Replies: 39 Comments
Comment #1: Nolip said on 1/3/06 @ 10:30pm ET...
Abramoff and all the criminal members of Congress who sold this country's collective soul for a dinner here or a trip there need to receive their "Go To Jail" card and stay there for a very long time...
and in a related matter...that is the lunatic fringe personified in King George...
Coming to a Congress near you...
“WASHINGTON – It's going to be a banner year for C-SPAN. That's because Congress is gearing up for the most dramatic slate of hearings since the Clinton impeachment fracas.
The high-profile probes underscore efforts by Congress to reclaim power from a war-time White House. And they could reshape this fall's midterm elections."
Coming to the Hill: lots of hearing-room drama
Probes of war policies will begin amid ethical scrutiny of members.
Comment #2: The Forest said on 1/3/06 @ 10:34pm ET...
Great to hear your resolve, Rep. Conyers. [But where, oh where are your colleagues, who should be standing shoulder to shoulder with you, resolve shining brightly in THEIR eyes...?]
I share your wait-and-see attitude about how well the Justice Department concludes the Abramoff leads. I'm also trusting that the responsible field offices and their career professionals will bring this home, if home it is in fact brought. Meanwhile, Casino Jack better watch his back... [he takes on the MOB when he pleads guilty Wednesday, and we already know that another sort of mob has their knives out for him in D.C.]
And to partially repost from the last thread, a C-Span rerun alert:
On C-Span2 today, there are two replays of the 12/5/05 reform forum featuring Rep. David Obey (WI), Rep. Barney Frank (MA), Rep. Tom Allen (ME), Rep. David Price (NC): This will replay at 11:37 p.m. this evening. It is a discussion of "proposed changes in the rules and procedures of the U.S. House of Representatives." [About time!!] These Members proposed several very important (to democracy) changes, and explain their proposals in this forum.
Now, that's excellent thinking and long overdue. My quibble here, is that we owe a debt to C-Span for replaying this a month later, for this further publicity. Congressmembers themselves should have been, or be, out promoting this "latest release" themselves and not waiting for C-Span to do them this favor.
Remember Democrats (Reps. & Senators): you are up against a criminal ORGANIZATION masquerading as a democratically elected and accountable government. Therefore, you need to ORGANIZE yourselves in order to present an effective opposition. And ANYONE who is paying attention can see this now -- so the question remains: WHAT are you waiting for, exactly, federal officeholders?! This is a critical turning point in history. By doing NOTHING, you have made a CHOICE: capitulation to the enemies of democracy. Is that REALLY what you want your service in office to be remembered for???
Comment #3: Patriot said on 1/3/06 @ 11:18pm ET...
ADMIN -- there are two phone numbers posted by Pissed off American. From his discussions, he does not have authority to post them and doesn't know, nor does he care, if they are not meant to be made public.
I just want to bring them to your attention. If they were mine, I wouldn't want them posted.
Comment #4: Patriot said on 1/3/06 @ 11:18pm ET...
ADMIN -- they are on the previous thread.
Comment #5: DTW 06 said on 1/3/06 @ 11:44pm ET...
Congressman Conyers,
Thank you for continuing to remind America that the current administration is not preserving, protecting, and/or defending the Constitution of the United States of America.
Beyond the neocon threat to the democratic process, the effectiveness of the Dept. of Homeland Security to protect American lives during a time of crisis is extremely suspect. News Flash: No law change or departmental re-organization or new bureaucracy will convince organizations that dislike and disrespect each other (such as the CIA and FBI) to work effectively together.
Time and again our so called leaders have demonstrated thate their arrogance is only exceded by their incompetence. Do we really trust these people to keep us safe?
Remember Katrina! QuestionItNow - Voices
Comment #6: Reed31463 said on 1/4/06 @ 12:11am ET...
Great News! 12 miners are reported found alive....story developing.
Comment #7: Patriot said on 1/4/06 @ 12:17am ET...
Reed, Yes, great news! Now I can go to sleep. I've been awake watching the news. Good night all.
Comment #8: Pissed Off American said on 1/4/06 @ 12:30am ET...
"ADMIN -- there are two phone numbers posted by Pissed off American. From his discussions, he does not have authority to post them and doesn't know, nor does he care, if they are not meant to be made public."
