Christy!

big wheel keep on turnin’

I’ll call Norm Coleman in a few minutes…

Good morning, Christy. I prefer to fax :-)

Fax #s available @ every Senator’s website via Google…

Good morning Christy!

I want to remind everyone to make it more then “habeas corpus”

I think we need to point out what’s at stake, for instance;

“I don’t want some official to be able to invent crimes that never existed just so the can make believe they have some reason to keep me in jail”

and

“if someone makes up crap about me I want to be able to see that crap and prove it is crap”

things like that rather then “we must restore the constitution”

Marie at 4 — Very good point. And, frankly, doubling up with a call and a FAX doesn’t hurt. *g*

Thanks CHS…called yesterday will call again.

What about folks demanding that our Reps pass Senator Webbs legislation having to do with the Bush administration being required to come back through congress before they start another unnecessary war in Iran?

Folks please please bring this up

For those who want to fax:

Free fax online.

Senator Dodd and Senator Leahy are asking people to call their Senators and whip around this as well. You can sign up to be a citizen co-sponsor of the Leahy-Specter-Dodd Amendment at http://restore-habeas.org.

A school kid got tasered for asking a question to John Kerry. If you’re concerned about the constitution, then why isn’t this a headline on your blog?

kathleen at 8 — Webb’s amendment is a fantastic one, that absolutely deserves support.

We are better than this. We are better than jailing people in perpetuity without a determination of innocence or guilt.

Not according to Judge Mukasey.

Matt at 10 — Thanks so much. Will update the post with the link. Much appreciated!

jayt at 13 — I don’t think that is an accurate reading of Mukasey’s rulings across a wide range of cases. But I’m still doing research on that. I try to refrain from making snap judgments until I see a longer view of the pattern of legal precedent — and Mukasey has a very long record which looks fairly precedential through the years.

I’d caution against trying to make snapshot viewpoints based on a single ruling in a single case, frankly.

Good Morning and thank you Christy!

I’m dialing!!

Thanks so much to everyone for making calls. Really appreciate it!

I’m getting always “can you hold please”

that’s a good thing, means everybody else is calling, too!

Biodun @ 9

For those who want to fax:

Free fax online.

Thanks! So the same day I call for Sen. Ted Stevens to announce his retirement, I’m faxing him to show some spine – for a change! Gotta love it…

smellrat @ 11

A school kid got tasered for asking a question to John Kerry. If you’re concerned about the constitution, then why isn’t this a headline on your blog?

While there has been a great deal of Kerry pounding here at FDL for not responding to the taser event. (I certainly question the lack of an immediate response) Let’s not forget what Kerry was pushing on Meet the Press this past Sunday. “SURGE THE DIPLOMACY” Kerry was pushing hard..watch this part of the program

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/

McCain attacks, interrupts and lies. Kerry keeps his cool, pushes for “surging diplomacy in Iraq”, and substantially reducing the troops while continuing to train Iraqi troops. Kerry also brings up the much ignored recommendation of the Iraq Study Group a middle east conference focused on Iraq. Kerry points out that there has been “ample” time to put this together.

He also spends a great deal of time bringing up the 2 soldiers who were part of the Team of seven who wrote the New York op-ed. He reads from the op-ed. And brings up the soldier who was shot in the head. This was the most time I have heard spent on this issue on the MSM.

While we may want to let Kerry know that the lack of response on his part to the taser incident is disturbing. I believe we must THANK AND SUPPORT HIS EFFORTS to focus on ” SURGING THE DIPLOMACY” in Iraq and the middle east.

Is Rove lurking and smirking about our focus?

Lieberman’s DC office person says yes, but, he’s made no public statement, and like I believe the little fence *ucker! Let me call the local CT office, “let’s see? Hang on…it’s kind of tough, he didn’t co-sponsor it, let’s see s.185? Tune in to CNN to watch, I mean Cspan!”

Christy Hardin Smith @ 15

jayt at 13 — I don’t think that is an accurate reading of Mukasey’s rulings across a wide range of cases. But I’m still doing research on that. I try to refrain from making snap judgments until I see a longer view of the pattern of legal precedent — and Mukasey has a very long record which looks fairly precedential through the years.

I’d caution against trying to make snapshot viewpoints based on a single ruling in a single case, frankly.

My opinion is based upon his ruling (okay, maybe dicta), in the Padilla case to the effect that the president does have the right to detain U.S. citizens designated as enemy combatants, without the need to bring charges (iow, indefinite detainment), and from his recent Op-Ed in the Wall St. Journal.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110010505

OT

Here’s from TPM on McConnell’s testimony today, good background and foreground.

jayt at 22 — I figured that. But he has a long history on these types of cases, and it’s much more consistent thus far in my reading as standing up for civil liberties than against them. But he has a LONG history on the bench and it’s going to take some time to sort through all of it to get any clear picture. I’m just saying that it’s not as black and white as the single instance in Padilla dicta paints it. At least not from my cursory read as yet.

I don’t find the whip count tool at restore-habeas.org — does anyone have a direct URL to the tool?

I hope Murtha immediately steps up to the plate and honors the subpoena.

The right wing radicals who would not recognize a “true Patriot” like Murtha if it hit them in the face, want Murtha’s ass served on a platter.

The cheery-sounding voice at Coleman’s DC office said: “All right! I’ll pass your message on to the senator.”

Not quite sure what to make of that. I’ll fax and call his MN office as well.

My folks were not on the list but I emailed them anyway.

“Word is that Sen. Lindsey Graham has threatened to mount a filibuster of this bill — nice way to stand up for basic human rights, there, Huckleberry…”

Wonder if it’s because Huckleberry has the “hood and ball-gag” concession at that there South Carolina brig where they hold folks incommunicado and in total isolation for 3-4 years at a time?

Wonder why Huckleberry is into “hood and ball-gags” at all?

Shorter Lindsey: “mmmpf…mmmpf.”

thanks christy (and everyone who is making the calls). i’ll start calling in a couple of minutes. definately worth the time.

just want to give a quick reminder… starting in 5 minutes on c-span3

Tuesday, 11 am – House Judiciary
Hearing on FISA with Mike McConnell and Kenneth Wainstein

details and hearing schedule for the week – here.

Tom at 25 — They are working through a glitch — should be up in the next few minutes.

The Daily Muck
By Will Thomas – September 18, 2007, 9:50AM

Reps. Murtha (D-PA), Moran (D-VA) and Visclosky (D-IN) have a friend in PMA. The three lawmakers have made the group their lobbyist firm of choice, steering over $100 million in earmarks to PMA clients this year. Meanwhile, the firm and its clients now represent one quarter of the three representatives’ fundraising money, bringing in over $500,000 in campaign contributions. (Roll Call)

I called both Schumer and Clinton’s offices–
the guy at Schumer’s seemed genuinely interested,and promised to send the message right along– the woman at Clinton’s office seemed bored and seemed to be trying to get me off the phone as fast as possible. FWIW

Elliott @ 18

I’m getting always “can you hold please”

that’s a good thing, means everybody else is calling, too!

Yeah, but some may be from the other side of the fence. I’m sure the other side has people advising their supporters to call their Senators about this today too.

messaged Nelson, Hagel, Lugar, Toe Tapper, Warner busy,….

btw, Durbin is talking about Blackwater contractors on the floor of the Senate at the moment.

This is the message I sent Craig last night:

You are still my Senator, for a couple more weeks at least, and as I understand
it , you still have a vote in that body. The Republican party has not been
loyal to you – I see no reason for you to blindly follow either this president
or this party. In a way, your current situation has freed you from the
political necessity of worrying about reelection or party loyalty, or any of
that. I’m hoping that you will do the right thing.

First, you should vote in favor of the Dodd Amendment to restore habeas corpus.
This act should have passed previously. I contacted your office, by phone,
about it at the time. I was appalled and disappointed that your staffer
couldn’t tell me your stance on it. Let’s be honest here, sir. You’ve just had
a bad encounter with the legal system – now imagine that instead of simply
detaining you in that airport for a short time, you had been detained
indefinitley without your family knowing where you were. You should recognize
the importance of this right, and you should do the right thing and vote to
restore it.

Haven’t heard from him. My other Senator, Crapo, has already told me to fuck off – that they aren’t US citizens, so the Constitution and Habeas don’t apply.

Philosophical at 33 — Thanks so much for making the calls. Calls to Schumer, btw, have the double effect of hitting both a Senator and the person running the DSCC campaign — so that’s a good call to make in terms of pushing this issue in the whole Democratic caucus as well. Really appreciate it!

Juan Cole on Blackwater
http://www.juancole.com/

from Mukasey’s op-ed:

…a new adjudicatory framework,…the creation of a separate national security court staffed by independent, life-tenured judges to deal with the full gamut of national security issues, from intelligence gathering to prosecution. Mr. Terwilliger’s more limited proposals address principally the need to incapacitate dangerous people, by using legal standards akin to those developed to handle civil commitment of the mentally ill.

These proposals deserve careful scrutiny by the public, and particularly by the U.S. Congress.

(snip)

So my combined reading is that Mukasey has no problem with U.S. citizens, designated as enemy combatants, by somebody, can be subjected to criminal sanctions based upon a preponderance of the evidence standard.

Let’s just say I’m not crazy about it.

I love the citzen action that happens here at FDL. For those here because of Bill O’Loofah’s criticism of Jane Hamsher, this post is a good example of what many of the “lefty” blogs do.

Here’s another thing we do…hold people accountable. This is the child that is going to lecture Ms. Hamsher and others about morality?!?

“During the course of the dinner, in approximately May 2003, Defendant BILL O’REILLY, without solicitation or invite, regaled Plaintiff and her friend with stories concerning the loss of his virginity to a girl in a car at JFK, two “really wild” Scandinavian airline stewardesses he had gotten together with, and a “girl” at a sex show in Thailand who had shown him things in the backroom that “blew [his] mind.” Defendant then stated he was going to Italy to meet the Pope, that his pregnant wife was staying at home with his daughter, and implied he was looking forward to some extra-marital dalliances with the “hot” Italian women.”

Oh and the hits just keep coming when you read the transcript over at the SmokingGun.com

I’ll leave out the detailed parts about vibrators and masturbating…if interested, you can see it for yourself.

Ya know, it might make an interesting game for people to post their favorite lines out of the transcript on a regular basis, so we can see how this “defender of Christmas” and of “family values” really thinks.

So for any Fox viewers here, would you rather listen to the disgusting Falafel King, or the people who post on the frontpage here at FDL?

Senator Kerry’s lines are all busy. . .I did also call my own Senators, more Constitution, please.

The times, they are a changin’. For better or worse. Things will not stay the same.

Christy,
I just got off the phone with Stabenow’s office. The staffer was polite and said she would pass it along.

The real downer was that the staffer did not ask one probing question or even give a sense of stance. I was informed that the Senator has no opinion on the issue.

I am sick with rage.

selise — Do you know if C-Span is planning on covering the House hearing? Am not finding it, if so. Just checking to see if you (or anyone) knows on that — would like to listen in — between phone calls this morning.

oddball at 44 — That’s odd, because Sen. Stabenow is one of the co-sponsors, I think. Perhaps that staffer should be informed of that?

oddball @ 44

Christy,
I just got off the phone with Stabenow’s office. The staffer was polite and said she would pass it along.

The real downer was that the staffer did not ask one probing question or even give a sense of stance. I was informed that the Senator has no opinion on the issue.

I am sick with rage.

No opinion? On Habeas Corpus? .Makes me wonder about the constitutional preparation some of these folks have.

bonkers @ 41:

Bill’O: the worst person in the world…

Does anyone know where Senator Feinstein stands on this bill? I know I can count on Senator Boxer. In fact I regularly write Feinstein and ask her why she can’t be more like Boxer (she probably doesn’t like that very much, oh well.).

CHS:

If Debbie Stabenow is one of the co-sponsors, then why is she on the list of senators who can use some extra persuasion (in your post above)?

I hate call these folks from out of state. they ask the zip code and I feel like the put my comment in the shredder.
my guys arent listed.
advice?
call leadership?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 45

selise — Do you know if C-Span is planning on covering the House hearing? Am not finding it, if so. Just checking to see if you (or anyone) knows on that — would like to listen in — between phone calls this morning.

the house is taking a vote right now, so the start of the HJC hearing is a bit delayed – this is just got from calling the HJC.

c-span has it listed as their highlighted programing and as scheduled to show on c-span3.

i’m also going to try to listen (and record it)… using the mute button as necessary to make the calls.

Hearing delayed 45 min to an hour

C,
Stabenow did co-sponsor S.185 so I too find it odd that she or her office is unaware. Maybe we got out a little ahead of the curve on her. But it is still a shame that our employees can’t seem to grasp the details of their importance.

I am still sick with rage.

CSPAN3 just announced SJC hearing delayed by House voting. They say 45 mins-1 hr. delay.

Just sent in a question to the Diane Rehm show on the topic which is on right now how will “micro trends” will effect the upcoming elections.

I asked the guest to describe how the new political blogs (that many of us find ourselves spending a good deal of time at) the “netroots” will effect the upcoming elections. I put in a plug for Firedoglake, Daily Kos and the Next Hurrah.

I get questions on far too often. Send in many not named and they get on.
Send in your guestion take the opportunity to plug your favorite political blogs

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/
1800-433-8850

In this house we are working hard to color Oklahoma blue. If that happens here, it can happen anywhere.

The right to a fair and speedy trial has been usurped. And the march to fascism will continue if the Republicans are occupying the WH in 2009. Keep pounding away at those who want ‘justice’ only for themselves.

I’m getting several e-mails telling me that the siwtchboard is swamped. I updated the post above, but wanted to be certain that you could get direct line numbers for Senators easily — check here for your Senators.

Biodun at 50 — Because myinformation is that she is wobbly and needs some extra push, that’s why.

peterboy @ 51

I hate call these folks from out of state. they ask the zip code and I feel like the put my comment in the shredder.
my guys arent listed.
advice?
call leadership?

go to a zip code map and pick one from the the state you’re calling

peterboy at 51 — Please call your own Senators. Whether they are listed or not, they need to hear from you that this issue is important. Every call is needed to every Senator today. Please.

We are heading toward disaster. And if peace doesn’t break out soon, all else won’t matter.

Russia warns against military action in Iran

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran…..56,00.html

Elliott @ 60

peterboy @ 51

I hate call these folks from out of state. they ask the zip code and I feel like the put my comment in the shredder.
my guys arent listed.
advice?

call leadership?

got to a zip code map and pick one from the the state you’re calling

I am not really comfortable with lying. Besides, they can also tap you into the computer with name and zip and verify you. Almost always, they dont bother.
but…

My fax…

Senator Kyl in January 2006 you took the oath of office at your Senatorial swearing in and it starts with:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States”.

The right of habeas corpus was considered so essential that the Founders wrote it into the Constitution, the only civil liberty enshrined in the Constitution itself.

Now is the time to show the citizens of Arizona you intend to uphold your oath of office and support Amendment S. 2202 – Habeas Corpus Restoration Act

And why do I think this will go into the circular file?

Because Jon Kyl has supported the removal of Habeas Corpus for years. Why the libertarians of Arizona keep voting for this yahoo is beyond me.

CHS:

And the link Amendment S. 202 leads to the following:

Temporary file open error. Display failed.

[Mod: try this link instead. h/t selise]

Just a little thing, Christy:

it’s

V o i n o v i c h

yes. a big “0″ in the middle. yup.

ooogh. yes. i’ll contact him agin & agin.
I’m sure I’m already on his, “OH NO! WHAT NOW!?!” list. I don’t care. He deserves to be pestered senseless, groan.

I heard Sessions opining on habeas yesterday.
What. An. IDJET!
Would someone puleeze smack HIM upside the head with some truthiness?! Goodgawd!

Write letters to the editor. Politicians pay attention to these. And your printed message will reach thousands. Perhaps even millions.

I remember trying to get an opinion from Obama prior to the MCA passage, and he and his staff were unforthcoming.

OT..W..no comment needed:

Gold Star Mothers, got you, okay, thank you — Blue Star Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, all the mothers, yes. (Applause.) Every day is Mother’s Day as far as your concerned, isn’t it?

link

If you honestly think Joe Lieberman cares what his constituents think, you are more naive than I am!
:-)
I don’t bother calling him any more, it’s like telling a walrus not to hog the beach:it doesn’t do any good, and it irritates the walrus.

When the walrus is irritated, he sends me stoopid, lengthy, pointless diatribes as to why he’s ignoring my comment, and why he’ll never change his mind. (it’s all Israel, I already know that) His emails are worse than his droning, irrational, CYA speeches.

Please don’t wish that on me.

Biodun at 65 — Don’t know what to tell you on that — it’s a quirk of the stupid Thomas bill system that a query link reverts, but that you can’t pull a bill up any other way. If you search on bills sponsored by Specter, you’ll find the Amendment. I can’t figure out any other way to link it.

And while you’re at it, perhaps mention you strongly support public financing of elections.

“No opinion? On Habeas Corpus? Makes me wonder about the constitutional preparation some of these folks have.”

You would hand your birth righted constitutional protections to enemy combatants captured on the battlefield? How about some food stamps and a case of beer to sweeten things even more? Or better yet, just throw open the gates to the citadel and let the barbarian hordes ride right in.

I had the rather dubious honor of calling Senators Sessions and Shelby to express my support for habeas restoration and Sen. Webb’s amendment. The aide was polite. “Thanks, I’ll pass that along.”

CHS @ 71:

Thanks.

Rick at 73 — Nice comprehension of history you have there. Magna carta. American revolution. Ring a bell?

Biodun @ 65

CHS:

And the link Amendment S. 202 leads to the following:

Temporary file open error. Display failed.

try 2202

Christy Hardin Smith @ 71

Biodun at 65 — Don’t know what to tell you on that — it’s a quirk of the stupid Thomas bill system that a query link reverts, but that you can’t pull a bill up any other way. If you search on bills sponsored by Specter, you’ll find the Amendment. I can’t figure out any other way to link it.

here’s a good link for you to use. thomas is definately not user friendly, took me awhile, but i think i have it about 10% figured out now.

[Mod: Thanks for this link, added to post]

Guess who Alabama Republicans are backing for president.

Now that the Iraqi government is “stepping up to the plate” and making a stand and making demands “Blackwater out”

They are getting slammed by the very same people who have been demanding that they “step up to the plate”

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/

SB_Gypsy @ 70

If you honestly think Joe Lieberman cares what his constituents think, you are more naive than I am!
:-)
I don’t bother calling him any more, it’s like telling a walrus not to hog the beach:it doesn’t do any good, and it irritates the walrus.

When the walrus is irritated, he sends me stoopid, lengthy, pointless diatribes as to why he’s ignoring my comment, and why he’ll never change his mind. (it’s all Israel, I already know that) His emails are worse than his droning, irrational, CYA speeches.

Please don’t wish that on me.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to take one for the team.

So, I need to call Kit Bond . . . Not that I expect it to change his vote, but I’d like him to have to look over his shoulder a bit more often.

Lahoma suggests it’s time to leave. We both have the day off. Keep fighting.

OKK — Enjoy the day out with your lovely lady. :)

smellrat @ 11

A school kid got tasered for asking a question to John Kerry. If you’re concerned about the constitution, then why isn’t this a headline on your blog?

Catch up.
It’s been discussed.
He isn’t a school kid.
The rule was that everyone had two minutes and he disrespected everyone else at the rally by going way beyond.
I’m glad you’re concerned, but it’s probably a good idea to check Your Facts.
It’s also Respectful to everyone else here.

SB_Gypsy @ 70

If you honestly think Joe Lieberman cares what his constituents think, you are more naive than I am!
:-)
I don’t bother calling him any more, it’s like telling a walrus not to hog the beach:it doesn’t do any good, and it irritates the walrus.

When the walrus is irritated, he sends me stoopid, lengthy, pointless diatribes as to why he’s ignoring my comment, and why he’ll never change his mind. (it’s all Israel, I already know that) His emails are worse than his droning, irrational, CYA speeches.

Please don’t wish that on me.

See Peterr @ 81 for the reason to keep on keepin’ on… Call your Senator, please.

“Dear Senator Feinstein:

I am writing to urge your support for amendment S.2202 restoring habeas corpus to the United States of America, which as you know the Republicans took away from us. I already know that I can count on Senator Boxer, what I want to know is can I count on you?

Respectfully,

(insert name here)”

selise @ 78:

Thanks. So Debbie Stabenow is a co-sponsor of Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (S.185), but not of Amendment S.2202.

Technicolouryawn — You’ll be happy to know that both Feinstein and Boxer are co-sponsors of the amendment. Just FYI.

I’ve got Bayh on speed dial. I’ll make sure to give him a jingle here in a bit. I would hope even a DINO like Evan would support Habeas — but I’ve overestimated him before.

Biodun — Hence the she needs a nudge…

I thought FISA/HJC was up at 11:00 (et), but here, on the Left coast, nada at any of the 3 CSPANs.
I’m looking to make above suggested phone calls instead.
I’ve got the list, but does anyone know who on the list is more Borderline than others?
I just want to get the best bang for my buck.
(and, I love the follow-thru with a fax suggestion. Will do.)

Christy Hardin Smith @ 88

Technicolouryawn — You’ll be happy to know that both Feinstein and Boxer are co-sponsors of the amendment. Just FYI.

“Doh!!!”

Add the “stop a war with Iran” issue to your phone calls. One would think that the blogs would be all over General Wesley Clarks efforts to gain support for “no attack on Iran” actions

http://timetolead.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/wes-cla
rk-still-trying-to-get-dems-to-care-about-ns/

Stop the war with Iran petition (Wesley Clark)
http://www.stopiranwar.com/

Christy Hardin Smith @ 90

Biodun — Hence the she needs a nudge…

I’m in California.
Who should I focus on contacting?

demi @ 91

I thought FISA/HJC was up at 11:00 (et), but here, on the Left coast, nada at any of the 3 CSPANs.
I’m looking to make above suggested phone calls instead.

Demi – the hearing was postponed for about an hour.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 90

Biodun — Hence the she needs a nudge…

I’m glad we got that clarified…*g*

newtonusr @ 95

demi @ 91

I thought FISA/HJC was up at 11:00 (et), but here, on the Left coast, nada at any of the 3 CSPANs.
I’m looking to make above suggested phone calls instead.

Demi – the hearing was postponed for about an hour.

Thanks Newton. So, now to the phone.

Mmmmmm…it’s mulled cider season…

demi @ 84

smellrat @ 11

A school kid got tasered for asking a question to John Kerry. If you’re concerned about the constitution, then why isn’t this a headline on your blog?

Catch up.
It’s been discussed.
He isn’t a school kid.
The rule was that everyone had two minutes and he disrespected everyone else at the rally by going way beyond.
I’m glad you’re concerned, but it’s probably a good idea to check Your Facts.
It’s also Respectful to everyone else here.

yes, and as we all know, not being respectful is a very serious crime. the police were acting correctly to protect the audience from being exposed to that kind of disrespect. lord knows what serious damage would have been done if the police hadn’t acted.

leinie @ 37

Let’s be honest here, sir. You’ve [Senator Craig] just had a bad encounter with the legal system – now imagine that instead of simply detaining you in that airport for a short time, you had been detained indefinitley without your family knowing where you were. You should recognize the importance of this right, and you should do the right thing and vote to restore it.

Ooohhh…snap!

demi @ 84

smellrat @ 11

A school kid got tasered for asking a question to John Kerry. If you’re concerned about the constitution, then why isn’t this a headline on your blog?

Catch up.
It’s been discussed.
He isn’t a school kid.
The rule was that everyone had two minutes and he disrespected everyone else at the rally by going way beyond.
I’m glad you’re concerned, but it’s probably a good idea to check Your Facts.
It’s also Respectful to everyone else here.

It is not possible to keep up with all of the issues that have been discussed here at FDL unless you are on here 24/7.

There is a fair amount of discussion about this on the last thread/article (is that what you call it?)

Christy Hardin Smith @ 76

Rick at 73 — Nice comprehension of history you have there. Magna carta. American revolution. Ring a bell?

You forgot The Code of Hammurabi. A terrible omission for such an incredibly deep thinker? No?

selise @ 99

demi @ 84

Catch up.
It’s been discussed.
He isn’t a school kid.
The rule was that everyone had two minutes and he disrespected everyone else at the rally by going way beyond.
I’m glad you’re concerned, but it’s probably a good idea to check Your Facts.
It’s also Respectful to everyone else here.

yes, and as we all know, not being respectful is a very serious crime. the police were acting correctly to protect the audience from being exposed to that kind of disrespect. lord knows what serious damage would have been done if the police hadn’t acted.

He missed the sign outside the auditorium that said, “Impertinence will get you busted and tasered”.

must feed troll…cannot resist…sorry

Rick @ 73

“No opinion? On Habeas Corpus? Makes me wonder about the constitutional preparation some of these folks have.”

You would hand your birth righted constitutional protections to enemy combatants captured on the battlefield? How about some food stamps and a case of beer to sweeten things even more? Or better yet, just throw open the gates to the citadel and let the barbarian hordes ride right in.

so rick, how on earth would you even know if these are “enemy combatants”..hmmm???..you of course are just gonna take some “official” word for it..is that right???hmmmm???

since without habeas protection there is no evidence what so ever, and since there doesn’t even have to be a crime without habeas protection

so once again, how on earth would you even know these are “enemy combatants”…you rick, can be called an enemy combatant for no reason what so ever…maybe someone wants to take your business and made crap up about you, maybe someone just doesn’t like you and there wouldn’t be anything you could do about that

oh, I forgot, the wingnuts actually still believe the commander in chief when he says “cause I say they are enemy combatants that makes it true”

ok, done feeding trolls for this thread

Just off the phone with Victoria Wulsin, who says she is grateful for the support firedoglake provided her thru Blue America in ‘06, and looks forward to working with us in the ‘08 election.

re demi @84

Everyone keep your comments short!

