Millions of Americans have worked hard all their lives, paid taxes all their lives and can not afford health care and this 9 billion is just one small example of the money this mis-administration has "lost"

How do the millitants in Iraq compete against our billion dollar machine. Why do we not shout down there supply lines. The supply of equipement in Iraq has to still suffer from Desert storm, yet the millitants are capable of waging successful efforts against our millitarty. How could that be possible with our intelligence capacity. How are they founding their war efforts, a bullet cost money and is made by industrialiazation efforts. How could a country that has to be all but impoverished from the war fund and supply millitants. There has to be commuincation from point A to point B for war materials to be put in route. What has happened to our intelligence capacity that we can not control such an impoverished country suach as Iraq.

Who in America is getting rich off the war efforts in Iraq.

About time we had a hard look at the war-profiteering and the corruption that is going on in Iraq.
The most sickening part is the people who are making the most money off this war are the ones who are not paying for it.
Why do we have to pay for sending our kids overseas to die? Why do we have to pay for Bush's war crimes, the civilian deaths, and the destruction of Iraq's economy?
The rich and greedy who make a dishonest profit off of these deaths are not only not being punished, but are allowed to keep their ill-gotten gains while the rest of us pay through the nose?

I agree that funding this tribal, secterian civil war is not the best President Bush can do. The Democrats must show him how it's done this time round

Dear Socialist Presidential Want-a-Be’s,

You’ll probably cut off my speech because it contains things which your party does not wish to hear, so I’ll make this a good one. I wonder does DNC stand for “Do Nothing Cowards?” You Democrats want to stay youthful, and in doing so you cling on to those boring old national socialist thoughts you believed were intelligent and original when viewed through your bong smoke and acid hazes in high school. Your political attitudes can be summed up by looking at the behavior of just one of your leaders-Senator Biden.
Biden, please consider growing old gracefully and discontinue any more attempts at regaining your drug abusing hippie youth. Your plastic surgery is shining through the botulinum toxin fog that surrounds your face. Your current plastic surgery has stretched your face so much your ears are almost touching on the back of your neck. Your longing for your youth during the good old 1960’s has polluted your thinking and caused you to strive to recreate them for my generation. We don’t want your ideals or your leadership.
We don’t want Clinton’s slickly packaged false advertising, and we don’t Edwards surrendering for us. We don’t want John Kerry throwing away our futures in the same manner he threw away his medals and his respect for our military. We don’t want Obama going into a drug induced tantrum because someone asks him about the gargantuan appearance of his listening devices after those same ears trip him up while he does some blow. We don’t want any of you national socialists as our leaders.
We want someone who will lead our nation and not cut and run at every downward trending poll. We want a leader who stands his or her ground and does what is right for the security of this nation and its’ interests. We want a leader who understands that information on the battle field can be skewed by the enemy and a press who hate our great United States. In other words we don’t want some spineless, gutless, flip-flopping, cut and run neo-national socialist Democrat as our leader.
The people who hate the United States have much in common with the political agendas of the Democrat Party. Take a look at the dishonorable David Duke’s web site from Ukraine and you’ll see he believes the same things the Do Nothing Cowards are espousing. Al Qaeda, the KKK, Neo-Nazis, and other terrorists around the globe reflect the words shouted by your leaders in the Democrat party, and use them as propaganda on their own on-line recruiting vehicles.
Some of you have slammed me for not doing my homework, and I say you need to do your own. Research what your Democrat leaders said before voting for the AUMF and PATRIOT Acts. All your Democrat leaders were arguing about the need for more troops in Iraq just a few months ago! They were slamming President Bush for not listening to the generals who said we needed more boots on the ground to finish the job! Now that the choice has been made to step up and finish this fight with strength through victory, your leaders back track like a bunch of mud bug lobsters.
Take a look at what the intelligence said about Sadam before we went into Iraq. Everyone asks where the WMD’s are? Count how many trucks were shipped to the Baathist regime in Syria which could have carried tons of materials from Iraq into that country. Listen to the words of the Iraqi Air Force General who said he personally supervised the shipment of WMD’s using stripped down civilian air-liners into Syria. Or do you only hear the words of those Generals you agree with at the time?
The duplicitous natures of those in the DNC and the politicians they support are serving the needs of our enemies. All of your current leaders, except those who weren’t in power at the time, voted for everything this Nation did at the beginning of this war on terror. They supported every measure toward victory, but when the polls shift they turn coat and run. I have no respect for any of the current leaders in the Democratic Party, and never will until they get some nerve to do what is needed to win the war on terror.
Iraq is not a separate war from our efforts to fight “INTERNATIONAL” terrorism. Iraq is a single battle which must be won. I’ve heard some in your party cry out for U.S. involvement in Sudan, but then say we shouldn’t have interfered to stop the murdering of innocent civilians in Iraq? I listen as you shout that Afghanistan is somehow more righteous than our efforts in Iraq. Is it because the Taliban supported Al-Qaeda? Because Al-Qaeda supported the killing of almost 3000 people on September 11, 2001? What if only 1000 were killed that day? Would it still be worth it? What if 100, or 50, or even just 1 person were killed on September 11th? Would going to war in Afghanistan still be worth it? If you say no then I pity you for your ignorant cowardice. If you say yes then I say you should then support Iraq as much as you support Afghanistan!
Sadam supported Palestinian homicide bombers who at times ended up killing American Citizens in Israel. He supported the same terrorists who took over the Achille Lauro. Holding the passengers and crew hostage, they directed the vessel to sail to Tartus, Syria, and demanded the release of 50 Palestinians then in Israeli prisons. Refused permission to dock at Tartus, the hijackers shot one wheelchair-bound passenger – an American named Leon Klinghoffer – because he was Jewish. They threw his body overboard. The ship headed back towards Port Said, and after two days of negotiations the hijackers agreed to abandon the ship for safe conduct and were flown towards Tunisia aboard an Egyptian commercial airliner.
The plane was intercepted by United States Navy fighters on October 10 and directed to land at Naval Air Station Sigonella, a NATO base in Sicily, where the hijackers were arrested by the Italians. The other passengers on the plane (possibly including the hijackers’ leader Abu Abbas) were allowed to continue on to their destination, despite protests by the United States. Egypt demanded an apology from the United States for forcing the airplane off course.
The fate of those convicted of the hijacking is varied. Bassam al-Asker was granted parole in 1991. He died on February 21, 2004. Ahmad Marrouf al-Assadi disappeared in 1991 while on parole. Youssef al Molqi was sentenced to 30 years in Rebibbia prison in Rome. On February 16, 1996, he was granted a 12 day furlough, and fled to Spain, where he was recaptured and extradited back to Italy. Abu Abbas left the jurisdiction of Italy and was convicted in absentia. The United States and Klinghoffer's family insisted he be brought to justice. Abbas was captured in Iraq in 2003 by the U.S. military after we deposed the dictator who supported him. He died in US custody March 8, 2004. Sadam’s support for terror is well documented but ignored by the Do Nothing Cowards.
Remember what happened when we cut and ran from Vietnam? Millions were murdered after we left, and not only in Vietnam, but in Cambodia as well. Eisenhower’s Domino Theory almost played out because the hippie left (which now runs the Democrats and controls most of the press) pulled the same the tricks they are now. Millions died because they wanted to make love not war. War is an awful thing which should only be used as a last resort, but is sometimes needed to fight despotic dictators and the terrorists they support.
What do you think will occur if we cut and run from Iraq? Do you truly think that things will get better when we leave? How long did we stay in Japan, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, etc. after we freed them from the Axis Powers in World War II? We are still there! Once Germany surrendered there were still Nazi trained insurgents fighting us ten years later! The German Baader-Meinhof communist terrorist group was killing people in that country well into the late 1970’s.
We are either going to finish the job in Iraq, or a Democrat who wants to be president will cause us to surrender and leave too soon. You Do Nothing Cowards will leave Iraq to become a Taliban like country with vast oil revenues to support further terrorist attacks against this nation and the rest of the civilized world.
President Bush made some mistakes, but he is still our President and deserves our support in these trying times. No matter what party you belong to anything less than total support for our troops and their Commander in Chief during this war on terror is the same as supporting our enemies. I don’t care about gay marriage, abortion, affirmative action, or any of the other things important to the Democrat socialist agenda, and you won’t either if we don’t win this war on terror. The only thing I care about is the security of this nation so that we can have the freedoms to argue about all those things.
Educate yourself! Don’t just accept what your leftist, socialist press tells you as gospel. Remember that we were attacked many times before September 11, 2001. The attacks of that day were only the most violent ever, and on our own soil which caused the sleeping tiger to finally awaken. The press could not convince us to ignore the events of that day. Don’t be deluded by the idiot Hollywood left, those politicians who lap up their money, and the press who glorifies their extravagance. Just because some moron actor says it on T.V. or some uneducated singer blares it in a song doesn’t make it true. Don’t even take what I tell you as the truth! Go out and find out for yourselves! It’s amazing what can happen when you decide to read some history instead accepting some socialist revision of it. To those of you who dislike what I have to say-the truth hurts-doesn’t it?
Remember 9-11! Remember Flight 93! Keep them rolling! God bless America, and God bless our troops.

