In case you’ve been wondering who would play George C. Scott’s role of the mad Air Force General if they ever did a remake of Dr. Strangelove, I think Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson just volunteered.
You see, after chatting with his buddy Tony Snow [and misinterpreting Tony Blair], Gerson figured out that if we just started rounding up the thousands of Iranians who, being next door neighbors and friendly with their fellow Shia in the al-Maliki government, are legally in Iraq, and just started bombing “Syria’s Ho Chi Minh Trail of terrorists” to interdict the North Vietnamese Army Saudis and North Africans invading Iraq, America can finally get its manhood back.
Time to rev up the B-52s on Diego Garcia for some good ole “carpet” bombing. I guess we’ll just write off these people.
The neocons who advise and control the Bush/Cheney White House are completely insane; if that gang isn’t removed from power soon, they’ll have the entire Middle East in flames and get thousands of US soldiers, contractors and aid workers killed.
Publicity photo of George C. Scott, from Dr. Strangelove . . .
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caw
caw,oh yes!…caw
i wish these guys could content themselves with parking a ginonormus SUV in their driveways.
Good morning Scarecrow!
Iran and Syria are scapegoats for the Saudis who are the majority of the foreign fighters we capture in Iraq. Freeze the Saudis American assets and use that as leverage to get them to control their borders and stop funding Al Quieda.
No wonder bush has lost this war him and the Neocons don’t even know who are enemies are!
OK hows this for wild speculation. bushco is trying to force the Congress into impeaching one or more of them so that they can force the various issues into SCOTUS. SCOTUS is, as we know, in the bushco pocket so they will get favourable rulings thereby strengthening their hand when they declare marshall law.
War is good.
Good for someone. They make money, and they get power. That’s what america is… the place to win money and power and then live like a slob.
Why don’t people see that?
Why do we need nuclear submarines?
Why do we need multi billion dollar carrier groups?
Why do we need 10,000 nukes in silos?
Why do we need stealth bombers?
Why do we need Osprey? F16? Cruise missles?
Why?
Caw Caw
Nice to have a new thread up. Even if I _am_ EPU’d again.
Diva
Hi Scarecrow:
Got anything in your stuffing you can use to motivate Pelosi to put impeachment on the table as the centerpiece? And do it TODAY?
Scary, scary, scary stuff – watching this dictatorship unfold….
i don’t don’t my bombers, but the b-1bs are reported to have been moved from diego garcia to an “undisclosed base in the Persian Gulf”.
Speaking of manhood and the war:
EPU’d twolf link
Generation Chickenhawk: The Unauthorized College Republican National Convention Tour
We must impeach!
Saying we are sad or disappointed just doesn’t work.
This is so scary as Bush starts to implement long laid out plans to take over, our leaders flinch.
things come undone @ 5
i think iran and syria and saudi arabia are scapegoats for the country with the most foreign fighters in iraq (yes, that would be us)
Good Morning Scarecrow and everypup!
Caw CAW!
SC “The neocons who advise and control the Bush/Cheney White House are completely insane; if that gang isn’t removed from power soon, they’ll have the entire Middle East in flames and get thousands of US soldiers, contractors and aid workers killed.”
You bet your butt they are “insane”. A group of abusive, narcissistic, psychopaths gone wild. (Douglas Feith, Richard Perle, Bush, Ledeen, Woolsey, Micheal Rubin, Liebermann, Cheney, Liv and David Wurmser, Addington, Elliot Abrams, Judy Miller)
selise @ 10
Balad is also the site of the newly made permanent military hospital – staffed with both AF and Army personnel. Strategically placed for both Iran and Iraq missions.
Good morning everyone. Get your combat boots on, flack jackets, steel pods, check your ammo and lock and load. We’re going to Syria!
They passed “completely insane” about 10 exits back on the Road to Insanity.
The cure, ladies, gentlemen and Russ Feingold is IMPEACHMENT. And, yes I meant to shout. :)
Scarecrow @ 17
To free the poor Saudis that have been imprisoned there?
