Dick Cheney Controls Tim Russert.

OT - Look what Hillary is up to (from Kos)

http://kos.dailykos.com/

Hillary on homosexuality.

I also asked her about the comments by General Peter Pace that homosexulity is “immoral.” Clinton has opposed the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, so I asked her if that law — signed by her husband in 1993 — was a mistake, and if homosexuality is “immoral.”

“General Pace has clarified his remarks, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is not working,” she said. “We are being deprived of thousands of patriotic men and women who want to serve their country who are bringing skills into the armed services that we desparately need, like translation skills. And one can argue whether it was a good idea when it was first implemented, but we know have evidence as to the fact that we are in a time of war — when we really need as many people as we can to recruit and retain in an all-volunteer army — we are turning people away or discharging them not because of what they’ve done but because of who they are.”

But is it immoral?

“Well I’m going to leave that to others to conclude,” she said. “I’m very proud of the gays and lesbians I know who perform work that is essential to our country, who want to serve their country and I want make sure they can.”

She can tell those gays and lesbians she knows and is proud of that she is too afraid to say, unambiguously, that she agrees with 80-year-old Republican Senator John Warner that no, they are not “immoral”.

Here’s how Warner put it:

The ranking Republican of the Senate Armed Services Committee sharply rebuked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Tuesday, taking issue with General Peter Pace’s view that homosexual acts are immoral.

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), a former Secretary of the Navy, said, “I respectfully but strongly disagree with the chairman’s view that homosexuality is immoral. In keeping with my longstanding respect for the Armed Services committee hearing process, I will decline to comment on the current policy until after such hearings are held.”

It’s not that hard to say the right thing.

*xyz @
2

OT - Look what Hillary is up to (from Kos)

http://kos.dailykos.com/

Hillary on homosexuality.

I also asked her about the comments by General Peter Pace that homosexulity is “immoral.” Clinton has opposed the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, so I asked her if that law — signed by her husband in 1993 — was a mistake, and if homosexuality is “immoral.”

“General Pace has clarified his remarks, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is not working,” she said. “We are being deprived of thousands of patriotic men and women who want to serve their country who are bringing skills into the armed services that we desparately need, like translation skills. And one can argue whether it was a good idea when it was first implemented, but we know have evidence as to the fact that we are in a time of war — when we really need as many people as we can to recruit and retain in an all-volunteer army — we are turning people away or discharging them not because of what they’ve done but because of who they are.”

But is it immoral?

“Well I’m going to leave that to others to conclude,” she said. “I’m very proud of the gays and lesbians I know who perform work that is essential to our country, who want to serve their country and I want make sure they can.”

She can tell those gays and lesbians she knows and is proud of that she is too afraid to say, unambiguously, that she agrees with 80-year-old Republican Senator John Warner that no, they are not “immoral”.

Here’s how Warner put it:

The ranking Republican of the Senate Armed Services Committee sharply rebuked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Tuesday, taking issue with General Peter Pace’s view that homosexual acts are immoral.

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), a former Secretary of the Navy, said, “I respectfully but strongly disagree with the chairman’s view that homosexuality is immoral. In keeping with my longstanding respect for the Armed Services committee hearing process, I will decline to comment on the current policy until after such hearings are held.”

It’s not that hard to say the right thing.

Stay tuned for more on this . . . but don’t know when.

I wish the DC Dems would tell Holy Joe to take a hike, but given that they won’t, I have to hope that come January 1, 2009, Mr. Lieberman will be totally neutered and just counting the days until his retirement in (ugh) 2012.

Fuckin punk Barrow!

Peterr @ 3
*xyz @
2

OT - Look what Hillary is up to (from Kos)

I gave Hillary my two cents on this already. It dissapoints me more than anything else.

In my world, there are no Blue Dogs, there are only curs painted blue. An open media strips the paint. Then they appear only as yellow dogs, worthy of our disgust. What color is a halliburton dog? A GE dog?

Cezanne would have painted only Firedogs.

FEUERHUNDSEE.

Blue Dogs are consigned to pre November 2006 thinking. All such dogs should face a primary challenge by a new left candidate (here’s a tip Blue Dogs - the new left is where the old center used to be).

Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?

Playing both sides of the fence is eventually going to catch up to Short Ride.
He is essentially a Republican and should be chained and shackled to that especially now that the Repubs are going down the tubes like Montezuma’s revenge.

