Waxman interview w/ ThinkProgress: "..you find out what they had said wasn’t true."

[G_j]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/28/waxman-interview/

Waxman: ‘You Must Do The Oversight If We’re Going To Keep People Honest’

A May 18 report from the Office of Special Counsel found that General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan engaged in a “serious violation” of federal law by holding a meeting of federal employees prior to the 2006 midterms to discuss how they could “help our candidates” win the next election.

On the heels of the OSC’s finding, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman called for Doan to testify again before his committee on June 7. In her first testimony before Waxman, Doan displayed a horrible memory, failing to recall anything of substance about the GSA’s political briefings except that “there were cookies on the table” at one of her meetings.

ThinkProgress recently sat down with Waxman to ask him about the investigation into Doan. Waxman told us:

The investigation is a very important one and what it has shown is so often when you press these issues to people in the administration, you find out what they had said wasn’t true. … I just think it’s worth noting when people say “I can’t remember, I don’t recall,” it usually means they don’t want to say anything because it’s going to conflict with what they had said in the past or they’re going to say something for which they may well be committing perjury.

..more..

[matt819]

1. For all the good it does

Let's face it folks. These guys are going to get away with it. Oh sure, the odd patsy (Libby) or just-too-blatant crook (Cunningham) will go to jail. But the others will just get away with it. Tenet has his medal of freedom, book, and speaking fees. Andy Card has his honorary degree, notwithstanding the booing. Blackwater and Halliburton have their multi-billion dollar contracts, and they are laughing all the way to the bank. Rumsfeld and Powell may be keeping low profiles, but I don't see anyone taking any serious effort to hold them accountable for their lies. Goodling has immunity, and I don't see warrants being issued for Samson and the others at Justice. * continues to express support for Gonzales in the face of a 90% disapproval rating and bipartisan support for his ouster. * & Cheney will fade into the sunset with their multi-millions, all the while holding hands with the Saudis. The candidates are allowed to continue to flip-flop, lie, deceive, mislead, and spew utter nonsense with impunity. The media simply reports it without critical comment and the spin machines ensure that what was meant was not what was said and/or vice versa. The process of Debushification is going to take generations. Repelling the Assault on Reason and rebuilding our government will be a monumental task, and the right will be fighting every step of the way. The Dems can spin their spinelessness any way they like, but spineless they are, which doesn't bode well for 2008 and beyond. Jobs will continue to go overseas - hell, newspapers are outsourcing local reporting to China, for goodness sake - our infrastructure continues to crumble, the middle class is becoming a distant memory. So have at it Rep. Waxman and Rep. Conyers. The fight is a noble one, but, for the rest of us, I wouldn't suggest holding your breath waiting for change.

[whathappened]

2. thinking the same way

they are serious about the jobs they are doing , but have no track tion in this congress , it looks like a dog and pony show to me folks , i really thought when it began that some heads were going to roll and some asses were to be kicked ,we will be lucky to come out of this with our asses in tack , the way the msn is painting this picture

[mmonk]

3. No consequences.

Just questions and answers or stonewalling. So how is oversight defined?

[Solly Mack]

4. If there are no consequences for dishonesty/corruption/crimes then

what changes?

I get away with making millions on top of millions in war profiteering, for example, and all I get is a scolding? Trust me...then it was well worth it.

I pre-determine justice, elections, and the implementation of law by rigging the system with followers of my thinking that best promote my oppressive agenda and you scold me? Am I supposed to be deterred by that?


I expand the executive to expand control of the people and the nations resources, invade a country for lies and trumped up evidence, erode rights to better suit my agenda, I implement a torture policy, I feather the nests of my cronies ,as well as increasing my own inheritance by increasing my families wealth and all I get is a scolding?

You call me a liar? A "bad" President? Tell me I'm the "worst" ever? And I care because? LMAO

Here's a clue. If ANY member of Bush Inc cared what the people thought of them, they wouldn't be the thugs they are... attempts at shaming them will NOT work.

Checks and balances MUST include serious consequences