While on the subject of oil pigs:

If we were to simply schedule a full withdrawal of US Armed Forces from Iraq, the only drawback (other than a full blown mutual slaughter of Sunni and Shia), would be the lack of muscle for private petroleum interests.

Let the Hunt family and Exxon/Chevron/BP hire their own goddam army.

The secret service should’ve been protecting us from that twobitbastard all these years. These sonsofbitches in the WH think they are entitled to anything they bloody well want. At some point they will not have secret service at at some point they may well decide to travel abroad (You know for multi million dollar speaking fees) and at that point no amount of blackwater protection will help.

I mourn the future of Casper.

I mourn the, hopefully short, future of Casper.

I took the liberty of editing.

The protective services go well beyond the detail of agents that shadow the president (or vice president) wherever he goes. They include providing armored limousines, assessing threats, dispatching advance workers and coordinating with local law enforcement

‘mornin’ Ataturk..
Your post suggests an interesting question: would Cheney’s Secret Service detail allow him to be arrested?

I vote we all chip in and buy Cheney and his pet Bush a nice European vacation. Let’s not be cheap, let them take some friends along too!

It is the least we can do after all they have done for all of us!

The Secret Service is preparing to provide Vice President Cheney with agents, transportation, advance work and other security-related trappings of executive power for six months after the Bush administration packs up and moves out in January…

*holds breath, anticipates ‘catastrophe’, prepares for marial law

*holds breath, anticipates ‘catastrophe’, prepares for marial law

nor am I kidding, I will not be surprised though I think they will wait for a closer time, perhaps this is a dry run

in any event, please send this to everyone you know, knowledge is inoculation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..k+doctrine

One way, I hope…………

Of course, there is a reasonable and fair alternative. It only costs tens of thousands a year to keep a person in prison.

And he’ll have all the protection he needs. [edited by mod]

he was NEVER elected he has 19 % rating from the constituents…GO AWAY BIG DICK…who cares what happens to you and your spawn

Mornin’ all…

Do you suppose he fears that karma is going to come around…and he’s trying to put a “shield” around himself?

That means 81% of Americans don’t like him. Best argument for protection I have heard yet.

Looks like I’m in the minority again, but if there was ever a VP who deserved protection after he left office, it’s Cheney. Forget (for a moment) all the evil he’s done. Realize that for all practical purposes for the last 8 years he has been the President. He knows everything. Never mind all the dirt he knows, think about the legit things he’s learned. Intelligence gathering methods. Special forces operations techniques. The times and locations of US fighter patrols over American cities.

While I agree that the best thing to do is simply lock him up and throw away the key, I’m willing to protect him in order to protect America. He simply knows too much.

Boxturtle (I’m not as worried about Bush, he “knows” only what Cheney has recently shared)

Yeah, I do…I would be very curious to see if a Secret Service protective detail would stand by and allow their principal to be taken away in handcuffs. Even with all necessary warrants..I think that would be an unprecedented situation for the SS.

Yes!!!

‘On April 16, the New Hampshire legislature will consider House Resolution 24, a resolution petitioning Congress to commence impeachment procedures. Introduced by veteran legislator Betty Hall, 87, its successful passage would create U.S. history.’
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00115.htm

W & Shooter HAVE unified the country!

Extending Cheney’s detail would require a directive from the president or a joint resolution of Congress.

is it possible for the next president to UN “executive order” this detail?

if he has the protection of our government it is going to be hard for another country to arrest him for war crimes

I agree.

Good morning, eCAHN…you’re right, they have….it’s just that nobody could have anticipated that they would do it the way they have..*g*

If the paperwork is in order, the secret service will stand aside. There’s even a process for arresting a sitting president.

Boxturtle (If they need help with that paperwork, I’ll help pro bono)

That is an interesting hypothetical.
It might depend on which authorities tried the arrest.

Good morning to you RonD.

everything these crimminals do is for their OWN protection…america has lawyers WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK to protect this utter scum/crimminals form prosecution,and any harm….NANCY impeach the bastards ITS CHEAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

While I agree that the best thing to do is simply lock him up and throw away the key, I’m willing to protect him in order to protect America. He simply knows too much.

I’d recommend [edited by mod] and debriefing him.

Good fun for historians.

[Mod Note; In the comments at FDL, please do not suggest violence or harm on others, even if in jest. Thank you.]

The big D can think he’s above man’s law, but, even he could not anticipate being above the universe’s karma. Is that possible?

