hi

another?

hi

Hey Christy

A pause from typing poison pen letters (is that even possible?), I have been raining invective on anyone I can hold even remotely responsible for last night’s debacle.

Nicely written … thanks

That is good news, I wish we had know it during the hotly debated post by Pachacutec yesterday evening.

I just posted the last part of the transcript of Howard Dean’s keynote address here.

I don’t think that’s quite correct. Didn’t Blue America endorse Webb in VA and Chris Carney in PA-10?

My memory isn’t what it used to be , but I thought that was the case.

Hi

Anybody have the final bill number so we can look up whether or not our particular Congresscritter betrayed America?

It’s good to know who will have the courage of their convictions, and vote them. Its sad to see the twisted mathematics of politics as usual rise to the surface again, but as these folks learn that the netroots will not be distracted by shiny object and flattering words, we shall see if they listen or remain tone deaf.

F?

EPU’d, but I felt it worth stating it again:

Mad Dogs @ 147

Democrats hear us ROAR!

We, the People, want Confrontation with the evil that is this administration, not Cowardice in the face of their fear-mongering!

Confrontation! NOT Cowardice!

raven at 7 — Haven’t seen Pach’s post. It’s all I can do to pour enough coffee into my exhausted self, finish posts for today and get packed and to the airport. I went to sleep early after spending the day haggling with people on the damn phone and doing panels.

btw, C-Span filmed our Hot Topics panel yesterday — it was me, Digby, Taylor Marsh, Jonathon Singer and James Marsh — no idea when it will be on, but I did manage a big spewing rant about the FISA bill during the panel. *g* (I know that will come as a shock to everyone…)

dratty @ 9

I don’t think that’s quite correct. Didn’t Blue America endorse Webb in VA and Chris Carney in PA-10?

My memory isn’t what it used to be , but I thought that was the case.

From Blue America:

James Webb

* See who’s raising
* Go to website

Raised across ActBlue: 51 13,855

dratty at 9 — Re-read the post. I said the Blue America candidates that have been endorsed for this year. Howie is weeding out endorsements based on behavior and you’ll note if you look at our list that several people have failed to make the cut thus far — and after this week, won’t be making it at all. Period.

NPR’s interpretation:
Ds caved on FISA to get other items in their agenda, but the headline this morning is all FISA.

Yep.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 14

raven at 7 — Haven’t seen Pach’s post. It’s all I can do to pour enough coffee into my exhausted self, finish posts for today and get packed and to the airport. I went to sleep early after spending the day haggling with people on the damn phone and doing panels.

btw, C-Span filmed our Hot Topics panel yesterday — it was me, Digby, Taylor Marsh, Jonathon Singer and James Marsh — no idea when it will be on, but I did manage a big spewing rant about the FISA bill during the panel. *g* (I know that will come as a shock to everyone…)

I’ll bet you are tired! Some folks expressed so much anger it came out as surrender and Pach pretty much said FDL was for fighters not quitters.

Never mind.. I found the roll call
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll836.xml

Interesting, my critter, Davis CA-53 actually did the right thing and voted against it. Kudos, I guess.

many, many thanks to howie!

one thing that really bothers me about how the vote went down yesterday was that it only took a simple majority to pass (unlike the “dems version” on friday which had a 2/3 vote requirement to pass).

i think this was done to allow most of the dems to vote “no” and have the bill pass. if the leadership had wanted to block, the bill would have been voted on under the same conditions as friday’s vote. then a “no” vote would have really meant something.

so much kabuki makes it hard to see what’s going down. and i think they want it that way.

Right wing slug fest on ABC.

raven @ 7

That is good news, I wish we had know it during the hotly debated post by Pachacutec yesterday evening.

that wasn’t about blue america.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 14

raven at 7 — Haven’t seen Pach’s post. It’s all I can do to pour enough coffee into my exhausted self, finish posts for today and get packed and to the airport. I went to sleep early after spending the day haggling with people on the damn phone and doing panels.

btw, C-Span filmed our Hot Topics panel yesterday — it was me, Digby, Taylor Marsh, Jonathon Singer and James Marsh — no idea when it will be on, but I did manage a big spewing rant about the FISA bill during the panel. *g* (I know that will come as a shock to everyone…)

I hope you got your hair to cooperate then if you got filmed for teevee. *g*

Interestingly upbeat assessment of the Dem Congress at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200…..6aC98E1vAI (Reuters)

Blub @ 10

Hi

Anybody have the final bill number so we can look up whether or not our particular Congresscritter betrayed America?

I’d like to find a list of all members of Congress, House and Senate, and how they voted, for or against.

Nice try at making chicken shit into chicken salad.

IT’S STILL CHICKEN SHIT!

Meanwhile elsewhere in BushWorld . . .Iraq is Just So Gay!

Good deal. It’s like weeding a garden I guess. Just when you think you got all those little suckers,one or two will come back. The trick is to not let ‘em go to seed.

selise @ 22

raven @ 7

That is good news, I wish we had know it during the hotly debated post by Pachacutec yesterday evening.

that wasn’t about blue america.

Ya’ll got me confused up in here, I thought “Act Blue” was the funding operation of Blue America?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 16

dratty at 9 — Re-read the post. I said the Blue America candidates that have been endorsed for this year. Howie is weeding out endorsements based on behavior and you’ll note if you look at our list that several people have failed to make the cut thus far — and after this week, won’t be making it at all. Period.

Could someone repeat the link for the list that shows who’s still on & who’s been cut. It doesn’t seem to show up on my computer, or I’m too dumb to find it.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 16

dratty at 9 — Re-read the post. I said the Blue America candidates that have been endorsed for this year. Howie is weeding out endorsements based on behavior and you’ll note if you look at our list that several people have failed to make the cut thus far — and after this week, won’t be making it at all. Period.

Christy – I know you’re busy and I did re-read the post. Now you’re a lawyer as am I, and I think that we can agree that the term “Blue America endorsed candidate” is vague at best, especially considering that we are much closer in time to last year’s election than this year’s. This is not to fault Blue America. I just wanted to point out those reps and Sens that let us down.

forgive me for apparantly reading it wrong, but I think after a re-reading that you will agree that it can be taken either way.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 14

It’s all I can do to pour enough coffee into my exhausted self, finish posts for today and get packed and to the airport. I went to sleep early after spending the day haggling with people on the damn phone and doing panels.

take care christy. hope you can catch some sleep on the plane.

Anybody know anything about the two rethugs who crossed the aisle, Johnson (IL) and Jones (NC)? Interesting, Paul didn’t bother to vote. Neither did rethug presidential candidates Tancredo and Hunter. Guess they had to sleep.

dratty @ 30

Christy Hardin Smith @ 16

dratty at 9 — Re-read the post. I said the Blue America candidates that have been endorsed for this year. Howie is weeding out endorsements based on behavior and you’ll note if you look at our list that several people have failed to make the cut thus far — and after this week, won’t be making it at all. Period.

Christy – I know you’re busy and I did re-read the post. Now you’re a lawyer as am I, and I think that we can agree that the term “Blue America endorsed candidate” is vague at best, especially considering that we are much closer in time to last year’s election than this year’s. This is not to fault Blue America. I just wanted to point out those reps and Sens that let us down.

forgive me for apparantly reading it wrong, but I think after a re-reading that you will agree that it can be taken either way.

It’s great that we get lawyers to explain this really hard stuff! :)

selise @ 20

many, many thanks to howie!

one thing that really bothers me about how the vote went down yesterday was that it only took a simple majority to pass (unlike the “dems version” on friday which had a 2/3 vote requirement to pass).

i think this was done to allow most of the dems to vote “no” and have the bill pass. if the leadership had wanted to block, the bill would have been voted on under the same conditions as friday’s vote. then a “no” vote would have really meant something.

so much kabuki makes it hard to see what’s going down. and i think they want it that way.

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

sangemon @ 25

I’d like to find a list of all members of Congress, House and Senate, and how they voted, for or against.

The final rollcall is at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll836.xml

(reposting)

EPU’d and still relevant
Richmond @ 160

looseheadprop @ 150

EG,
I f you are suggesting that Pelosi has reason to believe that the WH would phyically harm Amrican citzens in order to stage a mock Terrorist event–

Then Pelosi had an obligation to blow the whistle. Out loud. And intead of caving in to gutting the constitutiton she could have propsed legilaion to empower a new special prosecutor law.

i think coming on the heels of apress conferenvce outing such a plot, that legislation would pass on unanimous consent.

Therefore, I can’t buy into you theory. It cuts the other way

This is one of the more powerful exchanges I have read here or on any site! It takes us back to Anthrax (and still no findings), 9/11 and Tillman. I am a rationalist and think that there must have been some reason that they thought was viable. But the sham of what they did sticks in the throat. And, I can’t help but think that for far too many it was that they were 1) STILL anxious that they would be labeled back home as soft on terra; 2) sticking to a policy to use this to shovel more blame on the rethugs later (i.e. they did everything they were asked to do and the Preznit and his party still fucked up- the Constitution be damned, as well as our soldiers. And by the way, this is just a prelude for September when they WILL vote to continue th Surge because, well, just because (since there is NO evidence it is working).

Well the “Great Disappointments” played a nice little tune in Washington, when so many powerful voices were in transit from KosCon. Now I have an idea of why they were in such a rush, pushing another dangerous law through late at night, how know what would have happened if there had been more time to rally “We the People” and forced a reflection on what this means to us not them.

dratty at 30 — There should have been a currently in Howie’s post — having read his whole post at DWT, that was his point, but the snippet cuts that too fine. I’m just too tired to have missed it — you’re right. I need more sleep, but won’t be getting any until late tonight when I get home.

Congressman Paul just got a big ovation in the Pub debate for saying we “should just march out of Iraq”! He’s on fire.

Millineryman @ 23

Christy Hardin Smith @ 14

raven at 7 — Haven’t seen Pach’s post. It’s all I can do to pour enough coffee into my exhausted self, finish posts for today and get packed and to the airport. I went to sleep early after spending the day haggling with people on the damn phone and doing panels.

btw, C-Span filmed our Hot Topics panel yesterday — it was me, Digby, Taylor Marsh, Jonathon Singer and James Marsh — no idea when it will be on, but I did manage a big spewing rant about the FISA bill during the panel. *g* (I know that will come as a shock to everyone…)

I hope you got your hair to cooperate then if you got filmed for teevee. *g*

It’ll be fun to watch no matter how ornery her hair may have been, but surely she tamed it.

eCAHN at 29 — Go to the top of the page — there is a Blue America link that takes you directly to the page for 2008 candidates. Top right-hand corner of the blog.

