Reid Pulls Defense Authorization Bill Off The Floor, Vows To Return To Iraq Redeployment Legislation
Reid Pulls Defense Authorization Bill Off The Floor, Vows To Return To Iraq Redeployment Legislation
After forcing conservatives to stand all-night and filibuster the Levin-Reed Iraq redeployment bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has pulled the entire Defense Authorization bill from consideration on the Senate floor.
Following this morning’s vote against ending debate, Reid argued that the Defense Authorization legislation should not be considered until the Senate is prepared to offer a future course for Iraq.
Reid explained:
“Because Republicans continue to block votes on important amendments to the Defense Authorization bill, we can make no further progress on Iraq and this bill at this time.
For these reasons, I have temporarily laid aside the Defense Authorization bill and have entered a motion to reconsider.
But let me be clear to my Republican colleagues — I emphasize the word “temporarily”. We will do everything in our power to change course in Iraq. We will do everything in our power to complete consideration of a Defense Authorization bill. We must do both.
And just to remind my Republican colleagues — even if this bill had passed yesterday, its provisions would not take effect until October.
So we will come back to this bill as soon as it is clear we can make real progress. To that end, I have asked the Democratic Whip and Democratic Manager of the bill to sit down with their counterparts to work on a process to address all outstanding issues related to this bill so the Senate can return to it as soon as possible.
In his Senate floor speech, Reid blasted “a handful of dedicated obstructionists.” Watch it:
Reid’s maneuver leaves opens the possibility that the Levin-Reed amendment will be re-introduced and voted on in the near future.
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
We simply need to keep working until we can change things.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:20 pmThe nuclear option has been exercised.
Borfo is the winner.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:21 pmGood idea!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:21 pmGood move. Let’s make sure citizens know who wants to lengthen the Iraq quagmire.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:21 pmShould have been done a while ago. Well done, Harry.
No discussion about Iraq = no money for Iraq.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:21 pm“Reid argued that the Defense Authorization legislation should not be considered until the Senate is prepared to offer a future course for Iraq.”
Damn right.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:22 pmYEAH! You go, Harry!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:23 pmWe’ll see when it comes to funding the war whether he wusses out again. This is the wrong move, he should have kept it on the floor and forced the filibuster.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:26 pmSeriously, I’m a little confused as to what this means: Did Sen. Reid fold?
Unless the Democrats stick to their guns, this was nothing but Political show and We’ll be stuck in Iraq forever.
The GOP has made it plain that they will even block bills they support.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:26 pmThe only cowards in the senate are those who were afraid to put the amendant up for an up or down vote. Look where it got you.
Reid ROCKS!!!!!!!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pmThis is the wrong move, he should have kept it on the floor and forced the filibuster.
Actually, since the funding in question doesn’t begin until October, this forces the Republicans into the September trap that they set for themselves.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pm.
It’s been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pmNicely done, Reid. You showed the blind what they were missing: An ostructionist party not working for the American people, but only for their own interests. People continue to ask: Why are we still there? You have given those people the answer.
Keep this up. If a good bill can’t pass, do this again. Make sure every American who isn’t living under a rock (and some that do) know exactly why something they want legislated isn’t happening. Let them know who is blocking it, and let them find their own reasons why (and they might just be the right ones).
July 18th, 2007 at 12:28 pmSeriously, I’m a little confused as to what this means: Did Sen. Reid fold?
Nope. He’s holding all the cards. No vote, no funding. All with a showdown that comes after 30 days of the Republicans having to explain why they want to keep pissing away American lives in the middle of nowhere for nothing.
That should make for great TV.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:28 pm.
Awesome. Arlen is whining about how rudely Reid cut him off earlier. I swear, he’s about to cry.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:29 pmit is simply a joke. There is no longer any need for the congress to remain in session unless there will be a vote to disband congress and grant the chimp total regal power! The government is dead.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:30 pm#9 SD
Limp Dick Harry just put on a show so that we who voted Democrat back in november will think he and Botox Nancy are infact doing what we told them to do.
He is trying to make up for pulling the troop withdrawal requirement from the last defense authorization bill when Shrub got everything he wanted (Nancy pulled the “No war with Iran requirement)
These guys are a joke. If they had balls, they would be filing criminal indictments against Shrub and Hannibal Lechter Cheney
July 18th, 2007 at 12:31 pmArlen is whining about how rudely Reid cut him off earlier. I swear, he’s about to cry.
What kind of “man” is attracted one party rule and a life of gargling talking points? This is what’s left of the Republican party.
[Ann Coulter]
July 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pmBut if I called them “faggots,” I’d have to go to rehab.
[/Ann Coulter]
.
Reid to Republicans: Go F**K YOURSELVES.
Hahahahaha.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pmDamn.
Anybody remember the Camp David accord which, to this day, has resulted in peace between Israel and Egypt? President Carter kept the negotiators from both sides up all night and all day until they reached an agreement.
That should have been done here. No sleep until an up or down vote.
And Reid should meet every filibuster this way.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pmThat should have been done here. No sleep until an up or down vote.
That gaggle of tobacco lawyers they have in the senate are a very different breed. They don’t care how many Americans have to die and be maimed for Bush’s ego.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm.
Arlen Sphincter is crying about decency Bwahahahahha…..says he knows what Pa. wants ..righhhhht, that’s why we tossed that reichwing freakish hawk Sanitarium out on his candyass by a landslide. From what I hear Sphincter is out next time around if he runs in the same manner.Lying suck-up bootlicker.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:36 pmReid is a genius to take down the Authorization bill at this time. Arlen is livid about, so it’s been worth it. The GOP has promised to filibuster everything related to the Bill, so fine, it won’t be considered at all. This is great.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:36 pmGOOD. no vote? then no funding!!
I woudl be happy if not another of my hard earned tax dollars went to this mess of a ‘war’ I never agreed to pay for this shitstorm…
i have no problem with paying for the plane tickets to get our troups home though
July 18th, 2007 at 12:36 pmHe is just upset he lost. The repugs are NOT filibustering anything. They allowed the vote and Reid failed. He is just acting like a spoiled kid that didn’t get his way. Harry, if you want something to pass, GET THE VOTES FIRST!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pmWhat’s Reid doing, writing an annotated version of the Democratic handbook on Failure? Hope they enjoyed their sleep last night. They should have been on the Senate floor.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pmsee http://photo2text.com/
July 18th, 2007 at 12:39 pmSpecter was going on about last night being a waste of time. Then Reid said: The people of Penn. want out of Iraq. Then Reid cut specter off and wouldn’t not let specter reply.
Heh.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:40 pm.
dogjudge – this one is on my wall:
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the
bodies of those I had to kill because they pissed me off.
