NED!

Sorry, until there’s retribution against the Dems who threw Ned under the bus, if I’m first, I call NED!

better Ned than Zed…

OT: follow Lousiana runoff election returns here

Industrial revolution? Don’t believe in it. I’m a Luddite. And a staunch no-knowing Republican.

Speaking of know nothing. And the Pentagon. Rumsfeld in Iraq. The man just ain’t got no class.

Congressional hearings into egregious profiteering.

I can’t believe she would do that. Not our egregious!

Team Waxman!

“Fantasy Congress?”

Oh that should be good for hours of online noodling.

Matt!

Waxman!

Pelosi!

The GOPers are gone! Ah, I’m feeling better now. : )

Christy pointed out that Rep. Henry Waxman (D-California) is the only committee chairman that does not need a committee vote to issue subpeonas. Okay — having Waxman head the committee is one thing. But the power to issue subpeonas at will? Thanks Republicans!

Hmmmm… I’m really liking the sound of that. ; )

After the last six years, do you think there’s any gold left in Fort Knox?

Jane Hamsher @
8

“Fantasy Congress?”

Oh that should be good for hours of online noodling.

Holding the congressional feet to the fire is more than noodling. But i think Speaker Vidal speaks for me.

We will never be rid of the neo-cons, the Bush family or the Republicans.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 11

After the last six years, do you think there’s any gold left in Fort Knox?

Nope… Bush spent it all trying to secure “black gold” in Iraq.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 13

We will never be rid of the neo-cons, the Bush family or the Republicans.

Yes we will. The Schwartzeneggers will prevail.

This is my Fantasy Congress team.

I’m currently ranked 70th out of 100 teams.

Crazy Horse @ 15

Oklahoma kiddo @ 13

We will never be rid of the neo-cons, the Bush family or the Republicans.

Yes we will. The Schwartzeneggers will prevail.

Wow…
The GOPers replace the outright neo-con shills with neo-con appeasers…
Sorry, but I’ll stick with the Dems. : )

Defense contracting is a big growing business here in AZ with a rate of more than $1 BILLION a year. “Since 2001, the value of defense contracts awarded to companies operating in AZ rose 91% to almost $9.4 BILLION last year.” This was front page Sunday 11/12/2006 in the AZ Republic(ian).

Any Wonder why St McCain wants bigger better military and more wars?

katymine @ 18

Defense contracting is a big growing business here in AZ with a rate of more than $1 BILLION a year. “Since 2001, the value of defense contracts awarded to companies operating in AZ rose 91% to almost $9.4 BILLION last year.” This was front page Sunday 11/12/2006 in the AZ Republic(ian).

Any Wonder why St McCain wants bigger better military and more wars?

I believe CACI is based in Sierra Vista, about 70 miles outside of our humble Tucson, Arizona.

McCain just may pull it off. Depending.

Matt Ortega @
16

This is my Fantasy Congress team.

I’m currently ranked 70th out of 100 teams.

It wants a password, Matt.

punaise @
4

OT: follow Lousiana runoff election returns here

Looks promising. Voting starts with 10 for Carter and 10 for Jefferson, says Carter’s got 30% and Jefferson 10%. Sheesh.

The way to do bidness, the KBR, etc. way, is to pay ‘em (us) barely enough to meet the bills month to month and feed their families. That way they’re (us) too busy worrying to watch us (KBR, etc.) tapping the till. And making money off Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. Works pretty well too.

HotFlash @ 21

Matt Ortega @
16

This is my Fantasy Congress team.

I’m currently ranked 70th out of 100 teams.

It wants a password, Matt.

