Archie Bunker vs. the Attorney General

I woke up this morning and over coffee and my daily newspaper saw the front page story, DELAY IS SOUGHT BY JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ON CIA INQUIRY, read a quote by our new Attorney General, Michael Mukasey, and immediately thought:

"Of course! I know where I heard that reasoning before. In a single sentence he gave himself away. It's Archie Bunker!"

In a heated argument, imagine this dialogue between Mike and Archie:

MIKE: You're wrong, Archie. If the Justice Department has nothing to hide, why would the Attorney General rule against giving the Congress the information surrounding the destruction of those hundreds of hours of tapes?

ARCHIE: Because, Meathead, the man has to "protect our interest in avoiding any perception that our law enforcement decisions are subject to political influence!"

Granted, far more literate than typical Archie-Speak, but Archie-Think incarnate.

Comments

[mbaty]

What if the tapes haven't been destroyed? What if there is a back up copy? Do we know for sure that those tapes have been destroyed? Get out your whistles, it's time for some truth. Let's shine the light on all of the dirty dark secrets of government--the same government that claims to represent "us." And let's also be skeptical of the Democrats, who we've believed to be on our side on most issues, but who, so far, haven't really advanced those issues very much. Just like the Republicans who still think Bush is doing a good job, those so-called right-wingers that want so badly for Bush to be a well-intentioned if perhaps bumbling president, we cannot let the wool be pulled over our eyes, and it's been long enough to wonder if the Democrats and the Republicans are just a part of the same large, unwieldy corporate machine. Because who else is profiting from this disaster called "Iraq/ war on terror?" It's only the oil companies and defense contractors. Can you think of anyone else? Find the tapes. Put them on YouTube. Use the power of The Secret to find all government secrets. The truth will set us free--or make us angry enough to demand freedom.

[Purple Girl]

Let's see the tapes that were not destroyed!!!!!
The destruction only confirms that what was video'ed was illegal and immoral.
The 'service' people are not the focus of my outrage- nor need for punishment- following orders. but those who gave the orders and the private security company (and it's employee) are culpable and must be held accountable for their crimes. Who else was in the room?? because it is not our people they are worried about exposing.
Any Public servant one who knew of these methods were being used and said nothing -are guilty of complicity.
Time to dismantle this charade once and for all.Top to bottom, inside & out. That's not just the politicans, but multi national corps, religious fantical groups,Orwellian media,,crippling lending and repayment practices, misguided 'patriotism'... every damn facet they have infiltrated and twisted to their own benefits.Granted I've been pissed about these snake oil dealers for a long time, but we also should think of our poor countrymen who are still held in their grip and our international neighbors who we could obliterate with relative ease and who's citizens are being adversely effected by this insane regime.We owe it to ourselves and the rest of the world to take out the rug and sweep underneath it.

[abbiehoffmansghost]

Mr. Lear I would like to thank you for People For The American Way. I have the greatest respect for your career and your civic duties. Keep up the good work.

[nowaterboardUSA]

Note to Jim Read: Archie Bunker WAS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER so therefore he was not a sentient being. The actor Carrol O'Connor who played him died and he was nothing like that character he played in real life.

[JimReed]

By the way, Norman, how is Mike doing these days? People don't call him meathead any more, do they? Does he have any children or grandchildren? What is this about him running for congress? I find it hard to picture him getting elected. I mean, I like the guy, but I would be concerned that a vote for him might end up a wasted vote.

All in the country.

[JimReed]

"ARCHIE: Because, Meathead, the man has to "protect our interest in avoiding any perception that our law enforcement decisions are subject to political influence!" "

Norman,

That doesn't sound like what Archie would have said. Please show some respect, the man is dead.

[Metacortex]

In a related article, here on Huffpo, the administration argued two mutually inconsistent points: 1. They are not obligated to preserve the video tapes. 2. that demanding information about them "could potentially complicate the ongoing efforts to arrive at a full factual understanding of the matter."

The problem I have with this is with the apparent suggestion that the destruction of evidence doesn't complicate an investigation. If they are going to destroy some tapes, then why not destroy all tapes...unless of course it is to cover up their own wrong-doing? Just exactly what logic is it that links "not obligated to preserve video tapes" to "FULL factual understanding?"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071215/cia-videotapes/

[Kundera]

All in the Family, just like life.

Republican raises a family, goes to work everyday, pays all the bills, paying off a mortgage.

Liberal lives in Republican's house. Pays no bills. Eats constantly. AND has the nerve to mock and scream at Republican.

[alvdh1]

It is time to censure Feinstien, Schumer and the other Democrats who failed to show up for the confirmation hearing and vote.

[texasyankee]

great post

[TomR]

----
Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey today sharply rebuffed congressional demands..., saying that providing such information would make it appear that the department was "subject to political influence."
----

Oops, apparently Mukasey is both projecting and reframing accountability as "political influence." And might I say, his decision not to hire a special prosecutor IS based on political influence.

Feinstein and Schumer, your political careers are TOAST!!!

- Tom

[llozano]

Could it be possible that the Democrats have elected shields in Fienstein and Leiberman, Republicans posing as Democrats? I wouldn't put it pass them. They may vote with the Democrats on other issues but it seems that their politics are more in line with the Republicans, especially on the critical issues that matter to most progressives.

[johannesrolf]

Bunker was a racist and sexist. what made it funny was that time had passed him by and the country had stopped being so racist and sexist. he was an anachronism.

[nyboomer]

Archie Bunker typified the so called Silent Majority. He hated change. He thought the past was the key to to the future rather than allowing to futre to form on its own.

Conservatives always seek a golden past that never existed outside of fantasy and fairy tales.

The majority of advancements made by the middle class in the 20th century came out of union struggles. Those perks are being slowly decimated by America's conservatives who believe in the aristocracy of wealth as being the only true & valid way to run a country.

Anyone who supports the GOP yet makes less than $100,000 per annum is a fool who will always diminsh himself in favor of those who will eventually shove his face in the dirt for being a commoner who lacks the brains to look out for himself and his fellow citizens.

[Waitaminute]

Why don't the congress call a secret emergency session, to pass temporary legislation making it a crime, punishable upto at least 40 years without the possibilty of parole, for anyone to sale or expose any member of congress for anywrong doing that maybe viewed as blackmailing in retaliation for not kissing ass, caving in, whimping out. Also include in that law that any country involved in such behavior be bombed immediately.

Its better to let those compromised get away, then loose the country. Which situation would you choose? Would enough of them have the courage to do this? Most likely not.