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We heard about this whole "blogosphere" business from Tom DeLay, and came to the immediate realization that we too, "needed to become involved" in it.

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Countdown Thursday: Gonzo With the Wind

Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:48 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

The Gonzo Investigation:  More fascinating than a Senate Subpoena for Karl Rove, or even a possible Justice Department perjury investigation of the man running the Justice Department, Alberto Gonzales, or even the Director of the F-B-I seemingly agreeing that Mr. Gonzales was not truthful...Is the White House response to the dizzying day of scandal and deceit, about what is statistically the least popular administration since Richard Nixon's final week, and empirically the most corrupt since Richard Nixon's last cover-up:  That the Democrats are refusing to do the "people's business"...Even if, one might note, defending the people from a rogue President and a lawless Executive Branch, would seem to be business item number one.

The Edelman Letter:  The Senator asks about troop withdrawal plans...The kind the Pentagon is already war-gaming.  The Under Secretary of Defense writes back, saying the Senator is reinforcing "enemy propaganda."  Today, his boss says nobody thinks she did that.  Somehow, the Under Secretary is still employed.  General Wesley Clark joins us.

ODDBALL:  Dog on the runway, and a basketball backboard that just won't cooperate.

"Dry Run" Post Mortem:    A prominent office building in Washington housing the local headquarters of ABC News was evacuated today after workmen found a suspicious powder in the basement.  Aspirin.  The airport in Long Beach, California was evacuated today after the discovery of a "suspicious device."  A video game.  Our third story on the Countdown: you can't do anything but evacuate, and you can't keep it a secret when you do. But once again, if the government finds something initially suspicious in, say, airport baggage, does it have the right to reveal its suspicions, without revealing the later innocent explanations.  What was theorized and proclaimed a possible terrorist "dry run" turns out to have been a leaky "cold pack" inside the luggage of a woman in her 60's.  And once again we must examine the nexus of politics and terror.

Danger Kitty:  Part of it makes perfect, rational sense.  Part of it, has the makings of an episode of "The Twilight Zone" or M. Night Shyamalan's next movie.  Our number two story on the Countdown: if dogs can warn their owners when a seizure is imminent, and helper monkeys can aid their unconscious human masters, why shouldn't a cat in a Rhode Island nursing home, be able to sense when a patient... is about to die.  On the other hand, this cat appears to be able to sense when a patient is about to die.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD:  The head of public works for a North Carolina town, Ann Coulter, and a certain large-headed FOX Host breaks his own lifetime record for worsties.                                                   
Rowling is Talking:  It's earned the author an estimated 1 point 12 billion dollars.  It's earned the American publishers at least a billion dollars  It's earned the movie makers around 4 billion dollars. And in our number one story on the Countdown tonight: Harry Potter is set to earn everybody even more.

 

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Comments

Funny, just a minute or so prior to the broadcast of Billo's silver award, he cut the mic off on a guest again, she had the goods on what was said about Hillary on his website and he said it was all lies and he could not allow her to speak any further. Fair and balanced?

Sam, WV (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:01 PM)

The cat, I think was visiting all those people so that they would change their Wills and leave all their money to the cat.  That pussy knew what he was doing.

J DOG (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:08 PM)

#1. Now she can buy that Island she always wanted. Australia. #2. For something with nine-lives, we're simple to death-diagnose.  We only have one. #3. If you work for This Government, any powder or anything cold and leaky, just scares the hell out of you.  Can you say 'Auto-Suggestion'? #4. They say it, they just don't think it? #5. Hey, if the Democrats went out and did the real 'Peoples Business', we'd witness the first use of the 'Guillotine' in America! "Mon Dieu...Zee Head of shay-Nee...Eet come right off!"

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:09 PM)

Good Thursday evening. 2 hours 57 minutes local time until the SIMPSONS hit the big screen!

So, Congress is not doing "the people's business"? Hmmm...so, were they doing "the people's business" when the Republicans were in control? Was the Patriot Act "the people's business"? Was the Military Commissions Act "the people's business"? Was the domestic spying program "the people's business"? Was basically giving this administration a blank check to do whatever they wished like irresponsible teenagers "the people's business"? I don't think so.

