stand and be counted, HRC and BO!

Zed

who let the dogs out?

Bush wearing his clown face. zed?

Great post Jane.

Hit us with your best shot, Mr. 375 Lies Bush. As if anyone believes anything you have to say.

I wish Dems knew in their hearts that we know he’s full of poo poo. Call his stupid blustering bluff.

Ineptocrats.

You forget to mention how Harry is going to talk all tough while he rolls over and soils on himself.

Well, they f’d Whithouse, and he went batshit crazy this morning…ending with reading the remarks he was going to end with had he been able to present his amendment with Specter, touting how wonderful the Senate process is….then, his last words were something like “I’m left with the taste of ashes in my mouth” referring to the way the Republicans are obstructing…He was really freaking livid. There must be a clip of it somewhere. It seemed like a turning point to me….like he actually woke up and smelled the corrupt coffee…

I hope Kathleen Sebelius is ready with Hugh’s list.

If Bush starts to deride the Democrats during the state of the Union can some Democrats start heckling him?

If dems lose by two votes and those two are not present- that would be very not cool..

is it possible that

a) one of the amendments is considered a poison pill by cheney?
b) the republicans have done whip count and don’t think they have a majority of the votes to vote it down in an “upperdown” vote?
and
c) don’t want to have to actually filibuster that one amendment, so that they can block it with 41 votes?

this the best plan to avoid that senario?

kiddo January 25th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
214
We’ll vote for Clinton or Obama if either is the nominee. But we don’t have to like it.

from down below. comment got stuck in my paste box. thought it was appropriate.

yea rah jane! still laughing about your Matt Bai take-down.

as for your dogs, dosido, trust them, not Hillary and Obama. and let’s see how many of those Republican congresscritters show up with their “I’m a Bush Republican” buttons on.

I don’t know that I could say I have a lot of confidence in the leadsership of my party (Dems).

Let’s hope KO has it for Monday. I want a frigging bloodbath over this. I want guys who fight. No more Harry George McClellan I need more soldiers Reid to fight this civil war.

Fight!

The only thing you are missing Jane, is that the repugs could care less about a fisa law or any other law. They will just break it & eaves drop illegally as they have been doing prior to Sept 11, 2000. They have no respect for the law. They believe they are the elites and above all laws.

This action by them is just to make the Dems look weak on terra. It is 100% politically motivated.

oops again. My reply was for LS re whitehouse.

“Am I missing anything?”

…um, the words “the fix is in”, perhaps?

I don’t trust Reid AT ALL, any more.

wish Edwards would go to the Senate on Monday, anyway, if only to yell about this on the Senate steps.

State of the Union?

Corporate Sovereignty.

They DO care quite a bit about protecting teleco.

Jane and Glenn asked John Edwards to challenge HRC and BO to stand up on FISA, and he did so. (see http://www.johnedwards.com for his statement) They still aren’t standing up.
How come we haven’t given a resounding YES to John Edwards yet??

just askin…

“Republicans decided that wasn’t enough. They decided they would filibuster the “meaningless tweaks” just to humiliate the Democrats even further, then filed for cloture on the Intelligence Committee bill and scheduled the vote right before the State of the Union address”

I don’t understand much about the senate- how the hell do the goopers dictate the schedule for a bill- thought that was up to the dems?

That’s why this ‘bipartisan’ bushwa is just a load of hooey. ‘Bipartisan’ means rolling over and giving Bush everything he wants to avoid looking ‘weak on terror’, which makes Dems look weak. To claim that both parties are guilty of partisanship is a huge lie. That would mean that Dems were actually standing up for their own principles and ideals. Both parties are not equally guilty. I’d give anything to see the Dems be partisan for once.

I have to agree. I think the whole FISA thing is about Unitary Executive authority. The Pukes and the Admin. don’t give a shizzola about Telcos or anyone else.

Thanks Jane for your post. This explains why Wolfowitz is back in the Bush Regime! There’s gonna be an attack (Rummy, who still has a desk as the Pentagon last I knew) on our country and ole Bush will say it’s the Democrat’s fault for not pushing through HIS FISA bill. *rolling eyes*

As the new International Security guy, Wolfowitz will say after the attack, “Well, had we been able to do surveillance without a warrant and not wait 3 days, we would have been able to intercept this attack!”. Or something like that.

Spit.

Whether Obama or Clinton are there is not going to affect the outcome. McCain is a different matter. The outcome is based on what eleven Bush/Dogs will do. We need 3-4 to change sides and vote against cloture. The fact that Jello Jay has jumped ship is a huge help. 60 is the magic number, not 41.

And that for National Security purposes…Bushco will rule for life.

The Democrats either swallow the Intel bill whole or George Bush gets up there on Monday night and screams about how the Democrats are letting the terrorists win.

three words;

block and parry

this is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for the democrats to PUNISH the president

punish him for everything he says, for claiming the fisa bill he wants protects us, punish him for allowing the terrorists to win, punish him for reneging on his oath of office, on the bible and to the god he prays

we will punish him for even making believe he wants a fisa bill “to protect us” “to fight terrorism”, we will point out;

” all the president and his inept vice president have done, at each and every waking opportunity is to give the terrorists what they want, what they planned from the start and fulfilled their fondest wet dream, he’s given them every victory and we will not allow them another victory by passing the presidents surrender to the terrorists”

now, I wrote that in a hurry and in the heat of anger but these friggin democrats have SOME KIND OF NERVE doing ANYTHING this president asks for

all this president wants is to line his pockets, his friedns pockets and give everyone get out of jail tickets

He was on a roll yesterday, too, with the EPA admin. Spitting nails at the Johnson.

This is what I’m going to fax to them. It’s a little too long, but I couldn’t help myself:

Dear Senators:

Monday will be a very important day for the Senate; it’ll be a very important day for the citizens you represent, too. The questions before you involve the gravely important matter of national security, but it also includes consideration of the lofty ideals inherent in our democracy: the rule of law, the separation of powers and how a Presidential over-reach can hold the entire Senate, our Representatives all, hostage to Presidential fiat. Senators Dodd and Feingold and others have already declared on the side of their constituent’s rights as citizens. They are showing the leadership I want to see. I am watching closely and am very proud of their efforts to do what our forefathers expected them to do, fight for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We look to such men of vision to defend against, not just the physical fear of terrorism, but also the danger that billows out into our society if we start to surrender our rights to an overly zealous and power happy administration. If we surrender our rights to communicate without the government becoming a third party to every single conversation, business meeting, whatever communications that we have with our fellow citizens, without probable cause and warrants, we will become as totalitarian a society as those we presume to accuse of tyranny. And if we surrender just this part of Amendments One and Four of the Bill of Rights, who will stop the process when we’re asked to surrender our guns (Amendment Two) or our freedom of assembly or when we’re told that we could no longer afford to support “due process” before imprisonment or the prisoner’s right not to testify against himself (Amendment Five) “for some citizens.” Pretty soon the entire Bill of Rights is up for grabs, literally, by the head of state/government.

