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In the wake of the completely chickenshit statements from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton regarding whether or not they would agree to filibuster FISA -- with holes so big you could drive a truck through -- it's clear that both are passively helping the telecoms to jam this through while taking credit for quote-unquote "opposing" it.
As Atrios says, to the phones. Call the offices of Obama and Clinton and ask them to give a simple, Biden-esque answer to the question -- will you support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity to the telecoms?
* Clinton Presidential: (703) 469-2008
* Clinton Senate: (202) 224-4451
* Obama Presidential: (866) 675-2008
* Obama Senate: (202) 224-2854
This kind of mealy-mouthed equivocation allows the telecoms to twist arms and build momentum behind the scenes. A clear statement, on the other hand, puts pressure on the judiciary committee and on other senators to declare themselves.
If they want to take a position as unabashed corporatists, this is the way to do it. On the other hand, if they want to stand in the tradition of Bobby Kennedy and Chris Dodd and say "no more" to enabling corporate criminals, they know what to do.
And by the way, Senator Obama? You can only oppose something if you actually show up to do it. While we realize your social calendar is a bit crowded these days, I think you've gone to that well once too often. In a world of gray-haired ancients, the presence of someone young and strong such as yourself on the Senate floor for a filibuster would be a welcome addition to this fight.
Glenn Greenwald has more. Stoller and Howie too.
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Jane!
HA!
Obama kinda gives me the willies.
Good morning Jane!
OC, you’re fast. Must be that cawfee. **holds out cup** Congrats, Ann.
I’m going to call. And I’m going to watch Obama and Clinton very carefully. Be leaders, instead of simulated leaders, please.
O.T.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday ordered new measures to improve government oversight of private guards who protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq, including extensive cultural awareness training for contractors.
Lesson 1) If they’re Brown don’t shoot them down!!
I’m dialing!
Clinton’s people “are not authorized to speak on that subject.” So that’s a no. Obama;s office is giving the same line. So another no.
(If anyone is interested: my demand for an apology from Nancy Pelosi)
To my left, there is a small clock. In a digital world where the time is printed on nearly everything from televisions to the computer screen where I write, its presence is not needed; yet, I keep it there for I find it comforting. The gentle tick, tick, tick reminds me that with each second’s passing, the world passes too. Each second then becomes of greater import.
Yesterday, Nancy Pelosi and her gang of kowtowing Republican worshiping sycophants broke another good man. They forced Congressman Pete Stark to apologize to George Bush for daring to speak the truth on the floor of the House of Representatives. Representative Stark apparently forgot that, in America, the truth must never be uttered without suffering severe consequences. The Speaker’s particular act of high treason to the spirit of America has incensed me enough to spend a few moments reminding her of why the honorable Congressman spoke from his heart, and why it was wrong to stomp on his heart with her designer - captivatingly expensive - pumps.
“U.S. Sgt. Todd A. Singleton of Muskegon, Michigan was killed in Iraq on Easter Sunday last year. Singleton, 24, died of wounds suffered when his unit was ambushed outside Baghdad by enemy forces using explosives and small arms fire. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq — and one of 10 U.S. soldiers and Marines killed Easter weekend.
“Singleton is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his 6-month-old daughter, Emma; his parents, Donna and Arthur Dykhouse and Douglas and Brenda Singleton, all of Muskegon; and seven brothers and sisters” (from The Muskegon Chronicle)
Nancy, this is what needs to be apologized for. Do you understand that? Todd Singleton’s wife Stephanie who still cries herself to sleep at night because of a war that Bush wanted so badly he was willing to lie and say and do anything to have. Their little girl she will never be able to look at it without seeing Todd looking back at her, bringing the sadness once more.
The little girl, Emma, now more than a year old - walking by now, though Todd never will see her, who will never know anything of the Iraq Study Group who formulated the lies and coordinated the media blitz to bring the war to fruition. Emma only knows that her daddy is dead and died in a war she does not understand. She thinks that she does not understand because she is a child: but we do not understand and we are not. Where is the apology to Emma for growing up without her father, Nancy? On her wedding day, who will walk with her? When she needs her father, who will be there?
