Last week, ThinkProgress noted that an anonymous senator had placed a hold on a bill that would restore public access to Presidential records, which President Bush had sealed indefinitely with an executive order in 2001.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) was originally suspected of being the senator behind the secret hold until a member of his staff contacted ThinkProgress to “state for the record that” Sen. Coburn “is not holding this bill related to presidential records“:
The office of Sen. Tom Coburn would like to state for the record that he is not holding this bill related to presidential records. It is true that he placed a hold on the bill following its passage through the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in June, but has since worked out his minor concern with the office of Sen. Joseph Lieberman at which time he lifted his hold.
With Coburn out of the running, the mystery of who was attempting to block public access to Presidential records continued. But now, the Sunlight Foundation has revealed that the senatorial hand behind the secret hold is Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY):
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) now has an objection to moving forward with HR 1255, the Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007. The bill would overturn an outrageous Executive Order that would keep presidential records hidden from public view indefinitely. [...]
Now, whether or not he has had the hold all along, Senator Bunning has been forced to take responsibility for the objection. That makes us happy.
Tell Bunning to let the bill come to a vote here or call his office at 202-224-4343.
Ah yes… Jim Bunning… one of the Senate’s foremost whackjobs!
September 27th, 2007 at 10:05 pmGuess I didn’t win the pool.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:09 pmOr, tell Bunning “good job†and call his office at 202-224-4343.
Comment by Jake D. — September 27, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Okay… I’m gonna make a big mistake and ask this clueless idiot…
Why? Why is MORE secrecy in govt a good thing?
No, really, I’m DYIN’ ta hear this ’splanation. The floor’s all yer’s…
September 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm“Let me explain something: I don’t watch the national news, and I don’t read the paper. I haven’t done that for the last six weeks. I watch Fox News to get my information.” – Senator Bunning
September 27th, 2007 at 10:13 pmWould the restoration of public access to these documents include the White House visitation logs perhaps?
September 27th, 2007 at 10:18 pmIf you were wondering why the leading Democratic Party candidates have suddenly stopped calling for a pullout from Iraq, it may be because of the following polling:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298309,00.html
Majority of Americans don’t want to pussyfoot around with Ahmedinijad, especially after his performance at Columbia University. That guy definitely helped out the Iran War cause, at his own expense.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:22 pmFor the record, secrecy DURING WAR is a necessity for survival:
Comment by Jake D. — September 27, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Well, right off the bat, there would appear to be 3 glaring errors in yer “reasoning” **cough… cough** Pls read the text below.
“a Republican senator is secretly blocking a bill that would reverse President Bush’s 2001 executive order allowing ex-presidents to seal their records indefinitely.”
1. The bill only applies to EX-PRESIDENTS (and Ex-veeps). You can read, can’t you? And why indefinitely? Will we be at war for ever? Calling George Orwell…
2. We’re NOT “at war”. No Declaration of War has ever been issued for this mess!
3. The Executive Order doesn’t mention anything at all about “wartime necessity”.
That would be Steee-rike Three! Yer Out! NEXT!
Can’t wait to see the gyrating, obfuscating reply this draws! ;-D!
September 27th, 2007 at 10:29 pmThis is “for the record”, of course…
September 27th, 2007 at 10:29 pmFor the record, secrecy DURING WAR is a necessity for survival:
http://www.amazon.com/ Roosevelts-Secret-War-World-Espionage/ dp/ 0375761268
Comment by Jake D. —
September 27th, 2007 at 10:30 pmSo you are fine with secrecy, secrecy protected by this invasion/massacre now occupation over lies for control of oil? Do you know how foolish that makes you? You really do not care and can honestly defend this?
That guy definitely helped out the Iran War cause, at his own expense.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — September 27, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Geez, jason, I would have thught you’d have a certain empathy for tha guy, seein’ as yer both stone whackos.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:30 pmYou really do not care and can honestly defend this?
