Four women from Code Pink, a group that protests injustice and the Iraq War, discuss their encounter with staff of the House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law and the United States Capitol Police at a hearing in which former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove failed to appear under subpoena. The women were told to remove clothing with political statements and hats under threat of arrest. The women accuse the committee of censorship and say that Rove suffers no consequences for failing to come before Congress while they are threatened with arrest for expressing their right to free speech. (4:12)

 

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Four protesters were instructed to remove hats and shirts with political statements under the threat of arrest prior to a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove was subpoenaed to testify before the subcommittee and failed to appear. The women, from the anti-war group Code Pink, said being arrested for wearing a t-shirt violated their constitutional rights and asked what actions would be taken against Rove for failing to answer his subpoena. Committee staff and US Capitol Police told the women it is against committee rules to allow the display of political positions in the hearing room.

Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) expressed disappointment at Rove’s unwillingness to appear before the subcommittee to discuss allegations that he politicized the Department of Justice and to respond to questions concerning his role in the firing of US attorneys. Sanchez said Rove’s claim of executive immunity are unlawful and know no precedent in the Supreme Court. She stated that the White House has not requested immunity for Rove and that Rove’s attorney previously said Rove would appear before Congress if subpoenaed.

Ranking Member Chris Cannon (R-Utah) defended Rove, telling the committee that Rove is out of the country on an engagement that was planned before the subpoena. He told the committee that Rove has offered to conduct personal interviews with committee members and to answer written questions, berating Democrats for failing to accept Rove’s offers. Cannon said the subcommittee called the hearing due to allegations of Rove’s involvement in the conviction of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman on corruption charges and said no evidence exists that supports these allegations. Cannon criticized the committee, saying it is failing to address issues of major concern to Americans like oil prices.

Code Pink , an anti-war protest group, gathered outside the, Republican National Committee, to protest the war in Iraq. They said that since U.S. intervention in Iraq more than 4,000 troops have died in combat and the number continues to grow. Code Pink also said that the government spends $11 million an hour, everyday, to fund the Iraq war. Code Pink also called Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) President Bush’s best friend, because Pelosi approved $165 billion to fund the war in Iraq.

In his speech addressing Congress before the full committee hearing on his nomination to be reappointed to grade of general and to be commander of the United States Central Command, General David Petraeus said there are four concerns. The first is violent extremism, including but not limited to al Qaida. Second, weapons of mass destruction and lack of transparency by countries such as Iran, which he said is a major cause of concern. Third, lack of sustainable economic development in the Middle East, which is a serious security concern, as poor communities can cause hotbeds of extremism. Fourth, narcotics and arms smuggling which can threaten legitimate operations and can help out terrorists. While this is not an exhaustive list, he said, this is a basic list. (more…)

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) greets Gen. David Petraeus before he testifies at the Senate Armed Services committee

Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testify before the Senate Armed Services committee

Gen. Petraeus and Amb. Crocker surrounded by Capitol Hill photographers

Code Pink protesters before the Iraq hearing at the Senate Armed Services

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