I listened to quite a bit of the hearings yesterday on C-Span radio. Hayden insisted the program was legal, according to the legal branch of the Bush Administration's echo chamber. This needs to go before a judge for a ruling, and the Bush administration has done everything possible to keep that from happening. If it were legal, they would insist on judicial review to silence the critics and to show how "weak on terra" the critics are.

But instead, they are fugitives from justice and use the political tactic of accusing the critics of wanting to give our battle plans to the enemy. The Hayden nomination, as well as anything the Bush administration wants to do, should be held as ransom until the FISA court renders a ruling on this program. They are notoriously tight lipped, therefore securing our national secrets.

Wow, I got a shock when I opened up this blog today. Good for Howard Dean, more statements like this MUST be made. It shows that the Democratic leadership is making their statement.

Hayden was involved in the NSA spying program and he lied about it.

Nice Try Hayden! Nice try Bush! Nice try Rove!

Not only am I opposed to General Hayden's involvement in the spying program; but I am opposed to the nomination of General Hayden because I am opposed to any type of Military Control of the General Population of the United States by Military Forces of any kind. Duly constituted law enforcement as sanctioned by law constituted by Congress and signed into law by either Executive or Legislative Override is the only type of Posse Comitatus that I support, anything else is going down the slippery slope to Authoritarian Control by the Military of a Dictator.

It is very dangerous for Democracy to have Military Control over Civil Affairs because Congress, the Law and the People are not in the Chain of Command of the Military and this can result quickly in Autocracy and Dictatorship and it appears this is what the Bush Administration is trying to accomplish.

The above post by MarthaA is actually a ThomasG Post. For some reason when I sign on to the internet this site for reasons known only to the management of this site shows Martha's name on my Account. We have separate accounts and this site should not be mixing the two accounts together.

Unfortunately nothing will stop this from happening. Democrats have become their own worst enemies.

They keep saying they don't want to use the filibuster until something really important comes along because they are afraid they will lose the right to filibuster.

Do it anyway and then stop the country's biz if Rethugs move to change the filibuster rules to prevent filibusters.

But they won't. That takes courage and dems have none and when one of theirs does take a courageous stand, like Feingold did, they scurry like rats leaving a sinking ship and pretend they have no idea of who this guy is.

So if stopping someone who is bound and determined to say the consitution holds no legal sway over anything they say or do, is not important enough to filibuster over, THEN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT IS!!

They COULD stop this if they wanted to but instead will opt out so they don't offend anyone except their base. It would be easy to stop Hayden's confirmation but, as usual, our dems keep taking the wrong side and cowardly taking the easy way out. Don't want to make any waves and don't want to make anyone give them a nasty look.

I swear to God, not a ball between them.

Not one.

Why this Democratic Blog's management tries to make my brother and I be the same is unbelievable.
MillerMarthaA@sbcglobal.net is a seperate account from MillerThomasG@sbcglobal.net and we are two completely different individuals. I would like management of this blog to please quit putting my name, MarthaA on ThomasG's account because it is a ludicrous endeavor.

General Hayden needs to get out of the Military Chain of Command and become a CIVILIAN to qualify for confirmation over a civil branch of government.

If General Hayden had good intentions he would have already given up his "military command" of the militaries armed forces in the United States and not be making it a bone of contention.

Since General Hayden has neither given up his "military command" nor has General Hayden been requested to give up his "military command", one can only conclude that General Hayden and the Bush Administration's intention is to rule militarily, like Hitler, over the CIA and exclude Congress, the Law and Civil Authority in favor of DIRECT MILITARY CONTROL "autocratically" by King George of the Bush Administration, fulfilling a full blown AUTOCRACY.

I am against the way these Confirmation Hearings are being conducted without General Hayden giving up his "military command". I am against General Hayden not voluntarily giving up his "military command" and I am against the type of deceitful person General Hayden is as a leader of a civil branch of government.

Buzz:

Most of the supposed Democrats in Congress are not Democrats but Republicans. We call them Republican-lite, but they aren't lite. The RIGHT-WING has deceitfully infiltered the LEFT-WING and now the LEFT will have to somehow weed the Republicans out of the party in the upcoming Democratic primaries that, though not certain, but I think the Democratic Primaries will be held in July. Anyway I'm looking forward to weeding our Democratic garden. Our real Democrats had better keep a close eye out on Election Day because the voting machines are prepared in favor of Republicans or Republican-lites in this case.

I don't usually see many contrary positions here, so I'll try to add one. The issue of domestic spying (both the warrantless wiretaps and the pulling of phone records for everyone else) is huge in my mind, and has gotten a lot of press. However, it's not playing as well as it should with the American people. This is because the Democrats have not made the case that the spectre of Big Brother outweighs the perceived needs of the "war on terror". It's sad that we should have to do this, but that's how it is. Talking of legalities is not enough.

Given that, it seems counterproductive to me that we would fight Hayden's appointment on that basis. He is a well-qualified choice (a rarity for the Bushies) who got his legal advice from the White House Counsel. Let's use the forum to show how bad these activities are and why, but not localize it in the person of Michael Hayden. Let's keep our eye on the prize: capturing Congress and the White House. They we can install a CIA director that is untainted by the Bush power grab.

Well I keep telling you all that Bush is not a President he is a dictator. You do as I say or I will make it hard on you. Whom ever goes from the Bush regime you know that person didn't do what Bush wanted done.

