Dick Durbin made an important point with The Beard this morning:
BLITZER: Several Republicans, who are concerned about the war in Iraq, have suggested that you, the Democratic leadership in the Senate, you and Harry Reid, the majority leader, are more interested in political theater than in substantive policy. That’s why you stapled that all-nighter this past week. I want you to listen to what the number two Republican in the Senate, Trent Lott, said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. TRENT LOTT, R-MISS.: Now, the Senate is spiraling into the ground to a degree that I have never seen before. And I’ve been here a long time. All modicum of courtesy is going out the window.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: What do you say to the criticism that you were more interested in scoring political points than in trying to forge some sort of bipartisan, cooperative legislation, finding a middle ground, if you will?
DURBIN: As a result of the work this week, an all-night session, a sleepless night for senators — and I might remind the listeners that our soldiers and their families spend many sleepless nights. But after one sleepless night, we went from two Republicans supporting our position to four. We need 11.
Well after you get done with the belly laughs about Republicans who are “concerned with the war in Iraq” managing to get the words “political theater” out of their mouths without their heads exploding in giant balls of flame, it’s important to remember that things shifted as a result of last week’s sleepless night. The GOP’s fantasy of endless war and permanent majority are evidently not compatible, and we’re entering “every man for himself” territory.
Levin/Reed may have had its political purpose but even if it had passed it was not enough, not by a long shot. The advantage is clearly on the side of the war’s opponents and those willing to press that advantage.
Harry Reid should be thinking about more pajama parties.
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WOOF!
JANE!
i’m here!
zed?
almost…. JANE! #3 woo hoo lol
And I’ve been here a long time. All modicum of courtesy is going out the window.
Cause and effect?
I read the latest Harry Potter yesterday and did little else, but has anyone commented on DeFazio being denied access to examine the White House plan for running the government after a terrorist attack?
Point me to a better thread if this has been discussed to death…
Eureka math suggests five more nights ought to do it.
What’s more, Levin-Reed is now the only game in town. By pulling the defense authorization bill, Reid also took away the GOP’s chance to tack on tacky bogus amendments like Warner-Lugar and the Salazar Distraction.
Now the GOP “mavericks” must either vote for withdrawal, or admit that they’re Bush’s cabana boys and girls. They don’t have any fake-withdrawal legislation to use as CYA.
sometimes (more, i think, than is commonly acknowledged) the politically wise choice is also the moral choice.
more please.
Barf!Katie was NOT happy about putting on those pjs but she was quite stoic about it. She considers it her part to end the war.
Whozat poodle?
… and yes, Jane, more all-nite Senate sessions. Why not make the GOP filibuster Russ Feingold’s censure motion, to start? I’d like to hear those up for re-election in 2008 defend their President against an historic and well-deserved censure.
This sixty-vote collegiality must end now. Up-or-down votes on everything!
Phoenix Woman @ 9
Specter’s hissy fit about this was a thing of beauty!
Phoenix Woman @ 9
Log Cabana Boys?
Is that Kobe in his jammies?
oops.
Oh well, don’t have quick enough reflexes here.
Can’t stay now, but my love to you Jane, and to all Firepups.
Even though there’s often no time for me to hang out in the comment threads, please know that I still read the main postings always, and as many of the comments as I can get to, and that you all give me courage in these very, very scary times.
Thank you again for that! Hope all is well with you, Jane, and all the Pups too (both your canine pups, and all the blog Pups).
Is Nancy Pelosi a freakin’ GENIUS?
{{{{{{{{{{Jane!}}}}}}}}}}
There should be a Senate Pajama party at least weekly throughout August. And maybe two per week.
Just to keep ‘em on their toes mind you. Nothing sinister.
Jane Hamsher @ 12
she’s got that “kimono my house” look
TeddySanFran @ 13
Yes! Webb’s bill too.
the nerve! trent lott talking of courtesy? after all the shit repugs pulled when THEY were running t’ings… un be lieveable!
Lou Costello @ 18
it’s my heartfelt desire
Jane Hamsher @ 12
My two canine ambassadors wear sparkly red (they didn’t have blue, whatcanIsay?) puff star collars with gold bells on the ends. They look as though their court jester hats got pulled down around their ears – and after the first 50 or so children mobbed them with pats and treats, they learned to LUV those outfits! Stuff the pajama pockets with a few biscuits, Jane! Definitely deserves a Medal of Honor!
I still find the Hartford Courant’s editorial on Thursday quite remarkable. As the lede said, it may have been a stunt bu it was a quite effective stunt. And calling HoJo a delusional war-monger in the second paragraph was truly an inspiring moment.
Never seen before? Where’s he been for the first six years of life under the Bushinistas? Not to mention the shameless filibusters and other underhanded parlimentary shenanigans the Republicans have pulled over the last few months. Has Lott no shame?
Loo Hoo. @ 16
Don’t be ridiculous. He sleeps in the nude.
Jane Hamsher @ 12
And then she gets her pic in that ridiculous outfit posted all over the Toobz. That’s quite a sacrifice for the cause.
Evenin’ all…
some other george (formerly curiousgeorge) @ 26
The only reason he hasn’t seen it is because he can’t look into a mirror! Too bad dog wee would melt him. Hike a leg for your country!
Katie with pajamas has now become an immortal part of my desktop. I would submit it to cuteoverload but it’s jane’s intellectual proppitty. I think she should, tho.
Durbin also had very favorable things to say about Feingold’s censure proposal — since Durbin came on about an hour later than Reid, it suggests the leadership has not talked through their reaction to Feingold — which also suggests Feingold may have blindsided them again.
juslin @ 22
ole Trent is still a couple of balusters short of a full porch.
althespook @ 31
Be my guest, the more Katie, the better.
I thought Reid held his own fairly well with Schieffer this morning, with the exception of his seeming support for military action in Pakistan.
punaise @ 33
Watch the first couple of steps!
Scarecrow @ 32
Feingold said the motion was not yet written this morning, iirc, at dkos.
Scarecrow @ 36
isn’t it the last one that gets ya?
some other george (formerly curiousgeorge) @ 26
No he doesn’t. You have to remember, Lott’s BFF was Strom Thurmond. The low point of the Senate may have been Thurmond et al preventing passage of anti-lynch laws and civil rights legislation. To Trent Lott, those were the good old days.
