Congress is playing a vital role in unravelling the fuzzy mess left by (OCP) our current president's administrative ineptitude. Committee oversight has been a key repair element, as members untangle the history of the problems plaguing the country. The very active legislative style Democratic leaders is weaving together positive change. It is positive at least until OCP exercises a veto. In addition Congressional Republicans occasionally are able to string together some very courageous independence as they vote with the majority. Go to The Hill for all the latest news.
Regarding the war in Iraq - Senate Republicans are changing strategies regarding the emergency supplemental war spending bill now being debated. The Washington Post's Shailagh Murray and Jonathan Weisman wrote an excellent piece today illuminating these complicated political tactics. This is the headline: "Republicans Soften Stance on Pullout Language - GOP Senators Willing To Let Bush Confront Iraq Timetable Issue." To quote the opening,
Unwilling to do the White House's heavy lifting on Iraq, Senate Republicans are prepared to step aside to allow language requiring troop withdrawals to reach President Bush, forcing him to face down Democratic adversaries with his veto pen.
Justice denied/oversight needed - A web of lies and evasion, along with a history of overstepping bounds, currently has the Justice Department almost on the ropes. The lead stories are about the firings of U.S. attorneys. But the FBI, under the Justice Department, has its own set of problems that impact much more directly on all citizens. John Solomon's WaPo story on the FBI's misuse of surveillance FISA warrants makes the headlines this morning: "FBI Provided Inaccurate Data for Surveillance Warrants." Jeffrey Smith, who has been following this story, joined Solomon in writing an earlier story about the FBI's possibly illegal wholesale domestic spying via telephone records. CNN reports that FBI Director Robert Mueller has been called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee today to talk about the matter. The committee members will have Attorney General Alberto Gonzales before them on April 17. An earlier CNN story details the AG's loss of key GOP support.
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My "creative post" today at Southwest Blogger is about oil-three ways.
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