ThinkFast: March 3, 2006
ThinkFast: March 3, 2006
ThinkFast is a new feature of ThinkProgress. (It’s still a work in progress – let us know what you think.)
The Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to renew “the sweeping antiterror law known as the USA Patriot Act.†Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), one of ten senators to vote against the bill, said, “This fight is not over, Mr. President. … I am convinced that in the end, the government will respond to the people, as it should.â€
Attorney General Gonzales said yesterday “that the administration is not conducting any warrantless domestic surveillance programs beyond the one that President Bush has acknowledged,” contradicting claims by the NSA whistleblower who helped expose the first program.
After furor grew over the reclassification of National Archives documents, Allen Weinstein, the nation’s chief archivist, announced a “moratorium” on the process until an audit can be completed to determine which records should be secret.
“Four years after the Taliban were ousted from power by the American military, their presence [in Afghanistan] is bigger and more menacing than ever,” the NYT reports.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said yesterday “Dubai cannot be trusted” to manage U.S. ports. He vowed to scuttle the Dubai Ports World deal and push legislation to block a second Dubai company’s efforts to acquire two U.S. plants that manufacture precision components for military aircraft and tank engines.
The Homeland Security inspector general’s office “says it can’t widely distribute electronic announcements of new watchdog reports” because “the department lacks capacity to create a mass email list.” DHS spokesperson: “We don’t have a fix at this point.”
Former FEMA director Michael Brown this morning called for Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s dismissal. Meanwhile, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are calling for an independent commission to investigate the Katrina response, in light of the new Katrina tapes.
Science Magazine publishes a new paper today with the first evidence that the Antarctic ice sheet is rapidly melting.
“Worried about arsenic in your bottled water, mercury in your fish or pesticides in your vegetables?” These are “among hundreds of different warnings” that could disappear under a conservative bill “moving toward House approval.”
A Senate committee yesterday “rejected a bipartisan proposal to establish an independent office to oversee the enforcement of congressional ethics and lobbying laws,” marking the second bipartisan buckling on ethics reform this week.
And finally: A Clemson University student newspaper is raffling off an AK-47 to “start a discussion about the Second Amendment.” What could go wrong?
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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With regards to the Patriot Act passage:
I give Russ Feingold tons of credit. He sat there and read the entire US Constitution to the Senate (the 4th Amendment TWICE) when this bill was renewed.
Just incase the other 90 Senators forgot what the Constitution was all about.
March 3rd, 2006 at 8:56 amI am sick of this entire sell out by the senators on both sides. Do the librels think we the people will forget how they voted, are there any true conservatives left.? Both questions that I ask are going to show up with the answers on voting day. The true conservatives of years ago were for big business and the librels were for the working class. It is apparent now that all the senators are for them selves, just like Bush, to hell with all of us. Well they all may have a rude awakening when the public rises up and want’s them all out. Every last one, it’s time to start over with a totaly clean slate. Impeach, hold the thieves accountable and put the guilty in jail..Time for a new party….Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:12 amWhy has ThinkProgress chosen not to post a link to the AP article outlining Gov. Blanco’s claim during Katrina that the levees would be fine? That might be why the feds thought the levees were ok. Might be why Bush thought that too.
ThinkProgress has an extraordinary record of slandering the Administration without presenting all of the facts. That is lying, you know.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:12 amDid I read some where that Bull shit Bush has given a nuclear nod to India,? ……Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:17 amAccusing someone of slander without providing any examples is slander, you know.
Here is that AP article. (Anyone can post whatever articles they want. We post the ones we think are interesting.)
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:21 am2)
I was thinking last night that the way the democrats have been acting it is as if they WANT the republicans to do the dirty work of invading Iraq, Iran, and anybody else it takes to maintain their wealth (Iran oil bourse) so that the republicans take all the heat for their unAmerican actions. Then the democrats expect to come out afterwards and say, “Yes what the previous administration did was unforgiveable, but we the democrats are now in charge and we will work the the Iraqis and the Iranians to make everything right again…”
Becareful what you ask for democrats… this monster you are letting get away with these crimes just might not let you ever get in power again …and so there will never be any “making things right again” …
And yes like you #2 I do not see any reason to vote for the democrats. I have seen far more American people on the Internet giving the speeches that we should be hearing from Washington D.C. At this point I am not inclined to vote for anyone unless they can prove themselves in some way…and if that leaves no one to vote for then I guess I will just go to a blog on vote day and complain about why I didn’t vote for any of the corrupt.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:23 amJudd – I am just saying it can be dishonest to leave out very important facts when presenting arguments. I think you guys call that “cherry picking”.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:24 am#6 – I’ll be staying home this November, as well.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:25 amRep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is a winger who opposes ending Clinton’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The guy is a total lunatic, but he’s correct on stopping Bush’s UAE port deal.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:28 amI am frustrated with Democratic leadership as well, but to stay away from the polls will only contribute to the Republicans in power.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:30 amAs I age, I don’t recall ever feeling this much despair concerning our government, but I don’t think the dropping out will accomplish anything positive.
