Just Another Manic Monday Open Thread
This is an open thread...
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Dems Take Aim at Oil Company Tax Breaks
House Democrats are targeting billions of dollars in oil company tax breaks for quick repeal next year. A broader energy proposal that would boost alternative energy sources and conservation is expected to be put off until later
Good morning Dems! As we head into this short work week, I've started my list of things I'm thankful for and very close to the top of that list are my friends here.
Hope all are heading into a Fantastic week!
Gender & Politics: A time to lead
In some ways, the election was about Nancy Pelosi, as some Republicans hoped. Voters were very much thinking about women's abilities as political leaders to raise ethics, inspire trust and put the country on a better path at home and abroad.blockquote>
Former GOP fundraiser Tom Noe has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in a state investment scandal.
And so begins the righteousness...
House Democrat wants draft reinstated
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars.
"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said
Bring on the Draft to make this service more equitable and see how many politicians sons and daughters ask for a deferment.
The only reason there able to get recruits now is because they lowered the entrance standards and made the economy so bad people are having to sign up just to survive. Mostly minority.
They did the same thing for Vietnam and we in the millitary (Leadership, NCO's) had a lot of criminals and derelects to try to straighten out and work with later. A real nightmare.
The recruiters were at the courthouses and prisons recruiting.
"GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK."
gotv, i had a lot of friends and relatives drafted into the military during the vietnam war and none of them had crimminal records. and a number never came home alive.
*******STAR CHAMBER*******
Because the DLC REPUBLICANS LEADERSHIP of the Democratic Party is complicit with the REPUBLICAN PARTY, and both National and Global Commercial Interests in the creation of first, a National, and secondarily, a "STAR CHAMBER", I will be making some posts on this "STAR CHAMBER" topic, and as a prologue, a precursor to posts on the topic of the "STAR CHAMBER", this post as follows is a brief tutorial on the HISTORYof what a "STAR CHAMBER" is, so that there will be better understanding of future posts on the topic of the development of a New World Order "STAR CHAMBER" by Global Commercial Interests:
"STAR CHAMBER was the name of an OLD English Court of Law. It included a chancellor, a treasurer, the keeper of the privy seal, several justices, and a lord. Its trials were without jury and it could pass any sentence except death.
As time went on, the STAR CHAMBER developed many abuses, among them the torturing of prisoners in order to get confessions. Its procedure did not follow the rules of Common Law, which protected the accused.
During the reign of Charles I (1625-1649), the STAR CHAMBER became notorious for its support of the despotic actions of the king. By means of secret trials and arbitrary judgments it suppressed the opponents of Charles, and aroused popular fury. In 1641, the Long Parliament abolished the STAR CHAMBER."
"The term STAR CHAMBER now refers to arbitrary and secret meetings or other actions by any tribunal or authoritative body."
"Charles I (1600-1649) became king in 1625. During the next four years, he called three Parliaments and dissolved each one because the members would not submit to his demands. In 1628, he accepted the Petition of Rights drawn up by the third Parliament. But he violated it by raising money through unlawful taxes and loans."
"From 1629 to 1640, Charles ruled without Parliament. In 1639, he tried to force Scotland to use English forms of worship, and the Scots rebelled. Charles had to call Parliament to obtain the money he needed to fight the rebels. He dismissed one Parliament after three weeks, but had to summon another, the Long Parliament. The Long Parliament met from 1640 to 1653, and held its last session in 1660. When the king tried to seize five Parliamentary leaders in 1642, civil war broke out."
"Charles had the support of most of the nobility, gentry, and clergy. The Puritans and the Merchant Class supported Parliament. Oliver Cromwell became the leader of the Parliamentary Army. His victories at Marston Moor in 1644 and at Naseby in 1645 brought the war to an end."
"Charles fled to Scotland, but the Scottish leaders turned him over to Parliament. In 1649, Charles was convicted of treason and was beheaded. He met his death bravely. England became a commonwealth, and later a protectorate."
(Above information from the World Book Encyclopedia, copyright 1962, U.S.A. by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation.)
Good Morning everyone,
just venting...I spent the last 18 months doing everything to get the Republicans out of office, especially in Pennsylvania. The Democrats get into office and the FIRST thing they start talking about is re-instituting the DRAFT? If the Democrats think this is going to fly and endear them to the American people, they have lost their minds. There is no way, this government is sending my children to a war that never should have been started. There are just as many seats up for election in a couple of years as there were this year. I can switch parties, if the Democrats don't get there act together and do something worthwhile with the opportunities that they have been given.
Good Morning everyone,
just venting...I spent the last 18 months doing everything to get the Republicans out of office, especially in Pennsylvania. The Democrats get into office and the FIRST thing they start talking about is re-instituting the DRAFT? If the Democrats think this is going to fly and endear them to the American people, they have lost their minds. There is no way, this government is sending my children to a war that never should have been started. There are just as many seats up for election in a couple of years as there were this year. I can switch parties, if the Democrats don't get there act together and do something worthwhile with the opportunities that they have been given.
psirish, it might remind those Chicken Hawks exactly what the cost is to fight their wars, and it isn't riding just on the back of someone else's children.
Resolution In Support of the Democratic National Committee’s 50-State Strategy
Adopted by the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee
November 16, 2006
WHEREAS, the 2006 midterm election was an overwhelming success for Democrats across the Country, with Democrats regaining control of both the House and Senate in Congress, capturing 6 additional governorships from Republicans, while retaining all 14 of their contested governorships, and gaining majorities in seven additional state legislatures; and
WHEREAS, DNC Chairman Howard Dean delivered on his promise to invest in rebuilding the party in every state in the country, including Red states, and has hired, trained, and deployed seasoned organizers and communications specialists to every state well in advance of the midterm elections, and also delivered on his promise to rebuild Democratic voter files and get-out-the-vote infrastructure, and that these party-building efforts enabled Democrats to take advantage of the wave of public sentiment against Republican rule in Congress even in states and districts that were not originally thought to be competitive; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee supports the Democratic National Committee’s 50-State Strategy, and expresses its appreciation to DNC Chairman Howard Dean for his persistence and leadership in executing this program, and for his ongoing commitment to revitalizing the Democratic Party throughout the entire United States, and urges the California Democratic Party to concur in this position and forward its position on to the Democratic National Committee.
