ThinkFast: November 6, 2007
ThinkFast: November 6, 2007
The U.S. military announced the deaths of five more soldiers today, “making 2007 the deadliest year of the war for U.S. troops. … At least 852 American military personnel have died in Iraq so far this year — the highest annual toll since the war began in March 2003, according to AP figures.”
Sixty percent of Americans favor withdrawing U.S. forces, a new high, while just 9 percent favor increasing troop levels. “At the same time, relatively few, 17 percent, favor an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces, matching its average in polls since 2006.”
69 percent: Number of Americans who believe that waterboarding is torture, according to a new CNN poll. Another 58 percent say that the U.S. government should be barred from using the procedure “to try to get information from suspected terrorists.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pens an op-ed in the NYT explaining why he will vote for Mukasey, arguing that he “would do a good job in turning the department around.” He adds that Congress is now considering legislation that would explicitly ban the use of waterboarding, and he is “confident that Judge Mukasey would enforce that law” should it pass.
President Bush urged Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to hold elections and give up his army post “as soon as possible,” but “gave no indication that the general’s imposition of emergency rule would bring about any significant change in American policy.” Members of Congress said they will review aid to Pakistan, but did not immediately propose a cutoff or reduction.
“Six years after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Al Qaeda is a potent threat to the West and will take at least a generation to defeat, according to the most recent assessment by the head of Britain’s intelligence agency, MI5.”
“Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions rose close to an all-time high in 2005, led by U.S. and Russian gains despite international curbs meant to restrict global warming, United Nations data showed.”
“The number of Iraqis fleeing their homes has more than quadrupled since the U.S. troop buildup began in February, leaving 2.3 million Iraqis displaced and further dividing the country along sectarian lines.” If violence is decreasing in Iraq, it may be because insurgents “are running out of people to kill,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) said.
The nationwide average gas price went above $3 a gallon Monday, “to the highest in more than three months as climbing oil prices pushed up prices at the pump. … The average gas price has never topped $3 in November, a development that adds to uncertainty about how much consumers will spend when faced with higher energy bills.”
And finally: The entire House delegation from New England has signed on to an official commendation of the Red Sox after the team’s recent World Series win. The bill — stating in part that the team “epitomized sportsmanship, selfless play, team spirit, determination, and heart” — picked up 21 members, three more than supported a similar one in 2004. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) added in a statement, “God is good.”
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“He adds that Congress is now considering legislation that would explicitly ban the use of waterboarding, and he is “confident that Judge Mukasey would enforce that law†should it pass.”
So, Schumer’s never heard of a filibuster? A f’in VETO? God damn is this guy an idiot.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:06 amWhat the hell is Schumer talking about? “Congress is considering a law to ban waterboarding”?? Hey, Chuck, Congress ALREADY HAS A LAW BANNING WATERBOARDING, for your information. It’s called the Geneva Conventions on Torture which we adopted into law.
Just enforce the existing law guys. We know that you’re skirting around to provide de facto exoneration to Bush’s butt which will be sitting in prison while you try to pretend that this country does not have a law regarding waterboarding.
Fortunately, the majority of the american people are much smarter than you, Chuck Schumer. That goes for your traitor/comerade Diane Feinstein as well.
We’re onto you and we know why this issue is arising right now – it’s because the Shrub is getting very antsy about his future when he envisions the trials and war crime tribunals which are being planned. Unfortunately, the people are not going to permit you to save his sorry a$$ again this time!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:08 amBesides, bringing a new law into existence still WILL NOT provide de facto “cover” for your buddy neofascists who have broken the existing law. Move over Shumer and Feinstein because you’re on your way out of congress right now with this piece of chicanery. Fortunately, 24 former intel officials have written a scathing letter to Congress regarding your recent actions. You will not only be “slapped on the wrist” this time; you will be expelled from Congress for “derelection of duty” and “obstruction of justice” – both charges which you’ve brought upon yourselves.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:11 amHow can we expect to “clean things up” when we have sycophantic “turncoats” on our Judiciary Committee representing AIPAC and AEI?? They’re in it all just as thick as Gonzo was – if not thicker! Do not trust the actions of Chuck Schumer and Diane Feinstein – they’re “wolves in sheeple’s clothing”.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:12 amAt least 852 American military personnel have died in Iraq so far this year
That’s 852 of our soldiers who died because the Chimp doesn’t know when to quit. This occupation has been lost for well over a year so these soldiers gave their lives for nothing. I feel for their families. At least the families of the soldiers who died in the beginning can convince themselves that their child died for a just cause. These last parents will have to somehow convince themselves that their children died for something other than the Chimp’s need to occupy Iraq to try to steal their oil.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:14 am“The U.S. military announced the deaths of five more soldiers today, ‘making 2007 the deadliest year of the war for U.S. troops.’ ”
…but…but…but…we were told the violence was de-escalating? Is this new math?
