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MoveOn.org, along with the folks at Americans United for Change and VoteVets.org, will be hosting some solemn remembrance events for veterans, their families, and folks around the country who want to see accountability for the failed occupation of Iraq. They are pulling these events together quickly today as an anti-filibuster to raise their voices against the obstructionist policies of the Republican party.
If you are interested in particpating in an event this evening, you can search for one in your area or help put one together by logging on here. For our DC area readers, here is some information about an event near the Capitol:
Americans United for Change, VoteVets.org, MoveOn.org,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Leaders
Members of Congress
Iraq War Veterans and Family MembersJoin us Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 at 8:30PM for a Solemn Event
Upper Senate Park, Constitution and Delaware, NW
(Across from the U.S. Capitol and next to the Russell Senate Office Building)Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has pledged that Senate Republicans will filibuster - obstruct - an up or down vote on a timetable to safely and responsibly end the war in Iraq.
In response, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has called the Senate into an historic, emergency around clock session - up to 30 hours of continuous debate on Iraq beginning Tuesday night - to demand an up or down vote - and he needs your support.
Please join Members of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Iraq War Veterans and Family Members at Upper Senate Park, Constitution and Delaware NW at 8:30 PM on July 17th, 2007 and demand that the Republicans end their obstruction of a vote in the Senate to safely end the war.
The vast majority of Americans and a solid majority in Congress want a change of course in Iraq to safely end the war - but President Bush and a stubborn minority in the U.S. Senate loyal to him are standing in the way. Please attend the "Call to Action by Candle Light" and Demand that Republicans stop obstructing the will of the American People.
..........................
Beginning at 8:45 P.M. Iraq War Veterans and family members will take the stage and speak followed by the Congressional program which will begin at 9:00 P.M. with remarks by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid will be followed by Senate Democratic leaders Dick Durbin (IL), Charles Schumer (NY) and Patty Murray (WA). A host of other Senators and House Members are expected to attend and speak at the event following remarks by the Senate Democratic leadership. The event will take place in front of the fountain in Upper Senate Park.
Thought a number of our readers would be interested in this, and I wanted to be certain that everyone heard about this as soon as I could get you the information. Thanks everyone for all the calls on habeas today -- you guys rock!
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who, me?
hEY THERE
fitz! it’s time.
did schumer declare support?
greetings from the high Sierras…
bang!
dang! gettin closer tho…
3-way tie?
Hey! I wanna court ruling. waaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!
Tillman.
love to stay, but I’ve got hiking to do…
(Christy - get the little Canon - you won’t be unhappy)
TeddySanFran @ 8
This should be the outrage that stands the American people up and shouting !
(((((((((Tillman Family))))))))))
Dang! Last time, I promise!
Today is our 42nd wedding anniversary.
WooHoo!
And you want us to what?!
Sorry guys. We’re going to “Harry Potter”.
But we’ll be with you in spirit. well….
CHS - we have a Nikon in the $200 range. It’s great.
TSF - did you catch Colbert last night. Thanks for raising my property values, dude!
Should make for an interesting Tuesday night in July.
Adie @ 12
Happy Anniversary Adie,
I know you’ll be with us in spirit. We saw HP last weekend and you will better understand my certainty after you’ve seen it. Strong parallels to our circumstances…enjoy your evening!
Parallel Universe
Last week in a speech Mr Bush actually got something right, albeit without being cognitive of the reasons his words made so much sense. What was this earth shattering statement? In the speech he warned that the people who were planting bombs against U.S. soldiers in Iraq were the same people who carried out the attacks in the United States on September 11 2001.For the first time since he was elected president, I’ve found something he said that I agree with 100%.
. The majority of the foreign “terrorists” captured in Iraq are Saudis and all but three of the 911 attackers were Saudi nationals and practitioners of Wahabism. So if you live in a parallel universe it makes perfectly good nonsense to have attacked a secular Islamic nation (Iraq) rather than facing the frightening reality that the attacks were carried out by radicals citizens of one of your staunchest allies.
p.s. I appreciate the work being done here and have donated 50 dollars in both June and July to aid in this battle against the republican forces of darkness I now pledge to continue that for the rest of this year.
Lawrence
Me, I’m a Nikon man.
Wow…
Uncle Teddy is SLAPPIN’ McCain in the Senate,
WE just might get this Levin amendment passed ..
Whoa, Teddy just accidentally said Vietnam instead of Iraq!
Tillman do U.S. apart.
mc @ 17
I am too,,, :-)
punaise @ 20
that was a sweet one, punaise
Thanks do-si-do 15 ;->
Parallels are everywhere.
Below is a section I just stumbled across while reading Patrick O’Brian’s novel, “Thirteen Gun Salute” (part of the same series as “Master & Commander”). Recognize anyone??? *shudder*
Will someone please explain to me how anyone can schedule a 30 hour filibuster?
My heart is sick here, what is going on. After 30 hours what????
Are we getting ready for a huge defeat? Who is filibustering - democrats or republicans?