I think Richard Wolffe hit the nail directly on the head when he said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that for an administration that promised to bring "honor and dignity" to the Oval Office in 2000, they've fallen way way WAY short of the mark. This fact is especially true if what General Clark and Pat Tillman's family suspect about Pat's death is true, and administration higher-ups are attempting to white-wash it and cover their own sorry behinds. I don't know which if any Congressional committee might have something to do with bringing all the facts to light, but DO NOT GIVE UP! Didn't GW repeat the 'ol "executive privilege" mantra as far as releasing details of Pat Tillman's death? It's absolutely shameful, and I don't think the demotion of a retired general is much of a punishment.

Have a good evening.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:21 PM)

Bush is just going to claim 'Exectuve Privilege' with this Subpoena.  

It seems that they must redefine just what that ridiculous cover-up terms actually entails instead of CYA.  

Un-f*****-believable these Republicans.

Greg, Danville, CA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:33 PM)

All of this fuss about subpoenas and contempt and impeachment sort of reminds me of an old song -- Roll out the pardons, we're having a summer of fun, roll out the pardons, we've got the goons on the run, roll out the pardons, Leahy's a man of good cheer, now's the time to roll the pardons, because the special prosecutors are here.  I do hope the pardoner in chief doesn't spoil all our fun.

Bonnie (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:38 PM)

The more pressure Congress and the Senate put on the Bush crime syndicate, the closer they get to having no choice but to begin impeachment proceedings, making it  all the more likely that another terrorist attack will take place here courtesy of al-CIA-duh.  We are living in very dangerous times, indeed.  

R. Northern California (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:42 PM)

Pam, it's good to have ya' back, Give em he11.

Dave (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 10:14 PM)

Well, for any who continue to sachet into the realm of saddistical, satire.  What say you of the recent 'disclosures' from those who have previously testified to the details of the 'attorney-gate' hearings, and, that which can only be concluded to identify the rather creative clauses of the AG - as 'falsehoods.'?
Now... is there unequivocal evidence that the "Emperor" really IS naked?

Ro H, Hesperia, CA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 10:18 PM)

My son and I are eagerly, willingly, ready to shell out more $$ for a 'Potter' encyclopedia. Bless Jo. Her books allow us a brief respite from the real-life BS that dominates our lives. At least in her world, the bad guys Go Away, and the good guys win. In our world, the idiocracratic jerks are still in office, and for the next 17 1/2 months, will be.

Oh, and Pam B - good to see you see you to be back to your old self. Cheers!

JAM, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:18 PM)

We are packing to move next week (just across town) so I didn't get a chance to read the blog yesterday.  I would have posted this on yesterday's thread in which questions were raised about whether Democratic candidates are risking their private fortunes when the criticize BushCo's Iraq policies, in light of the latest Dictatorial Order.  

What I am wondering is if they are getting ready to go after media outlets that are raising issues about the war--MSNBC, McClatchey News Service, Air American, and liberal blogs.  

Linda, Pittsburgh (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:23 PM)

I hope you include the latest in the Tillman tragedy soon:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/26/ap3958728.html
Military and government needs to pay.

The Ghost of Bill Hicks (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:33 PM)

"Refusing to do 'the people's business'"? Hardly!

The outcome of last November's elections was due to "the people" being tired of the Rubber Stamp Congress, the lack of oversight, the increasingly questionable actions of this administration being allowed to go unquestioned, no checks, no balance.

It is beginning to look more and more as though Congress is finally doing the work We the People EXPECT of them, to examine, to question, to scrutinize the workings of the Bush Administration, to reintroduce oversight, checks and balances, to reassert the rule of law in this country over that of men who hold themselves to be above the law.

Demanding accountability of the present White House is part and parcel of "the people's business" now, whether it applies to Bush's bungled war, disastrous domestic and foreign policies, or the machiavellian machinations within the administration that seem directed toward power for power's sake.