Duncan Hunter “Salvadoran troops are standing side by side with us in Iraq.” What a fucking idiot.

raven @ 28

selise @ 22

that wasn’t about blue america.

Ya’ll got me confused up in here, I thought “Act Blue” was the funding operation of Blue America?

yes… but the conversation wasn’t about blue america or act blue. (if you want to email me or maybe we can go back to that thread? i don’t want to derail this one.

Blub @ 31

Anybody know anything about the two rethugs who crossed the aisle, Johnson (IL) and Jones (NC)? Interesting, Paul didn’t bother to vote. Neither did rethug presidential candidates Tancredo and Hunter. Guess they had to sleep.

I know that Jones has been fed up with Bush for years now. He was the ‘feedom fries’ guy who crossed over on the war and has voted for every timeline bill.

By Steven Thomma
McClatchy Newspapers

CHICAGO — Liberal bloggers booed Hillary Clinton on Saturday when she refused to rule out taking campaign contributions from lobbyists, a rare sore point as she and other Democratic presidential candidates courted the increasingly influential online commentators.

Seven of the eight major Democratic presidential candidates appeared at the second annual YearlyKos Convention, vying to lavish praise on the 1,500 bloggers, whom they said help counter the influence of conservatives at the Fox News Channel and on talk radio. more

raven @ 42

Duncan Hunter “Salvadoran troops are standing side by side with us in Iraq. What a fucking idiot.

…intersting, considering his usual unmitigated hate speech/outright bigotry against people of Latino/Hispanic descent

selise @ 43

raven @ 28

Ya’ll got me confused up in here, I thought “Act Blue” was the funding operation of Blue America?

yes… but the conversation wasn’t about blue america or act blue. (if you want to email me or maybe we can go back to that thread? i don’t want to derail this one.

Aw, it’s cool. I go away.

I am very proud of Chris Murphy of CT. I spent a lot of nights making phone calls for him last Fall, and so far he hasn’t disappointed.

Blub @ 47

raven @ 42

Duncan Hunter “Salvadoran troops are standing side by side with us in Iraq. What a fucking idiot.

…intersting, considering his usual unmitigated hate speech/outright bigotry against people of Latino/Hispanic descent

I guess we aren’t supposed to talk about this right now.

I am not happy with Kerry – a no show (WTF?)

Blub @ 35

sangemon @ 25

I’d like to find a list of all members of Congress, House and Senate, and how they voted, for or against.

The final rollcall is at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll836.xml

(reposting)

Thanks for the repost. I knew my Rep. Henry Waxman would do the right thing. Sens. Boxer & DiFi got faxes from me yesterday on not voting & voting yes, respectively.

Anyone know if there’s a vid somewhere online of Debbie Wasserman Shultz from last night? She really spoke truth to power, even as she was being gaveled down…

raven @ 46

Aw, it’s cool. I go away.

please forgive me if i scared you away! (but somehow, i don’t think you’re one to be scared off by much of anything *g*)

dratty @ 9

I don’t think that’s quite correct. Didn’t Blue America endorse Webb in VA and Chris Carney in PA-10?

My memory isn’t what it used to be , but I thought that was the case.

I think Howie was confing himself to the House. The Webb betrayal has had a lot of play in several comment threads.

OT_ Stephen Parrish has an amazing scoop from Mike Issakopf in the upcomming Newsweek down in EPU zone on the last thread.

It seems that the Admin may have found the a DOJ lawyer who leaked the TSP.

This guy, if he is the guy, is gonna need not only a legal defense fund, a huge legal defense fund, but also amici briefs from serious lawyers.

A person who puts himself and his freedom on the line to save our civl liberties, deserves some support in return.

Richmond @ 50

I am not happy with Kerry – a no show (WTF?)

Yeah! and where was Delahunt???

selise @ 52

raven @ 46

Aw, it’s cool. I go away.

please forgive me if i scared you away! (but somehow, i don’t think you’re one to be scared off by much of anything *g*)

Nah, I just have tendency to go off in different directions and I respect your desire to maintain focus.

That’s right Christy! I’m so pleased that Cong. Tom Allen did NOT vote for this atrocious 4th amendment shredder!

I knew he wouldn’t. Why? Because he saw through the lies originally and did not vote to authorize force against Iraq. Allen is very in tune with what is reality and Constitutional and what is not. He’s a good one, whereas, Susan Collins is a jackboot licking/clicking Bush supporter who doesn’t care about our rights, but rather, she cares only for the rights of George W. Bush and his Band of Cronies and what it is that they want!

Way to go Tom Allen!!!! I knew you’d do the right thing. You’re perfect for Maine and for our country. ;-)

Arca @ 54

Richmond @ 50

I am not happy with Kerry – a no show (WTF?)

Yeah! and where was Delahunt???

Musta been a big weekend on the Cape ;)

dratty @ 44

Blub @ 31

Anybody know anything about the two rethugs who crossed the aisle, Johnson (IL) and Jones (NC)? Interesting, Paul didn’t bother to vote. Neither did rethug presidential candidates Tancredo and Hunter. Guess they had to sleep.

I know that Jones has been fed up with Bush for years now. He was the ‘feedom fries’ guy who crossed over on the war and has voted for every timeline bill.

So, Jones shows it CAN be done … without Rove sending the flying monkeys or wiretapping files out. And you make it sound like Jones managed to get enough money to be re-elected, too?

You know whata kinda nice about this vote is that it lays out in stark terms why Nancy Off The Table Pelosi Took it off the Table. Do you think that the 41 who voted for this really get it, they are the wall we got to go over to get rid of Bush. SO LET’S STRAIGHTEN THEM OUT!!!

Blub @ 10

Hi

Anybody have the final bill number so we can look up whether or not our particular Congresscritter betrayed America?

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll836.xml

eCAHNomics @ 34

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

doesn’t explain why the house didn’t require the supermajority last night on the senate bill (as was done in the senate).

sorry, but that explanation just doesn’t cut it for me. the point is that the bill last night could have been blocked – if the house leadership wanted to block it. they didn’t – but they wanted to let most of the dems vote against it.

two birds, one stone. the bill passes and most house dems can have the cya of having voted “no”.

CHICAGO — One of the hottest moments of today’s Democratic debate occurred when one of the moderators, Matt Bai (a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine), pressed the candidates about a challenge laid down by former North Carolina senator John Edwards.

Here’s part of what Mr. Edwards said: “Now I think my party, the Democratic party, the party of the people, ought to say from this day forward we will never take a dime from these Washington insiders.”

Then it was Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s turn: “Well, well, I think it’s a position that John certainly has taken. Well, I have to say that I don’t, I don’t think based on my 35 years in fighting for what I believe in anybody seriously believes I am going to be influenced by a lobbyist or a particular interest group.”

At that point, the audience booed loudly. And Senator Clinton actually seemed to chuckle a bit — and said, “I’ve been waiting for this” in acknowledgment that she wasn’t necessarily on the top of the blogosphere’s favorite candidates — as people laughed. “It gives us a real sense of reality, my being here.”

“But look, the important thing is what you have fought for and what you will fight for. And I will absolutely be on the front lines of the change that we need. And I think I have a good idea how to bring about that change. I wish it were, I, I, I, you know, anxious to hear the, the exchanges, I wish it were as simple as saying we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that. It’s going to take a grassroots movement. That’s why I’m here today.

“So thank the blogosphere, thank DailyKos. Thank you. For being part of the progressive movement in America. I wish you’d been around in ‘93 and ‘94 when we were trying to get health care up against the drug companies and the insurance companies. So that’s what we need and that’s what were going to have. And I look forward to working with you when I’m the nominee and the president. ” more

Arca @ 54

Yeah! and where was Delahunt???

yeah.. interesting that Lantos and Delahunt both missed the vote.. along with Ron Paul, Virgil “I Hate Islam” Goode and the White Sheets Jamboree Duo (Hunter and Tancredo). Well, I’m happy with my critter (Davis) at least.. I mistrust her because she calls herself a DLCer, but for some reason, she almost always votes progressively.

eCAHNomics @ 34

selise @ 20

many, many thanks to howie!

one thing that really bothers me about how the vote went down yesterday was that it only took a simple majority to pass (unlike the “dems version” on friday which had a 2/3 vote requirement to pass).

i think this was done to allow most of the dems to vote “no” and have the bill pass. if the leadership had wanted to block, the bill would have been voted on under the same conditions as friday’s vote. then a “no” vote would have really meant something.

so much kabuki makes it hard to see what’s going down. and i think they want it that way.

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

They should have forced him to veto.

Marie Roget @ 51

Blub @ 35

The final rollcall is at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll836.xml

(reposting)

Thanks for the repost. I knew my Rep. Henry Waxman would do the right thing. Sens. Boxer & DiFi got faxes from me yesterday on not voting & voting yes, respectively.

Anyone know if there’s a vid somewhere online of Debbie Wasserman Shultz from last night? She really spoke truth to power, even as she was being gaveled down…

I don’t have a link ~ but I’d love to see it.

I am NEVER disappointed with Debbie ~ more like her, please!

Renee in Ohio @ 8

I just posted the last part of the transcript of Howard Dean’s keynote address here.

That’s so awesome, Renee. Thank you!! Now if I could only find transcripts for all the rest of the great stuff I never get to hear. ;)

It’s votes like this one that make me wail into the receiver of my phone,

“I’m not giving you another goddamn dime until you stop bending over backwards to give Bush what he wants at the expense of our freedom!”

when the DSC or DCCC call.

They should be voting out of fear, fear of losing the Constitution. Argh!

Audrey @ 66

Renee in Ohio @ 8

I just posted the last part of the transcript of Howard Dean’s keynote address here.

That’s so awesome, Renee. Thank you!! Now if I could only find transcripts for all the rest of the great stuff I never get to hear. ;)

Thank you, Renee. Was not able to hear it and this is great.

