Gonzales Resigns!

[curses]

http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_6730469
His temporary replacement is Solicitor General Paul Clement (http://www.usdoj.gov/osg/aboutosg/paul_d_clementbio.htm). The news will be official at 10:30 EDT, when they'll have a press conference.

EDIT: Better link here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/27/gonzales/index.html

From the article: Bush will likely nominate Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to the position, senior administration officials said..

[viscousmemories]

pwnd! (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=411341#post411341)

Srsly though, best news I've heard all year. One fewer clown to impeach, two to go.

[Adam]

Y'all are way quicker than me. I just saw the news at the top of my morning newsfeeds and was on my way in here to post.

So, any speculation as to what's going on here? It seems an odd time for Gonzo to fall on his sword, seeing as how everyone is going to forget about his lying ass once the September That Will Make Everything All Right And We All Get a Pony arrives.

[LadyShea]

I love how he was all "I will never-ever resign...never-ever. And you can't make me either".

[viscousmemories]

Yeah, and as Clutch pointed out on that other thread he was saying that up 'til Sunday afternoon, despite having submitted his resignation on Friday.

[D. Scarlatti]

The GOP had to "get the carcass off the tracks," as Chris Matthews put it.

Very perfunctory statement from Gonzo; Dubya is to jabber on the subject momentarily.

[LadyShea]

With their protectors and scapegoats rapidly jumping ship, does this leave Bush and Cheney...I don't know vulnerable in any way? To impeachment or even prosecution?

And does anyone else think Chertoff looks like the prototype for every dastardly villain dreamed up in literature and drama? He just looks evil to me, like he could pull off a Nazi uniform convincingly.

[vremya]

Huzzah! :woohoo:

(And not a minute too soon!)

Chertoff??? Puh-leeze!

[viscousmemories]

I'm watching coverage on C-SPAN and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) just said that the democrats are willing to "bury the gauntlet" provided the Bush admin nominates someone who puts the rule of law first.

[ChuckF]

So I'm predicting a recess appointment or Senate Democrats falling over themselves to confirm whomever Bush selects.

[Adam]

Why the hell do we still have recess appointments anyway? They're supposed to be for emergencies, but when was the last time a recess appointment was actually used for anything other than an end run around the requirement for Congressional approval? I can see the need back in the dark ages, when it would take the Congressfolk half their term to get to the capital via triceratops-drawn sledge, but how often do we seriously need an Attorney General today that it can't wait for the couple of days it would take to reconvene Congress in case of an emergency?

[lisarea]

I actually don't like this.

It gives the superficial impression that something's been done, but it hasn't.

Gonzales was the lowest-hanging impeachment fruit, and we really really fucking need someone to be impeached to get things out in the open.

With him no longer in office, it's that much less likely that he's ever going to be compelled to testify, no?

[Clutch Munny]

Tuned in to CNN at 7 minutes after the hour, and found them in the middle of a full report on Michael Vick.

[viscousmemories]

I noticed the same thing, Clutch. We need a real news station.

Bush is babbling now - coverage on C-SPAN.

[curses]

I had to watch everything on MSNBC. It's as close to a real news station as I can get.

[Kevlar]

It's all political smoke screening. We're just losing the devil we know for one we don't.

[Zehava]

So I'm predicting a recess appointment or Senate Democrats falling over themselves to confirm whomever Bush selects.

Sadly that's probably not far from what will happen.

[Adam]

Apparently, it turns out that Reid and Bush cut some sort of deal where Bush promised not to make any recess appointments while Congress is gone in exchange for Reid moving some of his existing appointments once the Senate reconvenes. Assuming Bush keeps his word ( :foocl: ) in that regard, he can apparently still make Clement the acting AG for the rest of his term if he wants to, because the 210 day clock for an acting AG gets reset as soon as he makes a nomination. Basically, all he has to do is dig up Zombie Hitler and nominate him, the Democrats refuse to confirm him, and Clement gets 210 more days.

This, of course, assumes that the Democrats wouldn't actually confirm him and then later protest that they took Zombie Hitler at his word when he promised not to devour the brains of the living and they were betrayed, I tell you, betrayed!

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

I actually don't like this.

It gives the superficial impression that something's been done, but it hasn't.

Gonzales was the lowest-hanging impeachment fruit, and we really really fucking need someone to be impeached to get things out in the open.



i agree....and disagree.

you are right that it gives the impression of change when there is none.

you really think an impeachment will get things out in the open? you really think it is going to happen? it's not...these politicians are all the same, either side. aren't things already in the open? why wait for the impeachment that won't happen? why not storm the white house and make some real change? i'm serious...otherwise...none's coming.

