1

Foist

I don't have a problem with this. The stimulus and fannie/Freddie are much more complex.

The Sestak thing is pretty much a dead issue. He said vs. he said

2 Issa prefers reheated meatloaf. It's a matter of convenience and selecting only "winnable" battles. How's them apples?

3 "Brave, brave, brave Rep Issa.
 When opportunity turned its ugly head,
 Rep Issa quickly turned and fled.
 Brave, brave, brave Rep Issa."

My actual suspicion is that this comes from the Republican "leadership" who know they've got enough problems getting their agenda through (you know, a Democrat Senate and in the WH) without actively antagonizing people whose votes they're going to need.

4 You've gotta start somewhere and this is probably as good a place as any.  If you get a few scalps on this you can proceed to more complex things with the benefit of a track record of getting things done rather than being characterized by the MFM as engaging in a fishing expedition (and you know that would be coming).

5

I hope this is just a Grapefruit League exibition.  Fannie, Freddie and Pigford are the gold mines.

6 Yah it would suck if he made the Dems mad. Anyone up for another investigation of Bush?

7 I would prefer something else first, but maybe he is doing a "warm-up" for the committee.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for the first 6 months to a year. After that though we better see some red meat and some blood on the floor.

8 Next up, Congressmen who avoid taxes by sleeping in their office.

9 Dude got bought off somehow.  Or threatened into impotence.  Fuck everything.

10 Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2011 07:45 AM (eh+ki)

I don't know that he'll get any "scalps" here.  As Gabe pointed out, this all old news and it's already been investigated.

Posted by: Mr. Diddy Wah Diddy at February 17, 2011 07:46 AM (wBW0k)
1) Not saying I agree with the strategy, just point out that it's a likely one for the Republicans to take.
2) There's a difference between "mad" and "completely intractable."  If the Senate Dems get their dander up enough, then even those who are up for re-election in 2012 stop being flip-able.  We need those endangered Senators to be somewhat reasonable if we're going to do things like actually getting a reasonable budget passed.

11 One other thing we had better see on this subpoenas and grillings is to swear the bastards in. And when caught in lying I want to see some perjury charges.

If you can go after baseball players for lying about BS things we had better have some assholes in government corruption go to damn jail for lying about stealing us blind.

12 On the Sestak "bribery" probe I think that is truly a waste of time and most likely counter-productive.

13 To issue a subpoena, Issa has to get agreement of the "Ranking Member" (i.e. the top Democrat) on the committee.

14 On the Sestak "bribery" probe I think that is truly a waste of time and most likely counter-productive.

I agree. All the "there" that is there that will ever be known is probably already known.

15 I don't know that he'll get any "scalps" here.  As Gabe pointed out, this all old news and it's already been investigated.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at February 17, 2011 07:50 AM (KxyHe)

I'm assuming that he has somebody or something in mind because if he comes out of this with nothing other than being able so say "Look at me and how I can conduct a non-witchhunt investigation" he'll look like a horse's ass and have everybody either laughing at him or wanting him to go the fuck away.

16 To issue a subpoena, Issa has to get agreement of the "Ranking Member" (i.e. the top Democrat) on the committee.

Sounds like time for a "rule" change.

17 Just a hunch but there might just be a few things at DOJ that wouldn't look too spiffy under the klieg lights.
_{New Black Panthers cough, cough....}

18 Maybe he'll catch Barney Frank in some basement-male-prostitution-ring.

19

 The mortgages were made years ago and have been investigated since before the election in 2008. Chris Dodd is out of office now. Countrywide was purchased by Bank of America and its management team was promptly shuffled out the door. As a political issue, this has pretty much been played out.

Sorry...but I just read this part of the post. Politics be damned. Chris Dodd got out for a reason.

Gabe..sorry...but there is a deep, deep connection to the Countrywide loans and Fannie and Freddie debacle. Countrywide was the #1 mortgage issuer in thge country. Dodd, among others who got preferential loan rates, was chairman of the senate banking committee.

The ties between Countrywide and legislators needs to be brought to light to give an understanding how the government was directly involved in the meltdown

20 Issa should look into the Kennedy assassination.

21 uh gabe....with the record high foreclosures...millions of loans upside down.......TAX PAYING RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE UNABLE TO REFINANCE OR RENEGOTIATE their mortgages because they are actually able to pay them and do so rather than walk away from their contract and because of their honor are in effect banned from getting a record low interest rate....while these criminals who broke the system are still benefiting from their elitist positions? and we shouldn't investigate? do you have add? DO YOU OWN A HOME?

22 20 Issa should look into the Kennedy assassination.