Oh. Here they are:

Allstars:
Sherrod Brown Active OH-13 Points: 0
Louise Slaughter Active NY-28 Points: 0
George Miller Active CA-07 Points: 0
Henry Waxman Active CA-30 Points: 0

Supporting Lineup:
Joseph Crowley Active NY-07 Points: 5
Loretta Sanchez Active CA-47 Points: 0
Dennis Kucinich Active OH-10 Points: 0
Brad Sherman Active CA-27 Points: 0

Rookies:
Dan Boren Active OK-02 Points: 25
Debbie Wasserman Schultz Active FL-20 Points: 0
G. K. Butterfield Active NC-01 Points: 0
Tim Bishop Active NY-01 Points: 0

Upper Senator:
Carl Levin Active MI Points: 5
Ted Kennedy Active MA Points: 1

Lower Senator:
Barack Obama Active IL Points: 75
Mark Dayton Active MN Points: 0

HotFlash @ 22

punaise @
4

OT: follow Lousiana runoff election returns here

Looks promising. Voting starts with 10 for Carter and 10 for Jefferson, says Carter’s got 30% and Jefferson 10%. Sheesh.

Karl Rove “math”

Matt Ortega @
16

This is my Fantasy Congress team.

I’m currently ranked 70th out of 100 teams.

Oh my heavens, Matt.

You’ve let your true last name out of the bag. I’m sure that, given the evil and buggering nature of FDL’ers, you’ll never be left alone again, and your life will be hell.

Be well, my brother, and I am, of course, just kidding.

This week in thievery in the war against terror.

TWIT ‘n TWAT

jayt @ 26

Matt Ortega @
16

This is my Fantasy Congress team.

I’m currently ranked 70th out of 100 teams.

Oh my heavens, Matt.

You’ve let your true last name out of the bag. I’m sure that, given the evil and buggering nature of FDL’ers, you’ll never be left alone again, and your life will be hell.

Be well, my brother, and I am, of course, just kidding.

Eh, other bloggers were linking to my blog, citing my full name, plus The Left Coaster named those of us writing at Say No to Pombo during the campaign as “Netroot Heroes” for our work in defeating Pombo.

Rumsfeld goes to Iraq to say goodbye. Trouble is, the soldiers who gave their lives in Iraq won’t hear him. And I am quite sure Mr. Rumsfeld will have a merry Christmas.

Eh, other bloggers were linking to my blog, citing my full name, plus The Left Coaster named those of us writing at Say No to Pombo during the campaign as “Netroot Heroes” for our work in defeating Pombo.

My bad. I don’t live in Cali - but if you had a hand in taking out Pombo - then - first drink’s on me! - hell - all the drinks are on me - i knew you were a warrior when you first showed up - well done - well done - well done!

Speaking of Congressional investigations, do I remember correctly that Joe LIEberman is in charge of the relevant committee in the Senate?

punaise: have you made your affirmation yet today?

Here’s mine:

My contempt for Joe Lieberman knows no bounds.

I am sick of mercenaries– our military are depending on the commander in chief to lead them to defend our country, that’s what they do. (sorry so many gave them this preznit twice!)

But the mercenaries serve the corporations and those that are hired here are at premium pay and those that the corporations subcontract to all the way down to the foreigners that are actual slaves get less. It’s disgusting.

Thanks Matt O.– here’s hoping Waxman whacks them.

It’s a smokescreen for the “all volunteer” military.

People die and the rich profit from blood and suffering and the theft of ours and Iraq’s treasure.

Oklahoma kiddo @
13

We will never be rid of the neo-cons, the Bush family or the Republicans.

IMHO, the report of the ISG is a device by GOP’s old guard to put distance between themselves and GWB. Ultimately, they will scapegoat him and duck all responsibility for “his screwups.” In fact, they should have to wear him like the ancient mariner wore his dead albatross.

I want accountability for the past six years and the next two.

jayt @ 30

Eh, other bloggers were linking to my blog, citing my full name, plus The Left Coaster named those of us writing at Say No to Pombo during the campaign as “Netroot Heroes” for our work in defeating Pombo.

My bad. I don’t live in Cali - but if you had a hand in taking out Pombo - then - first drink’s on me! - hell - all the drinks are on me - i knew you were a warrior when you first showed up - well done - well done - well done!

I served as a field coordinator for the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund in CA-11, which is where I hold residency and went to high school.

The sweetest part was reading Pombo complaining about us in the Manteca Bulletin.

Cynthia McKinney has a parting shot.

Maybe she’ll hit the table.

President Carter. Tell us what we need to do.

