Last night, I appeared on MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams to discuss Karl Rove's outrageous refusal to appear before Congress regarding serious allegations that he used the US Justice Department to take down a prominent Democratic politician. It is alleged that Mr. Rove personally instigated the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegleman. The case has been criticized by legal experts, and 52 former state attorney generals – both Republicans and Democrats – have criticized the case and called for an investigation. (You may view the clip here.)
If Rove refuses to testify voluntarily and ignores the subpoenas that will certainly be issued, he should be held in Inherent Contempt of the House of Representatives. No American is above the law. None of us should be able to ignore Congress without consequence. If Mr. Rove ignores a subpoena from the Judiciary Committee, then the House of Representatives should pass an Inherent Contempt citation and exercise our right to send the House Sergeant-of-Arms to gather Mr. Rove and bring him before Congress to testify.
I do not advocate this option lightly, but the reality is that Congress has few options left against an Administration that totally refuses to submit to any type of reasonable Congressional oversight. Congress has both the right and obligation to investigate these matters. Never before has an Executive so upset the checks and balances inherent in our Constitution. If we back off or delay, we effectively forfeit the power of Congress to investigate the Executive branch.
Rove is not the first White House official to ignore Congress. We have seen a pattern of refusals based on laughable claims of executive privilege. First, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers ignored subpoenas on the investigation into the firing of US Attorney Generals for partisan political motives.
Their refusal to testify was unprecedented: never before have executive officials totally refused to even show up before Congress. Bolten and Miers are the highest officials ever held in contempt of Congress. Unfortunately, Attorney General Mukasey – in a dereliction of duty – has refused to enforce the contempt decree and now Congress is suing them in District Court to demand compliance. Then, the Vice President's Chief of Staff, David Addington, refused to testify on the investigation into the Bush Administration's ordering of torture. Now, Rove continues this executive arrogance by also refusing to testify.
Enough is enough. We have a Constitutional obligation to provide accountability to a White House that is trying usurp the constitutional powers of Congress.
These are the very reasons why I have been pushing for impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney. The Bush Administration has been running roughshod over the Constitution for eight long years. We should not allow the promise of a positive election be used as an excuse to ignore our duty to investigate crimes that weaken the very fabric of our Democracy.
I thank you again for your commitment to the causes that we hold so dear.
I am discouraged beyond words with the way this Administration has gotten away with so many crimes while the Democrats wrung their hands and said how helpless they were. Trouble is I don't think that things will change even if the Dems win by a landslide in the Fall. Bush will pardon everyone for everything and the Dems and the MSM will start saying people shouldn't want to be vindictive and it is time to move on and start cleaning up the mess (in other words the crooks who got over the last 8 years can keep every dime they stole and the business community can continue to rip everyone off). I don't think anyone in this Administration will ever even have to tell us the extent of how badly they screwed us let alone pay a price for it. Maybe I can emigrate to something that looks more like a Democracy.......say like Somolia.
by
vidiot (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 142 comments)
on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 8:16:29 PM
Hey, one good thing...he can't pardon those that have not been prosecuted and indicted. Rove's white pudgey fat ass is going to still be flapping in the wind. I am going to fall asleep tonight imaging it is a big ole partisan pinata.
by
Amanda Lang (22 articles, 12952 quicklinks, 417 diaries, 502 comments)
on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:11:06 PM
Congressman Wexler, let me applaud you for your tough, difficult, and courageous stances on Impeachment! If only we had 50 or so more like you in Congress, this would be a better world.
The Leadership of the House (Pelosi and crew) are actively working against you, Dennis Kucinich, a hand-full of other brave Congresspeople... And the American People as a whole. It is a tough road you take, but the only one a person of conscience can take. Let us hope that your views of Reason, Justice, and Liberty triumph over the Leadership's of appeasement, cynicism, and hypocrisy!
Congressman, may I offer a suggestion: A new Congressional Caucus for Impeachment could do a a lot for the cause, imo. It would help break through the suppression and silence in mainstream media, and would force those on the fence to take a stand. It might also offer some protection for those who are attacked, even by their own Party and Leadership, for daring to mention the "I" word. And it may force a debate on the issue; in both the press and on the Floor.
by
jibbguy (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 123 comments)
on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 4:20:17 PM
In the 1990's we often heard that even the President is not above the law. However, the last seven years seems to have taught us that there is a special exemption for members of a Republican administration, or at least this Republican administration. Torture, wire taps, stolen elections, false imprisonment, ignoring subpoenas all seem to get a pass. Even corporations who conspire with this administration to break the law are given a pass. Impeachment is off the table.
Maybe no American is above the law, but if so, what nationality are these people in the executive branch?
by
PrMaine (7 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 230 comments)
on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 6:43:07 PM
. 1998 - Clinton Administration - Health Care Reform / Fraud and Abuse Control [ VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURE ] Program . The Region 5 HCFA [ Chicago ] Office had a record high 940 new MSP cases filed in 1998. Contributing to this were [ T18CFR371CRIME ] PARTNERSHIP Arrangements with [ Federal ] Contractors and U.S. Attorneys in Michigan and Ohio........ . What Is The U.S. Attorney’s Office Doing About Health Care Fraud? General Contact Information - [ answer: Fraud upon the COURT ]
. If you believe that a Health Care Provider has engaged in [ T18CFR24CRIMES ] any of the conduct or practices described, you should Promptly CONTACT THE [ HMO ] INSURANCE CARRIER [ T42CFR417.1 illegal agreement VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURE Program to allow HMO Fraud Against Entitled Individuals T18CFR4CRIME mis-prison of a felony - Violation of Civil and Criminal Rights / Consumer Fraud ] that sent the payment notice to you. Alternatively, you may contact one of the agencies or offices listed below to report the discrepancy, irregularity, or other problem that you have identified: [ T18CFR1518CRIME Obstruction ].