Jo Fish @ 18
And withdrawal of all war funding.
Scarecrow, if we’re going to Syria will Jenna and Not-Jenna be on the front line with Barney the dog?
Just askin’.
Nequals1 @ 20
How about withdrawal of White House Funding?
Jo Fish @ 21
“On the front line?” They will be the front line. What else do we have?
Leverett: Bush Administration ‘Not Serious’ About Dealing With Iran
March 31, 2006
Flynt L. Leverett, who served in senior posts at the National Security Council, the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, says that the United States has gotten itself into a diplomatic dilemma with Iran “because we essentially don’t have a strategy” for dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue. Asserting that the Bush administration rejected an invitation made by Iran in 2003 to open a strategic dialogue, Leverett says that Bush “is, on this issue, very, very resistant to the idea of doing a deal, even a deal that would solve the nuclear problem.”
http://www.cfr.org/publication/10326/
Flynt on Iran
http://www.brookings.edu/views…..060124.htm
Flynt on Democracy Now
http://www.democracynow.org/ar…..02/1516227
Flynt on PBS discussing Iran
http://www.newamerica.net/pres…..n_and_iraq
Flynt left the first Bush administration because he disagreed with the invasion of Iraq.
He is the man to listen to in regard to Iran.
WONDER IF FLYNT LEVERETT WOULD BE WILLING TO BE A GUEST HERE AT FIREDOGLAKE?
Jo Fish @ 21
My understanding is that we can count on Not-Jenna and Jenna, Not.
Barney is in the bunker with Dick.
No wonder Bush is happy.
Bush’s Cognitive Dissonance
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..inionsbox1
nomolos @ 6
Please bear in mind that neither the executive nor judicial branches of the federal government can interfere with impeachment proceedings.
What is your definition of martial law? How do you think it could be enforced?
Where are today’s equivalent to “Dr. Strangelove, or How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb” or “The Great Dictator”
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 27
Hang in there Stephen, I’m counting on you being one of the calm, rationale ones. If we’ve lost the accountants, we’ve lost the country. :)
Kathleen,
I very much appreciate what you’re saying and the links, but would you might not using the all capitals? Thanks.
selise @ 13
Saudia Arabia’s Royal Family and Ossama Bin Lauden’s family have ties to the Bush family that Michael Moore exposed in the film Farherheit 9/11. Everyday Mike seems more and more right. Bush never mentions the Saudi’s ties to Terror.
Still we are killing more Iraq’s than Al Quieda is we need to get out of Iraq. Saving the villiage by burning it down or “cough” stopping Genocide by killing even more Iraq’s does not seem productive.
Sure there will be a civil war but we can’t stop it. The only thing the Surge has done is given all Iraqi’s a comon enemy to shoot at US!
Which is not what I think Bush had in mind when he talked about uniting Iraq. As soon as we are gone then they will fight each other but if we can’t stop them from killing each other at least we can stop killing them ourselves.
this is an all around post which I am positive will be on topic somewhat througout the day
I had another epipheme last kinght (oh no, not one of those…yes, one of those)
ok
you know how the president claims executive priviledge and unilateral power to do whatever he wants and whatever he says goes?
this is actually true
the president is held to account by one remedy and one remedy only, he is NOT held to account by the supreme court, he is NOT held to account by our constitution
he is held to account by impeachment
asuming this congress continues to refuse a trial of impeachmment to bring these crimes to the bar of justice
if the congress doesn’t seek impeachment for what they think are crimes against the country and our constitution then the claims become non crimes and they become part of the constitution…they will then have to be rescinded under a future congress and senate if that is at all possible, which might not be since I suppose this president will claim he is not bound by impeachment since he was granted “all power neccessary”
yup
now let”s take this further
the president knows with no doubt in his mind all of his claims will be rescinded and rebuked by the next president, congress and the next senate in a grab to get their power back
he will have to be held to account after he leaves office
the president will therefore not leave office
he is gonna try to claim power to remain…this means some catastrophy
I think this scenario is not far fetched
OK, I’m going to go try to catch a couple hours’ sleep now.