The Democratic majority might even accomplish more of what the majority of the American electorate expect of our Congress if the Republican side of the aisle would cease pandering to Bush and get with the program. Using the very tactics they decried so when they were the majority, the GOP contingent have embraced parliamentary parlour tricks in behalf of one of the most corrupt administrations to ever occupy the White House.

I marvel how Tony Snow can in good conscience continue to mouth utter nonsense on behalf of the Bush-Cheney Circus of Wonders.

Niels, sick of clowns, on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:26 AM)

With regards to firing Edelman, he probably can't.  Edelman is likely still under the protection of darth cheney and is thus 'bullet proof'.

To bad all the hard working Americans, who lost their good paying jobs to outsourcing and plant closures didn't have the protection of darth cheney as well.  

Then again, no one ever said that life was fair.  

Good night everyone.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:31 AM)

Keith Olbermann's Countdown is the only news program I watch on TV. For other news I listen to the radio: NPR, BBC, Air America, and local AM radio.

TV news is mostly celebrity fluff, trivial infotainment, and the top 5 sensational headlines repeated over and over. I don't have the time or the interest for that.

Give Keith Olbermann two hours, on the condition that he limit the celebrity fluff and focus on actual news.

Thanks.



alan barlow, Seattle, Washington (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 1:34 AM)

i love your show, it out shines the competiton by yards. keep up the good work.

yvonne p. rivera (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 2:50 AM)

From MSNBC
"Mueller was not in the hospital room at the time of the dramatic March 10, 2004, confrontation between Ashcroft and presidential advisers Andy Card and Gonzales, who was then serving as White House counsel.

Mueller told the House Judiciary Committee he arrived shortly after they left, and then spoke with the ailing Ashcroft.


 
“Did you have an understanding that the conversation was on TSP?” asked Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas in a round of questioning that may have sounded to listeners like bureaucratic alphabet soup.

“I had an understanding the discussion was on a NSA program, yes,” Mueller answered.

Jackson sought to clarify: “We use ‘TSP,’ we use ‘warrantless wiretapping,’ so would I be comfortable in saying that those were the items that were part of the discussion?”

"
"Seemingly agreeing"?
Mueller wasn't in the room and his testimony does no more than speculate as to what may have been discussed.

Wayne, TN (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 3:13 AM)

As to "executive privilege"? Bah, humbug! That power is not to be found expressly stated anywhere in the US Constitution.

For an interesting read on what the Supreme Court had to say about the Nixon White House's usage of executive privilege (United States v. Nixon, 1974): http://www.landmarkcases.org/nixon/privilege.html

Niels, on Bayou DeGradeabelle in Post-Katrina MS (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 4:55 AM)

Niels,Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS

"I marvel how Tony Snow can in good conscience continue to mouth utter nonsense on behalf of the Bush-Cheney Circus of Wonders."

Neils, we've wondered that ourselves. I don't get how Snow looks himself straight in the mirror each morning. What really gets me, is, if my 16-year-old son can get this, why can't people like Scott and Larry?

JAM, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 5:53 AM)

So MSNBC is actually advertising THE O'REILLY FACTOR "during" Olberman's Countdown ... what a hoot!

That's a SMACK in Keith's face ... a big, political SMACK. I guess MSNBC just needs the money.

Paul Gardner, Cincinnati Ohio (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:02 AM)

i like your program, although only a most recent watcher.  have been too turned off by the news media which most to have been asleep at the switch too long.  i also like the way the program is organized and it's features, such as worst person.  i would be curious to know how much pressure you receive from the bush crime family about your news program, and how much pressure they exert on your news bosses?

bill shelton, dimondale mi. (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:06 AM)

Oh my Ann Coulter!!  Since I do not seek out her narrow-minded rhetoric, I appreciate that Countdown exposes her every chance they get.  I especially enjoy when she puts her foot in her mouth.  Nice work Keith and the gang!  

Furthermore, I wish to pose this question...how long does it take logic to overcome fear?  Are our conservative countrymen too scared to question, or do they just lack the logic to realize that everything is not fine?

Keep up the good work, Countdown!!!!!!!!

Adam Welp, Chicago (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:14 AM)

The war in Iraq.
Katrina.  
Gonzalez.  
Scooter Libby.  
Warrantless wiretapping.  
Torture.
And on and on and on...