Fair Question
Once again you righties did NOT read the whole article. Why are you guys so damn stupid? READ the whole article. The article makes clear that Blanco did not know what the conditions of the levees were. She said she was not sure. She said as far as she could tell them that there was 8 to 10 feet of water from the storm surge and people were out there swiming around. She said there were reports of some levees having water coming over them but she didnt have definitive info on that. But hey! to a monkey like your leader that was rock solid evidence that there were no problems…
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:30 amGeeeeeees, Fair Q, where have you been.? Do you read, watch and listen to anything but the reich winged spin.? Think Progress is one of the few real new’s sources. If you want to get informed instead of more reich spoon feeding may I sugest NPR radio, CNN, C-span, Oped, and truthout for starters. When you become informed maybe you will see we have a right to slam Bush, indeed it is our duty given to us by our constitution. Wake up, get real or get the hell out of the way…..Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:31 amMarie
That is what I told eveyone the past 2 elections. Now that even with the 911 shame we have all received (Iraq) the democrats have made me embarressed of them. I dont want my name associated with them. If Jesus was a senator there would have been some whiping going on…minority or not… no .. I will not cast my lot with these people…they seem to be complicit like I posted in #6.
When I see another MLK Jr. out there preaching his heart out I will join in with him… until then my vote is going to stay clean.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:34 am#3 – So, when you see conservative blogs print nothing but pro-Pres. Bush and pro-administration articles you pipe up loud and clear and ask them where all the articles are that do NOT support their position, right?
I’d like to see a link where you do just that. (No, I won’t hold my breath.)
I will say that the reports I heard about Gov. Blanco do not sound good for her, but please read EXACTLY what she said:
“We keep getting reports in some places that maybe water is coming over the levees,” Gov. Kathleen Blanco said shortly after noon on Aug. 29 — the day the storm hit the Gulf coast.
“We heard a report unconfirmed, I think, we have not breached the levee,” she said on a video of the day’s disaster briefing that was obtained Thursday night by The Associated Press. “I think we have not breached the levee at this time.”
Don’t forget, Pres. Bush said “We dodged the bullet” well after it was reported the the levee’s were breached. You don’t hear Rush Limbaugh holding THAT bit of news to the light, do you???
It’s easy to claim “slandering” when you automatically disagree with the website you’re visiting. Did you cry “slander” over the Swift Boat Liars for Bush and the mendacity they spread over Sen. Kerry? How about the “slander” of Rush “drug user” Limbaugh and his attacking Chelsea Clinton by comparing her to a dog picture??
I think your partisan side is expressing itself.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:36 am#11 – our leader. Look, I think most people are Katrina’d out. It is obivous there were failures at all levels. But to assault the President’s leadership and turn a blind to Blanco is partisan and foolish. Average Americans aren’t buying it.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:43 amI agree with you Marie, I also agree with much of the other posts. I’m sick to death of our situation. Everything is going down the crapper and all the senators or nearly all are selling out our country. If Bushco, Chertoff and Pombo have their way all will be sold off and we will be in work camps. I am not going to vote for any of my representatives that have gone against our country. Right now there is only one in my state I would vote for and she isn’t up for reelection this year. I plan to mark my ballott up with not acceptable or no on both…..I will not give up my right to vote only my disaproval of the choices. The Dem’s have pissed me off almost as much as the rep’s.Again the silence is defening, except begging for funds……Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:43 am16)
Ya really.
I get bugged by Kerry constantly for cash. I will give him more money as soon as he and others put a huge wrench in this monkey works and keeps it there until people are forced to face the reality of what we are doing.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:49 am#11 – I agree. When you read/hear what was said it becomes clear:
“We heard a report unconfirmed, I think, we have not breached the levee,†she said on a video of the day’s disaster briefing that was obtained Thursday night by The Associated Press. “I think we have not breached the levee at this time.â€
(emphasis mine)
Of course, the wingers & trolls will completely ignore anything that doesn’t support their pre-disposed hate for anything other than “Pres. Bush is ALWAYS right, and perfect!” mindset.
