As part of the House Republicans' laser-like focus on "jobs, jobs, jobs," the House Oversight Committee scheduled a vote today on holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt. Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wants more documents related to the so-called "Fast and Furious" controversy, and he's been unsatisfied with Holder's efforts to reach a compromise.
Last week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said, "The only constitutionally viable exception to the Department of Justice`s obligation under the subpoena would be executive privilege." So, today, the White House asserted executive privilege.
"I write now to inform you that the president has asserted executive privilege over relevant ... documents," Deputy Attorney General James Cole wrote to the committee.
Executive privilege allows the White House to argue that some private communications between the president and members of his administration cannot be divulged to Congress.
In theory, this should probably affect the contempt vote -- Issa recently explained, "We very clearly want to respect the history of executive privilege" -- but it won't. The far-right committee chairman said the assertion of executive privilege in this case is "untimely," so the vote will proceed anyway, because Issa wants it to.
The White House's message, meanwhile, has the benefit of being accurate: "President George W. Bush asserted executive privilege six times, while Bill Clinton did so in 14 instances, 'both of whom protected the same category of documents we're protecting today (ie after-the-fact internal Executive Branch materials responding to congressional and media inquiries -- in this case from the Justice Department). In fact, dating back to President Reagan, Presidents have asserted executive privileged 24 times. President Obama has gone longer without asserting the privilege in a Congressional dispute than any President in the last three decades.'"
In fact, though the materials in this case apparently aren't related to communications with the White House, Igor Volsky notes the way in which the principle was used by Obama's Republican predecessor: "Bush invoked the privilege repeatedly: to block a Congressional committee’s subpoenas for documents relating to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reject California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in the US attorneys scandal that brought down Alberto Gonzales, to prevent Josh Bolten from turning over documents, and to protect Harriet Miers and Sara Taylor and Karl Rove and Scott Jennings from testimony."
For whatever reason, Issa and his GOP colleagues didn't seem to mind at the time.
But even if we push all that aside, the point I keep coming back to remains the same: in the "Fast and Furious" matter, there can be no doubt as to the GOP's motivations.
Tea Party Caucus member Steve King (R-Iowa) said Republican leadership is wary of using investigations it's conducting of the administration for political gain, especially when it comes to Operation Fast and Furious, a botched gun-tracking program.
"I think leadership doesn't want to be seen as using the gavels here for political purposes," King said in an interview. "I think there's a bit of an aversion to that. Me? I have no reservations about that. This is politics."
That's not a quote from a liberal Democrat attacking Issa and his witch hunt; that's a quote from an Issa ally making a candid confession.
Even Issa himself has said he looks at his foolish investigations as "good theater."
Of course, now that executive privilege has been invoked, the theater is going to reach a new level.
Update: Also see, "Five Things To Know About The Republican Witchhunt Against Attorney General Holder." The first point? "Issa has no case."
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California's favorite convicted felon Congressman, Representative IssaA$$wipe just gets more embarrassing by the day. But then look at his constituents there in northern San Diego County and all is answered.
So, Obama plays hardball!! About time.
While it may be a legit save, it doesn't help Obama's case about being a "more transparent government" that he touted on the campaign trail in '08. If this really is a "trivial" issue, why try to hide it?
And don't get me wrong, Issa and the rest of the GOP are being silly, but this seems like another one of those "you're not helping us help you" moments.
This is the first time Obama has invoked the privilege; Bush did it repeatedly -- at least six times - and Clinton did it 14 times.
Issa is only trying to make headlines, swamp the news, go on Fox, and to do what the GOP does: create pseudo issues to cloud everyone's vision and focus attention on the GOP rather than on the good job Obama is doing. (Remember Huckabee: "The American people would think that Obama is doing a great job if it weren't for Fox News.")
There is a federal agent dead and no accountability from the President nor Eric Holder.
Do you honestly think that federal agent would be alive if his killer's gun hadn't been traced? How about asking for accountability from those who keep on insisting on the easy commerce of guns.
I'm curious what you mean by 'no accountability'? I believe that thousands of pages of documents have been turned over to the committee; Issa is demanding information on ONGOING operations that could be compromised. Given Issa's criminal background, I can see why Holder is loath to let him in on this information. Who knows who Issa is hooked up with in his private dealings?
There are 4,000 of our bravest and finest dead from the war in Iraq and there is yet to be any accountability for this mother of all presidental blunders from George Bush and his chicken hawks. Get over it Dave-2636391.
