I KNOW some of those last 28% who say they would prefer the GOP in the WH.

They refuse to admit they made a mistake in voting for Bush, and they voted with their wallet and will continue to do so even if it means pulling the lever for Bin Laden if he is on the Red Lever!

I remember history talking about how other countries sent ship loads of their mentally insane and their criminals over to the USA to get rid of them. THESE 28% are their descendents!

WAG THE DOG ALERT!!

The Bush administration is doing it again. Making a lot of noise about troop movements in order to divert attention from the real story. Wake up! The TOP story should be the Libby Trial and the Vice President’s involvement. The Vice President’s actions border on treason, and should be investigated as such.
Instead, this administration has wagged the dog once again and allowed the media and our Democratic leaders to be sucked in, like the lemmings, they are. When will you all wake up to the manipulation? Has anyone noticed that the escalation talks ramped up when the Libby trial was starting to pick Jurors and last week when the information about Cheney’s involvement was starting to get out is when the announcement to hold and shoot Iranians was announced. Can anyone tell me when troop fluctuation during a military conflict became such big news? Answer, Not until this administration made it an issue. Remember this increase in troops will only bring us back to the levels we were at two years ago. When will you ALL wake up to the manipulation. This administration has fooled you all once again. Classic Karl Rove politics at its' finest. All anyone talked about on the Sunday talk shows was Iraq. There was hardly any mention of the Libby affair.
The real story you should be concentrating on is the Vice Presidents involvement in the outing of a CIA agent, and the manipulations that took us into an unnecessary war.

WAG THE DOG ALERT!!

WAG THE DOG ALERT!!

The Bush administration is doing it again. Making a lot of noise about troop movements in order to divert attention from the real story. Wake up! The TOP story should be the Libby Trial and the Vice President’s involvement. The Vice President’s actions border on treason, and should be investigated as such.
Instead, this administration has wagged the dog once again and allowed the media and our Democratic leaders to be sucked in, like the lemmings, they are. When will you all wake up to the manipulation? Has anyone noticed that the escalation talks ramped up when the Libby trial was starting to pick Jurors and last week when the information about Cheney’s involvement was starting to get out is when the announcement to hold and shoot Iranians was announced. Can anyone tell me when troop fluctuation during a military conflict became such big news? Answer, Not until this administration made it an issue. Remember this increase in troops will only bring us back to the levels we were at two years ago. When will you ALL wake up to the manipulation. This administration has fooled you all once again. Classic Karl Rove politics at its' finest. All anyone talked about on the Sunday talk shows was Iraq. There was hardly any mention of the Libby affair.
The real story you should be concentrating on is the Vice Presidents involvement in the outing of a CIA agent, and the manipulations that took us into an unnecessary war.

WAG THE DOG ALERT!!

Good mornin Dems. Clear Thinker(Not) Your fear monger crap is out of gas. Stuff it in yur ear.

The stink from the dirty bomb of lies that hit the Capitol in January 2001 is still having repercussions throughout our nation. We aren't worried about what might happen. We are worried about what did and if the necessary repairs will come too late.

Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForBarackObama2008 on January 29, 2007 at 03:22 AM

FOS,

I found that video endearing. You can't fake that kind of emotion. After years of watching The Decider "act," I'm convinced that a little embarrassment would not be a bad thing for all our nation's politicians.

Pam,

Once they were lost and now they are really lost.

bbl

skeet,

the WH is trying to lie about it, but if you watch those experts on TV, they are all saying what we are witnessing is an all out Civil War between Sunnis and Shias. Our boys are caught in the middle. Who do you shoot? a Sunni or a Shia? All they are doing is Inflaming the situation, making it worse.

Once our guys are out of there, the Gov. will realize they have to act politically to bring them all to the table with compromise and negotiations. Republicans like to think these guys are just killing for the fun of it, but they all have families and want peace also. That's why so many remember Hussein fondly. At least he kept these factions under control.

guys like the troll talking about dirty bombs is so clearly under informed as to the fact that these guys are not terrorists who will follow us back here. They are Insurgents - i.e. Iraqis fighting for power over there.

These guys remain blind, deaf and dumb so as to not have to admit what a terrible mistake they made in voting for Bush. Blood is on their hands.

Thank goodness this man will never be President.

Cheney's out of the shadows but still an enigma

It's delightful to talk to the sitting vice president about trout fishing in Wyoming. On any other subject, listening to him is unnerving.

this is also the man that gives us this highly evolved adult response to Hagel's criticism.

"Well, I'm vice president and they're not."

Those of you who are interested in affecting change and holding the newly elected Congress to working on behalf of change, go to www.democrats.com/ and join the influence fight.
Nancy Pelosi and others might not represent the change some of you write about on this blog, voted for and expect from Congress ...
If ever there was a time to take action, this is it.

Posted by Skeet_Shooter on January 29, 2007 at 10:34 AM

We just want an end to our occupation of Iraq. Our troops found no WMD and haven't had any military mission for three and a half years now.

World Peace is a religious tenet. If you don't agree with it, that's fine. Just don't tell us you are a Christian who thinks killing is good for the soul.

So you haven't noticed the civil war and tremendous loss of innocent civilans, all Muslims, in Iraq in the past four years?

You need to cut back on the time you waste monitoring your investments and watching American Idol. You've missed about a 200,000 deaths.

Where in our Constitution does it say we are suppose to perserve the dysfunctional Iraqi government? The next thing you'll want us to do is make them American citizens, cut their taxes, and outsource their jobs.

the civil war has been going on for along time and gobial peace is not possable as long as there are different counties out there. there is a holy war going on too if you dident know that thats why they hit us in september 11, 2001 the holy war was to go and take as many Americans and others as they can to stop us. and they have called for a ju`dia but no know is understanding what they have done lisen to them and understand

we need to remove the troops and let them fight it out understand thats the only way to make it a new country okay thanks for lisening to and reading this.

Sandy, there was a troll on who was making those remarks. He was promptly erased by the moderators.

If anyone is interested, there is live blogging on firedoglake in the Libby trial. Very interesting.

CONFLICT IN IRAQ
Pelosi's trip: She believes more strongly that withdrawal will help region, says troops deserve better policies than president's

Speaking from Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, Pelosi said the nation owes its troops a better policy than the one now being pursued by President Bush, and emphasized the importance of reconstructing the war-torn region.

As Congress prepares to challenge the president's Iraq policy, Pelosi offered no indication that her meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had softened her opposition to Bush's plan to send 21,500 more American troops into the war.

The high-level meetings highlighted Pelosi's determination to place Iraq near the top of the agenda for the new Democratic Congress. It also emphasized on a world stage the enormous differences between Congress and the White House over the way forward.

"We owe them better policy. We owe them better initiatives,'' Pelosi said after meeting the past three days with scores of U.S. troops and military commanders, as well as the top political leader in each of the three countries. "I believe redeployment of our troops is a step toward stability in the region.''

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/29/MNGP0NQQOK1.DTL

Hello all. 2007 is not starting out good for me. My Dad passed away Thursday from complications of skin cancer. I'll be lurking today and then out for a few.

