EXCLUSIVE: List of Alito “Murder Board” Participants; Includes Lawyers Who Approved Warrantless Surveillance
EXCLUSIVE: List of Alito “Murder Board” Participants; Includes Lawyers Who Approved Warrantless Surveillance
During this morning’s hearing, Sen. Russ Feingold noted that the same lawyers who created the legal justifications for Bush’s warrantless domestic spying program coached Alito about how to answer questions during the confirmation hearings:
I’m going to say that I am still somewhat troubled by the idea that you were prepared for this hearing by some lawyers who were very much involved in promoting the purported legal justification for the NSA wiretapping program….
I note, for example, that one of the people who participated in these sessions was Benjamin Powell. He recently advised President Bush on intelligence matters and was just given a recess appointment as general counsel to the national intelligence director.
I also see the name of White House Counsel Harriet Miers on the list. And she, obviously, is involved in the president’s position on this matter.
This a serious ethical issue.
Miers personally approved Bush’s warrantless domestic surveillance program as White House Counsel. The evidence suggests that Powell is also a strong proponent of the program. In July, before Bush’s illegal warrantless wiretapping program was revealed by the New York Times, Powell testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to indicate that he wanted to expand the rules that limited intelligence agencies’ authorities to collect and share intelligence about U.S. citizens.
Bush’s warrantless surveillance program may soon come before the Supreme Court. Now we have key lawyers who created legal justifications for the program, such as Powell and White House counsel Harriet Miers, suggesting to Alito how he should respond to senators who ask questions about it. It is hard to imagine that these recommendations were not highly suggestive of how he should adjudicate the issue.
ThinkProgress has obtained a full list of everyone who attended Alito’s “murder boards.” You can check it out here.
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Ethics? What are those again?
January 12th, 2006 at 2:18 pmNeocons have no use for ethics. They only bring them up when caught with their hands in the cookie jar or to keep the opposition in line. They expect their opposition to play by the rules, then they surprise them by playing dirty. Ethics….schmethics.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:24 pmAlito talked to someone who agrees with the president who appointed him? HORRORS!!!!!
LOL Get a grip.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:24 pmLiberals/Democrats have no use for ethics. They only bring them up when caught with their hands in the cookie jar or to keep the opposition in line.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:25 pmKeeping the opposition in line is a bad thing? Let me tell you a story about a guy named Jack Abramoff and a place called K Street…
January 12th, 2006 at 2:27 pmLook, this really can’t be a shock to observers. These thugs are EXTREMELY well organized. They have been at it for 40+ years. They have the gov’t by the throat and the only way to get them to release is to drive a wood stake through their hearts. Each one individually. Impeach them while we still have a country left.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:27 pmwwal or wwallace – Run along now, play time is over now and it’s time for your nap. Don’t forget your blankie.
Grow up!
January 12th, 2006 at 2:29 pmCA_reality_check — The president has not engaged in any wrongdoing warranting impeachment.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:32 pmwwal-once again you show just how ignorant you truly are. Stick your head back in the sand and allow YOUR president to sodomize you again.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:36 pmUnethical, illegal, and immoral behavior will continue until we, the American people, demand that this administration be impeached and that campaign/election reform be enacted to ensure our government is for the people, by the people. The many, not the few.
This administration has been unethical from before 2000. #1: Cheney WASN’T a resident of Wyoming. He only registered to vote in Wyoming, which vaguely constitutes him being a ‘resident’. He didn’t hold a current driver’s license in Wyoming; he hadn’t lived in Wyo in the last 3-6 months, and didn’t work in Wyo. #2: The senate gave the 2000 election to Bush; the Supreme Court only stopped the ballot recounts. Not one senator supported the Florida Representatives and signed their bill to suspend the election ratification until a thorough Florida voting investigation could be completed.
I say, our government needs to suspend all current activity, including the nomination of Alito, until we come to a definitive conclusion regarding investigations in Bush’s (and his administration) illegal behavior and impeach them.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:39 pmThe Debtonator is right, wwallace. What happened, did you get banned from posting here under wwallace? Why bother coming back here–it must be incredibly boring for you to keep saying the same old sh*t all the time.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:40 pmLisa, there’s no basis for impeachment, since the president has engaged in no wrongdoing.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:41 pmLisa, I agree 1000%. I have been writing as many representatives in the House and Senate expressing something very similar. I have even said that I would seriously doubt that many Americans would mind if they did nothing this year but look into all of these issues with Bush and the other scandals.
I keep getting these form letters, and I keep writting back and telling them to stop playing politics and answer my questions.
We all need to do that, as well as this remove Bush campain that is being staged on the 31st and Feb. 4th. We all really, really need to stand up now or we might as well say it’s over.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:44 pmwwal, we have gone over this before. The persident HAS committed a crime by bypassing the FISA courts. There is no place in the Constitution or any other law that allows this. Therefore, he is a criminal that no one will prossicute for fear of having their house burned down or killed.
Since you seem to stand your point so blindly, show me the law or where in the Constitution it says the president has this authority. The quick answer for you is, YOU CAN’T BECAUSE IT DOES NOT EXIST.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:47 pmCheck it out.
http://www.thenation.com/
January 12th, 2006 at 2:47 pmThis a serious ethical issue.
That’s priceless.
As if ethics has anything to do with anything anymore.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:49 pmLisa, there’s no basis for impeachment, since the president has engaged in no wrongdoing.
Comment by wwal
The president has been authorizing warrantless wiretaps, which is against the law. This is the same thing that articles of impeachment for Nixon were drawn up for. Bush has blantently violated the law, period.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:51 pmHas anyone asked Alito … if he thinks that he and Roberts should excuse themselves should Bush or any of the other high ranking members of his administration come before the Supreme Court for anything related to their many crimes against The Constitution?
January 12th, 2006 at 2:51 pmlook wallybaby – you’ve changed your name, but you’re still an idiot. Just cause you spout bullshit, doesn’t mean it carries any weight here.
We’ve seen too many respected people say bush had & has no legal justification for the warrentless data mining operation.
So just stuff it asshole, eh?!
January 12th, 2006 at 2:52 pmwwallace:
The Impeachment of George W. Bush by Elizabeth Holtzman
Prove that you have the ability to think and reason. Read that article in its entirety, then debate the issues brought forth. No name calling, partisan rhetoric or talking point parroting. Debate the issues. I really don’t think that you have the ability to do so, but it’s worth a shot.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:52 pmI’d be great if tonight somebody would get into the Senate chamber where the Alito confirmation is taking place and put a copy of the new Time magazine (Abramoff cover) on each chair in the room. Just to shake things up a bit.
Hey, maybe those trespassing, media whore, oil smearing, holier-than-thou, Religious Reich ministers are still in town. They could get the job done.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:53 pmNow we all have to sit around and wait and see if Alito will back Bush spying?
January 12th, 2006 at 2:53 pm#20 we don’t have to wait… We all know that he is going to, it’s for the sake of the country man! (sarcasm)
January 12th, 2006 at 2:54 pmGus,
This morning when Diane Fienstein was questioning Alito, he pretty much said he would back Bush.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:57 pm#13 Great article! On page 6, there’s also a list of next steps for how we can drum up public support for impeachment:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060130/holtzman/6
January 12th, 2006 at 2:57 pmThe list of those who prepared Alito is not complete; where is Senator Lindsay Graham’s name? WSJ reported that Sen. Graham had a prep session with Judge Alito last Thursday.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:58 pmwwal
Ethics has to do with your adherence to specific rules of conduct that are either established as cannons of ethics or professional conduct embodied by an orginaztion you belong to or conduct that has through time become the mode of acceptable conduct sometimes crossing into what is really moral conduct. Sometimes ethical rules have nothing to do wiht moral rational but fairness or the avoidance of impropriety or the appearance of impropriety.
The coaching of Alito by members on the committee or attorneys for the administration is like saying it is O.K. for an accused or respondent to be coached by the members of the jury or the judge in a trial. That is patently unethical and becomes a violation when it is contra to enacted standards of conduct as in the Senate.
In addition it means that Alito basically has to get his talking points from the WH because he more than likely will give his true beliefs, than what is politically correct.
Besides the only scandals about Democrats have to do with consencual sex or similar LEGAL activity, and perhaps immoral to some is not unethical in any sense. All the Republican scandals have been about ILLEGAL activity, regarding wiretaps, bribery, money laundering, etc. which are inherently unethical and are all considered act of “moral turpitude.” Such activity which even if only punishable as a misdemeanor can bar you from holding office and in many instances cause the loss of professional licensing, expultion from school, employment, even from receiveing a visa to stay in this country. Such crimes can even be used against a witness in court as character evidence even it does not reach felony level. It is a window into the character or lack there of the person. (some sex acts fall into this category. However only because they are also illegal. ie prostitition, solicitation, pedophilia, rape, etc.)(consensual sex does not).
But I suppose that is the line drawn by folks like you sex trumps everything else, because you can’t stand to see anyone enjoying it.
January 12th, 2006 at 2:59 pmplease don’t respond to trolls. they get paid to do this.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:00 pmWe all need to do that, as well as this remove Bush campain that is being staged on the 31st and Feb. 4th. We all really, really need to stand up now or we might as well say it’s over.
Comment by RemoveBush
Where would I find more information on this so I could participate?
January 12th, 2006 at 3:00 pmPeople please stop responding to wwal—.
He is a troll that has been banned from this site. That is why he has to keep changing his name. He is not wanted here. All he does is insult people and doesn’t add anything to any conversation.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:01 pmBut I suppose that is the line drawn by folks like you sex trumps everything else, because you can’t stand to see anyone enjoying it.
They don’t really care about sex. Clinton’s crime, the only one that matters to them, was that he stood in the way of right-wing power.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:02 pmSpudge_Boy,
Feinstein acknowledged this, also. There is a fight coming.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:03 pmIt is clear Alito will need to recuse on Bush trials.
Another crackpot Repug that we will have for the rest of his natural life. This is unbeliveable and outrageous. It figures that Alito “can’t remember” his college days and the clubs he joined, but remembers exactly case by case history. Just how much of this right-wing crap do we have to take?