After 30 hours will there be a straight up or down vote (needing simple majority)? What?
What am I missing - oh god I hope I am missing something!
Mojo @ 18
Thanks Mojo, I wondered where everyone went. I’m tuned in now.
I disagree that we are divided on this war. Only our government is divided on the war…
Anna Belle @ 19
I’m not sure I would characterize his usage as “accidental”… :-)
Anna Belle @ 19
you really think it was accidental?
just asking. i missed it.
sometimes that’s a tactic.
Adie @ 23
Antidote: critical thinking, vigilance, and FDL!!
Mojo @ 26
Maybe not, but it was a pretty good acting job. I have enjoyed watching him ramp it up. He’s got good rhythm.
The Iraqi Study Group Report, Part II:
Would someone unconfused me is the pregame to the all nighter or is tonight when its put up or shut up for the obstructionist’s?
Adie @ 23
Yep.
“Confiction” = “catapulting the propaganda”
which = “if I can get them to believe it, it must be true….”
aka: sociopath’s creed
Go Teddy,
He just said Afghanistan should be the higher priority.
I was just thinking about how Commander Guy didn’t “finish the job” in Afghanistan before moving on to Iraq, now he wants to do the same thing with Iran.
It can’t be graded if it isn’t finished!!
Biodun @ 30
Will BushCheneyCo send April Glaspie as the US representative?
Hi Christy and pups, Beware I’m trying a camera LINKY here. Hope it helps.
argosfalcon @ 31
I thought everything was delayed one day. Maybe there’s a Rule XXII expert lurking who could explain this Senate process, or does someone have a link?
Christie - on digital cameras. Here is a practical response. There are many good ones out there. I go with Canons because now they make up the largest percentage of the market and have proven to be work dogs, but so are other brands.
The first decision you will have to make is the “juice” source. Some (the slightly larger ones) take 1 or 2 AA batteries. This is an advantage in traveling because you don’t need to worry about charging the battery. Even those who travel with 2 rechargeable batteries often get stuck without juice.
Betty @ 24
Levin was up earlier explaining to idiot McClain, what is going on today… Since the a-hole rethugs are using the 80 vote rule for Cloture to avoid filibuster instead of a straight up and down vote.. that The senate will remain in session.. long hours,,
I think we might get the few extra votes we need to get to a floor vote and LET the re-thugs vote for the war, thus insuring a “permanent DEMOCRATIC Majority ” !!!
And I said here a few weeks ago that smart Repugs know they’re f*cked in presidential 2008:
Ford Prefect 16
Thanks for helping the Lake. ;->
Christy, That one is the image stabilization model. The one without is a little cheaper. Used one last week with great results. Good Luck
I hope that a good crowd shows up for that vigil tonight. I made my call to Coleman’s DC office yesterday on Habius Corpus, the Iraq withdrawl bill, and added that I support Harry Reid’s strategy against an obstructionist republican senate. I had to leave a message because all the lines were busy. I will try to call Coleman’s St. Paul office today. I realize these are all baby steps in term of getting things done and I agree that we’ve reached a point where impeachment is called for, but I want to be on Coleman’s back one task at a time, all the time, about the day to day stuff that needs to get done.
Adie @ 40
It’s the least I can do to help.
OT, but is it today or tomorrow that Miers is required to respond to the contempt charge by the House? I think it is today, so why haven’t we heard anything??
I’m halfway through the list of Senators that Christy posted this morning. I’ll call the other half after lunch.
They showed footage on the teevee of guys moving cots to the Senate.
You know, I confess, I have watched the Senate in session on CSPAN maybe three times in my life, so I really don’t know the styles of the various Senators. It does strike me today though that the difference between McCain and Kennedy today is dramatic. Is McCain always so wooden and dull, reading straight from the script without looking up, and is Kennedy always so rhythmically thunderous and sensible and engaging?
ThinkProgress: Breaking: VA Secretary Jim Nicholson resigns
Adie @ 23
This is another version of the Rove Speech,
“WE ARE AN EMPIRE NOW”. We are actors, you are reality based, ha ha! That is not the way the world works anymore. We create one reality then we create another. We act and you judiciously study us, ha ha!
LS @ 46
GREAT !!!
Have the Dems grown a spine ??
I hope so..
Teddy is really givin’ ‘em’ hell right now.. Maybe other Dems will follow his leadership..
Prairie Sunshine @ 32
oh shoot!?! preview is my friend!!!
“confiction” = !typo!
SHOULD be spelled “conviction”
So is the sleep over tonight? I feel like I’m 16 again asking is the party tonight knowing I’m going to miss it anyway.
Actually, Adie, “confiction” makes perfect sense to me!
Anna Belle @ 47
Yea… Pretty much,..
But today it is overwhelming..
Teddy.. first round TKO…
Dear dear mods,
Any chance you guys could change my typo “confiction”?