Here's one from the Delaware Democratic Party where the 50-State Strategy effectively destroyed the Delaware Republican Party. The Redstate bloggers are still lamenting this fact:
*Resolution of Support for Chairman Howard Dean, M.D.*
Whereas the New Castle County of Delaware Executive Committee recognizes the leadership of DNC Chairman Howard Dean in our success in the 2006 elections and,
Whereas the New Castle County of Delaware Executive Committee wishes to express our support of and thanks to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, now be it
Resolved that: The New Castle County of Delaware Executive Committee wholeheartedly endorses and supports Chairman Howard Dean and his 50-state-strategy. Further, the Committee Members are looking forward to the continuance of Chairman Dean's leadership and victory in 2008 under that leadership.
I really don't think anyone is serious about reinstituting the draft. It would be political suicide. But, it does get people talking and thinking about personal sacrifice for a war AMERICA brought about.
Presidential Watch Dumb Quote of the Day:
"I just want to point out again, I believe that gay marriage should not be legal, OK, but I don't believe that we should discriminate against any American, because that's not the nature of
America, OK?" - John McCain, November 2006.
In other words, "America shouldn't discriminate against any Americans...with one exception."
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 20, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Was this in the same interview where he said the Supreme Court should overturn Rove v. Wade?
Yes, Kristen, it was a rambling nonsensical interview where he kept having to interrupt himself to re-wet his finger.
Quite presidential.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 20, 2006 at 12:14 PM
re-wet his finger? I'm afraid to ask why!
McCain will say and do anything to get elected. It is in our best interests that we do the job of the media in getting the word out on his spineless nature.
Esmeralda......I am sorry to read about your mother....I srarted my cancer treatment in June of '99...At that time I had not been in a church for years...but a friend of mine put me on prayer chains from Texas and through out several other states....hundreds of people I never knew prayed for me...it seemed to be a source of strength for me....I will pray for your mother today and tomorrow.....My thoughts will be for you and your family.
Fade2bluz....thank you for you post of Nov. 20, 2006 re the 18,000 missing votes. Good, solid information....Thx
yeah but i bet these guys don't get those neat pajamas bush got to wear....
Iran to host presidential talks with Iraq, Syria
Agenda to focus on 'stability of the region,' lawmaker says
Updated: 1 hour ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iran has invited the Iraqi and Syrian presidents to Tehran for a weekend summit with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to hash out ways to cooperate in curbing the runaway violence that has taken Iraq to the verge of civil war and threatens to spread through the region, four key lawmakers told The Associated Press on Monday.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has accepted the invitation and will fly to the Iranian capital Saturday, a close parliamentary associate said.
The Iranian diplomatic gambit appeared designed to upstage expected moves from Washington to include Syria and Iran in a wider regional effort to clamp off violence in Iraq, where more civilians have been killed in the first 20 days of November than in any other month since the AP began tallying the figures in April 2005.
nice job dick and the dummie, now every wacko on the planet can bitch smack you at will
Posted by goodfoe on November 20, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Thank you. I pray for her as well and she is on countless prayer lists.
I have to laugh at her sometimes. She sent us kids off to Sunday School & vacation bible school when we were young to get out of her hair. She does not believe in G-d or Satan.
I'm glad you are thankful for those that cared enough to pray for you.
jauq, that is great. my parents sent me off to catholic church every sunday but never went thenselves. when your mom feels better you ought to get her on the blog.
Esmeralda......I am sorry to read about your mother....I srarted my cancer treatment in June of '99...At that time I had not been in a church for years...but a friend of mine put me on prayer chains from Texas and through out several other states....hundreds of people I never knew prayed for me...it seemed to be a source of strength for me....I will pray for your mother today and tomorrow.....My thoughts will be for you and your family.
Posted by goodfoe on November 20, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Your mother will be alright. I'm a 16 year survivor. I did 8 cycles (6 months) of chemo and 21 treatments of radiation in 1990. I constantly asked the One Above for strength each day and I say Thank You every morning I wake up. Yes there were and still are side effects from treatment, but I'm still going.
Oh yeah Esmerelda, I was on countless prayer lists, chains and groups. My name was mentioned in churches that I didn't evenknow about and it made me feel so good to know that people cared without even knowing me.
Folks, we have got to get the conservative bias out of the media and bring back the Fairness Doctrine. Otherwise, 2008 is not going our way. The MSM is already salivating over McCain and pissing all over itself about Gingrich. By this time next year, the MSM will have crowned one of them the next king.
This is not the time to go silent.
Marine,
Are you out there?
There are the real problems with stating the obvious and what we have been discussing for the last 3 months. It's very interesting to read the Pentagons solution to Iraq (I’m amazed the Pentagon walked right into a first year Psych 101 textbook, “Dump the problem to the other guy solution.”;
1) Stay the course wet dream,
2) Increase the troops, McCain,
3) Bring the Boys and Girls home.
Please answer these two simple questions:
WHAT IS YOUR (MILITARY) MISSION?
WHY ARE YOU (TROOPS) IN IRAQ?
The politicians and military have not answered these two simple questions. This is in clear violation of any and all policies from the “WAR COLLEGE”!! Where are you on these issues? First and foremost the mission and objective must be defined before committing the resources and troops. The mission and objectives do not exist!!!
The answer the Pentagon can be applied almost anywhere, it’s a classic, “Well What Do You Think The Answer Should BE???!!” It is the basic of everything dump into the soup approach.
Example:
Someone is in a bad relationship. They just entered this relationship not too long ago. What are their options?
1) Go long …and make a commitment which may end in a bad marriage.
2) Stay the course, …do not commit but continue to buff the gal or guy,
3) Get the hell out …and go on separate paths.
What a cheap Psych 101 trick to pass the buck!
What lack of leadership?
What an inexperienced attempt to pass the buck with circular logic?
The President ask the Pentagon, the pentagon pass the buck with a general use for everything dump solution and the president will ask the democrat to make the selection.
What lack of vision, lack of courage, lack of commitment, and total lack of leadership!!
If anyone have the sense to review our own postings on the various solutions for Iraq, we at this BLog digested the solutions into three simple solutions. These were the only course of obvious actions.
1) Stay the course,
2) Commit more troops,
3) Bring the troop home.
Someone should review our discussions and bring this to the attention of the news. We were expecting our leadership to make a selection, not restate the obvious!!