Where is the apology to the parents who will someday need their son Todd to help them and not have him? The son they were so proud of is now only a few pictures in a book, a collection of VHS videos, and memories that fade with each day. Where is their apology? Every family dinner will have a piece missing: will Bush apologize to them?
Tick, tick, tick: the clock reminds me that time has passed and another soldier has died. Another family has been devastated and Bush continues on his way drumming up support for another war that you will approve of, as you have approved of this war by not stopping it. You are in charge, Speaker. You break people who confront the ugliness of war and reward those who enable it. Why don’t you apologize? The clock ticks off the seconds while we wait: tick tick tick
Middle east hearing.
Ros lehtinen beating the war drums “Iran is a threat to us and our allies”
Ros Lehtinen pushing hard for economic sanctions against Iran. Based on what Ros Lehtinen? Based on what.
You can tell Ros Lehtinen does not like that funds are being sent to moderate Palestinians
Curses! EPU’d again!
*mooches some of OC’s coffee*
Any fax numbers? I’d be happy to fax in!
You’re on fire this morning Jane, I love it!
DrenchedOtter @ 13
Eeek. Maybe a slightly different metaphor?? o.O
Obama: has proven he’s not ready for Prime Time. He’s in love with the idea of being the President, all the rest of that inconsequential stuff like actual “Leadership” can come later amid parsing and equivocation. Note to Barack: we’ve been there and done that… See: Bush, G.W. for an example.
Clinton: must have an on-demand focus group to quickly test their wording for statements as carefully constructed as hers. Sorry HRC, we just don’t NEED (or want) a dynasty.
The one thing that HRC and Obama have in common? A true lack of anything resembling actual Leadership.
DWD at #10: Wow. That’s intense. A very effective way of “framing” the issue. Our discourse needs more of that powerful storytelling.
Middle east
On Iran
Condi Rice “we are committed to a diplomatic effort, but a diplomatic effort must have teeth”
Ros- Lehtinen did not like want Condi Rice had to say about Iran
Refugee problem comes up..wow
peanutbutter - you got any info on the fire? cbs2 just said that Live Oak Canyon (there from Cooks Corner to O’Neal Park) is on fire… walked down and took a look (I’m up on the Plano) and it doesn’t look worse than last night… but it is very, very warm next to the canyon.
Kathleen @ 11
I heard a good report on Democracy Now yesterday that even though a majority of Americans believe that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb, and believe that they are funding armed insurgents inside Iraq, I think it was 78% of Americans oppose an attack on Iran. So the message is being heard, but the idea that we have to go killing innocent people as a result just doesn’t wash.
DWD @ 10…
Why that’s olbermann…esk!!
I love it. I think I will copy it and send it to her from me!!
peanutbutter @ 12
HRClinton fax #’s
DC (202) 228 0282
Albany (518) 431 0128
*****
Obama fax #’s
DC (202) 228 4260
Chicago (312) 886 3514
Any meaning here:
Susan McCue returns to Harry Reid fold apparently to bridge the breach with “activists” on the war.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.....democrats/
Jane?
peanutbutter @ 14
I’m sorry! I thought of that after I hit the “submit” button. I hope everyone is safe.
of course I meant Olbermann…esque.
OldCoastie @ 3
While Obama does not give me the willies, he does not impress me as much as I expected him too. So far, he hasn’t met his promise when he first came to prominence. OTOH, although Hillary has run a better campaign than I expected, she has negatively impressed me with her stance on some of the issues, including this one and most certainly the Kyl/Lieberman amendment.
DWD: Wow. And wow. Thank you.
Lindy @ 5
Thanks, Lindy! Once in a while, I try harder.
Please copy and distribute: and thanks. I usually post at Atrios but I read here every day and post occasionally. Thanks for making me welcome.
drinksforall @ 7
Yeah, if you go around killing unarmed civilians, your punishment is you have to read a really thick manual. Way to be tough there, Condi.
Middle east hearing
The Iraqi refugee issue
Condi Rice “we are working on multiple fronts” We are pushing the Iraqi government to deal with this situation. They have given 25 million to the UN Iraqi refugee fund. We are working on education for the Iraqi children who are refugees
Condi said that there are places in Iraq that refugees want to return to but that often there is “essentially no place for them to return to” houses have been destroyed.