…
July 18th, 2007 at 12:41 pmaww looky there…
republicans want the war, but they wont fund the troops
great way to get our troops that body armor they’ve been promised since the bs war started.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:41 pmLord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change,
July 18th, 2007 at 12:42 pmthe courage to change the things I can, and a great big bag of money.
texan – and specter is on the floor whining about that…
July 18th, 2007 at 12:43 pmsounding like he might cry…
“Change course” = “run away”
Reid is terrible man…a disgrace to this great country
July 18th, 2007 at 12:44 pmThanks, katy. If all these Republicans hadn’t given their testicles to Bush in jars years ago, they would sound like a bunch of nancy-boys now.
Pathetic. No wonder they can’t stand up to Bush.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:44 pm.
specter is on the floor whining about that… sounding like he might cry… Comment by katy
Wow. And John Boehner cries on the House floor. Republicans are a bunch of pantywaists! Specter was heard to cry, “Mommy!”
July 18th, 2007 at 12:45 pm“Change course†= “run awayâ€
Oooh, Republican talking-points come in flash-card format now?
Then again, I guess they’d have to.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:45 pm.
Wasn’t it Specter who allowed Gonzalez to testify before a Senate Committee without the need to swear the oath?
The nerve.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pmHeh.
Brilliant move, Harry.
Twist in the wind, trolls!!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pm“Stay the course” = “We have NO IDEA how to win this thing”
July 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pmwhat was the goal of iraq? how many times has that goal changed?
how many times was the ‘mission accomplished’?
why do the republicans steel the peoples money and wont fund our troops for body armour?
July 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pmReid’s not the charismatic statesmen we need, but I think he’s doing what he can. He just has to resist all the neocon bullying and not allow the vote on authorization without the vote on the amendment first. I think time and public opinion will turn enough republicans around in the end. Go Harry!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:49 pmTo Rebel in CA #17
You have to realize that both houses of our Congress know they are dealing with a couple of dangerous nutcases. They folded on the first “strings attached” funding bill because they knew that Bush would keep our soldiers in harms way with or without funding. He already has no problem with asking them to fight with guns that jam, unarmored vehicles, and no body armor. It’s not like they are dealing with a man who has scruples or actually cares about the troops.
And as far as impeachment goes — I think the last thing that Pelosi and Reid want is to impeach only to have the Senate acquit. The only way Republicans will jump ship and vote to convict in the needed numbers is a smoking gun — evidence of an action that EVERYBODY agrees is a crime (even Bush’s Supreme Court!). Until the Repubs are convinced their cart is hitched to a dead horse, there’s really nothing anyone can do — they’re totally blind to what the majority of Americans want.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:49 pmAs usual, the bad guys lost. Surrender monkeys were the losers, an intuitive expectation.
Candle-lights…please.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:50 pmChange course = adapting to the sorroundings.
Reid is a true patriot….a servant to this great country.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:51 pmReid is probably looked down upon by most of the military. For example, calling experienced military personnel “incompetent.”
I wonder who the hell this flunky politician thinks he is.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:52 pm#25 ~ BS, and you know it. Cloture is an attempt to end debate on a bill to put it to a vote. By denying cloture, the Republicans are voting in favor of debating a bill indefnitely because they lack the votes to defeat it.
Basically, America wants out of Iraq and the Republicans are laying down in the road so the troops can’t drive home.
I say run ‘em over.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:52 pmwhat was the goal of iraq?
Comment by nym@alias.net — July 18, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Current goal is to forestall leaving Iraq until a democrat is elected president.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:54 pmFor example, calling experienced military personnel “incompetent.â€
Because he didn’t get the job done? Yeah, no shit. Reid said it to his face.
Unless you think Pace was removed for doing such a great job.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:54 pm.
Al Qaeda applauds the Republican filibuster. The terrorists appreciate the help with staying the course…
July 18th, 2007 at 12:55 pmI think Harry finally listened to the people.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:56 pmHarry should allow no other legislation for funding to be presented, so that when the funds are about to run out, the choice for legislation either becomes funding to re-deploy or NOTHING. That’s how he’ll get his way (our way).
July 18th, 2007 at 12:57 pmeven the veterens are saying republicans & bush broke the military.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:57 pmI think Harry finally listened to the people.
Well, there are only two kinds of people who want us to stay in Iraq:
1. the Republicans
2. al Qaeda
Why should Reid listen to people like that?
July 18th, 2007 at 12:58 pm.
Peter Puffer Pace was incompetent. Nothing more than a spit-shined, yes-man prop for the president. Reid called it right.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:59 pmWhen Bush announced “Mission Accomplished” – he was actually correct.
You just need to understand how the Neocons defined “The Mission.”
The Mission according to Ledeen, Feith, Pearl, Libby, Wurmser, Wolfowitz, Rhode, Lieberman, Zakheim, Rockefeller, Cheney, Bush, Bolton, et,al was to GET US INTO A ONE HUNDRED YEAR QUAGMIRE
Mission Accomplished, indeed.
“Creative destruction is our middle name. We do it automatically … it is time once again to export the democratic revolution.”
Iraq, Iran and Syria are the first and foremost nations where this should happen, according to Ledeen. The process by which this should be achieved is a violent one, termed “total war,” a concept pioneered by the 19th century Prussian general, Karl von Clausewitz in his classic book “On War.”
Ledeen’s take on this idea is wedded to ideology. In summarizing his book “The War Against the Terror Masters” on the American Enterprise Institute Web site, he writes: “We wage total war because we fight in the name of an idea, and ideas either triumph or fail … totally.” In his reckoning, force is the only reliable strategy to enforce our ideology on our enemies. In the same summary he claims, drawing inspiration from Machiavelli: “We can lead by the force of high moral example … [but] fear is much more reliable, and lasts longer. Once we show that we are capable of dealing out terrible punishment to our enemies, our power will be far greater.”
http://www.alternet.org/story/15860/
A fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, Ledeen holds a Ph.D. in History and Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin. In 1983, on the recommendation of Richard Perle, Ledeen was hired at the Department of Defense as a consultant on terrorism. While being investigated as a security risk by his supervisor, Noel Koch, it was learned from the CIA station that Ledeen had been carried in Agency files as an agent of influence of a foreign government: Israel.
