Good afternoon, Christy. And thank you.

Hard as this is to read, it must have been excruciating to write.

Our kids gave me a copy of “Angler” for my birthday.

They knew it was that important.

We love them so. And we agonize over leaving this world to them, after what’s been done by the likes of Cheney.

The whole interview with Horton and Gellman is excellent. I hope folks will read the whole of it — truly.

Oh, and happy Mountain Day! :)

My few friends left on active duty, who are now very senior Naval Officers are furious about the way that the Geneva Convention has been twisted by these folks. Almost to a man they all voted/supported the republicans in two elections and now feel betrayed.

The Geneva Conventions are not a joke to members of the military, and if John McCain should somehow become president and starts another war it’s all bad for members of the military who are unfortunate enough to become POWs.

utterly despicable and disgraceful.

thanks for the post christy

Christy - the thing that really upsets me is this: After 9/11, anyone who disagreed with what they were doing was called a traitor, unAmerican, unpatriotic, etc. When all the while, it was THEM who were the traitors.

The very thought that a letter like that was deemed necessary is a slap in the face of the President. You think he’ll even read it?

At least we know others will. That’s a start, toward healing our country and mending the gaping holes in the fabric of our policies.

Oh, and I wanted to give everyone a heads up: First Monday will be on Tuesday next week so we can bring you the Gellman book salon. But also because one of our distinguished guests has a SCOTUS argument on Monday — I thought that was an okay excuse to bump the chat a day, don’t you?

We have a huge treat for everyone planned above and beyond that particular guests, so I hope folks can join the discussion next Tuesday. And apologies for the bump on that, but I thought everyone would be understanding that a SCOTUS argument requires a little time and prep…

I fear that these monsters will never face justice. I don’t want revenge for what they’ve done to my country and government, but no justification-none-exists for their crimes.

If there is an afterlife, I’m ashamed to say I wish only the most excruciating and painful (if only emotionally) torture be eternally inflicted upon the likes of Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Addington, Yoo, and Libby.

Awww. Happy Mountain Day to YOU hon. Our favorite friends in the whole world, living right across the street here in OH for too many years to count, are native-born Mountaineers. They just returned from a trip down to work on their cabin in WV. Said it’s just beautiful. They saw a group of 5 buck white-tails all together. Yeah, they have the good sense to stand away and enjoy from a distance.

Can we dedicate this thread to all those who plan to not vote for president as a result of pre-existing disappointment with Obama?

did his FISA vote piss me off? yes.

did his bailout vote piss me off? yes.

Will John McCain change any of the Bush War Plan and its attendant torture? NO.

There is no way on god’s green earth I’ll vote for the party of torture.

You wanna call me a one-issue voter?

Ok.

OT mabbe, but it moves me…

Senator Biden did an outstanding job last night. He made us proud!

Besides, he had 15, count them, FIFTEEN family members there for him.

Eat yer evrrr luvin’ haart out, sehra. ;->

That Palin answer on Fourthbranch’s need for expanded powers last night sent a shiver up my spine. No fricking way. Just…NO.

NO. You’re master of your own comment, NO MORE. Thank you very much. Your typing ends where my little box begins.

War crimes…crimes against humanity.

I hear you. That and the Supreme Court, baby.

You’re not alone. If she were any shallower, …, impossible. I’m at a loss for things I’d dare see printed under my name.

Vote for Obama? You betcha we will.

If this country is to gain any of it’s tarnished reputation back it is imperative that there are public trials to hold those accountable for crimes against humanity. The American public needs to learn what was done in their names and which Republican ideologues bear responsibility. The U.S. has let Republican criminality slide for far too long and it is now time to begin putting those responsible where they belong, federal or international prisons.

Liberty is weeping for our lost freedoms for which we are so pround and have fought for and sacrificed so much.
Justice once blind with her balances is sadly askew. The scales are long imbalanced and the fairness that made this nation a better place has been eroded by tje greedy and corrupt corporate culture.
Even sadder our humanitarian values have been sacrificed to the gods of war..greed, plunder and destruction.
We will never accept this, The treason and treachery must be held to account.

I will not cast a vote for President this year. I withdrew my support of Obama after he reneged on his pledge to filibuster the FISA Amendments Act and his subsequent support and vote for it. My decision has been confirmed by his support and vote for the loathesome Wall Street bailout.