As for Hayden he is another Bush puppet and he needs to be out before he gets started. Everyone needs a puppet !!!!!!
Fred
www.fredwilkes.blogspot.com

First off we as democrats must change the democratic symbol from a donkey to an eagle,its only fair and fitting,then we must fight the republican party with pure ferocity, for years the rebublicans have been the "dominate" "father party"well thats going to change because 1 this government cant be run by one party controlling the other and the president refusing to balance both equally which is his job!!!! 2 history is repeating itself,and 3 we as americans are above being so simply misled and sabotaged by bigots,rascist,and red tape. were tired of it and I have no doubt in my mind that the democratic party is the dominate superior party,and that we will win and restore america back to the great country it was before being hijacked.

Many of us are aching to get a handle on the Republican Congress and the Bush Administration this November. So it disturbs me to see such poor judgment by some in the party leadership and the failure to recognize and support the one and only good thing the Bush Admin has done for this country. Hayden is an excellent choice, one of the few honest and intelligent Bush nominations. The NSA programs are essential. We want them to tap in on international calls to suspected terrorist supporters. We do not want a repeat of the restrictions that held us back from tracking guys like Ata.

I fully support Joe Biden’s comment that if the NSA was acting illegal then we ought to make that program legal and insist the Bush Admin follow the proper process to monitor any contacts with identified suspects.

We need to win in November and the only way to do that is show we can be responsible stewards of our nation. Failing to understand the need for these types of programs to prevent terrorism will force the American people into a Hobbesian choice of an incompetent Republican administration and a Democratic leadership so hung up on attacking Bush that they can not support critical programs to protect America.

Let’s stay focused on the million and one issues that Bush has gotten wrong. His is the worst admin in American history and we and our children are paying the price for that. But the NSA programs are not the way to defeat Bush. Too many Americans understand the need for intelligence on and tracking of terrorist activity. As I read this blog I only hope that more active Democrats will re-think their knee-jerk reaction and understand the limited intrusiveness of these programs and the value they add to our defense.

Same old tactic.
Start with something illegal that is exposed, distract critisism with an act so outragious that the initial act becomes almost accepted and forgotten.

This reminds me of the fiasco when Shrub named Kissenger of all people to lead the 9/11 commission, which effectively disctacted from the fact that bush first forbid any investigation at all (it also stalled the investigation till just after they were done destroying the evidence...)

distract - distract - distract..
The house felt like they won a victory over kissenger, and all the issues that preceeded it were somehow erased from the media (and opposition) talking points.

Oh, and Martha/Thomas.
Your computer identifies you to this site using something called "cookies". The problem is at your end. Set the login to NOT remember you, log out before logging in with a new name, and clear your cookies now and then. That should resolve the issue.

It's so great to see you taking action on this! Thank you Gov. Dean!

The day after Hayden was nominated, I was so angry I started a campaign to block his confirmation.

StopHayden.org

If you want to see video evidence of Hayden botching the constitution, it's on the site - you can also contact all the members of the senate select committee on intelligence.

Hayden spied on americans for FIVE YEARS without any real oversight. He doesn't deserve a promotion!

Thanks!

Michael

StopHayden.org

However, it's not playing as well as it should with the American people.

And that is the problem. All the political strategists in the Beltway are more concerned about how things "play" or look than whether we nominate someone who could get problems solved.

We need pragmatic problem-solvers running. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom of the party leaders, these kind of candidates would be far more attractive to voters than a bunch of groomed-for-the-media hacks. People are sick of the BS. Someone who looks like Truman and talks like Ike -- and means it -- is what the public wants.

The experts were all so sure someone like Howard Dean wouldn't "play". We'll never know unless we try. It's time to give them a run.

Ageofreason, Hayden is not qualifed for the job. He's a general being assigned to a civilan post. He is obligated to obey the Commander-in-Chief. The nation needs an independent overseeing the intelligence networks.

And Hayden has already admitted that he did not present evidence to the FISA courts to get warrants before or after searches. He has no credibility. He chose to seek legal advise from the White House not the Courts. He is not fit to serve.

I was glad to this letter from Gov. Dean.I want to express an absolute huge NO! to Hayden. There are people watching this war, this government take over, this cruelty, this denial by the "Bushies" that this is a an inept ,corrupt, secretive-----let me repeat SECRETIVE decisions,of senators i a closet..... Thank God or whatever name feels right that there are senators if only one yesterday that it was the SENAtor from my state of birth and growth, WISCONSIN (though I have been gone home always sticks-I live in Oregon now).This Bush government is atrocious and their talking "FOX heads" with their schnouts growing like Pinnocho's nose, stand by this inarticulate klutz with a history of failure (which has not changed). His cronies will stand up ,whisper ideas in his pointy ears ,about loopholes to try sice everyone's sssooooooo scared he puffs up like a rooster(looks funny on a guy;) kinda like ...can't go there. Images for a moment help watching our country die -lol-We are going secret, no reporter has guts to go for the truth, so much is done behind our backs, they favor the monied, they misrepresented themselves as centerists.....and all along planned an attack on Iraq.NO, NO NO to HAYDEN. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I have loved my country all my life but have nEVER been ashamed of it and still am not.I am, howver ashamed of secret votes ,secret discussions and the men and women who are such cowards they vote in a room to add to the constitution banning gay marrige basically in a closet. What Cowards.And I expect more from these fascists who use secrets. Shame on you. Senator FEingold had it right this is not the way to govern, to role model courage. Nothing wrong with walking out of fascism-GET USED TO IT. WAKE Up. Russ is on to it, ironic . He ismy hero of the last few weeks. Takes no courage to be Bush,or Spector it does take courage to get up in front of your peers who stay for the show and leave on priciple.What the SEnate did was WRONG .HAyden can stay in a smaller closet alone and Bush will ,the warmonger, the chicken man in the guard who QUIT when he could. The privledged bully. The puppet on a string,.................Placid

Message never took! Now it will. Hum!