November 6th, 2007 at 9:14 am“At the same time, relatively few, 17 percent, favor an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces, matching its average in polls since 2006.â€
This I just don’t understand. Why should we not immediately withdraw from Iraq? The Iraqi’s don’t want us there and our staying is just exacerbating an already bad situation. When are the sheepepole going to wake up and realize that there is no reason for us to stay one day longer in Iraq. Look at the American death toll since the first of this year. That should say it all.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:16 am69 percent: Number of Americans who believe that waterboarding is torture, according to a new CNN poll
Now that’s scary. That means that 31% don’t think it is torture? Well, that’s about what Bush’s base is so I guess it makes a sick kind of sense.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:17 amHey Chuck–you’ve lost my vote! Trusting anyone that Bush appoints once they show the same willingness as all his other appointees to use semantics and dance around an issue under oath, is not a good idea. Bush will never let you kick that football. Good Ole Charlie Schumer. How I hate him.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:18 amWhat a depressing list of facts. What a sullied nation.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:18 amThat 31% believes in creation, and they believe Bush is an intelligent and honorable Christian and they want the war to keep going too.
We live in a tyranny of the minority.
-GSD
November 6th, 2007 at 9:19 amWhat the hell is Schumer talking about? “Congress is considering a law to ban waterboarding�? Hey, Chuck, Congress ALREADY HAS A LAW BANNING WATERBOARDING, for your information. It’s called the Geneva Conventions on Torture which we adopted into law.
Actually the US has a law passed a couple of years ago banning torture. You know, the one that Bush attached a signing statement to saying that he would decide what was torture and not.
If the Democrats allow Mulkasey to become our AG, they are giving Bush a pass on torture. The reason why the Bush Admin has told Mulkasey to obfuscate on the subject of torture is that they are worried, if he does say waterboarding is torture, that Mulkasey will have to arrest Bush and try him for violating the law.
I have a very sick feeling that Bush is going to walk away from this mess without ever being held accountable for his crimes. And what a precedent that is going to set for future presidents. I can hear Hillary now, “We need to let bygones be bygones and get on with turning this country around”.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:21 am“Sixty percent of Americans favor withdrawing U.S. forces, a new high, while just 9 percent favor increasing troop levels.”
It doesn’t matter if 100% of Americans favor withdrawing U.S. forces. The Bush/Cheney cabal has already decreed that the will of the people is totally irrelevant.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:22 amIt looks as if the violence of Iraqi on Iraqi is declining and enabling the violence against US troops to increase. I guess this shows that the opposition violence is “in its last throes.” As far as w is concerned, the deaths of US soldiers is only useful to say that “if we cut and run now, the deaths of our soldiers will be dishonored.” In other words, the more deaths the better in order to keep the occupation going.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:22 amMukasey will turn the DOJ around? Yeah, you don’t have far to go if you are going to ‘turn’ it 360 degrees thus ending in the same place.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:23 amJeebus on toast points!
Elspeth
Members of Congress said they will review aid to Pakistan, but did not immediately propose a cutoff or reduction.
