The Law Is Not a Suggestion
I hope Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Charles Schumer (D-CA) are happy. They were the two “Democratic” members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to join with the nine Republican members to allow Michael Mukasey’s confirmation as Attorney General. Yesterday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi politely asked if the Justice Department wouldn’t mind, if it’s not too much trouble, to file a lawsuit against former Bush aides Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten for their contempt of Congress citations. For those that don’t recall, Miers and Bolton refused a congressional subpoena over a year ago when Congress was looking into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys in 2006 for political reasons.
Today, Mukasey said, “Nah, I don’t think so.” See, he was home-team all along. Apparently, there wasn’t one honest Republican the Bush administration was willing to hire. I’ve always found it a little odd that the President gets to nominate the Attorney General when the Attorney General’s job is to investigate any wrong-doing, even if it’s by the President. Then again, everyone is pledged to uphold the Constitution but apparently, that’s not really important. What’s important is that you uphold the administration. No matter how flagrantly they abuse our laws and show nothing but contempt for American values (like not torturing people), no Republican will ever hold this administration accountable. Of course, it’s not like any Democrat is really forcing them to.
I don’t hate Hillary Clinton. Some people do. I find her distasteful and crass at times, but I don’t think she’s a bad person or The Great Emasculator as some have painted her. I will say that if she tries to steal Michigan and Florida’s discounted delegates, I will hate her because she’ll have cheated her way to victory. I tend to dislike her because I know that even if she managed to beat John McCain in the general election, she wouldn’t be able to get a damn thing done as President because she embraces partisan politics rather than move past them. I also find this co-presidency idea of her and Bill rather uncomfortable. When I vote, I want to vote for a President and a Vice-President. I’m not saying that the First Lady (or if she won, the First Husband) couldn’t have their own policy agenda, but they also have to realize that they’re not elected officials. They didn’t have to be confirmed by Congress. Also, if we’re really to consider them “a team” then we’re giving that team an unconstitutional third term. But most of all, what bothers me is that if she plans to run the country the same way she ran her campaign, we’re in for a nightmare. Not a nightmare of Bush-proportions, but certainly an unpleasant dream.
Today The Signal arrives in theatres and if it’s playing in one near you, I highly recommend you see it. Some have compared the premise to Stephen King’s 2006 horror novel Cell. I didn’t know people still read Stephen King books. What I do know is that The Signal is the evolution of the zombie flick and it’s scary as hell. There’s loads of gore but a strong undercurrent of psychological horror at work that will make you incredibly uncomfortable (although if you’re from Atlanta, this will be interrupted by shouts of “Hey! I know that place!”). I interviewed the three directors of the film yesterday and they were really nice and intelligent gents. I also spoke briefly with two of the film’s stars (although not in an official-interview capacity) and they were also very cool folks.