Rummy in Iraq, hmm. Why don’t hey just drop him off in Sadr City and tell him if can make it back to the green zone gates he gets a free pizza from the green zone pizza hut. If he has to call for help he gets a couple of years in Saddams glass booth in the court house. (free windex)

On McKinneys proposal for impeachment. Has Jr. received more calls for censure and impeachment than any other President. It must be a record by now.

Impeachment requires a ’super majority’, I think.

This practice of sending mercenaries in is breaking our military.

Perhaps Reyes, et al are advocating for more of the newly retired or other ex- military folks to sign up for huge bucks. 20- 50,000 well-paid souls ought to do it. (NOT)

Let’s see if we can squeeze just a little more out of this bloodbath.

ptooey.

angie @ 41

This practice of sending mercenaries in is breaking our military.

Perhaps Reyes, et al are advocating for more of the newly retired or other ex- military folks to sign up for huge bucks– 20- 50,000 well-paid souls ought to do it. (NOT)

Let’s see if we can squeeze just a little more out of this bloodbath.

ptooey.

Overextension of the military is breaking it.

The infusion of civilian contractors into warzones is undermining it.

Matt, excellent post. Dont know what made you think you would get a break. Now we have to worry about what happens to the weapons we paid for and/or just “lost.” This NYT article talks about the growing black market for weapons in Iraq.

Black Market Weapon Prices Surge in Iraq Chaos

The market for this American-issued pistol and the ubiquitous assault rifle illustrated how fear, mismanagement and malfeasance are shaping the small-arms market in Iraq.

Weapon prices are soaring along with an expanding sectarian war, as more buyers push prices several times higher than those that existed at the time of the American-led invasion nearly four years ago. Rising prices, in turn, have encouraged an insidious form of Iraqi corruption — the migration of army and police weapons from Iraqi state armories to black-market sales.

All manner of infantry arms, from rocket-propelled grenade launchers to weathered and dented Kalashnikovs, have circulated within Iraq for decades.

Now think about one of Rumsfeld’s “illustrative” options for changing course in Iraq — you know, they one where he suggested we just give lots of money to the various factions in Iraq to see if that would help democracy flourish.

That’s true, Matt.

It’s an awful dance of death isn’t it?

neurophius @ 31

punaise: have you made your affirmation yet today?

Here’s mine:

My contempt for Joe Lieberman knows no bounds.

yes, but thanks for the reminder:

punaise @
42

daily affirmation:

my contempt for war whore Joe Lieberman endures, unabated.

all variations welcomed!

jeffreyw @
27

This week in thievery in the war against terror.

TWIT ‘n TWAT

Is this another tit for tat game?

Matt Ortega says
December 9th, 2006 at 4:59 pm*

The sweetest part was reading Pombo complaining about us in the Manteca Bulletin.

I can tell you feel real bad….

Where you going next, Matt?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 40

Impeachment requires a ’super majority’, I think.

It’s not impossible. Just waiting for two years while he goes away isn’t. He’s not going to ‘do the decent’ and resign or commit seppuku or anything (notice the wishful thinking there). He is constitutionally negotiation-proof, and there must be , what, 200 million people who think he should be gone? Minimum? He understands force and not much else. Not only will he only go if impeached, he’ll have to be escorted out by a sergeant-at-arms or whoever does that sort of work in the Hallowed Halls.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. Nancy got will?

jayt @ 47

Matt Ortega says
December 9th, 2006 at 4:59 pm*

The sweetest part was reading Pombo complaining about us in the Manteca Bulletin.

I can tell you feel real bad….

Where you going next, Matt?

I’m back in Tucson until the next job.

OfT Death of the Middle Eastern Status Quo

by emptywheel

Did you know that 17 pages of the Iraq Study Group report consist of biographies of ISG members? That’s out of 160 total pages. More than one-tenth of the report, dedicated to overly long recitals of ISG members’ “qualifications.” From which, I guess we can assume that if we just get 150 more such esteemed experts, all will be well with the world? […]

Oklahoma kiddo @ 40

Impeachment requires a ’super majority’, I think.

