Dems Threaten To Block Mukasey Nomination Over Torture Question

AP:

Judge Michael Mukasey's nomination for attorney general ran into trouble Thursday when two top Senate Democrats said their votes hinge on whether he will say on the record that an interrogation technique that simulates drowning is torture.

"It's fair to say my vote would depend on him answering that question," Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., told reporters late Thursday.

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[NATIONALSECURITY4US]

09:34 PM on 10/26/2007

OTHER VERY IMPORTANT OFFICIAL E-MAILS WERE ALSO

SENT 2 VARIOUS OTHER CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT

COMMITTEES 4 THEM 2 THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE AS

EARLY AS 6/2004 & ONWARDS...

2 THIS DAY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE WITH CRIMINAL

BEHAVIOR & CRIMES AMOUNTING 2 TREASON BY A SLEW

OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL VERY WELL AWARE OF THESE

EVENTS...

SOME CABINET MEMBERS UP & LEFT BY RESIGNING &

OTHERS WERE AWARDED MEDALS 2 GUARANTEE THEIR

SILENCE -- WHILE OTHERS WERE GIVEN ADVANCEMENTS

OR CUSHY POSTS OR POSITIONS IN VARIOUS PLACES..


READ ALL ABOUT IT AT:

http://360.yahoo.com/caspereraser1


I'M IN DESPARATE NEED OF A FIRE & BRIMSTONE

TYPE OF ATTORNEY 2 REPRESENT ME & MY CASE...


THE SO-CALLED WATCHDOG GROUPS DO NOT SEEM 2 BE

OF ANY HELP -- I GUESS GOVT. FUNDING / GRANTS

MEANS MORE 2 THEIR ORGANIZATIONS -- THEN A SLEW

OF GOVT. OFFICIALS COMMITTING A ASSORTMENT OF

CRIMES THAT PALES IN COMPARISON 2 WATERGATE OR

ALL OF THE - "GATES" - PUT TOGETHER & COMBINED.


I FIND IT AMAZING THAT TERRORISTS = POTENTIAL

SERIAL KILLERS CAN GET A LAWYER & YET SOMEONE

WHO SINGLE-HANDEDLY THWARTED A IMMINENT ATTACK

FROM COMING INTO FRUITION CAN NOT FIND A LAWYER

2 TAKE MY CASE...


HOWEVER THIS STATEMENT BY CHENEYS' AIDE =

"WE ARE 1 BOMB AWAY FROM OUR GOALS" = READ LINK

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/09/04/addington/index.html?source=newsletter

I BELIEVE WAS INTENDED 2 HAPPEN IN 2004 & 4 IT

2 SCREW-UP THE 2004 ELECTIONS -- WHEREAS THE

LANGUAGE IS CLEAR IN PNSD # 51...


SO WHILE EVERYONE ELSES' LIVLIHOOD CONTINUES ON

& EARNING A LIVING -- MY LIFE WAS COMPLETELY

UTTERLY DESTROYED -- 4 DOING A NOBLE DEED AS 1

D.H.S. AGENT TOLD ME A WHILE BACK ON A CALL

THAT I MADE 2 HIM...


2 MANY GOVT. PEOPLE STILL POSSESS CREDENTIALS

& SECURITY CLEARANCES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

REVOKED A LONG TIME AGO & STILL MUST BE NOW...


EVEN THOSE WHO STILL POSSESS A BADGE & GUN...

WHO TELL US HOW 2 LIVE BY NOT DOING CRIME & YET

THEY'VE CONSPIRED 2 COVER-UP & COMMIT SERIOUS

FELONIES & YET STILL POSSESS THEIR JOBS/POSTS..

I GUESS CRIME REALLY DOES PAY --- HUH...

[NATIONALSECURITY4US]

09:08 PM on 10/26/2007

CONCLUSION

In closing Sir, I'd like 2 say that if you seek
the votes necessary 2 secure a veto-proof majority - 2 stymie this run-away Presidency - I'd think it's IMPERATIVE Senator, that you read my 7/24/2007 E-MAIL that I sent 2 you, on the floor of the Senate & 2 members of the House as well...

You may very well pick-up enough votes 2 finally derail this run-away train - you now have Senators Hagel/Snowe & possibly Collins & Grassley + others...

I'd guarantee if ALL Members knew what was contained in that e-mail I sent you Sir, many more WOULD flip the script on the President & side with WHAT'S MORAL/WHAT'S RIGHT - then 4 them 2 continue on committing 1 atrocity after another...

I'd stake my life on it...

