***IMPORTANT UPDATE: Note from John Conyers re: White House in Contempt ****

[SharonRB]

White House in Contempt


Dear Sharon,


I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on the status of the contempt of Congress resolution in the House of Representatives.

As you may know, the Judiciary Committee passed a resolution before the August recess holding the White House and Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress for their failure to provide documents and appear before the committee as legally required by subpoena.

The information we have received to date from the Justice Department from our U.S. Attorneys investigation indicates the White House played a central role in the firing of the nine federal prosecutors. Yet, the White House has stonewalled and consistently refused to cooperate with inquiries into this matter.

At the heart of our investigation is the evidence uncovered suggesting that the nine U.S. Attorneys were fired for politically-motivated reasons, while others may have been retained because they were pursuing partisan investigations.


We have also discovered that job candidates' political contributions and affiliations were considered in hiring decisions for nonpartisan positions in the Department of Justice. Our job has been made more difficult by apparent misleading testimony from the Attorney General and other Department of Justice officials.


This politicization of our judicial system cannot be tolerated. Our citizens have a right to expect that federal prosecutions will be conducted in a fair and nonpartisan manner.


There are many steps we can take in this confrontation with the White House. Some are more extreme than others. What we must first do is get the facts that show who made these decisions in the White House. Only once we have this evidence can we adequately pursue justice.


What is now required is for the House to pass these contempt of Congress citations and pursue legal action against the White House and Harriet Miers for their failure to meet the requirements of the subpoenas. Hopefully this contempt of Congress resolution will soon have a vote on the floor of the House. I am not prepared to allow this administration to operate above the law.


Thank you for your continued support for a better democracy.


Your Friend,

John Conyers, Jr.

[rateyes]

1. This is the sentence that bothers me:

"Hopefully this contempt of Congress resolution will soon have a vote on the floor of the House."

1. Why has it not already had a vote on the floor of the house?

2. Why is Conyers "hoping" for a vote?

3. Why could Conyers not GUARANTEE a vote soon?

[rodeodance]

2. going up against the WH is dangerous. He wants all his ducks lined up FIRST-that

is all I can think of that is holding him back.

[rateyes]

4. He was ready to take it to the floor...

when Pelosi and Hoyer started stalling. That's why he said "hopefully."

[MetalCanuck]

5. I am afraid for him.

He might get some anthrax in the mail shortly. 

[Duer 157099]

20. Here's the one that bothers me:

"I am not prepared to allow this administration to operate above the law."

Not prepared? That sounds a bit too much like "I intend to..."

I'd much rather hear:

"I WILL NOT allow..."

[Me.]

3. "This politicization of our judicial system cannot be tolerated"

Yet he holds a calculator in one hand when it comes to impeachment

[hisownpetard]

21. You're so right! It is really disheartening.

[Patsy Stone]

6. K&R

Thanks for posting, Sharon! :hi:

[SharonRB]

11. Thom Hartmann just read the e-mail on his show

He got one, too. He's giving Conyers props!

[WolverineDG]

7. Long distance kickedy & rec

:hi: Miss me?

dg

[SharonRB]

9. Yup!

Hurry back.

[SharonRB]

13. When are you coming home, anyway?

[eppur_se_muova]

8. "Yet"? Try "therefore". nt

[bleever]

10. K&R.

Thanks, Sharon.

:hi:

[SharonRB]

12. You're welcome, Bleev!

:hi:

[DeepModem Mom]

14. Thanks for posting -- K&R!

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Oops -- double post.

[RevCheesehead]

16. Thank God someone is still paying attention.

After Britney and OJ, I thought we re-entered the Twilight Zone. :banghead:

[Janice325]

17. Thanks!

Muchly appreciated.
:hi:

[SharonRB]

19. You're welcome!

[Greylyn58]

18. K&R for you Sharon