Adam wrote that a magical september will make everything right. i'm sure he's smart enough to have been kidding, but i will remember that to make sure y'all know that nothing is right...or left...and that nothing changed.

just the tune.


michael :)

[SharonDee]

Said Bush about the resignation, "After months of unfair treatment that has created a harmful distraction at the Justice Department, Judge Gonzales decided to resign his position ..."

Yeah. I hope you bunch of meanies are satisfied! :glare:

[Kevlar]

why not storm the white house and make some real change? i'm serious...otherwise...none's coming.


Frankly, I think those of us who are fed up with the US should invade Canada. Three primary reasons:

1. They would put up little to no resistance.

2. Booming cannabis industry.

3. It's getting way too hot down here in the US.

[Ari]

The stories need to be combined,
"Lapdog of Bush put down, Michael Vick the prime suspect."

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

why not storm the white house and make some real change? i'm serious...otherwise...none's coming.


Frankly, I think those of us who are fed up with the US should invade Canada. Three primary reasons:

1. They would put up little to no resistance.

2. Booming cannabis industry.

3. It's getting way too hot down here in the US.


it's too late...you're already here. we are america junior...the nicer, younger brother that says nothing about his older, bully brother's behaviour because it benefits us greatly...

canada is just a satellite state of the empire...we are boot lickers and it works very well for us :)

[Kyuss Apollo]

Well, I for one am glad the lying sack'o is skipping down history lane with ol' turd blossom. How many days left until January 20, 2009?

[wildernesse]

I was all excited about this, until I heard that Chertoff might be the successor. Then I realized that I had better get back to playing Minesweeper.

[godfry n. glad]

I was wondering which troglodyte left in DC would be thrown into the breach.

01.20.09 - The end of an error.

[Sock Puppet]

Said Bush about the resignation, "After months of unfair treatment that has created a harmful distraction at the Justice Department, Judge Gonzales decided to resign his position ..."

Yeah. I hope you bunch of meanies are satisfied! :glare:That's right, and don't forget that his good name was smeared for political purposes.

That even someone as thick-skulled as Dumya could say that with a straight face (or just the lacquered smirk) makes it all the more vomitous....and yes, I invented the word "vomitous." It's mine, goddamnit.

[D. Scarlatti]

Yep, Alberto Gonzales really has had a tough go of it: Harvard Law School, Partner at Vinson & Elkins, appointed to the Texas Supreme Court, White House counsel, U.S. Attorney General ... Poor guy; my heart bleeds.

[Ensign Steve]

Dawn of the Dead (http://sparklepony.blogspot.com/2007/08/chertoff-to-replace-gonzales.html)

:giggle:

[viscousmemories]

During the press conference today Rep. Schumer all but promised a fight if Chertoff is nominated, citing the existence of numerous nameless others who would be a "slam dunk" for senate approval. Of course he also shamelessly blubbered on about how nobody is looking for a fight over this, so I won't be shocked if they rubber stamp anyone Bush nominates.

[yguy]

...we really really fucking need someone to be impeached to get things out in the open.Most especially, you need to get those things in the open which will serve to keep under cover the fact that the Dem leadership has nothing to offer but incompetence, calumny, incremental despotism and treachery.

[lisarea]

...we really really fucking need someone to be impeached to get things out in the open.Most especially, you need to get those things in the open which will serve to keep under cover the fact that the Dem leadership has nothing to offer but incompetence, calumny, incremental despotism and treachery.

OK. I don't know about all of them, just as I don't know that about all of the Republican leadership, but as far as exposing corruption goes, I am for it all.

[yguy]

...we really really fucking need someone to be impeached to get things out in the open.Most especially, you need to get those things in the open which will serve to keep under cover the fact that the Dem leadership has nothing to offer but incompetence, calumny, incremental despotism and treachery.

OK. I don't know about all of them, just as I don't know that about all of the Republican leadership, but as far as exposing corruption goes, I am for it all.That's not how it looks from here. I mean, I won't claim to have a comprehensive understanding of your views on this, but my impression is that you, like most here, want to impeach Bush not for what he's doing wrong, but for what he's doing right.

[Kyuss Apollo]

What exactly is Bush doing right?

Just wondrin'.

[viscousmemories]

I'm just as curious what yguy thinks Bush is doing wrong. I don't remember him ever saying a critical word.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

What exactly is Bush doing right?

