Posts with the tag Reid

FISA Vote Today at 11:15 A.M. EST and Obama's Stance

Liz — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:15:14 EDT

The FISA vote is a huge big deal. Yesterday I watched the Senate debates on C-Span for four hours. Senators Dodd, Leahy, Specter, Whitehouse, and Reid eloquently protested passing the bill with title two (the telecom immunity clause) left intact. It was their consensus that doing so tramples on the fourth amendment rights (search and seizure without a warrant) of our Constitution and once again leaves the Bush Administration unaccountable for their illegal deeds against the citizens and against our Constitution. We already know what Bush thinks of our Constitution as he has been quoted as calling it no more than a GD piece of paper.

I just read this morning on the Washington Post an article by Jose Vargas titled "Obama Responds to Online FISA critics. In recent days, Obama has been targeted by suporters on his own social networking site. According to this article, one backer on the site has formed a group named "Senator Obama Please vote NO on Telecom Immunity--Get FISA Right"

That group has grown to more than 16,000 members making it the single largest group on Obama's site.

In response to the group and a growing online controversy over his FISA stance, Obama took to his blog yesterday afternoon to address concerns about his support for the intelligence surveillance bill.

Here is the link to the Washington Post article:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/07/03/obama_responds_to_online_fisa.html?hpid=topnews

FISA Vote tomorrow 11:15 EST

Liz — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:17:15 EDT

Tomorrow (Wednesday) at approximately 11:15 AM EST the Senate will vote on the FISA Bill. Please call your Senators on this in the morning first thing.

I watched the proceedings for about four and a half hours this afternoon. It is quite amazing and I have come away from that experience with the feeling that this FISA bill is extremely important—much more important than I originally thought it to be. I will be very surprised and extremely disappointed if Senator Barack Obama votes for it “as is”.

Following are my impressions and understanding. Take what you can use and disregard as you wish. Realize that I’m an ordinary citizen like most of you. My understanding may be less than perfect and I welcome anyone who can make authoritative corrections/additions to please do so.

It appears that there are not one, but two and perhaps three new amendments to this FISA bill that will be voted on tomorrow morning:

The Dodd/Feingold amendment

This proposes that we strike title TWO from the bill entirely. (Title two is the part that grants retroactive immunity to the Telecoms.)

There is a Bingaman (Democrat New Mexico) amendment

This leaves the Title Two (the immunity) portion intact but holds Title Two in limbo for three months. During those 90 days Congress would have to receive the delivery of a report by the Inspector General's on the president's secret surveillance programs. Immunity would then follow after that point, but the provision might provide an incentive for the administration not to drag its feet in complying with the investigation, [my opinion is that if they at least don’t do this much then they will never get that information from the Bush Administration] and it would give Congress the opportunity to reconsider once it actually knows what behavior it is immunizing.

My impressions of the people and their presentations this afternoon follow:

Purge Repost

Jack Kafka — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:24:07 EDT

http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/Jackkafka/CNy4

SEND THEM TO THE GULAG!!!

Jack Kafka — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:42:57 EDT

Now when Democrats win in November. Let Purge our spineless leader

Key Setbacks Dim Luster of Democrats' Year / Thanks to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Reid / Is this a lack of her and his leadership?

Percy H Florez — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:47:00 EST

By Jonathan Weisman and Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, December 20, 2007; Page A01

The first Democratic-led Congress in a dozen years limped out of Washington last night with a lengthy list of accomplishments, from the first increase in fuel-efficiency standards in a generation to the first minimum-wage hike in a decade. But Democrats' failure to address the central issues that swept them to power left even the most partisan of them dissatisfied and Congress mired at a historic low in public esteem.

Read this link

Percy H Florez

Fire Reid and Pelosi

Jack Kafka — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:20:08 EST

Fire Reid and Pelosi

Good job guys, get a few pennies for your home towns and then screw over working Americans by being weak. I though we were better than tax and spend and then give into the President. I guess I was wrong.

(its the war and economy stupid, but we are not here to ruin in just to look good in November, I will remember this,)

a bribe is a bribe is a bribe....

jack
---------------------------

WASHINGTON â€" Momentum is growing on Capitol Hill behind a compromise that would break the current gridlock over Iraq war funding, and provide some of the money for the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan that the administration has been seeking since February.

