The Real Obstructionists
The Real Obstructionists
Last week, President Bush joined conservative congressional leaders in attacking their political opponents as partisan “obstructionists.” This argument is patently false. In the high-profile cases when the conservative agenda has been blocked — on Social Security privatization, the nuclear option, John Bolton — President Bush has actually faced bipartisan opposition.
But more importantly, on virtually every major issue of the day — Iraq, terrorism, ethics scandals, detainee abuse, and more — it is conservatives in Washington who are obstructing progress and thwarting the will of the American people.
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking Investigation into “Fixed” Pre-War Intelligence
Despite damning revelations in the Downing Street Minutes and other leaked British memos, we still don’t have the details regarding the Bush administration’s possible manipulation of pre-war intelligence. Why? Because Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) has blocked the planned examination of the administration’s role in shaping pre-war intel, saying it would be a “monumental waste of time.”
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking Vital 9/11 Commission Reforms
The 9/11 Commission regrouped early this month out of fear “that the Bush administration and Congress will never act on some of their recommendations.” For instance, commission members believe new National Intelligence Director John Negroponte is “not yet heeding a top recommendation” to tear down barriers between U.S. spy agencies.
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking the Ethics Committee from Operating
The House ethics committee has been paralyzed by conservatives for the second time this year, thanks to a conflict over staff hiring initiated by chairman (and former Jack Abramoff associate) Rep. Doc Hastings.
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking an Exit Strategy from Iraq
Even in the face of spiraling violence and increasing U.S. casualties, the Bush administration still refuses to offer a exit strategy or even present detailed benchmarks by which the success of their current strategy can be judged.
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking Progress Towards a ‘Culture of Life’
Congressional conservatives voted down legislation to reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions, and President Bush is threatening to veto visionary new stem cell legislation.
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking an Independent Investigation of Detainee Abuse Allegations
More than a year after detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere became public, there still has been no independent, overarching investigation of the numerous allegations of torture and abuse at U.S. prisons, nor of the potentially illegal practice of extraordinary rendition.
OBSTRUCTION: Blocking Data on Iraq Progress
U.S. forces in Iraq have “no higher priority” than developing Iraqi security forces. Yet the Defense Department has made it almost impossible to determine the status of our training efforts, or to determine what constitutes success in the first place, by blocking access to accurate reports of our efforts. Currently their data is unreliable and vague, categories of analysis in the reports “come and go without explanation,” and the metrics for judging readiness “change from week to week.”
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Add to that, the WH has said that they won’t set up an independent commission to investigate allegations of abuse at Guantanamo either, saying that the Pentagon-led inquiry was enough.
June 22nd, 2005 at 1:44 pmDubya thinks that all he and the leadership have to do is say “Democratic Obstructionism!” and it will elect more republicans. Well, the republican base (true red-staters) believes it, but the “common man” doesn’t any more.
It just means we have to work harder to get the vital information out. Thank god for the blogsphere.
June 22nd, 2005 at 1:46 pmThat’s in there, Xool!
June 22nd, 2005 at 1:54 pmah so! indeed it is … my bad :)
June 22nd, 2005 at 2:09 pmPerfect! Way to frame it.
June 22nd, 2005 at 2:21 pmThe conservatives use this ploy in order to protect Bush and enable him to keep spreading the same lies and half-truths over and over. If there is no investigation then there will be no incriminating reports and the GOP backers will never have to face up to the fact that they are nothing but pawns in the most dangerous chess match of all…politics…This is the main reason why these A-holes keep getting re-elected…lack of accountability and lack of integrity on behalf of their backers.
June 22nd, 2005 at 3:22 pmThank goodness I’m not alone and no, we’re not fooled.
June 22nd, 2005 at 3:37 pmObstruction
Think Progress has an interesting post about the level of obstruction mounted by the majority.
June 22nd, 2005 at 3:46 pmThe “Pug Obstruction” is an admission of guilt.
Innocent people have no reason to obstruct.
June 22nd, 2005 at 5:20 pmLet’s Roll With Some Fresh Material
Just an evening update with some GREAT material from the blogs. All part of the online effort for the 5:30 Report With Doug Krile on KWBF
June 22nd, 2005 at 8:37 pmLook Who’s Being Obstructionist?
Last week, President Bush joined conservative congressional leaders in attacking their political opponents as partisan “obstructionists.” This argument is patently false. In the high-profile cases when the conservative agenda has been blocked  on …
June 22nd, 2005 at 10:25 pmThe stench of Rove continues to permeate the Right’s responses. Accuse your opponents of your (Team Chimpy) shortcomings. They do it with an almost knee-jerk reaction. It’s hard to tell what’s worse, Bush or the scondrels who help him.
June 23rd, 2005 at 4:50 amI’m amazed at the amount of hatred I see oozing off your pages. This country is so polarized because of rhetoric like this. Both sides are guilty.
June 23rd, 2005 at 3:01 pmBoth sides are obstructionary. You can spin it any way you want to make yourselves feel better. What we need is more empathy, compassion and the willingness to work TOGETHER.
Kate,
We are fighting back. Appeasement and attempts at co-operation have gone no where with the Rebugs. Example Durbin – though I felt owed no apology – is STILL being hammered by the right. We are not dealing with reasonable people – so we have to fight and calling them on their hypocracy is certainly fair game. Just take a look at Roves statements yesterday – how do you deal with such assholes?
June 23rd, 2005 at 5:53 pm-jason
Kate both sides are NOT guilty.
The Republicans control all 3 branches of government. The Republicans spawned Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulture. Then there was the “he lied about a Blow Job” unending scandal.
The Republicans have no morals or ethics or ties to reality, they can’t pass exactly what they want so they cry like babies and yell obstructionist.
These people call war heroes cowards. They scream about a culture of life at home, while murdering thousands abroad. They talk about patriotism, and use national security for political gain. Just ask Saxby Chambliss, or a thousand others smeared and crippled by these thugs.
Yes I hate the Republicans, but I hate their actions and policies, not their personalities, I could care less about their private lives, I hate their public actions.
I do not think anyone could say that of the Clinton haters.
June 23rd, 2005 at 6:18 pmThen you just keep on fighting. Hammer them hard! Bring them all down. Just keep ignoring what festers among your own.
Just remember, when so much time is spent attacking, there is very little left for actual progress and development.
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