January 12th, 2006 at 3:07 pmGary Kleppe = wwal wwallace? hhmmm
January 12th, 2006 at 3:11 pmGus the Loving OBGYN – That’s not what I got from the testimony. Recusal, according to alito, is very difficult due to the problem of ties. I think they make their own rules. Impeach the bastards.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:15 pm“It is hard to imagine that these recommendations were not highly suggestive of how he should adjudicate the issue.”
It’s hard for a Donk to imagine but not for me. Unlike the hard Left goose steppers who demand conformity in all things conservatives give each other the respect and trust to do the right thing according to their conscience. The Left are not in possession of a conscience or if they are deny its existence so again it’s understandable how a radical leftist might be upset about a conservative having advisors.
This is another dog of a post, much to do about nothing but I bet it gets two hundred comments. Have fun losers.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:16 pmDid he just write that? What a fvcking moron.
Yeah, that’s it.
That is why you can take a speech from any republican, put it next to a speech from a different republican and have almost the identical speech.
Boy, these trolls are grasping at thin air.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:19 pm#32 – Don’t you ever change your tape dude. You’re a pathetic tiny little insignificant pimple on the ass of Think Progress and are merely here for our amusement.
I can, will, and have chewed you up and spit you out numerous times. As have everyone else on this board.
ROFLMAO!!!
January 12th, 2006 at 3:21 pmDO NOT Let this ALITO Nomination trick to sidetract you,
January 12th, 2006 at 3:22 pmSidetract you from what Rice is Doing, What Pat Roberthisname is Doing, and from Sweeping the Abramoff story under the rug.
Alito nomination is a Distraction purposely planned to Blindside What the W.H. is REALLY UP too.
Keep a WATCHFULL EYE ON the Behind the Scenes Characters such as Rove, Rice, Cheney, Abramoff, Delay, Gen Powell, ETC…if you can think of anymore behind the scene characters to watch, please, by all means, let us know.
Spudge – obviously gasping for it, too. They’re so oxygen deprived you can hear their brain cells popping like popcorn. Their head is so far up their a**, only their teeth are obstructing their view!
January 12th, 2006 at 3:22 pmI would like to see more questioning on the illegal wiretapping and FISA. As we have already seen the NSA is sharing the info with other agencies. Alito said the slippery slope to him was answering questions that lead to more questions on topics he doesn’t want to talk about. But what I see is that if it is OK to eavesdrop on calls of Citizens or legal residents to overseas numbers, in the War on Terror, then it will quite easily becaome the precedent to tap calls to Mexico or South America in the War on Drugs. I am sure that with the large Hispanic population in the U.S. many calls will be monitored simply because of the receivuing destination. Then what if we start a War of Pornography, does monitoring your internet connections, even if you get a re-routed address that takes you to porn site, become ok. We won’t know because it can all be down in secret because the Admistration says so. That is a slippery slope, we cannot aford to go down.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:23 pmDeleted by admin.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:23 pmA vote for Alito is a vote for illegal wiretaps.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:24 pmWe won’t know because it can all be down in secret because the Admistration says so. That is a slippery slope, we cannot aford to go down.
Comment by txexspeedy
I woudn’t worry too much if I were you. Your N. Texas meth lab is probably safe as long as you use enough ventilation and keep Jesus Garza out of the kitchen when he’s smoking.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:27 pm#37 – Wow, are you correct!
That’s something that I think is great about the Democrat party: you don’t have to say “ditto” to be a member. It’s the diversity and tolerance of differences that defines the Democratic party as the party of inclusion.
That is also something that I think leads people to claim the Democratic party doesn’t have a single message that they force the party members to adhere to in order to shove thier legislative opinion down everyone else’s throat. While it looks like there is no single message, the main message that carries through is “you don’t have to be a clone in order to belong”.
The Republican party, on the other hoof, is the party of “ditto” and “You’d BETTER do what we tell you, or you’ll wake up and find a horse head under your sheets!” While this means that they are incredibly good at forcing the rhetoric and spinning faster than a toy top on crack, it also means that if you don’t agree with the “party” then you may end up committing suicide by lead poisoning. (Double-tap to the back of the head)
January 12th, 2006 at 3:27 pmAlito nomination is a Distraction purposely planned to Blindside What the W.H. is REALLY UP too.
Keep a WATCHFULL EYE ON the Behind the Scenes Characters such as Rove, Rice, Cheney, Abramoff, Delay, Gen Powell, ETC…if you can think of anymore behind the scene characters to watch, please, by all means, let us know.
Comment by no Freedom
How did you about the Cuba invasion?
January 12th, 2006 at 3:29 pmWhile this means that they are incredibly good at forcing the rhetoric and spinning faster than a toy top on crack, it also means that if you don’t agree with the “party†then you may end up committing suicide by lead poisoning. (Double-tap to the back of the head)
Comment by Democrat Soldier
Besides Vince Foster and that Donk congress critter who flew his plane in the ground and the fifty or sixty Clinton associates, how many more Donks have died of mysterious circumstances? Compare to Republicans and get back to us will ya? Thanks.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:32 pmThat is why you can take a speech from any republican, put it next to a speech from a different republican and have almost the identical speech.
Boy, these trolls are grasping at thin air.
Comment by Spudge_Boy
If kicking your ass is grasping I suggest you check to see if yours is still there and not out in the parking lot.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:34 pmVince Foster?
It’s like hanging a “do not disturb the crackpot” sign around your neck.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:35 pmDemocrat Soldier,
Let’s see, who said “You are either with us or you are against us.”
Oh that’s right, a republican.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:37 pmLisa, here is the link
http://www.worldcantwait.net/
January 12th, 2006 at 3:38 pmVince Foster?
It’s like hanging a “do not disturb the crackpot†sign around your neck.
Comment by dano347
When in Rome..
January 12th, 2006 at 3:39 pmHow did you about the Cuba invasion?
Bush decided to invade Cuba? I hadn’t heard.
I guess two thousand dead American soldiers aren’t nearly enough for him.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:39 pmIRI, give it a break! Play time is over, and it’s time for you to get back in your crib and take a nap.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:40 pmWhat a bunch of bullshit. Alito is very qualified, perhaps one of the best nominees in recent history. The man needed no coaching. None. Just accept the fact that man is going to be confirmed. It’s over. All the character assassination by those despicable Dem Senators, and all the lies and misinformation being spread around blogs and newspapers isn’t going to change anything. All you people, and your sorry-ass leaders in Congress, are doing is making yourselves look like total asses. Get a grip.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:41 pmI-RIGHT-I,
You have already been called out by a number of the posters here, including myself, but you are too much of a pussy to come meet anybody. So, before you go running your mouth about kicking my ass or anybody elses for that matter, grow some balls you little pussy assed bitch.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:42 pmI-Right-I, change the subject much?
My last statement was sarcasm.
sar·casm
Pronunciation: ’sär-”ka-z&m
Function: noun
1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm
Change the subject much? How about you talk about how exclusive the Republican party is, while I research the higher number of Republicans who’ve been ‘mysteriously’ offed due to their disagreement with the entrenched power of the Republican party and you research how the Republicans are the party of exclusion. Deal?
January 12th, 2006 at 3:42 pmLisa – you are supposing the reichtwingnut trolls can muster together one brain cell between them. I have yet to see any evidence of it, not by how they post here at least.
Irightee seems to know an awful lot abbout cookin crank. maybe that’s why you come off as such a tweeker sometimes.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:42 pm#55 – What the BS is mostly about is how the Republicans make Judge Alito’s wfe cry, and them try to spint it to make the Democrats responsible.
Lets hear your spin on that fact, unless it’s too much to ask of you to stand up for your party.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:43 pm#55 NOT A REAL AMERICAN – It’s people like you who make this country like it has become – A place of traitors, liars, cheaters, killers, and loosers.
You Republicans are just like the Borg on Star Trek. You have a wire connected to your brain directly from the WH and you have no concept of what it is like to think for yourselfs. All it takes is someone with even an HALF A BRAIN to see where the loser King George is taking this country.
I’ll bet that the Bush regime will go down like Hitler, King Georges hero, and put a gun in their mouths and pull the trigger when the doors are closing on them, like the cowards that they are.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:46 pm#48
YOU claim to be kicking ANYONES ass is a joke. KISSING maybe but surely NOT kicking.
IF you have the balls and want to try, give me a call.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:46 pm#50 – Yup! You’re right! Also, who originally sais “You can support the troops, and NOT support the president” ?? You guessed it, another Republican.
Of course, that particular pile of “wit” has changed because anyone who questions Pres. Bush MUST be supporting the terrorists. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)
What really helps the terrorists? Making more terrorists!! Like what’s currently going on in Iraq, care of: Pres. Bush.
Or: you have to sacrifice your civil rights in order to protect your civil rights, care of: Pres. Bush.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:48 pmLisa,
I wholeheartedly agree. We should shut down the hearings for “Scalito” and shut down any other business in Congress, except what matters most; hearings on Bubble Boy’s illegal spying on people like you and me and hundreds of innocent Americans.
If the mainstream media can clog up everything with the
Monicagate hype, how about they do the same for Bubble Boy’s Administration?
#50
Spudge Boy- I just saw Star Wars Episode 3 on DVD last night. It seems that Anakin said to Obi-Wan, “You’re either with me or against me.” Apparently we know how that confrontation played out. The point is that, like Anakin, the repuklicans sold out and have committed illegal acts by listening to the wrong people.
Which also makes me wonder if we can really believe that Sen. Spector is really going to head an investigation into illegal spying like he promised. Until it happens, I very much doubt that it will take place sooner.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:48 pmYa know, y’all, we’ve had it.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:53 pmI guess the Dems are inclined to let him through. Long term it’s a win-win. If Alito is out of step with America(even though he is qualified), it will hurt Republicans at the polls. If he wants to play in defending Bush’s opinion of executive powers that, too, will hurt the GOP. But I’ll bet if and when it comes to that Bush will be pretty weak or in severe legal trouble.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:55 pmOn top of that, considering how many Republican Senators are upset by the Bush spying it will be interesting to see how many them vote against Alito. If he gets all the GOP votes I’ll really question the intelligence of these people.
I guess the Dems are inclined to let him through. Long term it’s a win-win. If Alito is out of step with America(even though he is qualified), it will hurt Republicans at the polls.
I guess they’ve forgotten about Bush vs. Gore already?