Weak-ass Democrats. We voted you people in and Rep. Rangel says we should reinstate the draft, and you weak people say no. That was a great idea. Most of your party voted for this war and none of you will fight it, nor your children. This may have been a political move to end the war, and probably was. Atleast it would have worked, but Pelosi killed it. Conyers talks about impeachment, and Pelosi kills it. So now we have an illegal war that will probably never end and a sitting President that committed war crimes and nothing will happen to him. Some of us voted for you people so that you can make these two issues happen. Weak!
Posted by IraqWarVeteran on November 20, 2006 at 03:31 PM
For crying out loud, could you hold back your vitriol, that you have been so dying to spill since your party lost the elections, until at least a few days after the democrats take office?
BlueIdaho;
I am definitly not a Republican. I am an Iraq War Veteran of this war that voted for democrats because I thought they were liberal. If I wanted people that felt "stay the course" was a war plan then I would have voted Republican, which I didn't. You democrats are sad. Wake up people, this is why we voted for you.
Hi, everyone.
I like these two quotes from the local newspaper today:
"For the future of peace, precipitate withdrawal would thus be a disaster of immense magnitude...A nation cannot remain great if it betrays its allies and lets down its friends."
President Richard M. Nixon
"How to you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake."
John F. Kerry
Like Bush said this past week, there is a lot of similarities with Vietnam. Bush had his chance to make it otherwise but instead listened to Rumsfeld and Cheney. Now he has to deal with his own mistakes.
And he alone is the one who must make the decision or pass it on to the next president. Let's see if he's got enough guts to do what Nixon did and end the madness.
Posted by gregg on November 20, 2006 at 02:17 PM
She thinks I'm nuts for "talking on a computer" too.
The only think she pasted on to me was a cleaning compulsion.
Good Day, ALL!
I heard that about an hour after the Ohio State / Michigan game, which OSU won by the score of 42-39, the Ohio Lottery was drawn, and the winning numbers were 4-2-3-9.
As for that Rangel draft thing, he proposed the SAME BILL IN 2003.
His point was that NOBODY will be exempt, whether because of a pimple on the butt, "other priorities", failing a hearing test, or being politically connected. EVERYBODY GOES. No "community service", "seminary school", College, kids, spouse, ANY dodge that the rich and connected have used in the past or any other deferrments.
THAT MEANS YOU, Jenna and the other Jenna. And George P., and Pierce, and Mary Cheney, and her girlfriend...EVERYBODY!
Then let's all watch the chickenhawks vote against it.
The problem with Representative Rangels push for reinstating the draft is that it won't solve the problem he hopes to solve, quite the contrary the politically connected (see our sitting President, and many members of his administration) will find a way to either get out of it entirely or serve in a meaningless capacity. Until some genius (or fixer) finds a way to prevent those with political connections from getting out, nothing is going to change. By nothing is going to change, I mean the burden of sacrifice is going to fall on the middle and lower class, who if they don't already oppose the war soon will. Likewise, the well-connected having no sense of sacrifice will continue to support the war unless by some chance they have an epiphany.
Aside from the defacto class problem reinstatement of the draft would create, the military has displayed a lack of interest in reinstatement.
Posted by IraqWarVeteran on November 20, 2006 at 03:45 PM
So, instead of supporting them as they take office, you prefer to insult the party before they have that opportunity? Perhaps you could wait for them to actually have a chance to bring their ideas to the table before you recall them.
Rangel's idea is merely a calculated response to the McCain's of this nation who want the blood of more American soldiers spilled---cept not their own.
More troops? Ok, where do we get them? Answer: Draft....you sure you want to send more?
Rangel is doing the job that the MSM has failed to do: when McCain calls for more troops, the MSM should ask him where these troops will come from and whether we have the necessary armor and equipment for them.
wow! questions of taste win out over ruthless capatilistic sensationalism:
O.J. Simpson book, TV special canceled
Chairman Rupert Murdoch says project was ‘ill-considered’
BREAKING NEWS
Updated: 1 minute ago
NEW YORK - After a firestorm of criticism, News. Corp. said Monday that it has canceled the O.J. Simpson book and television special “If I Did It.”
“I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project,” said Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. chairman. “We are sorry for any pain that his has caused the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson.”...
Naw Greg, I think it was more the chance of losing viewers and money from sponsors then it was taste or values.
For them and their kind, if it loses money then it must be bad.
Awww, poor Judith Regan, she can't make any money off O.J.'s book. Maybe she will run back into the arms of Bernie Kerik for comfort.
dpd, i suggested yesterday that judith and bernie get leadership roles in the ghouliani campaign.
THAT MEANS YOU, Jenna and the other Jenna. And George P., and Pierce, and Mary Cheney, and her girlfriend...EVERYBODY!
Then let's all watch the chickenhawks vote against it.
Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 03:51 PM
Watch out DPD. You're sounding too much like a drill sergeant. If Bush continues increasing the age limit of who they will take in the service, you might end up whipping these worthless rich kids into shape.
Posted by gregg on November 20, 2006 at 04:13 PM
Hey, I wanted to know how it he did it. I guess we'll have to wait until his kids publish his diary someday.
Murdock and good taste? I highly doubt it. More like the Goodmans were going to sue Fox for any profits.
Essy,
I'm saying a pray or two for your mom as well. Hang in there. Life is best lived one day at a time.
Thanksgiving Big Oil’s Gift
After election Corporate Republican holiday buildup,
Celebrating American’s heritage to raise huge profits,
After monster price reductions of Alaskan Oil closures,
Reassuring America to vote for Republican benefits.
Independence cannot be bought upon bribery, coercion!
The vote will never succumb to Creative Accounting,
As long as voter’s employ politicians by one single vote
Added in mass, to the equality of America’s great diversity.
Political Corporate machines, much have human paper trails,
Because corrupt CEO’s have already promised Enron results!
CEO’s who are employed by stockholders living as Kings
Using retirements ‘At Will”, to satisfy personal royal tastes.
Loyal puppets are lobbied with Washington’s five star greed,
Country club living fraternity, who was to represent people,
Saving fellow citizens from falling in poverty’s gaping hole.
Instead turning middle class America into Katrina zones!
David L. Young During the week of 11/20/06
Posted by DianeD on November 20, 2006 at 03:34 PM
Diane, from what I can gather as of three hours ago folks were still speculating.
Sandy, he didn't do it, somebody on the golf course did it, and manages to stay 3 holes in front of OJ, just like the one armed man being chased by "The Fugitive".
Why else would he "spend my life looking for the real killer" only at country clubs?