I have nothing to base this on — no first hand knowledge of any kind — but the sense I get from watching Cheney at work tells me that he isn’t one who gives the staff a whole lot of respect. “Your job is to do what I say.”

If he treats the USSS that way, I can easily imagine the detail on duty applauding if and when Cheney is served with an arrest warrant. If they’ve seen the kind of stuff Marcy (and others) suspect he’s been involved with — such as the policy of torturing suspects — I’d guess that their stomachs have turned at least as much as ours over the last 7 years.

I’m also trying to picture the local police department in Casper dealing with having to make such an arrest. “Sgt,” says the chief, “I’ve got a special job for you,” and he hands over the warrant. Says the officer, “Uh, I’m just supposed to walk past all those USSS folks, put the cuffs on him, and say, “Thanks, fellas — I’ll handle it from here”?

Good Morning Attaturk and Firedogs

last post – hope you hippies appreciate the finely tuned snark of ‘Hinckley Ohio’ – man oh man Attaturk way to nail that shill

If the paperwork is in order, the secret service will stand aside. There’s even a process for arresting a sitting president.

Wow, I’d really like to read that…not doubting you, but do you have a link?

well maybe he ll take out his 100,000$ custom Italian sissy gun,and shoot them in the face…..”G”

I’m trying to find a link, but i have to go to a meeting and I’ve run out of time. IIR, the Master at Arms of the Senate has the authority to preform the arrest.

Boxturtle (What a time for google to fail me)

Thanks, Box Turtle! I’ll look too…Have a good day!

He is an undeniably sick man.

Did anyone else catch Sen. Chafee’s comment about Darth shooting 77 pheasants at one of those ‘hunts’?

I dunno, demi, he’s been able to get away with a lot–you know the old saying that evil flourishes when good (people) do nothing…

OT
Here’s some good news from thinkprogress

Elizabeth Edwards will be joining the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow. “In her new role, Edwards, who has gained a considerable following in the liberal blogosphere thanks to her willingness to vocally oppose conservative politicos from Sen. John McCain to commentator Ann Coulter, will also be contributing to CAP’s blog,” ThinkProgress.

yup…..by the by…they BREAK one of the wings…unka Dick is a real SPORTSMAN…………………………….hurl chunks

Woot! I so admire Elizabeth Edwards for her intelligence, courage, and leadership.

that is so true….so many have blood on their hands

Geez. Sorry.

whoda thunk,short,fat nasty,hair challenged men like big dick and kkkarl rove would amass so much power and money

Have a good day, firepups, I’m off.

LOL. Caller on WJ would ask Petreus if he’d feeel more comfortable with his stars stuck up his ass. (Given how big it must be from his constantly bending over for W, I doubt that he would notice.)

Exile the both of them, strip them of their citizenship would be a nice start. Anybody else remember ” a Man without a country”?

unka Dick has been plotting all of this for 40 years…imo

more good news, “The ‘Recession’ Is a Media Myth” / sarcasm

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha…that is PRICELESS!!!!

And let’s not forget where Darth’s new DC area digs will be.

Across the street from CIA headquarters!

WTF is up with that?

Did anyone else get Wexler’s email asking for suggestions on what to ask Petraeus? He says he will pick the two best and ask during the Foreign Affairs commitee meeting with the General.

A bit more violent than a “truth serum” dontcha think?

You get 3 demerits for linking to Faux.

WELL MURDOCH and all his ape-shit flying monkeys (Billo),Shep Smith ,Hannity etc,are raking in the cash by the millions….Billo owns a palace in NY…Rushbo…owns the biggest property,in the wealthiest county in the US…PROPAGANDA pays swell

My understanding of karma is that isn’t so much about good vs. evil, but consequences. Dick has created his own karma.
But, I agree that good people need to do Something.
Off to work on my demi paycheck.
Fight the good fight today, all peacepups.

Why bother asking Petreus anything? You’ll only get lies for answers. I got Wexler’s email and deleted it instantly because the whole exercise is useless.

Yoo wrote a memo saying that sticking stars up asses would not be considered torture. /snark

I’ve always wondered about that, if I linked to the same story as a google cache, do I still get the demerits?

methinks his arteries,and inefficent heart will do him in sooner rather than later…so his life sukks

Hey hip girl!
Yeah, CSpan’s on here.
And I do not swoon at men wearing uniforms.
I’m glad I won’t be home watching this morning.
‘Cause I’m a CSpan junkie, and I probably would.