Impeachment (indictment) requires a simple majority vote in the House…
But conviction requires a 2/3 supermajority in the Senate!

Sorry, but it ain’t gonna happen!
The GOPers just won’t do it.

angie @ 41

This practice of sending mercenaries in is breaking our military.

Perhaps Reyes, et al are advocating for more of the newly retired or other ex- military folks to sign up for huge bucks. 20- 50,000 well-paid souls ought to do it. (NOT)

Let’s see if we can squeeze just a little more out of this bloodbath.

ptooey.

Mr HotFlash and I did some math on this one. Say a merc costs $100,000 per year. So, 10,000 of them would cost you (that is, Blackwater, Aegis, whoever) a billion. Not all that much, defense-budget-wise. Hell, we *mislaid* $9 billion.

HotFlash @ 48

Oklahoma kiddo @ 40

Impeachment requires a ’super majority’, I think.

It’s not impossible. Just waiting for two years while he goes away isn’t. He’s not going to ‘do the decent’ and resign or commit seppuku or anything (notice the wishful thinking there). He is constitutionally negotiation-proof, and there must be , what, 200 million people who think he should be gone? Minimum? He understands force and not much else. Not only will he only go if impeached, he’ll have to be escorted out by a sergeant-at-arms or whoever does that sort of work in the Hallowed Halls.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. Nancy got will?

I agree that it has to be done, but it probably won’t be by Nancy. I think she’s already committed to higher powers of finance and future elections. I could be wrong of course but most of her choices so far look more like gatekeepers than watchdogs.

He won’t cooperate regardless of how it comes to him. Everything is blocked by state secrets -national security protections and he won’t budge. I’ll bet it gets really ugly when push comes to shove

Matt Ortega @ 49

I’m back in Tucson until the next job.

kind of like 007

John Casper @ 50

OfT Death of the Middle Eastern Status Quo

by emptywheel

Did you know that 17 pages of the Iraq Study Group report consist of biographies of ISG members? That’s out of 160 total pages. More than one-tenth of the report, dedicated to overly long recitals of ISG members’ “qualifications.” From which, I guess we can assume that if we just get 150 more such esteemed experts, all will be well with the world? […]

She’s certainly one of the absolute best. Lukery scooped the othe night that she’s through with her book…

Larissa should get more ink….

If things go worse (in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere) they will have no choice– the chimp’s JAR on Iraq is 27% right now…

If they want to save their hides, they’ll do it, atdnext– they will have to.

I fervently wish for him to be gone; I do not wish for things to get worse.

succinct Aravosis:

Rumsfeld returns to the scene of the crime
by John in DC - 12/09/2006 07:08:00 PM

Or “Why I sent you to your deaths for nothing.” From AP:

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is in Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman said Saturday.

“He’s there to express his appreciation to the troops and to thank both the troops and their families for the sacrifices they are making,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, a Defense Department spokesman.

Yes, because nothing says “you’re fired” like giving the guy who got us in this mess a victory lap at the taxpayers’ expense.

rumi @ 53

HotFlash @ 48

Oklahoma kiddo @ 40

It’s not impossible. Just waiting for two years while he goes away isn’t. He’s not going to ‘do the decent’ and resign or commit seppuku or anything (notice the wishful thinking there). He is constitutionally negotiation-proof, and there must be , what, 200 million people who think he should be gone? Minimum? He understands force and not much else. Not only will he only go if impeached, he’ll have to be escorted out by a sergeant-at-arms or whoever does that sort of work in the Hallowed Halls.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. Nancy got will?

I agree that it has to be done, but it probably won’t be by Nancy. I think she’s already committed to higher powers of finance and future elections. I could be wrong of course but most of her choices so far look more kije gatekeepers than watchdogs.

He won’t cooperate regardless of how it comes to him. Everything is blocked by state secrets - national security protections and he won’t budge. I’ll bet it gets really ugly when push comes to shove.

And Congress will be wasting their time, every second of it, because he will veto everything. All they’ll be able to do is block the GOP’s bills (if they choose to do that much) and what, wait for 2008? That’s 500 to 750 US dead and thousands mor Iraqis. Worth it? For oil?

atdnext @ 51

Oklahoma kiddo @ 40

Impeachment requires a ’super majority’, I think.