Christy and the other Firepups this morning. Yes, I know it is hard to wake up to this. And we must prepare ourselves for the long war. But my bit of “good news” this morning is that my husband and I called Mike Arcuri yesterday and got through to his staff (a big shout out to Mark and Chris who were manning the phones yesterday on a Saturday because I know there were other Reps who did not have live folks working) and talked them through what was happening (they were not familiar with the legislation, so we had to hammer a bit with them). Mike is a baby – a first timer – fron a district that he had to fight for every vote last fall. And we are located at the ass-end of his district..far away from him home base, which is heavily Repub. We told them to tell Mike to show courage – that his constituents would back him if he was strong on the Constitution, even if he gets slammed for being “soft on terror”. Mike voted no. The only Dem to vote with the Administration was Higgins in the 27th district – which is the Buffalo/Jamestown area. I don’t know if Higgins thinks the terrorists are going to come over Lake Erie or what..

holy cow. meteor blades is calling the dems surrender monkeys on the front page of dkos! calls the dem congressional leadership complicit in “the demolition of constitutional protections”.

Frankly, you epitomize weak. Your every pore exudes feebleness. You are surrender monkeys. And you’ve just casually tossed away a basic protection as if it were a banana peel.

also quotes glenn greenwald calling them self destructive. quotes the church commission. oh heck, just go read it.

wow.

I believe that Jones (R) represents Fort Bragg. I believe that he’s been getting inside scoop for awhile now via SF troops that Iraq is a crock of shit.

Ghostman

Thanks for making that known…I greatly appreciate that this morning! I’m fortunate that my representatives typically vote the correct way,(Kennedy, Kerry, Barney Franks).

dratty @ 57

Arca @ 54

Yeah! and where was Delahunt???

Musta been a big weekend on the Cape ;)

I hope he’s enjoying it, (it is very nice today), but we elected him to vote for us, even if it wouldn’t have made a difference, our voice would be heard.
Maybe he should just stay here and enjoy it and let someone who takes the office seriously represent us.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 41

eCAHN at 29 — Go to the top of the page — there is a Blue America link that takes you directly to the page for 2008 candidates. Top right-hand corner of the blog.

Thanks. I was looking for the link within your post.
I wandered about a bit on ActBlue & found the current list & some historic lists, but did not find a detailing of who had been cut & why. It that’s there, plz excuse my continued ignorance. If it’s not there, could it be added? It’s important for us & for the candidates to know who does not pass the cut.

Ghostman @ 71

I believe that Jones (R) represents Fort Bragg. I believe that he’s been getting inside scoop for awhile now via SF troops that Iraq is a crock of shit.

Ghostman

Good to know.. glad somebody is actually talking ot the troops, even if he is a rethug

emal @ 72

Thanks for making that known…I greatly appreciate that this morning! I’m fortunate that my representatives typically vote the correct way,(Kennedy, Kerry, Barney Franks).

i read that kerry didn’t bother to even vote on this one.

selise @ 62

eCAHNomics @ 34

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

doesn’t explain why the house didn’t require the supermajority last night on the senate bill (as was done in the senate).

sorry, but that explanation just doesn’t cut it for me. the point is that the bill last night could have been blocked – if the house leadership wanted to block it. they didn’t – but they wanted to let most of the dems vote against it.

two birds, one stone. the bill passes and most house dems can have the cya of having voted “no”.

I’ve been thinking about this. Without a “rules” vote to hold against them (like with Alito) we just have to hold the yay votes accountable, anyway. They’ll have to sort it out amongst themselves, who has to ‘pay the price’ so others can get off: that will eventually create bad blood in the ranks. Our job is to hold people accountable, one by one.

fdl reader @ 65

Marie Roget @ 51

Thanks for the repost. I knew my Rep. Henry Waxman would do the right thing. Sens. Boxer & DiFi got faxes from me yesterday on not voting & voting yes, respectively.

Anyone know if there’s a vid somewhere online of Debbie Wasserman Shultz from last night? She really spoke truth to power, even as she was being gaveled down…

I don’t have a link ~ but I’d love to see it.

I am NEVER disappointed with Debbie ~ more like her, please!

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was on fire last night! Gawd that woman makes me jump off my couch with tight fist clenched in the air all the time! She definitely reflects how I feel. Love her for that.

Blub @ 75

Ghostman @ 71

I believe that Jones (R) represents Fort Bragg. I believe that he’s been getting inside scoop for awhile now via SF troops that Iraq is a crock of shit.

Ghostman

Good to know.. glad somebody is actually talking ot the troops, even if he is a rethug

That “talking to the troops” stuff can be really dicey. Ask Leiberman and McCain.

selise @ 77

emal @ 72

Thanks for making that known…I greatly appreciate that this morning! I’m fortunate that my representatives typically vote the correct way,(Kennedy, Kerry, Barney Franks).

i read that kerry didn’t bother to even vote on this one.

Boxer was not there either. Where are all these people when we need them? I intend to ask.

angryoldbroad@27: Love your garden weeding analogy w/regards to the Dems.
Thinking about the repubs, time to till it all under…the pigweed took over the whole bed.

raven @ 7

That is good news, I wish we had know it during the hotly debated post by Pachacutec yesterday evening.

I listed all the Dem. Senators who voted for the stinkin’ thing, in 2 separate posts yesterday, drat their hides. Sorry not to have snagged the House ones.

Our Senator Sherrod Brown of OH voted AGAINST this latest unconstitutional power grab by boosh. So our family already sent off kudos and THANKS to Brown yesterday.

I agree, excellent idea to send thanks to all the Blue America freshman critters who voted against it. Please let them hear from you, folks! The positive is every bit as important as the negative. Think how YOU would feel in their position, if there were only “crickets” or negative comments in response to a major vote.

KayInMaine @ 78

fdl reader @ 65

I don’t have a link ~ but I’d love to see it.

I am NEVER disappointed with Debbie ~ more like her, please!

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was on fire last night! Gawd that woman makes me jump off my couch with tight fist clenched in the air all the time! She definitely reflects how I feel. Love her for that.

agreed!

dratty @ 57

Arca @ 54

Yeah! and where was Delahunt???

Musta been a big weekend on the Cape ;)

I think it was part of strategy (plus of course he was game because he needed some new spandex). They probably asked those who could afford to “blow” this one to do so – hence liberal Calif and Ma districts/states.

Whoa!

McCain said in reference to Cheney’s power as VP that he’d be very sure that the people would know there was only one president.

What are the next steps?
The biggest asset of the blogosphere is sometimes a limitation. That freedom of idea exploration and of dialog is terrific – and so helpful here.
But what now?
I ask that after every travesty, and there is never a concrete answer that draws upon the power of a united progressive blogosphere.
How do we channel and use the energy, talents and momentum found on this and other progressive communities?

raven @ 79

Blub @ 75

Good to know.. glad somebody is actually talking ot the troops, even if he is a rethug

That “talking to the troops” stuff can be really dicey. Ask Leiberman and McCain.

You usually give me a good chuckle; and I mean that in a good way. Perhaps the difference is that…Jones also ‘Listens”…and we know about the bloviating from those two that you mention.

Ghostman

raven @ 79

Ask Leiberman and McCain.

Lieberman apparently spent some amount of effort avoiding direct, non-orchestrated contact with them on his Iraq tour

eCAHNomics @ 34

selise @ 20

many, many thanks to howie!

one thing that really bothers me about how the vote went down yesterday was that it only took a simple majority to pass (unlike the “dems version” on friday which had a 2/3 vote requirement to pass).

i think this was done to allow most of the dems to vote “no” and have the bill pass. if the leadership had wanted to block, the bill would have been voted on under the same conditions as friday’s vote. then a “no” vote would have really meant something.

so much kabuki makes it hard to see what’s going down. and i think they want it that way.

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

Good God, how they dance to the President’s tunes. Bush’s poodles. They jump. They scamper. They comply.

This was a bait and switch.

This is as close to an assertion of improper eavesdropping as we’ve seen.

If done right this could have implemented better insulation of rights at home and the review process may open the window for Gonzales’ Impeachment.

6 1/2 to 8 months impeachment for Gonzo
He’s out and black Monday begins. Front of the week resignations across the board.

Also, some big money will not like its multinational interests being spied upon to new levels.

Bush pushed too many people. The push back will come soon.

Blub at 32, re: Hunter not voting, I called Friday to tell him not to vote for Bush to have more FISA powers, the woman answering the phone said they had been getting a lot of calls, mostly asking him to vote no, interesting in this highly repub. area. It is a small thing to give hope if these people are getting the picture.

Don’t forget to provide your members with positive or negative reinforcement emails with regard to their FISA vote

dratty @ 30

Christy – I know you’re busy and I did re-read the post. Now you’re a lawyer as am I, and I think that we can agree that the term “Blue America endorsed candidate” is vague at best, especially considering that we are much closer in time to last year’s election than this year’s. This is not to fault Blue America. I just wanted to point out those reps and Sens that let us down.

forgive me for apparantly reading it wrong, but I think after a re-reading that you will agree that it can be taken either way.

Act Blue candidate Jim Webb: Was endorsed by many commenters here for good reason…but never by Howie who’s criteria are specific.

Act Blue candidate Chris Carney outed himself as an a**hole user earlier this year and is not a current Act Blue candidate.

Hope this helps.

You usually give me a good chuckle; and I mean that in a good way. Perhaps the difference is that…Jones also ‘Listens”…and we know about the bloviating from those two that you mention.

Ghostman

Glad I can help keep it light. I always remember the situation at Operation Dewey Canyon III when a bunch of little old ladies came upon some VVAW brothers demonstrating and one said “I don’t think what what you are doing is good for the troops”. One of the brothers said “Lady, we are the troops”!

wigwam @ 89

No negating poodles on this site please! :-8 Poodles are far smarter than a shrub.

Maybe we should be find out who are the biggest financial contributors to these House Reps & Senators who continue to erode our liberties and then HARASS THE HELL OUT OF THEM, BOYCOTT THEM, and if it’s an individual….THEN PROTEST THEIR HOME!

Maybe that might some people up in government that Americans are sick and tired of the bullcrap.

I know this is OT, I have rescued it from EPU zone below B/C I think this may be the next big battle.

