ThinkFast: June 25, 2008
ThinkFast: June 25, 2008
Last night, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor in opposition to the FISA reform bill. “Either the companies and the President acted outside of the rule of law, or they followed it,” he said. “Either the underlying program was legal or it wasn’t. Because of this legislation, none of the questions will be answered.” Dodd and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said they would filibuster the bill “as long as it provides retroactive immunity” for the telecoms.
David Addington, Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff and architect of the administration’s torture program — along with former Justice Department official John Yoo — are scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee regarding interrogation practices at Guantanamo Bay this Thursday, June 26.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen left yesterday on a trip that will take him to Israel, “just as the Israelis are mounting a full court press” to urge the Bush administration to strike Iran. “Israelis are uncertain about what would be the policies of the next administration vis-à-vis Iran,” said CBS consultant Michael Oren.
Last December, the White House refused to open an e-mail from the EPA that declared global warming emissions to be a pollutant regulated under the Clean Air Act. Today, the agency will release a watered-down ruling that strips the agency’s finding that tough regulation of car emissions “could produce $500 billion to $2 trillion in economic benefits over the next 32 years.”
On the trail today: Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will host a private meeting in Chicago with business leaders from across the country and a wide array of industries, including Ford Motor Co. president and CEO Alan Mulally. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will travel to Las Vegas to deliver an energy speech at UNLV.
“Barack Obama’s Senate staff has requested an intelligence briefing on the latest in Iraq and Afghanistan from aides to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, suggesting the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate could be gearing up for a trip abroad.”
A bipartisan group of 200 former government officials, retired generals and religious leaders will issue a statement today “calling for a presidential order to outlaw some interrogation and detention practices used by the Bush administration over the last six years.” The group, which includes former Reagan secretary of state George Schultz, seeks to outlaw secret detentions and rendition to countries that torture.
New military data shows that “insurgent activity is increasing sharply in Afghanistan and has spread into once stable areas, with attacks up almost 40% in the eastern provinces alone.” The violence marks “the latest in a series of troubling developments that have led to markedly higher U.S. casualties” and has prompted military leaders to review strategies on “how to make do with limited numbers of American troops.”
Yesterday, in a surprise victory, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill “to prevent a 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors that was scheduled to take effect July 1.” Backers of the legislation warned that such a cut “would lead to many physicians opting out of treating Medicare patients.”
The Senate confirmed five new commissioners for the Federal Election Commission last night, “ending a six-month partisan standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats and putting the campaign watchdog back in business.” The fight began last year when Democrats refused to bring up the nomination of controversial former Justice Department official Hans von Spakovsky.
And finally: Persons with disabilities have been frustrated by the cafeteria in the new Department of Transportation, which has fixtures that are inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. As a remedy, Assistant Secretary Linda Washington issued a memo on April 22 with guidance, including telling employees needing assistance to “politely” ask a cashier: “Could I hold your elbow for sighted guide assistance?” “Could you assist me with getting a salad or hot entree?” She also told employees to “consider visiting the cafeteria with a co-worker.” Naturally, many employees found the memo patronizing, and Washington was forced to apologize.
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Last night, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor in opposition to the FISA reform bill. “Either the companies and the President acted outside of the rule of law, or they followed it,” he said. “Either the underlying program was legal or it wasn’t. Because of this legislation, none of the questions will be answered.” Dodd and Sen. Russ Feingold said they would filibuster the bill “as long as it provides retroactive immunity” for the telecoms.
Steny Hoyer “spouted his justifications to Politico” on support for the FISA bill. How it should actually read is “Steny Hoyer gives his unconditional surrender to Bush & the GOP”. What Hoyer & Pelosi did was go directly to the telecoms for exactly how they should write the bill. If they allow this to happen none of the lawsuits will go forth. (Footnote: these are their largest corporate contributors) We will never know the extent of all the illegal wiretapping and surveillance of our e-mails. Also, if this passes that means whoever is the next President will have the same Power to invade our privacy at will.