It should read “conviction”
repeated in #s
23, 28, 32, 49
and counting *sigh*
Adie, you’ve coined a new word. It’s great. I ain’t touching it.
Prairie, “out” today….
Mojo @ 54
Reg CSpan or the 2 or 3?
TexB @ 56
2
TexB @ 56
CSPAN2
Prairie Sunshine @ 53
freudian? ya think?
Well, if Uncle Teddy can invoke Nam… ;->
Anna Belle @ 47
Hi Anna Belle, Thanks to fdl I’ve got my eyes open and watch c-span regularly. Soon you’ll be able to tell who’s up just by their voice.
Confiction = convinced of a fiction; see war is peace, or we are making progress in Iraq.
Adie @ 59
It is a big fiction by the cons. Made perfect sense in a freudian kinda way. ;})
This is pure nonsense:
Al-Qaeda in Iraq is focused on American forces in Iraq. If we pull out they might extend to the region. They have no capacity at this point to extend to the US. The global Al-Qaeda network is what the US should have been (and should be) worried about.
sooo all it took for the dems to get busy was for ME to leave the country?? lmao!! i’m in toronto for the week but i’m still in touch ;o)
McCain LAME response on now..
Teddy’s done..
I think maybe Teddy’s brilliant speech is why this vote was delayed by one day.. It certainly was effective.. not sure if it changed any rethug votes.. but it might..
Biodun @ 39
Yep yep yep, no one in their, er, right mind would want to follow Bush.
bluejeansntshirt @ 60
Hi bluejeansntshirt! I already recognize many by voice, because I follow politics pretty closely in the news. I wish I had time to watch more. Between jobs right now, and enjoying this moment in history!
Why does Saint McCain want our soldiers to die? What possible good can come from two more months of being targets in a civil war? Is this all just for vanity now?
TeddySanFran @ 36
Rule XXII.
As I read it, 16 Senators sign a call for a cloture vote. Then it has to be voted on nearly first thing the day after ‘tomorrow’ (ie, submitted Mon, vote Weds AM). If it passes, then there’s 30 hours to debate, including all amendments, no more that 1 hr per Senator.
The classic yack-all-day-and-all-night is actually when the Majority Leader refuses to put any other business before the Senate, so the only way the Minority can keep it from coming to vote is to act like a teenager with a cell phone.
do-si-do @ 66
This morning, on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, they had people call in to say who they had donated campaign money to, all of the Dems that called in had donated to Kucinich except one who was for Obama, nearly all of the Repubs that called in supported Ron Paul. Now, it could be that it was just organized campaign tactics to call in, but the calls are screened. Interesting.
GordonM @ 69
Thank you now its clearer in whats left of my mind.
Editor & Publisher: Scaife-Owned Newspaper Calls for Iraq Troop Withdrawal
Biodun @ 63
Bush foreign policy: I’m OK, you’re Al Quaeda.
or al Kinda
LS @ 70
Wow, that is interesting. FWIW I was speaking of the GOP candidate pool, given Bush’s glorious path.
Gordon at 69 — That’s about it. Also, I just got this from a source on the Hill:
So the NRO fantasy that they’ve been spewing all damn day is just flat wrong. (Surprised? Not exactly…)
Via @ 74
Someones been reading Dick Tracy.
Action I took yesterday:
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.....geles.html
Anybody can do this.
BushCo must Go.
argosfalcon @ 77
??
Christy Hardin Smith @ 76
So the NRO fantasy that they’ve been spewing all damn day is just flat wrong. (Surprised? Not exactly…)
Which fantasy would that be?
If McCain is wooden and dull then it appears his handlers have worked on his delivery quite a bit.
-GSD
scarlet p. @ 78
saw and saluted your “Chimpeach” banner on the Ashby Ave. onramp to I-80 in Berkeley
JF at 81 — That a quorum call would do away with the whole 30 hour debate.
Via @ 80
Thats the name of a bad guy in Dick Tracy, see Comics Curmudgeon a snarky take on comics.
Via @ 44
I think the deadline is Thursday.
Conservative Christians - Vitter Resign
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com
Christian Conservatives for Reform (CCR), a Louisiana-based organization, have called on Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) to resign in the wake of his admission he used a Washington-based escort service, according to Raw Story.
This is totally OT but does anyone else find it interesting that the stock market is taking off just when it looks like the Dem’s really are going to start taking over? It could be coincidence but I wonder if BushCo has gotten to toxic even for it’s main sponsors.
AP is now up to speed:
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 72
Folks, you’ve got to read this one — the man who funded some of the investigations of Clinton is saying Bush is mentally unstable.
The other purpose of the filibuster is to get the debate onto the evening news.
TexB @ 91
Wouldn’t that be new and different since they have managed to virtually ignore the whole thing for all these years.
TexB @ 91
I think that is key. The Dems have to control the message and the frame, and need to get it into the MSM on a daily basis. Most people still don’t know what the hell is going on.
