Theory on why Congress is dragging its feet in holding the Bushies

[Reader Rabbit]

Many of us have gotten hypertension and near-burst blood vessels every time the now-Democratic Congress has failed to force Bush and Cheney's lackeys to stand before them and swear to tell the truth with their hands on the Bible. Now, I'm kinda wondering if there's a method to their madness.

Considering what happened with Scooter Libby. He got nailed, and then that fucker Bush commuted his sentence. Could Conyers et al be waiting until Bush is out of office to prosecute these bastards, so that the criminal in chief can't pardon his buddies and commute their sentences?

:shrug:

Just a thought.

[FSogol]

1. What makes you think that Bush won't pardon all of his cronies as he leaves?

:shrug:

[DCKit]

12. Can you pre-pardon?

Few have been indicted yet. I, for one, am willing to wait until January 20th for the party.

[dysfunctional press]

13. ask cappy weinberger...

there's your answer.

[woodsprite]

2. Nice idea, but I think it's wishful thinking. I'm not holding my breath. n/t

[spanone]

3. i think you give them way too much credit....career politicians covering each others asses

:shrug:

[Individualist]

5. Ditto!

Almost all of them bow to their corporate masters.

[librechik]

4. he can pardon them in advance for possible charges

that's what Ford did for Nixon that made everone so mad

and then Papa Bush did it for Weinberger and Abrams for their potential Iran Contra crimes so they could skip out and go on to work in subsequent administrations (such as this one) He made a few folks angry there, too. Can you say one term president? I think he and Ford both could.

Shrub could pardon anybody at any time. Before Jan. 20 09. I suppose that's the game of chicken they are playing. With the reputation and system of justice we all hold dear in the balance and being victimized daily by both sides.

[Staph]

7. But can he pardon himself?

In Article 2, Section 2, the U.S. Constitution states "...and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." Does that allow the President to pardon himself?

And what about crimes in other countries, like war crimes? I would think that a pardon can only apply to crimes under U.S. law, not international law.

Inquiring minds want to know!

[warren pease]

11. Well, other inquiring minds can speculate...

The key words in Article 2, Section 2 are "...except in cases of impeachment." Once the little fucker is impeached, he's neutered. He can't pardon himself, and nobody else can pardon him either. Although I'm not sure if he can be pardoned for offenses that aren't specified in the articles of impeachment.

For example, if he's impeached for lying about Iraqi WMDs but not for authorizing torture, then I think he could be pardoned on the torture charge but not on the lying charge.

The obvious course of action is impeaching Bush and Cheney simultaneously, and throwing in every single charge prosecutors can think of so that nobody can find anything to pardon them for.

Which is, of course, the path our noble leaders in the opposition party are taking. Oh... They're not? Gee whiz, how very odd.

Other countries don't have to abide by anything in the US Constitution, or in case law or precedent. So no immunity for war crimes abroad even if they're pardoned here.

Their citizens, though, when they're in this country, enjoy all the Constitutional freedoms and protections afforded US citizens.

Oh... There aren't any left to speak of? Gee whiz, so they'll be impeaching the bastards any day now? No? How very odd.


wp

[librechik]

15. which is why I'm furious at our Congress for not impeaching the Shrub

as long as he's unchecked he can allow the whole criminal enterprise to get out of everything scot free.

their cowardice is inexplicable and unforgivable. If this is the best we can scrounge up for America, why even bother? I thought we were special, and didn't tolerate tyrants. How wrong I\i was.

[natrat]

6. news for you-out of office is clinton or mccain so there is no out of office

[leftofthedial]

8. we're in a class war

the "leader" elites are all in the same class and on the same side.

[zeemike]

9. It is so much simpler than that

Bush and his father own the justice department and the CIA and people like Conyers and Pilosi both know it. They don't care at all if they just talk a good game but if they do anything out of line he will destroy them.
And I can assure you that even if they are squeaky clean it can be done.

[dysfunctional press]

14. exactly right.

poppy bush has been around the cia since it was the osi.

they've definitely got the goods on the right people. or their loved ones.

[angrycarpenter]

10. I have thought that too

That means that they have thought of it, and cooked up countermeasures and plans to get away free as a bird. It will be planed and executed perfectly and we will never get one tiny bit of justice for the hideous things they have done.

If Rove gets away free and clean I will just die. There will be no good left in the world and there will be nothing to left live for.:nuke:

[zeemike]

16. Oh please don't die for those creeps

They are not worth the loss of a single hair on your head.
Just have faith that in the long run justice will be done.