Casey blasts Bush’s Iraq signing statement.
Casey blasts Bush’s Iraq signing statement.
Today on the Senate floor, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) sharply criticized President Bush’s signing statement on the Defense Authorization Act, which waives the ban on permanent bases in Iraq:
Every time a senior Administration official is asked about permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq, they contend that it is not their intention to construct such facilities. Yet this signing statement issued by the President yesterday is the clearest signal yet that the Administration wants to hold this option in reserve. Mr. President, that is exactly the wrong signal to send, both to the Iraqi government and its neighbors in the region.
Watch it:
Transcript:
In signing the DOD authorization bill into law, the President declared his right to ignore several important provisions, including the establishment of an important special commission to review wartime contracting. This provision was an initiative of the Senate Democratic freshmen class, led ably by Senators Webb and McCaskill. The President also declared his right to ignore a provision prohibiting funding for U.S. military bases or installations in Iraq that facilitate the “permanent stationing” of U.S. troops in Iraq. Let me translate that into plain language: this provision sought to prevent the United States from establishing permanent bases in Iraq.
Every time a senior Administration official is asked about permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq, they contend that it is not their intention to construct such facilities. Yet this signing statement issued by the President yesterday is the clearest signal yet that the Administration wants to hold this option in reserve. Mr. President, that is exactly the wrong signal to send, both to the Iraqi government and its neighbors in the region. Permanent U.S. military bases gives a blank check to an Iraqi government that has shown no evidence it is ready to step up and accept its responsibility to take the training wheels off and demonstrate real leadership and governance for the Iraqi people. Permanent U.S. military bases feeds the propaganda of our enemies, who argue that the U.S. invasion in 2003 was carried out only to secure access to Iraq’s oil and establish a strategic beachhead for the U.S. military in the region. Permanent U.S. military bases means that U.S. troops will be in Iraq for years to come, ensuring that the great strain on the U.S. military we see today will continue indefinitely.
Mr. President, we have a lot on our plate this year: injecting a badly needed boost for our economy, getting a handle on the subprime mortgage mess, and ensuring that our nation’s kids receive the health insurance they deserve. But the war in Iraq continues to be the central foreign policy challenge facing the President and the nation. When this President departs office after eight years, he should not — should not — commit our soldiers and our nation to ten more years, if not longer, and hundreds of billions of dollars more spent on the war in Iraq.
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Hey Bob
All of this would have been rendered meaningless had your Democratic party leaders shown actual leadership qualities and rightly impeached and imprisoned both Chimpy and Cheney ………….
January 29th, 2008 at 7:34 pmWell Casey our government has a cure for this criminal and it’s called:
IMPEACHMENT
That is how you rid the country of this War Criminal
Buck Fush
January 29th, 2008 at 7:35 pmMy question, Senator Casey, is exactly what the hell are you guys ( Congress ) going to do about it?
January 29th, 2008 at 7:39 pmRoll over and beg **again**??
Sent a letter **again**??
When are you going to honor your oaths of office and protect the Constitution??
If Jeff Gannon would simply confess that he gave GW a blowjob in the Oval Office this would all be over with toot sweet.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:41 pmKudos to Bob Casey!
From the other thread:
“And a fourth bars funding for permanent bases in Iraq and for any action that exercises U.S. control over Iraq’s oil money.”
This explains the ideology behind the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Blood Oil! It is why BushCo wants permanent bases. To protect the oil infrastructure when Corporate oil secures “its” (Iraq’s oil.)
Interesting how a signing statement completely unmasks the real reason for “Bush’s War.” Truth at last from the sock puppet Bush. In writing! By his own blood covered hand.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:41 pmWhen are you going to honor your oaths of office and protect the Constitution??
Comment by Wayne — January 29, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
**scratching a wiggly Dem on the tummy**
January 29th, 2008 at 7:45 pmAll talk and no action… how about an IMPEACHMENT?
January 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pmOf course, GDumbya has always envisioned permanent bases in Iraq. He removed our forces from Saudi Arabia when his masters instructed him to do so. Where else does he have left to park our military over there? Pakistan, Afghanistan? Nope. Iraq is where the oil is.
Anyone who believed him when he said we had no interest in a long-term presence in Iraq should have their head examined.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pmIt’s not like that big-assed embassy is any hint or anything.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:56 pmComment by tom — January 29, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
I propose a small modification.
Anyone who still believes Bush, about anything, should have their head removed.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:59 pmIt just boggles my mind that the Dems won’t seek Impeachment. I’m consistently left here at my keyboard shaking my head in disbelief.
It’s okay for the repukes to go after a man for having an extramarital affair, but not okay to go after a guy that has caused serious infractions against the law?
I just don’t get it.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pmYet this signing statement issued by the President yesterday is the clearest signal yet that the Administration wants to hold this option in reserve. Mr. President, that is exactly the wrong signal to send, both to the Iraqi government and its neighbors in the region.
This bill was just a Defense Authorization bill. All the Democrats need to do is to refuse to fund building and maintaining permanent military bases. Now, whether or not they have the courage to do that, is another question.
All they need to do to stop this occupation is to refuse to fund the Contractors. Without the contractors Bush can’t keep our troops in Iraq. He will be forced to bring them home.
WTF is the matter with the Democrats?
January 29th, 2008 at 8:15 pmMy apology in advance for this rant. I’m irritated
Comment by MCMetal — January 29, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Comment by Buckie Boy — January 29, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
Comment by Wayne — January 29, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
Comment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
Comment by Jeannie See — January 29, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
Impeachment is not the topic of this thread.
If you have nothing relevant to say about the topic of the thread don’t clog up the thread with the constant refrain of your anger about impeachment. I too, want impeachment as much or more than you all. Its just that this is not the place to air my intense anger about it. Say something important about the topic, or be funny…or something… other than expressing off topic anger that goes nowhere.
OK. Bricks should be arriving 3…2…1…
January 29th, 2008 at 8:24 pmComment by Merlin — January 29, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
You left me off the list, Merlin. Gotta be fair.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pmThese signing statements are kind of like having a line item veto.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:30 pmWTF is the matter with the Democrats?
Comment by bilbobaggins
January 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pmThis seems to be the mystery of the decade…. we have the right to know.
Just looking at Pelosi sitting up there during the SOTU reminded me how well she seems to blend in … all good friends and she has taken impeachment off the table.
Get rid of her California.
“And when is the do nothing democrat party going to bring the troops home from Germany and Japan and Korea and the other hundreds of military bases around the globe?”
Comment by Gin
Let’s correct Bush’s mistakes first, then talk about our foreign commitments.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:34 pmIt’s time somebody took this flying monkey to court over these illegalities.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pmComment by Merlin
January 29th, 2008 at 8:48 pmthe title reads:
Casey blasts Bush’s Iraq signing statement.
I don’t see it is off topic to replace blast with let’s impeach, to impeach…
Comment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
You are joking, yes?
January 29th, 2008 at 8:51 pmIt is time Congress grows some balls. The line item veto was declared unconstitutional. A signing statement is just a back-door line item veto. Congress needs to take Bush to court and get the signing statement declared an unconstitutional act.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:53 pmComment by Zooey — January 29, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
You left me off the list, Merlin. Gotta be fair.
Yeah, but deservedly so. You weren’t talking about impeachment. (I think!? I took your post as humor that went right over my head. Enlighten me, I could use a laugh.)
January 29th, 2008 at 8:56 pmComment by Merlin
January 29th, 2008 at 8:58 pmNo joke… and my original post was all talk and no action. That is not off topic or did it deserve the lashing you gave.
Bush will keep pulling this crap until his very last minute in office and the only way to stop him is to impeach him. Start with Cheney. There will be more than enough evidence coming out of a Cheney impeachment hearing to put them both away for a long time.
If you won’t do that, then just shut up, because there’s nothing more pathetic than to hear you complain about this on the Senate floor and do absolutely nothing about it.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pmMerlin
this comment:
All talk and no action… how about an IMPEACHMENT?
Comment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
Is not off topic for this statement:
Casey blasts Bush’s Iraq signing statement.
your apology will be kindly accepted.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:05 pmLooks like the only way to prevent signing statements is to not send any legislation to the chymp. Try that for a while, congress.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:08 pm(I think!? I took your post as humor that went right over my head. Enlighten me, I could use a laugh.)
Comment by Merlin — January 29, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
I was following Wayne’s lead on the dog commands, and giving the lap dog Dems a little rub on the tummy.
I’m tired of the complaisance.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pmComment by RUCerious
January 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pmwatch out.. you are almost off topic.
Comment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
No joke… and my original post was all talk and no action. That is not off topic or did it deserve the lashing you gave.
Please show me where impeachment is the topic of this thread. Your explanation in #20 does not suffice.
My irritation (and it is not personal-it is general) comes from the fact that this “impeachment” thing is on most all threads. And almost always off topic. And I’m tired of it. It is not informative, not humorous or funny, nor is it clever. It is simply expressing someone’s justified anger at BushCo, which we all have in abundance, in the wrong place. Anyone who rants off topic should apologize, as I did, in my post above.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:19 pmComment by Zooey — January 29, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Thanks, Zooey. No wonder I didn’t get it. I’m a cat person. Snicker… And I did not put 2+2 together.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pmnow Merlin…. if you read post, #26 maybe you will be SUFFICED
#26Merlin
this comment:
All talk and no action… how about an IMPEACHMENT?
Comment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
You have gone over the top and way off topic…. so utterly ridiculous.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:41 pmThe point, Merlin, is that these things which add up to “a strongly worded letter” are getting old. It will not stop these madmen. Only investigations and impeachment will. I hope that provides you with the link between Casey getting uppity and impeachment. By the way, cat guy here too. If only Bush had a cat and not a dog he would be a much better guy :)
January 29th, 2008 at 9:57 pmIt is not informative, not humorous or funny, nor is it clever. It is simply expressing someone’s justified anger at BushCo, which we all have in abundance, in the wrong place. Anyone who rants off topic should apologize, as I did, in my post above.
Comment by Merlin —
January 29th, 2008 at 10:00 pmNO one is trying to be humorous, funny or clever.
In this topic:
Casey blasts Bush’s Iraq signing statement., IS there really anything to talk about? We have been hearing from those in Congress blasting Bush for years and years and years… and I think most here are ready for some kind of action … that action being IMPEACHMENT.
ok… maybe, time to drop it… k?
…
sabyen91 – the other day, i caught part of a conversation (between others here) that included your past name – one i had been familiar with… and so, of course, i am fogetting it now…
January 29th, 2008 at 10:07 pmcan you refresh my memory, please?
I was JPark. You probably didn’t like me :) I didn’t like it when you and unbelievable fought. I guess I am just a pacifist!
January 29th, 2008 at 10:11 pmComment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
your apology will be kindly accepted.
You have gone over the top and way off topic…. so utterly ridiculous.
Comment by had enough — January 29, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
I already apologized in my original post. In #13 I said:
My apology in advance for this rant. I’m irritated
That you are angry (not irritated) is evident in your latest comment. So I doubt any further apology to you would be “kindly accepted”. My last comment on this to you is to remind you that I addressed this to a group of you. It was not personal in nature. You have taken personal offense where none was intended. I owe you no apology beyond that which I gave to you all in #13.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:19 pmComment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
Thanks for your thoughts. And yes, I see the connection. But then you can say this about almost any thread that TP posts. Bush/Cheney should be impeached. Whether the thread is about destroying the Constitution, the Iraq invasion, lies and deception, stealing elections… the list goes on. Impeachment is relevant to all of them.
However, personally, I would rather hear about the main topic and learn something than to hear a litany of “impeach” all the time, even though I totally agree with it.
Anyway, enough about this. Thanks again for your response.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pmI was JPark. You probably didn’t like me :) I didn’t like it when you and unbelievable fought. I guess I am just a pacifist!
Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
Everybody liked JPark!
“unbelievable” was frickin’
January 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pmunbalancedunhinged.Merlin, as cynical as I am right now about our current Congress I don’t think hearing about Casey’s blast is at all relevant. IMHO it is pointless. It has been done to death with no results.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pm“Everybody liked JPark!
“unbelievable†was frickin’ unbalanced unhinged.
Comment by Zooey — January 29, 2008 @ 10:29 pm”
Hey, I liked both of them. Otherwise I wouldn’t mind the infighting. And no, not everybody liked JPark!!
January 29th, 2008 at 10:35 pmComment by Merlin —
January 29th, 2008 at 10:38 pmAll you need to do is simply apologize to all the above you misunderstood and possibly offended…. that’s all… no need for lengthy explanations or excuses.
Merlin, a pre-apology doesn’t count. had enough, no need for demands. I like lamp.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:41 pmComment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
I appreciate your stepping in, and the pacifist in you. Peacemakers are good.
PS… I liked JPark.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:21 pmComment by Merlin — January 29, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
I post what I want, when I want, without your advice, as I have since TP opened this blog.
If you can point to the word impeachment in my post, then I apologize in advance for my rant at you.
**rant warning **
F__k you.
**/rant off**
January 29th, 2008 at 11:29 pmComment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Merlin, as cynical as I am right now about our current Congress I don’t think hearing about Casey’s blast is at all relevant. IMHO it is pointless. It has been done to death with no results.
I can accept your cynicism. I felt that way for a couple of years. Now I feel optimism. In my view there is a strong wind blowing that shows in comments like this. No one dared to cross BushCo until recently, with a few exceptions, (Finegold comes to mind.) Action will take longer but it is in the works. Dodd is one example right now. The absolutely bland and flat SOTU last night is another marker of the winds of change. In Jan 2005, Bush came out roring like a lion with his “mandate.” Quite different in 2008.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:32 pmMerlin, Feingold is the guy that I vote for every 6 years. And I trust him implicitly. But he is only one guy. Wellstone is dead and the rest (save a couple) are nothing but politicians (and I say that with the utmost disgust). And now we are seeing the probability of a Clinton-McCain race? PASS!!!
January 29th, 2008 at 11:38 pmI will be voting for Adlai Stevenson.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:40 pmComment by Wayne — January 29, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
**rant warning **
F__k you.
**/rant off**
Rant accepted. I goofed. My irritation blinded me to see what wasn’t there. My apology for the error.
I post what I want, when I want, without your advice, as I have since TP opened this blog.
So do I. So we are even there, although I have only been posting a couple of years, so you have seniority ;
January 29th, 2008 at 11:40 pmFolks, Merlin is a good person. No need to tear him one.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:40 pmComment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
And now we are seeing the probability of a Clinton-McCain race? PASS!!!
This was my worst nightmare scenario a year ago. That it is possible now, really dismays me. After I vote for Hillary in Nov (if she wins the primary) I will be sick until 2016. I still think Obama can win it, but then my optimism is showing again.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:44 pmFolks, Merlin is a good person. No need to tear him one.
Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 11:40 pm
It’s cool ( and I knew you were Jpark =)
And merlin, peace then.
I can understand your irritation.
Understand also that putting politics ahead of defending the Constitution, as the Democratic leadership is doing is a big irritation to me and probably quite a few others. Their tactics are not endearing some of us that actually know the Constitution and at one time swore to defend it.
What they have let Bush get away with and continue doing is nothing less than a travesty.
I am voting Democrat this election. But if this ends up another Watergate/IranContra, where allthe big fish get off scott free?