These protests (MoveOn, Amer. United for Change, VoteVets, etc.), plus the tragic Tillman story breaking now, all coinciding with the filibuster threat.
-> -> -> MUCHO power surge to Democrats’ efforts in the Senate tonight and ongoing.
Dudn’ take a genius to see that.
Therefore, it’s clear as a bell to me. fwiw
Keep those calls flowin’ gang.
Jus’ sayin’. I got a feelin’ in MY gut, mr. shirtoff-sir, meanin’ no disrespect to yer, sir.
eh? eh? Giddayup!
“Rule XXII for dummies” *g*:
Adie @ 23
i reckon history is peppered with folk like that …..
Here’s a Habeus Corpus update.
I just called all the Senators mentioned in the earlier thread except Hagel. One Senator, Coleman, was definitively against. For two (Smith, Sununu) the staffers said the Senator had been “in favor in the past”. The others had not “made statements”. Getting through was easy at their DC (202) numbers; I only had to hold for four.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 76
So the NRO fantasy that they’ve been spewing all damn day is just flat wrong. (Surprised? Not exactly…)
Thank you both. Much clearer to a lot of us now, i-bet-cha ;->
RealWorld @ 88:
Could be. Could also be that corporate America sees another war coming–in Iran.
Don’t you think that Bush’s refusal to release documents re Tillman is going to blow up in his face? I don’t understand why Rumsfeld and the other 5 ‘invited guests’ weren’t subpoenaed right off the bat, although I suppose it is better to invite first, then subpoena after the refusal. I just don’t think the public will sit still and let him scream executive privilege at the nation and the Tillman family on this one.
Thanks for the Rule XXII, y’all.
TexB @ 91
Hi TexB, Hope you’re feelin better.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 84
Thanks Christy.
Via @ 100
There’s no valid executive privilege claim when the President’s not involved, which he wasn’t in either the Tillman case or the USAtty firings. Or so they say….
Via @ 100
Especially if they attempt to “Sheehanize” Tillman’s mom and brother.
brendan @ 97
Coleman will probably try to pull a Liebermann and run as an Independent after he loses to Al.
Biodun @ 99
I really don’t see how anyone would see and Iran war as good for business but I may just ne shortsighted.
Biodun @ 63
This is pure nonsense:
Al-Qaeda in Iraq is focused on American forces in Iraq. If we pull out they might extend to the region. They have no capacity at this point to extend to the US. The global Al-Qaeda network is what the US should have been (and should be) worried about.
When the NIE story was first leaked, the focus was on the fact that Al-Qaeda had once again reached its pre 9-11 strength.
Is anyone surprised that it is now being spun not as a monumental failure of the Bush administration, but rather as a newer and shinier reason to be scared, scared, scared?
FWIW, it is my understanding that the sergeant of arms has called all staff on duty for today. And that they are prepared to knock on residence’ doors if need be to drag Senate behinds in to do the work for which we pay them.
OT: d r i f t g l a s s gets creative
TeddySanFran @ 104
Since when does lack of a valid reason stop them?
Hardly surprising:
bluejeansntshirt @ 102
Much. Thank you for asking. Still some pain as the sedation completely wears off, but manageable. Which is good since I get to go back in two weeks and have them inject directly into the spine 4 more times.
As I mentioned in my letter to the dem congressmen, I do know doctors who can build and install a spine bit by bit!
LS @ 46
The short straw gets to bunk next to Mayberry.
Especially if they attempt to “Sheehanize” Tillman’s mom and brother.
Good luck on that. The Tillmans are tough people, and have well learned, by this point, how to get their own views into the media.
Signed up to host a MOVEON fillibuster event (have signed up for numerous MOveON events in the past) and still waiting for a confirmation. Have never had any problems with signing up to host one of their events in the past. I wonder if someone could be interferring with sign ups. Have sent them an alert. anyone else try to sign up to host have any problems?
RealWorld @ 107:
Think of all the contracts (Halliburton and others) re: the War in (and Occupation of) Iraq.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 109
Do they know where to find Vitter?
bluejeansntshirt @ 102
Takes a lot to get something in the evening news if you are not Paris Hilton or Anna Nicole Smith.
jayt @ 108
Al-Qaeda in Iraq is focused on American forces in Iraq. If we pull out they might extend to the region. They have no capacity at this point to extend to the US. The global Al-Qaeda network is what the US should have been (and should be) worried about.
When the NIE story was first leaked, the focus was on the fact that Al-Qaeda had once again reached its pre 9-11 strength.
Is anyone surprised that it is now being spun not as a monumental failure of the Bush administration, but rather as a newer and shinier reason to be scared, scared, scared?
Heh. They are so stupid that they let Townsend go out there to spew the venom and, in doing so, she referred to Zarqawi as “is” instead of “was”.
LS @ 105
Been there, done that.
allan_in_upstate @ 114
It will look just like my living room on weekend nights! Hope somebody bought them some popcorn and cookies.
jayt @ 108
Al-Qaeda in Iraq is focused on American forces in Iraq. If we pull out they might extend to the region. They have no capacity at this point to extend to the US. The global Al-Qaeda network is what the US should have been (and should be) worried about.
