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CELESTINA

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SURREALISM: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.
Articles Posted: 134  Links Seeded: 164
Member Since: 2/2006  Last Seen: 9/21/2011

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Consequences for ignoring congressional subpoenas: None

Seeded on Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:03 AM EDT
Read ArticleArticle Source: Salon.com
congress, rove, politics, subpoenas, pelosi, checks-and-balances
Seeded by Celestina
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When Congress allows its own subpoena and oversight powers literally to be ignored and scoffed at, the damage to our system of checks and balances can't be overstated. The whole premise of our system of government is that executive lawbreaking and presidential corruption is checked primarily by Congressional oversight. If Congress can't or won't compel the disclosure of information, then it can't investigate anything, and the President has no meaningful checks on his behavior. It's really just that simple.

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  • Celestina's Column, All of Newsvine
  • Groups: Crime and Punishment, Left of Center, Political Analysis
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  • Public Discussion (16)
Celestina

It's been a bad week in politics.

  • 4 votes
Reply#1 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:07 AM EDT
Eric AlbertDeleted
Reply
Perry O

If you or I refused a Congressional subpeona, I doubt it would be consequence free. Unless they act against Rove, they will be revealed to be toothless watchdogs only able to intimidate the weak.

  • 6 votes
Reply#2 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:30 AM EDT
Mars313

I need to go get myself Congressionally Subpoenaed. I thought you actually had to obey those. wow. So what are they going to do when normal citizens try to pull a "Full Karl"? They'll lock them up for life, that's what.

The PEOPLE need to get mad about this.

  • 10 votes
Reply#3 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:35 AM EDT
ombra

The Democrats in this Congress may gain an actual majority in the upcoming elections, but unless they start to act like what they were elected for, this will only last the two years until next election.

Do your job and show some balls!!

  • 5 votes
Reply#4 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:30 PM EDT
Celestina

Well said.

  • 4 votes
#4.1 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:39 PM EDT
Imtoopretentious

You hit the nail on the head. The democrats are in a tough position, I agree with them on that account, but it's precisely in tough positions that we test our leaders grace. The Democrats of this congress, seriously, are among the most useless and career oriented politicians the country's ever had. They aren't corrupt and dangerous, like the republicans and their "bravado" of the last eight years, rather just plain and boring. It's going to be quite a shock when Obama takes the office and....nothing happens.

  • 8 votes
#4.2 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:19 PM EDT
JoulesBeef

It would probably be a good idea to keep voting them out, until we get a congress beholden to the people. One of these days they'll have to ask "how can I have two terms". But with he power structure how it is, against new blood in congress, it protects them for reelection because they bring home the bacon.
Its very hard to get the sheep to move against that.

  • 5 votes
#4.3 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:51 PM EDT
Reply
oHnEsTaEb86

the president cannot use executive privilege as an excuse to withhold evidence that is 'demonstrably relevant in a criminal trial.' The US vs. Nixon 1974

I'm positive Nixon is @!$%#ting in his grave right now.

  • 8 votes
Reply#5 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:10 PM EDT
JoulesBeef

Peloci is probably complicent in many of bush's crimes.. as fro the rest of the crimes, I can only figure they are holding back for an october surprise and wait until right before the elections to grow some gonads. Or eve possibly, after the elections to try to further kill the gop.

I bet if they got voted out.. obama with a gop congress would have congress so far up his butt when ever obama spoke you would see mich mcconels head looking out his mouth.

Perhaps we should change all our laws, so when cops stop you all they can do is give you a firm fist shaking at and grimace.

  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:44 PM EDT
fredegrar

Congress reminds me of my younger child who comes running to me every time her brother does something to upset her. Except where my child looks to me to play referee and be the dispenser of justice, congress runs to the courts. I suspect the courts care about as much as I do. Congress should grow up and try to resolve these conflicts on their own terms. They can arrest people. They should try it.

  • 5 votes
Reply#7 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:01 PM EDT
Partisan Hack

No doubt, it's time for the enabling Congress to come to its senses. Thank heavens for John Conyers.

If Rove is indeed overseas let's wiretap him, he's a fugitive. Download his Blackberry.

That would be the cool thing if you could somehow catch him by surprise and see what's in that little thang.

  • 7 votes
Reply#8 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:07 PM EDT
Cassandra

I have nothing but disgust for this Democratically-controlled Congress. In the last election they got a clear message -- the people are fed up. And in response, they have done absolutely nothing to control the rights abuses of this administration. They refuse even to do anything about administration officials who hold them in contempt and refuse to respond to their subpoenas. Basically, they are due contempt, and they've got mine.

  • 6 votes
Reply#9 - Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:14 PM EDT
SteveHouse

Let's hold Congress in Contempt of America and detain them. Then we'll bring them Karl Rove and say "Here! You @!$%#ing figure this out." Then we'll watch. And pray. And when they let Rove go clean, we'll do the same... by dumping the floor out from under them into the desert. Let them survive on their own when the people who are supposed to be in control of certain situations just drop the ball. We'll pick them up in two days and say "Do you get it now? Do something worth doing or go home."

  • 4 votes
Reply#10 - Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:09 AM EDT
Pamela Drew

It has been a bad week, month, year, decade for politics. The bright spot was finding the vinecast today and taking a sentimental journey and believing once again that a few wonderful people can make a difference in the world and how we see it. Thanks to all of you for that bit of positive; I really needed it.

  • 5 votes
Reply#11 - Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:41 PM EDT
Don't spin me bro!

Although, I am from Texas and a registered independent.

I nominate both Nancy Pelosi and Henry Reid be recalled in their respective states.

Based on the current public opinion approval ratings, which represents their leadership or lack there of for their constitutes, and failure to achieve the will of the people who voted them into office.

I mean, come on; if this were corporate America, they would have been fired long ago!

LETS SEND A MESSAGE!

  • 2 votes
Reply#12 - Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:20 PM EDT
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