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Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (1/2)
[00.37.23] *See information in RIGHTS field before using* LEHRER asks to point out that the beginning of the meeting has been delayed [shot of empty committee room] and viewers should be aware that live coverage will commence as soon as the committee is seated. DUKE AND LEHRER joke about the habitual tardiness of the committee. DUKE continues overview of allegations. Says this goes back to an old issue, was President responsible for aides' behavior, and in protecting his aides, did he participate in OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE? VAN ALSTYNE says there is nothing in the drafted article to suggest that NIXON is strictly responsible for his subordinates, but it does bring up the theory of James Madison that a PRESIDENT may be held responsible for such actions if he fails to superintend, which is not a radical theory of constitutional law. The committee is not bound by strict standards of evidence in this case. The President's oath of office gives him a responsibility to actively attack violations of law, whereas law for ordinary citizens only requires one not to actively impede the course of law. Thus, impeachability under the Madison theory is not bound to standars of criminal proceedings. DIAMOND concurs, saying that people don't elect Presidents and Senators to be "only as good as us". DUKE asks about the President's receiving grand jury info and giving it to the suspects in the case, and the payment of money to Howard Hunt. VAN ALSTYNE says it's possible to conclude that NIXON thought the gift of money to HUNT was compassionate, not bribery, it remains that he can be derelict. DUKE goes through last 2 parts of the article, concerning false public statements and the promises made to defendants of favorable treatment in exchange for silence at trial VAN ALSTYNE wonders whether the false public statements charge is valid basis for proceeding. Lying by itself is not a crime, but in the totality, the charge fits into the concept of a "mosaic" of obstruction theory advanced by the pro-impeachment side DIAMOND says that it's a dangerous precedent to attempt to punish the President for lying, but agrees that in context it lends weight to the whole. LEHRER says that he was surprised by Rep. WALDIE'S raising of allegations that NIXON made a FALSE PUBLIC STATEMENT at a press conference, since it's not a crime. VAN ALSTYNE says that it's up to the pro-impeachment side to be convincing that the LIES had an overriding motive to help the effort to obstruct justice. DIAMOND says that calling such lies "criminal" is appropriate if it's a discussion of "political crimes"--the impeachment process is explicitly separated from criminal law, because it must encompass noncriminal but intolerable actions. [00.48.52] [LEWIS on screen with Rep. WALDIE ] LEWIS asks about the prospects for a vote by the end of the night. WALDIE says that he's not sure what's happening, and the prospects for getting through are dim, but the "lawyer business" has prevented getting down to substance. LEWIS asks if it's right that Rep. WIGGINS is going to introduce motions to strike at all 9 parts of the article. Asks WALDIE to explain this for the public. WALDIE says that this means an effort to remove from discussion the allegations. The main hazard of this is that for each motion, every member gets 5 minutes of debate, which adds up to a long time. LEWIS asks what the REPUBLICAN minority has to gain. WALDIE says that they perhaps hope to provoke irritation and partisanship that might cast aspersion on the committee and delegitimize the impeachment resolution. [00.51.20]
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (1/2)
[00.51.20] *See information in RIGHTS field before using* [LEWIS with Rep. WALDIE] LEWIS asks WALDIE about the PRO-NIXON charge that the PRO-IMPEACHMENT side is denying NIXON due process by withholding the exact charges from him until his trial. WALDIE says it's not true, NIXON'S ATTORNEY has been present for all of the committee's proceedings, a report based on the allegaitons will go both to the President and the House, which will be highly specific. The argument is disingenuous. LEWIS says that many people wonder why Chairman RODINO would allow such tactics and behavior on his committee. WALDIE says that RODINO is a very fair man and doesn't want to seem partisan or heavyhanded. The minority is thus able to abuse the chair's tolerance. He supports the Chair's style of conducting the hearings. LEWIS asks whether this is going to turn into a war of attrition WALDIE says that reason wil sooner than later win out, and the debate should return to the