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(Talking Points Memo) Interesting Wondering why John Ashcroft has decided to testify in Congressional hearings? The White House rejected all of his candidates for a top DOJ post, in order to give it to the one lawyer on Earth who would tell them torture is legal   (tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com) divider line 110
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OlafTheBent [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:30:50 AM  
You know what?

Good on him for doing the right thing... again.

 
angryjd 2008-07-17 11:41:42 AM  
Nestea Plunge: Wow. Who would have guessed Ashcroft would be the only good guy in the whole band of thugs and criminals.

I did, but the libs always mocked me for saying it.

 
Nabb1 [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:42:39 AM  
I can't say I always agreed with Ashcroft's political viewpoints, because I often disagreed with him, but I never got the sense he was dishonorable or had any penchant for some of the shenanigans that go on in the political arena.

 
ThatGuyGreg [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:43:59 AM  
I'm rather tempted to let the eagle soar at the moment.

 
ntrino 2008-07-17 11:45:47 AM  
ThatGuyGreg: I'm rather tempted to let the eagle soar at the moment.

i tried that, but the cops told me to put it back in the pants or be arrested.

 
tnpir [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:45:50 AM  
Nabb1: I can't say I always agreed with Ashcroft's political viewpoints, because I often disagreed with him, but I never got the sense he was dishonorable or had any penchant for some of the shenanigans that go on in the political arena.

Begrudgingly THIS. Ashcroft's political views are still scary as hell, but his insistance on upholding the law regardless of party affiliation is worthy of respect.

 
coma 2008-07-17 11:46:50 AM  
angryjd: Nestea Plunge: Wow. Who would have guessed Ashcroft would be the only good guy in the whole band of thugs and criminals.

I did, but the libs always mocked me for saying it.


Maybe if you stopped using the word "libs" people wouldn't ignore you. Using the language of a petulant 5 year old gets you treated like a petulant 5 year old.

 
Adjective Bird Whiskey [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:48:32 AM  
You know this shiat will be over in a few months. I hope.

 
Etchy333 [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:53:24 AM  
He should have to testify with the uncensored Spirit of Justice behind him.

 
unremarkable asterisk [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:53:56 AM  
tnpir: Nabb1: I can't say I always agreed with Ashcroft's political viewpoints, because I often disagreed with him, but I never got the sense he was dishonorable or had any penchant for some of the shenanigans that go on in the political arena.

Begrudgingly THIS. Ashcroft's political views are still scary as hell, but his insistance on upholding the law regardless of party affiliation is worthy of respect.


Agreed, but as a Missourian I STILL voted for the newly dead governor (new window) over him, as did the majority of Missourian's who successfully elected a dead man over him. That's how much he was endeared locally.

 
Diogenes [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:54:52 AM  
Nabb1: I can't say I always agreed with Ashcroft's political viewpoints, because I often disagreed with him, but I never got the sense he was dishonorable or had any penchant for some of the shenanigans that go on in the political arena.

Insanely uptight, but honorable. Agreed.

But if Bush claims executive privilege, does Ashcroft (or anyone for that matter) actually have a choice but to decline questioning? I wonder what the penalty is for breach of executive privilege?

 
coma 2008-07-17 11:58:47 AM  
Nestea Plunge: Insanely uptight, but honorable. Agreed.

But if Bush claims executive privilege, does Ashcroft (or anyone for that matter) actually have a choice but to decline questioning? I wonder what the penalty is for breach of executive privilege?


What are they going to do though if he wants to testify? Have the secret service detain him? They can fight in court to have the testimony stricken from the record after the fact but that shiat will be out there regardless. For once the Bush Administration would be on the wrong side of a futile, drawn out legal battle which would of course make me happy to no end.

 
evilgreg [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 11:59:25 AM  
unremarkable asterisk: tnpir: Nabb1: I can't say I always agreed with Ashcroft's political viewpoints, because I often disagreed with him, but I never got the sense he was dishonorable or had any penchant for some of the shenanigans that go on in the political arena.