"I haven't made any decisions about troop increases or troop decreases, and won't until I hear from a variety of sources," Bush replied
Why isn't he up to date on this? He is the Commander-in-Chief? Why does he have to wait for Baker or anyone else do the heavy lifting for him? I get the feeling he's been on vacation so much since he took office that he just realized that he's suppose to be responsible for the troops.
Why else would he "spend my life looking for the real killer" only at country clubs?
Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 05:14 PM
The only thing he's going to find on a golf course is Boehner.
J, here is a follow up on last week's USDA announcement that no one is "Hungry" in the US.
'My stomach is touching my back'
The release of the report, however, follows five straight years of increases in the number of Americans unable to afford the food they need. Nord and the USDA may feel comfortable saying there is no hunger in America, simply because they can't find a precise scientific measure to describe it. It is not so difficult. In fact, it's so easy a child could do it. A young boy at a San Francisco food pantry knows exactly how to describe hunger. He says, "My stomach is touching my back."To be fair, the USDA's point is not that hunger doesn't exist, but that this particular survey, the annual "Household Food Security in the United States," is designed to measure food security -- an economic and social condition related to limited or uncertain access to food. Hunger is a physiological condition.
Because the USDA doesn't ask survey participants about their physiological symptoms, it can't claim that the study measures "hunger." Unfortunately, no national government survey exists that does measure hunger in a more precisely defined way, and there are no plans to start one. In the meantime, the "Household Food Security" study is our federal government's principal gauge of -- forgive my use of the term -- hunger in America.
If the government stops using the word "hunger," people may begin to believe that hunger has gone away. It hasn't. Just ask that little boy whose stomach is touching his back.
Whatever you call the problem, the statistics are grim: 35 million people in America are living in food-insecure households. And while the good news is that this represents an 8 percent drop nationally over last year, here in California the rate of food insecurity has remained unchanged since 2000.
More fun in Eff-Ell-Ay!!
Sarasota, FL – Citing statistical and eyewitness evidence of significant machine malfunctions sufficient to call into doubt the result of the election for Florida Congressional District 13, the Christine Jennings campaign today officially contested the election in Circuit Court. The complaint specifically requests the judge to order a new election “to ensure that the will of the people of the Thirteenth District is respected, and to restore the confidence of the electorate, which has been badly fractured by this machine-induced debacle.”
(bold, mine)
Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 05:25 PM
Have they checked the archives and/or VVPAT's yet?
Will only the voters who cast in the first place will be given the opportunity?
I'm not a rocket scientist or a military genius, but I don't see how sending in just 20,000 more troops would make a heck of a lot of difference.
Why is anybody in the military or the Bush crime family throwing it out as an option? We're all way passed helping the White House saving face in light of this disaster.
Either we go or we stay. And if we stay, there is going to have to be a draft. Since it will be zero support by the American people, the subject is moot.
So let's get out now. Kissinger has experience in this area. Have him pull out his old notes and get cracking. Bush is dragging his feet. I don't care how bad he looks in defeat. The world will rejoice for us.
Contrary to all the GOP crapola propaganda, I still don't think the rest of the civilized world blames our country for this mess....just the thugs who pushed us into it with lies and deceit. Most countries feel sick about what these moron neocons did to a great super power.
Democrats Split on How Far to Go With Ethics Law
Senator Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat tapped by party leaders last year to spearhead ethics proposals, said he was pushing for changes with more teeth.
“The dynamic is different now,” Mr. Obama said Friday. “We control both chambers now, so it is difficult for us to have an excuse for not doing anything.”
If the government stops using the word "hunger," people may begin to believe that hunger has gone away. It hasn't. Just ask that little boy whose stomach is touching his back.
Yeah, just like they thought we would stop thinking there was a civil war in Iraq if they quit using the term.
Hoyer says "no bad blood" with Pelosi
"The American public have just given us a big mandate for change and taken the country in a new direction," he said. "Nancy and I share that obligation together. That's our objective and we're going to work very closely to accomplish that."
Please tell me I'm not the only Dem that doesn't want a draft! Hopefully this blowhard doesn't ruin our chances for a run in '08.
Posted by Esmeralda on November 20, 2006 at 05:32 PM
I don't know, {{Butters}], the vote had to be "certified" before any challenges could go forth, but Josh Marshall has Something interesting to add.
Kristen on November 20, 2006 at 05:23 PM,
"If one only had something to eat, just a little, on such a clear day! The mood of the gay morning overwhelmed me, I became unusually serene, and started to hum for pure joy and for no particular reason. In front of a butcher's shop there was a woman with a basket on her arm, debating about some sausage for dinner; as I went past, she looked up at me. She had only a single tooth in the lower jaw. In the nervous and excitable state I was on, her face made an instant and revolting impression on me - the long yellow tooth looked like a finger sticking out of her jaw, and as she turned toward me, her eyes were full of sausage. I lost my appetite instantly, and felt nauseated." (from Hunger)
-----------------
A good descriptive book about hunger was written in 1889 by Knut Hamsun. Follow the link above for more about this incredible epic, if you so desire.
Jas, I don't think anyone wants the draft anymore than we want the soldiers there now.
The point of calling for a draft is to level the playing field.
Kristen,
About the draft, in other words, we give up something we do not want; so we can get out of someplace we do not want to be? I kinda follow the logic, but it seems a little irrational to me.
I think the point of calling for a draft is to make the chickenhawks put up or shut up. The last time this came to a vote it lost 402 - 2, and even Rangel voted against it. No sane Congressman is going to vote to have his constituents shipped off to George's war, and hope to keep his or her job.
There will be no draft. Rangel is simply answering the call for "more troops" with a call of his own.
Despite narrative, "conservative" and "southern" Dem victories were scarce
by kos
Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 08:32:43 AM PST
The lie that won't die. In an interview of former Rep. and Blue Dog founding member Glen Browder, the following fantastic claim is made:
The Blue Dogs are back big-time. Of the more than two dozen Democrats who knocked off sitting congressional Republicans on Tuesday, most if not all line up with the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, meaning these new congressmen will be to the right of their more liberal House leaders.
Out of 29 Democrats that have won thus far (barring further recounts), a grand total of five might be ideologically lined up with the Blue Dogs -- the three new Indiana reps, Nick Lampson in Texas, and Heath Shuler of NC. Shuler, however, is far to the left of the Blue Dogs on economic issues. Maybe Harry Mitchell in Arizona. Maybe.