Posted by: Dr Spank at February 17, 2011 08:08 AM (1fB+3)

_{Which one, Jack, Bobby or Mary Joe?}

23 Issa knows what he is doing. Gabe isn't giving the full story.

24 Where's the birf certificate?

25 I posted this the other day, but it is about Issa and the WH.

Don't know if this 'insider' is true or not, but he does get things right weeks before they happen. This is fron Newsflavor

Lastly but most important, flurry of activity coming out of Issa office very recently.  Whispers now circulating something “concrete” has been found by Issa that is harmful to White House.  Enough so that legal reps from White House most recently met directly with Issa office.  Actually believe the Bill Daley appointment made in part to also help assist in heading that situation off in favor of the WH.  I still donÂ’t trust Issa to follow through.  Fear he has gotten too cozy with WH but I could be wrong.  I hope so.  As to that something “concrete” is it related to the scandal I maintain is out there festering?  Birther related?  Not certain, but an important thing to realize the growing number of Dems who are hopeful that is the case.  That is a huge shift from just this time last year.  More and more of us are increasingly angry at this administration and the damage it has done to so many inside the party.

THIS is also from their 'insider':

Banking Scandal Lurking for Obama in 2011?

26

In addition to the loan from CW, Dodd was the recipient of the largest campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie in 2008.

CW execs made a shitload selling their mortgages to F&F (it allowed them to sell even more risky mortgages). Dodd was supposed to be overseeing this whole mess

27 On the Sestak "bribery" probe I think that is truly a waste of time and most likely counter-productive.

I agree. All the "there" that is there that will ever be known is probably already known.  Congressional investigations run on a "paper trail." Unlike so many of the other investigations, the Sestak "bribery" probe probably has the smallest "paper trail."  Unless you know who talked to who and when, their phone logs will prove nothing.  Everything else has already been "forgotten."

28 Weaksauce.

29 #25

Read the last link.  It includes Rahm, Rezko, Obama, the Giannoulias family that runs Broadway Bank in Chicago

Another figure is then included in the Obama-Giannoulias relationship – that of convicted felon and Syrian-born Tony Rezko, a figure currently awaiting sentencing on various charges of fraud and bribery.  The relationship between Rezko and Obama dates back even  further than ObamaÂ’s relationship to Giannoulias.  Rezko was a business partner with the the law firm that initially hired Barack Obama in the early 1990Â’s.  It was Rezko who then helped initiate ObamaÂ’s first fundraising efforts in 1995 when Obama began running for Illinois State Senate.  By 1997, then state Senator  Barack Obama was helping secure Rezko with over $14 million in low income housing funds.  In 2005, Rezko helped facilitate the purchase of ObamaÂ’s home in the upscale Kentwood District, for $1.65 million.  The Washington Post later reported in 2008 that the ObamaÂ’s received a “significant discount” on the mortgage to help faciliate the purchase being more affordable to the Obamas.  During this same time period, Rezko was also securing millions of dollars in loans from Broadway Bank for his other development projects.

30 Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2011 07:59 AM (eh+ki)

That's much, much more faith in an old-guard member of the Republican party than I have.

Heck, I'm suspicious of Joe Barton and Pete Sessions, and I hear they're both good, solid conservatives.

31 Wow - what a shock.  Another Republican gets weak kneed and gun shy.  This is why no one believes in those pukes any more.  Weak, pathetic, simpering little rats.

32 Timing? Save the juicy stuff for next summer/fall.

33 I have to agree with others...Sestak is a non-issue now.  And we don't know what Issa knows.  There may be something in the Countrywide scandal that will not only net a few culprits but lead to the Fannie/Freddie investigation.  As for Pigford I and II,  those are on-going already.  Come on, give the guy a chance before jumping to conclusions.  And yes he does need the approval  of his Dem counterpart to go ahead on much of this...stupid .

34 DoJ? Voter fraud? Institutional racism? Whistleblower terminations? Hello?

35

I get the feeling this is as just getting the ball rolling.  Starting with Countrywide is probably as good a place as any.  Right now, I think a majority of the voting populace just doesn't really know or care enough about the Black Panther case or the Long Form Birth Certificate.  Sadly, neither of those are going anywhere.

People give a shit about the economy.  They feel the economy.  If Issa's investigations focus on those key players who were at ground zero of the meltdown (which happens to include a rep whose initials are Barney Frank) and the public begins to understand the Democrats' culpability in the meltdown instead of just swallowing the MBM-fed line of "Bush's mess", then I think that will be far more effective that going after the other, more blatant "red meat".

But it's not like there's much time anyway.  If 6 months goes by and we're not to any substantial efforts at the big targets, it's just too late.

36 There are so damn many crooks up there it's hard to decide where to start.  Just as long as you start and let 'em know there is plenty to go around for everybody.

37 I'd like to see an investigation of why Peggy Joseph's mortgage hasn't been paid yet.

38 C'mon guys, it's his first one (and he promised that he'd be gentle).

39 My cynicism tells me that he is dealing with this now precisely because it won't have major repercussions.

In other words, they are already trying to sell us out!

