Replies: 87 Comments

Comment #1: Alma said on 1/31/06 @ 8:54pm ET...

I love that letter. I hope he takes your advise, but I doubt if he will.Good luck tonight and have fun.

Comment #2: Alma said on 1/31/06 @ 9:53pm ET...

I don't think anyone read your letter to him JC.

Comment #3: Jay Lechnyr said on 1/31/06 @ 10:11pm ET...

Once again, he ignored you.

Comment #4: Ohiodem1 said on 1/31/06 @ 10:34pm ET...

I was over at the DCCC live blog, Alma was there, but hardly anyone else was, so I left.

Typical platitudinous speech by Bush with a couple of appeals to his base, a little crowing about Alito and Roberts, a not too thinly veiled threat to war with Iran.

Same stuff, different day.

Comment #5: Alma said on 1/31/06 @ 10:36pm ET...

OD1 The thread over there is a different thread now and they are taking questions for the Congressmen. Jay was overthere for awhile too.

Comment #6: Reed31463 said on 1/31/06 @ 11:26pm ET...

I was there as well under a different name. Posted three quetions.

Comment #7: Truth_in_action said on 1/31/06 @ 11:28pm ET...

Congressman Conyers is there now blogging.

Please come join us.

Comment #8: Horkus said on 2/1/06 @ 12:32am ET...

Forget the SOTUS, Bush said the predictable. "Freedoms" and "Terrorists". It was the Democratic reponse from Kaine that was disappointing. I din't know if he was
a governer or a furniture salesman.

Comment #9: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 12:37am ET...

"Forget the SOTUS, Bush said the predictable. "Freedoms" and "Terrorists". It was the Democratic reponse from Kaine that was disappointing. I din't know if he was a governer or a furniture salesman."

Kaine who???

These bastards in the Democratic leadership are reading a Republican script about how to hand Bush the whole enchilada.

What frickin' turncoat genius came up with Kaine??? I hope the Bush cabal rewarded him handsomely.

Comment #10: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 12:41am ET...

#8 & #9 I felt the same way. I submitted a question about how they came up with him at the DCCC blog Conyers & co. were doing tonight, but none of them answered it. I also recommended that they might want to have a more forceful speaker next year.

Comment #11: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 12:53am ET...

"I also recommended that they might want to have a more forceful speaker next year."

By next year we will all be wearing State's Uniforms, color coded to signify our income status and party affiliation.

Comment #12: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 12:54am ET...

Nah! We'll probably be in Gitmo.

Comment #13: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 1:53am ET...

"Nah! We'll probably be in Gitmo."

If you want a gauge in how disillusioned and angry the Democratic constituency is becomeing, go check out the comments on the Huffington blog, particularly on the thread that that mewling pissant Reid put up. God I despise these God damned cowards. If we still had a vote, I would take great pleasure in sending them packing.

Comment #14: The Forest said on 2/1/06 @ 2:05am ET...

Arianna at HuffPost was furious at the Kaine selection (she said in a post when he was announced that he is utterly uninspiring as a speaker) -- he was announced a day or so after Harry Reid held a conference call with some bloggers and I believe Jane at FireDogLake asked Harry about who they were going to use post-SOTU (she either mentioned or was thinking Murtha was the guy to go to).

They think Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi moved to pick Kaine quickly after that in part to shortchange any movement by the influential bloggers to lobby for someone with 'guts.' Figures.

What you saw in action in Kaine is Harry Reid's idea of "opposition." Same deal with the filibuster non-whipping. Get used to it, or start calling him out by name. I don't think he's going to change on his own.

Prayers and hugs to the Coretta Scott & Martin Luther King children tonight.

And thank you for wearing that T-shirt to the SOTU, Cindy Sheehan. The cops threw the only acknowledgement of those who died for their country in Iraq, out of the United States Capitol this evening when they threw Cindy out and into handcuffs in police custody for recognizing them.

Keep talking in riddles, Democrats. Without action to back up your rhetoric, you are beyond irrelevant anymore. And as long as you continue to cover for the 19 fakers in your midst, you are going nowhere fast, and we know it.

Comment #15: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 2:15am ET...

"What you saw in action in Kaine is Harry Reid's idea of "opposition." Same deal with the filibuster non-whipping. Get used to it, or start calling him out by name. I don't think he's going to change on his own."

Careful. Someone here might accuse you of "swiftboating" Reid.

I am absolutely convinced that mewling treasonous asshole is working, purposelly, in the Bush Administration's best interests. He's a Trojan Horse.

Comment #16: Jay Lechnyr said on 2/1/06 @ 4:57am ET...

I had to get off so my wife could do some homework. So I'm listening to the DNC response this morning. First impression: Kaine looks and sounds like a cheesy salesman. He should have been sitting down behind a large desk and should have eliminated the phrases like "you know".

Good speech, poor delivery.

Comment #17: rainbowsally said on 2/1/06 @ 5:45am ET...

Pissed off American wrote:
----
These bastards in the Democratic leadership are reading a Republican script about how to hand Bush the whole enchilada.
----

You are right. Gephardt was lukewarm like a tepid water balloon but Bonior was great.

Both are gone.

Pelosi is lost in the blowing wind and Hoyer is clueless (though he manages to occasionally blurt out something that rings true). Believe it or not Hoyer actually wanted to amend the Constitution to remove term limits.

JUST IN TIME, EH?

Whatever his reasoning was, that kind of stupidity should be rewarded with a dunce cap and a free airplane ticket home.

And Pelosi? Whatever potential she might have her ability to get on-topic and move quickly is EXTREMELY unimpressive.

Time for some fresh, insightful, inspired leadership. People that don't have to be told how they feel about civil rights and the rule of law (the Constitution).

This mess could clear up in one hour if we all attended the same assembly in the same auditorium, by the way.

But people are afraid to find out who they are.. both sides are.

Then if you don't know who you are (as in "know thyself") how in the world will you know who anyone else is?

http://politicalcompasss.org
or
link

Take a look at the us election plot. Find Kerry.

THEN take the test!

See what I mean? (!!!)

Comment #18: rainbowsally said on 2/1/06 @ 6:13am ET...

State of the UNION???

Maybe that's where I went wrong. I was watching for the State of the Confederacy.

Dead silence (as usual). I don't know why I keep trying...

Comment #19: Truth_in_action said on 2/1/06 @ 7:19am ET...

"If you want a gauge in how disillusioned and angry the Democratic constituency is becomeing, go check out the comments on the Huffington blog, particularly on the thread that that mewling pissant Reid put up. God I despise these God damned cowards. If we still had a vote, I would take great pleasure in sending them packing."

I was over there too, POA. Thank God for Arianna. When I heard Kaine I was beyond appalled. I first became appalled by reading what he was going to say before I actually saw him deliver it. So this is Reid's style? I watched him in the Senate giving his speech to no one prior to the SOTU, and it was a sad, sad delivery. Reading off notes it looked like someone else had put together for him. Only occasionally did he seem to find some steam in himself. I guess Mush, the Tokyo Rose of radio talk show, doesn't call him Dusty Harry for nothin.

I'm watching Kerry now on NBC. He's got a fire in his belly, but if he hadn't rolled over like a dog playing dead when Bush stole the election from him, I might still trust him. Alas, I do not. I was so mad he didn't spend some of that $50 million left of campaign money on challenging Bush. I felt betrayed. I think John Edwards did too.

Comment #20: Dr Alan H Levinson said on 2/1/06 @ 7:23am ET...

