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Bush. Cheney. Rumsfeld. Rove. Libby. Safavian. Abramoff. Frist. McCain. Delay. Gonzales. Brown. Burns. Hastert. Boehner. Reynolds. Cunningham. Doolittle. Pombo. Foley. Republicans.
These are the people Joe Lieberman has been defending, directly or indirectly, all these years. These are the people whose agenda he used his platform and his talk show appearances to support.
". . .in matters of war, we undermine presidential credibility at our nation's peril." -- Joe Lieberman
As others have pointed out, Lieberman never bargained to get concessions from Republicans. He's only ever grandstanded before undercutting Democrats, for example, by voting for cloture on Sam Alito, greasing the skids for another judge with imperial views of the presidency to join Thomas and Scalia on the Supreme Court.
By doing so, as the former VP nominee of the Democratic Party, he created a culture in Washington that made the Democrats the opposite of an opposition party. He neutered the Democratic party, and in so doing, during the Bush years, he left the lights off in Washington for years and years. No shame, no plan no oversight: now's the time to put it right. The GOP Predator Coverup scandal could not have happened without years of Liebermanism first. Have you had enough?
What happens when you leave the lights off and the place filthy dirty for years on end? Roaches! Brazen corruption festers. The scumbags on the right become increasingly shameless and bold, heedless of any consequences because they have people like Joe Lieberman to sabotage any efforts to hold them accountable within what used to be his party.
Make no mistake: this Foley scandal in the House is part of that, a big, glaring symptom and consequence of it, and even though Lieberman operates in the Senate, he was on the talk shows all the time and making statements that made any Democrat who said "Stop! Enough!" look like a crank.
Lieberman did not directly conceal Foley's predations or abet Hastert and company in covering them up, but he is as responsible as anyone for making Republicans think they can get away with all this stuff. The Foley scandal and the breathtaking corruption of Washington's Republican "leadership" is the direct, downstream consequence of the politics, perfidy and vanity of Joe Lieberman. There's no way around it. As Chris Bowers points out, all the good things happening now for Democrats are traceable to the efforts of netroots and grassroots activists to bring new life, new ideas and a new fighting spirit to the Democratic Party, all of which Joe Lieberman opposes.
Have you had enough of Joe Lieberman and his Washington DC friends?
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Spotlight
fitz!
The roach thing, it’d be like trying to train the roaches in your kitchen to eat only the crumbs on your floor, so you won’t have to sweep.
Unbelieavably great piece by Ellis Weiner. Go here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....30890.html
Spotlight to Connecticut!
Roaches are survivors– they’ve been around a lot longer than the human race. The rethugs (and the DINOs) are trying their utmost to be just like them.
filth.
And let us say
AMEN.
And let’s keep praying with our feet and our phone dialing fingers. We have lots of work to continue to do between now and election day.
xyz - I’m glad you’re doing it, because I still can’t figure out Spotlight.
And, by the way, has Lieberman denounced Foley and the House coverup yet?
Geez, kind of a stretch to stick him in with that bunch isn’t it?
Hunter is on point, yet again:
not much more to add to that.
New NBC/WSJ Poll
Bush JAR 39%
42% in the same poll one month ago
Lieberman says he has been assured of continued seniority; Reid says no. Reid should strip him now, flush Lieberman into the Repub. camp; publicly.
I wouldn’t want to get into a discussion about who is most responsible for the mess in Washington, DC right now, but Lieberman and the DLC certainly have to shoulder some of the blame. They were in charge of the Democratic Party in DC, and they have consistently tried to avoid rocking the boat. That’s not the job of the opposition party. The opposition party is supposed to rock the boat when they think the government is in error. In fact, that’s their only job. Why else have two parties and the ability to debate the issues?
My friend lurks on repug sites and passed this on to me:
And the Christian Coalition website says:
“Christians are being advised not to be so disgusted with the behavior of former Republican Congressman Mark Foley that they decide to stay home from the polls in November… when it comes to voting, the GOP platform supports the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, while liberal Democrats support same-sex “marriage” and abortion on demand. “Those differences remain the same… There is some indication that perhaps left-wing groups and some Democrats knew about this…”
Speaking of bargaining for concessions, I posted this earlier today about a million threads ago . . .
