***BREAKING: A Federal judge has approved the immunity grant to Monica Goodling from the House Judiciary Committee. More here from ThinkProgress. Funny how Don Henley's Dirty Laundry video above fits nicely with that as well, isn't it?***
Realistically, I know that our current political system operates on vast sums of money. And that in order to be competitive in today's political environment, equally vast sums of money have to be raised. In order to make any changes, you have to have a majority elected, and to get that majority at the moment you have to go back to the whole money question. I have heard it chapter and verse, all the rationales and the reasoning and the arguments pro and con, and read all the court decisions and the free speech debates and everything else in between.
But reading this makes me sick to my stomach:
House Republicans are taking nothing for granted. Their leaders last month sent out a 28-page instruction kit laying out exactly what rank-and-file members have to do to reach the dinner's multimillion-dollar goal. The kit includes a list of more than 225 companies, trade associations and lobbying firms that are proven benefactors of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the House GOP's campaign organization.
The document even tells lawmakers how they should phrase their telephone calls. A page with "suggested talking points for House Members" includes this: "Following a disappointing loss of our majorities in the House and Senate, we need to restore the faith of the American voters in us. We heard their message this past November that we need to re-commit our priorities for lower taxes, securing our boarders [sic], supporting our troops and fiscal responsibility."
Then it recommends the lawmakers add: "The odds are against Republicans as we take up the fight to strengthen and rebuild our majority" — something Republicans do not generally admit publicly.
Then again, the document was not meant for publication. Dated April 10, it led off with a memorandum from Reps. Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Joe Wilson (S.C.), co-chairmen of the President's Dinner. "The opposition will be fully funded," the opening page says, "so we must set our fundraising sights high in order to be competitive."
Setting the sights high means a lot more pressure — and in politics, a call from a sitting lawmaker is about as much pressure as can be exerted.
No one with whom I ever speak about this ever likes it. No one likes the way things are working right now — well, except for the people whose power bases are propped up by the current system and the lobbyists who make their money cozying up to the powerbrokers and keeping them in their power chairs. Until the entire system is changed, operating under the current rules is required in order to get enough of a majority to force change…but that doesn't mean I have to like it. And if anyone thinks that this particular GOP "pass the collection plate" gluttonous feast isn't all about Roy Blunt maintaining his status quo hold on power in the House by staying atop the Republican party money pedestal? Well, wake up and smell the latte.
It isn't just Republicans, but the entire Beltway that gets mired in this money obsession. But the waft of corruption from Jack Abramoff and pals still hangs heavy over the GOP leadership, and with all those unanswered questions — and a whole lot of pent up resentment among folks who got the high pressure sales job for campaign fundage and not much in return? This could get interesting.
The fact that this heavy-handed, money grubbing script saw the light of day in public? That is an intriguing little twist, isn't it? I'd say Rep. Blunt overstepped his shakedown boundaries and someone is pissed (or several someones, given the number of quotes in the article from business leaders who no longer seem excited to belly up to the GOP gimme money trough). Or perhaps Rep. Blunt is experiencing a leadership takeover attempt from the inside? (Is it, perhaps, Howdy Doody time? I've been hearing some rumors about Mr. Putnam and his long-term personal ambitions…if I were Blunt, I'd watch my back.)
This sounds sick — perhaps now would be the time for an injection of subpoenacillin? (H/T to twolf1, from whom I shamelessly stole that line.)
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ZeD☼
Good Morning Christy! Nauseated?
Republicans always make me sick.
Whenever I want to feel sick in the morning, I read the WSJ editorial page. Never fails.
If Republics really want to restore the faith of the American voters in them, they should lead the effort to impeach Bush and Cheney.
What I still don’t understand is the basis for the amazing Republican ‘discipline’. Whenever there is the slightest rebellion, Cheney has a little talk with the recalcitrants and they all fall into line. What does he threaten?
Badwater @ 4
Yes! IANAL but I believe that a 2/3 vote is only needed in the Senate for conviction. But impeachment (indictment) in the House requires only a majority, and the resulting hearings should bring a lot of squirmy things to light, where they can do less harm.
Subpoenacillin HA! Now that is a great line.
OT: FYI Lurita Doan is on Cspan hearing on
global warming. Talk about subpoenacillin. She needs some subpoena and sooner rather than later.
Breaking on ABC news :
IRAQ PRESIDENT JALAL TALABANI SAYS U.S. AND BRITISH TROOPS ARE NEEDED FOR AT LEAST ONE TO TWO MORE YEARS TO SECURE COUNTRY
uum..I don’t think so!
spurious at 5 — Rove has a stranglehold (or at least has had) on the GOP money spigot. Step out of line, and they turn off your campaign cash. He has worked that through the last three successive RNC chairs and, honestly, Mel Martinez isn’t exactly Mr. Stand Up And Speak His Mind With Integrity. (Think figurehead, only weaker.) Both Blunt and McConnell prop up this system to keep their hands on the power chair.
And, without funding for re-election? Or worse in their minds, funding for a primary challenge in an increasingly rabid red district? When you are lookng at people who are so busy keeping their jobs that they aren’t doing their jobs? It’s a fairly effective and efficient method of control.
drinksforall @ 8
Wonder how much they had to pay him?