Not to mention the two Blue Dogs who ran for Senate -- Harold Ford and Ed Case (in Hawaii) lost.
So "most" of the new Dem reps are Blue Dog material? Like progressive hero Jerry McNerney in California? Like Ed Perlmutter in CO-07? The two new Connecticut Democrats -- Courtney and Murphy? The two new New Hampshire Democrats -- Shea-Porter and Hodes? Tim Mahoney and and Ron Klein in Florida? Braley and Loebsack in Iowa? Yarmuth in Kentucky, who was supposedly too liberal to win a southern House seat? Tim Walz in Minnesota? Arcuri, Gillibrand, and Hall in NY? Space in Ohio? Altmire, Sestak, and Murphy in PA? Even Carney in the conservative PA-10 doesn't line up well with the Blue Dogs. Kagen in Wisconsin? Giffords in Arizona?
So "most if not all" line up with the Blue Dog Coalition? Can people be more ridiculous?
There will be no draft. Rangel is simply answering the call for "more troops" with a call of his own.
****
Rangel did this a few years back. He is simply proving that the chickenhawks are full of it. He is also proving that ones such as McWindvain who ask for more troops won't pay the political price of asking for a draft. It won't go anywhere.
Hey dems,
I think the draft is a good idea...hear me out!
I think everyone should have some obligation to serve their country for a short period of time (3 years). However, they should have a variety of options to fulfill the obligation. Here are the choices:
1) Military
2) Police
3) Firefighter/Paramedic
4) Teacher
5) Peace Corps
Certainly, everyone would be able to serve in at least one of those capacities. I think it would be good for our country to require some kind of service for privaledge of being a citizen here.
I think Rangel's idea is more along these lines than just a straight out military draft.
But if there is an "out" using ANY of those choices, the chickenhawks will take all those spots, and cheer on Georgie's war from the sidelines, like they ALWAYS do. There should be ZERO options other than GO TO GEORGIE'S WAR. (It would be nice to start with the Young Republicans).
In 2 or 3 years there will be a steady rotation of people coming out of the Military who will have been already trained that can fill these positions.
ZERO deferrments. Bad back? Shuffle papers in the red zone. Flat feet? work in a mess tent. Republican? Front line infantry.
GOP Fundraiser Gets 18 Years in Prison
By John Seewer
The Associated Press
Monday 20 November 2006
Toledo, Ohio - A former GOP fundraiser at the center of a scandal-plagued state investment in rare coins that helped Democrats seize power in the midterm elections was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.
Tom Noe, a prominent coin dealer accused of taking at least $2 million, was convicted last week of theft, corrupt activity, money laundering, forgery and tampering with records.
Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Osowik, who described the crime as an "elaborate scheme of theft on a large scale," also fined Noe $120,000.
"You continued to spend the bureau's money at what I thought was a shockingly, alarmingly large rate, and done for one purpose: to present some type of a facade that you had a bottomless cup of wealth and luxury at your disposal, when in fact it was at the state's expense," Osowik said.
Time To Draft The Politicians
Oh politicians, who voted for the Iraq War,
It is time to step up to the plate and serve,
To solve your conflict on the battle lines
For it is your Patriot Act of Democracy!
Let us call up all the reserve politicians,
Send them into battle like Washington,
To defend their own views of Freedom,
Do not cower stateside, do your homework!
Oh politicians and your close knit families,
Show US your patriotism by volunteering
To go over to teach Iraq your family principles,
Let’s send the wealth that wants us there!
So religious leaders who supported Bush’s plan,
So corporate leaders of Halliburton benefits,
So think tanks that deployed our blessed troops,
Lets do the volunteer shuffle, serve your country!
Let get those politicians that supported the Iraq War into the Reserves or draft them to serve their country there to solve the conflict. How many politicians can be drafted to go into the battle lines like George Washington?
Post-9/11 detainees who were raped and beaten sue Bush admin
by Daisy Cutter
Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 03:56:40 PM PST
From the LA Times:
Five years after Muslim immigrants were abused in a federal jail here, the guards who beat them and the Washington policymakers who decided to hold them for months without charges are being called to account.
Some 1,200 Middle Eastern men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. No holding place was so notorious as Brooklyn's nine-story Metropolitan Detention Center. In a special unit on the top floor, detainees were smashed into walls, repeatedly stripped and searched, and often denied basic legal rights and religious privileges, according to federal investigations.
Many on this forum seem to be advocating impeachmnet.
I ask which is more important:
1. Maintaining a Democratic Majority
2. Impeaching the President
There is no way you can have it both ways. The Democrats vote to impeach Bush and they just lost their chances of having a majority in Congress.
Why? First and foremost the votes for conviction aren't going to be there. Second. The Democrats were able to pick up the seats they were able to by courting Republicans unhappy with their party. Bush is impeached, and guess what, The Republican Party will have a major opening to retake those voters it lost in the recent election.
It is up to the people, who employ the politicians, to start the impeachment process of Bush and Cheney.
Re: Posted by ranger995 on November 20, 2006 at 06:36 PM
I suspect many of us agree with you, but (perhaps unfortunately) many people are just not yet so fed up with this war that they could step forward and endorse a real draft. A hidden draft is okay; just don't make it public or obvious.
Re: Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 06:42 PM
I agree with those GOPers in the front lines.
Maybe we need to have seperate elections for President and Vice President, so that there is a possiblity of both parties having a say in the Executive branch. They do it for states, so it can work nationwide. Why should another politician select his running mate. You get this Bush Cheney secret alliance.
I think the point of calling for a draft is to make the chickenhawks put up or shut up. The last time this came to a vote it lost 402 - 2, and even Rangel voted against it. No sane Congressman is going to vote to have his constituents shipped off to George's war, and hope to keep his or her job. Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 06:21 PM
That's right. We want to show how NOT strong on defense these chickenhawk Republicans really are. They want more war and more troops? They'll vote this down and show the country how "strongly" they really care about "protecting this country". Not much of course when it involves putting their own necks on the line.
I think Rangel's idea is more along these lines than just a straight out military draft.
Posted by ranger995 on November 20, 2006 at 06:36 PM
hi ranger! exactly correct, that's what he proposed. i agree with him, too. it's a great idea. he said it would provide students with financial assistance in exchange for their service. service means so much more than military work. we should recognize the power in that, and send our service corps around the states first and then out to the world. we wouldn't need the military to do much more than do peacekeeping.
