Replies: 94 Comments
Comment #1: DTW 06 said on 2/28/06 @ 9:37pm ET...
Congressman Conyers,
I have been away on vacation, so I have some catching up to do. However, I did catch a bit about Berlusconi's visit on NPR this afternoon. It is worthwhile to note that he is facing a tough re-election battle and is committed to pulling all Italian troops out of Iraq in the very near future.
It is extremely appropriate for the Washington press corps to ask tough questions about the Niger documents. That is assuming they are still interested in doing their jobs. Let's hope these poll watchers notice Bush's 34% approval rating and grow some balls!
QuestionItNow
Comment #2: DTW 06 said on 2/28/06 @ 9:44pm ET...
Unrelated topic, but very important:
FAT TUESDAY and MEMORIES of KATRINA
Six months later and most of New Orleans still bears the scars of Katrina. Yet, the city is carrying on its Mardi Gras tradition. Fat Tuesday is here! And New Orleans is partying again. It is also paying tribute to the victims of Katrina.
It is a fitting time to remember the over 1,300 dead and thousands of lives that have been forever changed by this national tradegy. Let us never forget that any of us could suffer a catastrophic event in our own backyards. Let us hope and pray that our governments are better prepared next time. If not, we will be on our own.
Following is the text from an email message I sent to progressive radio talk-show host Nancy Skinner on Friday, September 2, 2005:
Subject: Will Anyone Be Held Accountable?
To: nancyskinneram@clearchannel.com
Dear Nancy,
I had to send this email. There is too much to say to attempt to call you on the phone. I am also feeling rather angry and confused right now.
I can’t begin to imagine what life must be like for all those desperate people trapped in New Orleans. I have visited the city twice and have some feeling for how vast this city is. Words can not describe how I feel right now. This is a horrible, terrible, disgusting, and frightening travesty. Is this America? What is happening to our country?
Where is the leadership? Local officials are begging for help. The governor of Louisiana responds to disorder and “looting” by ordering police to "shoot to kill." Where is the food? I have a wife and two young children. If they were starving, I would do anything to feed them. Meanwhile, our president responds by breaking off his vacation and holding a press conference.
After Pearl harbor FDR famously said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" and he inspired confidence. That was leadership. Today, we get empty words, and incompetence. Will anyone be held accountable for cutting the levy repair budget, gutting FEMA, deploying 1/3 of our National Guard troops Overseas, and vacationing during one of the worst natural disasters in history? Sadly, I suspect the answer is NO!!!
Imagine this happening in Detroit. Remember how badly the black-out disrupted our lives. Will we be prepared? Will we have enough National Guards? Is Michigan prepared? Do we have in money at the state and local level to deal with a major catastrophic event? Is there any plan in place for evacuations, other than drive away and take your credit cards? These questions need to be answered and this needs to become a priority.
I heard the pain in your voice this morning. How can you not be affected? Thank you for standing up for what is right, and doing a great job during these trying times. God bless you.
Sincerely,
REB 84
REMEMBER KATRINA
Comment #3: Tiggeroshii said on 2/28/06 @ 10:13pm ET...
Congratulations for the award, sir!
Comment #4: Nolip said on 2/28/06 @ 10:20pm ET...
If David Gregory is in the house, maybe Berlusconi will be asked the question about his ties that bind to Bush and the push for war in Iraq...
If enough angry American parents who lost their sons and daughters to Bush's folly are in the room, maybe Berlusconi will suffer Mussolini's fate.
Comment #5: sara swati said on 2/28/06 @ 10:51pm ET...
Dear Cong. Conyers, If this Patriot Act actually passes, we may never be able to remove the bush administration. This is very scarey. I think the worst will happen to us. The senators are concerned about their own political lives instead of the lives of the rest of us. They need to be reminded that WE hire THEM into office. I think we are being set up for the worst of the worst to hit us - absolute monarchy - and the princesses will inherit the throne and carry on this travesty.
You are our only hope. I pray your impeachment meeting goes well. You're the best! You deserve your award absolutely.
Comment #6: The Forest said on 2/28/06 @ 11:52pm ET...
I think we are getting a much clearer picture of the members of the Unprincipled Wing of the Democratic Party in the Senate. Today their membership foisted the police state powers of the unrevised P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act on the nation, despite only three cosmetic, meaningless changes made to the law since their December filibuster votes. Their "Democratic" votes made the difference in attaining the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture against their colleague Russ Feingold's principled filibuster. They think they've got us fooled. They think they're gonna fake us out. They think we're powerless and ignorant nobodies. They are in for a shock.
They are:
Joe Biden (DE)
Tom Carper (DE)
Kent Conrad (ND)
Dianne Feinstein (CA)
Tim Johnson (SD)
Herb Kohl (WI)
Mary Landrieu (LA)
Blanche Lincoln (AR) - what a shame...
Bill Nelson (FL)
Ben Nelson (NE) - Bush loyalist
Mark Pryor (AR)
Jay Rockefeller (WV) - pathetic...
Chuck Schumer (NY) - his true colors flying at last
The final vote was 69-30, with every Republican voting against Feingold, and Inouye of Hawaii absent.
What I want to know is: What game is Dick Durbin playing? He was at the GOP press conference announcing the three cosmetic (Specter's word) changes, and loudly announcing his support for the GOP, in obvious opposition to his own colleague Russ Feingold's principled, courageous defense of our liberties. And NOW he's supposedly supporting Feingold, a couple of weeks later, with no further announcement(s)...? Or was his vote just a SHAM and a SCAM, to protect his political bona fides with the people...? Something on the order of the unwhipped Alito filibuster vote that Durbin and Reid stood idly by and watched as it swirled down the drain...?
Someone please relieve us of these two-faced, two-timing FRAUDS. Hucksters who can't or won't do anything except say one thing, and then do the opposite, time after time after time.
Comment #7: Pissed Off American said on 3/1/06 @ 12:24am ET...
"Someone please relieve us of these two-faced, two-timing FRAUDS. Hucksters who can't or won't do anything except say one thing, and then do the opposite, time after time after time."
Careful, or some ass will come along and accuse you of "swiftboating" the Dems, then claim you are a right wing troll.
(But hey, you can redeem yourself if you call the Republicans and tell them you are unhappy with the Dem's cowardice and complicity. Go figure.)
Comment #8: Truth_in_action said on 3/1/06 @ 12:32am ET...
Congressman Conyers, what is the Dubai Ports World deal - 6 ports or 21 ports?
If it is 21 ports, as I keep reading in various online articles, why is the media reporting it as 6 ports?
Read Here
I read also in another article that Canada has 15 ports that will be taken over by Dubai World as a result of this takeover as well. One of those ports is Vancouver.
Comment #9: Pissed Off American said on 3/1/06 @ 12:38am ET...
Perhaps someone in the UAE knows who was REALLY responsible for 9/11.
From Buzzflash......
February 28, 2006
Is our National Security Being Blackmailed?