The wimps strike again. Gawd how we need to clear out this nest of vipers, all of them with a very few exceptions, Republican and Democrat alike. Imagine what a wake-up call that would be. We might just be able to take back our government. Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of Democratic incumbents who are opposed in the primaries so getting rid of the Democrats will be hard.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:24 am“Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions rose close to an all-time high in 2005, led by U.S. and Russian gains despite international curbs meant to restrict global warming, United Nations data showed.â€
I saw Al Gore on TV last night and listened to what he has to say. I still can’t get over how any sane adult can think that we can dump tons of chemicals into our environment with no affect. It defies reason to think that. But there are people who think that somehow Mother earth is going to be able to process all those chemicals with no affect on the environment.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:27 am$95.75 a barrel
November 6th, 2007 at 9:27 amAnd finally: The entire House delegation from New England has signed on to an official commendation of the Red Sox after the team’s recent World Series win. The bill — stating in part that the team “epitomized sportsmanship, selfless play, team spirit, determination, and heart†— picked up 21 members, three more than supported a similar one in 2004. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) added in a statement, “God is good.â€
They need to add an exception clause for Manny. He only epitomizes arrogance and crapitude.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:27 amThe nationwide average gas price went above $3 a gallon Monday, “to the highest in more than three months as climbing oil prices pushed up prices at the pump. … The average gas price has never topped $3 in November, a development that adds to uncertainty about how much consumers will spend when faced with higher energy bills.â€
And it will continue to hover between $2.80 and $3.15 until July 4th when the price will inexplicably begin to slide due to “unexpected inventory surpluses”– until after the election, that is– when the price will suddenly rise again do to “bottlenecks in the refining process” or the “need to switch to the winter blend”.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:27 amIf violence is decreasing in Iraq, it may be because insurgents “are running out of people to kill,†House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) said.
This is sad beyond words.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:28 amschumer knew that he couldn’t beat d’amato in the rethug party so he went to the dims. The dims are too stupid to realize that upchuck is really a DINO. He dances and dances to find a way to support w but try to put it in some frame that he thinks won’t really be challenged. Perhaps that is beginning to change. There needs to be a challenger in the next dim primary.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:29 amIf Congress passes a law now which specifically makes waterboarding illegal, wouldn’t that mean that before it was legal and, therefore, no U.S. citizen who authorized or engaged in waterboarding in the past can be prosecuted?
Congressmen, if you trust Mukasey to go after anyone who has engaged in waterboarding or any other form of torture, just say so and vote for him. Don’t add injury to insult by justifying your vote with a potentially harmful legislative action.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:30 amBilbo & Miss Molly: The reason none of this makes any sense to our logical minds is because we’re forgetting one major factor in the Iraq/war equation and it’s called WAR PROFITEERING. Many nests are being feathered while this war wages on and kills our loved ones. They probably feel that the ends justify the means, as they do with all else they’ve criminally accomplished.
It’s simply “blood for oil” – an exchange they laugh all the way to the bank on!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:31 amFortunately, the majority of the american people are much smarter than you, Chuck Schumer. That goes for your traitor/comerade Diane Feinstein as well.
I suspect that Feinstein isn’t going to run for reelection so her true colors are coming out. She has always been more of a Republican than an Democrat. Unfortunately no one has every challenged her so she has retained her seat in California. When I lived there I anxiously awaited someone to challenge her so I could vote against her. Unfortunately it never happened. But, I also didn’t vote for her in the last couple of elections.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:31 am“Six years after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Al Qaeda is a potent threat to the West and will take at least a generation to defeat, according to the most recent assessment by the head of Britain’s intelligence agency, MI5.â€
And today, in the Queen’s speech, the Brown government is looking to introduce new anti-terrorism legislation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7079333.stm
Coincidenk?
Anyways, let’s just make sure that we agree on what “potent threat to the West” means. That there are dangerous jihadists out there willing to kill, but they do not pose an existential threat to our way of life.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:33 amChuck Schumer says he is voting to confirm Mukasey because if Mukasey is rejected, Bush will make an interim appointment to the AG position, bypassing the confirmation process. Schumer sees this as a choice between Mukasey or somebody worse.
Nice blackmail from the White House.
However, a confirmation for Mukasey is still a confirmation for a Bush stooge. The fact that Mukasey can’t bring himself to say that waterboarding is torture (and he’s a smart man — surely he knows that it is) means that he is leaving all his options open for blindly obeying Bushco. Just ONCE I wish we could get an appointee with some moral principles!