Well, I guess there goes the Moron's lawsuit out the window.
California Supreme Court protects bloggers
The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that bloggers and participants in Internet bulletin board groups cannot be sued for posting defamatory statements made by others.
In deciding a case closely watched by free speech groups, the court said a federal law gives immunity from libel suits not only to Internet service providers, like AOL, but also to bloggers and other users of their services.
"Subjecting Internet service providers and users to defamation liability would tend to chill online speech," today's unanimous ruling said.
GiG
Angry idealist and Thomas Paine(shush yo mouth!)
are, imho, a troll. the same one with two different tabs open.
fyi
Re: Posted by angry_idealist on November 20, 2006 at 07:24 PM
It will take three to five years to impeach George W. Bush. There is no reason at all why we couldn't pursue impeachment while we rebuild the Democratic Party.
Pelosi says 'no' on Rangel's draft bill
impeachment? off the table, AI
A U.S. district court judge has ordered the FBI to correct disclosures regarding the US government's evacuation of Saudi royals and bin Laden family members after the September 11 attacks in 2001, a conservative, non-partisan group announced today.
a conservative, non-partisan group announced today
Posted by fade2bluz on November 20, 2006 at 07:57 PM
is it conservative or non-partisan? calling it both (conservative and nonpartisan) is a contradiction.
Democrats are "thinking big" on Bush oversight, according to a Capitol Hill newspaper.
"Senate Democrats’ plans to significantly beef up the chamber’s oversight of the Bush administration will go well beyond intelligence-gathering activities and President Bush’s prosecution of the Iraq War to include investigations into the Medicare program, alleged censorship of scientists, climate change and potential manipulation of energy markets, according to aides and lobbyists," John Stanton reports for Roll Call.
Both the Environment and Public Works and the Energy and Natural Resources committees are "expected to be aggressive in their investigative activities."
*****OLBERMANN IS DOING ANOTHER "SPECIAL COMMENT" TONIGHT!!*****
There's definitely some interesting comments here. I think the best one pertaining to something I wrote was the one involving Thomas Paine, gave me a good chuckle.
calling it both (conservative and nonpartisan) is a contradiction.
Posted by angry_idealist on November 20, 2006 at 08:00 PM
Let's review.
Democrats and Republicans--parties, as in partisan.
no contradition
GiG: hello?
Carville abandoned by all (even Hillary)
James Carville's attempt to topple Howard Dean as chairman of the Democratic National Committee failed after state party officials and even a vocal critic of Dean crushed the coup, officials said.
Insiders from the Clinton camp winced at Carville's untimely remarks last week calling for Dean's ouster in favor of unsuccessful Senate candidate Harold Ford of Tennessee.
"It was not coming from [Sen. Hillary Clinton] and they made a real effort to distance themselves from James' comments," said a source close to the Clintons.
The Clintonistas don't want an undeserved backlash from the activist wing of the party that overwhelmingly supports Dean, especially because some anti-Clinton Democrats have blamed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) for the attack by Carville, a longtime Clinton insider. Those forces claimed Carville's motive was to topple Dean in favor of a chairman more favorable to Sen. Clinton's bid for President [...]
Even Dean-basher Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and an exadviser to former President Bill Clinton, called Dean last week to say Carville was acting alone, and one-time DNC Chairman Don Fowler referred to Carville as an "ill-advised" voice.
"Why do the Washington people think that they have a special prerogative to dictate what the Democratic Party needs?" Fowler wrote in an e-mail to the party faithful. "Why should anyone want to mess with the team that won these remarkable [election] results?"
When it comes to deciding about Iraq, even the "Decider" can't decide what to do.
Bush weighs next step on troops in Iraq
BOGOR, Indonesia - President Bush said Monday he isn't ready to decide between rival calls to increase or scale back U.S. troops in Iraq.
Unruffled by street protests against his policy, he said they were a healthy sign of democracy in this Muslim nation.
I haven't made any decisions about troop increases or troop decreases, and won't until I hear from a variety of sources," Bush said, standing alongside Yudhoyono at a news conference in the presidential palace.
wow, did y'all run into each other over there?
i especially like the term "mutually ignored"...
that was the point of power and will continue to be if we continue to broaden our base to include "food insecure" and uninsured Americans
Post-9/11 detainees who were raped and beaten sue Bush admin
9/11 prisoner abuse suit could be landmark
Rounded up, Muslim immigrants were beaten in jail. Such open-ended detentions and sweeps might be barred.
NEW YORK — Five years after Muslim immigrants were abused in a federal jail here, the guards who beat them and the Washington policymakers who decided to hold them for months without charges are being called to account.
Some 1,200 Middle Eastern men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. No holding place was so notorious as Brooklyn's nine-story Metropolitan Detention Center. In a special unit on the top floor, detainees were smashed into walls, repeatedly stripped and searched, and often denied basic legal rights and religious privileges, according to federal investigations.
Now the federal Bureau of Prisons, which runs the jail, has revealed for the first time that 13 staff members have been disciplined, two of them fired. The warden has retired and moved to the Midwest.
And in what could turn out to be a landmark case, a lawsuit filed by two Brooklyn detainees against top Bush administration officials is moving forward in the federal courts in New York.
Typical Republican irresponsibility and incompetence reigns supreme....is this what we are suppose to be thankful for this holiday season?
GOP leaving spending bills to DemocratsBy ANDREW TAYLOR,
Associated Press Writer
Mon Nov 20WASHINGTON - Republicans vacating the Capitol are dumping a big spring cleaning job on Democrats moving in. GOP leaders have opted to leave behind almost a half-trillion-dollar clutter of unfinished spending bills,
There's also no guarantee that Republicans will pass a multibillion-dollar measure to prevent a cut in fees to doctors treating Medicare patients.
The bulging workload that a Republican-led Congress was supposed to complete this year but is instead punting to 2007 promises to consume time and energy that Democrats had hoped to devote to their own agenda upon taking control of Congress in January for the first time in a dozen years.
Happy Thanksgiving upon a nation saying grace,
Where a spirited audience in an all inclusive voice,
Will never succumb to exclusive Executive Privilege!
They will sing a national anthem of “We the people..”
“Shall Overcome” with love over hate!
If Rangel is for the draft, he ought to be even more for bombing the insurgency into the stone age instead of placing more Americans at risk. Posted by Thomas_Paine1776 on November 20, 2006 at 08:20 PM
Who and where's the "insurgency"? If we can't find them on the ground, how we gonna find them from the air? Do you know where they are Thomas_Paine1776?