Democrats have been stymied by Republicans in their efforts to move a $50 billion plan, essentially playing budgetary game of chicken with the White House. The Democrats' plan has made enemies over a troop withdrawal date for December 2008 as well as stricter interrogation rules for the CIA that would prevent the use of waterboarding.

The administration has sought $196 billion, with no strings attached. With no money, the administration has warned that it will have to send layoff notices in the coming days to hundreds of thousands of civilian workers in the Defense Department.

In a tactical shift, Democrats appear ready to signing onto a short-term compromise.

Under the plan being discussed, it appears that at least some money for the Defense Department would make its way into the end-of-year, must-pass omnibus spending bill that will lump together 11 of the 12 annual spending bills.

The money, however, would not specifically be tied to Iraq war costs in the fine print, although lawmakers say it would be available for such spending, giving everyone some breathing room. The provision is necessary so Democrats â€" edgy of anything giving the administration it wants when it comes to Iraq â€" would not have to say they voted for Iraq funding without conditions.

"We will have an omnibus bill and it will address some of the concerns that have been raised," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.

"There probably will be some level of addressing Afghanistan, some of the domestic concerns about child care. You have seen the list that the DoD has come up with. We can address those concerns and certainly perhaps if more is needed to do something about Afghanistan. But that's all," she added.

Several Democrats have told Fox that negotiations are intensely ongoing at the highest levels to provide some money for Defense Department that would not be specifically designated for Iraq.

The compromise comes as Democrats are increasingly concerned and angry about the rhetoric from Pentagon and White House officials â€" who are threatening pink slips just before Christmas for the civilian workers on military bases, many of whom are union workers, a safety constituency for Democrats.

Key leaders also appear miffed that the cries for money are coming after Defense Secretary Robert Gates said behind close doors, in classified session, that the war funding was sufficient to carry the military through February 2008.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters: "The only way [civil service workers] would be pink-slipped is because of the meanness of the White House."

Reid met with White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and Office of Management and Budget chief Jim Nussle Wednesday night.

"Everything was on the table in that meeting," Reid said. "We're working to get our spending bills complete. If there's money in that for war fighting, we will look at it."

Pelosi said Democrats were looking into layoff numbers now, but a senior Democratic leadership aide tells FOX that Reid and Pelosi are trying to keep the negotiating circle very small and that nothing has yet been agreed to.

"I do think the funding will get in," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., who sits on the Senate Appropriations panel.

Whether Republicans will lend their support remains to be seen.

Senate Republican leadership aides say that so far Democrats have not offered enough money, but they hold out hope the money will be provided.

One senior aide confirmed to FOX that the money that's being offered could be used in any way the Pentagon sees fit, including for Iraq.

"It's all fungible. Democrats just need to get more money on the table," the aide said.

Door to War with Iran Swings Wide Open (Sept. 26)

Mike V. — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:47:08 EDT

This really concerns me, and it should concern you too. What is Reid thinking?

This is the most pressing news of the day.

By a vote of 76-22, the Senate passed the Lieberman-Kyl amendment, which threatens to â��combat, contain and [stop]â�� Iran via â��military instruments.â�� Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) called the amendment â��Cheneyâ��s fondest pipe dreamâ�� and said it could â��read as a backdoor method of gaining Congressional validation for military action.â��

UPDATE: Before the vote today, changes were made to the original amendment, with paragraphs three and four taken out completely. This paragraph was also added at the end:

â��Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated on September 16, 2007 that â��I think that the administration believes at this point that continuing to try and deal with the Iranian threat, the Iranian challenge, through diplomatic and economic means is by the preferable approach. That the one we are using. We always say all options are on the table, but clearly, the diplomatic and economic approach is the one that we are pursuing.â��

UPDATE II: The roll call for the vote is here. The following senators voted against the amendment:

Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Dodd (D-CT)
Feingold (D-WI)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Tester (D-MT)
Webb (D-VA)
Wyden (D-OR)

Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) didnâ��t vote.

Another international gaffe by Bush

Foreign Affairs Consultant — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:00:46 EDT

As we have mentioned several times before, Bush, Cheney and Rice should stay home. Every time they go abroad, they either insult their hosts and/or make a mockery of themselves.

Once more, our President has demonstrated his ignorance. In Australia, on Thursday, in front of the media gallery, he was not able to differentiate between APEC and OPEC, and praise the Austrian troops in Afghanistan, instead of the Australian troops.

When Bush understood his mistake, he tried to cover-up, by a bigger mistake, without realizing that he was lying to the media. By mentioning that he was confused between APEC and OPEC because the Australian Prime Minister previously invited him to the next OPEC meeting.

What Bush did not realize is, first of all, Mr. Howard can not invite anyone to any OPEC meeting, because Australia is not a member. United States can not be invited because we are not a member. And Mr. Howard is smart enough to know that. Only an ignorant Bush, and a liar, did not realize it.

The whole world is laughing at Bush. Unfortunately, when they are laughing at our President, they are laughing at us. Because of Bush, Cheney, Bolton and Rice, we have lost the respect and trust from the Real World.

For the sake of our future, of our children and grandâ??children, Bush and Cheney should resign, NOW. Forget the impeachment. Leaders of both parties, especially the Republicans, should convince both of them to resign. Find any excuseâ?¦.Cheney is sickâ?¦..Bush has a mysterious malaiseâ?¦anything.

Both of them, if they have a little honour, a little respect for the American people, a little pride for their country, should understand the damage they will continue to do, for the next 18 months.

If Bush is not drinking anymore, perhaps, he is benefiting from the large increase in opium production in Afghanistan.

It is time for the Congress to stand up, time for Reid and Pelosi, to stand up and be counted. It is amazing how the Republicans are suddenly anxious to get rid of Senator Craig, while, for years, they have protected and defended other members involved in much worse scandals. It is encouraging to notice the great efficiency of Homeland Security by securing our airports. How many billions for that?

We like to proclaim ourselves as the most powerful nation of the world, but we have shown our incompetence in managing an invasion, and a natural disaster. What is frightening the world: we have installed an ignorant simpleton in the White House, who is leading us to our demise, and we are doing nothing to stop him.

For the last ten years, we have seen our three auto makers losing productivity and their competitive advantages. Now, Toyota is producing and selling more cars than General Motors.

For the first time, in this new century, we have a negative rate of job creation, combined with fake statistics, for the reports of June and July, a revised figure by half from the previously announced so-called new jobs.

The Executives of Fannie Mae who have mismanaged $11 billions are still in place, in spite the fact that they are still cheating the shareholders, and taking advantage of certain home-owners, and probably having a few employees in conflict of interest.

All this, and so many more examples, are not the right recipe to assure our future. A united effort should be made to convince the tandem Bush-Cheney to resign. Elect Pelosi as a transition President, for the next 18 months, and show the world, that we can make mistakes, but, also we can correct them.

The Facilitator.

from: the-liaison.blogspot.com

Senate All-Nighter on Iraq: How You Can Help

Stephanie Taylor — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:06:56 EDT

Senate Republicans are threatening to filibuster a bill by Senators Levin and Reed that would require President Bush to begin troop withdrawal within 120 days, with most coming home by April 2008.

But Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided that he's not going to let them just make a threat and walk away--he's going to make them stand up in front of the American people and take responsibility for staying in Iraq.

Tonight the Senate will debate all night long on the Levin-Reed amendment. You can help by using our simple tool to write a letter and email or fax it to your Senators instantly--let's keep up the pressure all day and all night long on the Republicans to support the Levin-Reed amendment.

Here's the link to the tool: Link

Read the letter I wrote to my Senator, John Warner, in the extended post. Feel free to copy and paste for your own letters to your own senators.

Withdrawing The Troops In 120 Days?

Cato Meador — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:47:54 EDT

That is what Speaker Nancy Pelosi is claiming she is going to introduce in legislation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says they are going to push for this, although he doesn't know if they can get it accomplished.

These are wonderful thoughts! No, really. It is noble to want, after hearing the nation grumble since they took office, for our leaders to feel the need to "try" to extract our kids from a Civil War in which we have no side.

TRY? In September, they just have to CUT OFF FUNDING! Keeping troops in the field ready and able to fight requires funding from a DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED CONGRESS!! The time for playing "politics" with our kids lives and with our treasure and with our nearly extinct goodwill around the world is WAY more than over!

If our Democratic Party leaders will just throw politics to the wind and do the right thing....the thing that they were put back into power to do....there is NO DOWN SIDE. We will either bring our children home or redeploy them to either safer surroundings, or maybe to Afghanistan, where the TRUE war is still being fought and where the number one man on our Most Wanted List is still hiding out. That would be Osama bin Laden, (Wow...now which playing card was he in the deck??....Oh yeah...HE WASN'T!!!)

Mr. Majority Leader, Madame Speaker, if you do the right thing, you won't have to WORRY about re-election. On the other hand, if you keep going down this foolish road....with only 23% of Americans thinking you are doing a good job (how many Dems do you think that includes?)...you WILL have to worry about keeping your jobs, and keeping the Party of Fairness in power!

DNC Winter Meeting

dk2 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:33:31 EST

If you want to hear any of the candidate today, the meeting is live on C-Span.

Some speaking today are:
Dodd, Christopher J. U.S. Senator, D-CT
Reid, Harry U.S. Senator, D-NV
Kucinich, Dennis U.S. Representative, D-OH
Edwards, John U.S. Senator (1999-2005), D-NC
Clinton, Hillary Rodham U.S. Senator, D-NY
Obama, Barack U.S. Senator, D, Illinois
Dean, Howard Chair (2005- ), Democratic National Committee

Sen. Harry Reid is a Fashion Icon

bruinmccon — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:02:22 EST

I hope everyone saw the quality piece in the NY Times this AM re: Nancy Pelosi's...fashion sense. Way to bring us back 50 years.

Not quite as well known is this piece on Harry Reid:

The winds of change have swept through Washington DC since Harry Reid became Senate Majority Leader. Only one word can be used to describe him: chic.

Looking dapper in his Dolce and Gabbana suit, Sen. Reid reveals "I use a seaweed and peanut face mask every night to keep my skin fresh. When shopping for suits and ties, I always ask myself 'Will this suit make me look fat?'" Reid even conceded that when he was first married, his wife had to get him off of an embarrassing streak of buying ties at K-mart.

What does this have to do with governing? Absolutely nothing, but we still poked around Capitol Hill, asking every male we could find what they thought about Sen. Reid's amazing fashion sense. A sampling of their replies:

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-MA: I try to wear red ties as much as possible, because red is a power color.

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-KS: I would like to be remembered as a trend setter. I try to wear a lot of navy blue. I think it is a color that commands respect, but it is not as drab as wearing black all the time.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-OK: I only wear double breasted suits by Armani. They are really flattering on my body type. I also use Mac concealer, and Oil of Olay on my face at night.

Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-LA: I like to think of myself as fashion forward. Sen. Reid is alright, but I think I have a better sense of what will be in style next year. Also, I wear sensible shoes, and sometimes I see Reid trying to pull off shoes that don't work for Congress.

Rep. John Boehner, R-OH: That's odd, someone just came in here to ask me about Speaker Pelosi's fashion sense, and I couldn't stop comparing her to Reid. Reid is someone who has changed style on the Hill for good. He really makes quite a statement with the way he dresses - we're talking lapel pins that change lives, black dress socks that make you want to cry they are so comfortable, etc. But it's really his hairstyle that has made the biggest impact: I always request the Harry Reid style when I go to get my hair cut. I just wished it looked as good on me as it does on him. Oh well.

HEY DEMS: Time to Make the Donuts

OrdinaryGal — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:33:28 EST

It's time to get to work, the real work of governing the Congress. Yes, it's time for long hours, real commitment and to "walk the walk". I read about Harry Reid's statements today, that more work and DAYS of WORK are coming in the first seven weeks than in years. Think about it. More work Than in years ! I am proud and optimistic. Have been reading the site today and it seems there is more than discussion going on. What's all this arguing about?

Democratic Party Mobilizes Against ABC Propaganda

dgs — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 23:52:21 EDT

Oh, my gosh! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Today some of the Democratic Party leaders got together and sent a letter off to ABC. Oh, how wonderful to see some strength. Good for you wonderful representatives!

Here is the text of the letter to Iger. Right now would be a good time to jet off an e-mail of appreciation to each of the authors.

I just wonder what happened to the other 40 signatures. It's a good, very good start.