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
The most fundamental question about the betrayal of the Dubai Ports Deal is why an "America-first" president doesn't believe that Americans can protect our ports? After all, we have a Department of Homeland Security, don't we?
Well, it just so happens the Department of Homeland Security, such as it is, objected to the Dubai Ports multi-billion dollar outsourcing contract. It also happens that, according to Rupert "I Love Bush" Murdoch's New York Post, Osama bin Laden has bragged that he has infiltrated the uppermost echelons of the Dubai and United Arab Emirates Government.
Not that Osama would have to do a lot of infiltrating, since the Royal Family of the UAE were his house guests, according to former CIA Director George Tenet.
Did we also mention that the Pentagon identified the United Arab Emirates as a security risk in terms of terrorist sympathies?
And along with Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the UAE played a key role in being transfer points for the financing of the 9/11 attack. Terrorists still travel freely through Dubai.
So what act of seeming suicidal insanity would motivate the Bush Administration -- who has been woefully inadequate in securing our ports -- to go outside of America to hire a nation with a record of terrorist relationships to "guard" our ports? It would be like putting a kleptomaniac in charge of night security at a jewelry store, except, in this case, our lives are at stake.
If Dubai is such a great protector of America (is this nutsy or what?), then, as one website noted, why don't we let them take over the Secret Service and see how comfortable Bush and Cheney feel having Dubai protect THEM?
All of these revelations just lead you closer to the betrayal and greed at the heart of the Bush Administration. They don't care diddly about the American people. Like all tyrants, they rule for themselves and their financial backers.
Which leads us to a further profoundly disturbing thought.
Maybe the Bush Administration, whose so called task force on the Dubai contract met only once, is really shoving this outsourced, kinky contract down our throats (and remember we are paying taxes to be betrayed by the Judas in the White House) for another reason.
Maybe the sheikhs of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates have some nasty goods on Bush, Cheney, the Carlyle Group, Halliburton (you name the corporate crony relationship) that the Bush dynasty can't afford to be revealed because it involves illegal financial transactions and questionable geopolitical agreements.
In short, maybe the national security of America is being blackmailed.
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
Comment #10: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 12:53am ET...
Piss,
Take a break from your CIFA chores, goose step on over to the Pentagon City Mall, buy a blender, take it home, plug it in, turn it on, and stick your head in it.
Comment #11: Pissed Off American said on 3/1/06 @ 1:12am ET...
"Take a break from your CIFA chores, goose step on over to the Pentagon City Mall, buy a blender, take it home, plug it in, turn it on, and stick your head in it."
Yeah, thats it, I am actually a DOD operative. Who spilled the beans? Was it Uncle Earl, or Counselor Troy????
Idiot.
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/d5105_67.htm
Comment #12: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 1:35am ET...
Piss,
Thanks for signing your post at the bottom again.
What's wrong? Did you run out of Buzzflash editorials to cut-and-paste here?
Since you seem to be fresh out of Buzzflash editorials to post, call Pat Roberts. If he isn't available, just tell one of the women in his office to go to hell.
Telling women to go to hell is really impressive, Piss. That appears to be the only debating tactic you developed while you were acquiring your substantial progressive resume.
Comment #13: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 3:42am ET...
One of Piss's favorite tactics is to ridicule anyone who doesn't relentlessly vilify Democrats. Even Karl Rove and Ann Coulter don't despise Democrats as intensely as Piss does.
I've slammed Democrats as often as Piss has, but I slam them because I want to redeem the Democratic Party. Piss slams them because he's a fascist CIFA stooge who despises Democrats.
"Cowardly Democrats" has been one of Piss's favorite slanders. But we don't need to bow down and worship this CIFA talking point. It's standard Rovian propaganda, concocted to ALWAYS frame EVERY issue so GOP abuse of power becomes a side-issue as everyone focuses their fury on Democrats.
Rove and his thugs trot out CIFA stooges like Piss and corporate media whores like O'Reilly and Hannity to rant and rave about Democrats while Bush and his GOP fascists rob us blind and laugh all the way to the bank.
Piss is Rovian to the core. He cannot discredit me by debating the facts, so he keeps dredging up my brief, satiric post about Star Trek, hoping to make me an object of ridicule.
Good luck with that tactic, Piss.
Then there's Uncle Earl, Piss's other favorite target. My three satires of typical wingnut attitudes offended Piss for some reason. Spock would not consider that logical. If Piss is such a formidable progressive who "loathes" wingnuts, why would he attack my Uncle Earl satires?
In Piss's opinion, ridiculing Democrats should be our highest priority here. According to him, satirizing wingnut attitudes should not be tolerated on this blog. Doing so renders me unworthy of respect or attention from other Conyersbloggers.
Whenever Piss can't find imaginary children to hide behind, runs out of Buzzflash editorials, or can't find a woman to tell to go to hell, he crucifies Harry Reid. Harry Reid said this! Harry Reid said that! Harry Reid, Harry Reid, Harry Reid, blah blah blah ad nauseum.
Lately, Piss has been presenting himself as Sir Piss of Galahad, Knight of the Round Table and heroic defender of that damsel in distress, Bev Harris. Illegal NSA spying, the UAE port deal, and the Patriot Act renewal are just "distractions".
I have news for you, Sir Piss. Sending us to Blackbox to say hello to Bev and check out some links is not going to topple the Bush regime. Democrats need to get control over at least one house of Congress to expose Diebold's treachery. Until that happens, progressive prioritizing of Diebold as an issue is futile.
So is prioritizing 9/11 conspiracy evidence. Neither of these issues has any meaningful traction with the electorate. We cannot topple Bush by raising hell about Diebold or 9/11 this year, doing that is exactly what Rove wants us to do, so he can portray progressives as out-of-the-mainstream, wild-eyed conspiracy theorists.
You're a scheming CIFA stooge, Piss. Only a scheming CIFA stooge would try to focus our activism on the two issues resonating the least with voters.
So just do what I recommended. Take a break from your CIFA chores, goose step on over to the Pentagon City Mall, buy a blender, take it home, plug it in, turn it on, and stick your head in it.
Comment #14: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 5:29am ET...
Despite the tireless and invaluable efforts of Congressman Conyers, Senator Feingold, and others, the GOP hasn't allowed any investigations into Bush or GOP crimes since 2000. As someone pointed out, even the 9/11 Commission was one big pardon. No one was held accountable for anything.
In order to hold these criminals accountable and reclaim our government, we need to take Congress back this year. Our energy needs to be increasingly focused on supporting the best progressive candidates in primaries.
Congressional hearings run by Democratic chairmen with subpeona power is our ultimate weapon against Bush and his GOP thugs.
We don't have that ultimate weapon yet. But we can forge that weapon this year by focusing on critical House and Senate races across this country.
Netroots progressive activism is rattling the Cuellar campaign in Texas and giving Lieberman fits in Connecticut. We are gaining power and influence month by month, and by this fall we will be even stronger.