With every passing day revelations of this lie and that scandal and the utter incompetence of this Administration is revealed, and the giant pile of sh*t just keeps growing.  We who have morals and ethics can smell the sh*t.  We who love this country can all see the sh*t and we voted in 2006 to hire someone to clean it up. Those voted in (Democrats) are trying to clean it up but the republicans put on their blinders and nose plugs and pretend that the sh*t is not there or believe that those who created the pile and who just keep adding TO the pile are eventually going to clean it up. I can't wait until 2008 when those same republicans no longer can avoid the sh*t because they are buried in it.  

LA, Seattle (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:34 AM)

The interminable interviews with JKR are no more newsworthy than Paris Hilton.  Boring, and frankly irrelevant.  But that's just my opinion.  I prefer good writers.  Why couldn't Keith get an interview with Salman Rushdie while they were in line together waiting for HP7?

I'd love to see more of Senator Leahy, now that was an interesting interview!

Also, it's wonderful to see Gen. Clark on a "friendly" channel.  Kudos to MSNBC for luring him away from Faux.

Buttercup, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:44 AM)

Niels, nice post.  Clearly Tony Snow doesn't HAVE a conscience about what he is doing or he wouldn't be able to be the mouth for BushCo.  Either he is an ideologue that supports the people he works for or he is a "professional" who will spin anything for money.  There's a whole bunch of people in this country on both sides of the political aisle who put their own careers ahead of the country. (See, for example, every individual who votes to confirm Torture Guy.)  Snow is just one of the more visible ones.

Imagine what might happen if two or three of them stood up and said, "What this administration is doing is wrong and I can't work for them any more."

Linda, Pittsburgh (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:54 AM)

To address the question of how Mueller would know about the subject of Torture Guy's visit to Ashcroft's room:  Comey testified that HE called Mueller when he found out that Torture Guy and Andrew Card were going to Ashcroft's hospital room.  So Mueller knew BEFORE he went to the hospital what TG and Card were up to.  It would strain credulity to think that Mueller and Card did not speak to each other after TG and Card left.  

Remember also that Comey's aides, who alerted him about TG's intention, knew about TG's intentions to end-run Comey, who was acting AG and had the full authority of the office. John Ashcroft and his wife were also present.  Comey has testified that he was surprised at the force and clarity of Ashcroft's response to TG's visit, given the man's physical condition.  No doubt this visit is seared in Ashcroft's memory, and his wife's as well.

This sorry episode did not transpire entirely in Ashcroft's hospital room;  it began with the dissent in the Justice Dept. over  BushCo's illegal surveillance program and continues to this day, with the spectacle of an Attorney Genera--who is either the stupidest and least competent attorney in the country or a damn liar or both--acting like a common criminal on the witness stand.

No point in even looking to spin this one. This is like Hurricane Katrina, with all the incompetence and corruption out there for the world to see. And now we know why Ashcroft had to go;  he actually tried to follow the law.  

Linda, Pittsburgh (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 9:11 AM)

#4 Story - Great coverage on The Edelman Letter segment. Once again Keith hit the nail on the head with his Special Comment on this matter.

There was some stat person being interviewed this morning on the radio, talking about Iraqi civilian casualties. During the interview, he brought up Fox News, only he didn't say Fox News, he said Fox Noise!!!

And while Keith is reporting on the AG fiasco, Pat Tillman and the never ending unreliable terror scares our government likes to flood us with, BillO last night was commenting that the reason the market crashed yesterday was because the USA is going to have a Democrat as our next president in 17 months.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 9:22 AM)

"Furthermore, I wish to pose this question...how long does it take logic to overcome fear?  Are our conservative countrymen too scared to question, or do they just lack the logic to realize that everything is not fine?"

Unfortunately, Adam, a great number of our fellow Americans will never let logic overcome their fear.  It's easier for them to just blindly believe everything that the people they voted for tell them.  That way they don't have to take personal responsibility for anything; if something positive happens, they credit their elected officials (and pat themselves on the back about how smart they were to elect them); if someting negative happens, they blame "the bad guys" (terrorists, liberals, Democrats, environmentalists, scientists, etc.)

If they realized what a lousy job Dubya & Company were doing to protect them from "The Evil Ones", they'd REALLY be scared spitless.

Flipkid, Blue State (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 9:53 AM)

Linda, Pittsburgh (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:23 PM)

Linda, Newt has been trying to shut down the internet for awhile now.. it is the biggest asset to those of us who read about what they are doing and they know it... it IS the Information Highway...

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 9:56 AM)

Furthermore, I wish to pose this question...how long does it take logic to overcome fear?
Adam Welp, Chicago (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:14 AM)
I know there are some people that just don't want to believe that their own Government and People at the top in office is really doing this to them.. more and more it is showing exactly that Bush and his Thug Bunch are willing to do to finish their agenda. I was speaking to a friend last night and she said this is how her hubby thinks..

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 10:07 AM)

LA, Seattle (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 8:34 AM)
Anytime I see a Top Republican on TV I shout at it the whole time with every sentence and call them a liar.. I wonder how many others do that LOL Or I tell them to get the H3LL off my TV and change the channel..

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 10:10 AM)

To Buttercup and the Countdown blog monitor,

'Harry Potter' may be boring to you, but there's a sizable fan base out there that includes KO and myself.

'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy' may be boring to me, but once again, there's a sizable fan base out there that includes KO and a lot of Countdown bloggers.  

I enjoy the 'final' segments when they are about anything that is artistic, or culturally edgy or creative, like any of the above.  But no one who watches KO wants to wallow in the pig sty that is the lives of the out-of-control twits who bring no value to the world, just disgust.  They may be titillating to some, but they are just boring and disgusting to most.  

I'll take anything intelligent any day over the trailer trash bimbos, and, stay until the end.

So 'Countdown', thank you very much for not dwelling on the 'loser crowd from Hollywood' last night.  I for one appreciated it.

(Yeah! Harry and Ron made Auror, I was hoping that they would -- way to go guys! )

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 10:14 AM)

R. Northern California (Sent Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:42 PM)

R - you used the phrase "al-CIA-duh". That reminded me that sometime back during the Libby fiasco, that I read someone saying that all this (Libby prosecution) started out because the CIA was, er, "irritated" that one of their agents was used by the cabal as Ms. Plame was.

That made me wonder if, perhaps, the CIA is also more than a little ticked off that the intelligence reports that they have been providing have been, er, "interpreted" and used as the cabal has been doing.

That made me wonder if, perhaps, the CIA may be more our friend in repudiating the cabal than we would normally have been prepared to believe. All politics aside and not being at all naive about the CIA's role in things horrendous, I do wonder if the rank-and-file non-political components of this Agency are getting really tired of cabal and their own political leadership.

Do any of you sense any of this or am I completely in error?

Independent, Texas (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 10:21 AM)

Looks like we are moving towards the following inauguration day, 2009 scenario.  First, W pardons everybody, including Dick.  Second, W resigns and Dick is sworn in.  Third, Dick pardons W.  Fourth, new democratic president sworn in.  Don't laugh, it may well unfold just like that!

Dennis, Kansas (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 11:25 AM)

Independent, the CIA are on our side at this point because they stick together just like the Police and Fire Departments.. they are like the 3 Musketeers.. Bush and Cheney screwed up badly when they messed with one of their "own". Then by them Commuting Libby was the last straw. In my opinion they are now outting all of them, with what they are doing.. they can't afford for those at the top to out anymore of their people, when they go against them..time will tell but I doubt if it will be in our lifetime..

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 11:29 AM)

To all of my fellow bloggers (especially those who are part of the 28%)

John Dean, former Nixon (R) White House counselor has written an excellent article on Plame gate -- which should be read by every voter in this country.

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20070724.html

Joe Wilson's War:
Though He and His Wife Valerie Plame Lost Their Lawsuit against Cheney and Others, It's Only One Battle in a Fight that Flushed Out Much Truth
By JOHN W. DEAN

The following are John Dean's words, and no one can accuse him of being "left wing" or "a flaming liberal".  