Patriot.....
Both phone numbers were given to me by Reid's staff. I explained that to you ONCE already, you vindictive crone.
What interest does this damned fool, "Patriot", have in making sure you don't call Reid to demand his representation, and his support of Conyers' efforts?
Gads, what are some of you morons thinking?
Comment #9: Katrina said on 1/4/06 @ 2:05am ET...
Just out of interest, how many Congressmen and women are supporting Rep. Conyers?
Are any Republicans stepping up to defend their country? Why do we not pressure them as well?
I agree that pressure needs to be applied to Democrats, but I rarely ever see a call to put pressure on Republicans.
Is it that we don't expect anything of them?
Tom Delay has been indicted, and most likely will face more legal trouble in the Abramoff affairs.
I wonder who they will replace Abramoff with? Knowing these people, it's foolish to think that just because one of them got caught, they will just stop doing what they were doing.
If this DOJ is serious, and I find it hard to trust anyone who works for under this administration, there should be plenty of indictments coming soon, all of them Republicans, despite the media's usual propaganda whenever Republicans get arrested, indicted etc. that 'Dems do it also'.
Let them name names, which they have NOT. I can name Republican names off the top of my head who have been arrested, charged convicted or entered guilty pleas.
Comment #10: Nolip said on 1/4/06 @ 8:28am ET...
The Executive branch leads the pack of crooks and liars...
“According to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, 49 percent of respondents said most members of Congress are corrupt. Although 46 percent of respondents said most aren't, the margin of sampling error -- plus or minus 4.5 percent -- makes it clear that the perception of congressional politicians is largely negative."
Poll: Half believe Congress is dirty
Comment #11: Nolip said on 1/4/06 @ 8:36am ET...
May the Democrats and like minded Republicans continue to block this madman who thinks he’s God disguised as an “appointed” government official…George Bush is not above the law or the Constitution and the sooner Congress reminds him of that by throwing the book at him, the sooner this nation will return to prosperity and peace. Bush is a blight on the body politic!
“President Bush accused Democrats yesterday of blocking a full reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act for political reasons, as the White House stepped up an aggressive campaign to defend the president's terrorism-fighting authority."
Bush Assails Democrats Over Patriot Act
Comment #12: Nolip said on 1/4/06 @ 8:46am ET...
If the nation were playing the game “Clue”, they might discover that:
20 Corrupt Republican (maybe even a Democrat or two) Congressman in the Halls of Congress with a corrupt Lobbyist
beats
1 President in the Oval Office with an Intern…
let the hearings begin and may those members of Congress caught playing with the crooked lobbyist be sent packing (“Don’t let the doors hit ‘ya where the good Lord split ‘ya”)…
“With a House Republican committee chairman implicated in the criminal case and the highest echelons of the Republican Party increasingly vulnerable to charges, GOP leaders moved yesterday to distance themselves from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and prepare to combat a growing corruption scandal."
GOP Leaders Seek Distance From Abramoff
Comment #13: Nolip said on 1/4/06 @ 8:56am ET...
Arianna Huffington’s pen is mightier than the sword…
“Why did the president think he could interpret the Joint Authorization for Use of Military Force as a green light for no-warrant domestic wiretaps? Because he was convinced he could get away with it. And with spayed and neutered watchdogs like Mitch McConnell in the Senate, it's easy to see why Bush believed he could do as he pleased. "
Congressional Oversight 2006: Not Your Founding Fathers' Checks and Balances
Comment #14: DTW 06 said on 1/4/06 @ 9:02am ET...
Sad, sad news 12 of 13 W. VA. Miners Confirmed Dead How can "miscommunication" change living into dead? Will this tragedy change anything?
Comment #15: Patriot said on 1/4/06 @ 10:16am ET...
#8 POA said, 'What interest does this damned fool, "Patriot", have in making sure you don't call Reid to demand his representation, and his support of Conyers' efforts?'
I'll state my position in terms even you can understand.
A. If this were my blog and I were responsible for the content, I'd delete any personal information posted about anyone and notify the person who posted it that it was inappropriate. I would expect if these were public numbers, available on a web site, for instance, the link would be provided so that I could easily verify it.
B. If these were my phone numbers and they weren't public, I'd contact Admin to have them removed and be very upset that my numbers were published without my permission.