A draft will be needed to arm ourselves against the extremists. Terrorism is real, and yes, it has to do with religion. Political power will turn into (or already has) world power. There will be a select few who rule. I'm thinking the EU. Globalization has taken place.
We are no longer a marketable country. Everything has been outsourced, we buy junk made overseas and brought back into our country because that is all we can afford.
Our food supply has weak standards. Who would want to buy from us? Global warming has me wondering about the rain water that I use in my own gardens.
We will see our borders widen, yet be closed. There will be a universal i.d. program implemented to maintain the whereabouts of the citizens. Just wait and see what Homeland Security will bring us.
We need to infiltrate our government with electable citizens, ones who won't be taken in by the power that corrupts.
Sandy,
we can't say the congress wasn't busy doing the important work for the country last week:
We are no longer a marketable country. Everything has been outsourced, we buy junk made overseas and brought back into our country because that is all we can afford.
And then some sick Americans gloat over other Americans losing their jobs to outsourcing overseas just so they can get cheaper TVs.
Willie D,
Yes, the mindset of the mindless. If it's easier on their pocketbook, all is right in their world.
Thomas_Paine1776 sounds like one of them Republican chickenhawk cowards who's about to crap his draws over the thought that Charlie Rangle might send him over there.
or that the Senate hasn't become a bipartisan american dream...oh, wait...they voted down every Democratic piece of legislation offered. well, maybe next time...
Posted by Esmeralda on November 20, 2006 at 05:37 PM Democrats Split on How Far to Go With Ethics Law
If any elected official thinks we can go "too far" with ethics reform I'd like to hear them make the case.
I hit post and wasn't done. ;)
That's what most every day middle America does though.
Go to work, even if it's a job they detest, so they can pay their bills, and maybe be able to afford a pair of shoes from Wal/Kmart for their kids. If they can buy a pair of shoes or a tv set for cheap, well, at least they have a pair of shoes and a tv set.
hiya, chicken. You are correct. One can never go too far ethically.
Yes, the mindset of the mindless.
These sociopaths gloat over all the misfortunes of others. They gloat when people die of desease. They gloat when people die natural disasters. They gloat when people die from war. Do you REALLY still think they care unborn babies?
Yikes, I almost missed KO's Special Comment. Why did he do it 20 minutes earlier than usual? The neighbors all decided to show up at the same time with their contact info and emergency phone numbers because they're all going out of town for the Holiday. I wish I was going to Cancun, or Hawaii, or Australia. But NOoooooooo! I get to flush their toilets and water their plants every other day. The whole neighborhood is leaving.
Posted by Esmeralda on November 20, 2006 at 08:45 PM hiya, chicken.
Hi, slacker. :)
I like the idea of independent ethics commission. The Government Accountability Office is both independent and investigative and at least produces reasonably accurate numbers even though Congress doesn't act on them.
Posted by Domingo on November 20, 2006 at 08:39 PM
look who's here!
GiG, Barbie? hello?
Do you REALLY still think they care unborn babies?
Posted by Domingo on November 20, 2006 at 08:46 PM
Personally? I never said one way or another, at least not to my recall.
I'm not trying to stick up for anybody, but I think that Steve dislikes the act of abortion. Maybe he feels that a fetus is helpless, while the other means of death are somehow brought upon those who receive it.
Only Steve could answer how he really feels about any given subject. He has stated many times he only comes here because his presence makes so many uncomfortable. I choose to not let his being in this "room" bother me. Some of his words make me very uncomfortable, because I genuinely care about most he "attacks". I've told him off blog when I think he has crossed the line. I usually don't repeat myself to him. He's smart enough to listen the first time.
Please, let's not ruin a good night of interesting news, thoughtful insights and pre-holiday palaver by bringing up the worst in bloggers who frequent here.
Posted by fade2bluz on November 20, 2006 at 08:59 PM GiG, Barbie? hello?
If gregG's here, I'm leaving.
Posted by Frosty-the-Magnificent on November 20, 2006 at 08:56 PM
The rain water has been orange. I have a concern. There isn't much industry here in my county, so I don't think that is what causes it.
Gotta go. Free minutes after 9.
Enjoy the evening, everyone.
Lawrence O'Donnell is TAKING SOME PUG APART on Scumboro. It's a SHOUT FEST!! Joe is even getting into it.
GO DEMS!!!! Don't take one more piece of crap from ANY PUG!!!!!
It's just that you said you "agree with him on that subject". I think all you're doing is agreeing with one more of his thousand and one lies. I don't think he's cares about anyone or anything but himself. Least not any babies. look how much he gloats when they die in a flood in New Orleans. Or starve to death in Africa. Or have bombs dropped them in Iraq. I say he doesn't care, he loves death and misfortune.
Posted by dorsano on November 20, 2006 at 09:05 PM
you did a good job with your hail nancy pelosi penance and were absorbed. ice cream, anyone?
or were you looking too deeply into those patent leather pumps again?
Thanks for the comment, DPD...sorry that the whole neighborhood left...but we'll be here for you.
loved the jab at the idiot kissinger...well done, keith!
Posted by fade2bluz on November 20, 2006 at 09:15 PM you did a good job with your hail nancy pelosi penance and were absorbed.
I always wanted to be part of a commune. I missed out on them the first time around.
Is true that you spank anyone who gets out of line?
look who's here!
I loved reading it's cries dispair like a bleeting little lamb lastnight. "Talk to me! Talk to me! Don't let the mean Domingo chase you away from me!". Ha! What a crybaby.
dors, I'll commune with you anytime, but I don't know about that spanking stuff. It sounds like a Republican S & M thing to me ala Jack Ryan.
Besides, I like wild rice. (What IS it with wild rice in those parts? I brought back a lifetime supply).
Scarborough just LOST it on Lawrence O'Donnell
The sum of the argument was O'Donnell:
"I'm so sick and tired of hearing how we should go to war from people that didn't go. Democrats may be as hypocritical as Republicans, but I am sick of hearing war-mongerors trump up the war."
Scarborough was SUPER-pissed, and it looks like something in him and his pseudo conservative persona finally cracked.
Any time, {[fade}}. The yuppies are going to Cancun, the old lady accross the street is going to Australia, someone else is going to Hawaii, another neighbor is going to the East Coast, and I always end up with all the keys. We STILL can't figure out who owns which dish, since so much food gets passed around the neighborhood. There is 1 in particular that NOBODY knows where it came from. The best guess is that someone brought something home from work once and it became the local pass around plate.