A half-dozen or so examples of the revelations the scandal prompted make the point:

The Revelation of Bush's Concocted Justification for the Iraq Invasion
The Revelations Concerning Bush Administration Incompetence
The Evidence that Conservatives Fight Dirty and Dishonestly
The Evidence that The Intelligence Identities Protection Act Is Deeply Flawed
Appointing A Special Counsel To Investigate Was the Result of A Fluke
The Revelations Regarding Dick Cheney's Dominant Role in Foreign Policy
Indications that Conservative Hypocrisy Remains High

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 11:33 AM)

Linda, Pittsburgh (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 9:11 AM)

Excellent post, thank you.

I have to wonder why Ashcroft doesn't just step up and clear all this up. If he says that he was too out of it to remember clearly (very understandable) then we still have Gonzalez in a lie. If Ashcroft does clearly remember, the we have Gonzalez and his cohort in conspiracy to commit perjury - that is a criminal act, right? You lawyers out there, tell me if there is a distinction here.

Independent, Texas (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 11:40 AM)

Your are completely correct Inde, politics runs deep in the CIA, its the Democrats in the CIA that are giving this administration such a hard time because they can. They can manipulate the evidence to portray what may not be true, plant evidence to make those in the administration look bad or even lye. They have done it before whats to stop them now. Even as hard as the Democrats in the CIA have tried to take down Scooter and Karl even Gonzo they seem to always come up short.

Donny Long Makin Ga (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 11:47 AM)

Independent and R. Northern California

The CIA on our side? -- I think that there may be more than a glimmer of truth to this. The rank and file from the CIA and FBI (et al -- forgive me if I missed a group) are true patriots who work to support and defend Constitution and country.

If it were me, and all my research, fact finding and analysis had been so consistently abused over the last 6 1/2 years, I'd be "irritated" as well.  

The CIA backed Valeria Plame and wanted the "Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald" investigation and look at how much dirt it has dug up -- see John Dean's article.

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20070724.html

Joe Wilson's War:
Though He and His Wife Valerie Plame Lost Their Lawsuit against Cheney and Others, It's Only One Battle in a Fight that Flushed Out Much Truth
By JOHN W. DEAN

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:00 PM)

Carol in Long Valley, I don't mind it being on, but last night's segment was entirely too long and in no way (to me) warranted a #1 story billing.  Ah well, at least it wasn't Musto!  Thank providence for small favors.

As to HP being "intelligent" subject matter, that's also a matter of opinion and one on which I have no problem differing with folks.  World would be a boring place if we all thought the same. :)

Buttercup, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:08 PM)

On a more serious note the numbers for Countdown are moving fast but in the wrong direction. When are the producers of the show going to realize they have a losing formula with all the negativity. Learn from the continuous problems with Air America. I think you are smarter than waking everyday and seeing your ratings disappear down the veritable rabbit hole

Larry Boston Ma. (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:10 PM)

Carol, Long Valley NJ

JKR set it up in "GoF" that they would be Aurors...

Buttercup, Pretty much nobody cares about that Hilton skank, but you'd be surprised at how many people care about 'Harry Potter'.

Pat, Boston, did that idiot really say that?

JAM, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:14 PM)

Niels

"Refusing to do 'the people's business'"? Hardly!

You state that they are starting to do what WE the People elected them for.  What would that be.  Investigations for this. Investigations for that.  What about real legislation. What about Immigration reform, what about social security reform, what about cutting the pork out of spending (I also hold Bush responsible for not holding the line on spending).  You have awful low standards.  I would expect that the american public would want more.

So basically, all you want them to do is watch over Bush.  Yes, I know, there should be checks and balances, and that is how the system is set up.  But really, the constitution doesn't provide for congressional oversight of the Executive Branch.

If you are happy with how the Democratic majority (and the republicans for that matter) are performing then good for you.  I personally think that they should be doing more than having one side show and political stunt after another.  

Think again about what you really want out of your elected representatives.  I think it is something more than a game of gotcha from one party to another.  You can see the grins every time that the other party screws up something or they catch them in something.  You could see the glee in Chuck Schumer's face when he thinks that he has caught Al Gonz with a supposed smoking gun.