I was thrilled when they gave us psychologists a chance to vote on this. One of the votes I feel most proud of casting. As did so many other psychologists, I am sure.

That Palin answer on Fourthbranch’s need for expanded powers last night sent a shiver up my spine. No fricking way. Just…NO.

That was her Achilles heel. She didn’t know what Ifil was talking about, and I doubt she has ever heard of the Barnacle Branch, and would probably think it was a seafood restaurant if you asked her.

You know, over the past year, we have all chatted back and forth about whether or not this did nor did not happen at the Congressional level because ’someone’ had ’something’ on people in Congress. Well this quote about Frank Keating’s vetting file submitted to Cheney during the VP candidate selection process says it all:
“One is that Keating’s vetting file was very closely held. Bush’s people were not allowed to see it. Besides Cheney, only his daughter Liz, his lawyer David Addington, and his old friend David Gribbin had access.” Cheney had files on every major figure who was even under consideration. Does anyone think that he stopped THERE? This is a guy who thinks strategically from the moment he wakes up in the morning until he sleeps(IF he sleeps) at night. And even if he did not have a file on every single one…it is enough that they all believed that he did and that he would think nothing about leaking information and using it against them. Kucinich must bang his head on the wall every morning that so few in the House would not support his articles of impeachment against Cheney. That guy is the most dangerous man not only in America..but probably the world.

Palin when asked about her Achilles heel probably thought Ifill was referring to something about shoes.

Sarah read her answers last night.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/.....-can-read/

people who disenfranchise themselves on purpose mystify me.

must be somethin’ in the vapours. FGS open a window or sumthin.

how can one be a one-issue voter if you don’t? d’OH.

I guess, for some, it’s either too hot or too cold, nothing in between will do. Masters of their own personal thermostat. I won’t quit working while I can still draw a breath. They can play with the phantom controls.

s’cuse Christy. I gotta go get some fresh air…

Hear, hear!!

I will not cast a vote for President this year.

If it were possible for all of the prisoners (most of whom are/were innocent) that we’ve locked up, denied counsel, tortured, and murdered to speak, I’m sure that they rise as one and applaud your principled stand.

We are going to have one hell of a book salon on Monday, I can tell you that. Highly recommend the read — although, in all honesty, reading it in close proximity to ready Jane Mayer’s book may give you a permanent headache. Fair warning, because it has for me…

Uh. Mah. Gawd. That video is so freaky to watch!

If we don’t vote Bushco out…we will have permanent Bushco…forever. A no vote for anyone other than McCain is a vote for the completed coup d’etat of our nation. Just sayin’..

btw, Blue Texan has a House vote liveblog thread up and running for everyone who is following that (which is pretty much everyone…)

Blue Texan has a new post up entitled: “The House Votes On The Bailout Bill”

I wonder who wrote in the name McClellan instead of McKiernan into her notes???? Heh.

I will not cast a vote for President this year.

If it were possible for all of the prisoners (most of whom are/were innocent) that we’ve locked up, denied counsel, tortured, and murdered to speak, I’m sure that they rise as one and applaud your principled stand.

Well in the words of John Mellenkamp if you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything at all. Obama’s failure to stand for anything goes far in explaining his recent votes and actions.

CHS - I hate to say it, but that letter is pretty much meaningless. Because “we don’t torture”, as Bushie is wont to say.

Any military shrink who takes it on themselves to refuse to participate will find themselves going for a mental status evaluation just like that kangaroo court prosecutor who tried to turn over Brady material.

Sorry.

The depths to which this country has sunk under this administration breaks my heart but I know that we can reclaim at least a little part of who we are in the coming years. Man, there is a lot of work to be done

right on

That is a powerful statement. Mind if I send that to a few folks?

As a commenter on eCAHN’s link mentions, the split screen C-Span routinely shows is invaluable ata such times. Also, no interruptions, a la “what she meant to say was…,” “do you think she/he’s being effective, evasive, yadda??”

Watching the split-screen, I could tell right away last night somethin’ was moosey about cute lil’ ms winky-eyes. heh.

danger signals were flashing all over, even if not actually on the screen.

she’s clever, may have a photographic memory, no more, perhaps way less…

i don’t want her or her “mentor” anywhere near the people’s White House.

You better BELIEVE I’ll vote Obama! Yes ma-am. Yes sir!

