Randi's Rant: On Jefferson, and the FBI raid on Congress

[orleans]

Randi talking about Nancy Pelosi and William Jefferson (the dem. Representative in Louisiana) 5/24/06

“She did ask for the investigation of this Louisiana congressman, Mr. Jefferson. She’s the one that said: I believe he might be engaged in corruption and I would like for somebody to investigate him.

Congress has their own police; congress can ask the FBI to come in and investigate one of their own. However, Alberto Gonzales--for the first time in the history of this country--ordered the FBI to raid his congressional offices.

Now, like I said, I think he (Jefferson) has done something corrupt--how else do you find $90,000 in hundred dollar bills where the serial numbers match exactly what the FBI sting guy wrote down that he was giving him in the FBI sting. But now they raid his office.

And if you don’t think that’s something--if you don’t think that’s a violation of the constitution--if you don’t think that’s a violation of the separation of powers in the U.S. constitution…imagine if a congressman ordered the FBI to go to the white house and seize the president’s papers. First of all, the president’s security detail, the secret service, would shoot! That would cause a hell of a constitutional crisis.

Why in the world, when one branch sends the FBI to another branch why isn’t everybody screaming: “oh my god! He can’t do that!”

This president has no respect for the constitution; none whatsoever.

And I’m just hoping that congress realize: first they came for me, the peaceful protester and no one said anything. Then they came for the journalists and no one said anything. And now they’re coming for You and there’s no one left to say anything. "

well put, as usual, randi

[Kagemusha]

1. As usual, no one mentions the intervention of the courts.

The FBI had a warrant, which means it was signed by a judge. It is not a simple matter of Gonzales ordering the FBI to go raid. Gonzales got a warrant.

And yes, it is a big difference.

[Zen Democrat]

2. That's a warrant that Congress should be able to successfully fight.

Congress is the elected representatives of the people. The FBI has no right in there. They can search Jefferson's home with a warrant, but they can't march into the House or Senate offices and rifle through files and confiscate documents.

It just ain't American. Hasn't been since the Constitution was ratified.

[Kagemusha]

5. The FBI has no right in there on its own. But it wasn't on its own.

Having said that.

I have no idea why this had to be done either, and I will appreciate a good explanation. And it had better be good.

[orleans]

3. was it one of the judges bushie installed? n/t

[still_one]

4. suddenly pelosi wants to protect our rights

oh wait a minute, it is their rights. Now it is a constitutional crisis because they feel violated. Hassert is joining her

Where were they trying to protect our right the last six years?

They are all a bunch of jerks