[StewartG]

Holy cow! IMHO, this brings things to a WHOLE new level!

"Monica Goodling, a Justice Department official involved in the firings of federal prosecutors, will refuse to answer questions at upcoming Senate hearings, citing Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, her lawyer said Monday." (Houston Chronicle, March 26, 2007, emphasis added.)

The important distinction for me is that this justice department official did NOT claim executive privilege, but rather, is refusing based on the 5th amendment. This is pretty stunning, in my opinion. Typically, you would NOT plead the 5th unless you have a reasonable belief that you have done something against the law!

While a refusal to testify pursuant to the 5th amendment is NOT a specific admission of a specific act of wrongdoing, it IS typically considered a "general" admission of SOME type of criminal activity! I wonder if the Senate will offer some sort of immunity deal?

This is getting very interesting...