Each of us has to expand the number of progressive blogs we monitor so we can maximize the information available on the Internet, take action, establish priorities, and coordinate our efforts with other progressives.
Information is power. The more information we gather and pass along to each other, the media, and the voters, the more power we will have.
For the last six years, lies have been power. But the power of GOP lies is fading rapidly. Every desperate lie peddled every day by Bush and Cheney and Mehlman and Frist et al alienates more Americans every day.
As their desperation increases, the likelihood of another terrorist "attack" or "preemptive" attack on Iran increases. If the Bush regime wants to play Russian Roulette by perpetrating something that desperate, we can't stop them.
But pulling that trigger may well be political suicide for them. This isn't 2003 or 2001. Bush isn't sitting atop a 70+ approval rating like he was then, he's the most despised president since Nixon.
This regime is going down. It may go down because of our electoral activism this year, or it may go down because Americans like us bring it down in the streets of Washington.
Freedom isn't free. It never has been. If we have to win back our freedom with our blood, sweat, and tears, so be it. We've shed tears before. We've shed too many tears. We've sweated through three rigged elections, only to watch smirking Republicans strut around like they're God's gift to America.
They're not. They're a curse on America. They are not Christians, they are not Americans, they are not our leaders, they are fascist usurpers.
"When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce the people under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such a government."
--Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776
We've seen the abuses, we've seen the usurpations, and we've seen the absolute despotism of this "government". We know what our rights are and we know what our duty is.
We are going to take back our government. Whoever isn't prepared to shed their blood to accomplish that might as well quit reading this blog, shut their computer off for good, and wait for the Patriot Act Police to knock on their door.
It's us or them. That's what this has come down to. We have the truth and they have lies. If we proclaim the truth with all of our energy until November, we will win this battle for America's soul.
Comment #15: Reed31463 said on 3/1/06 @ 5:31am ET...
Lies
Comment #16: Reed31463 said on 3/1/06 @ 5:48am ET...
Truth
Comment #17: Patriot said on 3/1/06 @ 6:58am ET...
Uncle Earl was satire???
Comment #18: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 7:40am ET...
As 'ol Blue Eyes used to sing...
"Dubai, Dubai do, da da de da...
Dubai deal is doo doo da da de da..
Comment #19: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 8:42am ET...
In a similar vein...talk about your Constitution in Crisis...this is probably a poll of all Republicans...
D’oh! More know Simpsons than Constitution
"Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms in the First Amendment, but more than half can name at least two family members of "The Simpsons" (from left, Lisa, Marge, Maggie, Homer and Bart)."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11611015/
Comment #20: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 8:46am ET...
Bush set out to destabilize the Middle East (while mining Hussein's oil)...to reset the political boundaries for that part of the world...instead he set off a fire storm that will consume the landscape if it goes unchecked...
Intel Chief: Iraq War Could Spread To Entire Middle East...
"WASHINGTON - A civil war in Iraq could lead to a broader conflict in the Middle East, pitting the region's rival Islamic sects against each other, National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said in an unusually frank assessment Tuesday."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thenewswire/#a016551
Comment #21: Pissed Off American said on 3/1/06 @ 9:11am ET...
"You're a scheming CIFA stooge, Piss. Only a scheming CIFA stooge would try to focus our activism on the two issues resonating the least with voters."
Like voter fraud?
You're an ass, Rusty.
And how do you know how the 9/11 issue "resonates". Ask the 9/11 families how it "resonates", why doncha.
Are we back to "political expediency", genius?
How about that Reid, eh? Who was right about him, Rusty?
How'd your hissy fit about Conyers not listening to your DEMANDS that he walk out of the SOTU "resonate", you buffoon?
Comment #22: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 9:50am ET...
Rusty and POA...
Kids! Kids! There's no bickering in blogging just as there's no crying in baseball...kiss and make up because your blog cred is on the line and Admin will banish you to cyber heaven if you don't clean up your potty mouths!
Comment #23: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 9:54am ET...
Dubya: "Rummy get in here! There's DIE SENSION in the ranks!"
Poll: 72 percent of troops want out of Iraq in a year
"Seventy two percent of U.S. troops in Iraq believe the United States should pull out within one year, a column by Nicholas Kristof in Tuesday's New York Times reveals. The poll was conducted by Zogby International and is the first poll to examine the attitudes of those currently serving in the wartorn nation. "
http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Poll_72_percent_of_troops_want_0228.html
Comment #24: sanitysojourner said on 3/1/06 @ 10:56am ET...
On topic: Asking Berlusconi questions is like asking bushco questions. Any response will not be credible.
Berlusconi has a similar hold in Italy that bushco has here: poorly thought of by the people, but with a short-hair hold on the government. Despite receiving the equilvalent of a no-confidence vote a year ago and some resultant minor reshuffling, Berlusconi's highly corrupt regime remains entrenched.
Sound familiar?
No doubt, if truth prevailed, the Italian government could shed much light on U.S. Iraq involvement. That's a mighty big "if."
Additionally, IMHO, Berlusconi's government is complicit in the shooting of the Italian journalist and the killing of her driver a while back. Like bushco, Berlusconi doesn't mind eating his young in the name of profit.
Comment #25: bill_o_carolina said on 3/1/06 @ 10:58am ET...
Indeed Rusty and POA, please please put aside your egos. Many of us here value the comments of both of you. I would hate to see either of you banned from this blog. But that's just me.
On a side note. Wasn't it the Italian government who had warrants for American CIA agents? Did those warrants just go away?
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10584239/
Comment #26: Truth_in_action said on 3/1/06 @ 10:58am ET...
The Dubai World deal includes 21 ports. Link
Don't let the corporate media get away with just stating that there are only 6 US ports involved in this deal.
The ports are as follows:
Baltimore, MD
Boston, MA
Camden, NJ
Corpus Christi, TX
Davisville, RI
Freeport, TX
Galveston, TX
Houston, TX
Lake Charles, LA
Miami, FL
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Newark, NJ
Newport News, VA
Norfolk, VA
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, ME
Portsmoth, VA
Beaumont, TX
Port Arthur, TX
Wilmington, DE
Comment #27: Ohiodem1 said on 3/1/06 @ 11:03am ET...
Sanity #27 - Better check to see if the trains are running on time in Italy, airlines, too.
Comment #28: Truth_in_action said on 3/1/06 @ 11:19am ET...
Rusty, I appreciate your focus and energy, although it gets distracting watching you and POA engage so heatedly.
More than anything I want this Administration changed, and you make real valid points about what our important focus and direction should be.
But how do we keep from getting robbed again by Diebold and the corrupt Republican processes?
In 2004 I was sitting at the Democratic office making calls to get in voters on election day ALONG SIDE of a Republican who hated this administration so much he was volunteering his time as well to support the Democrats. In spite of our efforts we were robbed blind.
Shouldn't we be putting some time in to Bev and blackboxvoting.org? My concern is that we work our arses off to get voters into the polls, and the corrupt criminal administration wipes out the votes in their favor again. I fear walk-out election polls at 75% in favor of the Dems, and the corruption weilding us another 51-49 in Republican favor.
I want to put my energies where they will be most effective, but with the election corruption, I am deeply concerned. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Comment #29: sanitysojourner said on 3/1/06 @ 12:04pm ET...
#28 Bill O C: My understanding is that the warrants were not a Berlusconi government request. My personal speculation is that the request went where FOIA requests go in this country: a black hole.
#30 Ohiodem: When I was there last spring, Italian trains and planes ran on time. Frighteningly so.
Comment #30: Patriot said on 3/1/06 @ 12:27pm ET...
The attack on Conyers begins We knew it would happen, someone would attack you and try to remove you from office. I would find it very hard to believe that anyone who committed the ethics violations listed here would be so hard-hitting and outspoken as you, sir. You'd have too much to lose.
I hope and pray these allegations are found to be false by the ethics committee. We need you and we support you.
Comment #31: Alma said on 3/1/06 @ 12:38pm ET...
#22 Nolip, Sad isn't it.
#33 Patriot, You're right. We knew it was coming.
JC, We love you, and we have your back.
Comment #32: Ohiodem1 said on 3/1/06 @ 1:39pm ET...
DeLay indicted for money laundering.
Conyers accused of having a staffer babysit 2 kids.
Duke Cunningham takes $2 M in bribes, is convicted and awating sentencing.
Conyers is accused with not paying a staffer's gas money to get to a campaign event.
DeLay attempts to bribe a member $100,000 in exchange for a vote. Is unbraided by the ethics committee.
Conyers is accused of having a staffer who did illegal activity, was charged and convicted and received jail time.
DeLay misused the FAA, and was unbraided by the Ethics Committee.
Conyers is accused of helping his wife win a political office. This allegation was from 2002. Why did the woman who is making the charge wait until 2006?
John Boehner passes out Tobacco checks on the House floor just before a vote on a tobacco issue.
Conyers is accused of having a staffer do legal work for a private client in her office at the congressional office building.
Rooks accuses her boss of telling her what he wanted done, and my goodness, you had to do what the boss asked for. Wow! How onerous!
I agree with Alma, we have your back.
Comment #33: Fatlady said on 3/1/06 @ 1:43pm ET...
Rusty and POA, You are both on the same page--just got there at different times. POA, you were right on about cowardly/treasonous Dems. In cleaning house, we need to clean our side out, as well as their side.
As for voting problems... Rusty, until this is elevated so that all of AMerica is aware of the fraud going on in elections (and this isn't just a Rep fraud issue-- it crosses both sides), we'll never change anything in the People's House.
Everyone, I encourage you to go to www.blackboxvoting.org and read up.
Comment #34: bill_o_carolina said on 3/1/06 @ 1:45pm ET...
Are they getting scared of Mr. Conyers? Me thinks so!
Comment #35: Genghis Khan said on 3/1/06 @ 1:51pm ET...
[sniff]
I smell Karl's fingers at work here.
THAT is the best answer the GOP smear machine has to DeLay and Frist?
Excuse me while I muffle my hysterical laughter.
(yawn)
Comment #36: sanitysojourner said on 3/1/06 @ 2:04pm ET...
Omygosh, JC, is that the best they can come up with??? 'Fess up now. Surely, at some point in your life, you must have jaywalked!!
Sorry for this unfortunate but predictable aggravation.
Ditto: we have your back.
Comment #37: Ron said on 3/1/06 @ 2:12pm ET...
And Rep Conyers,don't forget the time you forgot to put the lid back down after using the toilet. You bad boy(<:
I got your's And Rustys back too!
Comment #38: Ron said on 3/1/06 @ 2:17pm ET...
BTW that last pole showing Bushit at 34%,
it was wrong,that was 34 people,how in the hell could they make such a huge mistake!?
Comment #39: wallen said on 3/1/06 @ 2:42pm ET...
Okay, so Ms. Maher works for Mr. Conyers from 1997 until she "decided she could no longer work for Conyers in such an unethical environment and quit in May 2005." Obviously she must have liked something about the job, otherwise, that's a long time to stew in such an unethical environment.
As for Rooks, "Rooks had left Conyers years earlier; she was a full-time staffer working in the office for him from 1997 to 1999. Before leaving, Conyers placed her on paid administrative leave for several months and stopped paying her in April 2000." It took her quite some time to come forward, and besides, "Rooks said that she spoke to Ken Kellner, a lawyer on the (ethics)committee, last year but that he dismissed her complaints “as old news.”
Comment #40: Alma said on 3/1/06 @ 2:53pm ET...
#35 Ohiodem1, I loved your oh so true post. Really puts it in perspective.
I think the GOP mudslinging attempt at JC has given us all our much needed laugh of the day. If thats the best they can do, dare I say it?
Bring it on!
Comment #41: Ohiodem1 said on 3/1/06 @ 3:33pm ET...
Sanity, please don't say ditto.
Comment #42: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 3:46pm ET...
I had a chance to read the article while at lunch -- how pathetic? It's like Pablum (cereal).
I wonder if either of those two ladies mentioned giving back the "fat" bonuses they probably received while employed in Conyers' offices.
Good ones, #35 OhioDem and #43 Alma!
Comment #43: Genghis Khan said on 3/1/06 @ 4:02pm ET...
God forbid that Mr. Conyers ever received a blowjob...
Apparently that's the only "betrayal of morals" the GOP finds worthy of capital punishment.
Comment #44: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 4:04pm ET...
#33 and on,
To all of the anti-democratic data-miners and blog-scourgers out there:
Guess what? Participants at Conyers blog are far more intelligent than you give us credit for. Do you think our minds are going to be taken off of the real crimes and criminals against the Constitution and the People it protects? Do you think we're so easily manipulated by fear and distraction? Not a chance. Not only do we have Conyer's back, we have eachothers', and our focus on restoring Democracy and Law hasn't changed.
Comment #45: Genghis Khan said on 3/1/06 @ 4:12pm ET...
drat.. hit the wrong button..
If the GOP received a few more blowjobs themselves things might be better in America.
I'll gladly fork over tax dollars for weekly hookers in D.C. if that means we get universal healthcare and no wars based on lies and avarice.
It's easy math: ~500 hookers (gender per preference) x $100 per "service" (top-drawer hookers for our Congresscritters) x 50 weeks (even hookers get holidays) = ~$2,600,000.00.
That's considerably cheaper than the ~$300,000,000,000.00 spent in Iraq, and is far easier on our foreign policy.
Comment #46: DTW 06 said on 3/1/06 @ 4:28pm ET...
Let's bring in some new blood! These guys are pissed off, motivated, professional, and know what "mission accomplished" really means!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
"Dear REB 84,
Since I left the Senate race in Ohio I have been overwhelmed by the phone calls, e-mails, and letters of support. On behalf of myself and my entire campaign, I want to thank all of you who have passed on your thoughts and encouragement.
http://www.iavapac.org
Though I am no longer a candidate for elected office, I intend to continue in the fight I began when I returned from serving with my fellow Marines in Iraq; the fight to bring our troops home as quickly and safely as possible.
This past week I announced that I've joined the Board of Advisors of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC). The PAC exists exclusively to help other Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans seeking to continue their service through elected office. It is the only PAC headed by a fellow Iraq war Veteran, Jon Soltz.
I've joined with IAVA PAC because of the hope other Iraq and Afghanistan Vets running for office represent. Currently, not one person in Congress debating this war has served in it. The result has been a total lack of credibility on the issue to challenge the President. The war in Iraq affects all aspects of American life - from the economy to energy policy to our readiness to handle disasters like Hurricane Katrina or, God forbid, another terrorist attack. Only by charting a course for victory in Iraq that includes metrics for success that are tied to eventual drawdowns can we begin to adequately address the multitude of other issues facing our nation. That simply won't happen until Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans serve in the halls of power.
http://www.iavapac.org
I hope that you too will stand and fight with these veterans and help them continue to serve their country. Please sign up today.
I learned in my campaign for the House and Senate that the transition from the military to politics isn't an easy one. First, you need money. A lot of it. Many of the candidates running were too busy fighting a war to set up the necessary donor base. Because these candidates have not had public careers, they are largely unknown, and must establish themselves as serious candidates against career politicians. We're going to help them do that.
We're going to help fill the gaps and here's how it's going to happen.
First, we are going help these candidates get the early institutional and financial support that they need to be viable.
http://www.iavapac.org
Second, we are going to take to the airwaves early, both nationally and in these candidate's districts to raise the profiles of the veterans running for Congress.
Third, we're going to talk about issues the right way, and we're going to go after those politicians who voted for the war but against the troops. We will actively take the fight to any politician who voted for the war, but against health care for Guardsmen and Reservists, against increased Veterans Affairs funding, or against pay raises for the military.
I learned a lot during my ten month foray in electoral politics. Rather than retreat in defeat, I am committed to taking those lessons learned and applying them in a positive way to help the others who are in the same shoes I was in. Join me in this fight, and together, we will win it.
http://www.iavapac.org
Rock on.
Paul Hackett"
Pay Attention
ask questions
Speak Up!
QuestionItNow
Comment #47: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 4:35pm ET...
"Civil liberties do not mean much when you are dead," Sen. Jim Bunning (news, bio, voting record), R-Ky., told the Senate.
Senate GOP blocks civil liberty protection amendments
Senator Bunning of Kentucky, and others who would pass this unconstitutional version of the "Patriot" Act:
Do you really want to send the message to our troops dying in the belief they're defending Democracy that "Civil liberties do not mean much when you are dead"?! Is that what you want children to remember about the brave individuals who have fought and died throughout history? Do you think your philosophy is consistent with the principles this country was founded on? And how, exactly, is that philosophy being expressed in the Dubai deal to take over our ports, with no regard for security?
It's okay to die so a few can get rich, but it's not okay to die to defend the civil liberties protected by the Constitution?!
We, the People, know who the real criminals are, and we know Treason when we see it. We know the value of life, and we know the value of sacrifice required to defend the liberties which we hold dear. Both have far greater value than the money you worship.
Comment #48: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 4:49pm ET...
Call it Big Brother on Steroids
Spychips, the next 'give you liberty or give me money' corporate-run "government" agenda.
Comment #49: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 4:52pm ET...
United they wreak havoc...divided they wreak havoc on each other...
Trent Lott To Bush: "OK, Big Boy, I'll Just Vote To Override Your Veto"...
"Tensions between Republican lawmakers and the White House have reached an all-time high, say Republicans on Capitol Hill.
President Bush's sagging poll numbers, the administration's handling of the Dubai port deal and lingering bad memories of Harriet Miers' failed Supreme Court nomination have left a broad spectrum of Republicans on Capitol Hill with little good will toward the White House.
"I was offended," Sen. Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, said of Mr. Bush's threat last week to veto legislation aimed at stopping the transfer of port operations to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates. He said Mr. Bush "threatened me before I even knew the details of what was involved or whether I was going to vote for the bill or not."
Mr. Lott said his immediate reaction was: "OK, big boy, I'll just vote to override your veto." "
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/03/01/trent-lott-to-bush-ok_n_16587.html
Comment #50: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 4:57pm ET...
Worst and most criminal President ever...bodies, bodies everywhere, and Iraqui children shrink...bodies, bodies everywhere because Dubya's a dink...
Mahatma Bush
"In an important sense, it's plausible to envision Bush as a lover of peace and even an apostle of nonviolence -- but, in context, those sterling invocations of virtues are plated with sadism in the service of empire. The president of the United States is urging "peace" as a synonym for getting his way in Iraq. From Washington, the most exalted vision of peace is a scenario where the occupied no longer resist the American occupiers or their allies.
The world has seen many such leaders, eager to unleash as much violence as necessary to get what they want, and glad to praise nonviolence whenever convenient. But no photo-op can change the current reality that the world's most powerful government is also, by far, the most violent and the most dangerous."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/norman-solomon/mahatma-bush_b_16508.html
Comment #51: Nolip said on 3/1/06 @ 5:00pm ET...
Russ rocks...Talent is a no talent bigot...
Feingold reads constitution on Senate floor
"Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) has read the text of the U.S. constitution to the U.S. Senate after the body voted 95-4 approving 3 amendments to 16 controversial provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, set for renewal.
Feingold spent 34 minutes sharing the document with his fellow Senators, stopping to repeat the Fourth Amendment, which he feels the law violates.
The Fourth Amendment reads:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The Senate has yet to decide the fate of the overall extension of the Act, and is set to consider more Amendments designed to protect civil liberties.
Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) followed Feingold's reading by heralding the recent Hall of Fame election of Negro National League baseball players, attributing the faster pace of modern ball playing to professional sports integration."
http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Feingold_reads_constitution_on_Senate_floor_0301.html
Comment #52: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 5:09pm ET...
I've ignored Piss for 6 weeks except when he smears me or one of my friends, which he's done regularly. Then I've responded. I don't initiate these exchanges, Piss does. If anyone dislikes our exchanges, tell Piss to quit smearing other posters. Thanks.
JC, do you serve alcohol on your yacht? I could use a drink right now.
Comment #53: Pissed Off American said on 3/1/06 @ 5:10pm ET...
"Rusty and POA, You are both on the same page"
No, we aren't. Rusty is a joke. Read back through the old postings here if you doubt it. He advocates actions and strategies that long ago failed us, and has repeatedly DEFENDED the very democratic inaction and cowardice that has resulted in people like Conyers being marginalized and ignored. And any unmitigated ass that is so blinded by resentment to the extent that they seriously opine that I am some sort of government operative is detached from reality. Why you people hold such respect for the self congratulating little pissant is beyond me. And his action of DEMANDING that Conyers walk out of the SOTU, OR ELSE he would abandon this blog was beyond all belief.
Now the ass wants us to believe that the 9/11 issues do not "resonate" with the voters. BULLSHIT. The polls state otherwise. The majority of Americans do not believe the "official" story behind 9/11. And if 9/11 does not "reasonate" with the American populace, than why the hell has Bush used 9/11 so successfully to propel his policies into action?
Don't accuse ME of being on the "same page" as Rusty. Rusty's excuses and strategies are THE PROBLEM, not the SOLUTION.
And thank God he abandoned that ridiclulous "Uncle Earl" and "Startrek" bullshit. He is worried about links to Blackboxvoting or questions about 9/11 diminishing Conyers credibility, after his history of clogging the site with embarrassingly bad satire???
Yeah. Sure. Same page.
Comment #54: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 5:10pm ET...
Intelligence agencies warned about growing local insurgence in Iraq in 2003
Among the warnings, Knight Ridder has learned, was a major study, called a National Intelligence Estimate, completed in October 2003 that concluded that the insurgency was fueled by local conditions - not foreign terrorists- and drew strength from deep grievances, including the presence of U.S. troops.
Nolip, thank you for the Huffington stories, will check those out.
Also, thanks to Patriot for the link to The Hill article, and all who have helped sharpen perspective here on what's really important. My respect for Congressman Conyers and those who are dedicated to truth here continues to grow, as well as my resolve to focus on our rights protected by the Constitution, including the right to DISSENT.
Comment #55: Patriot said on 3/1/06 @ 5:15pm ET...
I can't wait to hear what Uncle Earl's take on this "scandal."
Comment #56: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 5:17pm ET...
Piss,
We are going to have WWIII on this blog if you don't shut your trap about me. Everything I said about you and your tactics in #16 is true.
You have initiated these exchanges, asshole. Look THAT up on the threads!
Comment #57: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 5:23pm ET...
#54, Yes Talent is an embarrassment.
On the other hand, here's a Missourian, Jean Carnahan, who sheds light on the real motto of this administration.
How Do I Lie To Thee?...Let Me Count The Ways
Thanks to Rusty for this link.
Comment #58: Ohiodem1 said on 3/1/06 @ 5:31pm ET...
Feline #50 - Kind of puts a new spin on the 1950's debate over whether it would be better to surrender to the Soviet Union in the event of a nuclear exchange or to exchange surrender to prevent nuclear armageddon by the Soviets.
Google "better dead than red".
This was, in my opinion, the genesis of the "Nuclear gap" which John Kennedy rode to the White House. The gap never existed, and a massive ratcheting up of the nuclear arms race resulted.
Now Mr. Bunning says that if you are dead, then freedom does not count. Tell that to the one million American military men and women who gave their lives for our liberty, or their families, Mr. Bunning.
Tell that to the tens of thousands of men and women who were wounded in war to protect our freedoms, and still survive, or their families and mothers, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, Mr. Bunning. Was their sacrifice worthless? Do you think they are willing to give up their freedom in exchange for a little false security,Mr. Bunning?
This puts a completely new meaning on Better Dead Than Red. If given the choice of Gitmo or becoming a Republican, I would take Gitmo every time. Of course Gitmo is a death sentence because once you go there, charged or not charged, you are stuck there for life, subject to torture, humiliation, abuse of all kinds, denial of your right to an attorney, this is preferable to being a Repubican to me. The radical republicans in power do not represent me.
Comment #59: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 5:35pm ET...
HEY, GEORGE BUSH: WE CAN NOW LAUNCH A DEEP SPACE EXPEDITION OFF OF YOUR NOSE!
LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES!
The above link referenced from link on #60.
Comment #60: Fatlady said on 3/1/06 @ 5:40pm ET...
I believe Mr. Conyers is succeeding in breaking them... What's that saying? First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you! Grand Slam Mr. Conyers! Keep it up.
To the rest of us, we have to stop preaching to the choir and start spreading the word to some of the ex-koolaid drinkers (forget the 34%, they're hopeless). It's time to "evangelize the TRUTH".
Here's what we're doing at my local DFA:
1)We pick an issue and create slogans for it (remember, we're the sound bite society) and we create car window signs, street signs, bumper stickers, etc.
2)We create flyers referencing websites that support our premise
3) We disseminate those flyers by leaving them: at dr's offices, in grocery carts, etc. (I walk my dog early in the morning and put a flyer inside my neighbor's newspapers. At least they'll get some balanced news! I particularly focus on my conservative neighbors).
My favorite one is to take those darn junk mail business reply envelopes and send a flyer in it. I especially focus on right wing supporters like Ameriquest. At least they are paying the postage for me to send my propanda flyer to them!
My favorite slogan/issue to date:
Gross incompetence (and lying) = Grounds for Impeachment.
If someone can come up with a pithy sound bite to enlighten the masses about the Forged Niger Document, I'll start on that one. Remember, short and to the point.
Comment #61: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 5:42pm ET...
#61, Ohiodem,
Yes, I'll take Truth over Lies every time, consequences be what they may. The bafoonery of this "Administration" has no idea what real values and ethics are. Their hypocracies are crumbling.
Comment #62: Patriot said on 3/1/06 @ 5:44pm ET...
feline, thanks for the links. Good references!
Comment #63: Ohiodem1 said on 3/1/06 @ 5:45pm ET...
Somewhat off topic, but,
Why doesn't the USA MSM print stuff like this?
Comment #64: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 5:50pm ET...
#63, Yes, those are excellent suggestions. Growing discontent has possibly enhanced receptivity to the Truth, providing an opportunity for us to expand our desire to restore Democracy.
Comment #65: Patriot said on 3/1/06 @ 5:52pm ET...
#66 are you suggesting that the USA MSM share the truth, the whole truth? What a concept!
If you want the real news, you have to go foreign. That's the real shame of the American media.
Comment #66: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 6:34pm ET...
ConyersBlog Home Thread Security has just raised the Embarrassingly Bad Satire Alert Level from YELLOW to ORANGE.
Comment #67: Reed31463 said on 3/1/06 @ 6:41pm ET...
An open letter to:
Deanna Maher and Sydney Rooks,
Shame on you!
What are you attempting to gain by bringing frivolous charges against Congressman Conyers while he is fighting a lonely battle against the corruption in this current Administration?
What have they offered you in exchange for your charges? I hope you understand and are aware of the consequenses of your actions; what side of justice you are choosing, the type of reputation you will earn amongst people, and how the history books will view this.
A majority of Americans will see this action for what it truly is, an underhanded attempt to discredit a noble Representative from his quest to investigate seven very serious charges levied againt the President and Vice President of the United States.
Please reconsider what you are doing and ask yourself, "Is the deal offered to you truly worth it? Can you live with yourself if this administration is not held accountable for their mis-steps due to your action?
I hope you will follow your conscience.
Sincerely,
Reed31463
==============================================
51-49% vote flip
Page 2, table 1
Election tampering study.