137
Stephen Parrish, CPA says:

August 5th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Newsweek: Looking For a Leaker

Aug. 13, 2007 issue – The controversy over President Bush’s warrantless surveillance program took another surprise turn last week when a team of FBI agents, armed with a classified search warrant, raided the suburban Washington home of a former Justice Department lawyer. The lawyer, Thomas M. Tamm, previously worked in Justice’s Office of Intelligence Policy and Review (OIPR)—the supersecret unit that oversees surveillance of terrorist and espionage targets. The agents seized Tamm’s desktop computer, two of his children’s laptops and a cache of personal files. Tamm and his lawyer, Paul Kemp, declined any comment. So did the FBI. But two legal sources who asked not to be identified talking about an ongoing case told NEWSWEEK the raid was related to a Justice criminal probe into who leaked details of the warrantless eavesdropping program to the news media. The raid appears to be the first significant development in the probe since The New York Times reported in December 2005 that Bush had authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on the international phone calls and e-mails of U.S. residents without court warrants. (At the time, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said of the leak: “This is really hurting national security; this has really hurt our country.”)

(snip)

if this guy Tamm is an actual leaker, he is going to need a huge legal defense fund and lots of coer in the form of spin push back and debate framing

Nanz @ 91

Blub at 32, re: Hunter not voting, I called Friday to tell him not to vote for Bush to have more FISA powers, the woman answering the phone said they had been getting a lot of calls, mostly asking him to vote no, interesting in this highly repub. area. It is a small thing to give hope if these people are getting the picture.

Hunter responding to his constituents or even acknowledging that they exist? Wow! Does that mean he’s going to stop pushing for that Blackwater base near Campo? Oh, I forgot, he’s trying to dump that installation in Filner’s Democratic district.

maggiesboy @ 67

It’s votes like this one that make me wail into the receiver of my phone,

“I’m not giving you another goddamn dime until you stop bending over backwards to give Bush what he wants at the expense of our freedom!”

when the DSC or DCCC call.

They should be voting out of fear, fear of losing the Constitution. Argh!

They and the president take an oath to “protect the Constitution.” It may come as a surprise to the President, but nowhere did he take an oath to “protect the American people.” Perhaps it would be best that he stick to the job to which he was elected.

Oh, on an extraneous matter: I wasn’t able to tune in to the debate marathon yesterday….but I did manage to see Ms. Wasserman. She was good; but who was that ass in the speaker’s chair who was so rude to her? I know time-limit rules must be applied fairly to all…but that guy just seemed to go out of his way to be an ass to Ms. Wasserman. You don’t treat your brothers and sisters like that.

Somebody ought to have a talk with that guy.

Ghostman

Twain @ 80

selise @ 77

i read that kerry didn’t bother to even vote on this one.

Boxer was not there either. Where are all these people when we need them? I intend to ask.

Anyone have a link tot he Senate vote?

Can’t find it anywhere…

KayInMaine @ 56

Way to go Tom Allen!!!! I knew you’d do the right thing. You’re perfect for Maine and for our country. ;-)

Down (as in East) here in District 2, I’m beginning to thaw just a tad on Michaud. He’s been doing OK lately.

The next BIG fight will be the Surge renewal in Sept. That is already being shaped to go forward with strategically placed NYT Op Eds, television spots, and comments by Congress critters. We need to be better prepared, i.e. pro-active.

Elliott @ 83

KayInMaine @ 78

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was on fire last night! Gawd that woman makes me jump off my couch with tight fist clenched in the air all the time! She definitely reflects how I feel. Love her for that.

agreed!

Is she the blond gal from FL? I just love her!
Tough, and with a terrific sense of humor/snark. Smart & sassy! I agree. More like that, please!

our rep. Regula (R-OH, fossil) is due to retire, f.i.n.a.l.l.y! Howie, oh pretty please! Isn’t there some fine smart Blue America candidate you can find to fill that slot?

Ghostman @ 100

Oh, on an xtraneous matter: I wasn’t able to tune in to the debate marathon yesterday….but I did manage to see Ms. Wasserman. She was good; but who was that ass in the speaker’s chair who was so rude to her? I know time-limit rules must be applied fairly to all…but that guy just seemed to go out of his way to be an ass to Ms. Wasserman. You don’t treat your brothers and sisters like that.

Somebody ought to have a talk with that guy.

Ghostman

And what did our favorite Debbie do when the asshole was banging the gavel like he was tenderizing a piece of meat? Her voice got louder and she wouldn’t stop until she was done. Gawd I love that woman!!! I want to rent her for protest purposes. LOL She’d be great to have along for the ride. ;-)

Richmond @ 103

The next BIG fight will be the Surge renewal in Sept. That is already being shaped to go forward with strategically placed NYT Op Eds, television spots, and comments by Congress critters. We need to be better prepared, i.e. pro-active.

Shit, nothing is going to change.

Richmond @ 95

wigwam @ 89

No negating poodles on this site please! :-8 Poodles are far smarter than a shrub.

aw heck, pigweed’s smarter than jr!

Arca @ 73

dratty @ 57

Musta been a big weekend on the Cape ;)

I hope he’s enjoying it, (it is very nice today), but we elected him to vote for us, even if it wouldn’t have made a difference, our voice would be heard.
Maybe he should just stay here and enjoy it and let someone who takes the office seriously represent us.

It better have been a family wedding or something equally as important.

Is Delahunt a former prosecutor? You’d think he’d recognize the gravity of the issue.

GordonM @ 102

KayInMaine @ 56

Way to go Tom Allen!!!! I knew you’d do the right thing. You’re perfect for Maine and for our country. ;-)

Down (as in East) here in District 2, I’m beginning to thaw just a tad on Michaud. He’s been doing OK lately.

Michaud is great too, but he’s not running against Susan Collins in 2008. ;-) That said, I know for a fact that Michaud is not against impeachment of Bush & Cheney. Allen, I’m not sure of, but if his recent and past votes are an indication, if the House had impeachment laid in front of it to vote on, I bet Allen would vote ‘yea’ on each Article! He understands the reality of what has happened over the past seven years.

Mr.Murder @ 90

This was a bait and switch.

This is as close to an assertion of improper eavesdropping as we’ve seen.

If done right this could have implemented better insulation of rights at home and the review process may open the window for Gonzales’ Impeachment.

6 1/2 to 8 months impeachment for Gonzo
He’s out and black Monday begins. Front of the week resignations across the board.

Also, some big money will not like its multinational interests being spied upon to new levels.

Bush pushed too many people. The push back will come soon.

What???? Have you read this bill? Did you read the law it ammends? Did you read any of the few declassied FISA cases?

Ha, McCain says “elections don’t make a democracy, the rule of law does”.

Elliott @ 85

Whoa!

McCain said in reference to Cheney’s power as VP that he’d be very sure that the people would know there was only one president.

McCain may yet go batshit rogue on them all … wouldn’t that be lovely to see?

I also heard that Dorgan didn’t vote. Can’t find the senate vote. Anyone know?

KayInMaine @ 104

Ghostman @ 100

Oh, on an xtraneous matter: I wasn’t able to tune in to the debate marathon yesterday….but I did manage to see Ms. Wasserman. She was good; but who was that ass in the speaker’s chair who was so rude to her? I know time-limit rules must be applied fairly to all…but that guy just seemed to go out of his way to be an ass to Ms. Wasserman. You don’t treat your brothers and sisters like that.

Somebody ought to have a talk with that guy.

Ghostman

And what did our favorite Debbie do when the asshole was banging the gavel like he was tenderizing a piece of meat? Her voice got louder and she wouldn’t stop until she was done. Gawd I love that woman!!! I want to rent her for protest purposes. LOL She’d be great to have along for the ride. ;-)

Yes, indeed. Still looking around for some vid of her last night.. If anyone comes across some, please post a link.

I’m just waiting for the return from recess, when Bush makes very clear that unless Congress passes his Permanent Abolition of Congress Bill, the terrorists may strike within the next three seconds.

I’m sure there are a few yellow Blue Dogs who’d line up behind it.

Was it me or was John Boner slurring his words against last night and had swollen watery eyeballs like he had spent half the night at a local bar in DC?

Boner is a disgrace.

Why this man has any respect and why he gets away with talking about classified information is beyond me!

*kicking Boner out of the country with my left foot*

fdl reader @ 112

McCain may yet go batshit rogue on them all … wouldn’t that be lovely to see?

yeah, but would he have any credibility?

pseudonymous in nc @ 115

I’m just waiting for the return from recess, when Bush makes very clear that unless Congress passes his Permanent Abolition of Congress Bill, the terrorists may strike within the next three seconds.

I’m sure there are a few yellow Blue Dogs who’d line up behind it.

and the leadership would make sure it was immediately voted on under the most favorable rule.

ironranger @ 81

angryoldbroad@27: Love your garden weeding analogy w/regards to the Dems.
Thinking about the repubs, time to till it all under…the pigweed took over the whole bed.

Hi Ironranger! Can I ask,are you from the Iron Range that was at one time considered to be Wellstone Country?

It’s hard sometimes to remember that we didn’t get into this mess in a week,and it will take awhile to get all the weeding done. And government,like any garden,does need vigilance and pruning. Right now things have been left untended for so long it’s going to take alot of work,alot of pairs of sturdy gloves,tools and steady,strong backs to cut back all that overgrowth.

I think one reason that so many Americans are apathetic or uninvolved is because:

1)the whole of politics,and how government works in general is overly difficult to understand. Personally,I feel like a moron alot of the time because I have no clue what alot of this stuff means. You could spend a lifetime just reading and studying this stuff and not make a dent in it. I feel like it’s designed that way on purpose. To make you feel dumb and like the riff raff for asking questions. So you really are not sure who or what to believe. Look at the bills and stuff set before Congress,it’s ridiculous that a bill would be hundreds of pages long. Not to mention earmarks which muddy the waters even more. IMO,if you can’t sort out what needs doing in simple terms that any American adult could understand then maybe you ought to rethink what the hell you’re doing.

2)then we have what amounts to cliques inside of each side of the political spectrum,many of whom are not at all welcoming of others or any new ideas. Some of this is related to money,keeping things the way they are keeps things nice and safe. Unfortunately that leads to stagnation and to alienating the very people “public servants”are supposedly going to work every day to help.

How to overcome both those things is something we’ll be struggling with for a long time til we learn that we can never be destroyed from the outside,only from within,by being myopic,stubborn and settling for less.

fdl reader @ 112

Elliott @ 85

Whoa!