40 I just got a late Valentine's Day card from my aunt.  It's kind of weird, though, since we haven't been dating for months...

41 37
I'd like to see an investigation of why Peggy Joseph's mortgage hasn't been paid yet.
Posted by: nickless at February 17, 2011 08:36 AM (MMC8r)

I'm waiting for the investigation into why that ignorant, slobbering dipstick Julio in Ft. Myers had been working at McDonald's for over two years and hadn't advanced beyond the fries' jockey. Have they no standards?

42 I'm hoping this means that Issa's gotten wind of something juicy that could be uncovered by this investigation.  But I'm not holding my breath.

43 I've seen that "Ulsterman" stuff. Find it interesting but a little too convenient for our side. Been suspecting for awhile that it's just someone playing a game.


Any other opinions on Ulsterman?

44

You can read through the Ulsterman 'reports' and clearly find things that didn't happen or look extremely unlikely (e.g. Pelosi stepping down after the election, Clinton running in 2012 as VP).

I think if there was a major scandal in the Obama WH it would embolden  Republican Presidential candidates and Republicans. I think the House has been cautious (along with Romney, Palin, etc.) because they are resigning themselves to dealing with Obama for the next five years.

45 That's much, much more faith in an old-guard member of the Republican party than I have.

Heck, I'm suspicious of Joe Barton and Pete Sessions, and I hear they're both good, solid conservatives.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at February 17, 2011 08:27 AM (KxyHe)

If he fucks this up I'll be leading the charge to get him the hell out of office starting with a primary challenger.  If he thinks he can get away with a softball going through the motions investigation he's guilty of fatally misreading the electorate.  Some of the donk shillboys have already started demonizing him so I trust, as some of the other morons apparently do, that this is more fertile territory than Gabe has indicated.

46

I think Countrywide rolls directly into Fannie/Freddie. If I am not mistaken, a very large percentage of the loans guaranteed by Fannie/Freddie were originated by Countrywide. It seems to me that if you establish the corruption between Countrywide, elected officials, and regulators you can then segue right into Fannie/Freddie.

Basically, I don't think you can go into Fannie/Freddie without starting first at Countrywide.

47

You can read through the Ulsterman 'reports' and clearly find things that didn't happen or look extremely unlikely (e.g. Pelosi stepping down after the election, Clinton running in 2012 as VP).

Posted by: Paper at February 17, 2011 08:50 AM (VoSja)

Yeah, I recall reading that. He walked back all his earlier predictions on a Pelosi being Minority leader by saying she must have some dirt on Obama or something. From my perspective it DOES look like someone playing a game. I really don't see how someone could hide in the Obama administration saying the stuff he says. It just doesn't smell right. 

48 momma at February 17, 2011 08:17 AM

Obama's been in so many peoples' beds, his whoring reputation trumps all procession. His only "legal" experience was finessing attorney pinstripe crime thieving tax funds appropriated for renovations of public housing for the indigent elderly whom Obama left out in the cold without even a roof over their heads at Chicago's Altgeld Garden housing project, permeating national organizations activating grassroots evading the law with Black Panthers, ACORN, Planned Parenthood, etc. That the Univ. of Chicago Law School subsidized Obama to pimp criminal organization is a reflection of that school, and the same with Harvard Law Review for allowing this virus to preside.

49 Gabe, you upset that his net's going to catch Barney Frank?

50 I'm OK with this--it's preparing the battlefield by showing how politicians looked out for their friends ad vice versa, and especially because it shows the Democrats are even more in bed with the unpopular finance-sector actors than the Republicans are. And Chris Dodd deserves it.

51 13 To issue a subpoena, Issa has to get agreement of the "Ranking Member" (i.e. the top Democrat) on the committee.

Posted by: Barney Frank at February 17, 2011 07:56 AM (tvs2p)

If Issa is serious he should make public every subpoena request that is refused by the "ranking" asshole on the committee so we can publicly shame said asshole daily.

52 I'm with the people who think that this isn't a bad first step.

It serves notice.

53 Collect and record all of Obama's past infractions of law.

But get the organization going pronto with all accumulating impeachable offenses Obama is incurring as POTUS. Don't leave any offenses off his list of infractions. And get that impeachment procedure happening to clog this administration ... 2 years.

54

The real question to me is: What is Issa going to find that could be greater than Obama's connections with Ayers, Rev. Wright, Rezko, etc.? We knew these before the last election, and it didn't matter.We might find something with Rezko that fleshes out some details, but the general public is going to sort all of this as 'old news'.

55 Good points Gabe.  So much shit to look at why not start with some good shit?

http://tinyurl.com/6x3xrv

This is a fun link.