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

To Seeking Truth,

Write shorter posts and maybe someone will read whatever it is you want to say. I stopped at your commentary on the attractiveness of Joe Biden. I think I remember a ranking of who was the hottest US Senator and Biden showed up in the top 20 or so. Check Wonkette archives maybe? God Bless the USA and our looney right wing for their zany antics! Hope the GOP enjoys being irrelevant for the forseeable future!

W.hat is the outcome of the war once our troops return home to the U.S. What war will we fight then? Will the problem be resolved by puting arsenol in enemy hands? How are we protecting ourselves against a country that is perceived weaker than ours? Do we face any threat to our country by letting a country fight its own war? If we send more troops to Iraq, how are we preventing war in our homeland? ... Only God knows

W.hat is the outcome of the war once our troops return home to the U.S. What war will we fight then? Will the problem be resolved by puting arsenol in enemy hands? How are we protecting ourselves against a country that is perceived weaker than ours? Do we face any threat to our country by letting a country fight its own war? If we send more troops to Iraq, how are we preventing war in our homeland? ... Only God knows

While Waxman is at it, he should ask Bremer if he was aware that dismantling Iraq's civil programs constituted a war crime.

"Putting an arsenal in enemy hands" Hmmm?
That brings up a very valid question. What IS the country or countries of origin of the weapons in the terrorists' hands.
A lot of what they are using, the IEDs and car bombs are home made, but you still have to get the raw materials from somewhere, and who's arming the militias, both in Iraq and Afghanistan?
A lot of these arms are being filtered through neighboring countries, particularly Iran to hear the media tell it.
This all needs a closer look. Where will the backtrail lead? Russia? China? North Korea? US? Somebody's making money on all this.
Maybe there needs to be some hearings on this aspect.
Why bother? Because this crisis is bigger than just the Middle East, and actually affects the world, and this planet is too dammned small to have it dissolve into armed factions, again.

Yes-the actions the current leaders in the Democrat Party are taking inspire our enemies to continue their fight against us. Thank God for Joe Lieberman-a.k.a. "The Only Democrat With Guts!"-for asking the tough question that this nations needs to hear.