Begrudgingly THIS. Ashcroft's political views are still scary as hell, but his insistance on upholding the law regardless of party affiliation is worthy of respect.

Agreed, but as a Missourian I STILL voted for the newly dead governor (new window) over him, as did the majority of Missourian's who successfully elected a dead man over him. That's how much he was endeared locally.


I with this crowd. I do not like him, and the idea of his holding executive power at any level scares the hell out me. Add my incredible personal disdain for the man himself, and I can almost say that I have no use for him.

Almost. An Attorney General is there to uphold the law and make sure the government both enforces and obeys it. Impossible job, of course, but the AG is really supposed to try. From what I've seen since Ashcroft's departure, he tried.

 
patrick767 [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:01:49 PM  
I am shocked, simply shocked that this makes twice that John Ashcroft looks like the defender of the rule of law instead of a Bush toady.

 
BritneysSpeculum [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:02:32 PM  
Diogenes:
But if Bush claims executive privilege, does Ashcroft (or anyone for that matter) actually have a choice but to decline questioning? I wonder what the penalty is for breach of executive privilege?

I don't believe that Cabinet officers can assert executive privilege since they are confirmed by the Senate and therefore are subject to congressional oversight. The EOP and OVP are not subject to congressional oversight and therefore their deliberations and communications are arguably privileged (uless of course the deliberations are about semen stained dresses and cigars in which case the GOP maintains that those communications are not privileged).

 
2wolves 2008-07-17 12:07:59 PM  
Hmmm....

Hmmm.... again.


Worthy of a serious pondering.

 
Skleenar 2008-07-17 12:09:33 PM  
unremarkable asterisk: Agreed, but as a Missourian I STILL voted for the newly dead governor (new window) over him, as did the majority of Missourian's who successfully elected a dead man over him. That's how much he was endeared locally.

Honest. Religious Fanatic.

That's a political disaster waiting to happen.

 
ntrino 2008-07-17 12:17:42 PM  
Diogenes:

Insanely uptight, but honorable. Agreed.



umm didn't he cover up a half undressed statue of "Justice" because a stone breast was showing? like teh equivalent of a Barbie doll breast.
but somewhat surprised that a rift arose over actually getting someone qualified to be a head Lawyer of America basically instead of a puppet.
read article, cannot guarantee i comprehended said article. politics makes baby Jebus cry.

 
Code_Archeologist [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:25:38 PM  
Fox News throws Ashcroft under the bus in 3... 2... 1...

 
vernonFL [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:26:27 PM  
You know its bad when the most level headed person in this administration is John Ashcroft.

 
OneNutSaloon 2008-07-17 12:26:33 PM  
Code_Archeologist: Fox News throws Ashcroft under the bus in 3... 2... 1...

Just curious, did he come out with a book?

 
Shaggy_C 2008-07-17 12:27:16 PM  
So Ashcroft sent a list of people, and the counsel in the White House told him to STFU because they wanted lackeys in place instead. Of course liberals cry foul immediately about it having to do with torture and wiretapping etc etc, but I think the truth is more benign, just more cronyism from the good ole boys from the Texas political machine.

 
OneNutSaloon 2008-07-17 12:27:59 PM  
Shaggy_C: So Ashcroft sent a list of people, and the counsel in the White House told him to STFU because they wanted lackeys in place instead. Of course liberals cry foul immediately about it having to do with torture and wiretapping etc etc, but I think the truth is more benign, just more cronyism from the good ole boys from the Texas political machine.

Which makes it A-OK.

 
vernonFL [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:28:12 PM  
I love that he was more or less on his deathbed when they came in with torture papers to sign and he wouldn't.

 
SherKhan 2008-07-17 12:29:27 PM  
He swore an oath. Even (maybe especially these days) superstitious primitives know what that means.