C. If anyone wants to contact Harry Reid, here's his contact form: Harry Reid and his telephone number, the second one POA posted, is listed on the Senate web site. I find it sad that I have to go do your backup work for you. Now you go do the other one.
I believe you are a Repug troll because your behavior strikes me as right out of the Repug handbook: "Take a statement and spin it, making whoever made it appear guilty of some sort of trumped up offense, while taking the attention off your own words and deeds." So you've taken my statement "phone numbers without the source verified should not be posted" and made it "making sure [users] don't call Reid."
You are insulting the intelligence of the members of this blog by suggesting they aren't intelligent enough to go to senate.gov and get his contact information, if they so choose.
You are also showing your ignorance if you think I can "prevent" anyone from calling Senator Reid. I would have to take down the Senate web site, take down Reid's web site, close up his offices, do away with all his methods of contact and so on.
Staying on point is an ethical thing to do. Why not try it?
Comment #16: Pissed Off American said on 1/4/06 @ 10:36am ET...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donnie-fowler/why-the-democrats-are-los_b_13242.html
An Excerpt;
"Until the American people think the Democrats are the party to make us stronger, we will not win the political advantage that Bush’s troubles in Iraq should have already created. Republicans are already re-positioning themselves for this year's elections, beginning a troop withdrawal by claiming success after recent elections. They will not simply sit back and hope there is an end to the perception that Bush has made the nation weaker and that the nation has lost the Iraq War. That means the Democratic job of taking back the Congress in 2006 will be even harder than it now appears to be."
Comment #17: Neerav Trivedi said on 1/4/06 @ 10:45am ET...
Here is part of a daily morning update from BuzzFlash, which I get in my e-mail inbox, which expressed the outraged sentiments of POA, The Forest, and many of us on this blog as to why our Democrats have been ineffective in trying to stop Bush in abusing thier powers, acting in a criminal manner, and destroying both our Constitutional and civil rights that were founded over 200 years ago and which millions have died for over the many decades.
I think this excerpt from my daily morning e-mail updates from BuzzFlash expresses clearly the anger of all of us here on Conyers Blog as to why the Democrats have been acting like a bunch of "whimps" or "wusses", not standing up to the neo-con pro-Bush/pro-facist Republican crimnals in both the White House and in Congress:
-----------------------------------
In short, if the Democrats in the Senate don't make a last stand for democracy, we won't have one. What do you need a deliberative body of elected officials for if you have a tin horn dictator who believes he IS the law? Bush does not just perceive himself as above the law; he believes that he determines the law. And Supreme Court nominees like Alito support this monarchal view of imperial power.
Bush views himself -- and his supporters view him -- as the strict father figure who -- even if on a drunken, egotistical power trip -- is to be trusted because the man is the head of the household and that is the divine order of things. It was the viewpoint that permeated the social structure of the Confederacy South, where even a failed plantation owner, who couldn't succeed at skittles was king of the household.
If no figures in authority challenge the scoundrel, he remains master of his household, with unlimited power, as his family cowers in fear.
We are his family, because no one will charge Bush with abuse, neglect, and illegal activity.
The Democratic leaders just let one betrayal, lie and disaster after another roll off the news pages as if it were just passing trivia.
The people who created this great nation, when confronted with a tyrant, didn't sit on their butts, timid and cautious out of fear.
Neither should the Democratic leadership. But their outrage has all the stamina of a fried slug.
Comment #18: UL said on 1/4/06 @ 10:59am ET...
Thought you should see this, Congressman Conyers:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=45682&mesg_id=45682
Peace,
UL
Comment #19: Pissed Off American said on 1/4/06 @ 11:12am ET...
The quotations marks frame Buzzflash's comments about the following link...
http://csmweb2.emcweb.com/2006/0103/dailyUpdate.html
"Now Bush Lawbreaking Has, as BuzzFlash Predicted, Sunk Back to a State of Just Being a "Debate." That's What Happens When the Dems Don't Put up a Sustained Attack on Behalf of Justice and the Constitution."