Maybe the site hosts can get some kind of virtual tasers for the liveblogging threads.

Kathleen @ 8

What about folks demanding that our Reps pass Senator Webbs legislation having to do with the Bush administration being required to come back through congress before they start another unnecessary war in Iran?

i completely agree with you… but the house has already voted on a similar amendment (in may, i think) and the amendment failed with 99 dems voting against (and speaker pelosi not even voting).

and i thought it was the house that was usually better than the senate on this kind of thing.

i’ll get you the links if you want, but it will have to wait until after i’ve made my phone calls.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 88

Technicolouryawn — You’ll be happy to know that both Feinstein and Boxer are co-sponsors of the amendment. Just FYI.

I really don’t trust Feinstein anymore, regardless. :-P

Egregious@105

And it’s a delicious bonus that she’s running against Mean Jean! Dr. Wulsin is like wonder woman, simply an amazing person…

egregious @ 104

Just off the phone with Victoria Wulsin, who says she is grateful for the support firedoglake provided her thru Blue America in ‘06, and looks forward to working with us in the ‘08 election.

Oh, sure — you get the fun calls . . .

:)

There’s seems to be a “deep thinker” who’s in need of food stamps and a case of beer.

Rick might also want to read up on George Washington re: treatment of combatants. He was, like, the father of our country ;)

Rick — Yes, the Code of Hammurabi. Also Leviticus and any number of other not so relevant and applicable to modern western jurisprudential bits. (Unless you want to try all the football players extant for touching the skin of pigs on Saturdays or something.) And yet, still, not really an answer to my question, oh not-so-wise one, is it?

Okay, folks, I was reading here and on the speaker phone at the same time, but when I get three smack downs, in short order, I leave.
I’ll just focus on the phones.
Bye.

Peterr @ 110

egregious @ 104

Just off the phone with Victoria Wulsin, who says she is grateful for the support firedoglake provided her thru Blue America in ‘06, and looks forward to working with us in the ‘08 election.

Oh, sure — you get the fun calls . . .

:)

Actually some of the newer phones have a feature where you can make outgoing calls. Give it a try :)

Granting habeas corpus rights to prisoners of war has never happened before. The question is whether these are prisoners of war or simple criminals. That is the fundamental difference of opinion. I personally think all you people are naive fools.

http://judiciary.house.gov/

hearings up

so, when rudy and judas sheep joe liarman make believe they “listen to the generals” the democrats can flat out call him a liar;

Abizaid: In ‘The Battle Of Words,’ Phrases Like ‘Islamic Extremism’ Alienate ‘Mainline Islam’ »
In July, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani complained that Democratic presidential candidates avoided using formulations of the term “Islamic extremists,” saying “I can’t imagine who you insult if you say Islamic terrorist“:

“During their two debates they never mentioned the word Islamic terrorist, Islamic extremist, Islamic fascist, terrorist, whatever combination of those words you want to use, (the) words never came up,” Giuliani said Tuesday in Virginia Beach. “Maybe it’s politically incorrect to say that. I don’t know. I can’t imagine who you insult if you say Islamic terrorist. You don’t insult anyone who is Islamic who isn’t a terrorist.“

In August, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said he worries that candidates “don’t use the term ‘Islamist extremism’ or ‘Islamist terrorism’ in the debates.” He said it was “a problem” of “political correctness.”

The hawkish logic of Giuliani and Lieberman was contradicted yesterday by former CENTCOM Commander Gen. John Abizaid, who said in a speech that “even adding the word Islamic” makes it “very, very difficult” to “work together” with mainline regional leaders to keep extremism “from becoming mainstream.” Abizaid was speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the role of the military in counterterrorism.

from think progress

no rudy, you have no clue what a real military strategist thinks or does

Kathleen @ 93

Add the “stop a war with Iran” issue to your phone calls. One would think that the blogs would be all over General Wesley Clarks efforts to gain support for “no attack on Iran” actions

http://timetolead.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/wes-cla
rk-still-trying-to-get-dems-to-care-about-ns/

Stop the war with Iran petition (Wesley Clark)
http://www.stopiranwar.com/

folks if we do not focus on this issue (and sadly if we do) in a short amount of time we “may” be discussing how the “cakewalk” zealots pulled off an unnecessary attack on Iran.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/091807J.shtml

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/091707B.shtml
IAEA Chief Warns Against Striking Iran
The Associated Press

Monday 17 September 2007

Vienna, Austria – Invoking the war in Iraq, the chief U.N. nuclear inspector criticized talk of attacking Iran as “hype” on Monday, saying the use of force should only be considered as a last resort and only if authorized by the U.N. Security Council.

“I would not talk about any use of force,” said Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in an indirect response to French warnings that the world had to be prepared for the possibility of war in the event that Iran obtains atomic weapons.

Saying only the U.N. Security Council could authorize the use of force, ElBaradei urged the world to remember Iraq before considering any similar action against Iran.”

CALL YOUR REPS ..Support Senator Webbs legislation to stop a war with Iran based on unsubstantiated claims. Support Iaea’s El Baradei’s inspections and diplomacy, do not undermine it.

Sorry if this duplicates someone else’s comment’s cut & paste; I admit I went right from Christy’s post to the end of the comments to post this:

http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200709/091707c.html

It’s an important matter, and Leahy’s pitch bears a couple of listens.

Love my Vermont homey.

demi @ 84

The rule was that everyone had two minutes and he disrespected everyone else at the rally by going way beyond.

Just for clarity’s sake, if you watch this YouTube angle which has the entire exchange with Kerry, you clearly see that Andrew Meyer is completely done after 1min and 30sec, even after being interrupted several times. He did not go over the alloted time.

I attend public hearings frequently, and what he did was not unusual at all. Here’s a college student finally asking questions I’ve wanted answers to for years, yet no one in the media asks. Good on him!

He clearly says, “two more questions,” and then quickly asks them. When they cut the mic, it’s obvious he’s trying to give the mic to the next person and it seems like he’s going to listen for an answer. It’s at this moment the cops physically grab him. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! They had no reason under law whatsoever to grab this guy. Thank god he stood up to an injustice, and too bad people like John Kerry and other Dem “leaders” don’t.

Tithonia @ 112

Rick might also want to read up on George Washington re: treatment of combatants. He was, like, the father of our country ;)

Rick probably doesn’t travel, but I know that when I’m in another country, I appreciate not being arbitrarily arrested. That gives me yet more incentive to insist that all people in my country are treated with the same rights. Yes, even a terrorist.

Dunno why this is such a hard concept for some people to grasp…

Hearing up on C-span 3!

egregious @ 105

Just off the phone with Victoria Wulsin, who says she is grateful for the support firedoglake provided her thru Blue America in ‘06, and looks forward to working with us in the ‘08 election.

Political Blogs a new and powerful “deliberative body”

egregious @ 114

Peterr @ 110

Oh, sure — you get the fun calls . . .

:)

Actually some of the newer phones have a feature where you can make outgoing calls. Give it a try :)

I meant you get to make the fun calls. As noted above, I get to call Kit Bond, katymine gets to call John Kyl, and poor SB Gypsy gets to call Short Ride Joe.

I’m guessing we’d all much rather talk to someone like Victoria.

ellwort @ 120

Sorry if this duplicates someone else’s comment’s cut & paste; I admit I went right from Christy’s post to the end of the comments to post this:

http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200709/091707c.html

It’s an important matter, and Leahy’s pitch bears a couple of listens.

Love my Vermont homey.

let me quote from the very first line, bolds are mine;

Last year, Congress committed an historic mistake by suspending the Great Writ of habeas corpus — not just for those confined at Guantanamo Bay but for millions of legal residents in the United States

demi @ 114

Okay, folks, I was reading here and on the speaker phone at the same time, but when I get three smack downs, in short order, I leave.
I’ll just focus on the phones.
Bye.

please don’t leave! disagreement is not a bad thing!

Trolls are starting early today. Must really be nervous.

perris @ 126

ellwort @ 120

Sorry if this duplicates someone else’s comment’s cut & paste; I admit I went right from Christy’s post to the end of the comments to post this:

http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200709/091707c.html

It’s an important matter, and Leahy’s pitch bears a couple of listens.

Love my Vermont homey.

let me quote from the very first line, bolds are mine;

Last year, Congress committed an historic mistake by suspending the Great Writ of habeas corpus — not just for those confined at Guantanamo Bay but for millions of legal residents in the United States

Bingo. The whole point.

Wow. The Fox Republican officials and politicians have been tossed out of majority rule in large part for their corruption and they STILL are 80% of the worst, most slimeball corrupt politicians in Congress. Man you’ve got to give those frops credit – it’s really hard work to keep up all those bribes and abuses of power when you’re not even in power!

