Raw:

A spokesman for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested that she had more important things to do than testify before Congress the day before a House Committee is threatening to issue a subpoena for her cooperation with an investigation into the evidence used to build the case for the Iraq War.

Meanwhile, a Republican Congressman sent out an "action alert" claiming that "we've gotten word that Waxman will issue a subpoena to Secretary Rice tomorrow morning," adding that such a move could allow the GOP to show how Democrats are "trying to win the political war for themselves no matter its effect on America’s efforts to promote peace and democracy abroad."

Hope you've got some lovely shoes to wear to your testimony, Condi.

Oh, and I love that bit about the GOP's "efforts to promote peace and democracy abroad".  Yeah, nothing in the world promotes "peace" like invading some tinpot dictator's country and unleashing a civil war of Biblical proportions. 

Let's see what else is going on with the 'Publicans this week.  It appears that the Office of Special Counsel has stirred from its ongoing torpor and announced that it will be launching a "sweeping" investigation into the activities of Pear-Shaped Minion of Satan, Karl Rove.  Before you get too much of a hard-on for that, though, you should bear in mind that the head of this investigation is one Mr. Scott Bloch, a "loyal Bushie" who (when he can be bothered to do anything at all) has spent his time at his post ensuring that the wheels of justice never grind at all for gays and whistleblowers:

Jesus' General from 2005: One of Our Leader's most faithful servants, Scott Bloch, is conducting a similar kind of purge at the Department of Justice's Office of Special Counsel. His office is tasked with investigating discrimination complaints made by federal employees. He's done a great job. Last year, he prevented many new cases from being filed by unilaterally deciding that persecuting homosexuals in federal workplaces would no longer violate federal law. Recently, he cleared more than 600 cases by simply moving files from the filing cabinet to the recycle bin It's that kind of innovative thinking we've been demanding of our leaders in Washington.

Some of the OSC staff were resistant to Mr. Bloch's bold new strategies and they voiced concerns about them. They seemed to lack faith in the rightness of Bloch's actions. Fortunately, Bloch understands the danger posed by internal policy discussions and has purged these apostates. For that, the General salutes him.

(Go see the photo.  Teh General gives it a RoyCohndar Signal Strength of 9.7 Gannons.)

Raw Story reports that Rove's appointed investigator is himself under investigation. 

But as editor for The Nation David Corn noted, OSC head Scott Bloch, a presidential appointee, has been marred with scandal himself. The Washington Post reported in February that the Office of Personnel Management's inspector general has been investigating Bloch for alleged intimidation of career appointees. In May 2005, the Post reported on Bloch's refusal to enforce a discrimination ban within his office. And in April 2005, Bloch's office was accused of political bias.

CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan commented, “Having transformed OSC into a virtual black hole for legitimate complaints of retaliation, Bloch is decidedly not the right person to tackle the issues of misconduct and illegality that surround top White House officials.” Sloan continued, “There is a serious question as to whether Bloch will just provide cover for an administration that has been covering for him."

So, yeah, I'm not expecting much from Mr. Bloch's "investigation".  Let's hope Rep. Waxman doesn't believe the hype, either.

Raw Story is a veritable garden of earthly delights today, actually.  You know, I've been wondering what our options are concerning Buttercheeks Gone-zales.  Here's one:

A breaking report at Roll Call says the Senate may soon give Attorney General Alberto Gonzales a vote of no confidence.

A source told Roll Call the matter was discussed at today's Senate Democratic luncheon, but had few additional details.

"The vote would be nonbinding and have no substantive impact, but it would force all Republican Senators into the politically uncomfortable position of saying publicly whether they continue to support Gonzales in the wake of the scandal surrounding the firings of eight U.S. attorneys," wrote the paper's Erin Billings.

Um, that's all well and good, but what the hell is with all this "nonbinding" bullshit?  I know it's a lot to ask, but on this matter, can the Congress be bothered to do anything more than pose around and issue threats?  That's what we have Republicans for, isn't it?

Yes, each week that passes us seems to be furiously competing with the others for the title of "Worst Week for the Bush Administration EVAR!!1!1!!"  I wonder if the panic has reached all the way to His Nothingness yet, or if all the suck-ups and turd-polishers in the White House have decided it's safer to just leave him to his bubble.  "Yes, sir, Mr. Preznint, we are winning in Iraq!", "Your Worship, your aide Mr. Gonzales has won a Glorious Victory against the Congress in his testimony, sir.", "Polls mean nothing, mein fuhrer, your Legacy is secure!  Are you ready for your bike ride?"

I can only hope that George McGovern is right:

It is my firm belief that the Cheney-Bush team has committed offenses that are worse than those that drove Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew and Atty. Gen. John Mitchell from office after 1972. Indeed, as their repeated violations of the Constitution and federal statutes, as well as their repudiation of international law, come under increased consideration, I expect to see Cheney and Bush forced to resign their offices before 2008 is over.

That would be so sad that I'd never stop laughing.

Ever.