Specter can’t justify escalation.
By on Dec 31st, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Specter can’t justify escalation.
Today on CNN:
WOLF BLITZER: Can you justify deploying more U.S. troops into what you believe is a civil war?
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER (R-PA): On this day, for the record, Wolf, I would say no.
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Bachmann
Beck
Boehner
Bush
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
Dobbs
Economy
Education
Election
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Global Warming
Guantanamo
Health Care
Immigration
International Relations
Iraq
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Politics
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Steele
Stimulus
Tea Parties
Technology
Terrorism
Veterans
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
Nothing can justify going deeper into the quagmire. When you are deep in a hole, stop digging, but Bush wants a bigger shovel.
December 31st, 2006 at 4:15 pmHave we not seen this play before?Then 3wks from now Specter will unexpectedly change his mind.NSA wiretapping comes to mind folks.
December 31st, 2006 at 4:17 pmEven the Repugs can’t get support from the more intelligents members of Congress. Looks like the Bushco Boyz are running into a bit or reality and sanity!
December 31st, 2006 at 4:18 pmOnly time will tell whether Specter stands by his statement. The only hope is that since the rubber stamp has been removed from Congress, Specter will stand up to this president and the kidnapped GOP.
Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2006 at 4:21 pm“We’re waist deep in the big muddy, and the big fool says to push on”-Pete Seeger
December 31st, 2006 at 4:21 pmSpecter says one thing,and then does the opposite, so he is not believable, but like Lugar he needs to agree to impeach Dubya!
December 31st, 2006 at 4:24 pm#5,
December 31st, 2006 at 4:29 pmPete didn’t have Bush in mind back then, but it sure applies to him .
But if it comes to a vote, Sen Specter will vote the party line.
December 31st, 2006 at 4:33 pmJust like Lugar.
This is just how Specter “does it.” Plain and simple. He voices our “concerns” first as a prep ….then soon thereafter he rams his (neocon BushCo. water carrying) down our throats. It’s just manipulative stage. He has his act down well. I trust him not AT ALL.
December 31st, 2006 at 5:02 pmSpecter is the worst kind of Republican. He knows they are wrong about everything, whether it be the Patriot Act or NSA spying. However he allowed it to happen when he could have stopped it. He did their bidding by pushing Alito through the Senate, even though Alito’s views are comparable with Bork’s who he opposed. In the end he will act like a good Nazi (Whoops I mean Republican) and do what he can to enable Bush. He is like the Albert Speer of the Republican Party. He knows they are wrong, but supports it anyway.
December 31st, 2006 at 5:11 pmWhen you’re sinking in quicksand up to your eyeballs, do you plunge yourself in deeper? Bravo for Arlan…finally he’s showing some intelligence.
December 31st, 2006 at 5:14 pmWe are onto Specter’s specific tactics however…..he “appears” (operative word here) to be critical of Bushco……(although he’s just acting) and then turns right around and buckles under. What do you call that type of maneuver? I call it manipulation of the media of the highest order! Specter’s a fraud in all respects and needs to be retired and SOON! Leopards don’t change their spots. Specter’s a deceitful manipulator and needs to find a second vocation in beachcombing soon.
December 31st, 2006 at 5:16 pmWhy should the american people ever expect Specter to “stand by his statements” when it’s all a brain twisting ploy? When HAS he ever stood by anything critical or imposing that he’s said? Just like one’s voting record, it matters not what drivel or propaganda they’re spinning, it’s their actions which hold the test of truth.
December 31st, 2006 at 5:19 pmSEN. ARLEN SPECTER (R-PA): “On this day, for the record, Wolf, I would say no.”
“But check with me tomorrow, Wolf. Media whores like me change our minds all the time.”
December 31st, 2006 at 5:28 pmBefore sending more troops one question MUST BE ASKED
What are the Plans for Victory so we can leave ?
This way The Iraqis Know
December 31st, 2006 at 5:31 pmAnd the Americans Know
Before sending more troops one question MUST BE ASKED
What are the Plans for Victory so we can leave ?
This way The Iraqis Know
And the Americans Know
And The Coalition
And the rest of the world
Without the question answered honestly there will be just more obstacles
December 31st, 2006 at 5:34 pmOnly time will tell whether Specter stands by his statement. The only hope is that since the rubber stamp has been removed from Congress, Specter will stand up to this president and the kidnapped GOP.
Happy New Year!