In not saying the Democrats are perfect, because they are so not! I will vote for the lesser of the two (in some cases three) evils come this November. If you don’t vote at all, then any complaints you have about who wins/looses will ring hollow.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:52 amYes, the death knell for the Republicans and the Democrats is at hand. They’ve sold the US tax slave down the river and will pay a heavy price. I will vote for Nikita Kruschev in November. He could govern better from the grave than these brain dead so-called Congressman we have taking up time and space in Warshington. The only Honorable Representative is Ron Paul. The rest need to be voted out and sent to Gitmo. They’d make a lovely chain gang.
I’ve had it with them. Tom Daschle should consider himself lucky these days.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:54 amLook, I think most people are Katrina’d out. It is obivous there were failures at all levels. But to assault the President’s leadership and turn a blind to Blanco is partisan and foolish. Average Americans aren’t buying it.
Katrina’d out?
Tell that the the people getting kicked out of the hotel rooms with no place to go. Tell that to the tens of thousands of people whose homes are destroyed. Tell that the the hundreds of businesses in LA that are still shut down with no hope of re-opening in the near future.
Is Blanco absolved of all blame? Nope. Not even close. Neither is Nagin.
But it is the job of the federal government to assist when local and state government is overwhelmed, which I think we can all agree happened.
I’m curious, what leadership are you referring to with regards to Bush? The fact that he was partying at a fundraiser when the hurricaine made landfall? The fact that he did a flyby of the area without stopping? The fact that he told Brownie he was doing a heckuva job while people were dying?
Or perhaps the fact that he gave a hollow speech about help is on the way?
Where’s all that help? Bush is all talk. His presidency is built around tough talk with little follow up. Of course, unless it involves invading other countries on false pretenses.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:00 amIs there any doubt Feingold would be a prime candidate for President? Yet all we hear about is the duplicitous Hillary? Who just said she had “no idea” her husband was negotiating with UAE?
“We have to address the fact that the president has broken the law.†— Senator Russ Feingold
I’m going to fight Hillary Clinton ALL THE WAY.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:03 amBut to assault the President’s leadership and turn a blind to Blanco is partisan and foolish. Average Americans aren’t buying it
Also, Fair Question, I think you are giving the ‘Average American’ too much credit. A friend of mine once told me:
“Think of how stupid your ‘Average American’ is. Then realize that HALF of America is even more stupid than that.”
(I then like to take the next logical step and say that most of that bottom half vote Republican.)
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:04 amScrew
Hillary
Clinton.
And all the Dems who voted to take away our civil liberties.
Screw
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:06 amthem
all
22)
What would we ever do if we some how got a president that grew up poor. Never been in the inner circle of ulrtatrich like the Clintons. AND so has no taste for or addiction from the money.
What would happen in America is someone that can not stand lieing no matter the results to him/her?
What would America do if an honest REAL person who sees the job as a 4-8 year chance to help others with no scheme for making money during or after?
Someone like George Washington that was willing to suffer in the cold, under the risk of death, begging congress for more money to help his fellow man?
Maybe honor only comes from having your back against the wall like the founders of this country did.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:11 ampatriot act looks more like the beginnings of a soft DICK-tatorship…
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:12 amIs this lying too?
“ABC World News Tonight anchor Elizabeth Vargas failed to note the apparent conflict between a newly released videotape that shows President Bush receiving a warning that New Orleans levees could be topped and Bush’s later comment that “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.” MSNBC chief White House correspondent Norah O’Donnell similarly failed to note this contradiction during an interview with deputy White House press secretary Trent Duffy…”
http://mediamatters.org/items/200603030001
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:12 amWhat would we ever do if we some how got a president that grew up poor. Never been in the inner circle of ulrtatrich like the Clintons. AND so has no taste for or addiction from the money.
——————————————–
He would likely be assasinated by the Aristocrats
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:14 am28)
Journalism is a joke. I grew up seeing journalism as being something like being a nurse…it doesnt pay real well, but you do it because you like helping people. Journalism is to truth what “reality TV shows” are to reality.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:16 amThe shrub has made a nuclear deal with India. It has to be approved by both houses of congress, but with pukes all over the place, there is a good chance it will be approved.
We give them nuclear secrets, material, know-how and in return, they give use – MANGOS.
Folks, I want to get ahead of the curve here. I want to quickly publish a cookbook featuring MANGO recipes. I need any and all you can give me.