You people need to ask yourself why there are people posting here that are consistently attacking posters that advocate a strong public outcry about the Democratic leadership's complete subservience to the Bush Administration, even going so far as to attempt to have posters banned, and have the phone numbers of our representatives REMOVED from this site. Who benefits from the lack of engagement of our representatives? Who benefits when posts that facilitate activism are REMOVED at the behest of of one or two posters at this site?
Why don't you people simply ask John Conyers if he requires the assistance and support of his colleagues?
Call Reid. NOW. Demand representation. HE IS the "minority leader". Demand that he ACT LIKE IT. Ask where the Phase Two progress report is. Ask whether or not he intends to support Conyers. Ask where he stands on the NSA issue, and what he intends to do about it. TELL HIM you expect representaion. TELL HIM you are sick of watching your party posture and mewl while Bush wipes his ass with our Constitution. If YOU don't tell him, no one will.
Call him. NOW.
Nevada office.... 702-388-5020
Washington office....202-224-3542
Comment #20: Neerav Trivedi said on 1/4/06 @ 11:20am ET...
More from Boston.com about Bush bypassing the Torture Bill, thinking he is bioth king and God.......this is getting disgusting! Where are our Democrats to defend our rights and our Constitution here, alogn with the outrage of what Hier Bush is doing to our country?
Bush could bypass new torture ban
Excerpt from the article:
-----------------------------------
WASHINGTON -- When President Bush last week signed the bill outlawing the torture of detainees, he quietly reserved the right to bypass the law under his powers as commander in chief.
After approving the bill last Friday, Bush issued a ''signing statement" -- an official document in which a president lays out his interpretation of a new law -- declaring that he will view the interrogation limits in the context of his broader powers to protect national security. This means Bush believes he can waive the restrictions, the White House and legal specialists said.
''The executive branch shall construe [the law] in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President . . . as Commander in Chief," Bush wrote, adding that this approach ''will assist in achieving the shared objective of the Congress and the President . . . of protecting the American people from further terrorist attacks."
Some legal specialists said yesterday that the president's signing statement, which was posted on the White House website but had gone unnoticed over the New Year's weekend, raises serious questions about whether he intends to follow the law.
Comment #21: bejammin075 said on 1/4/06 @ 11:51am ET...
Bush want's absolute power to run a war he lied to start.
Comment #22: koryannder said on 1/4/06 @ 12:50pm ET...
People keep wondering why more lawmakers are not supporting Rep. Conyers. There is, unfortunately, a good reason. That reason is wimps like Joe Lieberman, and other members of the miscalled "Democratic Leadership Council" who believe, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, that the way to defeat Republicans is to become more Republican than the Republicans. Hence it is impossible, or impractical, to criticize or expose your rôle models! (Remember Clinton and "Triangulation?" That was the real reason the Rethuglicans hated Clinton so venemently and tried to destroy him - he stole their programs and enacted them! In doing so, he effectively destroyed the Democratic Party as a force for progress.) Now, when we desperately NEED an "Opposition Party," what we have is a pale shadow of the Party in Power trying to act as though it was the REAL "Conservative" Party! When you look at the scoundrels and wimps we have in Congress on both sides of the aisle, and in both houses, it is difficult to separate the mice from the rats. Actually, it is HIGH TIME that real, honest-to-God DEMOCRATS opposed the millionaire$ in the primaries, and took the party back from the followers of the DLC, which has led the Party - and the Country - over a precipice! The politest term for the so-called "Democratic Leadership Council," AKA "DLC," is "Republican lite." No wonder Democrats stay away from the polls - they don't want to vote for Republicans even if they DO call themselves "Democrats." And Rahm Emmanuel is NOT helping! Democrats - where ARE you?
Comment #23: Pissed Off American said on 1/4/06 @ 1:08pm ET...
"The politest term for the so-called "Democratic Leadership Council," AKA "DLC," is "Republican lite." No wonder Democrats stay away from the polls - they don't want to vote for Republicans even if they DO call themselves "Democrats." And Rahm Emmanuel is NOT helping! Democrats - where ARE you?"
They are hiding behind the apologies and excuses of the kind of partisan enablers that this site has more than an ample share of. It is time for us to DEMAND representation. PERIOD.
Comment #24: alizaryn said on 1/4/06 @ 1:34pm ET...