. The Inspector General’s Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS ( 1-800-447-8477 ) The Inspector General’s Website: 1998 DHHS OIG 'Volentary Disclousure Program', misprison of felony crimes against American Citizens T42CFR417.1 with Federal HMO Policies.
. The 1999 'Beneficiary Outreach Program', is denial of civil and criminal rights. . Subj: RE: HHS OIG Hotline Web Submission Date: 2/13/2003 10:29:22 AM Eastern Standard Time From: hhstips at oig. hhs. gov ( Tips, HHS ) To: Kstbylite 1 at aol.com Ms. Kimball: This is in response to your email of February 5, 2003, regarding the ( Denied T42CFR417.1 ) health care coverage ( Federal HMO Region 5 HCFA ) for your deceased ( OPM FEHBP ) mother. Although WE ACKNOWLEDGE that you have SERIOUS CONCERNS ( Hospital DHHS Workers conducting HMO Hospital Insurance Fraud - T42CFR417.1 Anti-dumping and Anti-kickback violations against Retired FEHBP to Force illegal HCFA Medicaid kickback conversions ), it is our judgment that the issues [ Federal Hospital Insurance T42CFR409.33 Fraud ] do Not fall under the Jurisdiction of the Office of Inspector General. Since your mother was a federal employee ( Covered/Entitled Individual ), her FEHB would have been administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If you contend that her FEHB ( Federal HMO Contractor ) insurer failed to ( Supply - DHHS Federal HMO Service T42CFR417.1 DENIAL of Existing OPM FEHBP T42CFR409.33 Services ) pay for contracted services, OPM would be the proper agency to handle ( internal control / SELF-audit T5CFR890.105 ) your ( Criminal T18CFR24Crime ) complaint. Inspector General's Hotline.
. HIPAA -- U.S. Attorney and Office of Inspector General 1998 VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURE Program -- MISPRISON of FELONY --- (3) FELONY CONVICTION RELATING TO HEALTH CARE FRAUD.--Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after the date of the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996[36], under Federal or State law, in Connection With the Delivery of a Health Care Item or SERVICE [ DHHS T42CFR417.1 Adverse Determination/Anti-dumping Violation ] or With Respect to any Act or Omission [ OPM T5CFR890.105 denial of covered claims ] in a Health Care Program (other than those specifically described in paragraph (1) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency, of a criminal offense [ T18CFR24CRIMES 1998 DHHS OIG VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURE Program T18CFR371CRIME ] consisting of a felony relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct. . Misprison of Federal Contracting Fraud T18CFR1518CRIME Obstruction - The OIG has jurisdiction over all complaints of ( criminal ) misconduct AGAINST Department of Justice employees [ misprison of felony crimes ], including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; United States Attorneys Offices; and employees who work in other Divisions or Offices ( OIG / APPOINTED JUDGES ) in the Department of Justice. The one exception is that allegations of misconduct involving Department Attorneys that arise from their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice are the responsibility of the [ OIG ] Department's, Office of Professional Responsibility. . Fraud upon the court -- T18CFR286CRIME Allowing OIG to defraud the government with respect to claims. . (1) the Number of Accounts 1. Federal Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund Account 2. Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account 3. Federal Employee Retirement Trust Fund Account 4. MICHIGAN General Trust Fund Account et al ..... . 2007 -- H.R. 3199 - USA PATRIOT Conference Report (Sensenbrenner - Judiciary) (Subject to a Rule) (Sec. 4) Requires the Attorney General, On an ANNUAL BASIS, to submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees a report containing: (1) the Number of Accounts from which the Department of Justice (DOJ) has received VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURES [ T42CFR417.1 misprison of felony T18CFR24Crimes ] of customer communications or records under provisions authorizing disclosure of the contents of electronic communications in Emergencies [ Federal Hospital Insurance Services ] involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury [ DHHS OIG T42CFR417.1 adverse determinations: Anti-dumping Violation ]; and (2) a summary of the basis for voluntary disclosures to DOJ where the pertinent investigation was CLOSED WITHOUT the filing of CRIMINAL CHARGES ( misprison of felony T18CFR286CRIME: ALLOWING OIG to conduct Federal HMO Hospital Insurance & HCFA State Medicaid kickback fraud, against American Citizens - Color of Law: illegal kickback conversions - Anti-Dumping Violations Public Fraud ) Contact - THOMAS (Library of Congress) Sincerely, All ENTITLED Federal Employee Health Beneficiaries & the General Public who are being criminally denied DHHS T42CFR417.1 Existing Federal HMO Health Insurance Coverage, illegally billed for HMO denied covered claims and forced into HCFA State Mediciaid Programs for the POOR. Title18CFR1001Crime
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by
Kimball (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 104 comments)
on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 1:17:46 AM
I've been saying, in regards to multiple persons, that Congress should issue contempt citations and send the sergeant-of-arms for them since last summer! In the year since, I've continued to see various officials - from the AG office to the State Dept - show just how much contempt they have for everyone outside of the White House, while I've heard many indignant speeches like this coming from Congress. When will you guys grow a spine and start walking the walk instead of just talking the talk?
Maybe you could start by cleaning your own house first - beginning with a House leader who clearly believes it's her job, not the Judiciary's, to interpret the constitution when she says "impeachment's off the table."
by
Dave Wheeler (2 articles, 2 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments)
on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 2:43:06 PM