Mango bread, Msango cookies, Mango soup, Mango salt, you know, all things MANGO.
HELP!
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:17 amThe shrub has made a nuclear deal with India. It has to be approved by both houses of congress, but with pukes all over the place, there is a good chance it will be approved.
We give them nuclear secrets, material, know-how and in return, they give use – MANGOS.
Folks, I want to get ahead of the curve here. I want to quickly publish a cookbook featuring MANGO recipes. I need any and all you can give me.
Mango bread, Msango cookies, Mango soup, Mango salt, you know, all things MANGO.
HELP!
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:17 am#22: I will fight all the dems who voted to extend the patriot act.
I think its time we got our act together. Since the democrats don’t seem interested in being the party that actually represents Americans, I think its time we let the Dem’s know they are replaceable. If our voices pool together and get loud enough, the result will be a new, stronger, more representative party. We have a two party system, but it doesnt have to be Dems/Repubs.
Any ideas for the name of our new party? Is “Progress Party” taken? “Progressive” seems to be a Vermont based party…
- Tom
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:22 amFrom Salon, via Daily Kos:
Take the infamous missing billing records of Hillary Clinton’s work for Madison Guaranty. When the records finally turned up in the White House in 1996, after having been subpoenaed two years earlier, charges of “obstruction of justice” filled the airwaves and the halls of the Republican Congress….
Where is the outrage in the press today of the missing (or forgot to press the record button) video tape that suddenly appeared after a video was released by AP? No accusation of obstruction of justice – no accusation of obstruction of the public’s right to know?
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:22 amGood post’s Gerald. Fair Q, like I said before where have you been, especialy where were you during the Katrina mess.? I can tell you where I was. I had CNN on 24/7 for 3 full week’s, I was SCREAMING with my computer, wrighting the president all the senators and governors. On Monday…….And every day there after, also on this site, check the archives if they exist, right here.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:23 amI have stamped in my brain the sight of thousands of our people that were drowning and in misery, just like this stinking Bush caused war in Iraq where thousands are dieing, ours and theirs. I don’t give a shit what the color of skin or political back ground some one is, it’s suffering and should not be allowed to happen. Bush is a lier, thief and has gone against Iraq and the American people, he allowed or promoted 9/11, he has put us in terrible debt to foreign power and now promotes foreign take over by some of the very same people who enabled, indeed funded the Ben Lauden bunch.
I will never forget the poor, stranded young woman with 3 babies in her arms waiting for help in N.O. along with thousands of others. I was more in tune with what was going on and actively doing something about it that Bull shit Bush. He took nearly 5 DAYS to do anything. A national disaster…..A NATIONAL DISASTER..Just like 9/11 Bush was then and is now on vacation to any of our country needs. BUSH IS FOR BIG BUSINESS AND HIS BUNCH ONLY. …Where were you.? And what are you doing now to help our people and country.?……Blessing
I see that Bush is giving nuclear technology to India, but Iran is evil for trying to get it? Absolute hypocrisy rules the Bush Regime!
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:23 am32)
Republican-Democratic Parties Leader Thomas Jefferson
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.
– Thomas Jefferson
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9063241
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:27 amThere are members of my family who can’t decide whom they hate more: The survivors, or the dead. You’re using the “welfare state†slant as a cover for your hatred. There is a broad spectrum of people who chose to stay behind. And it’s the srories of white people concerned for their property whom chose to stay who tend to make the news.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:31 amPeople stayed behind. Whether it’s because they’re stupid, mentally unfit, poor, concerned home owners, risk takers, thieves, drug dealers, pimps, whores, geriatric-Who cares? You pity or you hate from what I’ve seen. There’s no in between.
Here is a better link on Republican-Democratic party…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Democratic-Republican_Party
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:33 amJay #35
You do know that India already has the bomb, right? So unless you know something different, we’re helping them with energy production technology. Since that should offset fossil-fuel based technologies that they would otherwise rely on for rapidly expanding economy, I would think that a good thing.
Iran, on the other hand, is a signatory to the NNPT, but everybody suspects that their goal is a weapon. They are an energy-exporing state after all, and don’t have much need for nuclear reactors — other than weapons production. I would think that a bad thing.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:37 amWhen are all the people going to get as mad as I am and do something. We need to be demonstrating, peaceful, non violent, hugh masses of people. The people in our government have all gone crazy and do not listen.. We must get this evil bunch out, and bring our troops home……Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:37 amNow don’t shoot me, I’m only answering Gerald’s rhetorical questions honestly here:
What would we ever do if we some how got a president that grew up poor. Never been in the inner circle of ulrtatrich like the Clintons. AND so has no taste for or addiction from the money.