January 30th, 2008 at 12:00 amIf the violations are not reversed, rule of law not reinstated?
I will be looking for new options, because neither party will be serving my interests and this country is headed down the very dark path.
Folks, Merlin is a good person. No need to tear him one.
Comment by Sabyen91 —
January 30th, 2008 at 12:05 amMaybe so… but if there is an air of condescend hanging around, it is time to clear it.
it appears Obama is gaining ground, but is there enough time?
January 30th, 2008 at 12:10 amI think I will be sick if Hillary gets the nomination.
had enough. Merlin has been around for awhile. And this is the first I have seen that he has caused a local stir (unlike myself). I am just asking you give him the benefit of the doubt. He just seems more optimistic than you or me. It is up to you.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:13 amJPark -
January 30th, 2008 at 12:19 amDon’t get me wrong.. I am not angry or carrying a grudge. I do not sit by easily when I see one wrongly offend a group.
I have no problem with Merlin.. but I will call it as I see it.
Fair enough, had enough.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:32 amGood grief!; Now this thread is more about me than the topic. Lets close this chapter, OK? I apologize for upsetting you, had enough, and any one else that was offended. That was not my intent. I expected responses that disagreed, but not taken personally. I should have been more aware when I wrote that post. Sigh… but irritation sometimes gets in the way of clear thinking.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:35 amI was JPark. You probably didn’t like me :) I didn’t like it when you and unbelievable fought. I guess I am just a pacifist!
Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
thank you! ya know when something won’t come to mind and it makes you crazy till you get it…
and then i remembered boston legal was on, and left it hanging…
then daily show, colbert, david…
jpark – i do remember your reactions to the “unbelievable” tiffs…
i don’t remember not liking you… not at all…
i’m a pacifist myself… and i abhor hypocrisy…
which is why i was compelled when necessary to call un out on hers… i never considered it fighting – not on an anonymous blog – but that one sure was easily “unhinged” at times… serious issues…
i still detect the presense also… that kind cannot just walk away…
hi, un…
it’s late… thanks for the reply…
January 30th, 2008 at 12:52 amg’nite all…
“thank you! ya know when something won’t come to mind and it makes you crazy till you get it…”
Worst feeling in the world (except for being waterboarded!!). I am glad it isn’t nagging you any more.’
Glad you don’t dislike me!
January 30th, 2008 at 12:59 amNight katy.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:59 amGood night, katy.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:59 amCasey should write a letter… everybody else does.
Soon you will be living here…
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/imagenes_sociopol/fema03_01.jpg
Enjoy. The Jews love you. They are very pleased that the American sheeple have sacrificed thousands of their beloved sons and daughters to aid in building the greater Israel…
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/f/f1/Greater_Israels.jpg
Sieg heil!
http://www.ethicalatheist.com/img/bush-sieg-heil.jpg
January 30th, 2008 at 6:04 amTP, this happens frequently…where did my post go?? Anyway, Congressman you can’t stand there and Whine. Get with your colleagues and take back you power. If he is asserting the power of congress in signing statements you take it back by a constitutional battle. Impeach him and show him your power. Indict him for the war criminal he is. Don’t just whine!!
January 30th, 2008 at 6:07 amGeorgejr long ago stated his intention to put our country in a situation where his successor had no option except to remain in Iraq, indefinitely. I’m sure he hasn’t changed his mind.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pmYeah, that’s my Senator. I voted for him and I’m glad to see him speaking out against this war.
January 30th, 2008 at 2:36 pmBush cannot create laws by using a “signing statement”. He thinks his signing statements make him the “Decider-in-chief” and Congress lets him get away with it. All I can say is there must be some really juicy information gathered by the NSA on the members of Congress. Come to think about it, most of the members of Congress that are speaking against this president are “freshman”.
January 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pmAnyone screaming for the Senator to start impeachment needs a lesson in government. Impeachment begins in the People’s House which is the House of Representatives. It’s time for impeachment discussions to begin on the floor of the House.
January 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm