Listening to Pat Leahy's speech. WOW

[XOKCowboy]

He slammed Specter for not swearing in Gonzo with a speech that very concisely spells out why Bush is breaking federal law by bypassing FISA. Fuggin' amazing speech.

I was totally out of touch today and looks like I missed a lot. They didn't swear in Gonzo? Chickenshits. Specter said they shouldn't waste time debating swearing him because the Repugs have the votes but Leahy didn't care. He spoke for 12 minutes. I also saw where Helen Thomas smacked down Scotty today. That was sweet. I think our new slogan should be: "You know what happened to Nixon when he broke the law." She got him good.

One other thing.. Since when did the Attorney Generals opinion mean more than the Constitution? Especially THIS Attorney General. What a toady. He's not even a smooth liar.

All of the video's are over at crooksandliars.com. I always go there first when I log on.

[longship]

1. Video available on Crooks and Liars.

Here it is:
Pat Leahy's Opening Statement at NSA Hearings

And boy, does he let ChimpCo have it.

Recommended and kicked.
:kick:ed

[radfringe]

2. heard it...

cheers for Leahy

one thing really struck me about Gonzales's testimony (under oath or not)

Gonzales was acting more like a bush* defense attorney than as the Attorney General

----------
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/cabinet.html

Department of Justice (1870):
As the largest law firm in the Nation, the Department of Justice serves as counsel for its citizens. It represents them in enforcing the law in the public interest. Through its thousands of lawyers, investigators, and agents, the Department plays the key role in protection against criminals and subversion, in ensuring healthy competition of business in our free enterprise system, in safeguarding the consumer, and in enforcing drug, immigration, and naturalization laws.

The affairs and activities of the Department of Justice are generally directed by the Attorney General. The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. The Attorney General appears in person to represent the Government before the U.S. Supreme Court in cases of exceptional gravity or importance.

[annabanana]

6. He called Bush his CLIENT!!

Schumer didn't call him on it...
I called Schumer on that..(we may hear about it today, apparently I wasn't the only one)

[autorank]

3. My Boze Radio Alarm Went off with Leahy Grilling Gonzo...

I was glad to wake to that beautiful sound...and I can tell you, that absent the distractions of visual imagery and with Boze sound, it was very clear that Leahy was focused and FURIOUS. The contempt in his voice was amazing. In addition, Hatch followed him. Hatch usually engages in some idiotic histrionics. He was quite calm. I think he didn't want' to mess with Leahy and also he understood the gravity of the situation.

I would not want Leahy on my case, not now or anytime. The guy is amazing.

[AtomicKitten]

4. well, they voted, 10:8 not to swear him in.

guess you figure out how that vote went down.

[annabanana]

7. with a couple of proxies that Arlen couldn't produce. . n/t

[AtomicKitten]

8. and we're supposed to trust these guys? Yikes

[cali]

5. "Did you do that, did you do that, did you do that, did you

do that?" Pat to abu gonzo re purely domestic spying. I think it's called badgering the witness, and I loved it. The old prosecutor came through. Leahy's controlled and palpable anger was powerful, and as Glenn Greenwald noted, poignant. His liberal use of sarcasm was also an effective tactic. I was proud of my Senator yesterday.