If you start the revolution without me, just leave me a note and I’ll catch up with all y’all later. I’ll be the one passing out Trader Joe’s trail mix, bottled water and Gatorade.
Diva
who don’t have to have no kids to be a mom.
Harry Reid ’s comment
blah, blah,blah
Impeach, impeach, impeach. Gonzales, Cheney, Bush.
Yup. As I’ve said before, Athens vs Syracuse, ending 413 BC in a complete disaster for Athens. Keep in mind, though, that Athens could quickly rebuild its army as Non-Commissioned Officers (Petty Officers in the Navy) were not the vital, essential parts of an army that they are today. There’s no quick and easy way to get a good NCO. That takes years and years.
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 27
Seizing Property from anyone who doesn’t support the war. Sending Blackwater Mercs to round up all subversives in a replay of the Nazi’s Night of the Broken Glass. Bush needs a terrorist attack to justify martial law.
I heard some speculation that the Nazis set the Reichsfire which Hitler used to justify martial law and the Night of the Broken Glass themselves.
Here’s a bright spot!
Military Candidate Contributions Go To Anti-War Candidates
I think this scenario is not far fetched
perris, the problem many of us are struggling with at this unprecedented moment is that we’re not sure whether the Bushies are completely crazy or they’ve just made us so. Last nite, TRex burned down the Reichstag. This crowd is driving us all nuts, and everyone is looking around and thinking, “is it just me?”
snowbird42 @ 34
Maybe the Democrats will send another sternly worded letter!
That’ll show ‘em!
.
OT – Earthquake in San Francisco. 4.2 mag. Stay safe out there.
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 27
Frankly I have no bloody clue but I am scared shi**ess that they are not going to give up power easily. I would not be at all surprised for them to again engineer a “terror” attack, and try to delay elections.
I do think they are looking to SCOTUS to strengthen their hand as the imperial presidency by approving the exec priv claim and by supporting claims by DOJ to not do the job they are supposed to.
Not being a constitutional scholar I do not know what they intend to do with the legality of their actions but on the other hand I don’t think they give a sweet S**t about legality.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/….._0719.html
the American people dont even have an inkling of what is coming
Perris…. amen to that
nomolos @ 42
Thats exactly what the article I just put up says!!
Gerson “Syria, however, is what one former administration official calls “lower-hanging fruit.” The provocations are nearly as severe. Syria’s Baathist regime provides a base of operations for its Iraqi Baathist comrades involved in the Sunni insurgency. Suicide bombers from Saudi Arabia and North Africa arrive by plane in Damascus, and, with the help of facilitators, some 50 to 80 cross into Iraq each month. The Syrians say they lack the ability to stop them; what they lack is the intention.”
The Bush administration is right on track with the completion of the plan drawn up years ago by Richard Perle, David and Liv Wurmser.
This was the first place that I had read about the Clean (bloody) Break. In the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Arch…..38,00.html
Elliott @ 28
“24″.
Thought of as a comedy.
snowbird42 @ 43
whoa
egregious @ 30
Sorry that bothers you.
Scarecrow @ 39
I’m going back to hide under my blankie now.
perris @32: You are not alone there, I’ve pondered the same thing. There seems to be a depressing funk setting in on me lately and fdl is one of the bright spots giving hope. Keep in mind that you aren’t the only one with these feelings and continue to share them. We together can overcome this and work towards a solution. Surely there is a solution. We will all work together.
JF @ 23
I think that it is counterproductive to suggest placing Mr. Bush’s daughters anywhere near a combat zone; I can think of no better way to encourage Mr. Bush to dig in his heels concerning this country’s military ventures in the Middle East. If my Quaker ancestors were alive and posting comments here, I think that they would express very serious qualms in unison, not only about that suggestion, but also about this country’s continued military presence in Iraq.
There is a better way to proceed: let Mr. Bush’s twins, who, like their father and paternal grandmother, have some Quaker ancestors, encourage their father to bring our troops home as soon as possible.
perris @ 32
There was a time when I’d have said this was preposterous, Perris. I’m no longer sure that’s so.