On Hoyer’s website he is quoted as saying “a compromise on a new FISA Bill will keep our nation safe and protect our civil liberties.” He sounds just like a Republican, lying through his teeth with a smile on his face. I do have good news. Act Blue and Color of Change — the online, grass-roots organization– are almost finished and will run a full-page ads in The Washington Post and other newspapers. These ad campaigns are against Hoyer to make sure he is not re-elected. They are going to run these ads aimed at his democratic base. I love it. I have already sent my donation in today. Steny, like Pelosi have got to be kicked to the curb.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:04 amA Vet is sharing the love, Chicago-style, with troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan over the Independence Day weekend.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Dodd & Feingold, true Patriots who can see through the bullshit & rhetoric, are correct. Telcoms have spent nearly $40M to ensure they’re not ‘legally exposed’.
This illegal spying on American citizens was done on PUBLIC airwaves & frequencies. If Bush ordered it, then let’s get that impeachment train rolling and give the Telcoms the benefit of the doubt.
On the other hand, $40M spent indicates they’re nervous. Very nervous. Why do you suppose that is?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:07 amDavid Addington, Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff and architect of the administration’s torture program — along with former Justice Department official John Yoo — are scheduled to testify…
These two should be frog marched straight to the House basement, kept there until the truth emerges and then tried for treason. I would prefer Gitmo, but a nice dark basement for the next 7 months would suffice.
Addington & Yoo are traitors. The subversed, lied, made shit up and gave Bush a ‘tool for torture’. They are treasonists of the highest order, and must pay for their actions.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:12 amDavid Addington, Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff and architect of the administration’s torture program — along with former Justice Department official John Yoo — are scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee regarding interrogation practices at Guantanamo Bay this Thursday, June 26.
_________________________________________________
Hmmm…is this going to be a session of “I don’t know”, “I don’t recall”, and “I take the fifth”? Or is it going to be a replay of the usual dance of subpoena, executive privilege, sternly worded letter?
If Addington and Yoo actually show up at the HJC and give them the information they ask for, I’ll be amazed.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:13 amBiofuels pushing 30 million into poverty: Oxfam
Biofuels are responsible for 30 percent of the increase in global food prices, pushing 30 million people worldwide into poverty, aid agency Oxfam said in a report on Wednesday. The use of biofuels is soaring as developed countries try to reduce their dependence on imported oil and cut emissions of carbon dioxide, but critics say they have led to a shortage of grain, pushing up commodity prices.
“Rich countries’ demands for more biofuels in their transport fuels are causing spiraling production and food inflation,” said Oxfam biofuel policy adviser Rob Bailey, who wrote the report. “Grain reserves are now at an all-time low.” Oxfam called on rich countries to dismantle subsidies for biofuels and reduce import tariffs.
“Rich countries spent up to $15 billion last year supporting biofuels while blocking cheaper Brazilian ethanol, which is far less damaging for global food security,” the report said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL2432915720080625
With its sugarcane-based fuel, the nation may become energy independent this year. Brazil’s ethanol program, originated in the 1970s because of uncertainties in the oil market. They have cars that run on “flexible fuel”, which means they can use gasoline or ethanol which ever is cheaper at the pump. We need to start investing more in sugar based ethanol versus corn based ethanol, this would make a significant impact on the corn shortage. Plus corn based ethanol process is lengthier and more expensive.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:14 amThank heavens for Dodd and Feingold. Apparently everybody else is beyond caring about the criminality of this administration, which is sad for this country.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am“A bipartisan group of 200 former government officials, retired generals and religious leaders will issue a statement today “calling for a presidential order to outlaw some interrogation and detention practices used by the Bush administration over the last six years.”
A little late to the party, eh? How about current government officials, active duty generals and so-called religious leaders? Are they waiting to see how the wind blows?
Shame on them all.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:19 ambarackocarter Says
June 25th, 2008 at 9:16 am
_____________________________________________
Troll spam without original comment. Flagged.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:20 amDodd and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said they would filibuster the bill “as long as it provides retroactive immunity” for the telecoms.
Has anyone heard anything from the Obama camp on this since it came to light and we started emailing him to oppose it?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:21 amCowards love war, as long as someone else fights it.
bacrakerocarter lives in fear, always afraid, willing to let thieves run our country just to give him a false sense of safety
typical ignorant republican cowards
June 25th, 2008 at 9:24 amDavid Addington, Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff and architect of the administration’s torture program — along with former Justice Department official John Yoo
Anyone want to bet they don’t show up or Bush calls EP?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am“Last December, the White House refused to open an e-mail from the EPA…”
_________________________________________________
Waitaminnit — THIS is their strategy? The old “we never got the memo” gambit?