The Hill is reporting that Lieberman is claiming to have assurances from the Dem leadership that he’ll retain his seniority in the next Senate, should he defeat the democratic nominee for his seat, Ned Lamont.
Best unintentional laugh line: “Reid, the Senate Democratic leader, does not want to wrestle with these questions in public before the Nov. 7 election.”
No kidding. No one likes to get rolled and have everyone talking about it in public.
But Harry, if Joe’s blowing smoke and trying to create a reality in which he’d like to live, you could simply say “Joe’s seniority is a matter for the caucus to decide in January.” It’s simple, and it happens to be the truth.
Joe Lieberman has been protecting and promoting Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Netanyahu and other like minded individuals, against the interests of the United States for many, many years. Joe Lieberman has been an enabler of American military and political aggression directed toward the Middle East for a very long time.
dab from CT @
7
Hey Dab,
If you want me to walk you through it - I’d be glad to!
contact me at “insert my FDL handle” at mindspring “dot” “Com”
Coach of the Year?
Lawyer: Ya know, sometimes folks who get in sexual trouble, ahmm…sometimes its because they were molested as children…wink, wink…nudge, nudge.
Foley: Ya don’t say? Ahhhmmm…OK, I get you. Ahhhmmm…that must’ve happened to me.
Lawyer: Are you saying you were molested as a child…wink, wink…nudge, nudge?
Foley: Ahhhmmm…yah, OK that’s it. Yup, that’s what happened!
Lawyer: And ya know, sometimes it happens by people who are in positions of authority, like the the next-door neighbor, or teachers, or religious leaders…wink, wink…nudge, nudge.
Foley: Ahhhmmm…which one is the best…ahhhmmm…I mean…ahhhmmm…OK it must’ve been those religious leaders.
Lawyer: Do you remember if it was a priest, a minister, an imman, a rabbi…wink, wink…nudge, nudge?
Foley: Ahhhmmm…which one is the best…ahhhmmm…I mean…ahhhmmm…OK it must’ve been an imman.
Lawyer: An imman? Ummm…that would be imposs…ummm…were there any Muslims around when you were growing up…wink, wink…nudge, nudge?
Foley: Osama Bin Laden! Yup, that’s who it was! Yup!
Lawery: Ahhhmmm…no no no, not Osama. I don’t think we could get away…ahhhmmm…how about this: Were there any Catholic priests around when you were growing up…wink, wink…nudge?
Foley: Ahhhh…I get you…OK, it was those Catholics!
Lawyer: Ahhhmmm…OK…Catholic priests.
Foley: And…and…they were drinkin’!
Lawyer: Ahhhmmm…they? Drinking? WTF?
Interview interrupted by Foley’s Blackberry. IM apparently from someone named JoeLieb54…
You were molested by someone you can’t name? Please. You can’t throw someone else under the bus if you won’t cough up the name.
Good to know there was no inappropriate sex with minors, though. How about appropriate sex with minors?
OT Although all the people Pachacutec mentions at the start of his post, give me gas.
Your daily gas and oil prices
Average price for regular gasoline 10/03/06 in 50 states and DC
$3.00 plus 1 state
$2.90 plus 0 states
$2.80 plus 1 state
$2.70 plus 1 state
$2.60 plus 5 states
$2.50 plus 5 states
$2.40 plus 3 states
$2.30 plus 9 states
$2.20 plus 8 states
$2.10 plus 16 states
$2.00 plus 2 states
Average daily decline in the national average for regular gasoline beginning at the peak:
August 8-15: .56 cents
August 15-22: 1.06
August 22-29: 1.19
August 29- September 5: 1.54
September 5-12: 1.7
September 12-19: 1.8
September 19-26: 1.7
September 26-October 3: .9
Average national price: $2.305, down $.004 from yesterday
Down 63.3 cents from same time last year.