OT, w/ apologies.
OldCoastie!
How are you guys doing today? I just now got to the toobz and haven’t had time to catch up with the rest of the pack.
DWD @ 28
Thanks for coming. That was excellent.
It’s important that we tell Obama and Clinton that they need to do more than simply “support” Senator Dodd on this. They need to be down on that floor actively participating in the filibuster! They need to prevent the 10 Democrats who can bring the vote to the floor from doing so!
No more of this talk of immunizing the Telcoms…retroactively or prospectively. Like everyone else they need to obey the Constitution.And if the Bush Administration has been telling them otherwise, then nail them as well with indictments of misprision of felony!
I don’t understand Obama’s strategy. As his team of “Those Who Know Better” sit around their conference room tables, and wonder why they can’t seem to get traction in the polls (which is highly suspect IMHO), I wonder why they don’t decide to, “Go left, young man.” Do they not notice the groundswell of support that comes from something like Dodd’s actions of last week, or how Edwards gets a boost when he strongly advocates a Liberal position? If he took a Liberal stand on a issue or two, I think he’d get a big bump in the polls and donations, without alienating the false “centrists.”
Instead, he’s trying to out “Hillary” Hillary. That’s not gonna get you anywhere, dude, except maybe a VP nod from her. Maybe that’s what’s it’s all about? Sad…
No matter what happens here, note that Dodd stood up first. For this issue (and for Iraq) to get noticed, the presidential candidates have to take clear stands.
One thing you can also do–like I did last night–is call friends and relatives in NH and IA. Particularly in NH, Dodd’s message should resonate; it’s consistent with the longstanding libertarian undercurrent in NH politics.
And also email yesterday’s FDL session. Dodd makes his own points more strongly than we can make them for him.
It’s clear that Obama and Clinton are running consultant driven campaigns (here’s John Dean on how that worked out for Kerry: Virtually Speaking Windows Media clip)). It’d be very nice to see a little Dodd spikelet come from this when they do their trending polls.
drinksforall @ 7
How inadvertently hilarious. Condi wants to make kinder, gentler hired thugs.
Glenn Greenwald Nails It:
Chris Dodd’s leadership vs. Clinton and Obama’s game playing
Clinton and Obama are not “following” Dodd’s lead.
Clinton and Obama are trying to do everything they can to not commit to telecom immunity.
The statements from Clinton and Obama are designed to muddy the waters just enough to avoid pressure from the netroots.
Clinton’s Presidential campaign office staffer told me Clinton’s position on the matter were posted at her website
hillarylandhillaryclinton.comIt’s not the focus groups that is providing the answers for Hillary…it the fat-cat corporate lobbyists who are running her campaign. what has she ever done to demonstrate real leadership? If all progressives can unite behind Dodd we might get the results we want in the ‘08 election.
From the Department of Oh Puhleeeze
“Washington Wire was a little stunned to receive a press release today hawking disgraced former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown as “available for interviews” to discuss the wildfire crisis in Southern California.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/.....-of-a-job/
DrenchedOtter @ 32
Agree. Welcome and Bravo.
Are you granddad?
zennurse @ 40
These people have absolutely no sense of irony. Or shame, either.
OldCoastie @ 18
I know they pulled out of there yesterday saying it was too dangerous but by evening were back in there. But I’m not sure about this morning, I’m catching up on everything at the moment… Last I heard last night was that the fires were moving both south (Portola, Trabuco canyon) and east (Silverado, Cleveland nat’l forest).
Some statistics to take note of. 420,424 acres burned, 1,115 homes burned, 881,500 people evacuated.
Other than that, though…It’s looking very calm this morning, which should be a help. I’m by Lemon Heights, so I can’t see the fires directly at the moment.
DWD!