Beats me. But it won’t happen. Ever. Simple fact of the matter is, you need money to get elected president. Always have, always will. Is it a good system? No. But it is a hard and fast rule in politics.
What would happen in America is someone that can not stand (lying) no matter the results to him/her?
This problem is a result of politicians recently feeling they need to placate their ‘base’ more than feeling the need to be honest. It’s a rare breed that is popular enough to get elected without the support of some blind-faith base in today’s political climate.
What would America do if an honest REAL person who sees the job as a 4-8 year chance to help others with no scheme for making money during or after?
Well, for one thing, they’d see a Democrat in office, not a Republican. Other than that, America would prosper again. Instead of stagnating. A good quote I heard: “It seems that the party that hates government isn’t very good at running it.” Seems to fit the Republicans, no?
Someone like George Washington that was willing to suffer in the cold, under the risk of death, begging congress for more money to help his fellow man?
Different world, different times. The populace back enjoyed the place they held in our democracy. People today are apathetic. Sad.
Maybe honor only comes from having your back against the wall like the founders of this country did.
There is a lot of truth in that. People only seem to care when something important to them is threatened. It’s how the Republicans won in 2004 by playing the terror card. Americans felt threatened and the GOP did a great job convincing Americans that they would protect them better. I think as we see more and more things that people have taken for granted being taken away, like abortion, the outcry will rise. Realize that with abortion, an entire two generations have grown up considering a woman’s right to her body a given. Now that the right is trying to take it away, I hope it wakes a slumbering giant.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:38 amAl Gonzales is also contradicting his own statements from a couple days ago
http://www.opednews.com/link.html?pg=http%3A//www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/28/AR2006022801587_pf.html
Will we ever get the truth from these guys?
http://www.lcoliberal.blogspot.com
Progressive commentary on the issues that really matter
http://www.sunstateactivist.org
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:38 amThe home page for the Southeast’s progressive community>
“We have to address the fact that the president has broken the law.†— Senator Russ Feingold
Sharon,
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:39 amWe need to spread Feingold’s statement until it is as common as “War on Terror”. It needs to be the new “Kilroy was here”.
Jefferson…
I am not for transferring all the powers of the States to the general government, & all those of that government to the Executive branch. I am for a government rigorously frugal & simple, applying all the possible savings of the public revenue to the discharge of the national debt; and not for a multiplication of officers & salaries merely to make partisans, & for increasing, by every device, the public debt, on the principle of it’s being a public blessing. I am for relying, for internal defence, on our militia solely, till actual invasion, and for such a naval force only as may protect our coasts and harbors from such depredations as we have experienced; and not for a standing army in time of peace, which may overawe the public sentiment; nor for a navy, which, by it’s own expenses and the eternal wars in which it will implicate us, grind us with public burthens, & sink us under them. I am for free commerce with all nations; political connection with none; & little or no diplomatic establishment.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:44 amPersonally, I’m tired of the Katrina debacle finger pointing too. There is plenty of blame to go around. The story is in the aftermath anyway. But…
The rethug response to the Blanco “tape†is ludicrous. Blanco wasn’t wading around in NO anymore than Bush was. Don’t forget what FEMA is- the Federal Emergency Response Agency. Is it in their playbook to wait around for a second hand report from a far-removed governor before assessing the damage and responding? I hope not.
Bush and FEMA knew, as everyone else did, that a cat. 5 hurricane was headed to NO with very dangerous implications. If this were, lets say, a telegraphed terrorist attack on NO, would FEMA wait for Blanco?
Fair Questions reasoning in calling Judd a liar is a bit silly also.
That literally makes EVERYONE a liar.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:45 amThe only one that I see that will make a great President is Senator Russ Feingold. He is trying to protect the American peoples right.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:45 amSeth II
You are right that it is good for Bush to encourage ALL countries to get energy from something other than oil..of coarse he is doing it so his buddies can get it all, but still it is a good principle.