January 12th, 2006 at 3:58 pmDespite the fact I think that I-Right-I is going to default on the deal to investigate each others claims, I’m a man of my word. (Unlike others I might mention.) ***LONG POST***
Let’s see, partial list of mysterious deaths of Republicans or linked to Republicans:
Sid Adger
Mr. Adger, a Houston oil supply company executive and Bush family friend, died in 1996 of unknown causes. Adger was the mysterious businessman who approached General James Rose and asked him to help George W. Bush avoid Vietnam by recommending him for a pilot position with the National Guard.
General James Rose
General Rose recommended George W. Bush for a pilot position with the Texas National Guard. He died of unknown causes in 1993. He was immediately buried and no autopsy was performed.
Lt. Colonel William Harris, Jr.
Lt. Col. William Harris was one of two commanding officers who could not perform George W. Bush’s annual evaluation covering the year from May 1, 1972 to April 30, 1973. They stated in their filing that “Lt. Bush has not been observed at this unit during the period of this report.” Fortunately for George W. Bush, Lt. Col. Harris is not here to verify his 1973 statement. He’s dead.
Lt. Colonel Jerry B. Killian
Lt. Col. Jerry B. Killian was another of George W. Bush’s commanding officers. He cannot testify in a court of law as to George W. Bush’s dereliction of his sworn duty. Lt. Col. Killian is dead.
James Downing Aalund
Mr. Aalund’s name is the first on a long list of young Texans who died in Vietnam. These young men did not have influential fathers to pull the strings necessary to get them into the Texas Air National Guard. If they had been so lucky, they would surely have fulfilled their responsibilities to the ANG, if only out of gratitude that they did not have to die, thousands of miles away in a strange land. They surely would not have disappeared from duty for over a year, as did our fearless leader George W. Bush.
J. Clifford Baxter
Found dead in his car, shot in the head. Mr. Baxter was vice chairman of Enron Corp. when he resigned in May 2001. Enron has been hot copy lately with the revelation that they were the largest campaign contributors for George W. Bush. Was J. Clifford Baxter a potential witness to Bush foreknowledge of their wrongdoings? His death was ruled a suicide.
Charles Dana Rice
He was the senior vice president and treasurer of El Paso Corp., an energy corporation swept up in the recent energy scandal. Two months after the “suicide” of Enron executive Clifford Baxter, in the midst of questions about the accounting practices of El Paso Corp., Charles Rice was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a suicide.
James Daniel Watkins
His body was found on December 1, 2001 in the Pike National Forest in Colorado, a gunshot wound to the head. Mr. Watkins was a consultant for Arthur Andersen, the accounting firm for Enron. He disappeared on November 13 after he left work. He was described as a devoted family man who always called home if he were going to be late. Officials initially said that the death was suspicious, but have changed their tune and have ruled his death a suicide.
Commerce Secretary Ron Brown – He died in a plane crash on April 3, 1996. Was Ron Brown the first Enron body? In 1995 Enron officials accompanied Brown on a trade mission to India, and to Russia in 1994. Speculation among right-wing whackos suggests that our last duly-elected President, Bill Clinton, was somehow responsible for his death, but we wonder: was Secretary Brown privy to information that would conclusively link George W. Bush to Enron greed and corruption? Charles Meissner, Assistant Commerce Secretary, also died in this crash.
Jake Horton
He was the senior ice-president of Gulf Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, a cohort of Enron in the energy industry, and a major contributer to the Bush agenda. According to reporter Gregory Palast http://GregPalast.com and http://www.guardian.co.uk/enron/story/0,11337,643422,00.html , Horton knew of the company’s appalling accounting practices, and “… had no doubt about its illegal campaign contributions to Florida politicans – he’d made the payments himself. In April of 1989 Horton decided to come clean with state officials, and reserved the company jet to go confront company officials. Ten minutes after takeoff the jet exploded.
Steve Kangas
His web site, Liberalism Resurgent, was meticulously researched and presented such a problem to the “real boss” of George Bush, Richard Scaife, that he hired a private detective to look into Kangas’ past. Steve Kangas was found in a 39th-floor bathroom outside of Scaife’s offices at One Oxford Centre, in Pittsburgh, an apparent suicide. Mr. Kangas, a very prolific writer, left no note. He had brought a fully-packed suitcase of clothes with him to Pittsburgh. He bought a burglar alarm shortly before he left for Pittsburgh. Why did he need a burglar alarm if he was going to commit suicide? An avowed advocate of gun control, he nevertheless bought a gun. What was he afraid of? Why did he go to Pittsburgh? After his death, his computer was sold for $150 and its hard drive wiped clean. Everything in his apartment was thrown away.
Danny Casolaro – apparent suicide.
Mark Lombardi – apparent suicide.
James Hatfield – Apparent suicide.
January 12th, 2006 at 3:59 pmIF you have the balls and want to try, give me a call.
Comment by The Debtonator
You’re feeling better? I’m glad that statin is helping but I’m afraid if I even said I’d show up at your door you’d piss yourself and have a heart attach. I think you’d better stick to what works for you.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:01 pmCorrection. If the Dems are letting him through. #65
I’m very perplexed by the hearings. They said the Dem strategy of being “nice” was just that: a strategy. Republican aides even were suprised the first day by the Dem congeniality. Something’s amiss. There’s something going on I can’t quite put a finger on.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:01 pmHey IRI. If you and your president are so concerned about terrorists, why is Osama still on the loose? Why did we invade Iraq rather than finishing finding and capturing or killing Osama? It’s because this terrorist sham is to keep the cocroaches like you in the dark where you feed the best. When the light is turned on, in this case the truth is told, you run and scurry to hide, and in this case try to sling mud, yell, call names, and try to say anything that diverts the attention from the truth.
So where is Osama IRI? If we are so serious about it why is your great leader saying things like “well, I just don’t think about him much anymore.”???? It’s because this terrorist crap is just that.
Now run back to the DOD and tell Rumsfeld that you need some more material.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:02 pmThe very notion that a Democrat would even presume to attempt to lecture about ethics is patently laughable.
Maybe you can get Teddy Kennedy and Bill Clinton to give a seminar on respect for women.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:02 pmI would add that why is Rachel Brand a US Assistant Attorney which is supposed to be a non political post coaching Alito?
January 12th, 2006 at 4:02 pmOn top of that, considering how many Republican Senators are upset by the Bush spying it will be interesting to see how many them vote against Alito. If he gets all the GOP votes I’ll really question the intelligence of these people.
Comment by Gus the Loving OBGYN
They only get “upset” when I/me/we get upset and we think spying on traitors and terrorist is fine and dandy. I flat out guarantee you that ANY Republican that doesn’t vote for Alito will go down in his next election. Except for Arlen…I don’t know what we’re going to do about him.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:04 pmSo there, I-Right-I, are you going to renege on the investigation of each others claims?
I have this feeling you will. You see, it takes a certain level of integrity to make claims that you can back up.
Democrats are more accepting of women than Republicans are:
The fourteen women currently serving in the Senate are:
Barbara Boxer (D-CA);
Maria Cantwell (D-WA);
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY);
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA);
Mary Landrieu (D-LA);
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR);
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD);
Patty Murray (D-WA);
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Susan Collins (R-ME);
Elizabeth Dole (R-NC);
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX);
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK);
Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
There are 67 women currently serving in the House:
43 Democrats, 24 Republicans
Yup, sure looks like Democrats are more accepting of male/female diversity than Republicans are!
By the bye, same on you for referring to women as a “freak show of fellow travelers.” Ad-hominem attacks are the bread & butter of radical righties.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:05 pm67 Gary
I really think we’re done with close elections for a while.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:09 pmBut even if(and that’s a huge if) the GOP can hold on after 2008, America will be much improved by Bush simply not being in the WH anymore. I don’t mind conservative Republicans. But the Neocons are clearly falling out of step on many levels. The Senate won’t be any different. The million dollar question: Is Alito a Neocon?
#72 – Yeah, it’s so much more appropriate for Newt Gingrich to lecture people about ethics:
Lesson one – Impeach the President for having sex with another woman when you are having sex with one of your staffers. (Ignore the vow to honor and cherish, and go with the vow to dishonor and disgrace)
Lesson two – Decry the lack of moral clarity in the age of a Democratic president. (Ignore the fact that you served your wife divorce papers while she was recovering from surgery)
Oh, yeah. The Republicans are just FULL of ethics! Well, they’re full of something, alright, but I wouldn’t call it ‘ethics’.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:09 pmDespite the fact I think that I-Right-I is going to default on the deal to investigate each others claims, I’m a man of my word. (Unlike others I might mention.) ***LONG POST***
Comment by Democrat Soldier
Hey, not fair. You’ve got every high profile guy that’s died in recent memory for one reason or another tied to one scandal or another and by default claiming Bushy is involved. Now, come on. At least my list if guys had a passing or notable acquaintance with BJ Bill. And hell, these Vietnam War era officers that knew George had to die sometime didn’t they. Those men had to have been in their 70’s.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:12 pmCurious to know the origin of the murder-board list because it doesn’t include Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary committee, who has acknowledged participating. Is anyone else missing?
January 12th, 2006 at 4:12 pm#72 Ok, if you get the following Republicans to hold a seminar on fidelity in marriage:
Rep. Henry Hyde
Neil Bush
George HW Bush
Newt Gingrich
Bob Dole
Former Rep. Bob Dornan
Ronald Reagan
William Cohen
Rush Limbaugh
Mitch Skandalakis
Michael Deaver
John Warner
Bill Randall
Rep. Dan Burton
Rep. Bob Barr
Rudolph Giuliani
Sen. Strom Thurmond
Bob Packwood
Gov. Kirk Fordice
Marv Albert
The Republican Adultery Honor Roll of Shame
January 12th, 2006 at 4:13 pmDear sweet and sour crap — I think #66 is a perfect demonstration of why there should be age requirements to post on forums like this one.
Once this guy turns 16, maybe he’ll be able to write in public without losing too much bodily fluids out of his various orifices, but until then I really don’t think the rest of us should have to listen to any of it. There’s a difference between valuing diversity and being forced voyeurs in someone else’s waking fantasy life.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:14 pmI-Right-I, still waiting on you! Can you come up with a list of how inclusive the Republican party is, or have you decided to cut & run? Or are you working on your vocabulary lessons on more names to call people rather than rationally respond to their posts?