A on keeping up the corruption you vile sleezebucket frops. That’s almost as admirable as you covering for our rudderless, more of the same, lamo surge strategy that keeps killing more and more Americans each month. More corruption. No achievable plan for success in Iraq. Let’s see what happens to all you frops next election. You’ll get my vote over my dead body.

<18 Sep 2007 // Washington, DC – Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress entitled Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch). This encyclopedic report on corruption in the 110th Congress documents the egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities of the most tainted members of Congress. CREW has compiled the members’ transgressions and analyzed them in light of federal laws and congressional rules.

Sixteen members have been replaced from last year’s list of 25.

CREW also has re-launched the report’s tandem website, http://www.beyonddelay.org. The site offers short summaries of each member’s transgressions as well as the full-length profiles and all accompanying exhibits.

Members of the Senate:
Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)

Members of House:
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-CA)
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA)
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-LA)
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-CA)
Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV)
Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-PA)
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA)
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ)
Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. David Scott (D-GA)
Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL)
Rep. Heather A. Wilson (R-NM)

Dishonorable Mention:
Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID)
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

“Every year CREW creates this compendium of corruption to expose and hold accountable those members of Congress who believe they are above the law,” Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW said today. “With the third edition of Beyond DeLay it has become abundantly clear that many public officials believe that the rules don’t apply to them.”

Sloan continued, “Nevertheless, Congress persists in abdicating its constitutional responsibility to police itself, opting to ignore the ethical and legal transgressions of its members. Luckily for the public, at least the Department of Justice still believes that political corruption is worth pursuing.”

Several members in the study are already under federal investigation including: Reps. Calvert, Doolittle, Feeney, Jefferson, Lewis, Miller, Mollohan, Murphy, Renzi and Young, as well as Senator Stevens.

***

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions.

For more information, please visit http://www.citizensforethics.org or contact Naomi Seligman Steiner at 202.408.5565/nseligman@citizensforethics.org.>

http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/30131

Nice interview with Chris Dodd by Diane Rehm from yesterday… How soon we forget. ;(

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/07/09/17.php#13717

Phone calls made and thank you Christy and Scarecrow for these very important posts this morning.

help! gotta do a pod-cast in a minute…

What was the name of the guy who, with Monica goodling, was in charge of hiring and firing at DOJ?

He testified without subpoena, can’t remember his name…

Anybody?

Some interesting trolls visitors at the Lake this morn…

demi @ 114

Okay, folks, I was reading here and on the speaker phone at the same time, but when I get three smack downs, in short order, I leave.
I’ll just focus on the phones.
Bye.

We’re all on the same team here and no one is trying to “smack you down.” It’s just simple clarification and trying to get facts right.

FDL: Truth Porn

jayt @ 132

help! gotta do a pod-cast in a minute…

What was the name of the guy who, with Monica goodling, was in charge of hiring and firing at DOJ?

He testified without subpoena, can’t remember his name…

Anybody?

Kyle Sampson

Sen. Voinovich’s aide couldn’t say how he was going to vote.
I was told to support him if he voted my way or don’t if he didn’t. I think they’re a bit stressed there in the Beltway.;)

selise @ 127

demi @ 114

Okay, folks, I was reading here and on the speaker phone at the same time, but when I get three smack downs, in short order, I leave.
I’ll just focus on the phones.
Bye.

please don’t leave! disagreement is not a bad thing!

Okay, Selise.
I’ve gotten through to Bel Nelso, Mary Landrieu and Olympia Snowe…so far.

selise @ 127

demi @ 114

Okay, folks, I was reading here and on the speaker phone at the same time, but when I get three smack downs, in short order, I leave.

I’ll just focus on the phones.

Bye.

D
please don’t leave! disagreement is not a bad thing!

debate is healthy unless people start attacking the person instead of questioning the opinions.

Your ideas and perspective are necessary and relevant.

perris @ 118

so, when rudy and judas sheep joe liarman make believe they “listen to the generals” the democrats can flat out call him a liar;

Such pretending seems to be rampant among Republics. Unfortunately, the Democratic leaders seem to be pretending to be leaders so Republics suffer no consequences.

newtonusr @ 135

jayt @ 132

help! gotta do a pod-cast in a minute…

What was the name of the guy who, with Monica goodling, was in charge of hiring and firing at DOJ?

He testified without subpoena, can’t remember his name…

Anybody?

Kyle Sampson

thanks!!!

jayt @ 132

help! gotta do a pod-cast in a minute…

What was the name of the guy who, with Monica goodling, was in charge of hiring and firing at DOJ?

He testified without subpoena, can’t remember his name…

Anybody?

Kyle Sampson, Abu’s chief of staff

Just to be certain before I call, Evan Bayh is Bah (like a sheep), right?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 62

We are heading toward disaster. And if peace doesn’t break out soon, all else won’t matter.

Russia warns against military action in Iran

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran…..56,00.html

Reading the excerpt from Drooper’s Bush bio, Dead Certain, makes me dead certain that we’ve got the perfect monkey to engage WW3. Just when you think you understand the level of the man’s arrogance, ignorance, incuriosity, and Napoleon Complex, you learn that you were wrong. He is worse than you thought. (Right now I’m wolfing down hot dog, typing with mouth full, pieces falling out of mouth).

bonkers @ 134

demi @ 114

Okay, folks, I was reading here and on the speaker phone at the same time, but when I get three smack downs, in short order, I leave.
I’ll just focus on the phones.
Bye.

We’re all on the same team here and no one is trying to “smack you down.” It’s just simple clarification and trying to get facts right.

FDL: Truth Porn

Yep. I got a “smackdown” from Norske yesterday. But I wasn’t upset because I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express the night before.

demi @ 142

Just to be certain before I call, Evan Bayh is Bah (like a sheep), right?

Bayh is pronounced like “buy”. English is a truly great language :)

Scanner @ 116

Granting habeas corpus rights to prisoners of war has never happened before. The question is whether these are prisoners of war or simple criminals. That is the fundamental difference of opinion. I personally think all you people are naive fools.

When was war declared? Did I oversleep and miss it? Seems like the Brits approach (police work followed up with a fair trial) has been effective. You conservatives seem to have a basic mistrust of American institutions. I feel like a parent in a swimming pool trying to get a frightened child to jump in “Come on, honey! I won’t let you drown! Daddy will catch you! Jump! Jump!” In the end, you run to the changing room and snivel that you “don’t like swimming, and that no one should be allowed to swim.” Cowardly dolts.

demi @ 137

I’ve gotten through to Bel Nelso, Mary Landrieu and Olympia Snowe…so far.

thank you – for making the phone calls and for sticking around!

hackworth @ 143

Oklahoma kiddo @ 62

We are heading toward disaster. And if peace doesn’t break out soon, all else won’t matter.

Russia warns against military action in Iran

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran…..56,00.html

Reading the excerpt from Drooper’s Bush bio, Dead Certain, makes me dead certain that we’ve got the perfect monkey to engage WW3. Just when you think you understand the level of the man’s arrogance, ignorance, incuriosity, and Napoleon Complex, you learn that you were wrong. He is worse than you thought. (Right now I’m wolfing down hot dog, typing with mouth full, pieces falling out of mouth).

LOL

Cheers for Nadler!

demi @ 142

Just to be certain before I call, Evan Bayh is Bah (like a sheep), right?

Pretty sure it’s like “Bye!” or as in (for example) BI-coastal,

demi @ 137

selise @ 127

please don’t leave! disagreement is not a bad thing!

Okay, Selise.
I’ve gotten through to Bel Nelso, Mary Landrieu and Olympia Snowe…so far.

Glad you stayed! Maybe we’ll change each others minds!

big round of applause at the HJC hearing for congressmember nadler’s excellent statement on fisa. hope c&l got the clip.

perris @ 104

must feed troll…cannot resist…sorry

Rick @ 73

“No opinion? On Habeas Corpus? Makes me wonder about the constitutional preparation some of these folks have.”

You would hand your birth righted constitutional protections to enemy combatants captured on the battlefield? How about some food stamps and a case of beer to sweeten things even more? Or better yet, just throw open the gates to the citadel and let the barbarian hordes ride right in.

so rick, how on earth would you even know if these are “enemy combatants”..hmmm???..you of course are just gonna take some “official” word for it..is that right???hmmmm???

since without habeas protection there is no evidence what so ever, and since there doesn’t even have to be a crime without habeas protection

so once again, how on earth would you even know these are “enemy combatants”…you rick, can be called an enemy combatant for no reason what so ever…maybe someone wants to take your business and made crap up about you, maybe someone just doesn’t like you and there wouldn’t be anything you could do about that

oh, I forgot, the wingnuts actually still believe the commander in chief when he says “cause I say they are enemy combatants that makes it true”

ok, done feeding trolls for this thread

You forgot to speel chick.