Ooooo. That’s a Q for FDL management. *g*

I’m not asking, it just pleases me when my representatives ask my opinion. Even if it is just a stunt.

i think you ought to get gold stars for being clever.

him and McCrazy are both very short,Napoleanic saber rattlers

I’m gonna try to read a book instead, but I share your addiction, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep the mute button on.

That way you can see the filth (if yer into that kinda thing) and not give the Fox website any “hits” to brag about.

**grin**

you are clever…..Fox keeping amerika stoopit

Good morning folks!

Just a friendly reminder: Please do not make comments that suggest acts of violence or torture on others, even if in jest. This has been a long standing rule here at The Lake.

Thanks!

Shooting anything in one of these “hunts” is disgusting. Is what we’re doing today in Sadr City any different?

Cheney considers himself a “man’s man.” I could carve a better man from a banana.

How is it that the Bush family exists karma free?

gonna be a long day

in going for a warm up noticed JoeMika touting a Gallup poll showing McBloodbath is ‘trusted on Iraq’ by 15% more than either dem and they dragged Pumpkinhead out to parse it for us all – oy

ps – ‘poll’ isn’t up yet at any of the cablesnooze sites yet

dear gaia, let the whole “they only call landlines thingy” be correct

That news is not much of a surprise (though it may be to Mr Bubble who still says it’s a 50% risk) but the troubling news is that this forecast says it’s going to be nasty. Read the full article because Martin Feldstein has a lot of interesting things to say, including about the rebate and failure to address the core problems.
“I think the professional forecasters have been a little slow to come to the recognition that we’re in a recession,” Feldstein said in a live interview.

Feldstein, president of the National Bureau of Economic Research, said the downturn could go on longer and deeper than the two most recent recessions.

He also said the U.S. gross domestic product would be a misleading, positive number.

“But within this quarter, we’re seeing the monthly numbers coming down,” he said. “As I said, employment, sales, production, all of that are trending down at this point.”

they are spinning hard,for the old CRAZY man

ya know if Big tall,handsome,mocha Obama manages to get elected…our media poodles will SHIT THEIR KENNELS!!!!”g”

Per Glenzilla:

… Americans overwhelmingly favor unconditional withdrawal and it’s not even close. They favor that by a 25-point margin, and it’s a 29-point margin among independents. Those are huge margins. Very few public policy questions of any significance produce margins that large. And the whole point of asking the question this way — do you favor withdrawal “regardless of what is going on in Iraq?” — is to exclude the excuse made by John McCain, The Politico and Cokie Roberts that Americans only want to withdraw once we’ve “won” or once we’ve created a peaceful democracy there.

For many reasons, the pro-war political establishment doesn’t want to leave Iraq. That’s fine. They’re entitled to that opinion. But Americans overwhelmingly reject that view. All evidence conclusively demonstrates that. While there are mild differences as to the amount of time the timetables should allow, Americans want, by large margins, to set a timetable to withdraw from Iraq unconditionally — not if we’re winning, not if things are improved, not if we’ve created a stable democracy, but regardless of those issues. War advocates who keep saying otherwise are just spouting factually false — and profoundly anti-democratic — propaganda.

Emphasis in the original.

I don’t know if Feldstein’s forecast will be accurate but I do know from personal experience & some familiarity with his work in the early days that he’s gotten away with being a charlatan at the highest level.

add teh smart…i forgot smart

oh,well then a major box of kosher/sea salt shall be taken…thanks”g”

Here we go folks……..

is it on?

Not necessarily. He makes valid points, and may well prove right in this case. My point is that you should judge him by the content of what he says, not by his reputation.

yep c-span 1

everything about McCrazy is so archaic

think I’ll stick with any liveblogging that goes on here – just seeing Liebushman take his seat did me in – oy

i do,cause im not familiar with his rep…it mells like an R,it feels like an R ,and it looks like an R …..imo

And so it begins. The kabuki I mean. The surge looked like it was succeeding now not so much. Who could have foreseen? Other than a bunch of DFHs that is.

and if the democrats knew how to react, the correct response is;

“and that is how detached from reality these republicans are, they are actually saying the recession doesn’t exist, they think if they say there is no recession people will believe them”

and finish with;

the republicans think their constituents are morons

man, that would disabuse them from trying that crap in the future

hahahahahahahahahahaha,did he remove it from the press’s mouth

CSPAN pointed out that all 3 prez candidates are on committees that P&C will testify in front of. So the most interesting aspect will be to see what Qs they ask.

yes, yes, his use of the term ‘trollop’ in the c word epithet was quite telling

oops, I think that was echan I was responding to

Thanks for the heads up!

