Feingold to introduce censure resolutions against Bush.
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) announced today that he will “introduce two censure resolutions condemning the President, Vice President and other administration officials for misconduct relating to the war in Iraq and for their repeated assaults on the rule of law.” In March 2006, Feingold introduced a censure resolution against Bush over the NSA wiretapping program. In a statement released today, Feingold said:
At my town hall meetings, online, and everywhere I go, I hear the American people demanding that the President and his administration be held accountable for their misconduct, both with regard to the disastrous war in Iraq and their flagrant abuse of the rule of law. Censure is a relatively modest response, but one that puts Congress on record condemning their actions, both for the American people today and for future generations.
Read the full statement.
UPDATE: Feingold discusses his censure resolution on Meet the Press. Watch it:
UPDATE II: Responding to the censure resolutions on CBS’s Face the Nation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the Senate should keep its focus on other priorities:
REID: I’m sure Russ Feingold will try to find a way to offer that amendment. The Republicans won’t let us vote on it. They’ll block it.
SCHIEFFER: So would you go along with it if they let you vote on it?
REID: Bob, frankly, we have so many other things to do. The president already has the mark of the American people that he’s the worst president we’ve ever had, and I don’t think we need a censure resolution in the Senate to prove that. We have to do…
SCHIEFFER: So you’re not going along with it?
REID: Well, at this stage, Russ is going to have to make his case as to why we should do that rather than do our appropriation bills, finish the defense authorization bill, Homeland Security appropriation bill.
SCHIEFFER: OK.
REID: We have a lot of work to do.
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Man, this is going to be a very long document.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:51 amCensure cannot begin to address the crimes of the Bush administration. Impeach to save the constitution.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:56 amI’m liking Russ Feingold more and more. It’s nice to see a Senator who actually pays attention to his constituents.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:57 amI LOVE Feingold. While I’m personally overly ready for impeachment proceedings against Bush/Cheney to begin, this is a concrete step in the right direction. Let’s keep a watchful eye on any Dems who don’t go along with Feingold’s censure motion.
“The Tea is in the Harbor!”
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:58 amHarry shot the idea down on FTN, as Feingold announced on MTP.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:59 amHarry shot the idea down on FTN, as Feingold announced on MTP.
Comment by b-52 — July 22, 2007 @ 10:59 am
And I’m disliking Harry Reid more and more! Damn, right now I can’t watch TV and blog at the same time!
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:01 amTrust me, no one hates Bush/Cheney more then me, but this will never be passed. 1) No politician outside of Feingold has the balls to vote for this. 2) The rightwing/republican smear machine will only use this as further example of a Democratic party that is only interested in a vendetta. Isn’t that why the Zogby poll has Congress at a 14% approval rating? That’s the administration’s plan…block, impede, stall…and blame it on the democrats.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:04 amMan, this is going to be a very long document.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — July 22, 2007 @ 10:51 am
I know, and there’s the dilemma. If you make it short and only list the most obvious of High Crimes and Misdemenaors, they’ll fire back that it’s not enough to remove a sitting president from office. But, on the other hand, make it a complete list and include everything you can document (enough for at least two best-selling novels) and they won’t read it at all and just go into a knee-jerk conservative defensive mode.
I predict that despite what Reid apparently just said on FTN, if they do ever bring it to the floor, the Republicans will use every tactic they can to avoid any vote at all, because they do not want to go on too many records as being in support of this totally lawless and criminal administration. And we all know they are.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:05 amBushCo will just laugh at this.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:10 amCome on Russ, it’s way past the time for censure. Are you losing your nerve. Up until now you have been one of the only Senator I truly admired. The only thing that will stop Cheney/Bush is impeachment. Nancy Pelosi should at least put impeachment on the table. That doesn’t mean she needs to immediately use it. But if she doesn’t put it on the table, Bush has no incentive to do the right thing.
Come on, we voted you folks as our representatives. Well REPRESENT US!
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:11 amComment by Wayne A. Schneider — July 22, 2007 @ 11:05 am
The Dems should attack on all fronts, using the power of the purse (via obstruction of spending bills) to force the administration’s hand.