The only way that Congress can have any effect on the Bush runaway train is to pass legislation explicitly defining waterboarding as torture. And passing legislation spelling out exactly how other laws are to be interpreted and enforced. In other words, passing bill after bill after bill telling the AG exactly how his job is to be done. And if the AG deviates at the direction of the White House, impeach.
What an incredible waste of time and resources. It’s so sad that our government has come to this.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:34 amBush is a four letter word sez:
Actually, it’s at $96.44.
And the cold weather hasn’t even hit yet.
Truly, now is the winter of our discontent.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:35 amAs for Madame Hillary making the statement about “byones”, Bilbo, I think you’re right on target there. Of course, miss skeleton closet would love to move beyond the things which will tank her candidacy which is precisely why Hillary is “not electable”. It’s precisely why the reichwingnuts are “lusting” right now for Hillary to become the Dem candidate – the same reason why the Dems are lusting for Rudy to become the Repuke candidate. Both of these two cons have so much garbage in their past that it will become a $hit-sling-fest instead of an election.
As for the people’s reaction to the “bygones be bygones”, while this may be Bush’s wet dream, it isn’t going to happen. Our entire democracy depends on bringing this man to the justice he deserves for his crimes – nationally & internationally. If we are ever to regain a smidgen of the respect we once held internationally, we must not permit his to slide on any of his crimes.
If the People of this country are ever to regain a modicum of respect we once had for the Office of President and the chain of command under that position, we must bring Bush to justice. And I believe that the people have finally “had enough” and will do whatever it takes to bring this to fruition.
He can run to Paraguay and try to hide but there will be no hiding for this man. This democracy cannot make the turnaround it requires unless/until Bush & Cheney are behind bars. With this Mukasey nomination, we are slipping slowly into the black abyss from which return is impossible – will we enable ourselves to slip into it entirely, despite the legal opinion of a collection of 24 former intel officials and 70% of the people?? Today may, in fact, be the most “pivotal day” in the history of this democracy.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:37 amIt’s simply “blood for oil†– an exchange they laugh all the way to the bank on!
Comment by Veritas
Every one of those war profiteers should be forced to spend an hour a day for a month with the parents of the dead soldiers.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:37 amThat’s a weasel move by Schumer. Whatever is the reason he will vote for Mukasey, this move of drafting legislation that he’s sure Mukasey will enforce – if passed – simply throws responsibility and blame on the congress as a whole, rather than himself.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:38 amThey could vote against Mukasey, keep the Democrats’ support, and still draft legislation, which, if the congress stupidly fails to pass, the Dems would have kept themselves in favor.
It’s simply “blood for oil†– an exchange they laugh all the way to the bank on!
Comment by Veritas — November 6, 2007 @ 9:31 am
…and Iran will just be more of the same. Americans have figured this out.
My late hero, Molly Ivins, said in her very last column, “WE are the deciders!” And we are. So now that Americans have decided that we need to get out of Iraq, we shouldn’t bomb Iran, waterboarding is torture, Bush and Cheney are sucking at their jobs — when will we decide to do something about it?
November 6th, 2007 at 9:38 amGood catch, PLC.
However, they’re already insulated from criminal charges and civil suits thanks to the Military Commissions Act of 2006.
Apparently, Shumer has forgotten about Bush’s signing statements. And far be it for any of Bush’s Attorneys General to restrict the authority and power of their Commander in Chief during a time of War.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:39 amI don’t buy Schumer’s lie about “appointing someone worse” because, essentially, “what can be worse right now?” for this country??
We haven’t had a “real AG” in this country since Gonzo took office so if we’re left with no one, so be it (as the intel officials said in their letter yesterday to congress).
If he threatens to make an interim appointment, there are remedies to this possibility by extending congress, without recess, to the end of his term. There are ways to accomplish a “shutdown”, trust me.
As for Congress, they really need to clip the purse strings and shut down this government right now anyway unless/until we decide, as a people, if we care about our country and our constitution. This IS our “waterloo”. If we botch it, we’re doomed.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:40 am#13, bilbobaggins – I agree entirely. Well said.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:41 amTrivializing the accomplishments of the US Military and the Iraqi citizens in the dramatic reduction of violence is disgraceful and unpatriotic.
Obey should be ashamed.
Comment by jdc — November 6, 2007 @ 9:38 am
looks like the GOP is having a big “oh shit” moment as the facts show their incompetence and treason on a daily basis. Obey is, of course, correct, and a patriot for speaking the truth rather than rolling over for the traitoprs in the White House. Too bad, jdc, the GOP can’t govern, and can’t win a war against a small desert country, and can’t defend the USA against enemy attack. Time to flush them as the turds they are.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:42 amLast January, Democrats took control of Congress. And what have we got to show for it?
Well, 852 more families can now proudly fly the American Flag in their front yards, courtesy of the U.S. government.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:42 amIf violence is decreasing in Iraq, it may be because insurgents “are running out of people to kill,†House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) said.
I read an article sunday that made the point that most Baghdad neighborhoods are now armed single ethnic enclaves with fortified walls and closely guarded checkpoints in and out of the area.
That’s gotta be a new definition of free dumb.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:42 amMiss Molly: Now you are beginning to see the pattern and connect the dots. Here we are – left with only one option when nothing else seems to work and that is to “take to the streets” in order to make our statement; however, taking to the streets has been handily obstructed by our dear ole’ Patriot Act! Nifty foresight on the part of these neofascists. Then ask yourself precisely HOW the patriot act came to be – and you will discover that it was hatched well in advance of 911 by PNAC (the fascist group governing this country). Of course, they knew it didn’t have a snowball’s chance of being accepted by the people without “another pearl harbor type event” and, like magic, 911!! Amazing efficiency to move forward with their plan to coup this democracy and install fascism. Then take a look at who’s behind the propaganda machine and it all begins to make perfect sense.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:43 amBrise: I’m with you on this. What have they to show for it? Besides, as for Bush’s “signing statements”, some legal minds are weighing in on the legality of these statements. Just because Gonzo and Addington said it was so, doesn’t make it so. If Bush thought he was exonerating himself due to a signing statement on waterboarding, he’s got another thing coming when it comes to the Geneva Conventions and an international tribunal. He may get away with it because Congress is a bunch of dolts and morons here but he will not get away with it in the long run.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:46 amTrivializing the accomplishments of the US Military and the Iraqi citizens in the dramatic reduction of violence is disgraceful and unpatriotic.
Obey should be ashamed.
Comment by jdc — November 6, 2007 @ 9:38 am
The U.S. Military has done everything asked of them. Nobody is trashing the troops here.
However, Obey is right. One of the biggest factors in the violence reduction is that due to Iraqis fleeing their homes and the ethnic cleansing nearing completion in many areas. Pointing out the obvious isn’t unpatriotic.
It would be sad beyond words if we have become such a pathetic country that “patriotism” means having to obfuscate the truth and put on a false face for the rest of the world.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:46 amThe spineless Democrats keep funding the war and 852 of our troops are dead and thousands more wounded so far this year.
Would it be different without the funding?
The Democrats are killing our troops by blindly funding this war so they won’t be seen as “soft on terror.”
All because they want to win the ‘08 election.
They’re no better than the scum on the other side of the aisle.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:46 amAlso, any legislation that manages to pass which Bush doesn’t like, will simply be amended with a signing statement anyway, absolving himself of adherence.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:47 amThere already is a law against waterboarding – it has already been described and decried since the days of the Inquisition – yet this crime family and its minions have decreed themselves over and above the law.
We are a nation of laws – and when we publicly and blatantly violate the law, we make ourselves a mockery.
Bush has done more harm to this country than any terrorist organization could have wished.
We can take polls about how many americans disagree with the status quo till lthe cows come home but what “teeth” do the people actually have to do something about it?
Voting?? Yeah, right! Let’s take a sneak peek at the still-hackable DRE’s which we will be voting on again next election, shall we?
http://www.blackboxvoting.org and http://www.bradblog.com if you want your skin to crawl.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:48 am“Trivializing the accomplishments of the US Military and the Iraqi citizens in the dramatic reduction of violence is disgraceful and unpatriotic.”
Comment by jdc
Except that the reduction in violence has more to do with US forces’ decision to just “call it in” instead of going out on real missions that might get them killed, and the de-facto partioning of the country.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:48 am“I can hear Hillary now, ‘We need to let bygones be bygones and get on with turning this country around’.
bilbobaggins”
Yup, that’s what they’ll all say, except Kucinnich, who will never get elected. Our country is screwed. It’s owned by the corproations and all we get to do is choose one of the prechosen.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:49 amisnt schumer’s op-ed the same thing as granting retroactive immunity to the telecoms?
making legislation to fit the actions?
November 6th, 2007 at 9:49 amRemove Bush: We all should join a civil suit against every yes vote in Congress on this because it circumvents our laws. Even if Bush tried to exonerate himself by a signing statement on this, Congress does not have that luxury (if it’s even legal at this point). They, by oath, swear to uphold the constitution and laws of this country so essentially by voting yes to cover Bush’s ass on this, they are participating in a “derelection of their duty” and “obstruction of justice”. I think the people now need to go after the politicians who are being paid to represent them. After all, they are OUR “civil servants” and it’s up to us to hold them to their oath of office.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:51 amHillary and Rudy are the “establishment candidates” – propped up by their employers, the mainstream media propaganda machine.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:51 amOne can only hope that someone in the news media will follow this story beyond the vote on Mukasey, looking for any payoff that might accrue to Schumer and Feinstein.
With regard to Schumer, it would seem that he might well receive some form of compensation (a large contribution from a Reich-wing organization, etc.) or he has been given “an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
And as for Feinstein, isn’t her husband a wealthy businessman, who might benefit significantly if certain federal contracts are steered in his direction (benefitting Diane as well)?
The specter of what occurred to Senator Paul Wellstone just over five years ago may have faded from the memories of most in the general public, however, be assured that this event remains foremost in the minds of every representative and senator who might consider actions running counter to the agenda advanced by the Bush-Cheney cabal. Sen. Wellstone voted against the Senate resolution to invade Iraq, and was quite arguably the politician most hated by the Neocon set.
Although this article was written some five years ago, it provides some important food for thought regarding the political climate in this country — http://www.alternet.org/story/14399/
November 6th, 2007 at 9:52 amEveryone see Olbermann’s special comment last night? If not get yourself a transcript.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:52 amThere is at least one guy around with testicular fortitude.
A vote for either Rudy or Hillary is a vote for fascism, plain and simple.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:52 amMarie: I didn’t see it but just read the transcript. Whoa! Keith has developed some major cojones! Kudos to Keith! He calls it as he sees it and he’s so on the mark. I’ve sent the transcript to everyone I know in case they didn’t see it live. The clip is on C & L if anyone’s interested – a couple of threads down today.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:53 amthis editorial makes sense:
Confirm Mukasey, ban torture
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee should not be asking people who might be the attorney general of the United States about what the law says. They should be writing laws that allow no attorney general, and no president, enough wiggle room to excuse practices that clearly violate international law, treaty obligations, the Constitution, common sense and common decency.
[...]
The fact that President Bush himself goes out of his way to double- talk this issue — what we’re doing is legal, but we won’t tell you what we’re doing — absolutely screams for congressional action far more decisive than cross-examining and second- guessing administration nominees.
The Senate should confirm Mukasey as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, though doing so by a narrow vote wouldn’t be a bad message to send. Then senators of both parties who are rightly offended by this administration’s rationalizations of unjustifiable practices can send Mukasey a new law to enforce, one that answers the question of whether the United States allows torture. The answer is: No.
http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/200367.html
November 6th, 2007 at 9:54 amMarie sez:
Full transcript of Keith Olbermann’s latest Special Comment is available here.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:55 amkaty sez:
One problem with that, katy, is that torture is illegal already. Since this administration is already violating the law, passing another law isn’t even going to slow them down, especially given Mukasey’s deplorable opinion that the President can ignore the law with impunity in a time of war.
The other problem with that is that by specifically outlawing torture now, Congress would implicitly exonerate any perpetrators of torture that occurred before the passing of the law.
We don’t need a new law. We need to enforce the ones we have.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:02 amTMM ~ just read KO’s KO of the criminal cabal, and one word…
WHAM!
November 6th, 2007 at 10:06 amBut But the surge is working!!! And high fuel prices are good for the economy, even if your dollar has devalued 30%, and the price of housing is down, buy a house, if you can, go shopping and watch Osama!
November 6th, 2007 at 10:06 amRUCerious sez:
RUC, if you have the opportunity, I highly suggest you watch the video. The transcript is good, but it just doesn’t properly convey Keith’s passion.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:10 amI can hear Hillary now, “We need to let bygones be bygones and get on with turning this country aroundâ€.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 6, 2007 @ 9:21 am
I suspect Hillary is so anxious to get her hands on the huge toolbox Bush and Cheney have created for her that she can barely stand it.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:11 amJust curious…!.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:14 amAre there any soldiers killed in Iraq that are related to Lieberman,Schumer,Feinstein..Hillary, Giuliani,Romney..or any other politician in washington?
Are there any soldiers killed that are related to chickenhawks and warmongering pundits who control airwaves like O’Reilly,Hannity, William Kristol, Glenn Beck and all the Neocon cabal?
In spite of the seriousness of the topic, check this out.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:16 amhttp://rawstory.com/news/2007/Harry_Shearers_Beach_Boys_spoof_on_1105.html
from that same editorial:
Rather than tear their hair as Attorney General-designate Michael B. Mukasey dodges and weaves on the question of whether a heinous technique called waterboarding is torture, and, if it is, whether that makes it illegal, senators should get busy and pass a law that allows no room for lawyerly dissertations.
Such a law would be Sen. Joe Biden’s National Security with Justice Act. That’s the bill that would limit all U.S. personnel, in uniform or not, to interrogation techniques that are spelled out in the U.S. Army Field Manual. That’s the manual written by professionals and experts who know that cruelty doesn’t work.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:18 amJust wondering if HR 33 is on the floor yet???
Anybody got anything on it??
November 6th, 2007 at 10:22 amthe TODAY show is doing a “green” special this week…
matt is in GREENLAND, al is in EQUADOR, and ann is in ANTARCTICA…
this morning matt actually touted the “positive” aspects of climate change in greenland… the people are “adjusting”…
some of the positives are “more open shipping lanes, the access to oil resources, longer growing season” (paraphrasing)…
he actually said that… too bad al gore wasn’t there to slap him around…
November 6th, 2007 at 10:25 am…
#67….RemoveBush, wrote:
[ Is that a TRICK question??? ]
I think you know what I mean.
Just like I know what your name means.
I put TRICK & TREAT behind me until next year.
Have a nice day
November 6th, 2007 at 10:29 amSo where does this leave any U. S. citizen traveling abroad if they are detained, wrongfully suspected of impropriety and their captors are convinced that they are not providing an accurate account of their involvement in some imagined wrongdoing?
The United States has ceded all moral authority to tell any other country (or organization, for that matter) that they should not implement similar enhanced interrogation tactics to “get the truth” out of any U. S. citizens who may appear on their radar.
An article recently appeared, indicating that travel by foreigners to the United States has dropped significantly since 9/11. Fears of torture by captors in foreign countries could actually be convenient for the Bush-Cheney cabal — fewer U. S. citizens would observe life other countries and cultures where the contrasts between our country and theirs might be noticed.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:31 amI suggest Congress pass a lwaw making it illegal to out an undercover CIA agent. From here forward of course, let’s let the bloody, oily water under the bridge roll on.
Can they also pass a bill that makes it illegal, punishable by slow death, for a President to lie to your country and drag it into a war of his/her choice because of some voices in their head?
Prospective only, of course.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:33 amI may have missed this yesterday on TP, but I don’t think so. In a truly astonishing moment, George W Bush actually got something right!
No, seriously.