This administration has been hiding behind NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES/TERRORISM RELATED MATTERS & IN THE INTERIM COMMITTED A WIDE VARIETY OF CRIMES IN THE PROCESS - MANY THAT ARE ATTRIBUTED 2 ME IN GENERAL - 4 WHAT I DID 4
OUR COUNTRY UNLESS OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T REALLY
WANT ME 2 DO WHAT THEY'VE ASKED ALL AMERICANS 2
DO & I SUCCEEDED AT IT IN DOING SO - WITH THE ILLEGAL WIRE-TAPPING OF A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN CITIZEN/ABUSE OF NSL LETTERS/THE DESTRUCTION OF
MY LIFE & THE RIGHT 4 ME 2 SUSTAIN A LIVLIHOOD & ON & ON IT GOES...

I do hope in the near future that I'll be SUBPOENAED B-4 YOUR COMMITTEE - 2 tell my side of the story in a first person account of what actually has happened & what has subsequently happened after the fact of the original events,
DEALING WITH THE ABOVE LINK...

Here's a link Senator that's very disturbing & contains way 2 many - "WHAT IFS"

A STATEMENT MADE BY THE CHENEYS' TOP AIDE = CHILLING...

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/09/04/addington/index.html?source=newsletter

Senator, I implied about this type of scenario in my last e-mail 2 you Sir, & then I found & read this recent statement...

THANK YOU 4 YOUR ATTENTIVENESS SIR...

HONESTLY - TRUTHFULLY & RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
NATIONAL-SECURITY-4-US
S. COLLINS

[NATIONALSECURITY4US]

09:06 PM on 10/26/2007

PART 3

2 - Deals with the INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY - as I
understand the U.S. Constitution as I read it - THE BIGGEST FLAW THAT I SEE OUR FORE-FATHERS MADE IN CRAFTING THIS DOCUMENT - WAS NOT HAVING
THE VISION 2 SEE WHAT WE'VE ALL SEEN IN THIS PRESIDENCY ALONE - BIG-TIME...

OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS' HAVE USED IT 2 THEIR ADVANTAGE AS WELL IN THE PAST...

Sir, it's hard 4 the Law Enforcement Agencies 2 even investigate or ever prosecute any members of the Executive Branch when it would be their boss that they could or would be going
after 2 INVESTIGATE/PROSECUTE...

America's bigger than one man or a specific family & no one is above the LAW -- PERIOD..

SO I PROPOSE THAT CONGRESS RATIFY THE CONSTITUTION SO THAT THE JUDICARY BRANCH IS TOTALLY SEVERED/INDEPENDENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH - THIS WILL SOLVE A SLEW OF PROBLEMS IN & OF ITSELF - IF CONGRESS WOULD ONLY GO 2 THE EXTREME 2 WEED OUT CORRUPTION/STOP CORRUPTIBLE INFLUENCES FROM ARISING IN THE FIRST PLACE...

SCOTUS got involved in a Presidential Election I believe had no right at all 2 intervene in whatsoever...

They also sided with the Pres. on most issues - some favorable & some not...

How can DOJ/FBI or any other Law Enforcement Agency investigate a matter of importance criminally - when the President can order it disavowed/rescinded as was the case when O.P.R.
was on the verge of investigating something that the WHITE HOUSE/EXECUTIVE BRANCH STOPPED DEAD IN ITS' TRACKS FROM PROCEEDING FORWARD...

I do believe that I made my point crystal clear
Senator, 4 the Senate 2 possibly consider severing the JUDICIAL BRANCH FROM THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH IMMEDIATELY...

As it stands now America doesn't have 3 CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVT. - WHEN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVT. IS SO ENTWINED WITH THE EXEC. BRANCH OF GOVT. - REALISTICALLY AMERICA ONLY HAS 2 CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVT. & THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH SEEMS NON-EXISTANT OR EVEN CONSIDERED EQUAL 2 THIS - "MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY PRESIDENCY"

[NATIONALSECURITY4US]

09:03 PM on 10/26/2007

PART 2

I've read some conflicting stories about him - all I do know about him is that he was a Chief Judge at the Southern District of New York when
a slew of people were indicted by his court 4 the 1998 Embassy Bombings in Africa...

Specifically these 2 in this link - bottom left & bottom right:

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/may04/bolo052604.htm

Bottom left = Fazul Abdullah Mohammed... Bottom right = Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani...

Senator, the reason 4 the link is 2 provide 4 a hyperthetical question that was really a
REALITY in life that has truly occurred...