Someone drew up the plans for Fast and Furious. Someone ok'd the operation. Someone named the operation. Someone monitored the program. All of this did not happen in a vacuum or by rogue agents.
What highest level official knew the details in the Justice Department? Why after months and months can they not name that person and show that documentation? That's a simple question that has not been answered.
What did Issa do that made him a criminal?
Car theft, I think.
2 Time
Some might consider conflict of interest a crime. I know my neighbor (town council-rotating mayor) had to recuse herself when we debated a real estate development within close proximity to her house, due to conflict of interest.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/03/30/151097/issa-earmark-property/
Sorry, I couldn't find a sufficiently conservative site (probably don't have any objection?) to report this.
haha conservative site, thats funny. I am neither liberal or conservative, and using a blog is not a reference. I hate to say it but, every politician has conflict of interest.
Long story short, Viper LLC bought up some medical buildings next to a highway that needed work, sewage, bus stops, etc and received earmarks to improve the area and would boost property value?
I thought he proposed the widening in 2006, way before Viper bought up the building? Doesn't the City Council vote on the matters and would vote it down if it was self benefit?
Earmarks are viewed by some to be doing a good job for the community or bringing home the federal bacon, by others it is viewed as bribery or cronyism, federal pork barrel spending. There was a guy named Duke Cunningham down there in the San Diego area who is now in prison for taking bribes. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=1667009&page=1#.T-IuNI58u5Q Does the person involved benefit personally from something done using their official position? I think you can find that story from non liberal sites. You can look that up wherever you feel comfortable.
From one perspective, the city council would view it as an opportunity to have the buyer/developer pay for improvements so they would gain from that, then the persons at Viper (Issa family) use federal funds to their benefit. Darrell Issa has himself called earmarks tantamount to a bribe.
http://www.laprogressive.com/issa-secured-1-million/
http://www.corporationwiki.com/California/Vista/viper-llc/47445304.aspx
Forgive me for saying conservative, but I guessed that was possible by your use of terms such as "to the left of Nancy Pelosi", "Barry" and the style of writing signals some clues of your opinion in relation to mine.
So, by the same reasoning, we should take which news sources as legitimate in relation to your opinions? Everyone has a viewpoint.
Im sorry if I can't call someone by their shorten name. I never said to the left of Nancy Pelosi, I merely said that the founder of your frequently cited blog, is now one of her media advisors. Blogs are not news sources, I question your education background. Once again, I am neither Republican nor Democrat and I do not take blogs as news, let alone blogs that are flat out Republican or Democrat. It's not a witch hunt when the defendant agreed to questioning and the prosecutor wants all of the documentation of said failed operation. The fact that the operation is not a threat to Homeland Security and the current administration is trying to withhold information. If it were a threat to Homeland Security then wouldn't we have already sent troops to Mexico? It's not about protecting the country, it's about protecting image and the future of their political career. To think that any politician that is linked to Wall Street is not getting payoffs is idiotic. Eric Holder is no angel, and Obama hasn't kept one promise that got him elected in the first place. Do you know why he's openly pro-gay now and allowing illegals a freebie? Because all of the college students he won over the last election have student loans and they aren't happy. Where is he going to get the votes from?
This article fails to tell the public that firearms were intentionally allowed to fall into the hands of Mexican drug lords and the end result was a federal agent being killed by one of thise firearms. Why wouldn't the President want closure on this tragic death, doesn't the federal agent's family deserve and explanation and the facts?
The law allows these guns to fall into the hands of Mexican drug lords. Tracing them merely allows the ATF to understand the patterns. And isn't that exactly what Issa and Co. want to stop?
If I'm not mistaken Fast & Furious was started under that last administration, and I surely didn't see any of this excitement from the right about the secrets, lies, and wars that WE were dragged into. While I'm not defending the President at all, exactly how much of Bush's drama/trauma/and bulls*&^ do you think this President needs to be held responsible to/for?
Just asking...
Dave-2 You sir are a troll!
I want an investigation of responsibility for the great numbers of pesants who were worked to death laying an oil pipeline across South America.
Dave, you do understand that the IG is investigating at the request of Holder, don't you? The report is due in October.
Dave... I am positive that the drug cartels had no access to guns before F&F. I'm pretty sure they were using rocks and sticks to commit murder.
