Early on in the investigation of Alberto Gonzales and the DOJ's policies and operations, Chuck Schumer indicated that there were so many people revolting within the DOJ that the leaks would continue to increase and would eventually come flooding out. (paraphrased)
Indeed, this has proven to be true. Each day brings a new scandal emanating from the DOJ investigation. So many scandals in fact, that it's hard to keep up at times.
As such, I missed this blockbuster story late in the day yesterday.
I drive a mid-sized, rental car-ish American car. A staple of this particular auto company for the last 25 years. I filled up my tank on Sunday and it cost me $50 and some change. I was blown away. I had never put $50 in the tank of any car I had ever owned. And I am a recovering SUV owner. (Yes, I'm still repenting)
There seems to be so many different theories as to why gas spiked 2 years ago and why it has not only held fairly steady at those high prices, but actually seems to be climbing towards $4 per gallon. The manipulation of the gas prices seemed so clear to me - your everyday, average consumer. Prices rising and falling around holiday weekends, Katrina, etc. Why can't we get a straight answer?
Well, it turns out that Bushco, via Gonzales, have been protecting the oil companies from investigation. Late yesterday, Richard Blumenthal, AG for the state of Connecticut, had quite a bit to say to the The Judiciary Committee Task Force on Antitrust.
The transcript, from Jesse Lee at Nancy Pelosi's website, The Gavel:
"As I was driving here from the airport I thought back to a meeting that I had with the United States Attorney General less than a year ago, involving a number of my colleagues from all around the country, both Republican and Democrat Attorneys General, who met with him and the chairman of the FTC with the single purpose of persuading them to begin a federal investigation. And unfortunately, our plea went unheeded then — there has been no effective federal investigation.
"We pleaded with Attorney General Gonzales and FTC Chairman Majoras, Platt, [sic] to begin an investigation of the oil industry, and we offered our partnership in that work. All 50 Attorneys General have hands full investigating monopolistic abuses on the part of the oil industry, but we lack the authority, and expertise, and resources of the federal government. And so we invited, we beseeched the federal government to join us in that investigation and so far they have declined to do so.
"There is a need to provide greater authority but also to use that authority effectively to enforce the law. The law without enforcement is dead letter. And so, as we review what can be done to change the law, I think at the top of the priorities ought to be the kinds of demands that you have made, Mr. Chairman, and other Members of the Committee and Congress, that the Justice Department be more vigorous in enforcing these laws that protect against anti-trust and consumer abuses."
Emphasis mine. All 50 Attorneys General asked for an investigation of the oil industry. Beseeched them. And the Federal government is refusing? 100% of the state Attorneys General agree there needs to be a more serious investigation and the DOJ is refusing?
What is it going to take to get an investigation? I suspect a new Attorney General. And a new White House.
Let's take back this democracy. Let's get serious about impeachment.
Update: TXsharon has a diary here with analysis from David Van Os.
UPDATE: As a couple of Kossacks have been so kind to point out, the article is unclear as to how many actually appealed to Gonzales directly in the meeting. I'm still under the impression from the transcript that Blumenthal and his counterparts - from both parties - were speaking for all 50 AG's.