After having his access to classified materials blocked he ceased working there. He next appeared at the National Security Council as a consultant working with NSC head Robert McFarlane. Ledeen was involved in the transfer of arms to Iran during the Iran-Contra affair — an adventure that he documented in the book “Perilous Statecraft: An Insider’s Account of the Iran-Contra Affair.” A prominent member of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) board of governors and the Center for Security Policy (CSP), he advocates “total war” inline with the “Grand Strategy for the Middle East” which advocates “Iraq as the tactical pivot, Saudi Arabia as the strategic pivot and Egypt as the prize.” Ledeen is presently a serving member on the China Commission and, with the support of DOD Undersecretary for Policy Douglas Feith, he has since 2001 been employed as a consultant for the Office of Special Plans OSP). He is involved in the handling of classified materials and has high-level security clearances. He was also involved in election rigging of the 2000 election.
http://www.nogw.com/warforisrael.html
We often wonder why people like Ledeen seem to be so interested in creating conflict for the sake of conflict. One reason is that people who are aware of the timing of a conflict are in a position to make money off it. Another reason is that this constant conflict constitutes the sole reason why these people have any power. They create an escalating series of problems, and then have to remain in power to ‘solve’ them. Of course, the solutions continue to lead to more conflicts. We can understand all the the talk about Iran as another example of creating a conflict which gives these characters something to do. While a civil war in Iraq benefits Likudniks in the American government and in Israel, it also benefits a guy like Cheney, whose only interest is in creating more power for Cheney. The United States has fallen into a vicious cycle where the jobs of the neocons and their fellow travelers like Cheney and Rumsfeld are dependent on their cleaning up the messes they have already started. An end to conflict would put them out of power, so we’ll never see an end to conflict.
http://xymphora.blogspot.com/
July 18th, 2007 at 12:59 pmRepukes are like lemmings; follow the leader to the cliff and wonder why they feel like they’re falling.
Getting them to agree on anything but disagreeing is a formidable task.
Give Harry some room here; he’s got his hands full.
Oh, Rx2, the Dr. called. You missed your appointment. No meds for you!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:00 pmholy crap:
biden, on the floor just now:
ALQAIDA IN IRAQ IS A BUSH FULFILLING PROPHECY
must be the lack of sleep, but i can’t stop listening to this…
he just said he has no faith the prez will do anything to stop this mess…
paraphrasing there…
whoa… i don’t care if he IS running for president -
July 18th, 2007 at 1:00 pmtell it like it is!
Harry should allow no other legislation for funding to be presented, so that when the funds are about to run out, the choice for legislation either becomes funding to re-deploy or NOTHING. That’s how he’ll get his way (our way).
Comment by unbelievable — July 18, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
And they should put it up for a vote in September, after the surge report is issued showing that the vacationing Iraqi government once again made unsatisfactory progress in most areas. That’ll be really nice…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:00 pmeven the veterens are saying republicans & bush broke the military.
Comment by nym@alias.net — July 18, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
How dare those unpatriotic war veterans state their opinion!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pmThe Dems lose again. What a surprise.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pmContact Senators
Let Reid know you’re happy he found his gonads.
Let your Repub. Senators know how displeased you are.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pmSo when’s Pelosi goin’ to show up in a burqa!!?!?!
Comment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
What do burqas have to do with Iraq, exactly?
July 18th, 2007 at 1:03 pmwhen is cheney & pals going to raise the gas price again?
July 18th, 2007 at 1:03 pmALQAIDA IN IRAQ IS A BUSH FULFILLING PROPHECY
Comment by katy — July 18, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
Wasn’t that amazing!? Sure, it’s Biden and I’ll never vote for him, but it needed to be said! Woo hoo!!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:03 pm“Let Reid know you’re happy he found his gonads.”
Ried is a moral hypocrite with a 19% approval rating. He voted for the war in Iraq.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:03 pm# 14: Ok, that makes sense. Bet the “news” Media Spins this…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pmClaire McCaskill is kicking some ass, as well.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pmComment by Grand Moff Texan — July 18, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
General Pace is not in a operational role. Secretary Gates made a stupid decision to remove Pace to avoid a “contentious hearing” that would take place regardless of who was nominated. Pace is a intelligent and well-rounded general, and didn’t deserve to be the first JCS chairman to not serve a full two terms. Reid is a flunky politician along with his cohorts.
Congress should have no say in who is the JCS chairman.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pmsic owl kayduh on the right!!!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pmTwenty-four hours later and Susan Collins has caved!
If we could pick off one every 24 hours, it really wouldn’t be too much longer until we had the 60 votes.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:05 pmclaire mccaskil on the floor now…
she just spoke about working together the past 24 hours and how
she felt so proud to have participated in history…
i kinda feel that way too… a little silly, i know…
lunch/shopping date with my mom…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:05 pmback later…
I think it’s appropriate for the Dems to take their toys and go home until Republicants learn to play nice…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:05 pmTwo of the speeches I really appreciated last night were Olympia Snowe and Mary Landrieu.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:06 pmhttp://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/18/thank-you-senator-landrieu/
Bush, Cheney, and all the rest of the Rapeublican chickenhawks need to be in Iraq, getting shot at an killed for OIL.
OIL.
OIL.
NOT “Iraqi freedom” and NOT “American freedom”.
The Intel report yesterday showed CLEARLY that Bush letting Osama go has refueled the Taliban and Al Queda in Afghanistan.
Bush and Cheney are TRAITORS and WAR CRIMINALS for their actions.
Iraq is about OIL, DEATH, and NO HONOR for anyone…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:07 pmlLoking at the Senate vote on cloture it looks as if the Senator from Nevada, Harry reid voted against ending debate.
Reid (D-NV), Nay (from the Senate web-site)
Is this correct?
Am
July 18th, 2007 at 1:07 pmI like Mr. Bush Goes To Hell.
Though the “bold” is a little hard on my eyes this morning.
And I like it better when he says COXUCKER!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:09 pmwell, at least the good news: since the republican filibustering has ended they can get back to all those prostitutes
sick degenerate perverts. sex in diapers. they f*ck in feces. nowonder they dont care about funding the troops.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:09 pmWow, did you see this?
July 18th, 2007 at 1:09 pmhttp://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/18/scaife-owned-paper-calls-for-iraq-withdrawal-questions-bushs-mental-stability/
I heard Sen. Landrieu last night. I agree JG. Didn’t hear Snowe’s yet.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:10 pmAnd they should put it up for a vote in September, after the surge report is issued showing that the vacationing Iraqi government once again made unsatisfactory progress in most areas. That’ll be really nice…
Comment by toasterhead — July 18, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
I’m sure the disapproval for the occupation will be even higher by then as well… And perhaps there will be more Republicans defecting as they reconsider their 2008 re-elections…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:10 pmYes, Reid voted no. His was the last vote. He waited to be sure they couldn’t reach the 60, then voted no as a procedural tactic that gave him the ability to make the motions he followed up with. The way I understand it, he had to be part of the “winning” side on the cloture vote in order to make motions on the legislation. I’ll look that up for further info unless someone else can explain this better.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:11 pmI’ve just come from the comments section in the other post about this same story where the same sentiment was cited as an election winning issue….
Among the general public who don’t read political blogs like you do….
Nor share the same 100% unwaivering political preference.
Yeah. Winner.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:14 pmsay a miracle occurred and Iraq was suddenly at peace; with one little hitch: Iraqis want control over their own resources. The right would NOT withdraw our troops, & the truth would come out…back to bed…. and dreaming again
July 18th, 2007 at 1:14 pmReid essentially folded.
Again.
While I wish I could join in the cheering him on, he simply caved once more. He is the damned MAJORITY leader! He can force a vote with a simple majority. But he didn’t.