Scarecrow @ 32
Here’s what I sent Feingold on censure-
It’s a very bad idea for two reasons:
1. It gives an easy out to Rs.
2. It takes precious time away from what you should be doing-impeach.
musicsleuth @ 7
It should have its own blog: Another ‘False Flag’ Red Flag?!?
*my punctuation
Steve-AR @ 39
Well, it’s a scream in more ways than one listening to the Republicans bemoan the loss of civility in the Senate, and the House.
Jane Hamsher @ 34
done. have also put her on facebook. she will now need an agent. and an entourage.
eCAHNomics @ 40
If I thought it would pass I would agree with you.. At this time I think it needs to be used along with things like the Webb amendment to keep pressure and focus on out troops and the lawless executive branch..
None of this matters if they are indeed about to take the month of August in recess.
eCAHNomics @ 40
Your second response is the one I suspect Feingold is hoping for. He knows impeachment is warranted; just wants to hear others say it. wrt the first, virtually no Republican is going to vote for it, which means that if it ever comes to a vote (or a vote on cloture), the Republicans will once again be forced to vote to support the President against underlying positions with which a majority of Americans agree — Bush/Cheney did mislead us into war and they’ve undermined rule of law.
I think of the Feingold maneuver as analogous to Harry Reid’s move to end discussion of the appropriations bill — it cuts off any ability of the Republicans to untie themselves from Bush — and that’s why David Brooks was practically in tears this morning on MTP about how awful Reid and Feingold were in not letting the Republican’s vote for a “bipartisan consensus” on Iraq. Boo hoo.
Eureka Springs @ 44
Dare we hope that Reid has put the Recess Appointment Intercepter in place like he did over the last major recess?
Was Reid asked about his recess plans on this morning’s program? He does have a plan for recess, doesn’t he? Any appointments made in August will last until W leaves office, practically (end of this Congress).
If Rs aren’t going to vote for censure, why waste time on it? Under that hypothesis it makes NO sense to do censure instead of going straight for impeachment.
Appointment intercepter?
WRT August recess.
I think it doesn’t matter what Reid does. I think W is in such contempt of Congress, that he’d declare a weekend was a recess & appoint whoever the hell he wanted. Besides, he’s probably been doing this all along. How would we know, since he wouldn’t announce it.
TeddySanFran @ 47
Does that include Attorney General?
and would Bush — at this point — replace Gonzales if he could get away with no confirmation hearings on the replacement AG?
Bur DavidBooksFredHiattTonySnow says
HARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREID
HARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREID
HARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREIDHARRYREID
so it must all be Reid’s fault.
eCAHNomics @ 48
The same argument applies to Reed-Levin — enough Republicans didn’t vote for that either, but the point was to make them vote against it (or cloture) — and we applauded that. Why doesn’t the same argument apply here. Make the Republicans vote in ways that say “we don’t think what the President has done wrt to the war or the rule of law deserve condemnation.” Let them wear it in 2008.
And if, as your reaction provides, folks say, no, not censure, they deserve impeachment! and the media pick that up? How is this a bad move?
A driveby before I have to drive to Seward – the kids are having car problems down there after a kayak trip out in the Gulf of Alaska.
I watched the all-nighter on C-SPAN or whatever was covering it, and blogged here. I learned a lot, and was glad to have friends here with whom I could compare impressions.
Levin puts a happy face on how it went, and he’s right that they gained two votes. Had they gone with the Webb amendment they would have picked up four or five, and scored dozens of sound bites to bite Republicans in the fall of 2008. It might have even passed, which would have changed the whole narrative of war discussion in the days since.
The Webb Amendment, Senators. Duh!!!
Anyone wishing to see Katie in all her glory at Facebook, here is linky.
Forget all the naysayers…the whole Senate while you’re at it. Try this:
Conyers: 3 More Congress Members and I’ll Impeach
Once the hearings get started everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, will fall in line to be the first to say : “I was for IMPEACHMENT before I was against it!” Believe it.
If Rs aren’t going to vote for censure, why waste time on it? Under that hypothesis it makes NO sense to do censure instead of going straight for impeachment.
Perfect subject for a pajama party. Do another all nighter and have all the republicans explain why they think it’s a good thing that Bush disregards laws and starts wars based on cooked intelligence. Be great material for election ‘08.
althespook – what odds would you give that three more congresscritters will join the impeachment of Cheney bill and get it going. Would that not force the cancelation of August vacations at least in the house?
SEN. TRENT LOTT, R-MISS.: Now, the
SenateRepublican Party is spiraling into the ground to a degree that I have never seen before. And I’ve been here a long time. All modicum ofcourtesydecency or competency is going out the window.Fixed your boo-boo, there, Trent.
Loo Hoo. @ 57
Ding!
Sorry, I meant Durbin, not Levin…
Elliott @ 51
Let your imagination run wild as to who else will be replaced by political hacks at DOJ.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/….._0721.html
Elliott @ 51
The only precedent I see here for a Cabinet appointment is Lawrence Eagleburger as SecState by GHWB. This was to make an “acting” since August the actual Secretary from 12/8/92 until Bush left office on 1/20/93.
So, yes.
Lou Costello, I won’t bother calling Darrell Issa. I just feel like maybe we should focus on reps that may be sitting on the fence and are persuadable.
Scarecrow @ 53
Not like Reed-Levin. That proposes something useful for the troops. Censure is impeachment lite. No benefit.
Evening Jane, poodles, et al…
Democrat-organized pajama parties mean progress. The GOP has been the slumber party. Asleep at the wheel. Let’s wheel out the cots again, Harry, and change another seven minds.
Lou @ 56
Do you know the exact name/# for the bill we’re asking Congress to sign onto?
OT..The third part of a short series on Inherent Contempt is posted at Jeralyn’s blog.
http://www.talkleft.com/
I think the House should cite Meirs ASAP. IMHO, I think the people commenting on the use of Inherent Contempt are naive to think that Scalia will remain consistent with his opinion in Young v. US. The Federal Court and/or SCOTUS will not allow it. Pelosi and Reid need to confront the WH in the Federal Courts now; we need to know if we have gone over the cliff.
eCAHNomics @ 62
Gonzales really is a revolting creature
Big day tomorrow ~ We Will Sit In for Impeachment
Cindy Sheehan to Lead March for Impeachment, Arlington to Capitol Hill, July 23rd
Congressional Campaign Announcement Possible
Another reason I would like to see Censure up for a vote is so we have an update on which Dem-wits need pressure/prep for the real McCoy, impeachment.
