What Gonzo wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't, won't, can't, didn't say.

[deminks]

Gonzo made several inferences about another spy program. Probably one that spies on Americans domestically.

From the transcript:

FEINSTEIN: Senator Kennedy asked you about first-class mail, has it been opened, and you declined answering.

Let me ask this way: Has any other secret order or directive been issued by the president or any other senior administration official which authorizes conduct which would otherwise be prohibited by law? Yes or no will do.

GONZALES: Senator, the president has not authorized any conduct that I'm aware of that is in contravention of law.

FEINSTEIN: Has the president ever invoked this authority with respect to any activity other than NSA surveillance?

GONZALES: Again, Senator, I'm not sure how to answer that question.

The president has exercised his authority to authorize this very targeted surveillance of international communication of the enemy. So I'm sorry, your question is?

FEINSTEIN: Has the president ever invoked this authority with respect to any activity other than the program we're discussing, the NSA surveillance program?

GONZALES: Senator, I am not comfortable going down the road of saying yes or no as to what the president has or has not authorized. I'm here to...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/06/AR2006020601001.html

more:

FEINSTEIN: Can the president suspend the application of the Posse Comitatus Act legally?

GONZALES: Well, of course, Senator, that is not what is at issue here.

FEINSTEIN: I understand that.

GONZALES: This is not about law enforcement, it's about foreign intelligence.

FEINSTEIN: I'm asking a question. You choose not to answer it?

GONZALES: Yes, ma'am.

FEINSTEIN: OK.

again more:


SCHUMER: But you were telling us that none of these people expressed any reservations about the ultimate program, is that right?

GONZALES: Senator, I want to be very careful here, because, of course, I'm here only testifying about what the president has confirmed.

And with respect to what the president has confirmed, I do not believe that these DOJ officials that you're identifying had concerns about this program.

and finally this:

SCHUMER: I'm asking you what the administration would think in terms of exercising any claim of privilege.

You're not going to have -- I'm sorry, here -- you're not going to have different rules for yourself, an administration advocate, then for these people who might be administration dissenters in one way or another, are you?

GONZALES: Sir, I don't know if you're asking what are they going to say...

SCHUMER: I'm not asking you that.

Would the rules be same? I think you answer that yes or no.

GONZALES: If they came to testify?

SCHUMER: Correct.

GONZALES: Well, sir, the client here is the president of the United States. I'm not sure it's in my place to offer...

SCHUMER: Or his chief...

GONZALES: ... up a position or my recommendation to you about what I might recommend to the president of the United States would not be appropriate here.


There many many more inferences to another spy program. This is very disturbing, and not being discussed much that I can see. Sorry if I missed any threads on this.

Also, very disturbing that Gonzo thinks his client is the POTUS. I guess that is what he was appointed to do. We all knew it. Just never thought he would admit it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Hope there is a good followup on all of this.

[HereSince1628]

2. It's been noted and included in a fair number of threads.

I wrote to Feingold, one of my senators, and asked him to pursue this as ALL domestic spying is related to FISA and FISC.

I don't expect the repooplickers to have any hearings on that.

I don't expect the mainstream media to pick up on that either.

[emulatorloo]

3. kick and nominating n/t

[The Blue Flower]

4. patronizing

What bothered me the most was his patronizing attitude: "How silly of you little people to question what we're doing. You know we can do whatever we want." The refusal to answer questions, the refusal of those running the committee to swear him in are so transparent.

What I'm waiting for, still, is for someone to ask how the Rs will feel about a Democratic president having these powers.

[Double T]

5. No wonder Gonzales didn't want to be sworn in..........

if WE only really knew what was going on based on orders from the WH. Makes you more than WONDER!!!!