56

Posted by: Dan Collins at February 17, 2011 09:06 AM (MHZgz)

Hey Dan....slumming it, are ya?

For those not familiar with it, I highly, highly recommend Dan's blog POWIP

57 So I don't see why Issa is dallying with it

My guess? Every prosecutor likes to start out with an easy case to get one under your belt. It adds credibility to the later ones which will be tougher. Plus it wears down the opposition and their resources.

58 By the way, Issa does not have to get the ranking members permission to issue subpoenas.   The current ranking member wants him to and Issa told him to get fucked.

59

Barney Frank should be in an orange jump suit considering all the laws and misuse of tax dollars and overall economic mayhem that he has caused. 

60 Help a moron out:  Doesn't Issa have to tread lightly on anything juicy because by holding hearings on them he might be queering any future administration's DOJ (obviously Steadman Shabazz Holder can't be shamed into doing a fucking thing against any real corruption) looking further into it?  Didn't the dog and pony show that the Senate did on Iran Contra keep asswipe Walsh from going after Ollie North because of double jeopardy?

61 Maybe there's something there that can lead to other, bigger, newer, nastier things?

62
Posted by: Kemp at February 17, 2011 09:12 AM (JpFM9)

Ace frowns on posting NSFW links.

63
"Why not go for the red meat, Issa?"

Because he's a coward.

64 62
Posted by: Kemp at February 17, 2011 09:12 AM (JpFM9)

Ace frowns on posting NSFW links.

Yeah, I forgot sometimes he posts nudes.  Sorry.  The blog is pretty neat though.  The guy is an x professor and he posts some pretty interesting stuff beside the nudes.

65 I think it's good strategy to go with something that is not targeted at the Obama administration.  And there is still a huge housing crisis, so this relates to that even if the specifics of Countrywide have been handled. 

I am amazed by how few people (outside the educated rightosphere) appreciate that the Dems are the ones who caused our mortgage crisis. 

66 Oh FFS, this is something to whine about?  Really?  Maybe he's going in chronological order.

67

Let's see where this goes before saying Issa went soft.  Maybe it's a credibility building exercise, or maybe there's something else he's getting to sideways, or maybe it's just all he can manage at the moment.  We won't know until it goes forward.

Oh, and 'rules changes'?  Let's not leave anything behind us that can be abused against us, please--they do enough without us handing them tools...

68

63  I don't think so -- this may have been a very smart move...there's a lot of stuff tied up in the Countrywide story.  Pull that old log away and a lot of little nasty things are going to come scurrying out -- including, hopefully, info on Fannie/Freddie, Pigford, pay to play, and the bank/market meltdown (plus some threads to imminent domain and terrorism/immigration issues are hidden in there which I think might scare the crap out of some people...that's just a hunch).

If the log does manage to get rolled, are you still going to call the guy who did it a coward?

69

Progressives LIVE EAT SHIT FUCK AND DIE - TO TAX.

Hey let's tax ourselves rich!  It worked in CA!

70 You always want an initial success, Issa is dipping his line where we all know the fish are - he'll get out into the deeper waters after he catches some bait fish.

71 Graft and corruption.  That's his theme here. Frankly, I like the idea that somebody's working to burst the bubble that Democrats are the "party of the little guy." 

72

We might find something with Rezko that fleshes out some details, but the general public is going to sort all of this as 'old news'.

No they won't.  Do NOT make this mistake.  People were not listening in 2008.  Repeat it again.  They didn't hear it last time and the make-believe media didn't cover it.

No facts about Obama are "old news".

73 Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

1.  Gabriella Giffords is a lock for the Arizona Senate seat.

2.  We are probably going to lose seats in the House because Obama submitted a fugasi budget.

3.  Darrell Issa is a stone-cold pussy because his first investigation is on something other than one of our cherished hobbyhorses.

WTF?  This blog needs an enema.

74

Oh, and 'rules changes'?  Let's not leave anything behind us that can be abused against us, please--they do enough without us handing them tools...

Doesn't stop 'em.  They don't need precedent.

75

No... it really goes like this...

These same people who were effectivly bribed by the banking industry, which IS controled and overscene by the Fed Res Bank, gave that same banking system 100 of billions of dollars during TARP, which they then used to suddenly start making huge profits again.

Post TARP the banking industry is one of the only sectors in America doing well...

So, we have People who were BRIBED, then using votes to give favor to an industry (which is actualy somthing of a Monopoly, as all banks must belong to the Fed Res system)...

If Issa is really going to make change to this Crony system, then he needs to PROOVE that the initial bribes were made...

76

OT, but you can't make this stuff up. 

Switzerland considers repealing incest laws (because they are "obsolete") (link is to the UK Telegraph)

Do the Swiss count as dirty Scandis?  If not, I think they should.