Apparently this White House can’t handle e-mail properly. They destroy the e-mails they send, and refuse to read the e-mails they receive. Perhaps we should find some other way for them to communicate that will leave a permanent record — like Orwellian telescreens — to be used until next January.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:25 ambarackocarter Says: “They seemed to take pleasure in their attempted disruption of her speech about her son.”
Scraping the bottom of the barrel again, I see… You Cons really are desperate, aren’t you?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:26 am“Israelis are uncertain about what would be the policies of the next administration vis-à-vis Iran,” said CBS consultant Michael Oren.
Israelis, meaning the Israeli government. I’m fairly sure that the Israeli people don’t want us or anyone bombing Iran because that will make them a target. I know that the Israeli people want to negotiate with Hamas and it would be reasonable that they don’t support their government in their bellicose attitude towards Iran either. It doesn’t sound like the Israeli government listens to their people any more than ours does.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:26 amPharmaceutical Industry Spent Over A Billion Dollars Lobbying
Based on data obtained from the Senate Office of Public Records, the pharmaceutical industry has spent more than $1 billion lobbying the federal government over the past decade. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and their trade groups racked up another banner year on Capitol Hill, spending a record $168 million on lobbying in 2007, a 32 percent jump over 2006, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis.
“As the biggest lobby on the Hill, the pharmaceutical industry wields tremendous influence that impacts everything from prescriptions to patents,” said Center Executive Director Bill Buzenberg. “The central point is that their massive spending has been highly successful, largely producing the political results the drug industry wants.” The top issues lobbied in 2007 include blocking the importation of drugs, extending pharmaceutical patents, obtaining greater access of U.S. drugs in international free trade agreements, and preventing Congress from limiting direct-to-consumer ads.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0624-05.htm
Is it any wonder that the elderly have to decide between buying their prescriptions and less food? This kind of lobbying is killing our democratic system. If you have enough money you can buy Congressional votes. It is tragic that everything in Congress boils down to who is the highest bidder.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:27 amFreedom Rebel, I enjoy your posts daily, but I have to disagree on biofuels causing food shortages.
For example, 2007 corn production exceeded 2006 by nearly 2.5 billion bushels. Ethanol & biofuels used less than that surplus in the entire year.
Another misnomer is that we’re taking ‘corn off our table’. The corn used for ethanol is ‘field corn’. The corn we eat on our tables is not the same corn.
Now, I agree that their’s better options for ethanol than corn. The industry is already working it’s way away from corn as the main organic component and moving to ’smaller footprint’ crops like switchgrass. The reason corn was used initially is that it was readily available, farmers could avoid being charged high rail transport costs to move it to market and corn was at about $2.50 / bushel.
These are ‘growing pains’, (no pun intended), the alternative fuel industry faces. Another hurdle has been electric companies and large agri-businesses want to monopolize this market. They didn’t really buy into it until they could see a guaranteed profit, but I’m sure that doesn’t surprise anyone.
Keep up your great posts, Freedom Rebel, we’ll just agree to disagree on this topic.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:27 amToday, the agency will release a watered-down ruling that strips the agency’s finding that tough regulation of car emissions “could produce $500 billion to $2 trillion in economic benefits over the next 32 years.”
It will be so wonderful to have a government that tells the truth to it’s people once again. I really don’t understand why Bush is continuing to pull this $hit. His days are numbered. Perhaps he wants to do the maximum harm he can do before he walks out of the Whitehouse.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:29 amThe group, which includes former Reagan secretary of state George Schultz, seeks to outlaw secret detentions and rendition to countries that torture.
It’s really sad that they have to encourage the passage of a law to outlaw practices that are already against international law. Fortunately for our country these are not practices that Obama will follow.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:35 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
I really don’t understand why Bush is continuing to pull this $hit. His days are numbered. Perhaps he wants to do the maximum harm he can do before he walks out of the Whitehouse.