Wear your sunscreen.

I find it hard to believe that there are even 20 left who are so afraid of George Bush they would still back the killing of more of our troops! They must not be up for re-election next year.

"Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, predicted today that no more than 20 senators would voice support for the president’s troop increase in Iraq when the Senate debates resolutions opposing that plan," the New York Times reports Monday.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Top_Democrat_says_no_more_than_0129.html

Blue, I am so sorry to hear that. You have my sympathy.

Dick cheney (or is that Cheny the Dick) has been waiting for this for a long time. They had better not do this, or the white house will be marched on for sure!!!

Escalation of US Iran military planning part of six-year Administration push

href="http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Iran_The_Road_to_Confrontation_0123.html">http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Iran_The_Road_to_Confrontation_0123.html

Rich adds, "Though he's not a candidate for national office, Webb's nine-minute Democratic response not only upstaged the president but also, in an unintended political drive-by shooting, gave Clinton a more pointed State of the Union 'contrast' than she had bargained for."

"Clinton cannot rewrite her own history on Iraq to match Obama's early opposition to the war, or Webb's," Rich continues. "She was not prescient enough to see, as Webb wrote in The Washington Post back in September 2002, that 'unilateral wars designed to bring about regime change and a long-term occupation should be undertaken only when a nation's existence is clearly at stake.'"

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Frank_Rich_Senator_Clintons_mission_unaccomplished_0128.html

Thanks Pam.

"The majority of Senate Republicans filibustering and delaying the passage of a new minimum wage law may be heartless, but they're not dumb. They know that bumping the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour is enormously popular with the American people and they're also aware that it passed by huge numbers in the House of Representatives, with 80 Republicans voting in favor of helping the working poor.

So why the stalling? Why put off the inevitable with over 100 nonsensical amendments, while already voting once against ending debate on a clean minimum wage bill?

Except in this case, the Republicans figure that if they can keep the Senate occupied indefinitely with an open-and-shut thing like a minimum wage increase, they can avoid the thing they fear most -- having to vote on any of the myriad Iraq-war resolutions waiting in the wings.

"Tuesday, we'll have a vote and, you know, they may defeat cloture just like they did on the ethics thing," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), at a joint press conference with Ted Kennedy (D-MA) on Friday. "They know that they're on the wrong side on this issue. And we're going to not let them forget it."

"If they defeat cloture on minimum wage, they think we're going to bring this right back? Oh, no we're not. We're going to move to another subject they don't like to talk about: escalation of the war in Iraq… they know when minimum wage is finished, we're going to Iraq."

Reid has the bipartisan Biden-Hagel-Levin resolution against the escalation of the Iraq war waiting in the wings and my bet is that, if Republicans filibuster -- vote against cloture -- on the minimum wage legislation on Tuesday, Reid will temporarily table that legislation, call the Republicans on their game and move on to the Iraq war.

Senate Democrats can then bring the minimum wage -- which now contains $8 billion in new tax breaks for small businesses -- right back after Iraq resolutions and ongoing funding for troops (already in Iraq) are handled.

"It took the House of Representatives four hours to increase the minimum wage with 80 Republicans supporting it," said Kennedy at the Friday news conference with Reid. "Why, Mr. Republican, will you not permit the Senate of the United States to increase the minimum wage, which has not been increased for 10 years for men and women who are at the lower end of the economic ladder, men and women of dignity who take a pride in their work, who are trying to provide for their family?"

And Kennedy, who has fought for years to get the minimum wage increased, agrees with Reid that stalling from the Republican side of the aisle has nothing to do with the wage bill itself and everything to do with their fear of having to take a stand on the war. According to Kennedy , any Republicans voting against the minimum wage increase on Tuesday will effectively be telling Americans that they don’t want to move on to Iraq votes, meaning that they want to stay in Iraq indefinitely.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Bob%20Geiger/344

gee, I hope the troll doesn't read this one. He thinks anyone that criticizes Israel is automatically anti-semitic.

WASHINGTON - Israel likely misused American-made cluster bombs in civilian areas of Lebanon during the war against Hezbollah last summer, the State Department said Monday

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070129/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_israel

Blue...Sorry for your loss...cancer is an indescrimiate killer.....there is often no ryme or reason to who survies and who does not....my thoughts will be with you today.....John Boy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush did not intend to insult Democrats by failing to pronounce their party's full name in his State of the Union address, spokesman Tony Snow said on Monday.

In his speech last Wednesday, Bush declared to a joint session of the U.S. Congress that "I congratulate the Democrat majority." Some Democrats were incensed he did not say "Democratic." The party's proper name is the Democratic Party.

Republicans for years have dropped the last two letters of the name as a slight to the party. Bush's prepared text of his speech had the proper pronunciation, but when he delivered it he made the mistake.

Snow said Bush meant no slight.

"I want to thank everybody for making three mountains out of a mole hill. The president, when we asked him about it, said, 'What?... I didn't mean anything by it,'" Snow said.

....Tony Snow is a condescending jerk. Bush didn't misspeak and this isn't the first time just on a much bigger stage. It shows Bush and Cheney's disreguard for all Democrats. When Cheney was asked about Clinton's campaign he said thay just being a Democrat is reason enough to hate Hillary or any other candiddate for that matter. Bush has so little respect for anyone who disagrees with his "decisions" that he publicly insults millions of Americans to prove I guess that he's a smartass.

PamB...those Republican Senators who are obstructing the Minimum wage have to stand for reelection sooner or later....My next target is Cornyn of Texas....John Boy.....

wldj,

I have heard MANY pundits, from right after the speech on, talk about that incorrect English usuage as saying the Republicans love to use that as a slight. I heard a Republican Representative on the floor last week, use the same term.

Not only are they very ignorant, they are rude overbearing slobs. Just THINK if that were our guys mis pronouncing their party. They would be out their howling like warthogs.

John Boy, My focus shall be every one up in 2008. Saving my dollars to put towards tight ones (if there is even such a thing next year).

I got a feeling that the american people have had enough with republicans, their corruption, their sexual perversions, their fight against the middle class and working people.

All 21 may be on the outside looking in!

here's who they are, btw, in case you want to memorize them all.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?Class=2

Bush may be arragant, but he's not intellectually curious: before the invasion of Iraq, he did not know the difference between a Sunni and a Shia and he still does not know the name of the political party that is going to kick his ass again, long before the '08 elections....JOhn Boy...

Posted by Skeet_Shooter on January 29, 2007 at 11:21 AM

I'll make a lot more nasty remarks if you continue to come in here and tell us that we are responsible for stopping other peoples' civil wars.

We were told the military mission was to find and destroy WMD...which were apparently manufactured by the White House publicity department.

We are not going to stay in Iraq for generations. The anti-occupation movement is only going to grow. Get use to the hostility toward your excuses for this administration's continued foot dragging.

PamB...12:52....Amen!...I want all of the carpet baggers gone and that's all they are....John Boy.....

Good Morning Democratic Party,

Where to start this morning? Let’s begin with Iraq talking points from shrub, pug reich and x-tians!