I wonder who wrote in the name McClellan instead of McKiernan into her notes???? Heh.

It was probably McCain. I think he met General McClellan back in the day.

Considering how much a number of psych groups have been controlled by military psych professionals, I think it is very powerful. It doesn’t have the enforcement power, certainly — but it does put things right out on the line in terms of what a number of folks within the group know and might be willing to talk about if the Administration continues to try and push the envelope. There’s a lot of read between the lines in that letter, I thought, that seemed pretty up front about the fact that people know details and information and might share it publicly if need be.

Anyone else read it that way, or was it just me?

No. It’s not. Not in my book. This was no little anonymous snippet. This letter was backed by some considerable power in our little universe here, imo.

YES. Apparently simultaneously. heh.

oohhhh, she’s very exacting. prolly correcting a perceived typo. bless her lil’ heart.

If the behavior of Bu$h CO do not amount to TREASON, a deliberate attempt to destroy the fundamental democratic institutions of this nation, then the word, ‘treason’, has no actal meaning, and incidentally, the U.S. Constitution, equally, HAS NO ACTAUL MEANING; unless there is an accounting AND very serious consequence for those who engaged in this vicious, premeditated attempt to literally destroy this country, then we have ALL betrayed the principles this nation was founded upon.

The events and circumstances we face roday would be very familiar indeed to the founders.

Will we, as a people and as a society have the courage and conviction to rise, as the founders rose, to the challenges before us?

I am glad that a stand has (finally) been taken by a least a part of the community of psychologists, but it is only a start.

Certain other professions need to weigh in as well.

And “the people” can not just sit on the “sidelines” munching popcorn …

seem to have lost yer audience to the vote, redd. i’m not gonna torture myself that way. Regula “represents” me. He cares about and supports the local Canton Symphony and their marvelous symphony, but, sigh….

Go Boccieri in Nov. (D; - R-Regula’s retiring), even if you are not pro choice. groan… you walk forward on the feet you have, hopefully making progress. R opposition candydate only seems to know how to field-dress the economy and schools.

confusing message apologies: I’M pro choice. NO candidate in that district is. I will grit teeth and vote D down the whole ballot, even if the dawg-catcher is a poodle, or mini-dach. ;->

now… that fresh air… whew

The transfer of wealth continues. Apparently the Bailout of fat cats and aristocrats has passed. There’s a whiff of revolution in the air. A new Democratic administration will have to channel FDR.

you apparently missed the Union of Concerned Scientists, ahem. perhaps mr. google will help.

My hope for justice is the Hague. International courts are outraged by vioolation of international law. ACLU is not done with it. The Naational Lawyers guils has made a position. It is not going away. If it takes 30 years like nazi criminals.

Hey now, it’s all good. I’m very reassured after Ms. Palin told me last night that hey, yes, this administration made mistakes. everyone makes mistakes.

all better now.

/s

I’ll believe it when I see it.

I was thinking of certain other professions.

The second oldest, historically (so we are told), for example.

I am traveling in Canada and yesterday I went to see my cousins and, sadly, we started talking about politics. It was miserable. We mostly talked about the bailout and Sarah Palin (the latter one topic we seemed to agree on!). When I mentioned that one of the things I was sad about was that my country has a concentration camp. This was probably the wrong way to say it to them if I was trying to convince them of anything. But on some level, I don’t have any delusion that I will ever change their mind, and I feel like it’s about my not being allowed to feel deeply upset about this and about the fact that this is my country. I wish I could debate like I’ve seen Jane Hamsher do…
I know this is kind of off-topic, but I’ve been feeling very politically lonely.

Parsley, neither eloquence (which you clearly exhibit) or facts (which you honestly shared) will convince those whose minds (and hearts) at the moment are closed. Time will do that. Or not.

Hang out with the foks here, when time permits, and though you might, at times, become frustrated with some of the comments, most of the time you will feel at ‘home’, too rare an occurrance these days, and know you are among those who do ‘understand’ and care.

DW

christy: why do you hate america? (snark)

this is infuriating… and despicable…

this government is guilty of war crimes:
war of aggression / invasion of sovereign nations
illegal occupations
kidnapping
torture
death squads / ethnic cleansing

the list can go on and on and on…

I’m voting for Cynthia McKinney…the first person to call out the Bush junta on the truth about 9/11