Think Progress

White House: U.S. Troops Need Army Field Manual Because They’re ‘Young’ And Can’t Legally ‘Drink’

The White House has confirmed that President Bush plans to veto legislation prohibiting the CIA from using waterboarding and bringing the agency’s interrogation methods in line with the Army Field Manual.

In today’s White House press briefing, spokeswoman Dana Perino defended the veto decision by citing the age of CIA interrogators. She said that they are well-trained “professionals” with “an average age of 40.” U.S. soldiers, on the other hand, are too immature to be trusted, argued Perino. That’s why they need the Army Field Manual:

This is done at the CIA, and it is done by professionals who are given hundreds of hours of training, who are — I think General Hayden said an average age of 40; who are being asked to do very hard work in order to protect Americans.

The Army Field Manual is a perfectly appropriate document that is important for young GIs, some so young that they’re not even able to legally get a drink in the states where they’re from.

Before the Senate Intelligence Committee today, Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell echoed Perino’s comments, stating that the Army Field Manual is “designed for young and inexperienced” men and women in uniform.

Sen Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sharply replied that it’s unfair to “denigrate” the troops as if they’re a “bunch of 18 year olds running around” and “the Army Field Manual has to protect them from their naivete and their ignorance.” Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/whitehousearmy3.320.240.flv]

All members of the Army abide by the Field Manual, not simply GIs too “young” to “legally get a drink.” In a recent congressional hearing, Lt. Gen. Michael Maples of the Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed that the document is sufficient for the military:

We believe that the approaches that are in the Army Field Manual give us the tools that are necessary for the purpose under which we are conducting interrogations.

Under the White House’s logic, only people who are able to consume alcohol should be allowed to administer waterboarding.

Transcript:

WHITEHOUSE: I frankly don’t think that’s true and I would challenge it and urge you to maybe reconsider it. Because what I understand is that the military has very significant and very experienced intelligence operatives, men who I’ve spoken to who have 22 years of interrogation experience. They run military intelligence and interrogation schools of 10-18 weeks duration. They have, I guess you would call it, graduate level courses. T

his is a matter – you have special ops individuals, you have DIA folks. You have some of the very best intelligence and interrogation operators in the country in the United States military and they are the ones who are telling us that they work very well within the confines of the Army Field Manual. And I think its fair to have the discussion as to whether or not at that level the Army Field Manual is the right restriction or not.

What is not fair, I don’t think, is to take the military interrogation and intelligence operation and denigrate it as if it’s a bunch of 18 year olds running around as if they’ve got no experience doing this and the Army Field Manual has to protect them from their naivete and their ignorance because it’s the same field manual replies the highly trained, highly professional, highly experienced individuals, many of whom have a lot more interrogation experience, it appears, than folks in your organization — in the CIA.



96 Responses to “White House: U.S. Troops Need Army Field Manual Because They’re ‘Young’ And Can’t Legally ‘Drink’”

  1. bilbobaggins says:

    This is done at the CIA, and it is done by professionals who are given hundreds of hours of training, who are — I think General Hayden said an average age of 40; who are being asked to do very hard work in order to protect Americans.

    So tell me Barbie Perino, how are these “mature” CIA officers given hundreds of hours of training in waterboarding? Who are they training on? So you think that a well trained torturer is OK, but a young inexperienced torturer is not OK.

    What a tool this woman is. She’s an embarrassment.


  2. belac says:

    Of course, the CIA is legally obligated not to think… so there’s an issue there as well…


  3. texaslady says:

    The 2nd Brigade Combat Team of Fort Drum, Watertown Ny has been deployed more than 40 months to Iraq, the amount of stress this group is undergoing is overwhelming to them and their families. And this idiot wants to give our troop a manual.


  4. RUCerious says:

    who are being asked to do very hard work in order to protect Americans.

    Ah, yes the old “Torture is hard work” schpeel…Right.


  5. leftcoast says:

    OMG! This is just too rich.


  6. mary says:

    If the CIA interrogators are such “well-trained professionals” then why do they need to use waterboarding to get the info they need?