Years ago, a former Senator (Alan Simpson?) said that Congress had lost much of collegiality. Instead of colleagues you could have a beer with after an acrimonious debate, the newer members were more likely to be Steely Eyed Hit-men.
Now that Republicans have poisoned the well of comity and filled the Democrats with a furious resolve, the GOoPers and their apologists have a new found love of bi-partisanship.
All I can say to these delicate Republicans on their fainting couches —
You can stick it where the sun don’t shine . . .
TeddySanFran @ 63
that’s a great link, I never would have looked there, wiki.
We’re gonna get together tonight, tonight
Tell everybody that the time is right!
Just after eight, we’ll congregate
Pajama party tonight!
Gonna get together and dance all night
And do some talkin’ while the moon is bright!
So get your date and don’t be late
Pajama party tonight!
Don’t you know it’s the latest craze?
Having a party in your PJs!
newspaperbrat @ 58
NPB, i worked this story all morning. the problem is, the comment was made in some closed setting in california about a week ago, and reported second hand on a talk radio program by the guy who bought cindy sheehan’s ranch. As of this time, I don’t know if it is even a real thing or not.
Also we do not know the following:
a) is conyers talking about cheney or boosh? or both?
b) does he mean sponsors of the impeach cheney bill? does he mean members of the JC?
There are too many questions right now to attempt meaningful speculation.
I agree with Elliot at 69.
Rick DeVille @ 66
Rick, that is a lovely meme, right in there with the msm system.
Pajama Parties For Progress
Slumber Parties For Those Asleep On Watch
spread the word. make signs! this is just another excellent way to spread the word in an easy to comprehend way.
eCAHNomics @ 67
This can be done! ~ H Res 333
I believe teh Repugs should be made ot fillibuster EVERY bill they don’t like. Let ‘em stand up and say why they’re against airport workers unionizing, higher pay for the military, children’s health,
and so on.
Lou @ 78
Many thanks. Which is better: call or email? Maloney’s mine in the city & she’s useless, but Hinchey where my country house is, is pretty progressive, so I have some hope.
Fozzetti @ 79
They already are. It’s the R plan to tie Congress in knots & blame thedo-nothing Ds.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/7/22/18455/8324
eCAHNomics @ 81
I’m thinking the meaning is to force them into a trad filibuster on everything, not just the procedural one. Make them actually state their case as to why they’re against everything.
Does Reid have the b*lls for this?
eCAHNomics @ 83
I’m thinking we can give ‘em to him ;})
1) Solid and right on Ms. Hamsher!
2) PW@#9-RIGHT ON!!! Once that was explained, forget if it was in here or elsewhere, once it ’splained to me, I got it. I love it!
3) Lou C@18-that’s a heck of a read . . . think it was parody or heartfelt? Hard to tell anymore. I’d LOVE to believe that this is a continuation of Fitz all along . . . and the off the table was a ruse.
Hope springs eternal for the Republic? I hope so.
dakine
Just you & me? Could be the most intelligent comments thread ever!
Hellolololololo
Echoing in an empty room.
How long will the Congress be on vacation next month?
On the Katie matter:
I would love it if as many FDL’ers as would like to would send me on facebook (or post as a link to an image here as a comment) a picture of their pet(s). Any patriotic garb optional. Comments on the pix necessary as my animal telepathy is on the blink.
I’ll put them on my FDL Pets Photo Album and everyone who wants can view them!
Our pets want progressive politics too!
Lou Costello @ 56
Back in the Nixon H2O-gate era, the House and Senate still has some Republicans who had integrity and cared about the Rule of Law.
Those days are long gone. I think the recent events such as the WH saying they are above the law and refusing to let Fasio see the plans for marshall law are a strong indicator that the WH couldn’t give a shit about impeachment. We need to throw sand in the gears of the WH but impeachment isn’t it.
eCAHNomics @ 86
We are experiencing a “Potter Drought”. It was worse this morning. Far too many FDL’ers are also Potterites or whatever they call themselves. Me, I was a DM for fifteen years. I have characters who could eat Hogwort’s for lunch, and they’re not from Monty Haul campaigns either. So I’ve just never found it appealing.
That said, there is some lovely snark in those books that goes right over the kids’ heads. I suspect this is a major component in the series’ popularity overall.
eCAHNomics @ 87
It does get a tad slow on sunday eve
dakine01 @ 91
are you suggesting people have lives outside of fdl?
althespook @ 93
what’s this??
eCAHNomics @ 87
Nice reverb you’ve got there.
althespook @ 91
I finished the book. It was good.
Steve-AR @ 90
I don’t agree, we need impeachment and we need it now!
my bold
DM?
8.3 million HP books sold in U.S. on first day & NYT won’t put it on the best sellers list because it’s a kid’s book.
HP stuff bores me to tears, but it’s in the ether, ya know.
eCAHNomics @ 80
eCAHNomics @ 87
Sorry about that e. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Call if you have the time. Email could be more descriptive. Send a YouTube video to the CNN debate. Hell, photo copy your butt and mail it to them if they don’t get on board. *wink
cleter @ 95
I gave in and read the epilogue or whatever when i was standing in line at Best Buy saturday morning. At walmart earlier, they had a big table of them set up and I reached down to pick one up and the stern, matronly lady said, “If you pick up the book you buy it. No exceptions.” I snatched my hand back and left in high dudgeon.
We need more late night filibusters but on weekends. This way more people have the chance to see Republicans bloc important issues and the lame reasons why they do it.
Plus the GOP is behind on fundraising compared to the Democrats missing weekend fundraisers will hurt them more than us!
Trent Lott suggests the Senate lacks comity? Trent is a funny guy. If the GOP had gotten its way and taken away the filibuster last year the GOP would be able to do nothing to stop Reed. Trent should be grateful for the oppertunity to filibuster.