Impeachment (indictment) requires a simple majority vote in the House…
But conviction requires a 2/3 supermajority in the Senate!

Sorry, but it ain’t gonna happen!
The GOPers just won’t do it.

This is why I don’t support immediate impeachment proceedings.

Instead, investigate. Investigate the hell out of this administration. The findings will, in my opinion, show criminal behavior on various issues. Hopefully, reaching a point of critical mass when impeachment is the only course of action.

The political debate over impeachment is much more complicated than “to impeach or not to impeach.” In this situation, McKinney and Pelosi are both taking errant avenues. There is a third option.

Investigations. Pick your poison because there is plenty to investigate about this administration. Pre-war intelligence (including the Downing Street Memos), war profiteering (and what, if any, strings were pulled by the administration to ensure certain companies won contracts), authorization of warrantless surveillance of millions of Americans, sanctioning and actively facilitating torture (CIA “black sites,” administration condoning detainee abuses such as at Abu Ghraib), or corruption linked to Jack Abramoff (and those 485 contacts).

The conclusions of investigations into any of those pressing issues would make impeachment hearings legitimate. In Congress, impeachment would be violently thrusted into necessary, in much the same way it was viewed in 1973 after the “Saturday Night Massacre.” [Original Washington Post story located here.] The American public would demand action.

God help us if they don’t.

How many million people does 27% represent?

jayt @ 60

How many million people does 27% represent?

way too many.

But if you figure those that know and loved those that are serving and have served and that’s quite a few…

not too stunning.

Then there’s the backwash…

Criminal investigations are the way. There is no doubt multiple felonies have been committed by this administration at the highest levels during the past six years.

HotFlash @ 58

…

And Congress will be wasting their time, every second of it, because he will veto everything. All they’ll be able to do is block the GOP’s bills (if they choose to do that much) and what, wait for 2008? That’s 500 to 750 US dead and thousands mor Iraqis. Worth it? For oil?

The Democrats have to follow the investigations through and do whatever they can to pass legislation more in line with the voters’ interests. The ones that don’t probably won’t be returned to office in the next election.

It is imperative that the Democrats nominate a suitable and winnable candidate for the presidency in 2008. This person will obviously appoint the AG. And if all goes well there will be criminal investigations of Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Rice and the rest.

Only 27% may support impeachment, but approx 2/3 think he is not doing a good job. That should send a message to the guys who just won.

Ahh, my head hurts. I am going to sooth my fevered brow with a re-reading of my new favourite reading, 100 Hours by Grandma Nancy, and listen to the Lt Kije Suite. Thanks for mentioning it, Rumi.

rumi @ 63

HotFlash @ 58

…

And Congress will be wasting their time, every second of it, because he will veto everything. All they’ll be able to do is block the GOP’s bills (if they choose to do that much) and what, wait for 2008? That’s 500 to 750 US dead and thousands mor Iraqis. Worth it? For oil?

The Democrats have to follow the investigations through and do whatever they can to pass legislation more in line with the voters’ interests. The ones that don’t probably won’t be returned to office in the next election.

That’s the thing. If the Democrats pass something like a minimum wage increase and Bush vetoes it, shame him with it (and the GOP who does not override the veto).

Pit the Bush and the GOP against your everyday common man.

If I may, I want to quote Harry S. Truman, who Bush recently claimed himself to be. (In your dreams, George.)

“The Republican Party, as I said a while ago, favors the privileged few and not the common everyday man. Ever since its inception, that party has been under the control of special privilege; and they have completely proved it in the 80th Congress. They proved it by the things they did to the people, and not for them. They proved it by the things they failed to do.”

Acceptance Speech of the Democratic Nomination in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 15, 1948

Oklahoma kiddo @ 64

It is imperative that the Democrats nominate a suitable and winnable candidate for the presidency in 2008. This person will obviously appoint the AG. And if all goes well there will be criminal investigations of Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Rice and the rest.

