Think Progress

Bush hits Congress for going on vacation»

and then takes one himself.

Bush: “And now they have left Washington for spring recess without finishing the work. Democrat leaders in Congress seem more interested in fighting political battles in Washington than providing our troops what they need to fight the battles in Iraq.”

CNN’s Elaine Quijano: “We should mention President Bush is heading to his ranch in Crawford, Texas tomorrow to begin his own Easter weekend break.”

Watch the two clips:

Screenshot



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104 Responses to “Bush hits Congress for going on vacation”

  1. Perry Logan Says:

    My, but we’re grumpy. We better increase our meds.


  2. BuckarooBanzai Says:

    Typical of the lying hypocrite.


  3. Dale Says:

    With the communications available at his fingertips, being in Crawford isn’t nearly the issue for Pres. Bush as being in their home districts is for Congress.

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.


  4. veritas Says:

    What he meant to say was that he has been on a perpetual “vacation” - and seems to be handily out of pocket when tragedies occur….um….like…..um…..Katrina - took him 5 days to get off his royal arss to get water to the people. Tragic is that he is President.


  5. dropkick Says:

    democrat leaders? I thought he said he wouldn’t say democrat instead of democratic anymore.


  6. km4 Says:

    Bush is Dan Quayle in cowboy boots according to Victor Gold, a decades long GOP insider in new book “Invasion of the Party Snatchers: How the Holy-Rollers and the Neo-Cons Destroyed the GOP.”

    “For all the Rove-built facade of his being a ’strong’ chief executive, George W. Bush is the weakest, most out of touch president in modern times.”


  7. lw Says:

    Cue Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers:

    “You need a hoooo - li -day! You need a hoooo - li - day!”


  8. lw Says:

    But isn’t Bush the one who’s supposed to be a “uniter, not a divider”?


  9. upside00 Says:

    #5 Dubya can’t remember what he says one minute from the next. Plus, he was reading from Pudgeboy Rover’s notes.


  10. hil Says:

    go f*ck yourself mr President


  11. Raven Says:

    Congress has had 5 day work weeks since the Democrats regained control, as opposed to the 3 day weeks under republican mis-direction…………..


  12. Kay Says:

    Chimpy does get grumpy when Laura tells him he’s out of of Busch Lite Beer


  13. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale

    Exactly where is it written that this is what the job of Congress is - to kowtow to the President? I don’t recall reading anywhere in the Constitution, you know that document that organized the U.S. government, that Congress was supposed to be the President’s rubber stamp. Why do you hate our form of government?


  14. TheToonGuy Says:

    Has he even tried to talk to congress? And I don’t mean just the members of his own party. Why isn’t he going down there and talking to them? Or at least picking up the phone? Instead of whining about it to the cameras.

    Don’t you see? This has nothing about trying to unite the country and everything about trying to cast the opposition party as villains. Again. Great leadership, doofus.


  15. Jackie Rawlings Says:

    Now wonder the world laughs at him. He’s so stupid it ashame. His parents must be embarrassed to say that’s their son. I know he’s a drunk and druggie but this shows he’s just an idiot with fried brain cells. No one takes more vacation then George W. Bush.. Let’s hope Nancy settles the Middle East conflct and watch Bush start rapping. This man is to funny it’s sad to say he’s the leader of the United States of America.


  16. Dale Says:

    #4, yes, because the President is personally responsible for delivering water supplies after a hurricane.


  17. Bluedog49 Says:

    Since Bush refers to himself sometimes as a “cowboy,” I’m surprised nobody has ever asked him about his horse. He must love his horse and he must be working hard to maintain his horse’s privacy, because we’ve never heard about his horse.


  18. Bluedog49 Says:

    Dale: “And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

    Or, if Bush were willing to sign the funding bill that they sent him, this wouldn’t be an issue. Why won’t Bush fund the troops? Does he hate the troops?