Comment by had enough — September 27, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
It’s not a question of defending it. His “rationale” **cough… cough** is simply disingenuous and irrational as all get out.
Jerk D isn’t even a real person.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:32 pmWhat is it that President Bush is afraid of?
Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 27, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
2 things, Bartles… “Indictment” and “Incarceration”…
September 27th, 2007 at 10:36 pmWhy is he doing it, I wonder?
http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org
September 27th, 2007 at 10:37 pmJason, the topic is Jim Bunning. Please stick to it.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:44 pm“Majority of Americans don’t want to pussyfoot around with Ahmedinijad, especially after his performance at Columbia University.”
like good ole Mitt:
Mitt Romney’s Hypocrisy on Iran Investments
September 27th, 2007 at 10:45 pmBTW, Is Sen Bunning still acting batsh!t insane? He was behaving most strangely right before his re-election. (I openly admit I have a certain animosity toward this man, but it has nothing to do with politics. He once pitched a perfect game against the New York Mets. The bastard!)
Seriously, how could anyone defend this hold on legislation opening up documents that belong to the American people to public scrutiny? You Bunning and Bush defenders seem to forget that the President of the United States is a public official. That means that there is nothing about his job that is private. You also forget that it is illegal to classify something just to keep it out of the public’s reach; classifying things can only relate to national security, not personal security. And even if, as pointed out, this bill would only apply to ex-presidents, bear in mind that Bush had his records as governor of Texas sent to his father’s presidential library, where his executive order would keep people from examining his gubernatorial record. (I try not to resist a chance to use the word “gubernatorial”. Or, in Bush’s case, “goobernatorial”.)
September 27th, 2007 at 10:51 pmGeez, where’d Jerk D go? He was makin’ such good points!
September 27th, 2007 at 11:15 pmThe Republic of Stupidity – you made the mistake of responding to an idiot – Like I have said so many times – Ignore the “it”
Buck Fush
September 27th, 2007 at 11:16 pmLike I have said so many times – Ignore the “itâ€
Buck Fush
Comment by Buckie Boy — September 27, 2007 @ 11:16 p
Bucky… I was having a good time, and Jerk D disappeared right afterwards.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:18 pmYeah, I hear ya, Jake D is fun to tease, but if you respond to the idiot he keeps on posting total crap for hours on end.
Buck Fush
September 27th, 2007 at 11:19 pmbut if you respond to the idiot he keeps on posting total crap for hours on end.
Buck Fush
Comment by Buckie Boy — September 27, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
He sure disppeared tonight right away. It’s all in the way you do it. If you try to prove a troll “wrong”, it never works. If you point out their whole premise is irrational or artifical, they tend to pack it in pretty quickly.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:23 pmOr, tell Bunning “good job†and call his office at 202-224-4343.
Comment by Jake D.
So Right Wing Loon Jake – why do you think this is a good thing, that one member of the Senate can stop a bill from going forward in secret! Also, why does it always seem to be a Republican who is doing this?
One has to wonder why the Democrats didn’t pull this kind of shit when the Republicans were in the majority, along with using the filibuster. Oh, I know why, the Democrats have ethics as opposed to the Republicans who have no compunction against this kind of chicanery.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:34 pmMajority of Americans don’t want to pussyfoot around with Ahmedinijad, especially after his performance at Columbia University. That guy definitely helped out the Iran War cause, at his own expense.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler
Right Wing Loon Jason quotes a Faux Noise poll as speaking for a “Majority of Americans”. Sorry Loon, a majority of Americans don’t watch Faux Noise and a majority of Americans do not participate in Faux Noise polls.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:37 pmRIght… been in hidin’ fer tha last hr plus…
September 27th, 2007 at 11:40 pmThe good news is the Phillies are tied with the Mets. Nonetheless, bunning makes me ashamed to be a Phillies fan.
Oh and jaked: Go away. you’re wasting your time.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:42 pmThen let me refresh yer memory fer ya, you freakin’ fraud.