These blue doggers are just begging for primaries.

And we will oblige them.

Oh yes we will.

I live in Heath Shuler’s district. He is getting hammered by the wingnuts for every “liberal” thing he does. The local wingnut weekly is running a front page story about how he is destroying business by his pro union vote.

That being said, I am still dissapointed in him. Part of his district is Asheville, which is very blue, but the rest is not. He is likely to get a well challenged Republican funder who will run ads against him continually next cycle about how liberal he is. The war vote should be a matter of principle though.

It doesn’t matter. Bush will veto any bill like this. The only hope is in the Senate, where there might be enough votes to refuse any bill without withdrawal provisions.

Terry Olson @ 9

Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

egregious @ 14

Terry Olson @ 9

Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

YearlyFDL?

They’re going to vote against the supplemental?

Good! You can’t fight without money.

Bring ‘em home and we can get back to spending money on people who really need it

How about some sunshine on Lieberman’s $387,000 slush fund? Shouldn’t WaPo’s Politics & Money guy John Solomon be all over that?

egregious @ 14

Terry Olson @ 9

Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

Charge us $100.00. I’m in.

trifecta @ 12

I live in Heath Shuler’s district. He is getting hammered by the wingnuts for every “liberal” thing he does. The local wingnut weekly is running a front page story about how he is destroying business by his pro union vote.

That being said, I am still dissapointed in him. Part of his district is Asheville, which is very blue, but the rest is not. He is likely to get a well challenged Republican funder who will run ads against him continually next cycle about how liberal he is. The war vote should be a matter of principle though.

It’s not matter of principle for Barrow, he has NONE!

I’m tired of Lieberman. I want him out. Oh… I’ve heard all the arguments for keeping him. But I don’t give a …. Unless of course it’s a new, forthright, creative and convincing argument, which will change my mind. Change my mind. I do that every so often.

And as for Reid. Well… I might as well talk about Hillary. And I don’t want to. ;0)

btw Larry Kissell has announced he is running for Congress in NC-08. He only lost by 300 votes last time.

This is even kind of on topic, he said in surprise.

Adventures in Reading the New York Times March 13 edition

“Congress Gears Up for Debate on Getting U.S. Out of Iraq” by Robin Toner with Jeff Zeleny and Michael Luo

Speaking of apples and oranges, oh we weren’t? Well, you obviously haven’t read this article. Robin Toner appears to be comparing Senate and House actions on withdrawal from Iraq but what is totally unclear from the article is that the two bills are, in fact, unrelated. The Senate is set to debate Wednesday a resolution SJ Res 9 to begin withdrawal from Iraq within 120 days at the latest after its enactment and have all troops not engaged in training, counter-terrorism, and border security out by March 31, 2008. Its sponsor is Harry Reid and is not to be confused with the Levin, Warner, Biden, Hagel fiasco. The House meanwhile continues to work on its Iraq withdrawal language folded into the $100 billion supplemental appropriation for Iraq and Afghanistan. So while the Senate debates a vetoable bit of fluff; the House is working on a must pass piece of legislation. See the difference. I wish Robin Toner did.

As it is, Toner reports how Senate Republicans, after ducking debate on previous resolutions, are eager now to debate this one. Why? Because in a Senate with Joe Lieberman in it and Tim Johnson not yet returned to it, the Republicans have a reasonably good chance of defeating the resolution. Mitch McConnell is no doubt counting on all those Republican war skeptics to ditch their much vaunted principles for a party line vote. Up to now, he has not been disappointed.

But about their comfort level debating the supplemental appropriations bill which is where the rubber will really hit the road Toner has not one word.

Shifting back to the House, Toner says,

In the House, Republican leaders said their caucus was united in opposition to the Iraq spending bill.

Toner completely misses two key aspects of the Republican opposition.

First, the Iraq withdrawal language has a big fat escape clause in it, letting Bush keep troops in Iraq as long as he certifies that progress is being made. So you have to wonder how much of this is a ploy on their part to water down the bill’s language even further before Senate Republicans get a chance to dilute it even further. Also down the road there will likely be a conference committee. How will that affect things? Gee, I don’t know because the Toners of this world have yet to contemplate this piece of the legislative process consumed as they are by the most recent talking points.