I’m thinking that you’re full of bluff and bluster, and have nothing to add other than insulting people and calling them names. It seems to be what you’re good at, and always do what you’re good at! How about YOU go make Judge Alito’s wife shed some tears, and spin it to be my fault???
January 12th, 2006 at 4:14 pmIt is a dark day for our Nation. Looks like the ‘06 election is our ladt hope for democracy as we used to know it. We all have to exercise our rights while we still have them. Unexercised they are like unused muscles–use them or loose them.
This is chiling. http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=525&Itemid=187
Whiloe it looks bleak, don’t give up hope and continue to take action. Remember. You are the we, in we the people.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:16 pmI really think we’re done with close elections for a while.
I think you’re wrong. I think as long as Diebold, ES&S, etc. are counting the votes, the Republicans will keep squeaking by with 51%.
But even if(and that’s a huge if) the GOP can hold on after 2008, America will be much improved by Bush simply not being in the WH anymore.
Well, maybe. Depends on who his successor is. One thing about the neocons is that no matter how bad they get, there are always worse ones waiting in the (right) wings.
I don’t mind conservative Republicans.
I wouldn’t either, if there were any such thing anymore.
But the Neocons are clearly falling out of step on many levels. The Senate won’t be any different. The million dollar question: Is Alito a Neocon?
For a million-dollar question, that has a pretty obvious answer.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:19 pmI wouldn’t be suprised to see a “Gang of 14″-style group, possibly even secret, to address the issue of Alito being pro-executive whilst the executive is in legal trouble for abuse of power. Alito is really a side bar to Bush’s problems. I don’t think it’s going to be easy. Reid is already highlighting the reality that Alito was a “pressure” nominee by the radical right. And someone who is cleary out of step with Americans. In fact, I think debate is going to be down right ugly, and secretive, with Republicans breaking away.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:19 pmI-Right-I, I’ve got to finish my work, do my assignment for Visual Basic for my degree, go home and take care of my Dachshund puppy and get on with my life.
I don’t have time to wait for you to renege on research you challeneged me to do.
By the way, ever check Snopes to see how realistic the “Pres. Clinton off’ed Vince Foster!” myth, or do you just swallow anything that supports your prejudice?
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/clinton.htm
By the way, since the so called ‘death list’ with the most tenuous of connections with Pres. Clinton is acceptable to you, then a ‘death list’ with just as tenuous connections to Pres. ‘W’ Bush must be accepable as well. What’s good the the Republican goose must be good for the Democratic gander!
January 12th, 2006 at 4:24 pmstop. back up. the fact that he would, in the first instance, require coaching on the issue of illegal warrantless searches is, in itself, a joke. not to mention torture or indefinite detention without due process or the right to a trial and the right to confront witnesses. magna carta shit. stuff the good guys figured out hundreds of years ago.
can’t you just hear harriet myers chiming in, “here’s your coffee, hey maybe you can snooker them this way….” that this issue of executive authority (the coronation of king george) should infest these hearings was nevertheless xpected all along. what alito has stated already concerning his view of executive authority tells you all you need to know about how he will rule on this issue.
What Senator Fiengold should have emphasized is the overwhelming interest of this administration in this issue at this time in history. So the question is not simply the ethics question concerning the coaching, but rather the question of how the american people unarguably feel about the predisposition of this nominee towards this particular distortion of the Constitution at this particular moment and under these particular cicumstances. Ignoring all of his efforts at evasion and euphemsm clearly designed to obscure his true intentions, Feingold should have used this as a chance to say not that he is concerned, but rather that it is patently obvious that a vote for this nominee is the equivalent, not only of a vote against Roe, but also a vote against the notion of freedom as protected by essential checks and balances/co equal branches/ separation of powers in our Constitutional system. This is not a polite parlor debate about the structure of government or political philosophy here. These people are intentionally distorting our government into somethibng more resembling the constitutional monarchy that Hamilton preferred to the populist democracy of Jefferson and Madison that ultimately won out long ago. a few bombs are no reason to disposess ourselves of our senses and run screaming for the skirt of a king’s robe.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:32 pmI don’t think anyone can say anything that would put a good spin on this situation. After the Harriet Myers fiasco they had to coach their boy so they wouldn’t be embarrassed again…although they should be embarrassed by the poor boo hoo acting of Scalito’s wife yesterday.
It’s a sad time for America.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:33 pmchris from boca,
January 12th, 2006 at 4:35 pmI don’t know why. I think the Dems are being careful not to slander the President for now. By-the-book stuff.
JIMBO,
The Star Wars Episode 3 story line and the Bush administartion is eerie. I saw an Interview with George Lucas and he said that he didn’t mean for it to end up like that, it just did. He said that he has had the story line, which any Star Wars geek, such as myself, could have told you years before the movie came out, in his head for decades.
But he did say, it is just like what is going on now.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:36 pmThank you, RemoveBush.
You’re right, Jimbo; I’m giving too much credit that some of these kool aid drinkers even have brain cells!
January 12th, 2006 at 4:38 pmLisa,
Serious people don’t give you leftwing koolaid drinkers any credit at all. LOL
January 12th, 2006 at 4:48 pmOh look, nap time is over and wally is back. Did you get a pay raise from Donald? Or perhaps he gave you some pointers on how to be more hateful?
January 12th, 2006 at 4:51 pmI don’t know why people are suprised about this gang, they do whatever they want! They’re devoid of ethics, values, respect for the law, ect.. They ONLY care about what THEY want, and f-uk everybody else. They do it because of the arragance of power…There’s an old saying that goes..”why does a dog lick his ba–s ? Answer: “because he can”. same deal with Dumbya and his gang of criminals, they do it because they can… and it’s enough to make you throw up..!
Gene Campbell
January 12th, 2006 at 4:52 pmCentral Florida
[...] Read more Murder Board [...]
January 12th, 2006 at 4:56 pmHere is a reply I received regarding this issue from a Senator:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning Congressional hearings into the National Security Agency’s (NSA) wiretap program.
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has announced that the Judiciary Committee will hold hearings to determine whether there was a statutory or legal basis for such a program, whether there was judicial review, the scope of the NSA intercepts, and what was done with that information. I support such an action because I believe we need to ensure that this program, aimed at protecting our national security, does not violate our Constitutional rights.
President Bush has confirmed that he authorized the NSA to conduct wiretaps on persons with established links to terrorist groups. It is important to note that the wiretap authorizations were only for intercepting international calls and only from persons the government has a reasonable basis to conclude is affiliated with Al Qaeda or related terrorist groups.
Members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees were informed about and received regular updates on this program. In fact, Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, stated that “I have been briefed since 2003 on a highly classified NSA foreign collection program that targeted Al Qaeda. I believe the program is essential to U.S. national security and that its disclosure has damaged critical intelligence capabilities.” Additionally, the Administration has briefed key members of Congress on the program over a dozen times.
The President has maintained that he will continue to use the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court set up under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) whenever possible. However, the FISA did not anticipate a post 9-11 situation where speed and immediacy is needed for approvals for warrants. Lt. General Michael V. Hayden, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, has testified that without the NSA program, crucial information not otherwise available would have been lost because of the processes and requirements set up under the FISA process.
I will continue to follow this important issue. I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue of concern to you.
Sincerely,
January 12th, 2006 at 4:57 pmNorm Coleman
United States Senate
I Right I is a typical repuglican: a thug, a buffoon and a coward. Just like his hero–the drunkard-in-chief- who uses fear, intimidation, distortion and lies to subvert our principles and institutions. This is his legacy.
January 12th, 2006 at 4:59 pmI-Right-I, still waiting on you! Can you come up with a list of how inclusive the Republican party is, or have you decided to cut & run?
Comment by Democrat Soldier
What makes you think I need to, or would want to prove diversity is a good thing? Of course Democrats have more muff diving women and queers and radical blacks and whatever odd ball they can get their hands on. That is not in dispute. When I pick a team I pick the best because of what they can do, not what they wear when doing it or how color coordinated it looks.
Let me be clear, diversity, the way the Liberal Loser defines and practices it is to me and to right thinking individuals a dirty stinking word and ranks right up there with tolerance. That’s why we win and that’s why the women we do have are smarter and better looking .
January 12th, 2006 at 5:00 pmThat says it all. WHat a moron.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:03 pmI think it’s time to elect the team of Smith and Wesson to clean up all this bullshit.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:10 pm#88 – “although they should be embarrassed by the poor boo hoo acting of Scalito’s wife yesterday.
It’s a sad time for America.”
Comment by Kiki — January 12, 2006 @ 4:33 pm
****** Kiki – I thought Mrs. Alito’s distress at having her husband’s honour hammered would appeal to you sensitive types on the Prog side of the aisle. Oh – - that’s right – Progs love sensitive men and “wear the pants” kind of women.
Have you ever noticed the preoccupation with weird sex that a certain financial planning couple from Chicago seem to have? I remember the old saying – those who can – do. Those who can’t – talk about it – endlessly.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:28 pmRemoveBush, it looks like your Senator fell for the Bush/NSA/Republican argument about the ‘need for speed’ warranting bypassing the FISA court. Obviously, that doesn’t wash, with the 72-hour grace period for obtaining the warrant. I assume that you must have reminded Senator Coleman about that!
January 12th, 2006 at 5:28 pmI think it’s time to elect the team of Smith and Wesson to clean up all this bullshit.
Comment by The Debtonator
Try it and see how it works out for you.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:30 pmHave you ever noticed the preoccupation with weird sex that a certain financial planning couple from Chicago seem to have? I remember the old saying – those who can – do. Those who can’t – talk about it – endlessly.
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Or spectate. I heard he likes to watch.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:32 pm#102 – he’s not my Senator. I just write to them all, because when it comes down to it they all work for everyone. They are not just for a particular state, in reality they work for the American people.
Don’t worry, I will be writting him back. He’s not going to get away with that useless spew.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:35 pm“You’re feeling better? I’m glad that statin is helping but I’m afraid if I even said I’d show up at your door you’d piss yourself and have a heart attach. I think you’d better stick to what works for you.”
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — January 12, 2006 @ 4:01
The last time he had a fight was in the third grade (and she whipped him in front of his mother after school).
Shorter IRI: talking tough is all I know – aren’t you frightened?