Posted by Domingo on November 20, 2006 at 09:23 PM Don't let the mean Domingo chase you away from me!".
That button, and others that people try to push don't work.
I was inoculated growing up and the booster shots I've gotten periodically over the years have turned into non events.
The virus will have to mutate in my case at least.
Hi Fade,
Sorry I didn't answer earlier, but I was at the gym. I hope you are doing well. I have been back to focussing on my life since the election, just coming here now and then.
I think we should implement something along the lines of Rangel's idea, it would make our country a little more open I think and less selfish fat and lazy. I know a lot of Universities are requiring community service as part of their Bachelor's program. Maybe get kids away from the video games a little bit and taste some reality. Speaking of which..........
I SEE FROSTY IS BACK!!!!!!!!
Hi Frosty the Magnificent!! Not so magnificent on your pre-election predictions eh? Why bother posting as Thomas Paine, we all know you by your posts anyway. I see your global warming science are as good as your election science. Please explain this to me:
Why would we be lying about the global warming phenomenon?
Who benefits financially or politically from telling the world about global warming? Right now, if you try to put out information on the subject that is not industry friendly, you will be out of a job. So, people do it because it is the right thing to do. GLobal Warming is REAL!!!!
On the other hand, there is plenty of incentive to be like you and lie to protect the profits of oil, coal, and gas corporations. These corporations spend millions every year to spread misinformation to make us question global warming so that they can keep reeping the profits. Someday, hopefully before it is too late, you'll realize that your lying is partly to blame for much of our environment's destruction.
Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 09:28 PM dors, I'll commune with you anytime, but I don't know about that spanking stuff.
That's probably a good compromise.
I've heard Rangel's ideas regarding the draft and I just had to say something. This guy is either a complete idiot or evil. He should know that there are ambitious people yet to serve as President who would be more than willing to go to war with the draft in place. Hell, George Bush would have used it. I mean these guys friggin lied to the world in order to get their war, what the hell makes anyone think that they would not have been more than happy to make use of a draft?
I see your global warming science are as good as your election science.
Ok, that sounded retarded. Supposed to read:
Frosty, I see your Global Warming science is as good as your election prediction science.
How 'bout it, Domingo. That has You Tube written ALL over it. I have NEVER seen anything like it!
This wasn't some phony shout fest where everybody smiles at the end and comes back next week, I really thought someone was going to smacked, except they were all elsewhere. That Pug POS needed to be smacked down but good. I wonder if O'Donnell will even be asked back, he made the Pug look like the fool that he is, and Joe didn't fare much better.
Oh, and tell me he doesn't remember George Bush Sr. saving his own son's ass from Vietnam or that he doesn't know that the same manipulation was not a fact of life at the time and before. The elite will be no more likely to serve than they are now, and the draft puts people into combat situations who do not want to be there and so jeopardize the safety of the rest of us. This is simply the dumbest idea I've heard in years, and this comes from a democratic leader?! What's wrong with his head?
Posted by Marine on November 20, 2006 at 09:36 PM
I am not sure I understand your point, but I am all for some kind of mandatory service for citizenship. As I said before, it doesn't have to be military, but I think people in this country need a sense of community and service to others. Whether or not it would prevent any wars is another matter. I just would like to see some kind of mandatory service to the country between the ages of 18-35. I include teachers, police officers, paramedics, fire fighters, federal agents, peace corps, and military on the list. Surely, every person entitled to the priveledge of being born here could serve in some capacity.
Whether or not it would prevent any wars is another matter.
That's my point, it won't prevent war but will instead encourage it.
I also believe that some form of mandatory service would be good for America, but I sure as hell don't want them on the front lines if they don't want to be there.
Posted by DPD on November 20, 2006 at 09:37 PM
It reminds of that time a few weeks ago when Mike Malloy got under that Repugs skin and the Repug lost it and started yelling "You don't even know me!". Ha!
Posted by Marine on November 20, 2006 at 09:48 PM
Anyone who has been on the front lines would agree that they would rather not serve there with draftees.
Oh well.
I am gonna take off for the night, take care dems.
Willie D.
I've always posted that I blurt, that I don't go into detail on a blog.
If I agree with Steve, it's on one issue. I oppose abortion, even though I know it is sometime a necessary procedure. To rid oneself of an unborn child because it's an inconvience to the woman/couple is murder to me.
I don't believe in war, Katrina had me in tears for weeks, and disease, both physical and mental, has taken many family members from me. Do you read the differences as well?
You've probably served long enough to know that we're fighting the same basic movement in the Middle East that we've fought for decades now, ranger. You probably know that we had, until recently, managed to maintain a greater level of control over the terrorist problem. No doubt you saw many Americans fall for Osama's Jihad trap and begin a war, at least in word, upon all of Islam which has fueled terrorist recruitment for years to come. All of this was, as you know, caused by the manipulations of the ignorant, those who pretended to understand the situation and offering WWII type tactics and strategies that were of no use and normally damaging to our efforts in this war.
I don't want this sort of ignorance getting in the way any more. They've already drawn us deeper into war in the Middle East than we ever should have been drawn and as a result have created more enemies and more threat for us to deal with in the future.
Posted by Esmeralda on November 20, 2006 at 09:54 PM
I am not a fan of abortion either, but I would rather see the people who are against it make more of an effort to avoid it by helping the single mothers raise their children, rather than make the process illegal.
But as long as those options are available, the Pugs and chickenhawks will snap them up. Rangels deal is to put it up for a vote AGAIN, and see just how much the chickenhawks want to put their asses where their mouths are. (Redundant, I know).
If there is a draft, NO DEFERRMENTS, NO EXEPTIONS, NOBODY AVOIDS GEORGE'S WAR. Republicans go first, and stay until all the National Guard are home, then they can "Rah Rah" all they want. Bush's little hormone surge will be over in a week.
That's another thing O'Donnell said on Scumboro tonight, "Why aren't Bush's daughters in uniform on the ground in Iraq?" That's when Scumbucket lost it. Somewhere along the way O'Donnell was called "unpatriotic".
Posted by Marine on November 20, 2006 at 09:56 PM
Good point, CIA/FBI/State Department much better for this fight than the military--at least conventional.
Good night, Marine. Good night Chesty Puller....wherev