It’s a Petreaus Spring Break CSPAN extravanganza at Smgumby’s house! The kids will be thrilled!

Iraq a-wash in oil cash! Yet “we pay” for the oil stashed, losing billions with no paper trail on money borrowed from china…. what a deal?

Attaturk, I left a similar message as yours on “Think Progress’” blog. However, his code name should be “Dickhead”

yup dont fuk with peoples corn or gasoline,they might be a tad pissed off

Obama this afternoon!

CSPAN pointed out that all 3 prez candidates are on committees that P&C will testify in front of. So the most interesting aspect will be to see what Qs they ask.

you’re right.
and this’ll get the war back into the campaign

You know, it’s against the law to mistreat your children. *g*

hahahahahahaha
like OF HUMAN BONDAGE….wish i could do a yotube of betty davis,and leslie howard

Where is that clip? Iraq war’s cost 50-70 billion $ to be paid for from Iraq’s oil revenues…….

so what’s the answer, can the next president rescind the executive order giving cheney more of our assets after he is out of office?

I know he won’t do it, but can he?

Levin going through the numbers why Iraq is a mess. I wish he had done this last September and acted on it then, or last May, or in January 2007.

somebody said we are paying ONE warlord in Basara $$$$250,000.00 a day

Back yo Cheney. Is the secret Service going to Dubai to protect him? Do they have authority there?

On another note: Obama’s brother-in-law just got the job of basketball coach at Oregon State!

in fact the war is costing us billions apn billions in added oil costs

how bizarre even the base republicans continue supporting these theives

the us is spending too much money on reconstruction of iraqi infrastructure.

i don’t think carl and i have the same understanding of what “reconstruction” means.

An Update (4/7/08): A family member of the pregnant woman in Clinton’s story comes forward to say that the senator’s version was accurate (Washington Post). Just like Gore’s maligned-but-true claims of involvement in developing the internet, the facts might ultimately vindicate Clinton — but perhaps not soon enough to lessen the impact for those who will continue to insist that she was exaggerating.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com…..f_woe.html

Everyone, including the Ds, are just pushing the ball down the road. And will continue to do so for the 4 or 8 years of the next prez, no matter who it is.

yea …Phil Donahue said last night…NOT ONE MORE DEATH,for an illegal war,started by lies

Since a Presidential directive can provide the Secret Service protection, can’t a Presidential directive rescind the protection? Maybe we can get the Presidential candidates to go on the record stating they will rescind the Secret Service protection. After all this is not a welfare state. Why would we provide Secret Service protection to a multi-millionaire who has the means to provide for his own security. You mean the NEOCON is looking for Government handouts? Pathetic.

the iraqis are to blame!

To think……the party of Lincoln? Sickening! Divide and conquest for the benefit of oil!!

Hmmm, Cheney’s ‘protective detail/troops, getting ready??

‘Private security contractor Blackwater Worldwide has purchased a light attack counterinsurgency aircraft, and over two dozen other aircraft, under the name of an obscure aviation company.’
http://blog.wired.com/defense/…..-bulk.html

Levin doesn’t like the pause that Petraeus has been suggesting. McCain ancient warmonger up. He’s seeing rose petals. Shrapnel looks like that when you are looking at the world through rose colored glasses.

Catchin’ up.

77 pheasants on a “game farm” is no more a hunt than George Dubya playin’ video wargames. It is a sociopathic slaughter. Might as well walk into a chicken coop and start blastin’.

A hunt is rising at 3 a.m. driving in the cold rain to a bluff in the Badlands and setting up to wait for the sunrise and then using dad’s ol’ rifle and scope to bring down an antelope. That’s a hunt.

What Chee-knee and LaPierre and Scalia and any of these other self-glorified “hunters” do is looked upon by real hunters with derision and contempt.

I MENTION IT……..everytime im at the pump,and everybody here agrees…mention it at the pump,and at the VEGGIE dept of the store….

The next President can amend or remove a previous President’s executive orders, in fact, according to Bushco, they can just ignore previous executive orders without amending or removing them (or telling anyone they are ignoring them)!

………..he drilled the “accident!”

yep, some of us have been sayin’ that *g*

given the current media tone – I will be surprised if either Dem challenges the good general on anything even Sen Obama – not making excuses for it, but he does not want to be portrayed as the guy who ‘was mean’ to Petraeus

nossirree – Levin will ask a few ‘tough’ questions about the premise of the surge but with no redirect or follow up –

is Hagel there ??

gee what a surprise, McCain’s campaigning

Aaack. McCain is up in the Senate Petraeus hearing. Anyone else watching?

extreme caution would be expected…. unless a major drilling less unexpected, bold and effective?