I couldn't watch Bush for fear of not being able to sleep at night. However, I did turn the tv on in time to see the 12 commercials for the democratic response. It is now 7:17 in the morning NY time and I'm still waiting. Did I miss something here?

Mr. Conyers,

Is it inappropriate to walk across the street, knock on Reid's door, and ask him where the hell his head is at. I'll give only 2 complaints.

1. Who the heck was "Mr. Milque-toast last night and why was he speaking for the democrats?

2. When will the promised november report on phase 2 come out...you know, the one where we called for a closed session of the senate and it was called a 'stunt'. If we don't follow through, then it clearly looks like one!!

Alan

Comment #21: rainbowsally said on 2/1/06 @ 8:54am ET...

My Degree In 'Spaced Out'?

Dunno about republicans but I got MY degree in
'spaced out' from Hooked On Astrophysics.

Some folks seem to take offense when I use the
term GOP-fer-brains, but it's hard to argue with
reality. And that's what I have a degree in.

Here it is (this is my "politically correct"
definitions based analysis that Rush
misunderstood).

Republic = Re+Public
and
Public+Privatize = Oxy+Moron

Any questions so far?

Then...

Republican = Re+Oxy+Moronic

Reoxymoric = GOP-fer-brains +/- ten percent.

Argue with reality all you like, it won't change anything.

I trust some of the folks here won't be so
confused by simple algebra.

Hooked On Astrophysics (c) Anon 2005, and especially 2006

PS. If this post is off-topic let this be a
warning to everyone.

DON'T DO THIS!

Now it should be back on topic. An example of
what not to do.

Get YOUR degree in Hooked On Astrophysics from
Anon. Inc TODAY!

If it's not Anon...
You paid too much!*

Comment #22: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 8:57am ET...

It seemed to me that Bush mixed some of his biggest lies and half truths into the beginning of a sentence, and then finished with a support the troops or some other similar phrase like that, that discouraged a negative audience response.

Why didn't the rebuttal speech talk to the administration's abuses of power, which include torture, rendering people abroad for questioning, signing statements and the unitary executive, NSA spying, ridiculous tax cuts during a time of war, underequipping and undermanning our forces in harms way, not holding one person accountable for 9-11 or Katrina disasters, that our foreign relations with other countries are in the gutter, the unwillingness of the administration to disclose any information which includes his father's Presidential records, the national debt, why he has failed to secure our borders at home, and why Osama bin Laden is still on the loose? Another television spot just wasted. This is no longer funny.

People like myself are screaming, clawing and scratching at the mainstream media to tell the truth, and what does the Democratic party do with their national TV time: sound apologetic to America. Come on! This is the fight of the millenia!

Do the Democrats need a new speech writer? I need a job! I am one of the 9 to 10% in MI that are looking for work. Where can I apply?

Comment #23: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 8:58am ET...

It seemed to me that Bush mixed some of his biggest lies and half truths into the beginning of a sentence, and then finished with a support the troops or some other similar phrase like that, that discouraged a negative audience response.

Why didn't the rebuttal speech talk to the administration's abuses of power, which include torture, rendering people abroad for questioning, signing statements and the unitary executive, NSA spying, ridiculous tax cuts during a time of war, underequipping and undermanning our forces in harms way, not holding one person accountable for 9-11 or Katrina disasters, that our foreign relations with other countries are in the gutter, the unwillingness of the administration to disclose any information which includes his father's Presidential records, the national debt, why he has failed to secure our borders at home, and why Osama bin Laden is still on the loose? Another television spot just wasted. This is no longer funny.

People like myself are screaming, clawing and scratching at the mainstream media to tell the truth, and what does the Democratic party do with their national TV time: sound apologetic to America. Come on! This is the fight of the millenia!

Do the Democrats need a new speech writer? I need a job! I am one of the 9 to 10% in MI that are looking for work. Where can I apply?

Comment #24: Ohiodem1 said on 2/1/06 @ 9:06am ET...

I agree with POA - The Democratic response was tepid, filled with meaningless platitudes and addressed noting of importance. ANYONE OTHER THAN THIS BUNCH IN WASHINGTON CAN DO BETTER.

Comment #25: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 9:25am ET...

What really happened in Gallery 5, seat 7, row A at 2030hrs 31 Jan 06.

Comment #26: rainbowsally said on 2/1/06 @ 9:30am ET...

Reed wrote:
----
People like myself are screaming, clawing and
scratching at the mainstream media to tell the
truth, and what does the Democratic party do with
their national TV time: sound apologetic to
America. Come on! This is the fight of the
millenia!
----

In lieu of a better plan, I have devised a fool-
proof strategy that requires just a tad more
Democratic incompetence than we really have a
right to hope for, but it's our only chance.

The media coup is backfiring. They are trying to
get back on the ball now that it's THEIR rights
that are getting burned. Bad... they should
"stay the course", but I think we can overcome
their belated and half-hearted waking by putting
our hopes in the democratic leadership.

Here's the plan.

Now that the CRC (a public relations firm that
was hired to "box them in" (referring to
liberals, democrats, or the American public) we
are ALMOST completely, utterly, and hopelessly
surrounded.

Right?

For the quote about "boxed" in...
http://thomas.loc.gov/r109/r109.html
take Jan 30, Senate and hit #6 is
"executive session", a misleading title for
Assassination Of The Republic.

Okay so far?

What we have learned from various pogroms,
purges, and so forth over the ages is simple.

The assassins aren't particularly bright. And as
every demolition expert knows, it's not important
exactly where all the parts fly or even the exact
energy in the explosion, the most important thing
is timing. You need the demolition to occur on
YOUR command.

That's the key then. Timing.

So when they have us utterly under their dominion
and they are ready to go in for the kill. When
you hear the words "ready" and "aim" we will
yell...

FIRE!

and then we'll duck real quick.

Works every time. They all shoot each other.

As you can see this will require an inordinate
degree of incompetence on the part of the
Democrats to pull off. So cross your fingers.
If the circle isn't perfect, if we aren't totally
surrounded, one of them might survive.

And we don't want any blood on OUR hands.

Get YOUR degree in Hooked On Astrophysics from
Anon. Inc TODAY!

If it's not Anon...
You paid too much!

Comment #27: unspun said on 2/1/06 @ 9:35am ET...

Last night someone hit a transformer near where I'm visiting in a red state. (I think the driver was one of the chosen ones who was hurrying home to see their leader speak). Anyway, with the power outage, I missed the STOUS speech and the blogs. From what I'm reading here, it was the same old lies. I'm really disappointed that the democratic response was apparently so weak. What were they thinking?--they blew another one.

I have had enough of this pussyfooting around the Administration. Let's brainstorm about what we can do to keep the pressure on our elected officials--let them know we've had it and that we aren't going to roll over and give up. I think that working together we did change a few minds over the Alito vote. I know, I know, it didn't change the outcome (the Robberpublicans had more votes than the Dems so the chances of success were slim to none). I knew that going into my letter writing/phone calling campaign; but I felt that I had to do the right thing, regardless of the outcome.

I may be overly optimistic, but I think that if the bloggers here and elsewhere keep the pressure on, we will make a difference. "I have just begun to fight".

Mr. Conyers, here's where we need your leadership--how should we proceed to help you and our few other leaders with courage to let them know we are totally fed up and that they need to listen or lose their jobs?

Comment #28: unspun said on 2/1/06 @ 10:13am ET...