I would like to see the next filibuster be about getting the 9/11 Commision Recomandations adopted. Rudy would freak, we could demand GOP leaders denounce Ann Coulter’s remarks about the 9/11 Widows, and call out Tweety for having her on his show.
By doing this we put the GOP and Bush on the defensive on terroism. All while America watches the highlights.
Impeachment first. And then imprisonment.
althespook @ 75
IIRC the 15 already signed (most recently my Rep. Sam Farr) were on the Kucinich impeach Cheney resolution. I have considerable confidence in Conyers and he has a long record of proceeding quietly and pounces when least expected.
I’m hoping for impeachment, but I’ll take a
censure and a hit to right field….
althespook @ 91
Many well written kids books and cartoons and movies for kids have some snark and jokes that are over the kids heads to get and keep adult interest. Thinking specifically of old WB cartoons with Bugs et al.
That’d be mighty counterproductive, methinks. *g
newspaperbrat @ 102
And I agree. I just want to make sure he really said it as reported. This is too important to run with unverified data.
dakine01 @ 104
Try Shrek. They have a *transgendered* character I believe, the bartender from Shrek 2. And the beautifully hollywoodized take on fairy tales is rich with irony.
I met with my mom’s cousin for lunch. She’s a nurse, so I asked if she had seen Sicko. She had and we began talking about what has happened to our country. I told her about the blogs I read, and that here we have Zennurse and Nequals1. I’m going to e-mail her the info so she can join us once she gets back to Minnesota. She sounded really excited! I’ll also send her information on this:
http://capwiz.com/ram/issues/a…..id=9894001
If you haven’t signed this petition yet, you may want to. (Via Marcy)
i want IMPEACHMENT!! bushco has no love for america – his loyalty belongs to cheeny et al and to hell with the country – he’s made a mess and the smirking chimpy has no remorse!
Good evening dear friends.
Time to press on oh congressmen and senators!
Steve-AR @ 90
Sorry but I have to disagree. My ‘gut’ tells me there’s something in the wind.
Lou Costello @ 41
dakine01 @ 105
I’m thinking it’s to keep the writers into it. Rocky & Bullwinkle were full of adult jokes, some of them way too, um, adult for most adults. I loved the show as a kid, and part of the reason was it stretched my mind trying to understand some of the jokes.
Jane,
I’m trying to imagine you putting that outfit on Katie! Too bad you didn’t video it.
When I read about Russ’ censure proposal I was really disappointed in him. Of course I don’t know the ins and outs of it but it seems like to the Chimperor and Darth censure would be meaningless. Flyspecks on their egos, not worth worrying about.
I am eager to see what transpires with Myers and Bolton and the Contempt of Congress issue. I so hope that Conyers and Sanchez hold their feet (means a whole different thing biblically) to the fire.
TexB @ 110
Welcome back TexB! We want pet pix if you have any. send em to me on facebook. Here’s the gallery so far of FDL Pets.
Listening to the end of the Incan Empire on C-SPAN2. Why is Pissarro never around when you need him?
This one is not a poodle but he is wearing PJ’s.
Elliott @ 97
I am for anything that will stop these people before the first bombs fall on Iran. I guess I am myopic about impeachment. It may be possible to vote articles out of the House but there is no way 17 Republicans will vote to convict.
So what does that accomplish. Impeachment was designed to remove the “bad apple” from the system..it won’t work when the system is subverted, as it is now.
Here’s another one in cute pajamas, who doesn’t seem to like getting dressed for bed.
HAH!! come back to the Lake after a mess of hot, sweaty yard work and HAH!! what a laugh!!
Now, the Senate is spiraling into the ground to a degree that I have never seen before. And I’ve been here a long time. All modicum of courtesy is going out the window.
Damn, I could have skipped buying that yard of manure for the garden had I known Lott was going to be delivering it for free. Tempted to take that last load back for a refund.
What a crock. Lott is the LAST person to make any criticisms of the Senate’s professional ethic, being a bigoted and extremely partisan boor of the first water.
And excuuuuuse me for keeping you awake, you cantankerous old fool wanting for your Aricept.
I remember being awake all night most of 2003 while my stepson was in Iraq, afraid to leave the house during the day that year for fear of missing his phone calls. What I wouldn’t have given to have one all-nighter of debate BEFORE he was forced to ship out.
And I’m sorely tempted to tell my stepson to call you, Senator Lott, at 2 am the next time his Iraq-acquired PTSD gets the best of him.
g’evening, Pups!
How’s every little thing?
Al…I understand why you’d want the Conyers/impeachment/3 more reps thing pinned down better, but is there really any reason we shouldn’t all be constantly hammering our representatives to support H Res 333 anyway?
Speaking of pounding on the ‘critters, what are our potential Issues of the Day for tomorrow? Help me brainstorm here, pups. If we want the congressional Dems to keep up the pressure and turn up the heat, then I think we all need to keep their feet to the fire.
Tomorrow, I plan to contact all my critters, Reid, Pelosi and Conyers vis a vis impeachment. Oh, and I’ll call to thank Dr. McDermott for signing onto H Res 333, since he’s the next district over from me…
Anything else?
Diva
happy happy birthday you eureka you………….and maaaaaaany moooorrrrre……..
i have a habit of calling EVERYONE i know on their birthday and singing happy birthday to them, even on the answering machine…………
my mom says-you are queen for a week, that can be before or after your birthday…..or king…….we only had girls……..
even when grounded, your birthday week was exempt, just ask my sister……..and mom honored that……
king for a week……rule, dude, rule………over all you purvey…….
althespook,
currently my facebook pic is one of my pets. Feel free to use it if you can figure out how to grab it.
Hi, Jane! Big fan here, delurking to tell you I ordered your book and it arrived yesterday. I’m saving it for my vacation next week.
Keep unloading on these bastards!
althespook @ 93
In the early days of the web, there was a saying that life was what happened while
you were waiting for the images to load.
Now life is what happens while you’re waiting for your comment to post.
Funnydiva2002 @ 120
FD, from my standpoint we have limited resources. at this point, impeachment is no longer closure it is self-defense. I reluctantly agree with Lou Costello, “something is in the wind” and it is bad, possibly very very bad. I’m working on getting a blog post up on Pakistan and why it and Afghanistan have perhaps been the real focus of teh WOT all along, but the links are intricate and involve areas I didn’t specialize in during work (I was an EB/Sov guy).