January 12th, 2006 at 5:36 pmThank you, I-R-I!!! Mr. Aphrodite once told me the most self absorbed and least spontaneous women he dated before we got married were Dems and/or progs. The hyper-sensitivity really got on his nerves, too. He did say they were the “easiest”, though.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:42 pm[...] More ethically-challenged GOPers who helped coach Alito for his confirmation hearings. But Think Progress notes a big problem- some of the people who helped him prepare for questions about Executive Privilege and warrantless spying, were involved in approving the illegal spying in the first place. [...]
January 12th, 2006 at 5:46 pm#13 RB
January 12th, 2006 at 5:47 pmLike you, I have written countless times to my senators and congressmen as well as other government representatives; in addition, I regularly write to several newspapers and my letters are often printed; I join protests, send money, and otherwise try to get the message out there, but I am stymied, as so many of us, by the less than satisfactory action I see in Congress on behalf of us patriots who believe as strongly as we in the preservation of our democracy.
The way I see it is the Cons have had a grand political chess game plan for decades; they have carefully and with forethought put people in key positions. They are a formidable opponent, and to America as we know it. Their goal is ultimate power, and they are rewriting the Constitution, stacking the Courts, and giving the president unprecedented authority.
On the longshot chance that we gain seats in the House and Senate in November, that STILL does not mean we gain control of anything, AND even if we do so, nothing can begin to change until 2007. In fact, I expect that the illegal activities of election officials and others in the 2000 and 2004 elections will pale in comparison to what we will see if the Cons believe their plans are in jeopardy.
I blame all of us for the current state of affairs. People don’t pay attention, they believe lies that sound good, they are even persuaded to vote against their own best interests by the flimflam people. Worse, the people in Congress who represent us have been asleep at the switch — they should have been alert to what was happening and they failed.
Yesterday we saw a grand play — the Dems were supposedly “so tough” on Alito that they made his wife cry and Graham dramatically apologized. Pure B.S.
The Dems were NOT too tough (more like too little, too late), but the Cons made political hay from the scene and the compliant media aids and abets them.
I am frustrated as hell and I don’t know what else to do.
So, Alito’s wife is a dem and/or prog? She is the one who was hyper-sensitive and broke down crying, when a republican was questioning her husband about his bigotry.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:51 pmAphrodite, I’ve found (although not by dating them!) that the most self-absorbed and least spontaneous females that I’ve ever known have simply been non-political. Of course, I would never suggest that you were anything but smart and good-looking :-)! (Whereas, I’m just smart.)
January 12th, 2006 at 5:53 pmThe Dems were NOT too tough (more like too little, too late), but the Cons made political hay from the scene and the compliant media aids and abets them.
I am frustrated as hell and I don’t know what else to do.
Comment by Marie
I know funny stuff. That little crying bit is the only thing that will be remembered about these hearings and it’s made the Donks look like bastards. That Karl Rove is scary smart.
But hey, there’s nothing you can do. Life as you know it is over. Pretty soon little girls will be made to cover up their ass crack and piercings except for the ears will become the mark of the whore. No more sneaking across the state line with the high school counselor who got her pregnant to get an abortion her parents will never know about. Laws will be passed with the consent of the people and radical judges who overturn votes and juries will be themselves prosecuted.
I believe your best move would be to Kanaduh.
January 12th, 2006 at 5:58 pmwhat is the difference between a Dictator and the
imperial President that Bush is becoming?
answer: none.
welcome to the Fascist States of America.
I believe all the dumbshits that are not millionaires that
January 12th, 2006 at 6:05 pmvoted GOP will live to regret that vote – when they look
and see that we have become a 3rd world country.
No – Spudge, Mrs. Alito is a gal who really loves her husband. I should have been more clear on the hyper-sensitivity Mr. A was referring to and the sensitive men, hard as nails women I was referring to.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:06 pmMr. A. said they were the kind of gals who (stupidly) called and said, “What are you thinking about??” and were then upset when he WASN’T thinking about them. When you want to think of a real tough as nails kind of gal – just conjure up an image on Hillary, Janet Reno, Gert Clark, Barbara Mikulski. When i think of the New Age sensitive guys, I think of Alan Alda, John (TP)Podesta, Mike Farrell, – and male ballet dancers.
I Right I,
January 12th, 2006 at 6:14 pmI wouldnt be bringing up any gay inuendo towards the dems if I were you…Remember a guy by the name of guckert or gannon or what ever the hell the little planted trolls name was…he probably serviced em all in the w.h… dont you think???..I wouldnt be suprised if your not in the closet yourself????
86- Memories. A time when anything, regardless of validity, even tin-foil hat, bat shit crazy, could be entertained, as long as it had to do with the Clintons.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:19 pm“Have you ever noticed the preoccupation with weird sex that a certain financial planning couple from Chicago seem to have? I remember the old saying – those who can – do. Those who can’t – talk about it – endlessly. mighty aphrodite”
This clearly explains I-RIGHT-I and Pat Robertson’s obsession with homosexuals – thanks for clearing that up for everyone.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:20 pm96- Shorter Coleman: 9/11, whoever leaked this is a traitor, Bush is CIC.
What a tool.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:24 pm“No – Spudge, Mrs. Alito is a gal who really loves her husband. I should have been more clear on the hyper-sensitivity Mr. A was referring to and the sensitive men, hard as nails women I was referring to. … When you want to think of a real tough as nails kind of gal – just conjure up an image on Hillary, Janet Reno, Gert Clark, Barbara Mikulski. mighty aphrodite”
Don’t you find it ironic that you’d criticize other women for being hard as nails? It’s a little hypocritical dearie, is it possible that dementia is setting in at your elevated age, and you don’t realize exactly how hostile and ‘hard’ you’ve become? And while we’re on the topic of ‘hard as nails’ women, how about barbara dole, barbara bush or nancy reagan? Those women could peel paint off a wall from the testosterone that evaporates from their skin. I’m guessing that you belong(ed) to that crowd before you became older, and crotchety like you are now. I personally like women with an edge, and obviously the weak kneed Mr. A is like me.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:25 pm“When i think of the New Age sensitive guys, I think of Alan Alda, John (TP)Podesta, Mike Farrell, – and male ballet dancers. mighty aphrodite”
Clearly you haven’t heard Alito speak. If he sounded any more weak, they’d have to launch a chorus of Y-M-C-A over his shoulder. And Roberts was just a sequened jacket away from opening on broadway. If you like ‘tough’ men, then why do you and the rest of the republicans keep picking pansies like them, or even bush who used to be a ‘cheerleader’?
January 12th, 2006 at 6:27 pmAnd lets not forget the picture of george with the other ‘girls’ of the squad.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:28 pmDon’t think it was a set up?http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/002645.html
January 12th, 2006 at 6:32 pmIt’s comforting to know that cretins like IRI are happy to have their rights abused by their leaders, happy to think that heaven is having their party riding roughshod on the nation and the Constitution (somehow being a member of the party in power gives them vicarious jollies, instead of thinking of the ramifications of the growing fascism), because one of these days, the table will be turned, their rights will be abused, and they will squeal like stuck pigs. Some people are just too shortsighted and ignorant for their own good.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:37 pmEww, eww, eww and eww.
Blech.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:37 pmA NATION OF SHEEP WILL BEGET A GOVERNMENT OF WOLVES
January 12th, 2006 at 6:54 pmI think it’s time to elect the team of Smith and Wesson to clean up all this bullshit.
Comment by The Debtonator
Try it and see how it works out for you.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — January 12, 2006 @ 5:30 pm
That is a national security threat if I ever heard one…hrm whom to notify first.
January 12th, 2006 at 6:56 pm#103
No problem. You and idiots like you would be the first ones on their list of things to do.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:02 pmEww, yuch, Spudge_Boy! And on that note…
I’m outta here, and so is Wayne A. (I noticed that there’s another Wayne posting lately, so I have to differentiate.)
‘Night, all!
January 12th, 2006 at 7:04 pm#126
Seems like you would have a problem proving anything. I say, to coin a term from your feces leader, bring it on.
Notify everyone you like. The time is ripe for anarchy.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:05 pm#120
bushy was a cheerleader? LOL! Sure does explain quite a few things.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:07 pmROFLMAO!!!!!!!!
MY question for thought is this
January 12th, 2006 at 7:10 pmWas Alito wired for voice from his coaches ???
Ignore i-r-i at all costs,he is a pedophile priest.His only contribution to society is his compulsion to molest little boys.He’s never had a woman in his life much less a smart or good looking one.This can be surmised by his hatred of himself and humankind.Pity the poor idiot.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:12 pm“Don’t you find it ironic that you’d criticize other women for being hard as nails?” – RightSlap
*****As usual, RightSlap, your insight is neither clever or original. THERE is a HUGE difference between “aggressive” and “assertive”. (Hint – one is confident – the other is rude.)
“I’m guessing that you belong(ed) to that crowd before you became older, and crotchety like you are now.” – RightSlap
*****You have no idea how old I am – but your rudeness does not surprise me at all. Tell Mom I’m not impressed with the way you turned out.
“Clearly you haven’t heard Alito speak. If he sounded any more weak, they’d have to launch a chorus of Y-M-C-A over his shoulder.” – RightSlap
January 12th, 2006 at 7:17 pm****I thought progs liked gay acting men. My apologies.
Clearly you aren’t a movie or cultural buff – no wonder. Don’t you remember in the classic film “The Godfather” – Vito Corleone sternly chastises his son for letting others know his thoughts. Only certain Progs (Cindy Sheehan comes to mind) enjoy an emotional vomit fest. Soon-to-be-Justice Alito is a brilliant man who was able to run circles around all the Senators – without notes, without flourish, without overwrought use of poorly chosen semantics
#69
You should try it sometime. I would welcome you with open arms. But, alas, just like a repansycan, you’re all talk NO ACTION.
Seriously, look me up. I’m not that hard to find seeing as my address and phone number are on several websites, my radio show – which by the way is STILL waiting for your response to an on air debate.
But you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing any of that. It’s called NO BALLS.
