Contempt for ‘Fast and Furious’ By Todd A. Prussman / Friday Throwdown
Contempt seems to be just about the right word for the dysfunctional relationship between President Obama’s administration and Congress.
This week, however, the word signaled more than just how the two branches are getting along.
A Congressional panel on Wednesday voted along party lines to recommend the full House hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for refusing to turn over certain documents related to ‘Fast and Furious’, the failed gun tracking program with a Hollywood blockbuster name.
The Obama Administration’s declaration that documents related to the program are protected by executive privilege is a first for his term in office.A questionable idea from the outset, ‘Fast and Furious’ was the most recent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms so-called ‘gun-walking’ sting attempts conceived as a way to catch Mexican drug cartel thugs by giving them thousands of weapons. AK-47 type weapons proved to be favorites of the willing recipients.
President George W. Bush invoked executive privilege six times, President Bill Clinton, 14.
Is the investigation into ‘Fast and Furious’ something being driven by partisan politics? Should Obama, and other presidents, for that matter, be able to protect documents related to policy from Congress and the public? Is Obama wrong to invoke executive privilege in this case?
The Justice Department said it’s already turned over 1,000’s of documents. Holder blasted Republicans on the panel for election year grandstanding.
House Speaker John Boehner said the administration is ‘stonewalling’ the investigation into ‘Fast and Furious’. A vote by the full House could happen as soon as next week.
What do you think of Obama’s decision to invoke executive privilege? Where would you aim your contempt, in this case, at the administration, at Congress or at the ‘Fast and Furious’ program at the center of this escalating dispute?
We want to know what you think.
The Friday Throwdown happens 12-1 on bostonherald.com.
Join in and be heard.
Source:
https://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20120621contempt_for_fast_and_furious