Bottom line, let’s conserve our ammunition and see what these guys throw down. ’cause it’s coming to that I fear. I hope I’m wrong of course…
RevDeb @ 122
I have the technology. your pet is MINE, bwha ha ha ha …. sorry, been watching too much LOTR lately….
dakine01 @ 105
oh yes!! Bugs was and always will be my hero!!
((((((((Bugs))))))))))))
Jane Hamsher @ 12
I was gonna say … she prefers bowties. You can’t sucker any love from that kind of PJs, you know.
Maybe, since you’re talking more PJ parties, you spring for some more ladylike PJs for the poor girl? Something pink and slinky perhaps?
and just sayin’-there is a special place in hell reserved for trent lott……if he isn’t livin’ it already…………
RevDeb @ 122
I can get the image, but I forgot we don’t use FDL handles on FB. Can you email me on fb? i’ll get your fb name from that….
Thanks dmac, Y’all sure are helping me rule over my pervasive B-day melancholy..
eCAHNomics @ 106
depends on da butt…….
Eureka Springs @ 132
Happy Birthday!
althespook @ 126
Sara over at TNH has quite an interesting post about Pakistan and India and Russia and China that is worth a read. Anything in there that you are thinking about?
emptywheel @ 128
Emptywheel in da house! EW, I cannot possibly express my profound respect for you, your dedication, and your incredible blog.
RevDeb @ 134
all of it. sara has dead-centered my concept. great minds or great speculators, but right on the same page. I’d have it written up but we got a rush order today so i’m net riding and commenting at the same time. Until the bad guy browses some more naughty illegal stuff on his cell phone, that is. then I will be very very busy…
Eureka Springs @ 132
because it’s your birthday, you’re melancholy?
dmac @ 130
“Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott’s house — he’s lost his entire house — there’s going to be a fantastic house. And I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch.”
This republican named Mr. Lott.
On the landscape is rather a blot.
We ought to tell Trent
And his friends to get bent
Toss them out, or in jail, there to rot.
althespook @ 126
Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, W sez FU to Congress, and now they won’t let deFazio see the succession plan. Everything’s bad, it’s getting worse very quickly.
But my stock portfolio is doing just fine. Stock market reminds me of peak-o-bubble market.
Trent Lott and David Brooks both seemed real upset that Harry wouldn’t let them have a watered down face saving comprimise. Something they could have gotten in the spring when they held firm and Harry wussed out.
No that Harry has learned comprimise gets him nothing from the GOP, and gets the Left angry at him a lose/lose situation. He seems to have learned you don’t comprimise with bullies.
The bullies seem to miss comprimise now that they need it.
The harder the GOP fights to show their contributors how important it is that the GOP holds enough members in the Senate to sustain a filibuster.
The more they convince the Democratic Senate that there is no comprimise to be had so the GOP is in a sense pushing the Democratic Senate further left. I wonder how long it will take the GOP contributors to figure this out?
oddmommy @ 133
Exactly.
althespook @ 126
I’m hearing you, but I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying “hold your fire” for now?
If so, I’m not sure I think that’s a good idea. We The People have been silent far, far too long, and I think Congress should be reminded daily that there are American People out there watching what they do and how they vote and that soundbites are not going to cut it.
I think Impeachment would be more than worthwhile at this point, even if there aren’t enough votes to convict right now. It seems strange to suggest that, well, we shouldn’t even start because we don’t have the votes when, IMO the investigation itself would be very educational for the less-informed American People, and has every potential to generate the votes needed for conviction. And to force the Repugs to loudly and publicly fly their true colors (=President Uber Alles), which has every potential to mobilize support for progressive challengers in November of ‘08.
Diva
Eureka Springs @ 131
happy birthday, ET.
Here is some CO goodness to add to your uplift:
Snif? Snif?
dmac @ 130
speaking of special places in hell, check out this report of Senator Byrd’s speech on dogfighting. Bless his heart.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..02022.html
eCAHNomics @ 65
I think censure is another form of setup ala Pelosi’s “Off the table..”
If the rethugs think that the Dems only have the sack for a censure than they might commit MORE impeachable offenses..
Maybe the Dem leadership al read “The Art of War” where it suggests that one should only start a fight (impeachment) after the battle is won.. i.e only go forward when the public is WELL behind impeachment.
Look over here…Pakistan and India and Russia oh my!
Just don’t look here: Paymasters of the Iraqi insurgency
Impeach or get out of the way.
Rick DeVille @ 140
Nice!
Ricky, Ricky, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind. Hey, Ricky!
Diva
The votes would come around asthe evidence came out during the proceedings. They’d have to. IIRC, during Clinton, it was run live on the cable news channels. With the public watching all the dirtcome out, members of congress could not dare vote against it.
Millineryman @ 149
my new bumpersticker
This lurker is enjoying the thread, so I expect others are, as well. Good dog. What does Kobe look like? Small black kitten here (going on her 7th week) with a greater capacity to amuse herself than any other I’ve met. The last kitten to grow up here was only interested in figuring out things that were hidden from view, so we had to put tissue paper over the ball-in-a-track toy so that she could figure out where the ball was by sound and motion of the paper, but this one will throw herself into chasing obvious things, like ribbons. What this might possibly have to do with politics, I have no idea.
Pink and slinky, EW? I was thinking something more meta, like these — poodle pajamas, you know?
Ought to buy them for somebody else’s birthday…
I think we chip in for something like this for poor Katie. She’s much less of a tomboy than Jane, you know…
Mojo @ 147
We don’t need any more. We have plenty. We need to impeach now.
Diva at 150: “I used to be disgusted but now I try to be amused…” Still pretty much disgusted with these guys, though. *g*
eCAHNomics @ 156
We don’t need any more. We have plenty. We need to impeach now.
On the other hand, a release of the Phase II Report would be pretty sweet right about now….