You are also correct about Iran and the bomb. However even though Iran exports oil it is smart for them to base their energy supplies on something other than oil also…it is sort of like a drug dealer taking his own drug…not good.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:46 amSay Paul I have a better idea, how about we all buy to truck loads of mangos. One for the white house lawn and the other for the cowards crawford ranch. What this administration needs is a good dump and run sponsored by we the people….Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:50 amSETH post 39 > I think every nation that has nuclear weapons is a bad thing for humanity worldwide! Yes India has had nukes for years > China or Russia helped them to get it to counter Pakistan who the U.S. gave nukes to at the same time! As for Iran trying to develop a nuke bomb: they are NO more dangerous to the world than China having nukes! Even if they had one or two nukes > why would they use them? Israel has about 400 nukes, so if Iran dared to attack them, then Israel would wipe out the entire population of Iran, so assured mass suicide! Iran wants a few nukes as a deterent like every other nuke nation does! Meaning a defensive weapon to prevent invasion of their nation!
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:50 am@40
The Pakistanis are protesting by the thousands right now. Of course, if murkans would demonstrate like that here in murka, they would be herded into ‘free speech zones.’
America as we once knew it is dead.
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:54 amWho were the other 8 Senators who voted against the Patriot Act extension? I want to keep their names in mind as the only members of the Senate that I would support for anything.
Thanks
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:54 am#51 A troll posted this yesterday
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00029#position
March 3rd, 2006 at 10:59 amI have adopted a policy over the years towards people I’m unfamiliar with who engage in political discourse. As soon as they bring up a political opinion, I ask them if they are registered voters and IF they voted in the last two or three elections. Anyone who answers ‘NO’ to either question is automatically cutoff from any further discussion. I refuse to talk to them! And I tell them what I think of them!
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:01 amThese are political cowards who do not deserve to participate in any valid discussion concerning the workings of this country. All they do is TALK – no action – just the sound of their voices. I have no use for people like this. Everyone who works the polls knows that 40-45% of all registered voters take part in town and state elections; 60% take part in national elections. Pretty damn poor turnouts, for something that affects your country, your daily lives and that of most of world. The opinions of the stay-at-homes ARE mote…they have no value….not even those of so-called ‘principal’. YOUR VOTE IS YOUR OPINION. Your opinion belongs in the voting box or on a ballot, not sitting on its ass on November 1st! People like this are afraid of losing, of any critical analysis of their political choices. They are afraid of having to defend those choices. And they enjoy what’s left of their freedoms and perks on ‘our dime’. We carry them; they have done nothing to earn the enjoyment of their citizenship. Its the brave ones who go to the ballot box every year or two. Save your conversation for those people. Applaud their efforts. These are the real Americans!
Post 51 > Everything in DC is a game > most vote for every damn dumb thing put before them, but a few do not! But even the few who do not vote for crap, do know that their vote against it is basically meaningless, because the legislation still passes! The few then get to claim to voters that they are not sheep, but really they are sheep for NOT fighting to stop something like Patriot Act!
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:05 amImpeach & Mary, it does appear Finegold is a good choice. Who else do we have.? Will he be out there whisteling in the wind alone. The Dem’s and Rep’s are a total mess, neither doing our country any good, just more sell out’s….Blessings
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:11 am#53, I really really hope that when you tell them what you think of them for not voting, you make sure they vote next time.
If each of us just got one or two more people to vote (hopefully for the good side), we can turn this around!
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:17 amGood article on John Negroponte today from Truthout.org
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:24 amhttp://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/030306Z.shtml
So at least UAE isn’t a democracy like Palistine. Can you imagine having to trust some elected official over a royal family . Why don’t we just go ahead and make them a colony. Sorta like the British did with Singapore. Space tourism, nice port for the Navy
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:26 amand nifty high rises. Put the UN head quarters there too. Oh, the potential, can’t we just cut them a check? That would certainly get UBL and the rest of the Whabblicans to come out of the woodwork. Ya never know….
http://www.sss.gov/
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:48 amOK, I’m thinking fast. Former Republican congressman Cunningham is up for sentencing today. The fallout of that scandal is now being reported on CNN and MSNBC that Rupugnican darling, Sen. Kathleen Harris, FL. also was on the take in the form of illegal campaign contributions.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but why is FOX News not mentioning anything about Harris, but is instead focusing on some ethics accusations on Democratic Representative Conyers, MI?
I mean, I’m thinking fast here and guessing they are trying to keep it fair and balanced by going after a democrat.
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:49 amI actually counted 15 votes against. 14 Dems and 1 Independent:
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Cantwell (D-WA), Nay
Dayton (D-MN), Nay
Dodd (D-CT), Nay
Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Nay
Not that 5 votes make a big difference, but Boxer DID vote against.
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:58 amApparently Fair Question DID NOT read the whole story as it goes on to say:
That story doesn’t blame Blanco.