After reviewing the data in 1.1, I believe the 51-49% vote flip works like this. If the vote for the dem rises above a certain 51%threshold, an automatic flip occurs, resetting the count to 51%-49% in favor of dem. In a close race, vote flip occurs near the end, in a one time manual flip 49%-51% in favor of the GOP. Automatic flips occurred in Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio and Penn. No tampering occured in Wisconson. Manual flips occurred in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, and Ohio. Ohio stuck out because both automatic and manual flipping occurred.
Vote fraud is a serious issue, no doubt. But a double flip draws serious attention. Many states are aware of this issue and there are politicians at the state level that are actually fighting with the voters to ensure an accurate vote. Which is why the fight in CA, MD, FL, NC, GA, and NM has been effective.
The Patriot Act WILL however, require a great national outcry to get the necessary amendments and changes to ensure that citizens have legal recourse to civil rights and privacy violations and maintain the proper constitutional checks and balances that are currently lacking.
Our voices can make a difference. A filibuster was almost sustained (4 "intent" votes short)where a week before, no filibuster effort was forseen. Last year, Congress actually showed some spine on the Patriot Act. Now, two and a half months later, through obscure political gerrymandering, they are willing to pass a version worse than the one proposed last year? This does not make sense.
Congressman Conyers has spoken the truth about this version of the Patriot Act. Let the Congress know that you know the truth of their political gerrymandering. Tell them you WILL hold them accountable. If we fail to act, we only have ourselves to blame for allowing this to happen without a fight. Will you be able to look yourself in the mirror and say, "I tried my best to stop it" while allowing the Enabling Act to slide through under the guise of National Security?
The American People do not want a separate armed and unifomed Secret Service police, exempt for congressional oversight, with the power to conduct unwarranted break-ins, unwarranted suveilance, and unwarranted arrests of individuals on the grounds of suspicion, without access to a lawyer, and without charges being identified for an indefinate period of time. This is what the Patriot Act does when it is combined with a bill, (S. 1967) proposed by Sen Arlen Spector, currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Comment #68: Ohiodem1 said on 3/1/06 @ 6:46pm ET...
Off topic - Feline, I have had as a subject of my own research, an examination of both the nature of propaganda, and the techniques, since it is being used so effectively against progressives and liberals. Of course, liberal has become a dirty word in that lexicon.
The very best work on propaganda that has ever been produced in English is a book called "Propaganda Technique in the World War" by Harold D. Lasswell of the University of Chicago, and it was published in 1927. It is of course out of print, but can be found in academic libraries, and maybe an Amazon search will be fruitful for a used copy.
Just so the Republicans attempt to say that the concept of "Culture War" is something they invented, I will give the lie to that though here.
(snip)
"The war can be a war of Race. Not only did the Germans of certain strata declare a war of Kultur, but they declared a war of racism and in this they were joined by certain elements elsewhere. The elements of the extreme right in France cherished the myth of a pure Gallic race, . . ."
(snip) Emphasis mine. (page 69, paragraph 2).
As I have said many times here and elsewhere, the Republcians always tell anyone who will listen that they are the "party of ideas". Well like so many other Republican ideas, the concept of "kultur War" came to them from the Kaiser Germans, and this "idea" is from 1914, or 92 years ago. The Republicans are the party of old ideas and I can prove it.
Fatlady #63. What you are describing is a whisper campaign, again this is very old in the annals of the Propaganda, also called buzz in the current vernacular. This is a Rovian methodology google "Ann Richards lesbian rumor" and you will see how it works in a political sense.
I do not believe a whisper campaign works unless it is directed at an individual, and that it is very negative, lies or half-truths, and spread in an organized manner over a wide geographical area. The victim of the whisper campaign rarely can recover from it in time to win an election or meet some other objective.
Visit Rockridge Institute for framing suggestions and instruction.
Comment #69: bill_o_carolina said on 3/1/06 @ 6:52pm ET...
#70 Reed, I hope those two do read this blog though I doubt they have the courage.
#63 Fatlady, great post and welcome. Yes I think Ghandi was the one who said "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
They've been ignoring Mr. Conyers. Now it seems they are commencing to try to fight him. That only means he's that much closer to winning.
Thank you Mr. Conyers. Fight the good fight! We're with you.
Comment #70: wayne said on 3/1/06 @ 6:53pm ET...
To busy getting into Iraq to plan for it?
Report: U.S. lacked plan for rebuilding Iraq
By Rowan Scarborough
The Washington Times
Published February 28, 2006
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060228-092337-7809r
Comment #71: bill_o_carolina said on 3/1/06 @ 6:56pm ET...
Ohiodem, here's an article about propaganda you may have seen. Here it is in case.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKmockingbird.htm
Comment #72: Citizen J said on 3/1/06 @ 7:07pm ET...
What a buncha crap. Really, that's the BEST they could do? Turdblossom is slipping.
JC, we got your back.
CONYERS IN 2008!!
Comment #73: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 7:20pm ET...
Exactly, Citizen J, if that's the worst they can throw at JC, it shows the Rovian smear machine is crashing and burning.
Comment #74: feline said on 3/1/06 @ 7:32pm ET...
#71, Ohiodem, thank you for the research assistance and feedback.
Congressman Conyers, we appreciate your years of dedication to the People! Thank you, for this forum.
Comment #75: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 7:35pm ET...
"Lawmaker: Port Deal Never Probed for Terror Ties
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A review of a United Arab Emirates-owned company's plan to take over operations at key U.S. ports never looked into whether the company had ties to al Qaeda or other terrorists, a key Republican lawmaker told CNN on Wednesday.
Rep. Peter King of New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said officials from the Homeland Security and Treasury departments told him weeks ago that their 30-day review of the deal did not look into the question of links between DP World and al Qaeda."
Osama W. Bush
Comment #76: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 7:44pm ET...
This UAE port scheme is insanity if not outright treason. There was no investigation of whether this UAE company has Al Qaeda ties!!!
If this doesn't blow the Bush regime to hell, what will?
Comment #77: Sylv said on 3/1/06 @ 9:07pm ET...
JC, there are a lot of us out here that have your back, Sir. Keep fighting the good fight.
Comment #78: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 9:23pm ET...
Hi Sylv,
Welcome to Conyersblog.
Posting here is free, but you have to supply your own body armor. On a brighter note, Sanity and OhioDem offer free calendars if you express your weariness with the extended duration of this mindless GOP demolition derby some people call a government.
Comment #79: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 9:48pm ET...
"Feingold reads constitution on Senate floor
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) has read the text of the U.S. constitution to the U.S. Senate after the body voted 95-4 approving 3 amendments to 16 controversial provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, set for renewal.
Feingold spent 34 minutes sharing the document with his fellow Senators, stopping to repeat the Fourth Amendment, which he feels the law violates.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Thank Senator Feingold here
"Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) followed Feingold's reading by heralding the recent Hall of Fame election of Negro National League baseball players, attributing the faster pace of modern ball playing to professional sports integration."
Tell Senator Gomer Pyle he is a racist jerk
Comment #80: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 10:04pm ET...