Re: Comment #27, last paragraph--I need to clarify--I by "they need to listen or lose their jobs"--I meant the "Vichy Democrats", aka--Republicans lite, not the few courageous dems like Mr. Conyers.

Comment #29: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 10:22am ET...

#6 Reed31463, They were good questions too. Thanks for the link to Cindys letter, it was great.

Anyone heard anything from Patriot or Rusty?

Comment #30: sanitysojourner said on 2/1/06 @ 10:34am ET...

The SOTU address was only words. We have heard many words from this administration before. None of them are credible. I don't care what this admin says, I care what it does. There is usually a large credibility gap between the two.

The dem response was shameful, with dreadful choice for rebuttal.

While I'm sorry that Cindy Sheehan got arrested, I'm hopeful that more folks will recognize that wearing a t-shirt with the number of soldiers who died in Iraq is not a crime. I'm glad to have a representative who can speak to the pain of war and am grateful that my nephew isn't among the numbers printed on the shirt.

My personal approach is to move right past SOTU.

I've been signing impeachment and patriot act petitions as well as calling and writing letters on those topics. If folks want tallies on those items, I suggest that several categories be set up for keeping track.

In all seriousness, Rep. Conyers, I suggest that the dems select a few talking points and hammer them home. Especially now that the Abramhoff prosecutor has been bought (and he was head of "Integrity!!!") with a judgeship, no sleaze scandal will help us in the 2006 elections if we don't remind folks ourselves.

I would stick to: corruption, domestic spying, Iraq, budget deficit, health care, repeat (the old do loop).

Comment #31: Frosted Flake said on 2/1/06 @ 10:41am ET...

Rainbowsally #18 If you are looking for a giggle, you've got one, are you happy now?

Congressman. Dropped in to see if you have noticed this story on Phase II.

Dr Levinson, you asked for this.

Also, wanted to drop this where people are likely to find it. The National Security Agency
Declassified

Very sorry to have missed the discussion at Stakeholder. Left some late comments. One might even be helpful.

Admire the statement made by unspun. John Paul Jones was sinking when he made his most famous speech. I don't think we are sinking, though we do have "Democrats" punching holes in our boat.

On that, here is some data:

UP FOR ELECTION IN 2006

Daniel Akaka [HI], already has two primary challengers, one of whom, Ed Case, is a former elected state representative and is polling well.

Joe Lieberman [CT], already has a primary challenge looming from Ned Lamont who has set up an exploratory site, and until 5/16 to make the decision to jump in.

Bill Nelson [FL], currently has NO primary challenger, with until 5/12 to find one.

Ben Nelson [NE], currently has NO primary challenger, but if there is a concerned citizen in Nebraska who wants to run they have until 3/1 to register as a candidate.

Jeff Bingaman [NM], currently has NO primary challenger but still two weeks remain until the deadline for filing of 2/14.

Kohl [WI], currently has NO primary challenger. We have heard he plans on skipping the vote, which is the same thing as an abstain. The filing deadline in Wisconsin is 7/11.

Cantwell [WA], is being already challenged by a strong progressive candidate, Mark Wilson.

Byrd [WV], has no serious primary challenger we can confirm and the 1/28 deadline has just expired.

goodguys

Robert Menendez [NJ], was just appointed but has to run himself this year. If he drops the ball there are challengers waiting in the wings and until 4/10 to decide.

Lincoln Chafee [RI] is a Republican who professes to be pro-choice (not a real republican) and not feeling very secure right now about his 2006 prospects.

Comment #32: Frosted Flake said on 2/1/06 @ 11:08am ET...

Yes, back already. What? You didn't miss me? I'll try a little harder.

I didn't know Bill Frist had a blog. But I know now. This might be something to keep an eye on. Spy is such a dirty sounding word, but that's a way to say it.

Question : ConyersBlog is .com, FristBlog is .org. Is this a problem? Who's problem? Is ConyersBlog overlooking a tax advantage or is FristBlog improperly taking advantage? Am I simply imagining this?

Comment #33: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 11:30am ET...

REP CONYERS......

Look, we all KNOW you read this blog. Sometimes, as much as I respect your efforts and grit, I am chagrined at the fact that you ignore questions that are repeatedly asked here on your blog.

Well, heres another one, to add to the list that "What do you know about where the hell is Phase Two is" resides on......

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHOOSING KAINE FOR THE REBUTTAL, AND HOW COULD OUR DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP BE SO GOD DAMNED IGNORANT TO EMPLOY SUCH A SELF DEFEATING ACT?

Comment #34: rainbowsally said on 2/1/06 @ 11:58am ET...

The Record is again moving.

Thanks to the typists!

I was most moved by Mr. Lewis' speech. Mel, keep on swingin' dude... and would it help if I lied about my home state? Would you take my calls? ;-)

McKinny. Darlin' I don't know what we did to deserve you either.

I skipped some, I'm sure. But it's clear to me that spirit does not die.

But I wuz thinkin. No law against that yet.

Here's another commemmoration that might be worthy of a resolution.

Couldn't hurt to propose it.

The Republicans' self-imposed Contract TERM LIMITS are up in 2006.

Nothing wrong with a little honesty in gov't, eh?

Remind them. They signed it. It's their promise to America and it's about the only one they can still keep.

It doesn't require a Constitutional Amendment to push them out.

I don't buy that, and contract law is pretty much what it is.

Even oral contracts are generally considered valid, how much more statements on the record (http://thomas.loc.gov 104th Congress, Jan 17++)

And how much moreso those signed in blood with gopac?

Again, a human's word is his/her bond, as we are reminded at times when it suits them, and although this one promise looks a bit cross-eyed after going through microwave a few cycles most of us would still accept it, blown out left eye, amputated left foot, burned all to hell and all.

That promise would still be honored.

In fact... speaking for myself, I insist.

Comment #35: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 12:39pm ET...

It looks like Patriot has updated our senate contact board to include Impeachment letters and petitions too.

Comment #36: Patriot said on 2/1/06 @ 12:54pm ET...

#35 Alma, yes, thanks for noticing. The contacts for the Patriot Act are Senators. Representatives are for impeachment since they are the ones who vote on articles of impeachment.

The impeachment one has a lot of contacts on it. Don't get discouraged, just plug along and eventually it will build up to mean something.

The first thing we need right now is the Patriot Act. The extention expires on Friday, so it's important to contact the senators first.

Comment #37: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 1:04pm ET...

Just wanted to mention that when we were doing the Alito letters, I noticed that John Thune, Republican of ND had Impeachment in his drop down window for what your email was about. That kind of made my day.

Comment #38: Ohiodem1 said on 2/1/06 @ 1:07pm ET...

Rainbow - Good call. The Republican Contract On America did, I have term limits to make Congress a place devoid of professional politicians beholden to Special Interests and Big Money.

What a joke those people are, and their pitch to people who maybe once believed that the politics of radical republicans could be leavened by a promise to do good.

Does anyone know how many R's of the Class of 1994 who took the pledge remain in Congress. Great point Rainbow.

Comment #39: Vyan said on 2/1/06 @ 2:07pm ET...

Well, that was entertaining because I just love a good fairy-tale, don't you?  I think he should get George Lucas to produce the movie version, or maybe it needs the Bruckheimer touch?  A little Black Hawk Down mixed with Places in the Heart?  A great Action Hero, Down Home Family movie for all ages where the bad guys are real bad evildoers and the good guys make sure that the mothers of our fallen soldiers are quickly whisked away before the opening credit less their quiet sobs in  the back of the room spoil everyone's mood. Or worse - they wear a T-Shirt with a little too much truthiness to it.