When you grow a set, let me know.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:20 pmThe comments in #112 are enlightening as to his character. He is an authority figure, he thinks women are sluts, he believes rape victims asked for it, he thinks men have a natural superiority to women, as in his interpretation of his Bible. He mistakenly believes he is justified in his faith. Most of his comments of personal attacks are all related to sex or gender. He is probably substituting for inner weakness. I don’t know what he drives, but I suspect it’s a very large SUV or a muscle car.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:21 pm#111 – “Aphrodite, I’ve found (although not by dating them!) that the most self-absorbed and least spontaneous females that I’ve ever known have simply been non-political.” – Jane Schneider –
***Jane, you have an excellent point. What really surprised me,though, was the acquaintances I lost in 1991 when I switched parties. Too many of them sounded like Marie in #109 – depressing!!!!
Rumour has it Wayne adores you for your brains AND beauty!!!! I believe it!!
January 12th, 2006 at 7:24 pmmaphrodite:
…but with an oscar-worthy performance of crocodile tears from mama scalito and best supporting actress for lindsey graham (yes i know she’s a man, but what sort of man cowtows to uber-bitch bush?).
btw isn’t aphrodite a pagan goddess? jesus is prepping a special batch of white phosphorous for you…
January 12th, 2006 at 7:28 pm#124 – “When you want to think of a real tough as nails kind of gal – just conjure up an image on Hillary, Janet Reno, Gert Clark, Barbara Mikulski.â€
January 12th, 2006 at 7:31 pmEww, eww, eww and eww.
Blech.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.”
Comment by SpudgeMAN
****Spudge – Pretty revolting thought,huh??? Mr. A said “picture anyone of them in a teddy” and voila(!!) an instant food revulsion – sure to assist metabolically challenged everywhere!!
Two words: Operation Northwoods
Plans created at the behest of the military leadership to use covert military units tasked with attacking American citizens and assets inside the US in such a manner as to make it appear like it was committed by the Cubans. Bingo bango…instant justification for war with Cuba.
Place blind trust in the government? Please. Consider that our forefathers were quite clear about the duties of the citizenry that would need to be carried out in order to keep their emryonic nation from slipping into the same dark and foul vortex that so many before it had succumb to. Transparency and accountability being among the most important and oft raised characteristics which the citizenry are tasked to keep sacred. Check out the federalist papers, expand your mind.
But alas, the American people have the governance that they deserve. Inattention and a self-centered culture have offered the public up as lambs to the wolves…much to the pleasure of the Abramoffs, Delays, Hasterts, Clintons, Zell Millers, Saxby Chmbliss’, John Cornyns…well, you get the picture.
Let me close with a quote I saw on another discussion board that I found to be quite apropos in these dark days…though I’m not sure if the credited source is it’s original creator.
The US is “A Nation of Sheep, Ruled by Wolves, and Owned by Pigs.” — Clinker
Pretty much sums it up. Anybody ready for a tea party?
January 12th, 2006 at 7:33 pmI read a blog yesterday revealing that we now have a new LAW on the books. People who use the internet must reveal their actual names, and it is now illegal to ANNOY anyone, particularly if the INTENT of the writer to annoy can be proved. It becomes a felony. Given the nonsense revealed on this forum, I’d say several here should be concerned. Wish I had that link to type in for you. If I can find it, I’ll get back to you. I have true problems with the DEMONIZATION of Democrats and Liberals by almost all conservatives, and the attempt by some to present them as sub-human. This must be how the brainwashed 9/11 hijackers could justify murdering innocent people. It certainly does not speak well for those who enter into this broad-sweeping condemnation of people who simply disagree with you…which, in America, we should be free to do without this kind of hysterical ranting. A totally disconnected point here: I subscribe to INTERNATIONAL LIVING and got their newest Best Places to Live issue today. The U.S. has fallen to 8th place, and of the top ten places in the world, it has the LOWEST rating for “freedom”. The other nine all have 100% freedom ratings. That’s sad.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:35 pmBeth – that new law is regarding Popups and spam mail. For these items, the user cannot hide their real name. And in some cases if the person receiving them is anoyed this can be a crime.
There are several problems with this law.
1) What’s anyoing to one is not to another.
2) This only leads to further control and more of our rights being taken away.
Now don’t get me wrong…. I believe that more needs to be done about the spam, but I think there needs to be another type of law. Though I do like the must use your real name for spam.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:48 pm130- So was Lott. In fact I remember an article from the Progressive or the Nation after the GOP gains in ‘94, noting just how many were cheerleaders in college.
January 12th, 2006 at 7:55 pmHey, I have an idea: Let’s have a look at the names of all the people whom senators net with, or corresponded with, or practiced with, in the run-up to these hearings. I’ll bey those lists would make interesting reading!
January 12th, 2006 at 8:06 pmI’m curious: Bush claims that he wouldn’t nominate someone to SCOTUS who would defer to personal beliefs when rendering decisions. Why, then, did he go out of his way to nominate a conservative?
January 12th, 2006 at 8:17 pmThe one thing you can say for the likes of ww*, iri, mighty A is they continually remind you of their common denominator – HIPOCHRISY. For your convenience I have listed a couple below:
Rethuglicans are Real Men – Heir Leader wasn’t the captain of the football team but a cheerleader
January 12th, 2006 at 8:22 pmRethuglican women are better looking – Laura Bush, Harriet Miers, Colter, Rice, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush now Janet Reno is not too cute either but saying that good looks have anything to do with anything beyond personal preference is also ludicrous
Rethuglicans have morals – Newt serving papers to wife in bed recovering from surgery, Mayor Jim (can’t remember his name right now) of Spokane a closet homo that signs and instigates legislation against his own kind, Strom Thurmond had a black family of his own making and fights integration; a true racist
Rethuglicans spent 63 million on Whitewater and will only allow 3 million spent on 911
Gibgrich stating that Abramoff is a bad guy when it was Gingrich that got Jack A-off started and connected with his K-Street lobbying career
Creeps and I’m sorry to say reeks of facism and the Nazi’s!
#140 – Beth – INTERNATIONAL LIVING??? Is that like TOWN & COUNTRY? Or DWELL??? Oh well, we’ll miss you – are you sure there aren’t a few “friends” here you’d like to take along???
“btw isn’t aphrodite a pagan goddess? jesus is prepping a special batch of white phosphorous for you…
Comment by ProgRex
***** Y – a – - wwwnn….Zzzzz – You need to get up to speed … and fast… the rest of us a running circles around you!!!
David – To lift the healthy, muscled (heavier mass) cheer girls you can’t be puny. Go ask Alan Alda.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:25 pm“*****As usual, RightSlap, your insight is neither clever or original. THERE is a HUGE difference between “aggressive†and “assertiveâ€. (Hint – one is confident – the other is rude.) mighty aphrodite”
Then by your definition you sound ‘aggressive’, and Hillary Clinton sounds ‘confident’. After all, who’s being negative, combative, and hysterically hateful here like some old lady left out on the curb? That would be you.
“*****You have no idea how old I am – but your rudeness does not surprise me at all. Tell Mom I’m not impressed with the way you turned out. mighty aphrodite”
Sure I do, your attitudes imply that you’re an late 50s to early 70s female who grew up with feminism, but has absolutely no idea how to interact with it. Do you find my response pointing out how you’re a combative hypocrite to be rude? I guess honesty can be rude to people unaccustomed to hearing it, I apologize if the truth is painful to you. I’m sure most people in your family are just waiting to inherit your accumulated greed, so you probably aren’t used to ‘truthiness’.
“****I thought progs liked gay acting men. My apologies.
Clearly you aren’t a movie or cultural buff – no wonder. Don’t you remember in the classic film “The Godfather†– Vito Corleone sternly chastises his son for letting others know his thoughts. Only certain Progs (Cindy Sheehan comes to mind) enjoy an emotional vomit fest. Soon-to-be-Justice Alito is a brilliant man who was able to run circles around all the Senators – without notes, without flourish, without overwrought use of poorly chosen semantics ”
I don’t care if he sounds gay or not, it was you was you who was criticizing feminine men, and yet your side is littered with them. And I’m not surprised you didn’t have the courage to answer my question, and instead deflected it with another one of your nonsense side stories. You must be an attorney with the natural way you deflect the truth, change the subject, and present lies as facts.
So back to the question I asked you. How can you criticize feminine men with the likes of Mehlman and the Gay GOP chorus, in conjunction with Cheerleader Bush, Nancy Alito, and Choir Girl Roberts? Your lineup of ‘masculine’ republicans is quite charming. I’m not offended by them all being highly feminine, but I find your hypocrisy on the matter rather disappointing.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:29 pmDear Debtonator – A question for you re #129
“Notify everyone you like. The time is ripe for anarchy.”
Comment by The Debtonator — January 12, 2006 @ 7:05 pm
And the Head Anarchist is???? Like Emma Goldman, I think you’d be disappointed at the outcome of an anarchist revolt.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:32 pm“David – To lift the healthy, muscled (heavier mass) cheer girls you can’t be puny. Go ask Alan Alda. mighty aphrodite”
You missed the second picture didn’t you. All of the ‘girls’ were only metaphorically so. Bush only lifted ‘boys’ in college, apparently he didn’t swing the other way until momma made him grow up and pretend to be a man – something I’m guessing you’re quite familiar with? Republicans usually have at least one feminine man in their family that makes them all so ’scared’ of themselves – I’m guessing you’re no exception?
Don’t worry, I won’t judge you for being a masculine woman, but I will point out that you shouldn’t hate other women because they can be feminine and strong at the same time. That’s a hard act to pull off, as I can see by your decades of attempting and failing to do so. At least you try!
January 12th, 2006 at 8:32 pm“And the Head Anarchist is???? Like Emma Goldman, I think you’d be disappointed at the outcome of an anarchist revolt. mighty aphrodite “
Chavez is a better model. Venezuela has one of the fastest growing economies in the world thanks to their ‘anarchism’. And the poor people have health care, clean water, and free schools. Organized Anarchy – who knew! :)
Besides, isn’t anarchy what all of your Libertarian pseudo republicans call for anyway? Why would you resist such a beautiful thing? Clearly you like chaos based on your postings, i would think a iron maiden like you up in her golden years would thrive on that kind of madness.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:35 pmI’ll give Hillary smart – not brilliant – (Brilliant would be knowing where the papers were!!) It’s her people skills and audience evaluations where she comes up short.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:58 pmYou remind me of another excessively immature pseudo-intellectual, RyANNe…. Grow up
Debt baby – was referring to the IRI-bot pushing your metaphor, but then again, I was in the middle of the 2nd vodka gimlet in a long but needed happy hour.
sorry for the mis-post.