The latest news release on why the battle is not going so well is because the Iranians are supporting the battle in Iraq. They are supplying munitions and personnel!

Question:

WHY DIDN’T THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND GENERALS SECURE THE BOURDER TO IRAN?

The military schools teach the commanders in the field always protect your flank. Do not get out-flanked. Do not allow your enemy to cut off or intrude into your line of defense. So why didn’t the Bush Administration and the Generals protect their flank! To blame the enemy for attacking an open flank is not a policy. It is not the enemies fault for attacking your flank that was left open.

WHY ARE THE BOURDERS TO IRAN AND PAKISTAN LEFT OPEN!!!!

OK, let us examine what we knew and when we knew the information.

1) Iran became an ultra-fundamentalist religious state when the Ayatollah Khomeini gain control and overthrew Shah of Iran in 1979. The Shah of Iran was supported by the USA and British government and was installed into power in 1953. There are Iranians who hated us from that date. When the Shah was deposed and came to USA, the Iranian council asked for his return to stand trial. We did not extradite him back to Iran, which lead to the hostage capture of USA embassy personnel.
2) USA and Saudi Arabia supported Iraq’s Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War (September 1980 to August 1988). Majority of the support came from Bush One, Rummy, and Cheney etc... This war was to prevent further religious fundamentalist incursion into the Arabian Peninsula.
3) By stating the above, we knew since 1953 the Iranian government hated Americans.
4) Bush announced that Iran was seeking to produce nukes and is the axis of evil.

So, why didn’t the Bush Administration and Generals secure the boarders and guard the munitions dumps!!!

Five years into a war is not the time to admit the boarders and flanks were not protected and it is the enemies fault for attacking us at the unprotected flank!!!

Bush didn't misspeak

wldj,

I might have to disagree with you on that. Bush is constantly proving that he's functionally illiterate. Snow isn't. He's a jerk by design.

Remember,

Bush one, Rummy and Cheney worked for Ray-gun!

Posted by BlueinIdaho on January 29, 2007 at 11:49 AM

Blue,

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sorry I missed your earlier post until now. May the good Lord put your mind at ease. There is peace for those who open their hearts to the power of love. Take it one day at a time.

Let's examine more information regarding when the bush administration and general knew the Iranians hated the west.

Iran supported Hezbollah since ....

So why didn't the bush administration and generals secure the boarders to Iran!!

So, why didn’t the Bush Administration and Generals secure the boarders and guard the munitions dumps!!!

That's easy, Hybrid.

For the same reason they allowed the looting and didn't protect the govermental agencies (with the exception of the Oil Ministry) and utilies. They don't know what they are doing. And they are incapable of learning...functionally illiterate.

HybridFuel....I don't know how much blame we can put on the Generals...General Zinney's report, "Desert Crossing" stated that it would take 400,000 troops in Iraq to keep the country from disintergrating into civil sectarian war....The DOD (Rumsfeld) buried the Zinney Report...they didn't have 400,000 troops, much less the equiptment for them. It was also felt that the American People would not support a war requiring that many troops or a long war. So, they sold this war, based on surpressed and manufactured intell to the American People and to Congress by doing it "on the Cheap"...going in with too few troops to start with. Rumsfeld tried to micromanage this war and his Generals did what they were told. Leaving thousands of ammo dumps not guarded or destroyed was an open invitation to the insurgensy to arm itself. As far as the border with Iran, they needed helicopter pads wvery 150 miles and didn't do that either. I doubt that the Generals were that stupid. They either didn't have the assets or were told not to secure the borders. Maybe when more of them retire we'll learn the truth......nevertheless, keep up the hunt...we've got to get the fools out of office....John Boy....

When you keep the PNAC agenda in mind what is happening in the Middle East is not supprising...and will continue as planned until we stop them.

http://pnac.info/

So why didn't the bush administration and generals secure the boarders to Iran!!

Posted by HybridFuel on January 29, 2007 at 01:17 PM

Hybrid,

If they attack Iran, they are going to have fight Russia and China, too. They are supporting Iran and have got drilling rights to their oil and natural gas. And they'r also supplying arms to the Iraqi fighting.

Bush is ready to take on all comers. "Bring it on," said the Idiot-In-Chief. But somehow he can't even stop the rag tag Iraqi militias.

so sorry blue. not much i can say but find comfort where ever you can.

Dear Blue in Idaho...

I've never talked to you before, but so sorry about your dad. Take Care.

Posted by goodfoe on January 29, 2007 at 01:24 PM

John,

Bush has fired or forced so many of our generals to retire, it's a wonder we have any left.

Cont...as far as I know, for the last 4 months they have been doing check points on the main roads from Iran to Iraq.....which leaves alot of desert...I don't know if they're doing anything to intradict the flow of men, money and materials across the open desert....as badly managed as this war has been, it almost seems like they never intended to win this war.......To secure Baghdad would need 100,000 more troops and our kia would mount accordingly...I just don't understand what these people think they are trying to do or who they think they are fooling.........Edwards is the only one I have heard that has come out stronly to cut off the funding...Possibly Dennis Kucinich has too...I don't remember....John Boy....

Sandy,

don't forget all that "lost" money that is unaccounted for sent to Iraq! Plus unaccounted for weapons which have disappeared.

The entire crew running this illegal invasion are incompetent idiots! You can tell they are all Republican chosen !

Blue,

My sincerest condolences, may you find the strength, comfort and solace in the days ahead. Our hearts and mind are with your family and in our prayers.

Blue, I'm terribly sorry for your loss. There never seem to be the right words to help in these situations. Please know you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care sweet lady.

SandyH Good golly...do I love you!...you are sooo good, get to the heart of the issue in one sentence where I flounder around for paragraphs....I hope that as soon as some of these Generals get on full retirement and their pensions are secure they will start speaking out on these issues more...We need to know all the truth....going to take a break for a little while...have to start getting organized to start writing my next book...have to at least take inventory on my ball point pens....Peace...John Boy....

SandyH,

I do not want them to attack Iran! Just the opposite!

Why didn't the Bush Administration and Generals secure the boarder so these incursions do not occur from Iran? Why was the battle grounds not secured to prevent escalation of the boarders?

This is the propaganda reason Bush administration and generals are using to ensure they are allowed to expand the war.

My take on the same information is, ”Why allow a bunch of incompetent administrators, who do not know how to secure their own flank from a known enemy expand the war or continue to conduct the war!!”

To all those who miss-read my comments,

The propaganda information presented by the Bush administration is proof definitive evidence these people are incompetent and did not protect their flank from known enemies!

If the propaganda evidence is taken to the extreme, it begs the questions:

Was the boarder to Iran and Pakistan left open to allow incursion and expansion of war?

Was the boarders left open to create and manufacture a “2007 version Gulf of Tonkin!”?

I am just curious as to what you would say on here when the media begins to post the daily death toll of combatants and civilians in a “non-occupied Iraq”

Posted by Skeet_Shooter on January 29, 2007 at 01:54 PM

Now there's a stretch. You're assuming that the MSM would give two shit's about what is happening in Iraq once our troops are out. Think Israel/Lebanon conflict. CNN and Anderson Cooper were out of there as soon as the UN moved in.