QUESTION = Would the U.S.A.G. if he found out that members of the Executive Branch committed crimes - WILL HE BE WILLING 2 MAKE THE CALL - 2
the Secret Service or whatever appropriate LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY 2 ARREST whoever it was that
needed 2 be arrested - BE IT THE PRESIDENT/V.P.
OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PRESIDENTS' CABINET OR ANY OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS...

THAT SENATOR - IS THE TYPE OF U.S.A.G. THAT IS DESPARATELY NEEDED IN AMERICA TODAY - ANYTHING LESS IS CRIMINAL...

Sir, A INDEPENDENT JUDICARY IS A MANDATORY NECESSITY ESPECIALLY IN TODAYS' DAY & TIMES...

Senator, it isn't any secret that time & time again - that those who've come b-4 the Senate 2
be Confirmed in the past - will do/say whatever
they have 2 -- 2 be Confirmed & not long after many who've been Confirmed - they'll do the complete opposite of what they swore they'd do & or promised they'd do 2 be Confirmed...

Now I'll offer you Sir, 2 proposals 2 fix these
problems that have plagued the American political structure 4 so long now...

1 - The Senate should pass a law that gives the
power 2 the Senate 2 De-Confirm any person that
the Senate has Confirmed - 4 whatever reasons that the Senate feels is suitable/appropriate..

The time 4 head-games & political bullshit must
come 2 a end -- this is a way 2 ensure that & 2
restore accountability 2 those appointed 2 higher offices...

2 -

[NATIONALSECURITY4US]

09:01 PM on 10/26/2007

SENT TO ASSURE AMERICAS' NEXT U.S.A.G IS LIKE THIS - TOTALLY IMPARTIAL & IS WILLING TO FIGHT CRIME IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WHERE EVER IT MAY EXIST...
=============================================== Good Morning Senator, 10/17/2007 - 9:47 AM

Sorry that this is time pressed Sir, hopefully you'll look at it as being hot off the presses.

Starting with F.I.S.A. - F.I.S.A was working perfectly, now maybe the window 2 file 4 a warrant really only needs expanding from the current 72 hours 2 maybe 7 days/10 days 2 as high as 2 weeks -- NO MORE...

The 45 days proposed in the house seems way 2 laxed -- what'll be the excuse on the 46th day = THEY FORGOT...

Strict stringent applications must be applied 4 this law 2 be effective & no longer ABUSED - 45 days seems way 2 long in my eyes...

We all know what Rep. Harman dug-up which forced members of Congress 2 pass the "Protect America Act" way 2 hastily without thorough consideration/consultation - it only amounted 2 FEAR/SMEAR TACTICS or it was all the Democrats fault were something 2 happen...

If the President vetoes a newer version THE BUCK STOPS WITH HIM BECAUSE HE VETOED IT - THE SAME WITH IF HE VETOED A WAR-FUNDING BILL HE DIDN'T LIKE/APPROVES OF = HE'LL BE AT FAULT 4 VETOING IT - AS CONGRESS HAS PRESENTED 2 HIM...

Now 2 the IMMUNITY 4 the tele-communication companies - IF THIS IS GRANTED - IT'LL ONLY LEAD 2 EVEN MORE WIDE SPREAD ABUSE...

ONCE CONGRESS WAS 2 GRANT THIS IT'S ESSENTIALLY
GIVING THE ADMINISTRATION THE GREEN LIGHT 2 BE EVEN MORE INTRUSIVE & PICK BACK-UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF - IF IT EVER STOPPED DOING WHAT IT WAS
DOING IN THE FIRST PLACE...

Now 2 the matter at hand the confirmation hearing 4 appointing a new U.S.A.G. - I do hope
that his nationality doesn't give him a free pass with fellow Jewish members in the Senate just because he's Jewish doesn't make one a
righteous Jew or any nationality 4 that matter.

PART 1

[gopindrag]

10:23 AM on 10/26/2007

johnny, yani, yani, what's in your closet? Is that where you keep your Republican 'wide stance?' Is that where you keep your priceless autographs, the Mark Foley, Ted Haggard, Duke Cunningham autographs? Come on out, be a man, come on out, plug your can. Larry is quivering in anticipation. Shake his hand and you'll never wash it. C'mon camp follower, follow the money

[joebaggadonuts]