I understand that a US citizen employed as an ATF agent was killed. That's unfortunate. However, why is the death of this one person so particularly galling to republicans? Consider: Obama has targeted and assassinated at least two American ctizens without charge or trial. Issa doesn't seem to give a damn about that, but the case for investigation has merit. What Obama has done is unprecedented.
Then there's a report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism from August 2011 that U.S. drone strikes have killed between 400 and 800 civilian bystanders in other countries, including 175 children. Once again Issa and the GOP are utterly, horrifically silent.
So the unfortunate death of one American citizen related to mistakes made in good faith during operation Fast and Furious makes tons of political hay, while the outright, intentional targeting and assassination of two American citizens without charge or trial gets nothing, and the unnecessary killing of 400 to 800 innocent bystanders and at least 175 children by drone strikes ALSO gets nothing.
This congress and the GOP agenda is full of @!$%#.
Tperky, you have unfinished business here (post #27):
"Obama unveils immigration policy at White House"
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/15/12242508-obama-unveils-immigration-policy-at-white-house?pc=25&sp=25&threadId=3443449#discussion_nav
I'm just looking for a simple yes or no answer. Nothing that should be difficult or time consuming.
I wonder what Issa is a looking for? A federal agent died while working at a very risky, deadly job. The federal agent knew the risks. What about all the men who have died defending the American Oil Companies? Why isn't Issa investigating this travesty? I smell a money trail of some kind. Somebody must be creating an obstacle in the GOP's plans of ruling the world. And if this is a witchhunt or a game that is being played, then Issa should have his paycheck held back until he pays for all of this with his own money, not the taxpayers' money. We want no part of this Wild goose chase. I just spoke to the President too, I don't think he has any idea what this is about either. After he researches these documents, he'll probably let the American people know that there was nothing of any real significance in them to help with a closed investigation.
Have Barry txt me, I did last night and didn't get a reply back..... Yeah, well I don't want to pay people that don't work, have 100 kids, and collect disability because they are too fat....
Fact is they Knowingly let the "enemy" acquire firearms from OUR OWN stores on our own soil. Do you know how many were recovered on American soil? about 400 of them, which means that they are able to cross and cross back into the US. What casualties are you talking about from protecting American Oil Companies? You mean the ones overseas on other people's land that we used backdoor deals to get done?
2 Time Ted
I think the reference is to the number of casualties in Iraq, which was more about protecting our oil supplies than anything.
Fast and Furious was a misguided program that started under President Bush in 2006. Yes - arms cross back and forth over the border. President Obama has taken steps to increase border security.
I am confident that if I sent a text to President Obama, I would not get a reply. I think he has more important things to do. I also don't need to hear directly from him to get the information I am looking for.
Entitlement programs need to be monitored and modified if necessary to protect against fraud and abuse.
Stop mixing up Operations, Wide Receiver and F&F are TWO different operations under TWO different administrations.
The OP said AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES, not war in Iraq, If they meant the War in Iraq, then said it. It's obvious they have no clue what they are talking about and you are trying to legitimize their terrible information, and you do not understand sarcasm because once again the OP said, " I just spoke to the President too, I don't think he has any idea what this is about either." I was merely playing on the stupidity of the OP. Once, again I am never disappointed with people...
Ted dear, Iraq was started so that American OIL companies could get the contracts; the pesky little problem is that once the IRAQI's actually took control of "their country" they decided NOT to play ball with the American Oil companies, so FRANCE got the bids.
And yes, it was American soldiers used as a personal GI Joe for the war-dodging Shrub & Darth Chaney that that reference was about. As for the conversation w/PBO - pure snark.
I get it, things just go over your head. I'm trying to use little words so please follow along....Thank you...
Ted
One of the prime sources for guns for drug cartels are gun shows in the good old U.S.A. No background checks, no tracking, no questions asked. Do you think gun dealers at those shows are clueless?
I'm sure you get all of your information from Ms Maddow too. I have some ocean from property in Idaho if you want it.
Actually Ted no I do not get all of my information from Ms Maddow
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4695848&page=1
http://www.phoenixmag.com/lifestyle/valley-news/201010/get-your-guns/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/world/americas/26iht-border.4.20459692.html
No blogs referenced here Ted. BTW is the 2 Time before Ted a reference that you two time people? Because if it is it does not bode well for your honesty or integrity.