..."essentially saying the Executive reserves whatever power he or she deems necessary unto itself. This is the same animus that led to the warrantless wiretapping scandal, the Iraq debacle, and many, many civil liberties abuses since Sept. 11. I intend to do everything within my power to provide some sort of check and balance to these outrageous usurpations of authority that threaten our very constitutional structure. Really amazing stuff."
I hope that you know how much we appreciate you!
Comment #25: Bill_o_Carolina said on 1/4/06 @ 2:15pm ET...
Call Harry Reid! Demand representation. Where is phase 2?
Insist that he support Mr. Conyers.
702 388 5020
202 224 3542
Comment #26: Bill_o_Carolina said on 1/4/06 @ 2:30pm ET...
"It is not our job to seek peaceful coexistence with the left. Our job is to remove them from power permanently." - Jack Abramoff
Comment #27: Ohiodem1 said on 1/4/06 @ 2:37pm ET...
The Abramoff connection reached into the White House. From CNN via AP:
(snip)
"Abramoff raised at least $100,000 for the Bush-Cheney '04 re-election campaign, earning the honorary title "pioneer" from the campaign. But the campaign is giving up only $6,000 directly from Abramoff, his wife and one of the Indian tribes that he worked to win influence for in Washington. The money is being donated to the American Heart Association."
(snip)
The $6,000 represents the tip of the iceberg. Giving the $6k to the Heart Association amounts to receiving an interest-free loan of dirty money from Abramoff. Is this a violation of FEC Regulations and Election Law?
Abramoff raised over $100,000 to "earn" Pioneer status. In Ohio, Coingate player Tom Noe is a Pioneer as well and is alleged in a Federal incictment to have illegally laundered approximately $47k into the Bush campaign. Should someone ask if Abramoff and other Pioneers did the same? It seems to be a fair question.
Did Abramoff exchange Presidentail favors for cash? It seems to be a fair question.
How many Pioneers are there? Has anyone decided to look at their activities? It seems like a fair question.
Comment #28: Reed31463 said on 1/4/06 @ 2:41pm ET...
Re-posted from a different thread.....and updated.
Bush & Co feel so close to absolute power, they FLAUNT it. Even with Cafferty's damning Just Do It commentary, they still assert the right to break the laws, right in front of us.
Some congressional allies just might be blackmailed or threatened. I will not completely write them off. They maybe role playing in a bigger game. These congressman can read. They are not all completely stupid and cowed as they appear. They know as much , if not more about the gravity of the situation. Why do they act as they do?
First you need to re-frame your simple views of the dynamics occurring in DC. There are THREE branches of government, not TWO. Most of what everybody sees, hears, and talks about are: Left and Right, Majority and Minority, Republican & Democrat, White House and Congress, good and bad and on and on and on. Only the quiet branch is still the most effective in bringing justice. Who removed Tom Delay? Who removed Duke Cunningham? Who removed Scooter Libby? Who is running from Abramoff and why?
Not because WE are demanding it! They confidently tell us to our faces: we will torture, "Just Do It"; we will spy, "Just Do It"; we will lie, "Just Do It"; we will retaliate against opposition, we will ignore international law, and we will ignore the constitution, "Just Do It"!! You know you want protection! Don't you??? BushCo and PNAC are run by criminals.
To hold them accountable MEANS bringing them before a court of law. They cannot run from their crimes forever.
Court proceedings of these high crimes will need proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Grand Juries will need documented information.
Going back to the question why does the "minority" leadership seem cowed?
Answer, there are secret grand juries meeting that are being provided information. And Congresspeople are providing that information. Some have already made deals to provide their notes. Which is why there are strange alliances being drawn and other unexplained actions.
Think about that...we are on the outside....appearances aren't always what they appear to be.
They are all playing a part in a grand sting operation to net the biggest criminal ring ever!
If you feel it is your calling to continue to bark at the democratic leadership, go ahead. Your barking up an empty tree. If you want to encourage others to join your cause, I won't stop you or attempt to dissuade you.
However, I will not allow you to berate other for holding a different opinion to go unchallenged. I believe it is far better to challenge the majority on their ethical standing which furthers placing doubt and fear in THEM. And it is far better to recruit more supporters from the enemy, than to alienate possible supporters.
I do agree that we should voice our strong opposition to Bush, both to our representatives, GOP and DEM alike, and to the public.