Still the best parts, were all in the audience participation segments - because as we all know, it's all about the "Hokey Pokey"! (Aka The Official Dance of the Congress Critters as they jump up and down from their seats on cue like trained seals!)  Arr!  Arr! Clap! Clap!

More tragicomedy over on Dkos.

Vyan

Comment #40: Jay Lechnyr said on 2/1/06 @ 2:17pm ET...

Please, Mr. POA. This is not a carpet for people to drag Mr. Conyers onto. This is where we the people can give him information, suggestions, ideas, thoughts, and even questions for him to ask others. Not for him to answer himself.

It's a weblog, not a forum. He listens - to us! That's far more than we can say for all too many of his colleagues.
On the other side of the aisle, people pay really really big buck$ for this level of access.

Appreciate what you have here; I certainly do.

Comment #41: Ohiodem1 said on 2/1/06 @ 2:20pm ET...

Frosted Flake #32 - Bill Frist's VOLPAC ?blog? is a site intended to only present one side of any issue, and is clearly intended to raise boatloads of cash to support republican causes.

My impression of a blog is that the blog owner posts topics, and seeks comments, opinion and input.

Mr. Frist's ?blog?, unlike this forum provides no place to publicly offer an opinion or dissent over the pablum and propaganda that is presented there.

Sorry, Bill, that is not a blog.

Comment #42: Patriot said on 2/1/06 @ 2:25pm ET...

#41 OD1, there's a place for comments on Frist's blog but they are approved before posting.

The Patriot Act is up for a vote on extending it to March 10 in both the House and the Senate Patriot Act Extension

#40 Jay, thank you. Well said.

Comment #43: The Forest said on 2/1/06 @ 2:41pm ET...

To back up my comment #14 above about who is responsible for the selection of Gov. Kaine as the post-SOTU Democratic speaker, I just copied this from DU's front page:

"And here is [an excerpt from] the Washington Post article reporting on the Dems' stupid choice of Kaine for the SOTU responder:

Democratic Leaders Turn to Kaine

Va. Governor Tapped to Give State of the Union Response for Party
By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 20, 2006; Page B05

RICHMOND, Jan. 19 -- Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has been tapped by national Democratic leaders to give his party's response to President Bush's State of the Union speech on Jan. 31, party leaders said in a statement Thursday night.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) called Kaine on Thursday, and he accepted, according to the statement, also issued by Gov. Bill Richardson (N.M.), chairman of the Democratic Governors Association..."

Pass it on.

Comment #44: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 2:54pm ET...

Rainbowsally, thank you for the political compass link, very interesting. I'm delighted to say I occupy the same space as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dali Lama.

Frosted Flake, thank you for the link on the NSA and FISA; I'm honestly not sure what to make of it, especially the 25th item submitted to Bush. Does this strengthen or weaken his position? Could it have contributed to inspiring his agenda?

Protest:
Latin - testari - to witness
- pro - before

Comment #45: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 3:18pm ET...

These links are my follow-up to #31 info on RawStory:

Senate Intelligence Committee Members

Bush sure has been busy!

Comment #46: UL said on 2/1/06 @ 3:37pm ET...

Since when did Bush neoconster gestapo patrol the "People's House" and violate 1st Amendment Rights and do physical harm to our fellow citizens?

Thank you for your continued leadership, Congressman Conyers. Congressman Murtha sent a great letter to Bush today. It's truly unfortunate that either he or you were not the one's delivering the real Democratic Party response to Bush.

Peace,
UL

Comment #47: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 4:12pm ET...

ADMIN- We have a problem. From Greyhawks diary at kos:Towards the bottom of the paragraph.

I don't consider dKos, AmericaBlog, BradBlog, AlterNet, Eschaton, or a few others I frequent to be "Democratic" in nature, in spite of the overwhelming number of folks (including the blog owners, in most cases) who have stated that they are "Democratic" in nature. Why? Because their "nature" is dynamic, energetic, expansive, and self-correcting. The "Democratic" aspect of their nature differs significantly from the nature of the Democratic Party in general. (Notable exceptions are ConyersBlog - which, for some reason, doesn't recognize my login anymore - as Congressman Conyers has proven to embody the same nature, IMO, as my fellow Kossacks

Comment #48: Ohiodem1 said on 2/1/06 @ 4:32pm ET...

Patriot - Do you think that Frist would allow you, me, Frosty, POA, Rusty Alma or anyone else who posts here to put anything honest up on that site? The overwhelming thrust of that site is to wring dollars out of Radical Right Investors. No criticism allowed there.

Here is a nice article on the SOTU-PNAC connection. I concur with the author's conclusions. War until Bush is out. Let's direct our efforts to kick Bush out in 2007.

SOTU-PNAC connection

Tahoe, Rainbow, I responded to your comments in #87 one thread below.

Comment #49: Patriot said on 2/1/06 @ 4:55pm ET...

#48 OD1, that would be scary for him... comments from us with LINKS to SOURCES and EVIDENCE! Very scary thought, indeed.

Comment #50: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 4:58pm ET...

They would probably change our links to right-wing propaganda crap.

Comment #51: Patriot said on 2/1/06 @ 5:03pm ET...

What are everyone's thoughts on the project? Should we skip the Patriot Act and get started on impeachment? It's going to be harder because there are many more contacts, especially to contact reps more than once.

We can all sign Conyer's petition and put that up under petitions.

Comment #52: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 5:20pm ET...

thread, you have stated, in terms more eloquently than I ever could, my thoughts to a tee.

Thank you.
=============================================
I wouldn't expect to hear from Rusty any time too soon. My personal opinion is that he will be true to his word. He poured his heart and soul into this past effort and has become a casualty. He has lost a battle he believed in on the national level, so IMHO he has turned his attention to the local level in order see that the traitors in his State pay a heavy price.

I mourn the loss. He was a great leader and an enlightening voice. I will surly miss his wit. He joins other blog casualties I greatly miss.

How many more will we lose? What will be the final price? Will there be a final price? I myself am truly on the edge of dispair. I do not know how much longer I will be able to carry on without a total life changing event.

Then again, this is all speculation and I could be completely wrong in my assessment of Rusty.

Maybe he will reconsider, but I ask, review his last post. Is this stated with sincerity or half-heartedly?

Comment #53: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 5:25pm ET...

#51 Patriot, first of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE UPDATES AND WORK YOU'VE PUT INTO TEAMCONYERSBLOG.

I've been vaccilating on what to do next, myself. So far, the only contact I've made recently was to my Senator Talent in response to a post-confirmation poll he sent to me. I thought it terribly ironic, since my previous emails I sent him landed in a "deadletter" zone, and because the poll he had on his website before confirmation was 87% opposed to confirmation, and 23% supporting confirmation. So, I responded by telling his that I didn't feel like he represents me, that I am not his constituent, that I was better received by Senators in other states, that my sentiments may change if he decided to act on the behalf of Missourians and Americans, instead of on the behalf of corporate-backed executives masquerading as public servants, that I know what the Constitution says, I know the limitations on Bush's Executive Power, that I intend to continue to exercise my rights protected by the Constitution to the fullest extent that the Laws allow.