Part of the problem here is that Dems have been trying to deal with BushCo as though it were a rational, sane entity. It’s not.
BushCo plays Calvin ball. Remember Calvin and Hobbes, where the rules of the game du jour changed in mid-play per Calvin’s whims? And the loyal Hobbes always tried to play by the rules of the moment, however absurd they were?
I truly believe we are poised to go mano a mano to save democratic America. And the outlook is pretty grim, given that BushCo has infiltrated and seized control of nearly every aspect of this country’s democratic process.
What evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.
snowbird42 @ 45
Oh lordy, I agree with a repub. The world has gone bonkers.
Snow…. Thanks for article
But who will play Slim Pickins and actually ride the bomb?
Christ everyone wants to be Jack D. Ripper.
allan_in_upstate @ 47
V For Vendetta?
.
JF @ 41
Thanks, JF.
Just as long as it’s not a foreshock of something bigger, a 4.2 ain’t no big thang. But good wishes are never wasted. Let’s all stay as safe as possible wherever we are. “Be careful out there…”
Diva
Who was there in 1989 for Loma Prieta which was 6.9 or 7.1 and batshit scary!
Elliott @ 48
A few of the Americans do – that would be us. And that’s why we must keep on every House member to start impeachment proceedings NOW!
Scarecrow @ 39
Really – if you haven’t done so, please go back and read Trex’s Late Late night post and the linked WaPo article. I am still picking my jaw up off the floor. My first thought was “is he trying to get impeached so we all put him out of his misery and he can go back to the ranch and clear brush for the rest of his sorry life?”
JF @ 41
Someone — maybe here at FDL — noted when the quake hit Japan that the whole ring of fire thing meant we could absolutely expect a quake on our west coast in short order. So it’s science, I guess. Unless it’s BushCo.
We need to get the word out somehow. Wrote to a dear friend of mine this morning:
People who understand things are still a very tiny minority. I am only just now getting pings of requests from the most liberal and active Democrats in my own family.
They are a little more willing now to hear what I have to say and a little less likely to scold me for spending “too much time on that blog” with those “angry crazy bloggers.” True story. We’ve gotta reach a LOT more people before anything is gonna happen.
spork_incident @ 56
My wife and I watched The Great Dictator again the other night. It was way to close to the bone.
Funnydiva2002 @ 57
me. actually thought i was going to die.
glad i didn’t.
barbara @ 60
I remember that too, barbra. I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it, though. Must have been here.
snowbird42 @ 43
Wow, thanks for the Rawstory link to the Roberts column.
Jane Hamsher @ 55
Bill Kristol?
Christ everyone wants to be Jack D. Ripper.
Jane Hamsher @ 55
Mein Fürer! I can walk!
(Why do I always think of Ricard Pearl when I think of that line?)
.
Noam Cholmsky on negotiations with Iran
“Even steps in these directions would mitigate the upcoming crisis with Iran. Above all, it is important to heed the words of Mohamed ElBaradei: “There is no military solution to this situation. It is inconceivable. The only durable solution is a negotiated solution.” And it is within reach.”
http://www.zmag.org/content/sh…..emID=10449
egregious @ 61
Your family thinks your crazy? Tell them to read FDL sometime I had you pegged as a moderate in our blog family.
nomolos @ 62
This would imply that Gee Dub actually gives a damn.
.
egregious @ 61
That’s funny, egregious. And hopeful.
Can someone here please tell me what are we going to do about the latest Bushie decree?
I am generally not afraid, but I am getting close to being really afraid, after reading what the WH is doing reguarding the DOJ and the possible contempt charges!
Bush administration officials unveiled a bold new assertion of executive authority yesterday in the dispute over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, saying that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges initiated by Congress against White House officials once the president has invoked executive privilege.
Under federal law, a statutory contempt citation by the House or Senate must be submitted to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, “whose duty it shall be to bring the matter before the grand jury for its action.”