Second, a vote against the appropriations bill is a vote against funding the troops. Why isn’t Toner examining that? Will his headline then be: Republicans vote against troops? Somehow I don’t think so even though that is exactly what they will be doing.

It never ceases to amaze me how reporters and editors at the premiere paper in the country can team up to produce such sloppy examples of journalism, and do it so often. While it gives me subject matter to write on, it truly is OK with me if the Times denies me this opportunity by engaging in critical, thoughtful writing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03.....ref=slogin

TeddySanFran @ 17

How about some sunshine on Lieberman’s $387,000 slush fund? Shouldn’t WaPo’s Politics & Money guy John Solomon be all over that?

Forgot all about that. There’s just too much!

neil @ 13

It doesn’t matter. Bush will veto any bill like this. The only hope is in the Senate, where there might be enough votes to refuse any bill without withdrawal provisions.

Standing together on principle for a change will do the dems some good - encourage some spine. Let C Augustus veto at his own peril.
He does so at the the expense of his (Frat)party.

egregious @ 14

Terry Olson @ 9

Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

Fuck it, maybe we should have our own convention, complete with poodles and other FireDogs?

Twisted Martini @ 25

egregious @ 14

Terry Olson @ 9

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

Fuck it, maybe we should have our own convention, complete with poodles and other FireDogs?

and cockers!

I’ll bring my 2 killer Pomeranians!

i know i am risking being a thorn in the side, but these issues right at home, in our own states, are the ones that matter, too…..i wish you all could have heard the speech from the new democratic governor of ohio, ted strickland, oh my how inspiring, please find it on the web..i will quit after posted for everyone to see for 24 hours, really…ha ha..please just bear with me, was really big here……

epu’d for 24 hours====

jane;
i completely believe that things are coming back around to a new day. have felt that way since jan ‘04……

my dad is a retired corporate acct-fdr dem, even people he knows are jumping the republican ship…..and they are way invested in the bush warship…..jumping ship, one by one….

and i am being annoying to get the positive word out—–
i promise this is a one time thing, and i keep promises…..
but am reposting this for an entire day and then i will stop…and am sending funds as soon as i get my reimbursement check…paypal will be hit soon……

((((fdl))))

egregious @ 191

dmac—

Am from Ohio and am so happy to hear the new governor is great!

I heard somewhere it’s only possible to post something once a thread, re your wanting to post it over and over. Does anyone know about that, am just going on gossip here.

A toast to a true progressive governor!! Hip hip hooray!!!!

me back

yeah, i remember you commenting about your mum being here in ohio, almost commented, but didn’t…..and i was only going to post in a little bit aggravating way, once a post, for a day’s cycle, so everybody can know that it can happen, change that is……not to be annoying, but to know that the hard work of people pays off..and this was a hard fought battle for ted strickland to win in this state….that’s all….it’s going to affect a lot of people…..not from any one class, but everyone, which is what it’s about….

i’ve seen people repost things off-topic and rant here and there, mostly angry moments–well, i’m in an ecstatic moment and really need to shout from the rooftops…..and have been all day to all my friends and family!!!!!!!!

FINALLY, A GOOD THING IN OHIO!!!!!!!!!! man, oh man, did we need it.

i wish i could explain what a big deal it is—we have had a governor, bob taft, yeah, you’ve maybe heard of him……he is worse than what you heard, he has dismantled our state over 8 years, in horrific ways, with the help of a republican legislature….it has been dark here…..

BUT NOT ANYMOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRE!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO, EXCUSE MY RANT, but i really need to let people know, that yes, it can happen in your state……a good thing….can happen.

and this is only a highlight of the speech, also is freezing college tuition, and a long list of other things…..and he’s wantin’ to make it worth the republican’s ‘while’ to do it…..

here’s a letter i sent to my mom–part of which i posted earlier today—i am so excited with what’s FINALLY goin’ on in our state………wow

hi mom;
today’s subject is politics=======

did you hear the governor’s state of the state speech????????

oh mom, it was wonderful………see if you can find it on the web and listen to it……..when he was done, i was overwhelmed, really, had tears in my eyes………

i wish everyone could have heard OUR new OHIO GOVERNOR ted strickland’s state of the state speech!!!!!

every child in ohio gets health coverage up to age 21

family of 4 making 62,000 gets medicaid–that’s those at 300% of poverty level, those earning above that but with no health coverage can buy into medicaid coverage…

pregnant women at 150% get coverage

anyone age 65 and older and disabled don’t pay property taxes on first 25,000—that’s 1 in 4 people

adding to program that allows elderly to stay in their homes instead of going into nursing homes….

significantly adding to preschool programs—which were almost nonexistant thanks to taft in office…..said where you start out in life and where yuo go to school shouldn’t determine where you end up in life….. said that a few times in his speech.

ending vouchers, freezing charter and for profit charter schools….

tobacco settlement money going into schools…infrastructure and general funds== that’s 5 billion there.

almost a billion into alternative energy projects… 250 mil a year…..

break for businesses that provide training for untrained young workers..

expanding training for older workers and offering training to make it more accessible, i.e. location and time of day offered…

too many things to list…

is offering carrots to republican majority legislature to get policies changed…..

basically is already undoing what taft did…has been dismantling many many things since he took office..i know that cuz i’ve been following it, that part wasn’t in today’s speech, unless you read between the lines..

and adding on more changes for working poor…..and middle class that don’t want to say they’re poor-but they are and struggling. mostly because of health care, took care of that one listed above…

i can’t articulate what a pleasure it was to hear him coming over the airwaves, i have tears in my eyes…..really….

i knew he was for real, but was waiting to hear what his plans are..and if he really had any………boy does he, has surrounded himself with some really smart people….

please take a moment one day and listen to his speech, it was incredible.

forgot one of the best things in the speech=
people who are officially on medicaid-disabled/mentally/wheelchairs, etc., can now work without losing their medicare….this is one main reason keeping people down and limited financially, who are disabled but can work, if they work, they lose their benefits===now can work and keep coverage….

wow

now, when this stuff hits the state legislature, people are gonna need to be writing letters in support of all of these things…..many people need these programs…..so, get ready to write……..

wow, still can’t believe what i heard on the radio, live, it wasn’t taft and it wasn’t some democrat blowhard with good things to say but who doesn’t have a plan……..he’s definitely an organized, smart man……..finally………

love,
dayna

neil @ 13

It doesn’t matter. Bush will veto any bill like this. The only hope is in the Senate, where there might be enough votes to refuse any bill without withdrawal provisions.

It will be difficult for House and Senate Republicans to vote against a spending bill to fund the troops and for Bush to veto it. We need to get the message out early and often on this that if Republicans vote against the $100 billion supplemental appropriations bill they are voting against the troops.

I am trying to resist commenting on the latest Hillary-speak.

Not only did I vote for Baron Hill, I had to run through a gauntlet of Republican voter suppression to do it. As of this morning it feels like wasted effort.

Just FYI, here is the link to the Blue Dog list of members.

http://tinyurl.com/2erdam

Twisted Martini @ 27

I’ll bring my 2 killer Pomeranians!

A chihuahua and an American Eskimo here.

*xyz @
15

egregious @ 14

Terry Olson @ 9

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

YearlyFDL?

Got 4 months of chemo ahead (starting tomorrow) followed by another surgery, so I don’t know how I’ll be feeling at that point. I want to get some of this under my belt before making any big decisions on that front.

In Liarman’s speech to the lobby, he thanked them twice for helping him get elected in November and called them ‘family’.

so there.

http://www.aipac.org/Publications/index_1721.asp

Best to you Jane.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

You and Steve G are at the top of my prayer list Jane.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Jane.

Jane Hamsher @ 34

Wishing the Best for You!

The job title “Chief of Staff” may have the same historical resonance for this Bush Administration as “intern” does for BigDog.

raven @
5

Fuckin punk Barrow!

Quote the Raven, everywhere!

i’m confused.

why is voting for this bill a good thing? i don’t want bush to get the money to contine his war/occupation.

dmac-WOW!

Jane, yes. Big hugs.

Best wishes Jane!

Please, please take all the time you need to rest and recuperate surrounded by loved ones and the poodles.

“Do we look that stupid?” They think I look like a turnip, still looking for the truck I fell out of. I’ve got news for ‘them’.

and my new mantra=

only thing that could make me happier is to hear that gore has finally decided to kick some asses colored red…….and finally use that brain that he has to take no prisoners…..

Yes, I wish to add my best wishes. Good luck!

angie @ 36

Best to you Jane.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

amen to that.

((((((((((((((((Jane))))))))))))))))

Jane, no one knows the outcome of your inner battle between fighting for your life against the evil demon (physician, heal thyself!) and fighting against the evil powers at loose in the world. But i will never stop respecting all you have accomplished in building this forum.

“Got 4 months of chemo ahead (starting tomorrow) followed by another surgery, so I don’t know how I’ll be feeling at that point. I want to get some of this under my belt before making any big decisions on that front.”

Ah geesh. Goddamnit. What’s going on here? Now I’m down. Jesus!

seriously - i’ve been calling my reps asking them NOT to vote the supplemental. i’m hoping someone can explain why the netroots is supporting this? even moveon is complaining (and they have traditionally not been very strongly against the iraq war).

dmac - Do you have a link to the whole text of that State of State?

((((((((((Jane)))))))))

Terry Olson @ 9
Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?
————
egregious @ 14
I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?
————
*xyz @ 15
YearlyFDL?
————
Jane Hamsher @ 34
Got 4 months of chemo ahead (starting tomorrow) followed by another surgery, so I don’t know how I’ll be feeling at that point. I want to get some of this under my belt before making any big decisions on that front.

Hang tough there lady! We will be pulling for you.

xyz

gregious @ 14

Terry Olson @ 9

Good for Stoller, and thank you, Jane.
Jane, is there any plan for a FDL get-together at YearlyKos? Or are you considering a breakfast or anything?

I hope there is an entire DAY of fdl stuff.

Little issues like where and $ are minor technical details.

Jane?

xyz-YearlyFDL?

cut and paste didn’t work so well, you get my point-
i don’t travel much, but would for fdl forum……….

Dan Savage savages Mr. Lake WoeBeGone.

Totally get that yearlyFDL is a low priority and will be for 4 months. Just trying to think creatively ahead of time so others can make their summer plans.

I suggest there be an FDL meetup of some sort on Aug 2 which is the day of small seminars and such before Y2K proper.

If this works for you and Christy we can then kick around some ideas about when and how it can happen. Don’t worry about the financing it’s taken care of.

We are thinking about you and love you.

Poodle kisses and pumpkin muffins,
———————-egregious

Dear Jane,

All good wishes to you through chemo and more surgery.

The best thing I’ve read today about the supplemental appropriations bill was over at The American Prospect. Mike Tomasky has a wet blanket of reality to lay on all of us.

Thank you so much for everything you do here, & hang tough, Jane.
Can’t say thanks enough, really. This place is an oasis.

and jane, my genius uncle sonny has only a small little spot left on his liver from being eaten up in intestines, and liver cancer……only a little teeny spot left….he’s 81…..and people don’t get well from liver cancer they say……he eats right….and rests.

eat well, live foods, enxzymes, complete protein combinations….rest, water, eat well, live foods……food is fuel, keep that in mind and you will heal….every three hours you need fuel, think about what you are feeding your body to heal and you will.

Oklahoma loves JH.

Jane:
I’ve been hoping you could share the next step. I am welcoming you to the flock of survivors and joining the crowd wishing you the best results.
Karen

Oklahoma kiddo @ 62

Oklahoma loves JH.

Will Rogers is Jane’s spiritual grandfather.

After Bush announced his surge plan I emailed my rep in Congress, Melissa Bean (D-IL), and asked if she supported it or not since she was one of the last to make her position known. Here’s the email I got in response:

Thank you for contacting me about Iraq. I am honored to represent you, and I appreciate your active participation in our legislative process. Your involvement makes democracy work better by helping me more effectively represent you and Illinois’ Eighth District.

I share the concern of many Americans regarding the direction our involvement in this war is headed. I believe America went to war without a plan for securing the peace, and as a direct result, our military personnel is still combating a dangerous-and expensive-insurgency more than three and half years after the fall of Baghdad.

When I visited Iraq in 2005, I was hopeful that democratic elections would allow Iraq to become a more unified sovereign nation. Unfortunately, the situation on the ground has worsened, sectarian violence has increased, and as casualties continue to mount serious scrutiny of our strategy in Iraq is needed.

As you know, the president is currently increasing the number of U.S. military personnel in Iraq by 21,500. In January 2007, I met with top White House officials to discuss the plan. Regrettably, after learning the details of the plan I could not support the troop surge. In the past, we have tried multiple troop surges and after the most recent surge last summer conducted in Baghdad, the U.S. Military declared it a failure as insurgent attacks increased by 22 percent.

In February 2007, I registered my opposition by supporting H.Con.Res. 63-a non-binding resolution expressing disapproval for the troop surge-which passed by a margin of 246 to 182. The U.S. needs to encourage the Iraqi government to resolve the current internal strife politically. Instead of sending more troops, our military mission in Iraq must shift from attempting to secure Iraq to better equipping and training the Iraqi Security Forces so they can secure their own county.

To increase the accountability of the Iraqi Government, we must condition our continued involvement on the Iraqis achieving set benchmarks. To that end, I joined many of my colleagues in cosponsoring H.Res. 100, The Iraqi War Cost Accountability Resolution. This resolution would require increased accountability over future war spending and condition future American financial and military support upon measurable improvement in Iraqi progress towards principal responsibility for internal security.

Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue. I am proud to serve Illinois’ Eighth District, and I am committed to working hard for you. Please do not hesitate to write, call, or email if I can ever help you in any way.

Sincerely,
Melissa L. Bean
Member of Congress

It’s because of things like this that most people are sick of politics. Why bother? I took the time to write her, got a response saying what a Democrat like me wants to hear, and now she’s just going to vote against any actual plan in Iraq that doesn’t give Bush what he wants. What’s the point?

So, on Waxman’s committee’s site is a response from Pat Fitzgerald. Essentially, no dice, he doesn’t think he can talk about the GJ proceedings at all.

I remember some legal eagles here saying that Waxman can make some kind of motion under the Rules of Criminal Procedure? Can we get the GJ testimony unsealed for purposes of the committee’s oversight duties?

Here’s the best quote from the Tomasky piece at TAP

I know that anti-war activists consider ending the war a preeminent moral issue. And maybe it is — they should apply all the pressure they have at their disposal. But if the Democrats want to do good things for the country and the world on a wide range of fronts — particularly, they hope, as a majority working in concert with a Democratic president come 2009 — then I say holding on to power is a moral imperative too. Cutting off war funding in an abrupt manner would clearly place more than 15 members in an extremely difficult position.

It’s a big country out there. And now, in the Iraq debate, we see a lesson of the recent election that we weren’t thinking about last November: Part of winning in red districts means that you have to represent them.

Holy smokes.

Who would have known, if only Bill Clinton had said that his interns serve at the pleasure of the president the whole Lewinsky scandal would have blown over.

-GSD

njprogressive @ 59

The best thing I’ve read today about the supplemental appropriations bill was over at The American Prospect. Mike Tomasky has a wet blanket of reality to lay on all of us.

i might be able to understand why some dems would make this calculation (vote to fund the war inorder to keep their seats), but what i can’t understand is why would WE (the netroots) support that?

PLEASE, PLEASE… can someone explain to me why we are supporting giving george bush more money for his war? please tell me i am being stupid/ignorant and walk me through it…

Thanks Jane. Very useful run-down.

Thanks especially for making this a measured plea to put pressure on the blue dogs. Much as I love the netroots, I have seen some really over-combative posts about this on “other sites.” I think the time may come when we get very, very angry at the Blue Dogs over Iraq. I don’t presume to tell everyone when we should come to that point — but I don’t think we’re there yet.

I’m contacting them to urge them to vote for the bill, politely.

selise @ 53– I think the bill needs more teeth as Mattzie and Moran suggest. Taking Iran out of the bill and giving bushco another blank check is making me crazy, too.

I’m a little confused here as well.

GSD @ 68

Holy smokes.

Who would have known, if only Bill Clinton had said that his interns serve at the pleasure of the president the whole Lewinsky scandal would have blown over.

-GSD

instead, it blew under…

Joe’s the beard. Ick. Lieberbeard.

and jane, my uncle’s doctor searched around for a cream that helped his splitting skin on his fingers from his chemo….you might want to search some out before your chemo===

he has a fine doctor, that’s another reason why he has done so well

vitamin k cream, really helped him…..his fingers were splitting from the chemo and nothing helped…..had a thing that sealed the splits, but then added the cream to help heal….i used it last year when my feet were splitting from a drug reaction, long story, just suffice it to say that the vitamin k cream worked for my uncle……and me

No, I ain’t stupid like C. Augustus ButtHead…but Reid sure is if’n he thinks so.

Jane,

Keep on keeping on.

-GSD

GSD, you funnee.

Here is Fitzgerald’s response letter.

Crazy Horse @ 64

Oklahoma kiddo @ 62

Oklahoma loves JH.

Will Rogers is Jane’s spiritual grandfather.

Nice.

The feeling here is that my fellow Oklahoman and Native American (Mr. Rogers) would absolutely adore JH.

kiddo ;0)

selise @ 53

seriously - i’ve been calling my reps asking them NOT to vote the supplemental. i’m hoping someone can explain why the netroots is supporting this? even moveon is complaining (and they have traditionally not been very strongly against the iraq war).

There’s an enormous amount of kabuki going on here. The reporting has been terrible on this. As an op-ed in the NYT today indicates,

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03.....ref=slogin

there are more options than just the purse available to the Congress. The House Democratic language leaves Bush a big out and Blue Dog Republicans Democrats are still against it. The other Republicans have a disaster they are doing everything to hold on to, that they are lying their black little hearts about, and that they will blame the Democrats for no matter what.

dmac @ 28
……….i wish you all could have heard the speech from the new democratic governor of ohio, ted strickland, oh my how inspiring, please find it on the web……..

Here is the link

Thanks for the heads up on this. It is indeed “inspiring”. There really are some good politicians besides Feingold and Boxer

Oklahoma kiddo @ 79

Crazy Horse @ 64

Oklahoma kiddo @ 62

Will Rogers is Jane’s spiritual grandfather.

Nice.

The feeling here is that my fellow Oklahoman and Native American (Mr. Rogers) would absolutely adore JH.

kiddo ;0)

He would be teaching her his rope tricks!

angie @ 71

selise @ 53– I think the bill needs more teeth as Mattzie and Moran suggest. Taking Iran out of the bill and giving bushco another blank check is making me crazy, too.

I’m a little confused here as well.

thanks for the response. here is an analysis of the current version (via matt).

i’m really hoping to hear that my thinking is all wet on this. ‘cuz i’m thinking that it would be a good thing if this bill fails.

AIPAC appear to like Dick Cheney just fine.

raven @
26

Fuck it, maybe we should have our own convention, complete with poodles and other FireDogs?

Chow/Pitt Mixes! I WUV my Bravo… and whatever type Suzanne’s dog is :)

EDIT: Totally understand timing/wellness issues. I just am tickled Suzanne put a photo of my dog up on her blog, and this was the first time I got to invoke it. HUGS and much love to Jane.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 20

I’m tired of Lieberman. I want him out. Oh… I’ve heard all the arguments for keeping him. But I don’t give a …. Unless of course it’s a new, forthright, creative and convincing argument, which will change my mind. Change my mind. I do that every so often.

And as for Reid. Well… I might as well talk about Hillary. And I don’t want to. ;0)

Leaperman

*Too bad Cheney didn’t march into the AIP*C conference to Darth Vaders Theme with his black robe billowing behind him.

*John Sununu is now dumping on Abu Gonzales…Circling the bowl like a lone kernal that Alberto is.

-GSD

Everythingseemssoneat @ 84

AIPAC appear to like Dick Cheney just fine.

If you are so inclined call your reps this week let them know what you feel about Aipac, and the disproportionate amount of influence that Israel via Aipac’s lobbying efforts has on U.S. foreign policy.

Crap and Fan = Mess

Furor Over Baptist’s Gay - Baby Article

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 14, 2007
Filed at 6:31 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) — The president of the leading Southern Baptist seminary has incurred sharp attacks from both the left and right by suggesting that a biological basis for homosexuality may be proven, and that prenatal treatment to reverse gay orientation would be biblically justified.

selise @ 69

njprogressive @ 59

The best thing I’ve read today about the supplemental appropriations bill was over at The American Prospect. Mike Tomasky has a wet blanket of reality to lay on all of us.

i might be able to understand why some dems would make this calculation (vote to fund the war inorder to keep their seats), but what i can’t understand is why would WE (the netroots) support that?

PLEASE, PLEASE… can someone explain to me why we are supporting giving george bush more money for his war? please tell me i am being stupid/ignorant and walk me through it…

You are not “being stupid/ignorant”. However, due to your compulsion to insist on logic and reason makes it impossible to walk you through it.

Schumer has questions… (at TPM Muckraker)

3. Who at the Department of Justice was responsible for inserting a line into the USA PATRIOT Act in March 2006 that allows the appointment of interim U.S. Attorneys without Senate approval? Did the President know of or approve this effort?

BusChen has answers…

Jane, I love you for your visionary spirit and your wicked writing. You are in my thoughts. xxoo VG

Hugh @ 80

There’s an enormous amount of kabuki going on here.

ok, then we can kabuki too. pretend to support this bill (but really don’t)… and then when it fails, be glad while blaming the republicans (of both parties *g*).

?

nah, that’s too complicated.

there are more options than just the purse available to the Congress.

even if that’s so, i don’t see the other options being used.

hugh, thanks for trying to help me understand… but, i still just don’t get it. sigh.

Hah!

The Pentagon Strikes Back.

Khalid Sheik Mohammed has confessed to everything including 9/11!

Yep. A big fat terror related story to bump the Alberto Gonzales/Karl Rove story off the front page.

Now we’ll be treated to a drip, drip, drip of juicy details.

-GSD

Mutant Poodle @
4

I wish the DC Dems would tell Holy Joe to take a hike, but given that they won’t, I have to hope that come January 1, 2009, Mr. Lieberman will be totally neutered and just counting the days until his retirement in (ugh) 2012.

Has anyone thought about the possible repercussions of a nomination of Joe Lieberman for the post of AG, should it become available? Seems to me it has the possibility of solving a few of Georgie’s problems with one stroke.

I was thinking the other day that G W would almost have to nominate a democrat in order to get Senate confirmation for a new AG. Then it hit me that if he nominates Lieberman, there is a possibility of his confirmation, with the added advantage of taking away Democratic majority in the Senate. Even counting Senator Tim Johnson, who is still hospitalized, Dems would still have only 50-50 split, with the VP breaking any ties.

I know Jane thinks Joe isn’t going anywhere, but as I pointed out before, that’s what the Repugs thought when they tried to punish Jim Jeffords for not walking the company line. Then Jim went Independent and caucused with Dems when they offered him a committee chairmanship. Somebody please prove to me I’m wrong! Please!

Update: Senator Sununu has become the first Repug to call for Gonzo’s resignation.

GSD @ 94

Hah!

The Pentagon Strikes Back.

Khalid Sheik Mohammed has confessed to everything including 9/11!

Yep. A big fat terror related story to bump the Alberto Gonzales/Karl Rove story off the front page.

Now we’ll be treated to a drip, drip, drip of juicy details.

-GSD

Roves porcine behind in a tub of gravy, simmer till done.

THIS VIDEO AT RAW STORY IS REALLY WORTH WATCHING

Video: Special report on Iraq’s growing refugee crisis
David Edwards Tuesday March 13, 2007

In a Channel 4 News special, Jonathan Miller reports on the millions of Iraqi refugees fleeing their homeland in the wake of an ongoing war.

“They’ve escaped from hell in Iraq, but now they’re stuck here in limbo,” reports Miller on the roughly one million Iraqi refugees who have fled to Syria. “Many are destitute, most are illegal. They can’t get health care, there’s no schooling, and no jobs. And there’s always that looming threat of summary deportation.”

In Jordan, as in Syria, Iraqis who flee the war are not officially recognized as political refugees, but instead are considered temporary visitors, thus denying them any permanent residence or work permits. Jordan has currently stopped accepting refugees.

Resentment toward the United States and Britain for not taking in refugees is expressed by many. “The Brits and Americans brought this disaster on us, they’re the occupiers, the solution is also in their hands. They brought their armies across the continents, so surely they can solve this,” said an unidentified refugee interviewed by Miller. “Let them get us out of this mess.”

An accompanying article for the video below is available at Channel 4 News.

“Do we look that stupid?”

Evidently we do look that stupid to the Blue Dogs, and maybe even to some Ordinary Donkeys. Those of us who are not their constituents must nevertheless remind such curs that they are no longer slinking through the shadows. Many, many dog catchers are watching them now, oh so very closely. All is light.

Please keep listing their little names.