Congratulations to the GOP - judging by many of the comments here, they have successfully obscured the fact that Fast & Furious was started in 2006 under George W. Bush, that Attorney General Michael Mukasey oversaw it, and that Darrell Issa has refused to call him to testify - instead laying the blame for yet another Bush-era failed policy at the feet of Eric Holder; that the Department of Justice has turned over thousands of documents related to this initiative to Issa, and that the remaining documents Issa is demanding to review are, quote: "....confidential materials concerning open investigations. Such documents are not subject to congressional subpoena because revealing them would also reveal “strategies and procedures that could be used by individuals seeking to evade [DOJ's] law enforcement efforts.”
But the GOP has yet again managed to brainwash people into thinking that yet another one of Bush's utterly incompetent initiatives is Obama's fault, and that the most corrupt member of Congress - Issa - has a leg to stand on when it comes to credibility.
For those who would rather not be played for fools by Republicans, there's an excellent overview of the whole thing here:
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/04/30/473567/issa-escalates-anti-holder-witchhunt-with-draft-contempt-of-congress-citation/
Actually didn't Murkasey cry "executive privilege" and refuse to testify? Where was Darrell's righteous outrage then?
Looking at the MSNBC "Lean Forward blog" article on this exercise of Executive Privilege reveals the utter insanity and racism of the far right. Thousands of comments are accruing comprised in large part of racist vitriol combined with Fox and talking radio paranoia and delusion and fake facts. This country faces the very real possibility of being co opted by insanity and it is up to us to save the very future of America from unhinged Birch Society racists. It's not an exagerration nor a joke. The lunatics are trying to gain control of the asylum headed up by their "Godfathers" in the GOP and on Wall Street. Many older white folks are actually unhinged. They are a lost generation. Please excuse the frankness of this post. We aren't just holding the line against the corruption of the GOP, we are holding the line against the utter insanity of the GOP base. There is no question.
The fifth element , where have you been? Insanity is a pre-existing condition you cannot get any magic beans to cure it. Though they keep trying. So, the only cure for this is to point out to them the meaning of the word insanity, repeatedly doing the same thing and expecting different results. The Republican philosophy doesn't work and never will.
So...you are chastizing me? Really? What is it with Maddowites? Are you kidding? You are chastizing me for posting what I see as the truth, because you think it should be taken for granted? Seriously? sheesch. And then you post that we should just explain the term "insanity" to the insane, like that'll work? You are just a chastizer, which is neurotic. Your post is just rather imperious. Your teeny wittle ego just can't get out of it's own way apparently. Too bad for you. Gobama!
Reveal5
I totally agree with your post. Especially "We aren't just holding the line against the corruption of the GOP, we are holding the line against the utter insanity of the GOP base."
I didn't take Angel#77 as chastising you at all - is basically agreeing with what you said - is adding the point that the insanity you referred to is not easily cured (no magic beans).
So let's not make ourselves crazy arguing with people who agree with us.
By the way, I appreciate the frankness of your post. You stated something clearly that a lot of us have been thinking for a very long time.
Come on, Maddowites tend to chastise and to be imperious, and the sun rises in the east, except the sun doesn't rise and Maddowites love to chastise. It's just true.
Reveal5
Go pick a fight with someone who disagrees with you!!
Making mean generalizations about people who basically are agreeing with you is just ... I don't know ... INSANE.
By the way, I particularly agree with your post down in #10.
Come on Malphi, you folks are predictable. Maddowites chastise, it's just what they do, how about you? Yep, you do too. You guys can't help it. As for the "insane" bit, I have a new scale that I developed, it consists of the following; quarter goofy, half goofy, 3/4 goofy, and bat poop goofy. I think many on the right fall distinctly into the bat poop goofy category. I think they dig bunkers there, metaphorically speaking. .
Malphi, as for our points of agreement, I choose to agree with you too. Haha, or something like that.
I am not a "Maddowite".
I am a "communitarian individualist" -or "individualist communitarian" (depends on the day).*
And there you go again!!! Saying something that I totally agree with!
"bat poop goofy" excellent!
Must add it to my other favorite words I have picked up around here:
"rip-snorting" and "gob-smacking"
*"Our Divided Political Heart ", E. J. Dionne. One who believes in individual liberty and also that together we can do things that we can't do alone.
Thanks Maphi and "Bat poop goofy" is just one of my gifts to the universe. How's that for imperious-ness? Have a Maddowday.
