Open Thread -- Gaping American Hole Edition

Posted Thu, 11/13/2008 - 06:12 by Open Thread

Video from the Onion, "Should the American Government stop dumping money into a giant hole?"



In The Know: Should The Government Stop Dumping Money Into A Giant Hole?

They bring up another "American Holes" too, hence the title. 

This is an Open gaping hole Thread.

Hat-tip peter1a, via email, for the holey heads-up.

Comments

jimstaro's picture

How To destroy 'National Security', Hire Mercs.....

by jimstaro - 11/13/2008 - 07:35
Blackwater likely to be fined millions in Iraq weapons case

WASHINGTON — The State Department is preparing to slap a multi-million dollar fine on private military contractor Blackwater USA for shipping hundreds of automatic weapons to Iraq without the necessary permits.
"How anyone can say that torture keeps Americans safe is beyond me -- unless you don't count American soldiers as Americans."

Did Blackwater sneak silencers into Iraq?

by avahome - 11/13/2008 - 12:08
Whatever became of this or is this one of the same with current fine?

msnbc

Nov. 1, 2007 Aram Roston Investigative producer WASHINGTON - Federal agents are investigating allegations that the Blackwater USA security firm illegally exported dozens of firearms sound suppressors — commonly known as silencers — to Iraq and other countries for use by company operatives, sources close to the investigation tell NBC News.

Investigators from various federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the State Department and the Commerce Department, are digging into the allegations that the company exported the silencers without getting necessary export approval, according to law enforcement sources, who spoke to NBC News on condition of anonymity. The sources said the investigation is part of a broader examination of potential firearms and export violations.

Bush, Out of Office, Could Oppose Inquiries

by avahome - 11/13/2008 - 11:41
And the Bush beat just goes on... This article is a good sobering read... Just exactly who interprets a president that has been set? Wonder if there is a workaround? Hello Supremes

nytimes

WASHINGTON — When a Congressional committee subpoenaed Harry S. Truman in 1953, nearly a year after he left office, he made a startling claim: Even though he was no longer president, the Constitution still empowered him to block subpoenas.

“If the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the presidency is to have any validity at all, it must be equally applicable to a president after his term of office has expired,” Truman wrote to the committee.

Congress backed down....

A bill in waiting.....State Secrets

by avahome - 11/13/2008 - 11:59
Thu Apr 24, 2008

Senate panel advances state secrets bill

WASHINGTON — A Senate panel advanced a bill Thursday that would limit how and when a president can withhold evidence from courts considering lawsuits against some of his most controversial policies.

By 11-8, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill limiting the so-called "state secrets privilege," a frequent legal defense President Bush uses to withhold evidence from plaintiffs in suits challenging his anti-terrorism methods.

The bill is not expected to receive a final vote this year. Attorney General Michael Mukasey has signaled that Bush would veto it, and Republicans could deny supporters the votes to override......

Hopefully this bill will pass and be signed. Let's get our DOJ back....so much work to do!

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