Gonzo resigns...and nothing happens, Just like I said......

[Bennyboy]

Remember when Gonzo left office? I posted that I did not like it a bit, that now he would not have to answer to any of his and the Bush's high crimes and misdemeanors? Here on DU, you all poo poo'd the idea and said the Dems in Congress would keep his feet to the fire.

Since then there hasn't even been a bic lighter held to his feet.


Well it seems, I was 100% correct. Another confirmation hearing, another rubber stamp. More Democratic capitulation to the Bush regime. Another criminal off scott free without ever anwering questions.


Democracy. Yeah Right.

[BootinUp]

1. I'm just glad he is out

any future hearings or indictments would be icing on the cake.

[ixion]

2. I never poo-poo'ed you...I am not that naive

to think that something resembling justice would actually happen.

To me, it seems as though pols on both sides are still quite happy to maintain the status quo, because it means they get to keep their cushy jobs w/o doing anything, well, except for occasionally voting themselves a nice juicy pay raise. :grr:

[City Lights]

3. He just hired a high-powered criminal defense attorney.

Gonzales Hires a Top Gun

Still under investigation by Congress and Justice Department lawyers who once worked for him, the former attorney general has turned to a leading Washington attorney to help him beat the rap.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

By Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball
Newsweek

Updated: 1:12 p.m. CT Oct 10, 2007

Oct. 10, 2007 - No sooner did Alberto Gonzales resign as attorney general last month than he retained a high-powered Washington criminal-defense lawyer to represent him in continuing inquiries by Congress and the Justice Department.

Gonzales’s choice of counsel, George Terwilliger—a partner at White & Case—is ironic if not surprising. A former deputy attorney general under the first President Bush, who later helped oversee GOP lawyers in the epic Florida recount battle of 2000, Terwilliger had been a White House finalist to replace Gonzales—only to be aced out at the last minute by retired federal judge Michael Mukasey.

The top concern for Gonzales, and now Terwilliger, is the expanding investigation by Glenn Fine, the Justice Department’s fiercely independent inspector general, according to three legal sources familiar with the matter who declined to speak publicly about ongoing investigations. Originally, Fine's internal Justice probe—conducted in conjunction with lawyers from the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility—focused on the mass dismissal of U.S. attorneys late last year. The investigation has since broadened to include, among other matters, charges that Gonzales lied to Congress about the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance program and the circumstances surrounding his late-night March 10, 2004, visit to the hospital room of then attorney general John Ashcroft. At the same time, Congress is continuing to pursue more documents on harsh CIA interrogation techniques approved by Gonzales.

Fine’s investigators, who received high-level security clearances, have been interviewing key players involved in the now-famous bedside confrontation in Ashcroft's hospital room, according to the legal sources. During the visit that evening, Gonzales, then White House counsel, sought to persuade an ailing and heavily medicated Ashcroft to overrule department lawyers who had refused to sign off on classified surveillance activities ordered by President Bush because of concerns about their legality. A rash of senior Justice Department officials—including then deputy attorney general James Comey and FBI Director Robert Mueller—threatened to resign over the incident.

more... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21224607/site/newsweek

[Bennyboy]

5. Well that is something....but..

Now that it is out of the immediate reach of Congress and the press, it will probably take decades to get to the bottom of anything....Like anything else in the country....

I am glad they are still doing SOMETHING,though.

[cali]

4. Evident;ly, you don't keep up with events.

Gonzo just hired a high profile defense lawyer. In fact, he hired George Terwilliger, and they don't come more high profile that. And just out of curiosity, what did you think would happen in the space of a month?

Anyway, hiring Terwilliger is clearly in response to IG Glenn Fine's investigation.

Instant gratification in complex legal matters? LOL.

[Bennyboy]

7. I really figured the heat would stay on.....

I had heard not one word about it since his resignation. And the story about his hiring of Terwilliger was yesterday's news.

So Self'd myself.

[Demeter]

6. In An Era of Closed Government, A Lot Goes On In Secret

and I think there are indications that these thugs are not getting off scot-free.

You'll know it's all over and safe to come out when Bush, or Cheney, or both do a bunk for the borders....

[cali]

8. so. why did he hire a defense lawyer who

specializes in white collar crime?

[Bennyboy]

9. I did not read the story last night....

[Demeter]

10. Because He's Part of BushCo

It's like the Mafia, one big supportive family.

[cali]

12. er, no.

because he's concerned that Fine's investigation will lead to criminal charges.

[Demeter]

14. Terwillinger is Part of Bushco

[riverdale]

16. and we are like a 3rd world country

This guy reminds me of our own Bushie

King Mswati III was 18 years old when he was crowned king of Swaziland in 1986.
According to the constitution, he has the right to overrule all laws and rules, and it is illegal to investigate any matter relating to the him.

http://www.parade.com/export/sites/default/articles/web_exclusives/2007/02-11-2007/dictators12.html

[MannyGoldstein]

11. "Dems" Took Control Of Congress, And Nothing Happened... Just Like *I* Said

While we're patting ourselves on the back - it was pretty clear that these "Democrats" were, for the most part, corporatists and craven triangulators.

Unfortunately, I was right. And this is also the reason why *you're* right.

My next prediction as that we'll keep voting for the same "Democrats". And we'll get exactly what we deserve - just as we are now.

[lateo]

17. The ballot box doesn't bring change anymore.

Not the kind America needs.

[malaise]

13. Then why does he need a lawyer? n/t

[zbdent]

15. You would think, since he's now a private citizen, he should not have the

protections of the White House ...