Its like he’s “afraid” to win.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:14 pmWhat Ever Happened to Just Legislating?
Since the Democrat’s Senate sleepover stunt didn’t achieve anything towards losing the war, the Senate Democrats have some new plans:
IDEAS FOR SENATE DEMOCRAT STUNTS TO LOSE IN IRAQ
* Holding their breaths until we retreat from Iraq.
* Drinking the problem away (Kennedy’s idea).
* Fasting until we flee from Iraq (with only three one-hour breaks from the fast per day).
* Charity car wash to raise money to support more whining about the war.
* Harry Reid will jump seven buses on a motorcycle to end the war (he’ll chicken out; he always does).
* Light a cross on the White House lawn (Byrd’s idea).
* A well choreographed dance number expressing their desire for retreat in Iraq (Edwards’s idea).
July 18th, 2007 at 1:15 pm#17 Rebel – Amen! This whole episode was a joke, a facade for spineless Democrats who are driven by politics and not by principle!!! They had their chance to really make a difference and they BLEW IT! It is not until the polls are really turning that Reid decides he has to do something to make himself look good; something he knew was only for show.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:15 pmI just about lost it when the Dems authorized additional spending for this war. They could have ended this war then! How many more have died, how much more money has been spent because THEY authorized it? To hell with the Dems, where’s the sensible third party candidate?!?!?
#83 ~ Thanks for the procedural explanation.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:16 pmDon’t worry, it’ll all be explained on the 2008 bumper stickers.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:16 pmSee this is what we mean when we say grassroots ideas.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:18 pmThanks Eggregious, just for you:
July 18th, 2007 at 1:19 pmMURDEROUS WAR CRIMINAL Bush is a COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA and EVERYTHING it EVER stood for, as are the Rapeublicans who lick his azz….
Loking at the Senate vote on cloture it looks as if the Senator from Nevada, Harry reid voted against ending debate.
Yep, ’cause if you vote to end debate you can’t vote to open debate on the same issue. That’s why he votes last, so the count will be known.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:19 pm.
Don’t worry, it’ll all be explained on the 2008 bumper stickers.
Comment by Kilo
“I Voted For T/Rudi and ALL I Got Was This Bad-Fitting Dress”???
July 18th, 2007 at 1:20 pm…where’s the sensible third party candidate?!?!?
Comment by jpoke42 — July 18, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
*crickets*
July 18th, 2007 at 1:21 pmThe REPUBLOSERS DON’T KNOW HOW TO WIN THE IRAQ WAR.
4+ years of funding and support and NO PROGRESS.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:21 pmBrilliant move, Harry.
Twist in the wind, trolls!!
Comment by Zooey
Really? I thought the point was to get a plan in place for troop withdrawal.
Oh, I forgot — for the Dems it’s more important to score cheap political points than to actually accomplish anything meaningful.
More pussyfooting from the Dem “leadership” (I’m using quotes because Reid and Pelosi are about as far from leaders as you can get).
And Zooey, I’m not twisting in the wind — I’m double-over with laughter!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:21 pmTP would be out of a job without something to b!tch about!!!
Comment by Mr. President
But… but… then, you’d have no place to display your ignorance when you claim Saudi Arabia isn’t a Moslem country!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:22 pmWhat Ever Happened to Just Legislating?
This is what it looks like.
The Republicans will have to talk about Bush’s failure in Iraq from now through the September deadline they set for themselves, which makes it harder for them to blame his failure on the people who never supported his dumb plan to begin with.
Personally, I think Reid kept ‘em up all night so they’d look like hell when Reid pulled this maneuver. So far, it’s worked. The Republicans need at least 24 hours, some coffee, and a couple of hookers before they can cook up any more talking points on this.
And then only a tiny minority of Americans will be listening, most of us just for a good laugh.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:22 pm.
“I’m doubled-over…”
Comment by Cynicon Implant
‘Splains why it’s so easy for you to get your head up your A**, huh?
July 18th, 2007 at 1:24 pmI think it would be awesome if Reid would bring this legislation back up right before the August recess, then force them to either filibuster through the recess, or up and down vote then go on vacation.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:24 pmI’ll tell you who really wants American involved in the protracted conflict of the Middle East… Lefty Blogs!!!
Comment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
For once I agree with you. I think the U.S. needs to make more than just a cursory effort to stop Israeli apartheid in the Palestinian territories. But that’s off the table in this administration.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:25 pmOh, I forgot — for the Dems it’s more important to score cheap political points than to actually accomplish anything meaningful.
Yep, keeping the Republicans from pissing away any more American lives is “scoring cheap political points.”
And Zooey, I’m not twisting in the wind — I’m double-over with laughter!
Long term meth use will do that to you. I learned that on CSI Red State, where there are no dental records and the DNA is all the same. I still don’t know why they open up the show with The Who’s “Fiddle About.” Must be those family values.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:25 pm.
“Defeatists have not yet had the courage to directly ensure defeat by cutting off the money to continue military operations in Iraq.
That would be taking responsibility for the defeat. What would serve their political purpose better would be to legislate preconditions for the spending of military appropriations that would make defeat inevitable, but let it be seen as Bush’s defeat, not theirs.
That is the direction in which the defeatists are moving, as politicians who have never deployed troops, or even worn a military uniform, speak loftily of “redeployment,†as if they actually know what they are talking about.”
Thomas Sowell: http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=OTFmYzhmYTJmNWZhOGZmYmNlMmEwMDQ4MmRkNWEzOWE=
July 18th, 2007 at 1:25 pmAfghanistan is having another record breaking poppy crop this year. The number one source of funds for AQ. It broke last years record which was the previous record. It’s reported that Afghanistan is now responsible for 92% of the herion in the world.
I wonder what this number would have been if Bush kept his promise (hunting down those who attacked us) and finished the conflict in Afghanistan before avenging the attack on his daddy.
Bush and his administration is fully responsible for this. Their ignorance has allowed the drug crops to grow to record highs (pun intended) and filled the pockets of those we were originally going after (AQ).
Bush blew it. This is his legacy.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:26 pmThe Republicans need at least 24 hours, some coffee, and a couple of hookers before they can cook up any more talking points on this.
Comment by Grand Moff Texan
And teen-age pages in Speedos… grand Muff, don’t forget the pages…
July 18th, 2007 at 1:26 pmComment by Mr. President
Look into the video still: Harry Reid is displaying his patented surrender-monkey hand-signal.
He’s like the Arnold Schwarzenegger of surrender monkeys.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:26 pmEven moderate Republicans like Arlen Specter, George Voinovich, and Chuck Grassley could not support a declaration of defeat from the Senate. The publicity stunt has failed.
Reid changed his vote at the end, so cloture failed 52-47. He called the bill “bipartisan”, but it looks like all of the GOP except Chuck Hagel voted against it. It’s an odd sense of the term “bipartisan,” but then again, Reid hasn’t exactly put on an intellectual tour de force so far this session as Majority Leader.