Comment by CoffinsDrapedWithFlags — December 31, 2006 @ 4:21 pm
The GOP was reported kidnapped in the fall of 1979. 27years of fruitless searching have not revelaed its whereabouts. Like Jimmy Hoffa or Elvis, there will always be rumurs of its existence, but I predict that it will never be seen again.
December 31st, 2006 at 5:55 pmEvery Senator who voted for this war should report to boot camp where they can train to escort our troops out of that IED gallery. ANY Senator who voted for that war isn’t fit to be the President of the United States.
RUN AL RUN
December 31st, 2006 at 6:08 pmYeah, Spector’s just playing the part. Pretending he’s gonna do what the PEOPLE want. Sick. Hanging carrots out there. That place belongs to us, they should remember that.
December 31st, 2006 at 6:18 pmEvery Senator who voted for this war should report to boot camp where they can train to escort our troops out of that IED gallery. ANY Senator who voted for that war isn’t fit to be the President of the United States.
RUN AL RUN
Comment by JerryTheAngel
And they should all STAY as lower enlisted. I can see it now, “PVT. Clinton, reporting for duty.”
December 31st, 2006 at 6:25 pmMIGHT get ugly?
That’s like saying Donald Trump MIGHT have a F*&ked up comb-over.
December 31st, 2006 at 6:33 pmAt Least 17 GOP Senators are needed to be able to impeach Bush, and remove him from the presidency, since 67 votes (2/3 of Senate) are needed to remove a president. Traitor Joe Lieberman will not vote to remove Bush, but he did want Clinton removed for lying about getting BJs from Monica. So anyway if all 49 Democrats, plus if Independent Bernie Sanders voted yes, then 17 Republicans are needed to get rid of Bush. Specter and Lugar would be wise to be one of the 17 Repubs.
If impeachment is not possible, then Bush and Cheney must be forced to resign like Nixon and Agnew did. Dubya and the entire Bush clan should be told to go into permanent exile in Paraguay and Cheney can seek asylum in Saudi Arabia > good riddence to them!
December 31st, 2006 at 7:05 pmMarie, Yeah, Pete sang it in the 60s, but it still applies today. Deja vu, we’ve been here before.
December 31st, 2006 at 7:17 pm
When you are deep in a hole, stop digging, but Bush wants a bigger shovel.
Comment by Uncle_Ho —
But only if it’s other people–not him and his family or wealthy friends– in the hole and doing the digging.
December 31st, 2006 at 7:23 pmMarie, Yeah, Pete sang it in the 60s, but it still applies today. Deja vu, we’ve been here before.
Happy New Year all !
Comment by Uncle_Ho
Wasn’t Pete Seeger’s “Big Muddy” song meant as reference to LBJ and the Vietnam War? Needless to say, there are considerable parallels/similarities with what’s going on today\. One big difference, however, is that both of LBJ’s sons-in-law were in Vietnam; no one from the Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, etc. warmonger families is in Iraq or Afghanistan–not even any of their able-bodied nephews and nieces.
December 31st, 2006 at 7:30 pmLora, you are 110% correct. If Bush really believes that his illegal and unjustified war in Iraq is such a noble cause worth the sacrifice of thousands of dead Americans, why haven’t he talked his kids into enlisted to fight daddy’s war?
Happy New Year to all!
December 31st, 2006 at 7:32 pmkey words:
December 31st, 2006 at 7:35 pm“on this day”
…tomorrow is always another day for the
Spinning Spectre
You make a good point, Lora.
December 31st, 2006 at 7:44 pmAs an aside, I miss the music of the sixties – the musical poets who were expressing themselves, commenting on the times.
Today, music is too homogenized, too stylized, no room for individuality, no radio station will air otherwise.
Today, music is too homogenized, too stylized, no room for individuality, no radio station will air otherwise.
Comment by Marie
Corporate music.
December 31st, 2006 at 7:59 pmI just realized something. I’m listening to “Tool” and Arlen Specter IS a tool.
Heh.
December 31st, 2006 at 8:04 pmNo no, we need to get him to be against it first!
December 31st, 2006 at 8:28 pmIt doesn’t matter what Sen. Arlen Specter says, he is still just a scared old man, willing to postulate himself before the alter of the neo-con crazies, to keep his status, money and power..willing to commit treasonous acts against his own country for the almighty dollar and comfort in his doting, slavering old age..to hell with the grandchildren…
December 31st, 2006 at 8:34 pm#38 –
December 31st, 2006 at 8:54 pmThe world would be better off if he doubled his nightly quaft and downed 8 liters of Johny Walker Blue.
