Originally posted by normbenign When Nixon was caught in his 2nd term covering up a sloppy burglary, there was bipartisan outrage. These days, it is doubtful that any President would resign or be impeached, because his party is solidified in support. The House Impeached Bill Clinton, but the Senate refused to convict.
The same situation exists today, so that even if Obama were im ...[text shortened]... e brought to light, and even if the top guy isn't touchable, the practices ought to be stopped.
And even at that, Nixon did not face any jail time.
Again, another example of a system gone awry without checks and balances. It is then no wonder that these scandEls keep popping up. They have no fear and can do as they please with impunity.
During the Iran/Contra investigation the press had 24/7 coverage of the hearings of Oliver North. In fact, it made him a celebrity.
Where is the coverage of the Bengazi affair?
Obama drones will insist that the media coverage of the Iran/Contra scandEl was justifiable as where the Bengazi affair is not. If so, who went to jail? Who was punished?
Originally posted by whodey Something else also troubles me.
During the Iran/Contra investigation the press had 24/7 coverage of the hearings of Oliver North. In fact, it made him a celebrity.
Where is the coverage of the Bengazi affair?
Obama drones will insist that the media coverage of the Iran/Contra scandEl was justifiable as where the Bengazi affair is not. If so, who went to jail? Who was punished?
Re Iran/Contra:
After Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh’s appointment in December 1986, 14 persons were charged with criminal offenses. Eleven persons were convicted, but two convictions were overturned on appeal. Two persons were pardoned before trial and one case was dismissed when the Bush Administration declined to declassify information necessary for trial. On December 24, 1992, President Bush pardoned Caspar W. Weinberger, Duane R. Clarridge, Clair E. George, Elliott Abrams, Alan D. Fiers, Jr., and Robert C. McFarlane.
Originally posted by whodey And even at that, Nixon did not face any jail time.
Again, another example of a system gone awry without checks and balances. It is then no wonder that these scandEls keep popping up. They have no fear and can do as they please with impunity.
Nixon resigned the Presidency! He escaped prison by Gerald Ford's action. Most Americans thought further punishment to be "piling on".
I don't know what you can suggest that would prevent the abuse of power and the confidence of Presidents that they can cover up scandals.
After Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh’s appointment in December 1986, 14 persons were charged with criminal offenses. Eleven persons were convicted, but two convictions were overturned on appeal. Two persons were pardoned before trial and one case was dismissed when the Bush Administration declined to declassify information neces ...[text shortened]... nd he was charged with 5 felonies. He was scheduled to go on trial and faced 20 years in prison.
Such is the power of the Presidency, and so it probably will not change the way in which Presidents act in spurious manners. They are confident in their ability to distribute the blame, and to get their pals off.
They tend to justify these actions by the notion that the people involved where doing their patriotic duty. Some probably actually believed this to be so.
Originally posted by normbenign Nixon resigned the Presidency! He escaped prison by Gerald Ford's action. Most Americans thought further punishment to be "piling on".
I don't know what you can suggest that would prevent the abuse of power and the confidence of Presidents that they can cover up scandals.
Fine. So people are found guilty, only to be pardoned.
Big woopie!!!
Now where is the justice? Where are the checks and balances?
After Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh’s appointment in December 1986, 14 persons were charged with criminal offenses. Eleven persons were convicted, but two convictions were overturned on appeal. Two persons were pardoned before trial and one case was dismissed when the Bush Administration declined to declassify information neces ...[text shortened]... nd he was charged with 5 felonies. He was scheduled to go on trial and faced 20 years in prison.
As I said, there are no real consequences for these guys. They all end up with a get out of jail free card.
My guess is that the guilty decisions were just for show.
Originally posted by whodey Fine. So people are found guilty, only to be pardoned.
Big woopie!!!
Now where is the justice? Where are the checks and balances?
I agree. That's the way it is. Better that in the past there was some accountability, than the present situation where they circle the wagons, and nobody even has to answer hard questions.
Originally posted by normbenign Care to elaborate?
It's a pretty straight forward question. Why were there so many embassy attacks while Bush was president if him being President was such a difference maker?
Originally posted by normbenign I agree. That's the way it is. Better that in the past there was some accountability, than the present situation where they circle the wagons, and nobody even has to answer hard questions.
"and nobody even has to answer hard questions."
That makes perfect sense considering there's been nine congressional hearings asking hard questions.
I do understand your frustration. Americans were killed in Benghazi and it's frustrating for you that no matter how hard you Conservatives have tried, you still haven't been successful in exploiting their deaths.
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper Bengazi isn't a scandal. It's a "scandal." It exists only in the fantasy of you right wingers who gleefully exploit the deaths of Americans to drum up "controversy."
I am a liberal. I am a Democrate. Begazi is a scandal. Hopefully a full and transparent investigation can be conducted so our embassies will be properly protected. Obama, Regan, Bush, Clinton ... the lot of them are humans. None of them are gods. Some of them are far more to my liking than others. Stop demonizing and idolizing politiians.
Second term scandels
12 May '13 14:24
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