I wish them luck, they will never have a better chance. And I hope they are throwing out the voting machines.

OT - Looks like the shuttle launch is a go momentarily (8:47 PM eastern). CNN seems to be covering it.

Was watching CNN Combat Hospital. Every Congress man and all Americans should watch.

More than can be borne I didnt want to watch but couldnt stop.

Can anyone stop this war?

Matt Ortega @ 59

Instead, investigate. Investigate the hell out of this administration. The findings will, in my opinion, show criminal behavior on various issues. Hopefully, reaching a point of critical mass when impeachment is the only course of action.

Sounds good to me!

Of course, what I’d also like to see is the Democratic Congress actually getting to work on some good legislation. I’m just concerned that impeachment hearings will drain all our time, energy, and attention…
Leaving nothing left for any positive action.

Still, I like your proposal…
It sounds like a good alternative. : )

snowbird42 @ 69

Was watching CNN Combat Hospital. Every Congress man and all Americans should watch.

More than can be borne I didnt want to watch but couldnt stop.

Can anyone stop this war?

That is a brutal show but must see TV. Along the lines of HBO’s documentary from about 6 months ago.

30 seconds until shuttle launch

Impeachment can happen, but it won’t be a top down decision, it will have to come from the bottom up. Take every chance you have to tell your rep that it needs to be done, go to the town meetings and speak to the issue. Meanwhile, committee investigations will be in the news, use these as hooks. Weave the latest revelations into your questions and demands.

Start asking the media to commission polls, or fund a poll ourselves (ala MyDD).

It can happen, but it will have to pushed up from the bottom, the calculation for both Repugs and Dems must be that the upside to action outweighs the downside. That doing nothing carries a risk.

Matt Ortega @ 66

That’s the thing. If the Democrats pass something like a minimum wage increase and Bush vetoes it, shame him with it (and the GOP who does not override the veto).

Pit the Bush and the GOP against your everyday common man.

YES! That’s what I’ve been talking about all along. As I wrote on my DKos diary today:

Let’s remember that the American people did not elect Democrats to Congress because they want revenge…
They elected Democrats because they actually want the Congress to work on the important issues that are facing America today!

They chose Democrats because they want:

- A sensible strategy to get out of Iraq

- An end to the GOP culture of corruption

- An end to government “of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich”

- Real solutions to the real growing crisis that is global warming

- An end to the divisive pandering to the religious right wingnuts, while ignoring all the above issues…

Of course, I’m sure we can list even more important issues here, but my point is that Americans want to see their people’s House (and Senate) get to work. Why don’t we do that, and see if Bush is so idiotic that he’ll put his own petty whims above the best interest of the country, and his own party…

Now let’s let our Dems get to work in 2007…
It’s what’s best for our country, and for our party!

Matt - do you have a sense of which TWIT all star will be the first target for Waxman?

(I do love space launches … and miss the NASA channel on satellite though saw that it’s available on one of the services that also streams Al Jazeera English - NASA does good live coverage streaming on their site as well … and LA election news upcoming - 5 minutes to poll close)

Direct to Matt Ortega: I can not thank you enough. Not only is der Pombot history, but we have in his place a windpower engineer (actually mathematician) who understands what america must do to be perceived as a member of the world community. For this brilliance you will be placed beside Senor Murieta, and i hope you can find the treasure.

WASHINGTON – Rep. Jerry Lewis, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, angrily denied yesterday that he or his staff had engaged in any misconduct in dealing with lobbyists or in “earmarking” federal money.

But a federal government source told The San Diego Union-Tribune that investigators were probing Lewis’ dealings with lobbyist and former Republican Rep. Bill Lowery of San Diego. The source said the investigation was a spin-off from the corruption probe of now-imprisoned former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham.

“Investigators are clearly interested in what role the congressman (Lewis) may have played in steering earmarks to certain entities,” said the source, who would only speak on the condition of anonymity.

The investigation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, which has issued subpoenas, the source said. A second government source confirmed the investigation.

Source.

Alas, comity.

new thread upstairs, pups.