I was agreeing with you and giving you a compliment by calling you the fifth element. Sorry, go get em' number 5 , Rah!
Allrighty then Angel77, looks like I overreacted to your post, I now stand chastized by myself, and Maphi. My only possible defense is that I came to this blog after looking at the article on this issue on the main "Lean Forward" blog, as I mentioned. . It was pitiful and I was grappling with racist slime for awhile, before visiting this space. Thanks for the compliments. Rah, back at'ya...and...Gobama!
Hurray - we have peace! And Re: #8.9 - sometimes imperious-ness is totally justified.
"Bat poop goofy" indeed. Can't get over that - hit nail on head - made my day!
We're all just attempting to navigate the political waters which are generally about a quarter mile wide and a quarter inch deep, with intermittent pools of deep doo doo.... generally speakin.'
This is just another diversion being used instead of helping the American people recover during this depression. Instead they want to play dressage and take the attention off of Romney. They're all competing for a place next to Romney as vice President. So, Romney is now taking auditions for VP. The GOP are all competing as to which one is the biggest creep capable of being his VP. Is Romney really looking for someone who would commit political suicide going against The Middle Class and the poor of this nation. Would he pick someone who likes to waste tax dollars for their own personal gain? What a fiasco, all this just to fake working in the White House. No GOP are working for any substantial causes concerning The American People. We have yet another diversion or obstruction of Democracy. When will they get to work helping the President in creating jobs?
You mean Romney who is just a president elect? Surely you aren't throwing around the idea that he is already executing personal agenda? I'm pretty sure you have to have a VP to run for office, so yeah, he has to pick one. The fact of the matter is, is the botched operation started before Romney was GOP PE, and the investigation started before he was named PE.
I'm having a hard time understanding you. Personal Agenda is their middle name when it comes to politics. These Republicans have been brought up believing they're number 1. Number 2 or 3 is okay sometimes. The trick is to pull the silver spoon out of their mouths slowly not to disturb the imaginary trickle down effect. Then you can do with it whatever you want. Silver is not my forte, cotton and feathers are more my style. And yes, I am smarter than your average bare.
I assume you meant "bear".
Really looks like it Angel. Youre jumping to assumption that Romney has some person agenda set months before he became the president elect and also that he's not allowed to select a VP to run with.
Holder is closing in on Wall Street corruption. The GOP is trying to protect it's "Godfathers." The GOP is corrupt to the core.
Probably very much the case.
Issa is saying the homeowners are at fault for foreclosures and blamed poor people for those loans.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/03/19/447565/issa-blames-bank-fraud-homeowners/
I like how people keep posting articles from ThinkProgess which was ran by Faiz Shakir, who just left to join Nancy Pelosi's team as Director of New Media. A site that uses another liberal site to support it's views.
2 Time Ted
OK - what you posted may be true.
What about the ThinkProgress articles are inaccurate or untrue?
No, it's not "may be true", it is fact. I don't take information from Fox News and I sure do not take information from a liberal blog. Biased news doesn't help any cause except for their own. I'm pretty sure you can't use a blog as a reference for any academia use.
What is not true about the linked article?
If we are using blogs as information then here http://sdrostra.com/?p=14642
If you can not afford a house and someone offers you a loan, why would you take it? No one made them take the loan, how much credit card debt did those people have at the time they were foreclosed on? There are exceptions to it, but most people in America do not handle money well, especially when the glitz and glamour are thrown in our face everyday.
You say Holder is closing in on corrupt wall street but maybe you didnt know that he came from Covington & Burling, which represents wall street firms. Check your info.
Who has the onus here, the lender or borrower?
I know things changed from when I first tried to buy a home without a down payment. I had a good job, good credit, but they patted my head and sent me on my way, saying save a down payment and come back.
Rules changed to allow such lending, then Bush said go buy a house and it doesn't have to be a crummy house.
Holder is closing in on wall street. Republican closing in on F&F.
Some folks hide their miss-deeds behind lies and deceit, some people hide the miss-deeds behind executive order.
Do you suppose there could be something that might expose some people that are involved under cover in that sting? Then Issa wants to call them to testify? If this was a Bush Administration rooted sting would we be having an investigation? Well, it started back under Bush, so…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATF_gunwalking_scandal
Two different operations, it was the latter that caused problems. If it were Bush then why would Obama withhold information that only incriminates GWB? Wide Receiver was shut down in Oct of 2007, F&F started in Oct of 2009 under the new administration. How is that Bush's fault?
No need for investigation, there are already those that convict Obama and Holder, looking to make a case against them based on suspicion, prejudging. Just show us more papers and if not you must be guilty of something.
You questioned my educational background- a personal insult.
I question your claim of being neither liberal, nor conservative. I read some bias in your writings, so what else can I say? I never said you can't say ANYTHING, I said it was a clue. I detect bias, when you basically said I was using biased sources. Well, I detect you may be projecting.
I think we have a widely ranging variety of educational backgrounds here.
defending your independent credentials twice with me and using a name which is used by those wishing to "innocently" delegitimize the President. He calls himself Barack Obama, not Barry. Michelle calls him Barack. There is detectable bias when someone calls the President a name, which he has never said "call me Barry".
I make mistakes in grammar and spelling. I normally overlook such things, but you don't have much ground, when you look at your reply to me in 4.10 and then insult me.
In your case, you are saying I am not conservative. But I think there is automatic suspicion in you because you can't even say the President's name, but take the leap that any executive privilege cannot be tolerated, these "guys" must submit.
You make generalizations about fat people on disability with 100 kids, you tip your hand in how you write. I would like to personalize some things to refute your generalizations, but would it have any effect? You clearly already know everything you need to know to call real people lazy and undeserving.
I really see no point in talking further with you, as you are already convinced the Congress has a right to smear the AG and the President.
Shall we now commence with the whipping?
Why should I bother? I am not a masochist. And I usually try to be civil, not insulting.
My apologies that I misread "left" and "Pelosi" in the same sentence as "left of Pelosi". I admit my error on that. But I would say there is quite a bit of intentional elusion or unintentional self delusion.
Bush could not be at fault, but yet again, IOKIYAR. The gun walking was the same then. Probably some under cover people. Why only Obama Administration must submit?
Again, you insulted me and others, I won't talk to you more. Bye.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/flashback-2007-senator-obama-criticized-president-bush-for-trying-to-hide-behind-executive-privilege/
Every President needs to be prepared to give a rationale each time Executive Privilege is used.
Issa wants more documents so his office can leak more information?
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/cummings_issa_staff_released_document_under_seal_i.php
Gotta wonder about the witch hunting doing damage to ongoing investigations that are NOT politically motivated.
But no investigation on this, Issa? http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/03/30/151097/issa-earmark-property/
Let's not forget Issa arranged for all male contraception hearing and led to Sandra Fluke being called a slut by Rush Limbaugh.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/02/23/431293/female-witness-hits-back-at-issa-im-a-woman-who-uses-contraception-that-makes-me-qualified-to-testify/
Wow, such pressing hearings from the Republicans, they are all over the jobs issue… snark.
I would venture to guess that the missing documents would make it obvious as to who's the leak.
This inquiry is a crime which Issa is attempting to organize. Issa is attempting to organize crime.
They wish to publicly smear the President through Holder.
There is no need to hold the AG in contempt or have a public debate (other than to smear Obama) to investigate the death of the border agent while they performed a gun sting.
It is absolutely the case, they want to investigate this not for justice, but politics. I feels sad for these folks the Republicans use to further their political ambitions.