77 73 Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

But on the plus side, we did learn that the Chilean miners will do anything, to anything.  So that's something! 

78

Hate to be pedestrian but this one was probably the first one ready to go.

79 By the way, Issa does not have to get the ranking members permission to issue subpoenas.   The current ranking member wants him to and Issa told him to get fucked.

Issa should turn the guy, give him opportunity to concur with any subpoena - that way Issa looks cooperative and the Dim looks like he is trying to protect bad guys when he does not concur.  (The subpoena goes out anyway, regardless of the Dim's decision.)

80 Another reason to get this one out the door - if any Dim's on Countrywide's list are considering running in 2012; this might be enough to stir-up a primary challenge and dampen early fund-raising.  FUD is our friend.

81 73 Don't forget that right wing christians are like islamists sometimes

82

Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at February 17, 2011 09:42 AM (0IPsJ)

4. Chris Christie is perfect and any mention of his positions on gun rights and immigration is heresy

83 @29 momma,

Remember how we all waited breathlessly for the hammer to really fall on Clinton, e.g. Mesa Airport, Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey, etc.  Remember how all that turned into a series of dry holes?

Why do I think the "insider" is just jerking us off here, whether he means to or not?

84 Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at February 17, 2011 09:42 AM (0IPsJ)

4.  Leave GOProud alooooooooooooooone.

85 Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

It's vitally important, cosmicly required, that journalists be part of the action.

86

4.  Leave GOProud alooooooooooooooone.

Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2011 09:52 AM (eh+ki)

Actually that one isn't true. Except for one weak ass CYA story there was basically nothing on the Ron Paul/Gay Lovefest that was CPAC. HA on the other hand was GOProud central.

87 @85 Well, a few of them got more action than they expected, apparently.

88 Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

On the ONT I learned; not to talk about the ONT

89 Don't worry, Issa will tackle the BIG issues next, like Roger Clemens steroids issue or the scandalous amount of calories in the fries at the Rancho Marguerita Burger King

90 Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

The government approves of "primary budgeting"

91

Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week.

Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at February 17, 2011 09:42 AM (0IPsJ)

5. Journalists with breasts should not be responsible for bad judgement

92 @86 AP and Captain Squish I can live it.  The idiot trolls they allow to hang out there are something else:  Proud Rino/Grow Fins/Sesqwhateverthefuckthatwordmeans/Dave Rywall etc need to go.  What's the point of a password protected site if you just let the libtards hang around spewing bullshit?

Lucianne.com has a new sitepest, Bonnie Grey Eyes or, as I call her: Washing Machine Charlie.  Once a day she flits in and drops some stupendously retarded op-ed form Salon, the NYTimes, or TheNation.

93 Anything doing with Wall Street is going nowhere, as the fix is in so deeply it would take a nuclear attack to break up the scam network

Read this article by Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone.

Why Isn't Wall Street in Jail

Yeh, it's a lefty rag but Taibbi hits Obama's SEC and DOJ heavily on this too

94 I think this is a brilliant move.  Slow boil is best.

95 Yeh, it's a lefty rag but Taibbi hits Obama's SEC and DOJ heavily on this too

Posted by: kbdabear at February 17, 2011 10:01 AM (vdfwz)

Matt's takedown of Flathead Friedman years ago still makes me chuckle whenever I see one of that clueless cocksucker's witlessly vacuous "insights".

96

4. Chris Christie is perfect and any mention of his positions on gun rights and immigration is heresy

I don't think that's accurate, I just think Ace is getting tired of the blanket declarations of people saying this person or that person is a RINO because they do not agree with them 100%. He's simply making the point that if people can't compromise on candidates then why should he.

Does Christie have some weakness, of course, but he also has a lot of strengths.

And its not like we have a shit ton of options for 2012.

Every candidate in the race has flaws and deviates from the 100% true conservative in one way or another.  So we have to hold our nose and pick one.

97 Matt Taibbi is a P.O.S.  I would not read Rolling Stone if you paid me.

98 "Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week." That I'm an asshole who needs to STFU more. No sarcasm. Seriously.

99 @98 No irony there.  Seriously.

100 Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out.

101 Bribes are the kind of graft that anyone can understand. "Dodd got X amount of gain to his own personal net worth bottom line through preferential treatment afforded him by Countrywide in exchange for vote Y and for killing Z in committee. This is the place to start.

102

Every candidate in the race has flaws and deviates from the 100% true conservative in one way or another.  So we have to hold our nose and pick one.

Ben, I know that. I was being sarcastic.

I was accused in the recent past of being a Palin-bot simply becuase I said the MBM has treated her differently than any other candidate...and that had influence on her poll numbers.

103

I'd like to think that he's doing this to build up leverage on any Dems when it comes time for investigating the larger scandals. 

