Judge orders former President George W. Bush to testify in SMU lawsuit

[El Supremo]

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Judge Martin Hoffman has ordered that former President George W. Bush be deposed in a long-running lawsuit against Southern Methodist University over land acquisition related to the Bush presidential library.

The judge, however, decided that former First Lady Laura Bush would not have to provide testimony about conversations that took place years ago about Bush’s presidential library.

But even as the judge wrote his position, Bush’s attorneys were preparing an appeal that would trigger an immediate stay so that an appellate court would reconsider the matter.

Last week, a lawyer for Bush said the former president would not voluntarily give a sworn statement, but Hoffman had urged lawyers for all sides to reach an accord on how a statement from Bush could be taken....

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/04170n9dnmetbushtestimony.e3c220c2.html

[Xipe Totec]

1. The chimp is allergic to speaking under oath

has anyone else noticed?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. He'll be happy to "have a visit,"

just like he did, with Cheney holding his hand. Not under oath, because he's so fucking special.

I still cannot believe America tolerated that bullshit flouting of our laws. The fucking arrogance, and THEY'VE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT.

[Downwinder]

10. Not that his "oath" would be worth much.

[marshall]

36. Presidents testifying under oath isn't a good track record.

When forced to do so they must comply, but you've got to admit history isn't on the side of presidents getting out of under oath situations unscathed.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I don't care which of the 8000 legit reasons works to get him behind bars. Just do it!

[Catshrink]

4. OH heck, George

Have Karl wire you up with an earpiece like he did during the '04 debates when you testify. Just get it over with, you moran.

[Jefferson23]

5. No matter what he has ever touched, it turns to shit.

[lbrtbell]

12. The anti-Midas touch

:rofl:

[Laelth]

32. Welcome to DU!

:dem:

-Laelth

[santamargarita]

6. Testify, only if he can sit on Cheney's lap with a bottle

:beer:

[LiberalFighter]

7. Beat me to it.

[santamargarita]

8. Finally got one...

:hi:

[Bozita]

9. GWB gets Secret Service protection. Does that include a whole gaggle of trial lawyers?

[Dr.Phool]

11. All this, for a place to put "My Pet Goat" and a coloring book?

[Thor_MN]

34. Over 8 years, I'm sure he got through at least a couple coloring books

I hear there's one where he even stayed inside the lines on most of the pages.

[Thor_MN]

35. Weird double post

[ima_sinnic]

13. some of the comments under that show that brain-dead people can at least type

. . . and here I thought that having only a functioning brain stem precluded any motor activity at all.

[No Elephants]

14. Condominium owners who sold to SMU are suing bc SMU did not tell them that it

planned to build a Presidential library before they sold? What kind of lawsuit is that?


In any event, depose Dummya.

[rainbow4321]

15. Judge orders former President George W. Bush to testify in SMU lawsuit

Source: Dallas Morning News

A judge ruled Friday that former President George W. Bush will have to give a statement in the lawsuit against Southern Methodist University, despite weeks of legal battles aimed at keeping Bush out of the court fray

(snip)
Courts have generally been reluctant to order a sitting or former president to take part in proceedings. There are seven reported cases of presidents giving testimony in criminal cases, and only three cases in civil court, according to documents filed by Bush lawyers this week. Those were in federal court.


But the judge was not persuaded. Lawyers for the condo owners have spent hours taking sworn statements from several high-profile SMU officials who were present in meetings with Bush, where his presidential library was discussed. Dallas businessman Ray Hunt, SMU President Gerald Turner and former White House counsel Harriet Miers were each deposed on several occasions.

Excerpts of their statements submitted in court – particularly those in which they said they could not recall details – persuaded the judge that Bush may indeed have superior and unique knowledge relevant to the case.



Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/041709dnmetbushtestimony.e3c220c2.html

[NanceGreggs]

16. I never thought I'd live to see the day ...

... when anyone described W as having "superior and unique knowledge" about anything.

Go figure! :shrug:

[babylonsister]

17. Whoa. This could be interesting. SMU forced people to sell condos for the * library?

The library that many SMU staff didn't want to be built in the first place? And WHY is idiot son going to China?

From the OP:

The plaintiffs say that SMU bullied condo owners to sell their units to the university without disclosing plans to build a presidential library there. At the same time, they say, SMU officials showed Bush plans to put the library at the University Gardens site even before they tried to buy it.

Bush Foundation officials now say they do not plan to build the library on the disputed land.

Bush was scheduled to be in China at the end of the week, and neither he nor a spokesman could be reached for comment late Friday.

[rainbow4321]

19. Former U.S. President Bush to deliver speech in China

I'm thinking it's his staff's way of keeping the delusion going: "You still matter, really you do..."


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/17/content_11198444.htm


Bush is scheduled to deliver a speech, themed "The U.S., Asia and the Future" on Saturday night at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2009, which starts Friday in China's southern island province of Hainan.

"Former President Bush will give a keynote speech on April 18 and is expected to discuss his time in office and outlook for the future," Long Yongtu, BFA secretary-general, was quoted as saying on the BFA official website.

(snip)

Long said the ex-president will meet with people from both business and government sectors to exchange views on world development during the three-day annual conference which has the theme of "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis."

Leaders and former leaders from more than a dozen countries and regions have been invited to attend the forum, at which Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will give a keynote speech.

[babylonsister]

23. Jeeze. Can he be arrested there? I wish. I'd send a few bucks to China

to see the deed done. :)

[AspenRose]

18. It must suck not being THE DECIDER anymore.

Imagine that.

[Mist]

20. Sets a nice precedent for * being called to testify on far greater issues, no? nt

[opihimoimoi]

21. What will he remember?? What will he forget? This could be the Melt Down Phase of his LIFE

The Queeg Moment.....I can see the excuses ....anything to keep off the Stand......Its gonna be good odds for Wheels coming off soon......

Bush and aides sweatin bullets.....ditto Rove, Cheney, etc

[pacalo]

22. I love it: the boy king has to testify because his cronies couldn't "recall" details! Hahaaa!

It's refreshing to know there's one judge who won't stand for that crap.

[babylonsister]

24. Yes! He can't fool everyone all the time. And this is one of many. nt

[pacalo]

25. That was the best part of the article, sis!

[Bjorn Against]

26. Maybe we can hope that a judge who will make him testify will also take perjury seriously.

I have so little faith in Bush's ability to get a sentence out without telling a lie that I would actually be shocked if he could get through court testimony without committing an act of perjury, let's hope this judge will take it seriously when he does.

[Moosepoop]

30. You're more hopeful than I am.

I have little faith in Bush's ability to get a sentence out, period.

[NYC Liberal]

27. Hey, you know .. while we have him under oath..

[earcandle]

28. How come they appeared at depositions at smaller courts, but not in front of Congress?

Do smaller courts now have more clout? More power?

Has Congress becomes so non-responsive to constitutional
reasoning and have abdicated
enforcing the law because of internal corruption?

This pisses me off. 

[BumRushDaShow]

31. My thoughts exactly!

Dallas businessman Ray Hunt, SMU President Gerald Turner and former White House counsel Harriet Miers were each deposed on several occasions.

:wtf:

Meanwhile I expect more sternly worded letters to Miers to appear before Conyers. At least 9 requests have been ignored so far. :eyes:

[madeline_con]

29. Bush has knowledge?

:spray:

[formercia]

33. "It is rare for a sitting or former president to be compelled

to answer questions under oath. "

The right of Kings?

Something for Congress to do.