correction:
I feels sad for these folksI feel sad for these folks
It seems there is plenty of blame for both sides of the isles for the death of the border agent and the botched job of Fast and Furious under Eric Holder as well as the bush administration and i have several questions i would ask regardless of political affiliations.Why not call in the top former A.T.F leader and the former A.G. as to what they knew under oath of lying to congress such as what happened in the Iran contra gun running operations in the late 1980's under Regan.Why were these operations allowed to put guns in the hands of known criminals that could be used in crimes later on (i know to catch top cartel members) It has been reported that there were hundred of people in Mexico that may have been killed by the weapons allowed to walk or got lost by govt agents .Eric Holder stated that he was unaware of the operational proceedings then retracted statements to the effect of playing dumb ( i watched every hearing start to finish)These operations were ran for roughly six years and it took a whistle blower to expose the facts from inside the A.T.F the whistle blower in a interview stated he was told to ignore what was going on to certain things and some incidents never really happened.In other words shut up if asked.Even the members of the committee were asking questions as to why they were not informed by the A.G. of the ongoing operations whether past or present.A border agent died simply because someone screwed the pooch and someone ( in my opinion) should be going to jail for the death of a united states border agent regardless of what political party started the operations.We can play the blame game later after Brian Terry's family gets some justice for their sons death.If any normal American bought guns and then sold them to known criminals that were used later in the commission of a crime and a person was killed with one of the weapons sold, that person would be arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder or involuntary manslaughter also possibly charged with a felony gun running of weapons.I doubt facts regarding a persons death would be allowed to be"dismissed" or kept from disclosure if it was done by a regular citizen of the united states.Nobody is above the laws of our country regardless of political appointment or office.I voted for Obama but i wont make that mistake again.His record of thumbing his nose for the rule of law such as getting into libya and telling congress his admin. doesn't have to report to congress and will seek approval from the international community, bypassing the marriage act, the refusal or stay of deportation of illegals for two years while we have millions unemployed here in this country that are suffering.Americans are now the tired, the poor and the huddled masses. Now executive privilege, what is there to hide? i can justify secrets that could cause a leak of national secrets or the leak of classified documents that could hamper operations and harm that could come by releasing names of those involved. Eric Holder stated there were no conversations between officials in the white house and himself? The white house waits until ten minutes before a vote of contempt after holder asks for the white houses help when it should have been done months ago for executive privilege.Whether the white house is involved or not it looks like something fishy or embarrassing.The American people should get the truth of what transpired that led to a American's death.Guns have serial numbers and can be traced to where sold and by whom.Didn't the A.T.F keep any records as to agents recording which guns by serial number they had in their possession before they vanished to cartel members? That is how you trace a gun when it turns up.Two guns were found at the scene of the murder,does the D.O.J and A.T.F have this information that would tell who messed up?It also leaked that a high ranking cartel member who was stopped in his vehicle had some illegal guns from the operation in his trunk,a AK-47 and hundreds of rounds of ammo.He was taken in for questioning but was released later..Really?? release a criminal cartel member with guns you know are illegal. In 2007 Obama slammed Bush for what he is doing now with the privileged information . So much for the transparency he promised when running for election.What happened to Gitmo? Obama promised to close it within a year and that didn't happen? How about the company formerly known as "Z" smuggling in illegal explosive shredder rounds into Iraq in dog food bags for private contractors and making a "Game" of killing Iraq citizens and did in fact kill, i believe 16 innocent people as reported by multiple news agencies.Z was thrown out of Iraq but are now back once again as contractors under another company name. As for Rachel's show she said it was laughable that there is a conspiracy to affect the 2nd amendment rights of gun owners.Somehow there's a conspiracy by republicans and it's fox news hysteria for listening to a bogus claim that are false. Anyone that watched ALL of the hearing today they would have seen Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) Rep. Gerald Connolly (VA-11) Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) democrats made reference to gun laws "why do ANY Americans need to own a AK-47 it's absurd" We need to look at existing gun laws and the re appeal of the assault gun ban. Rachel didn't mention these facts or did she prefer not to report on democrats and what they said. I refer to Obamas record as a senator on gun laws: When Obama was running for the Illinois state senate in 1996, the Independent Voters of Illinois, a Chicago-based non-profit, issued a questionnaire asking if candidates supported legislation to “ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns,” to “ban assault weapons” and to instate “mandatory waiting periods and background checks” for gun purchases. Obama answered yes on all three accounts.Obama also cosponsored legislation to limit handgun purchases to one per month. He also voted against letting people violate local weapons bans in cases of self-defense, and stated his support for the District of Columbia’s handgun ban that was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008. He also called it a “scandal” that President George W. Bush did not authorize a renewal of the Assault Weapons Ban.Just weeks after Obama’s inauguration in January 2009, attorney general Eric Holder announced at a press conference that the Obama administration would be seeking a renewal of the expired ban on assault weapons.Sounds like Rachel needs to gets HER facts in order or have her fact checkers do some homework first .I didn't vote for Bush in case some wonder nor am i republican.I look to a candidate's record on file for public review.Too bad more Americans don't take the time to do the same before they post remarks that show lack of facts or anger at others posting against their political beliefs.Bottom line is a American agent died due to a botched operation that will likely go nowhere or anyone being accountable for it.So very sad for terry's family,he served his country like so many vets who serve that end up getting screwed.They deserve better.Kind of like service members who died in combat and their ashes were being dumped in a land fill not too long ago.
Please get a MLA Handbook or a Chicago Manuel of Style because your post as is is unreadable. You may have something valuable to say but the say you have written it rends it incomprehensible