Oh yeah, that's right. He's no longer a Democrat, because you "Do Nothing Cowards" turned your backs on him when the going got tough. There is definitely a direct correlation between your behavior toward Senator Lieberman and how you are acting toward our troops in Iraq.

You will do anything for power! If taking a stand for your country means your power is threatened then you (Clinton, Obama, Kerry, Edwards, Kennedy, Biden, Dodd, and the RINO's who support you) will turn your back on your nation instead of losing some polling points.

The rest of you in the "Do Nothing Cowards" party should take notes on Senator Lieberman's leadership abilities. Every one of you polticos (Democrat or Republican) who supported the war on terror (until the Hollywood left grabbed your spine) should be ashamed of your current actions to undermine our troops!

I agree with Lt. Gen. David Petraeus who said "None of this will be rapid...The way ahead will be neither quick nor easy", (The same thing our Commander in Chief-President Bush has communicated to this nation since the beginning of the war on terror).

The problem with this war is not the hard tasks placed before us, but you gutless "Do Nothing Cowards" and RINO's who expect this war on terror to be different from every other one fought by our Nation's military. If anything this war is the hardest our military will face, and our troops should be given everything they need to win it.

The last thing they need is some politician dictating their tactics and limiting their ability to increase their strength or funds when they need them. If you think your Vietnam Era Baby Booming Boob tactics which you used to lose that war will succeed here then you couldn't be more wrong.

The only thing your hoping for is our nation's failure so political vultures like Biden can strengthen his "Do Nothing Coward" voting base. He did the same thing during Vietnam that he's doing now in making resolutions that mean nothing but will lead to pulling the rug even further out from under our troops.

These politicians know their United States history but they seek to deny it from you, their supporters. They say this war is like Vietnam, but they fail to tell you what they did during that war to cause our Nation to lose it. They know that sponsoring bills of no confidence is exactly what they (Biden and other Senators)did during Vietnam. Their next step will be to strip funds from our troop’s effort, and limiting their numbers.

I thank God that these Baby Boomers weren't around when real men and women were fighting the Nazis during World War II. If they we had to rely on their leadership then we’d all be speaking German today. Think about what happened in that war.

Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. The "Do Nothing Cowards" would support us fighting in the Pacific, but what would they say about freeing Europe? "Germany didn't attack us!"-"Tojo is the person we should be focusing on!"-"The war in Europe is a great distraction on the real war in the Pacific!"-"President Roosevelt's war in Europe is too expensive-we can't fund our New Deal!"

What would they say about the losses during D-Day? "We lost more people during D-Day than we lost during the attacks on Pearl Harbor!"

What would they say about the Market Garden airborne operation in Holland? "The Roosevelt Administration won't admit their mistakes! They knew it was bridge too far!"

Can you imagine what the world would be like today if these spineless, selfish, power-hungry baby boomers were in charge during that war? I shudder to even think about the horror of that scenario.

You "Do Nothing Cowards" have two choices:
STEP UP and help us win this war by supporting our efforts
or STEP ASIDE and let real men and women do the hard tasks which must be done to win this battle in Iraq and the war on terror!

The truth is that these "Do Nothing Cowards" (Clinton, Obama, Kerry, Edwards, Kennedy, Biden, Dodd, and the RINO's who support them) have linked themselves so closely to our Nation failing in Iraq that they can't allow any measure which could lead to our military's success in that theater.

The truth is that they and their former DNC affiliated allies in the media have trumpeted the mistakes and failures in the war on terror instead of the successes. The truth is that in trumpeting failure these politicians have given succor to our enemy by inspiring them to continue and outlast your will to win. The truth is that they understand winning in Iraq will strengthen the Republican party, but they refuse to believe that if they help win it then it helps them too.

Remember former President Clinton bemoaning the fact that the attacks of September 11th didn’t happen on his watch? He said this because he realizes that moments in history define a Presidency, and the only moment he has is Monica Missiles. So what do the “Do Nothing Cowards” do? They tear down President Bush no matter what it does to our nations security.

The “Do Nothing Cowards” say we need to do everything the 911 Commission demands, but they cry out for us to stop listening in on suspect terrorist phone calls, and repeal the amendments in the PATRIOT act. By the way these are things the 911 Commission suggested we do.

Don't continue to support these two-face, fork-tongued, "Do Nothing Cowards" or any other gutless politician who doesn't demand everything it takes to win the battle for Iraq and the war on terror!

The truth hurts doesn't it?

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

Remember September 11th! Remember Flight 93! God bless the United States of America, and God bless our troops!

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

IT will take years to realize that George Bush helped keep our nation safe........The democrats are the beginning of the end....the downfall of our country....

President Bush just finished giving an inspiring speech describing the state of our union, and the risk of failing to reinforce and provide for the troops during the battle for Iraq and the rest of the war on terror.

Once he finished I noticed John Kerry and others run out of the room. They were no doubt on their way to spin their doom and gloom ideals about how lousy our country is doing, and how terrible our troops are behaving. They'll probably end up on CNN or MSNBC slamming us as we head off for the fight of our lives.

What can they say after that speech? That the Democrats don't want better fuel economy in the United States? The Democrats don't support reducing HIV and malaria in Africa?

I'll tell you what the "Do Nothing Cowards" will say in their Democratic response-"We Democrats support the troops; we just don't want them to win. We Democrats support the troops, but we think they're going to lose so don't send reinforcements to strengthen their chances of success. We Democrats support the troops so much that we'll jump up every time President Bush mentions that we should during his speech, but when he talks about winning the war we'll make sure Nancy Pelosi looks like she's sucking on lemon".

Why don't you "Do Nothing Cowards" try to truly support the troops? What the Democrats are offering our military men and women now is a helping hand toward retreat and defeat.

I pray you Democrats start to act like you love this Nation more than yourselves and work toward victory instead of defeat!

Remember September 11, 2001! Remember Flight 93! God bless the United States of America, and God bless our troops!

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

Hey Seeking Truth,

While your blabbering about 9/11 maybe you can explain why WTC building 7 collapsed?

After watching the SOTU I'm going to work for any candidate that will run against any incumbents. With all the clapping and smiling after Bush's talking points made me sick. Bush was treated like damn rock star! I expected to see the our newly elected representatives take a stand and sit silently during all of Bush's BS. They were all too busy trying to figure out when to clap, stand or sit.

When Cheney gets on national TV and says we are going to have a 20-40 year war, he means it!

Looks like the attack on Iran is going to go on as planned, sometime in Feb. or March depending on how fast all our military resources get there.

Bush, Cheney and Co. are ruining this country.

Jim Webb is the only one with balls to to say so!

Stand up and IMPEACH these guys before it is too late!

Hey Seeking Truth,

Here's an idea to support our troops:

BRING EM HOME!!

You need to go over to Rush's blog. Someone might believe your baloney.

You in the "Do Nothing Coward" Democrat Party who say, "We support the troops"..."Bring 'em Home", are truly delusional. Every volunteer serving as a soldier, sailor, or Marine wants to come home, but not until the battle for Iraq, and the war on terror is won. They want to come home, but only as victors over the terrorists. The problem with the war on terror is that the Democrat Party keeps opposing every successful measure taken to thwart our enemies.

The men and women in the military understand that every time one of your great Democrat Leaders opens her mouth and claims, "We are losing"..."We are going to lose"..."We can't win in Iraq", that her words give a comforting feeling of warmth to our enemies, and the rogue nations like Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, and Venezuela who support terror.

I guarantee that if you search hard enough you'll find some people who served or are serving in the military that agree with the Democrat Party’s retreat and defeat ideology. Webb is one of those foolish few. However, the vast majority of those who serve want to win the battle for Iraq and the war on terror.

Just listen to what your leaders say about our Nation’s finest men and women who fight for our liberty and for the freedom of others around the world. Kerry slams our military as being uneducated. Thank God he made the decision not to join the race for U.S. President!

Chuck Rangel claims only poverty stricken youths desire serving our Nation in the military because-"That's there only hope". He should take a look at the statistics the DOD reported concerning his claim and he would know that he is wrong, wrong, wrong. Oh yeah, I need to recall that I’m talking about the Democrat Party-so truth means less than the message.

Your leaders have so much disrespect for anyone who is willing to do a job others don't or won't consider doing. Take a look at what one of your elitist Democrat Party leaders said last night to his fellow newly elected blowhards. I don’t know who it was, but he said you guys won the house and senate so that you could oppose the war, and if you don’t do so then do something safe like “Sell shoes!” I guess now people who sell shoes are somehow doing something beneath those of you who lead the “Do Nothing Cowards”.

I would much rather spend my days working with good people who do the work most of you look down upon then spend one minute with some elitist socialist like those in the “Do Nothing Coward” Democrat Party.

Do Rangel, Biden, Kerry, Clinton, Obama, Kucinich, Sheila Jackson-Lee and the rest of the Democrat Party truly believe that if those who serve in the military had not joined then they would be failures? Your leaders are glamorized in the press and by Hollywood as being great politicians-and that's their problem. The “Do Nothing Coward” Democrat Party is focused on their own political success instead of what is good for the United States of America.

Last night Webb quoted a great Republican President during his response to President Bush. The Eisenhower quote was used originally to describe what he planned to do during the Korean War. Is this what Webb wants to happen in Iraq? Does Webb want to divide that country into warring states that end up hating each other for the next 60+ years? Is Webb the best the Democrat Party can prop up? Is Webb someone who doesn’t want to win, and at best wants a stalemate in Iraq just like in Korea? Is Webb one who served in the Navy with honor, but has now somehow forgotten the lessons of Vietnam? Has Webb forgotten how the “Do Nothing Coward” Democrats like Biden and corrupt Republicans helped our nation lose Vietnam-a war Kennedy (a Democrat President) took us into us into, and one where our military won every major battle?

Obviously Webb has studied military history and he should know that had General McArthur been allowed to attack the enemy and win instead of being regulated and constrained by the then Democrat President Truman-the war in Korea would have been won. We also would not be troubled by a North Korean madman intent on obtaining nukes to sell on the black market.

I call myself Seeking Truth because that is what I truly want from my political leaders, and the press who report their deeds. I started communicating my opinion on your DNC site to see if I could get some kind of logical response from those of you who parrot each other’s supposedly intelligent words and support only the Democrat Party line. What I receive instead are responses from people who insult my intelligence, and tell me to shut up or go someplace where I can be agreed with.

Maybe the things that are said about the Democrat Party are true. Maybe the truth is that the Democrat Party truly does want our Nation to lose this battle for Iraq. Maybe the truth is the Democrat Party thinks the only problems in the world are caused by the United States of America-a nation of personal rights and liberty-instead of the totalitarian regimes around the globe. Maybe the truth is that the Democrat Party-like one of my truly socialist professors-thinks our Nation is too great and needs to be taken down a peg by losing another military conflict like we did in Vietnam. Maybe the truth is that the Democrat Party has no plan to win the battle for Iraq, and only opposes President Bush’s plan for victory because they know their allies in the socialist press will support them no matter how idiotic they act. Maybe all of those things that are said about the Democrat Party are true and that’s why I can’t get someone to respond logically.

I guess I’ll just have to keep posting so that some truthful logic will exist on your site. The truth hurts doesn’t it!

Remember September 11, 2001! Remember Flight 93! Keep rolling! Keep fighting against terrorists and those countries support them! We didn’t start this fight, but we will win it! God bless the United States of America, and God bless our troops!