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER (R-PA): On this day, for the record, Wolf, I would say no. But after Darth Cheney is done torturing me, I’ll do and say whatever they want me to say, just like all the other times I’ve said one thing, then completely reversed it a week later.
December 31st, 2006 at 9:11 pm#37 He only gets scared when his constituents start realizing he is full of it. They have to be the stupedest electorate ever. Spector has done nothing but suck Bush tit. He may say he doesn’t like the taste but he goes back to the spigot every time.
December 31st, 2006 at 9:38 pmHey, TP posters: Happy new year to everybody
Its kind of hard to celebrate while people suffer all around the world…but that tells us only we, the people, will change our world for better and for everybody. I thank you so much for changing my former POV about US citizens. Take care and keep fighting.
December 31st, 2006 at 9:43 pmLOL, that would be stupidest, or perhaps, most stupid. Not sure.
December 31st, 2006 at 9:44 pmJuan, I am glad that you have come to realize we aren’t all warmongering imperialists. I once thought that nothing like 1939 Germany could happen in the US. I am not so sure anymore.
December 31st, 2006 at 9:50 pmThe disappointment with Specter is that, unlike many other senators, Specter KNOWS BETTER. If he was clueless, I’d understand. But why would a man who beat cancer turn cowardly when he only needs to stand by the truth about the war? Or back off when he should defend the Constitution?
I think he’s actually a decent man but a bad senator. I hope he either grows a backbone or leaves the senate and enjoys a nice, long health life fishing or something…
December 31st, 2006 at 9:53 pmComment by Juan C — December 31, 2006 @ 9:43 pm
juan, your comment reminded me of something i saw this morning…
on cbs sunday morning show, one of the segments was about the extravagant parties and celebrations the wealthy throw… the 100ks to millions that they spend… it was shocking to me… sinful even…
have they not seen any pictures of darfur? just for instance…
one couple threw a $2m party to celebrate the husbands 47th birthday because his cancer was in remission…
don’t think about that too long…
sorry to be a bummer, if so… just a call to reality…
best wishes for the new year to all!
December 31st, 2006 at 10:08 pmtake care and be good!
.
I thank you so much for changing my former POV about US citizens. Take care and keep fighting.
Comment by Juan C
Peace & Blessings in the coming New Year, Juan.
December 31st, 2006 at 10:10 pmWow katy, that’s really disgusting. One would think that having beaten cancer, that guy would have learned something about life’s priorities.
Have a good New Year, katy.
December 31st, 2006 at 10:13 pm#46 Arlen Spector’s voters.
December 31st, 2006 at 10:14 pmZoo, katy:
Yesterday I saw this movie which really dont know the name of it, but it was kind of like The Corporation of Naomi Klein. It is divided in 10 minute chapters: sex, god, inspiration, confrontation, money…etc.
And in the money chapter, a guy said that a poll was done in some place to terminal patients regarding, what do they regret not doing in their lives? The guy who is telling the story says “Not one of them said: I wish I had more money or Id wish for a bigger house. They talked about their families, their loved ones” The sad thing is that only in the deathbed we have to realise the things that truly matter.
NOw, I have to go to my father´s place and tell him I love him before he (or I, who knows?) is no longer alive. :)
The best wishes to you, Zoo, katy and all the people here. Happy new year!!
I leave the words of Baudelaire:
December 31st, 2006 at 10:37 pm
The sad thing is that only in the deathbed we have to realise the things that truly matter.
Comment by Juan C
That’s why I’m going to the University, Juan. I realized that my single biggest regret was never having gone to college. I don’t care if I spend every cent of my savings, I’m getting an education — other than the education life has given me already. :)
Be well, Juan.
December 31st, 2006 at 11:41 pmLess than 15 minutes to midnight, and the New Year, in Georgia. I do not feel like celebrating because the Bush Regime is still in power, and the Iraq fiasco is getting worse, so 2007 looks like a bad year already.
December 31st, 2006 at 11:48 pmEven 2008 might be a stinky year too, so I wish I could hibernate for 2 years and wake up for New Year’s 2009, since Bush will be leaving then.
December 31st, 2006 at 11:50 pmWell, ren, that is certainly one thing I am not looking forward to.
January 1st, 2007 at 12:07 amJust a few months ago Arlen voted to give Bush complete authority to capture and torture anyone Bush wants. Prior to that he voted to give Bush authority to spy and do sneak and peeks on anyone Bush wants. Prior to that Arlen couldn’t even swear Gonzales under oath to give testimony on spying and torture. Prior to that Arlen couldn’t swear in the petro CEOs to give testimony before his committee. So we really can’t expect anything from Arlen except empty words and being a rubber-stamper.