Just to answer a question that’s come up, Reid’s vote change does not represent a flip-flop. The Majority Leader has to vote against cloture in order to have the opportunity to ask for reconsideration of the motion later, according to parliamentary rules. It’s a common procedural step, one that Bill Frist used as well, and for the same reasons
July 18th, 2007 at 1:26 pmThe new DemocRats are the biggest bunch of losers yet and Reid should just go out and get the big “L” tatoo for his forehead.
ROTFL
July 18th, 2007 at 1:27 pmMURDEROUS WAR CRIMINAL Bush is a COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA and EVERYTHING it EVER stood for, as are the Rapeublicans who lick his azz….
Comment by Mr. Bush Goes To Hell
———————————————————-
Time for your pill.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:27 pmBartlebee: That amounts to a nuclear option. Yes, Reid could force a simple majority vote by changing the rules, but you better believe that the Republicans would take the Democrats out back when they are once again the majority by using Reid’s rules against him, not to mention a reverse Gang of 14 situation could derail that fast.
Honestly, if the democrats were to play super-hardball, they’d accomplish three things:
1) The Republicans could honestly argue that they are being squashed by the Democrats as the minority party. That would be an honest charge of hypocrisy against the Dems…and we see how hard the Trolls are trying to stick hypocrisy claims against Democrats now…imagine if it was true.
2) The Democrats would set a distinct precedent. The Democrats would essentially be handing the Republican’s future majority a blank check to screw themselves over.
3) The Democrats may lose their moderate members. The Gang of 14 was an example of moderate Republicans crossing the aisle to stop the whole Republican power grab. It’s not too hard to imagine the Democrats having the same scenario.
The key is to force vote after vote after vote. We’d love to be out of Iraq today but the reality is that until the Republicans start feeling major pressure from home and realize their jobs are on the line, they’re going to toe the line.
Hard as it is to wait, I think Reid’s starting to get the right idea. They can’t win on the straight and level because the Republicans are using procedural gimmicks. Publicize those gimmicks to world+dog, and don’t bend. Now let’s see if he’s got that whole “You want the money? Play by our rules, or you don’t get shit” card down.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:27 pmThomas Sowell: http://article.nationalreview.com
Comment by Ringo
Excuse me? You’re quoting the National Review??? Chickenhawk Central?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:28 pmTime for your pill.
Comment by Ringo
Time for your colonic.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:29 pmComment by Jeremy — July 18, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Excellent explanation, Jeremy. Thanks.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:29 pmThat is the direction in which the defeatists are moving, as politicians who have never deployed troops, or even worn a military uniform, speak loftily of “redeployment,†as if they actually know what they are talking about.â€
Thomas Sowell has obviously not seen how many veterans ran as Democrats in 2006 (and how few Republicans). Another fact-free whine from Sowell.
Then again, Republicans only keep Sowell around to confirm their racist stereotypes of blacks as stupid.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:29 pm.
So when’s Pelosi goin’ to show up in a burqa!!?!?!
Comment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Does your girlfriend wear one? But be careful, don’t fix it to her with a safety pin. You know why….
Pinprick!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:30 pmComment by The republic of Stupidity
You are well-named, my friend!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:31 pmJudging by the weak offerings from the bushtards on this thread, it looks like I was more right than I knew in comment #100.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:31 pm.
This F’ng Iraq MESS is more and more, ‘All Yours’, every passing day rightards. Like a tattoo:
I OWN THE IRAQ FAILURE
wear it proud
July 18th, 2007 at 1:32 pmSo when’s Pelosi goin’ to show up in a burqa!!?!?!
She’s going to have to work fast to catch up with the First Lady. There will be genital mutilation in the White House before you can say “Bush appeased al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia.”
July 18th, 2007 at 1:34 pm.
So when’s Pelosi goin’ to show up in a burqa!!?!?!
Comment by Mr. President
Right after you show up in a soldier’s uniform in Iraq.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:35 pmThat’s cute. Thomas Sowell, who never served in the military, is mocking the service of those who have served by calling them defeatists.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:36 pmRight after you show up in a soldier’s uniform in Iraq.
Comment by shane
Looks like I should set my WeatherChanel.com defaults to “hell” and “freezing precipitation.”
July 18th, 2007 at 1:36 pm.
Most amusing bit — Reid skipped his own all-nighter: “Reid didn’t even bother to attend his own No Snooze Until We Lose party after the first instruction motion, choosing to hit the sack instead while Republicans took the podium all night long.”
July 18th, 2007 at 1:37 pmGrand Moff Texan,
“Republicans only keep Sowell around to confirm their racist stereotypes of blacks as stupid.”
—————————————————-
It seems to me that it is the Democrats who believe that blacks are stupid, not Republicans.
Thomas Sowell is one of America’s greatest intellectuals.
Have you ever read one of his many books?….Didn’t thinks so.
A good place to start: http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Anointed-Self-Congratulation-Social-Policy/dp/046508995X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7/103-2343641-0415823?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184780230&sr=8-7
http://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Decisions-Thomas-Sowell/dp/0465037380/ref=pd_bbs_sr_8/103-2343641-0415823?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184780230&sr=8-8
July 18th, 2007 at 1:38 pmMURDEROUS WAR CRIMINAL Bush is a COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA and EVERYTHING it EVER stood for, as are the Rapeublicans who lick his azz….
Comment by Mr. Bush Goes To Hell
———————————————————-
Time for your pill.
Comment by Ringo
Or, how about time for TRAITOR Bush’s pills?
One of rightwing nutjob Scaife’s newspapers said we should get OUT OF IRAQ, and questioned TRAITOR Bush’s MENTAL COMPETENCY….
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/18/scaife-owned-paper-calls-for-iraq-withdrawal-questions-bushs-mental-stability/
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
MURDERER Bush is a TRAITOR coxucker PUNK to the USA who needs to be impeached, tried and executed for his WAR CRIMES.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:40 pmIn fact, listening to him is sedating ME!!!
Comment by Mr. President
Keep talking, Harry….
July 18th, 2007 at 1:40 pmJust watched Biden’s impassioned speech coupled with Claire McCaskill’s whose equally eloquent talk succeeded Biden’s.
If there is a Republican in the Congress who does not agree with what Biden is saying, then they clearly are criminals themselves. Biden’s speech was extremely impressive and he left no stone unturned. I loved the way he linked “BUSH’S SELF-FULFILLING PROPHESY OF BRINGING AQ TO IRAQ and even repeated it so there would be no misinterpretation. He’s damn good and he was fired up.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:40 pmThomas Sowell is one of America’s greatest intellectuals.
It’s amazing what passes for an intellectual on the right.
Sowell is hilarious, especially when he shows his ignorance of basic demographics so he can play the “argument from incredulity” game on social issues. But hell, even Ann Coulter gets published these days.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:41 pm.
What did they lose Frank J, Mr. President, Ringo and the like. What was lost on this?
Bruce Fein is an intellectual as well. A staunch conservative. Wrote up the article(s) of impeachment against Clinton.
Go see what he has to say. In fact, I wish TP would run a thread on this.
It would be a win/win. We’d see someone from within the wolves den logically discuss impeachment for both Cheney and Bush. We’d also see the trolls eat one of their own.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:42 pmMost amusing bit — Reid skipped his own all-nighter
This is “amusing” because it helps bushtards change the subject, which is the best way for them to avoid a debate they can’t handle.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:42 pm.
That’s cute. Thomas Sowell, who never served in the military, is mocking the service of those who have served by calling them defeatists.
Comment by Candyce
——————————————————————-
Thomas Sowell served in the Marine Corp.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:43 pmFinally a good move…
I think Thursday should be another overnighter – on the Webb Amendment!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:44 pmI did see that Bush’s mental competency is being called into question. His mental problems since childhood have been well documented. In some of the Bush biographies, his teachers and professors have weighed in regarding his mental problems. (sadism – BPD w/hallucinations – extreme paranoia) and, unfortunately, no one brought this information to light during the elections. Now we’re stuck with a sociopath who never reached full maturity. Bush is a psychiatric textbook case.
In observing his mannerisms and problematic affect during his PR moments of late, particularly when he christened the new press corps room, his inappropriate laughter was the dead giveaway. He chuckled like a monkey at everything said. Obviously, he’s on strong psychotropic drug therapy.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:45 pmYou are well-named, my friend!
Comment by Cynicon Implant
Thre, ther, Li’l Cynicon. The Republic’s a big place. All those soon-to-be outta work Repubs are gonna need some place to go in 2009. We don’t want them roaming the streets, molesting little boys, offering undercover cops $20 to blow them, do we? I see myself as a “retirement home” for unemployable GOOPers. You’re always welcome here, Li’l Buddy.
And don’t forget, we always give door prizes!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:46 pmA battle over the Levin-Reed Iraq redeployment bill.
Comment by Mr. President
How did they lose?
July 18th, 2007 at 1:47 pmNot only did Sowell Serve in the US Marine Corp, he is also a Korean War veteran.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:47 pmObviously, he’s on strong psychotropic drug therapy.
Comment by veritas
Or needs to be. I personally think he’s had a psychotic snap. He’s gone, left the room exited the building. He’s no longer w/ us! Heaven help us, a madman w/ his finger on the button.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:48 pmComment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Wise assessment, Mr. President, but be careful. Widespread viewing could put insomnia-pharma out of business.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:48 pmNot only did Sowell Serve in the US Marine Corp, he is also a Korean War veteran.
Comment by Ringo
And I can quote just as many veterans who say the exact opposite.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:49 pmWhy am I not surprised to find that bushtards can’t read?
Why am I not suprised to see one of them make a racist comment regarding Thomas Sowell?
The bushtard was referring to this:
Republicans only keep Sowell around to confirm their racist stereotypes of blacks as stupid.
Emphasis added out of pity for bushtards, who apparently can’t tell the difference between liberals talking about conservative bigotry and liberal bigotry (which would explain a lot).
July 18th, 2007 at 1:50 pm.
#136 The dems need to keep the cameras rolling so everyone can see how disgusting their rethug representatives truly are. Anyone catch Specter whining about Reid’s “rude” comments during his puff piece? Guess it rained on his parade.
What I did find Freudian though was that Specter had a slip of the tongue when he was alluding to the senior members of the senate (himself, Byrd, Biden, et al) and was stating that “when we have our committee meetings, we have real comedy!” Hah!~ I believe he intended to say “comeraderie” but instead said “comedy” – Too funny! No doubt when he realizes the faux pas, he’ll berate himself all night.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:50 pmNot only did Sowell Serve in the US Marine Corp, he is also a Korean War veteran.
And yet he still can’t count the veterans in Congress. Someone that stupid is bound to wind up stuck on the right. It’s the best they can do.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:51 pm.
Sowell was a photographer in the marine corps. He took many pictures for our nation. This, of course, makes him an expert on everything military.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:52 pmOr needs to be. I personally think he’s had a psychotic snap. He’s gone, left the room exited the building. He’s no longer w/ us! Heaven help us, a madman w/ his finger on the button.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — July 18, 2007 @ 1:4
Republic: A psychotic snap, indeed. That’s why he’s highly medicated as we’ve seen from his comedic performance at the press room opening. Guess his handlers thought he could handle it without a scrip and “off the cuff”. What we saw was one profoundly inappropriate demeanor and affect – the obvious result of heavy drug therapy. Not pretty!
July 18th, 2007 at 1:53 pmRepublic: Have you read Justin A Frank’s biography entitled “Bush on the Couch”?? It’s a must read and will provide great insight. In actuality, his pathology has progressed some but hasn’t deviated in substance or origination from what he manifested during his college days. (i.e. shoving firecrackers into the anus’ of frogs and imploding them)…maybe he was practicing for 911 even back then??
July 18th, 2007 at 1:54 pm#55 Ace
“…DOD Undersecretary for Policy Douglas Feith, he has since 2001 been employed as a consultant for the Office of Special Plans OSP). ”
Feith is now on the faculty of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
and the OSP hasn’t existed since 2003.
How are we to take you seriously when you mistate facts like these?
July 18th, 2007 at 1:55 pmYou should amend your paste jobs with adjectives like former, and “was employed”. Please.
Sowell was a photographer in the marine corps. He took many pictures for our nation. This, of course, makes him an expert on everything military.
Comment by Candyce
……
Someone that stupid is bound to wind up stuck on the right. It’s the best they can do.
Comment by Grand Moff Texan
——————————————————–
He was a Marine Corp photographer in the Korean War. He also graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University (1958), received a master’s in economics from Columbia University (1959) and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago (1968).
http://www.capmag.com/author.asp?name=3
July 18th, 2007 at 1:57 pmSowell was a photographer in the marine corps. He took many pictures for our nation. This, of course, makes him an expert on everything military.
Comment by Candyce
Unfortunately, he never learned to count.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:57 pm.
Here’s my favorite story about Bush’s antisocial, inappropriate behavior.
Elaine Johnson, who lost her son in Iraq, met with the President. At the end of the meeting, she recounts this:
“Then he gave us a presidential coin,” she said. “Now you check this out: He gave six of us a presidential coin, tell us not to tell the rest of the people that was there, and then after that he told us don’t go sell it on eBay. Now you tell me how insensitive that can be? What kind of caring person is that?”
July 18th, 2007 at 1:59 pmI noticed that Reid has a large portrait of Mark Twain in his office. Here’s an excerpt from Twain’s essay on our seizure of the Philippines, “To the Person Sitting in Darkness.”