Just wondrin'.

depends on how you look at it...

compared to most of us- a helluva lot.

he's got a big mansion, lots of power and powerful friends, loads of cash, titles, the ability to get people to do his bidding with no questions asked, the respect of millions of people that think like him (like them or not) and would die for him if he asked them to...he's got a plane and limos. he has a ranch and helicopter at his disposal...

have you got that? nada.

now what's he doing right for you? maybe not much, but really- what you gonna do about it?


michael :)

[Crumb]

Some of us don't consider those things signs of doing things right, michael.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

a matter of perspective.

i think gwb is just as guilty for the state of things as the average american citizen is...we are all in this together. :)

if everybody is responsible, as i see it, then he must be doing something right...

but that's me.


impeach the fat fucking consumer!! :)

[Crumb]

i think gwb is just as guilty for the state of things as the average american citizen is...we are all in this together. :)
I guess I must have forgotten that time I lied in order to lead the country into a war and foreign occupation that killed thousands of people. Thanks for reminding me.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

i think gwb is just as guilty for the state of things as the average american citizen is...we are all in this together. :)
I guess I must have forgotten that time I lied in order to lead the country into a war and foreign occupation that killed thousands of people. Thanks for reminding me.

lots of people lied...down on their backs.

oh wait...the marches...silly me :)

i wonder how much oil is used to get internet employees to and from work so that people can feel all superior from their couches? :chin:

[lisarea]

That's not how it looks from here. I mean, I won't claim to have a comprehensive understanding of your views on this, but my impression is that you, like most here, want to impeach Bush not for what he's doing wrong, but for what he's doing right.

Well, then your impression is pretty twisted and cartoonish. If you were paying any kind of attention at all instead of just piling everyone you disagree with into some gigantic strawman, you would know that.

And I'm going to repeat the obvious question: What's Bush doing right?

[Kyuss Apollo]

If only Kilik weren't banned, then this thread would really take off...

[yguy]

That's not how it looks from here. I mean, I won't claim to have a comprehensive understanding of your views on this, but my impression is that you, like most here, want to impeach Bush not for what he's doing wrong, but for what he's doing right.

Well, then your impression is pretty twisted and cartoonish. If you were paying any kind of attention at all If that means reading some of your comments on the subject, I have been...and the impression remains.And I'm going to repeat the obvious question: What's Bush doing right?He is taking steps - some of which you apparently want to impeach him for, like implementing the TSP - to prevent another terrorist attack, per his oath of office.

[Nullifidian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvHcX5fcvP4
Here's an interpretive dance featuring yguy's impressions and the response on this forum.

[Ari]

to prevent another terrorist attack, per his oath of office.

Oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

It's like a sci-fi movie where the not fully human AI follows twisted logic and decides that the only way to protect the human race (or the constitution) from dangers (or terrorists) is to kill or lock up all humans (or the constitution). It's for your own good and safety, it says.

[Adam]

Some of us don't consider those things signs of doing things right, michael.

More importantly, those things aren't even in the right category. In context, the question was what Bush has done right as the leader of a nation, not as an individual. The fact that he's amassed wealth and power for himself has nothing to do with his record as a leader.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

and i said- depends on how you look at it.

his record as a leader is pretty good...he's been leading for two terms now.

as a leader of a nation of over-consuming and greedy people that work harder at making excuses for their misdeeds instead of just fixing them...i think he's doing everything right.

he is a reflection of what america is. if you don't like that...get some therapy. as plant woman would say- learn to love yourself :)

[Ari]

Obviously you have no clue what you are talking about.
Britney Spears is the reflection of America.


I think the recent booting of republicans in congress, as well as the low approval rating for both Bush and Congress shows the politicians are hanging on only because they know how to play the system well enough to fool a majority of people at the right moment into believing they have only two or fewer choices.

[InTheServiceOfZeke]

Obviously you have no clue what you are talking about.
Britney Spears is the reflection of America.


ha! :D

[ChuckF]

Obviously you have no clue what you are talking about.

:giggle: at trying to engage Michael.

[D. Scarlatti]

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

yguy's Constitution consists of the Preamble and the Commander in Chief Clause (but ignoring the adjacent bit about "when called into the actual Service of").

[Sauron]

...we really really fucking need someone to be impeached to get things out in the open.Most especially, you need to get those things in the open which will serve to keep under cover the fact that the Dem leadership has nothing to offer but incompetence, calumny, incremental despotism and treachery.

Ah, more trollbait.

Given the evidence of the last four years, there are more principled and patriotic Democrats in Washington than there were *ever* Republicans.

Cause Republicans are too busy sending obscene emails to pages and getting blowjobs in public bathrooms, of course.....

[Sauron]

but my impression is that you, like most here, want to impeach Bush not for what he's doing wrong, but for what he's doing right.

As I look back over 7+ years of mediocre - nay, incompetent national and foreign policy - there's one clear conclusion: Bush isn't doing anything right. Given that reality, your complaint is a total non-starter.

He is taking steps - some of which you apparently want to impeach him for, like implementing the TSP - to prevent another terrorist attack, per his oath of office.
1. No - he is not implementing the TSP.

2. If he were serious about protecting the country, he would have implemented the recommendations of the 9/11 report years ago, instead of blocking the commission's creation, stonewalling on its members, and then insisting on politically-timed release of the report.

Bush is a liar, and you're his skanky little troll-dupe.