Highest recorded national average price: $3.057 9/5/2005
Highest average price: Hawaii $3.062
Lowest average price: Missouri $2.023
http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/sbsavg.asp
Nymex Crude Future $58.68, down $2.35
Dated Brent Spot $57.71, down $2.00
WTI Cushing Spot $58.68, down $2.35
Gas prices decline but their rate of decline has moderated sharply. Still their decline is far ahead of last year. Oil is now at a very interesting place. This is within a few cents of what I think the bottom end of its rational price (~$58) should be. This would be based on a $45 base price plus a ~$15 speculative premium due to world instability.
Some have said that this drop is due to a National Weather report predicting no further severe hurricanes for this year due to El Nino effects. I find this hard to believe. I mentioned this year’s El Nino back in my September 20 comment. If oil markets were this slow to incorporate El Nino’s effects on hurricanes, it makes you wonder how long it will take them to factor in that El Ninos generally produce milder, wetter winters over much of the US (in the West and North). And then others say that some speculators got burned and have left the market. I am not sure. Speculators may be bidding the market down. If oil drops further, I will have to do some major reassessment because the price will no longer be strictly rational.
yes, OK Kiddo and so was D’Amato and so is Hill and others.
I want American candidates to stand up for America with sound and grounded arguments, not for a failed and lopsided policy that disenfranchises millions and makes enemies of moms and dads and children all ’round the globe.
Hey Joe! How’s big Pharma treating you and the Mrs? I think of you everyday when I hear that another group of American taxpaying seniors cross the border to Canada to get their prescriptions filled!! I hope you still dream about the float at night! I hope you are having fun with your Gop friends!!
Hugh: What is dropping faster? Gas or Republicans?
Frank Probst @
18
From AmericaBlog
Foley’s lawyer just said the following on TV:
Let me make something perfectly clear. There was absolutely never any inappropriate sexual contact with any minor.
But as an astute reader just emailed me, in many states, including apparently DC, 16 is the age of consent. Below 16, you’re a minor. 16 and up, you’re not a minor.
So Foley’s lawyer just said he never had sex with any 15 year olds. And yes, all pages are 16 and up, from what we’ve heard.
Link
Lou Dobbs just did nice little interview with Bill Moyers spotlighting his special tomorrow night on PBS covering corruption and money in Republican politics and government. Good to see him appear again in MSM in a positive light.
Ok. Just catching up with the day of news and I am a bit confused. first foley’s lawyers says he only had Internet sex with kids when he was drunk — but he came off the floor of the house to have Internet sex with a teen. So he’s drinking on the job too? And this wasn’t noticed as well?
And then the lawyer announces Foley is a gay man?!?! Yeah, and?!?! WTF does that have to do with anything.
My level of frustration has just hit the breaking point..
katie @
8
No and if it were I would. He had a fundraiser organized by Sembler just last week, (I think it was last week?)
Speaking of Bill Moyers– he is published today and I will just post a bit– read the entire thing to get yourself fired up!
http://www.tompaine.com/articl....._weeps.php
I umm concluded a uh long time ago when ummm he ran for umm vice-president and uh would take a very umm long time to umm say that he umm didn’t really have uh a damn thing to uh say.
Students of political science need to be taught this guys life as an example of how to succeed without even trying.
Almost all the same can be said for Ken Salazar - though he’s a mere piker compared to Holy Joe.
Peterr @ 14
After Reid’s disgraceful role in passing the torture/kangaroo courts bill, I think it’s important to realize that Harry is not a leader. He’s an enabler and more similar than not to Holy Joe.
Scarborough and Barnicle throwing everybody under the bus… chrissy is speechless.
Washington is no stranger to the arrogance of power, BUT it’s so over-the-top this time — and that has a lot to do with there not having been any real Democratic opposition. The bastards knew they could get away with anything, and that feeling of entitlement just grew and grew.
Completely unable to function without their protective sense of entitlement, the Rethugs hold one press conference after the other, each more ridiculous than the last. I used to think that, if nothing else, conservatives were about not whining, accepting responsibility, and taking your punishment like a man. I must have been misinformed.
