Theoretically, what can the House do about it? Can they demand/subpeona the info? Would that set up a conflict w/ DOJ? Is Contempt of Congress an option?

I used to think these hearings were political theater to try to fool voters into thinking congress was "doing something". Now they don't even bother to pretend to do anything, so what's the point of holding the hearings?

Including the rule of law and the American people.

Including foreigners, especially those who talk or dress funny.

Their brainwashed followers don't even respect themselves.

And President McCain is of the same contemptuous mindset.

Contemptible. We have met the enemy and he is us. At least, enough of us to totally fuck up the country.

By Congress? You mean our Congress? You mean those sniveling, beseeching, pleading, strongly-worded-letter, roll over and bark, congressional sycophants?

Certainly, there are individuals who have demonstrated heroics on behalf of citizens on specific issues. From time to time elements of the House and the Senate have exhibited a level of integrity ... but when they get together as a group, as it's been repeatedly demonstrated, the whole is a good deal less than the sum of its parts.

The only thing I can't figure out is why they don't simply die of shame. Ceremony seems to be the only thing they can stand on.

Theoretically, what can the House do about it? Can they demand/subpeona the info? Would that set up a conflict w/ DOJ? Is Contempt of Congress an option?

They could do all of those things. They finally did that -- after months and months and months of being flicked around -- in the U.S. attorneys case, and the Bush-43-appointed federal judge ruled decisively in favor of Congress' power to get these answers. But even now, they haven't really followed up on that victory, and there are other things they could do (exercise their inherent contempt option, send the Sargent-at-Arms to arrest people who refuse to provide answers, even threatening to do that would make people pay closer attention, etc.).

They could also create an independent Commission with supboena power and appoint people they trust to oversee it. Democrats do control the Congress after all, and there is bipartisan support for investigations of the anthrax case. There are a lot of options. They almost never pursue any of them which is why they're treated the way they are. I actually think they prefer that - it's much easier just to be angry about it then to actually get answers, have to dig further, and then do things about what you find.

Surely you're familiar with the Placebo Effect!

[ http://skepdic.com/placebo.html ]

Surely you're familiar with the Placebo Effect!

[ http://skepdic.com/placebo.html ]

I want my three branches of government back. Back in balance that is.

But how?

If we the people don't care/aren't paying attention/aren't getting the information about these outrageous actions and misdirections of the FBI and other agencies does that mean that Congress just gives up? It sure looks like it from here. Even if they actually do something about it, such as somehow enforcing a contempt of Congress citation, would anyone know or even notice? Would it be reported on in the US? Would it simply be spun as liberals over-reaching and sour grapes left-over from the Clinton impeachement?

What recourse do we have here? I've written and called my representatives and senators, I've donated to the ACLU, what is left that I as an individual citizen can actually do to effect some change in this deplorable situation?

After these hearings change nothing and acquire no new information and buttress evidence that questions the FBI's "conclusions" they'll be able to say, "There is no need for yet another investigation. There has already been a number of entities that have investigated, including the Congress. Case Closed."

Glenn,

How would you speculate the case the FBI is going to present as some point will be resolved? Will this disappear off the media's radar and months from now the FBI just announce a conclusion that they did in fact identify the cluprit with no public presentation of evidence?

Why do you think Congress (specifically the Democrats) have been so cowed these last 20 months?

Are they afraid that in some constitutional showdown that the Supreme Court will side with Bush & thus give the final veneer of legality to all this abrogating/changing the normal system of checks & balances that we thought we had known for the past 80 or more years?

Interested in your opinion.

How would you speculate the case the FBI is going to present as some point will be resolved? Will this disappear off the media's radar and months from now the FBI just announce a conclusion that they did in fact identify the cluprit with no public presentation of evidence?

Isn't that pretty much what has just about happened? The FBI announced it caught the killer and closed the case. A handful of people are agitating for some more answers and to see the evidence, but the media has largely lost interest (and obviously will lose it completely as the election approaches), and a few months from now we'll have a new administration and everyone will emphasize the need to Look Forward and Solve All The Important Problems we Have and those still questioning the anthrax case will seem like some fringe paranoids who -- -- as the FBI Assistant Director already snidely put it -- are claiming that there is a spore in the grassy knoll.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/19/AR2008081902629.html

One sure fire way to keep Congress' nose out of things is to make them complicit (voluntarily or not) in the crimes being committed. Another way would be to use the information amassed through illegal surveillance to convince members it is in their best interest to move along.

My bet is both methods are fully employed by the Bush/Cheney cabal.

WARNING!! Orange Level Spew Alert

The New Yorker
SHOUTS & MURMURS
My Gal
by George Saunders
September 22, 2008

link at sig