Monday will be the day when leadership counts, and I want to see who else is ready to stand up for the rule of law? Who is willing to say no to a President who demands retroactive immunity for telecom companies that conspired with agencies of the Administration to infringe the rights of the citizen? Who is willing to require the telecoms to do what every other citizen must do: tell their story to the judge in a duly authorized court? Or they may be imposed upon to talk to a grand jury whose job it is to sort out whether laws were broken. Maybe a prosecutor would offer them immunity if they allocute as to exactly why they chose to collude with the administration to surrender the private information of their customers without permission and why they thought it was legally permissible to do so. All of this is under the purview of the Judicial Branch of our federal government, it is not up to the Legislative Branch anymore, and certainly is not up the Executive Branch.

As Senators, you have taken an oath “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” and to “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” Monday your country will require you to live up to that oath. Several of you are candidates for President or may be involved in reelection campaigns. Well, now is the time that you can prove whether you have what it takes to be a real leader and whether you can stand up for the high ideals upon which our society was based. Make no mistake, to grant retroactive immunity is to usurp the role of the Judiciary Branch of Government and to conspire with the Executive Branch in doing so to the detriment of your own branch of government. That is not a matter you can rationalize or slip around on. I have no problem with the government wiretapping anyone or everyone, as long as they do it legally with probable cause and a warrant. If you grant immunity to potential lawbreakers because the President tells you that’s what he expects you to do, and the laws that were potentially broken infringed the citizens’ civil rights, then your allegiance was to the President and the telecoms, not to the Constitution or the citizens you represent. Worse yet, voters may perceive this as a capitulation, and attribute your motivations to greed and the deep pockets of the telecoms. Please do not tell me that you are only trying to protect me: if you cannot protect my rights, you are severely lessening the quality of my life and making my life less worth living.

For all of the above reasons, it seems to me that it is obvious that this subject requires much more debate and deliberation. It is incomprehensible and unconscionable to me that an august body such as the Senate would be considering cutting off any further discussion or exchanges of ideas because the President would like to add another feather in his cap prior to his State of the Union Speech or because the Senators have plans to go on vacation. Therefore, I am begging you to vote against closure on Monday. You must stand and be counted to show leadership. Not showing up will not suffice; voting present will not suffice either. I can honestly say that I will not vote for anyone who votes in favor of retroactive immunity for telecoms under any circumstances; nor will I vote for anyone whose actions or inactions were responsible for allowing it to happen and I am far from alone in this sentiment. Those are the political facts. I hope those facts impart the wisdom of a Statesman to you, and tell you resoundingly what you must do. Thank you.

I just called the senate offices of OB and HRC and both said they would oppose cloture on Monday.
I said if they didnt, they would be dead to me and the 4 Demo voters in my household.
Bring the campaign to the Senate and speak against teleco immunity and warrantless taps. Use the campaign megaphone to make clear what BUSHCO is trying to do.
what is there to fear from a president with a 25-20% approval rating?
QAgain, both offices said they support Dodd and oppose cloture.
I did not ask the follow-up question–will they be in the Senate and vote on it?

I hope Kathleen Sebelius is ready with Hugh’s list.

Hugh’s List was updated yesterday, btw

New polls show Clusterfuck’s approval ratings sinking to near record lows……This man is living a dream- becomin a living religious icon–The Burning Bush.

Am I missing anything?

Just the same thing the rest of America is, a functional government.

Zactly, Kay – I about plotzed when I saw that Wolfowitz was back in the saddle. Talk about ‘failing up’ – there’s obviously no failure too low to keep a neocon out of power.

The Democrats either swallow the Intel bill whole or George Bush gets up there on Monday night and screams about how the Democrats are letting the terrorists win.

The same MO has been effective in obtaining the Military Commissions Act, a torture law where torture is illegal but not punishable, and the PAA. Why change the formula, if it’s working?

But waitasec … the DEMs provided the PAA, and that is working today, so it’s not quite true that the DEMs are letting the terrorists win.

Have to disagree with you here. The Repugs DO give a shizzola for the telecoms. It’s the rule of law they disdain.

There vote is not important because they aren’t going to vote for cloture. All of the focus needs to be directed at the Bush Dogs.

called OBama office back and they said NO decision had been made about his being there on Monday.

The Democratic Party is no longer the inclusive party. It’s the collusive party. Two things need badly to be changed. Campaign financing and the hold the two political parties have on this nation. The two political parties, when taken together, are a disgusting, suffocating and oppressive monopoly. I’m so fed up, I could scream.

New polls show Clusterfuck’s approval ratings sinking to near record lows……This man is living a dream- becomin a living religious icon–The Burning Bush.

and the democrats think he can embarrass THEM in the state of the union address?

the only way he can embarrass them is if they vote for that friggin fisa bill

They think they can oppose cloture by just not showing up to vote for it. But if Reid has filed cloture for a 30 day extension, the vote to be taken right after the cloture vote on the Intel bill, then they actually do need to show up and vote. Or so I’m given to understand.

Oh yes, the plot thickens, but the characters are all the same. Tired of the freaking movie!!! LOL

No more Harry George McClellan I need more soldiers Reid to fight this civil war.

Whitehouse to Reid: If you don’t want to use the senate majority, I should like to borrow it for a while.” …

I think the whole FISA thing is about Unitary Executive authority

yes. that and making the dems look bad.

Am I missing anything?

No but the ddems are, backbone.

“The Democrats either swallow the Intel bill whole or George Bush gets up there on Monday night and screams about how the Democrats are letting the terrorists win”.

Why are the Dems still caving to these tactics???? The GOP tried these same tactics in 2006 and look how well it turned out for them.

I just called the senate offices of OB and HRC and both said they would oppose cloture on Monday

If that is the case, it makes no difference if they are there, absent is just as good as a “no” vote.