That said, the statute of Limitations (if it is applicable to these crimes), should leave room for prosecution of Bushco’s crimes during the next administration. It’ll be a cottage industry within the Federal government. Restitution plus fines and jail time for the convicted.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:13 amIt’ll be a cottage industry within the Federal government. Restitution plus fines and jail time for the convicted.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — July 22, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Hmmm, I like the way you think!
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:16 amI like Feingold a lot, but no one in Congress seems to understand that Congressional tsk tsking and gossiping out loud about the evils of the Administration is a far way away from actually holding anyone accountable.
Congress getting to have the satisfaction of ‘condeming’ is not the same as accountability. Congress undertaking impeachment, getting a special prosecutor, cutting off funds, promising criminal prosecutions no matter how long it takes to get prosecutors (surely there are some left who haven’t been tainted by the dojvirus that destroys respect for the law) in place, those are accountability steps.
Congress going ‘on the record’ as ‘disapproving’ is worthless.
Less than worthless - it is the action of a branch of govt that is in fear of the other branch and for that, it denigrates the whole of the separation of powers and constitutional scheme of the nation. It is proof of the failure of the institution.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:16 amMan, am I getting f*cking tired of these showboat antics, these utter distractions, this transparent dangling of shiny keys as if we were all ill-tempered little babies.
Russ Feingold, you have the most balls of all the Democrats and my respect and my gratitude. But don’t try to blow smoke up my skirt. This goes absolutely NOWHERE.
Work with like-minded people in the House to start impeachment proceedings before this criminal cabal does any more damage to our country, our Constitution, our toops, our Treasury, and our planet.
The record you need to leave for future generations is disarming future Presidents of the Constitutionally-violate precedents set by this crime syndicate. Some words in a Senate record which will be long forgotten falls far short of accomplishing that one critical attribute. This must be the standard for any rehabilitative action taken by this (feckless, inept, bumbling, corporatist, co-conspiring) Congress.
Sorry, Russ — ain’t nowhere near adequate.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:17 amThis is a purely political move, designed to highlight the difference between those in Congress who oppose the Executive’s power grabs and those who support them, in order to make it easier to target the supporters for replacement in the next congress. It has a far greater chance of passing than do articles of impeachment, despite the fact that impeachment is the only proper response.
Unfortunately, as Feingold knows, it will take a much more dominantly Democratic Congress to undo the damage that Bush has done, but the repairs will have to be done at the cost of the opportunity to properly punish Bush for his crimes.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:20 amDamn, right now I can’t watch TV and blog at the same time!
Comment by Jane E. Schneider — July 22, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Jane: C-span radio rebroadcasts (streams actually) all the Sunday talk shows starting with meet the press at noon eastern. You’ need a media player or real player…and you can’t Watch it…but they are just talking heads…so listening is about the same.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 amThen you can blog and hear the talk shows at the same time. c-span.org
Indeed.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 amNew Feingold biography hits the stores this week.
It’s a pretty good read. Go Badgers!
http://www.amazon.com/ Feingold-Democratic-Sanford-D-Horwitt/ dp/ 141653492X/ ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/ 002-2628852-9161630?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185117881&sr=8-1
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:25 amThanks. we want all of our money back - plus a fair amount of interest (24 percent A.P.R. - just like a credit card).
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:26 amThanks, Badger, that might actually work better for me, since I can’t stand to LOOK at the right-wing talking heads anyway. We do plan to hook up one of our TVs in our computer room, but it’s not up yet.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:29 amGo Russ. Let’s air out their dirty undies for all to see.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:29 amIt doesn’t take a genius to see that this, too, will be filibustered.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:37 amJust don’t stop there, Russ.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:38 am#18
New Feingold biography hits the stores this week.
It’s a pretty good read. Go Badgers!
http://www.amazon.com/ Feingold-Democratic-Sanford-D-Horwitt/ dp/ 141653492X/ ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/ 002-2628852-9161630?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185117881&sr=8-1
Comment by craig — July 22, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Not sure I like the sound of that.
This introduction of censure resolutions isn’t a promotional stunt to sell books is it?
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:38 amThe Military Commissions Act of 2006 insulates everyone from war crimes charges. And Bush can issue a last minute pardon to everyone for any and all crimes committed in His Name.
No investigations. No trials. No accountability. Just take the money and run. All perfectly “legal.”
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:41 amBushCo will just laugh at this.
Comment by Maddie — July 22, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Indeed.
Comment by Mr. Kalashnikov — July 22, 2007 @ 11:24 am
Which is why he should be removed from office.
As long as we’re continuing to be civil to each other (thank you:)), please tell me something. Do you honestly believe that President George W. Bush has kept his constitutional oath to “faithfully execute the office of president of the United States” and that he would “to the best of [his] ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States”? Keep in mind that Art 2, Sec 3, requires that he “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”. (Remember those infamous signing statements that said he wouldn’t obey the law in certain, or all, situations?)
I know that you know what’s really been going on, and that you’re not like some of the right-wing authoritarian followers who give Bush a pass because they think they are obligated to do so. Do you think he’s kept his oath? I’d like to hear what you have to say.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:46 amThis introduction of censure resolutions isn’t a promotional stunt to sell books is it?
Comment by Zero in — July 22, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Fair question, but I think in Feingold’s case (because of his integrity), it’s more likely the other way around. I think that because he has written a book, he’ll be able to go on TV and talk about the need to censure (and eventually remove) the president. Without the book coming out, no one would want to have him on to discuss the censure motion.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:49 amThe Military Commissions Act of 2006 insulates everyone from war crimes charges. And Bush can issue a last minute pardon to everyone for any and all crimes committed in His Name.
No investigations. No trials. No accountability. Just take the money and run. All perfectly “legal.â€
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — July 22, 2007 @ 11:41 am
There’s still hope that the entire MCA will be declared unconstitutional and, along with it, the protections it afforded. If the Bush admin didn’t keep changing the charges against a suspect before the MCA could be legally challenged, it might get that far.
And the way to stop Bush from pardoning everyone is simultaneous impeachment proceedings or, at the very least, pardon Bush last. Once impeachment proceedings have started against all the others who need to be removed from office (Cheney, Gonzo, and many others), Bush cannot pardon them.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:53 amFeingold, Reid; Listen to us for just a second. It is
IMPEACHMENT that we demand from you. Not worthless talk and censure. Tell you house counterparts to prepare the impeachment documents and you worry about getting them through the senate
We demand you do this and stop wasting our time with your inane babble. Do you understand? NOW.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 amSo while the Dems are running the clock out on their 2 year term of being the party in control of Congress, accomplishing no legislation that impacts people’s lives, Russ is playing the fiddle.
LOL
I’m sure he’s a great fiddle player, though. And he has company. Nancy and Harry are good fiddle players, too.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 amSTOP all the petty bickering. Just impeach Bush/Cheney or our government will never be credible again.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:02 pmI’d like to hear what you have to say.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — July 22, 2007 @ 11:46 am
———————-
I think he did what he honestly thought was in the best interest of America. It seems that, for him, this meant defending the country at all costs, 911 was a traumatic event and Bush seems to have felt that extreme measures were called for. After all, if he had taken ever threat as seriously as he now does, before 911, those 19 hijackers might be in a secret prison right now, and the event may never have happened.
Regarding the constitution, he seems to have made national security more of a priority. The question is, was it worth it for him to do so? Jefferson thought not, but what about the American people?
We will have to see.
Personally, you know how I feel terrorists should be handled (out of courtesy for follow TPers, I will omit the details), so I don’t see a problem with what Bush is doing.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:02 pmCorrection: “pardon Bush last” should, of course read “impeach Bush last”. I hope my context made that mistake obvious.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:04 pm27
This introduction of censure resolutions isn’t a promotional stunt to sell books is it?
Comment by Zero in — July 22, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Fair question, but I think in Feingold’s case (because of his integrity), it’s more likely the other way around. I think that because he has written a book, he’ll be able to go on TV and talk about the need to censure (and eventually remove) the president. Without the book coming out, no one would want to have him on to discuss the censure motion.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — July 22, 2007 @ 11:49 am
You might be right. If it were just about pub, he could have called for impeachment or made grander statements. Censure seems a little puny for a promotional stunt.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:04 pmThis namby pamby, estrogen laden, gutless wonder, Harry Reid is doing almost as much damage to the nation as Bush. When asked about what harm Bush has done to the nation, Reid rattles off a litany of offenses, spying on americans, torture, a liar, et al
Shaffer asks him if he will support Feingold and Reid says the HE (Feingold) will have to make the case. —–MY HEAD EXPLODES! REPLACE REID NOW OR RISK MAJOR LOSSES IN 2008……
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 pmFEINGOLD BOOK:
This is an independent biography of Russ. he did not authorize, write or publish it.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:15 pmCensure = Wrist Slap
Reid & Pelosi are completely in the employ of AIPAC, which is demanding that this war continue, and a new front be opened in both Iran and Syria.
Admit it.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:15 pmComment by Mr. Kalashnikov — July 22, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Thank you, but I have to respectfully disagree on a couple of things.
I do not believe that Bush thought he was acting in the “best interest of America”. I do believe he has been acting in the best interest of Corporate America, and certainly not in the best interest of Americans. (I’m thinking here about all of his actions not related to the so-called “War on Terror.”)
As for defending the country “at all costs”, I’m sorry, but our constitutional form of government does not give him the leeway to act “at all costs”. Regardless of events at home and abroad, he must still act lawfully and within the constitution, and that includes obeying international laws and treaties. He has violated all four (our laws, our constitution, international law and treaties).
As for taking the threats as seriously then as he does now, I disagree, again, for two reasons. He prioritized his vacation time WAY more than he prioritized national security (there were plenty of real warning signs that he ignored). And as for “regarding the constitution”, both you and he are forgetting that the constitution itself is his top priority. Not national security, and not “defending the American people” (which he likes to say is his number one job.) His oath of office says nothing about national security or “protecting the American people.”
And yes, we all know what you posted about the terrorists, but his actions regarding them have also been unconstitutional.
I thank you for the courteous reply and opportunity to do likewise.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pmFEINGOLD BOOK:
This is an independent biography of Russ. he did not authorize, write or publish it.
Comment by craig — July 22, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Good, that makes me feel a little better.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 pmWayne, I think Bush is upholding his oath of office. He said to the best of his ability and flawed as it is what did you expect as a failure at every thing he has ever tried to do.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:27 pmHe said to the best of his ability and flawed as it is what did you expect as a failure at every thing he has ever tried to do.
Comment by Navy Vet — July 22, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
We expected his total failure, which is why neither of us voted for him.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pmThe Book on Russ:
That being said, buy a copy.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:32 pmComment by Navy Vet — July 22, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Touche, you got me there. Then why, if he was such a spectacular failure in everything ever tried to do, did the Republican Party choose him as their nominee? For a party that loves to support the interests of business over the interests of people, you would think they would prefer a successful businessman (like Mike Bloomberg, who just officially left the party.)
Still, I think he could have tried a lot harder than he did, and taken a lot less vacation time if he was so in over his head.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:33 pmDO IT ALREADY WE”RE SICK OF WAITING JUST KICK HIS ASS OUT!
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:33 pmThen why, if he was such a spectacular failure in everything ever tried to do, did the Republican Party choose him as their nominee?
I often wondered about that too. Remember he was first elected(???) in a time of peace and prosperity. I think the GOP wanted to ride the wave of anti-intellectualism in America. They portrayed government people as “Know it alls” who were out of touch with the average American.They were running against Gore, who they portrayed (unfairly) as stiff, no fun, and full of himself.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:52 pmUnfortunately, the tragic events of Sept. 11 changed America into a much more serious place. Suddenly, ” fun to have a beer with” didn’t seem so important. Bush’s lack of intellectual curiosity and provincial shortcomings ,and stunning lack of judgement and perspective has just about taken the GOP down with his failed presidency.
And yes, we all know what you posted about the terrorists, but his actions regarding them have also been unconstitutional.
I thank you for the courteous reply and opportunity to do likewise.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — July 22, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
——————————————————–
It is my feeling that, constitutional or not (in this case most likely not) it will come down to whether Americans feel that he went too far. (this is not the “70-something %” who are said to feel that he could be doing better)
In my opinion, nothing will happen.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:20 pmIn my opinion, nothing will happen.
Comment by Mr. Kalashnikov — July 22, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Please don’t misinterpet this, but let’s hope you’re wrong. ;)
And no cheap shots at him, everyone. You know what I meant as well as he does.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:28 pmI seriously doubt the portion insulating U.S. Citizens from criminal charges would be overturned. Congress passes laws that define crimes. Congress can therefore change those laws. Now, were Congress to go back and re-criminalize once insulated behavior, that, would likely be considered an ex post facto law and be stricken. I believe those Americans who are torturing others are quite insulated from criminal prosecution and civil suits under U.S. law.
Impeachment is off the table. And it’s going to stay off the table, no matter what. I’m just surprised no one has chosen to execute a form of regime change that would be instantaneous and permanent.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:42 pmYes, Bush will laugh at this.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmBut the Dems have to get started on these guys, even if they are thwarted at every turn. Reid says he doesn’t want to spend time on these things when there is so much more to be done — I thought he was a fighter; he doesn’t sound like one — if the shoe were on the other foot, there would have been a censure, and impeachment and probably a Senate trial by now — repugs don’t stop for anything. They grab the camera and control the media, while the Dems go off and submit an obscure piece on their web site or a blog, where only the faithful read them.
Why the dems don’t call daily news conferences to explain and defend themselves, and definitively point out the mundacity of the repugs is beyond me.
We should be in line to take over everything in 2008 and begin to straighten the country’s mess, but the way it looks now, if the dems win, it will be by default. And the Rove machine is only getting revved up — the worst is yet to come.
#35 Gus,
I felt the same when I saw that session earlier today — after the recitation of reasons, any one of which is worthy of impeachment, Reid then goes on to demean the Feingold initiative.
He thinks that simply listing the Bush offenses is enough, but he refrains from actually doing something about it!
With so many of us screaming at them to be tougher, the dems remain weak and ineffective.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:59 pmAND, they also claim that if they are too offensive in their attacks on Bush, the public will grow weary of the fighting. How many ways can they misread the public opinion?
How much louder can we scream at them?
WTF more do they need?!
Censuring Is Not Enough!
Senator Feingold,
With all due respect, the utmost admiration and support, if these transgressions are not impeachable, what is? Is impeachment optional in the face of such blatant and incontrovertible evidence, or does the Constitution stipulate Congress must act?
i. The assertion that Iraq was linked to al-Qaeda;
ii. The claim that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction that threatened the U.S.;
iii. The knowingly false declaration in the 2003 State of the Union Address that Saddam Hussein tried to purchase yellow-cake uranium from Niger;
iv. Insufficient war planning;
v. The failure to protect troops and preserve the military;
vi. Fiscal mismanagement of the war.
vii. The implementation of the illegal, domestic wiretapping program and for misleading the American people regarding the legality of the warrantless program;
viii. The use of military commissions;
ix. Redefining torture;
x. The politicization of the U.S. Attorney scandal;
xi. The refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas.
The only proper instrument for accountability — when a president becomes despotic in his actions — is impeachment, trial, and removal for failure to respect the Constitution and faithfully execute the laws of the land.
Impeachment is a just and necessary remedy and I disagree that it takes away from other work Congress should and can be doing. When you have a president who openly flaunts and disobeys the law, intentionally attempts to erase the separation of powers of our tripartite government and assume dictatorial powers, no work, as has been the case so far, except for the minimum wage bill, will be accomplished!
Here’s the simple reason why: No matter what legislation Congress passes, Bush will veto it, ignore it, or add a dubious “signing statementâ€, making unilateral claims he may ignore it or claim the bill is “unconstitutional”, plainly bypassing the judicial process of the Supreme Court, as well. As many historians have appropriately point out, not even King George III of England had or assumed these kinds of tyrannical powers.
I fully understand that impeachment starts in the House of Representatives, but it is also your solemn duty, as much as it there’s, to ensure the Constitution is respected and the laws of the land rule our country, not an imperial president who ignores them or invalidates them.
Censuring Bush and Cheney is a start, but there must be far more significant consequences for these abuses of power, or the actions of Bush and Cheney will simply become precedence for future abuses by future presidents, Republican or Democratic.
The fabric of democracy is feeling the strain and we must unburden our country from a despotic president and a dangerous vice-president who uses fear and subjugation to rule by and not the rule of law to govern our nation.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 pmSurprised no one else has mentioned this:
Feingold Turns to Dross
07-17-07 By Dave Lindorff
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/24766
In a diary entry on Daily Kos, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), one of the most consistently progressive liberals in the Senate, surrendered to the Democratic Party Establishment, with an embarrassing string of lame and tired excuses for not standing for impeachment of the Bush/Cheney regime.
Feingold, who once took the lead in opposing Bush’s and Cheney’s abuses of power and their undermining of the Constitution with a censure motion filed in the Senate, wrote in the DailyKos diary that while he agreed that Bush and Cheney “may well have†committed “impeachable offenses,†he nonetheless did not support impeachment.
**We lost Feingold last week. Censure is LAUGHABLE. The focus should be ENTIRELY on TOMORROW at 10am ET. John Conyers wrote a letter to Fred Fielding that that’s the deadline for Harriet Miers to respond to the subpoena. She won’t. If Conyers brings charges of INHERENT CONTEMPT against Miers we have a chance to SAVE THE REPUBLIC. If he cowards out then the country is DEAD and Bush will claim Executive Privilege for EVERY INVESTIGATION. Its that simple. We’ll find out tomorrow what path our country takes.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 pmCensure Off The Table, Too
Something tells me that we’ll need to bookmark these statements for future use. Senator Russ Feingold said that he would offer a motion to censure President Bush on several points, including mismanaging the war and making “misleading” statements — but Harry Reid said that the Senate had more important work to do.
What?
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 pmOkay, forget the lawnmower ananlogy. Bad example.
How about holding the Republican Party accountable for their complicity in all this? How about putting to it a recorded vote and letting the people in this country see just who thinks the president should be removed from office for his actions and who thinks he should go on doing more of the same? Better yet. Let’s bring them up for impeachment so we can see who favors a war with Iran and who doesn’t. Because that is where we are inevidently heading if Bush and Cheney (and their enabler Alberto “I forget my last name” Gonzales) are not removed as soon as possible. There’s plenty of time to pass important legislation if they do away with crap like National Ice Cube Month, or other wastes of congressional time like that.
Sorry I’m ranting, but I just don’t see why they don’t see a benefit in even trying. Give ‘em the bird, vote for a third.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:54 pmHas anyone noticed the Democratic Leadership in both houses of Congress is a lot like the management here at Think Progress?
Trolls are allowed to control the debate, while anyone who hits too close to the truth is marginalized.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:26 pmHarry Reid says he is too busy to uphold his oath to defend the constitution. He says he has more important things to do.
Number one of which seem to be to dismiss the efforts of a fine man who is fully cognizant of his duty to this nation and his oath to our constitution, Russ Fiengold.
I can’t help but wonder why Harry Reid went on FTN this morning, was it really to tell us he is so busy or was he just trying to undercut a powerful rival for leadership of the Senate.
Just think what it would be like in the Senate if Fiengold was leader - WoW.
Those stinking republicans would have a fight on their hands every time they tried to pass one of their lies off on us. And yes, it would be disruptive for this session of the Senate and probably all America would be taking a side and telling each other what they think, writing to the editors of newspapers and commenting on blogs, and maybe even showing up outside of political events or politician’s offices holding up signs and shouting just to get their two cents in -
Oh, wait a minute, how would that be bad.
But, that nice man, Harry Reid, just wants every one to be nice.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:37 pmHarry Reids little overnight session accomplished nothing, and was just a stunt and a poorly choreographed one at that.
Meanwhile, he and Granny Pelosi block every bill with teeth that stands any real chance of holding Bush or the rest of them accountable, or of bringing our troops home.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:47 pmHarry Reid needs to go. Nevada needs to find a new Democrat to represent them.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:48 pmINHERENT CONTEMPT IS THE ONLY PATH TO IMPEACHMENT
I’ll piece it all together for my TP friends. From the Friday Washington Post:
…”Bush administration officials unveiled a bold new assertion of executive authority yesterday in the dispute over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, saying that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges initiated by Congress against White House officials once the president has invoked executive privilege.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 07/ 19/ AR2007071902625.html?hpid=topnews
A subpoenaed Harriet Miers refused to show up before Congress last week citing Executive Privilege even though she no longer works for the executive. As Judiciary Committe chairwoman Linda Sanchez spells out Executive Privilege in this case is nonsense.
http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/Sanchez070712.pdf
There you have it. Bush will NOT ALLOW the Justice Department to investigate any case where he cites Executive Privilege. And he’s citing it here even though it doesn’t come close to complying with the necessary standards. Therefore, Bush is saying, NOTHING WILL BE INVESTIGATED. Zero. Nada. None of his crimes will be looked into. And therefore IMPEACHMENT disappears into the ether. Because the only way Impeachment will happen is if a crime (that the public can easily understand) is uncovered that’s linked directly to the President or Vice President.
There’s one way around this. INHERENT CONTEMPT. Congress says FU to the President. Congress becomes the Judiciary and tries Harriet Miers and Josh Bolton in their Chamber. This is a Constitutional right of the Congress. With Bush’s pledge to never allow contempt charges to be pursued when he claims Executive Privilege its the only way an impeachable crime will be uncovered.
On July 19 John Conyers said this in a letter to Harriet Miers attorney Fred Fielding: “Please let me know in writing by 10 am on July 23 2007, whether Mr. Bolten will comply. If I do not hear from you by then, the Committee will have no choice but to consider appropriate recourse.”
http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/Conyers070719.pdf
If John Conyers chooses INHERENT CONTEMPT as the “appropriate recourse” the republic has a chance. If not, then Bush crimes will never be investigated and Impeachment will never happen. Bush will continue committing these crimes and even bigger ones. As will the next President (its precedent now). We should know what path the country will be taking tomorrow morning. Yet few are even aware this momentus event is happening.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:49 pmThe Democrats have a majority in both houses. If they were solid, they could impeach both Bush and Cheney and convict them in the Senate. They have not done this, so anything else is pointless.
I dig the hell out of Feingold, but what’s the point of censure anymore? If the Dems won’t impeach, which they could do, as long as they voted as a bloc, then there is really no point.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:53 pmHa ha! Someone noticed! :)
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:54 pmBut censuring is something the Senate could do. Impeachment is done in the House.
But, like I said before, censuring is pointless.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:56 pmReid is against this…
Well, on second thought, it might actually happen!
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pmAlejandro, I used to “dig” Feingold too. But I turned recently. Please read my post #52 or go to DailyKos and read Feingold’s diary entry yourself. I cannot support anyone who refuses to defend the Constitution. Without the Constitution nothing matters.
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pmerr there seems to be a shift. Reid–air balls, Pelosi, too much botox and expensive suits. Feingold–doesn’t seen to be able to follow through on his “tough” stance. Clinton, voted for the slaughterhouse in Iraq and now seeks to sneak back in to the anti-war group, assuming all americans will just forget about that disasterous vote. Obama–crickets. Edwards–floundering and in the near future will suffer the loss of his wife. This is our messed up affairs.
A liar to his own people, invades and occupies another small, defenseless country under the pretense, or the lie, to better describe it, that it had WMD. OOps no WMD and then it was because Saddam Hussein nwas a “bad man” so we killed him. OOPS, big insurgency, so then it was that the Rooseveltian war president was going to bring democracy to Iraq. OOPS, failed. So then it was the Iraqi’’s fault that they did not embrace Bush’s corporatocracy brand of “democracy” And now, well now our troops are killed and blown up, while one day they kill and I will use the word murder, some Shiites and their children and the next day they kill and murder some Sunni’s and their wives and their little children
All the while
Russ Feingold seeks to “censure” this crinminal activity?
That is disgusting to me. Reid is disgusting, Pelosi is disgusting and the entire cabal of Democrats are becoming more disgusting by the day. I am beginning to believe they actually want the territory Bush invaded and are playing some macabre game with this war and the other so called war “on terrorism” just to hold on to Iraq and it’s oil fields.
Not only is this stupid man running the show, but apparently, it is becoming to me, a show in which Pelosi and Reid and all the other Democrats, fully , under the table, support Bush.
Clinton’s husband–good buddies with Bush the 1. Feingold’s husband–making lots and lots of bucks off this war. Obama–supported Lieberman, who screws us all every day. Boxer–supported Lieberman when Lamont took the primary. Hillary, gave 5000 to Lamot, while Bill campaigned for Lieberman, and has amassed millions upon nmillions in her war chest from–who knows where?
I think I have had an epiphany re this party. This show is becoming a comedy and apparently all the actors on stage, ignore the will of the people and are willing to chuck aside the consitution in order to maintain their “power” that goes for Feingold, Boxer, Feinstein, Clinton and all the rest.
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:53 pmOff Topic:
July 22nd, 2007 at 5:48 pmIt really amazes me how a kid can get fired from the local ice cream shop for dropping a milkshake but these dirty sobs can commit treason and continue on like they were law abiding citizens .
Un-effing-believeable .
Harry Reid’s non-committal, hemming and hawing in response to (Face the Nation) Bob Scheiffer’s question…
…â€Will you support Feingold’s call for censure?â€â€¦
…shows his (Reid’s) “conservative†(al Ceeracka), Mormon, Nevada leanings…
…with traitors like these (Lievermin and Reid)…
…we’ll be forever spinning our wheels, and listening to bullsh*t and double speak…
…we need committed Progressive Democrats…
…not warmed over Repulsivescum-lite conned’self-serving traitors….
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:00 pmReid calls Bush a “liar”…
…but when pressed by Scheiffer says…
…”I like him (Bush) personally”…
…WTF?…
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 pmWaaaaah! What a crying whiner!
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:28 pmReid With GOP Caucus?
Congress wants to get back to rubber stamping: “REID: Well, at this stage, Russ is going to have to make his case as to why we should do that rather than do our appropriation bills, finish the defense authorization bill, Homeland Security appropriation bill.”
The whole argument of “we have important legislatoin to do, and can’t afford time to impeach-censure” is non-sense: Despite “spending time on things other than impeachment” the GOP is blocking the legislation.
Why didn’t the DNC block the legislation to begin with? Oh, that’s right: The GOP war criminals, like Hitler’s Nazis, were calling those who disgreed with illegal conduct, “traitors” and the DNC feared being called names than do the right thing. That explains everything. [/snark]
Wake up, America: The dicatorship only ends if you are willing to stand up to the dictatorship and make it stop: End all cooperating with all contracts this illegal dictatorship wants enforced.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:13 pmAh, isn’t “Reid” French?
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 amI voted for Russ Feingold when he first ran for senate and have never regretted my vote. He is the only member of Senate who knew Bush Cheney would destroy everything they touched. He knew the patriot act was wrong and was chastised for his thoughts in 2001 (although everyone now agrees with him.) He knew the intelligence leading up to Iraq was flawed and was chastised for his thoughts back then (although everyone now agrees with him.) Impeachment takes time and there’s not alot of time left to fix what BushCo has destroyed. A censure can take as little as 10 or 15 minutes and leave time to work on everything else that needs tending to. I would love to see Bush and Cheney impeached and thrown under their own bus, but I trust that Russ knows what he’s doing and will support him to the very end.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am“At my town hall meetings, online, and everywhere I go, I hear the American people demanding that the President and his administration be held accountable for their misconduct…”
….etc… etc…. “now watch me do something other than that”.
Hey, it got his head on TV at least. Give the guy a break. It’s not like he’s the only congressman pursuing pointless and meaningless political actions purely for publicity’s sake.
How’d that all-night fillibuster end up ?
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:47 amI saw it ridiculed on The Daily Show and Colbert Report but no word on how it ended.
Press coverage okay was it ?
I fear that a horrible mistake has been made!
I believe the saying is “Don’t forget to spay and neuter your pets,” not “…spay and neuter your Democrats.”
What have we done??
As for the Rebublicans, I believe that they have been enjoying a new snack food from China called “Paint Chips.”
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 pmSomeone, ANYONE, in Congress…Please grow a pair and introduce an Impeachement resolution!!
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:38 pm