Calls made and messages/messaging left wherever possible. Sadly, my new fax machine will have to wait till next time as it isn’t set up yet.

I appreciate the bounty of information available here during these pushes, and made some of these calls yesterday as well at Christy’s urging. I’m having flashes of the Alito cloture vote today, the energy and frustration and education.

Better change Joe Lieberman’s designation to Democrat – that’s how he registered in Stamford, CT

Twain @ 128

Trolls are starting early today. Must really be nervous.

Maybe it has something to do with this?

Tithonia @ 145

demi @ 142
Bayh is pronounced like “buy”. English is a truly great language :)

Amen! Yet another sign that we’re safely out of the clutches of any “intelligent design.”

Scanner at 116 — Oh, that is so factually inaccurate. Please stop getting your information from Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Read here and here and here for why independent third-party review of the facts and evidence are important and here for more historically accurate information, including the fact that we have, in the past, given basic civil liberties protections to others in our custody deemed to hold the same status as today’s “enemy combatants.” FWIW, prisoners of war have LONG had legal rights — see, e.g., Geneva Conventions, which the US helped to write as a big shining example.

Just got through to Senator (Buy)’s office. Also Blanche Lincoln’s.
In other news, they are still doing their kissy thing at the hearing…no questions yet.
But, several people have reinforced the reality that the new FISA vote was pushed through, quickly and right before the summer break.
(thank the goddess for speakerphone, redial and CSPAN 3)

bonkers @ 156

Twain @ 128

Trolls are starting early today. Must really be nervous.

Maybe it has something to do with this?

big sitemeter jump overnight, too, thanx billo!

zennurse @ 154

Calls made and messages/messaging left wherever possible. Sadly, my new fax machine will have to wait till next time as it isn’t set up yet.

I appreciate the bounty of information available here during these pushes, and made some of these calls yesterday as well at Christy’s urging. I’m having flashes of the Alito cloture vote today, the energy and frustration and education.

Again, for those who want to fax:

Free fax online.

selise @ 152

big round of applause at the HJC hearing for congressmember nadler’s excellent statement on fisa. hope c&l got the clip.

aaargh..what did he say???

I spoke to Levin and Stabenow’s offices. Levin’s office said that they believed that he would support the amendment. Stabenow’s phone answerer said he hadn’t spoken to her about this and wasn’t sure where she stood. I let him know that I would be incredibley disappointed in her as my representative if she did not support the amendment. In retrospect, I should have said that I would be horrified if she didn’t vote the right way and I’ll never vote for her again or give her another penny if she doesn’t. I think I’ll call back.

Why is it that although all congress talks about bi-partisan ideas and relations continue to speak about those on The Other Side?

zennurse @ 160

bonkers @ 156

Maybe it has something to do with this?

big sitemeter jump overnight, too, thanx billo!

I love how that happens. They’re f***ing idiots! He (they) really are delusional. Cracks me up!

Toby Wollin @ 162

selise @ 152

big round of applause at the HJC hearing for congressmember nadler’s excellent statement on fisa. hope c&l got the clip.

aaargh..what did he say???

it was for his opening statement, hoping Crooks & Liars will put up the replay today

OT–

Meanwhile, Repug candidates continue their race to the bottom:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is launching a radio ad touting the strength of his opposition to gay marriage.

Romney, who has come under criticism from conservatives for his past support of some gay rights issues, says he is the only major GOP candidate backing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

”Not all Republican candidates agree, but defending marriage is the right thing to do,” Romney says in the 60-second spot to begin airing Wednesday.

The ad is meant to set him apart from Fred Thompson, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani in the minds of conservative voters.

Ah, the swearing in…

Is anyone going to ask McConnell about his misspeaking (lying) last week in response to Lieberman? What a fun q&a that might be…

zennurse @ 160

big sitemeter jump overnight, too, thanx billo!

Yes, that’s why it might be a good idea to follow Olbermann’s approach and really take him on while the iron is hot. O’Loofah visitors: Are these the “family values” you support?

witnesses sworn in

Tithonia @ 145

demi @ 142

Just to be certain before I call, Evan Bayh is Bah (like a sheep), right?

Bayh is pronounced like “buy”. English is a truly great language :)

but the sheep part is correct!!

Oklahoma kiddo @ 62

We are heading toward disaster. And if peace doesn’t break out soon, all else won’t matter.

Russia warns against military action in Iran

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2171856,00
.html

Important read
“We are worried by reports that there is serious consideration being given to military action in Iran. That is a threat to a region where there are already grave problems in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Marie Roget @ 168

Ah, the swearing in…

Is anyone going to ask McConnell about his misspeaking (lying) last week in response to Lieberman? What a fun q&a that might be…

They mentioned it already.

I still wonder if they will be happy to have a Dem president with the same powers.

Michael McConnel giving openg statement.
He just mentioned there will be a classified Q & A later today.. to discuss things We Shouldn’t Hear.

Stabenow constituents:

When you call her about the Amendment, remind her/the staffers that she co-sponsored the identical Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (S.185).

Toby Wollin @ 162

selise @ 152

big round of applause at the HJC hearing for congressmember nadler’s excellent statement on fisa. hope c&l got the clip.

aaargh..what did he say???

so sorry, i don’t dare try to paraphrase as i was on the phone and only listening with one ear.

however, i am recording the audio, will post it later if not available elsewhere.

jayt @ 171

Tithonia @ 145

demi @ 142

Bayh is pronounced like “buy”. English is a truly great language :)

but the sheep part is correct!!

Ewe…that’s funny!

I spoke with Larry Craig’s office, pointing out that the Senator may have a new appreciation for habeas corpus. “Without going into the details of Senator Craig’s recent troubles, I am sure he appreciates the right to challenge those bringing charges and top review the evidence. Even with the presumption of innocence, the Senator plans to step down, but without habeas corpus he would be guilty as charged just on the policeman’s say-so. I’m sure Senator Craig understands how important this right is, given that he’s trying to have the charges thrown out. Maybe he’s learned a lesson since voting to pass the military commissions act of 2006?”

bonkers @ 41

I love the citzen action that happens here at FDL. For those here because of Bill O’Loofah’s criticism of Jane Hamsher, this post is a good example of what many of the “lefty” blogs do.

Here’s another thing we do…hold people accountable. This is the child that is going to lecture Ms. Hamsher and others about morality?!?

“During the course of the dinner, in approximately May 2003, Defendant BILL O’REILLY, without solicitation or invite, regaled Plaintiff and her friend with stories concerning the loss of his virginity to a girl in a car at JFK, two “really wild” Scandinavian airline stewardesses he had gotten together with, and a “girl” at a sex show in Thailand who had shown him things in the backroom that “blew [his] mind.” Defendant then stated he was going to Italy to meet the Pope, that his pregnant wife was staying at home with his daughter, and implied he was looking forward to some extra-marital dalliances with the “hot” Italian women.”

Oh and the hits just keep coming when you read the transcript over at the SmokingGun.com

I’ll leave out the detailed parts about vibrators and masturbating…if interested, you can see it for yourself.

Ya know, it might make an interesting game for people to post their favorite lines out of the transcript on a regular basis, so we can see how this “defender of Christmas” and of “family values” really thinks.

So for any Fox viewers here, would you rather listen to the disgusting Falafel King, or the people who post on the frontpage here at FDL?

This is a bit from the Andrea Makris sexual harrassment suit that Billo settled out of court, is it not?

snowbird42 @ 173

Marie Roget @ 168

Ah, the swearing in…

Is anyone going to ask McConnell about his misspeaking (lying) last week in response to Lieberman? What a fun q&a that might be…

They mentioned it already.

I still wonder if they will be happy to have a Dem president with the same powers.

Missed that- was faxing the last 1/2 of the Senators list. Guess I’ll catch it on tonight’s rerun…

selise @ 176

Toby Wollin @ 162

aaargh..what did he say???

so sorry, i don’t dare try to paraphrase as i was on the phone and only listening with one ear.

however, i am recording the audio, will post it later if not available elsewhere.

much appreciated by those of us who, sob, can’t get cspan…

Semi OT, but I’ve been thinking about the whole Noriega thing, all the various dustups, including the latest one which is that he (among several other dem candidates) accepted money from the Swiftboat architect.

I can understand those who say, well Noriega voted against something this guy wanted, so obviously he’s not just dancing to the piper, and I can appreciate those who want nothing to do with someone who would accept money from such a person. And on another hand (how many do I get?), he conceded to our demand that he stand up for the netroots, which he promptly did a few days later. What to make of all of this?

But unavoidably, the guy’s given him over $10K (how *does* that limit on donations per person work, anyway?) so naturally that makes one wonder, well how does that stack up against my $50? Who wins if we each demand the opposite thing?