* * *
The Blessings-of-Civilization Trust, wisely and cautiously administered, is a Daisy. There is more money in it, more territory, more sovereignty, and other kinds of emolument, than there is in any other game that is played. But Christendom has been playing it badly of late years, and must certainly suffer by it, in my opinion. She has been so eager to get every stake that appeared on the green cloth, that the People who Sit in Darkness have noticed it – they have noticed it, and have begun to show alarm. They have become suspicious of the Blessings of Civilization. More – they have begun to examine them. This is not well. The Blessings of Civilization are all right, and a good commercial property; there could not be a better, in a dim light.
You can read the essay at:
http://www.logosjournal.com/issue_4.3/twain.htm
July 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pmHe also graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University (1958), received a master’s in economics from Columbia University (1959) and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago (1968).
And it shows. He’s still trying to whine his way back into the arguments he lost in the sixties by pretending to be too dumb to understand the last 39 years of study on the subject.
He’s an expired moron, suitable only for consoling bushtards about their policies that don’t work.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pm.
Sadly, the U.S. Marine Corps HAS become the Marine Corp: Our best are dying to protect Halliburton Corp.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:03 pmGrand Moff, you’re cracking me up here. This defense of Sowell, a guy who can’t even count (copyright GMT), is pretty amusing.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:04 pm{A}
[C]
*E*
…….A
July 18th, 2007 at 2:04 pmCONSPIRACY IN TOWN……..
Grand Moff Texan,
I guess you best stick to your Al Franken and Mickael Moore books, they’re easier to understand anyhow…..no big words.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:05 pmSpeaking of puppets, when should we notify the authorities about mr. president molesting m12?
July 18th, 2007 at 2:06 pmI guess you best stick to your Al Franken and Mickael Moore books, they’re easier to understand anyhow…..no big words.
Comment by Ringo
It’s funny when the advocates of voodoo economics, the people who were stupid enough to believe in WMD in Iraq, the people who go in for creationism and climate science denial try to condescend intellectually to me.
Hey, dumbass: I’m as degreed as Sowell, I just don’t spend all my time being wrong. You might try it some time, but I suspect you’re not up to it.
Thanks for reminding me to get back to the proofs for my latest article. I enjoy being too smart to be a bushtard.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm.
I’m a little baffled by all this.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:12 pmIn Sunday’s paper, al Maliki was quoted as saying the US troops could leave any time they wanted.
What’s the hold up?
Both Barrells Grand Moff Texan. I haven’t had the energy to hit the trolls lately, but you are just getting into a great stride.
RedState has a link to buy 3 neocon books for a $1.00.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:18 pmGrand Mufti Texan,
“Hey, dumbass: I’m as degreed as Sowell”
—————————————————————-
B.S.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:19 pmThanks for reminding me to get back to the proofs for my latest article. I enjoy being too smart to be a bushtard.
Comment by Grand Moff Texan
————————————————————————
Would you mind providing a link to one of your previous articles?
I’d really love to read one.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:22 pmI knew someday I’d face the test
which one of us would be the best
and sure enough the word came down
that he was holed up in the town
I left the posse out on the street
and I went in alone to meet
Ringo
They said my speed was next to none
but my lightning draw had just begun
when I heard a blast that stunned my wrist
The gun went flying from my fist
and I was looking down the bore
of the deadly 44
of Ringo
They say that was the only time
that anyone had seen him smile
He slowly lowered his gun and then
he said to me “We’re even, friend.”
And so at last I understood
that there was still a spark of good
in Ringo
I blocked the path of his retreat
he turned and stepped into the street
a dozen guns spit fire and lead-
A moment later
he lay dead
The town began to shout and cheer
July 18th, 2007 at 2:23 pmNowhere was there shed a tear
for Ringo
I will end where I began. Al-Qaida’s presence in Iraq has become a Bush-fulfilling prophecy. They were not there before. They are there now. But they are not the primary problem. It is the vicious cycle of sectarian violence. It must end.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20070524-29
July 18th, 2007 at 2:27 pmI’m sorry, you’ll need to be more specific.
What kind of trolls are going to be upset by the Democrats simultaneously failing to get enough support for an Iraq withdrawal bill even voted on and making an empty threat about cutting funding to troops in the field ?
The trolls don’t like Democrats. They like it when they perform poorly. That’s why they’re trolls, remember ?
You sound like you are saying:
Twist in the wind Christians, it’s December 25!!
Stranger still, you write this less than an hour after writing this…
July 18th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
#172 ~ The support is there for the bill from everyone, but the Republicans have just enough votes to grind Democracy to a halt.
Basically, the only thing the Republicans have left to stand on is they know how to f*ck things up even more. Kudos.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:31 pmSo everyone supports it except for the half who don’t. Gotcha.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:35 pmComment by Kilo — July 18, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
I thought I heard something.
Kind of a twistng sound.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:38 pmThe Republicans knew the Dems had the votes to pass the measure, and so were afraid to allow their once-beloved up-or-down vote. They’re providing cover for their president, and shielding him as best they are able from the consequences of his disastrous leadership. Mostly, though, they’re saving their own corrupt asses from having to stand up for what they pretend to believe.
They filibustered, and successfully. Let it eat them.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:41 pmkilo, get your head out of your ass. It was a vote on Cloture. It was an amendment that the republicans didn’t want to vote down. None on the right want to be known as not wanting the troops home. That’s why they ignored the issue all last night. Pontificating on the glorious service and the boogey men in AQ. The Republicans know full well the bill would have been vetoed. Another thing they couldn’t allow. Having Bush veto a bill so the time frame for the troops to come home would have been started.
They are scared and the american public knows this.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:42 pmKilo=dingleberries
July 18th, 2007 at 2:42 pmIt’s been a long time coming.
Whether this parliamentary move comes from a sincere place of concern for our the welfare of our troops and our nation is something Harry knows.
We’ve been griping about the Dem’s having no backbone. Let’s give Harry at least a little credit for these latest moves this week. If he gets some good feedback, perhaps he’ll understand it feels good to be something other than an invertebrate, and actually grow that spine that allows him to pull himself out of the swamp.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:46 pmGrand Mufti Texan,
“Hey, dumbass: I’m as degreed as Sowellâ€
—————————————————————-
B.S.
Comment by Ringo
*********************************
July 18th, 2007 at 2:49 pmBachelor of Science may indeed be one of GMT’s degrees. If so, Ringo, you can give yourself a little applause for being right about one thing.
Yet another Democrat political spectacle that no one paid any attention to is over. And still, the Democrats didn’t have the power to actually do anything. (Nor the Huevos). Seems all they did was show which Dem is a defeatist, lose at all costs charletan, and showed that the Republicans have the backbone to stand tall and follow through with what they said they would.
Man, the spin here is unbelievable! Only liberals take defeat and try to spin it into some sort of warped victory.
