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Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


10.25.2007

 

Welch v. Rice

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sat before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Thursday morning and took a beating.

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., a committee member, was early on the list of members to toss in a question. He asked if the evidence suggested that Iraq Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki was protecting corruption in Iraq, did the American taxpayers have a right to know.

Yes, Rice said, before cautioning against responding to uncorroborated evidence.

Welch interrupted Rice several times.

Would she ask President Bush to repudiate the prime minister’s grant of immunity on corruption?

Rice started to say that corruption prevades many countries throughout the world, not just Iraq and that there are boards within Iraq, aside from the prime minister, to investigate corruption.

Welch told her she hadn’t answered the question. "Will you ask the president to repudiate that blanket grant of immunity?"

The U.S. will not support a policy that prevents investigation and bringing to justice of corruption, she said.

It sounds like the president will tolerate secrecy, Welch said.

Rep. Dan Burton, a Republican from Indiana who followed Welch, then apologized to Rice for the prosecutorial treatment she’d been given and complained to committee Chairman Henry Waxman that Welch had gone over his time alotment by 2 minutes.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Comments:
God forbid that someone ask tough questions of this administration.
 
With, this great work to get answers from the super-secret administration, do folks who claim to want the answers he seeks, protest and oppose our Congressman at every turn?
 
Congrats Peter Welch!

Keep asking the tough questions!
 
He's a waste of space.
 
He really should stop voting to fund the war.
 
He has said that he will not vote to approve more war funding.

I think that you agree with his position.
 
Is it possible for any current Vermont lawmaker to behave somewhat like a civilized human in Washington? No wonder Vermont has become a national joke - all Sanders, Leahy, and now Welch (apparently feels he has to appease a few smelly office protesters) can do is be rude to people they disagree with. George Aiken must be turning over in his grave!
 
Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
Too many people equate rude with tough. One can surgically question someone to the point of tears while being courteous and polite throughout the process. But that takes skill and class. Or you can grandstand, interrupt, and badger. Cheap shyster tricks.
 
Bubba, There you go again - making statements without any facts.

What is the basis of your comment, "No wonder Vermont has become a national joke"

The people I talk to think that we have a great delegation.

I guess what you want for Congressional Officials is to "rubber stamp" the President.
 
Here is something funny --

Republicans say that torture is okay ... but asking someone a tough question is not.
 
You can't say that "Republicans" say that torture is okay. Some Republicans do (and some Democrats do as well).
 
Okay -- fair enough --

Most Bush supporters say that torture is okay ... but asking someone a tough question is not.
 
The toughest question Welch ever asked before heading to DC was "Have you been injured?"
 
Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?


Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?



Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
Welch needs to be part of a congress that gets us out of this war!
 
"Welch needs to be part of a congress that gets us out of this war!"

Do you reaaly think Al Queada, the Taliban and the Iranians will go away and be our friends if we quit. They have vowed to destroy us period. Iran has stated they vow to eliminate Israel.

Step into the real world. We can leave Iraq like the Russians left Afganistan but the enemy will only bring the fight to a new playing field. You all need to get out of VT a little and understand the real world better.
 
Gen Petraeus said:

"Some may argue that we would be more effective if we sanctioned torture or otherexpedient methods to obtain information from the enemy. They would be wrong. Beyond the basic fact that such actions are illegal, history shows that they also are frequently neither useful nor necessary."

Gen Petraeus also highlighted the finding that fewer than half those surveyed would be willing toreport a fellow soldier for "illegal actions", such as abusing or killing civilians.He acknowledged the stress of battlefield situations but said troops must not hold back from reporting wrongdoing by fellow servicemen.

"Seeing a fellow trooper killed by a barbaric enemy can spark frustration, anger, and a desire forimmediate revenge. As hard as it may be however, we must not let these emotions lead us - or our comrades in arms- to commit hasty, illegal actions."US forces "must observe the standards and values that dictate that we treat non-combatantsand detainees with dignity and respect", he added. "While we are warriors, we are also all human beings."
 
Just spotted a "Dump Gov. Doesless" bumpersticker on I89. Where can I get one of those?
 
Any welfare office.
 
There are no longer welfare offices in Vermont, because "welfare" is a politically incorrect word. Those offices are now called "The Economic Services Division of the Vermont Department for Children and Families."
 
There are no longer welfare offices in Vermont, because "welfare" is a politically incorrect word. Those offices are now called "The Economic Services Division of the Vermont Department for Children and Families."
 
Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?


Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?



Why did Bush give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
Notice the Republicans here won't answer that question.
 
Why do you think it is a Republican question to answer and why do you think Republicans are all perfectly aligned with George?

This partisan mentality that has brought the country to its knees. Apparently it is better to crush and destroy an individual than it is to advance a worthy issue.

Congrats.
Thanks for continuing it.
 
Hey. I want one of those Dump Doesless stickers too. Anyone know who has them?
 
Still didn't answer the question:

Why give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
"Have you been injured?"
 
Still didn't answer the question:

Why give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
Your question has an answer that is too obvious to answer.
 
It's a legit question. People are attacking Congressman Welch for asking it. Secretary Rice wouldn't answer it.

Our President isn't acting in our best interest. We have a right to conitnue asking:

Why give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
"Have you been injured?"
 
ill didn't answer the question:

Why give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?
 
"Why give Maliki immunity from squandering American tax dollars?"

...maybe for the same reason we give the Dems in Congress immunity from the things they spend on.
 
Someone should give Welch a run for his money.
 
Welch is doing a good job.
 
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