Crazy Horse @ 77

Direct to Matt Ortega: I can not thank you enough. Not only is der Pombot history, but we have in his place a windpower engineer (actually mathematician) who understands what america must do to be perceived as a member of the world community. For this brilliance you will be placed beside Senor Murieta, and i hope you can find the treasure.

Ditto! The removal of Pombo was probably the best thing that happened in California last month (OK, along with the election of Debra Bowen as SoS)…
I’m so happy to see McNerney go to DC next month…
For that, you rock! : )

atdnext @ 74

Matt Ortega @ 66

That’s the thing. If the Democrats pass something like a minimum wage increase and Bush vetoes it, shame him with it (and the GOP who does not override the veto).

Pit the Bush and the GOP against your everyday common man.

YES! That’s what I’ve been talking about all along. As I wrote on my DKos diary today:

Let’s remember that the American people did not elect Democrats to Congress because they want revenge…
They elected Democrats because they actually want the Congress to work on the important issues that are facing America today!

They chose Democrats because they want:

- A sensible strategy to get out of Iraq

- An end to the GOP culture of corruption

- An end to government “of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich”

- Real solutions to the real growing crisis that is global warming

- An end to the divisive pandering to the religious right wingnuts, while ignoring all the above issues…

Of course, I’m sure we can list even more important issues here, but my point is that Americans want to see their people’s House (and Senate) get to work. Why don’t we do that, and see if Bush is so idiotic that he’ll put his own petty whims above the best interest of the country, and his own party…

Now let’s let our Dems get to work in 2007…
It’s what’s best for our country, and for our party!

Impeaching Bush is not about revenge. It is about clearing the obstruction to Congress’ *urgent* work of fixing our broken country. It may be all fine and so moral for you to ’shame’ Bush, hope you get some satisfaction out of it (sweet? like revenge is supposed to be?) I doubt if he knows the emotion.

People are dying in Iraq, Afghanistan and Darfur. People are still homeless in New Orleans. Uncharged and probably innocent people are still detained and tortured, and the rendition flights seem still to be going on. It is not simply a matter of getting our troops home, it is a matter of gettion someone talking in Iraq, in Lebanon, or we just might have Condi’s mushroom cloud after all.

Crazy Horse - took a look at your blog … interesting question about the difference in online discourse from the days of Well (or for me, usenet via world.std.com) and blogs … continuing shifts in the model and ways community develops … when I get some time, I’d love to talk more about that and my experience with attempting a non-frontpage format.

I believe in the necessity of impeachment - not for revenge or strategy or politics, but simply to uphold the constitution. This admin has destroyed the constitution in so many ways and not investigating and impeaching becomes our acceptance of that destruction.

jeffreyw @ 73

Impeachment can happen, but it won’t be a top down decision, it will have to come from the bottom up. Take every chance you have to tell your rep that it needs to be done, go to the town meetings and speak to the issue. Meanwhile, committee investigations will be in the news, use these as hooks. Weave the latest revelations into your questions and demands.

Start asking the media to commission polls, or fund a poll ourselves (ala MyDD).

It can happen, but it will have to pushed up from the bottom, the calculation for both Repugs and Dems must be that the upside to action outweighs the downside. That doing nothing carries a risk.

Hey JeffreyW, I’m pushing.

angie @ 61

jayt @ 60

How many million people does 27% represent?

way too many.

But if you figure those that know and loved those that are serving and have served and that’s quite a few…

not too stunning.

Then there’s the backwash…

US pop is approx 300 million, so 100 million, give or take a few. I was thinking ‘dissatisfied’, which is abt 2/3 or approx 200 million.

Siun @ 83

I believe in the necessity of impeachment - not for revenge or strategy or politics, but simply to uphold the constitution. This admin has destroyed the constitution in so many ways and not investigating and impeaching becomes our acceptance of that destruction.

Yes. It is important to heal our country that we observe the rule of law.

HotFlash @ 86

Siun @ 83

I believe in the necessity of impeachment - not for revenge or strategy or politics, but simply to uphold the constitution. This admin has destroyed the constitution in so many ways and not investigating and impeaching becomes our acceptance of that destruction.

