Dem CONGRESS: Thorn in the side of GOP says he's just doing his job = WAXMAN

[L. Coyote]

Thorn in the side of GOP says he's just doing his job
Anna Badkhen, James Sterngold, Chronicle Staff Writers
Monday, May 28, 2007 - Washington
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/05/28/MNGV7Q2QGK1.DTL


Henry Waxman's critics say he is a "Bush-bashing" attack dog obsessed with a partisan vendetta.

His admirers say he is a dogged investigator making up for years of neglect during the six years a Republican-controlled Congress exercised little oversight of a Republican-controlled executive branch.

Whatever his motivations, the 17-term Democratic congressman from Los Angeles has been making life distinctly uncomfortable for the Bush White House.

Since he became chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in January, Waxman, 67, has been probing some of the more contentious issues surrounding the administration, including prewar intelligence on Iraq, corruption in postwar reconstruction, White House contacts with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, allegations that administration officials used political party e-mail accounts to conduct government business, and the misinformation surrounding the friendly fire death in Afghanistan of former NFL star Pat Tillman.

Last week, Waxman chaired a hearing into the government's often-criticized response to the mental health problems of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, which he called "an enormous public health threat." To Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican on the committee, Waxman's "investigative direction and agenda are simply objectionable."

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[whistle]

1. 17 terms = 34 years ..,.keep it up Henry, the other side knows you are

....real close to the truth :applause:

[bdamomma]

5. truth is a dirty word for these repigs and neo cons, Waxman is

doing his job go all the way Waxman.

[TahitiNut]

2. Funny how it's not a question of Smirk being a thorn in Congress' side.

Just WTF is wrong with our media that presumes such subordination of a coequal branch of government?

:grr:

[L. Coyote]

3. This article is an exceptional reportage compared the the FAUX fare. Scroll down

to the handy list and the bio. I'm impressed with such a long piece of journalism. At the same time, in general, your point is well taken and a very important rant. It expressed why we are becoming the media now.

Issues on Waxman's docket:

IRAQ
INTELLIGENCE -- Waxman's committee is seeking information on prewar intelligence ...

Waxman: "It was important to me because it was for that reason that I voted for the authorization for President Bush to go to war if necessary, if the U.N. process didn't allow the disarming of Saddam Hussein. So I think it's important to get this information and to have people held accountable."

WHITE HOUSE E-MAIL

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION -- The committee is seeking information on alleged corruption and waste

DEATH OF PAT TILLMAN

Waxman: "We owe a lot to our servicemen and women. ... But one thing we owe them more than anything else is the truth, and I'm determined that we uphold that standard."

JACK ABRAMOFF SCANDAL -- ...

Waxman: "We still don't know the full story on the Abramoff scandal. We know it threatened the integrity of government decisions but it is still not clear how far the corruption extended. That is why we are continuing our investigation."

Hooray for Anna Badkhen and her hard work on this piece!!!

[L. Coyote]

4. kick to support great reporting

[L. Coyote]

6. kick

[L. Coyote]

7. Those DEMs are off to a good start:

"... In a flurry of subpoenas and press releases, the Democrats have launched 36 investigations, holding about 220 committee hearings since seizing control of Congress last November - and forcing the resignations of six Bush administration officials. ...

"... House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ... is conducting 20 investigations.

"They include inquiries into misinformation about weapons of mass destruction before the Iraq War - something that has the potential to embarrass the British Government - corruption in postwar reconstruction, White House contacts with the convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the leaking of the identity of the CIA operative Valerie Plame. ..."

And just think. More are about to begin. Or, perhaps there will have to be an overarching commission to handle the massive task.