God, it is all so tiring.  

Keith, Allentown, PA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:18 PM)

Gonzales is a man of the cloth, the same cloth of the republicans. Frankly, with the summer reruns coming, what better time for Gonzales is during such a time when when we can get interested in television again. Gonzales is the key to greater television watching this summer. Get the popcorn ready because an impeachment is coming. Anyone knowledgeable in chess realizes that the White House inists upon this. So, let's not disappoint but press on with dispensing with Gonzales. Not a Speedy Gonzales, but a Seedy Gongales!

Provenance (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:44 PM)

One wonders whether Clement, the guy who is in the position of naming an independent presecutor, will do so because of his Bush connections.Then too he is connected to Ashcroft and the perception that Ashcroft may have been intimidated by the likes of Card and Gonzales during his hospital stay, may put the onus on Clement to get back at these rascals. Talk about pressure, maybe Clement is the new Elliot Ness and the Untouchables. Let us see if he can rid the government of these rascals!

Caveat Emptor of Oregon (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:52 PM)

Independent, Texas

No, I don't believe you are "in error" but I do believe that no-one there can really say anything. I feel certain that since the outing of one of their own, the majority in that agency must have contemptuous feelings toward this administration.

JAM, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 12:54 PM)

Independent, Texas, "al-CIA-duh" is my sarcastic reference to al-Qaeda, a CIA created and sponsored organization to battle the Soviets after they invaded Afghanistan.  They recruited bin Laden and put him in charge of it.  al-Qaeda is still their baby, and they and other western intelligence organs are the ones who are really responsible for all the terrorist acts in the US, Spain and England.  They are also responsible for starting the sectarian violence in Iraq, since splitting it into three regions was the plan all along.  They haven't finished that job yet.  That's why our troops can't leave.

The FBI can still be salvaged with the right people in charge, but the CIA is not our friend, and never has been.  It should be completely dismantled and all of it's agents retired, stripped of their credentials or jailed.  Likewise with the World Bank, the IRS and the Federal Reserve.  The only way to regain control of our country and put these elite whackos out of business, the ones who think they have some divine right to rule over the rest of us, is to grab their people, and seize their assets.  Nothing short of a massive crackdown on these devils will work.  Now, who's up for job?  Vote wisely.  This will be the last chance we ever get, assuming we're allowed to vote.

R. Northern California (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 1:17 PM)

I can't imagine another Army Ranger becoming "sniveling" in the Tillman situation. The stories appear contrived in order to hide the actual events. First, Tillman is killed by unfriendly fire only to be found to have been killed by friendly fire. Now, we hear that there was possible "siveling" going on! What? As Don Addams, Agent 86, would have said,"Would you believe death by a baloney sandwich?", this is going to great lengths to look all the more insipid and made-up!

Simpliticus (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 1:43 PM)

"Mueller wasn't in the room and his testimony does no more than speculate as to what may have been discussed."

His testimony is based on a debrief he got from John Ashcroft. Are you calling John Ashcroft a liar?

Party on, Wayne.

Hunter of NY (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 2:07 PM)

First, Carol, in Long Valley:  You make a good point.  The last segment, when there isn't a Special Comment or some horrific news, is a nice spot to look at popular culture, and it is particularly nice to have a book (books, really) be the focus.  Entertainment Weekly has a very nice article in this week's issue;  among other things, it explains a plot point that left me puzzled.  But read the book first; it's full of spoilers.

On to Independent (Friday, 10:21 am):  Your observations about the CIA are interesting.  They might also explain why they are being very explicit about raising alarms about al Quaida right now, since BushCo blamed them for "faulty intelligence" re: the 9/11 attack.  (My point would be that it is not CIA intelligence that was missing, but ordinary human intelligence and common sense, but this is BushCo we are talking about.)

There are a number of former CIA guys writing on various blogs on the net who are quite critical of BushCo, and it is hard to know to what extent they reflect the thinking of the current CIA, either the top leadership or the rank-and-file (who make have different views).

Linda, Pittsburgh (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 2:46 PM)



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