For the record, secrecy DURING WAR is a necessity for survival:
Comment by Jake D. — September 27, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Well, right off the bat, there would appear to be 3 glaring errors in yer “reasoning†**cough… cough** Pls read the text below.
“a Republican senator is secretly blocking a bill that would reverse President Bush’s 2001 executive order allowing ex-presidents to seal their records indefinitely.â€
1. The bill only applies to EX-PRESIDENTS (and Ex-veeps). You can read, can’t you? And why indefinitely? Will we be at war for ever? Calling George Orwell…
2. We’re NOT “at warâ€. No Declaration of War has ever been issued for this mess!
3. The Executive Order doesn’t mention anything at all about “wartime necessityâ€.
That would be Steee-rike Three! Yer Out! NEXT!
Can’t wait to see the gyrating, obfuscating reply this draws! ;-D!
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — September 27, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
September 27th, 2007 at 11:44 pm“Or, tell Bunning “good job†and call his office at 202-224-4343.”
This statement is entirely indefensible. You are right to question him about it, TRoS. I doubt he would respond to me, either, even though I am not on his “ignore list” (as far as I know). Still, he cannot possibly have a rational defense of this statement because no rational defense exists.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:52 pmStill, he cannot possibly have a rational defense of this statement because no rational defense exists.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — September 27, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
Yeah… his comment was total gibberish. Hmmm… seems to have run off again.
Geez, Wayne, the Mets thing is PAINFUL. Wha’ the F happened?
September 27th, 2007 at 11:55 pmAnother Republican that believes the government should be secretive like the old KGB.
A free nation is not a secretive police state.
Besides Senator Bunny is a cook.
He thinks he’s being attacked by little green doctors.
-GSD
September 27th, 2007 at 11:56 pmI meant a kook, not a cook.
I must be sleepy or maybe I have little green doctors pounding at my back too.
-GSD
September 27th, 2007 at 11:56 pmJake’s ignore list is his defense against his own stupidity and lack of facts. it’s the typical tool of a teenager pretending to be a vet and a lawyer, while delivering lies tantamount to treason. He can’t be more than 15 years old, as his reasoning skills are badly underdeveloped, but his gaming is somewhat adept. These are characteristic of a barely pubescent adolescent male. No adult is going to maintain an “ignore list”. This is the excuse of the teenaged brat caught with his hand in Mommy’s purse. And proven by his lack of understanding of Aemrican law and jurisprudence, not to mention complete unfamiliarity with the US Constitution.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:02 amI don’t know, TRoS, I don’t know. But I decided that I’m not going to watch them this weekend. They don’t deserve my continued support, and I don’t need the emotional turmoil. They’re playing like they don’t want to go to the post-season, like they made plans for next week or something. Hell, the way they’ve been playing, Jim Bunning could probably throw another perfect game against them! (Just trying to keep it on topic. :) )
September 28th, 2007 at 12:04 amGeez, Wayne, the Mets thing is PAINFUL. Wha’ the F happened?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — September 27, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
Once again, they’ve contracted “September Syndrome”. But I’m adding something to the Mets photos on our blog that should make you smile.
Back on topic: Bunning is a loony.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:07 amComment by Buckie Boy — September 27, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
Comment by Jake D. — September 28, 2007 @ 12:09 am
cute, Jake, anything to avoid answering the question, even another straw man. you’re the only one with a childish “ignore list”. you’re really a sad, weak little pussy.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:17 amI imagine that fearless leader is mostly concerned by the vast quantities of his papers that are covered in crayon doodles of stylized naked women (or selected parts thereof), hot rods, bombs, guns, and the like.
hasta la victoria siempre!
September 28th, 2007 at 12:21 amjaked: You are a sniviling little shill for the right wing and about as clever, as a pig with a pocket watch.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:23 amYou are now on my “ignore the ignoramus” list.
Number 45: But there is only one on the “ignoramus” list. Guess who?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:26 amIf anyone NOT on the childish “Ignore List†has a question whether “you’re really a sad, weak little pussy†is a personal attack or not, please let me know.
It’s not an “attack” if it’s a simple statement of fact. You seem to be applying the “Bill O’Reilly Line of Reasoning” that says that if you’re not praising me and the sunshine coming out my butt, then you’re attacking me. What LP said is entirely appropriate and easily demonstrated by your posts on this thread. You refuse to answer people who point out the obvious flaws in your “logic”. They’re not “attacking” you just because it’s easy to prove that oftentimes what you post is pure bs. But since I am unofficially on your “ignore list”, I doubt you have the strength and courage to stand up for your so-called “beliefs”. But try to stay strong. I know that the freshman year in high school can be rough.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:29 amBunning is an embarrassment to the state of Kentucky. He narrowly beat his opponent in 2004 after his Senate sponsor, Mitch McConnell, orchestrated a clever campaign maneuver. They spread and repeated bogus statements that Bunning’s opponent was “a commie fag.”
Heckuva job, Mitchie. Somehow, I’m positive you are behind Bunning’s secret hold on the presidential records bill.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:29 amNumber 45: Just who the F are you, besides a overstuffed egotist? You bring nothing to the table. You have no intellect, no backbone and probably the smallest dick in red state America. Now that’s something.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:29 amGood nite, all you Proud Liberals. Number 45, FUVM.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:34 amA secret hold….Hrrr…Is that like an airport bathroom stall delaying tactic?
September 28th, 2007 at 1:25 am“Ignore Lists†abound . . .
Comment by Jake D. — September 28, 2007
I have a feeling Jakes on his wifes ignore list…
September 28th, 2007 at 1:27 amWhat Bush has done is unconstitutional. He can’t just paint his workproduct with a broad brush and say it’s all secret. Nor can Cheney keep his logs from the public either. Everything they do, they want to keep secret. It ill serves a democracy. This issue must get in the courts where, if the judges are not all stooges, the secrecy will stop under the spotlight of the constitution!
September 28th, 2007 at 1:44 amRegarding Senator Bunning I would like to seem him explain to the people what he was doing. Simple as that.
September 28th, 2007 at 1:46 amComment by williamf — September 28, 2007 @ 1:44 am
Bush has “workproduct”? Why would he want to keep his brush-clearing activities secret? ;-)
September 28th, 2007 at 1:50 amRe #54: No luck. Bunning can’t explain anything. He is McConnell’s second vote and McConnell tells him exactly what to do.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:29 amI heard somewhere that Bunning also put a “secret hold” on Larry Craig.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:29 amIt is time for the Senate Democrats to put a secret hold on EVERY amendment and EVERY piece of legislation offered by the NeoCons.
Corn(hole)yn’s attack on MoveOn.org definitely deserved a secret hold by ALL of the Democrats who voted against it.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:47 amBunning wouldn’t know what it is you’re objecting to. He doesn’t even know which century this is. Ask him.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:17 amFor the record, secrecy DURING WAR is a necessity for survival
Comment by Jake D. — September 27, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Necessary for the survival of whom Jake D? Your unamerican opinions are coming through loud and clear!
September 28th, 2007 at 5:50 amWhy are all these acts of corruption just ever so slightly wafting up to the surface? Why are we expected to hear this type of information and then never hear the outcomes from investigation-That is if they bother to . We’ve had plenty of “slam Dunk’ cases to bring down this WH? They can’t bend the Statue of Liberty over any farther- They have her over the barrell and are getting in line for a second round (Iran). We are not really Progressives we’re the Regainers! WE have lost what little ground we had made over the last 35 yrs. It’s been slower than expected, but it was progressing. Now we are back to square One on every issue- We shouldn’t even be discussing (and certainly not fighting about) abortion rights, womens pay, universal health care, education, poverty, alternative fuel sources, envirn. conservation. Those areas should have been resolved or at least on the road to completion. WE should all be discussing further reducing Global Warming techniques, getting the world on a free Internet, researching and treating major diseases, – our mental, economic and attention should be focused on science and what we can discover about the rest of our existence. We are far more mature than our ‘leaders’ give US credit for. Our nation is not just a little off course- we’re stuck in the Bermuda Triangle
September 28th, 2007 at 7:05 amWhy do Republican fear that Americans might know or find out what their elected representatives have been doing?
September 28th, 2007 at 7:14 amhttp://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/28/gop.debate.ap/index.html
More proof the average knuckledragging GOPer is a white trash klan type.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:17 amAll the big GOP candiates didnt appear at this black forum for one simple reason.. they would face a choice between saying things that would alienate the few blacks who might vote for them, or alternatively, having to say things to court blacks that would infuriate thier base. They also avoided a mexican forum like the plauge. If this sort of stuff isnt proof that minorities and the GOP’s white trash base are irreconcilable, I don’t know what is…
#20 – “Actually, I’m just waiting for someone NOT on the “Ignore List†(for personal attacks when I don’t resort to personal attacks and/or not answering my questions when I always answered their questions to me).” Comment by Jake D. — September 27, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
Except for the fact that there ARE people here who have answered your questions and didn’t resort to personal attacks.
When you refuse to acknowledge or agree with their answer that does not mean they didn’t answer.
I’ve seen you resort to personal attacks first.
I suppose when your head is shoved in the sand, you can ignore anything you want.
Since I apparently seem to be on your “ignore list”, despite the fact I’ve met your criteria to remain OFF your “ignore list”, I shall begin ignoring your comments henceforth.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:29 amHendler, let me get your logic straight…every day we stay in iraq is helping the iranian backed shia gain more power there (democratically), and yet, now, the democratic candidates think we need to stay, to ensure that iraqis democratically have the right to ally themselves with iran?
they think we need to stay and support THIS guy, right hendler:
http://www.islamicmediacity.com/cms_files/news_images/1190391250.jpg
You DO know the reason saddam used to get weapons from your heroes is because we were concerned about Iranian influence spreading through Iraq, right?
oh, and since they hated each other, which one was hitler, Saddam or Armadeghadajahad? whatever his name is?
September 28th, 2007 at 7:30 amOrdered to kill unarmed Iraqi, U.S. soldier testifies
—
Sep 27, 2007 05:00 PM
Katarina Kratovac
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD – A U.S. soldier cried today as he told a court martial that his staff sergeant ordered him to shoot an unarmed Iraqi. He said the sergeant then laughed and told the trooper to finish the job as the dying man convulsed on the ground.
rest
September 28th, 2007 at 7:37 amhttp://www.thestar.com/News/article/261307
#62 – “Necessary for the survival of whom Jake D? Your unamerican opinions are coming through loud and clear!” Comment by foreyes — September 28, 2007 @ 5:50 am
To those on the far-right, unAmerican opinions like those are fully supported by the First Amendment. (The ONLY time that amendment is looked at.)
September 28th, 2007 at 7:37 amI notice jake stopped using his famous “anyone else?” after “rory” who claimed not to be him, used it also. I guess if Rory is a liar about not being jake, jake is a liar too. Notice jake and rory didnt show up in the same thread. Jory/Rake must have been visiting one of his 15 year old friends and using thier computer…
a few examples of jakes trademarked “anyone else?” :
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/20/long-term-presence-in-iraq-trillions-in-taxpayer-dollars/#comment-4084860
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/19/breaking-senate-rejects-habeas-legislation/#comment-4083674
September 28th, 2007 at 7:43 amComment by Chocolate Jesus — September 28, 2007 @ 7:43 am
Heh…yup. We busted Shakey on that just the other day.
September 28th, 2007 at 8:08 amAs a Kentucky resident, I have sent a message to Senator Bunning asking him why he has done this, and I hope others will do the same. We don’t need more secrecy in government, particularly about things that happened decades ago!
September 28th, 2007 at 8:41 amI called Bunnings office. The staffer DENIED that Bunning put the hold. I said I hoped he could investigate and help move the legislation forward.
Posters – follow suit, with polite, respectful requests. If you sound crazy or overly partisan, you’ll be ignored. But serious, responsible voters expressing concern RAISE concern in professional politicians that times are changing, and that the BS that worked last month might be wearing thin.
Here’s hoping.
September 28th, 2007 at 8:54 amI suspect that his “hold” had to do with the visitor logs among other things. It’s precisely when info about the nocturnal visits of Jeffie Lube were being circulated in the blogosphere that this mysterious “hold” was put on presidential records. Hmmmm….one has to wonder what damaging information is contained therein with this severe cloak of secrecy applied to it??
September 28th, 2007 at 9:07 am#53 William F: Of course, what he’s done is unconstitutional; that is, if this were still a valid democracy. Since it’s sliding into complete fascism, the claim of secrecy is applied to absolutely everything….another hallmark of fascism I’m afraid.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:09 amI’m sorry Jake, but secrecy in a time of war is not the issue here. GWB used 911 as his rationale for issuing the order, but way back on his first day in office his administration filed suit to block the Reagan archives from becoming public. Did he know in January 2001 that he was leading the nation to war? I would hope not. No I think the more likely reason is that there is some extremely embarrassing stuff in the Reagan archives that needed to be hidden or scrubbed from the records. Of course soon I am sure there will be the Clinton exception, whereby they release Clinton era documents while still leaving all other republican administration documentation in hiding.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:21 amPlease call this guy’s office–they have yet to be overwhelmed with calls, as the woman I just spoke to seems very calm. These criminals need to know that we are watching!
September 28th, 2007 at 9:47 amDoes anyone know HOW he put the hold on it? I’m curious as to the methods used.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:49 amComment by Veritas — September 28, 2007 @ 9:07 am
As more and more things like this happen, I keep thinking of a HUGE toilet brush and thousands of gallons of bleach to scrub the turd stains off the WH walls and off the Constitution when this bunch of sleazeball scumbags are flushed in ‘09.
But the damage may be too great to ever fully recover our country…. and maybe the world.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:49 amDoes anyone know HOW he put the hold on it? I’m curious as to the methods used.
Comment by Ike Skelton — September 28, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Here is a brief explanation from the Denver Post on our friend Sen. Kyl (R) Arizona on that very subject:
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_6053387
September 28th, 2007 at 9:54 amFor the record, secrecy DURING WAR is a necessity for survival:
Comment by Jake D. — September 27, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Add this to the ever-growing list of excuses the Repubs continually use to explain their secrecy, deception, eroding of freedoms, gutting the constitution, etc.
“We are at war!”
September 28th, 2007 at 11:29 am“There’s a war on!”
“If you stop us, the terrorists win!”
“(we have to take away freedom and privacy) to ensure the security of America!”
“You’re either with us or with the terrorists!”
“Clinton did it, too!”
Re #54: No luck. Bunning can’t explain anything. He is McConnell’s second vote and McConnell tells him exactly what to do.
Comment by Ditch Mitch KY — September 28, 2007 @ 2:29 am
I agree….I think Bunning’s a pretty clueless Senator and a sockpuppet for those who really have an interest in stopping this legislation. It’s sad, but I believe that Jim is simply following the script that he is given. In return, the crime syndicate makes sure he’s re-elected as a rock solid rubberstamper who will do anything asked and votes as directed.
September 28th, 2007 at 1:58 pmActually, I’m just waiting for someone NOT on the “Ignore List†(for personal attacks when I don’t resort to personal attacks and/or not answering my questions when I always answered their questions to me).
Comment by Jake D.
I have often wondered why the Right Wing Loon Jake the Fake thinks that he gets to ask questions and we are somehow obligated to answer him, especially when he doesn’t think he has to answer any questions posted to him. I think it’s called “megalomania”. He’s a legend in his own mind.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:23 pm