Posted by
on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 3:50:05 PM
I just love when the planets align with a scheme so simple in its elegance that it borders genius presents itself. This one has the added appeal of solving two problems at once, the Alberto Gonzalez problem and the Nancy Pelosi problem.
Say what? Two words "Logan Act" which reads as follows:
- § 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.
- Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
- This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.
18 U.S.C. § 953 (2004).
As for fines or prison or both, I like both, and just to be fair, fine the Republican Congressmen who went along a couple hundred bucks each too.
Now, for legal language this is pretty straightforward. So straightforward that even a heartland dunderhead like me can see Nancy Pelosi written all over it. The way I see it the one possible loophole she has to slime through is that this law applies to "citizens" not royalty er, I mean legislators. Trouble is, you bug-eyed sack, in this particular government, so far at least, the legislature is comprised of citizens.
Another possible loophole is the private correspondence caveat. Fine. Subpoena her for records on every syllable uttered, footstep taken, meeting attended, etc. etc. etc. Everything she fails to deliver should be spun as something she is trying to hide - you know the old Democrats tactic of guilty til proven innocent, or as in the Scooter Libby fiasco, keep badgering until contradictions materialize and nail her on perjury. Yeah, that's the ticket!.
I have no doubt that if Attorney General Gonzalez were to file charges, personally but under his authority, while it lasts, as the chief law enforcement officer, not only would his problems with the firings non-scandal be swept off the front pages but her exposure as a traitor, even if only alleged, would be cemented in history. Beautiful. One can dream. Too bad Republicans insist on playing nice.