evidence tomorrow [LEHRER in studio, screen shows members arriving at committee bench] LEHRER says they are waiting for the meeting to start, says that he is glad for DUKE to have convinced him to scale back his conviction that an ARTICLE would be drafted by the end of the night to :"may". Laughs all around. It looks like there will be a struggle. DUKE says that in his experience as a Capitol reporter, a bill took three months of debate in committee before it could be sent to the floor for a vote. Don't be sure that the resolution will be easy. DUKE asks the guests if they think the committee has proceeded in a proper way and done a good job, considering that no impeachment has been considered since 1936. VAN ALSTYNE says that it's academically chic to criticize Congress, but that the committee has been very professional, starting with the Chair's evenhandedness. Also, the character of counsel is shown to be fine. DIAMOND says that he is a fan of Congress, and that most criticisms of "do-nothing" stem from the Congress doing something contrary to the wishes of the observer. Says the proceedings are starting to reflect constituencies' wishes, etd. DUKE asks if it is true that 19th C. Congresses were more forceful and active, that many great laws once originated in Congress, but now Congress waits for the President's recommendations? DIAMOND says the problem is the great increase in government at all levels, which are actually a juncture of Congress and the Executive, giving Congress an interpenetration into Executive functions. LEHRER ASKS about the effect of TELEVISION on the committee. VAN ALSTYNE says there are some obvious effects, that some of the debate is grandstanding and repetitious, but a feedback is important, in terms of opinion, and that it is therefore proper, overall DUKE mentions that NIXON claimed not to have been watching, only out of force of habit. [01.03.53--TAPE OUT] p
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (2/2)
[01.03.37] *See information in RIGHTS field before using* [DUKE AND LEHRER in studio, discussing the impact of TV on hearings] DIAMOND states that there is proof that televising does affect the process, he can't say for good or ill, but the chance to watch the proceedings makes him feel good about the television coverage. As for the public, he wonders whether the result is info overload for the public, grandstanding by the members, or public education. VAN ALSTYNE says he favors televising the next proceedings, that TV tends more to induce thoughtfulness in the members. LEHRER asks about the need for the hearing to be seen as fair to be legitimate. DIAMOND says that this dynamic is an important check on the committee LEHRER asks DUKE for a comparison of televised/nontelevised hearings. Says that the Senate has always favored and welcomed television, the House has been less so, possibly for fear of grandstanding. [screen shows LEWIS with Rep. WIGGINS at Capitol] LEWIS asks WIGGINS about his plans for the night, to which he says "endure". Seriously, he will seek to introduce a motion to strike, for the purpose of forcing the Pro-Impeachment side to deliver some specifics on the charges LEWIS says that surely after all this time WIGGINS already knows the facts. Isn't it really a delay effort? WIGGINS denies this, claims there are serious legal questions, i.e. there must be a "policy" of the President that can be documented before the acts of others can be used against the President. LEWIS asks whether all of this won't be in the report? WIGGINS says that they don't want to vote on concepts and delegate the task of providing facts to staff. LEWIS says he doesn't have the votes, what does he expect to gain? WIGGINS says he wants to make some of the knee-jerk impeachment DEMOCRATS reflect on the charges. [LEHRER in studio] LEHRER reminds that the issue at hand is the substitute ARTICLE charging OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE written by Rep. PAUL SARBANES [clip of SARBANES defending his article against the charge of nonspecificity, saying that NIXON'S counsel has been there all along, the report will supplement the charges in detail, and that NIXON is not on trial until the matter reaches the Senate.] [LEHRER in studio] [cut RODINO at chair, speaking with Rep. RAILSBACK, conferring--shot of REPUBLICAN MEMBERS] [01.16.00] h
Liberace Show #59, Master 508
Selections: "La Cucaracha Boogie" "Danny Boy" "Theme From Moulin Rouge" with vocal "Polish National Dance" featuring Polish dancers "Star of India" "Side By Side": Liberace and friends perform "Side by Side"; nationally stereotyped friends include an Irish cop, two Spanish dancers, an Indian in a turban, and a Polish waitress; BG of a near-perfect sky.