Now, their endless series of press conferences is absolutely surreal — they should be collected into a book, “WE’VE GOT SOME EXPLAININ’ TO DO: The 2006 House GOP Sets the Record Straight.” This could be the cover picture.:
Funny thing how the congress exempted itself from obeying the laws that the rest of us peons are subject to.
CNN reporting now that Rep. Boehner is now saying Democrats are to blame for Predatorgate.
Ok let’s check where we are on the Repug Playbook:
1. Never fess up. - Check
2. Tell ‘em you can’t remember. - Check
3. Lie. - Check
4. Blame the victim. - Check
5. Blame the Democrats. - Check
6. Hideout in Rehab. - Check
OK, all bases covered now!
Mad Dogs @ 34
nicely done.
Tweety doesn’t often do it live at 7 (usually a rerun of the earlier show) so obviously he and his crew are just salivating over this whole thing.
ccmask @ 22
This week Republicans, definitely!
Mad Dogs @ 34
Blame Clinton: Check
UptownNYChick @ 25
Frustration? Take a breath. The alcoholism ploy won’t work, for the same reason it’s not going to help Mel Gibson–most people don’t get drunk and ask high schoolers to measure their penises. That’s why we’ve moved on to “I was molested by my priest.” Even now, I’m sure there are legal aides trying to find some dead priest to blame this on. That’s also not going to fly unless he come up with some verifiable story about how he’s struggled with his demons for years. As for the “I’m a gay man” angle, he will get no support from the gay community (he voted for DOMA) while losing whatever support he had from the far right. The looming question that the GOP is trying to fight off at all costs is “Who are the other gay Republicans?” I don’t think it’s any accident that Ken Mehlman seems to have fallen off the face of the earth.
Pachacutec, A great post! You pulled an AMEN from RevDeb and a verbal halleluiah from me as I read along.
Scarborough:
“Either Tom Reynolds is a liar or Denny Hastert is a liar”
why just one or the other, why not both?
The Republicans are still trying to correlate pedo-thugs with gay persons. There is NO relationship between folks who happen to be gay, and crimes against children. I resent the implication. And I am str8. I would present a guess that most of those who perp child abuse are hetero.
And another thing. Boehner must not be allowed to escape responsibility in this sordid mess.
GOP = Gross Old Perverts
Barnacle right on the mark,
“all about power . . .
or all about cover up of a predator . . . .?’
but again it doesn’t have to be one or the other. It is both.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 41
I agree.
These are Fascists– all of them. It is all about power.
Great post Pach.
OT-
From Billmon:
Classic.
dab from CT @ 7
I’m still waiting to hear that Lieberman has said anything about any of this. Maybe he has, but I haven’t heard it.
Is he busy writing the sequel to his Bill Clinton denunciation speech, this time to denounce the moral corruption of the Republican Party? I’m not holding my breath.
RevDeb @ 41
I believe in psychology this is known as a “false choice”!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 15
Actually it’s not just the Israeli Right wing, Shmuel Rosner Haaretz’s US correspondent has I believe a Lieberman Watch tracking this race. In contrast, other Senate contests receive little or no Israeli media attention.
So we follow the story about a sexual predator with a commercial for . . . . drum roll . . . . .
CIALIS.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 41
They’ve been trying to equate gays with pedophiles for years. Now it’s biting them in the ass. As a gay man, I’m enjoying the karma here. Maybe now the right wing will start asking how a gay prostitute got into the White House Press Corps. And frankly, I have absolutely no problem with reporters asking every Republican, “Are you gay or a pedophile?”
What I find curious is the deafening silence from the nation’s moral guardian, “Pastor” James Dobson.
I felt sure that the author of this little gem;
“Meanwhile, the boy’s father has to do his part. He needs to mirror and affirm his son’s maleness. He can play rough-and-tumble games with his son, in ways that are decidedly different from the games he would play with a little girl. He can help his son learn to throw and catch a ball. He can teach him to pound a square wooden peg into a square hole in a pegboard. He can even take his son with him into the shower, where the boy cannot help but notice that Dad has a penis, just like his, only bigger.”
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com.....1551546529
would have plenty to say about the former congressman’s current difficulties.
