THE PLANK NOVEMBER 7, 2008
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As he gets ready for his first press conference as president-elect, Barack Obama is obviously going to be focusing on the future--as all of us in the press are, with questions about cabinet appointees and looming crises. Even so, I can't help but thinking about one unpleasant aspect of the present that could use some addressing as the Bush administration winds down: The shredding machines that I assume will soon be running full-time in the offices of possibly legally compromised Bushies. For political reasons, to avoid looking like a vengeance-seeker, Obama will want to leave next year's retrospective investigating to some superempowered congressional Henry Waxman type. All the same, before the evidece disappears, it'd be nice to hear some sort of transition related statement warning against destroying vital documents, even if it's just a vague and lawyersly promise that "appropriate action" would be taken. I don't imagine such a rhetorical shot across the bow could dissuade Dick Cheney from emptying the contents of his man-sized safe straight into the incinerator, but I think it might put a little fear into whatever underling is charged with the task. The underlings may want to work in government--or simply retain their law licenses--sometime down the road. --Michael Schaffer
18 comments
search warrant.
- psantillana
November 7, 2008 at 12:18pm
I agree (which will surprise no one who's watched my documentary).
- Ken_Hughes
November 7, 2008 at 12:20pm
Schaffer you shithead. Obama isn't president yet. And if anyone at the White House today decides to shred some chinese menus, amazon.com invoices, or Area 51 alien abduction photos, it's their prerogative. There is no "law" that they create backup documentation of every single meeting and issue.
It behooves you jackals not to make a nasty scene before the start of this guy's administration. Bush has been nothing short of accommodating to this guy. Clinton aides trashed the offices for Bush's inauguration. Bush has ordered his aides not to do anything of the sort. Your sick derangement causes you to see your own version of reality. One where the Chimphitler is both a brilliant and masterfully evil tactician and utterly dumb at the same time.
I doubt you were singing the same tune in 2000 when Clinton aides were most probably shredding condom wrappers and minutes of meetings.
- jwl2672
November 7, 2008 at 12:26pm
Ah, yes - the "Clinton aides trashed the offices" myth is still alive and well. Or a-LIE-ve and well, I should say.
- WoodyBombay
November 7, 2008 at 12:49pm
Actually, there are laws (Presidential Records Act) and regulations (National Archives and Records Administration General Records Schedules, see www.archives.gov/.../ardor) that govern the retention and disposition of federal records.
- ewilcz
November 7, 2008 at 12:57pm
One pleasure about these post-election days is the way jwl2672 is (a) permanently on the lookout for something to be sore about ON TOP OF losing the eleciton, and (b) clearly incapable of posting a comment that isn't larded with personal abuse.
Keep going buddy! You'll have a coronary before Obama wins a second term in 2012.
- ironyroad
November 7, 2008 at 12:59pm
What about documents authorizing torture or leegal wiretapping, jwl? And yes, while Bush has been gracious, even admirable, do you really think Cheney won't be trying to erase any evidence of what he has done these last eight years?
- boneill
November 7, 2008 at 1:00pm
ironyroad
Keep yukking it up. You still have your shit job today just like any other day. Still have your shit chores to do. Obama's re-distribution plan ain't in effect just yet and in all likelihood, his policies won't affect you one iota. Celebrate and dance in the streets like an utter loon if that makes you feel good. I'll wager that you were a HELLUVA lot more p.o'd in 2004 than I am today. The world doesn't change just cause this one guy makes some promises that everything changes. I just can't believe grown adults bought into that tub of lard. "Change." That's the oldest political election trick in the book. We've heard this story 43 times before.
- jwl2672
November 7, 2008 at 1:33pm
Marge: "I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper."
Cheney's head bobs with bumps on the road; otherwise he is motionless, reactionless, scowling and gazing out.
Marge: "And those three people at DHS..."
No response.
Marge, gazing forward, seems to be talking to herself.
Marge: "...and for what? For a little bit of money."
We hear distant sirens.
Marge: "There's more to life than money, you know."
- williamyard
November 7, 2008 at 1:41pm
yeah, watching jwl become more and more unhinged is worth the price of admission.
- blackton
November 7, 2008 at 1:43pm
Actually, the presidential records act applies, and more specifically, the circuit court ruling that the OVP is NOT to destroy, remove, or redact any documents subject to further litigation on the status of the OVP is also in place. Anyone who shreds knows they are doing something illegal, and realistically, very difficult to hide. It is crystal clear that the people who actually had to, for instance, torture prisoners wanted rock-solid documentary proof, that will lead to the person who signed off no matter what.
In retrospect, a 'truth and reconciliation' process, whereby people who volutarily come forward and explain all will be granted immunity, and those who don't are subject to prosecution, would be good. Maybe certain really bad actors get excluded, just to make sure it doesn't happen again.
- dbhuff
November 7, 2008 at 2:09pm
Strange as it may seem to you, jwl, I have a job I love. Regarding '04, I would say two things: one, I was indeed somewhat pissed off, but mainly at Kerry for being asleep at the switch when the Swift Boater scam was unveiled, and two, I was really struck back then by how conservatives are not only sore losers but sore winners also.
Otherwise -- what blackton said.
- ironyroad
November 7, 2008 at 2:12pm
Wow, jowl is really uncorcking today, I can see the veins popping out from here.
- dbhuff
November 7, 2008 at 2:12pm
jwl, sweetie, I hate the Clintons too. Next argument?
- psantillana
November 7, 2008 at 2:15pm
Aren't all taxes "redistributive?" The slogannering bullshit by jwl is--yawn--well, not fact-based. But he's a Bushie. And Clinton didn't use a condom with Monica L., so why the condom shredding?
- tec619
November 7, 2008 at 3:41pm
Even jacobt1 seems more bitter than before. Did these guys actually think they were going to win?
- JEFF FREY
November 7, 2008 at 3:42pm
Psant: :-)
JWL demonstrates all the traits of a closet homosexual deeply ashamed of the size of his penis. No man comfortable in his skin - that is, in his masculinity and his sexuality - is so idiotically aggressive. And of course, it is amusing that he considers himself a believing Christian as well. For the likes of JWL, the internet - and boards such as this one - serves as a sort of public toilet cubicle, if you will: you get in, close the door, think yourself anonymous, and let rip.
Recall that this is the same person who actually called a female writer the c-word. I know it's normal for Republicans like McCain to call their wives the c-word in public, but still. JWL has one mode of conversation: ignorant-aggressive (kinda like Sarah Palin in reverse-drag), and one message, hate. He cannot be "unhunged" because he has never been "hinged", but it is amusing to see him get angrier and even more incoherent than before.
JWL: it's OK, by the way, if you really feel like getting the N word out - we know it's at the tip of your tongue (as much as you like it deep in your throat), just say it and get it over with. All that pent up anger and insecurity, it must be such a terrible burden to bear ...
- icarusr
November 7, 2008 at 4:04pm
Oh, icarusr, I bet jwt has *indeed* been "unhunged."
;-)
- WoodyBombay
November 7, 2008 at 4:52pm