Will Alberto DO-5 ???

Arlen Specter was on Meet The Press on March 25th discussing USAgate.  In typical Specter fashion he made it difficult to figure out which side of his mouth to listen to.  While claiming that the White House should compromise on the conditions on Rove and Miers, he also was spouting talking points to support their position.  In particular, he said there was no need for them to be under oath because lying to Congress carries a 5 year sentence regardless of whether the witness has been sworn in.  (He also beat that dead horse about Clinton and all 93 USAs blah blah blah.)

This brought to mind several questions regarding both this case, and previous high profile cases.

In particular, if it is determined that "The Honorable Alberto Gonzales, United States Attorney General", the highest law enforcement officer in the country, LIED to Congress, will he do time?  If this law about lying to Congress has any meaning whatsoever then this is a case in which it cries out to be applied.  I'm not holding my breath though.

Also, if not being under oath is no protection then why aren't the tobacco CEO's in prison?  Another recent GOP entry in the efforts to lie to and mislead Congress is from Victoria Toensing.  Henry Waxman all but called her out on her lying last week regarding the covert status of Valerie Plame.

Just as cheney has been trying to assert the powers and prerogatives of the Executive Branch, it is time for the Legislative Branch to reassert their authority.  Throwing these liars behind bars would certainly be an excellent start.

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The next step after that is to ensure that several investigations move forward with honesty and integrity.  The loose ends left behind by Carol Lam, Paul Charlton, and others need to be doggedly pursued.  So does the Abramoff investigation.  It just came out that the prosecutor working that investigation has ALSO been tampered with by the bu$h administration.  They have offered him a federal judgeship.  He has apparently been in conversation with them about this for the past year as he was simultaneously supposed to be going wherever the evidence took him regarding Buckman, DeLay, Rove, Ralston, etc.  Now it makes sense why we haven't heard any more on the Abramoff front since Susan Ralston's resignation.  This is the second time they have committed obstruction of justice concerning Casino Jack.  The Guam investigation should also be reopened, as should an investigation into the PATTERN of obstruction of justice by the bu$h administration.

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