 
GoRedSoxGo 2008-07-17 12:29:37 PM  
Nabb1: I can't say I always agreed with Ashcroft's political viewpoints, because I often disagreed with him, but I never got the sense he was dishonorable or had any penchant for some of the shenanigans that go on in the political arena.

Again, well said. I thought he was kind of a tool, but he still seemed competent and honorable.

 
DarnoKonrad 2008-07-17 12:29:44 PM  
vernonFL: You know its bad when the most level headed person in this administration is John Ashcroft.

I'd give the cantankerous cock sucker the Medal of Freedom for refusing to sign the reauthorization of Bush's domestic surveillance program while he was in critical care.

 
IXI Jim IXI [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:30:35 PM  
vernonFL: I love that he was more or less on his deathbed when they came in with torture papers to sign and he wouldn't.

Yah. He got some begrudging respect from me for that.

 
Tastes Like Chicken [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:30:38 PM  
Wow. 2x now John Ashcroft is the one member of the Bush Admin not a complete and total cocksucker. Once can just be random chance, but twice? I'm actually starting to like the guy.

 
IXI Jim IXI [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:31:11 PM  
Cue "He wasn't in the loop/he was an outsider" in 3...2...1...

 
vernonFL [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:31:12 PM  
the truth is more benign, just more cronyism from the good ole boys from the Texas political machine.

Intenionally hiring incompetent people for powerful federal position should be a crime. Its criminal negligence.

This entire administration can be summed up in two words:

Criminal Negligence.

 
PirateKing 2008-07-17 12:31:50 PM  
When John "calico cats are secret witches" Ashcroft is the 2nd sanest Bush administration alumnus... I don't know how to finish this statement.

 
IXI Jim IXI [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:32:30 PM  
vernonFL: This entire administration can be summed up in two words:

Criminal Negligence.


Great. This is going to be like how they could only convict Al Capone for tax evasion, isn't it?

 
OneNutSaloon 2008-07-17 12:32:40 PM  
Shaggy_C: So Ashcroft sent a list of people, and the counsel in the White House told him to STFU because they wanted lackeys in place instead. Of course liberals cry foul immediately about it having to do with torture and wiretapping etc etc, but I think the truth is more benign, just more cronyism from the good ole boys from the Texas political machine.

Oh, and "Rules or Laws? (Pops)

 
Third Day Mark 2008-07-17 12:34:11 PM  
Crazy. Never thought I'd be thinking that this is the guy in the administration with any decency.

 
Kuta 2008-07-17 12:35:28 PM  
If all these Republicans are throwing BUSH under the bus now, WHY WON'T THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED CONGRESS IMPEACH HIS SORRY, CRIMINAL ASS??!!

 
meat0918 2008-07-17 12:38:04 PM  
Kuta: If all these Republicans are throwing BUSH under the bus now, WHY WON'T THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED CONGRESS IMPEACH HIS SORRY, CRIMINAL ASS??!!

Because they blew their wad when Clinton blew his.

That took a lot of the threat and power of impeachment out of the process.


//I know it was for perjury, but the above sounds so much better

 
GoRedSoxGo 2008-07-17 12:38:33 PM  
Kuta: If all these Republicans are throwing BUSH under the bus now, WHY WON'T THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED CONGRESS IMPEACH HIS SORRY, CRIMINAL ASS??!!

Blahblahblahblah, "waste of our resources," blahblahblah, "he only has six months left in office," blahblahblahblah, "we can't get any support," blahblahblahblah, "we don't really give a shiat what he's doing."

I don't think the last one has been uttered in public by any House Democrats, but they might as well just come out and tell us what we all know.