Seen any coverage lately??

For shits and giggles, try googling Iraq/Iran War and see exactly how much attention the MSM paid to that conflict between the Shia and Sunni factions. You'd be really lucky to find any coverage with the exception of a middle eastern print rag.

Nope, troops out...media right behind em' and make sure the door doesn't hit you in the ass on the way out.

Dear friend of United for Peace and Justice,

January 27th was an extraordinary outpouring for peace in Washington DC and in communities all around the country. On Saturday, the National Mall was filled with the voices of 500,000 people committed to doing their part to end the war in Iraq and bring all of the troops home. And the energy in this massive turnout was electric.

Today, at least 1,000 people will bring that energy and conviction into the offices of Congressional representatives from 47 states. This promises to be one of the largest lobby days in decades, and caps an amazing weekend in the nation's Capitol.

Join us by calling your members of Congress today, and telling them that the delegations coming to their offices today speak for you! We are demanding that Congress use its power to end the war and occupation in Iraq, to bring the troops home and to take care of them when they get here, and to make restitution for the destruction of Iraq. Call the Capitol Switchboard -- 202-224-3121 -- and ask to to be connected to your representatives' offices. Click here to find who your members of the new Congress are.

****

The corporate fascist media lied about the number of people. They made it sound as if it was less than 100,000. Well, we filled the mall and that means at least 500,000 were out there in the middle of the winter to protest the Iraq occupation. Many people are meeting directly with members of Congress today!

Posted by HybridFuel on January 29, 2007 at 01:52 PM

Hybrid,

We know you don't want them to attack Iran. You were just laying out their strategy. It's so obvious, isn't it?

But I am getting worried about the possibility of a conveniently-timed domestic terrorist attack that would give them the excuse to go forward against Iran.

Remember that British "house and beauty aids" fluid bomber terrorist ring that the White House blew the cover on right before the election? (Has anyone ever been indicted or is any of the suspects still in custody?)

All the trolls have been talking about dirty bombs and terrorists sneaking across the Mexican border lately...and we all know who most of them get their paychecks from. Frosty should ask for a raise since they are plotting to tax his medical benefits.

500,000 march for peace:

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

SandyH,

Hum?

Propaganda begat more propaganda to expand the war.

Where have I heard that one before, 1968?

Posted by Skeet_Shooter on January 29, 2007 at 02:24 PM

I thought you didn't like my rotten attitude?

Well, I'll play along anyway.

All the deaths are the responsibility of George W. Bush. He destablized a dictaorship that had kept the order ever since Guld War I, when Bush The First instituted the sanctions. Now all the Banchees from Hell are running around decapitating anyone they please.

Most estimates of civilan dead are well over 200,000.

I place the blame right where the the Iraqi people place it...George the Second. Just this weekend the Iraqi Vice President said it was all Bush's fault and the invasion was an incredibily stupid move.

Loving Your Country
by mcjoan
Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:55:03 AM PST

Bob Herbert marched on Saturday, and came to this conclusion:

You can say what you want about the people opposed to this wretched war in Iraq, try to stereotype them any way you can. But you couldn’t walk among them for more than a few minutes on Saturday without realizing that they love their country as much as anyone ever has. They love it enough to try to save it.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/29/135237/413

SandyH,

Focus on more productive issue that gains results would be more constructive. ...rather than these circular logic arguments of incompetence vs. expand the war and need for power with more money to spend! Got it!

Focus on the I^4

Investigation
Indictment
Incarceration
Impeachment

Evidence provided by Bush Administrations “Wild Imagination” propaganda!

Throwing Light on Insight
by Devilstower
Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 08:50:44 AM PST

The New York Times today takes it to the smear merchants behind the "Obama went to a radical school -- as told to us by Hillary Clinton" story. Granted, the Times motivation here occasionally seems as much oriented toward running down the skills and honesty of anonymous bloggers as it does in going after those who put forward these lies, but their focus on the right-wing's eagerness to deal in slime is dead on. They trace the story from its skuzzy origins to its echoes across conservative owned and operated media.

...Mr. Kuhner’s Web site, Insight, the last remnant of a defunct conservative print magazine owned by the Unification Church led by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, was able to set off a wave of television commentary, talk-radio chatter, official denials, investigations by journalists around the globe and news media self-analysis that has lasted 11 days and counting.

This isn't the first time Insight has offered up clearly contrived nonsense. The site's reputation has become so tattered, that even their poor paper cousins are embarrassed to name them as relatives.

"Some of the editors here get annoyed when Insight is identified as a publication of The Washington Times," said Wesley Pruden, editor in chief of The Washington Times.

Naturally, following the right wing tradition of never admitting a mistake, Insight's editor still stands by the story that has been picked apart by every organization that took ten minutes to look into it.

In an interview Sunday, Mr. Kuhner, 37, said he still considered the article, which he said was meant to focus on the thinking of the Clinton campaign, to be "solid as solid can be."

Solid -- as in, it matches exactly the chain emails that are being passed from one Republican mailbox to the next. So it must be so!

And if you think that it's only Fox and Limbaugh treating Insight as a serious source, think again. Despite being wrong about as often as Don Rumsfeld, news organizations continue to treat them seriously.

... the Fox News rival MSNBC has picked up several of Insight’s other recent anonymous "scoops."

What next? This just in from Free Republic?
****

Lying corporate fascist media. The worst is Faux News but then there are several right behind them ready to carry the Bush-it "water".

Posted by Skeet_Shooter on January 29, 2007 at 02:24 PM

And I'm curious as to what the hell your point is. Does it matter whether it's two hundred or two hundred thousand?

The fact of the matter is that we pre-emptively and unilaterally invaded Iraq. We Killed civilians in the process and call them collateral damage. We are an occupier and there is no honor in that. Our congress was lied to and manipulated into a vote based on evidence that was manufactured by this administration and in particular, this president.

We have pissed off generations of Sunni and Shia Iraqi's. We have created a vacumn in which thousands of years of factional hatred and factional scores are being settled and cultivated.

We have, by our actions, thrown the balance that did exist in the middle east, out of whack and are now responsible for the restoration of that natural balance and also the death and blood that will flow, as a result of our actions.

There is no good end to this. There is no honorable or responsible way to "fix" this. All we are doing is deferring the inevitable and leaving more American blood in the sand before our exit.

Colin Powell said it, and he not only did he warn the cheese brain posing as a president, but his words will also stay with us as a reminder..."If you go into Iraq, you will own it"

And we will own everything and every death that goes with it, again whether it's 200, 2,000, 20,000 or 200,000.

More pictures from the peace rally:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/29/11755/2574

The Democratic Party must continue to remind the solders the following:

1) Democratic party included funding for the Veterans, not the bush administration and not the pug reich congress.

2) Democratic party included funding for military families, not the bush administration and not the pug reich congress.

3) Democratic party included funding for armor for the solders and refunding military families for purchase of those items, not the bush administration and not the pug reich congress.