TIMELINE: The Secret Bush-Democratic Trade Deal & What It Means:
Bend over gang!
http://tinyurl.com/33keaa
Thursday, May 10th was a whirlwind day on the political frontlines in the War on the Middle Class, as a handful of senior congressional Democrats and the White House – cheered on by K Street lobbyists – joined forces today to announce a “deal” on a package of trade agreements that could impact millions of American workers and potentially calls into question the entire election mandate of 2006 (I say potentially because the full details are still being concealed by both Democrats and the White House).
Christy Hardin Smith @ 9
Jeebus. No wonder. Thanks for explaining that.
drinksforall @ 8
Now we know why Cheney visited Iraq. Is ABC reporting this is in direct opposition to Iraqi Parliament who voted in favor of a withdrawal time-line?
drinksforall @ 8
Demand that someone from the Bush family serve.
spurious @ 5
Hmm. Blackmail? False prosecution by the DOJ? Rendition for the family member with the drug problem who mouths off about the “gov’mit” when they’re looped?
And for examples – Cheney only need to point to the Vietnam vet the fine honest career professional DOJ attorneys in Biskupic’s office sent to Federal prison – after he accused the VA of fraud.
Cheney can threaten them with the full power of arbitary and capricious prosecution by Federal law enforcement.
And they know he has the power.
They keep giving it to him.
The story that hasn’t gotten much press is that the IRAQI Parliament voted recently to demand a TIMETABLE for US withdrawal. I would like to know how the timing of that vote- which was apparently engineered by Al Sadr- fits with Cheney’s trip and this latest announcement.
They’re covering up a huge hole!!
spurious @ 5
He plays highlights of their NSA tapped communications with hookers or bookies or fourteen-year-old boys or what-have-you.
Christy writes:
I have followed politics for most of my life. One meme that the corporate owned media persists in repeating ad infinitum is that the Dems are always fighting and just thisclose from blowing each other up while the Reps are always just so civil and ardent practioners of St Ray-guns’ so-called Eleventh Commandment (Thou shalt not speak ill of other Republicans).
Can we PLEASE do what we can to put this lie to rest? If it WERE ever true, which I heartily doubt, it is so NOT true these days. But like so many of the redubyacan memes, it has gained this life of its own through constant repetition, regardless of the facts on the ground.
(cllimbing down off my soapbox once again)
I’d say Rep. Blunt overstepped his shakedown boundaries and someone is pissed (or several someones, given the number of quotes in the article from business leaders who no longer seem excited to belly up to the GOP gimme money trough).
Alternatively, the trade associations have recognized reality — that the Dems are going to be controlling Congress for a good long while — and are trying to make nice by publicly giving the Repukes the cold shoulder.
Principles, after all, are highly fungible commodities with most lobbyists.
VP Speaks, Faux Snooze gets all misty ear’d. Here’s the tag cloud from the piece (so you can see that nothing important was disclosed.
Iraq(25)
think (20)
war (13)
going (13)
al queda people (11)
against george talk (10)
conflict (8)
lot obviously (8)
days involved termsyears (7)
number things(6)
cost country ever faced forth government important meet region states victory(5)
I noticed on Washington Journal this morning a barrage of repub callers spewing out endless talking points almost verbatim – almost every one of those callers referred to “radical” islamists.
So, the Rove machine is in full gear all over the place. They are fighting for their lives (jobs), and it ain’t gonna be pretty.
Mr. LS read something to me this A.M. about Cheney being interviewed, and when asked what he thought about people believing he was an evil character, he responded by blaming the war on Bush.
OT:
Cheney beating the War Drums on Iran.
Link
kirk murphy @ 15
Something of this was in my mind.
spurious @ 23
Nauseating.
drinksforall@8: Breaking on ABC news :
IRAQ PRESIDENT JALAL TALABANI SAYS U.S. AND BRITISH TROOPS ARE NEEDED FOR AT LEAST ONE TO TWO MORE YEARS TO SECURE COUNTRY
suggested talking points and public action: contact congress critters and tell them
(1) you don’t believe the iraqi president should be telling americans what to do
(2) you believe the iraqi president was told what to say
(3) you don’t support this war and you won’t support elected officials who do
(4) supporting the troops means bringing them home *now*
…jumped the gun dangit…
Interview here.
Tag cloud visualizer here.
In line with the topic of this thread, let me toss in this little article from CNN, the headline of which is:
GOP Gala Takes in Smallest Amount in Years
The article is located here –
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITI…..eref=yahoo
Of course, it was Commander-in-Chief Clusterfuck there at the gala, to pass the hat around. He just keeps building on his unbroken streak of failure.
Flory at 19 — Unfortunately, all too true with a lot of folks. SIGH
They say impeachment proceedings would interfere with the important “people’s business” being done in the White House, perhaps bringing progress to a halt.
And this is a bad thing?
btw, gang — Chris Van Hollen of the DCCC will be here to chat in a special Blue America with Howie at 1:30 pm ET/10:30 am PT. Hope you all can join us for the chat!