Of course, I'm probably giving them too many questions.

104 Speaking of potential subpoena material:

ATF Gives Guns to Mexican Drug Cartels to Undermine Second Amendment  (via Van Helsing at Moonbattery)

If this is true, heads- starting with Eric Holder's- should roll, and prison sentences should follow. 

105

From HA Headlines:

President Obama ordered his advisers last August to produce a secret report on unrest in the Arab world, which concluded that without sweeping political changes, countries from Bahrain to Yemen were ripe for popular revolt, administration officials said Wednesday.

And still they were completely unprepared idiots about it.

106

Stuff I learned at AoSHQ in the last week

That I'm an asshole who needs to STFU more.

No sarcasm. Seriously.

...and I'm a rotten prick (Ace's words) for having the temerity to flame Jeffy B.

107 @104  Like the ATF would give guns away.

108 This is weak shit and Issa is a giant pussy. All this perquisite and favor trading stuff is circumstantial and both sides are rife with it. Why no investigation of fired IGs to kill election fraud probes? Why no investigation of the Justice Dept for ordering its employees not to investigate election fraud or intimidation committed by blacks? These are discrete, tangible and actionable crimes. But Issa is going to try to "shame" Democrats for taking favors? Fuck off, you sopping wet vagina. You talk a big game but when it's go-time you're a scared, ineffectual little bitch like the rest of the party.

109 I know he probably (see, I said probably because I can't give up all hope that someone on the inside is finally showing truth to light ) isn't a real insider, but a girl can hope, right?  I mean, that IS what Obama told me to do.

Hope for...

a new President
a new Senate
a Muslim-Brotherhood free Middle East
my taxes to fall
food prices to fall
the value of my dollar to increase
the US to stop putting food into cars
a missile defense system
a Union/GE/enviro-wackjob/Communist free White House

110 Maybe its just me but the only thing I know about Angelo's VIP program was Dodd. This issue has most decidedly not been played out.

111

If this is true, heads- starting with Eric Holder's- should roll, and prison sentences should follow. 

Posted by: Alamo at February 17, 2011 10:15 AM (m/tN9)

The MFM has been taking an "if we ignore this it will go away" attitude on that one.  I agree that it's powerful stuff if anybody pays attention.

112 It's mighty early to start giving the blog shit, isn't it?

Nah. 

I learned that shit at HA has turned pretty stale.  I mean they must be on Ace's schedule.

113 Serves you right, beedubya.  What were you thinking?

114 Wait, so all those subpoenas that the Dems issued when they had Congress had the agreement of the Republicans?? Really, wtf, why would Republicans agree to such things?

115 @107

116 Also, OT, you guys see the WI protests? Man I can so see that happening in CA if Moonbeam ever tries to limit in any small way the unions power here. Not that he will, ofc.

117

Of course, I'm probably giving them too many questions.

Credit.  Too much credit.

118 @107  Agreed, they would never give guns to American citizens, Mexican narco-terrorists to bolster the liberal narrative?  Yeah, under Holder's nefarious ( but plausibly deniable?) direction, they would......

119 Follow the money.

120 @118 I could see some rogue ATF guy selling guns, but doing this as policy?  Not even the MBM with all its powers could suppress this if was true.

121

Trust me on this, guys.  Issa knows what he is doing.

Countrywide's VIP loan program is the first layer of the onion.  Issa is going to peel it very carefully.  By the time he is done, everyone will know what has really happened over the last 8 years.

122 momma @ 25 It could have to do with Obama's land deal with Rezko? When the trials occurred, nobody talked. Blago mentioned Michelle in the taps as an example of things his wife could get as payback for the Senate seat. Nobody has been able to prove anything, because Democrats have had control so far. Something I saved from 2008 about the land deal:

Patti Blago worked with Rezko for eight years (2001-2008.) In fact, some reports call them "partners" though she in fact owned her own real estate business, River Realty, out of her home. The Rezko deals netted her in the $700,000 range. After he went to jail, her business dried up. One of the properties that Rezko handled was the Obama property.

In April 2005, a man by the name of Auchi, an Iraqi who had become rich from Sadam and then moved to Britain, wanted to come to the US, but he couldn't get a visa. He asked his good friend Rezko to see what he could do. Rezko hinted that he had connections with a senator and would look into it.

Later in April 2005, Auchi gave Rezko a loan for 3.5 million. June 15, 2005, the Obamas bought their home for 1.65 million which was coupled with an adjacent piece of land that Mrs. Rezko bought. The two together were in the neighborhood of 2.2 million.

It seems quite possible that Patti B was the agent who handled this deal as Rezko and her were "partners," Rezko worked for her husband, and so did Obama (and Emanuel) for a time.