Democratic party support the troops and solders, we do not support the incompetence of bush administration, pug reich, x-tians and reich talking heads who do not support the troops.

Democratic party does not support the bush administrations, pug reich, x-tians and reich talking heads expansion of the war.

And, do you consider those killed to be our enemy?

I consider Bin Lauden to be our enemy. Remember him and his gang of thugs?

What did the Iraqis ever do to us? If they are shooting at our troops, it's because we invaded their country and destroyed their infrastructure.

A question for you, if you please...where did all those billions of dollars in lost rebuilding aid end up? Have you checked your Halliburton stock value lately? With an impending Iranian conflict things should be looking good. But then you wouldn't have any insider information, would you?

I'm tired of playing cat and mouse.

later.

SandyH,

That's KK&R a branch of Halliburton.

Hybrid,

All I remember about Vietnam is more and more of my high school classmates being drafted...and then the funerals. With each surge there were more funerals.

Thanks goodfoe and Sandy.

More on Kennedy blasting the corporate fascist Republicans on the minimum wage:

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/01/26/outrage-part-2-kennedy-blasts-senate-republican-minimum-wage-delays/

Thank you all for your kind words. It helps to have the support of all you wonderful people.

Bill Would Ban Sale of Products Made in Sweatshops

by James Parks, Jan 28, 2007
Workers in a factory in Jordan hold pictures of products they make for export to U.S. retailers.
For some companies, “free trade” means finding the cheapest labor, forcing people to work long hours for little or nothing in sweatshops to produce products that are exported to department stores in the United States and around the world.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) wants to stop this exploitation of workers by taking away the sweatshop owners’ profits. He has introduced legislation that would ban the U.S. sale of imported products made in sweatshop factories.

In an innovative enforcement twist, the legislation not only would impose a $10,000 fine for violating the ban, but also would give those who sell legitimately produced products the right to sue to recover damages from the ban violators.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/01/28/bill-would-ban-sale-of-products-made-in-sweatshops/

****

Bryon Dorgan is a good man. I recall a time when Americans were ashamed buying products made by sweatshop labor. What's happened to the soul of this nation? Have we all become so darn greedy? Well, that greed has a price tag and it's call outsourcing. Millions have lost good paying factory jobs because of it and now even white collar workers are being outsourced.

SandyH,

I saw a lot of young men leave; never to return!

I was in Okinawa. The students living by Camp Buckner, Shukuran, Kadina, Naha, etc., who went to Kubasaki High School and were the bottom 50% of their class was instantly drafted to Vietnam. I don't think there are any High Schools in USA that can match the figures of children drafted for Vietnam as those drafted from Kubasaki High School. These were military children going to a high school on a military base that was the forward staging ground for Vietnam!

..."Ambassador Wilson was sent by his wife," Fleischer recalled Libby saying. "His wife works for the CIA."

Fleischer said Libby also used the woman's name,
Valerie Plame, and told him it was "hush hush."

"My sense is that Mr. Libby was telling me this was kind of newsy," Fleischer said....

"His wife sent him," Fleischer recalled Bartlett saying. "She works at the CIA."

Fleischer said he relayed that information to reporters from Time magazine and NBC. A reporter from Newsweek magazine was also there but may have walked away, he said. The reporters paid no attention to the comment, he testified.

"I never in my wildest dreams thought this information was classified," Fleischer testified.

Fleischer testified under an immunity deal with prosecutors and arrived in court with his attorneys. He said he sought the deal after reading an article about the investigation.

"I thought, 'Oh my God. Did I somehow play a role in outing a CIA operative?' " Fleischer said...

//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070129/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial

Leave it to a pr guy to know the difference between news and treason. And I bet he called his lawyer first to make sure of it.

More Than Antiwar
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2007-01-29 13:51. Media

By Bob Herbert

It was a few minutes after 11 a.m. when the scattered crowd began moving slowly toward the stage at the end of the Mall. The sky was a beautiful sunlit blue and the Capitol building, huge and white and majestic, offered the protesters an emotional backdrop that seemed almost close enough to touch.

“It’s so big,” said a woman from Milwaukee, who was there with her husband and two children. “It’s lovely. Makes you want to cry.”

You can say what you want about the people opposed to this wretched war in Iraq, try to stereotype them any way you can. But you couldn’t walk among them for more than a few minutes on Saturday without realizing that they love their country as much as anyone ever has. They love it enough to try to save it.

By 11:15 I thought there was a chance that the march against the war would be a bust. There just weren’t that many people moving toward the stage to join the rally that preceded the march. But the crowd kept building, slowly, steadily. It was a good-natured crowd. Everyone was bad-mouthing the Bush administration and the war, but everybody seemed to be smiling.

There were gray-haired women with digital cameras and young girls with braces. There were guys trying to look cool in knit caps and shades and balding baby boomers trading stories about Vietnam. And many ordinary families.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17869

Maxine Makes the March
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2007-01-29 13:45. Activism

By David Swanson

I wasn't at the front of Saturday's march, but Barbara Cummings, who is always everywhere, informs me that the reason the march took so long to get moving, and the reason it went around the Capitol rather than making a U-turn and coming back down Constitution Avenue is that Congresswoman Maxine Waters told the Capitol Police to move their buses. They had refused for many weeks to allow a march around the Capitol, supposedly because Congress Members need to get across the street (on a Saturday? when they have tunnels?) But Maxine made it happen, and the front of the march returned to the rally area as the end of the march was leaving. We encircled the Capitol! THANK MAXINE!

****

Oh, that explains it. Many of us were confused by the route. It was suppose to make a U-Turn but never did instead it was a long march around the Capital building.

Iraq Veteran,

Please review the introduction of spending bills the last 4 years.

It was Maria Cantwell, D-Washington State that introduced the bill to increase spending for the Veterans hospital and Veterans care.

The republican countered arguments in congress were the spending increase Year over Year was appropriated. What the Republicans did not take into account was 18% increase in budget did not accommodate 500% increase in wounded that were entering the veteran’s hospitals.

Go check your congressional records, your lies just don’t cut it here!!

Good afternoon. What's the news today?

;p

Posted by RightThinker on January 29, 2007 at 03:00 PM

Rather than assume that you believe the path to "world peace" is more troops, tanks, blood and death, perhaps you can enlighten me with your recommended course of action.

Our presence in Iraq has bred a multitude of enemies, all of which from time to time will be labeled "terrorist" and some of which, will no doubt, find a way here.

We are absolutely unrivaled at our ability to piss off people and make enemies as part of our freedom and democracy plan.

How about we ditch the current plan, start from scratch, and make some friends. Start with Iran and Syria.

An unnecessary war justified with planted, bogus intel is mass murder. George W. Bush is the one you seek. We didn't keep our neocon madmen in check.

Good afternoon. What's the news today?

;p

Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForBarackObama2008 on January 29, 2007 at 03:16 PM

Ari is spilling the beans on Scooter and Bartlett. It's a shame he didn't have lunch with Cheney.

Posted by RightThinker on January 29, 2007 at 03:10 PM

It just might be the cure we need for the class warfare Newt started.