Here is a really fair question for you. Since when did Bush start taking his ques from a democrat is a news piece?
We know he wasn’t watching TV. He found out about the distruction after watching a DVD. His advisors should have gotten their information from the National Weather Service. That is what it is for.
Fromthe same article:
So, the White House states that they knew about the levee breach at 9:12 am. So what do they care if Blanco didn’t gethis report like they did. The White House knew the levees would break.
New Video Shows George W. Bush Knew Levees Would Be Breeched
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 pm#48 – SHARON COX
A wonderful suggestion Sharon, but come one, you surely have a mango recipe or two lying around, dont you?
You made my day with your suggestion, got a big laugh out of it.
Thanks!
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:58 pm#61, if your vote list above was on the Patriot Act, sorry to tell you but Boxer voted for it. The vote was 89-10, so that’s only 10 against.
Take a look at:
http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00029
March 3rd, 2006 at 1:47 pmToday is a hearing on the middle east policy. It’s on cspan for the next hour or so.
One of the Congress guys (missed his name) stated that if a democracy elects someone that the US doesn’t like, we should overthrow them. Anyone else catch this?
It’s like it is here: the neocons feel that they have the obligation to take power away from the liberals using any means necessary, in my opinion of course…
March 3rd, 2006 at 2:19 pmJAY – #49: So you don’t have any qualms about Iran having nuclear weapons? You trust their intentions with them as much as you trust ours? Even though they would be violating the NNPT?
JOE – #60: From what I can find (Miami Hearald), the contributor didn’t tell Harris that the money was illegal, and she donated it after finding out. Conyers’ own former staffers are claiming (Detriot Free Press) he committed ethics violations. Are you arguing that the Harris story is of more weight than the Conyers story?
March 3rd, 2006 at 2:33 pmSeth II,
No, you are takin gthe arguement backwards. We don’t want anybody to have Nuclear weapons. They are bad for everybody involved.
Yes, all of the corrupt republicans have donated the money they illegally detained.
We will see about Conyers. Until their is some solid proof, we don’t know anything. It is only hearsay right now. Like, I can say you murdered somebody. Until their is some proof, it is not real. Harris would not have donated the money if it wasn’t real.
March 3rd, 2006 at 3:23 pmSpudge_Boy #67:
Jay had one sentence to that argument, then went about seemingly justifying why Iran should have a couple of nukes. If I got the argument backward, I wasn’t the first.
At least you’re not blindly defending Conyers. It just seems that you (plural “you”) are condemning Harris with even less info than has been revealed about Conyers, about whom you wish to wait and see what happens.
March 3rd, 2006 at 3:59 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
March 3rd, 2006 at 4:28 pmConyers = 41 years in Congress fighting for US
Harris = 1 term, after illegally giving Bush the 2000 election
The MZM contribution was the largest contribution Harris had, by over 50%. She couldn’t have missed it (if she looked).
Conyers? I’ll wait and see. If he’s exonerated, it won’t be the first witch hunt that failed.
March 3rd, 2006 at 4:55 pmConyers = 41 years in Congress fighting for US
That part is telling.
Harris = 1 term, after illegally giving Bush the 2000 election
If she had so illegally betrayed the people of Florida, how did she get elected Representative?
March 3rd, 2006 at 6:29 pm#71 one dollar, one vote – American democratic system functioning normally
March 3rd, 2006 at 6:46 pm“If she had so illegally betrayed the people of Florida, how did she get elected Representative? Comment by Seth II”
Oh sweetie, might doesn’t make right – this is a religious fantasy of the christian zealots for hundreds of years. Just because she won an election, it doesn’t mean she’s righteous, moral or even correct. After all, you claim Clinton was a bad man, and he won re-election quite readily even after the scandals broke.
Are you actually going to argue that someone who’s done something immoral wouldn’t get elected to office if it were true? Whatever you’re smoking must be really good, because you’re not making any sense pumpkin.
And besides, didn’t you catch the recent statement by Jeb, where he was actually ‘worried’ about the amount of vote fraud and voting machine irregularities that have been showing up in Florida? How are you even sure Harris won in light of that revelation pumpkin?
“Jay had one sentence to that argument, then went about seemingly justifying why Iran should have a couple of nukes. If I got the argument backward, I wasn’t the first. Seth II”
You know, their enrichment program was put on hold until Bush invaded Iraq, and threatened to invade them. Had you ever thought that maybe this is a problem of republican proportions? I’m not real fond of any nation having nuclear weapons, but we’re the country that invaded another sovereign nation on false pretense, fabricated evidence and against international will. We’re the only country that has used nuclear weapons. If you were Iran, what do you think you might do if you felt threatened pumpkin?