  7. ralph the wonder llama says:

    So… the rules in the Army Field Manual regarding torture are there because the kids will go crazy and waterboard detainees if they don’t have a book telling them not to.

    Do I have it right so far?

    But what do that have to do with bringing the CIA into line with those rules?

    Is the Lying Sack of Cute® saying that 40-year-old CIA officers don’t need to be told not to waterboard?

    Or is she saying that it’s okay for 40-year-old CIA officers to waterboard, but not 18-year-olds, because they’ll just go too far or something?

    WTF is she saying? Can anyone help me out here?


  8. RUCerious says:

    WTF is she saying? Can anyone help me out here?

    Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 14, 2008 @ 5:40 pm

    I would try to help you out, but you might get some of what she’s catapulting on you. Very corrosive…


  9. OptimisticMF says:

    Why is this even a debate? I hate this, I really do.

    When I was a 17 year old Marine recruit, I had no trouble understanding that we follow the Geneva conventions and we don’t torture, period.

    That this has been turned into a “debate” in America makes me literally sick to my stomach…


  10. give me conveniance or give me death says:

    I’m glad the torturers at CIA are so mature and well trained that the waterboarding is performed in such a professional manner. I want to be tortured by CIA and noone else.


  11. bilbobaggins says:

    It’s too bad that Barbie Perino is lying again. According to the US Army the average age of it’s members is 28.

    http://www.usariem.army.mil/download/usarmystatus.pdf


  12. leftcoast says:

    Earlier today Perino says we don’t have any permanent bases overseas. And now we learn that we have a bunch of kids in the military that can’t be trusted. Is she on crack today or what?


  13. whatevah says:

    If the Army Field Manual isn’t the military Bible, then here goes Bush writing his own! This fool needs to be impeached before he further destroys this country AND it’s military code of ethics. As a postscript to Dana Dogface Purina’s comments, it should also be noted that “these are the ramblings of a druggie draft dodger!


  14. belac says:

    I’m glad the torturers at CIA are so mature and well trained that the waterboarding is performed in such a professional manner. I want to be tortured by CIA and noone else.

    Comment by give me conveniance or give me death — February 14, 2008 @ 5:45 pm

    It’s true- once you’ve gone Black Ops, you can never go back to cops… the beatings just ring hollow after the professionalism and dedication of our boys and girls at Langley…


  15. whatevah says:

    leftcoast: Miss Purina Dog Chow is definitely losing touch with reality – or maybe she’s lost all of her marbles (she didn’t have many to begin with as we know).


  16. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    And we need this manual (and a Dr. Suess version of the Constitution) to tell dry drunk Presidents with a social maturity of about 10 years old what they can and cannot order as Commander In Chief, either directly or through their power-drinking buddies.


  17. MCMetal says:

    Under the White House’s logic, only people who are able to consume alcohol should be allowed to administer waterboarding.


    Under those type of guidelines , that means Chimpy would be the best torturer on the planet ; and it shows ………..


  18. whatevah says:

    Impeach this criminal and let’s move on toward re-establishing a moral code in this country. Bush needs to be tried by a military tribunal for torturing captives, that’s clear. He’s broken 4 treaties to which this country subscribes which clearly BAN waterboarding. These are war crimes and he needs to be held accountable for them.


  19. mary says:

    That this has been turned into a “debate” in America makes me literally sick to my stomach…

    Comment by OptimisticMF — February 14, 2008 @ 5:43 pm

    I’m with you there OMF! Do you remember when Sport Illustrated magazine had a little segment called “The Latest Sign That The Apocalypse Is Upon Us”? All this talk about waterboarding and torture sure does qualify for that segment! Either that or The Twilight Zone!


  20. whatevah says:

    Besides, what does Airhead Perino or Georgie know about acting maturely? They’re both poster children for juvenile delinquency.


  21. MCMetal says:

    The Army Field Manual is a perfectly appropriate document that is important for young GIs, some so young that they’re not even able to legally get a drink in the states where they’re from.


    Yeah , but I’m willing to bet most of them know the difference(s) between the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs ; and that they were two completely separate incidents , you empty-headed bim……….

    Does this dope ever say anything that isn’t completely off-the-wall and stupid ?
    She’s an embarrassment to women everywhere……..


  22. whatevah says:

    There IS no debate about torture in this country. The only conversation about is by the neocons attempting to cover Georgie Poo’s sorry butt and keep him out of trial by the Hague. They’re attempting to further define waterboarding and just got shot down by Congress. Now what will they come up with? Another false flag maybe?


  23. whatevah says:

    Am I losing it or WTF does someone being too young to drink have to do with the Army’s bible?


  24. whatevah says:

    Purina Dog Chow’s showing both her immaturity and her ignorance today in one fell swoop. Next speaker please! This one’s cooked.


  25. swm2win says:

    So only the younger members of the military have to follow the rules? Can you turn gay once you’re older and more experienced in the ways of the military, or would that be one step too far past torture?


  26. GSD says:

    Why do Combover McConnell and Dana Pinead-o hate the troops.

    -G


  27. Erroll says:

    It would be quite instructive for those in the army to pay particular attention to 27-10, Section II, 498-504 of the U.S. Army Field Manual, which deals with war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity. 502 subsection b deals specifically with torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners of war. Those in the army may wish to recall that claiming that they are only obeying orders did little to aid German officers and military personnel, who were hanged for their crimes at Nuremberg in 1946. Or does the rule of law only apply to those who are not American?


  28. Badger says:

    So let me get this straight. If OUR TROOPS are captured by the enemy, it is OK to torture them as long as the torturers are 40, and acting maturely????


  29. MCMetal says:

    So let me get this straight. If OUR TROOPS are captured by the enemy, it is OK to torture them as long as the torturers are 40, and acting maturely????

    What in the hell are you talking about ?


  30. Juan C. says:

    who are being asked to do very hard work in order to protect Americans.

    Sorry, folks, but I just can’t stand this PHUCKING LIE.


  31. J says:

    It’s more WH spaghetti thrown on the wall to see what sticks, i see… Chef Boyardee must be proud (and raking in windfall profits).

    They’re right though, America does not torture. Only these criminal, anti-American scum do.

    They may technically be “American”, but they are certainly not America.


  32. MCMetal says:

    who are being asked to do very hard work in order to protect Americans.

    Sorry, folks, but I just can’t stand this PHUCKING LIE.

    Comment by Juan C. — February 14, 2008 @ 6:00 pm


    Yeah , quite frankly I believe that Iraqis are about as dangerous to the US and Americans as crêpe paper ………….


  33. GSD says:

    George W. Bush has made US troops fair game now.

    Perhaps the 5 US troops who are still being held by insurgents in Iraq are being forced to stand for hours, put in stress positions, hooded, exposed to temperature extremes, water tortured.

    -GSD


  34. bilbobaggins says:

    Those in the army may wish to recall that claiming that they are only obeying orders did little to aid German officers and military personnel, who were hanged for their crimes at Nuremberg in 1946. Or does the rule of law only apply to those who are not American?
    Comment by Erroll

    It also did nothing to protect the soldiers charged in Abu Ghraib. The only people in jail for that are the grunts that did the deed. The officers who ordered them to do it all got off scott free.


  35. GSD says:

    It is four US troops.

    US Staff Sergeant Keith M. Maupin 16-Apr-2004
    US Ahmed Qusai al-Taei: Status – missing-captured 23-Oct-2006
    US Spc. Alex R. Jimenez: Status – missing-captured 12-May-2007
    US Pvt. Byron W. Fouty: Status – missing-captured 12-May-2007

    -GSD


  36. bilbobaggins says:

    George W. Bush has made US troops fair game now.
    Perhaps the 5 US troops who are still being held by insurgents in Iraq are being forced to stand for hours, put in stress positions, hooded, exposed to temperature extremes, water tortured.
    Comment by GSD

    I believe this has a lot to do with the reason why military families are turning on Bush. I would be absolutely terrified if I had a child in the middle east. If my child was tortured because of what Bush has done, I would want to capture Bush and torture him myself. I believe, in Bush’s eyes, that would be justified.