McCain said in reference to Cheney’s power as VP that he’d be very sure that the people would know there was only one president.

McCain may yet go batshit rogue on them all … wouldn’t that be lovely to see?

Lovely dream, yes, but has he actually DONE something lately, that I missed. Why do you have hope in re: his own actual performance. All I know about is the bats#*t part. Please to inform me, thanks.

Mr.Murder @ 90

This was a bait and switch.

This is as close to an assertion of improper eavesdropping as we’ve seen.

If done right this could have implemented better insulation of rights at home and the review process may open the window for Gonzales’ Impeachment.

6 1/2 to 8 months impeachment for Gonzo
He’s out and black Monday begins. Front of the week resignations across the board.

Also, some big money will not like its multinational interests being spied upon to new levels.

Bush pushed too many people. The push back will come soon.

No there will be no “push back”. See, what happened here was that the Congress gave BushCo permission to do what they were doing without sanction (illegally) years ago. Now, it is impossible to nail any of them on it because it is hard to punish them for doing something that you later decided was the “right thing to do”.

There will be no push back. Your liberty is now permanently restricted. It will NOT come back except at the end of a gun, just like it was done originally. Get used to it.

McCain would piss all over Clusterfuck in public right now if it would get him back in the race. Seems that the ass kissing strategy didn’t work- cause he found himself in an army of asskissers.

Adie @ 107

Richmond @ 95

wigwam @ 89

No negating poodles on this site please! :-8 Poodles are far smarter than a shrub.

aw heck, pigweed’s smarter than jr!

LOL!

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

It’ll be Groundhog Day in September when the surge debate comes up.

If you don’t support the troops you are a traitor. We are winning. Only 4 of 18 provinces are in trouble. The Iraqis are standing up. More elections are scheduled. Turning a corner. Sea change. Al Qa*da’s on the run. Can’t quit now.

Nothing will change, except the invective will be twice as harsh.

-GSD

Keep in mind that the FISA “debate” was all kabuki as outlined in another selective leak by Risen in the Grey Lady quoting Democrats as fearing to be seen as “soft on terror”(a week ago)

I have the feeling as a Russian Scholar that Pravda would have done the same for the charade that followed. I admit that Cheney has creeped me out since 1976 and this nightmare is Nixon with an evil twist.

LS @ 124

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

Didn’t know that’s still a crime in this country

fdl reader @ 112

Elliott @ 85

Whoa!

McCain said in reference to Cheney’s power as VP that he’d be very sure that the people would know there was only one president.

McCain may yet go batshit rogue on them all … wouldn’t that be lovely to see?

At times, it does seem like they’ve been controlling him with a choke chain. Bite back can be a bitch!

Kay,

Boehner sounded like he just downed a fifth of something.

Between the cigarettes, the alcohol and the tanning that guys gonna need congressional health care.

-GSD

GSD @ 125

It’ll be Groundhog Day in September when the surge debate comes up.

If you don’t support the troops you are a traitor. We are winning. Only 4 of 18 provinces are in trouble. The Iraqis are standing up. More elections are scheduled. Turning a corner. Sea change. Al Qa*da’s on the run. Can’t quit now.

Nothing will change, except the invective will be twice as harsh.

-GSD

That’s what I’m talkin bout. What the fuck do people think a General is going to say, “time to di di”! (That means split in Vietnamese)

GSD @ 129

Kay,

Boehner sounded like he just downed a fifth of something.

Between the cigarettes, the alcohol and the tanning that guys gonna need congressional health care.

-GSD

He needs rehab! He’s already got the best socialized healthcare on the planet, so why doesn’t that liquor saturated neocon get some freaking help!

I can’t stand him. He’s a drunk (I’m not against all drunks…but this guy? He’s responsible for the future of Americans!).

Hard to imagine the dems doin anthing about the war in September- goopers will have to do it if it’s to be done- and they’re still afraid of Clusterfuck.

eCAHNomics @ 34

selise @ 20

many, many thanks to howie!

one thing that really bothers me about how the vote went down yesterday was that it only took a simple majority to pass (unlike the “dems version” on friday which had a 2/3 vote requirement to pass).

i think this was done to allow most of the dems to vote “no” and have the bill pass. if the leadership had wanted to block, the bill would have been voted on under the same conditions as friday’s vote. then a “no” vote would have really meant something.

so much kabuki makes it hard to see what’s going down. and i think they want it that way.

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

While this is likely true, if the House Democrats had passed their own bill and kept the Senate version from coming up, there would have had to have been a committee to reconcile the two. The worst aspects of the Senate version could have been removed and the committee report could have been presented to the two Houses. There the Republicans could have voted against and with Democratic votes defeated it. Democrats could have gone home saying if the Republicans are willing to pass a FISA bill then there is no reason for us to stay in town. Alternately, the bill would have passed but have been vetoed by Bush. Again the Democrats could have made the same argument that Bush was playing politics and wasn’t interested in the FISA bill at all. Maybe Bush would have called the Congress back into session but the Congress could have presented Bush with a similar bill and then immediately adjourned.

raven @ 130

GSD @ 125

It’ll be Groundhog Day in September when the surge debate comes up.

If you don’t support the troops you are a traitor. We are winning. Only 4 of 18 provinces are in trouble. The Iraqis are standing up. More elections are scheduled. Turning a corner. Sea change. Al Qa*da’s on the run. Can’t quit now.

Nothing will change, except the invective will be twice as harsh.

-GSD

That’s what I’m talkin bout. What the fuck to people think a General is going to say, “time to di di”! (That means split in Vietnamese)

Sorry, typo and edit doesn’t work in Firefox

“What the fuck DO people think”

When I need to reaffirm my belief that Dems really are better than Repubs, I go back to this C&L post.

LS @ 124

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

You mean like Libby et. al. wasn’t? Yeah, there’s no doubt.

I think that the people who are harboring some notions about Alberto Gonzales getting impeached or being forced out are deluded.

The congress just agreed that he is a man who deserves more power and more authority. Not an impeachment or reprimand. Alberto Gonzales just got a congressionally approved job promotion.

-GSD

Blub at 98, all I can say is, if calling Dunc. for the first time ever, because I always assumed it would do absolutely no good and would be a waste of effort, resulted in a novote vote, I will not mind calling again. A novote vote is not a yes vote!

I have noticed here on FDL, if I am thinking a certain way there are others like me also. It sinks in slowly– I am not alone, we must act. Actions may get results.

OT and reposted from previous thread for those interested:

at noon today, from Book TV
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and biologist
Edward O. Wilson will be our guest for In Depth on August 5th (LIVE Noon-3pm ET). Mr. Wilson, who has taught at Harvard University since the mid-1950s and is currently university research professor there, was named one of America’s 25 most influential people by Time magazine in 1996. His books include: “Sociobiology: The New Synthesis” (1975) “On Human Nature” (1978, awarded Pulitzer Prize), “The Ants” (1990, awarded Pulitzer Prize), “The Diversity of Life” (1992), “Consilience:The Unity of Knowledge” (1998), “The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth” (2006) and “Nature Revealed: Selected Writings 1949-2006” (2006). You can participate by calling in during the program or by e-mailing your questions/comments to

[my bold]

GSD @ 125

It’ll be Groundhog Day in September when the surge debate comes up.

If you don’t support the troops you are a traitor. We are winning. Only 4 of 18 provinces are in trouble. The Iraqis are standing up. More elections are scheduled. Turning a corner. Sea change. Al Qa*da’s on the run. Can’t quit now.

Nothing will change, except the invective will be twice as harsh.

-GSD

You are absolutley right. November is the new September, for the moment, until, maybe next week. This Congress will not get anyone out of Iraq.

GSD @ 137

I think that the people who are harboring some notions about Alberto Gonzales getting impeached or being forced out are deluded.

The congress just agreed that he is a man who deserves more power and more authority. Not an impeachment or reprimand. Alberto Gonzales just got a congressionally approved job promotion.

That just about sums it up.

This all really just plain sucks

Meanwhile, I came across a story which makes my blood boil. Do you agree?

We must – absolutely must – take back the country. They have followed us here, and they are attacking. They are the corporate controllers. Perhaps we need to begin a domestic death and casualty count.

Praedor Atrebates @ 121

There will be no push back. Your liberty is now permanently restricted. It will NOT come back except at the end of a gun, just like it was done originally. Get used to it.

Not true. The Alien and Sedition Act was repealed, as have many other constitutional overreaches. It just takes awhile.

I am sure this will be EPU’d but -on the Boner (drunk or not). Why the Hell aren’t the Dem’s slamming him on the record for spilling state secrets on public TV (Fox). He should be given a public reprimand. Ditto the White House in spilling secrets to the NYT (strategically too) in support of Gonzales. Have the Dems no shame in not addressing this in a sense of seriousness and outrage.

It is like the Dems are parents to an out-of-control five year old who is throwing stones at buses or shooting a bb gun at squirrels. Rather than yanking that kid inside, seating him with deliberate roughness on the couch and telling him in no uncertain terms what the rules of life are, instead look the other way, and later complement him on his shot.

The preznit may be untouchable on the floor of Congress (yeah Nadler for last night) but the acts of fellow Congress people are not!

Nanz @ 138

Blub at 98, all I can say is, if calling Dunc. for the first time ever, because I always assumed it would do absolutely no good and would be a waste of effort, resulted in a novote vote, I will not mind calling again. A novote vote is not a yes vote!

I have noticed here on FDL, if I am thinking a certain way there are others like me also. It sinks in slowly– I am not alone, we must act. Actions may get results.

I agree with you, and I didn’t mean to be facetious in my post. I think Hunter absolutely needs to hear from his constituents, especially since their political and demographic make-up continues to change, along with the metro area. He’s been taking his constituents for granted for many years now, and it’s about time he’s rediscovered the fact that he actually holds an elected office.

hey folks, big apologies. i shouldn’t have maligned pigweed in my #107. That stuff’s not only edible, but rather tasty, if you get it young & keep it well watered.

like a yummy vitamin pill! “chiffonade” (h/t to marrtha kostyruh stew*rt) some & toss it in your next batch of veggie soup (not that marrrtha would necessarily approve of such a common “weed”) ;->

oh, when “overgrown” or if it’s chosen an awkward spot to grow it makes dandy mulch. really really handy, useful stuff, unlike jr.

Hugh @ 133

eCAHNomics @ 34

The explanation I heard this morning was that the supermajority (both H & S) required to pass the Ds’ bill was set up because there was no point unless they could override a prez veto. Once that didn’t happen, went back to usual rules of simple majority.

While this is likely true, if the House Democrats had passed their own bill and kept the Senate version from coming up, there would have had to have been a committee to reconcile the two. The worst aspects of the Senate version could have been removed and the committee report could have been presented to the two Houses. There the Republicans could have voted against and with Democratic votes defeated it. Democrats could have gone home saying if the Republicans are willing to pass a FISA bill then there is no reason for us to stay in town. Alternately, the bill would have passed but have been vetoed by Bush. Again the Democrats could have made the same argument that Bush was playing politics and wasn’t interested in the FISA bill at all. Maybe Bush would have called the Congress back into session but the Congress could have presented Bush with a similar bill and then immediately adjourned.

Thanks, Hugh. And wouldn’t that have been some political elegance. There were so many things they could have done other than make the worst possible outcome happen.

fdl reader @ 136

LS @ 124

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

You mean like Libby et. al. wasn’t? Yeah, there’s no doubt.

I guess all that spying they’re doing comes in handy..

late to the thread, apologies if someone already posted this-early in the thread it was requested:

posted by dude-

DUDE says:
August 5th, 2007 at 5:34 am

Dems/House

Jason Altmire (4th Pennsylvania)
Melissa Bean (8th Illinois)
Dan Boren (2nd Oklahoma)
Allen Boyd (2nd Florida)
Christopher Carney (10th Pennsylvania)
Ben Chandler (6th Kentucky)
Henry Cuellar (28th Texas)
Artur Davis (7th Alabama)
Lincoln Davis (4th Tennessee)
Joe Donnelly (2nd Indiana)
Brad Ellsworth (8th Indiana)
Bob Etheridge (North Carolina)
Bart Gordon (6th Tennessee)
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (South Dakota)
Brian Higgins (27th New York)
Baron Hill (9th Indiana)
Nick Lampson (23rd Texas)
Daniel Lipinski (3rd Illinois)
Jim Marshall (8th Georgia)
Jim Matheson (2nd Utah)
Mike McIntyre (7th North Carolina) Charlie Melancon (3rd Louisiana) Harry Mitchell (5th Arizona)
Colin Peterson (7th Minnesota)
Earl Pomeroy (North Dakota)
Ciro Rodriguez (23rd Texas)
Mike Ross (4th Arkansas)
John Salazar (3rd Colorado)
Heath Shuler (11th North Carolina)Vic Snyder (2nd Arkansas)
Zachary Space (18th Ohio)
John Tanner (8th Tennessee)
Gene Taylor (4th Mississippi)
Timothy Walz (1st Minnesota)
Charles A. Wilson (6th Ohio)
==============

and adie said in another thread-

Here’s a list I copied off something earlier today.
Sorry, no link, but these are the Dems I copied down as voting FOR the stinkin’ thing:

Bayh(IN) Carper(DE) Casey(PA) Conrad(ND) Feinstein(CA) Inouye(HI) Klobucher(MN) Landrieu(LA) Lincoln(AR) McCaskill(MO) Mikulski(MD) Nelson(FL) Nelson(NE) Pryor(AR) Salazar(CO) Webb(VA)

ALL OTHER Dems voted AGAINST it.

All Repubs. voted for it.

KayInMaine @ 116

Was it me or was John Boner slurring his words against last night and had swollen watery eyeballs like he had spent half the night at a local bar in DC?

Boner is a disgrace.

Why this man has any respect and why he gets away with talking about classified information is beyond me!

*kicking Boner out of the country with my left foot*

Now now. He probably knew how the vote was gonna go and was out celebrating early.

sangemon @ 101

Anyone have a link tot he Senate vote?

Can’t find it anywhere…

I actually sent an email to Durbin once about this. If a vote happens after about 4 PM on a Friday or Saturday, the Senate site is not updated until the following Monday. I guess the theory is that the horses have been let out to pasture and it isn’t worth getting out the buggy until it’s time to go into town on Monday.

As the FISA vote showed, the Congress and Democrats continue to be out of touch with the blogosphere, figuring that they will give us what they want when they want and that we should feel grateful for whatever they condescend to give us.

selise @ 70

holy cow. meteor blades is calling the dems surrender monkeys on the front page of dkos! calls the dem congressional leadership complicit in “the demolition of constitutional protections”.

Frankly, you epitomize weak. Your every pore exudes feebleness. You are surrender monkeys. And you’ve just casually tossed away a basic protection as if it were a banana peel.

also quotes glenn greenwald calling them self destructive. quotes the church commission. oh heck, just go read it.

wow.

Heh. And they think their ratings have tanked because of Iraq! It’s because rolling over is business as usual for them on so many really important issues.

sangemon @ 141

GSD @ 137

I think that the people who are harboring some notions about Alberto Gonzales getting impeached or being forced out are deluded.

The congress just agreed that he is a man who deserves more power and more authority. Not an impeachment or reprimand. Alberto Gonzales just got a congressionally approved job promotion.

That just about sums it up.

This all really just plain sucks

And if you don’t think that that EXACT point is going to be brought up every time there’s even an attempt at any type of hearing on his behavior, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

dmac @ 149

All Repubs. voted for it.

To restate, except for Jones (NC) and Johnson (IL). Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Virgil Goode and a handfall of other ‘thugs didn’t vote. On our side, Tom Delahunt and Tom Lantos notably didn’t bother to vote.

Richmond @ 144

I am sure this will be EPU’d but -on the Boner (drunk or not). Why the Hell aren’t the Dem’s slamming him on the record for spilling state secrets on public TV (Fox). He should be given a public reprimand. Ditto the White House in spilling secrets to the NYT (strategically too) in support of Gonzales. Have the Dems no shame in not addressing this in a sense of seriousness and outrage.

It is like the Dems are parents to an out-of-control five year old who is throwing stones at buses or shooting a bb gun at squirrels. Rather than yanking that kid inside, seating him with deliberate roughness on the couch and telling him in no uncertain terms what the rules of life are, instead look the other way, and later complement him on his shot.

The preznit may be untouchable on the floor of Congress (yeah Nadler for last night) but the acts of fellow Congress people are not!

I’ve tried to figure out why the democrats aren’t seeing or hearing what we’re seeing & hearing. I often wonder aloud, “Is it because they don’t read the blogs?”, and my conclusion is always: Yes.

Who knows if they even watch the MSM or even C-SPAN for crying out loud! How they can be behind the times from one day to another and not know that drunken John Boner gave out classified info on the air is just a freaking head scratcher!!!!

Read the freaking top blogs of this country, Democrats!!!!!! *putting megaphone down*

It’s frustrating.

I’d hate to think that the democrats are sitting around every night drinking wine and eating cheese and ignoring the reality of what the frick is going on! That would be disappointing for sure if true.

Blub @ 154

dmac @ 149

All Repubs. voted for it.

To restate, except for Jones (NC) and Johnson (IL). Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Virgil Goode and a handfall of other ‘thugs didn’t vote. On our side, Tom Delahunt and Tom Lantos notably didn’t bother to vote.

Oh, so sorry. My bad, you meant rethugs in the Senate.

selise @ 70

holy cow. meteor blades is calling the dems surrender monkeys on the front page of dkos! calls the dem congressional leadership complicit in “the demolition of constitutional protections”.

Frankly, you epitomize weak. Your every pore exudes feebleness. You are surrender monkeys. And you’ve just casually tossed away a basic protection as if it were a banana peel.

also quotes glenn greenwald calling them self destructive. quotes the church commission. oh heck, just go read it.

wow.

Goes to show you great minds run in similar channels. I have a letter written to all the losers that voted the wrong way on this and I am naming them my nominees to the hall of shame due to their vote. To wit:

…to cede your power of oversight is not in the best interest of your branch of government. Why are you in the Senate playing Politboro to Bush’s Stalin act? Surely you can’t see your summer recess as that important that you would change the balance of power and overthrow checks and balances just to go on vacation! So far I have not heard any rationalization that justifies acceding to the oh, so obvious superiority of your boss, the President. Now’s no time to object and say that George Bush is not your boss. Who else can force overtime until you get him a project he can sign off on, after all! No, the time to object would have been before you caved in to his every desire! Talk about perceptions! What did you think your vote would say to “the masses”? Let’s make this multiple choice a) Nobody will notice b) Nobody will care c) Constituents will trust without question that we are doing what’s best for all the right reasons d) We haven’t given in on any principle; we’re just kicking the can down the road a bit e) All of the above. Of course the correct answer is e, all of the above. But these are all rationalizations, folks.

However, my perception is that you will be the same people who will become the obstacles for Impeachment of Alberto Gonzales. You will be impediments to bringing anyone to justice for mismanagement of our government for any reasons. You will be the ones allowing and making excuses for violations of the Hatch Act, find nothing shady about top white house aides using Republican Party e-mail addresses that are not accessible to Congressional inquiry, and you’ve never seen an Executive Privilege you couldn’t permit. As time goes on, how many of you will continue to be the impediment, the obstacle, part of the problem, because you’re sure not the part of the solution voters thought you were when they sent you to Washington.

I am sadly disappointed to note that some of you are supposed to be progressive democrats. We thought you believe in the Constitution and the Rule of Law, but apparently that’s only when it’s convenient. At times, it’s just not worth standing up, I guess. Experience hasn’t shown us that if you give George Bush what he wants now he’ll only sneer and jeer at you in the future. If you want to know why the polls say the population doesn’t think too highly of Congress, why both parties are considered hypocritical and nothing but a bunch of opportunists, look in the mirror. You’re the same people who talk a good game about getting out of Iraq, but then fund the war and the war profiteers. You’re the ones who will not support Russ Feingold’s effort to censure the President. You are the ones who will always betray and let down your constituents. You are complicit in all the bad acts that you are facilitating by your votes.

No excuses, no amount of rationalizations can excuse your selling out our civil rights and freedoms. You are not worthy candidates for future elections, although it’s almost a certainty that you’ll run. Whatever your ulterior motives when you ran for this session, whatever your true agenda, your ambitions are probably no less now, even though whatever you said on the campaign trail to get elected, you just betrayed in a big way.