You lost! The war goes on! Nothing was accomplished! The surge continues! We shall stabilize Iraq, and there is nothing you can do about it but whine and snivel on some blog. Go home and cry now and try to look for solace…where there is none.
Everything is the same as yesterday, except now some folks are tired.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:14 pmmr. foot, don’t your read. The entire Appropriations bill is now off the table. Since no real debate on Iraq would be taking place until after the surge has had time to work(?) there is no need to pass a defense bill.
I know it’s a little more detailed than the fear talking points you feed on but it’s what is now. There is no spin here. It’s forcing the republicans hand.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:28 pmDon’t you mean:
Since no real debate on Iraq will be taking place until Sept there is no need to hold up the appropriations bill now ?
6 weeks. Seriously.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:39 pmA counterinsurgency tactic which may be successful over a period measured in years has been given an assessment deadline of 6 weeks. And that’s too long apparently.
Kilo
You go to war with the timeline you’ve got, not the one you want.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:50 pmYou’ve had your “years”. Now, we want to insure that some of our young men and women get to have more of theirs.
Baboom LCP. Nice shot.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:55 pm“The war goes on! Nothing was accomplished! The surge continues!”
July 18th, 2007 at 3:59 pm“The war goes on! Nothing was accomplished! The surge continues!”
#181, O. bigfoot:
Okay, the war goes on, but why aren’t you in Iraq? It appears all you can do is act belligerent and crass, by posting on a “sniveling blog of liberal defeatists.”
I have a few questions more:
Where are the WMD’s? Where was the imminent threat? Have you read the Downing Street Memos?
Moreover, most important, you are actually celebrating the continuation of an illegal and baseless war and occupation that will result in the death of more than 100 American soldiers per month? Go gloat about that…how does that make you feel?
Sign up, pal! Uncle Sam wants you, and your body bag size, too!
Actually, lot was accomplished. America, the 70% of America, that wants a swift end to the foolish war, got tot see EXACTLY who the obstructionist are, face by face, speech by speech. November ‘08 is going to be a cold slap in the face!
Ps. Sign up, pal! Uncle Sam wants you, and your body bag size, too!
July 18th, 2007 at 4:00 pmComment by Kilo — July 18, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Yep, I stand behind that one too. It’s called an opinion/prediction that you trolls will be twisting.
You’ll just have to take my word on my opinion.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:03 pmHe is the damned MAJORITY leader! He can force a vote with a simple majority. But he didn’t.
Comment by BARTLEBEE — July 18, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
there it is! … i left too soon…
July 18th, 2007 at 4:48 pmhaven’t read further to see if there is an explanation…
hoping there is…
what was that about?!?!?!
…
Hard as it is to wait, I think Reid’s starting to get the right idea.
Comment by Jeremy — July 18, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Jeremy. I appreciate your well thought out and reasonable response.
I do have some disagreement however.
First, and foremost, its not “hard to wait”. Not for me anyway. I certainly am not suffering or diminished in any capacity by waiting. Its not hard for Harry Reid to wait in his comfortable home and senate chamber. Its not hard for most of us to wait.
And for the troops, well, I’d hardly call it “hard to wait”.
Its hell to wait for them.
In fact, for the troops, its literally a matter of life and death.
You present some good arguments. The idea of the nuclear option giving the republicans power IF they were to take the majority again (not likely in our lifetimes). On the other hand, one could argue its been used before for things like confirmations (Clarence Thomas was confirmed in 1981 without the required 2 thirds majority). Once the precedent is set I also argue that it could be overturned. I can find nothing to support that a precedent cannot be overturned or reversed once established. In fact, invoking the nuclear option would indeed be reversing established precedent.
Additionally I find it troubling to consider politics when so many are dying. While we don’t want to remove the checks and balances that protect a congressional minority, we also don’t want to be found using politics as a reason to continue the slaughter in Iraq. In other words, its a hard decision, and I can understand the hesitation to do it. But I am not convinced that once done, it cannot be undone.
On the other hand, it really doens’t matter, as Bush would simply veto the bill, and without a 2 thirds majority of both houses the congress could not override the veto as I am sure you already know. So in other words, you’re probably right. It doesn’t “feel right”, but all in all it would change things in the Congress, (although I am not sure it could not be undone) and in the end would probably accomplish nothing.
What really has to happen, is Congress just needs to start acting like they actually hold the constitutional powers they hold, and cut all funding for the war, other than funds to bring the troops home. If the president doesn’t sign the bill, he would still not get the funds, and be forced to bring the troops home.
Also a vote to reauthorize the war, (which would surely fail) would be a smart move, as it would put the president in the offical position of acting outside of the law. Not that he has a problem with that, but this would be an offical “gotcha”, if he continued the war when Congress had voted that the war is no longer authorized. The republicans could not defeat such a vote.
July 18th, 2007 at 5:53 pmOnce the president is found acting outside of the law, impeachment hearings would naturally be forthcoming. Republicans would be put in a very bad position of either voting for criminal actions, or voting for impeachment.
July 18th, 2007 at 5:58 pmthank you jeremy and bartlebee…
July 18th, 2007 at 6:35 pmvery good comments…
You’re welcome Katy, but its not enough. We didn’t say enough.
If Harry Reid really meant it, if he really wanted to end this war, he’d badger the republicans to no end. After all he’s the majority leader. Why stop at one night? Why take the bill off the floor? Why not force vote after vote until the republicans pass it? Why cancel voting until 5 AM? Why not force everyone to stay up all night? Why not cancel the upcoming 5 week vacation and force the congress to hold vote after vote after vote?
You know the republicans would.
They’d be merciless, until the dems caved if they had the majority. The fact is Harry Reid is weak, and uncomitted, as is Steney Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi. If we want to beat the republicans at anything we’d better come up with someone a little tougher than these 3.
July 18th, 2007 at 11:26 pmWhat we need is a Blake from “Glen Garry Glen Ross” (played by Alec Baldwin of course) to kick the democratic congress in the seat of the pants.
I’m serious. Look at Jack Lemmon’s character and then look at Harry Reid. We need someone like Alec Baldwin to walk into the Capital, and just read them the riot act like he did in Glen Garry Glen Ross.
Put that coffee DOWN…!
Coffee’s for closers…..
You think I’m f#$king with you?…
… I am not f#$cking with you…
July 18th, 2007 at 11:35 pmCould you see Harry Reids face as he’s reaching for the non dairy creamer?
I’d pay to see that.
The good news is you’re fired.
The bad news is…. you’ve got… you’ve all got, just one week to regain your jobs starting TONIGHT.,…starting with tonight’s sit.
Oh….., … have I got your attention now?
:|
July 18th, 2007 at 11:40 pmNice guy? …I don’t give a sh$t.
Good father; f#$k you, go home and play with your kids.
:|
You want to work here, then CLOSE!
July 18th, 2007 at 11:46 pm