DOW dumps 170 points….There’s going to be more on people’s minds than FISA during the SOTU shit hole.

Lucy and the ball baby.

I can’t fathom how stupid they are.

-G

Saw that. ;0)

Uh oh. NYT cautiously pessimistic :

It’s OK, it’s the fault of the French.

Damn market collapsing baguette wranglers.

-G

But if Reid has filed cloture for a 30 day extension, the vote to be taken right after the cloture vote on the Intel bill, then they actually do need to show up and vote. Or so I’m given to understand.

that is my understanding as well.

(disclaimer – i’m still trying to figure out how things work in the senate)

They think they can oppose cloture by just not showing up to vote for it. But if Reid has filed cloture for a 30 day extension, the vote to be taken right after the cloture vote on the Intel bill, then they actually do need to show up and vote. Or so I’m given to understand.

If that is true, I sure hope he is telling people what the plan is..Reid ain’t LBJ.

I think the Dems don’t want to be the “do nothing Congress” during this election year to make it so the republic candidates running for president can’t make this an issue.

Let’s not forget, everyone, there is a Democratic response after Bushy’s SOTU speech. Hopefully whoever gives it points out that George Bush is a WATB and will have to go without spying illegally on Americans for awhile!

Poor thing, that ole Georgie.

One would think that presidential candidates who are “statespersons” would always show up to vote. And I don’t mean ‘I vote present’.

But if Reid has filed cloture for a 30 day extension, the vote to be taken right after the cloture vote on the Intel bill, then they actually do need to show up and vote. Or so I’m given to understand.

Reid has in fact filed a cloture motion on his “extend the PAA by 30 days” amendment, and the vote to limit debate on that amendment is indeed scheduled to occur IF (most likely, I say almost certain) the motion to limit debate on Bond/Rockefeller is rejected.

And you are quite correct, when it comes to obtaining cloture, it’s the AYE votes that count. But, if cloture is rejected on the Bond/Rockefeller amendment, you’ll see a swarm of crossovers to extend the PAA, because the alternative is to revert to pre-PAA FISA.

Let’s not forget, everyone, there is a Democratic response after Bushy’s SOTU speech.

whitehouse. please.

do we want a 30-day extension or do we just want to vote on a version consistent with the House version–ie that has no telco immunity and which puts the FISA court back in control of warrants under all circumstances–no warrantless taps on citizens?
are you saying we need the 30-day extension as cover for the charge that we are leaving the US unprotected?
That seems to be buying into the BS from the summer session when they got the 6-month extension.

There’s probably some big fat book that will teach one how the senate works- but there is probably not enough coffee in the world to get one through it awake.

Thanks Jane.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.

DOW dumps 170 points….There’s going to be more on people’s minds than FISA during the SOTU shit hole.

I suspect that Monday is also going to be bad…Wall Street didn’t think the “good bi-partisan news” was that good and there isn’t any more good news on the way.

whitehouse would rock, but Kathleen Sebelius gets the honor.

Good gawd, he’d be great. Georgie would have the cord pulled on the camera if ole Sheldon was giving one of his scathing speeches!

There’s probably some big fat book that will teach one how the senate works …

Yeah, Riddick’s Rules of Senate Procedure. And you are correct about it being a cure for insomnia. Not only that, but Riddick’s Rules don’t tell the whole story, there are a substantial number of “exceptions” appearing in the Congressional Record.

why i want whitehouse to give the SOTU rebuttal (many of you have probably already seen this youtube of whitehouse’s statement on the senate floor re fisa and paa from december).

Any word who it will be?….That could be the most important one yet…For the Dems to have the last word on Bush is huge.

oh. never mind then.

If you’re in need of a Sen. Whitehouse fix, go to cspan.org and cue-up yesterdays EPA hearing.
Pissed would be putting it mildly.

Personally, I would love it if Kucinich gave the Democratic response! Yesterday he got the House all riled up just mentioning the word “lies” and “lie” in the same paragraph as George Bush, Dick Cheney, and the House of Reps. as a whole.

*laughing like Snoopy*

The SOTU Democratic response is going to be the Governor of Kansas. Sebalus???? I hope the GOP does try to raise this issue and I hope Bush does press about the Feb. 1 deadline. All a strong Democrat needs to say is: well the previous law did not prevent you from installing your warrantless spying program before. So what is different this time? Your administration has a record of flaunting the law. I wish a Dem could learn the art of putting it back on the GOP, were it belongs. Duh.

Will she do a good job? I know who she is but I don’t know her.

Ooh, I got to see that yesterday. “blistering”.

There’s probably some big fat book that will teach one how the senate works …

Yeah, Riddick’s Rules of Senate Procedure. And you are correct about it being a cure for insomnia. Not only that, but Riddick’s Rules don’t tell the whole story, there are a substantial number of “exceptions” appearing in the Congressional Record.

i’m in desperate need of a cure for insomnia.

If that is the case, it makes no difference if they are there, absent is just as good as a “no” vote.

jane just posted she thinks they have to be there for this cloture vote

I suspect that the SOTU and the reply are both more important events in Washington than they are in the real world. How many people watch either? 10%.

Just a guess- but I would think that anyone watching that boring piece of theatre made up their minds about how they will vote twenty years ago at least.

“At the same time, the White House agreed Thursday after months of resistance to give members of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees access to internal documents on the N.S.A.’s wiretapping program and the legal foundation for it.

That access could ultimately help persuade skeptical lawmakers in the House, which so far has rejected the immunity idea, to sign on to the White House’s plan.

“I have pushed for eight months to review this material,” said Representative Silvestre Reyes, Democrat of Texas and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. “I don’t know why the White House refused to give us access. Now we will be able to view documents used to set up the president’s warrantless wiretapping program.”

D’Oh….It must have taken them 8 months to manufacture the documents..D’Oh.

Bipartisanship=Harry Reid=Nancy Pelosi=Barack Obama=Total Failure of Democratic Agenda

It DOES make a difference if they are there. It shows that they have actual leadership skills and aren’t jsust concerned about their little rock-star tours. This FISA fight is more important than their one day of campaigning. If they can’t see that or don’t agree with that, then they DO NOT deserve to become the President of the United States. Limp-wristed statements of “support” is not what leaders do. Leaders DO, they don’t say.

Democratic response? Lets just hope it isn’t Pelosi, Reid, DiFi, Obama or Hillary. Perhaps Joe Liberman could deliver the response.

Nicely said.