So – how’s about Conyers goes after Harriet Miers via inherent contempt (just to show that he’s not playin’ around), and go after Bolten via a judicial route.
Then, when the first peep is heard from Abu that he’s not going to allow it, begin impeachment proceedings against Abu, and the prez who ordered him to break the law – IMMEDIATELY!?
(yeah, I know that leaves Cheney in place – but it would get two outta three, no?)
Charles Krauthammer. He was against the Sunnis before he was for them.
Ordinarily, the only way that someone can get paid writing c**p like
for a major daily newspaper is to sleep with the editor.
But in this case, I’ll steer clear of that imagery.
selise @ 63
Me, too (glad you didn’t die). I was actually referring to myself: I was there, it was batshit scary and, yes, I too thought I was going to die. Of fright if nothing else.
Diva
We ARE in a consitutional crisis.
Latest from WAPO is that Bush is giving Congress the big finger…
Wow… Bush is delusional and a madman…
Democracy is in shreds…
We need a judge or Fitzy to come forward
and tell the real story…
Talking ain’t working
egregious @ 61
I disagree with you on this. I think the working poor really get it. I have spent a great deal of time (literally thousands of hours during the last three elections) knocking on doors and talking to people in southeastern Ohio, inner city Columbus and Cincinnati Ohio).
Many of the people I talked with are very clear on issues far more clear than many of my yuppie friends. Many are working two jobs at minimum wage and have relatives or kids serving in Iraq. They are pissed, beat down, and often not quite sure where to turn.
Elliott @ 66
Kristol, Cheney, Ledeen, Woolsey
All of this; dismissal of the Plame suit; more executive privilege b/s; not to mention Barry Bonds is about to break the HR record; and on and on. So much bad karma. Someone needs to step up and do something big and soon.I’m thinking its Webb. His amendment just seemed to be the perfect way to show the Rethugs for what they really are.
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 52
You are correct. My comment, though, was not to suggest sending them, but to point out that we do not have the troop strength to open up another front. Just pointing out that which is obvious to most here at FDL.
egregious and everyone, I have wonderful friends who I can’t seem to reach, even subtly. If I go to lunch, lunch isn’t long enough to explain this.
My father stopped for dinner last night. Late seventies, doing well to drive in the rain. He knows Bush is a bad president. Do I scare him? Sorry to say, I didn’t. I fed him and made sure he made it home before dark.
My sister, with plenty of life’s real problems, is stealing a one and a half day vacation with her husband. How do I bring this up as I’m helping her to plan for her aging mother in law, sons and a yellow lab.
This is the strength of the Summer news drop.
I can’t figure out what to do. If I start writing them letters (cause it’s too hard to get it into a phone conversation), they’ll think I’m crazy.
Jane Hamsher @ 55
Ann Coulter.
jayt @ 73
Yes…sounds like a solid plan
I have to be honest.
Our judicial system has failed us…
If we ain’t got the legal guys in our camp,
we are cooked…
Sorry to be so cynical but look at reality!
I have posted previously about Gerson. He is one of the greatest liars ever to be hired by the Washington Post. Of course, Gerson has yet to account for his lying propaganda about Saddam’s chemical biological and nuclear weapons. These did not exist and Gerson knew it. Gerson also was responsible for the “16″ words and the Libby/Cheney coverup. Finally, Gerson could have enlisted in the army to fight in Iraq until last May when he became 43. But he is a coward.
___________________________________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W…..Iraq_Group
The White House Iraq Group (aka, White House Information Group or WHIG) was the marketing arm of the White House whose purpose was to sell the 2003 invasion of Iraq to the public. The task force was set up in August 2002 by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and chaired by Karl Rove to coordinate all the executive branch elements in the run-up to the war in Iraq. One example of the WHIG’s functions and influence is the “escalation of rhetoric about the danger that Iraq posed to the U.S., including the introduction of the term ‘mushroom cloud’”[1]
September 5, 2002: In a WHIG meeting, chief Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson proposes the use of a “smoking gun/mushroom cloud” metaphor to sell the American public on the supposed nuclear dangers posed by Saddam Hussein.