Let's remember the republican shorting the funding for veterans benefits.

National Guards called to duty were not given active pay.

National Guards family members were not given military privilages when one or more parents were called to duties.

Democratic party member introduced bills to support these solders. We supported these solders so their family do not have to suffer needlessly due to the uncaring republican congress and bush administration.

Look at the congressional record.

These bills were introduced to the floor of the senate and house by Democratic party members, not repubicans!!!

500,000 March on Washington - Corporate Media Yawns
Submitted by cactuspat on Mon, 2007-01-29 07:44. Activism | Media | Nonviolent Resistance

Danny Schechter opines on the corporate media's despicable marginalization of Saturday's historic March on Washington DC and related nationwide protests against Congress calling for an end to Bush's escalation of the Iraq War.... A half a million marched in DC alone. Add in the hundreds of protests from across the country and you have another historic event taking place, with the corporate media twisting into contortions in attempt to down-play.
The Anti War March Meets The Media - MEDIA DOWNPLAYS ANTI-WAR MARCH SIZE - This past weekend’s anti-war march was big, say the organizers and I have no reason to doubt them. They made this claim: “Washington, D.C. -- In a massive showing of public opposition to the Iraq war, 500,000 people filled the streets around the Capitol today, completely surrounding the building. Participants converged on the National Mall from all over the country to voice their support for an end to the conflict in Iraq... Three hundred buses rolled in early this morning, coming from more than 40 states and including at least 20 buses filled by New York City trade unions. United For Peace & Justice, the march coordinator, called this one of the the largest and most diverse demonstrations since the war began. According to UFPJ National Coordinator and veteran peace and justice leader Leslie Cagan, “This is a decisive moment in the history of this country and of our peace movement. In November, the people of this nation voted for peace. We are here today, all ages, from all walks of life, to hold our elected officials to the mandate of the people.”

Add in protests in the rest of the country and it was even bigger.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17857

Speaker Pelosi used us in her speech but what has she done lately?

She's been in office less than two weeks and hasn't announced her Second 100 Hour agenda yet.

The Republicans have been in charge of funding Veterans's benefits for the past 12 years. All they have done is cut them over and over and over again.

Just imagine what she will be able to do in 12 years. Must make you feel proud to have a woman in charge.

Ari is spilling the beans on Scooter and Bartlett. It's a shame he didn't have lunch with Cheney.

Posted by SandyH on January 29, 2007 at 03:19 PM

Sweet,

I hope we get some new information.

It must be slow news day. When Lottery winners are being reported on as Breaking News, you know it's a slow news day.(LOL) I better check the CSpans.

;p

"late in the game".

What is it a game or somebody's funeral?

Democratic party member introduced bills to support these solders. We supported these solders so their family do not have to suffer needlessly due to the uncaring republican congress and bush administration.
****

hybrid, Puggies vetoes every Democratic amendment to increase veterans benefits. The Dems even wanted to protect vets from bankruptcy but the Puggies wouldn't allow it. They claimed they wanted a clean bankruptcy bill. So when corporate America wants something they get a "clean bill" (written by corporate lobbyists to boot). But when the workers of America need some help with minimum wage the Puggies filibuster the bill by dirtying it up with 200 billion dollars of tax breaks for the corporatists. As Ted Kennedy says - when does the greed stop?

Heard that 300 insurgents were killed today. Felt really uncomfortable, because I didn't see a pile of 300 insurgents. Wonder if someone's cooking bodycounts to "make progress"?

And PamB I so wish the had recall in CT! Are loserman supporters regretting their vote?

Let us review what else the republicans forgot in their rush to war.

The army hospitals were only staffed for prewar trauma. Most base and veterans hospitals did not have a trauma team.

The big joke by the republicans was their support for 18% increase in budget for veteran’s hospitals. If the hospitals do not have a trauma team for gravely injured people 18% increase in budget is not going to pay for the veteran’s hospital acquire a trauma center nor the ability to staff one.

Republican big Joke for the Veterans, Solders and National Guard members in active duty, “REPUBLICANS FORGOT TO FUND YOUR ACTIVE DUTY PAY, VETERANS BENEFITS, INCREASE FUNDING FOR TRAUMA CENTERS WHEN 20,000+ SOLDERS RETURN WITH INJURIES, REPUBLICANS FORGOT TO FUND FOR YOUR ARMOR PROTECTION, AND FUNDING FOR YOUR FAMILIES!!”

All those republican forgetfulness are on record in congress and house, when Democratic party members introduced bills to help the solders, returning solders and their families.

She's been in office less than two weeks and hasn't announced her Second 100 Hour agenda yet.
***

Should be soon. If nothing gets done, it will be the Senate Puggies fault along with the Chief Vetoer in charge. The Senate Puggies are filibustering an up and down vote on the minimum wage.

The 100 hr agenda in the house was very successful. Increases in vet benefits will definitely on the table despite what the trolls say. It's the Puggies that blocked vet benefits. In fact, when one Puggie, Chris Smith of NJ, objected he was booted off of the committee that has oversight over veteran benefits.

Keep it up pug reich! Your lies are sending the president's ratings below 30% and pug reich congress submarined below 30% approval.

Your reality is more creative "Imagination" than truth.

Iraqi Cult Leader Killed in Najaf Battle
Reuters

Monday 29 January 2007

Najaf, Iraq - The leader of an Iraqi cult who claimed to be the Mahdi, a messiah-like figure in Islam, was killed in a battle on Sunday near Najaf with hundreds of his followers, Iraq's national security minister said on Monday.

Women and children who joined 600-700 of his "Soldiers of Heaven" on the outskirts of the Shi'ite holy city may be among the casualties, Shirwan al-Waeli told Reuters. All those people not killed were in detention, many of them wounded.

Authorities were on alert on Monday as hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite Muslims massed in the area to commemorate Ashura, the highpoint of their religious calendar, amid fears of attacks by Sunni Arab insurgents linked to al Qaeda.

But Sunday's battle involved a group of a different sort.

The final casualty toll, put by other Iraqi officials at 300 gunmen, was still being calculated, Waeli said, putting the initial figure at about 200. Searchers were still scouring the area where U.S. tanks, helicopters and jets reinforced Iraqi troops during some 24 hours of fighting.

"He claimed to be the Mahdi," Waeli said of the cult's leader, adding that he had used the full name Mahdi bin Ali bin Ali bin Abi Taleb, claiming descent from the Prophet Mohammad.

He was believed to be a 40-year-old from the nearby Shi'ite city of Diwaniya: "He was killed," Waeli said.

The group, which other Iraqi officials said included both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims as well as foreigners, had planned an attack on the Shi'ite clerical establishment in Najaf on Monday, the climax of Ashura.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012907E.shtml

Oh man, this sounds awfully ugly. Are we looking at another massacre of women and children?

Posted by IraqVeteran on January 29, 2007 at 03:36 PM

Your impatience is justifiable, however the introduction and passage of a bill in Congress will happen, sooner rather than later. I don't like your chances in the Senate and worse than that, a Veto by the "decider in chief"

The Democratic party has accomplished more in their first 100 hours than pug reich congress did in 6 years!!!