If they don’t let Rahm write the speech she’ll be great.

Why in the world does my party treat Lieberman with kid gloves?

i’m always looking for a whitehouse fix. *g*

Their refusal to stand next to Chris Dodd — until Jan. 20, 2008 if necessary — makes it increasingly clear that it doesn’t matter who you vote for this year. So maybe we should abandon this country’s future like so many have and sit at home. Maybe it just isn’t worth being screwed again.

Marc Schenker
Atlanta

The Democrats need to be better at framing the debate (we are, but the ones in government suck at it for the most part). Here’s an example:

When Georgie says, “The Democrats have weakened our security by allowing the FISA law sunset and we are not able to wiretap”

then the Democrats need to say EACH TIME after this remark or one similar,

“The president wants to continue to spy on Americans illegally without a paper trail, because he knows what he is doing is in fact an illegal act. We stand for the rule of law, whereas, the president and his party do not”.

I don’t really know her either. I just remember she graciously suffered a visit from President photo Op after their huge tornado disaster.

A good source for references is the CRC…”Parliamentary reference Sources: Senate” RL30788

Obama and Hilary are disappointing me Bush is using this issue to make the Dems and more specifically Obama and Hilary look weak.
The GOP is in fact playing them as suckers the Dems its obvious had a deal with the GOP, Harry was going to let Dodd filibuster and then he would bring the Dem votes needed to pass a GOP bill.
Now the GOP want more and they are using this issue to argue for more and make Harry look even weaker than before. If the Dems can’t punish the GOP for welching on a political deal then Harry, Obama, Hilary why are you all claiming to be leaders on the issues?
Surrender is not an action it is an acceptance of the actions of others to surrender when you have all the cards is %^$$%^.

I really don’t have a clue how she’ll do. My guess is she was chosen to give the “Heartland” affect of the impact of BushCo economic policies…

’cause he’s so icky.

Yep. That’s the drum I’m beating, too.

Dick Cheney controls Harry Reid

Funny if this bill does get passed the way Bush wants it you know the GOP will start screaming about government tapping your phones if a Dem becomes President.

jane just posted she thinks they have to be there for this cloture vote

Her rationale was that their votes would be needed in order to reach 60 votes on the motion to limit debate on Reid’s extend-the-PAA option.

I’m quite sure that once (”if” – but not much “if” involved) cloture is rejected on the Bond/Rockefeller bill, and that there’ll be a reversion to pre-PAA FISA if the Senate doesn’t pass an extension, the GOP will swarm over to agree to the extension. They’ll bitch about the DEMs being the reason for the need to do that, but they’ll vote for the extension almost unanimously, and right promptly.

But, as others have noted, there is also the “appearance of leadership qualities” angle at play. I think Clinton and Obama prefer to distance themselves from the FISA debate. When they are in the executive hot seat, they too will crave spying without oversight.

2001 though. is it still current?

Blackmail, Bribes, Drugs, Women Men Fuzzy Farm Animals what does Bush have on him and Obama and Hilary?

Yes. And he may also control Joe Lieberman.

I say let them pass the Damn bill, get a Dem in and spy on Bushco, so we can once and for all put them all in jail.

Oooooh. Not surprising. Any links you can toss my way, Teddy?

One thing I believe to be certain. If Clinton becomes president, the DLC will become an even more powerful force than they already are, within the Democratic Party. And rememember, these guys (DLC) were huge supporters of the Iraq invasion.

Dick Cheney controls Harry Reid

Teddy, did you say Dick Cheney controls Harry Reid?

Gov Sebelius – the answer to Tweety’s inane question “where are the female governors?”

When they are in the executive hot seat, they too will crave spying without oversight.

Probably correct, and that is revolting.

Do you think if HRC gets in that Nancy and Harry will lose their jobs? Or that Lieberman might somehow be dealt with appropriately?

I say let them pass the Damn bill, get a Dem in and spy on Bushco, so we can once and for all put them all in jail.

my objection is not a partisan one. i object to a dem doing this kind of thing (warrantless spying) as much asa i object to bush doing it.

Yes. But I might say it a bit more colorfully. ;0)

We have all the cards we need, Bush’s economic stimulus plan is a joke. It won’t help anybody, however chances are a big bank or hedge fund will need bailing out at the tax payers expense soon.
A delay of even a few days could wreck such a deal. We can use the threat of delaying or not supporting any bailout as a stick to beat the GOP with.
They know that they will need us to support such a deal with the American public because when people are losing their homes and gas is $3 a gallon saving banks is not going to be popular.
But if the Dem leadership hasn’t produced for us we won’t support them when they need support.

For the first time in history, I bet Joe Lieberman will be put in charge of both the House & Senate if Hillary gets in. LOL Hey, there were lots of firsts when Georgie was prezzie, so of course Hillary will have to have her own.

Edwards, gawd bless him, is making a stand regarding FISA. I couldn’t be happier is on the same page with us.

I hope he takes this whole issue as far as he can and place on the feet of the other prez. candidates if they do not commit.

He only stand to come out straight ahead of them if he does….

I was being snarky….:)

The one thing the Dems could do to redeem themselves is the one thing they won’t do: heckle him, call him a liar, show him no respect whatsoever, and shut the whole farce down.

If we’re accused of disrespecting the office of the presidency, that’s already been done by the occupant.

OT…New National Gallup Poll out…Both McCain and Hilllary pulling ahead….I am a little surprised by the Hillary numbers.

link

Good talking point if only we could get the MSM to say that after a GOPer defends the bill.

We have to get used to the fact that the present
Democrat leadership is not going to listen to progressives
because they know that we have no choice but to vote for
them..They also know that, they have to give corporate America
what it wants at all times because if they don’t there will be
no camapaign contribution forthcoming.. Untill we forcefully say we are going to stand on principle and sit the elections out or
get serious about a third party, we will be complaining on deaf ears till the cows come home.

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party made a small dent in our own state, and when you Google our name we have 15,100 hits. It’s not much – but we try.

http://www.google.com/search?s…..eberman%22

But,as Margaret Mead said,
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does”

I was being snarky….:)

obviously, my snark-o-meter is in need of re-calibration. *g*

Bush will deliver the SOTU and the Democrats should deliver the STFU.

-G

Thanks, Selise, what a great clip! Hadn’t seen it before. Whitehouse is the most eloquent, forceful and logical orator around, IMO. Would the media payed more attention.

