It is time for Congress to exercise its duty to oversee the Executive...

[paineinthearse]

http://www.conyersblog.us/archives/00000238.htm

Blogged by JC on 09.13.05 @ 06:13 PM ET

Listen In as Congressional Republicans are Forced to Address Rove's Plame Leak

Starting tomorrow and stretching through next week, 4 House Committees are expected to vote on resolutions addressing the Valerie Plame leak. Specifically, these resolutions demand information from the Bush Administration on the outing of Valerie Plame in apparent retaliation for Ambassador Wilson's truth telling concerning weapons of mass destruction. The Bush Administration refuses to police itself in the midst of criminal and ethical misconduct and it is time for Congress to exercise its duty to oversee the Executive Branch. Many of these markups will be broadcast live on the Internet. The following are links to the Committee webcasts:

September 14, 10:00 AM, House Judiciary Committee
http://judiciary.house.gov/

September 14, 10:30 AM, House International Relations Committee
http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations/

September 20, Time TBA, House Armed Services Committee
http://www.house.gov/hasc/schedules/

September 15, 1:00 PM, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Closed to the Public

This resolution is necessary because the Bush administration refuses to police itself in the midst of criminal and ethical misconduct. In July 2003, over two years ago, a Bush administration official committed one of the most serious breaches of national security in recent history by disclosing to the press the identity of an undercover CIA operative. Even worse, it likely was done for political reasons, to retaliate against the operative's husband for successfully challenging the President's claim that Iraq had sought nuclear materials in Africa.

The purpose of this resolution is to get to the bottom of what happened and why the Justice Department slow-walked the investigation at the beginning. We know that, despite urgent pleas from the CIA for a criminal investigation into the leaker, the Justice Department and White House dragged their feet. Then-Attorney General Ashcroft insisted on private briefings on the status despite his long-standing ties to Karl Rove, a person involved in the investigation. It is time for Congress to exercise its duty to oversee the Executive Branch.

We have no illusions that the Republicans in Congress are suddenly going to reverse course and start demanding accountability on this, or any other matter, that involves Bush Administration misconduct that is damaging to the nation. However, starting tommorrow, they will have to go on record and explain their votes defending criminal activity on the part of high ranking officials. That is the beginning of congressional accountability.

[acmejack]

1. Thx Paine

Appreciate it a bunch!

[rosesaylavee]

2. This is good news - can't wait to hear

their lies go on the record. Does anyone know Patrick Fitzgerald's status? Will he continue in his role as prosecutor? Last I heard Denny Hastert was leaving it up to * to decide. :eyes:

[longship]

3. I hope Fitz comes through tomorrow.

It would be perfect timing to catapult the propagation of his disapproval rating.

Nominated.

[paineinthearse]

6. Do you have some inside Fitz info?

Curious minds want to know.....

[MuseRider]

4. About darned time.

Good for them. Get it all on record. Congressional accountability, good damned idea.

Nominated.

[paineinthearse]

5. Read Murray Waas' take: "House Republicans beat back Plame resolution..."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4775633

[autorank]

7. All right, now I'm frightened!

I just read about this on Tom Flocco...holy shit! Tom Flocco is supposed to be fun, you know, what we'd like to happen but know it won't.

Now I've got an objective correlative, (haha, I finally used it)!

So of JC is right, and he is (I trust the man with my future), then what does it say that Flocco and he reported the same thing.

Or is it just that Flocco is like the broken clock that's got the right time twice a day (unless it's on military time, in which case it's once a day).

It's all whatever :shrug:

Seriously, well, actually this is all serious, this is another check - mate. Doesn't mean the Republican's can't make a few more moves, but it sure screws them ... "big time" in a way that is pleasing to the eye!

[texpatriot2004]

8. hey what is this all about? n/t

[paineinthearse]

9. It's past Rank's bedtime

Say "goodnight" to us and get some sleep.

[autorank]

10. well, it all makes sense to me...tom flocco is right at least once a day!

[LittleClarkie]

11. You mean the Republican Congress

Yawp, I'm sure they'll get right on it.

[texpatriot2004]

12. I no longer trust my Government to take care of my interests,

much less my life.

[paineinthearse]

13. Morning kick

:kick:

Watch / capture that streaming video!

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. Gave this the 5th vote with pleasure - this is IMPORTANT.

If accountability isn't enforced NOW, it will NEVER be enforced. It's that simple.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

15. kick!

[methinks2]

16. they'll wiggle out

of it somehow. They always do. I expect a lot of the politicians will dance around the questions without really answering. sigh . . .