123 >>rockmom at February 17, 2011 10:31 AM (w/gVZ) Yea, I'm fine with this. The out of control lending fostered by the donks is at the heart of the financial meltdown. Time to put all the dirty shit these clowns have been up to for years on the table. This will all lead back to Fannie and Freddie.

124 I've met Issa, and he's a really, really smart guy (although he's at pains to not show off the smarts). Methinks he's working the flanks first--there's a LOT of state/local officials who are tainted by Countrywide, and who can't afford top-dollar legal help. They'll rat out anyone they can to save themselves. "Anyone" probably includes a lot of bigger fish who COULD afford decent legal help, but when you've been dimed out by your poorer relations, a top-flight attorney can do only so much for you.

125 Rockmom, I admire your enthusiasm while sharing none of it. This issue appeals to you and me, but will not draw national interest or attention. Like any large, systemic corruption, there is no "bad guy", only a neverending string of small fish pointing fingers at other small fish. This will go nowhere. I say this partly because I'm cranky right now. Hope I'm wrong.

126 President Obama ordered his advisers last August to produce a secret report on unrest in the Arab world, which concluded that without sweeping political changes, countries from Bahrain to Yemen were ripe for popular revolt, administration officials said Wednesday.

Did you notice who attended the weekly meetings? Samantha Power, Gayle Smith and then Dennis Ross, the token Israeli sympathizer among the Obama foreign policy team. Also, Obama was furious that Hillary conceded to our allies, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and called for a smooth and cautious transition, instead of siding with the mob and knifing Mubarak in the back.

127 "I could see some rogue ATF guy selling guns, but doing this as policy?" The allegations are that BATFE was instructing FFLs to complete sales transactions in spite of obvious signs that the buyers were straw purchasers. Ostensibly, this was to compile evidence needed to bust a criminal ring smuggling guns into Mexico. When the Border Patrol Agent, Brian Terry, was killed with a rifle sold through this operation, some whistleblowers in the BATFE came forward with the story that the operation made no damned sense because the targeted smuggling ring was small-time yet the orders for this operation came from the top in DC. The allegation for "why" is that this operation was supposed to bolster the public perception that narcoterrorists get their guns from the US market because our laws aren't restrictive enough. This administration got its ass handed to it last year by claiming that 90%+ of narcoterrorist guns come from the US civilian retail market. What happened next looks like a cover-up. The whistleblowers claim they are being threatened by management and FFLs who made sales against their judgment because BATFE instructed them to do so claim that BATFE has threatened to go after their licenses and have retained counsel. BATFE busted the ring last month, netted all of seventeen straw purchasers and put forth the questionable claim that the bust was a *big* win. Since then, BATFE and DoJ have been being very resistant to respond to Senator Grassley's requests for briefings and documents. After four decades of "it ain't the crime, it's the cover-up," it'll be nice to finally have a crime, a cover-up, and a parade of orange jumpsuits.

128 This will all lead back to Fannie and Freddie.

Rockmom has the right take on this, I think. She's usually right.

129 The idiot trolls they allow to hang out there are something else:  Proud Rino/ Grow Fins/Sesqwhateverthefuckthatwordmeans/Dave Rywall etc need to go.

The trolls speak for the mods, I think. I've read some of AP's comments on Twitter that mock the regulars. They don't think highly of their audience, and that's why the site has gone to shit. Ed fluffing for T Paw is more than just a pathetic pride in bumblefuck Minnesota. They take bribes to support certain candidates, I think, ultimately hoping to get a CNN gig like Erik at RedState.

130 This seems valid, if one focuses on this,http://tinyurl.com/4v4j2b, mind you Bachus and Royce have a little 'splaining' to do.

131 I've read some of AP's comments on Twitter that mock the regulars. They don't think highly of their audience, and that's why the site has gone to shit. Ed fluffing for T Paw is more than just a pathetic pride in bumblefuck Minnesota. They take bribes to support certain candidates, I think, ultimately hoping to get a CNN gig like Erik at RedState.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2011 10:56 AM (mHQ7T)

Yeah I've had nothing to do with the site for a couple years other than checking it for occasional video clips which they're still pretty fast on linking.  Other than that the threads are pretty much self-fellation on Poppin' Fresh's latest appearances on some jerkoff show or AllahPander making an ass out of himself.  Some of the good commentors are trying to fight the good fight but the deck is stacked against them.

132 ATF is part of treasury so why would they be going after DOJ?

133 Yeah, their videos do load quickly, and they're good about linking livestreams.

134 "ATF is part of treasury so why would they be going after DOJ?" "Effective January 24, 2003, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was transferred under the Homeland Security bill to the Department of Justice. "

135 WTF, where was I at, sure as hell missed that.

136 http://tinyurl.com/4v4j2b

Linky no work

137 "WTF, where was I at, sure as hell missed that." A lot of stuff was shook-up when DHS was created. Repercussions still arise from time to time. Was it last year when the Department of Education had an RFP out for short-barreled shotguns?