Jane asks “Am I missing anything?” No, IMHO. The rethugs want it all. W’s FISA bill AND a chance to humiliate the dems (either mostly behind the scenes, if cloture passes, and in the SOTU and the press, if it fails). Jerks.

Just what is the word about replacing Harry and Nancy? Do we have to wait until after the election? Is there support to replace them if we can get enough of our people elected?

When I was in the army I hated saluting our company commander who I disliked. I was friendly with the sergeant, regular army, who, it turned out didn’t like the guy either. He said we were saluting the uniform, his bars, whatever, not the man. Not saluting, a court martial offense, was not an option.

The same is true for George Bush except no one risks court martial. Lots of Congresspeople hate the man, but will give him a standing ovation at SOTUS. How brave do they have to be to sit on their hands? Would their constituents hold it against them? That separates leaders from followers. Leaders have principles and sometimes act on them. Followers give standing ovations to people they hate. Dems have run out of leaders. I think that’s what you’re missing.

At this point I will vote for someone other that HRC in the primary, and that vote will based on principle. If necessary, I will vote for Clinton in the general. But that vote will not be grounded in principle.

Eloquent…
Second from the bottom, his first floor speech.

The rock star and the triangulator. Does it get any better?

It certainly looks as if the dems will maintain their advantages in congress and also gain the White House. That’s BIG. In order to really change policy in a meaningful way, though, they need major expansions in their congressional advantage- especially in the senate. A one seat majority is not quite useless- but approaches such as a limit.

To gain more senate seats, they are going to have to win some close races in states that are not “progressive friendly” and win votes from indies who are suspicious of partisan rhetoric.

That’s not to say that they are playing this game in the best way possible- but it’s important to remember what the game is.

In the House the “real” possibilities are much worse than Nancy. In the Senate, I would like to see Dodd take a run at Harry.

Rock Star? Have you heard Hillary sing?

Thanks, I’ll watch it later. Have to go soon.

My thoughts are that one of the most terrible derelictions of public duty occurring during in my lifetime was when impeachment was taken “off the table”.

I called McCaskill’s and Obama’s offices today. McCaskill’s staffer said that her primary goal was to hold the U.S. Government accountable for its illegal wiretapping that there were congressional investigations “underway”. I responded that without private litigation against the telecoms, we would never learn anything from the government. He said that if that were the case, then Sen. McCaskill would support ending telecom immunity. I said that such a decision might have to be made on Monday before any congressional investigation could produce results. He said “if that is the case, Sen. McCaskill will oppose telecom immunity.” I said that I was getting the run-around and that a decision was needed on Monday and that at a minimum she should oppose McConnell’s cloture motion. He said “I join you in hoping for that too.”

Then, I called Obama’s campaign headquarters and after a short wait a real person answered. I said that I lived in Missouri, a Super Tuesday state, and had been an Edwards supporter but was now considering voting on Feb. 5 for either Clinton or Obama and that telecom immunity was important to me. She said that Sen. Obama was a co-sponsor of Sen. Dodd’s bill and that he had issued a strong statement opposing immunity. I said that action speaks louder than words and that Monday on the Senate floor was a time for him to demonstrate leadership, especially as a former constitutional law professor when the nation is facing a critical constitutional issue. She got testy and said “I just told you he opposes immunity.” I said that was not enough, he needed to appear, debate and vote on Monday, especially since every vote on cloture was critical. She said: “I hope you’ll vote for Senator Obama” and I replied that I and others in Super Tuesday states would be watching Monday and deciding.

Yes. The Senator, I think, actually sings worse than I do. ;0)

Tough call..It’s either Nancy and impeachment or Sandra Day O’Connor’s vote in Bush v Gore.

This is so much like Lucy pulling away the football–that it is just laughable.
Call these shitdicks on their bullshit and let’s have us some progress on this “scare America” strategery.

I’m very unpatriotic. I very don’t like being spied on by my government. Especially when I’ve nothing wrong.

Bush and the Dems need us the economy could tank, oil could go to $5 a gallon, the war could go bad, even a terror attack could rebound on the GOP and make people angrier they need friends we want things ourselves.
Things like Peace a good economy, Healthcare etc. It sure would suck if anything bad happened that pushed America over the edge (there are so many bad things to choose from) and Bush and the Center Dems had no friends or favors in the bank with us 705ers.

Great work and thanks for sharing!!!

Tweety with a three GOoPer pundit fest.

-G

If Bush berates the Democrats in the Senate during the SOTU, then they should get up and walk out.
I’d like to see Democrats walk out instead of sit by silently and be insulted.

and dems like salazar and lieberman help this how–by voting with the other side on a broad range of issues?

I wonder if Kathleen will mention the fact that we are now honored with Canada’s Watch List for Torture. That’s always a big hit in teh international community.

Perhaps these two individuals are co-partners in infamy. And will go down in history as such. But there is one crucial difference. One is a registered Democrat. The other I assume is a Republican. I expect this kind of behavior from a Republican. I do not expect this kind of despicable performance (impeachment) from a Demo. You decide which of the two is worse. ;0)

Humming the Battle Hymn of the Republic like the frat boys from Delta House.

They should also cough out loud: Blowjob and eat me too.

-G

How stupid are these people? Every time we peons warn them that the Repubs are not acting in good faith they dismiss us. This could have been settled last year in a manner that wouldn’t affect the elections. Now the Dems have painted themselves into a corner they wouldn’t be in if they’d stood up last year when we asked them to. The Dems will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. We voters asked them to squash this last year. They refused. I’m fresh out of sympathy and resigned to a Repub victory in November. Good grief. They say WE don’t understand DC. Evidently the Dems in DC don’t either. I will not vote for a party that folds and screws up time and time again. It seems they’ve marginalized the old heads for the most part. I guess the old timers aren’t kissing enough DLC butt. But love them or hate them they know how DC works and how to get what they want against the odds. I’m tired of this incompetent Democratic leadership.

For what its worth after voting with the Rethugs yesterday, Bill Nelson’s office says he opposes and will vote against telecom immunity. I will not be holding my breath on Monday. (Of course, telecom immunity is really not about the telecoms, its really about keeping the illegal acts of Bush and Cheney secret). As for Clinton and Obama, if they actually took a leadership position on this, the immunity might actually die, unless the rest of the Democrats want to embarass and give the kiss of death to the two leading Democratic candidates. As for me, if the fail to do so, I am done with either of them.

