In March, we learned that the Bush Justice Department, more specifically the FBI, was engaged in widespread, illegal misuse of “national security letters” (NSLs). Using NSLs, the FBI has the power to obtain secret information about Americans — including phone calls, internet visits, even credit ratings — whether they’re suspected of wrongdoing or not. Officials […]
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t much care what Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) does in his personal life. What he does in his bedroom is his business. But these aren’t quite normal circumstances. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) apologized last night after his telephone number appeared in the phone records of the woman dubbed the “D.C. Madam,” […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * There’s been some confusion about Libby’s post-commutation probation. The law says probation is supposed to begin after a prison sentence ends; Bush Law says Libby should be on probation in lieu of a prison sentence. Judge Walton was unclear whether to follow actual law or the White House’s version, […]
When I took the GRE exam for grad school, I remember the word “filibuster” was used in a question to test one’s vocabulary. As a poli sci major, I was delighted to see it, but I remember thinking, “Is ‘filibuster’ a hard word? Are most people unfamiliar with it?” Probably so. Indeed, Kevin ponders a […]
Salon’s Alex Koppelman adds an odd twist to the White House/Congress conflict over testimony of former Bush aides. We just got off the phone with Tracy Schmaler, a spokesperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Democratic majority. Schmaler told us it is her understanding that — despite President Bush’s invocation of executive privilege in regards to […]
The way I look at Congress, there are, broadly, lawmakers who I agree with (most Dems), and lawmakers I disagree with (most Republicans). But more specifically, I have an informal hierarchy for those with whom I disagree. The largest group is “generic conservatives,” who think the way one expects them to think. Then there are […]
John S. Koppel started working for the Justice Department as a civil appellate attorney in the Reagan administration. Now, 26 years later, Koppel is so disgusted by the actions of the Bush administration, that he felt compelled to write a devastating op-ed in the Denver Post on why the president’s sense of justice is “a […]
Following up on the news that the White House is once again thumbing its nose at Congress, it’s also worth taking a moment to note some of the details of Fred Fielding’s letter to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees this morning. Specifically, I’m fascinated by Fielding’s concerns about etiquette. Let me begin by conveying […]
The NYT ran a major scoop this morning, explaining that White House officials are starting to see the anti-war writing on the wall, which is leading to considerably debate within the administration about whether Bush can begin a gradual withdrawal of American troops from the war. Much of the Bush gang reportedly hoped to push […]
On his exploratory website, Fred Thompson boasts that he “gained national attention” as the “hard-charging counsel” who took the “lead” in revealing the audio-taping system in Nixon’s Oval Office. In effect, to hear the actor/lobbyist/lawyer tell it, the Watergate scandal turned on the clever work of a young Fred Thompson. It all sounds quite impressive […]