"I respectfully decline"

[POAS]

In the Indian affairs committee hearings Sen. John McCain is seen grilling associates of Abramoff.

To each and every question the two witnesses "respectfully declined to answer on the basis of their 5th amendment rights. Entirely constitutional and legal.

Also, very remindful of the "Watergate" and "Arms for Hostages" scandals. Who will this new scandal bring down? How high will it go? Who will fall on their swords?

[RebelOne]

1. I'm watching it now.

I felt like slapping those associates silly every time they said "I respectfully," etc.

[AUYellowDog]

2. very very amusing n/t

[Coexist]

3. whole lotta CYA going on

and 5th Amendment pleas.

hehehe

[Coexist]

4. "I'm embarassed and disgusted to be part of this all"

what was the word he used and what does it mean, anyone?

David Grosh quoted a word in a Native American language and said it described them all.

[AUYellowDog]

5. I heard it

but don't know the word. All of these people pleading the 5th are screwed.

Brandon

[POAS]

6. I don't know if spelling is correct but the word sounded like

Waukesu or wakesu

[catnhatnh]

8. I believe I heard it translated...

...as grease eater or fat eater, meaning someone who grabbed all the good stuff from the communal foodpot....VERY apropos...

[POAS]

10. I didn't watch this from the beginning, can anyone

tell me if any Native Americans have appeared yet?

At least by appearance none of these folk seem to be native.

[AUYellowDog]

11. So far no n/t

[Coexist]

12. their attorneys were on - I think there was Native American on that panel

but by the time I had it turned on, he wasn't saying anything anymore.

[AUYellowDog]

7. The guy

who is talking right now is fucking hilarious. So, in his own words, the head of this conservative think tank is your "average beach bum".

Brandon

[RebelOne]

13. Yes, I was in another room when I heard him

and had to rush to the TV to see if this guy was for real.

[POAS]

9. I didn't just crawl out of a cotton patch

I gotta remember that line.

[WePurrsevere]

14. Maybe it's not right but when I hear someone plead the 5th... (& ?)

I hear in my mind "because I'm somehow: involved in this/have plenty of knowledge of/guilty of this illegal activity".

My mind seems to have hit a brick wall with this and if there is a legitimate reason I truly would like to know: is there ever reason an innocent person would be advised to plead the 5th (or respectfully decline)?

[POAS]

15. Yes, if the inquiry is part of a witch hunt

such as the McCarthy hearings.

At some point in the future assume the Democratic party is outlawed. Now you are called to a Santorum hearing in the Senate and he askes, "Are you now or have you ever been a Democrat?"

Out of fear of the Gulag Gitmo do you answer honestly or plead the 5th?

[PermanentRevolution]

16. Unfortunately...

I'm sure by then the PATRIOT ACT III will have disbanded the Bill of Rights as a hindrance to national security.

[WePurrsevere]

17. That's an example that I'd be guilty of but..

may not necessarily want to openly admit it (although there's enough evidence proving that I am so why bother not). I think in your case scenario if I did decide to use the term "I respectfully decline" it would be used with my mind quite probably exchanging that phrase for a more appropriate "F you".

Yoru example did bring to mind however the McCarthy Trials where those being questioned knew that whatever they said they were already considered "guilty" in the minds of those asking the questions. Whatever they said would be twisted back against them by the warped mind that was McCarthy's et al.

My guess is the folks using "I respectfully decline" at this hearing fall more into the "F you" category though.

[POAS]

18. Agreed

[Vickers]

19. It helps to read the 5th Amendment when this comes up:

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

The part in bold is what they are exercising.

It's an important right, but you really are saying you did some criminal shit.