Agreed. He really doesn’t stand to gain a lot, but he’s not known for his foresight, eh? I also believe that each time news like this emerges, McCain takes another hit in his campaign efforts. Bush is a known sociopath, & it’s very hard to understand what his ultimate goal here is. I tend to think it’s as simple as him being a lifelong bully, and ‘no one is going to tell him what to do’ syndrome.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:35 amLast December, the White House refused to open an e-mail from the EPA that declared global warming emissions to be a pollutant regulated under the Clean Air Act.
Ok, this really bothers me. They “refused to open an e-mail”. Apparently they knew what would be in the e-mail and Bush’s thought was that if he didn’t open the e-mail then what was contained in the e-mail wouldn’t be reality. Sounds like Bush.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:36 amObama holds 12-point lead over McCain, poll finds
According to a Times/Bloomberg Poll, 49% of registered voters favor Sen. Barack Obama while 37% support Sen. John McCain.
In a two-man contest, 49% of respondents favor Barack Obama, 37% John McCain. With Ralph Nader and Bob Barr added to the mix, Obama holds a 15-point edge.
McCain suffers from a pronounced “passion gap,” especially among conservatives who usually give Republican candidates a reliable base of support. Among voters who described themselves as conservative, 58% said they would vote for McCain; 15% said they would vote for Obama, 14% said they would vote for someone else, and 13% said they were undecided. By contrast, 79% of voters who described themselves as liberal said they planned to vote for Obama.
“I’m a Republican . . . but I don’t like some of the things McCain voted for in the Senate, especially immigration,” said poll respondent Mary Dasen, 77, a retired United Way manager in Oscoda, Mich., who said she was undecided. “There’s a big chance I might stay home and not vote.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-poll25-2008jun25,0,5763707.story
June 25th, 2008 at 9:37 ambarackocarter:
June 25th, 2008 at 9:37 amHow’d you manage to morph this one
Here’s to your Nazi salute and taunting of the mother of the fallen soldier
barakOcarter…a salute to the smelliest Troll out there…
June 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am……………………/´¯/)
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Yesterday, in a surprise victory, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill “to prevent a 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors that was scheduled to take effect July 1.” Backers of the legislation warned that such a cut “would lead to many physicians opting out of treating Medicare patients.”
This is just one more thing that President Obama is going to have to fix. Bush has been cutting payments to doctors and hospitals ever since he took office. Where I live, it is practically impossible to find a doctor that will take Medicare patients. Bush has been trying to kill Medicare by starving the system.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:38 amThe Senate confirmed five new commissioners for the Federal Election Commission last night, “ending a six-month partisan standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats and putting the campaign watchdog back in business.” The fight began last year when Democrats refused to bring up the nomination of controversial former Justice Department official Hans von Spakovsky.
I would say that now maybe this commission will investigate McCain’s illegal activities regarding public financing, but I suspect the commission is seriously stacked with Republicans and they will ignore his illegal activities.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:40 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: I really don’t understand why Bush is continuing to pull this $hit. His days are numbered. Perhaps he wants to do the maximum harm he can do before he walks out of the Whitehouse.
Despite his protests to the contrary, I think he is soooo desperate to gain a positive legacy that he’s doing everything he can think up – with the hope that something sticks and redeems him.
Unfortunately for him (and I’m afraid us), he’s too incompetent to think of anything positive or benficial in the first place, and we’re getting this kind of nonsense.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:40 amOn Hoyer’s website he is quoted as saying “a compromise on a new FISA Bill will keep our nation safe and protect our civil liberties.” He sounds just like a Republican, lying through his teeth with a smile on his face.
If I lived in Hoyer’s district, I would vote for the Republican rather than vote for him. This guy really needs to be kicked to the curb. At least with Pelosi voters have an alternative since they can vote for Cindy Sheehan who is running as an Independent. It will be so sweet if Sheehan beats Pelosi.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:42 am> former Justice Department official
> John Yoo — are scheduled to testify
> before the House Judiciary
Yoo is a lunatic. I wonder if he’ll be wearing his “ask me about my theory of the unitary executive which condones the sexual mutilation and torture of children” T-Shirt?
This guy would have been better off being one of Saddams Hussiens lawyers, hes pretty much said Bush has free reign to do the very similar sorts of things that Saddam did..
