Wanna know what Waxman plans to investigate? Read here:

[crispini]

Democrats to Drive New Investigations
All Things Considered, November 15, 2006 ·

The change in power in Congress is likely to result in a different approach to Congressional oversight. Michele Norris talks to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), who is in line to chair the House Government Reform Committee.

Waxman says his priorities include investigating no-bid contracts for Iraq and the government's management of post-war Iraq.

"When Republicans had control when Clinton was president," Waxman says, "they were willing to investigate the smallest accusations, make wild charges, issue subpoenas. And then when Bush was president, they were willing to ignore the largest scandals. "

But he says it's unlikely his committee will investigate controversies he considers over, such as the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Hear the entire story at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6493071

It's worth a listen -- I'm on my way out the door, but if anyone is dying to hear it and can't access the audio, I'll type out more excerpts when I get back.

Waxman DIDN'T sound like he was all that eager to investigate why we went to Iraq -- said something to the effect of: we all know that the intelligence was wrong, so I don't see a lot of new ground to cover there.

Hmm. Color me slightly disappointed. I would really like to see Waxman dig into that a bit more.

[babylonsister]

1. What he plans on investigating will keep Waxman plenty busy.

I, for one, relish the truth getting out there regarding how Halliburton and KBR got their contracts, and how much fraud, waste and abuse has been involved. I think Americans are about to be appalled.

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. No Abu Ghraib investigation? IT'S NOT OVER...

the child rape tapes/pics are yet to be released. That scandal is FAR from over.

[joemurphy]

3. Yeah, what's the status on those? I haven't heard anything. n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Last I heard, the ACLU won the lawsuit against the Pentagon and the judge

ordered that the videos and pics be released. That was months ago though and I sure haven't seen any released.

[elehhhhna]

4. Huh? War Crimes not on his radar? IT'S EMAIL TIME, DU!

[BeHereNow]

7. Somebody, somewhere has the evidence referenced to by Hersch

And yes, EVENTUALLY it will come out-
However, keep in mind, what Waxman is
focusing on and investigating may be
the material that will force the issue of impeachment
and therefore, like in the days of Nixon, RESIGNATION
by the perpetrators of the crimes.
Here's hoping.

BHN

[elocs]

5. My guess is that whatever Waxman or Conyers investigate,

it will not be enough of some people and we will be reading many complaints.

[txindy]

10. It looks that way, doesn't it? n/t

[KharmaTrain]

6. Stop The Bleeding First

Billions are being swindled in no-bid and sweetheart contracts...and getting to the bottom of this is going to be a painstaking process. The view has to be present and forward...we don't have the luxuary to look back while there's so much on-going mess.

Leave the causes to the historians and the courts...where it belongs. The crimes committed in the past can't be legislated away, it can only be litigated now. An International tribunal is the ones who really have the reach and moral authority to investigate and litigate war crimes.

[kenny blankenship]

8. The Senate will investigate the question "why we went to Iraq"

under the authority of the intelligence committee. Consider Waxman's inquiry into Iraq-related stuff colorful sidebar material. It will keep the public interested in the scandal of Iraq during those times when the Senate Committee is dragging or keeping quiet about its findings. I trust Henry Waxman absolutely --he's one of the few people in gov't I'd say that for.

[KoKo]

13. Agree...I trust Waxman and he will focus on what will give him the most

ability to make a difference and to round up those who worked hand in hand with the Bush Crime Family. It's not just the Bushies...it's their enablers and those of their cronies they gave our tax dollars to who abused the money and have gotten away with it.

There's such a huge web it's like Enron. We just have to hope it doesn't go on as long as Enron and that Bush/Cheney don't manage to meet the fate of Ken Lay (when we know that they will end up in Paraquay instead of a coffin) before they and their buddies are brought to trial and sentenced.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. The News Hour on PBS did a segment tonight on the

reconstruction projects in Iraq, particularly those awarded to a Pasadena, CA, company called, IIRC, Parson Engineering. They mentioned that Henry Waxman would be leading investigations into the shoddy workmanship and unfinished projects for which the company had already been paid. They don't have the segment up online yet, but it would be worth checking out when they do. They exposed a level of waste that was absolutely unbelievable.

[johnnydrama]

12. maybe

I think i'm beginning to change my mind on human cloning, because we could sure use 3 or 4 Waxman's right now!