Your post at 10 is terrific. Thanks for sharing. ;->
DrenchedOtter @ 19
about a year ago I read a poll that reported that 70% of Americans believed that Iran presently had a Nuclear “weapons” program. How could Americans not believe this. Just after the invasion of Iraq the warmongers (Cheney, Kristol, Bolton, Ledeen, Woolsey, Ros Lehtinen) started beating the war drums against Iran. They have been repeating unsubstantiated claims about Iran all over the MSM. These claims have gone for the most part unchallenged. I have many examples of this.
Somehow the fact that Iaea’s El Baradei has continued to ask the inflammatory rhetoric to be turned down, the “cakewalk in Iraq” zealots turned up the heat. El Baradei has stated that Iran poses “no imminent threat” and that there is “no hard evidence” to back up these claims.
Has anyone been doing any research on the effectiveness of these exercises, as far as the primary aim is concerned? Speaking of mass psychology…
Btw, OT, has anyone taken notice of the mass hysteria in schools across the nation involving reported outbreaks or, more significantly, fears of outbreaks of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otherwise known as staph? Is it another case of fearmongering, affecting the pathway of the developing brain from the amygdala to the cortex? Just thought I’d ask.
peanutbutter @ 43
That would be for all of southern California, not just O.C. of course!
Ed Deevy @ 39
Hillary’s handlers could take her out.
OldCoastie @ 3
i agree. the degree to which the MSM talked up his charisma, in the absence of any policy discussion, seemed eerily reminiscent of the media narratives about bush’s and reagan’s charisma (admittedly, reagan was before my time). i go to school in new hampshire and have seen his events; his campaign events are all focused on him talking to the audience, never taking questions. he actually seems very averse to audience input or participation most of the time. and there hasn’t been a whole lot of leadership, as the current debacle shows. interesting to see what’s going on with his campaign now that the MSM have abandoned him to go to work for Clinton/Giuliani.
Possibly some good news.
Turns out that the “Blue Dog” Democrats and many Republicans facing re-election in 2008 have checked in with their local offices and found that they were facing a maelstrom of criticism on their SCHIP votes.
Poor babies are trying to work out an agreement to revive SCHIP in some “modified” form that is mainly superficial (like reducing some of the adult coverage that “might” be interpreted as occuring innthe bill). That way they can at least save face.
The agree that the WH requests are simply not going to be a part of the bill, now that they realize just how much they screwed up.
The “Heather” (Wilson…is apparently in the vangaurd of “Republican negotiators” who are desperate for a new bill.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/chi.....V5_WrTVpoA
No, I am not granddad. Just a soon to be retired teacher. (Fifth grade) and writer.
EvilDrPuma @ 36
the Iraq government has said contract personnel are no longer immune to Iraqi laws.
sorry,i’ve been looking at so many sites i lost the one that was posted on.
peanutbutter, OldCoastie and other CA critters.
Please stay safe. You’re in our hearts.
Any news from OKKiddo about his daughter?
bonkers @ 34
I think he knows there’s no way Hillary would offer him VP. I think he’s swallowed the idea that whoever gets the most money wins, so he’s going after the same back room bosses that Hillary is.
Christy: I want to apologize for my freak-out yesterday morning in reference to the Washington Journal interview with Flynt Leverett. I watched it again in C-SPAN archives and he did run out of time. The chaos here at home in the morning with kids getting ready for school is too much of a distraction for me and I missed the ending statement by the host. I’m sorry for the disruption I caused in your thread and I apologize to the the lakers here for my behavior.
At work. What’s going on with Southwick?
Obama just wants to get along with everyone and be nice and bipartisian. Clinton is pretty much a corporate hack.
And I cannot believe Pete Stark caved.
I’m losing hope fast….
DWD @ 51
Ah!
Those who can, do.
Those who can do more, teach!
;->
Adie @ 53
Yes, he got ahold of her yesterday afternoon. She’s fine.
pb - it’s the fire in Trabuco Canyon that’s got me worried and now that it is not “all fire, all the time” on the local stations, info is getting harder to come by. The whole neighborhood was out last night, watching the fires all along the ridges. It was impressive, but not in a good way.
Adie @ 53
News from the last thread says they heard from her and she is safe.
KinMO, It’s easy to assume the worse because we live without proper oversight from congress.