June 25th, 2008 at 9:44 amZimzone says:
These are ‘growing pains’, (no pun intended), the alternative fuel industry faces. Another hurdle has been electric companies and large agri-businesses want to monopolize this market. They didn’t really buy into it until they could see a guaranteed profit, but I’m sure that doesn’t surprise anyone.
Keep up your great posts, Freedom Rebel, we’ll just agree to disagree on this topic.
Good Morning Zimzone :) The reason for part of the problem is the high tariffs also. Plus, some of the countries are having a food shortage because these crops are earmarked for fuel. (But these countries are having a food crisis also because of high prices) I think it is partially a combination of factors.
I agree with you however on the growing pains. I think part of this is a big adjustment period. But, sugarcane is cheaper and easier to process for fuel. I’m glad you enjoy the posts.
Have a great day Zimzone :)
June 25th, 2008 at 9:45 amYou know abstinence-only isn’t working when states like Idaho and Iowa bail out:
States Reject Abstinence-Only Funding From Federal Government
WASHINGTON — Skeptical states are shoving aside millions of federal dollars for abstinence education, walking away from the program the Bush administration touts for slowing teen sexual activity. Barely half the states are still in, and two more say they are leaving.
Some $50 million has been budgeted for this year, and financially strapped states might be expected to want their share. But many have doubts that the program does much, if any good, and they’re frustrated by chronic uncertainty that it will even be kept in existence. They also have to chip in state money in order to receive the federal grants.
A federal tally shows that participation in the program is down 40 percent over two years, with 28 states still in. Arizona and Iowa have announced their intention to forgo their share of the federal grant at the start of the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
The program was created by Congress in 1996 as part of welfare reform.
Throw in a rising pregnancy rate among 15-19 year-olds in Idaho _ 2,543 pregnancies in 2006 compared with 2,396 in 2004 _ and state officials decided last summer it was time to get out.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/24/states-reject-abstinence_n_109002.html
June 25th, 2008 at 9:46 am>It will be so sweet if Sheehan beats Pelosi.
I really really want to make an organized attempt to get Pelosi out of congress for this FISA betrayal. Someone powerful needs to be made an example of, by being removed from office..
These guys needs to see there are consequences for thier actions, if they dont, they are going to keep taking us for granted.. worse..
If the woman can’t even keep her own party in line, what use is she.. send her home..
June 25th, 2008 at 9:46 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
barackocarter Says
June 25th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Troll spam without original comment. Flagged.
I agree missmolly. Everyone needs to flag this troll and don’t bother reacting to it’s odious presence.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:49 amSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced this evening that he will vote against the compromise FISA legislation and work with likeminded colleagues to strip immunity for telecom firms from that bill.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/24/reid-wont-support-fisa-co_n_109036.html
June 25th, 2008 at 9:49 amBilbo,
It’s much more insidious than starving the system. They’re trying to push seniors into Private Medicare HMOs that get ridiculous cost plus contracts.
Under Bush, the more seniors that opt out of pure Medicare, the better the bottom line of insurance companies.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:50 amMissMolly — her “flagging” is just like one of those Code Pink/Communist protesters who can’t stand to hear from the Veterans on the other side and seaks to censor their speach rather than taking the time to listen.
The odious troll obviously doesn’t know what spamming is. It is spamming this board and that is against the rules. It does not express it’s opinion on anything it posts, it just cuts and pastes and then runs off. Then it squeals like a stuck pig if someone says to flag the spammer. I really do wish that everyone would just flag and move on. It has had more attention than it deserves.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:52 am> when a Gold Star Mother gave a tearful
> eulogy for her fallen son
pot. kettle. funny you even have the nerve to complain again this given all the venom you’ve directed toward sheehan and her ilk.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:54 ami was down at crawford when you MUF, MAF whatever, people had one of your counter-rallies…it was hilarious because you loud raucous buffoons were so visciously angry you attacked one of your own protestors because they held up a sign that was too ambigious to be understood by those with a 2 digit IQ. i dont recall what the sign said, but it turned out to be one of your own, and you idiots were so desparate to lash out at anything which didnt have a giant “W” on it that you couldnt tell.. hilarous….perfect example of an unthinking mob mentality… keep it up you gestapo thugs, someday many of your heroes are going to be trying desparately not to drop the soap…
For all of my fellow Floridians out there who might not know this, but this week is “Move Over Law Enforcement Week”.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:55 amChocolate Jesus Says:
If the woman can’t even keep her own party in line, what use is she.. send her home..
