There is NO defense IMO to what Meiers and Bolten did in regard to the subpoenas

[Hepburn]

There are ways to LEGITIMATELY deal with legal issues. Ignoring them IMO is generally NOT the route to take.

I don't get at all ANY of what went on from the Repukes on the House Judic Committee today...except it seemed like that would do ANYTHING to delay and cloud the real issues that the committee was to discuss.

Subpoenas are ORDERS to appear...not just a request that anyone can refuse. If a person who is subpoenaed has a LEGIT reason for NOT giving testimony and/or appearing...or if there is a mistake in the service of the document, etc., then it is required that the person appear and raise the defense, the privilege, the error, etc.

I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams that if I were served with a subpoena that I would just blow it off. I am a lawyer ~~ Harriet Meiers is a lawyer: How in the hell can she POSSIBLY support thinking in a different mode that I do?

Are there any other "legal" people out here??? Lawyers, law students, paralegals, etc??? Does ANYONE have any idea on how in the hell someone with a legal background can come to the conclusion that a subpoena can be ignored????

Unbelievable!

[Warpy]

1. No, there is no defense

Their butts needed to be in those chairs, period.

Had they gone and refused to answer questions or demonstrated early onset Alzheimer's (the GOP alibi), there might be a defense.

This is totally indefensible.

[havocmom]

2. They flat out refuse to recognize the rule of law.

Sounds like INHERENT CONTEMPT to me.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Yes, they can Ignore it if: 1. they in a coma, they in battle, on the moon,

or, in a prison camp of the enemy, etc etc

But Miers/Bolton are not in any of above....so they must appear or look incredibly AFRAID, STUPID, or GUILTY.

[quispquake]

4. It's to further the tentacles of power

They know by pushing this, it will end up in a court run by a Bush crony, (even/especially if it gets to the Supreme COurt), and NOTHING will happen to them, and they know that they will be able to do the same thing again...It's a total push of power...

[Hepburn]

5. You know, I hear the bullshit from the Pubbies all the time...

...like on the House Judic Comm hearing today...and I some times think I am living in some kind of altered reality, a place where some actually think that there are no consequences from acting illegally. Even worse? Not only NO consequences...but the illegal actors should be cannonized.

I just cannot believe that Meiers who supposedly is a lawyer would think that blowing off ANY subpoena is OK. This is just beyond me...then to have a bunch of Pubbie lawyers (both on and off the Judic comm) defend her actions???? Man, altered reality for me!

Edit for typo

[dmosh42]

6. Maybe the Bush gang have tipped their hand.....

and feel that they can prevent the DOJ from carrying out the citation, or they can control the courtroom with their 'stooge' judge. As suggested here, maybe they should make it an 'inherent contempt', where, as I understand it, the House has the trial.

[Hepburn]

7. I agree with that.

And...I am totally appalled at BushCo having the nerve to instruct the DOJ on what they can and cannot prosecute. What total unmitigated horseshit.

I say they should proceed on their own.

[Golden Raisin]

8. If those subpoenaed were Democrats in a

Democratic administration and contemptuously, arrogantly ignored Congressional subpoenas, EVERY Republican Congressperson would be united in lockstep and storming the Whitehouse with pitchforks, torches and tar & feathers. The "fair and balanced" media would be hemorrhaging highly vocal, rabid screaming and outrage nonstop 24/7.

[Hepburn]

9. What you said!

Yep...exactly.