Byzantine (If by 'Byzantine' you mean cut rate gangster comedy)

Okay... well all know that the current junta in charge of the U.S. Department of Justice is a gang of all around venal, mendacious, incompetent boobs. No surpises there; just like the rest of the administration.

But, when exactly did they become the Warner Bros. Cartoons episode of "The Sopranos."

You all remember the episode where Sparky G. and Andy Card paid a midnight visit to the hospital to get domestic spying approved by the AG? Well, now we are getting a better view of exactly what weridness transpired that night...

I mean, you can't make this shit up... well, you could, but you'd be laughed out of the pitch meeting:

"According to [Deputy, then-acting, Atty. Gen. James] Comey, he was on his way home when he got a call from Ashcroft's wife that Alberto Gonzales and Andrew Card were on their way to the hospital*. Comey then rushed to the hospital (sirens blaring) to beat them there and thwart "an effort to overrule me."

After Comey arrived at the hospital with a group of senior Justice Department officials, Gonzales and Card arrived and walked up to Ashcroft, who was lying barely conscious on his hospital bed. "Gonzales began to explain why he was there, to seek his approval for a matter," Comey testified. But Ashcroft rebuffed Gonzales and told him that Comey was the attorney general now. "The two men turned and walked from the room," said Comey.

A "very upset" Andrew Card then called Comey and demanded that he come to the White House for a meeting at 11 PM that night.

After meeting with Justice Department officials at the Justice Deaprtment, Comey went to the White House with Ted Olson, then the Solicitor General to the White House. He brought Olson along, Comey said, because he wanted a witness for the meeting..."

This is absolutely priceless. Alberto Gonzalez and Andy Card trying a cut rate Jedi mind control bit on a half-dead John Ashcroft; "John... just blink if you want the wire tapping, or softly moan in pain if you want us to just continue with the program..."

There is no bottom. Get ready, there's a lot more to be told. And it will be over the course of this year...

mojo sends