  19. maddison66 Says:

    So, its totally okay for the chimp-in-chief to routinely take vacations and no one is supposed to complain about that. And, I guess it was okay when the Repugs ran the show for them to only work about 3 days a week and leave things undone. But, now that the Democrats are in control, their going on vacation without doing what he wants done is a problem. Geez o’ peas…get a freakin’ life and stop whining you hypocritial baby. He cries more than my baby nephew.


  20. Patrick2 Says:

    Anyone that claims that it’s the Congress and not Bush, via veto, that is responsible for the funds not going to the troops is either misguided or purposefully obfuscating the truth. The Congress is there as a check on the President and they are representing (finally) what the majority of Americans want, which is a real idea of when a withdrawal might happen, if not a set date. It’s now completely in Bush’s court for the responsibility of whether the funds he wants for the military are dispensed.


  21. Raven Says:

    (I think it’s actually 8 horses, under the hood of his riding mower….)
    Either that, or he literally means he’s a cow boy…..


  22. Vinnie Says:

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

    You need to get with the times. Congress’ job is NOT writing legislation just to please the pres. I know that’s what the repukes in congress did for six years, but it’s NOT the way our government works.


  23. James Says:

    -hope the Easter Bunny leaves you a batch of little brown jelly beans Dubya.


  24. hellinabucket Says:

    sign the bill or veto it. Congress did their job now it’s upto Bush


  25. hil Says:

    Dale said: And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    and WHY exactly won’t he sign the bill they gave him. I’ll tell you. Because he puts his own political postouring ahead of whats really best for the troops. Its SIMPLE get them funded, get them out of there.

    Support the troops! bring them home!


  26. Ben Dover Says:

    #17. My guess is he has a greater love for all of the sheep in the Crawford area than for a horse (especially those not watched over by a guard dog). You know how wild Andover cheerleaders can be.


  27. Manuel Says:

    The thing about a hypocrite is that often they fail to see their own hypocracy. This liar in charge of the titanic is sinking daily, lying miserably, and when it is all over he will not remember anything. Hmmm, I wonder if there is some sort of republican course that they all attend call “I cant remember, I just cannot remember?” Bush has lied so much he dont even know what the truth it, and neither does McCain….McCain for the Out House!


  28. bye bye GOP Says:

    Mr. 29% should do the honorable thing and stay on vacation… permanently.


  29. Dale Says:

    Support the troops! bring them home!

    Comment by hil — April 3, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

    Here, let me fix it for you:

    Help the troops lose! bring them home!

    Comment by hil — April 3, 2007 @ 2:52 pm


  30. KRank Says:

    Has the President been caught on video tape yet literally stamping his feet? How about holding his breath until he turns blue?

    It’s only a matter of time.


  31. jeff Says:

    Arrest him. Throw the book at him.


  32. Heynow Says:

    Big dummy hasn’t figured out that the war is over…. He lost. He is a total and completed failure.


  33. Raven Says:

    Geez, are you stupid Dale.
    The majority of the troops are losing when they get home.
    Losing health care.
    Losing their families.
    Losing their mental equilibrium.
    Losing their jobs.
    Not to mention what they have lost of their humanity by being trained to be killers.


  34. Dale's Mom Says:

    Dale, why do you hate America and hate the troops? If you hate them so much, why don’t you move to another country?


  35. Pete Bogs Says:

    CNN’s Elaine Quijano: “We should mention President Bush is heading to his ranch in Crawford, Texas tomorrow to begin his own Easter weekend break.”

    typical comment from the liberal media - pointing out hypocrisy!


  36. Juan C Says:

    Here, let me fix it for you:
    Help the troops lose! bring them home!
    Comment by hil — April 3, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
    Comment by Dale

    Dale, just reached the peak of his debating abilities.


  37. BuckarooBanzai Says:

    He makes it sound like the Republican members of Congress are all still there, waiting to work on something. Dumbya, Congress is in recess. Both parties went to their home districts to talk to their constituents since the represent the PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE THAT OVERWHELMINGLY WANT A TIMETABLE TO END THIS LUNACY. Reminder: This is not a MONARCHY.