Polls will indicate how fast the game is going and benchmark our success. Harassing possible supporters WILL NOT build support in the polls.
Make the middle ground seem friendly, then we can use it.
Alienate the middle ground, they'll follow the money.
Chase away other voices on this blog through strong arm tactics will eventually limit the diversity and strength.
Comment #29: Vyan said on 1/4/06 @ 3:16pm ET...
Crossposted on Dailykos.
I had my first chance to talk to Randi Rhodes on air yesterday (Jan 3rd) about the Abramoff Scandal and how the GOP is likely to try and spin (or ignore) what is going on. (I was "Frank from LA")
The discussion was fun, interesting and free wheeling... but mostly ranged from the Abramoff Guilty Plea and it's implications within to GOP to Protection of the Voting Rights act and Campaign Reform.
Several weeks ago I noticed that when "Duke" Cunningham took a guilty plea for accepting bribes, Fox News was silent. In fact, that was the day that Bill O'Lielly started "Campaign to Save Christmas". Operation: Pay no Attention to the Grown Crying man and LOOK OVER HERE... was in full swing. So when I spoke with Randi, this was my main hook.
The same thing is likely to happen with the Abramoff Scandal, at least until the the Propoganda wing of the GOP (Faux News, Redstate.org, Freepers) can come up with some healthy way to spin this into nothing more than punative partisan prosecution.
As it turned out, Both O'Lielly and Hannity and Colmes spent their programs talking about the Miners - not Abramoff... what a coincidence?
What I said to Randy was that the Abramoff situation plus the NSA Wiretap scandal may have a lot of people saying the "I" word - even Bob Barr and William Safire are "with the critics" on the Wiretap thing - but even so, there is absoluately no way that this Congress is going to impeach this President, not with John Sensenbrener as Chairmen of the Judiciary Committee.
We have to do first things first - we have to take back Congress, but we can't do that until we defeat Diebold on a state by state basis, uphold and reaffirm the voting rights act -- and most important reform our campaigns.
What I suggested to Randi is an idea that I call the "Blue Curtain Spots". This idea is actually a couple years old - and I blogged about it last September.
(It's called "Blue Curtain" because the idea is very similar to what West Wing Democratic Presidential hopeful Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) pledged during his campaign - that he would not use expensive and flashy ads with graphics and voice-overs, he was make all statements to the public himself while looking into the camera in front of a plain backdrop - like a "Blue Curtain". I didn't get the idea from West Wing, I had it first -- but it's nice to see that they recognize it's power and simplicity)
The idea requires restabliment of the fairness doctrine (for equal time), followed by an FCC mandate that requires that broadcast stations provide free time for political purposes to all qualified parties.
Randi correctly pointed out that radio and tv stations depend heavily on the ad revenue that comes from political ads -- and I countered that this can be solved by making the ad revenue that would be lost by broadcasting these ads - completely tax deductable, or better yet making it a tax credit. So instead of only being shown at 3:23 am, these ads would appear in Prime-time just like anything else -- the key difference is that the candidates don't have to pay for it anymore. And if they don't have to spend all this money to be on Television, they don't have to spend half their time in office trying to raise money for their next campaign -- they might actually have time to govern, and actually Read the bills - like say, um...the Patriot Act - before they vote.
So, before we try and get Congress to Impeach the President -- IMO we should use the political leverage created by the Abramoff bribery scandal to push forward Campaign reforms -- not finance reforms - CAMPAIGN reforms that will genuinely level the playing field and not just protect Democrats, but even Republicans from the temptations of the lobbyists.
Frank (Vyan) Walton
Comment #30: Bill_o_Carolina said on 1/4/06 @ 4:42pm ET...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x41819
Comment #31: Citizen J said on 1/4/06 @ 6:18pm ET...
Heard you yesterday Vyan, nice job-right on target.
Comment #32: Pissed Off American said on 1/4/06 @ 7:23pm ET...
"Answer, there are secret grand juries meeting that are being provided information. And Congress people are providing that information. Some have already made deals to provide their notes. Which is why there are strange alliances being drawn and other unexplained actions."
