Dershowitz never fails to astound in one way or another. He is expert at finding nuances to which he can launch an objection. Here he proves, once again, his reasoning is not perfect by invoking an inept, false analogy between the McCarthy hearings and current congressional hearings. He points out that in both the McCarthy hearings and our present congressional hearings the leaders claimed/claim that the hearings had/have a legitimate legislative purpose. That is, however, about as far as this strained Dershowitz analogy can be taken. He fails to note, or remember, that the Constitution gives Congress oversight authority over the Executive Branch! So not only do the current hearings serve a legislative purpose, they have another equally important purpose as well, that of Congressional oversight of the Executive Branch of Government.
Dershowitz's real purpose is to point out the too easy acceptance by Judge Mehta of the Committee's claim to have a legitimate purpose beyond a purely political one, and the dangerous precedent that could set -- the error will undoubtedly be corrected in appeals. He thinks Judge Mehta should have gone more deeply into the question of whether the Committee's investigation was a legitimate exercise of its authority under the Constitution. I agree with Dershowitz on this point. Had Mehta taken time to properly question the legitimacy of the House Committee's investigation, the Committee would have had no difficulty convincing the Court of the legitimacy of its oversight role. As a consequence, the Court's ruling would have acquired greater probity, helping it withstand the appeals that will follow.
I had a brother-in-law, an assistant San Francisco DA, who never lost a case. If you said it was cold outside he would argue that it was too hot. No matter what anyone's opinion, seemingly on any issue whatsoever, he would take an opposing point of view and argue it until you gave in due to physical and mental exhaustion. Was he related to Dershowitz?, in temperament at least, undoubtedly so.
When is the long-promised prosecution and impeachment coming, pussy?
The more flaccid you get, the longer your sermonettes become.
Where's the beef?