OK the Iraqis have spoken- they say that they want a timetable for US withdrawal- and the pres says they need us for one to two years.
OK- give em one- and set a timetable- we boogie in June 2008- gone- outa here. That’s the best deal we’re gonna get.
Advertising via the corporate media is one huge aspect of the “cost” of politics. The tight relationship between current campaign funding methods and the corruption that’s now seeing the light of day makes me furious, and somehow it never gets mentioned that the companies whose reporters shape our “news” narratives are directly supported by this, quid pro quo.
It’s yet another reason why I see the net as a hopeful thing for democracy, and why net neutrality is a huge and fundamental issue.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 9
I suppose it’s irrelevant, given the Bush administration’s throttle-hold, but doesn’t this amount to the executive branch controlling the legislative branch? Isn’t that unconstitutional? (Setting aside for the moment that they already apparently control the judicial branch.)
Spurious, the DOJ’s false prosecution of Airman Roberts was in furtherance of the Bushies’ long-term program of denying PTSD coverage to US vets – and intimidating the vets out of seeking it.
Keeping unruly vets in line, keeping unruly pols in line – all in a day’s work for America’s new Imperial masters.
The press is gettin fucked over again. They refuse ta see the story that’s before their eyes. Al Sadr has forced the parliament to vote in favor of kickin the US out of the country…and it gets about a quarter column inch of press here. Idiots!!!
spurious @ 6
Here’s the strategy. The House holds hearings on the Articles of Impeachment starting sometime this Fall…after Bush refuses to start withdrawing forces from Iraq.
These are submitted to the Senate sometime in the Summer of 2008 for the trial. There will lots of discussion about the “need” for them to hold the vote. BUT it should be clearly stated that the reason is to prevent any future Unconstitutional acts by any President/VP…of any party. And that the argument that the President can do no further damage is one that would argue even more for a removal from office on those grounds, and a replacement by Lady Speaker.
In addition, impeachment also removes any future emoulements of office…while a small punishment, a signal of disgrace for the crimes committed.
Good morning all.
BREAKING: A Federal judge has approved the immunity grant to Monica Goodling from the House Judiciary Committee. More here from ThinkProgress. Funny how Don Henley’s Dirty Laundry video above fits nicely with that as well, isn’t it? (Updated above, but wanted to be sure folks didn’t miss it.)
Corporations are people and money=speech are two of the worst decisions ever made by the Supremes, death beetles eating away at the pillars of our democracy. And alas, I fear they’re unkillable.
rwcole @ 16
Well, it seems that if the US Congress and Bush don’t agree on a timetable the Iraqi Parliament can simply not pass any measures that meet any standards of “progress”. In fact,maybe they’ll just take a vacation for the Summer.
REPUBS! Are YOU LISTENING?
kirk murphy @ 34
Jeebus.
It isn’t all bad news on the fund raising front. Each May the Republican Natioanl Committee has a spring fund raising dinner.
The last 3 years it raised: 2004-$38.5 million;
2005-$15 million;and, 2006-$17 million. This May’s event brought in $10.5 million.
Their brand is losing market share.
Good morning, and nice to be back after a 4 week absence, all fresh and relaxed. I’ve missed you all very much.
Now it’s back to job hunting.
old gold @ 42
Excellent!
If ya look at this thing objectively- the goopers have a HUGE political problem and events are falling right into the dem’s hands. Goopers keep supporting the clusterfuckers- and prolonging the idiot war- they don’t look like leaders or moral paragons- they look like ass kissers and brainless automatons- repeating the garbage they are given.
Goopers may be in for a major ass kicking- and they are probably beginning to understand it.
If they buck the clusterfuck they get screwed by the base-and lose in the primary. If they roll over kiss ass- they get screwed in the next general election.
Talk about indigestion- those are really shitty choices.
cinnamonape @ 36
This makes sense.
A federal judge approved an immunity deal Friday allowing former Justice Department aide Monica Goodling to testify before Congress about the firing of eight federal prosecutors.
Link.
old gold @ 42
Yes! That was what I was getting at in #27 — in the linked article entitled GOP Gala Takes in Smallest Amount in Years.
I should have mentioned the actual sucky numbers — thanks for them!
This is good news. It’s now glaringly obvious that the Goopers are desperate. We need to exploit this fully.
TPM’s Greg Sargent has the list of 11 GOP “moderate” representatives. None voted with the latest bill though. We’re still getting royally bamboozled by the BusChen Thuglicans.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 9
Christy – speaking of Mel Martinez, have you seen this on Raw Story?
Ethics watchdog files complaint against Sen. Martinez
OFF TOPIC:
Study casts new doubts on HPV vaccineThe highly touted treatment to prevent cervical cancer may be less effective than previously thought, findings suggest.By Thomas H. Maugh II and Jia-Rui Chong
Times Staff Writers
May 10, 2007
New data on the controversial HPV vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer have raised serious questions about its efficacy, researchers reported today, potentially undercutting the efforts in many states to make vaccination mandatory.
Although the vaccine, called Gardasil, blocked about 100% of infections by the two human papilloma virus strains it targets, it reduced the incidence of cancer precursors by only 17% overall.