Yes. It is important to heal our country that we observe the rule of law.

It’s also important to show the world that we thoroughly rebuke this illegality and aggression.

;(

If we don’t impeach, then the world community will not respect our democracy, and without the world community respect, we will be homeless.

i’m just a kid who believed in the shit i was teached about the Constitution.

Siun @ 82

Crazy Horse - took a look at your blog … interesting question about the difference in online discourse from the days of Well (or for me, usenet via world.std.com) and blogs … continuing shifts in the model and ways community develops … when I get some time, I’d love to talk more about that and my experience with attempting a non-frontpage format.

my blog is one intelligent mind masturbating online, and your blog is what used to be called truth. I so wish that blogs could have conferences, where bottom up is the predominant discussion, assuming intelligent people. But i’m also thankful that blogs changed the political/media framwork.

And Jane knows how we have to evolve to the next level. And i believe she will do this, because as a Producer she must have a finger on the pulse.

Love the t-shirts. Can’t wait till the New year and Waxman starts nailing those bastards! Soon we’ll get back to politics here in Madison, WI, but right now our smallest lake has frozen over and it’s all about chasing the wind across the ice. “New ice is by far the best.” The lake is covered with flying sails. In the background there’s a pickup hockey game. Dogs are exploring the frozen world. For the moment, life is good.

punaise @ 3

better Ned than Zed…

v funny.

Riesz Fischer @ 6

Congressional hearings into egregious profiteering.

I can’t believe she would do that. Not our egregious!

:)

Crazy Horse @
89

Siun @ 82

Crazy Horse - took a look at your blog … interesting question about the difference in online discourse from the days of Well (or for me, usenet via world.std.com) and blogs … continuing shifts in the model and ways community develops … when I get some time, I’d love to talk more about that and my experience with attempting a non-frontpage format.

my blog is one intelligent mind masturbating online, and your blog is what used to be called truth. I so wish that blogs could have conferences, where bottom up is the predominant discussion, assuming intelligent people. But i’m also thankful that blogs changed the political/media framwork.

And Jane knows how we have to evolve to the next level. And i believe she will do this, because as a Producer she must have a finger on the pulse.

I agree.

I asked a related question of Amb Wilson, that went unanswered, that might not have an answer. How do we know when we might be doing more harm than good when calling for accountability related to the past?

I know most of this is based on trust in the direction that high profile bloggers are leading us but what if we intuitively detect more bullshit? Is it the necessary deception based on insider information that many of us can’t access? Is it the manipulative deception of enabling power exchanges that benefit only the power elite?

Where are the lines drawn between productive activism seeking truth and being a pawn to destroy some while unwittingly enabling an opportunistic few?

rumi - not sure if you are still reading here or have jumped to the skype discussion but whatever the source, we always need to think for ourselves, trust our instincts and do the research.

And keep the discussion open and flowing at places like FDL.

Siun - :-) I wander around a lot. Thanks for the input. I understand that part and I’ve always followed those rules. The next level above that is knowing that life isn’t fair, perfect or as it should be. I understand compromising for less than ideal and I know sometimes reality has to be something I don’t personally like. Add to that the belief that answers come in strange, unrecognizable packages and it gets more confusing.

For instance, the Dems swept into power in part due to the persistence and idealism of the bloggers research/writings. The new power appears to be making leadership decisions counter to their claims for accountability. It could be, that the right people are being placed but it will take time for results OR we’ve all been Punk’d for a powergrab. More digging and push for accountability - revealing more past corruption - could either help correct a potential problem OR ruin an ongoing low profile investigation by unwittingly tipping off those involved. Are we doing more harm than good?

We know impeachment will not be for “revenge,” but the D.C. media punditry has proven on multiple occasions that they get it wrong — a lot — and will dutifully give lip service to the right-wing talking point, as they have in the past.

egregious @ 92

Riesz Fischer @ 6

Congressional hearings into egregious profiteering.

I can’t believe she would do that. Not our egregious!

:)

I had you in mind when I wrote that sentence, egregious. (A throwback to one of my first uses of the word “egregious” in writing here.)