Christy Hardin Smith @ 29

PeteCO at 24 — you know, for me it is far from a “line” in terms of how I feel that should work. It’s a consideration of not just my feelings and those who already oppose the Administration, but a memory of how things worked when Newt and his cronies attempted a political coup by forcing impeachment down everyone’s throat…and how badly that turned out. Versus how a legitimate process during Watergate, and how it unfolded for everyone, including Nixon and his cronies…and how that turned out. It is both a pragmatic and political view, certainly, but that has always been MY way. And just because I think it doesn’t mean everyone else has to agree — but, at the same time, I do think that studying and learning from history, including the writings of the Founders on the subject, is incredibly useful. But that’s just me…

I totally get your point. I’m on the fence wrt to how it should work, now I’m discerning two arguments. My worry is; what if nothing happens? What if they are allowed to go quietly into the night, as Pinochet was? What message does that send to BushCo’s of the future-you won’t be held to account? How will history judge us? Will the US ever regain any credibility?

The lack of accountability for IranContra is a direct factor for the existence of this administration and related disasters

By the way, if the head of JAG didn’t need a valid law license, what does that say about military justice?

Pletka evokes vivid but conflicting reactions in me.

There are a lot of bad guys out there trying to kill U.S. troops and I want nothing more than to stop those guys,” said Mr. Waller, the Colorado deputy district attorney and Air Force Reserve major. But he said the Iraqi court system needed safeguards to prevent innocent defendants from being sent to the gallows.

One would think that a professional would refuse to prosecute a case in such circumstances. Oh … silly me I forgot they are lawyers. So much for professional ethics.

Beacon of freedom, that’s us.

Tiny typo before we Spotlight, paragraph–I have asked a jury,
carefuly => carefully

The typo is still there.

Citizen John in California:

Peace brother…I’m a University of California (Irvine) grad. I agree with you about Congressman K. and his patriotic announcement to keep the war a central issue in the comin’ Presidential tournament. I, however, would have liked to see a few heavy hitters like Ted Kennedy, Feingold and Durbin stand up for ‘im even without endorsin’ ‘im. I think that Kucinich does the job as long as he isn’t isolated by the progressive “establishment” and allowed to become a caricature.

Let’s all get on the same page…as long as this war is opposed publicly by all serious politicians and a significant majority of the population, no candidate for the Presidency can win if they voted for the enabling resolution or doesn’t denounce their support prior to the primaries. That is, no pro-war candidate can win unless BOTH candidates left after the primaries are pro-war.

That’s why we must focus our attention on killing the troop expansion right now…no matter what the rationale is for expansion, like Harry Reid’s qualification that it’s only to prepare for withdrawal (now that’s another rhetorical inanity, ain’t it??!!), we can not allow for any action that creates more death.

The path is clear, our legitimacy as members of the civilized human community is at stake here…NO MORE TROOPS!!! Keep the debate on withdrawal and holding the folks who brought us this catastrophe to account.

KEEP THE FAITH, THE SOUL YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!!!

Keeping account should be doable. Maybe something as simple as a spreadsheet w/ a timeline on the left and a column for every congressperson (and pundit?). In each box would be references to whatever they said that week w.r.t. Iraq. This could be extended back to the start of this insanity (9/11). Say, One person or a small group of people take responsibility for their congressperson, then regularly the columns are meshed. The master would reside online. I know Wiki is the obvious vehicle but takes that takes some expertise. Everybody knows how to use a spreadsheet.

NorskeFlamethrower @
49

…we should be advancing against those few public players who are still propagating the delusion that the war can or ever could have been won.

Hear, hear!

The right wing propaganda machine is focussed so directly on the assumption that “losing” in Iraq will be the fault of the liberal ninnies…the attach machine is assailable with it’s originating premise. The conflict in Iraq cannot, now, be “won” in any way shape or form. And that is exclusively the fault of the administration and the rubber stamp congress that allowed it.

Attack the base premise. Attack it again and again, there is ample fact to support it and none to support the contrary: the Iraq war CANNOT be won! All other argument, after that premise is dismissed, is moot!

Yes, the people who “lost” Iraq are the people who put us in this no-win situation in the first place.

Brief troop surge OK in Iraq, Reid says

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Sunday he would support a temporary troop increase in Iraq only if it were part of a broader strategy to bring combat forces home by early 2008.

caca.

I am sorry I did not give proper attribution to you, john in california, last eve.

Kucinich speaks the truth.

Gunmen in Iraqi army uniforms burst into Red Crescent offices on Sunday and kidnapped more than two dozen people at the humanitarian organization in the latest sign of the country’s growing lawlessness.

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/world/iraq

Nick Robertson reported 33 bullet riddled bodies found “strewn across baghdad” today.