Harry Reid just sent me this:

Dear John,

Republicans seem to have forgotten that national security is one of the most important issues we address in the Senate. Yesterday, they proved the only thing they care about is politics.

They spent the day filibustering on the Senate floor, preventing Democrats from introducing any amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill. This means they are blocking an important amendment, which I support, that would make sure phone companies don’t receive retroactive immunity.

At the end of the day, Senator McConnell decided he would try and stop debate entirely by filing for cloture. That means if Republicans get 60 votes on Monday, debate on this vital issue will be shut down.

Normally I wouldn’t go this deep into Senate procedure, but if you care about your civil liberties and our national security, it is vital you tell your Senators to vote no on cloture Monday by visiting:

Yeah. Those mean minority Republicans are driving the agenda. How dare they! Why doesn’t some Democrat stand up to them?

I’m still in Safety Dance mode from yesterday, thanks to Raven.

(men without hats, for you younguns.)

I heard today that the Pukes met with W on Wednesday. I’m sure he told them to obstruct.

OMG I posted on the wrong thread.

And you can act like an imbecile…

I’m sure the dynamic duo are putting the full court brownshirt press on this one. Ugh.

Here are the states where the issue of senate control will be settled.

South Dakota (dem seat)

Louisiana (dem seat)

Virginia

Colorado

Sunnunu

New Mexico

Mississippi

Alaska

Nebraska

Minnesota

Oregon

Minnesota and Oregon are blue

The rest are all red- or purple (NM and NH)

Most of the races are against encumbents. This is what is the primary issue on Harry Reid’s mind- how to win enough seats in these states to gain real CONTROL of the senate.

Oops meant to type “New Hampshire” rather than Sununu- but y’all know what ah mean!

Gov Sebelius – the answer to Tweety’s inane question “where are the female governors?”

And Janet Napolitano, Gov. of AZ. and Linda Lingle, Gov. of HI. Does Tweety ever know what he’s talking about?

Bob in HI

The number of gooper vs dem seats up for grabs favors the dems. The LOCATION of those seats very much favors the goopers.. Universal Health Care (for example) will never happen without more votes than dems can muster currently. Even Lievervurst’s vote is important.

For what its worth after voting with the Rethugs yesterday, Bill Nelson’s office says he opposes and will vote against telecom immunity.

That’s a complete reversal, and frankly, I think he’ll abide by this statement, which he also made yesterday from the floor of the Senate.

Senator NELSON (FL): At the end of the day, if it means we have to pass the bill and it has immunity in it, I am going to vote for the bill, because it is much more important that we go ahead and have a procedure set out by which we can try to protect ourselves from the bad guys and at the same time protect the civil rights, the right of privacy of our citizens. That is contained within the committee bill, and that is the way I voted in committee. I voted against the immunity, that amendment only got three votes. When it came to passage of the final bill, I voted for it, because that is in the interest of the country. If that is what I am confronted with here, that is the way I am going to vote and support the chairman and vice chairman of our committee.

Well, technically they asked Edwards to challenge the other candidates to come back to Washington to fight it, which he hasn’t done. He’s spoken out about it on the campaign trail, which is more than the others have done, but since we’re calling on the senator-candidates to show leadership by coming back to join the fight, not by “declaring opposition,” it’s not quite enough to fulfill what Jane and Glenn were asking for. (And I say this as an Edwards supporter.)

Don’t be surprised if Kentucky makes it on the list of states to change hands. Toothless Mitch, Senior Senator from Big Bidness ain’t all that popular as the defender of the stauts quo.

I wonder if Kathleen will mention the fact that we are now honored with Canada’s Watch List for Torture.

Probably not. It turns out that the “US is on the will-torture list” story is about a reference in a training manual for students who intend to become diplomats. the association is a textbook example.

I think Collins is at risk in Maine.

dakine

Wouldn’t that be GREAT? It adds to the story line- as Kentucky is pretty damned red also.

Yeah- she’s far from a sure thing.

California primary is a week after this vote. If HilBama doesn’t show their face in the Senate and do the right thing on Monday, they will have lost my vote forever. Not just in the primary because I’m voting for Edwards anyway, but in the general too. McCain may be dead wrong but at least he isn’t a coward.

Interesting… And now she’s bound by RGJoe to endorse McCain.

it’s not quite enough to fulfill what Jane and Glenn were asking for. (And I say this as an Edwards supporter.)

And Russ slammed Edwards again yesterday…Very odd things going on.

I wont say anything good about McCain. but otherwise I am in complete agreement. I too am voting Edwards in CA next week.
By the way, i argued long and hard against nader voters in 2000. But I will skip the vote, if OB and HRC dont lead on this and get their tails to the Senate to bring the campaign press right along.
We can have security and FISA warrants. We can have security and Telecoms following the law. Telcom immunity is about cover up for Bush lawlessness.

Appreciate the help cboldt.

Am I missing anything?

The gigantic dunce cap on the head of democrats and the big red “HIT ME” on their backs.
.

So could we have a bunch of Democrats absent…and then march in to vote for the 30-day extension, while the Republicans march out of the chamber?

Here’s what Reid may be trying to pull off.

It cloture fails on vote #1, doesn’t that mean that the debate on Amendments can continue. And then they vote on cloture for the extension. If that fails then it will continue to be debated. So discussion shifts to that as the clock ticks down (bad for Republican image). If it passes then the vote takes place on the extension of the PAA. If the pugs block the “extension” then they can be portrayed as putting America at risk. “They voted against a bill that has kept us safe for 6 months, and one that they voted in favor of and the WH wanted in August”. But if they vote FOR IT…it reduces the pressure against passing the additional Judiciary amendments. There’s no gun to anyones head.

I just don’t udnerstand this. The dems should laugh themselves absolutely silly, pee in the pants silly, at the notion of Bushie screaming at them in any kind of speechifying. His approval ratings are thrug hte floor. The economy is visibly tanking day by day. What the *hell* are the dems afraid of???

Christ. Wipe the slate entirely clean of everyone in there and start over with fresh blood.

Agree.

I can’t think of any quicker way to political popularity than to be criticized by Bush.

If Bush starts to deride the Democrats during the state of the Union can some Democrats start heckling him?

Why the heck not? It’s time he heard ‘liar’ and ’shame’ from his podium. Because that’s his legacy in two words.

Bush is the albatross to hang around the GOP’s neck. So, time to do it.