10:06 AM on 10/26/2007

I watched some amazing theater on the Tee Vee last night as CNN was showing continuous footage of Bush walking around with Schwarzenegger. Bush walked up to a couple who had lost their home and put his arm around the woman and explained how he cared about her and "people like her", how he was proud of her resolve to overcome, et cetera. Bilbray tried to get in some words about how well everyone worked together but he interrupted the fearless leader who was visibly not pleased. Bush artfully (yes, there is art in this) mentioned how well things worked because his federal government was on top of things, in a way that was not possible in New Orleans during/after Katrina. The governator spoke up at the end, sucking up with a George Bush cares so much he called first kind of speech, which would have been perfect had he not slipped and used the phrase "compared to other disasters". This one unscripted phrase torpedoed Bush's whole act as the mind focussed on how here was an example where government resources were properly used and that the whole of the government, including atta boy Brown's management of the scene and the use of BlackWater to patrol the scene came rushing into consciousness. Here was the pathetic Bush, seeking to save his legacy by putting on a good show, seeking to extend Republican fiat rule by hiding the steel fist of freedom to disappear and torture in the velvet glove of faked compassion.

Reminds me of this Democratic show a bit somehow.

[SensibleAmerican]

12:44 PM on 10/26/2007

I agree, it was just a show and most people get that except for the Fixed News demographics! But as I had mentioned earlier on Reid and Pelosi, take the recent Health Insurance vote in the House that was to be "veto proof". 26 democrats were absent and a lot of them were in California for obvious reasons. Now why did Pelosi have to table the Bill just this moment?!

Same goes for the DREAM Act. You maybe against illegal immigration and justifiably so, but this has to do with kids who are here for no fault of their's. They have been raised in this Country and are Americans for all practical purposes. They have an opportunity to go to college AND serve their Country in the Armed Forces. Reid tables that Bill now ...

My personal take is that Pelosi/Reid really do not want anything done till the elections, so that they can take such "failures" to the public in '08 and blame it all on Bush. Sure Bush is to blame really but such political calculations are being done at the expense of actual lives and human beings!!!

[Felicty]

09:49 AM on 10/26/2007

From where I sit, Dems always threaten, but ALWAYS fail to act.

If we can't impeach a fucking murderous idiot, I no longer consider myself a Democrat.

[SensibleAmerican]

12:47 PM on 10/26/2007

Impeach the "real Presdient" Cheney, not Bush

For one, impeachment requires 2/3rd the numbers in both House and Senate. The Democrats get filibustered if they want to pass a resolution to just go pee! You think an impeachment motion will pass?!

Even if it can, impeaching Bush will get Cheney to actually become President! You think things were catastrophic now?!

[A Meat Beetle]

09:38 AM on 10/26/2007

Oooooohhh, the Democrats are threatening! Bush is going to have to pull out the big guns and give them a dirty look. That will put them back in their place!

They'll be making snow angels in Puerto Rico before this "president" backs down from this "congress".

[IREALLYHATEBUSH]

09:32 AM on 10/26/2007

Perhaps he would like to participate in a demonstration, as the subject. Give him an up-close and presonal taste of it....

[lookingAhead]

09:29 AM on 10/26/2007

Why threaten when all you have to tell the old coot that if he can't understand and uphold the constitution then he should pickup his toys and leave. What is the deal that we always replace these dumb asses with lesser dumb asses. Does this administration has any competent upper management? Are are we gong to scrap the bottom of the barrel because that's all that left for this admin. Sorry and scary shit tell it leaves.

[serialcoma]

09:23 AM on 10/26/2007

No one that bush nominates for any position within our government should be trusted or approved. Even a passing association with bush and his handlers is lethal to normal thought processes.

[BrickSykes]

09:15 AM on 10/26/2007

Mukasey should WALK! He cannot answer because he has NO concept of the application of Waterboarding. He believes that he is so far removed from the issue he can't make a decision. And he's probably right!

People who would never, ever, be presented with the possibility of being waterboarded themselves simply cannot make that decision. He should simply withdraw his nomination himself.

Elitists like Mukasey cannot stretch their minds enough to consider what it would be like to be "tortured" up to and including a "Near Death" experience. He is not qualified to make that decision.

He should be rejected.

Brick

[TooLooze]

08:44 AM on 10/26/2007

The comments are filled with posts saying that all the Democrats do is threaten and how tired and disappointed we are with them. I totally agree.

On Dan Abrams MSNBC the other night there was a segment about the Colbert candidacy. Everyone seemed to be wondering how we could be so naive as to actually support him. This is the answer. Yes, we know he's a comedian, yes, we know its a joke. But we are waiting for a democrat with a spine and this is what we are trying to show the morons at the Democratic Party. Stop telling us why we should donate and tell us what you have done for our country..other than to threaten this and that.

[backbyter]

08:33 AM on 10/26/2007

I'd block his nomination just because he sat there and said he didn't know if waterboarding was torture.

If the guy is *that* removed from current events, he damn sure can't be expected to know what the hell is going on if he's appointed.