 
MindStalker 2008-07-17 12:39:01 PM  
ntrino: Diogenes:

Insanely uptight, but honorable. Agreed.



umm didn't he cover up a half undressed statue of "Justice" because a stone breast was showing? like teh equivalent of a Barbie doll breast.
but somewhat surprised that a rift arose over actually getting someone qualified to be a head Lawyer of America basically instead of a puppet.
read article, cannot guarantee i comprehended said article. politics makes baby Jebus cry.


So, he wanted it covered up, he had the legal authority to cover it up. Stupid, but that was his call. The fact is that when the shiat hits the fan ultimately he did whats right, petty bickering over breast has nothing to do with this.

 
rahpower 2008-07-17 12:39:14 PM  
Diogenes: But if Bush claims executive privilege, does Ashcroft (or anyone for that matter) actually have a choice but to decline questioning? I wonder what the penalty is for breach of executive privilege?

I believe that if an individual will voluntarily testify, the Administration needs to seek an injunction to bar such testimony.

 
Corvus 2008-07-17 12:39:19 PM  
Kuta: If all these Republicans are throwing BUSH under the bus now, WHY WON'T THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED CONGRESS IMPEACH HIS SORRY, CRIMINAL ASS??!!

This!

I wish we had someone more like Howard Dean as majority leader in congress.

 
OneNutSaloon 2008-07-17 12:40:26 PM  
GoRedSoxGo: "we don't really give a shiat what he's doing."

I don't think the last one has been uttered in public by any House Democrats, but they might as well just come out and tell us what we all know.


One of em does, and his wife is smokin hot too.

 
Phil Moskowitz 2008-07-17 12:40:29 PM  
PirateKing: When John "calico cats are secret witches" Ashcroft is the 2nd sanest Bush administration alumnus... I don't know how to finish this statement.

I think you should just sit there nonplussed, with banal contempt in your thoughts.

 
meat0918 2008-07-17 12:42:07 PM  
Why don't all the California 8th District farkers get on the horn and call Pelosi and tell her to move her ass.

They won't because impeachment at this point could mobilize an otherwise disillusioned republican base.

 
Dude seriously WTF 2008-07-17 12:42:22 PM  
z.about.com

"we don't know why Mr. Ashcroft is so disgruntled or where these allegations are coming from. There certainly isn't the John any of us remember. If he had issues with the President, he should have raised them at the time of the alleged events."


sigh. I know the official statements will sound eerily similar.

 
GoRedSoxGo 2008-07-17 12:42:57 PM  
OneNutSaloon: GoRedSoxGo: "we don't really give a shiat what he's doing."

I don't think the last one has been uttered in public by any House Democrats, but they might as well just come out and tell us what we all know.

One of em does, and his wife is smokin hot too.


Trufax. I'm just attempting to describe the general "meh" feeling of the House Democrats on impeachment. You've got some, like Elizabeth Kucinich's husband, but it's obvious that as a whole, they don't really care. For whatever reason.

 
IXI Jim IXI [TotalFark] 2008-07-17 12:44:00 PM  
Dude seriously WTF: sigh. I know the official statements will sound eerily similar.

I wonder how long until the Administration has her go out and say "We have some bad news on the War in Iraq and the economy, but we'd appreciate it if you'd just look at my boobs instead."

 
hyperspacemonkey 2008-07-17 12:45:48 PM  
vernonFL: This entire administration can be summed up in two words:

Criminal Negligence.


Maybe for hiring practices, letting 9/11 through, the worst veteran policies since the Civil War ended, and Katrina!

But that doesn't seem to cover starting a war for profit, manufacturing a housing mortgage crisis, lying to the UN about WMDs, and possibly rigging elections!

 
Dude seriously WTF 2008-07-17 12:46:14 PM  
IXI Jim IXI: Hell, I'm surprised they didn't hire the news anchors from Idiocracy.

 
quizzical 2008-07-17 12:49:06 PM  
IXI Jim IXI: Cue "He wasn't in the loop/he was an outsider" in 3...2...1...

This is not the John Ashcroft that members of the administration remember.

 
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