So to the 41 house Democrats who today decided to roll over on the eavesdropping amendment, and the 16 Senators too cowardly to tell George Bush no for once, don’t come asking for money or help for future campaigns. Don’t even expect moral support anymore, because fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. You’ve all lost my trust and it would be more difficult to gain it back than I think any of you will have the stomach for. You may figure, so what, one voter can’t be in all our jurisdictions. What, you don’t think anyone in your district is paying attention? You don’t think we’ll be waiting in the tall weeds to knock you off your pedestal of self-importance? The following is a list of my most recent nominees to the Hall of Shame and will also be recipients of this correspondence either as a fax or as an e-mail.

LS @ 124

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

It’s within hte range of possiblities to be looked at. I don’t know what they think he di, and I don’t know what they will find in the way of evidence.

I do know that an awful lot of lawyers who working in this area for DOJ, career people, left during the current admin and of the ones I have spoken to –it has really been obvious that they were walking on eggshells–they seem SOOO careful of not letting anything leak. Not you normal “I am a professional and I took an oath” kind of careful. More like a “big brother is watching me” kind of careful.

They are out of gov’t yet seem to be so pressured by the gov’t. I often wonder if like the massacred USAs who got the threatening phone calls trying to dissuade them from tesifying before Congress, these guys have had ominous comminques.

angryoldbroad@119:
Yes, the same Iron Range. I live about 35 min from the Wellstone Memorial.

Selise, I thought I heard Kerry’s name as voting against it (right next to Kennedy) when I was watching but I may be wrong. I’ll be damned if I can find a Senate roll call on it. (only can find a list of Democratic Senator’s who voted yes) But I’m not saying you’re wrong. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t vote unfortunately. And as for those who mentioned a trip to the Cape. Well I do know Kerry was riding in the Pan Mass Challenge this weekend because I got hit up for a donation to this great cause from him…but it certainly is NO excuse for note bothering to vote on this..not at all.

KayInMaine -by the way lots of family are Mainers. We goota get rid of Collins, but she seems to have done a snow-job on these otherwise true Dems.

fdl reader @ 140

GSD @ 125

It’ll be Groundhog Day in September when the surge debate comes up.

If you don’t support the troops you are a traitor. We are winning. Only 4 of 18 provinces are in trouble. The Iraqis are standing up. More elections are scheduled. Turning a corner. Sea change. Al Qa*da’s on the run. Can’t quit now.

Nothing will change, except the invective will be twice as harsh.

-GSD

You are absolutley right. November is the new September, for the moment, until, maybe next week. This Congress will not get anyone out of Iraq.

If the Democrats couldn’t stand up to Bush on FISA they will not stand up to him on Iraq. I also agree with GSD with your comment at #137:

The congress just agreed that he is a man who deserves more power and more authority. Not an impeachment or reprimand. Alberto Gonzales just got a congressionally approved job promotion.

The sheer idiocy of giving vast powers to an Attorney General that you have no trust or belief in is just amazing, that is amazing in its hypocrisy.

What web site will keep these GUTLESS SPINELESS COWARDS in the Dem party in front of the people.

These Pukes must have it shown to them that the People are tired of the High Wire CHICKEN act that they put on.

If what the writer says in true start slamming them now and if they threaten to run set up a recall on them.

Put the pressure on them.

looseheadprop @ 158

LS @ 124

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

It’s within hte range of possiblities to be looked at. I don’t know what they think he di, and I don’t know what they will find in the way of evidence.

I do know that an awful lot of lawyers who working in this area for DOJ, career people, left during the current admin and of the ones I have spoken to –it has really been obvious that they were walking on eggshells–they seem SOOO careful of not letting anything leak. Not you normal “I am a professional and I took an oath” kind of careful. More like a “big brother is watching me” kind of careful.

They are out of gov’t yet seem to be so pressured by the gov’t. I often wonder if like the massacred USAs who got the threatening phone calls trying to dissuade them from tesifying before Congress, these guys have had ominous comminques.

By the way, by his name he looks to be a minority person. There is often a “picking and chosing” that goes on. Remember Anthrax, the real guys never got caught.

fdl reader @ 136

LS @ 124

LHP 97, That is really, really scary. He could be charged with treason, right?

You mean like Libby et. al. wasn’t? Yeah, there’s no doubt.

Read the excerpt. This guy is being investigated for be a whistleblower! People who leak for good reasons are in jeopardy. People who leak for evil reasons, get pardons

Richmond @ 161

KayInMaine -by the way lots of family are Mainers. We goota get rid of Collins, but she seems to have done a snow-job on these otherwise true Dems.

Very true, but one thing is changing up here….the Portland Press Herald and a couple other papers are FINALLY questioning her votes and are not giving her the protection she’s always had that has given the impression that she is a moderate. Sorry, but a moderate doesn’t align themselves with the Nazi-like guys we have running this country right now! The MSM here is finally starting to wake up. Plus, myself and others go over to Maine Today (www.mainetoday.com) that links to the top 4 newspapers here so we can shed the truth about Susan Collins every chance we can get at the end of the articles (pro or con) on her! It’s making an impact, as well it should.

SEC. 202. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR EMERGENCY ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE.

Section 105 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1805) is amended–
(1) by redesignating subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j) as subsections (h), (i), (j), and (k), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):
`(g)(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title and subject to the provisions of this subsection, the Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Director of National Intelligence, appoint appropriate supervisory or executive personnel within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency to authorize electronic surveillance on a United States person in the United States on an emergency basis pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.

`(B) For purposes of this subsection, an intelligence agent or employee acting under the supervision of a supervisor or executive appointed under subparagraph (A) may conduct emergency electronic surveillance under this subsection if such supervisor or executive reasonably determines that–
`(i) an emergency situation exists with respect to the employment of electronic surveillance to obtain foreign intelligence information before an order authorizing such surveillance can with due diligence be obtained…

`(B)(i) If the official concerned determines that the electronic surveillance does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1), the surveillance shall terminate immediately and may not be recommenced by any supervisor or executive appointed under paragraph (1), or any agent or employee acting under the supervision of such supervisor or executive, absent additional facts or changes in circumstances that lead a supervisor or executive appointed under paragraph (1) to reasonably believe that the requirements of paragraph (1) are satisfied.

`(ii) In the event of a determination under clause (i), the Attorney General shall not be required, under section 106(j), to notify any United States person of the fact that the electronic surveillance covered by such determination was conducted before the termination of the surveillance under that clause.
_____

TRUST US, WE WILL NEVER ABUSE OUR POWER. ABU GONZALES WILL OVERSEE EVERYTHING.

Adie @ 107

aw heck, pigweed’s smarter than jr!

Pigweed is also highly nutritious and great in salads.

Shrub? Not so much.

Ann in AZ at #157, great letter.

looseheadprop @ 165

fdl reader @ 136

You mean like Libby et. al. wasn’t? Yeah, there’s no doubt.

Read the excerpt. This guy is being investigated for be a whistleblower! People who leak for good reasons are in jeopardy. People who leak for evil reasons, get pardons

I know: that’s my point. And he may just be a scapegoat. He may not even be the whistleblower. All this just gets worse and worse. You are right: he’s going to need help and it may do no good even then.

Richmond @ 164

looseheadprop @ 158

It’s within hte range of possiblities to be looked at. I don’t know what they think he di, and I don’t know what they will find in the way of evidence.

I do know that an awful lot of lawyers who working in this area for DOJ, career people, left during the current admin and of the ones I have spoken to –it has really been obvious that they were walking on eggshells–they seem SOOO careful of not letting anything leak. Not you normal “I am a professional and I took an oath” kind of careful. More like a “big brother is watching me” kind of careful.

They are out of gov’t yet seem to be so pressured by the gov’t. I often wonder if like the massacred USAs who got the threatening phone calls trying to dissuade them from tesifying before Congress, these guys have had ominous comminques.

By the way, by his name he looks to be a minority person. There is often a “picking and chosing” that goes on. Remember Anthrax, the real guys never got caught.

I still believe the anthrax sent out after 9/11 was done by neocons in Bush’s government to keep the fear going that we were attacked because of liberal ideologies (Jerry Falwell and others made this point the day of 9/11). Only democrats/liberals were targeted and got an anthrax mailing. Plus, the neocons didn’t want 9/11 to be investigated either. What better way to suppress the opposition! Spit.

Well I’m pleased to say that Lloyd Doggett, 25th district, Texas, voted “Nay.”

Please write your congresspeople who supported this bill, and tell them how disappointed you are– and if they voted “Nay” please thank them.

I believe it is very difficult to adhere to a progressive and constitutionally correct legislative agenda under the kind of pressure they are under, and they need our support.

after i calmed down from the shock i felt after last night’s fisa vote, i began to read many other people’s opinions about why both houses caved. as a result, i’ve become influenced by what i read & now believe its likely that some in congress caved, because the data mining fisa allows has already been used against them.

this then naturally leads to a sociopathic disregard on the part of these congresspeople, for everyone else’s right to privacy, because they have lost theirs.

a very dangerous condition.

our country truly is in peril in a way i don’t believe we have ever faced before.

wagadog @ 172

I believe it is very difficult to adhere to a progressive and constitutionally correct legislative agenda under the kind of pressure they are under, and they need our support.

yep. absolutely

For those of you in this corner of Southern California:

urban – Filner-Nay, Davis-Nay
‘burbs – Bilbray-Yes, Issa-Yes, Hunter-Abstain

blub at 154 says-” Blub says:

August 5th, 2007 at 9:02 am

dmac @ 149

All Repubs. voted for it.

To restate, except for Jones (NC) and Johnson (IL). Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Virgil Goode and a handfall of other ‘thugs didn’t vote. On our side, Tom Delahunt and Tom Lantos notably didn’t bother to vote.”

as i noted, i was quoting someone else’s tally…..i will add your addendum if i post it again…..

Some advice plz. My city rep, where I currently vote, is Carolyn Maloney. My country rep, Maurice Hinchey, is generally a prince of a man. I call him from time to time & have attended fund raisers that he sponsors for others (he seems reasonably secure in his own job) but I figure concentrate my energies where they are more needed.

So here’s what I’m thinking, and being new to the political process, would appreciate feedback.

Maloney’s votes are generally OK, but she seems nebbishy to me. Her website issues revolve around consumer credit, identity theft, and more local matters.