You have ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE for that claim. PERIOD. I strongly suggest you say "In my opinion" before you state such theories. Frankly, I strongly DOUBT if you are correct, and the fact that Bush is stocking the courts with ringers, and has placed a FELONY PERJURER in as Attorney General, your theory seems highly unlikely. In FACT, I think it is little more than FICTION, wishful thinking on your part.
You aren't doing anyone any favors by spewing that type of unsubstantiated wishful thinking.
Comment #33: cali said on 1/4/06 @ 8:07pm ET...
Bush bypasses Senate to make new federal appointments
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Bush_likely_to_bypass_Senate_to_0104.html
Comment #34: cali said on 1/4/06 @ 8:35pm ET...
this is an outrage
Bush ignored explicit warnings in 2002 about mine safety
Back in 2002, I was working for the House Appropriations Committee. At the time, you may recall there was a big mining accident in Western Pennsylvania. President Bush held a big photo-op to pretend like he cared - but he never responded to the fact sheet that House Democrats put out questioning why he had made so many cuts to mine safety programs.
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=977893D7-FE7D-6B92-8BBA0C149F0739A7
Comment #35: sanitysojourner said on 1/4/06 @ 9:41pm ET...
#28 Reed31463: Kudos for an excellent post with good insights.
Decisions get made in strange places with even stranger alliances in the political world.
You're right. These people -- dems and repubs alike -- aren't stupid. At the very least, they're looking to cover themselves for reelection. Secret grand juries aren't even necessary when folks are scrambling to get their public acts in presentable form.
I can accept the collective silence for a brief period. This admin and the gop congress are making sufficient noise. There will come a time for dem screaming to begin, as soon congress reconvenes I hope.
#29 Vyan: there was a time up until several years ago when personal political donations were tax deductible up to a certain level. When that deduction was removed, I was concerned at the time that only the rich would be paying for campaigns, taking the little guy out of the donation picture and rendering him less connected. Richer generally means a more conservative base. And I was too naive to think about corporate ownership of the country . . .
I think your suggestion of reinstating tax deductions for political campaigns has merit, although my ideal would be completely publically funded campaigns. Campaign finance reform is key to ending -- or at least minimizing -- the corruption in Washington.
As for the general topic of thumbing his nose at the American citizenry: that's this president's m.o. That the current topic is torture, he's thumbing his nose at the entire world community. If the reckoning doesn't come from within, it will come from the outside.
Comment #36: Vyan said on 1/5/06 @ 3:07am ET...
#35, Sanity...
Making personal political donations deductable doesn't address the problem, it's the same reason McCain-Fiengold fails. It's dealing with the supply of the funds, instead of choking off the demand. If politicians don't have the TV and Radio Spot monkey on thier back -- it completley changes the ball game.
People can give whatever they want to give, but it doesn't mean that politicians have to take it -- or that the person whose receiving the greatest amount of contribution neccesarily has such an automatic advantage at getting their message out.
Really, what I'm suggesting is something I've seen some local stations do already - spend News times specifically talking to each and every candidate in a mayoral race for example. It doesn't cost the candidates a thing, and they all get equal time. The "Blue Curtain Ad" idea goes a bit further but is based on the same premise.
Also it doesn't have to be mandated from on high by the FCC, local states can each implement public service broadcast tax credits program on their own. If it's done correctly it could get bi-partisan support, since Republicans can seen to find a tax-cut they don't like.
Vyan
Comment #37: Reed31463 said on 1/5/06 @ 3:19am ET...
Thanks #35 sanitysojourner,
#32 POA Why do I have to present evidence when YOU already know it's true? Secret Grand Juries ARE meeting and this is fact. We know of several going on right now. There is the Abramoff Grand Jury. Frist and Delay are already under indictment. Cunningham/Wilkes/Wade are also named in another Grand Jury investigation. Futhermore, let's not forget about Patrick Fitzgerald's second Grand Jury panel.
Do you deny these facts?
Do you deny that these empaneled juries are secret?
Do you deny that a Grand Jury's scope of investigation can lead to a wide range of criminality and criminals? A reasonable person would say, "No".
Not belaboring the point any further, one may now ask, Are there more? Constant states, "You don't know about all of them." And when it comes to matters of law, I trust Constant.