It was probably an accident, but even so, he just gained one micropoint (which brings him up to negative six billion, but still . . . )
November 6th, 2007 at 11:02 amRUCerious, been listening to the house on C-Span this morning…One minute mud slinging on the veteran’s and accompaning bill….Reich is bashing the Dem’s and nothing yet on Kucenich and 333….Dem’s not hitting back, par usual……Came across the wire that the AG passed the comittee 11 to 8 in favor of his nomination..Just another piece of shit day so far…..Gonna run the Bear and keep checking the house crap…..A hug going out to your sweet daughter…Blessings
November 6th, 2007 at 11:02 amI take it the 31% that don’t think waterboarding is torture are campaigning to have Japanese officer, Yukio Asano pardoned.
The United States charged him with war crimes in 1947 for carrying out waterboarding on a U.S. civilian, he was sentenced to 15 years hard labor.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:06 amSharon, thanks for checking in. I’ll give missy a big ol hug for you!
November 6th, 2007 at 11:14 amSo where does this leave any U. S. citizen traveling abroad if they are detained, wrongfully suspected of impropriety and their captors are convinced that they are not providing an accurate account of their involvement in some imagined wrongdoing?
Comment by curmudgeon — November 6, 2007 @ 10:31 am
You’re right — now that waterboarding isn’t torture, this pretty much gives other countries free license to waterboard any Americans they find wandering around.
However, our own State Department has a solution. By jacking up passport fees and making them harder to get, they deter travel outside the United States.
Of course, staying home is no guarantee you won’t be waterboarded, since you could be labeled an enemy combatant at any time…
November 6th, 2007 at 11:14 amVoting?? Yeah, right! Let’s take a sneak peek at the still-hackable DRE’s which we will be voting on again next election, shall we?
http://www.blackboxvoting.org and http://www.bradblog.com if you want your skin to crawl.
Comment by Veritas — November 6, 2007 @ 9:48 am
which is why it scares me crazy when you guys start talking
“3rd party! 3rd party!”…
THAT would sure make it easier to steal the election…
IF we even have an election…
and if we DO, then the only way to stop the stealing is
OVERWHELMING DEMOCRATIC VOTER TURNOUT.
.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:22 amComment by TripMaster Monkey @ 10:02 am
i hear ya… and agree…
November 6th, 2007 at 12:49 pmwas just sayin’…
.
#79 First I have voted Democrat since I was able to vote. The problem is many of us cannot tell the difference between the two parties. When I see Pelosi glad handing the Bush crowd and forcing a Dem to apologize for something he said, I want to vomit. Republicans will stoop to anything to win while Dems still believe in intelligent discourse and not stooping to the gutter.
All those in Washington have sold us out with a very few exceptions, mostly the newer ones. How about some term limits as well, so these representatives have to associate with the people who elected them.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:29 pmRep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) added in a statement, “God is good.â€
He’s mixed up. The Rockies are the god squad.
Twenty-one wins in twenty-two games. An improbable run
to the World Series. One of the hottest streaks to end a season in the history of the game. And not two
pitchers the average fan could even name. Ladies and gents, your Colorado Rockies: a team performing what
even an atheist could call a baseball miracle. And “miracle” is an appropriate term for a team that riled the baseball world last year by claiming that filling the dugout with Christian players would grease the skids to greatness.
Last year the Rockies went public with the news that
the organization was looking for players with
“character.” And according to team management,
“character” means players who have chosen Jesus as
their personal Lord and manager. “We’re nervous, to be
honest with you,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd
said at the time. “It’s the first time we ever talked
about these issues publicly. The last thing we want to
do is offend anyone because of our beliefs.”
Rockies chairman and CEO Charlie Monfort took it
further, saying, “I think character-wise we’re
stronger than anyone in baseball. Christians, and what
they’ve endured, are some of the strongest people in
baseball. I believe God sends signs, and we’re seeing
those.” The team took some heat for its statements,
especially when former players spoke of having their lockers searched for dirty magazines and feeling pressure that you had to be down with the God Squad to feel part of the team. It also raised the question of whether the team was discriminating against non-Christian players–would Jewish icon Shawn Green
be welcome? What about just straight-up heathens?
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20071105&s=zirin
A lot of good it did them.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:42 pmHave been out.C-Span has a vote on tabeling Kucenich 333 and a repeat of his impeachment right now…..
November 6th, 2007 at 3:11 pm