138 A brewing scandal at the Department of Justice involving an illegal scheme to pad statistics on U.S. guns in Mexico threatens to erupt as U.S. Senator Charles Grassley of the Senate Judiciary Committee begins an investigation. ATF agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives — a DOJ agency — allegedly smuggled U.S. guns into Mexico in order to bolster the Department's disputed contention that Mexican drug cartels are armed primarily with U.S. guns. Whistleblowers within the ATF contend that one of these guns was used to kill Border Patrol agent Brian A. Terry in December of 2010.

139 Like I've said before, Issa dares ask no questions to which he doesn't already know the answers.

The Sestak thing is useless - regardless of the legalities, 99.9% of the American public sees that as politics as usual.   There's also no useful witnesses outside the principals themselves, and the minute you've got a Republican Congress grilling Bill Clinton under oath the public's going to have a really bad flashback, shout 'Oh, not this crap again' and tear up their newly-minted GOP registration card.   The impeachment gave Clinton near-impenetrable political armor for life.

Issa needs to produce results.  They don't have to be blockbusters but he can't chase dead-ends or low-percentage Hail Marys.   I'd like to see Lisa Jackson run out of office but that, if it happens, may fall to Upton or someone else.

If the GOP manages to build a public case that the administration really is as rotten as many of us feel it is, then Issa may have more latitude, but right now 'GOP Congress' has to produce some useful results that make people with memories forget  'Clinton impeachment' and 'Terri Schiavo'. 

140 I've read some of AP's comments on Twitter that mock the regulars. They don't think highly of their audience, and that's why the site has gone to shit.

AllahFrumDit is a two faced driveby artist like his hero David Frum

If Sarah Palin ever quit the public life, he'd be reduced to trying to win Meggie Mac back by linking to her every Twit post

141 138

I am probably going to disagree with a lot of people here....but from a purely political position.....its not a bad strategy.

--

Actually, I think you're in the majority on this thread.  Gabe's view seems to be the minority one. 

142 Was it last year when the Department of Education had an RFP out for short-barreled shotguns?

I thought that was the DOJ.

143 It's all an illusion.

144 143 Was it last year when the Department of Education had an RFP out for short-barreled shotguns?

I thought that was the DOJ.

IRS

145 Yes it was the IRS, we all thought that was strange as hell.

146 "I thought that was the DOJ." No. I looked it up. It was the Dept of Ed's OIG last spring. My kind of stupid point about repercussions was that various (if not all) federal departments have organic law-enforcement agencies. Since the Homeland Security Act came into effect (and the DHS into existence), we now have laws requiring coordination among those agencies. The black helicopter types [understandably] question some of the changes to TO&E within these agencies.

147 The IRS solicitation makes perfect sense in my mind. Why wouldn't there be jackbooted thugs in their employ? Here is a link to a WaPo story about the Dept of Ed's solicitation: http://tinyurl.com/ya39u5p

148 148
The IRS solicitation makes perfect sense in my mind. Why wouldn't there be jackbooted thugs in their employ?

Here is a link to a WaPo story about the Dept of Ed's solicitation:

http://tinyurl.com/ya39u5p

Good Lord.

149 Why does the Dept of Ed need a law enforcement arm? There are already dozens of federal law enforcement arms.

But the real question is why do we have a Dept of Ed to begin with?

Ans: Dem congress and Jimmy Carter, followed by RINOs when ever Republicans were in office.

House budget: Zero budget for Dept of Ed.

150 Seeing Dodd face the inquisition is not such a bad thing.  Especially if it leads to an indictment that bleeds his ill-gotten financial resources dry.

151 This is good. It will tar certain politicos for election in 2012.

152  "Matt Taibbi's Latest: " Why Isn't Wall Street In Jail?"

"Chris Dodd Crackdown: Darrell Issa Issues Subpoena Demanding Intimate Secrets Of All "Friends Of Angelo'"

"Guest Post: The $500 Billion Dollar Bailout That You Never Heard About"

153 The California Republican issued an unusually wide-ranging subpoena for documents about the defunct lenderÂ’s program, demanding names, addresses and e-mail exchanges of all those involved, a major expansion of an inquiry launched in the preceding Congress.

Get 'em all, Mr Issa.

154 This issue will be with us for quite some time. People who literally had their homes stolen from them need something to take to court to show the collusion between MERS and local lawyers, even lawyers of the court, etc. This is scandalous in a nation of private property ownership.

155 Issa is starting his ground search to get something that will involve Obamas past hidden records. When he pulls the paper work, and gets the scotus to answer he will have something to question obama on and it will lead to obamas records and they will have to be answered. Smart way to get to the bottom of everything.