All the more reason, I believe, that we must move to campaigns that are solely and only publicly financed; anyone in violation loses his office which then either goes to the runner up or triggers a special election. No exceptions.

brendancalling @ 178

I spoke with Larry Craig’s office, pointing out that the Senator may have a new appreciation for habeas corpus. “Without going into the details of Senator Craig’s recent troubles, I am sure he appreciates the right to challenge those bringing charges and top review the evidence. Even with the presumption iof innocence, the Senator plans to step down, but without habeas corpus he would be guilty as charged just on the policeman’s say-so. I’m sure Senator Craig understands how important this right is, given that he’s trying to have the charges thrown out. Maybe he’s learned a lesson since voting to pass the military commissions act of 2006?”

BAWAHAHWAHAHA! That just made my day!

Our intelligence ability was being denigrated.
The law was preventing us to collect the intell.
Asked for the law to be changed.
Dialogue on FISA has been ongoing for some time.
In the service to protect.
None of us want another 9/11.
Emphasis on Foreign Intelligence info collection.
Talking about multiple layers of review before going to courts. Including the highest in the WH.
Says we didn’t need the new act.

Biodun @ 167

OT–

Meanwhile, Repug candidates continue their race to the bottom:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is launching a radio ad touting the strength of his opposition to gay marriage.

Romney, who has come under criticism from conservatives for his past support of some gay rights issues, says he is the only major GOP candidate backing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

”Not all Republican candidates agree, but defending marriage is the right thing to do,” Romney says in the 60-second spot to begin airing Wednesday.

The ad is meant to set him apart from Fred Thompson, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani in the minds of conservative voters.

So they’re fighting over which of them can be more opposed to equal rights for all citizens?

for some reason, C-Span 2 is coming thru the link for C-Span 3 on my computer.

Anybody got a better link?

hackworth @ 179

This is a bit from the Andrea Makris sexual harrassment suit that Billo settled out of court, is it not?

Yes. Just saw that she bought two condos in Manhattan totalling $1.5 million soon after the undisclosed settlement.

Didn’t she record some of the conversations? I thought I heard them somewhere (Al Franken’s show maybe?) My memory might be faulty on this though…

Toby Wollin @ 181

much appreciated by those of us who, sob, can’t get cspan…

Hearings are on line through http://judiciary.house.gov/

Toby Wollin @ 181

selise @ 176

so sorry, i don’t dare try to paraphrase as i was on the phone and only listening with one ear.

however, i am recording the audio, will post it later if not available elsewhere.

much appreciated by those of us who, sob, can’t get cspan…

why not?

Can you stream it and use headphones?

jayt @ 186

for some reason, C-Span 2 is coming thru the link for C-Span 3 on my computer.

Anybody got a better link?

yeah are we on cspan 2 or 3

never mind – got it

Blech. I can’t blog this guy.
I’ll stick to trying to do an overview.

nomolos @ 188

Toby Wollin @ 181

much appreciated by those of us who, sob, can’t get cspan…

Hearings are on line through http://judiciary.house.gov/

thanks, but I have, ahem, work issues (grin)

nevermind

demi @ 192

Blech. I can’t blog this guy.
I’ll stick to trying to do an overview.

Thanks for yr. efforts, demi. Going to work now & will check yr. overview here @ FDL.

Read you all later.

Brendan @ 178 – pretty much what I said to him in the e-mail I sent last night. Curious about the staffers response – did they have anything to say?

BTW there is no citizen requirement for habeas corpus in the Constitution. Nor are there any citizen requirements in those rights and protections recognized in the Bill of Rights and other amendments. Indeed where such a requirement occurs, it is specifically stated as in Art.II, sec.1 where the qualifications for President are enumerated. The 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause while referencing US citizens (since it was written to protect the rights of ex-slaves) does not preclude or infringe upon rights extended to non-citizens. People who think the US Constitution is only for citizens should go back and read it, and then try to understand it.

Hugh @ 197 – thank you. I’m still trying to formulate my response to Crapo’s FU that they weren’t citizens anyway I received in my inbox this morning.

Hugh @ 197

BTW there is no citizen requirement for habeas corpus in the Constitution. Nor are there any citizen requirements in those rights and protections recognized in the Bill of Rights and other amendments. Indeed where such a requirement occurs, it is specifically stated as in Art.II, sec.1 where the qualifications for President are enumerated. The 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause while referencing US citizens (since it was written to protect the rights of ex-slaves) does not preclude or infringe upon rights extended to non-citizens. People who think the US Constitution is only for citizens should go back and read it, and then try to understand it.

Thanks Hugh – I thought that was the case. Guantanamo is considered US soil, yes?

Mr. Kenneth Wainstein
Ass’t AG for National Security giving a history of FISA.

http://www.c-span.org/

I hope this won’t get lost, it’s an old thing but I think this is a good time to post it as a reminder of why we do what we do. I’ll add that it is a reminder of why I don’t believe a donation of 10K from Perry to Noriega is nothing.

MOD: I hope you’ll think length is worthwhile; I know it’s a busy day.

via driftglass yesterday:

“This list is prepared so that you might have a directory of words to use in writing literature and mail, in preparing speeches, and in producing electronic media. The words and phrases are powerful. Read them. Memorize as many as possible. And remember that like any tool, these words will not help if they are not used.”

(From Newt Gingrich’s instructions to his Republican colleagues)

The words he listed to be jackhammered mindlessly into the skulls of anyone anytime you spoke of Democrats were: decay, failure (fail) collapse(ing) deeper, crisis, urgent(cy), destructive, destroy, sick, pathetic, lie, liberal, they/them, unionized bureaucracy, “compassion” is not enough, betray, consequences, limit(s), shallow, traitors, sensationalists, endanger, coercion, hypocrisy, radical, threaten, devour, waste, corruption, incompetent, permissive attitude, destructive, impose, self-serving, greed, ideological, insecure, anti-(issue): flag, family, child, jobs; pessimistic, excuses, intolerant, stagnation, welfare, corrupt, selfish, insensitive, status quo, mandate(s) taxes, spend (ing) shame, disgrace, punish (poor…) bizarre, cynicism, cheat, steal, abuse of power, machine, bosses, obsolete, criminal rights, red tape, patronage.

Hugh @ 197:

I think reading itself is the problem…*g* (pace: comprehension)

Reading/comprehension is what we called it in grade school.

bonkers @ 187 undisclosed settlement.

Didn’t she record some of the conversations? I thought I heard them somewhere (Al Franken’s show maybe?) My memory might be faulty on this though…

Andrea Mackris recorded them all right. That’s how she nailed the sanctimonious gasbag to the wall. Its a wonder Billo was able to keep his show and declare his war on christmas.

Hi Selise, Bayh is pronounced as “buy” or “bi”

However, he is definitely “bah like a sheep.” I will call him today also, he is my Senator, most unfortunately. I believe he has not yet taken a stand regarding h.c., but he tends to vote with the republicans on issues like this one. Sigh. Guess not much else to be expected from an Indiana Dem.

New thread: Please Continue Making Calls To Restore Habeas

I always get epu’d :-)

Christy Hardin Smith @ 158

Scanner at 116 — Oh, that is so factually inaccurate. Please stop getting your information from Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Read here and here and here for why independent third-party review of the facts and evidence are important and here for more historically accurate information, including the fact that we have, in the past, given basic civil liberties protections to others in our custody deemed to hold the same status as today’s “enemy combatants.” FWIW, prisoners of war have LONG had legal rights — see, e.g., Geneva Conventions, which the US helped to write as a big shining example.

Ms. Smith, ‘Unlawful combatants’ are not prisoners of war. Perhaps it was at this point that your thinking was derailed.

egregious @ 105

Just off the phone with Victoria Wulsin, who says she is grateful for the support firedoglake provided her thru Blue America in ‘06, and looks forward to working with us in the ‘08 election.

I just sent her a tiny dab of $ over the weekend. She’s my favorite candidate; I really admire her.

Christy’s upstairs…

I called my senators. Brownback: all lines were full, left voicemail message. Roberts: the person who knows his position is out of the office; left message.

Anybody know whether either of them has expressed a position on habeas corpus restoration?

Toby Wollin @ 181

much appreciated by those of us who, sob, can’t get cspan…

ok, will do. check this link later today for the audio file.

p.s. i usually record a couple of hearings a week and am happy to post the audio files for anyone who’s interested. the audio file for the SJC hearing with james comey got hundreds of downloads, but usually it’s only 20 to 30.

p.p.s. also, i’m happy to take requests in advance for any hearings firepups are particularly interested in….