Part of the reason was that many of the teenage girls and young women in the three-year study had already been exposed to the virus, according to the report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
But the data also hinted that blocking the targeted strains might have opened an ecological niche that allowed the flourishing of HPV strains previously considered to be minor players, partially offsetting the vaccine’s protection.
In an editorial in the same issue of the journal, Dr. George F. Sawaya and Dr. Karen Smith-McCune of UC San Francisco called the benefits of the highly touted vaccine “modest,” and said that young women and their parents should take “a cautious approach” to vaccination because of the many unanswered questions about its efficacy.
“The effect is fairly small,” Sawaya said in a telephone interview. “The recommendation for widespread vaccination of women after they become sexually active may need to be rethought.”
The maker of the vaccine, Merck & Co., said the studies clearly showed that the vaccine prevented infections from the two HPV strains and reduced the number of precancerous lesions caused by the them.
Initial optimism
Gardasil was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June amid cheers that it could largely prevent cervical cancer among vaccinated women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quickly recommended that all girls and women ages 11 to 26 receive the vaccine.
The American Cancer Society seconded the recommendation, although it concluded that there was “insufficient evidence” of benefit among women ages 19 to 26 because so many had already been exposed to the virus.
At least 24 state legislatures have introduced bills calling for mandatory vaccination of girls in their early teens or younger.
A bill was introduced in California, but its prospects are uncertain because of complaints from parents that vaccination may encourage sexual promiscuity.
The debate over mandatory use of the vaccine has been further complicated by the relatively high cost of the treatment, about $360 for the vaccine plus the cost of three office visits. More..
It’s too late (for one thing) to begin impeachment. By the time they got around to voting- the Clusterfucker would be out of office and the dems would look like idiots. Sadly- it just isn’t gonna happen. The american people voted for these criminals and they’re gonna have to live with em for twenty more months.
rwcole @ 45
Assuming that their current efforts to root out ‘voter fraud’ are unsuccessful.
So, all the rich, naughty boys who get caught will go to the Supoenatentary and drink their Supoenacoladas.
Wolfowitz: Filthy laundry. Poor George.
WASHINGTON, May 10 — European leaders have told the Bush administration that Paul D. Wolfowitz must resign as president of the World Bank in order to avoid a vote next week by the bank’s board declaring that he no longer has its confidence to function as the bank’s leader, European officials said Thursday.
The officials said the board was drafting a resolution reflecting its view that the relationship between Mr. Wolfowitz and the governing body of the bank had “broken beyond repair.”
you know, the very biggest enemy our republic has is private financing of our election
corporations can buy our law and that has to STOP
Hey – more of that DOJ integrity on display – when it serves their political masters:
BREAKING FEAR: ABC – U.S. and German officials believe a terrorist attack against Americans in Germany is imminent.
spurious @ 53
Well, they’re unsuccessful so far with fraudster Ann Coulter. She’s slipped off the hook, magically. Although I hear there is some investigation into an FBI agent who intervened somehow to help her.
Yeah, an investigation is gonna help. Pfffft.
Somehow, I think this isn’t what you meant by “unsuccessful,” though.
:-(
dalloway @ 39
The concept of juristic persons has been with us since the nineteenth century, if not the second half of the eighteenth century. For more information from Wikipedia, please click on this link: Juristic person
Clusterfuck’s got three months to stage a terrorist attack that kills at least 100 americans. That’ll save his war.
rwcole @ 52
Maybe the investigations will lead to the effective imeachment of the Republic Party. Their permanent minority status would be a big positive. Also, investigations would help enshrine Bush’s own permanent status as “Worst President Ever”. It is a great legacy for the Bush family as well.
neokneme @ 49
Here is Howie Klein’s vetting of the Republican “Moderates”.
http://downwithtyranny.blogspo…..cides.html
kirk –
Thanks for that article! I couldn’t remember where I had heard the disgusting Coulter news.
Give the Palestinians a homeland.
Israeli demonstrators said Friday that a Border Policeman shot a rubber bullet from short range at a Palestinian protester at the weekly demonstration against the construction of the West Bank separation fence held in the village of Bil’in, west of Ramallah.
“He shot at a three meter range, even though the Palestinian did not cross the barbed wire, and the demonstration was quiet and peaceful,” Polk said. “This is a direct continuation of what happened in southern Hebron on Wednesday.”
twolf1 @ 58
Reality or distraction from bigger news happening later today?
twolf1 @ 58
Cheney’s headed there and he’s armed.
Mrs. K8 @ 59
I was thinking of their attempts to steal the next election the way they tried to steal the last one.
(Putting away tinfoil hat and heading out the door, late for an appointment.)
Web gurus: is there a way to mirror or publish the Iowa news story about the Guiliani snub?
If you click on the link to the Iowa newspaper, it says “bandwidth exceeded.”
We need some sort of Net collective effort to republish the story wider so everyone can see it (maybe even the MSM). Although I can tell in advance the librul MSM will ignore this story.
Badwater @ 62
It needs to happen anyway if only to wake up the American public.