  38. pgw Says:

    “And if Congress would’ve done it’s job…”

    i’ll assume you’re referring to the 109th Congress, which included a bunch of republicans who went home to their districts and never came back. they didn’t bother to do their job on the spending bills last year, dumping them in the lap of the 110th.


  39. Kay Says:

    Book ‘em Danno…


  40. Spudge_Boy Says:

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

    Fu*k Bush and what he wants. Cogress is doing the will of the people for a change. Too bad for you and Bush.


  41. Kay Says:

    From Spring Recess 2006 (looks like a lot was getting done then, too) :

    So when Congress returns today from a spring recess, Republicans face a political landscape even more challenging than when they left town two weeks ago after failing to pass legislation to crack down on illegal immigration and to curb domestic spending.


  42. Spudge_Boy Says:

    #4, yes, because the President is personally responsible for delivering water supplies after a hurricane.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:44 pm

    No, but it is his job to send the order to have those supplies delivered.


  43. hellinabucket Says:

    Dale, what is your definition of winning in Iraq? This bill gives troops extra funding along with funding for Homeland Security and Katrina relief funding. Are you against defending this country? Do you want the President to go back on his word to help the people affected by Katrina?

    And what is your definition of winning in Iraq?

    Simple questions


  44. Bob Says:

    God Damn, I’m tired of the hypocrazy of this A-hole


  45. Bob Says:

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale

    It’s NOT Congress’ job to do Bush’s bidding. Their job is oversight and that is what this bill gives.


  46. Dale Says:

    A lot of blathering, but can *anybody* give justification for the $20bn in pork?


  47. margaret Says:

    If Kissinger thinks this thing is lost AND goes public with that conclusion what should that tell people like Dale?

    “Military victory is no longer possible in Iraq, former secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger told the British Broadcasting Corp.”


  48. Dale Says:

    #43, winning in Iraq, IMHO, means 1) stopping the terrorists who’re blowing up women and children and 2) bringing the Iraqi army/gov’t to a point where they’re able to continue #1.

    There was much more than Katrina relief in this bill… the Dems had to throw in a little bit for everybody… again, in a military spending bill.

    Now can YOU answer why funding spinach farmers should be in the same bill as military spending? Simple question.


  49. Tom Says:

    What’s the big deal about the time it is taking for GDumbya’s latest Fiasco Supplemental to get to his desk? The “do-nothing” 109th Congress took 86 days in 2005 and 119 days in 2006 to do the same thing. As of today, we are 57 days past GDumbya’s request submission.

    If anyone is using this issue for political purposes, it’s GDumbya…but why would anyone be surprised about that? For GDumbya, everything is politics.


  50. Dogjudge Says:

    #46

    Yep, we’ll give into distraction for a bit.

    $20 billion in pork? You want to be a little more specific?

    We’d like to compare it to the money on the pallets that the administration can’t find in Iraq. The bridge to nowhere.

    BTW, had the REPUBLICANS cleaned up all the money bills before they left, we wouldn’t even be talking about money bills right now.


  51. Dogjudge Says:

    #48

    Stopping the terrorists who are blowing up women . . .?

    Care to look at the army figures on how many “terrorists” they say are in Iraq. You’ll find it’s under 5%.

    Yet all of the terrorists that are in Pakistan (one of our best paid allies), Saudi Arabia (another ally) get left alone. You want to comment on that.

    God those terrorists must be Republicans, real dumb. I mean they can run all over the world and they simply choose to go to Iraq. Care to explain that to me?


  52. Raven Says:

    Dale:
    They have to fund the spinach farmers ’cause they spent to much on wages for their illegal immigrant workers and didn’t have enough money for fences to keep the cows and the wild pigs from contaminating their fields with e-coli.


  53. Krazny Says:

    Odd, bush had no problem with pork, or with congress working 3 days a week when it was republican controlled. If I remember correctly he pretty much signed anything put in front of him for 6 years.