On a good note, folks:
"150 rally to impeach president"
BY CAROLYN NORTON : The Herald-Sun
cnorton@heraldsun.com
Mar 1, 2006 : 12:07 am ET
" . . . . The local group is trying to convince U.S. Rep. David Price, D-4th District, to sign a bill calling for an investigation. The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., calls for an investigation into allegations against Bush."
www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-707278.html
Comment #81: sanitysojourner said on 3/1/06 @ 10:08pm ET...
#77 & #78. Sylv, I echo (note, OD1, that I didn't say "d***o") Rusty's welcome.
Yup, and for really pithy posts, Ohiodem & I offer a special fold-out edition. The standards are very high. No one has yet won one and there have been some phenomenol posts!
Comment #82: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 10:17pm ET...
#76 - Rusty
Backing up your comments, here's proof!
"Lawmaker: Port deal never probed for terror ties
Coast Guard official says ports 'far more secure now'
Rep. Peter King of New
Wednesday, March 1, 2006; Posted: 8:02 p.m. EST (01:02 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A review of a United Arab Emirates-owned company's plan to take over a portion of operations at key U.S. ports never looked into whether the company had ties to al Qaeda or other terrorists, a key Republican lawmaker told CNN on Wednesday . . . . "
Lawmaker: Port deal never probed for terror ties
I am somewhat amazed at the "source."
Comment #83: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 10:20pm ET...
Sanity,
I've got to get me one of those special fold-out edition calendars. I had a lisp as a child, so do you mean pithy posts or pissy posts?
Comment #84: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 10:23pm ET...
#81 - Sanity,
Good one, Sanity. I'm proud of you!
Comment #85: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 10:28pm ET...
Tahoe,
Yes, Peter King has been a maniacal Bush defender, and CNN gave that wingnut psychopath Glenn Beck a CNN show to spew his venom, so your amazement is shared by me and some fluent French speaking Americans I know who are ready to storm the Bastille at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and set some guillotines up in Lafayette Park.
Comment #86: Genghis Khan said on 3/1/06 @ 10:33pm ET...
#79:
"Dem Neegroze shore ahr an athletik bunch!"
Didn't Jimmy the Greek lose his job over a remark like that?
I have to go take a pith(y).
Comment #87: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 10:45pm ET...
Sanity,
I think Genghis Khan deserves at least the March page of your special edition fold-out calendar for #86. It was pithy from beginning to end, by any standards of pithiness.
African American members of the American Association of Lispers might be doubly offended, but they can call Condoleetha Rithe if they don't like #86.
Comment #88: Rusty said on 3/1/06 @ 10:55pm ET...
Job approval ratings for Bush, Cheney, and the GOP Congress are in free fall. So is FOX "News":
"In the key demographic group of viewers aged 25-54, the Total Day ratings for MSNBC rose 47% while Fox declined -13%.
Fox's Prime Time erosion was even greater at -21%. In fact, in every hour in the daypart, from 3:00pm till midnight, Fox numbers were lower. This is a distinction that only Fox, of the five nets surveyed, was able to achieve.
The largest decline was suffered by Greta Van Susteran's On The Record (-22%), followed closely by O'Reilly (-21%). Hannity & What's His Name took the Bronze (-17%). Of the MSNBC programs opposite those losers, Olbermann's Countdown was the biggest gainer (55%)"
Olbermann punches O\'Reilly\'s lights out. Film at 11 . . .
Someone in Missouri will be fired up about this.
Comment #89: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 11:28pm ET...
O.K., folks, here's a "good" beginning:
"Storm the White House
Multi-Day Event, Beginning March 15, come when you can and stay as long as you can - we are taking over the White House until they leave.
Wednesday, March 15th 2006 12:00 AM
Washington, DC USA
TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE BY STORM -
Events
TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE BY STORM - Stop Genocide, Torture and Occupation
U.N. SOS - We need your help to end the reign of international criminals.
It is our duty and the duty of the United Nations to rescue the people of the world from the U.S. dictators. Murder for occupation and theft of land is illegal. Murder of journalists is criminal. Remove the traitors who have stolen the U.S. budget and used it to commit international crimes against humanity. . . . "
Sponsored By: Sponsored By:
We are requesting participation from all members of the United Nations, PFAW, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Code Pink, police, soldiers, ACLU, CIA, NSA and International Courts of Justice/World Court.
http://www.PoliticalCooperative.Org
And what would be the next words after these: Stop Genocide, Torture and Occupation? -- I think you got it!
www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php?calid=15790
Well, after spending all this time on this post -- although I am able to post the website -- I can't seem to find this in the calendar of events -- weird! Anyway, check the website, nonethless, as it is full of events upcoming!
Comment #90: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 11:32pm ET...
I'm glad to see that so many of you have gotten the Spanish King's lisp down pat! Isth jus grath!
Comment #91: Alma said on 3/1/06 @ 11:41pm ET...
Great link Tahoe. Full of upcoming events might be an understatement. Lots and lots of events listed on the calendar by state and then city. I hope people take the opportunity to join in the protests, whether it be local marches protesting the anniversary of the war or joining in the big DC protests. Thanks again.
Comment #92: tahoebasha1 said on 3/1/06 @ 11:48pm ET...
#91 - Alma
Thanks, Alma. I hope everyone will take the time to check out the site -- it updates, too! So, it's a good place for us all to keep an eye on!
I hope the one I spoke about didn't somehow go away -- but, truthfully, I'm not worried if it did, because if it's not that day -- it will be another.
Comment #93: Rusty said on 3/2/06 @ 12:02am ET...
Tahoe #89,
I'm reposting this from an earlier thread. This march in Washington is set for March 14 and many of these people aren't going to leave either. I don't know if some of the same activist groups are taking part in both of these marches, or if they've been coordinated now into a March on the 15th, but WE THE PEOPLE are going to kick some GOP atheth in DC.
"Huge March Planned for Eve of Katrina Evictions
By David Swanson
t r u t h o u t
A march had been planned for February 28th, the eve of the scheduled March 1st evictions of Hurricane Katrina victims. FEMA moved the evictions to March 15th, so activists have moved the march to March 14th. A press conference on Capitol Hill will be followed by a march through Washington, DC, past FEMA, past the Department of Homeland Security, and to the White House, where a permit has been obtained to rally in Lafayette Square Park until midnight. IF BUSH DOES NOT MEET THE MARCHER'S DEMANDS, HOWEVER, MANY PLAN NOT TO LEAVE.
The demands are for a serious housing plan for those already evicted and those still in hotels, and an end to evictions. Another way of putting it is that the marchers will be demanding that the federal government cease violating the law by working to exclude people from a city on the basis of race and class."
FEMA Ethnic Cleansers vs. American Democracy
Comment #94: Alma said on 3/2/06 @ 12:03am ET...
The one you mentioned Tahoe is still front paged there. I also took a look at the events calendar (link on left side of page) and its listed under Washington DC in the first column of states. About 6 or so events down.