OT–
From Variety:
spurious @ 5
Cheney threatens them with Hillary.
Hillary will bond Republicans like never before.
TexBetsy @ 66
Isn’t it disgusting that we have to ask that question? We have no real way of knowing (unless of course the story gets debunked in short order as have other recent scare stories).
Possible Friday news to cover over? Paul Wolfowitz resignation.
This David Gregory thing would be great for Bush since it would get one of the few critical reporters out of the white house beat.
texbet
It won’t wake up the american people- any more than the gooper impeachment of Clinton woke em up. Dems would lose seats if they try it.
rwcole @ 73
You really think so? Why?
re: Monica Goodling
So what does this mean? She will testify? She will talk, behind closed doors? She will STILL stonewall? Did she request immunity?
Just asking, since beyond the headlines, I really haven’t heard much about this part of the story.
[will check back in a bit]
TexBetsy @ 75
The fascists own the media and the message. rwcole is right. There is no quick fix.
Dumbwya @ 69
google cache
rwcole @ 75
I’m not convinced. Here’s the big difference:
The American public mostly really liked the Big Dog in spite of his faults, which they saw as not so critical.
The American public by a big majority truly despises George “Little Boots” Bush because of all his hideous faults, which they see as destroying the country.
Dumbwya @ 69
This linky worked for me (within the last 120 secs)
At this point I have absolutely no confidence that Senator Clinton will work toward a comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East, should the Senator become president in 2009.
Gunga Djinn @ 76
It means she will testify and CSPAN will probably broadcast the hearing on CSPAN-3. Her lawyer asked for immunity, prior to that Goodling had said she would plead the 5th if compelled to appear.
IIRC she was Gonzo’s liaison to the Bushistas and was given hiring/firing privileges of underlings at DoJ, so could be some very interesting testimony.
Brisingamen @ 83
I hope that someone is providing security for the young lady and her family.
I went back a few nights to find this post. It made me laugh and I thought we could all use one today.
What has Bush done right???
The key to US preeminence since WWII has been dollars, despite the lip service to democracy.
Our wealth and military might combined with a perceived moral superiority trumped most other contenders, say at the UN, or the World Bank.
We never had the population to assert our will democratically. And now, thanks to Bush, we may have already lost our financial and military advantages. He certainly abandoned the moral high ground.
And to do it all at such breathtaking speed! His legacy is safe, I should think. The Romans had a few centuries of building, but it took them at least that long again to piss everything away.
Biodun @ 71
Is there nothing Gregory won’t do?
I’m still trying to bleach out the picture of him booging with rappin’ rovester.
Mrs. K8 @ 80
ITA. There’s a difference between mere embarrassment and true devastation and destruction.
I support public financing of elections. I want to outlaw contributions from domestic and foreign lobbyists. I especially want to ban all monies flowing into the pockets of our lawmakers from lobbies located in, or connected to, Middle Eastern countries.
My Official “mo’nin’ pups!”
Say, when is anyone truly going to invent the “uncola” of political parties? Is this Blue America?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 87
An issue on which you and I agree completely.
here’s what this country needs and I’m pretty sure we can get some republicans to go along with it;
a constitutional amendment declaring money is not speach
a constitutional amdendment rescinding personhood for corporations
bing, our republic is saved
Oklahoma kiddo @ 89
Why do you hate free speech?
/s
OT–
This is swell. From AP:
perris @ 91
Perris, from your keyboard to the goddess’ ears!
perris @ 90
Going to have trouble getting enough dems to support that much less repubs. They all know who got them elected.
Hi Mrs. K
Clusterfuck is more poorly regarded than Clinton- but when ya ask if he should be impeached- 60% are against it. To do it when:
1) His term is close to over
2) There is zero chance of actually removing him from office
Would be seen as a political stunt- wasting time- causing pain with a non-serious action.
It would be seen as irresponsible.
I really think we need to give up on this one.
TexBetsy @ 96
perris @ 90
Going to have trouble getting enough dems to support that much less repubs. They all know who got them elected.
maybe not
an incumbant has an exponential advantage
this advantage is increased without corporate dollars
dalloway @ 39
IIRC, it’s a clerk who wrote that corporation are ‘artificial persons’, and it’s not part of a decision (I think the one with Southern Pacific RR). It should never have been taken as final word on the status of corporations, and it’s based on an obsolete form of corporations, or so I’ve been told. (I wish that it would be written out of whatever laws it’s been written into. Fat chance.)
perris @ 92
the chances of that actually happening?
bongrwcole @ 97
he can be held to account if when he leaves office
Hey, it’s all good. They aren’t planning to allow elections in 2008, so what’s the difference. Bush is the new king.
And we need restoration of the Fairness doctorine, as well as the dismemberment of companies owning multiple media outlets.
The rule ought to be you can own one and only one Television studio, Radio station, Newspaper or Magazine.
No more C(lear)hristian Channel!
roger that. Here’s hoping she’s staying away from her old bad influences as well, not taking any calls and is in seclusion in a secure, undisclosed location.
OT – TGIF!
More Eagles for Monica!