McCain: We can now talk about Iraq with real hope and optimism.

Talks about success a lot.

Voice breaks when he says then troops can come home with honor.

He’s still fighting Vietnam. Sick as it is sad.

“their nation’s interest”

i’d really like some pol to be honest in what they mean by this.

G D …….IS THEIR NOT 1 single patriot in the house…..oy

I agree. Neither D will ask anything meaningful.

McCain says that recent success is gonna give the Iraqi’s space to rebuild!

Hagel’s on Foreign Relations which is this afternoon’s hearing. Coleman’s there also. He’s in a tough re-election fight for Minn Senator.

(close ears)….HE WAS IN COMBAT 20 HOURS period…it is all delusional

She-eye militias. This guy can’t even read his comments and people want him as president? Give me a break!

yea,thatll work….blow it up,rebuild…rinse lather repeat….halliburton smiles

McCain must have taken his anti-Alzheimers meds. He seems to have separated AQ & “Iranian-backed” groups.

McCain: Blah, blah, blah, insert some Bush talking points here, blah, blah blah

He’s even using the old Bush chestnut that we need to keep troops in Iraq in order to bring them home.

and being protested was like a badge of honor for him. He-Man McCain

Bobble head “joe” with the remote controlled shocker……….

please just one senator,say the emperors foot soldier,like the emperor is NOT wearing any clothes!

Who’s the guy sleeping behind McCain? The designated napper?

it coming!

Petraeus needs wider shoulders for all those trinkets he’s wearing.

I wonder if the dems can get this before they’re done from think progress

‘Secret’ U.S. plan calls for ‘open-ended military presence’ in Iraq.
The Guardian reports today that “a confidential draft agreement covering the future of US forces in Iraq,” dated March 7, “shows that provision is being made for an open-ended military presence in the country.” Though the “secret” draft strategic framework agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments says the U.S. “does not desire permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq,” it contains no time limit for a U.S. presence in the country. Additionally, the draft “authorizes the US to ‘conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary for imperative reasons of security.’” The White House has previously said it will not seek a “security guarantee” with Iraq

DODD? like his daddy at Nuremburg?

I hope Clinton doesn’t use these hearings to give a campaign speech which is what McCain is doing.

The Congres must choose not to lose. Choose to succeed.

The Republicans, Bush, Cheney, and McCain lost Iraq the day we went in there.

The Prince of Liars is now up (Petraeus)

imo our military uniforms could be improved in appearance.

he is tiny like McCrazy…5′7′…looks tall standing on his bravado

thanks Prairie.

eeww Coleman – wiping Petraeus from his chin in HD – can’t wait !

cut…. paste….. bombard with emails……

what i want to know if iran will be blamed for any of our problems.

to the faxes stat!

oops. guess i have the first part of an answer.

Petraeus spinning his successes like crazy. Blaming Iran for the current flare up in violence. Color me surprised.

So far we have Levin saying it’s the Iraqis’ fault and now Petraeus saying it’s Iran. Can someone provide these guys with a mirror then they can see who’s really at fault.

Hell Yes

P’s on the case. Iran did this. Iran did that., etc.

shorter Patreus….”kill,kill,kill…..i need a cigarette”

P: Our primary mission is protecting the civilian population (which is why they are currently shooting up Sadr City)

Im thinkin..Tehran… May

P: And now let me show you some of my lying statistics.

just oy………….sigh

Remind you of VN body counts?

Now this guy can read him some notes!

“Sons of Iraq” Brought to you by the department of government propaganda.

Scootie and Addington,can write well

great call and good question!

i guess i should watch

fresh Christy upstairs

New thread. Petraeus used the line about that violence up in March because al Qaeda was lashing out, you know in desperation.

oy

I hope Clinton doesn’t use these hearings to give a campaign speech which is what McCain is doing.

The Congres must choose not to lose. Choose to succeed.

The Republicans, Bush, Cheney, and McCain lost Iraq the day we went in there.

The Prince of Liars is now up (Petraeus)

the democrats cede too much when they do not point out this is not an American war, we went in because if data created by the administration for a war they’ve wanted for an administration

they cannot allow that this is an american war, it is not, it’s a cheney bush war

Our continued occupation of Iraq is not in our national interest.

Once that’s agreed then it becomes irrelevant whether we’re making progress or whether our leaving would cause Iraqis more trouble or whether Iran is doing anything.