And with 60% supporting Dodd on this issue. If HRC and BO don’t show up, they will be making a big mistake. I think Lamont, Edwards, Laesch, Massa and every other progressive should rally on the Capitol steps on Monday a. m.

Jane had a post earlier where there was the possibility were Reid would want to invoke cloture. After thinking about that..it make no sense..there is no way that Reid could get 60 votes for a pro-Dem cloture vote. I am confused..to me the only issue is not what Dems show up to vote on Momday but which of the Bush Dog Dems will vote for cloture. A vote of 59 to 10 is no different than 59 to 41.

As of now Reid is talking big..Hope he is talking big at 4:30 Monday.

So again, it’s up to the president. He can either continue the present law for an extended period of time, we would agree to two weeks, we would agree to a month, and we would agree to a longer period of time than that.

But it is up to the president. Does he want the law? It’s up to him.

If it fails, he can give all the speeches he wants, including the State of the Union, about how we’ve stopped things, if he does that, it’s disingenuous, and it’s not true.

kos

The Democrats either swallow the Intel bill whole or George Bush gets up there on Monday night and screams about how the Democrats are letting the terrorists win.

He’ll say the Democrats are letting the terrorists win anyway.

How is ‘George Bush gets up there on Monday night and screams about how the Democrats are letting the terrorists win’ a significant downside? The Dems better gut the Constitution, or George will say mean things about them?

The country is on our side on this one. There is no reason the Dems should cave. This idea that the Dems act primarily to keep Republicans from saying bad things about them is ludicrous, and it has to end.

Who the heck gives a crap about a lame duck, 30% approval rating, president’s last State of the Union Address? So he gets a little rant in. It is his usual crap and we have heard 6 years of it. No voter will care one way or the other.

there is no way that Reid could get 60 votes for a pro-Dem cloture vote.

But he’ll easily get 60, 70, maybe 80 or more votes for the extension, if the choice is between the extension and letting the PAA lapse. And that’s what the choice will be, once the cloture motion on the Bond/Rockefeller SSCI version of FISA is rejected on account of the GOP shutting down the right of Senators to open amendment, debate and vote.

Steve…Cloture on which issue?

Reid has already announced for a cloture vote on suspending the introduction of Amendments at 4:30 on Monday, and has introduced a vote for an extension of PAA that would follow that.

AS people here have pointed out Rockefeller, the Chair of the SIC has now appeared to reverse his stand and supports the offering of individual Amendments. He apparently is going to vote against cloture. That means that many of those Democrats who supported the SIC bill may also oppose cloture on the strict “pro-immunity” SIC bill (e.g. Whitehouse, Nelson).

IF that cloture vote fails then Harry’s vote will come up. It could be debated, but the Republicans are in a jam here as debate eats up time to debate the Amendments and the clock ticks down to the PAA expiring. They have invested too much to get trapped in the argument that THEY left Americans exposed to Terr’ism. So they pretty much have to extend the PAA, likely without debate. What are they going to say…that they need time to debate the Amendments?

I’m not sure what the Republicans can say to oppose extending the PAA deadline? I think they are in a trap.

I think that they’ll have to approve an extension, because if they don’t the old FISA bill will come into effect. AND they can hardly argue that this happened because the Democrats made it so, when they are on recorded voting against an extension of the PAA.

Can we just assume that whatever Reid is up to, he’s up to no good? Hasn’t it been clear from the outset that he’s a lapdog for telco immunity? I’m a romantic so I’d love to see some “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington” on Monday, but frankly I’m afraid to get my hopes up. “Audacity of hope” my eye. Where the heck is Mr. Change on this?

I have been scratching my head about that very issue for about a year or more now.

And it could even be richer if the Democrats delayed the cloture vote by one day, and said that they hoped that President Bush in the SOTU would speak to whether or not the PAA should be temporarily extended or whether he wants the old FISA bill to take effect while the Senate debates. I’d think his brain would explode.

That’s exactly how I understood it, and was thinking that Chimpblunder will go apeshit during the SOTU for certain!
And, as a side thought, I *believe* you just got an 8 by 10 GLOSSY of what it’s going to be like if Clinton gets elected, i.e. TOTAL NON RESPONSIVENESS. She’ll be so busy cutting deals in secret back rooms and lobbying offices, she’s bound to forget we are even OUT here.
I’m spending the weekend calling and emailing and, if I can swing it to buy a FAX tomorrow am, I’ll be faxing EVERYONE from Reid on down to VOTE AGAINST CLOTURE.
IF THAT MATTERS!!!
Thanks for all you do, Jane.
siri

Who the hell watches the SOTU anyway???

Frankly, I feel as you do. I’ve had my hopes dashed so many times now, I feel like a perennial Bridesmaid.

I DON’T! It’s all bs anyway. I did love it that Nancy dressed down last year. (Was that a white t-shirt under her lime colored suit?)
siri

OK. Here’s the drill.

Neither Clinton nor Obama will risk a vote on, or any other participation in this matter because it is an election year. If they show any sign of opposing telecom immunity they’ll be tarred by Republicans as soft on terror.

Jane said ” Democrats swallow the intel bill whole or George Bush gets up there on Monday night and screams about how the Democrats are letting the terrorists win.”

This would go double for both Clinton and Obama, so they won’t touch it with a ten foot pole.

I’ve read comments ad nauseum about Clinton’s vote in 2002 to authorize the use of force in Iraq. That was really the time when we knew that she would eventually be a Presidential candidate. That confirmed it.

Although Democrats had slim control of the Senate at the time they were really powerless to put off the vote until after the mid-terms.

If they’d insisted on an after election vote Bush and the rest of the GOP would have railed about a dangerous delay. As it was the GOP constructed straw men in the election that tarred the Democrats anyway.

Remember that even Paul Wellstone had trepidations about voting against authorization because he was up for re-election. He held his breath, voted No and worried that he might lose his re-election bid.

Call all of this wrong if you want, but this is the world we live in.

For contrast, old man Bush went along with postponing the vote on authorizing force against Iraq in Gulf War I until AFTER the November elections.

Given the two Presidents and the way each handled similar situations and you may begin to understand what we’re up against.

The lost civility in Washington emanates from one side, the GOP side and it ain’t just Bush it’s the whole mob. This is a ruthless bunch that is intersted only in power for power’s sake. They have NO interest in coming together for the public good.

These are the people that Barack Obama says he’ll reconcile with.

It’s not possible to negotiate with insincere people.

this is all really very simple: democrats are masochists, republicans are sadists. They’re a match made in heaven.
.

