GOP Senators Block Subpoena on Memos but Prod White House

[kskiska]

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee blocked a move by Democrats yesterday to subpoena Justice Department memos on the use of torture, intimidation and other abusive tactics in interrogation of suspected terrorists.

But several GOP senators, including the committee chairman, Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), called on the Bush administration to give Congress the documents and warned that they might support a subpoena at some point, just not now.

Hatch said he asked Attorney General John D. Ashcroft and White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales to turn over the 23 memos -- some of which suggested legal justification for abuse of prisoners -- and believed they would do so.

He described the Democrats' subpoena request as a "dumb-ass thing to do" and a "fishing expedition . . . to make a political point" but added that "I think the White House should comply" with the committee's earlier requests for the documents.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50454-2004Jun17.html

[theivoryqueen]

1. hope that's CATTLE prod

[LiberalFighter]

9. What they used on the prisoners?

Hopefully not cleaned after being used.

[buff2]

2. How soon Hatch forgets........

Look at all those years he was whining about documents from the Clintons...his mug was on TV everyday complaining about it...and threatening subpoenas. Repukes are so damn hypocritical. They always go after the dems on the least little things,but when it's THEM under scrutiny they cover each others ass. They make me sick. :puke:

[LiberalFighter]

10. Hatch never forgets...

he has no scruples. If the Mormons had any conscience they would unseal him.

[xxqqqzme]

3. and we all know how successful those

'earlier' request were!?!?! I'm certain they are putting those 2gether @ this very moment.

add: and he ISN'T making a political point..lame ass rat bastard.

[feistydem]

4. Orrin Hatch said "dumb-ass"? Wish I could've heard that!

Next thing we'll find out Laura Bush swears like a drunken sailor!

Just when I think I couldn't detest them more...they prove me wrong with each new day.

[babzilla]

13. hear Hatch get huffy here

click on the audio link.
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1963798

[Peregrine]

5. The committee democrats

should be out on the Capitol steps demanding that the republicans on the Judiciary Committee issue a subpoena and stop playing politics.

[grytpype]

6. The FACTS are biased against Bush...

... to so demand the FACTS is to be partisan.

[goforit]

7. Their day has come!!!

[keithyboy]

8. Here is where we at the DU can really make a difference!

We need to start a movement to attack and name those Republican Senators who blocked these subpoenas. Make it loud and clear that these Senators are obstructing justice and the publics right to know what the governement is doing in their name with their money. This is incredulous! It's like saying that anything the Dems do to get at the truth is a "fishing expedition." This is about our government running amuck. A government out of control with no regard for truth, decency, or the law. The people in power are DANGEROUS to all of us!

[DeepModem Mom]

11. kick

[dusty64]

12. hatch is such a hypocritical dumb ass.

He never met an investigation he didn't like when we had a REAL President and pushed subpoenas constantly no matter if they were based on lies and flimsy "evidence".

[Mandate My Ass]

14. when they cited Reno for Contempt of Congress

they swore up and down it wasn't political. And their unquenchable outrage was for not being given some private campaign information.

Fucking hypocrites.

[UpInArms]

15. 23 memos!

23?

Twenty-three????

They have written a freakin' book!

In an attempt to strike a compromise, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) offered to give Ashcroft another week to turn over the documents or explain why they should not be released before the subpoenas would be served June 24. But, even though Hatch had earlier indicated interest in Feinstein's proposal, it was defeated, 10 to 9, on a strictly party-line vote.

A week is too long to wait and the greedy-oil-pigs have definitely shown their colors on this one.

Cowards and Crooks.

:argh:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. Let me get this straight.

#1. Pugs vote down subpoena of memos.

#2. Pugs call for memo's to be released.

#3. Pugs say release of memos is a "fishing expedition."

#4. Pugs say WH should comply.


#1 contradicts #2 and #4. #2 contradicts #1 and #3. #3 contradicts #2 and #4. #4 contradicts #1 and #3.



Iow, absolutely nothing meaningful is being said or done here. Textbook definition of a circle jerk.