Rayne @ 154
Oh no. See, Katie a very girlie, more girlie than Jane (who admittedly isn’t all that girlie, but compared to me…) I saw her utterly transformed when the groomer gave her little bowties two weeks ago. She was positively glowing. So you’ve got to find the poor girl PJs that summon the image of flowers…
emptywheel @ 155
I was thinking something like this, since she really is a DFH like the rest of us.
eCAHNomics @ 151
I agree, it doesn’t make sense to me that the votes have to be there to convict before the trial.
Loo Hoo. @ 64
Send him some poodle poop? (GRIN!)
In a flaming brown bag?
/snark
AK @ 5:39 -
No such thing as “too much LOTR”! ;-)
DB (160) – bwa-hahahaha!!
Probably makes the cut for every day wear! Just needs a side of fluffy bunny slippers and Cheetohs!!
Lou Costello @ 41
No wonder I couldn’t find it…
Thanks!
oddmommy @ 145
oddmommy, I saw part of that. “Hear me! Hear me!” Loved it.
OK. Say there’s impeachment. How is an investigator going to do any better than the committees? Ever since Iran/Contra, these people have effectively used “Don’t recall” and “Out of the loop” to keep anything from happening to them. Where does the process get traction?
dakine01 @ 25
Now it’s long past time to kick him outa the caucus so McConnell can’t go around telling the Beard that one Dem voted with them.
behindthefall @ 166
informing thereby inflaming the public
emptywheel @ 159
Agh. What a challenge. Pink, slinky, floral-y girly, and actually fits a standard poodle.
Might have to crack open the Victoria’s Secret catalog.
eCAHNomics @ 151
Exactly what I was trying to say, eCAHN. Thanks. Congress may have “limited resources” at this point vis a vis what to investigate. But I think we in the blogosphere can safely make a lot of noise with (metaphorical) small arms fire (email/phone calls), while we’re waiting for the Mother of All Battles to crystalize–at which point we get out the (metaphorical) Big Guns: eg: ((Jane!)) ((Marcy)).
Diva
Though I’m not sure we could get 24/7 MSM coverage of proceedings, since there was no blowj*b involved…
eCAHNomics @ 156
Yes..WE do..
I don’t think he was ever elected in the first place and since he (PNAC) stole to White House he has earned his soul the very hottest part of hell..
But, we need to convince about 16 RETHUG Senators to vote Guilty after we get an impeachment passed in he House..
THEY need more.. we DON’T.. :-)
behindthefall @ 153
I will lead from this, because it is also TOTALLY O/T. I have been reading FDL for a couple of months, but mostly lurking, having wandered here via TPM and DKos, and this is now my first stop. Maybe some “old-timers” here (or Christy or Jane) can clue me in. I feel like I am a “pup” without context.
What does “Firedoglake” mean? Where did it come from? I know “bedlam is dreaming of rain” is a song lyric but I’d love to know the “rest of the story.”
You feel like family to me. Thanks for this.
Turkey’s Islamic ruling party wins key election
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s Islamic-rooted ruling party won parliamentary elections by a wide margin Sunday, and the prime minister pledged to safeguard the country’s secular traditions and do whatever the government deems necessary to fight separatist Kurdish rebels.
Here’s a typical FDL party. (for Eureka Springs) Starts out with Jane, you’ll recognize her in the pink, and like this thread it just picks up more and more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlHtlG1vg-E
Happy B-day ES!
Rick DeVille @ 157
Hey, when it’s laugh or go right ’round the twist, I try to laugh, too.
Good thing laughter and disgust are not mutually exclusive. I think the lauging helps me from getting paralyzed by the disgust (and fear).
Diva
behindthefall @ 166
paper trail . . . . whistle blowers . . . . deals made for immunity. . . . a girl can hope.
I love all doggies.
And, Sir Alfred, I will send pix of my own beloved muttlies just as soon as my IS consultant returns from sleep away camp.
“On the 5th Anniversary of the Downing Street Meeting and the same day as a Dem Prez candidates debate in the evening on CNN, Youtube, and Google, July 23, 2007, Cindy Sheehan plans to lead a delegation to Congressman John Conyers’ office in DC to demand impeachment. Ray McGovern will be among those marching to Conyers’ office from Arlington National Cemetery (meeting there just outside the Metro stop at 10 a.m.).”
======================
i know there are a lot of cindy sheehan fans here, so, please explain to me what good she is doing……….i don’t see it, i see it the same as those code pink people sitting in full view in congressional hearings……..
meant to provoke with no solution in the making………..
please explain any other intent in her actions………that’s all i’m seein’ and i don’t think it helps……..seriously, i’m not meaning to demean anyone, just am taking this opportunity to have someone explain it to me………and don’t give me the ’she lost her son’ shit, i lost my brother to the army…….. my mother never got an explanation, and never got over it……….
what is she doing and how is it a good thing?
and by the way, my mom likes her…….i just wanna know what she thinks she is offering to the conversation, i don’t see it as a legitimate dialogue…….histrionics, but no dialogue….sorry, but the message is missing me……..no snark intended, i really want to know what everyone is seeing in joining her cause………i don’t get it…….seems to me she is taking away from the dialogue, same as those fools on camera from code pink………histrionics, where’s the dialogue? she could have a meeting with any senator or rep that she wants just by asking, yet she devotes her time to theater……..what for? i don’t get it, seems to me she is doing it on purpose, when she could be meeting with them in real time, and doing something about it instead of staging theatrics…….don’t get it…….and don’t hate me for my thoughts, just thinking what i would do, i would take advantage of the private meetings, to hell with the staging of bullshit.
behindthefall @ 166
#1 Documents. Don’t think, but frankly have some doubts, that they would not honor document requests in an impeachment investigation. #2 If it looks like Congress is serious, I suspect some witnesses will come forth. But they’ll stay in hiding until it looks liket he ship is really sinking.
FYI, New thread
Funnydiva2002 @ 143
I am saying, carefully, “I smell a trap. Let’s do nothing until we understand it.” This trap-smell won’t last; I and the others on the scent will figure it out within a week or two. Then we can know what to do.
And consider this:
a) we have to impeach cheney first. otherwise we are jumping from the frying pan into the nuclear fire. And when he is impeached he will force chimpy to pardon him just he forced chimpy to commute scooter’s jail time.
b) once we impeach cheney, the bushies can say, “HE was the bad guy, we were innocent victims. See my blog posts at Ravings of A Rational Mind on the Wap00 “Angler series”
c) This is not a catch-22, it just requires careful handling.
d) impeachment is not salvation. I am working on a blog post on that but reality keeps intruding (rude thing). Bottom line, we may be better off waiting to impeach Chimpy until just before he leaves office, to prevent him pardoning everyone. that is the major thing we need to prevent.