    The real beef is the democrats are forcing his hand, and he doesn’t like being challenged, just look at his pathetic body language.


  54. Dale Says:

    #50, The bill’s $3.7 billion in agriculture assistance to U.S. farmers includes $1.4 billion to compensate ranchers who lost livestock in disasters, $283 million in milk subsidies, $74 million in peanut subsidies and $25 million in spinach subsidies. The legislation also adds $400 million to continue funding for rural Northwest school districts facing cuts in federal compensation because of declines in timber and salmon harvests.

    So, are you going to try to explain why this stuff is in a military spending bill, or are you just going to try to deflect the issue?


  55. Tobey Tall Says:

    I hope Bush has a Bunker at Crawford

    U.S. must think twice before striking Iran - Russian brass
    Washington needs to think twice before launching a military campaign against Tehran as such an attack would have global implications, a senior Russian military official said Tuesday.

    Russia anxious about military action against Iran near its border
    Russia is concerned about a possible attack on Iran and insists that military action near its border is totally unacceptable, the first deputy foreign minister said Tuesday.

    http://en.rian.ru/

    dont forget war against Iran should start this easter


  56. pgw Says:

    from an article on the 2006 supplemental, courtesy of the repub-controlled congress:

    “Tucked inside an emergency spending bill that the Senate will take up this week are provisions far afield from the legislation’s main purpose of paying for the war in Iraq and hurricane recovery. There are farm-program provisions totaling $4 billion, for instance, along with $700 million to relocate a rail line in Mississippi and $1.1 billion for fishery projects, including a $15 million “seafood promotion strategy.”"

    did bush veto that one?


  57. NCBlueneck Says:

    When I hear this kind of diarrhea coming out of Dumbya’s mouth and I just want to wretch! He gives hypocracy a bad name! Dan Quayle is a Rhodes Scholar compared to this loon.


  58. pgw Says:

    “Mississippi Senators’ Rail Plan Challenged
    War Bill Includes Millions to Move Just-Rebuilt Line
    By Jonathan Weisman
    Washington Post Staff Writer
    Tuesday, April 18, 2006; Page A01

    Mississippi’s two U.S. senators included $700 million in an emergency war spending bill to relocate a Gulf Coast rail line that has already been rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina at a cost of at least $250 million.

    Republican Sens. Trent Lott and Thad Cochran, who have the backing of their state’s economic development agencies and tourism industry, say the CSX freight line must be moved to save it from the next hurricane and to protect Mississippi’s growing coastal population from rail accidents. But critics of the measure call it a gift to coastal developers and the casino industry that would be paid for with money carved out of tight Katrina relief funds and piggybacked onto funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”


  59. Dale Says:

    #56, no, but he should have. There were a number of bills that Pres. Bush should have deleted, but didn’t.


  60. Dale Says:

    #55, are Russian references *all* you can find to support your ravings?


  61. Liberals Heart Terrorists Says:

    No posting on Traitor Nancy wearing that stupid shaw on her head in a terror sponsoring country!!!!

    My goodness, Democrats b*tch that civil rights are under attack here in America and then go try to make good with a country where women are treated like dirt. I wonder if Syria has unfettered access to abortion though? I wonder if Syria tortures people?


  62. Dale Says:

    So I guess *nobody* can give justifications for the pork, hmmm? What a bunch of hypocrites. Tell me again how you support the troops?


  63. margaret Says:

    I’m not a fan of all that “pork” they always stuff those bills with BUT…considering that we spend at least $20B a month in Iraq it’s almost a nice change of pace that some of our tax money might actually be spent on things for THIS country for a change!


  64. pgw Says:

    “#56, no, but he should have. There were a number of bills that Pres. Bush should have deleted, but didn’t.”

    if you want to enter the arena of what bush “should have” done, that’s fine by me. here, i’ll help: bush shouldn’t have run for a 2nd term.