Toby Wollin @ 199

Hugh @ 197

BTW there is no citizen requirement for habeas corpus in the Constitution. Nor are there any citizen requirements in those rights and protections recognized in the Bill of Rights and other amendments. Indeed where such a requirement occurs, it is specifically stated as in Art.II, sec.1 where the qualifications for President are enumerated. The 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause while referencing US citizens (since it was written to protect the rights of ex-slaves) does not preclude or infringe upon rights extended to non-citizens. People who think the US Constitution is only for citizens should go back and read it, and then try to understand it.

Thanks Hugh – I thought that was the case. Guantanamo is considered US soil, yes?

No, but it is under US control and in Rasul (2004) the Supreme Court held that it was not outside the purview of US legal system. Since that time the Administration has been dinking around with what that purview means. However, that is really for SCOTUS to decide, which it might in revisiting Boumediene this fall.

rick @ 207

Christy Hardin Smith @ 158

Scanner at 116 — Oh, that is so factually inaccurate. Please stop getting your information from Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Read here and here and here for why independent third-party review of the facts and evidence are important and here for more historically accurate information, including the fact that we have, in the past, given basic civil liberties protections to others in our custody deemed to hold the same status as today’s “enemy combatants.” FWIW, prisoners of war have LONG had legal rights — see, e.g., Geneva Conventions, which the US helped to write as a big shining example.

Ms. Smith, ‘Unlawful combatants’ are not prisoners of war. Perhaps it was at this point that your thinking was derailed.

From the constitution’s point of view, everyone is entitled to protection — not because of who THEY are, but because of who WE are.

“Unlawful combatants” is a phrase conjured up so as to attempt to sidestep Habeas Corpus. However, in its very construction — un-LAW-ful — one sees implied recognition of a system of justice whereby someone accused of having broken the law has a means of challenging the accusation.

Technicolouryawn @ 146

Scanner @ 116

Granting habeas corpus rights to prisoners of war has never happened before. The question is whether these are prisoners of war or simple criminals. That is the fundamental difference of opinion. I personally think all you people are naive fools.

When was war declared? Did I oversleep and miss it? Seems like the Brits approach (police work followed up with a fair trial) has been effective. You conservatives seem to have a basic mistrust of American institutions. I feel like a parent in a swimming pool trying to get a frightened child to jump in “Come on, honey! I won’t let you drown! Daddy will catch you! Jump! Jump!” In the end, you run to the changing room and snivel that you “don’t like swimming, and that no one should be allowed to swim.” Cowardly dolts.

Scanner, I think you missed the point of the opposing argument of not restoring habeas corpus to POWs. I believe the Senate opposing debate the other day indicated that during wartime habeas corpus was never granted in any country. This statement in effect conveniently tries to omit the legal argument of habeas corpus by using “The War on Terror” as an open ended argument never-ending blank check by defining suspects as “Enemy Combatants” or whatever.

If you allow for this kind of liberty in defining habeas corpus to just a small segment of the population, anybody at some point could be vulnerable to being redefined as suspect according to whatever interpretation that may be convenient to throw your ass into a jail for an indefinite period without the benefit of a trial.

Comforting thought, huh….

(By the way hi everybody at the lake!)

selise @ 211

Toby Wollin @ 181

much appreciated by those of us who, sob, can’t get cspan…

ok, will do. check this link later today for the audio file.

p.s. i usually record a couple of hearings a week and am happy to post the audio files for anyone who’s interested. the audio file for the SJC hearing with james comey got hundreds of downloads, but usually it’s only 20 to 30.

p.p.s. also, i’m happy to take requests in advance for any hearings firepups are particularly interested in….

bless you. I feel like I’m out here in the desert – it’s folks like you, christy and jane that keep my hopes up

rick @ 207

Christy Hardin Smith @ 158

Scanner at 116 — Oh, that is so factually inaccurate. Please stop getting your information from Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Read here and here and here for why independent third-party review of the facts and evidence are important and here for more historically accurate information, including the fact that we have, in the past, given basic civil liberties protections to others in our custody deemed to hold the same status as today’s “enemy combatants.” FWIW, prisoners of war have LONG had legal rights — see, e.g., Geneva Conventions, which the US helped to write as a big shining example.

Ms. Smith, ‘Unlawful combatants’ are not prisoners of war. Perhaps it was at this point that your thinking was derailed.

Actually, I think Christy’s reference to POWs was an afterthought. It is important to remember that no one has been determined to be an unlawful enemy combatant. Bush’s CSRTs can only make a determination of enemy combatant. This holding is not consistent with the MCA’s requirement of unlawful enemy combatant for trial and has been so found by US military courts in Khadr/Hamdan.

Hugh @ 216

rick @ 207

Ms. Smith, ‘Unlawful combatants’ are not prisoners of war. Perhaps it was at this point that your thinking was derailed.

Actually, I think Christy’s reference to POWs was an afterthought. It is important to remember that no one has been determined to be an unlawful enemy combatant. Bush’s CSRTs can only make a determination of enemy combatant. This holding is not consistent with the MCA’s requirement of unlawful enemy combatant for trial and has been so found by US military courts in Khadr/Hamdan.

How are these prisoners defined? Persons of interest?

For any Fox viewers checking FDL out:

Notice the couple of people trying to debate some points here, and using phrases like “naive fools” to describe us, and our thoughts being “derailed,” and notice the several responses where people politely point out where they are wrong or just not informed.

Not one single bit of name calling back at them. Cool place, huh?

Media where we all actually learn things.

rick at 207 — Yes, I know how the Bush Administration defines them. But if you read the comment to which I was responding, which I politely referred to in my comment, you’ll see that THAT person was calling them “prisoners of war.” Which have, as I said, been covered by various legal provisions, including the Geneva Conventions, for quite some time.

Reading comprehension is an awfully useful skill to acquire. I’m just saying…

ticktock @ 217

Hugh @ 216

Actually, I think Christy’s reference to POWs was an afterthought. It is important to remember that no one has been determined to be an unlawful enemy combatant. Bush’s CSRTs can only make a determination of enemy combatant. This holding is not consistent with the MCA’s requirement of unlawful enemy combatant for trial and has been so found by US military courts in Khadr/Hamdan.

How are these prisoners defined? Persons of interest?

They are detainees until a determination is made. The only legal determinations available are enemy combatant or NLEC no longer enemy combatant (i.e. we got the wrong guy, which most of those held at Guantanamo are). My point above is that neither of these determinations meet the requirements of the MCA for trial.

good afternoon pups… called my senators and according to their respective aides sen menendez and lautenberg will support the restoration bill :o)…

I was told by Senator Lieberman’s staff that Senator Lieberman would be supporting the restoration of Habeau Corpus.

Called Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga) and they said he was still reading the amendment but they would pass along my message to support it – I could hear her typing so maybe she really did.

Then called Johnny Isakson (R-Ga) and the staffer read me a letter about the mean men in Guantanmo Bay who want to kill us. I told her the problem is American citizens can also be held indefinitely without access to counsel and that goes against a basic freedom, etc, etc, and he needs to support the constitution, etc. She sounded dubious but would pass my message along.

Almost wasted effort with those two, but you never know.

Scanner @ 116

… I personally think all you people are naive fools.

Hey, thanks for bringing up our naivete. That reminds me of how George W. Bush is pissing away our country in Iraq and here at home. Do you think George is naive too? Do you support the Constitution or just Dubya?

Frankly, we feel that if you take the oath of office you should uphold the Constitution. Actually, even more than that, if you’re a citizen of America you should uphold the Constitution.

Hell, if you’re a citizen of the world you should be happy to HELP people uphold the US Constitution.

It’s a great document which sets a high bar and all ought to understand it, so we can appreciate what it establishes.

rick @ 207

…
Ms. Smith, ‘Unlawful combatants’ are not prisoners of war. Perhaps it was at this point that your thinking was derailed.

Just where did the phrases “unlawful combatants”, “enemy combatants”, “unlawful enemy combatants” and “prisoner of war” come from? And, which are applicable in this GWOT Bush simply declared, without basis in provable fact, effect or law?

“Unlawful combatant” is another word for “criminal”.

You hold POWs under the Geneva Conventions – because they are just the other side’s soldiers and not necessarily bad guys so you aren’t punishing them, just keeping them out of the fight.

You prosecute criminals to punish them, with habeas corpus rules to keep your cops (etc) honest and protect yourself from your own cops.

There aren’t any other people you can legitimately hold in custody. Gobbledygook like “unlawful combatant” is just an attempt to avoid accountability.

And the thing to remember is that habeas corpus is what makes all the other rules work. Without habeas corpus, you aren’t a citizen, you are just the guy in the cage. Without habeas corpus, you don’t have the right to show your papers and prove your citizenship, so the rule that habeas corpus does not apply to non-citizens is meaningless – habeas corpus applies to this body here in the cage (that’s what it literally means) or it doesn’t work.