Hillary is no surprise, she’s made her national political career out of triangulating on every issue. She wants to avoid offending anyone, apparently now including powerful corporate lobby interests.
Obama continues to show himself to be the “hindmost” when it comes to any issue, waiting until it’s completely safe before taking a position or simply not being there at all. On the day of the MoveOn condemnation vote he was able to vote for the alternative bill that included condemning the swiftboaters, but somehow missed the MoveOn vote which was held a mere hours later. Nothing has shown more clearly, I think, what a failure as an actual leader he is. Obama shows time and again he offers nothing but rhetoric.
Both Hillary and Obama had an opportunity they could have seized over this FISA bill. But neither had the desire to step up. When Dodd did, they waited days to follow his leadership, and they’ve done so in the weakest manner possible. Stunning campaign strategy, I so look forward to either one of them being the nominee. “I just want to be in charge” rings out as quite an inspiring vision.
Middle east hearing
Wow Rep Dana Rohrabacher bringing up some critical I/P issues. Brought up how Condi is actually trying to support the “voices of moderation and compromise”
Rohrabacher brings up WATER under the West Bank and why Israel has not been willing to negotiate on West Bank issues.
he just stepped out more than anyone else on the I/P issue.
Still no mention of Israel’s continued expansion of illegal settlements and confiscation of more Palestinian land via the wall.
Stoller:
I don’t want to diminish the utility of Obama and Clinton coming out against this bill. But at certain moments in history, principled clarity is what’s required in a political leader. America is in a bad situation, and it’s problematic that our leaders have and continue to betray us at all levels. I suppose clarity isn’t required all the time, but it is surprising that neither Clinton nor Obama could offer clarity on such an obvious matter.
Big business shouldn’t be allowed to break the law. It’s not a tough call, and it doesn’t require caveats.
Call and ask Obama and Clinton to filibuster any bill that offers immunity.
Jan @ 57
Then hope in something more worthwhile. Lots of good stuff going on. Jump in.
OldCoastie @ 60
Yes, it’s got me worried as well. The winds being down has got to help, though, I’m hoping that’s enough.
I’m trying to find any forums that are regularly updated with local ppl’s observations, but haven’t yet…
JF @ 61
Stay safe.
done. the sentor’s offices are taking zipcodes - and both said that they were happy to hear from people out of state. what this means is that the senators are judging which way the wind is blowing on this. be the wind!
p.s. also called my senators on southwick nomination to ask them to vote against cloture. kennedy is going to be out of dc for another week and no position from kerry yet.
While the workings of the Senate and the Presidential campaigns is important….
What about the House? Has Ms. Pelosi made a statement? I am ready to support her independent challenger. The establishment has recently been highlighted to have failed us. And Rahm will continue to actively pursue what I consider failure (to achieve needed progress).
In a post about disappointments, Pelosi is a vast disappointment that needs some disdain too.
EvilDrPuma @ 36
Lesson 2) Arabic is essential if you are to express yourself in a different cultural context.
Two phrases that are quite useful are “I’ll blow you away, dhimmi Shiite b**ch dog” and “No Minister, we did not fire first, we came under fire by a gang of armed underage criminals”.
BTW I thought that last week Condi terminated the use of Blackwater in escorting US diplomats….even though the nasty incident made public was the murders that occurred escorting a Polish diplomat.
So has she rescinded her previous position? Or did these foreign diplomats say “we don’t want them either”.
And what about the Iraqi government throwing them out? Or is Condi rescinding what the sovereign leaders of Iraq said, too?
isaachowley @ 49
I’m sorry to hear that. I saw Obama speak in Iowa, he gave an OK 20 minute speech but where he was really good was taking spontaneous questions from the audience, which he did for 40 minutes. If they’re muzzling him now, that’s really dumb.
BIIIIIG HUG for Jane, for cutting through the bullshit like a radial arm saw…
:o)
And, Goddammit, I know Edwards isn’t IN the senate anymore, but HE should be up on his hind legs, making this a campaign issue. It would not be hard for americans to understand it.
Jan @ 57
Obama makes me gag these days. I’ve had enough “nice and bipartisan” from some-a these guys to last more than my lifetime. Enough!
