of who were killed, were either "liberal" media or democrats.

=)
theNazz, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I'm certain the Justice(?) Department will refuse to go after anybody in the Bush/Cheney protected circle even if Leahy manages to find his balls.
americajones, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1Boycott the two party system in 2008.

Vote for the Mickey Maus Party candidate of your choice (Ru Paul, Zog, Darth Vader, etc., ad infinitum) and demand to see your vote in print after the elections. Help verify the statistical accuracy of the new voting machines, while sending a clear message of discontent to media outlets.

Vote with Mickey Maus in '08.
rationalthinker, on 10/10/2007, -3/+0Leahy is a pussy and so are the liberal democrats... go ahead *****, move forward with the contempt charge... do it now! *****. C'mon you pussy! Bring it on!
waynemr, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Stop threatening and ACTUALLY ***** DO IT!
wil2200, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2bunch of worthless pussies
all talk and no walk
tazmeister, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Man, the trend here is they need to either do something or just admit they're all part of the one party in this country. Its not democrats or republicans, its the politicians party.

The white house quite obviously is set in its ways and obviously will not compromise, so threatening just delays the inevitable.
Homerr, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2***** 'threatening', just do it already!
guzziguy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Now that K Rove is going....

LOOK OUT BARNEY! They're coming for you.... pooping in the rose garden , then covering it up!
Here comes Patrick ( do nothing but waste tax payers $$$ ) Leahy
JoeyStrange, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0The Republicans are crimminals and the Democrats are pussies. The whole goverment are a bunch of self serving assholes. They don't care about any of us. The whole goverment should be impeached.
dreamtiger, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It's time to DO IT Mr Leahy. The whole world is watching.
bshock, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Dear Esteemed Gentlemen:

Please stop threatening -- just do it already!
CatScan29, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2BLAH BLAH BLAH, please someone wake me when they actually do something besides pout. (I think that I will get a very long nap in while I am waiting.)
paradexes, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1They must have been talking about the Democractic congress when they wrote The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Or even Little Red Riding Hood. The Wolf Huffs Puffs and never is able to bring the house down. All due to being a bunch of blowhards. Bah. I agree with Catscan29. Wake me up when something actually happens. I am voting independent next election. Everyone else should as well.
raj80, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Talk is cheap. Shut up or put up!!
BUCK FUSH!!!
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Senator Threatens to Charge White House With Contempt

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