Liberace Show #60, Master 507
Selections: THANKSGIVING SHOW "Turkey in the Straw" "Shine On Harvest Moon" "Bless This House" with vocal "The Maiden's Wish" "The Ritual Firedance" with dancing Indian "Come On A My House" with vocal
Liberace Show #61, Master 509
Selections: "I Want My Mama" "I Love You Truly" with vocal and the Norman Luboff Choir "Dark Eyes" "I'd Never Forgive Myself" with vocal "Waltz in C Sharp Minor" (Chopin) "12th Street Rag" with a marionette of Liberace (!) Features silly superimposition MSs of a marionette of Liberace accompanying the maestro on piano; the puppet's piano starts to smoke, insinuating he's playing so fast he's starting a fire.
Liberace Show #62, Master 510
Selections: "Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself A Letter" with vocal "Love Letters" "P.S. I Love You" with vocal "Second Concerto in A Minor" (Liszt) "Typewriter Song" AFTER THE CLOSING THEME IS LIBERACE IN A POLIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
Liberace Show #63, Master 511
Selections: Liberace introduces his brother, George Liberace. At his brother's behest, George plays something "real schmaltzy" on violin. Liberace introduces the string section: Truman "Dad" Boardman (sp); Emil Briano (sp); Walter Borzella (sp). Liberace and strings perform together. Nice closing shot of Lib and George smiling. "Harp Etude" (Chopin) with harpist Marilyn Hanke (sp) "All of a Sudden, My Heart Sings" (piano and vocal by Liberace, violin solo by George Liberace) "April in Portugal" featuring Maury Burkov (sp) on flute, Allen Roos (sp) on mandolin Liberace introduces Gordon Robinson. "Rachmaninov Fantasy" featuring Arthur Caffdin (sp) on cello "Hot Jazz Jam"
Raptors - Bald Eagle
TAPE 1 02:56:49 Adult Bald Eagle flies and catches Rainbow Trout 02:57:16 Eagle eats fish and is harrassed by ravens
Raptors - Marsh Hawk ( Northern Harrier )
TAPE 1 03:01:37 Male Northern Harrier or Hawk flying and hunting
Raptors - Red Tailed Hawk
TAPE 1 03:03:37 Dark Phase Red-Tailed Hawk perched 03:04:00 Immature Dark Phase Red-Tailed Hawk landing in bush
Raptors - Osprey
TAPE 1 03:04:38 2 Ospreys on tree stump 03:06:12 Ospreys flying 03:06:22 Ospreys on tree limb 03:07:39 Ospreys on snag
Raptors - Great Grey Owl
TAPE 1: 03:09:18 Great Grey Owl perched 03:09:27 Owl on tree stump, CU, zoom 03:12:07 Owl flying down for mole and then missing 03:12:46 On tree snag, CU 03:14:20 Owl on limb, shaking feathers 03:14:56 On limb, shaking feathers 03:16:04 Owl on limb, preening feathers 03:18:03 CU of owl on limb 03:19:55 Owl on limb preening 03:20:36 CU of owl on limb TAPE 2: 03:21:30 Great Grey Owl CU 03:23:09 Owl perched, zoom 03:23:36 Yawning Great Grey Owl 03:24:05 Great Grey Owl looking about 03:25:18 Owl stretching its wing 03:25:54 CU of owl stretching both wings 03:27:21 Owl preening CU 03:28:13 Zoom in of owl 03:28:43 Owl falling asleep
Raptors - Red Tailed Hawk
TAPE 2 03:31:43 CU of Red-Tailed Hawk
Raptors - Barred Owl
TAPE 2 03:34:13 Baby Barred Owl, CU of bill, feet, and stretched wings
Raptors - Great Horned Owl
TAPE 2 03:40:25 Great Horned Owl CU
Raptors - Barred Owl
TAPE 2 03:42:26 Barred Owl CU
Raptors - Screech Owl
TAPE 2 03:44:25 Screech Owl, Red Phase CU
Raptors - Kestrel
TAPE 2 03:48:56 Male Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk CU
Sea Birds - Hornd Puffin
(Tape 1) 12:05:24 Horned Puffin in nest hole and on cliff
Sea Birds - Horned Puffin
(Tape 1) 12:12:47 Horned Puffin preening
Sea Birds - Horned Puffin
(Tape 1) CU of Horned Puffin
Sea Birds - Crested Auklet
(Tape 1) 12:19:22 Crested Auklet
Sea Birds - Tufted Puffin
(Tape 1) 12:22:31 Tufted Puffin