Hear-yee, candidates!
Either STAND UP, or you might as well drop out A.S.A.P. & save those millions.
alank @ 46
Without bogging down in an OT topic, it is the “MR” part of the infection which causes concern, it means “Methicillin Resistant”. this is becoming a ubiquitous infection which can be difficult to detect, treat and does kill. The stats are correct and the issue is real, requiring a considered and national response. I see a lot of MRSA and patients who have to be treated on top of treatment for whatever the promary illness is. Our resident MD’s may have more to say at another time, but I wanted to respond briefly. This is no attempt fo foment hysteria, it is linked to a campaign to educate appropriate gatekeepers (coaches, day care providers, schools) about how to protect kids from this infection.
end
Jan @ 57
i’ve got a feeling(hope it’s on song)
Stark is the pebble that starts the landslide.
he spoke truth.
he shone a light on unacceptable manipulation.
he will probably do it again.
he won’t be the only one.
selise @ 69
be the wind!
that’s good! if they are looking for which way the wind is blowing we’ll show them.
i KNOW the candidates have people keeping up with the blogs, especially, the ones with good traffic, like FDL.
John! How long are going to wait to make a move?
Or are you going to make one at all?
(Several UN-smiley faces in a row….)
Rep Faleomavaega ask the hard question about Iran will the Bush administration “shoot first and ask questions later”
He asked about Cheney’s comments about Iran
Faleomavaega also asked about arms sales and ask about the US starting another “arms race” in the middle east.
Condi Rice reaffirms that the Bush administration is committed to “diplomacy with Iran”
Not sure why Lantos cut Rep Faleomaveaga off wonder was he sensing that he might get to close to other critical questions about the middle east.
Jane, I wholeheartedly endorse calling them to ask their positions on this bill. But I’m not sure it is a good thing to force them to say things they may later have to retract. I’d like to see some clever resolution to the issue that would punish the telecoms in more consumer friendly ways. So, if the constitutional issues were resolved but telecom immunity goes forward *provided there are concessions from them and full disclosure of their involvement with the Bushies*, it would be Ok with me to vote for the bill.
Just sayin’
A quibble, Jane:
TeddySanFran was making the important point yesterday evening that what Biden was asked if he would *join* the filibuster. Hillary and Obama’s statements say they would support it.
Your language up top…
…is what they’ve got at the core of their statements, surrounded of course with other dodges.
I’m also for using “amnesty for telecom lawbreakers” rather than telecom immunity, but will leave that for another day.
OT But I thought these two items were interesting.
Apparently the CIA got its great ideas about extraordinary rendition from the South Koreans.
“South Korean CIA Admits Kidnapping of Former President from Japan”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200.....fSk56s0NUE
Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter better start looking over their shoulders!
And this indicates why many of those still in Iraq have latched onto the idea that they are actually making progress.
“Civil War Soldiers Told Each Other Lies To Keep Morale UP”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livesc.....xTpN.yvtEF
Jan @ 57
Hey now, buck up camper!
I won’t even mention the huge political platonic shifts we’ve helped create in just a couple years, but even the whole Stark thing is a very positive development.
The wolves in Democrats’ clothing are being exposed one by one. We’re getting to see who we can really trust to protect the Constitution.
I understand that it’s deflating to see how bad the problem really is and how far we have to go, but at least now there can be an honest discussion about primary-ing Pelosi and people like her, when just a couple of months ago you’d be roundly chastised, even at such a switched on place like FDL, as I found out.
This is good. Couple this with all the under-the-radar work Howard Dean is doing to rebuild the Party one state at a time, and the fact that the netroots have a fairly solid infrastructure in place now, I’d say we’re in better shape than I can ever remember. Let’s git ‘er dun!
zennurse @ 22
And who is Susan McCue?
Middle east hearing when Lebanon came up there was absolutely no mention of the
http://www.ynetnews.com/articl.....89,00.html
Report: Cluster bombs still killing Lebanese
Land mine activists say bombs dropped by Israel on southern Lebanon in its month-long war with Hizbullah are still killing or injuring three to four civilians a day, a third of them children. Report says it will take another year or two to get situation under control
Reuters
Published: 10.19.06, 07:23 / Israel News
Cluster bombs dropped by Israel on southern Lebanon in its month-long war with Hizbullah are still killing or injuring three to four civilians a day, a third of them children, land mine activists said on Wednesday.
A co-worker received this Scariest Democrats email for Halloween. Link to it here (warning-gop.com page)
I heard on some news show, or maybe Hardball (I only caught the last 10 minutes or so after my appt.) that the Rethugs stance on the war and on Iran is starting to jell. The reason, the panelists agreed, was that while Democrats equivocate and cannot hit on one unified position on the war or even the importance of finding a position and sticking to it, all the Rethugs are backing up the President’s current position and it’s starting to get traction. I’m hoping that’s not true, but I fear it may have some element of truth to it, because our leadership so badly sucks. Even when they know what to do, they don’t do it.
ccmask @ 86
Another yawner from the people who brought you unending war and government bathtub drownings.
I just called CLinton’s office and asked her staff if she has any idea of how many AQ there are? Total silence. She doesn’t have a clue?
So we have a senator’s aid who has no idea of the “magnitude” of the enemy?
We have been propagandized big time.
It’s 1984 and Brave New World in 2007.
Jan @ 57
Stark caved because otherwise Pelosi was gonna let the vote go forward. Someone here mentioned it yesterday. They called Stark’s office.
Middle east hearing
Rep Pence pledging his allegiance to Israel. He is worried by what he heard on the radio driving to work today. He is worried that he heard that the Bush administration is committed to “the creation of a Palestinian state” and that this would be the focus of the Middle east conference coming up.
He sayed to Condi that our commitment should be to Israel and Israel only. Pence “I pledge allegiance to Israel”
pbutter et al.
Thank you much for the news. I think OKK was probably about to climb the walls yesterday as it was, and then that idiotic trollie-ack showed up to tease, snark & twist the knife … it was just too much.
It sure be hard for elephants to submerge gracefully into the Lake, tho, ain’t it?! heh.
Apologies for the interruptions. I’ll just lurk now, while I pester me some congresscritters & preznitial wannabees.
Thanks for your indulgence. ;->
Dianne Feinstein on the local channel being pompous about our fires and saying helpful stuff like, “well these developments shouldn’t be there!”… how about shutting up and making sure we have more equipment available? a few more air tankers for the state would have made a massive difference…
she’s just really talking out her ass…
I like Senator Dodd and donated to his campaign months ago. I am supporting Biden after wrestling with choosing between them. They are good people and I would be happy to see either of them in the White House. They have both been in the Senate for decades, and you can find votes in both their records that you will not like. That is what happens when the clerk calls your name and you have to say where you stand, unless you don’t show up to vote at all.
The trashing that Biden gets in the comments of this site, as in response to the last post, is unfair. He has been there for minorities, and for the Constitution, and has been an advocate for women for years. When you get a flyer in your doctor’s office telling you that you can get a free mammogram if you can’t afford it, that is thanks to Biden. The Violence Against Women Act was authored by Biden. In 2005-06 he got a 92% rating from the ACLU; Dodd got 80%. NAACP: Biden 100%, Dodd 90%. That “Yes” that Biden gave to (Teddy’s?) question about the filibuster was not out of character for him in the slightest.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 84
Never mind. I read the article. And why would Commander Codpiece appoint here to some position for? Something smells fishy. And how is she gonna help with the activists? Reid needs to grow a fuc-ing spine!!! Why does he need McCue to tell him that?
Obama speaks in paragraphs and drives me crazy.
I’m switching from Edwards to Dodd.
The only thing that will save us from Bush, is an old-fashioned legal indictment (like Gonzo).
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 90
Yes, pretty clear that if you get up to offer an apology a minute after the vote to table, it was a choreographed affair.
Lot of folks are saying that they don’t see evidence of pressure from Pelosi, the motion was tabled after all. However, it seems clear that Pelosi was saying that more Dems would vote to Censure if he didn’t cave.
seems to me all the CA politicians are currently involved in massive butt-covering.
Christy has a new thread:
We, The People