Rice 'too busy' to answer Waxman's questions?

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rice-will-not-comply-with-house-subpoena-2007-04-29.html

Rice will not comply with House subpoena
By Klaus Marre
April 29, 2007
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made it clear Sunday that she does not plan to comply with a subpoena that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee authorized this week.

Panel Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) wants Rice to testify on the administration’s false claim that Iraq was seeking to acquire uranium from Niger. The congressman feels that Rice has not been responsive enough to repeated written requests for information on the issue.

However, the Secretary of State, when asked by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos why she would not comply with the subpoena to make her case, said that at issue is a separation of powers issue. Rice was making the rounds on the Sunday talk shows to discuss the war in Iraq and the subpoena.

“I respect the oversight role of Congress, and I’m perfectly willing to continue to try to answer whatever questions Chairman Waxman may have about this very thoroughly investigated issue,” Rice said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Waxman strongly disagrees with Rice’s claim that she has been answering his questions. Prior to the authorization of the subpoena, the lawmaker said he has written several letters to Rice in order to find out more about the “fabricated Niger plan,” adding that he did not receive the first response until March of this year.

“Since then, I have received two additional letters,” Waxman said Wednesday. “The gist of the letters is that the Secretary either didn’t know about the forged evidence or forgot what she knew. Her staff has also suggested that the Secretary is too busy to answer these questions.”

[rusty charly]

1. Inherent Contempt

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/03/dusting_off_inh.html

[Mist]

15. Kos had a good article on the Inherent Contempt issue--sounds like the Dems

need to use it instead of another back-and-forth with the courts:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/3/27/113945/241

[Kagemusha]

2. I've put some thought into this issue. Here's what I think this is...

It's saying, Rice shouldn't have to testify before Waxman because he's a mere Congressman; Rice goes on Sunday news shows to testify to THE PEOPLE. The People outrank Congress, so Rice has already testified enough. Also, she's said so much that there's no political justification to forcing her to undergo further exposure, and while speaking to THE PEOPLE is part of her job, speaking to mere Congress is not, and ought not to be, because it's redundant and not very important.

Isn't that the message being sent?

[Monkeyman]

3. Only Problem with the message it was all lies again

[babylonsister]

5. I don't care WHAT message she might want to send; she is not

above the law. I hope Waxman makes that clear as glass to her.

[Kagemusha]

6. Umm sorry if anyone thought I was advocating for the message.

I just wanted to describe it and bring it to people's attention. Condemn it all you like, I'm not trying to defend it.

[babylonsister]

7. I didn't think you were, and am sorry if it came across that way.

I'm furious at her for acting so condescending to Waxman and America. Who does she think she is? :grr: :grr:

[Kagemusha]

10. Agreed, Rice's message as I see it here, is a very insulting one.

Makes a mockery of the system of government of the country that she allegedly serves.

[tblue37]

19. Congress is a co-equal branch of government. (eom)

[fooj]

4. FORGED EVIDENCE!!!

:grr:

[MannyGoldstein]

8. Waxman Just Hates Powerful Women

Isn't that what we say here on DU when somebody disagrees with a woman in power?

:sarcasm:

[Kool Kitty]

24. And tomorrow night, Sean Hannity will say

that Waxman hates strong, powerful black women. Who the fuck does she think she is? Isn't she subject to the law?

[Warpy]

9. Shoe Shoppin' Condi better hustle her bony butt over there

because contempt of Congress will freeze her budget.

I don't know what she's afraid of. Administration Alzheimer's is obviously highly contagious.

[rpannier]

11. I must remember that if I'm ever receive a subpoena

The condosleeza lice defense.

I'm too busy to attend.

[Evergreen Emerald]

12. I hope they arrest her

[tigereye]

13. I am so glad that someone is finally holding these folks to account

their arrogance is beyond comprehension. :grr:

[Kablooie]

14. As long as Bush remains, she IS above the law.

All his minions are.

And everyone in Congress, including Waxman, absolutely refuses try to use the law against any of them.

[Laurab]

17. We don't know that yet - at least about Waxman

he's obviously angry, and I don't think he's going to let this one go. I'm not sure what the next step is if she refuses a subpoena, but I expect Waxman will take it, or, I should say, I'd be surprised if he doesn't. He's been quite public about his contempt for her contempt.

[sutz12]

16. She was also 'too busy' in August 2001 to defend the Twin Towers.

And no, that is not fucking sarcasm. That is gospel fucking truth.

[valerief]

18. Hey, she's got concerts scheduled in Tokyo, Jakarta, Sydney, Johannesburg,

Hong Kong, Montreal, London, Lisbon, lots of places.

[tridim]

20. Put her in leg shackles and drag her ass in

Do these people really think they don't have to listen to Congress? It's just unreal.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

21. I'm sure when she is finally forced to attend, she will just put on her angry eyes,

cross her arms, and develop the same amnesia that plagued her "colleagues". (that's another word for crooks and liars...colleagues...)

[wanpete]

22. She had no problem finding time to schedule a soft ball interview with George S. on This Week though

[hatrack]

23. Fuck her. Arrest her, and haul her ass to the Hill, and have her raise her right hand.

End. Of. Story.

[DFW]

25. George S. didn't put her under oath

Waxman would.

If she lies to George S., nothing happens.

If she lies to Waxman under oath, she goes to prison.

That's enough of a difference for her to do ABC but not Capitol Hill.