ATF Gunwalking: GOP investigates *genuine* scandal - Daily Kos

Let me just say that this is a serious abuse of power on the part of the ATF and that the Republicans are perfectly within their oversight duties to investigate this. This story so far has been covered extensively by mainstream conservative blogs, Alex Jones & co., and a few militia types as well. However, there has been a notable lack of attention paid to this scandal by progressives and the left-wing blogosphere. One of the first groups to report on the scandal was the relatively non-partisan Center for Public Integrity, which in the past played a key role in documenting the lies that lead to the Iraq War.

It is obvious that the controversy surrounding this scandal has taken a much more partisan bent since March. It reminds me of Waco, when Republicans investigated another genuine abuse of power that liberals tended to ignore. In my opinion, the American left was far too willing to ignore the Waco tragedy and ridicule those who brought it up as survivalist reactionaries and gun nuts. The GOP may have been hypocrites for harping on the issue while engaging in their own brand of authoritarianism (and conveniently ignoring the fact that the first raid of the Davidian compound happened under Bush 41), but none of that changes the fact that the Waco affair, from the initial flashy raid to the smashing of the compound with armored vehicles, had all the hallmarks of an overly militarized approach by an arrogant law enforcement agencies that made a bad situation a million times worse.

As we have seen in the decades since Waco, the militarization of law enforcement and the increasing use of paramilitary-style raids has resulted in much unnecessary death and destruction. Perhaps we should have been more attentive to the legitimate concerns surrounding Waco to make sure it wan't merely another means of bashing Clinton. Looking back, I wish the US left could have voiced more concern about the government's hostile approach to the Branch Davidians and made memories of the incident more than fodder for Scaife-funded hit men and NWO crackpots.

Now we see the ATF embroiled in another real life scandal, one that is eerily reminiscent of the CIA-Contra-crack controversy. It is probably the case the Issa and company will try to tar Holder as being personally complicit in this and is willing to bend the truth to do so. Regardless, we should treat the underlying story as a serious matter that deserves our attention. If Holder played a significant role in this and/or covered up incriminating facts, he should indeed be held accountable. We shouldn't be hesitant to take on abuses of power for any reason, especially petty partisanship.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/05/973527/-ATF-Gunwalking:-GOP-investigates-*genuine*-scandal



Those Daily Kos NRA/GOP stooges :eyes:

for the assault of the Screaming Sock Puppets....



yup

Although I suspect they've figured out now, that theres no winning this argument for them, and that any comment they make opens them up to being asked questions which they'll have to ignore or dodge in front of the entire world.

And they know it kicks the thread too.

I suspect they hope that this thread sinks like a rock into gungeon obscurity, with little to no comment from them.

Of course, if thats the case, as it mostly has been so far, that does provide some rather elegant proof for down the road when they feign concern about guns from border gun dealers making it into Mexico.

In short, anything short of condemnation of the actions of ATF on this, is egg on their faces, one way or another.

And yet, so far they just can't seem to condemn it.

Nor can the batty bunch, which puts the few of them that might in an even tighter spot.


I rather enjoy the spot this puts them in.

It became evident early on that their main purpose was to defend the honor of the ATF, and when the scandal became too obvious

to realistically deny, they faded like the first bloom of youth....

But sometimes , a more balanced debate is best served by an unbalanced symposium .

ETA : for the chronically lazy
http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1126&bih=641&q=a+more+balanced+debate+is+best+served+by+an+unbalanced+symposium+.&btnG=Google+Search

Is somewhat descriptive imo, of certain rapidfire blanket posting and unreccing activites, as of late, at least in the intent of those activities.

Next up is Gunwalker as a proposed HBO series . No , seriously .

Carl Bogus...

An interesting story, that one.

Did you know they finally filed charges over his murder yesterday ? Seriously .



Mickey Rourke would make a good Manny- Oh .

"Did you know they finally filed charges over his murder yesterday ? Seriously"

How many months after the fact, and conveniently timed with all the heat theyre taking.

"don't look over there, look over HERE"


Rumor has it, that Burke, the guy who is filing the charges, is involved balls deep in gunwalker.

As the old curse goes . Are they making book on this thing in Vegas yet ?

absolutely

yup

"absolutely not"

:rofl:

Yup

Dude, you're slipping.....

In response to this challenge...

"Show me personal insults directed at anti-gun posters that would rise to the level of questioning the size of a man's penis and how he feels about it.

I was going to to go to bed, but I'll wait. This should be good."


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=413658&mesg_id=413702



Leaping to your defense claiming (in her opinion, at least) you had been unfairly castigated.

Since that's where the Daily Kos piece links to. Glad to see this story is apparently gaining some traction at last.

Already recced

The ATF is never wrong.