When the NIE story was first leaked, the focus was on the fact that Al-Qaeda had once again reached its pre 9-11 strength.
Is anyone surprised that it is now being spun not as a monumental failure of the Bush administration, but rather as a newer and shinier reason to be scared, scared, scared?
Al- Qaeda has already released a far more destructive force on America George W. Bush, who has done more damage to the US than they could have ever imagined or planed for.
RealWorld @ 107
Have you read “Outsourced” by Dr. R.J. Hillhouse?
OK, every time I think I’ve got the logic and logistics of the filibuster down, someone says something I don’t understand. So here’s my understanding of the situation:
The Republicans have been threatening to filibuster every major bill in the Senate, thus by gentlemen’s agreement forcing a cloture vote to bring debate to a close and vote on the actual amendments. Cloture requires 60 votes. If the cloture motion passes, that means the actual amendment will be brought to a yes or no vote no later than after 30 hours of debate.
But if cloture doesn’t pass, there are two alternatives. One is to give up and set aside the obstructed amendment, and the other is to say, “OK then, you voted to extend debate, so debate.” And then you refuse to bring any other business to the floor of the Senate, and make those opposed to cloture talk until they drop. Which is what Reid did. The 30 hours thing doesn’t come in effect at all.
So, is my understanding correct? I don’t really understand what happens after the filibuster starts. How does it end? Do the people who filibuster eventually stop and agree to an up or down vote? Do the Dems decide they’re given quite enough media attention to the matter and they can stop now? And what exactly are the rules regarding a quorum?
TeddySanFran @ 118
Vitter is showing up in DC today, if he hasn’t already.
TexB @ 122
More likely brandy and cocktail weenies
RealWorld @ 88
Henry Ford II famously once said, when Nixon was president,
“We’ve got to elect another Democrat where I can start living like a Republican again.”
Brisingamen @ 90
It takes one to know one …………
dakine01 @ 127
Funny. Neither is an option for TexTeen and his friends. Movie rentals are probably a tad different as well, eh?
fahrender @ 96
sadly, yes.
and advertising theory is based on it, eh?
and since rover scooped his schtick out of ad theory…
…badaboom…
rover ain’t no genius atall atall.
rover’s a filthy, parasitic plagiarist.
oh my. i think i am ready to see Harry Potter tonight. i just wish i could borrow his wand.
jayt @ 115
No, that won’t happen. The public arent’ familiar with Noam Chomsky, but they do know what a free safety is.
Biodun @ 126
Sounds like Vitter will feel right at home.
For tonight’s all-nighter, by all means let’s bring out the sausages and quail legs with the cocktails…*g*
brendan @ 132
Hey! Saftey isn’t free! (or is that freedon isn’t safe?) ;)
TexB @ 130
I’m thinking the movie choices would truly span the entire available range and prol’ly have some sick choices in there.
TeddySanFran @ 34
Where is April Glaspie?
jayt @ 115
I haven’t seen or heard a comment by them since Bush refused to release documents. I hope they are in the process of putting something together. You are right, they are well seasoned. They had a baptism in hell itself. Whatever they say, it is going to sear itself right into the public’s consciousness of the bogus ‘executive privilege’ claim. I hate that they are having to go through more of this Bushian nightmare, but I have a feeling that the Tillman family may be the floodgate that opens up the impeachment outcry.
Biodun @ 99
Actually the stock market doesn’t do all that well in war time (if it really is a war).
Biodun @ 134
You talking to the senators? Or making a special request for late night snacks?
Can someone here answer my question about the filibuster rule?
I understand that a failure of a cloture motion means that 30 hours of debate may be scheduled on the motion/amendment/bill, whatever.
After the 30 hours, what happens? Is there another vote on cloture? And if it fails, is there another 30 hours of debate?
Or does the motion/amendment/bill simply moved to vote?
do-si-do @ 33
The many conversations that I have had with a new friend (last year and a half) who is a young man studying here in the states from Afghanistan. He talks with his family each week. They are very afraid for him if he returns (he has a wife, 4 kids and a large family). Three of his cousins have been killed by the Taliban(they assume) for working with Americans.
They find a massive amount of hypocrisy on the U.S.’s focus on Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and NOT SAUDI ARABIA (how many of the 9/11 bombers were from SA?). Al Queda and the Taliban in Saudi Arabia are “allegedly” thriving,
They also say that the U.s. is not spending enough time on building the infrastructure of Afghanistan. (do you think as some do that failure was part of the plan?)
The biggest issue that he finds appalling is the consumption of not only oil here in the states but everything. He respects our education system, but that is about it.
i’m not quite up to speed.. have to go back and read to catch up - limited access to the net… forgive a slow girl lol
RealWorld @ 107
certain oil and natural gas stocks could go through the roof…..
