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General Category => Trump Legal Investigations => Topic started by: mystery-ak on May 22, 2013, 03:19:36 pm

Title: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: mystery-ak on May 22, 2013, 03:19:36 pm
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/22/Issa-Lets-Lerner-Get-Away (http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/22/Issa-Lets-Lerner-Get-Away)

(http://cdn.breitbart.com/mediaserver/Breitbart/Big-Government/2013/05/22/Issa-IRS-Hearing.png)

 by Joel B. Pollak 22 May 2013, 7:39 AM PDT

IRS Exempt Organizations director Lois Lerner arguable waived her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when she read a prepared written statement under oath before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Wednesday, telling Congress, "I have done nothing wrong."


(http://www.breitbart.com/mediaserver/144A3679BD2742CD979484FC10B42558.png)

Committee chair Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) excused Lerner and her attorney over the objections of Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-DC), a former prosecutor, as well as Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), a fellow attorney. Rep. Gowdy noted that Ranking Member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) had said he wished to run the hearing as a courtroom. Members of the public in the hearing room broke into applause.

Rep. Cummings countered that while the proceeding should emulate a courtroom, it was not a courtroom.

Issa explained his decision to allow Lerner to leave by noting the committee's respect for the rights of the witness and his intention of calling several additional witnesses who would be able to shed light on the IRS's behavior.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: happyg on May 22, 2013, 03:48:41 pm
Gowdy's and the spectator's response (clapping) might bring her back. Issa needs a swift kick in the behind for that move.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Relic on May 22, 2013, 03:54:35 pm
Gowdy's and the spectator's response (clapping) might bring her back. Issa needs a swift kick in the behind for that move.

I'm not sure what to make of Issa, but I don't trust him.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: happyg on May 22, 2013, 03:57:27 pm
I'm not sure what to make of Issa, but I don't trust him.

I don't have faith in him, either. I don't like all the grandstanding, and wish they would just ask questions and move on.  While all these scandals are dragging out, there are more scandals popping up that people miss.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: ABX on May 22, 2013, 03:57:35 pm
The 5th Amendment only protects you from incriminating yourself. They should have kept her up there and asked about every single operational procedure of the IRS. Treat her as an expert witness and hope she trips up.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: happyg on May 22, 2013, 03:59:36 pm
The 5th Amendment only protects you from incriminating yourself. They should have kept her up there and asked about every single operational procedure of the IRS. Treat her as an expert witness and hope she trips up.

Of course, you are right. He better bring her back, asap, and let her look like the fool she is. Our country is at stake. To hell with their personal jobs. We are their jobs.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: xfreeper on May 22, 2013, 04:00:16 pm
I have done nothing wrong but I wish to take the fifth...OOOOKK
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Lando Lincoln on May 22, 2013, 04:04:18 pm
Issa reserved the right to recall her to testify (I've been told).  It is okay to let this percolate now.  It is not over for Ms. Lerner.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Lando Lincoln on May 22, 2013, 04:08:29 pm
The 5th Amendment only protects you from incriminating yourself. They should have kept her up there and asked about every single operational procedure of the IRS. Treat her as an expert witness and hope she trips up.

I believe that if she answers any questions she must answer them all.  Rep. Gowdy contends that since she made a prepared statement, she waived her 5th Amendment rights and can be compelled to answer questions.  This is not over for Ms. Lerner.

Excellent Point of Order by Rep. Gowdy.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: happyg on May 22, 2013, 04:10:33 pm
Issa reserved the right to recall her to testify (I've been told).  It is okay to let this percolate now.  It is not over for Ms. Lerner.

You are correct. Issa did say that. However, Gowdy wanted her to stay. So do I.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Bigun on May 22, 2013, 04:10:49 pm
Gowdy's and the spectator's response (clapping) might bring her back. Issa needs a swift kick in the behind for that move.

Her status as an employee of the American people is also relevant to this discussion! EVERYTHING see did in her professional capacity at IRS is the property of the American people already!
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: mystery-ak on May 22, 2013, 04:17:27 pm

VIDEO: What's So Dangerous About the Truth?

Congressman Trey Gowdy Furiously Objects to IRS' Lerner Taking the Fifth: 'That's Not How It Works!'
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: GourmetDan on May 22, 2013, 04:25:17 pm
Issa explained his decision to allow Lerner to leave by noting the committee's respect for the rights of the witness and his intention of calling several additional witnesses who would be able to shed light on the IRS's behavior.

The sole purpose of the Republican Party is to serve as an ineffective alternative to the Democrat Party.


Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: sinkspur on May 22, 2013, 04:25:29 pm
Gowdy's and the spectator's response (clapping) might bring her back. Issa needs a swift kick in the behind for that move.

This is a congressional hearing, not a circus.  Issa could have wasted the committee's time by forcing Lerner to stay and be subjected to questions which she would not answer.  But, he let her go, subject to recall if he receives legal judgment that she has waived her right to invoke the 5th (in which case he can hold her in contempt).  But everybody knows what Lerner's invoking of the 5th means; it means she's guilty of a crime and does not want to admit it in this venue.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: sinkspur on May 22, 2013, 04:26:30 pm
The sole purpose of the Republican Party is to serve as an ineffective alternative to the Democrat Party.

The Republicans are doing just fine.  Those here who want people hanging by their thumbs aren't thinking clearly.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Lando Lincoln on May 22, 2013, 04:34:19 pm
I agree sink.  This is now a function of time and temperature.  Proceed deliberately. 
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Cincinnatus on May 22, 2013, 04:51:17 pm
How amusing. I went to Issa's Congressional website to complain about this and after filling out the appropriate form got a message, based on my zip code, they wouldn't accept the message because I am not in his district. I was instructed to contact my own representative. So I changed the zip to the one for his CA office and off we go.

Anyone else interested in giving Issa a piece of your mind? Use zip 92081.

http://issa.house.gov/contact/contact-me

Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: andy58-in-nh on May 22, 2013, 05:07:56 pm
The Republicans are doing just fine.  Those here who want people hanging by their thumbs aren't thinking clearly.

I have to agree with you on this one.

Few people have been as critical as I have been of the GOP leadership during the past couple of years. But when your enemy is destroying themselves, the best thing you can do is get out of the way.

Lerner's action speaks for itself, and there's no value in making a show of it, especially when the public has little love for or trust in Republicans.

Darrell Issa was smart to reserve the right to recall the witness, should it be determined that she had no right to claim 5th Amendment rights after having effectively testified. I suspect that may be a valid legal point, and that she will in fact be recalled.   
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Cincinnatus on May 22, 2013, 05:16:48 pm
And I disagree. Ask Lerner a few questions, maybe half a dozen or so. Let her claim the 5th each time, THEN declare the witness uncooperative or recalcitrant, excuse her with notice of probable recall.

Video of a government employee claiming 5th amendment protection when being asked questions about what happened under her watch at the IRS would have far more dramatic impact than merely telling her "ok, maybe see ya later, have a nice day".   
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: GourmetDan on May 22, 2013, 05:17:16 pm
Lerner's action speaks for itself, and there's no value in making a show of it, especially when the public has little love for or trust in Republicans.

Question that wasn't allowed to be asked,

"How can you assert your Constitutional rights when you have violated the Constitutional rights of other U.S. citizens?"



Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: andy58-in-nh on May 22, 2013, 05:31:46 pm
And I disagree. Ask Lerner a few questions, maybe half a dozen or so. Let her claim the 5th each time, THEN declare the witness uncooperative or recalcitrant, excuse her with notice of probable recall.

Video of a government employee claiming 5th amendment protection when being asked questions about what happened under her watch at the IRS would have far more dramatic impact than merely telling her "ok, maybe see ya later, have a nice day".

In normal times, you'd be absolutely right.

But these are highly abnormal times. The public is poorly informed, and confused by years of news media abuse and public mis-education. Many of them despise Republicans, even those who agree with them on a considerable number of issues.

Further, the mainstream media could not be counted on to broadcast Lerner's serial 5th Amendment-taking; instead, they'd manage to make it appear as though the Big Bad Republican was beating up on a woman.

I still think she will be recalled, but this time with a legal determination that compels her testimony. Others will come forward, too. At this moment, with scandals swirling all over this Administration, a bit of patience is a virtue.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Lipstick on a Hillary on May 22, 2013, 05:36:22 pm
Wow. Anybody watch Trey Gowdy tear into Schulman just now?  :silly:
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Bigun on May 22, 2013, 05:42:09 pm
Wow. Anybody watch Trey Gowdy tear into Schulman just now?  :silly:

Yes indeed! We need a few more just like him if you ask me!
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: truth_seeker on May 22, 2013, 05:45:00 pm
I'm not sure what to make of Issa, but I don't trust him.

Got Arizona Gun Runner, which was going to bring down Holder and Obama?

Issa is all Sound and NO Fury. No results.

It is theater and Issa is a predictable actor.

I think these performances are aimed at not disrupting the status quo, while appearing to "investigate.".
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: DCPatriot on May 22, 2013, 07:14:50 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen....the President of the United States!

{{{applause}}}


sound of camera motor drives and shutters.....

"My fellow Americans...I've asked for this time to speak to you because I'm outraged that the opposition is playing politics while I'm trying to heal this great nation.

I swore 5 days before my first election victory that we were going to FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I'm keeping my promise to the people who voted for me.

You want the TRUTH?? 

I as Commander-in-Chief ordered the investigations into Associated Press on the real threat to National Security.  IMO, we had a leaker and I was going to catch him or her.

As far as FOX's James Rosen?   YOU'RE DAMNED RIGHT I ORDERED THE CODE RED!    er, excuse me........."

It's my opinion that FOXNEWS is not a legitimate news organization.  That's why I've bugged and tapped all their executive phones and emails and now know what they eat for dinner.

I swore to protect Americans from all enemies....foreign AND DOMESTIC.  And I'm doing exactly that.

Now if you excuse me, I've got to get back to governing and healing the country."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new pet name for POTUS is 'Colonel Jessup' Obama.




Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Right_in_Virginia on May 22, 2013, 11:00:39 pm
I'm not sure what to make of Issa, but I don't trust him.

I think the difference comes down to:  Gowdy's a former prosecutor and Issa doesn't have a law degree.  I don't think there's anything sinister here.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Rapunzel on May 23, 2013, 12:12:16 am
I think the difference comes down to:  Gowdy's a former prosecutor and Issa doesn't have a law degree.  I don't think there's anything sinister here.

Exactly, which is why Issa should have recessed rather than let her go......I am thinking Gowdy would be better running this committee.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Oceander on May 23, 2013, 12:16:57 am
I believe that Issa may have issued a subpoena for her to come back and testify.
Title: Re: Issa Lets Lerner Get Away
Post by: Right_in_Virginia on May 23, 2013, 12:41:43 am
Exactly, which is why Issa should have recessed rather than let her go......I am thinking Gowdy would be better running this committee.

I think this was an example of great teamwork.   As a former prosecutor Gowdy's role is interrogation.  He's truly fabulous ... I'm really glad he's on our side.

But we don't know what he'd bring as the Chairman....so let's not be so quick to throw Issa under the bus.