January 12th, 2006 at 9:10 pmHey Mighty Big A – and I am serious – where’d ya pick up your world view? I mean,I grew up sheltered and whatnot in a CT burb. What made YOU think they way you think – yet still name youself after one of the most powerful goddesses…oh god, you monikered youself after the film, didn’t you? No really, spill….I care.
January 12th, 2006 at 9:14 pm#68 – Democratic Soldier: I’m sure that whole list of people connected to Bush & suicides are just a coincidence. I also think that Scooter Libby & Jack Abramoff will meet the same strange fate, i.e. suicide, accident, or if incarcerated…brain cancer.
January 12th, 2006 at 9:23 pmThink Think and Think again!!!!!!!
The polls indicate this NSA issue is a non issue. Only 7% gave a crap. Weather for good or bad America is running scared and the large majority support Bush on matters of National Security.
In short, that is what cost the democrats the White House and the number one major concern of the public.
Trying to get Bush impeached for this is like pissing into the wind. You will only further drive the majority of scared rabbits over to the GOP.
January 12th, 2006 at 9:50 pmMy first visit to this site, and I am taken by the hatred, vitriol and personal attacks.
January 12th, 2006 at 10:32 pmCan one not disagree with a ‘progressive’ without being blasted or threatened? I don’t particularly like the current nominee but I like the system, the process, even less. I also find most of the Senators unable to conduct a serious, intelligent investigation. There is just something wierd about Sen. Kennedy questioning anyone about ‘corruption’ or personal bias, especially with a former KKK recruiter still a ‘respected’ Democrat Senator?
As far as the NSA/FISA issue, presidents dating back to President Carter, and before, have taken a similar position to the Bush Administration. One only needs to ask President Clinton and Ms. Gorelick who clearly laid the groundwork for the actions of this administration. One of their programs, Echelon, was implemented as a wide ranging tool ‘listening in’ on all kinds of communication and was saluted by none other than the NY Times.
These issues are just not as black or white as some here seem to think.
CIC,
The problem is that Bush is a chronic liar and a war criminal. He is, and will comtinue to be, held to a different standard.
January 12th, 2006 at 11:22 pmmighty aphrodite used to come here and make semi-cogent arguments. Now she comes here, cleary, because her man ain’t giving it to her. She’s lost her “spunk”, so to speak.
January 12th, 2006 at 11:26 pmWell, as I feared, it seems Alito will be confirmed no matter what:
Chances of a nomination-crippling filibuster seemed to dim as the day went on, with two members of the “Gang of 14″ centrist senators who brokered a deal last year to avoid a filibuster showdown over judges saying Alito’s nomination does not deserve one.(…)
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said, “So far I have seen nothing during my interview with the nominee, the background materials that have been produced or through the committee process that I would consider a disqualifying issue against Judge Alito.”
Alito Appears Headed for Confirmation
Honestly, I never really thought anyone in the Senate had any serious intentions of voting otherwise.
A few opinions I read called the whole process “pretense and posturing”, and “predictable as a piece of Kabuki theatre”. I have to agree.
January 13th, 2006 at 12:53 amHeads up for Friday:
Rep. John Conyers, whose newly-released ‘Constitution in Crisis’ paper documents 14 MAJOR FELONIES by the Bush Shitehouse, will be holding a hearing into the NSA Cheneyizing of Amerika.
“I am continuing to prepare for hearings next Friday at 11 AM ET in the House on the NSA wiretap scandal. Today, I wrote a letter to Attorney General Gonzales and former DOJ offiicial Professor John Yoo asking them to testify at the hearings. Bradblog has the story.”
CALL FOR ALITO FILIBUSTER: http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/
January 13th, 2006 at 1:04 amActually, Conyers says ‘next Friday,’ which may well mean next week’s Friday. How come English is so vague?
January 13th, 2006 at 1:06 am“Honestly, I never really thought anyone in the Senate had any serious intentions of voting otherwise.”
What is the purpose of that content? Don’t you get sick of playing the ‘I predicted the doom’ game?
We don’t have control of the government. Anything we manage to do under these conditions is almost a shock.
A filibuster is still possible, but your kind of bitter ‘I knew it’ does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING but spread defeatism.
January 13th, 2006 at 1:11 amDon’t you get sick of playing the ‘I predicted the doom’ game?
A filibuster is still possible, but your kind of bitter ‘I knew it’ does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING but spread defeatism.
Comment by Paul in LA — January 13, 2006 @ 1:11 am
“Sick of playing”? I don’t even know where that one is coming from. I am not bitter, just frustrated. The Bush administration has got away with almost everything they have wanted so far: Iraq, the Patriot Act, secret wiretappings, Guantanamo, prisoner renditions… filibuster is still possible but -if the article is credible- also unlikely.
“Defeatism”… hhmmm… where have I heard that one before? Please tell me you won’t accuse me of “appeasing the enemy” too.
January 13th, 2006 at 1:36 am“Actually, Conyers says ‘next Friday,’ which may well mean next week’s Friday.”
Yep. The Conyers hearing on Bush’s illegal spying is next Friday, the 20th.
“…from the perspective of legal scholarship, the Administration’s justifications don’t pass the laugh test. To cast a little more light on this issue, I announced today that I am calling Democratic hearings (though all are welcome) on this issue, on January 20 at 10am.” –Rep. John Conyers
January 13th, 2006 at 5:27 am“Sick of playingâ€? I don’t even know where that one is coming from. I am not bitter, just frustrated.”
Yeah, well join the club. But crowing over our failures isn’t really helping. This is a concerted coup — it’s not ordinary politics or ordinary times.
“The Bush administration has got away with almost everything they have wanted so far:”
Mostly by sheer coercion. To expect legal government to expeditiously stop a ruthless gang of bullies and thugs — who are willing to kill with reckless disregard — is bound to frustrate anyone.
“… filibuster is still possible but -if the article is credible- also unlikely.”
‘The article’ is a self-fulfilling prophesy. The Senate is pretty hard to influence, but the grassroots are STILL in play.
January 13th, 2006 at 5:34 am“I’m going to say that I am still somewhat troubled by the idea that you were prepared for this hearing by some lawyers who were very much involved in promoting the purported legal justification for the NSA wiretapping program….”
Joe Biden to sam Scandalito
This is EXACTLY what drives me up the wall!
Mealy mouth, hat-in-hand, weak-kneed comments and language like:
“I am still somewhat troubled”…
“promoting purported legal justification”…
Why can’t these sombiches say something straightforward and unequivocally?
“Mr. Alito your having been coached by Mr. Bush’s DOJ lawyers, who by the way have offered (Bush) illegal advice on warrantless wiretapping, is a HUGE conflict of interest. Furtermore, I would think that a man of your character and integrity would be just as outraged as I am that such ‘coaching’ even takes place!”
January 13th, 2006 at 9:14 amIgnore i-r-i at all costs,he is a pedophile priest.His only contribution to society is his compulsion to molest little boys.He’s never had a woman in his life much less a smart or good looking one.This can be surmised by his hatred of himself and humankind.Pity the poor idiot.
Comment by MATTHEW AKA Ryan “The Hindu Homo” Neat
Still stewing are you?
January 13th, 2006 at 9:15 amI’m surpised that this piece didn’t also address the unethical practice of utlizing a member of the judiciary committee to take part in the preparation of Alito for the hearings. I refer here to Sen. Lindsay Graham.
January 13th, 2006 at 9:37 am#156
And let’s hope it’s your last visit, CIC, if all you can do is spout right-wing talking points. Do some research:
The Echelon Myth
We’re sick of all you trolls and right-wing know nothings coming to this board spewing your lies and refusing to see truth when it’s presented to you in black and white.
January 13th, 2006 at 10:53 amWe’re sick of all you trolls and right-wing know nothings coming to this board spewing your lies and refusing to see truth when it’s presented to you in black and white.
Comment by Amy
Translation: You must conform. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. Give up or I will cry.
Too funny.
January 13th, 2006 at 12:12 pmWe’re sick of all you trolls and right-wing know nothings coming to this board spewing your lies and refusing to see truth when it’s presented to you in black and white.
Comment by Amy #174
Amy,
better that they come here and get their ONLY exposure to the truth, than continue to wallow in the lies and “created reality” of the inbred right wing red state.orgs and such…
These inbred Bushites NEED to be here!
January 13th, 2006 at 12:17 pmWhy do the middle class and poor Rep. think they will not lose thier rights like the rest of us? Not everyone is a christian that say they are . God loved all . Please concider america Not arque who is right or wrong. But why did he not know about Bush and Gore everyone knew that And how could he forget easily about issues.
January 13th, 2006 at 12:30 pmBut crowing over our failures isn’t really helping.
Comment by Paul in LA — January 13, 2006 @ 5:34 am
“crowing”? Come on, Paul. I was pointing out the likelihood of Alito’s confirmation, out of sheer frustration -as I said before. And I didn’t take any pleasure out of it.
This is a concerted coup — it’s not ordinary politics or ordinary times.
You know, it’s interesting you should use that word. I thought the republican push for Clinton’s impeachment is the closest the US has ever got to having a coup, in that a sitting president (and popular, to boot) was going to be removed from office by a relatively small clique.
I guess this is an extension of that push.
As for the rest of your post -I agree. This administration has shown very little regard for the rule of law.
January 13th, 2006 at 12:55 pmI am in the process of annotating the whole list. I’m about a 3rd of the way through it. There are some interesting folks on it.
January 13th, 2006 at 1:49 pm#153 – My dear Yawn – My world view has evolved from self congratulating liberal (in which one congratulates oneself for ALWAYS CARING more than mere mortals) to that of a woman who values thoughtful actions and reactions as well as one who believes MOST of life is a series of choices. I volunteer in my community and donate anonymously to people and organizations who value improved lives, however simply.
I adore sharp wit, loyalty, compassion and responsibility. I found much of liberalism overlapping and dependent on the promotion of continued victimhood. Enjoyed victimhood allows people to blame others and bask in the attention they receive from others. (By this statement, I do NOT refer to legitimate victims of violence, dishonesty or disaster. There are many people out there who deserve our compassion and generosity.) But sadly, there is a revered victim mentality in much of the hedonism and narcissism of the day. (A glaring example is found in Randy Shilts book, “And the Band Played On”, in which Shilts, a gay man who later died of AIDS, discusses the San Francisco gay communitities anger over the suggestion that gay “bath houses” should be shut down.)