Loo Hoo. @ 109
Why, thankee, LooHoo (stammering and blushing). My biggest
fanreader base is a group of wingnut crazy ER nurses and docs who I wouldn’t let touch a maggot. It is so nice when the occasional rational person stops by for a read and some commenting!revdeb @ 177
You posted while I was typing. See me at 180.
A’57 @ 74
Sung to the melody of Feel Like I’m Fixin To Die Rag?
dmac @ 130
After the big flood of ‘97, Trent Lott said the fed govt would be sending ND-Minn some “fahn Mississippi trailers….”
Wonder if those are the same “fahn Mississippi trailers” that are now oozing toxic formaldehyde fumes. I think one of those should be reserved for Loves-Himself-a-Lott.
oddmommy @ 178
Do NOT let them hear you say that. Teenagers are already the ultimate egotists by hormonal/neurotransmitter default. Let’s not make it worse…and really looking forward to the pix.
althespook at 182: Thank you for that welcome burst of clarity. Your outline/strategy has just helped me understand quite a great deal.
And with that, I’m off to meet the mattress. Goodnight all.
althespook @ 182
Thanks Al! Dood, you are just way too suble for me. So subtle that, though I believe in your olfactory capabilities, I have no idea what traps might be set.
But, yes, I agree: Cheny must be neutralized (neutered?) first, or we’re in seriously deep shite.
It would be nice to prevent pardons, but I guess I see dismantling the “Unitary Executive” as an end in itself. And I don’t think that documents can be pardoned. IOW truth would still have a way to come out, albeit without subpoena powers or jail time.
Hope I’m still making sense here…
Diva
Rick DeVille @ 187
thanks for the kind words. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution long ago as part of my dod work. Even though I no longer work there, I still consider myself bound by that oath. My service to fdl and its readers is service in protection of the Constitution.
And lord knows it needs it….
Nequals1 @ 183
Sounds like my cousin, a nurse in the OC land of CA. Can’t bring myself to have an extended conversation with her—it makes me crazy.
eCAHNomics @ 67
H.R. 333 Kucinich’s bill which now has 14 co-sponsors to impeach Cheney.
althespook @ 190
G’night Rick! Sleep the sleep of the Just.
Bless you, Al. It’s an oath worth keeping and a Constitution worth defending. Thanks for helping us all defend it intelligently.
Diva
althespook @ 189
I’m an old former recon Marine…..many, many nights spent in trees along the Ho Chi Minh Trail counting things and calling in Stingray missions.
I’ve never felt more certain in my bones than i do now that something is coming that no one is prepared for.
What do we do, as a people, when the people who are supposed to be beholden to the people refuse to yield? What if there are articles of impeachment voted and the bad guys hunker down?
I know, at least i hope i know, American troops won’t fire on American people, but then I remember Kent State, Jackson State, the talk I heard among guys i was in Nam with hoping that we’d be sent home to go after Panthers!!!! It was at that point I knew to keep my distance from some guys.
Blackwater and other merc companies employ foreigners who take orders from Blackwater. How many former spetsnaz troopers are in BW’s employ with Russian commanders? Or former DINA agents with Argentine commanders?
What do you envision in a situation like that?
oddmommy at 146
thanks, i bookmarked the article………cock fights occur around here, there are those that think it is ok……….and those that don’t………
dmac @ 179
I just want Cindy to say “IMPEACHMENT” and “ILLEGAL OCCUPATION” as many times as possible. I’ve got nuthin’ against Nancy but as was said here earlier: “IMPEACH or GET OUT OF THE WAY!”
diva @188:
Do you remember the “Brooks Brothers Rioters” that effectively prevented the recount in florida which would have forced Jeb and Co to acknowledge the Gore win?
Now imagine we impeach bush, tomorrow. Rush and Hannity and the other hate-mongers scream “It’s Nancy Pelosi’s Coup De Tat! Patriots into the streets! ten million wingnuts march on washington and surround the capital while impeachment is being considered. Many have weapons and the police do nothing about it, they are “peaceful protesters”
The impeachment is sucessful and is announced. The crowd suddenly attacks the Congress and kills many if not all democratic reps. The place burns in the aftermath.
Boosh says “We have to have martial law to protect liberals from patriot wrath! I promise to give back the powers i am now taking up” (remember palpatine from Star Wars). “Heck, Rove and I will personally arrange for special elections to replace all those dead libruls.”
Etc Etc.
Want to know why I can see all this so well? These are the games the Soviet Union used to play in Eastern Europe and other places. I don’t refer to Rove as Zampolit Karlosivitch Roveski for nothing.
And this is just a simple example. The vile minds at the WH and in the Bush Crime Family have been at this far longer, and thus are way ahead of us.
So was Nixon. And like him, they have miscalculated. The trick is to get them to drop their “weapon” (Planned atrocity) before things go too far.
and oddmommy–i used to work for the phone company, outside. and twice i reported people for dogs that fight……..but i had to wait a few weeks so they wouldn’t know who reported them……as a phone company employee i wasn’t allowed……..i also reported people to children’s services, but again had to wait a few agonizing weeks to do it…….so they wouldn’t know who reported them………i saw it all, but had to tread a fine line……..
james @ 193
AFAIK, none of those units are on American soil. they are used overseas exclusively. Mind you, I don’t trust Blackwater but I have yet to see it as a major threat for one reason, it just doesn’t have the people or the heavy weapons.
Remember the problems you had fighting in urban environments then? Blackwater has little better equipment than you did, and the US is much worse because a) we are heavily armed with weapons that can take out infantry (even in flack jackets) and b) we have an infrastructure loaded with lethal stuff. For example, how many propane cylinders are floating around? they make the most effective Fuel Air Bombs I can think of, and such are frighteningly easy to make.
So if Chimpy puts Blackwater Mercs in the streets and they do anything but stand around looking dangerous, expect them to get eaten alive. And they won’t have armor, it’s all in Iraq.