  37. Leftside Annie says:

    So…..Dana, I guess if you’re old enough, it’s ok for you to torture people….?

    Or maybe you should “just know better”…?

    Rules only apply to YOUNG soldiers, not OLD CIA interrogators…?

    Huh??


  38. Buckie Boy says:

    You have got to be kidding me, they really think that we and congress are that F’ing stupid to believe this crap. This is complete and total BS.

    IMPEACH – HAGUE TRIALS

    These people really need to be removed from office ASAP

    Buck Fush


  39. GSD says:

    You must be this high to torture.

    -GSD


  40. bilbobaggins says:

    Ot, but this is way too funny to pass up:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE3jLCC_rwo&eur

    The best advertisement ever. And much more like it to come. I love You-Tube!


  41. RUCerious says:

    You must be this high to torture.

    -GSD

    As in tall or stoned?


  42. moondancer says:

    War criminals. All of them. There are several countries drawing up war crimes indictments against US operatives and bushco fascists. Maybe congress can learn from them. we need impeachment.


  43. Marie says:

    Does the administration dis the soldiers they profess to support?
    Let me count the ways…….


  44. Marie says:

    Dana Purina is a 100# sack of dogfood, and we know what that eventually becomes.


  45. Leftside Annie says:

    Re #7 – note to self: read what’s already here before posting. ;o)

    GMTA, Ralphie.



  46. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    You can not pour water up their nose
    You can not whip them with a hose
    You can not pretend to electrocute
    You can not torture in uniform or suit

    You can not torture them over there
    You can not torture them anywhere
    You can not torture tomorrow or today
    You can not torture in any way

    You can not torture no matter what the gain
    YOU CAN NOT TORTURE AS AN AMERICAN


  47. RUCerious says:

    PLC ~ Not in a car, not in a tree, not in the dark, you let them be!


  48. whatevah says:

    The sad truth is that despite the good intentions of congress, the idea that waterboarding IS definitely torture and against 4 Conventions the US has signed IS NOT A DEBATABLE ITEM. Congress was lured into this discussion which is nothing more than an attempt to exonerate chimpy in chief and cover his sorry butt. He can veto it till the cows come home but it doesn’t mean squat! We signed these treaties long ago and even tried our own military in the past for engaging in it. It’s always been “law” both internationally and nationally to which this country subscribes.

    The fact that congress even played games with Bush on deciding whether it’s torture or not was a huge mistake. It’s time to go back to square one which states, without equivocation, that waterboarding IS torture, HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED TO BE TORTURE BY THIS COUNTRY (See our own war crimes prosecutions) and always will be considered to be torture unless/until we disconnect ourselves legally from these treaties and conventions.

    Nothing has changed – except in Bush’s mind.


  49. RUCerious says:

    What we really need is a licensing bureau, to make sure the torturer is properly credentialed.

    We wouldn’t want the waterboarding to be done by, say Cheney, would we?


  50. whatevah says:

    There goes the military votes for any GOP candidate…..”and away go bubbles McCain down the drain”….RotoRooter


  51. Merlin says:

    #40 Comment by bilbobaggins — February 14, 2008 @ 6:17 pm

    Way funny. This is a great ad!!! McBush is in real trouble in his run up to November! As you say, more of this to come!


  52. whatevah says:

    Things are becoming so ridiculously corrupt both in Congress and in this administration (Rice makes a buffoon of herself by lying yesterday; Murky Mukasey won’t do his job and upholding his oath of office today; Bush threatens to veto the anti-torture reclarification. What the hell is this country coming to? Flagrant criminality and capricious marauding of whatever morality is left to our government? It’s time for the people to unite and protest. It’s time for the people to get behind a HUGE impeachment movement right now.


  53. Merlin says:

    #47 Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian — February 14, 2008 @ 6:27 pm

    Dr Seuss would be proud of you!


  54. whatevah says:

    #40 this is great! McBush is such a total buffoon.


  55. Turce says:

    That is not all that was updated, saysLt. General Caldwell,”This will call for soldiers to mingle amonst civilians, wherever we deem necessary, in whatever country we deem necessary, to act as soldiers not peace keepers. This would mean a campaign I could envision for another 10 to 15 years.”
    Hate the executive branch, thwarting Congress because, mukasey given a subpoena by the Judiciary, Mkasey, “No, will not take it, no.” WTF, a runaround redacting Congress? They are legally boun.d to answer that subpoena. I do not understand WTF is happening….


  56. StratRat says:

    I do not understand WTF is happening….

    Comment by Turce

    Sure you do – we all know whats happening. Our beloved country is being overtaken by a bunch of scared traitors, hellbent on destroying everything this country – and its pride – was built upon.

    After Bush, we will be a shadow of our former selves – a pariah around the world. It will take at least 30-50 years to overcome this administration.


  57. bilbobaggins says:

    The sad truth is that despite the good intentions of congress, the idea that waterboarding IS definitely torture and against 4 Conventions the US has signed IS NOT A DEBATABLE ITEM.

    Actually, I’m surprised that Bush isn’t going to sign the anti-torture bill. If he does, he can then come back and say, “see, before this bill it was legal, otherwise why would they have to pass a bill to make it illegal”. It would be a perfect way for him to CYA. That is why I was angry that they even passed the bill in the first place.


  58. JPV says:

    I think that she meant to say that “they are young and can’t legally think“.


  59. Merlin says:

    #9 Comment by OptimisticMF — February 14, 2008 @ 5:43 pm

    Why is this even a debate? I hate this, I really do.
    That this has been turned into a “debate” in America makes me literally sick to my stomach…

    Succinctly spot on! There is no “real” debate. No debate is needed. The only reason for the “debate is to attempt to legitimize criminal behavior in the minds of the general public and to forestall criminal proceedings against themselves.

    You can tell how serious this has become, when they have to call on Scalia to justify torture in public, thus putting one of the “most prestigious” Supreme Court Justices on record. This lends credibility to the idea that the debate on torture is both valid and important.


  60. Zooey says:

    Sorry, folks, but I just can’t stand this PHUCKING LIE.
    Comment by Juan C. — February 14, 2008 @ 6:00 pm

    Isn’t it amazing anyone CAN stand it?


  61. Merlin says:

    #11 Comment by bilbobaggins — February 14, 2008 @ 5:46 pm

    It’s too bad that Barbie Perino is lying again. According to the US Army the average age of it’s members is 28.

    Bilbo, I believe she was talking about CIA professionals not the army as a whole:

    “This is done at the CIA, and it is done by professionals who are given hundreds of hours of training, who are — I think General Hayden said an average age of 40…”


  62. celtic cynic says:

    Just heard on BBC America Gorge W Bush state that the U.S. is a nation of laws.
    So much for dinner.


  63. Clumberfeet says:

    My recollection of the military is we were not allowed to eat, poop or sleep till the sergeant got the OK from an officer.


  64. marcg85 says:

  65. Tired of being lied to says:

    Repukican Administration: “Hey, we do too support our troops, those little drunken, twerps.”

    First they put them in harms way (often times under multiple deployments), give them poor medical care if they are injured, deny them benefits for long term needs, and finally insinuate they are stupid, drunk kids. Some respect.

    My idea of supporting our troops is show them the honor they have earned, and to bring them home to their families and loved ones as soon as possible (and not in a box).


  66. Marcus Aurelius says:

    OT:

    After reading the earlier thread regarding the Republican contingent walking out on the vote on contempt charges for Bolten and Miers, I decided – for the first time ever – to see what the right wing blogs had to say about it. As happened here, the comment thread drifted into FISA/Telecom immunity legislation.

    So, I used the Google to look up ‘right wing blog’, and up came Michelle Malkin. I read her screed and went to the comments.

    These people are children. 8th grade, tops. It reminded me of the old nugget of wisdom that Republicans don’t vote for leaders – they vote for parents. They could not confront the issue, preferring to veer-off into other topics. Those who did address the issue apparently did not understand the law or our system of government. They did not see anything wrong with – much less the the shame in – the actions of their representatives. One guy cited Rush Limbaugh.

    Wingnuts are really goddamned idiots.


  67. ralph the wonder llama says:

    GMTA, Ralphie.

    Comment by Leftside Annie — February 14, 2008 @ 6:23 pm

    No problem, Annie. You said it better than I did anyway,


  68. ucsbclassics53 says:

    yes, they are the people who see those shadows in the cave illuminated by fire and believe they are real…


  69. bilbobaggins says:

    It’s too bad that Barbie Perino is lying again. According to the US Army the average age of it’s members is 28.
    Bilbo, I believe she was talking about CIA professionals not the army as a whole:
    “This is done at the CIA, and it is done by professionals who are given hundreds of hours of training, who are — I think General Hayden said an average age of 40…”
    Comment by Merlin

    No, I was speaking to her comment that the people in the army are all kids too young to drink.

    The Army Field Manual is a perfectly appropriate document that is important for young GIs, some so young that they’re not even able to legally get a drink in the states where they’re from.


  70. WaltTheMan says:

    By the time he was 18, Mozart wrote three major operas. I would guess that those 40-year-old CIA agents can do better! Why isn’t foggy bottom alive with the sound of music?


  71. Bad Eye says:

    Someone from the press corps needs to ask Perino if it would be acceptable for one of our troops to be waterboarded by an enemy. I wonder if the response would be anything like this:

    David Gregory: Mr. President, critics of your proposed bill on interrogation rules say there’s another important test. These critics include John McCain, who you’ve mentioned several times this morning.

    And that test is this: If a CIA officer, paramilitary or special operations soldier from the United States were captured in Iran or North Korea and they were roughed up and those governments said, “Well, they were interrogated in accordance with our interpretation of the Geneva Conventions,” and then they were put on trial and they were convicted based on secret evidence that they were not able to see, how would you react to that as commander in chief?

    BUSH: My reaction is, is that if the nations such as those you name adopted the standards within the Detainee Detention Act, the world would be better. That’s my reaction.


  72. shaun says:

    WTF is she saying? Can anyone help me out here?

    Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 14, 2008 @ 5:40 pm

    i’ll have a go – i think she is saying that the field manual doesn’t have any instructions to gag people and force water into their lungs so therefore the cia cannot use it because they don’t know how to ask questions in arabic – and they also cannot hear any answers as the suspects have their mouths stuffed with soaked rags – whereas the manual probably says that if you are an under-age drinker in the middle of the desert getting shot at everyday and you happen to capture enemy combatants,then you need to hand them over to the cia for questioning….but you can’t have a cold beer afterwards.


  73. Tawdry says:

    Too young to drink. Old enough to die.


  74. Zooey says:

    What does drinking have to do with anything?

    What an asinine argument.


  75. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    So, when they try eva braun perino for treason, you think she’ll be waterboarded by a professional?


  76. flavorino says:

    We NEED to investigate and impeach.
    It’s no longer just about lawbreaking
    These people are insane
    Bush and his people are batsh** crazy
    They are more like a cult than a political movement
    As the ship goes under they will only get crazier


  77. Merlin says:

    Comment by bilbobaggins — February 14, 2008 @ 8:15 pm

    OK, Thanks. I misinterpreted your comment. :-)


  78. sacopenapa says:

    Has she heard about the Nuremberg Trials???? Does she have any knowledge of History?????? Do you have to be dumb to be a lier for the White house???


  79. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    The ship has already gone under, flavorino… it’s getting ready to settle in on the bottom.


  80. sacopenapa says:

    I’m glag all these is video taped! History won’t have any problem documenting the insanity of these FACIST scum!


  81. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    Under the White House’s logic, only people who are able to consume alcohol should be allowed to administer waterboarding.

    Kinda sez it all, doesn’t it???


  82. rehbock says:

    Just reminds that we think it OK to let
    our youth get shot and be killed and expect them to shoot and kill but not consider them mature enough to drink.


  83. KiP says:

    Always said, I have, that anyone showing a military ID can buy booze…if you’re old enough to die for you country, you’re old enough to buy a Bud..


  84. Sabyen91 says:

    I agree, if you are old enough to kill or die for your country (or your a-hole president)…yeah, I think you must be mature enough to buy a beer.