(It seems to me you don’t want to talk about it,
seems to me you just turn your pretty head and…)
Walk Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Elliott @ 100
with no doubt it is a grand platform to take a stand and move forward
rwcole @ 97
Well, I hear what you are saying…but what do we tell people like me who want this abomination held accountable? Try him for war crimes? There ought to be some price to pay in some forum?
Not being argumentative, just really interested and PO’d at the situation.
rwcole @ 97
Why not just remove Impeachment from the Constitution? Not impeaching Bush sets a standard for considering the impeachment of future Presidents. Impeachment is effectively removed by that standard since there will never be a more deserving President.
Actually, if we can’t get the Idiot-in-Chief impeached, having him tried for war crimes is much better. Hope they get Cheney, Rice and Rove too.
do si
Well assuming that we get a dem pres and congress- they would have the option at looking at the record for crimes and prosecuting his sorry ass.
Of course they probably wouldn’t- once the criminal’s out of office- the motivation tends to lower.
Impeach! and then to the HAGUE!
Never give up!
OT..but gag me:
By Jose Lambiet
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 11, 2007
Conservative pundit Ann Coulter has been cleared of allegations that she falsified her Palm Beach County voter’s registration and voted illegally — this, after a high-level FBI agent made unsolicited phone calls to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to vouch for Coulter.
http://rawstory.com/showarticl….._0511.html
He probably IS guilty of war crimes-
International law allows pre-emptive invasions ONLY when there is an imminent threat. There wasn’t- and Clusterfuck doesn’t even try to pretend that there was.
But only the losers of wars get prosecuted for war crimes- by the winners.
I guess the people of Iraq could rise up and demand action! They’re kickin our asses!
Brisingamen @ 108
Seems to me that war crimes might even be better, no?
Brisingamen @ 107
That would send a much stronger message to future Presidents. IIRC, the 1996 (Republican) War Crimes Law has no time limits and has provisions for the death penalty (of course it’s a Republican law).
radiofreewill @ 104
Walk Away is actually a James Gang song. Joe Walsh was a member of the James Gang. FWIW.
an extraordinary rendition of the Star Spangled Banner would be the perfect accompaniment to W being whisked away to the Hague.
btw, re: Monica Goodling
I have heard everything, that she will continue the stonewall, that she will be another Ollie North, that she will cover up and divert.
My hope and dream is that she will be the first crack in the facade, a la John Dean. Not that she has any moral courage of her own – she has the immunity deal to give her that.
Why would she vehemently refuse to testify if she did not take such testimony seriously, with sense enough to know she could not credibly continue the juggling act we have seen so far?
I may be skewing wildly toward optimism, but what if, at long last, the jig is up? I imagine she can point investigators to all sorts of ratholes and secret passageways.
I wonder if Karl Rove is making travel plans, or if he has simply soiled himself.
non-Gooper DOJ job candidate’s lament:
“Raw Key Mountain Way, couldn’t get much hire”
OT
Average price of regular gasoline nationally:
$3.042 today May 11, 2007
$3.036 August 8-10, 2006
$3.057 September 5, 2005 (highest average recorded)
Gas prices are now higher than they were a year ago and look poised to make a run on the all time high. It’s interesting how these figures are already being massaged. Taking inflation into account, gas would have to rise to over $3.20 a gallon to equal what it was in 2005 and it still wouldn’t be what the price was back in the 1970s during the Oil Embargo (again adjusted for inflation). Somehow this brings me no comfort.
It’s also interesting to know that crude oil prices remain high even though supplies are plentiful.
You have no doubt heard me say this many times before that gasoline prices are always manipulated. The push now is both to extend their upper ranges and to establish new floors for them. What this means is that we will have a national average price at or near $3 a gallon most of the summer (and, of course, in many localities prices will be considerably higher).
There is a chance that prices could go considerably higher. This would certainly happen if there was another war anywhere in the Middle East or if the situation in Nigeria worsens, and it might happen anyway. It’s hard to tell in markets that are as distorted as these. But even in the absence of outside political, natural, and military events, the potential is there for prices in the $3.15-$3.20 range (again these are average prices I’m talking about) this summer. Will this happen? I don’t think any of us can really know outside of those who are pulling the strings.
Eureka Springs @ 109
The Hague sounds good but it is going to happen. US war crimes law can happen; it only takes political will by the Dems. That’s why the tedious documentation of the crimes is needed. Hopefully, at some point, public opinion will demand prosecution.
Solai @ 85
and what’s just as bad if not worse is that the six guys also thought they could do it.
punaise @ 115
You mean, like Jimi Hendrix’s version of the SSB?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 89
Me, too. It’s impossible for politicians to Scottir @ 117
They gave in too easily for me to be optimistic. I can never out-think them and figure out what nefarious scheme they’re hatching. But, Rove’s pretty good at out-witting his opponents and I think there’s something afoot.
Steve @ 114
Ok — that’s a law I didn’t remember, I was thinking of whisking all of them off to the Hague. So they could be charged with war crimes here in the US? Sweet!
Big OOPS above.
When Goodling testifies, can she be asked about the billing/payment arrangements for her legal team?
perris @ 105
Elliott @ 100
perris @ 92
here’s what this country needs and I’m pretty sure we can get some republicans to go along with it;
a constitutional amendment declaring money is not speach
a constitutional amdendment rescinding personhood for corporations
bing, our republic is saved
the chances of that actually happening?
with no doubt it is a grand platform to take a stand and move forward
Fact is perris, you are right: on the need to remedy, the critical need to remedy, and the remedy.
Steve @ 120
Sigh, I guess when we see rw-lieber-cole converted to one who demands justice, we will know the time is near. *s*
Hugh
We’re at $3.40 or so here in socal. Fuckin SUVs still rollin off of dealer’s lots. People are OK spending $300 per month per vehicle for fuel. Until the public is willing to take action- we’re screwed.
OT – IrishJim – 2nd Beer Tune for TGIF
Life’s Been Good To Me So Far (crowd participation version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Brisingamen @ 124
I believe it’s our responsibility to hold them to account. We owe it to ourselves and to the rest of the world.
Great post Christy and kudos to all you pups. Just Plain Nauseating is how I feel thinking about all the news re: our tainted food (melamine).Did I hear recently that farm raised fish may also be included? Chicken, pork and now fish leaves us with what? Beef
Hmmm.
P J Evans @ 99
P J – please refer to my 9:43 comment: http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..ent-685818
Dumbwya @ 74
David Gregory was one of only four media figures invited as guests not reporters to the White House dinner for the queen. This would not have happened if Gregory was anything like a critical reporter. Gregory only occasionally shows signs of intelligence. The rest of the time he is right up there with the best of the Inside the Beltway enablers.
FYI, Howie is upstairs with a special guest.
(Put on your best PJ’s)
Eureka
“LieberCole”
Cute
Guess when I disagree with you about what is politically possible I become one of the enemy huh?
bluejeansntshirt @ 132
Lots of problems with farm-raised fish as well. Time to go vegetarian.
give it up for Howie, upstairs
punaise @ 118
and Casey’s at bat
rwcole @ 136
All in good fun, amigo…)
rwcole @ 129
I usually have a pretty good sense of what is going on in the crude oil and gasoline markets but what is happening now could play out so many different ways I honestly don’t know what is going on, except that it will prove costly to consumers.
You know how we could slit the throat of the current piggybank (campaign finance) problem?
Make a law that each candidate gets so many hours of broadcast time, to be split between TV and radio; and set the number of ads they’re allowed to run in print media. The government would reimburse the media at a set rate for this time.
Doing it this way, we could limit the campaign time to say 2 months before the primaries and general elections.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but by the time the elections roll around I’m ready to shoot the TV set!
New Thread
Howie is upstairs with Rep. Von Hollen!
WE HAVE A GUEST UPSTAIRS!
FBI profiler steps into Coulter voter fraud case
Unbelievable. Made several unsolicited phone calls, got them to clear her, and now the FBI is looking into the whole thing.
Politicization of every damn part of our government.
punaise…this is your fault!
Rocky Mountain Way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Hugh
I don’t know either- but you have to think that there’s some price for gasoline where people begin to say “No Mas”. Five bucks maybe.
rwcole @ 109
rw,
i don’t doubt your wisdom about the possible political ramifications of impeaching fuckwad, especially the lack of sufficient time before his term is over.
however, i do think that we should proceed with the intent of impeaching both him and cheneycakes. we need to go down that road as far as we can go even if time runs out. both of them need to feel that heat. if they escape the noose by getting out of town they need to live under the threat that other legal action may be forthcoming. congress needs to continue to investigate and keep turning up all possible evidence of the wrongdoing that is lying in the shadows. our country needs this, desperately.
One reporter thinks even Dick Cheney wants to publicly distance himself from his own hand puppet:
“May 11, 2007 — Vice President Dick Cheney, under mounting political pressure for the declining fortunes of the Bush administration, has, according to our Washington sources, been claiming that Iraq was all “Bush’s idea,” a reference to President George W. Bush. Cheney is claiming to his closest associates that he was unable to convince Bush not to embark on his Iraq war adventure. The Cheney defense is the latest sign that the wheels are slowly, but surely, coming off the Bush White House.”
I especially liked the snark that he had to tell us which “Bush” Cheney was referring to. Some of his posts are off the wall; this one was spot on. (waynemadsenreport.com)
Brisingamen @ 83
Thank You!
radiofreewill @ 130
RadioFreeWill:
Thanks for the Beer tune!
The ultimate cure: http://www.publicampaign.org.
Sign up.
We are still under $3/gallon ($2.82-2.90) here in Central Texas, but even that seems like too much. I am definitely combining my trips for errands and such. Kids walk or bike most places. I wonder at the number of people who don’t do these things.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 38
and they did it without mentioning her name? been checking US District Court almost daily. no results. was worried Gonzo was going to file an injunction. looks like next week will be fun!
vachon @ 43
rogie! bon chance with the job search.
spurious @ 6
you are correct. only a majority of those voting is required for impeachment articles to pass the house. 2/3s of those voting required for conviction in the Senate.
rwcole @ 52
it took all of 5 months or so from House vote to begin impeachment proceedings to Senate votes to acquit President Clinton.
