These thugs have no conscience whatsoever. None. No soul but ass soul.

that Ashcroft would look good in hindsight? Talk about being careful what you wish for..

At least Ashcroft has some principles. Gonzo clearly has none.

Comey should receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom both for his actions that night and his testimony today.

"Ashcroft, buffeted by his wife and three of his senior deputies..."

Are we to understand that Mrs. Ashcroft struck her sick husband sharply and repeatedly, assisted by three of his senior deputies? Or did you and your editors (if any there be) think that "buffeted" might mean "bolstered," "supported," or "flanked"? (It doesn't, by the way.)

It's a shame when carelessness like this mars an otherwise rattling good story.

It would be very interesting for the committee to find out just who within the Justice Department was responsible for the legal opinions that Comey testified were the basis for his refusing to sign the wiretap authorizations. I'll wager good money not a single person involved in that interpretaton is still employed there. If so, their testimony on their dismissal would be enlightening.

I think the writer meant that Mr. Ashcroft was "buffered" by his wife and friends. Either that, or Mr. Scherer means that they were trying to cheer up the ailing Mr. Ashcroft by playing "Margaritaville" for him.

I'm sick of having to say this but since Gonzo is still there...

Isn't there enough evidence of venality to impeach him, even this incident by itself? Isn't this also evidence that he doesn't have the character to leave without impeachment or firing no matter how much he's disgraced?

and BTW, is there anything Gonzo won't do for his Dear Leader?

I've been told one of the key tactics dictators use is to elevate totally unworthy persons to positions of high power and prestige -- all the while making sure the lucky souls know the only reason they hold these elevated titles is due to their boss's indulgence.

So in return for the big jobs and snazzy offices -- which they know they'd never earn on their own merits -- they must deliver total loyalty and unquestioning obedience. (Overzealousness is also appreciated.)

As long as they do that, their cushy jobs are secure, regardless of their performance. This is one reason why dictatorships tend to run as poorly as they do -- because people like these are are in nominal charge of departments and ministries. (Except those parts of the gov't. tasked with waging war or stifling dissent -- those poeitions tend to be meritocracies.)

Now I'm not saying Alberto Gonzales would butcher his entire family with a dull knife if George Bush told him to do so -- I'm just saying Gonzo would probably agonize long and hard before he declined his master's request.

The EOP can't be far behind.

Bush knew about the taps. He wanted the taps. Cheney wanted the taps. They did it without the authority of the DOJ, (illegally). They only put Gonzo in power to justify the decision.

I want an arrest warrant....

it takes a special amount of rhetorical talent for Ashcroft to be the guy upholding the law.

A lettered posted anonymously earlier contends the word buffeted was used incorrectly. This is the dictionary definition:

buf•fet:

–noun

1. a blow, as with the hand or fist.

2. a violent shock or concussion.

–verb (used with object)

3. to strike, as with the hand or fist.

4. to strike against or push repeatedly: The wind buffeted the house.

5. to contend against; battle.

–verb (used without object)

6. to struggle with blows of hand or fist.

7. to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc.

I think numbers 5 and 7 would fit the way in which the word buffeted was correctly used here.

As much as I love the idea of the Bush administration (past and present) eating their own, this all sounds a little too good to be true. Maybe Comey is just on a revenge kick: I don't know much about him. I know that he appointed Fitzgerald right before getting the hell out of Dodge (to be a lawyer at Lockheed), so maybe he is a decent, upstanding guy who has no qualms saying what he knows.

But, on the other hand, positing Ashcroft as being completly against the wiretapping program? I do have a hard time buying it. The hospital didn't have security that Mrs. Ashcroft could call? And why wasn't this story leaked until now? There certainly seemed to have been quite a few people involved!

I can't help feeling this way: I'm a cynic by nature. So maybe it is all above board, and maybe Ashcroft is the poor, sick duped hero here... but when a story is this good and this convenient, I can't help but wonder who is profiting from it?

5. to contend against; battle.

...

7. to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc.

I think numbers 5 and 7 would fit the way in which the word buffeted was correctly used here.

From the article: "Ashcroft, buffeted by his wife and three of his senior deputies..."

Not so much, I'm thinking. Unless, as the original poster mentioned, they were beating him too. I'm with "buffered," personally.

And getting back to the subject, this story (if true) has to be about the most shameful abuse. Or at least you'd like to think it was. I mean, really.

just when you think their behavior cannot get any "lower" ....

Actually, I have a vague recollection of hearing this story before .... but it's still revolting ...

get a fucking rope.....

and someone please secure ashcroft's safety, I've been anxious to hear his side of the story on many things for months now....

Card and Gonzales make Scooter Libby and Claude Allen look like paragons of virtue and integrity. It was only a matter of time before someone with a conscience went up to the Hill and revealed the evil nature of this administration. It makes me wonder, what would have happened if Ashcroft had been alone in his room when Card and Gonzales arrived?