  85. Max-1 says:

    .

    What is wrong with a Nation that trains their young the ways of killing other people en mass, yet refuses to allow that same group the ability to get shit faced plastered and (potentially) kill themselves or another behind the wheel of a car?

    HOW is one more right than the other?

    To:
    The GOP and the
    Christian
    Conservative
    Coalition

    Who would Jesus bomb?
    Who did Jesus say to kill?
    What does: You shall not murder mean, then?

    .


  86. Max-1 says:

    .

    Comment by Marcus Aurelius — February 14, 2008 @ 7:18 pm

    Naw, it’s that Lawyers are too liberal, Libs, as they call us, for their digestion. You see, TRUTH has a liberal bias and wing-nut Reich-wingers don’t like TRUTH. Even Hitler, sorry, ordered that books be banned and burned because it inspired to think for themselves, a liberal trait. We make them pee their pants. They don’t like that so they call us names, that’s all. 8th grade, school yard stuff.

    .


  87. yisou says:

    I would try to help you out, but you might get some of what she’s catapulting on you. Very corrosive…


  88. alexlerman says:

    Keiffer Sutherland/Jack Bauer + George Bush + Mel Gibson = drunk drivers = tough guys. Likker up, fellas.


  89. grumpyoldvet says:

    i gotta say one thing about the bushies………they sure know how to find the most incompetent idiots to work in their administration…………just wonder where they find these people


  90. shoeless says:

    Why do Republicans hate our soldiers?


  91. TRDaggett says:

    Not sure how/if this fits into all of this, but when I went to ET school down at the Naval Base in Millington Tenn. back in the 70s there were ‘beer machines’ right alongside the soda machines in my dorm.


  92. Robt says:

    I would like to see more legislators with the thought capability of Sen Whitehouse.
    Director of National Intellingence Mike McConnell should not be in his position, obviously. To simply do what Cheney tells him to do with no understanding or conscience of consequences of his deeds and actions.

    Does McConnell even have the reality to know good people die from his GOP patriotic first ideology? I truely doubt it and doubt he has any concern past his pay check and the fat envelope under the table.


  93. zuch says:

    In today’s White House press briefing, spokeswoman Dana Perino defended the veto decision by citing the age of CIA interrogators. She said that they are well-trained “professionals” with “an average age of 40.” U.S. soldiers, on the other hand, are too immature to be trusted, argued Perino.

    “Yeah. Get out of the way. We’re profesh’nuls. We know how to torture people right…..”

    I’ve commented on this here (see update 3) a couple days back.

    There are some that have speculated that the large number of CIA “contractors” may be to avoid gummint responsibility for any illegal behaviour that is uncovered; foreign contractors might even manage to remain immune from prosecution, at least within the U.S…..

    Cheers,


  94. EdgeOnIt says:

    It is sad that Democratic politics involves imagining ‘your preferable DOMINATIRIX!’ Members of Congress should visit Bondage/Sadism/Masochism sites for homework on the internet…it really HURTS no matter if its a beautiful, inexperienced person, or an experienced, ugly one. Ouch! Results are always speculative, and at best one torturee turns in some other torturee, when the one believes he or she could be worse off than the second!! (Republican)Ouch!(Democrat)Ouch!OOOOOuch!!


  95. batteries says:

    After reading the earlier thread regarding the Republican contingent walking out on the vote on contempt charges for Bolten and Miers, I decided – for the first time ever – to see what the right wing blogs had to say about it. As happened here, the comment thread drifted into FISA/Telecom immunity legislation.

    So, I used the Google to look up ‘right wing blog’, and up came Michelle Malkin. I read her screed and went to the comments.

    These people are children. 8th grade, tops. It reminded me of the old nugget of wisdom that Republicans don’t vote for leaders – they vote for parents. They could not confront the issue, preferring to veer-off into other topics. Those who did address the issue apparently did not understand the law or our system of government. They did not acer travelmate 3260 battery,acer as07a41 battery see anything wrong with – much less the the shame in – the actions of their representatives. One guy cited Rush Limbaugh.



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