I don't want to procrastinate much longer, I wish I had more information about the Patriot Act situation. My feeling is that the sooner we get Bushco out of the White House, the sooner we can halt and reverse further damage. I know that the Republican majority and the Democratic wimps will make it difficult to get impeachment through. But, we have some strong Democrats, like Congressman Conyers, and if his steps on hearings and investigations move forward, I'm leaning toward contacting Congress members to press IMPEACHMENT.

Comment #54: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 5:26pm ET...

Missing from comment #52

#39 Vyan,

Again, as you have done in the previous.........thread,

Comment #55: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 5:37pm ET...

Reed, I think I understand what you're saying. I hope Rusty isn't a casualty; Nolip's post was somewhat confusing, as well. I'm not sure if people are just taking a break, changing tactics, or what's going on.

As for me, I see some things moving forward. I'm not sure I agree that Reid is a Trojan Horse, but I will most definitly agree that some Democrats seemed to be confused about strengthening their (and our) positions. The Republicans play dirty, politicians and constituents. There are some exceptions, but not many. The Democrats seem to be concerned, above all else, with not looking "bad", always wanting to be the nice guys. I would rather see the sincerity and emotion of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., or Rev. Jesse Jackson than the calm, controlled orations of the last 2 Democratic Presidential nominees. On the other hand, Howard Dean showed spunk, and the media spanked him for it. One thing I feel we must gain some control over is the media. GAIN CONTROL OVER MEDIA
IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY/RUMSFELD

Comment #56: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 6:03pm ET...

Just saw this on Kos
Howard Dean's response to SOTU

JC, do you have any suggestions for us on how we best approach contacting members of Congress? Patriot Act? Hearings? Investigation? Impeachment? I know you've been working diligently to get things going, but how do we best impress your fellow members of Congress?

Comment #57: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 6:21pm ET...

You can check for updates from Greyhawk at this diary until his posting problem here gets resolved.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/145737/9521#13

It might help if someone could turn it into a working link for me. Thanks!

Comment #58: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 6:26pm ET...

Greyhawk On Kos

There's a link, Alma. I hope we can get Greyhawk back here, thanks for noticing that.

Comment #59: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 6:29pm ET...

Thank You mighty Feline!

Comment #60: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 6:41pm ET...

Greyhawk121 comments.

Comment #61: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 6:41pm ET...

#51 Patriot, It only took me about 3 hours to do all the senators. I think we should do them first and then start on the impeachment. Whats a 3 hour delay going to hurt? Also there are some republicans that aren't 100% sold on all the parts of the Patriot Act and we might be able to tip the scales. I just used the same message for all of them, copy and paste, except the one senator that you have to type everything in. Feel free to use my words if you like:

Dear Senator,
Please do not renew the Patriot Act in its present form. There are already laws on the book that, if enforced properly, have sufficient protection, both from terrorist activities and protection of our civil rights. Stripping US citizens of their rights in no way stops terrorism, in fact it shows them that they are making headway. There is also no reason to give the President extra powers. Our government is set up as a balance of powers for a reason. It should stay that way. Do you really want to be known in history as one of the group that changed our democracy forever into a police state? Please vote no. Thank You, Your name and address (There's a few that won't let you change the state, so I figure this covers being honest.)

Comment #62: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 6:42pm ET...

Sorry for the duplicate....didn't refresh my browser.

Comment #63: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 6:43pm ET...

Thanks Reed. It never hurts to have a couple of links.

Comment #64: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 6:50pm ET...

You're welcome, Alma. I'm rarely home evenings, and I sleep in, so I seem to miss out on a great deal of active traffic here; I think I'm in a different time zone, as well. I hope to rejoin you later.

I attempted to explain the way I make links using Patriot's suggestion, and I can't seem to explain it without actually creating a link. I'll try once more here:

While on the website you want to link, right click on the Address at the top, select 'copy'

Come to comment box here, right click on mouse, select 'paste'. The address should appear.

Place your curser at the beginning of the address (this is where it gets a little difficult for me to explain), type the symbol on your keyboard that is above the comma (shift comma), immediately type the letter 'a'. Hit the space bar. Type the letters 'h' the letter 'r' the letter 'e' the letter 'f' the symbol '=' consecutively without spaces.

Move the curser to the end of the address. Type the symbol that's above the period on your keyboard (shift period) to close the address. Immediately type the same symbol at the beginning that opens (shift comma), then the symbol / (slash), the letter 'a', and the close symbol (shift period).

You can preview to make sure the link is red, check to make sure it works, and come back to post it. I hope that all made sense!

Comment #65: feline said on 2/1/06 @ 6:57pm ET...

I forgot to include in the steps above; after you close the address by typing shift period, you can type in what you want to call the link. Then you immediately type shift comma, slash, letter 'a', shift period.

Reed, is that the way you do it?

Alma, I like your letter, I guess I've felt so ignorant about the actual provisions in the Patriot Act, I didn't know where to begin.

Comment #66: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 7:01pm ET...

Let me try this:
Buzzflash Cafe

Comment #67: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 7:02pm ET...

Alma, I hope you do not mind a few revisions to remove passive voice. This is the slightly modified version.

Dear Senator,

Please do not renew the Patriot Act in its present form. There are already laws on the books that, if properly enforced, offer sufficient protections from terrorist activities while maintaining our civil rights. Stripping US citizens of their rights does not stop terrorism. In fact, it shows the terrorist that they are making headway.

In addition, there is no reason to give the President extra powers beyond those already established. Our government is set up as a balance of powers for a reason, and it should stay that way. Do you really want to be known in history as one of the group that changed our democracy forever into a police state?

Please vote “NO”.

Thank You,
(Same as above)

Comment #68: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 7:03pm ET...

Thank you Feline.

Comment #69: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 7:05pm ET...

Looks great Reed. Its probably better to have some differences anyway. And I am a very timid person, and I hope some people can be more forceful.

Comment #70: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 7:08pm ET...

Alma,

OMG! It's a hotlink.

feline, exactly: except quotation mark immediately proceed and follow the "URL", like so.

Comment #71: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 7:13pm ET...

Yeah, Reed, Cool, Huh! And my kids think I'm hopeless.

Comment #72: rainbowsally said on 2/1/06 @ 7:47pm ET...

It's a COINCIDENCE THEORY!

Haliburton only paid back $9 million. I think a
third grader could have handled that lawsuit, but
you decide.

See the invoice entries dealing with lawn
jockies. But there's more.

invoice

When you're finished laughing at this one, spit
out your front teeth, America.

This was in April 2004 The Nation.

Enlarge the graphic to verify my very condensed
version, only dealing with the lawn jockys.

Bear in mind now that Halliburton only paid back
$9 million of the more than $200 million (or more?)
they overcharged. Shades of Enron.

Then think,
America. Who is the joke on?

Prima Facie

a. $23 million - Remove Saddam Hussein lawn
jockys.

b. (No charge) Store Saddam Hussein lawn jockys
in Texas legislature basement.

BUT...

c. $5 million - Finder's fee for locating Saddam
Hussein lawn jocky storage site

AND THEN...

d. $30 million - pay damages for illegal removal
of Saddam Hussein lawn jockys

That's right. You got it. Good thinking,
gumshoes. Nobody pulls one over on the smart
shoppers and American tax payers:

There are now tons of these priceless collectors items in the basement under the Texas legislature and they can only go up in value.

Invest Early!



But back at the ranch...

$35 million - Chip in for ex-CEO Cheney's birthday gift one leather-bound oil well.

Don't believe me. Believe your own eyes.