When national minority leaders elevate the “cycle of poverty” conversation to include the growing, preventable and tragic, epidemic of illegitimacy, many more conservatives will be inclined to listen. I do not believe that a poor person is a poor parent and I do not believe that a wealthy person is a good parent. Throughout my career, I have encountered responsible and irresponsible parents in every economic sector.
Finally, I left the sacred halls of liberalism because of a disgusting promotion of envy. As the oldest child of a young widow who was a public school teacher, I was fortunate to have a mother who taught love, compassion and responsibility. She didn’t buy the “dog ate my homework” or “the other kids are doing it… or have whatever”. I have always been pleased when people succeed at their endeavors – and I am ALWAYS impressed when people do not give up after repeated failures. The road, and not the destination, is often the place for reflection, correction and wonder.
January 13th, 2006 at 1:52 pmI-R-I, Take a look at the the reflexive “style” of RightPunch – I smell RyANNe.
Watched the esteemed prog professors and interest groups whine about Alito on C-SPAN this am. Watching Kate Michelman, as too many liberals do, personalize her fight for an abortion, as the end all and be all of “women’s rights” has that whiff of…hmmmmmm narcissism. (Sisters, Sing along with Kate…..me..me…me….meeeee.)
January 13th, 2006 at 2:09 pm156
And let’s hope it’s your last visit, CIC, if all you can do is spout right-wing talking points. Do some research:
The Echelon Myth
We’re sick of all you trolls and right-wing know nothings coming to this board spewing your lies and refusing to see truth when it’s presented to you in black and white.
Comment by Amy — January 13, 2006 @ 10:53 am
——————
Amy,
After 18 or so hours here, I can understand how you wish those who do not agree with you would leave you to your own ideas.
January 13th, 2006 at 2:35 pmThe fact is that Echelon collected various types of commuication(s) and if you choose to totally believe Tenet then, I guess you believe him now?
The second fact is that voice communication was just one part of Echelon, and e-mail was one major segment. E-mail systems across the globe were probed, e-mail from/to your momie, poppie, mine and yours were scanned for certain identifiers. That is black and white.
I can only suggest you leave the personal attacks behind and open your mind to the truth, i.e. that both parties, all presidents have used these tactics.
listed referencing a 60 Minutes story;
‘the NSA had been monitoring private domestic telephone conversations on a much larger scale throughout the 1990s – all of it done without a court order, let alone a catalyst like the 9/11 attacks.
January 13th, 2006 at 3:54 pmIn February 2000, for instance, CBS “60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft introduced a report on the Clinton-era spy program by noting:
“If you made a phone call today or sent an e-mail to a friend, there’s a good chance what you said or wrote was captured and screened by the country’s largest intelligence agency. The top-secret Global Surveillance Network is called Echelon, and it’s run by the National Security Agency.”
NSA computers, said Kroft, “capture virtually every electronic conversation around the world.”
Echelon expert Mike Frost, who spent 20 years as a spy for the Canadian equivalent of the National Security Agency, told “60 Minutes” that the agency was monitoring “everything from data transfers to cell phones to portable phones to baby monitors to ATMs.”
Mr. Frost detailed activities at one unidentified NSA installation, telling “60 Minutes” that agency operators “can listen in to just about anything” – while Echelon computers screen phone calls for key words that might indicate a terrorist threat.
The “60 Minutes” report also spotlighted Echelon critic, then-Rep. Bob Barr, who complained that the project as it was being implemented under Clinton “engages in the interception of literally millions of communications involving United States citizens.” ‘
Amy,
Pls note Ms. Gorelick’s comments;
In a little-remembered debate from 1994, the Clinton administration argued that the president has “inherent authority” to order physical searches — including break-ins at the homes of U.S. citizens — for foreign intelligence purposes without any warrant or permission from any outside body. Even after the administration ultimately agreed with Congress’s decision to place the authority to pre-approve such searches in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court, President Clinton still maintained that he had sufficient authority to order such searches on his own.
“The Department of Justice believes, and the case law supports, that the president has inherent authority to conduct warrantless physical searches for foreign intelligence purposes,” Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on July 14, 1994, “and that the President may, as has been done, delegate this authority to the Attorney General.”
“It is important to understand,” Gorelick continued, “that the rules and methodology for criminal searches are inconsistent with the collection of foreign intelligence and would unduly frustrate the president in carrying out his foreign intelligence responsibilities.”
Executive Order 12333, signed by Ronald Reagan in 1981, provides for such warrantless searches directed against “a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power.”
Reporting the day after Gorelick’s testimony, the Washington Post’s headline — on page A-19 — read, “Administration Backing No-Warrant Spy Searches.” The story began, “The Clinton administration, in a little-noticed facet of the debate on intelligence reforms, is seeking congressional authorization for U.S. spies to continue conducting clandestine searches at foreign embassies in Washington and other cities without a federal court order. The administration’s quiet lobbying effort is aimed at modifying draft legislation that would require U.S. counterintelligence officials to get a court order before secretly snooping inside the homes or workplaces of suspected foreign agents or foreign powers.”
In her testimony, Gorelick made clear that the president believed he had the power to order warrantless searches for the purpose of gathering intelligence, even if there was no reason to believe that the search might uncover evidence of a crime. “Intelligence is often long range, its exact targets are more difficult to identify, and its focus is less precise,” Gorelick said. “Information gathering for policy making and prevention, rather than prosecution, are its primary focus.”
The debate over warrantless searches came up after the case of CIA spy Aldrich Ames. Authorities had searched Ames’s house without a warrant, and the Justice Department feared that Ames’s lawyers would challenge the search in court. Meanwhile, Congress began discussing a measure under which the authorization for break-ins would be handled like the authorization for wiretaps, that is, by the FISA court. In her testimony, Gorelick signaled that the administration would go along a congressional decision to place such searches under the court — if, as she testified, it “does not restrict the president’s ability to collect foreign intelligence necessary for the national security.” In the end, Congress placed the searches under the FISA court, but the Clinton administration did not back down from its contention that the president had the authority to act when necessary.
January 13th, 2006 at 4:20 pmI-R-I, Take a look at the the reflexive “style†of RightPunch – I smell RyANNe.
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Nope, don’t think so. Not enough effeminate venom.
January 13th, 2006 at 4:51 pm#160 – “Most brilliant people are liberals, that’s the fact of life that conservatives lament about.” RightSlap
January 13th, 2006 at 5:31 pm*****What a patently stupid statement….your shallow pseudo-intellectualism is not worth many keystrokes……
#185 – I-R-I, I see what you’re saying…. but maybe he’s trying to throw Judd off the track and hiding his “sensitive” New Age male tendencies.
January 13th, 2006 at 5:36 pmThe Supreme Felons anointed this Felon.
http://politicsofet.com
January 13th, 2006 at 6:17 pmhttp://johnmccarthy90066.tripod.com/id652.html
Legal papers were delivered on Tuesday, the 10th of January, 2006. Copies were also provided to Congress.
Bests,
January 13th, 2006 at 7:45 pmJohn
I’m sure some of the persons commenting here are, like me, old enough to remember a computer program called “Eliza.”
It was a surprisingly simple bit of code that pretended to be a “therapist” and actually fooled a few people for a few moments.
I thought it was too obvious to warrant mention, but apparently the realities of modern life need to be pointed out in clear, unambiguous terms: getting upset at “I-blind-I,” “flighty tightywhitie” and the other bits of sloppily coded, pre-beta-release talkingpoint-bots is a waste of your energy, your effort, and your intellect.
One cannot convert simple software to rational thought, nor convice code to adopt an intelligent opinion. No matter how clever its output may appear, it still has no actual opinion, nor can it ever truly form any sort of thought of its own. It is simply a formal set of rules that dictate which trollish output its clever, yet mindless, subroutines will compile and post.
–
January 14th, 2006 at 8:03 am
Legal papers were delivered on Tuesday, the 10th of January, 2006. Copies were also provided to Congress.
————-
John,
what court were these papers delivered to?
January 14th, 2006 at 8:32 amUnless you enjoy the mental workout that an exercise in futility provides (or you’re beta-testing the latest compile) arguing with Troll-bot(s) is unproductive.â€
–some Troll
Comment by TR0LL_v0.2.7b — January 14, 2006 @ 8:03 am
–
Until I found this site, a short time ago, I did not fully understand the ‘troll’ ident.
I checked my dictionary, and found this;
‘A supernatural being, conceived sometimes as a dwarf, sometimes as a giant, fabled to inhabit caves hills and like places’
And so, you identify yourself as a ’supernatural being’, and I have been referred to as a ‘troll’, so some here must believe I am also a ’supernatural being’ as well.
January 14th, 2006 at 10:49 amI have just plowed my way through 80 plus comments on this, my very first visit to a blog, and I must say it’s depressing to witness how, with few exceptions, so very much of what I have read reflects the very worst of human nature. May I suggest that substituting pugnatious, agressive, frequently unthinking and sometimes lewd rhetoric for sound reasoned discussion, is not only a waste of time, but undermines the very point or position that the sender may wish to make as it paints them as one who so lacks cogent thought that all they can do is resort to rudeness and name-calling.
It’s just possible that if the level of communication were raised at the grass-roots level, it just might send a message to those in the political arena that the voting public are actually thinkers who need to be respected (even if only out of political expediency) and not merely puppets whose strings can be pulled at will.
NEH
January 16th, 2006 at 3:32 pmIf Sen. Graham’s “prep session” was in the form of a private meeting then he would not be on the list and it, therefore, although looking improper, would not violate ethics rules. All sneators are allowed to have private meetings with the nominee prior to the hearings and is what is commonly done.
Graham had actually told us what issues he was going to reaise and the questions he was going to ask before the hearings. He did asks about excutive power and other things that concern us.
I still think that if he heard something disconcerting enough based on a question another senator asked he would vote no if he thought he should. I trust him completely.
January 18th, 2006 at 1:49 pmIn my opinion the real issue is the Benjamin Powell and Harriet Miers worked on the wiretap issue and that Powell was a recess appointment. This is the bigger issue than a senator possibly being involved once or having a private meeting.
I do not trust the administration at all.
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August 4th, 2006 at 2:41 am