Would it be worthwhile to attend a meeting during August (assuming she’s having one), introduce myself, and advance the idea that since she’s on the right side, could she take a more active role in encouraging other Ds (Blue Dog, or whoever else skates too close to the line) to come over to the right side.

Several years agoI made a New Years resolution to stop getting involved in lost causes (broke it on Jan 3). If Maloney really is a nebbish, I’d be wasting my breath, and I would have no ability to know whether she acts on my urging. She’s in her 8th term, is probably a lock to stay there until death-do-us-part. So she’d have no problem coasting.

Went through the CA Congressional delegation.. votes were pretty much along party lines except for Hunter and Lantos’ non-votes and Fresno’s Costa

Jim Costa (CA-20), a Dem, voted yes. Anyone here from Kings County? If so, please let your congresscritter know that you’re not happy with him.

Adie @ 146

hey folks, big apologies. i shouldn’t have maligned pigweed in my #107. That stuff’s not only edible, but rather tasty, if you get it young & keep it well watered.

like a yummy vitamin pill! “chiffonade” (h/t to marrtha kostyruh stew*rt) some & toss it in your next batch of veggie soup (not that marrrtha would necessarily approve of such a common “weed”) ;->

oh, when “overgrown” or if it’s chosen an awkward spot to grow it makes dandy mulch. really really handy, useful stuff, unlike jr.

Hehe. I don’t buy my greens anymore–too expensive…now, I just graze the fields. ;)

ecahn-i think dialogue is a good start…….

Thanks for this, Christy!

Considering that the netroots didn’t exist until 2003, we’ve done a lot in four years. We’re a lot farther along in our bid to retake the party than the far-righties were four years into their bid to take over the GOP (their bid started in 1964, out of the ashes of the Goldwater campaign).

eCAHNomics @ 176

“Blue Dog”

I do have one question… what does it mean precisely to be a member of the DLC? My critter seems to have an almost straight progressive voting record (100% on environment, 90% ACLU pro-civil rights, 100% pro-environment, 100% pro-peace according to SANE, 87% pro-union, 0% FAIR rating on immigration, even rated “anti-business” by the US COC for what it’s worth) but is still nominally a DLC member, which she’s been since first running for ofice.. similarly, there are many Dems with pretty conservative voting records who are not DLC members.

So if Blue Dog membership has nothing to do with how one votes or the positions one takes, then what is the significance of it? I know what the leadership rhetoric says, but I bet if you ran a statistical test on the actual voting records, you’d get pretty mixed results. I’m confused.

Thank you, Christy, for your writing. I have been feeling sick at heart after the vote and thought to myself I will no longer give money to Democrats. Other people here and on other blogs expressed the same disgust. But, now I realize it’s a matter of being very selective about who we support as candidates.

Big deal, a handful of rookies have balls, with the rest it’s business as usual, a groveling bunch of no balls eunuchs that I waste my goddamn time calling, and from whom I get statements telling me they will apprise the senator or congressmen of my concerns… yea right, I sure as hell don’t see any of mine or your concerns being addressed. The stupidity and lack of wisdom and courage is beyond my comprehension-I am truly having a Howard Beale moment. You can take this with a grain of salt but here is an article that applies directly to what is happening-
http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass…..zewski.htm

Soft on terrorism????? What does that mean??

Soft on compassion?
Soft on peace?
Soft on love?
Soft on humanity?
Soft on accepting the FACT that HUMANKIND IS LITERALLY ONE FAMILY?

Repeat: HUMANKIND IS LITERALLY ONE FAMILY

Soft of sanity?
Soft on mature adult human living?
Soft on interdependence and a sustainable global future?
Soft on cooperation?
Soft on tolerance?
Soft on the universal principle of totality and wholeness?
Soft on oneness?
Soft on the inherent intrinsic unity of mankind and all beings?
Soft on truth, on reality, on wisdom itself?
Soft on beauty and true human purpose?

HUMANKIND IS LITERALLY ONE FAMILY

Soft on terrorism? Means hard on ego, hard on illusion, hard on separation, hard on power addiction, hard on denial of mortality, and just plain cruel WRONG, IMMORAL, and ego-driven NONSENSE.

HUMANKIND is LITERALLY ONE FAMILY

Terrorists are as freaking deranged, but not more so, than the INSANE Bushite cult of fear-mongering ego-addicted madness.

We, the people, are the only force in the world that can set this planet right, via a common human demand for rightness.

HUMANKIND IS LITERALLY ONE FAMILY

With love and respect and aspiration for the sanity emergence of the human species

Think Progress has a post about Pelosi writing to Chairmen Conyers and Reyes about amending FISA when they return from recess. Here’s the letter:

August 4, 2007

The Honorable John Conyers, Jr.
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary
2138 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Silvestre Reyes
Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
H 405 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Conyers and Chairman Reyes:

Thank you for your leadership on matters affecting the security of the American people and the protection of the liberties that define our country.

I know that your committees have been working diligently on a proposal by the Administration to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). I also understand that your work has been hindered by the Administration’s refusal to provide all of the documents you believe are relevant to your consideration of the proposal.

Tonight, the House passed S. 1927, a bill approved by the Senate yesterday, which is an interim response to the Administration’s request for changes in FISA, and which was sought to fill an intelligence gap which is asserted to exist. Many provisions of this legislation are unacceptable, and, although the bill has a six month sunset clause, I do not believe the American people will want to wait that long before corrective action is taken.

Accordingly, I request that your committees send to the House, as soon as possible after Congress reconvenes, legislation which responds comprehensively to the Administration’s proposal while addressing the many deficiencies in S. 1927.

Thank you for your attention to this request and for your service to our country.

best regards,

Nancy Pelosi

It’s time for somebody to compile a list of Rethug hypocracies, double standards, and congressional attempts at creating false legends for the rest of us to send to our respective friends and newspapers. People can understand lists.
OT- my latest idea on Iraq is to start a solar power program there (contingent on a truce)so they have power restored and might even forgive us for Bush’s mistake. Yes, some of their educated will have to return from Syria, many towns/portions of cities are in rubble and need to be rebuilt anyway…putting our military/policy in a different position that we (and they) could get behind.
Great post!

raven@33 said:

It’s great that we get lawyers to explain this really hard stuff! :)

pro bono at that, with donations accepted from those with the wherewithal…………

I’m thinking of taking up sleeping in on Sunday and just reading Christy’s talking head thread instead, at my convenience. So often watching those inane people answer irrelevant questions with meaningless profundities makes me wish I had four hands so that I could stab myself in both eyes and puncture both eardrums simultaneously.

If I let Christy and the commenters here do that part for me, all I will miss is their slimey looks and Condi shaking her head “no” with every word she says, which to me is a “tell” that every word is a lie and she knows it.

I must say Bob Scheefer(sp?) really put her (Condi OilTanker) back on her heels at the start, but unfortunately backed off and let her lie at will and answer whatever question she heard in her mind, or the echo chamber between her ears.

Tweety, George, Timmeh and the rest could maybe try to get Bob’s balls from the estate when he passes on. He seems to be the only mainstream guy that gives the impression he doesn’t like all the BS either, and will occasionally quit winking and lobbing softballs.

Maybe some of the lawyers could clear this up, but in spite of the disappointing vote last nite to let the Toddler-in-Chief have his way again, as usual, I didn’t notice that anyone slipped through an amendment to the Constitution and the privacy rights it protects. The same could be said for the elimination of habeas corpus.

Of course I guess it is possible that Dick already did that in one of his man sized safes and has hidden the “New Amended” Constitution with his seemingly limitless powers. Maybe he really IS Darth Vader!

“Next time some dumbass tells you that being involved with politics doesn’t make a difference, or that politicians are all the same, you can think about this. Because they aren’t all the same — and we’re just getting started with replacing the ones that need to go. “

I’m one of those dumbasses. And I will continue to vote for Democrats and hope they do the right thing; but I certainly won’t expect them to.

It’s great that we have a handful of patriots in our government. But we’re not anywhere near close to restoring our unalienable rights at the ballot box. And we’re not getting there soon.

You guys made a valiant and heroic effort; but it just didn’t work. This will end with a victory by WE THE PEOPLE. The tyrants WILL be vanquished.

But it’ll get worse first. Far worse. So bad that the apathetic American people will get angry and take to the streets.

And then, this evil government…not just the president, but ALL of them, will step down. Because they will have no choice.

When WE THE PEOPLE say no…and we will…it will be clear how completely impotent this government really is. And how helpless they are when confronted by real opposition.

BULLSEYE:
“Having honed my predictive powers watching this same history repeat itself ever-faster for the last half-decade, allow me a magic 8-ball moment. The Democratic blogs will rapidly begin Project C.Y.A. by parsing the Ayes and the Nos from the Democratic ranks, and the cries of disappointment, shame, and rebellion will quickly devolve into turgid discussions on whom to selectively “target.” They will draw on their successful campaign to oust Joe Lieberman and replace him with an anti-war liberal. Through all this useless blather, they will all still promote the Democratic Party as an institution. Well, I’ve got my popcorn.”
http://whoisioz.blogspot.com/2…..heard.html

BUL*SEYE:
“Having honed my predictive powers watching this same history repeat itself ever-faster for the last half-decade, allow me a magic 8-ball moment. The Democratic blogs will rapidly begin Project C.Y.A. by parsing the Ayes and the Nos from the Democratic ranks, and the cries of disappointment, shame, and rebellion will quickly devolve into turgid discussions on whom to selectively “target.” They will draw on their successful campaign to oust Joe Lieberman and replace him with an anti-war liberal. Through all this useless blather, they will all still promote the Democratic Party as an institution. Well, I’ve got my popcorn.http://whoisioz.blogspot.com/2007/08/stop-me-if-you-think-that-youve-heard.html

Marie Roget @ 51

Blub @ 35

The final rollcall is at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll836.xml

(reposting)

…

Anyone know if there’s a vid somewhere online of Debbie Wasserman Shultz from last night? She really spoke truth to power, even as she was being gaveled down…

Cooool. She’s my hero (at least for now).

A few hours ago Calif. Sec. of State Debra Bowen was. So, I guess I’m a little fickle. Bowen basically threw out all the electronic voting machines and, as we all know, California leads the way for America.

Woo hoo!