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

I can't believe I just read someone talking about what brought down WTC 7! Let me guess-you think the evil Republicans and Israel conspired to kill almost 3000 people on September 11, 2001? Or are you like the KKK and Neo-Nazi fools who think it was the ZOG that planned that horrible day? I’m guessing you think the same people who committed the terror acts of September 11, 2001 are the same people who killed Kennedy, and Martin Luther King? Or maybe it was the Illuminati-or the Free Masons? Or do you think Aliens flew here from Planet X and crashed remote control planes into the buildings?

Since you obviously get your news from the internet, just type WTC 7 into a search engine and it will pull up all kinds of credible information like the following:

“Two buildings have been named 7 World Trade Center in New York, New York. The first building, which opened in 1987, was destroyed on September 11, 2001 during the terrorist attacks which took place that day. The newer building was completed in 2006 and it is the first with a World Trade Center address to be rebuilt.”

“NIST released video and still photo analysis of Building 7 prior to its collapse that appears to indicate a greater degree of structural damage from falling debris than originally assumed by FEMA. Specifically, the NIST interim report on 7 WTC displays photographs of the southwest facade of the building which clearly suffered significant damage from the falling main WTC twin towers. The NIST interim report on 7 WTC details a 10-story gash that existed on the south facade, extending a third of the way across the face of the building and approximately a quarter of the way into the interior, but does not provide any photographs of the damage to the south facade. A unique aspect of the design of 7 WTC was that each outer structural column was responsible for supporting 2,000 square feet (186 square meters) of floor space, suggesting that the simultaneous removal of a number of columns would lead to a severely compromised structure. Consistent with this theory, news footage shows visible cracking and bowing of the building's east wall immediately prior to the collapse, which started from the penthouse floors.”

I really didn’t expect some lunatic who thinks our nation is so evil that we would kill our own civilians for political power, but maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised. I mean, this was posted on the web site of the party who trumpets the success of our enemy so they can gain politically.

You conspiracy theorists are hilarious! The CIA killed Kennedy! The CIA killed Martin Luther King! The CIA and Bush had Cheney fly remotely controlled planes into the twin towers! It was a missile launched from a submarine that hit the Pentagon! Our government used controlled demolition to bring down the WTC twin towers and WTC 7!

You can believe every little conspiracy that comes down the pipe, but you won’t even consider the fact that Sadam might have had more to do with Al Qaeda than we know for sure? I am not saying he caused the terror attacks of that day, but think about what you’re saying.

Your hatred for the United States of America makes you believe every bad Hollywood conspiracy scenario about this country, but you won’t even consider that other nations could conspire with terrorists against us?! I pity your cowardice. No I reject your cowardice!

Any ignorant fool who believes as you do about 9-11-that our own government would do the things you conspiracy theorists believe-is a yellow coward. If you truly believe our country is that evil-then what the heck are you doing here? If you truly think that our nation does those kinds of things and you don’t lift a finger to stop them-then you are cowering fool who deserves your stupidity. Get a clue and get a life! Educate yourself beyond the internet. Just because some jerk wants to make some cash by deluding gullible ignoramuses like you-and posts stuff on the net doesn’t make it true.

No wonder the Democrat Party leaders are so far left. With friends and other Democrat Party supporters like you, who needs terrorist enemies?

By the way, I focus my attention on the events of September 11, 2001 because so many of you, my fellow citizens, and the Democrat Party seem to be suffering from a short attention span. I feel I must remind you because you seem to have forgotten what happened on that terrible day.

Remember September 11, 2001! Remember Flight 93! Keep rolling! Keep fighting against terrorists and those countries supporting them! We didn’t start this fight, but we will win it! God bless the United States of America, and God bless our troops!

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

You know, I really should stop reading your Democrat Party responses to my posts. None of you attempt to retort with sound logic and reason. You only answer with a smug sense of superiority that is indicative of the personalities who lead the Democrat Party. Some even dislike my manner of drafting. I am sorry that I don’t have the time to check my spelling and grammar before posting these quick notes.

It was suggested I read the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I have, and wish the Democrat Party would do the same.

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) usually serves as constitutional arbiters who wield their power along the lines mandated within the great document. However, ever since Marshall’s decision for Marbury their power has grown. The fact is that most of the Rights the Democrats proclaim are not expressly stated in any form within the Constitution but have grown from SCOTUS decisions.

The Democrat Party demands privacy-but no where does it state our citizens have a right to privacy. The Supreme Court found that our Right to privacy is found within the “penumbra” formed out of some of the amendments. I might suggest that should they want privacy included in the Constitution- amend it.

Biden holds seminars where he teaches Constitutional Law but he and his party seem to have forgotten what the document and its amendments say. The Democrat Party says they want to protect our Constitutional Rights, but are happy to strip us of them when they deem it necessary.

The truth is that the Democrat Party shouts about imagined conspiracies that threaten our liberties mandated in the Constitution. The truth is that the Democrat Party chooses to ignore the real threat from terrorists and has decided that losing in Iraq is what they desire for our Nation. The truth is the Democrat Party needs to educate themselves and open their minds to the possibilities of victory in Iraq.

Did anyone notice that the Democrat Party never applauded when President Bush spoke of victory in Iraq? Why is that? I truly long for a truthful answer from the Democrat Party, but I am afraid I already know why. The truth is the Democrat Party does not want our country to win and will speak out with their allies in the press every day- trumpeting the horrors of battle instead of promising us victory.

I ask you in the Democrat Party to read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Here they are-straight from the National Archives and Records Administration web site-old time spelling and all. Enjoy!

