An Iraqi priest discusses the predicament of Christians in Iraq.
Today’s Must Read: Deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee affairs Charles Stimson apologizes.
So who dropped that little-known provision into the Patriot Act that allows the White House to appoint US Attorneys without getting them confirmed by the senate? We’ve been looking into this. And the hidden hand appears to be that of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) — acting at the request of the Bush/Gonzales Justice Department.
Sens. Joe Biden (D-DE), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) to roll out their resolution “expressing opposition to the Presidentâs plan to deepen our military commitment in Iraq” at a 2:30 press conference today.
Gonzales: No politics behind US Atty decisions. We just thought Karl Rove’s chief dirty digger could use subpoena power.
Attorney General Gonzales: You know the NSA warrantless wiretapping program? Now we’ve got warrants!
From a TPM Reader …
Here’s Press Secretary Tony Snow, today, in the gaggle:
“The president has said directly to members of Congress on a number of occasions: ‘Take whatever shots you want at me,’ he says, ‘in terms of politics. You can criticize me all you want, but make sure that you do not do things that are going to weaken the troops.’ And he is very passionate and very adamant about that point. Members always say, ‘yes, sir, we support the troops.’ Therefore, it is going to be incumbent upon members of Congress who feel that that is a priority to figure out how best to express their support for troops.”
Huh. That sounds awfully familiar. Where have I heard something like that before? Oh, yeah:
“The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests – we did. But you can’t hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn’t we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg – isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!”
It’s the “Otter Defense.” You are powerless to resist it.
So, you’re free to criticize me as president. But just remember that I embody America. So you’re also criticizing America and the troops and probably also the founding fathers.
Specter confirms that he slipped in the Patiot Act provision on U.S. Attorneys.