  65. Dogjudge Says:

    #54

    So are the agriculture provisions of this bill new, or have they been going on for 40-50 years?

    The Democrats didn’t just start them.

    Trade pork for votes. Gee, I think the Democrats and Republicans have done that for decades. Nothing new there.

    Put disgusting items onto a bill that you know the President has to sign. Again, sounds like politics as usual.

    A clean bill for Bush? Why?

    Whatever the Democrats can do to short circuit this lunatic the better.

    I’d like to see them cut funding to EVERY executive branch department and see Bush work from there.


  66. unbelievable Says:

    Seriously - this IS all he has left… Petty non-issues and whining tripe…

    He can’t criticize anything they’ve actually done, because they’ve been working hard the short 2.5 months they’ve been in office…

    Also shows how deluded he is to not notice he’s the most vacationing President ever… And that those in glass houses shouldn’t catapult stones…


  67. Dogjudge Says:

    #61

    Support the troops?

    How about going back and answering #51.

    We’d like the troops to fight the real enemies of the US, not the imaginary ones that Bush keeps coming up with.


  68. pgw Says:

    “So I guess *nobody* can give justifications for the pork, hmmm? What a bunch of hypocrites. Tell me again how you support the troops?”

    let’s ask sen. trent lott and thad cochrane:

    “Washington Post / Tuesday, April 18, 2006

    Mississippi’s two U.S. senators included $700 million in an emergency war spending bill to relocate a Gulf Coast rail line that has already been rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina at a cost of at least $250 million.”


  69. truthfairy Says:

    i wouldnt mind if psycho took a permanent vacation -stay in bloody crawford and take care of your mental illness


  70. Jake Says:

    So? Clinton went on vacation for Easter too!


  71. Fools on the Hill Says:

    The lamest of the lame. Is anyone listening to the idiot? Anna Nicole gets more air time.


  72. Liberals Heart Terrorists Says:

    #67 - you’ll have to ask Hillary about her ties to terror sponsoring countries like the UAE and the Saudis. Her husband (whose coattails she’s tapped) has extensive ties to both countries.


  73. Dogjudge Says:

    #72

    Can’t make an intelligent comment so we attack the Clintons.

    Strawman alert.

    Try answering the questions.

    Beyond that, most people are WELL aware of the Bush family contacts and business dealings with the Saudis.

    Nice try.


  74. Jimbo Says:

    these political parasites/leeches make me sick enough to P**E :)
    oh yeah, they serve the people all right. it’s true, they’re a
    bunch of crooks. rah rah vote for me to have the ones that
    choose to be totally corrupted infest, infest just like parsites,
    leeches, maggots, and ticks


  75. Raymond Funamoto Says:

    CHIMPya W. Bush and white house HYPOCRITICAL RHETORIC:
    “DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO”
    TAKING THE HYPO-CRITICAL OATH OF OFFICE, MONKEY BOY CHIMPya and Bushland Uber Allies?


  76. Big Picnic » Blog Archive » Bush Understands Me! Says:

    […] his own party when they took twice as long.  He lambasted Congress for taking a vacation, then left for vacation himself.  He mocked democrats for meeting in Syria, but not members of his own party who did the […]


  77. Spudge_Boy Says:

    and $1.1 billion for fishery projects, including a $15 million “seafood promotion strategy.””

    did bush veto that one?

    Comment by pgw — April 3, 2007 @ 3:41 pm

    You will remember that this strategy was for painting salmon on the sides of airplanes in Alaska. Ted Stevens, the self proclaim master of pork, was the one who added this pork for the Alaskan salmon fisherman organization. Who was the president of that organization? Ted Stevens son.

    Go fu*k yourself Dale. You guys have been pulling this stunt for six years.

    The way the Republicans did it was to insert pork into the military spending bills knowing the Democrats would vote for it, because they had to “support the troops” Now the Republicans cry foul when the same tactic is used against them.

    Boo fu*king whoo.

    Nobody cares what you 28%ers have to say anymore. You do not have a strangle hold on this country anymore.