If you can't see the graphic, I assure you it was
a bill to the US Government. They paid back $9
million in overcharges. Right here we see where
about $50 million was due. Maybe closer to $100
million.

The article where this appears is at The Nation
and requires a subscription.

Here's the url of the article if you want it.

the whole article

It's a COINCIDENCE!

"Trust me" -- "well, i guess, i just don't know.

Comment #73: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 7:53pm ET...

Rainbowsally, Thats a "heck of a deal" on suntan lotion.

Comment #74: DTW 06 said on 2/1/06 @ 9:46pm ET...

A dear friend sent the most concise description of a W. SOTU adress:

"This year, both Groundhog Day and the ' State of the Union Address ' fall on the same day. As Air America Radio pointed out, 'It is an ironic juxtaposition: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication, and the other involves a groundhog.'"
- J.B. Dixson

Isn't it also fitting that the long-awaited Enron trial began yesterday. And of course Cindy Sheahan got arrested for wearing an anti-War T-Shirt.

Pay Attention
ask questions
Speak Up
Denver Three

Comment #75: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 10:24pm ET...

"Senate Democratic Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) called Kaine on Thursday, and he accepted, according to the statement, also issued by Gov. Bill Richardson (N.M.), chairman of the Democratic Governors Association...""

Thats what I had heard too. In fact, I understand it was shortly after Reid had a conference blog with Steve Clemons, although that may be just a rumor. But it is APPALLING to me that this kind of strategic SABOTAGE can be so arrogantly shoved down our throats. When a custom cabinet maker from Central California, such as myself, has more political accumen than the God damned minority leader, we KNOW we are in DEEP SHIT. Can ANYONE possibly have thought having Kaine do the rebuttal was anything other than abject stupidity and political suicide for the Dems???? Good God, can it get any worse?

Comment #76: Alma said on 2/1/06 @ 10:36pm ET...

POA Everytime I ask that question "Good God, can it get any worse?" It does.

Comment #77: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 10:36pm ET...

Heres an excerpt from the Raw Story article that Frosted Flake posted......

"Franklin and AIPAC

Much of the current concern over security breaches stems from the case of Defense Intelligence Agency analyst Larry Franklin, who has recently plead guilty to passing classified information to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). But Franklin seems to be a new face on the block when one considers the past involvement of higher level officials. Some intelligence sources have described Franklin as a "patsy" who is to take the fall for a much more insidious history and questionable activities by more senior officials.

The Franklin leak is hardly an isolated incident.

In 1978, the current head of the World Bank and former Deputy Defense Secretary Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was investigated for passing classified information through AIPAC, the same organization that Franklin is charged with passing state secrets to.

Wolfowitz, who at the time was working for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA), was himself brought in by yet another high level alleged leaker, Richard Perle. Perle, too, is being investigated in the current AIPAC case.

Perle, who most recently served as chairman of the Pentagon Defense Policy Board and quietly resigned after the AIPAC case broke, was alleged to have passed on highly classified information to the Israeli embassy when he was a foreign policy aide for Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson in 1970.

Perle was instrumental in bringing Feith into several positions, starting in the early 80s. By the mid-1980s Feith was relieved of his clearances for allegations of passing secrets to AIPAC, bringing the question of clearances full circle."

End Excerpt.

And we are not supposed to be concerned that Harry Reid is in the top ten receivership for AIPAC PAC monies????? Yeah right. I'm tellin' ya, the son of a bitch feeds at the same trough the Neocons do.

Comment #78: DTW 06 said on 2/1/06 @ 10:47pm ET...

On Monday, January 30, 2006 - Four Star General Wes Clark Delivered his "Real State of the Union Address" at The New America Foundation . The foibles, lies, damn lies, and misinformation of the neocons and the W. administration have been well documented here, there, and almost everywhere.

So, let us skip that part of Wes Clark's speach and listen to a professional speak to our national priorities. I voted for this man in the primaries in '04 and I have not regretted my choice!

Enough is enough!
Americans are ingenious, energetic, pragmatic, and almost inevitably optimistic. But they are also keenly aware of reality -- and today a strong majority disapproves of the way our President and the one-Party rule on Capitol Hill are leading the country.

WE CANNOT AND MUST NOT STAY THAT COURSE.

A Forty Year War on Terrorism -- which I have heard trumpeted more than once in this town -- and which may well be required, particularly if we continue on this course -- simply fails to provide the comprehensive strategy and framework -- comparable to deterrence and containment in the Cold War -- necessary to direct American policy abroad or guide needed change at home. We are a nation adrift, and America senses this.

Here's what we must do.

First, we've got to set things right at home. Protecting our Constitution comes first. Country before Party. Congress must fulfill its duties to the American people, not roll over for favors from the Executive branch. We need a full, in-depth, bipartisan investigation of the Administration's bypassing of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Congress needs to show resolve that the laws it passes do bind the executive branch, whether in wiretapping, humane treatment of prisoners, or the freedom of information act. Moreover, it is time for a special prosecutor, independent of the Department of Justice, to be empowered to investigate the Abramoff scandal, and pursue the leads all the way through Congress and up to the highest office in the land, if necessary.

Then, we have to focus on the principal challenge ahead: preparing our nation to succeed in a 21st Century world where capital and technology flows instantly across borders, where the labor market is global, and where the benefits and security Americans have taken for granted are put at risk as supergiant countries like China, with 1.3 billion people, grab resources, spur economic growth, redress old grievances, and seek to pursue their own interests.

Today, we are indisputably the world's most powerful nation, but how we organize and prepare America at home, and provide leadership abroad, in the face of China's growing power, is the real and enduring challenge that 21st Century America must answer.

Can we protect that which we value, welcome and profit from China's growth, maintain our own security, and avoid the conflict and war which has so often accompanied historical changes such as we will witness? I believe we can, if we see clearly what must be done and bend our will to do it.

It begins at home, for this is where the most intractable problems lie, with public education, health care, and creating a business environment that encourages innovation, growth, and the creation of meaningful valued jobs.

* In education, we should be offering public preschool across America, encouraging renewed study of mathematics, sciences and engineering, and reform and change must be deep and fundamental creating the community programs needed to assure that every American child graduates from high school.

We must commit more resources to public education -- not pull them away with voucher programs -- but the most important resources are not financial -- they are the commitment of community leaders to create public schools emphasizing learning and character, and the commitment of parents to work with their children, to assure they are fully engaged in the classroom and at home in preparing for their own productive future.

We need to reward teachers for their skills and commitments, but the best form of teacher accountability is not found in standardized testing but in the dialogue between teachers and parents centered on the love and respect for each child in the class. And no student who seeks to go to college should be denied that opportunity because they can't pay.

* In health care, we need to take better advantage of modern technology to practice evidence-based medicine, in which treatments and practices are based on statistically proven results -- not commercial advertising -- and doctors and hospitals are held accountable for their performance, not just by the threat of malpractice but by the day-to-day quality of their results. We need to harness the innovation of our biotech, pharmaceutical, and health insurance industries better to serve the public good, not just the private gain of shareholders.

No child in America should grow up without regular medical check-ups and care -- or regular exercise and physical fitness -- and every adult should be provided access to the kinds of diagnostic testing and preventive treatments which can slow the onset of aging diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's. Additional insurance coverage should be directed to catastrophic illness and injuries, the kind that wreck families and shatter productive lives.

And inevitably this will mean transitioning over time from a work place centered, private payer system toward greater reliance on some form of single-payer system to ease administrative burdens and reduce costs.