What I think you are missing, Jane, is the perspective of the politicians who are in the trenches and making close called decisions on complex procedural Senate rules. Which even some of them are probably not understanding. You have composed a very compelling narrative which depicts the Dems (us) as being bullied by the Rethuglicans (them)and then incomprehensibly finding some stones to rise up against them. But there is a deeper narrative (or what a friend described to me as the “deep structure”) of these events which we on the outside may not comprehend. I was a 50+ year old adult when I read “Master of the Senate” by Robert Caro who penetrates some of the mysteries of the Senate Rules for the first time for me and demonstrated why, for his matery of these rules, LBJ qualified as a political genius. I never thought politics was something you could be a genius at before that. But I now realize that some things I might never understand.

The most watched political speech of the year by far. Unfortunate considering who’s in the White House.

The Democrats were ready to give George Bush everything that he wanted on FISA.

Even if immunity weren’t being locked and loaded in the Senate, the rest of the bill is as bad.

Equally bad and alluded to here, is that Republicans took to the floor consistently and bold face lied about the SJC bill, and bold face lied about their pet the SSIC bill.

George Bush will publicly humiliate them for it in the SOTU.

The only individual who will be publicly humilliated in the SOTU is Bush, particularly when he lies about the surge to nowhere in Iraq.

Further, Bond simply made up sections that don’t exist at all in the text of the bill on the floor. They also painted a false picture of panic, when in fact there is a clear provision in the PAA for them to continue eavesdropping on approved targets for a year, to continue for one year, and they have emergency provisions allowing them to eavesdrop on anyone per USC, and Assistant AG for National Security Kenneth L. Wainstein has been quoted all over the print media this week acknowledging that. You’d never know it to hear Hatch, Chambliss and the rest of the ditto heads talk. I suspect they may not understand it.

I wouldn’t get to optimistic about Reid’s apparent new anti-immunity posture since Friday. That doesn’t mean calls, emails, etc. couldn’t help and they sure should pour in–ya never know. As Cboldt has said, it is a well known Reid pattern to act precisely the opposite of his rhetoric. This has happened repeatedly on crucial issues.

I would consider any amendment that differs with Bush a poison pill in the sense that he’s going to demand to get whatever he and Cheney want the rest of his term,and will veto anything less including the amendments, and the insipidly insulting piece of crap from Feinstein that is nothing but immunity disguised in the byzantine logic that pinballs in her head.

I hope that the Democrats aren’t defeated by the time this comment gets up on this thread. I’m averaging about 1/10 currently.

I like Sheldon Whitehouse. Sharp, passionate guy willing to stick it in their eye. Maybe someday the name and the residence will merge.

I like Sheldon Whitehouse. Sharp, passionate guy willing to stick it in their eye. Maybe someday the name and the residence will merge.

It’s already merging. He’s been voting exactly the way Bush wants on S. 2248/FISA update.

He was good at tearing Gonzales a new one after Gonzales was already dead meat, but on FISA he’s been right in the palm of Jello Jay.

Whitehouse voted for the SSCI version of the bill in that committee with Bond, Rockerfeller and the sellouts who rolled over for Cheney and Addington at their meeting with them.

Only Feingold and Wyden voted against it.

That’s a terrible position for Whitehouse to have taken. It’s purely pro-Bush and exactly what Bush demanded or Whitehouse is following the dicatates of the current White House 100%.

It reminds me of Webb’s great televised rebuttal as a newly elected Democratic Congressman–only to then capitulate in Aug ‘07 to vote Aye to the horrible PAA.

Seems the democrats are rotating the role of anti-Bush speaker before falling back in line. Or it almost seems as if they have been body snatched.

What IS the current state of human cloning? Are we further along than we know?

The illegal spying isn’t restricted to suspected terrorists–it must also apply to the political opposition. This explains, I think, why Bush doesn’t want any oversight, and why he so easily neutralizes the Democrats, despite his record-low polls. He’s trolled for dirt on all of ‘em, and THEY don’t want anyone to know what he’s found either. At least, this theory is the only way I can explain the Democrats’ gutlessness . . .

I’ve come in late.

First of all, God bless Jane for her efforts.

That said, Democratic leadership seems to be under the influence of alien beings, whose name none shall speak.

The Democrats are cowards, but there’s always a REASON for cowardice, or for any behavioral trait. If Bush’s low poll rankings is the wind at the Democrats’ backs, then what is pushing them back in line? What do they think they lose if they stand up for what is right?
I’m convinced it’s blackmail, accomplished with illegal data trolling and spying. So Nancy, you wanna fight? Well, look what we’ve uncovered about you . . . Hey, Harry, pipe down or else we can show what’s in this envelope to other folks . . . etc, etc. Talk about an enemies list!

I’m glad i’m not the only one confused. Why are the Rethuglicans calling the shots? Scheduling shit when the Dems supposedly control the Senate? WTF? What a bunch of bunch of ball-less, ovary-less wonders. WHERE ARE THEIR STONES? (Or ovaries?)

Yes, if only the Dems had been so effective when they were in the minority in Congress.
Sigh. The Repubs have Darth Vadar, and we have Jar Jar Binks . . .

Explain to me why I’m supposed lift one finger to vote for any of these worms ever again? I’m told they’re not as bad a the Republicans, but it seems like they’ve been letting the Republicans set the agenda ever since they got their minimum wage passed. How’s that gonna change next year?

I just got an email from “give’m whatever they want” Harry about the nefarious republicans’ antics and asking me to contact my senators. He’s taking a page out of Lieberman’s book when he voted for cloture but against Alito’s confirmation. Harry is just trying to give the telecoms what they want and then put all the blame on the Republicans.

I contacted my senators (Cornyn and Hutchison. As if!) But I saved most of my ire and foul language to call bullshit on Harry.

Someone needs to just go ahead and call Bush out on the FISA issue.

I’d suggest Reid going with the Rules and holding the Senate in session during the State address to talk it out, if they want to play that card out by all means call their f’n bluff.

Do something unprecedented.
Imagine a State of the Union with no Senate members in attendance.

Lieberman should have been kicked out of caucusing with Dems a long time ago, BRC&HRC support of him put him where he is. One of the reasons I have reservations for voting for her.

“I’m so fed up, I could scream.”

I have been screaming on and off for most of eight years. All I get is strange looks and muttered words and, sure, hoarse… But I’m not gonna stop!