In order to find the best ways to attack, undermine and defeat BushCo, one must understand the stategies the RNC uses to distract from, cloud, and confuse the issues. After sorting through the various strategies, I believe our efforts are best served if we, the voters, reach out to GOP congresspeople and tell them that they must chose sides. You can chose the Constitution and the rule of law or you can chose Tyranny and act against your oath of office (treason). Remind them, time is of the essence and that the Constitution will prevail. Those in the White House are overwhelmingly outnumbered from within this country and abroad. The coalition of the willing is crumbling and other nations will ally to oppose US bully tactics.
Besides stirring the pot in the lock-step legislature, we can also throw tear gas into the various executive departments. By reminding the DoD, DoJ and DHS officials of their culpability and guilt to war crimes, coupled with fact it is futile and incriminating to erase the evidence, will quickly spread fear throughout those departments.
The dance will continue as Fitzgerald plays the witnesses to the Grand Jury. Likewise the players in congress will fufill their roles.
Game on!
Comment #38: Pissed Off American said on 1/5/06 @ 11:57am ET...
Oh, I'm not denying that grand juries are being held, I am denying that your optimism for those grand juries is constructive or realistic. Good God man, you have an Attorney General who who is apparently a FELONY PERJURER. It would not at all suprise me to see this Abramoff thing turn into an indictment of whatever Democrats were riding his gravy train, and we both know what the media will do if they can write about left wing graft as opposed to right wing graft. Then of course, even if the indictments DO lead somewhere, there is always that little matter about your vote no longer being counted......
From the Brad Blog......
Bush Recess Appoints New Federal Election Commissioners...
America Recieves Another Smack in the Face by the Democracy-Hating Bush Administration
The U.S. Senate convenes two weeks from now. George W. Bush could not wait and had to "recess appoint" the three latest additions to the Federal Elections Commission. You know...
The U.S. Senate convenes two weeks from now. George W. Bush could not wait and had to "recess appoint" the three latest additions to the Federal Elections Commission. You know how he is about those things. Hates to wait. And hates that whole annoying "Congressional oversight", "check and balances", blah, blah, blah stuff.
Amongst Bush's 17 recess appointments made today:
Robert D. Lenhard, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
Steven T. Walther, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
Hans Von Spakovsky, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
We had more previously on these characters when they were first nominated last month, including details on Bush crony von Spakovsky as well as Lenhard, who happens to be the husband of Vivica Novak (she, not just coincidentally, of TIME Mag/RoveGate fame). Novak will likely be testifying in some fashion concerning crimes surrounding the Bush Administration's alleged outting of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame. Now, it seems, Novak will have to decide whether or not to give damaging testimony against her husband's boss.
Aside from being a key player in the 2000 Florida Election Boondoggle, a member of the extremist Federalist Society and a former Republican Party Chairman in Georgia, von Spakovsky was Bush's political appointee at the DoJ who recently made the papers as well. He was revealed to be behind the overriding of opinions given by career DoJ attorneys in the Voting Rights division concerning the Georgia Photo ID requirement laws and the Texas redistricting pet project of indicted former House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay. 4 out of 5 attorneys said the Georgia law would disenfranchise minority voters. While 8 out of 8 unaminously found the new Texas congressional map to be in violation of the law for similar reasons. Both of those decisions were overriden with the help of von Spakovsky and resulted in an effective gutting of the very heart of the 40 year-old Voting Rights Act of 1965 as we reported in early December. Who better to sit on the Federal Elections Commission?!
The Georgia law has since been found unconstitutional by two Federal courts and the Texas law is headed to the Supreme Court where still more Bush appointees will likely be sitting in judgement.
One party rule. America rocks! Except for this whole "Decade of Shame" thing we seem to be in the middle of...Lady Liberty weeps...More encouraging news on other matters tomorrow...
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00002237.htm
Comment #39: DTW 06 said on 1/5/06 @ 11:18pm ET...
I fellow blogger directed me to this little story. I trust you will find it interesting: Gabon Oil Money Buys Oval Office Meeting with Bush "Bongo is one of the wealthiest heads of state in the world, and this is attributed mainly to oil revenue and corruption. In 2005, an investigation by the United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee into fundraising irregularities by lobbyist Jack Abramoff revealed that Abramoff had offered Bongo to arrange a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush in exchange for 9 million dollars. Bongo met Bush 10 months later in the Oval Office."
QuestionItNow