Steve @ 114
A War Crimes prosecution would not be successful. There is no evidence of command authority for torture or any other prohibited behaviour. The conduct of our troops fits the established norms of when fighting a terrorist enemy where the laws are considerably different than when fighting State actors…
Anybody remember when the people that ran for office were considered to be society’s leaders? Puleeze, puleeze, puleeze, no more talking points. My brain will fracture.
LibertyLee @ 156
Another rethug talking point.
The rethugs’ war crimes are every bit as despicable as the morally degenerate trolls who apologize for their crimes.
rwcole @ 97
dont agree. cant agree. if this situation is not what the founding fathers put impeachment in the constitution for, I dont know what is. the differences between the Clinton impeachment and a future (I hope) Bush impeachment are many (see Hugh’s massive list) and Clinton’s relative popularity compared to Bush’s dismal standing makes it an unfair comparison. the current situation is more analagous to Nixon, and we know what happened then, dont we?
Welcome to TGIF in EPU’ville!
This afternoon we are toasting the approval of Monica’s Immunity Agreement:
All She Wants To Do Is Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6cwsWPPPyQ
Hugh @ 119
hope it goes to $4. have you seen what happens to Bush’s approval ratings when gas prices go up and down? check this out: BushGas
radiofreewill @ 161
rfw – thought I was all along her in EPUville. thanks for the light interlude.
Jane (nyc) @ 126
she can be asked anything. and I dont see immunity having anything to do with the answer. glad to see folks are starting to think about questions for Monica. I will see what I can do to keep track over the weekend.
LibertyLee @ 157
A War Crimes prosecution would not be successful. There is no evidence of command authority for torture or any other prohibited behaviour. The conduct of our troops fits the established norms of when fighting a terrorist enemy where the laws are considerably different than when fighting State actors…
Then please explain “Abu Ghraib” and “Gitmo” — there damn well HAS been torture, and the Administration knew and encouraged it.
The damage done by the Blunts, here in Missouri, is referred to as “Blunt Trauma”.
Hillary Clinton said that her childhood dream was to be an Olympic athlete. But she was not athletic enough. She said she wanted to be an astronaut, but at the time they didn’t take women. She said she wanted to go into medicine, but hospitals made her woozy. Should she be telling people this story? I mean she’s basically saying she wants to be president because she can’t do anything else.”
–Jay Leno
“Well, the big story — Hillary Clinton will be running for president in 2008. You know why I think she’s running? I think she finally wants to see what it’s like to sleep in the president’s bed.”
–Jay Leno
“Top Democrats have mixed feelings about Sen. Hillary Clinton running for president. Apparently, some Democrats don’t like the idea, while others hate it.”
–Conan O’Brien
“In a fiery speech this weekend, Hillary Clinton wondered why President Bush can’t find the tallest man in Afghanistan.
Probably for the same reason she couldn’t find the fattest intern under the desk.”
–Jay Leno
“Former President Bill Clinton said that if his wife, Hillary, is elected president, he will do whatever she wants.
You know Bill Clinton — when he makes a vow to Hillary, you can take that to the bank.”
–Jay Leno
A student from the University of Washington has sold his soul on eBay for $400. He’s a law student, so he probably doesn’t need it, but still, that’s not very much. Today, Hillary Clinton said, ‘Hey, at least I got some furniture and a Senate seat for mine.”
-Jay Leno
“Hillary Clinton said today that she wants legislation to allow all ex-felons to vote. See, this way all the Clinton’s former business partners can vote for her in 2008.”
–Jay Leno
Hillary Clinton’s 506-page memoirs have come out. So much of her personality shines through, that in the end, you, too, will want to sleep with an intern.”
Craig Kilborn
In Hillary Clinton’s new book ‘Living History,’ Hillary details what it was like meeting Bill Clinton, falling in love with him, getting married, and living a passionate, wonderful life as husband and wife. Then on page two, the trouble starts.”
- Jay Leno
“In the book, she says when Bill told her he was having an affair, she said “I could hardly breathe, I was gulping for air.
No, I’m sorry, that’s what Monica said.”
- David Letterman
“Hillary Clinton, our junior senator from New York, announced that she has no intentions of ever, ever running for office of the President of the United States. Her husband, Bill Clinton, is bitterly disappointed. He is crushed. There go his dreams of becoming a two-impeachment family.”
- David Letterman
“Last night, Senator Hillary Clinton hosted her first party in her new home in Washington . People said it was a lot like the parties she used to host at the White House. In fact, even the furniture was the same.”
- Jay Leno
“Senator Hillary Clinton is attacking President Bush for breaking his campaign promise to cut carbon dioxide emissions, saying a promise made, a promise broken. And then out of habit, she demanded that Bush spend the night on the couch.”
- Craig Kilborn
“CNN found that Hillary Clinton is the most admired woman in America. Women admire her because she’s strong and successful. Men admire her because she allows her husband to cheat and get away with it.”
- Jay Leno
“Hillary Clinton is the junior senator from the great state of New York. When they swore her in, she used the Clinton family Bible. . .the one with only seven commandments.”
-David Letterman