Remember September 11, 2001! Remember Flight 93! Keep rolling! Keep fighting against terrorists and those countries support them! We didn’t start this fight, but we will win it! God bless the United States of America, and God bless our troops!

Always Faithful,
Seeking Truth

The United States Constitution, drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787, this four-page document, signed on September 17, 1787, established the government of the United States.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I.
Section. 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Section. 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section. 5.
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section. 6.
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
Section. 7.
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section. 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section. 9.
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section. 10.
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
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Article. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section. 2.
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State;--between Citizens of different States;--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.
Section. 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

Although 12 amendments were originally proposed, the 10 that were ratified became the Bill of Rights in 1791. They defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights
Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
AMENDMENT XI
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.
Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11.
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

AMENDMENT XII
Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.
Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.

AMENDMENT XIII
Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.
Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.
Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4.
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

AMENDMENT XV
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude--
Section 2.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XVI
Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913.
Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

AMENDMENT XVII
Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.
Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

AMENDMENT XVIII
Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

AMENDMENT XIX
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.
Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.
Section 1.
The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Section 3.
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
Section 4.
The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
Section 6.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

AMENDMENT XXI
Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratified December 5, 1933.
Section 1.
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2.
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

AMENDMENT XXII
Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.
Section 1.
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

AMENDMENT XXIII
Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.
Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XXIV
Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XXV
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.
Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment.
Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3.
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Section 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

AMENDMENT XXVI
Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.
Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XXVII
Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.

Hmmmm! Article II Section 4, Yeah!
"The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for and Conviction of Treason, Bribery and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Yeah!
INVESTIGATE, IMPEACH, INDICT!!!!!! HOOOAH!!!!

Why don't I hear anything about the Wilson couple in the press anymore? Now that it turns out your anger was inaccurate about that whole made up media scenario I don't see anything on your web site about them. Hmmm.

Remember, President Bush did not say that Iraq had entered into contracts with the Nigerian government-but had made overtures in Niger toward obtaining some yellow cake. So your hit man Wilson was sent by his non-covert CIA wife on his mission to undermine the facts. He even said that Iraq had sent "diplomats" to Niger.

Listen to the words your leaders use before you jump to judgment. Think critically about what he said. He said they had not obtained yellow cake in Niger. What do you think the Iraqi "diplomats" wanted in Niger? You can get two things there-Yellow Cake and sand-and Iraq has got plenty of sand.

You guys talk about distorting the facts to start a war-but you are willing to ignore the facts when it helps support your delusional media brain-washed belief structure. What you guys need to do is look at things from a critical point of view. Be skeptical, but not cynical. Take a moment to consider who is providing you with your information before you take it as gospel.

As I've said before, don't even take what I say as gospel, because I to am biased. Find out for yourselves-but don't just lap up the pabulum the press feeds you every day and think your intelligent for repeating their diatribes.

Since you in the "Do Nothing Coward" Democrat Party are so fond of the quoting press which supports your lies-here's some information you probably refuse to listen to. Since I have to hear your press every day on the network and cable news-maybe you should read something from a logical point of view-instead of your emotionally charged arguments which ignore the facts. Enjoy the read!

The truth hurts doesn't it? Remember September 11, 2001! Remember Flight 93! Keep rolling! Keep fighting despotic dictators and the terrorists they support! God bless the United States of America and God bless our troops! Support their Victory in the battle for Iraq and the war against international terrorism!

Always Faithful
Seeking Truth

Wall Street Journal
January 25, 2007
Pg. 18

Wonder Land

Talking Ourselves Into Defeat

By Daniel Henninger

The United States is talking itself into defeat in Iraq. Its political culture is now in a downward spiral of pessimism. In the halls of Congress, across endless newspaper columns, amid the punditocracy and on Sunday morning talk shows -- all emit a Stygian gloom about America.

Yes, on any given day on some discrete issue (Prime Minister Maliki's bona fides, for example), the criticism of the American role is not without justification. But the cumulative effect of this unremitting ill wind is corrosive. We are not only on the way to talking ourselves into defeat in Iraq but into a diminished international status that may be harder to recover than the doom mob imagines. Self-criticism has its role, but profligate self-doubt can exact a price.

Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins wonders "whether the clock has already run out." To U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton the new strategy is "a dead end." For the Bush troop request, presidential candidate Joe Biden predicted "overwhelming rejection." (His committee resolution to that effect yesterday passed by three votes.) Presidential candidate Chuck Hagel: "We have anarchy in Iraq. It's getting worse." And not least, Sen. John Warner this week heaved his tenured eminence against the war effort, proposing another "non-binding" resolution against more troops.

To pick one amid scores of similar characterizations in the media, the Associated Press wrote from Washington before the State of the Union speech that "Democrats -- and even some Republicans -- scoffed at his policy." "Scoff" is a strong word, suggesting eye-rolling ridicule. (The line was so good that the AP ran it after the speech as well, under another writer's byline, this time from Baghdad.) But of course amid the giddy vapors of mass mockery, they all "support the troops."

Our slide to a national nervous breakdown because of Iraq is not going unnoticed. Australia's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, has been visiting across the U.S. this week. "I've been pretty worried about what I've heard," Mr. Downer said in an interview. Walking on Santa Monica beach Sunday before last, Mr. Downer said he encountered a display of crosses in the sand, representing the American dead in Iraq.

"What concerns me about this," he said, "is that it's sort of an isolationist sentiment, subconsciously, not consciously, and that would be an enormous problem for the world. I hope the American people understand the importance of not retreating and thinking the world's problems aren't theirs."

Some of this is politics as usual, but even normal partisanship comes dressed now in the language of apocalypse. In his SOTU rebuttal, Democratic Sen. Jim Webb ripped into the current economy, saying it reminded him of the early 1900s: "The dispossessed workers at the bottom were threatening revolt." Ah, we've fallen to the level of czarist Russia.

You know the pessimism has turned manic when no one is allowed to depart the asylum. Sen. John McCain's support for Iraq and the new Bush plan is now being described in press reports as not only costing him support in the polls (the asylum's inkblot of reality) but worse, the support of campaign contributors.

It is a phenomenon fascinating to behold. Its causes are multiple, but here are several:

Bush schadenfreude. Partisan pleasure in George Bush's pain dates to the anguish of the contested 2000 election loss. The Democrats have run against something called "Bush" for so long that this sentiment is now bound up in any act or policy remotely attached to the president. Iraq's troubles, or Iran or North Korea, are merely an artifact of crushing this one guy.

The Iraq Study Group. The ISG report wasn't defeatist, but it enabled the vocabulary of defeat. Its warning of a "slide toward chaos" was re-defined as the current Iraqi status quo. They called their bipartisan solution "phased withdrawal," but it was a euphemism for defeat. Momentum was already building in this direction, and the ISG propelled it.

The leadership vacuum. The administration never rallied the nation behind the war in a concrete way. A young Marine officer recently returned from combat in Iraq told me this week he is taken aback at how disassociated the American people seem from Iraq, no matter how constantly it's in the news. He says it's as if the problem is not so much what is actually happening in Iraq but that the war is "annoying" to Americans, as if to say: Can't it just go away or not be on the front page all the time? Rallying a nation at war is a president's job.

The opposition vacuum. One reason the negative mood in politics is so disconcerting is that the opposition's alternative vision is nonexistent. On joining the opposition recently, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman announced, "I can't tell you what the path to success is." Joe Biden says the "primary" Iraq strategy should be to force its leaders to make the political compromises necessary to "end the violence."

As a political strategy, unremitting opposition has worked. Approval for the president and the war is low. The GOP lost sight of its ideological lodestars and so control of Congress. But the U.S. still occupies a unique position of power in the world, and we are putting that status at risk by playing politics without a net.

On the "Charlie Rose Show" this month, former Army vice chief of staff Gen. Jack Keane, who supports the counterinsurgency plan being undertaken by Gen. David Petraeus, said in exasperation: "My God, this is the United States. We are the world's No. 1 superpower. This isn't about arrogance. This is about capability and applying ourselves to a problem that is at its essence is a human problem."

At our current juncture, Gen. Keane's words probably rub many the wrong way. But there's a Cassandra-like warning implicit in them. The mood of mass resignation spreading through the body politic is toxic. It is uncharacteristic of Americans under stress. Some might call it realism, but it looks closer to the fatalism of elderly Europe, overwhelmed and exhausted by its burdens, than to the American tradition.

In 1966, Sen. George Aiken delivered a speech on Vietnam famously translated for history as "declare victory and go home.'" On current course, it looks like we may declare defeat and go home.

I commend you on reading my post and the United States Constitution. If you feel like doing the things you mentioned in your message then by all means do them. The Democrat Party now has the power. Why don't they take a cue from Rosie O'Donnel (sp?)-your new Speaker?

But I remember your party shouting about another recent leader who was impeached, and yelling that it was a horrible thing to do. Maybe you don't understand the concept of perjury, but it is counted as a "high crime and misdemeanor".

But he only lied about having sex with Monica? It was no ones business anyway? Think about what he was doing in court the day he lied.

He was on trial for SEXUAL HARRASMENT. The charge was that he acted inappropriately when he exposed himself to some of the women he worked with while Governor of Arkansas. He exposed himself to one of the young ladies who worked for him!

When on trial for sexually harassing your employees your behavior-past and present-toward the people whom you command power over is not only relevant to the case, but is vital information for the court to hear. The information Clinton lied about under oath involved him making and performing sexual overtures with a young lady in the Oval Office.

I really don't care what a person does with his or her sex life; however, when they are on trial for sex crimes, and they perjure themselves then I care. Mr. Clinton was an officer of the court and knew what was required of him when he was on the stand. If I, you, or anyone else did the same thing then we would go directly to jail for perjury and we would have lost the sexual harassment case.

But what do I expect from a party who chooses to ignore the fact that their favorite President is a sex addict-whose behavior lead to his distraction during one of the most vital moments in our Nation's history? Sudan offered Bin Laden on a platter, but he chose not to take him. Perjury is a crime. I am sure you guys will say many things about President Bush and wanting to impeach him-but anything you have to say is mere emotional conjecture and not based in fact.

The difference between you and I is that when Mr. Clinton was in office I accepted him as my leader and supported him when others said disrespectful things about him. I accepted him as my Commander in Chief and would have fought and died for my country if he ordered me to do so. I supported him and your other Democrat Party leaders when they signed the Iraqi Liberation Act. I supported him when he sent us into Bosnia-because I understood that the United States of America-as the greatest nation in the world-has a duty to help those under the steel boot of tyranny. I was brought up to believe that when you have the power to help someone you do it.

The difference between you and I is that I accept the wisdom of the American voter in choosing their leader while you spit upon them when they don’t vote your way. I value the republican design of our nation at all times while you do so whimsically. You berate me and my fellow citizens when they vote for someone not of your ideology. You choose to tear down our country while I choose to support her in her darkest hour. I don’t blame you for your ignorance-you have ingested so much of the socialist miasma which swarms our country from Hollywood to Madison Avenue-your core beliefs are built upon it.

Take thirty days to clear out that the fog of bong smoke and the haze of acid hits that cloud your judgment. Then start seeking the truth not as you want to see it but as how it is. I know-the truth hurts at first, but you’ll get used to it once you accept it.

Remember September 11, 2001! Remember Flight 93! Keep rolling! Keep fighting despotic dictators and the terrorists they support! God bless the United States of America and God bless our troops! Support their Victory in the battle for Iraq and the war against international terrorism!

Always Faithful
Seeking Truth

Anybody who continues to elect obstructionist Republicans to congress to continue this practice of non-accountablility of hundreds of billions of dollars in war time and perversion of Congressional oversight cannot continue to call themselves patiotic American citizens. You can no longer call yourselves "conservative". These pet project attachments are even more insidious. At long last, I can't wait to find out about the $9 billion in Bagdad. I believe it will be the tip of the iceberg that some Americans need shoved in their faces. Voters, ignorance is no (longer) an excuse.

Manipulating The Oil Reserve

Thomas I. Palley

January 26, 2007

Thomas Palley runs the Economics for Democratic and Open Societies Project. He is the author of Plenty of Nothing: The Downsizing of the American Dream and the Case for Structural Keynesianism. His weekly economic policy blog is at www.thomaspalley.com.

2006 was the year that oil prices came close to breaching $80 per barrel. This was despite the fact that there were no significant supply interruptions and oil demand actually fell in industrialized countries. That raises the question of what caused the spike.

It turns out there is good reason to believe that record oil prices may be due to our own strategic oil reserve, which the Bush administration may have been manipulating to drive up prices for the benefit of its clients. This is something Congress must investigate, and here is some preliminary evidence.

Any finding of manipulation would go far beyond corruption and be close to economic treason, because when oil prices increase America must pay more for its imported oil. That, in turn, increases the trade deficit and our foreign debt. Alternatively, one can think of price manipulation as the equivalent of a tax increase on American families that is paid to foreign governments, including Iran. While some small energy scandals are under investigation by Congress, the big enchilada is the strategic oil reserve, which may have been “strategically” manipulated to drive up oil prices. The key to understanding this manipulation is demand and supply and oil storage capacity.

The last three years have seen rapidly rising oil prices, and a tight oil market has meant that even small increases in demand have had large price impacts. During this period the Bush administration purposely expanded inventories of the strategic oil reserve, which rose from 600 million barrels in May 2003 to 700 million barrels in August 2005. The administration therefore increased demand by 125,000 barrels per day, and oil prices rose from 30 dollars per barrel to 70 dollars.

As oil prices rose, Wall Street became increasingly engaged in commodity speculation (the destructive effects of which is a story for another day), and this is where storage matters. As speculators entered the market the spot price of crude oil rose above the futures price. However, buying spot oil means taking delivery, which requires storage capacity. By adding to the strategic reserve, the administration not only increased oil demand but also increased storage capacity because the oil it bought was stored in the strategic reserve’s caverns. That helped speculators by adding storage capacity vital for cornering the market.

That brings us to today. Over the last month spot oil prices have been tumbling. The reason is that the market has finally run out of storage capacity, which means that all oil produced must now be immediately sold—and that has driven oil prices down. This suggests there has never been a supply shortage warranting seventy-five dollar oil, and absent the administration’s dealings, oil prices might not have risen as they did.

The story does not end here. With private sector oil storage capacity exhausted, the administration has now announced its intention to double the size of the strategic oil reserve from 700 million barrels to 1.5 billion barrels, and it plans to start purchasing 100,000 barrels of oil per day.

The result has been predictable, with the price of oil jumping from $50 to $55 per barrel over the last week (01/19- 01/24). Not only will these purchases increase oil demand, they will also provide new storage capacity needed to re-corner the market.

One last piece of evidence concerns Hurricane Katrina and the oil loan program. Following Katrina, gulf oil production was interrupted causing shortages of crude for refineries. The administration’s response was to loan crude to refiners who were to pay it back in kind. That was a huge gift to refiners who got the oil they wanted and then made a killing on the processed gasoline that was in short supply after Katrina. The proper way to handle the situation would have been to auction the oil, in which case taxpayers would have got the windfall disaster rent (excess profit) resulting from Katrina. This is because refiners would have been willing to pay a high price knowing that gas prices were high.

But there’s yet more damage. If government had auctioned the oil, it could have chosen when to buy it back. Instead, companies paid it back in kind in late 2005 and early 2006, and these payments tightened the market demand and also freed up private storage capacity facilitating further market cornering.

The oil market is full of smoke that provides perfect cover for corruption. Every price blip calls forth explanations in terms of Chinese demand, more violence in Nigeria’s delta region, cold weather, threats from Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez or heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The strategic reserve is the perfect vehicle for corruption since transactions can be cloaked in the veil of national defense. But the situation is clear. A motive exists, the bad character of the administration is known and the circumstantial evidence is strong.

Congress must investigate the strategic oil reserve, how it has been managed and what its purpose is. The recently announced expansion serves no real national security function (though that will be the justification) and will only drive up oil prices and add to the budget deficit and national debt.

One last factoid. A recent IMF study documented that oil prices in the U.S. appear to be politically manipulated, falling prior to elections—as they did in 2002, 2004 and 2006. If you are an economist you ask how that is done. The answer is the strategic oil reserve.

This should be the offer to Cheney & Bush:

1. Stop the build up to war with Iran.

2. Withdraw all troop from Iraq immediatly.

If these demands are not met dual IMPEACHMENT proceedings will begin IMMEDIATLY!!!

Now who has the courage to delivery this message?

AMERICA NEEDS DEMOCRACY -- NOT FASCISM

"The history of mankind is a history of the subjugation and exploitation of a great majority of people by an elite few by what has been appropriately termed the 'ruling class'. The ruling class has many manifestations. It can take the form of a religious orthodoxy, a monarchy, a dictatorship of the proletariat, outright fascism, or, in the case of the United States, corporate statism. In each instance the ruling class relies on academics, scholars and 'experts' to legitimize and provide moral authority for its hegemony over the masses." -- Ed Crane, Cato Institute