From what I have seen of Nancy Pelosi she is on the right track and the nay sayers on the blog seem to have forgotten it will take time to undo the damage done by the repukes. Plus even though the dems are a majority they do not have enough of a majority without responsible repubs to join in.

Mainly we need to let our reps, dem or repub know how we feel and if the masses (us) voice our wants and needs the senate and congress will join in from both parties. We are the parade and all of our politicians want to lead the parade whether they thought of the idea or not!

The governor of Pennsylvania on Saturday said the federal government must do a better job helping America's war veterans and criticized proposed budget cuts affecting them.

"During this time of war, it is absolutely the wrong time for our federal government to step back from any of its commitments to our veterans. To do so would be penny wise but pound foolish," said Gov. Ed Rendell in the weekly Democratic radio address.

"In today's parlance, the cost of health care for these vets may be half a billion dollars but their sacrifice for our nation, priceless," he said.

FOR RELEASE: March 13, 2003

VETERANS PROGRAMS SLASHED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS

Budget Committee Blueprint Cuts Veterans Health Care and Other Benefits
by Nearly $25 Billion

Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL), the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today said the budget adopted by the House Budget Committee would mean drastic reductions in funding for veterans’ benefits and services. Evans called the budget “shameful” and pledged to fight to defeat the Republic budget blueprint. Referring to the more than a trillion dollars worth of tax cuts approved by the Budget Committee, Evans asked, “Who deserves to receive the benefits of the national treasury—America’s disabled veterans or America’s millionaires?”

“Over the years and out of necessity the VA has developed some of the best mental health care in the world,” said Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

“Unfortunately, this care is slipping, and it’s occurring at the worst time, when demand for care is about to explode.”

Earlier, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson offered a mixed reaction to a host of Democrat-sponsored bills, voicing support for general plans to improve mental health care but rebuffing most of their legislative efforts.

He said a long-term mental health plan is already being developed by department officials, although no deadline has been set.

Nicholson opposed a measure to expand post-war health care coverage from two years to five years, saying it would needlessly complicate the current system.

The Bush administration, already accused by veterans groups of seeking inadequate funds for health care next year, acknowledged yesterday that it is short $1 billion for covering current needs at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year.

The disclosure of the shortfall angered Senate Republicans who have been voting down Democratic proposals to boost VA programs at significant political cost. Their votes have brought the wrath of the American Legion, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and other organizations down on the GOP.

Stop the Iran War Before It Starts
By Scott Ritter
The Nation

Wednesday 24 January 2007

In April 2001 I was invited to Washington, DC, by a group of Republican Congressmen collectively known as the Theme Team. The subject was Iraq. It seems that the Theme Team, responsible for monitoring the ideological pulse of America, was somewhat perturbed that a self-described Republican and former Marine officer, not to mention a former UN weapons inspector, was trash-talking America's Iraq policy. While this sort of action might have been acceptable during the tenure of a Democratic President like Bill Clinton, it was not part of the grand design when it came to the presidency of George W. Bush.

The conference room was packed with more than seventy Representatives and their staffs. I provided an opening in which I stressed that the case being made against Saddam Hussein and Iraq, centered as it was on the issue of WMD, did not hold water. I chastised the Republican lawmakers with a warning: If they continued to support the policy of confronting Saddam's Iraq over a trumped-up charge, they would not only get America involved in a war it could not win but would end up destroying the credibility of the Republican Party, and turn control of the Congress, and eventually the Presidency, to the Democrats. There were questions asked, and answers given, and in the end most thanked me for what they called an "illuminating" meeting.

Then they proceeded to do nothing.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012907B.shtml

How about concentrating on stopping the next war? The one with Iran that Bush is pushing for. Otherwise, we'll have way more veterans to take care of.

By the way, taking better care of vets is a constant theme at the antiwar protests. I wonder if those who protest so loudly on this blog about Democrats who have been out of power the last six years were amongst us last Saturday? Hmmm....

IraqVeteran, I hope these links give you information to see who has your back. I had two brothers and numerous other family members who served. I think they deserve every benefit this country has to offer for putting their lives on the line, unlike some who flew combat missions over Alabama.

Pug Reich Crony,

That is unjustifiable waste. Can you account for why a 10 fold increase is needed?

Your incompetent, unwarranted, cronyism filled, squandering of funds with unjustifiable accounting should be forwarded to the Republican party for it’s support.

IN POLITICAL NEWS......

Mixed Reviews for Hillary Clinton In Iowa.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama is currently in New Orleans attending a hearing about the pathetic Recovery Non-Effort.

(sigh)

(blink blink)

(smile)

BTW, presidents don't have the power of the purse. They make recommendations to Congress and the House of Representatives constitutionally sets the spending priorities. In 1982 Democrats controlled the House. In 1999, repubs did.

If you want to read about the repub record on body armor, look here.

Posted by rjsnj on January 29, 2007 at 03:48 PM

We need to pop off an e-mail to our Members of Congress warning them to not even think about it.

McCain's troubles
by kos
Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 12:48:42 PM PST

It seems that being the prime architect and cheerleader of the Iraq War escalation, in addition to all his latest panderings to the Right, aren't doing his approval ratings any favors.

McCain is now viewed favorably by just 52% of American voters. That's down from 56% earlier this month and from 59% in December. His vocal advocacy of increased troop strength in Iraq may be having a negative impact on his popularity. Just one-third of voters (34%) share McCain's view while 56% want to go in the opposite direction and reduce the number of troops in Iraq. However, 94% think the troops will still be fighting in Iraq when the next President takes office.

It really comes back to Iraq, as Rasmussen polling showing McCain now trailing Obama and Edwards indicates.

****

McWindVane is as bad a liar as Joe Weaselman.

As a citizen it is our responsiblity to let our reps know what we want by phone, e-mail etc.. US mail is so bogged down because of 9/11 forget that unless you have a long time to wait for an answer or your thought to get through.

I want our reputation in the world restored.

I want manufacturing to be done here in the USA not in China, India, etc... jobs for our people good jobs that build the middle class.

I want health care to be addressed and a national plan available for every American.

I want corporations to pay their fair share of taxes.

I want our military taken care of those serving and those coming home. Everyone of us owe them that!

I want separation of church and state because when you try to combine them you pollute them both!

I want a clean healthy environment for me and my descendants. We only have one world or at least at this time thats all we have.

I want fair taxes by that I mean those (company's and individuals) that use more of the commons pay their fair share too. After all that is how they made their wealth.

I want a president that is welcomed all over the world and one that gets out among their own population not one that is kept in a bubble. Our president should be their for all of us not just a hand selected few donors!

I want no more wars for energy corporations and built on lies.

I want our people to use the inovation we have always had to come up with alternative energy that is safe and clean and doesn't destroy the planet.

Well as you can see I want it all but will settle for our reps at least giving it a honest, ethical try for the people not just a few!