Oh wait, that requires a rational mind to answer, so I’ll forgive you in advance for whatever silly thing you say in response. I know you’ll do the best you can with your partisan brain, but undoubtedly it’ll just be silly.
March 3rd, 2006 at 6:51 pmSETH I had work to do today or I would have answered your question earlier! Like Spudge_Boy told you > it is better if nobody had nukes! World would be a safer place without them! But at the same time I consider it rediculous and criminal to attack Iran with nukes to stop them from making a couple nukes?! Strange that U.S. is the only nation to use a couple A-bombs in warfare, and wants to use them again on Iran, but somehow Bush considers himself moral to do it?
March 3rd, 2006 at 8:08 pmBy the way Seth, Katherine Harris had some small problems as a member of the Florida House with questional contributions, so the when the largest contributor to her while she was in congress looks so shady don’t you think she should have gone the extra inch and checked it out ?
March 3rd, 2006 at 8:18 pmAre you actually going to argue that someone who’s done something immoral wouldn’t get elected to office if it were true?
Almost a requirement these days it seems.
Why are neocons so hard to convice? Do they ever look at reality? It seems they have this locked-in worldview (quite a destructive one) and can’t even see outside their little bubbles. But I’m biased.
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:48 pmJay, the nuke served a purpose when millions of lives were about to be otherwise extinguished. Was the more morally appealing choice to forgo the bomb and invade the mainland at the estimated cost of hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers and millions of civilians? Sometimes morality is hidden from all choices. But I don’t know what explicit threat to nuke Iran you’re talking about. There is an implicit threat in violating or leaving the NNPT. Iran will lose the protections afforded a non-nuclear state. But that is their choice, not ours.
Clif, perhaps you’re right; I don’t know the background of the story. But even if she should have looked closely by our judgement doesn’t mean it’s illegal that she didn’t. I thought that was the standard we were debating: legality. If she gets indicted, then she’s on her own, and we’ll all see what happens. I just expected a more balanced approach from everbody between Harris on Conyers, given how little is known about each. Instead, Conyers gets “wait and see” and Harris gets led to the gallows before an indictment.
March 4th, 2006 at 1:30 amRightPunch,
I’m sorry to hear that you would have preferred an invasion of mainland Japan, with casualty estimates ten or more times greater than what did occur. That shows a bloodthirst, an appetite for carnage that is truly appalling. Your willingness to see so many more deaths prolonged over a much longer period makes you truly a monster.
Or perhaps it is you that is reality impaired.
March 4th, 2006 at 10:52 pm“RightPunch, I’m sorry to hear that you would have preferred an invasion of mainland Japan, with casualty estimates ten or more times greater than what did occur. That shows a bloodthirst, an appetite for carnage that is truly appalling. Your willingness to see so many more deaths prolonged over a much longer period makes you truly a monster.
Or perhaps it is you that is reality impaired.
Comment by Seth II”
Sweetie, what you wrote is typical partisan brain. Just because you can’t reconcile the inconsistency in your rant about ‘all life’ being sacred, and abortions are wrong, while believing that it’s OK for bombs to kill babies, and abort fetuses in direct conflict of your ‘claimed’ values – it isn’t my problem, it’s yours. We weren’t discussing my values pumpkin, only yours and how they’re 100% inconsistent, and incapable of seeing and understanding the perceptions of others.
Your little silly rant is just another example of your inability to function as a decent, moral or consistent human being – but I forgive you. Your belief that one set of murders is justified to prevent another set of murders is what I expect out of people with limited imaginations and little creativity. Clearly you’re a partisan out of limited options. It’s OK pumpkin, I’m sure you’re trying to be a decent moral person, even if you don’t have a very large capacity to do so. Keep trying, someday maybe the fog will lift, and you’ll learn to love instead of to only see how your options are to kill others. That’s not a choice, it’s a sentence pumpkin.
March 5th, 2006 at 3:14 amRightPunch,
All I can say is how empty your post is. You’ve run out of rational things to say, so you simply repeat your tired rhetoric for at least the tenth time. I bet even some of your compatriots have tired of it. Waste of much of your time as you like.
March 5th, 2006 at 3:59 pmcookbook fundraiser
Didn’t realise there was this type of information out there
April 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pmAngela
Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle
April 7th, 2008 at 2:26 amfast money
Well said.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:25 amMarianela
Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:24 am