I’m just sayin’
Oklahoma kiddo @ 41
Agreed, Boehner and Reynolds. Any others?
FDL Friends
You guys are probably all over this but, Fox news has known for months about Foley. But choose to hold the story. WTF
Frank Probst @ 39
I think my frustration comes from the fact that they even have the nerve to say a damn thing. There are people in this world that actually say “I failed. I am sorry. I am ashamed of my behavior. I accept whatever my punishment should be.”
I am more and more enraged with each and every lie they are trying to shove down my throat.
Tweety says House Ethics Committee has just announced it will meet Thursday. He questions whether this is a genuine intention to investigate the Foley matter or just window dressing.
“House Ethics Committee just announced a meeting Thursday. It will be a closed door meeting.”
Yep, let’s keep it all in the closet, shall we?
neurophius @ 53
House Ethics Committee, that’s an oxymoron.
It’s their fault so far:
1. Those who leaked the story
2. Democrats
3. The victims
4. Gays
5. Clinton
6. An anonymous clergyman
RevDeb@53 great snark!
a one-panel political cartoon at Roll Call…
[teen looking at computer screen]
REPUB2006: the democrats, if they had their way, would coddle the terrorists! does that make you feel a little less safe?
1STTIMEVOTR: a little.
REPUB2006: cool.
Barnicle and Scarborough are not my favorites for sure. But they are, it seems talking sense on this Foley business. The way the Republicans are trying to spin things on this reveals the underlying bigotry at the core of todays Republican message. That message being misogyny, racism and bigotry.
RevDeb @ 54
Hah!
I’m getting to like Tristero more and more every day. His latest:
see original for the links.
aReader @ 58
Beware of the cartoonists!
Say . . . anyone seen darkblack today? The threads have been so fast and furious, if we’ve been graced with some visual commentary on all this by our resident art-snark expert, I’ve missed it.
Doesn’t the timing of all this just seem so…precious? I mean, coming right at the same time as Woodward’s belated but nonetheless damning book that nails Condi to the wall and hints there was a coverup of some kind in the 9-11 report? Right after the do-nothing congress passed that putrid torture bill, so they can go home acting all tough but knowing the Supreme Court will strike it down eventually. Better to steal the headlines by rolling one of your own under the bus, if you have to. They must have been saving the scandal up for just when they needed it. Just seems too coincidental for it to be put out there after it had a lid on it for so long. Don’t buy the hype — yeah, this guy’s a pig who deserves whatever he gets, but the GOP is playing everyone, trying to get them to take their eyes off the more important balls (so to speak). They’re betting that it won’t affect more than the FL seat by the time elections roll around.
Prober @ 51
So did the Miami Herald who is known for accepting money from the US Gov in order to print anti Cuban propaganda. Why wouldn’t they accept money to hold a story here and there.
The Herald did run witha story outing a politicians sex life and he committed suicide in the papers office in a final response. Perhaps that is why they held off.
(See Miami Herald in wikipedia)
fwiw, if you comment using the word “p*n*s” it’ll get trapped and will have to be sprung - please use a euphemism such as “male generative organ” or such …
Who will Floridians vote for, do you suppose? I’m in Foley’s District. My very Gop Gop coworker is voting for Mahoney. I am in shock! I mean this guy has FOX as his homepage!
Hugh @ 55
Lots of attempts to blame it on the ‘internet’ as well.
David Schuster on Tweety now, should Hastert resign?
Hugh @ 57
Progressive bloggers
Ooops, forgot one, with apologies
It’s their fault so far:
1. Those who leaked the story
2. Democrats
3. The victims
4. Gays
5. Clinton
6. The booze
7. An anonymous clergyman
RevDeb @ 50
not quite subliminal advertisment, what’s it called, product placement???
how about an ad next for those little IM devices…
*ilson46201 @ 64
Sounds painful!
*ilson46201 @ 64
Trex will remember this one:
Trouser Trout.
Hugh - You also forgot Jane Fonda.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 4:33 pm (#67)
Yes, no doubt more restrictive measures will be necessary to stop the spread of pornographic IM.
shuster’s report is damning … video and more.