Hope this doesn't repeat. Regarding the message that reagan provided big boosts in the military, that's inaccurate. Under the Constitution, it is the House of Representatives that initiates all spending bills. All a president can do is ask for funds. In 1982 the House was run by Democrats. However in 1999, it was run by repubs.

Here's a link to the repub position on body armor.

I have two brothers and numerous other family members who have served in the military. I think they should not be short-changed. I also don't think they should be thrown in front of insurgents without to clean up a mess that people who spent the Vietnam War in (Texas/Alabama, on deferment, and in an administrative job for Nixon) started.

Well as you can see I want it all but will settle for our reps at least giving it a honest, ethical try for the people not just a few!
****

madfug, nice list. I agree with all of your points.

Stimson's attack on Guananamo lawyers backfires
by ruthhmiller
Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 12:25:28 PM PST

Charles Stimson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs, whose campaign to stop corporate law firms from representing Guantanamo detainees by listing publically on the radio and in the Wall Street Journal the names of firms that do is having to face down strong resistance to his campaign.

According to the Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/... Verizon, General Electric and Boston Scientific, inter alia, have publicly declared their support for the efforts of their law firms in defending the detainees in fairly ringing language. Charles Rudnick of Boston Scientific Corp stated that ". . . our legal system depends on vigorous advocacy for even the most unpopular causes." And here I quote, although I don’t quite know yet how to do that, but I will, below the fold.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/29/152528/766

I so rarely have anything nice to say about the corporatists. In this instance, some are taking a principled stand against the Bush Reich.

Let's Help TPM Subvert Cheney!!!
by BRussell
Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 12:21:09 PM PST

Josh Marshall and his crew have linked up to this piece by Laura Rozen over at Washington Monthly that addresses the excessive secrecy surrounding Dick Cheney's office. Check it out:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/...
BRussell's diary :: ::

It seems as if we taxpayers don't have the right to know who we are paying, specifically who we are paying under the direction of one Tricky Dick Cheney. Nobody even knows how many people work for him.

Over at TPM, their suggestion is for some enterprising member of Congress to go out of their way to ask Cheney for a list of names of people on his staff. Simple question. Once Cheney refuses through some go-between, we could have a nice little confrontation that will make Cheney look even worse than he already does. And who knows, if he complies because Rove begs him to in order to shut people up, what riches might lie under that rug. This is a no lose situation for Democrats.

Let's talk it up! Calls and emails to representatives wouldn't hurt either.

****

Hmmm, so just how powerful is this Cheney character? My gut tells me he is the one really calling the shots for the puppet brain dead prez.

BlueinIdaho on January 29, 2007 at 11:49 AM,

Blue,

I spend most of my time lurking these days, but when I read terrible personal news, as you posted, I cannot help not extending my condolences. Reflect on the good times of what fathers mean. Here is a link to an emblematic poem of how I regard fathers. My father died when I was four, so...

good to know we agree. I favor taking care of veterans but I don't know if money will solve the Dem image. Although our two most successful wars, WWI and WWII were brought to successful conclusions by Dem presidents, there is a misperception that Dems are "girlie men" when it comes to war. The reality is that there are far more chickenhawks on the rep side. See also this link.

I suspect that most of the men who came out of WWII supported Dems, that's why they were in power for a generation. However, because the anti-war movement in Vietnam was headed by the left and by some Dems, the chickenhawk label attached to them.

I have no problem with use of military force. I'd like to see more folks in Afghanistan. However, in both Vietnam and Iraq repub leaders (Eisenhower and bush)committed U.S. troops to a situation which was a civil war. Most people don't know that. Eisenhower set a mission that Johnson, especially, tried to carry out--to the detriments of the Dems (even though it was nixon who promised to get out and Ford who brought the troops out).

It looks like some of the losers from that period are wanting a do-over.

The DLC's New Sugar Pie Honey Bunch is on Tucker.

I just want to hear what he says. That's the ONLY reason (wink wink) LOL

Wait a minuet. He's not talking like a DLCer. He wants to invite the Youth and get ideas from us ? The DLC's not "conservative" oriented? It's now "answer" oriented instead? Has the DLC changed? Or was that a Campaign Ad for Hillary?

Hmmmm.(I shall keep my eye on him)

'p

Sorry to hear of your loss, blue.

CNN Reported - Bush administration has used the “War Powers Act” to make recess appointment without congressional oversight or review of 20 federal judges by Alberto Gonzales.

This is a pure abuse of power by the president and attorney general. These recess appointment are named without confirmation and have no limits and no confirmation requirements.

Did congress intend this president to abuse the "War Powers Act" in this method?

Blue,

You have my deepest sympathy.

:(

Did congress intend this president to abuse the "War Powers Act" in this method?

Posted by HybridFuel on January 29, 2007 at 04:25 PM

WTF?

What the hell is wrong with these people? Do they think they are gonna tire us out or something? Get us so annoyed that we stop paying attention? We need to contact our members of Congress and tell them that they need to get off the Campaign Trail for a second and stop this fool.

Seriously.

Posted by rjsnj on January 29, 2007 at 04:05 PM

That junior Nazi from DOJ who tried to intimidate the Law firms into not representing the Gitmo detainees, has raised the ire of the California Bar Assn, and they are making moves to have him dis-barred.

UPDATE: California Bar Association Called To Investigate Stimson

I will raise hell if he says he will run...
And just WHAT do you call what you are doing now?
Who DO you like?
Posted by DPD on January 27, 2007 at 12:15 PM
---------------------

Now I'm pointing out the facts. Here's some satire for you:
If only the Democrats had someone to run against the experienced war vet, or "America's Mayor," or the Mormon for More Woman?

Experience, EXECUTIVE experience, proven leadership, American roots, American name quality, and integrity are all over-rated. Nobody cares about those qualities. And the MSM will tell you.

If only Democrats had someone with very little experience, maybe a couple years out of a State Senate. Someone who promised and SWORE to represent his constituency and is considering backing out of that OATH after a third of the time required. Someone who's done ALMOST NOTHING in the Senate, except stick-up for poor Republicans getting criticized.

Someone the next generation can look up to... you know someone who's done illegal drugs like coke. Someone who we know almost nothing about his personal life... except he uses good judgement and smokes cigerettes. Someone who has a name that will give people warm fuzzies... like Scooter.

Someone who has a good view of America... from across the Pacific. Someone who can talk a good game, and has a good chrisma factor, because all famous and infamous leaders in history had chrisma. Someone who has shown that party loyalty is not important, and attempts to knock off a civil rights hero. Someone who speaks at events with a whole list of corporate america sponsors listed.

Just where could the Democrats find someone with chrisma to mask his dubious background, and lack of leadership? Someone for the corporate owned and controlled MSM to focus on, rather than our proven leaders with REAL WORLD and STATESMAN credentials, and EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE of RUNNING GOVERNMENT and SAVING VOTERS MONEY?

Oh... I know Barack HUSSAIN OBAMA! What a great way to make the tired rhetoric driven, proven mismanagement and disproven policy Republicans look good. OBAMANATION! Great idea! I like.

Blue,
I spend most of my time lurking these days, but when I read terrible personal news, as you posted, I cannot he