RealWorld @ 107
one word: hahll-i-burrtin.
or maybe it was hallitosis. i fergit.
TeddySanFran @ 118
heh heh
Christy Hardin Smith @ 109
“In February 1988, Capitol Police carried Senator Bob Packwood feet first into the Senate chamber. This occurred after the Senate ordered the arrest of absent senators to maintain a quorum during a filibuster on campaign finance legislation.” Senate.gov. There’s a photo of this around somewhere.
TexB @ 122
I hope they get out their Ouija boards and eight balls. Maybe these future telling tools will help them make decisions since the intelligence they based their war decisions on was so manipulated.
They have fucked up the country of Iraq so horribly, I have no idea how they live with themselves.
Kathleen @ 148
they can play Spin the Battle all night long.
Kathleen @ 148
That doesn’t sound like a 21st century sleepover. :) Here it’s electronic madness.
TexB @ 139
I’m talking to Firepups. I don’t give a f*ck what the senators bring out…*g* /snark
Via @ 44
Just checked. Harriet has to respond by 5 p.m. today or risks arrest. I guess the House Sergeant of Arms is gonna be busy, too. Harriet Needs to Respond
jayt @ 108
Al-Qaeda in Iraq is focused on American forces in Iraq. If we pull out they might extend to the region. They have no capacity at this point to extend to the US. The global Al-Qaeda network is what the US should have been (and should be) worried about.
When the NIE story was first leaked, the focus was on the fact that Al-Qaeda had once again reached its pre 9-11 strength.
Is anyone surprised that it is now being spun not as a monumental failure of the Bush administration, but rather as a newer and shinier reason to be scared, scared, scared?
actually, it’s quite possible that Al Quaeda in Iraq could be annihilated by the Iraqis if we left. Most of the Sunnis and all of the Shia are probably quite disposed to pinch their pointy little heads off……
TiredFed @ 152
No, no ! Have the Sgt at arms go get her too, right while all the news trucks are sitting outside the capitol! Perfect timing.
OT ~ Nuclear Option Conservatives Embrace
Permanent Filibuster For A Permanent Occupation
beth meacham @ 140
My reading of Rule 22 is that the 30-hour period of debate is applicable only if cloture is invoked. (It also says that you can extend debate by another 30 hours if 60 senators agree to it.) The rule doesn’t say anything about what happens if cloture fails.
I would really like someone who knows what they’re talking about to explain all this horrible parliamentary procedure in plain English, because I feel a migraine coming on.
Brisingamen @ 90
Whoa! ROTFLMAO! When Richard Mellon-Scaife turns on a fellow Rightie, it is aaaaallllll over, folks!
TiredFed @ 152
How will she be required to respond? Is she supposed to physically show up and where?
LS @ 120
I think they are counting on the American people to be stupid. They really don’t think WE can tell the difference between an Iraqi citizen and a terrorist…they also try to pull wool over our eyes by claiming the same victories for different surges. And crap like that.
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
punaise @ 110
DG, like yourself, is a true artist, 24/7 ……
Townsend on C-Span 2 now, replay of the biggest bunch of crap so far today…
Kathleen @ 148
Nah, the chickenhawk fundies would never use a Ouija board, that is a tool of the devil. They are much more likely to close their eyes, open the Bible and stick a pin in a verse.
TexB @ 122
I wonder what lil Jeffie Seshuns’ snore sounds like. A mosquito zapper?
July 2007 NIE: The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland
We judge the US Homeland will face a persistent and evolving terrorist threat over the next three years. The main threat comes from Islamic terrorist groups and cells, especially al-Qa’ida, driven by their undiminished intent to attack the Homeland and a continued effort by these terrorist groups to adapt and improve their capabilities.
We assess that greatly increased worldwide counterterrorism efforts over the past five years have constrained the ability of al-Qa’ida to attack the US Homeland again and have led terrorist groups to perceive the Homeland as a harder target to strike than on 9/11. These measures have helped disrupt known plots against the United States since 9/11.
• We are concerned, however, that this level of international cooperation may wane as 9/11 becomes a more distant memory and perceptions of the threat diverge.
Al-Qa’ida is and will remain the most serious terrorist threat to the Homeland, as its central leadership continues to plan high-impact plots, while pushing others in extremist Sunni communities to mimic its efforts and to supplement its capabilities.
We assess the group has protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability, including: a safehaven in the Pakistan Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), operational lieutenants, and its top leadership. Although we have discovered only a handful of individuals in the United States with ties to al-Qa’ida senior leadership since 9/11, we judge that al-Qa’ida will intensify its efforts to put operatives here.
• As a result, we judge that the United States currently is in a heightened threat environment.
We assess that al-Qa’ida will continue to enhance its capabilities to attack the Homeland
through greater cooperation with regional terrorist groups. Of note, we assess that al-Qa’ida will probably seek to leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI), its most visible and capable affiliate and the only one known to have expressed a desire to attack the Homeland. In addition, we assess that its association with AQI helps al-Qa’ida to energize the broader Sunni extremist community, raise resources, and to recruit and indoctrinate operatives, including for Homeland attacks.
We assess that al-Qa’ida’s Homeland plotting is likely to continue to focus on prominent political, economic, and infrastructure targets with the goal of producing mass casualties, visually dramatic destruction, significant economic aftershocks, and/or fear among the US population. The group is proficient with conventional small arms and improvised explosive devices, and is innovative in creating new capabilities and overcoming security obstacles.
• We assess that al-Qa’ida will continue to try to acquire and employ chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material in attacks and would not hesitate to use them if it develops what it deems is sufficient capability.
We assess Lebanese Hizballah, which has conducted anti-US attacks outside the United States in the past, may be more likely to consider attacking the Homeland over the next three years if it perceives the United States as posing a direct threat to the group or Iran.
We assess that the spread of radical—especially Salafi—Internet sites, increasingly aggressive anti-US rhetoric and actions, and the growing number of radical, self-generating cells in Western countries indicate that the radical and violent segment of the West’s Muslim population is expanding, including in the United States. The arrest and prosecution by US law enforcement of a small number of violent Islamic extremists inside the United States— who are becoming more connected ideologically, virtually, and/or in a physical sense to the global extremist movement—points to the possibility that others may become sufficiently radicalized that they will view the use of violence here as legitimate.
We assess that this internal Muslim terrorist threat is not likely to be as severe as it is in Europe, however.
We assess that other, non-Muslim terrorist groups—often referred to as “single-issue” groups by the FBI—probably will conduct attacks over the next three years given their violent histories, but we assess this violence is likely to be on a small scale.
We assess that globalization trends and recent technological advances will continue to enable even small numbers of alienated people to find and connect with one another, justify and intensify their anger, and mobilize resources to attack—all without requiring a centralized terrorist organization, training camp, or leader.
• The ability to detect broader and more diverse terrorist plotting in this environment will challenge current US defensive efforts and the tools we use to detect and disrupt plots. It will also require greater understanding of how suspect activities at the local level relate to strategic threat information and how best to identify indicators of terrorist activity in the midst of legitimate interactions.
http://www.dni.gov/press_relea.....elease.pdf
For those wondering where Vitter is today:
brendan @ 132
The Tilmans are righteously pissed. Their righteous anger would roll right over anyone who questioned their patriotism or intentions. Their anger would leave much deserved tracks on…whoever they rolled over.
newtonusr @ 161
Eva Braun Townsend, Homeland Queen.
Biodun @ 165
a switch to Pull-Ups for the man on the go?
punaise @ 149
What? All they’ve been doing for four plus years is playing “Spin the Battle.”
TiredFed @ 152
Thank you! I thought it was five days from last Thursday! OK Sarge, double expresso for you! Yallayallayalla! Or maybe that is Yallahyallahyallah!
fahrender @ 160
you are too kind. no, the true testament to drifty’s talent is the respect he gets from his graphic peer darkblack.
LS @ 158
“we strongly urge Ms. Miers to appear before the Subcommittee pursuant to her subpoena. Please let me know in writing by 5 p.m. this Tuesday, July 17, whether Ms. Miers will comply with the subpoena.” from the letter from John Conyers to George Manning, Harriet’s atty. so it sounds like Manning needs to respond by 5 or Harriet gets arrested. at least that’s what would happen to you or me.
TexB @ 113
Take good care of yourself..Ouch
TiredFed @ 172
Any of our asses would all ready be behind bars!
Biodun @ 165
They usually want privacy when they’re potty training.
This nonsense is making us vulnerable to other sensible threats in the world:
My bold.
Adie @ 131
Rove may or may not be a genius but he is quite intelligent. We despise him because he is such a bad, vindictive little man. We shouldn’t make the mistake of neccessarily conflating evilness with stupidity, however, to do so means to underestimate him, and this has been done too often. Our country suffers badly for it.
maralenenok @ 156
Not that I actually qualify as someone who knows, but I think you have it right. If cloture fails, Reid can refuse to bring any other business to the floor. That means the only business is the one the cloture vote failed on. So they talk and talk (and Reid interrupts anyone trying to get a nap by calling for quorum) until enough people can’t take it anymore and cloture passes.
“We assess Lebanese Hizballah, which has conducted anti-US attacks outside the United States in the past, may be more likely to consider attacking the Homeland over the next three years if it perceives the United States as posing a direct threat to the group or Iran.”
See, they aren’t going to attack America if they perceive a threat by the United States, they are going to attack “the Homeland“. That must be that new country Bush is making down in Paraguay. See…they never said anyone was going to attack “America”….maybe that’s what they’ll claim when hauled in for war crimes some fine day.
Can I bring any party favors to the pajama party tonite? (went to an all girl catholic high school and the memories are flooding back wrt pajama parties….)
Anna Belle @ 19
Don’t you know the difference?
George W. Bush had a plan for getting out of Viet Nam.
fahrender @ 153
Why do they hate us…oh I forgot I am not a patriot if I ask that question.
They do not hate who we are(Paris Hilton, Madonna, Anna Nicole Smith) they hate what we do in their countries,,,(bring our ways and privatize their oil and other resources)
new thread upstairs
BigMitch @ 181
Sure he did not go.
Biodun @ 134
Karl will have the butler bring them over …..
argosfalcon @ 184
Care to guess what percentage of today’s Texas Air Natl Guard is overseas?
Adie @ 145
Adie - there would have to be more to it than Halliburton. I’m not trying to defend the company, but let’s bear in mind that even though it is a Fortune 500 company, its annual revenues (including KBR) in recent years have amounted to about twenty billion dollars, and its total assets are about fifteen billion dollars. Furthermore, its shareholders’ equity amounts to approximately seven billion dollars. Compared to ExxonMobil, Halliburton is quite small: ExxonMobil’s total assets, as of December 31, 2006, amount to 219 billion dollars and its shareholders’ equity amounts to almost 114 billion dollars.
Referencing my Hugh @ 164
That is the NIE. It says basically that
al Qaeda (the real one) is back. It took years of benighted Bush policy but he finally managed it.
The terrorists know about the Internet. Who knew? Hey, maybe they can teach Bush about it.
We can expect home grown attacks from Islamic extremists and single issue types (read anti-abortionists and the occasional Timothy McVeigh). Again this is based on analogy with the English example and the largely goofy groups identified here so far as with the JFK bomb plot.
The assertion is made that people we don’t like, like Hezbollah and al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, may attack us here (which pretty much puts paid to the idea that we have to fight them over there so we won’t have to fight them here). I would note that neither Hezbollah nor AQI has shown much interest to date in attacking us domestically. But if there is any Admnistration that can push them to do so, it is this one.
TEXB: I’ll wager 73%
ccmask @ 189
Probably that many of those who;ve been activated, but only half are activated at any given moment. Their equipment on the other hand ……
argosfalcon @ 123
and Al Quaeda’s attack on 9/11 can really never be answered. They made Fuckwad’s Administration look like fools, for comparatively little effort, money and lives. They made the sham and futility of miltary might transparent. Fuckwad has simply underlined and megaphoned that for them. he is, after all, a cheerleader. he just doesn’t know when he’s actually helping his opponents so he has gone about giving them more and more opportunities …….
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 187
true enuf! i was just indulging in being snippy - inappropriately, i might add.
fahrender @ 177
i agree with everything you say here.
i don’t see that we have a problem, unless you have proof that he’s not filthy. i’ve never gotten close enough to find out, and i don’t plan to. ;->
LS @ 179
Hezbollah is obviously not going to attack us. They’re going to retailiate when Israel invades Lebanon again, which, to these people, qualifies as attacking the “Homeland”.
Adie @ 193
Well, he told Sheryl Crowe not to touch him so maybe he wouldn’t let you get that close either. No ma’am, i don’t think we have a problem but i would get close to him if i could just to see if i could find some way to harass him.
fahrender 195
DEAL!
But be careful out there, y’hear?!
And DO report back, please. ;->
Let’s add to the list: Hit the NYT’s public editor to let them know a FILLIBUSTER IS A FILLIBUSTER!! And, that Dems can be on the front page just as much as R’s!!
Email: public@nytimes.com
Action: Politely inform the public editor that (1) 60 votes is NOT the amount required to pass legislation in the senate (you can refer to this article from the front page on July 14 which says:
which is one of many articles failing to call a fillibuster a fillibuster. (2) That same article gave front page coverage to the toothless Lugar-Warner proposal — accordingly, the article about Reid’s bold move for an allnighter deserved similar front page treatment rather than being buried in today’s frontsection! (3) Gently suggest that a piece contrasting the the oppositionism and fillibuster use now by repubs with their outrage at the dems usage just two years ago is a worthy article to consider.
Here is the context, highlighted frequently in the last 1-2 weeks by Josh Marshall among others-the Dem’s cause in fighting obstructionism is not helped by the obstinacy of the mainstream media, and the NYT in particular, to act as if 60 votes is the natural threshold for passing a senate vote. It is only the natural threshold in the presence of a fillibuster, and for the NYT to allow front page reporting with this blatant error in it is egregious! Now it is true that the dems need some backbone and theatre to overcome this. But holy moly, this piece from Saturday was stenography from an RNSC talking points sheet! And the editorial selection? Putting a piece about Lugar-Warner on the front page while burying the story about Reid’s all nighter? WTF??????
If the Firedoglake community let’s the NYT Public Editor know that we are watching this behavior it will be helpful!
Please send a quick note to
public@nytimes.com
New thread, Jane’s upstairs.
When I called R-OR Senator Gordon Smith’s office they said that he would be voting for S. 2022. Senator Olympia Snowe’s office hung up on me twice so I E-Mailed my appeal for her to vote for S 2022.