January 1st, 2007 at 12:24 am#64 – ren,
Do you have a listening device in the White House? I’m sure that exchange occurred!
January 1st, 2007 at 12:40 amHappy New Year, guys. Thanks for a great ‘06. Keep up the good work in ‘07.
The Krug Man renews the call for better health care coverage in ‘07.
I have some comments on it, myself, including some not-so-kind comments about the much-ballyhooed “Masachusetts Plan.”
January 1st, 2007 at 1:19 amThe list: Who’s against troop surges?…
Come January, President Bush is almost certain to call for an increase in troop levels in Iraq on the order of 20,000 to 30,000. It’s time to ask: who’s against troop surges? And is the word “surge” just the White House’s…
January 1st, 2007 at 6:18 am[...] On CNN the day before, Republican Senator Arlen Specter was on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. The following exchange took place: WOLF BLITZER: Can you justify deploying more U.S. troops into what you believe is a civil war? [...]
January 1st, 2007 at 6:20 amI can justify IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BUSH — WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR, PELOSI?
January 1st, 2007 at 8:22 amI was against impeachment before I was for it. Let’s give old bully Bush the boot.
January 1st, 2007 at 8:30 amSenator Spector always talks big on television and to the media….but when it comes to the vote…he is nothing but a sheeple. Now things has changed since last elections and the picture is more clear about what the people want , Spector now is playing different drum to match the music of the day.
January 1st, 2007 at 8:41 amBush is acting like he is playing toy soldiers with little plastic men!!!!! When are the Dems going to put an end to his war game!!!! They need to pass a resolution, that a commander in chiefs children go fight too!!!! Then this war would come to a screeching halt!!!!
January 1st, 2007 at 9:06 amAre all of the TP posters suffering from hangovers today?
January 1st, 2007 at 9:59 amThis is one mighty lonely site this a.m.
;)
#88……..Super hungover here,but looking forward to bush telling how sorry he is for the 3000th death.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:12 am#89…….I must be hungover to think thats gonna happen.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:13 amYup, you are definately hungover, Vance!
January 1st, 2007 at 10:16 amIndeed trueblue, and still a stallion for 2007…….whatever that means…Happy New year
January 1st, 2007 at 10:18 am:)
Go get yourself a bloody mary or whatever other “hair of the dog” recipe that works for you.
Happy New Year.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:22 amListening to opera as I greet the hair of the dog….Nessun Dorma…..a grand beginning to the new year.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:24 am“Are all of the TP posters suffering from hangovers today?”
No. :(
January 1st, 2007 at 10:25 amWhy are you sad, Glenn?
January 1st, 2007 at 10:29 amNo pounding headache, no dizzyness, nausea.
Sounds like a good morning to me.
:)
Vance,
January 1st, 2007 at 10:30 amWhat’s Nessun Dorma?
#97 A beautiful operatic piece……find it I think you will enjoy.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:39 amthanks. I will.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:41 amwow……I meant # 83
January 1st, 2007 at 10:43 ammaybe hair of the dog is biting me brain.
Don’t worry, Vance.
Posts are vanishing left and right here.
Just listened to it on youtube.
Very moving.
Now I better write something political before I get us into trouble!
January 1st, 2007 at 10:48 amBan Ki-moon takes reins of UN with tough agenda.
Good Luck.
Good morning! No hangover here!
Happy New Year!
Is there a reason a whole bunch of comments just disappeared? I notice in particular that ren’s comments are gone. His “made up” quotes were funny!
January 1st, 2007 at 10:51 amYou were good, Zooey?
January 1st, 2007 at 10:56 am;)
I’m always good, true! :)
I stayed home, listening to music and enjoying the peace, since I had the house to myself. It was fantastic.
I’m not much of a drinker anyway.
You?
January 1st, 2007 at 11:00 amBed by 9:30!
Been up since 6:00am looking for something to do!
Never was a big New Year’s fan. One of my favorite ones was sitting at home watching the Marx Brothers marathon with my sister.
January 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amI didn’t quite make it to midnight either — just 11:45. It’s so quiet around here because the students are gone, so there was nothing to stop me from sleeping like a baby — until Zoo Jr came in at 6 a.m.
January 1st, 2007 at 11:09 am#66, trueblue,
I’m at work.