Schuster doing the whole roll call of shady characters.
I’m Lovin’ it.
Agreed Pach, that Liebushman has been a major cog in creating and furthering the Repuke Culture of Impunity.
Damn. I used the word p@n%s! I also used the word D$bs*n. Bugger.
Shuster is so great - he actually gets the key facts out there!
ccmask @ 69
My parents are in the district too. They’ve been irritatingly GOP/Foxnews for the last few elections, but even before this scandal the shine was wearing off. No way my mom votes for this sleazebag. Dad was outraged over Monicagate, so it would be pretty tough for him to justify voting for this turkey.
EurekaSprings@66
I didn’t know
Hugh @ 56
Demon Rum.
Hell of a Pyrrhic victory though, wouldn’t you say
Garbo:
October 3rd, 2006 at 4:31 pm
PeteCO @ 82
Were this a British blog, that last word might get you moderated too …
OK, the new corrected list
It’s their fault so far:
1. Those who leaked the story
2. Democrats
3. The victims
4. Gays
5. Clinton
6. The booze
7. An anonymous clergyman
8. The Internet
9. Lack of family values
10. Jane Fonda, Jimmy Hoffa, and all the other usual suspects
Hugh @ 85
you left off the left wing bloggers, ie the rabid lambshers of the left.
*ilson46201 @ 88
tis true.
angie @ 35
And according to MY calendar, 30 days rehab spits him back out on Nov. 3rd. Just 4 lovely days before the election. Anyone wanna guess how the third act of this will play out?
What about “Knobcheese”? ;)
I haven’t checked Crooks and Liars in a while. Quite the treasure-trove of nuttiness over there. There’s this report by MSNBC that asks whether Foley used campaign contributions to buy the silence of his colleagues.
Then there’s Colbert on Foleygate.
Frank@50…The xtian right is going to drum the gay=child molester meme from now to election day. Ms. Buchannan “known homosexual did it” Mr Perkins,this is what you expect from gays. The mega-church preachers are going to make this work for them.
This is not a Republican problem, it’s the Dems and PC and the homo-sex-uals causing the fall of America. Reading the blogs today the wacko’s are starting to push back with gay=child molester.
I hate to say it, but if more Congressmen are involved, I hope there are girls getting IM’s. That would cut the fundies off at the knees.
Part of the climate that Blowmentum helped create was the dynamic that repiglicans could use supporting statements to justify their arguments that were easily shown to be either fallacious or outright lies.
Case in point: During the vice presidential debate, Holy Joe made the mildest poke at the puppet master to be, noting his immense personal wealth. Snarlin’ Dick lashed back, crowing about how he made his money in the private sector, with no help from the government. Rather than pointing out how Hellisburnin’ was sucking millions from the government trough, Droopy just sat there, making a slight chuckling noise like he was Ed McMahon to Darth Cheney’s Johnny (forgive me St. Johnny, you had more decency in one of your cuticles than can be found in the entire repiglican party).
Hugh @ 86
Sex education in the schools.
I actually heard that one today–I think it was here.
Prober @ 81
Someone linked an article via rawstory a couple of hours ago. Blogs, now I know where blue blazes are. *g*
Since Foley’s name stays on the Florida ballot, a vote for Foley is a vote for child abuse.
And now, some fine words from the Incoming Senate President Ken Pruitt: “My thoughts are with Congressman Foley and his family during this difficult time – this is a tragic and sad situation on many levels. I join our community in thanking him for his years of dedicated public service. While it is an honor to be rumored as a potential candidate for the Congressional seat, I remain completey commited to serving my constituents in the Florida Senate.”
Impeachment Happens @ 89
Showing Patty Wetterling’s commercial on Hardballs now.
Steve 92
“Reading the blogs today the wacko’s are starting to push back with gay=child molester.”
They got it wrong.
It’s gay Republican=child molester.
Don’t forget the feminists!
Eureka Springs AR @97
?
October Surprise?
Just a ‘matter of time’ for bin Laden to face justice: Bush