* Karl Rove * Nicholas E. Calio
* Karen Hughes * Condoleezza Rice
* Mary Matalin * Stephen Hadley
* Andrew Card * I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby
* James R. Wilkinson * Michael Gerson
barbara @ 53
al the spookhas a different take.
Dam. Day-AM. I just had the weirdest thought. You know how we talk about Bushco using the terrorist threat to paralyze the average American and MSM with fear? What if they just hit on the way to paralyze the Left Blogosphere with fear? I mean, I know I am feeling “afraid, very afraid”! ‘Course it’s even scarier to contemplate what all this is meant to distract us from…
OK. For real this time. Must. Get. Sleep.
Sleep: the anti-paranoia drug.
*poof*
Diva
This guy writes as though the last five years didn’t happen. Let’s go rolling into Syria …. OK, and do what exactly? Drop some smart bombs on Damascus, send in the tanks and … sit there? Install a puppet government? Build a new “embassy”?
All that would do is make 19 million Syrians really mad at us for invading their country. We don’t have to speculate what that would look like, it would be just like another Iraq, with endemic violence and constant low-level attacks on American forces.
I don’t see that Gerson has enough brain power to play a military officer. He’s more like a little boy who likes to color maps to show which are “our countries” and which are “theirs”. He seems to have no sense at all of what that means to the people on the ground.
Come to think of it – Cheney’s in some pretty serious contempt of Congress too. Inherent contempt proceedings for him.
That’s an impeachable offense, I would think.
Maybe it is time to simply go to Washington, or go to GE and Disney and tell them to get their long cold finger off of the news.
Kathleen @ 83
Actually, that would leave Cheney as our dictator. Doesn’t sound so good to me.
jim oconnor @ 79
I can’t think of anyone else who’s actually had the guts to stand up to Bush directly. Ordinarily I’m appalled, and freaked out, when guys get all chest bumpin’ but these are strange new times.
I think KO is going to have a heart attack
or go bonkers… he is so on target, but no one is listening…
I think the flamethrower is right about fascism
gone wild…
Bay State Librul @ 84
A completely unnecessary war, hundreds of thousands dead, injured and displaced. Not one person held accountable for the false pre-war intelligence, a Libby commutation, Wilson case dismissed, Harriet Meirs giving the Constitution the finger, record breaking oil profits, little confidence in congress. Can anyone give any valid reasons to believe in our Justice system, congress or the constitution?
Bay State Librul @ 84
Tell me about it.
Y’know,I just want to blog about puppies and kittens and Gisele Budchen.
But reality intrudes.
.
jim oconnor @ 79
Agreed. Barry Bonds tears it.
Frank 33 @85 thanks for the info about Gerson. No conspiracy in the MSM nah!
it was only a matter of time: General Says Wait til November on Surge
Am I gonna have to go buy that fucking Harry Potter book Just Because?
Jane Hamsher @ 98
Yes. A different lalaland from the one we’re living in, if nothing else.
I do everything I can to inform people I know(to the point of being annoying). I stop short of telling them I fear Bush will declare martial law etc. for fear that they will discount everything I’ve told them as the ravings of a lunatic. But, I do fear this. I do think Bush is delusional. And, I do think that Cheney is a madman. It’s been said over and over. We need a liberal tv news show to tell America the truth.
And, since I’ve been away for a few days, anything new on net neutrality?
Jane Hamsher @ 95
Watching Bonds go 0-whatever in the ‘91 playoffs finished for baseball.
He was a mere slip back then…
.
barbara @ 99
Hmmm. I haven’t heard such fear of fan hystrionics on TV since “Paul is Dead.”
(Yes, I’m that old.)
Bay State Librul @ 92
Gotta love the flamethrower.
solai @ 100
Bill Moyers. But only weekly and hidden away on PBS.
We have no reason to be in Iraq. Pull out now. Everything else is a lie.
The President is forcing Congress’ hand. If they don’t impeach him, they will be powerless for the foreseeable future. There seems to be no other way.
But you have to start with Gonzo.
We’ve clearly passed the so called tipping point… we are listing heavily to starboard.
If someone doesn’t do something, this ship is going under.
And what the next one looks like is eerily like the 3rd Reich.
Jane:
Do you check to see who visits this site – eg Pentagon, WH, House, Senate, DOJ, SCOTUS, etc?
Even though many use IP randomizers, that might be an interesting exercise.
Country before party.
Gonzo due on the Hill next week? Let’s have some inherent contempt and toss him in the Congressional clink, with Capitol police around him waiting for a shoot out when the Secret Service comes to break him out.
That video ought to wake folks up.
Kathleen @ 93
i believe in the values we want to see manifest in our institutions.
We know their penchant for recess appointments. The moment the congressional station wagon pulls out of the Capitol driveway , there will one or more “terrorist” attacks and “retaliatory” bombing of Iran.
In the subsequent call for national unity our befuddled reps won’t know what hit them since they can’t see further ahead than the next deadline extension.
I am terrified. Guess it’s time to go shopping. More shoes, more shoes..
There should be a new thread up on the Hillary Clinton flap with Edelman. Those of you who want to continue discussing the end of civilization as we know it can hang around; no one will arrrest you for loitering. I just didn’t want to confuse Oklahoma Kiddo by discussing Hillary and Armageddon in the same thread.
albert fall @ 108
Jeebus, sounds like we need to bring back our troops to protect us from BushCo!
Jane Hamsher @ 98
Tales from the ridiculous: I order my Potter books from the UK.
Whatever years ago I read the first Potter book and was offended – offended! – by the horrible “translation” from Brit English to American English.
I mean, “motorway” needs to be translated to “highway”?
And don’t get me started about “phial”…
.
Now that I think about… what pisses me off most about all those hearings on Gonzo and the
firing fiasco… is that why can’t they all
bring Sampson, McNulty, Taylor, Ralston, Gonzo etc in one fucking room and cross-examine them… and pin down all the finger-pointing lying bastards! A treason trial…
OK, so ole Doubledown Bush just doubled down…Again. Now that statutory contempt citations are off the table, only inherent contempt is left besides impeachment.
Pelosi and Reid need to get their Fu##$ act together and start playing hardball. I don’t think even justice Kennedy would assist a 5-4 on Bush’s behalf in this unconstitutional power grab.
Let’s get the gears in motion, folks.
Everything. Is. On. The. Table, Nancy.
Jane Hamsher @ 102
C’mon Jane, yer still a youngster…
albert fall @ 108
Given the fact that Bush has claimed the DOJ does not have to honor a Congressional subpoena the only option open to Congress is the use of inherent contempt of Congress. No doubt Bush/Cheney, Rove and other Party loyalists have anticipated this move and have a plan to counter. Perhaps martial law, perhaps the use of military troops to seize Congress. There have been so many Presidential “directives” that have gone unchallanged there is surely a rationale to “legimatize” any action that Bush/Cheney take. It reminds me of how the NSDAP in Germany consolidated power on in the 1930’s. “Those that do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
JML at 110 “I am terrified. Guess it’s time to go shopping. More shoes, more shoes..”
One reason why I have so many shoes.
Bay State Librul @ 84
You got a point there that keeps milling in my poor head: Could it be that the constitutional system lacks strong checks and balances? Although I learned otherwise even at school, teaching the US constitution as shining example for separation of powers et al. The judicative seems not at all independent, the DAs (prosecutors) are serving “at the pleasure” of the head of the executive, the president. Who also plays a decisive role selecting top level judges. And majority rule in the legislative, the chambers, has been virtually canibalized in favour of the executive (again). The majority is powerless as long as it has not got majorities, that in other countries would suffice to change the constitution, 2/3 or similar. I am not in comparative law and I dont want to critisize. But it seems that the US constitution heavily depends on the benevolence of the president and his administration? And it worked fine until Bush and his Neo-Con Mischpoke came to power. Just wondering if anybody really thinks this is exportable?
“I’m not saying we wouldn’t get our hair mussed.”
solai @ 100
The looks I get when I talk about martial law, when folks see my peace sign button, used to have me thinking I had gone over the edge. I don’t want to have to say I told you so. I want immediate impeachment. Impeachment is the only answer. Scary times call for scary tactics.
“…soon, they’ll have the entire Middle East in flames and…” then Jesus will come marching home!!!
Aren’t we lucky to have a President who is willing to lead us down a path of no return? I think it is swell because Jesus will really know that Americans LUVS him!!! (not!)
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Isn’t this the mirror image of the philosophy espoused by the evil doers? Isn’t an American ‘political rapturist’ virtually identical to a Islamic ‘violent jihadist’? It becomes more and more plain to me that the middle east is turning from a battle between the west and mid-east into a battle between two right-wing religious factions — one terrorist based and one American based. Both groups reject the idea that humans and human institutions can evolve to solve problems. They would rather have daddy (that is daddy with a capital D who lives in the sky) come solve their problems because they have been saved through ignorant bliss or through a primal reward of an eternal orgy of sex with 72 virgins. (From what I can tell, these suicide bombers are going to be really pissed off when they read the fine print that says the 72 have to stay virgins for eternity. I know I would hate to be in paradise on that day. Talk about have a group of pissed off trouble makers.
Point of accuracy: the mad Air Force general, Jack D. Ripper, was played by Sterling Hayden, not George C. Scott. Scott played General “Buck” Turgidson, who was a bit odd, I suppose, but not mad.
I hate to break to you guys, but our side is winning, Bush is on defense and losing ground everyday. He can’t declare martial law in a country of 300 million people, with the majority of the military half-way around the world. A military, by the way, who doesn’t support him. This thing is over for him, all he’s trying to do now is make it to the end of his term. All we have to do is keep up the pressure.
boxer @ 125
What do you think Blackwater is for?
It isn’t necessarily about the imposition of martial law. It is the slow erosion of checks and balances that have gone unchallenged. Hitler did not come to power in 1933 and immediately declare a dictatorship. It evolved over several years and was all done within the laws of Germany at that time.
Bluetoe @ 126
Bluetoe @ 125
This country, with all its problems, is nothing like post WWI Germany. If I were paying $200 for a loaf of bread, I might agree with you.
As to Blackwater, when the Allies occupied Germany after WWII, it was determined that it would take a ratio of 1 soldier for every 10 Germans to maintain stability (something we ignored in Iraq). I don’t think Blackwater has 30 million employees.
Can I go OT here? While on vacation I heard that Kucinich was in hospital w/ food poisoning. My first thought was that BushCo poisoned another critic. Anything more on that?
boxer @ 127
You assume that historical context must be mirrored precisely for the same result to occur. Unfortunately you are mistaken.
boxer @ 124
Hitler was more popular than Bush is now I think Bush’s lack of popularity is the only thing stopping him. However I don’t expect him to stop trying.
Bluetoe @ 125
Blackwater and the other contract forces are also in Iraq and in no better shape than our own. But they can try to impose an armed solution on a country of 300 million with a lot of arms in homes. They can try.
Herschel @ 123
Slap that gut, Buck! Go get them Commie preverts!
The Gerson article mentions Tony Blair, not Tony Snow.
there will be NO remakes of any of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpieces!
I am not suprised at all ;(
Gerson “coined” the phrase “axis of evil”…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/…..02,00.html
he’s got plenty of blood on his hands…and far too much influence, still.
I thought it was David Frumm that coined the phrase “axis of evil?”
“Gentlemen, no fighting in the War Room!”
We’ve got to bomb them!
They’re trying to steal our vital bodily fluids!
Herschel @ 123
Turgidson was more than a bit odd, in my opinion: he was both stupid and corrupt. Let’s see, can we think of a current analog? My vote would be for Petraeus, who failed in his first mission in Iraq and now does not seem to understand the ethical difficulty inherent in appearing on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show.