White House is claiming Executive Privilege in Tillman Case

[JMDEM]

The article below is 14 days old, but I heard that Stephanie Miller reported on her radio show today that the White House renewed its Executive Privilige claim in the Tillman case yesterday (or perhaps the day before).

White House, Pentagon cite executive privilege to hold up documents on friendly fire victim Tillman Michael Roston
Published: Friday July 13, 2007


Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) revealed on Friday afternoon that the White House and Pentagon were holding up a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee investigation into the friendly fire death of former professional football player and Army Corporal Patrick Tillman.

"he Committee wrote to White House Counsel Fred Fielding seeking 'all documents received or generated by any official in the Executive Office of the President' relating to Corporal Tillman's death," noted a press release from the Committee.

But the White House has apparently again invoked its executive privilege to hold up the documents sought by Waxman and Ranking Minority member Tom Davis (R-VA).

"The White House Counsel's office responded that it would not provide the Committee with documents that 'implicate Executive Branch confidentiality interests' and produced only two communications with the officials in the Defense Department, one of which was a package of news clippings," the Committe noted. "The response of the Defense Department to the Committee's inquiry was also deficient."



A bit more at the link:

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/White_House_Pentagon_hold_up_documents_0713.html

[More Than A Feeling]

1. They don't say "God bless you" when someone sneezes in the White House.

They say "executive privilege!"

[Fridays Child]

2. Thanks for posting this.

I recalled a reference to this, a couple of weeks ago, and I was going to look for an article.

[JMDEM]

3. I bet Olbermann would be VERY interested in this story

Perhaps we should inform him of it -- the more the better.

[C_U_L8R]

4. There's no such thing as executive priviledge

they just claim it (and we've given it to them)

[rsmith6621]

5. Bush claims Executive Privlage......

With the paper he wipes his A$$ with....

[proud patriot]

6. Bush claims RESPONSIBILITY for Tillman's Death

He likes to call it executive privilege.

This tells me bush OKed/ordered it .

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. yep. Tillman was not shot in the Oval Office or Rose Garden.

He was not an advisor to the president. There is no conceivable reason to claim 'executive priviledge' for an 'accidental friendly fire' incident in the mountains of Afghanistan. Claiming executive priviledge only indicates that the WH WAS involved - and how could the WH be involved in an 'accidental friendly fire' incident?

[KoKo]

12. Don't see how he can claim Executive Privilege for a Soldiers Death that he talked about in Speeches

But, it seems the DECIDER/DICTATOR thinks it all belongs to him. I hope they keep count of the White House Silver when George and Laura vacate.

[JMDEM]

7. Could some recommendations be given to this?

I think this deserves some exposure.

If it against the rules to try to solicit recs for a thread you started, please ignore or delete this specific post. Thanks.

[stillcool]

8. Sounds like an ...

admission of guilt. Every time I read about this story my heart hurts for his parents. Executive Privilege over their son's death.

[Harry Monroe]

10. The 800 pound elephant in the room

The big question the media should be asking about this (and all other claims of "executive privelidge"):

What are they trying to hide??

Until the courage to ask that question is summoned, it's all a big nothing.

[JMDEM]

11. "If you have nothing to hide, then you shouldn't be afraid..."

EVERY TIME the Administration claims Executive Privilege, especially in the Tillman case, then these words should be thrown right back in their faces -- the same words they use to justify wiretapping, warrantless searches, suspension of habeas corpus, rendition, torture...

[kenny blankenship]

13. Murder IS an Executive Privilege. Why don't you liberals get that?