Please see my post at 196 for my take. And watch out for my posts on Ravings about “soft fascism” and “The Warm And Fuzzy Police State”.
Bottom line, BW isn’t our problem. It’s more dangerous and more subtly evil than that.
Spooky Al at 197
Thanks for being patient with me. As someone who loathes that sort of twisted manipulation in everyday life, I’d never have even dreamed up that scenario. But I’ve been reading your comments for quite awhile now. Your credibility makes your explanation incredibly chilling.
Anyway, I think it’s obvious why I’m a scientist and singer rather than a spook!
Diva
“who stole my country?” indeed.
href=”#comment-840500″>dmac @ 198
Bless you, dmac. For doing the right thing, and for protecting yourself so you could continue to do so.
Diva
Funnydiva2002 @ 199
FD, I do what *I* do so that people like you can live in the glorious beauty of what this country wants to be and so often is.
Let’s dial it down to the local level. we all know there are bad people in even the nicest community. But most citizens never meet them, never have to hunt them down and think like they do to protect their potential victims. Why? we hire professionals to do that. They’re called policemen.
So just think of me as a political/geopolitical policeman and everything is fine.
And please continue your art and science, for me if for nothing else. Think of it as my “fee” for my hard work. :)
All I know is I think I know how Cindy feels…like Mugatu!
I was going to suggest that we could just wear pajammie tops to work… but, after Emptywheel’s suggestion for Katy…. maybe not.
I think it would look great on Katy in blue though! Deep V-neck with a “stain” on it….. just to recall why we impeach Presidents…. and how they’ve really blown us all off just one (gazillion) to many times.
I agree that they should wear these pubs out. Show us your fillibustery selves. Bring it. Let the short sheeting commence!!! ;-)
althespook @ 202
Deal, Spooky. Thanks for doing what you do, so I can do what I do.
Diva
Strength through Diversity.
Myrtle June @ 204
Careful on the “deep V-neck.” Don’t want to have too much cleavage, now do we? the MSM might get all a twitter.
RevDeb @ 206
Well, they show some real progress upwards from codpiece crotches to cleavage. Can’t wait till they start talking about actual cranium contents! Won’t that be a banner day! :-)
AK, if you’re still lurking here, thanks.
I’m already stockpiling things and remembering things I didn’t know I remembered against when it might come in handy.
So did Sen. Lott keep his eyes shut throughout 1998?
emptywheel @ 155
Are you sure that’s for Katie & not Jane????
dmac @ 198
it is wonderful that you did what you could. I hate to think what you must have seen.
Of all the evil that goes on in this world, anyone who causes suffering to children and animals is, in my opinion, the lowest form of life that walks the earth.
james @ 208
There are plenty of other reasons to do that, james, even if there is no political storm. A hurricane, a blizzard or ice storm, an earthquake, a pandemic…our government is no longer able to assist us having been attacked from within. We are on our own, no longer having our government of, by and for the people to protect ourselves with any longer.
Stockpile away. I’m doing the same, lots of dried beans, peas, canned goods in rotation; shopping for a water purification system now, too. Already have a generator purchased for Y2K, need to lay in some firewood. And I’m printing plans for DIY mini-turbines and solar collectors, too. Can’t hurt, might help.
james @ 207
spread the word james. this crap is coming at us a lot faster than i thought it would.
Remember above all, NO VIOLENCE. until they start it. then it is a matter of individual conscience.
I’ve been at the firing range daily with my glocks and my winchesters. I and my dad and my family here will pay our ferryman’s fee….
mauimom @ 209
If I’m not mistaken (remember, we were roomies for 6 weeks) what we’re looking at ARE Jane’s PJs. I’m just saying that Katie’s more girlie than Jane. So no, I’m thinking of them for Katie, not Jane.
emptywheel @ 213
Pardon a poor confused male here (who’s only interest in lingerie is to remove it quickly) but how could katie wear that?
althespook @ 214
Dogs will wear whatever suits their style!
McCaffrey the MilleniaLab has a swell “bling” bone on mardi gras beads that he loves to show off when we have company. He’s happy to wear tuff t-shirts too. Kind of the cut-sleeve ones, though. I think he’d even wear slinky pink if he could be assured that none of the neighborhood big boy dogs would see him in it.
emptywheel @ 215
Emptywheel, you’re a treasure.
emptywheel @ 216
My dog (half Golden Retriever, half muy macho Lab) will proudly wear whatever you put on him. In fact, he acts hurt if you take it off him before he’s gotten it all muddy and disgusting. (He has to wear orange all hunting season.)
(update to remove bogus quoting)
oddmommy at 211-
thanks, it was a hard one……..we weren’t allowed to ‘report’ anyone, could be fired for it…….so i had to wait, and call anonymously…..was hard……..had to draw a line on what really called for a phone call or not………horrendous things, and had to sit and wait and worry about them…….the things that hung on my mind were the ones that i knew i had to face and call about…….then you got the people on the phone that wanted a name, and i couldn’t give them one……..i hoped that they pursued it anyway………because i was telling them the truth……
what bothered me most was my coworkers, who never saw why they should involve themselves……..they were told not to, and that was it.
i never saw it that way.
emptywheel @ 214
Yeah those ARE my DFH pjs. And I love them.
Jane Hamsher @ 219
No insult intended, I hope you realize. It’s just that I’ve never seen you reveling in little blue bows in your hair. Katie’s more girlie than you.
You might try these DFH PJs on Lucy, though…
8-)
here’s a stark difference
The war is the single most important issue facing the country at the moment. I really don’t see how Sen. Reid could have the senate out of session during August while our troops sits in 120 degree heat in Iraq. Besides we do need to have some grown ups in Washington, a lot could happen in a month.
Does Trent Lott define “courtesy” as cowering in the corner and letting him and his bulshevit buddies do whatever the hell they want? Or does he really just need a massive infusion of ginko biloba to help with his his uber convenient short term memory deficit?
Good stuff, Jane. I liked that: “It’s gonna be every man for himself.” :o)
And speaking of temps, if you’re a republican warmpimp, the Long Hot Summer is going to last about 16 months, and by the time “fall” gets here, you’ll be able to weld carbon steel with the political heat that’s gonna be directed at republican asses. :o)