  78. Jimbo Says:

    forgot to mention… you know not too long ago just months ago i really did believe this was the exception… they were carrassed faithfully appointed
    by god for their integrity and hard work

    BUT NOW I REALIZE IN REALITY THEY INFEST,,, INFECTS,,, LEECH,,,,
    AND THOSE WHO CHOOSE BECOME TOTALLY CORRUPTED AND THAT
    AIN’T BY CHANCE

    HOW MUCH CORRUPTION, HOW MANY PARASITES, GOD ONLY KNOWS

    ONE THING FOR SURE, THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE I WON’T EVEN
    KNOW WHO THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS, ACCEPT IT’S A REALITY AND IT
    AIN’T EVEN WORTH THE TIME, HOWEVER IT DEFINITELY IS WIDESPREAD
    AND IT GOES ON ALL THE TIME, ENOUGH TO MAKE ME *uk* AND I
    REALLY WISH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD FINALLY PUT A END OF
    PUTTING THESE PARASITES/LEECHES IN OFFICE, OH WELL :), I GUESS
    WITH 20 - 30% RATINGS HOPEFULLY PEOPLE ARE LEARNING THIS TIME


  79. BuckarooBanzai Says:

    #67 - you’ll have to ask Hillary about her ties to terror sponsoring countries like the UAE and the Saudis. Her husband (whose coattails she’s tapped) has extensive ties to both countries.

    Comment by Liberals Heart Terrorists — April 3, 2007 @ 4:11 pm

    And Bandar Bush doesn’t?! What about his ties to the Bin Ladens?


  80. Dale Says:

    #73,

    Try answering the questions.

    H*ll, none of you have answered my question about justifying the pork in the spending bill, unless you count “wah… Republicans have done it too” as an answer.


  81. shane Says:

    because the President is personally responsible for delivering water supplies after a hurricane.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:44 pm

    No this is a President who doesn’t take responsbility for anything. And his loyal followers like you think its okay.


  82. shane Says:

    So, are you going to try to explain why this stuff is in a military spending bill, or are you just going to try to deflect the issue?

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

    It’s a supplemental spending bill not a military spending bill.

    Maybe you should go rent “School House Rock” since reading is too complicated for you.


  83. Swampdog Says:

    Dale: I’ll spell it out for you. I do not support the use of troop funding bills to provide pork barrel spending. However, using that as an argument for Bush to not sign the bill is an obvious irrelevance for exactly the reason you cite in #79 - it’s business as usual. The republicans have pork in this bill, the republicans have used urgent spending bills such as this constantly to get their pet projects funded. I think it’s wrong. I think it’s wrong for republicans and for democrats. But claiming that Bush is shocked, simply shocked to discover pork barrel spending in a military funding bill and simply can’t sign it for that reason is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who cares about this country. Excluding you, apparently.


  84. Yet Another David Says:

    When Dale drinks the Kool-Aid, s/he must go for the whole vat!


  85. floblu Says:

    In a perfect world there would not be pork in the budget. Also in a perfect world the outgoing congress would finish it’s work and not leave leftovers that would then be used as pork. Bush NEVER vetoed war appropriations bills with HUGE amounts of pork in them. Is this the issue that rightwingers will hang on to? Or is the fact that 68% of Americans want time lines, well rested and well equipped troops and more VA funding - things that also are in this bill - not worth talking about? Rightwingers are using “line item whining” on this one.


  86. euni84 Says:

    Although we tend to not take him seriously, Bush does have a point here. This is a crucial time for restructuring all that is wrong. If the Demcrats really want to make a difference then they will focus on issues that will really affect the things that cause war and terrorism: non-communication and poverty among many things. According to the Borgen Project, just 0.16% of our budget is spent on poverty reduction. The democrats need to start focusing on foreign policy and less on winning votes by demonizing Bush then taking the money from war and running home to their states to spend it.


  87. Snarky McAngus Says:

    You canna reason with Dale. After Moonification sets in, those most deeply altered canna think for themselves, only parrot what Dear Leader says. I expect these make up a wee bit under half of the 28%, the remainder comprised of the old John Birchers and Klan, various Neo-Confederates, Aryan Supremacists, Christian Dominionists–the usual suspects.


  88. judyinnm Says:

    Not only is Bush vetoing funding for our troops, and a timeline for bringing them home; he is also vetoing the requirement that our troops BE PROPERLY TRAINED & PROVISIONED, before sending them into battle. That must be part of the “pork” he was talking about. Dale, have you inlisted, yet?


  89. Zooey Says:

    I wish the Chimp would stay in Crawford for the rest of his term. I won’t blame him for one more thing that goes wrong on his watch, if he just stays there and cuts brush.


  90. big papa Says:

    May he follow in the footsteps of…

    …Rip Van Winkle…


  91. big papa Says:

    In a Constitutional divorce…

    …between the Executive and Legislative Branches…

    …who gets custody of the military?


  92. big papa Says:

    …can somebody please get this mofo…

    …a gold watch…

    …and thank him for his service?


  93. WC Says:

    With the communications available at his fingertips, being in Crawford isn’t nearly the issue for Pres. Bush as being in their home districts is for Congress.

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

    Well, apparently the communication available on his vacations isn’t worth a shit. You only need to look at the Katrina debacle this country experienced while Bush was strumming a guitar and eating birthday cake. Not to mention all the “we couldn’t have imagined” the destruction etc. etc. etc. when the experts told them exactly what to expect, in some cases months and years before Katrina hit.

    Oh no…instead we had unqualified Brownie telling others at FEMA to not bother him during dinner and worrying about how he looked on TV.

    As for Congress “doing their job,” why don’t you just take a flying leap. How many spending bills did the last Congress, under Republican rule I might add, refuse to deal with and pass along to the Democrats? 10? 11?

    I’m sure you are familiar with the letters S.T.F.U.


  94. WC Says:

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

    Funny that Bush once told us that we’d get out of Iraq if the new government asked us to.

    They did.

    Yet we are still there.

    You want a quote and a link?


  95. WC Says:

    Hey Dale! What do you think about Bush sending wounded soldiers back into battle?


  96. Moderation Says:

    With the communications available at his fingertips, being in Crawford isn’t nearly the issue for Pres. Bush as being in their home districts is for Congress.

    And if Congress would’ve done it’s job and sent a bill that Pres. Bush was willing to sign, this wouldn’t be an issue.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

    *blink* The ignorance is palpable. :/

    First of all, your first paragraph: How is it that the President has access to communications making it possible for him to govern from a distance, yet the same levels of communications technology cannot aid Congress in its correspondences between Washington and their home districts, regardless of where said Senator or Representative happens to physically be?

    Second, since when is it the job of Congress to send bills that the President likes?!?! Are you daft, man? It is the job of the Legislative to pass legislation that represents the will of the people, regardless of what the Executive thinks. If the will of the people is strong enough, the legislation can override a President’s veto, if it is not (or if legislators aren’t voting per the wishes of their constituents), the legislation will not pass. It’s simple.

    Third, let me be one of the voices that says, point blank, that I think pork barrel spending should not be allowed on any legislation, whatsoever. It has been corrupting the system for quite a while (nearly as badly as bribery…err, “lobbying”), and really ought to be stopped. That being said, it is currently within the rules of Congress, and this bill is vastly lighter in pork content than a great many pieces of legislation the 109th Congress had the nerve to push through the system with their majority.

    The President is not a king. I know you and your ilk wish it were so, but that goes precisely against the wishes of the Framers. They specifically gave Congress the power of spending, legislation, and the power to organize of the military, and to structure the rules and legal theaters of war that the military must follow. They did so with the specific intent of preventing a military-based monarchy stemming from the Executive, to prevent a President from using warfare as leverage against Congress. Read your Alexander Hamilton. Then, read the Constitution, you silly man.

    The Congress gets to set up the military how they want, fund the military how they want, decide which regions of the world are legal for the military to fight in, and the rules of conduct the military must follow while engaged. The President gets to formulate the specific strategic and tactical decisions for any military actions, provided they follow the rules Congress has laid out. The President does not have any sort of carte blanche with regards to the military. It is a matter of practicality, and not a matter of giving the President some sort of all-powerful grip on the reigns of the military. It is merely the simple fact that you cannot have a legislative body making the minute-to-minute decisions that military actions require, for such a body would deliberate too long, and not lead properly. A President with a small group of experts, and direct communications with the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will be able to adjust with the greatest effect to the ever-changing landscape of a battlefield situation.

    The U.S. Military is not the President’s personal army. Apparently, that is what Blackwater is for. :/


  97. mydogshakespeare Says:

    Hey LAXRIDE! Why did you change your name to “Dale”? Why don’t Bush Apologists bother to defend their bushit?


  98. Moderation Says:

    Note, that in my first paragraph above should have read:

    First of all, your first paragraph: How is it that the President has access to communications making it possible for him to govern from a distance, yet the same levels of communications technology cannot aid Congress in its correspondences between Washington and their home districts while it is not in session, regardless of where said Senator or Representative happens to physically be?


  99. Saywho Says:

    Again here is another view of todays Bush speech!

    http://www.youtube.com/v/x99lnVeY4jQ


  100. Eargy Earp Says:

    You know, if the President doesn’t like the fact that there are separation of powers and doesn’t like how the elections of 2006 turned out and doesn’t like the advice that his pappa’s people give him and doesn’t like any dissent, maybe he should just suspend the Constitution (GD piece of paper that it is) and openly declare his dictatorship.

    That way he can protect us all the way Kim Jong Ill protects N. Korea.

    Honestly, I haven’t seen such a pouting and childish tantrum since the election went to counting chits in 2000.

    AND all staged to keep absolute power. JUST SIGN THE FREAKIN BILL AND YOU”LL GET YOUR FUNDING!! The timetables are phony - nothing that binding: all you have to do is manufacture a crisis and ask to extend. The Senate bill is non-binding.

    Honestly, I am very angry that COngress is giving him exactly what he wants - funding for extension, surge, and political cover.


  101. Eargy Earp Says:

    Sorry, counting chads.


  102. Steve-O Says:

    #

    #50, The bill’s $3.7 billion in agriculture assistance to U.S. farmers includes $1.4 billion to compensate ranchers who lost livestock in disasters, $283 million in milk subsidies, $74 million in peanut subsidies and $25 million in spinach subsidies. The legislation also adds $400 million to continue funding for rural Northwest school districts facing cuts in federal compensation because of declines in timber and salmon harvests.

    So, are you going to try to explain why this stuff is in a military spending bill, or are you just going to try to deflect the issue?

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

    Obviously you don’t know how our g’ment works. These kind of things are in EVERY BILL EVER PASSED. Stop getting your news from Rush and read some US history, you smuck.

    The Pres. should do the right thing and take the money offered to him (he’s not vetoing because of Pork, btw, and you know it - you my friend are the one changing the subject. If this bill didn’t include a withdrawl but had the same pork it would be signed today. Nice try tight-in-the-pants.)


  103. Veritas78 Says:

    I’ll try: all that pork is in there to get a reluctant Congress to sign on for the military money. A lot of them don’t want to pay for ANY more of your stupid war. If there weren’t pork, you wouldn’t have had any bill at all. Be grateful you got anything.


  104. BushWhacked Says:

    There was much more than Katrina relief in this bill… the Dems had to throw in a little bit for everybody… again, in a military spending bill.

    Now can YOU answer why funding spinach farmers should be in the same bill as military spending? Simple question.

    Comment by Dale — April 3, 2007 @ 3:20 pm

    Dale, where was all this outrage about pork being included in military spending bills when the Rethugs in the 109th congress were doing it?



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