Plus, I really had nowhere to go last night. I’ve become more and more of a hermit over the past few years …
I found myself last night making … very … grim … “resolutions.”
Bleah. :(
January 1st, 2007 at 11:21 amTrueblue : I can certainly relate. Went to bed at 10:00 — My only hangover is the Friggin Criminal Administration Hanging Over All Of Us.
January 1st, 2007 at 11:23 amGlenn,
Me, too. It’s ‘Deadsville’ here, so most -well, all- nights I’m hanging at the house with my daughter.
Kurt,
January 1st, 2007 at 11:37 amSo that’s that dull ache in my head and heart?
Trueblue,
yes. But, sometimes it’s not so dull. This 7 year-hangover is quite painful at times…
January 1st, 2007 at 11:46 amYou’re right, Kurt.
January 1st, 2007 at 11:50 amWith 749 days left, we probably have more painful days on our horizon.
With 749 days left, we probably have more painful days on our horizon.
Comment by trueblue
Count on it. But we can make it painful for BushCo, too.
January 1st, 2007 at 11:53 amZooey,
January 1st, 2007 at 11:57 amIf the Dems show any gonads, you mean.
I want to see GWB making more of those speeches where he looks sweaty, grabs the front of the podium, and uses his sarcastic tone to try to justify the crap he pulls.
More, I tell you!! Because one of these days, one of the press corpse, or a member of the public, is going to jump out of their seat and say, “Who the hell do you think you are George W. Bush?” And the tepid inertia will be broken — GWB won’t be able to go anywhere without someone yelling, “Who the hell do you think you are?”
January 1st, 2007 at 11:59 amIf the Dems show any gonads, you mean.
Comment by trueblue
No, we can’t wait for them, it has to be the people.
January 1st, 2007 at 12:00 pmyou are feisty today, Zooey.
January 1st, 2007 at 12:07 pmWhat is the American obsession with having old men represnt us?
January 1st, 2007 at 12:09 pmOver it plas……..this American wants change….and not with diapers.
Vance,
January 1st, 2007 at 12:14 pmI agree!
Let’s have a “High Priestess”
Can you imagine it, true? We have TP commenters from all over this country! Anyone in BushCo goes anywhere in this country to speak or vacation, and at every turn there’s one of us holding up a sign or yelling taunts at them. We would comb our hair down into the best rightwing styles, wear our proper suits and skirts, and even change our voter registration to Republican — just so we can follow these jackasses around, never giving them a moment’s peace.
January 1st, 2007 at 12:14 pmIm with ya blue, a diaper free presidency.
January 1st, 2007 at 12:15 pmBush drove with his sister in the car drunk! When he was arrested his father took him outside and procedded to criticize him, rightly so. Bush Jr. challenges his father to a fight! When he was wrong, isnt that enough of a character portrait for you?
January 1st, 2007 at 12:47 pmSpecter; the movie they were bad guys. Well, we got the operations officers killed in Iraq, we got Madrid blown up, then we killed all the guys who killed the operations officers, and then we killed Saddam who we put in power. ……….and that’s the way we like it………………………
Specter should probably avoid supporting Plame and the CIA.
January 1st, 2007 at 1:14 pmVance, Bravo!…..One of the most beautiful pieces ever written, I believe, “Nessun dorma”, from Puccini”s Turnadot…..Have you heard Michael Bolton’s version on his My secret Passion the arias?….The same Michael Bolton of pop fame…It’s great…..Sorry to be off topic…..Blessings
January 1st, 2007 at 2:42 pmIn the Washington Post this New Year’s Day, former counter-terrorism czar Richard Clarke has a compelling op-ed piece (”While You Were At War…”) on the dangerous and rising opportunity costs of the Bush administration’s Iraq fixation. In a nutshell, Clarke argues that while President Bush and the U.S. national security apparatus have been focused like a laser beam on “grave and deteriorating” war in Iraq, other mounting security challenges have fallen off the radar.
For the details, see:
January 1st, 2007 at 4:01 pm“Richard Clarke’s Security Challenges for 2007.”
Why does anybody even talk about Spector…he is irrelevant. At least until he backs up his talk.
January 1st, 2007 at 9:33 pmWhen Spector speaks all I hear is the teacher from Peanuts.
January 1st, 2007 at 9:34 pmWhat discrase Specter is. He is more Democrat than Republican. Vote to affrim our new General then wish him God’s Speed and then not give him the men he needs. I think Specters Brain tummer is still active.
January 28th, 2007 at 11:50 am