* In the business community, we must spur research, development, and innovation, and the growth of the small companies that provide the majority of US employment. This will mean more private-public partnerships in developing new technology, and in linking our universities to business enterprises, as well as an expanded arsenal of economic and tax incentive programs aimed primarily at small businesses.

We must assure investments in the technology infrastructure -- the broadband and wireless access improved and modernized highway, air, and rail transportation systems, and the access to affordable, reliable sustainable energy essential to continuing economic development.

We must have a real plan to achieve "energy independence." And we need to do so without further damaging our fragile environment. In fact, sustainable energy and so-called green engineering provide major growth opportunities for American ingenuity, and we must move in that direction,

* We must chart a new path for labor in America, and probably for the union movement itself. While workers still need help in redressing grievances against management, perhaps the old dividing lines make less sense in an age of high technology, social and geographic mobility, and global competition. Is it possible that unions could become the "development agencies" for workers, protecting their rights, but also promoting their training, education and career development throughout a lifetime of many different skills and jobs? And if they don't who will?

For we know that in today's economy learning is a lifetime process and every American in the workplace must take increasing responsibility for his or her own development of skills, pursuit of opportunities, and creation of financial security for the family.

* And to address these and many other issues, our government will need more resources, for the great discovery of twentieth century America was not that we should get "government off our backs" but that government could be a partner in the economy -- in infrastructure, in regulation, in research and development, in education, and in health -- laying the foundation for the achievements of private industry. In particular, we need resources to empower our people, with new programs comparable to the landmark contributions of the Homestead Act, the GI Bill, and the 30 year Mortgage in order to give every child in America a head start in education, business, home ownership, investment, and economic opportunity.

But we must raise resources in a way that protects the most needy and working families, and that still provides opportunities for the creation of the wealth that is the hallmark of the American dream.

America's great strengths are our economy and the spirit of our people. And if we take these major, fundamental measures, we'll be well positioned to cope with the economic challenges of China's rapid development.

But we must also take other, urgent steps to assure America's security now.

Turning first to the Middle East, we need to use American military commitments to broker political arrangements that bring the Sunnis back into the Iraqi political system, delegitimize the insurgency, and reduce the threat of escalating civil war. We should create a regional security dialogue, in which we and the Iraqi government can hold real conversations with neighboring states, including Iran and Syria.

A substantial US troop presence will likely be required for years -- and I am mindful of the sacrifices that we are asking from the men and women in the armed forces and their families. It is a heavy burden, and they alone have been asked to bear such sacrifices -- but we should draw down as rapidly as political objectives can be achieved and Iraqis can secure their own country.

Today, Syria presents an historic opportunity for the United States. Rather than just threatening Syria, we should talk directly to Bashir Assad, encouraging him to lay the foundations for economic and political opening and gradual transformation, cut off insurgent access through Syria into Iraq, and end the sponsorship of Iranian-backed terrorist institutions, in return for stabilizing his administration during the ongoing UN investigations.

And this in turn, will give us greater traction against Iran's steady march toward nuclear weaponry. But actions on Iran are urgent. We should join now -- right now -- in opening new talks with Iran, in which we ourselves participate, before pressing for UN action or moving toward the military option. No one should be mistaken: there is a military option.

We can strike hard enough to set back Iran's nuclear quest by many years, and take out much of their military capacity in the process. And we can at the same time protect most of the oil flow from Iran and deny their capacity to block transit through the Straits of Hormuz. But we also must recognize the possible consequences of this action: an embittered, vengeful Iran, seeking further destabilization of the region. Far better to pursue dialogue now, whatever the precedents, and save the military option for truly last resort. Understand: unlike others you may hear, I know when and how to determine our course with Iran.

As for Israel and the Palestinian people, there is no longer a "road map to peace." But Israel is increasingly secure. It is now up to Hamas to form a government for the Palestinians. But they should be under no misunderstanding. Hamas is an international outlaw so long as it demands Israel's destruction.

The war against terrorists will continue, as it must. But it should be conducted with a new resolve to use diplomacy, local authorities, and international cooperation among law enforcement and intelligence agencies, reserving military forces only as a last resort.

Ultimately, we will not prevail in this war by killing terrorists -- though that may need to be done -- but rather by winning the battle for greater tolerance, understanding, and respect between peoples of differing religious convictions. It is first and foremost a battle of ideas. We need to bring terrorists to trial. And we must carefully guard our own values and principles, for in this struggle, moral leadership is far more valuable than pittances of information gained by compromising our beliefs.

We are still in danger from events in Southwest Asia.

We need to cooperate with Pakistan to eliminate the new terrorist base area forming along Pakistan's frontier with Afghanistan, and sustain an enlarged commitment to Afghanistan for many years.

But more fundamentally, we need to redirect the main thrusts of American efforts abroad. We need to rebuild our ties with Europe, with NATO as the foundation, and a new Atlantic Charter as the means. Europe is our "base," more than 400 million people with whom we are the most closely aligned in terms of values and interests, economics and power. Together we can move the international system. Isolated, alone in a multipolar world, America simply won't fare as well. And we should strengthen ties with India, the world's largest democracy and itself a rapidly developing superpower.

If we are to avoid the reemergence of a 19th Century balance of power system replete with threats and warfare between states and alliances, we must use this period of American preeminence to rebuild the system of international laws and institutions which two generations of American leaders fashioned and extolled. We should set the example in shaping and obeying international law.

Likewise, we should lead in the reform of the United Nations, seeking its full potential as a place for dialogue and the expression of values, and as the source for international law and humanitarian assistance in emerging crises.

Fellow Americans, although our nation is incredibly wealthy and uniquely powerful, we are at an historic turning point. Facing multiple near term crises and a great and long term challenge to our very identity as Americans, we have critical choices to make.

Will we choose to emphasize boastful rhetoric or constructive engagement abroad? Will we lash out in anger with military force, or will we pursue every reasonable avenue to avoid the terrible destruction of war? Will we "fight fire with fire," relying on the means and techniques of our adversaries, or live and lead by the higher standard of the values we have professed?

At home, will we persist in shortsighted partisanship, or will we follow a stronger vision to the deep reforms needed to secure our future? Will it be selfishness or teamwork that is our rallying cry?

These are the choices before us.

I welcome the opportunity to participate in this great American adventure as we seek our destiny. America's Beacon of Hope must shine brightly once more, lighting our beloved country and illuminating the whole world.

And if we choose wisely, it will.

Wes Clark

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment #79: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 10:57pm ET...

""Please, Mr. POA. This is not a carpet for people to drag Mr. Conyers onto. This is where we the people can give him information, suggestions, ideas, thoughts, and even questions for him to ask others. Not for him to answer himself.

It's a weblog, not a forum. He listens - to us! That's far more than we can say for all too many of his colleagues.
On the other side of the aisle, people pay really really big buck$ for this level of access.

Appreciate what you have here; I certainly do.""

Far too many of us have forgotten the definition of "representative", and have also placed our "representatives" in an elite class of celebrity. As much as I respect Rep Conyers, the fact remains that he is tasked to represent us. Period. And I am sick of being stonewalled on the Phase Two issue. I want to know where the hell it is, and why we have not recieved it. Saying "pretty please" is obviously not going to produce it. It is time that ALOT of citizens said "WHERE THE HELL IS THE GOD DAMNED THING, and WHEN ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO START REPRESENTING US?"

Having had said that, I KNOW that Conyers is not responsible for producing this delinquent accounting, (Phase Two), nor is he involved in the efforts to procure it. But SURELY he has information, scuttlebutt, about why it has not been produced as promised by Nov 15th, 2005. I want to know WHY we don't have it, and WHY ALL our democratic representatives, INCLUDING CONYERS, are avoiding the issue like it was a smoking bomb. If, (as the article Frosted Flake links to alledges), it is because of the spying investigations surrounding Feith and AIPAC, it REALLY calls into question Reid's unbiased ability to successfully demand and instigate the release of the report, considering his relationship with AIPAC. Something smells about this Phase Two thing, and my intuition tells me that the odor is not just coming from the right. If Conyers knows anything, he should come cleAn with us, or simply tell us he CANNOT, or WILL NOT, discuss it at this time. If he doesn't, all he need do is say "I don't know."

Comment #80: DTW 06 said on 2/1/06 @ 11:18pm ET...

#77 - POA - Ambassador Joe Wilson was on The Ed Shultz Show this afternoon. Mr. Wilson was running down a short list of the bad boys who have been funding the Scooter Defence Fund. Interesting cast of characters. Don't these people ever get outside of their big inner circle?

REB 84

Comment #81: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 11:29pm ET...

http://www.house.gov/stark/news/109th/pressreleases/20060201HRes.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2006
Contact: Debbie Curtis (202)225-5065

STARK INTRODUCES RESOLUTION INVESTIGATING THE REMOVAL OF TWO VISITORS FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY DURING PRESIDENT BUSH’S
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Washington, DC: Today, Representative Pete Stark (CA-13) introduced a resolution calling for an investigation into the removal of Cindy Sheehan and Beverly Young from the House Gallery during President Bush’s State of the Union address last night.

These two individuals were removed from the House Gallery by the Capitol Police for allegedly “protesting.” That determination was based on the fact that each wore a T-shirt with words on the front. Cindy Sheehan’s shirt read: “2445 Dead. How many more?” Beverly Young’s shirt read: “Support the Troops – Defending our Freedom.”

“There are no rules of the House Gallery that prohibit the wearing of T-shirts with writing on them. Yet, these two individuals were forced from the House Gallery by the Capitol Police. Under what authority were the police acting? An investigation is warranted,” stated Rep. Stark.

“President Bush regularly requires his audiences to be screened and sanitized before he will appear before them. But, this is supposed to be the people’s House. The President should not be able to override our governance and make us part of his Gestapo regime,” concluded Rep. Stark.

Comment #82: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 11:33pm ET...

http://woolsey.house.gov/latestnews.asp?ARTICLE5110=57121

Woolsey Statement Regarding Cindy Sheehan
February 1, 2006


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today issued the following statement regarding Cindy Sheehan’s arrest in the gallery of the House of Representatives before the State of the Union address. Mrs. Sheehan was Rep. Lynn Woolsey’s guest to the President’s State of the Union address.

“Since when is free speech conditional on whether you agree with the President? Cindy Sheehan, who gave her own flesh and blood for this disastrous war, did not violate any rules of the House of Representatives. She merely wore a shirt that highlighted the human cost of the Iraq war and expressed a view different than that of the President. Free speech and the First Amendment exist to protect dissenting statements like Ms. Sheehan’s last night.

“Stifling the truth will not blind Americans to the immorality of sending young Americans to die in an unnecessary war, against a nation that posed no threat to our security. The President's speech last night was yet another attempt to distort history, as he suggested -- once again -- that the 9/11 terrorists came from Iraq. Everyone knows this is not true. We must not be afraid to say that the emperor has no clothes. It's time to bring our troops home.”

Comment #83: Pissed Off American said on 2/1/06 @ 11:37pm ET...

The following is a Buzzflash link/headline. It appears I am not the only one that thinks some of these cowardly bastards, like Reid, are actually representing the interests and agendas of the right.

http://www.buzzflash.com/?time=12

"Arianna: Murtha Has the Answers. A Democratic Who is Speaking on Behalf of the Military Who are Muzzled Takes on Bush's Failed War Head On and the Democratic Leadership Spurns Him. We Ask Again, Are Some Key Democratic Leaders Really Republican Moles? Because No One Can be Strategically as Inept as This Helpless Crew. The Country is Against the War, Against Illegal Wiretapping, and Against Bush. The Only People Behind Bush are the Dems in Washington Who Won't Stand Up for the Constitution. This Doesn't Make Sense. 2/2"

Comment #84: Reed31463 said on 2/1/06 @ 11:50pm ET...

#78 DTW,

Again, Wes Clark superbly demonstrates his abilities to understand the nature and scope of problems this administration is creating, and that his experience has given him a vision, a path forward if you will, through the landmines they have planted around the globe.

Even better, he is able to articulate his vision to us in terms Americans can relate to. And as the supreme commander of NATO, he has a demonstrated ability to successfully plan and execute a multinational operation involving both military and diplomatic tools to a peaceful end.

He represents the ultimate professionalism and integrity from the military of the past two decades.

By the way, what's the sitzu with Fitz, you's?

Comment #85: feline said on 2/2/06 @ 12:32am ET...

Alma, congratulations on your link!
I'm glad that the roundabout instructions worked. It does get to be memory after practicing a few times.

It really is mind-boggling how things keep getting worse with no redress; just when I think "THIS will be the thing that will put a stop to the insanity", another thing happens, and another. It's as if there are two revolutions happening at once, and I'm concerned that world's are going to collide before things get better.

Comment #86: rainbowsally said on 2/2/06 @ 5:16pm ET...

RETRACTION/CORRECTION
In the thread...
It's a COINCIDENCE THEORY!

I apologize, the numbers are just so astounding. Halliburton paid back 9 BILLION of the more than 200 BILLION they owed.

So the 50-100 million showing in my excerpt is chicken feed.

Gotta get rid of this calculator--vintiage 1990. Can't handle the numbers anymore...

Comment #87: Chemung said on 2/3/06 @ 4:14am ET...

I just posted this message on the very bland and disappointing blog of the DNC:
"I DO NOT TRUST the DNC. It seems that the DNC is doing nothing to counter the myriad of lies and spin that Bush rolled off in his "State of the Union" address. All that the DNC seems to say is "give us money". There is no intelligent articulation of truth that I can discern on this website. Remember when Bush said "this Crusade", or "as long as I'm the Dictator"? I am wondering if Howard Dean (once such a forceful speaker who told how the Bush Administration is "defunding" the nation's infrastructure) has been the recipient of a frontal labotomy? It almost seems like the DNC is covertly on the influence/money-train with the goose-stepping Republican "majority". We have no one providing courageous representation of any kind in DC, except perhaps for John Conyers and Jack Murtha.

How does one write to Howard Dean? Is he alive? Does he have an e-mail address? Does he ever personally interact with this blog? I doubt it. I see no reason to trust the DNC, and would not volunteer one dime to this pathetic "leadership" of a willfully self-emasculated and demoralized Democratic Party..

Even getting into this blog is a tedious task that seems intended to muffle any dissent within this pathetic and useless organization.

The DNC is starting to smell. Harry Reid is a gutless wiener, and that clown who gave the reply to Bush's doublespeak speech on Tuesday night does not even deserve to have his name mentioned.

So if your brain is alive, go to conyersblog.us for some real discussion and exposure to Truth. This place is for losers."

The DNC blog is a total disappointment.