It isn’t just that she can’t keep the party in line, she VOTED for the damn bill. I truly believe that Pelosi, Harmon, Hoyer and others are complicit in this whole mess. I believe that the Bush administration brought them in to what he was doing in the very beginning (smart thing to do), and now if there was a thorough investigation it would reveal that they knew Bush was spying on us from the beginning. This whole thing is CYA. They would rather trample all over the constitution than to do the right thing.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:57 amoh, also we got some great pics of all the crosses that redneck bush supporter decided to run over and destroy.. one of them punctured his tire and thats how he got caught…ah there is some justice in the universe after all..
June 25th, 2008 at 9:57 ambarackocarter
Oh, a protester. Is that all you got?
“Anti-American” is degrading a nation’s economic security and military readiness, as well as misplacing important military priorities. We know of your hatred of America in more profound ways than a slogan or a peace sign.
Trollshit.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am“would lead to many physicians opting out of treating Medicare patients.”
I am in possession of a license to operate a motor vehicle. Commensurate with the privilege of operating said vehicle comes the responsibility to operate that vehicle according to the laws governing same. I cannot opt out of the responsibility of stopping at a stop sign or obeying the posted speed limit because of personal gain without losing the coveted license. So should be the case with the greedy doctors. They have a license to operate, pun intended, and the obligation to meet the terms of that license. If they choose to opt out of accepting the exorbitant fees allowed by Medicare so be it. However, to do so would be an automatic cancellation of their medical license. There used to be an unwritten rule in this Country that with privilege comes responsibility. Another loss attributable to the likes of bushco and the corporate thieves.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am> I truly believe that Pelosi, Harmon,
> Hoyer and others are complicit in this whole mess.
I believe it. I think its a combinatin of things, in varying degrees:
1) Bribes (uhm, “lobbying” sorry..im sure there alot more that
goes on behind the scenes)
2) Blackmail
3) Complicity
4) Intimidation
5) Implied threats of False Flag attacks (Id worry about this too)
in any case, heres the congresscritters who are actually standing up and speaking out about this….we need to send as many of the rest of them packing as possible… if that means a few more republicans in office, so be it..
June 25th, 2008 at 10:00 am>You just can’t handle reading about what despicable things >your heroes at Code Pink
like outing CIA agents in times of war? like vandalising crosses because you dont agree with the message of the people who planted them? stuff like that?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:02 am> taunting the mother of a fallen soldier
> as she tried to honor him
are you really and truly so stupid as to believe that
June 25th, 2008 at 10:04 amloonies on your side have never done things like this to sheehan and her ilk?
Chocolate Jesus Says:
You’re wasting energy, CJ. The troll was posting links to wingnut blogs and quoting them as if it was “news”. Not worth a response.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:06 amChocolate Jesus Says:
> former Justice Department official
> John Yoo — are scheduled to testify
> before the House Judiciary
And don’t forget, he was on the initial list of replacements for Gonzo’s AG position.
Now that is a scary thought. This guy is a cretin and the complete definition of a chickenhawk.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:07 amBarackocarter…
I has a surprise. Come here.
It’s ok, you can step closer.
WEDGIE! WEDGIE!
barackobama: WAH! WAH! WAH! STOP! WAT URTS SO MUCH! I’M TELLING CHIMPY! CODE PINK MAKING FUN OF ME! WAH! WAH! WAH!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:12 amdespicable things your heroes at Code Pink and World Can’t Wait have done
You make a good point. Weren’t they the ones who caused $4.00 gas prices and overstretched our military and gave returning vets a hard time accessing medical care, disability pensions, etc.?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:16 amOf course, the reason Bush wants immunity for the telecomm companies is to set a precedent which says it is legal, if he gave the order. This is BS. Nixon tried exactly the same thing during Watergate. Bush knows if the telecomm companies are prosecuted for this, he can be prosecuted as well.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:18 amDemocrats were also involved with trashing the fourth amendment to the Bill of Rights.
