So, again, do not try and change the subject.

If anybody’s changing the subject, you are. Do you have something to say about the missing emails or the methodology by which they should be obtained?

Alternatively, Congress can just contract out the detention to a DC district jail; no problem at all, all jails do this for other jurisdictions all the time.

Wouldn’t that contracting require a vote by both houses, though?

And what keeps a local jurisdiction from intervening into any attempt to take persons into custody by the Sergeant-at-Arms?

Very messy, particularly without recent precedent. I tend to think this is why it hasn’t happened; attempting this becomes precedent for the next time it is used, and doing so makes it easy for a Congress elected in a backlash against a Democratic majority Congress to misuse it. I suspect that this weighs considerably on decision-making regarding subpoena enforcement.

So, again, do not try and change the subject. You intended to criticize Larry with your comment and that would not be the first time.

And as for Mary McCarthy, I am sure you are aware that she signed a letter with Larry, and others like us in the intel community, opposing Mr. Mukasey’s confirmation. It’s a small community, Jeff, and we’re a tight knit group.

I agree. Once during the Libby trial, there was a TON of “other side” postings.

My policy: casually track the number of them. Don’t read the content. But make note where they fall in the course of the postings and reread the significant postings of information.

Additionally, it’s usually that EW is spot on. And I just move on and focus on EW’s content.

Yes, Patriots all!

Lots of troll posts suggests to me the importance and threat value of the discussion and research going on here. And it must present an interesting dilemma to the “other side” from whence comes the pet troll commune. On the one hand the other side does not want to tip its hand. Thus the poverty of thought, the repetitious nature, and the appalling lack of a good opponent in the troll posts. Yet, rather than simply read and keep track of what this blog is accomplishing (the Pirate’s rants notwithstanding), there seems to be a need to somehow diminish – for your average reader perhaps – the impact and importance of what this group is doing. So, put yourself in their shoes, if only for a moment. This blog is a threat. Yet can’t be shut down. And must be disrupted… if possible… somehow. Therein lies the problem for them. We know there’s an interest in this thread and others, particularly those that are going after the main crimes and the main ways of covering up the crimes (JMHO here).

Of course there may be other distractions going on – and I apologize for this “somewhat off-topic” distraction. Yet it seems to me that allowing for the pet-troll as annoying as that is, allows for monitoring the other side. Naturally they can never provide a “good opponent” because that would necessitate giving away too much from their side. Idiocy remains their only tool. Unless occasional posters might try to plant inaccurate info – which IMO is unlikely to fly here.

This thread appears, based on troll activity, to be a hugely important line of inquiry. And as much as we remain in the dark, apparently the other side can see that we are locating valuable veins of ore and mining them all too well or too closely for comfort.

So you don’t need me saying this, of course, but carry on!

And as for the other side, you may be able to hide emails and pretend video info is gone for good, but this blog and others, as wel as incriminating info, will remain for posterity. Of what worth is the life of “troll” spent trying to disrupt instead of accomplishing something positive? Waste your time here if you like… but those working hard on a selfless task to expose wrong-doing have something to look back on and feel proud of. Patriots all!

I think we’re still going to have enormous difficulty with enforcing subpoenas by way of inherent contempt. An un-exercised power is one that can too readily be ignored or defeated. Would the Sergeant-at-Arms actually follow through? Would the DOJ stay out of the way? What effective punitive actions could be taken that would actually stick and hurt?

On the other hand, it’s worth a shot; we certainly don’t have much else to lose at this point, and we don’t have many other options.

Right there is the fundamental problem with conservatism in America; it has mistaken consumerism and corporatism for democracy. Cheney and Rove were both on OUR dime, not the other way around, and a little gawddamned piece of paper called the Constitution makes that clear.

I am also picturing the wry smirk on EW’s face at the notion of anyone using the title “Mr.” in addressing me. My kids will certainly be amused.