I am so disgusted, embarrassed, and generally put out with my party. I have voted democratic all my life and never thought the day would come that I would hear the things I have heard from demo senators and representatives. Senators Reid and Kennedy are deplorable. I can find no other reason for their action except an effort to get hispanic votes. When will our government stand up and repel the invaders flooding across our southern borders? When will our government have the courage to see that our laws are obeyed? My country is being invaded and taken over by a foreign government and our leaders are ushering them in and giving them door prizes. i.e., social security, medical care, education etc. The Democratic Party has a golden opportunity to take the lead at this critical time in our history and they are CAVING! I am afraid that demos and reps. will be surprised this Nov. I cannot think of a single person in either party that I would vote for.

I want to let you all know that if the currant legislation involving the Illegal immigrants is enacted I plan on voting against any Democrat incumbant in the coming election. And finally I will vote for a Republican in the election if I find the Democrats vote to allow this travesty to continue. No Amnesty, no "guest worker programs", $40 billion of our money is going to Mexico because of these people. I don't want our country supporting Mexico. Diseases we had eliminated are showing their ugly heads again because of those coming into this country carrying those diseases. Our schools are worse than some third world countries and I am fed up and most everyone I talk to feels the same way. Employers should be fined according to the laws already on our books for hiring these people. When 250 people are using one woman's Social Security number and the IRS plans to send the money back to those illegals who are using her number and she isn't even allowed to know who has stolen her number, something is badly wrong with our government. And that needs to be fixed!!!!!! The IRS can and should give this info to the Immigration Authorities, so they could investigate it. I don't know who conducts your polls but we don't want to support Mexico any longer!!!!!

Truman would never have been a Republican. And neither would Ike have been one today. They demanded results and accountability. The Republicans have become so incompetent, corrupt, and lying SOBs that Truman would have fired them all. Bush can't even fire Rumsfeld.

You want someone to protett you? Go see Flight 93. The Republicans leave the protecting to those being attacked. Where was Bush on 911 or during Katrina?

His answer to border security? Joy riding in a dune buggies for the cameras while Cheney guards him with birdshot and a six pack.

If you're ashamed of Democrats like Reid and Kennedy pointing out the obvious, then join the rest of the knuckleheads across the aisle. Nothing will be done about illegal aliens while the the Republicans continue to accept bribes from these cheap labor interests. Nothing.

Nothing will be done about Iraq while Halliburton is making a profit from the madness and chaos. Nothing.

Nothing will be done about the deficit and run away spending while idiots defend the practice of granting massive tax cuts to wealthy people who never needed them in the first p;ace. Nothing.

You like nothing. That's what you've got. Why aren't yuu happy with it? You come here and bitch because you know they wouldn't give you the time of day. That's fine. Come whine here anytime you want. It just confirms what we have suspected all along.

You need us.

You come here and bitch because you know they wouldn't give you the time of day. That's fine. Come whine here anytime you want. It just confirms what we have suspected all along.

You need us.

Posted by SandyH on May 20, 2006 at 10:23 AM

I love how republicans come to the DNC blog to vent...

...because the republicans don't have a blog worth a rat's ass...

...and republicans don't care about the average American.

republicans must be getting desperate for attention.

They have to post on the...

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE BLOG

...because if they don't no one will listen.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 11:18 AM

Another republican with no blog to go to.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 11:18 AM

another republican who has no solutions and can only complain about the democrats...

how pathetic.

THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTE BLOG

...should have a special thread for the republicans...

...so they can vent their frustrations over the democrats...

...so they can offer their republican solutions of getting into international quagmires, fiscal debt, and electing corrupted and spineless politicians.

THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PARTY BLOG

...has to provide a thread for the republican trolls...

...because the republican trolls aren't competent enough to provide on for themselves.

Brian: the first plan is to vote them all out, the second plan is to impeach Mr. Bush.
The rest to come, wouldn't want you republicans to still our ideas.

Look, Mike Hayden needs to answer questions about the NSA programs to the intelligence committee, whether in public or private sessions. Democrats and all Americans should be AT LEAST skeptical of Hayden and the agency's assertions that their activities are legal, if not outwardly rejecting these assurances. However, he should not be judged solely on the actions of the NSA, and Gov. Dean should certainly not come out against his nomination automatically. This was a really dumb move by Gov. Dean. Mike Hayden is well-respected by both sides of the aisle for both his skills as an intelligence officer and his personal character. If democratic senators on the floor and in the intelligence committee really don't think he is the right man for the job, they should vote against him. But that does not seem to be the case. Right now, it looks like Hayden will be confirmed with 80 or 90 votes and Dean, unfortunately, will look like an idiot.

And you were one of the ones who wanted John Kerry to run for President because he was electable, RIGHT? So, what does your opinion really mean, not much. I support Governor Howard Dean, not a defunct Kerry supporter.

wasabcl11:

My 02:53PM Post was meant for wasabcl11.

brian111:

Ditto my post to wasabcl11.

Your post does not warrant additional comment.

Benji:

Lumpen-Proletariat Republicans are the greater part of the Republican National Committee's Base and the RNC is deathly afraid that the Lumpen-Proletariat part of their base is going to catch on and realize that they are unrepresented non-constituents enabling the Working and Poor Class of which they are a part to be taken advantage of. A good example of this is that every man, woman and child of the Lumpen-Proletariat Republican Base of the Bush Administration has at this time been committed to a $30,000. debt by the Bush Administration that they and their prodgeny are committed to pay the principle and interest on. Some Lumpen-Proletariat Republicans will catch on with only a $30,000. liability, other Lumpen-Proletariat Republicans will catch on with a $60,000. liability for themselves and their prodgeny, and the dumbest of the dumb Lumpen-Proletariat Republicans, no doubt will catch on when the "borrow and spend" Bush Administration eventually commits them to $90,000. and upward of debt they and their prodgeny are committed to paying the principle and interest on.

Brian 111 3:00

Your Clinton impeachment chickens are coming home to roost. How do you like it?

Ageofreason:

You've got a point.

SandyH:

I agree with your post dated May 19, 2006 at 06:06PM and I also agree with your May 20, 2006 10:23AM Post.

Brian 111 3:51

People in glass houses should not throw stones.
Back at ya!

JackKerins:

If you are a member of the LEFT, you are deceived.

As for Joe Biden being any help to the LEFT, I have never seen it. I am of the opinion that Joe Biden is the most fickle legislator ever existed. He is always favoring the RIGHT-WING Agenda at the expense of the LEFT.

Our security at the time of 9/11 was in tact. The White House was complicit in that attack and managed to have everything turned off that would have been the nations defense against that kind of attack. Everything I have seen in this Bush Administration is ALL lies, deception, smoke and mirrors. As soon as we can get enough people changed out within the Democratic Party, this whole RIGHT-WING EXTREME REGIME needs to be impeached and brought to trial on war crimes.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 12:32 PM

Already read the rnc blog. Don't find it credible.
I'm open minded for change.

But you keep posting here at the...

Democratic National Committee Blog

...because obviously no one is listening at the rnc.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 03:51 PM

your a republican loyalist sheep...

and your republican spin tactics are old...

your not winning any converts here...

why aren't you at the rnc?

because no one at the rnc cares what you think...

why are you at the...

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE BLOG?

because the...

DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE PARTY WITH AN OPEN MIND AND A GENUINE HEART.

So keep posting here...

The Democrats are open minded enough to handle your biased opinion.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 03:51 PM

everyone knows that the republicans are running scared...

when republicans start having to blog on the...

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE BLOG...

to get people to listen to them.

Why don't we respect George W. Bush and go along with his every dishonorable, inept move?

Perhaps if he had been elected instead of appointed, there might be some sympathy for him?

Perhaps if he would actually solve a few problems instead of evade responsibility for his mistakes, we might give him the benefit of the doubt?

Perhaps if he wasn't just an actor who poses for cameras and really took the job seriously, we might respect his determination to do a job well?

Perhaps if he obeyed the Constitution and didn't break laws and then lie about it, we might think he still considered this country to be a republic instead of a dictatorship?

Perhaps if he hadn't asked his lawyers to find a way that he could torture people and evade international treaties, we might not think his gulags in Gitmo and eastern Europe were so repugnant?

Perhaps if he appointed civilians with non-disputable qualifications to head our intelligence operations instead of compromised military men, the CIA and FBI could re-group and strengthen their ranks to meet the challenges of the future.

Perhaps if he had not bankrupted the treasury to give His Base tax cuts they didn't need while never vetoing wastful spending, we would applaud his fiscal responsibility.

Perhaps if he hadn't weakened the capabilites of our military by starting an unnecessary war in Iraq, we might think he supports the troops.

Perhaps is he didn't pander to the religous right who only seek to perscecute those they deem not worthy of god's mercy while lining their own pockets, we might praise his open-minded Christan compassion?

Perhaps if he had condemned the graft and bribery on Capitol Hill instead of defending their abuses, we might think he was an honest person?

Perhaps if he hadn't ran on 9/11, the Taliban and al Queda would not been empowered to advance their cause world-wide?

Perhaps if he hadn't invaded Iraq and destablized the whole region while refusing to negotiate with emerging nuclear nations, we might not find his foreign policy so dangerous.

Perhaps if he had dealt with the hurricane emergency instead of going on fund-raising junkets, we might believe he was really interested in protecting the people and property of this nation.

Perhaps if he wasn't so interested in selling off our ports, outsourcing our jobs, and diversing our national assets to foreign nations, we wouldn't question his close friendships with dictators of oil-rich and communist nations?

Perhaps if he had enforced the existing immigration laws and stopped employers from hiring illegals, we might think he really cared about border security?

Perhaps he's just getting what he deserves?

Why are you questioning our concerns? Bush has overstepping his authority and make unforgivable, incredibly stupid decisions. The whistle blowers aren't telling our enemies anything they don't already know.

You are the only one who doesn't seem to have a clue. Send Bush another check. Money is the only thing you people seem to care about.

McCain Is Booed at Graduation Speech

Librado Romero / The New York Times

Sen. John McCain, the keynote speaker at the New School University graduation, was received with jeers, boos and insults.

The Arizona senator got heavily jeered during his commencement address for a New York university. One student banner read, “Our commencement is not your platform.”

N.Y. Times:

The jeers, boos and insults flew, as caustic as any that angry New Yorkers have hurled inside Madison Square Garden. The objects of derision yesterday, however, were not the hapless New York Knicks, but Senator John McCain, the keynote speaker at the New School graduation, and his host, Bob Kerrey, the university president.

No sooner had Mr. Kerrey welcomed the audience to the university’s 70th commencement than the hoots began to rise through the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Several graduates held up a banner aimed at Mr. McCain, an Arizona Republican and likely 2008 presidential candidate, declaring: “Our commencement is not your platform.” Other students and faculty members waved orange fliers with the same message.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 08:35 PM

looks like the republican troll now wants to dictate the debate.

why don't you open up with someone for president, stranger?

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 08:35 PM

I have stated where my presidential support has been to the regular bloggers here at...

THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE BLOG

...and now a republican troll who has no blog to turn to wants to know my position because he has no position of his own.

I want to thank the...

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE PARTY BLOG

...for giving Americans a place where they can speak out for what they believe in.

There are many disgruntled republican trolls who are here and don't share the sense of thanks for the support that the...

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE PARTY BLOG

...gives to America with their mission of strengthening America with an honest forum for debate.

If it wasn't for the...

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE PARTY BLOG

...the only other blog would be the rnc blog which republicans don't even want to go to.

Posted by brian111 on May 20, 2006 at 08:35 PM

I don't see any brilliant ideas coming out of any of your posts.

Zack Space is challenging GOP incumbent Robert Ney.

How tied up is Representative Ney with the Tom DeLay/Jack Abramoff scandal? Ney has taken:

$24,492 from Tom DeLay's ARMPAC.
$4,750 from convicted DeLay associate Jack Abramoff.
$1,250 from Abramoff associate and former DeLay staffer Tony Rudy.
$4,225 from Abramoff associate and former Bob Ney chief of staff Neil Volz.
$1,000 from former Tom DeLay chief of staff Ed Buckham, whose consulting firm closed down after Abramoff's guilty plea.

With all of these ties to the DeLay/Abramoff mess, is it any surprise that Ney has:

Voted to weaken House ethics rules when DeLay proposed doing so as GOP Majority Leader.
Voted with Tom DeLay 90% of the time.

Is Representative Ney serving Ohio voters, or the Republican money machine?

ZACK SPACE FOR CONGRESS

Coleen, the FBI and 9/11

From the time she was eleven years old, Coleen was determined that she would one day become an FBI agent. In January of 1981, she was appointed a Special Agent with the FBI and initially served in the Omaha, Nebraska and Jackson, Mississippi Divisions

In 1984, she was assigned to the New York Office where, for more than 6 years, she worked on Italian organized crime and Sicilian heroin drug investigations. She had the opportunity to further her language proficiency in Italian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. She also served three separate temporary duty assignments in the Paris, France Embassy and the Montreal Consulate.

In 1990, Coleen was transferred to Minneapolis where she assumed the duties of Principal Legal Advisor (which later became "Chief Division Counsel"). Her responsibilities entailed oversight of the Freedom of Information, Forfeiture, Victim-Witness and Community Outreach Programs as well as providing regular legal and ethics training to FBI Agents of the Division and some outside police training.

In May of 2002, Coleen brought some of the pre 9/11 lapses in the investigation of Zacarias Moussaoui to light. The 9/11 Commission subsequently described Moussaoui as an “Al Qaeda mistake and missed opportunity,” the investigation of whom may have led to the center of the Al Qaeda plot if it had been pursued in a timely and effective manner.

In June of 2002, Coleen testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee about some of the endemic problems faced by the FBI and the intelligence community.

In April 2003, following an unsuccessful attempt to warn the Director and other administration officials about the dangers of launching the invasion of Iraq, she "stepped down" from her legal position and returned to being an FBI Special Agent.

COLEEN ROWLEY FOR CONGRESS

Meet Jeeni

The granddaughter of hard-working Italian immigrants and eldest of 10 children, Jeeni Criscenzo learned about responsibility and diplomacy early on. Jeeni credits her mother for instilling in her a strong sense of commitment to her fellow humans. Rose Criscenzo, who passed away at 50, not only raised a close-knit and loving family, she also was active in her church and community, served on the Board of Education, wrote a column for her local newspaper and campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment.

The mother of two adult children, Jeeni Criscenzo’s marketing and web development business in Tampa, Florida was thriving in the 1990’s and like most of us, she thought things were going great in our country. She even had several local Republican candidates for clients. But all that changed when the Supreme Court handed George Bush the presidency in 2000.

JEENI CRISCENZO FOR CONGRESS

Race Profile

One of the most exciting Senate races this year will be in Ohio. Ohio continues to be a swing state in presidential years buoying Democratic chances of defeating Senator Mike DeWine.

The May 2nd primary has been determined as many already predicted: Representative Sherrod Brown (OH-13) will challenge Senator Mike DeWine. Both won their primaries easily, Brown with an impressive 77% and DeWine with 71%.

It should be noted that DeWine’s results are lower than his 2000 bid, when he received close to 80% of the vote. This can be attributed to the lackluster performance of the GOP party not only in Ohio, where the state is riddled with Republican scandal, but also the nation as a whole. Not to mention another obvious fact, his dwindling Republican base of support.

Brown is polling well against DeWine according to a 5/1/06 Feldman Group poll, which has Brown ahead of DeWine 45%-44%.

SHERROD BROWN FOR SENATE

Brian111,

here's one for you, obviously you are here because you are troubled with the republicans:

In a mass e-mail, Meek is encouraging Democrats to forward the message to Republicans that they are welcome to “make the switch.” Meek says the message is intended for Republican voters who have become disenchanted with the direction the country has taken during the Bush administration.

“Instead of the same tit-for-tat rhetoric that sometimes turns off voters, North Carolina Democrats want to proactively and positively reach out to Republicans who think that America can do better,” Meek said. “As we get closer to the crucial fall elections, the North Carolina Democratic Party wants to share what we stand for and invite Republicans to send a message by switching parties.”

His message says, in part: “Like you, Democrats are people of faith, people who love our country, and people who want the best for our families, our neighbors, our state, and our nation.”

so brian111, you are welcome to come over anytime....just open your eyes and see the truth about this administration....

I signed mine.I think, this is the fourth time so far,I sent Sen.Russ Feingold an e-mail regarding this but I don't care.I'm gonna keep sending them like I did during the Roberts and Alito Confirmation Hearings.If I send 1000 different petitions, so be it.LOL

I don't think he will be voting "yes" all things considered,but he like's suprising folks. (ahem....Roberts Confirmation) So,I will still make every effort to contact him and let him know what his Wisconsin "constituents" expect.:D

I urge all my fellow constituents to do the same.

In response to ThomasG_'s comments on May 20, 2006 2:53 pm:

I supported Kerry in 2004 because I believed he would make a better president than Howard Dean. Nevertheless, Dean and Kerry were very similar ideologically. There were only a few minor differences in policy proposals from Dean in Kerry in terms of abortion (Kerry supported a "litmus test" for appellate and supreme court judges; Dean rejected that notion), guns (Dean had a pretty pro-gun ownership record as Gov. of Vermont; Kerry did not as Sen.), taxes (Kerry supported eliminating tax cuts on those earning over $200,000/year, Dean would have eliminated all of the Bush tax cuts, including the 10% bracket), and healthcare (although either proposal was acceptable to me). Near the end of the Kerry campaign, even the message on the war sounded a lot like Dean's - Basically, we shouldn't have gone in alone and rushed to war, George Bush is failing as a war leader, reconstruction is sucking, I'm going to get the UN, NATO, and other allies into Iraq to help us, we'll really win the hearts and minds, etc. Niether supported the Kucinnich plan to just "Get the hell out of there" and beg the UN to help us with a 60-day notice. So really, the largest distinction from Kerry and Dean was that Kerry was the typical beltway Dem and Dean was the outsider. Still, I have a great amount of respect for Gov. Dean for his charisma, efforts, and willingness to harness modern-day media infrastructure and grassroots activism to gather money and support from Americans of all ages, regions, and races. He along with Kos, Simon Rosenberg, and others have built the foundation for what looks to be our strong retake of the House this year and future Democratic victories. In addition, nowadays I tend to think Dean would have had a better chance against because of the "outsider factor" and his anti-war sentiment. Nonetheless, I don't regret supporting Kerry in the primaries.

Boy, I went off track. Well Back to Michael Hayden - I watched some of the intelligence committee hearings and I'm beginning to be a little disturbed by what questions he didn't really answer, especially those of Sens. Feinstein and Wyden. Hopefully he really means it when he says he would like respond in detail during the closed sessions. Yet, I still think it was stupid of Dean to reject Hayden automatically. But maybe I'm wrong - It should be a chairman's responsibility to make clear distinctions between our party and the Republicans and Bush. I guess that's what Dean is trying to do here. I just hope it doesn't backfire.

I don't know what in the hell they are thinking, distrustof them to us is unaceptable. Use the laws that are there and start dealing with it. I'm so sorry some industries have to have slave labor,since the republicans are clueless. We have got to get more producing people on the payroll,. Mke it cheap or good incentive to hire and work people! I have been trying to get my social security and I can tell you there a a lot of people on the payroll of the state of georgia and social security trying to beat me out of whats mine, Please Dr. Dean-RUN AGAIN

Posted by brian111 on May 21, 2006 at 01:52 PM

Well if that's the case...

welcome to...
THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE BLOG

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Your contributions are much appreciated.

...the only other blog would be the rnc blog which republicans don't even want to go to.

Fellow bloggers,

I can't tell if Dr. Dean thinks us Democrats are stupid, or whether he is trying to purposely mislead us. As I understand it, the spying being done by the NSA is designed to intercept calls between known terrorists (some of whom may be on our own soil).

In a post-911 era, do we not consider it a good idea to intercept the phone calls if terrorists who are planning to kill more innocent Americans? Honestly people, let's engage our brains before we post our comments.

Do any of you honestly believe the government has the time or resources (or gives a damn about your dinner plans) to monitor the phone calls of average Americans?

Imagine how many agents it would take to listen to every phone conversation that takes place every day in this country. Millions!

I wish Dr. Dean would give those of us in his party a little credit. Although after reading the posts of the people on this site, perhaps most of us don't deserve any.

Prom:

Political RIGHT Republicans do not, let me reiterate, do not represent the masses, Democrats represent the masses. The Political RIGHT represent Big Business Capitalism and the Elite National Culture in any country, in the United States that group is Republicans. There is never a bunch of people starting a new Republican or Political RIGHT party, that is because there are so few of them and they are always unified and have no Republican Blog because that could cause disunity. The Political RIGHT has their party line and if anyone goes against their party line they will not be allowed to represent the party.

There is no Republican that can hold his own with a real Political LEFT Democrat, because the Political LEFT Democrat represents ALL the people that the Political RIGHT try to suppress. All the Political RIGHT will ever offer the people is smoke and mirrors.

I stand by Governor Dean's statement. Governor Dean made his statement with careful thought because Governor Dean represents the masses. It is plain that what Governor Dean stated is the absolute truth and ofcourse the Political RIGHT don't want to admit it. General Hayden is just another one of the players in the Political RIGHT'S Confidence without Merit Campaign to con the people and take power away from the people.
Governor Dean stated what the people know and we love him for standing up against the Political
RIGHT con men.

General Hayden will be obligated to mind the President if he doesn't want to go to prison. It is not General Hayden's right to reason why, he can only do or die.

God Bless Governor Dean.

I stand by Governor Dean's statement. Governor Dean made his statement with careful thought because Governor Dean represents the masses. It is plain that what Governor Dean stated is the absolute truth and ofcourse the Political RIGHT don't want to admit it. General Hayden is just another one of the players in the Political RIGHT'S Confidence without Merit Campaign to con the people and take power away from the people.
Governor Dean stated what the people know and we love him for standing up against the Political
RIGHT con men.

General Hayden will be obligated to mind the President if he doesn't want to go to prison. It is not General Hayden's right to reason why, he can only do or die.

God Bless Governor Dean.

The IRON CURTAIN that was once the RED Soviet Union, or the Political CONSERVATIVE RIGHT'S RED RUSSIA, has through the CONSERVATIVE RED strategy of the RED Political RIGHT CONSERVATIVES in the United States been brought down on the Political LEFT of the United States.

Now, we the people of the United States' Political LEFT have to somehow make our way out from behind the RED CONSERVATIVE IRON CURTAIN and bring FREEDOM back to the ALL the American people.

MarthaA your logic is frightening.
First, the controversial 'domestic spying' (intentionally misrepresented label) program was first passed in 1993 and was signed onto by big-time LEFTISTS like Patrick Leahy. The only reason for his recent change of heart must be that he realizes that such a position isn't nearly as energizing to his left-wing base as is the "Bush is an EVIL SOB" party line (which has obviously energized your pathetic, mindless, devotion to the blessed Dr. Dean).

Second. If you think the Democrats are eager to leave power in the hands of the people, you are so far out of the bounds of reason that every keystroke I make trying to expalain why you are wrong is a complete waste of my time. As I see it the Democrats are interested in nothing more than returning to power (just read this website). Belive me, they have no intention of returning that power to us. Just look at their oposition to tax cuts, tax reform, emminent domain issues, etc.

Third. If our party is ever going to win back power it has got to realize how far outside the mainstream the leftists in this country are. Most people recognize that spying on terrorists is a good idea. Who gives a damn if they are on American soil. In fact, if they are, all the more reason to spy on the. After all, who poses a bigger threat to your personal safety, someone who says they are going to kill you from 300 miles away, or someone who is standing at your front door?

Fourth. This statement of yours "It is plain that what Governor Dean stated is the absolute truth and of course the Political RIGHT don't want to admit it" is evidence of your absolute lack of power. It is clear from your statement that you are buying wholesale everything being peddled on this website. Since when do Democrats speak the "absolute truth." If you had been paying attention recently you would realize the constant manipulation of facts in an effort to garner political favor. Need I remind you of the campaign of the flipping-flopping John Kerry (to name just one example). What an embarrassment to the Democratic movement, are people like you and Dr. Dean. I wish they would quit insulting our intelligence. They know damn well that the program they deceptively call "domestic spying" is not that at all. And they know it's necessary, otherwise they would propose scrapping it. If you think that's what they want to do, look at Nancy Pelosi's position on the issue.

Come on people! Wake up and demand some intellectual honesty from your party!

hi fellow dems....again i will say that king george can listen in on any call he wants to, as long as he gets a warrant from the court. i don't see what the big deal is. he has 72hrs. to go to the court and get one, thats three days...what is so hard about that. he can listen in for up to three days without the warrant. his ego just won't allow him to follow the law. if he doesn't have to obey the law, why does anyone else in this country have to?
this bunch of arrogant a--holes feel they can do anything they want.
last i knew, they work for the people. all of the people.
it's shamefull, but then again, seems we don't know what shame is anymore......
i'm tired of all of this crap. we just have to wait until november to be heard again. i can't imagine how any person working for a paycheck can vote republican.....

Dearest andhow (you idiot!)

Please review this comment you made "i can't imagine how any person working for a paycheck can vote republican.."

WOW! Perhaps because democrats want to raise your taxes.

Brian111 - apparently neither MarthaA nor andhow are informed as to the reasons why people think liberals are nuts.

Tom McMahon (democraticparty@democrats.org) writes to sound the alarm over Alphonso Jackson (secretary for stolen hub caps) while Michael Hayden is being seen as extremely well qualified to head the CIA. I agree with one writer "my loathing is much more magnified for a Democrat,
who pretends to be my ally and betrays me than
for a Republican who is honestly vile."
WE NEED DEMOCRATS TO:
1. Insist on all voting systems be physically re-countable BRFORE the 2008 Presidential election.
2. Have Democrats spend their own time and money going down to the neighborhoods of their own constituency and let the people do the talking. Story Corps, my chaps! If They want to get good bites of TV then come on down and get the real deal, that should give them some direction.
3. Then the Democrats need to say what they stand for, and then stand up for it!
Fairness - Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Equality- What is good for one and all.
Consistency- Fairness and Equality are always the rules, Always!
There you have it, 1) Physically re-countable voting by 2008. 2) Let the people do the talking. 3) Say what you stand for and stand up for it! Now can we please have a sensible conversation about allocation of natural resources!

General Hayden has obtained more power through internet/telephone/IT tech surveillance in the NSA than J. Edgar Hoover in the FBI from the 1930s to the 1970s ever dreamed of. He intends to consolidate the information he’s unconstitutionally stolen into future power over us. If you or I have anything in our past as innocent as a solo masturbation session or as dangerous to our family welfare as a secret consensual sexual encounter, General Hayden's got our number. Union leaders, website servers, bloggers, teachers, carpenters, homemakers, students, and everybody else not yet homeless and hiding in some jungle somewhere is now under his watching eye. And if any politicians, Demo, Repub, Indy, Green, etc. have anything to hide, he'll gleefully OUT them unless they're willing to bend over and play HIS "ball"game. And you better believe that there’s plenty of dirt on politicians, business leaders, pop entertainers, sports champs, and the rest of us everywhere to out. He doesn't give a damn what party our "leaders" belong to, the General is now the decider of the "Free" world. Hail to the CHIEF and all the powers invested in the Brave New World/New World Order. Just watch as the “leaders” of all parties endorse his power consolidation. Over all of us.
“When the GENERAL talks you better listen to HIM”. And I’m telling you, my friends left right and center, Gen. Hayden’s not under the command of anybody on earth or in heaven. His only ethical guidance is “by any needs expedient for MY control”. If you thought the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court were misleading and betraying us, just watch this dude’s next moves. He’ll make his demands quite clear, and we’re not going to like them much more than the Romans liked Nero’s.
Voting in November is a moot issue as far as Hayden is concerned. Peruvians had to deal with Pinochet, now we gotta deal with Michael Hayden. May the gods help us in the coming nightmare.

We need the Democrats to disavow the Republi-lites, and support their challengers in the primaries, because otherwise we will still have a Republican majority in the Congress, even if we get a majority of people who are labeled Democrat.
As for Hayden, I don't see the Democrats initiating a filibuster any more than they did when they rolled over and allowed Bush to load the Supreme Court with his biased buddies.
There are a lot of people in Montana who are fed up with both parties, and unless the Democrats clean up their act and act like old time Democrats, a lot of people around here are threatening to go third party. I doubt if it's that different in most other states as well. The third parties are too fragmented to carry anything, so it will be like handing votes to the Republicans.
BTW, a donkey is a good symbol for the Democrats. It and its offspring, the mule, are hard-working unfancy beasts, who will out-work and out-think a horse, and will plant their feet and get stubborn when something's not right. As for fighting, they will go after a threat with their teeth and all four hooves. The Democrat party needs to get back to that kind of attitude and protect their true base, the working people of this country.

Gee, and I thought Republicans hated the ACLU. I guess it's only when it's other people's rights that are involved, and not theirs, right? ;-p

brian111, How are you going to call the ACLU after they've benn kidnapped off to the domestic concentration camps Halliburton is now constructing or the international torture gulag operated by the CIA? Or if you yourself are incarcerated thusly?
Oh, and excuse me, I meant Chileans, not Peruvians.

Do you see the problem? Major Democratic party leaders cast their votes today for Hayden in the face of all we know about his willingness to engage in illegal activity.
But yesterday I got an email from the DNC to sign a petition against the guy. I would have thought the petition was aimed at Republican leaders...
This should have been a slam dunk vote against Hayden and what he advocates.
Until this problem is corrected, especially on such a fundamental issue, the Democratic party is doomed for rejection. The fear campaign this administration has used to move this country toward tyranny has cowered too many in the Democratic party. Levin and Feinstein have safe seats do they believe we need to engage in illegal spying on Americans? Do they believe the never-ending "war on terrror" places unfounded power in the President to ignore the law? Senator Feinstein has lost my vote.

The atmosphere in Washington has the feel of a club in which leaders of both parties are members along with the MSM. We hear ridiculous comments like what a nice guy Hayden is and how everyone likes him. Please read Feingold's comment on his vote.
I am disgusted with getting a petition against Hayden from the DNC one day and then seeing four key Democrats vote for Hayden the next.