They need to be expoused. Pelosi has got to go!
Fascists have no place in Congress!
Voters need to demand that the spying is against the law and the violators must be punished. Even Bush – he is not above the law.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:25 amWhy don’t we hear anything about Susan Lindauer here? If you don’t know who she is check this and this.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:31 amSomehow I did the second link wrong for Susan Lindauer. This is the correct one here.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:36 amHere is a scary possibility. Bush wants immunity for past and FUTURE abuses of the Patriot Act for telecoms. “Why future acts?” you may ask. We know that the Administration was monitoring e-mails since about seven months BEFORE 9/11/01. Between the daily memos (eg: Bin Laden determined to strike US), regular old intel and with what may have been gleened through illegal surveilance Bush knew and allowed the attacks to occur (we need a new Pearl Harbor to initiate the agenda/defense grid shut down by Cheney on 9/11). REMEMBER THAT THE PROTECT AMERICA ACT WAS WRITTEN AND READY INCREDIBLY SOON AFTER 9/11. WAS IT PRE-WRITTEN?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:47 amNow we hear rumors about a possible attack on Iran between Nov-Jan if Obama is the next Prsident. The McCain camp’s assertion (domestic terror attack would benefit McCain). Should we be concerned that Bush may allow another domestic attack to happen (with full knowlege of where and when) to further the Republican/neocon agenda. If such an attack were to occur (and I seriously hope not) we will never be able to prove Bush’s complicity and foreknowlege due to future immunities.
Mr. Reid, Miss Pelosi,Mr. Hoyer you should be ashamed to call yourselves Americans if you will not act to protect the Constitution in it’s most dire time of need in our time! STOP SHIELDING THIS CRIMINAL PRESIDENT FROM GUTTING OUR CONSTITUTION!
What a scene: Administration officials skipping around the computer screen’s email-inbox, covering their ears and repeating, “We can’t hear you, we can’t hear you, we can’t heeeeeeear you!”
Idiots.
Criminals.
Self-absorbed mental midgets.
If you can condone this behavior, please let me know on what grounds.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:49 amLast night, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor in opposition to the FISA reform bill. “Either the companies and the President acted outside of the rule of law, or they followed it,” he said. “Either the underlying program was legal or it wasn’t. Because of this legislation, none of the questions will be answered.” Dodd and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said they would filibuster the bill “as long as it provides retroactive immunity” for the telecoms.
Let’s hope he means it, this is our last shot to not only hold telecoms accountable for their lawbreaking but also to uncover exactly what Bush has been up to.
http://repealfisa.wordpress.com/
June 25th, 2008 at 11:14 amhttp://progressiveworldreview.com/
Labor probing work of major immigration law firm
By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – The nation’s largest immigration law firm is under federal scrutiny over whether it helped major U.S. corporations disqualify American job applicants and give thousands of high-paying positions to immigrants.
The unprecedented Labor Department inquiry centers on Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy — a New York firm at the forefront of a political effort to ease hiring of skilled foreign workers.
The Labor Department is auditing all pending applications for legal immigrant workers the firm has filed on behalf of its corporate clients.
Fragomen’s prestigious client roster includes General Electric Co., IBM Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Intel Corp. and Bank of America Corp., according to company publications and trade journals. The firm also represents The Associated Press on immigration issues.
The inquiry focuses on what advice the law firm gave its corporate clients. There was no indication the companies themselves are under scrutiny.
The Labor Department said that Fragomen may have improperly advised clients to contact a Fragomen attorney before hiring “apparently qualified” U.S. workers. The agency said lawyers can advise employers on how to follow the law in hiring immigrants but can’t dissuade them from deciding a U.S. worker is qualified.
So…I guess these are the jobs that Americans “refuse to do,” eh…?
June 25th, 2008 at 11:32 amDodd has no credibility. He blew it with his loans scandal. Just another rat politician. So now that he’s in hot water, he throws the far left a fisa bone and snuggles up close for their protection. Pathetic.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:07 pmI was really liking Barack Obama, until he wavered about protecting the Fourth Amendment. Now, I’m waiting for him to explain exactly how his administration’s right to spy on us without a warrant would be a “Change” from the how Bush administration exercises that “right”.
Where does Ron Paul stand on this issue?
June 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm