Caption Bush!

[Catherine Vincent]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4952255.html
July 9, 2007, 11:25AM
Bush blocks testimony of former aides


By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press

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Beltway Confidential: Monday maelstrom In Congress, there are no simple stands on Iraq WASHINGTON — President Bush invoked executive privilege today to deny requests by Congress for testimony from two former aides about the firings of federal prosecutors.

The White House, however, did offer again to make former counsel Harriet Miers and one-time political director Sara Taylor available for private, off-the-record interviews.

In a letter to the heads of the House and Senate Judiciary panels, White House counsel Fred Fielding insisted that Bush was acting in good faith and refused lawmakers' demand that the president explain the basis for invoking the privilege.

"You may be assured that the president's assertion here comports with prior practices in similar contexts, and that it has been appropriately documented," the letter said.

Retorted House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers:

"Contrary what the White House may believe, it is the Congress and the courts that will decide whether an invocation of executive privilege is valid, not the White House unilaterally," the Michigan Democrat said in a statement.

The exchange today was the latest step in a slow-motion legal waltz between the White House and lawmakers toward eventual contempt-of-Congress citations. If neither side yields, the matter could land in federal court.

In his letter regarding subpoenas the Judiciary panels issued, Fielding said, "The president feels compelled to assert executive privilege with respect to the testimony sought from Sara M. Taylor and Harriet E. Miers."

[rurallib]

1. "world dominaton, that's what I want"

[helderheid]

2. Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!

[jojo54]

3. "I am the thinker, I am the decider.

Now, if I could only think of something to decide on.....Karl, oh Karl?!?!?!"

[Forkboy]

4. "I better be home in time for Scooby Doo!"

[blogslut]

5. Make the World Go Away

Get it off of my shoulders.
Say the things you used to say,
And make the world
Go away...

[Gregorian]

6. I know, and I'm not telling.

[mikelgb]

7. "The Bridge to Nowhere"