The recess appointment that did not bark?
When the Senate went on winter break, in December, it was widely feared by Second Amendment Supporters that President Obama would seize on the chance to recess appoint
Andrew Traver to head The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Christian Science Monitor story on Traver from November 19th seems to take a recess appointment for granted. Even Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid made a call earlier in the year for the President to recess appoint stalled nominees.
The President passed up that chance and a collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the land. At the time I was scratching my head (why are they dumb?)
What if they knew a storm was coming?
On December 14th Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was shot and killed, and very quickly the internal rumors at ATF was that it was a "walked" gun.
To the best of my knowledge the first local news stories on "Project Gunwalker" where in early January. Fox picked it up on February 2nd one day after the Senate recess ended.
It begs the questions What did you know, and when did you know it?
Did someone want to keep Traver clear and let Melson take the fall.
Did the President know? Most likely not.
Did he want to appoint Traver, and was waved off by Holder? Another administration official? (lacky, flunky, bagman.)
Is there a paper trail? An interoffice memo telling Holder to hold off. a smoking gun? would the media care?
All these questions would be ruled speculative in a court of law.
(first draft) still working
Did the Senate skip winter recess?
I need help reading the Senate schedule. I found this http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html
Bob Owens thinks it is thin, but hey I'm new at this.
