Russert is obviously painting, at the behest of his masters at General Electric, Congressman Conyers calling "for the creation of a Sam Ervin-style bipartisan Committee, equally composed of Democrats and Republicans, to investigate pre-war manipulation of intelligence and other matters" as some radical, far-left, crazy notion, rather that pointing out that what is really crazy, is that without congressional oversight the past five years, America has become what George W. Bush has left in his wake his entire life, and that is a mess.
C'mon Tim, stop whoring for GE, and at least go back to pretending to be a real hard-hitting journalist.
You will become Chairman again if TeamConyersBlog has anything to say about it... and we do! We're working our tails off.
A note of appreciation for all the hard work Reed has been doing: he's leading many of our efforts. He's getting us organized and pushing us forward. And we appreciate him so much. He's major stressed out this week and a lot of that stress is from over commitment to our TeamConyersBlog goals.
Reed, thank you.
Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting today and especially to the new person who joined us. What a nice surprise!
Next Sunday! Same time, same place! Click my name then "in the locker room". Then follow path:
Members > Soapbox > More > Minutes
to see the minutes (which will be up tomorrow).
Russert really is a neocon in journalistic clothing...his reportage is continuously tainted with a Rethuglican bias, very much like Chris Matthews and one could easily suspect that, given the right circumstances both Russert and Matthews would run for office (heard that's the case with Matthews)on the Rethuglican ticket.
If Mr. Russert is so keen about Congressman Conyers taking down his website, Mr. Russert might do the American people a favor and take himself off the air.
The real problem with Rove's strategy is the fact that we have met the enemy and the enemy is the neocon Rethuglican party...
"WASHINGTON, May 5 — To anyone who doubts the stakes for the White House in this year's midterm Congressional elections, consider that Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, the Democrat who would become chairman of the Judiciary Committee if his party recaptured the House, has called for an inquiry into the possible impeachment of President Bush over the war in Iraq.
Or listen to Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, who would run the Senate Judiciary Committee if the Democrats took the Senate. Mr. Leahy vowed in a recent interview to subpoena top administration officials, if he got the chance, to answer more questions about their secret eavesdropping program and what he considers faulty prewar intelligence."
Rove Is Using Threat of Loss to Stir G.O.P.
The Rethuglican agenda of stripping all funds from entitlement programs has created the Bush version of the "Great Society" and here is a story about one of the beneficiaries of Bush's domestic economic policies...
"Six days a week at 7 in the morning, a gray Dodge Neon pulls up to a bluff overlooking the beach in Playa del Rey. The driver, a bespectacled 71-year-old woman named Lee Sevilla, is accompanied by her shaggy dog, Sandy. The two of them have lived in a car for more than eight years."
At 71, She Lives in a Car
Expect the smear jobs throughout Congress this election season. Congressman Conyers, you rattled the gates with DSM petition and we are finally seeing the backlash with expected Grand Jury decisions looming and the rejected shenanigans of the Libby defense team. I hope it's a big week, we have our fingers crossed. If this plays out, will we see Bush drop into the 20%iles? Electronic voting debacles in recent primaries, Blackboxvoting has the news. So if by chance, faulty e-voting machines plunders the country into another 'Florida recount' for the Mid-terms, just a hunch but sometimes you gotta guess how the game 'could' be played. This could be a severely f-effed up situation, given the Iran drumbeat. We must expose the 'payola' as an Election Issue, so dirty pool packed with facts is crucial, make examples of the mugs. Much truth is becoming common knowledge, an American awakening, or reckoning is at hand. Main Stream Media won't protect them forever. The Republicans are entirely 'sink or swim' right now, expect more curious behaviour.
Congressman Conyers, the GOP is trying to send out the warning bell, but the ever increasing groundswell cannot be stopped. You are doing amazing work. This attack by the GOP and their minions means you are on the latest Rovean talking points bulletin that circulates prior to Sunday talk shows! That's a backhanded honor, sir. As such, you must be deemed to be one of their top perceived threats on their list of what is keeping the GOP awake at night in the countdown to the 2006 elections!
For the edification of all of us who didn't catch today's Sunday specials... this link will take you to the MSNBC Meet the Press website where you can view the video or read the transcript of the Tim Russert interview today with Nancy Pelosi and hear for yourself Mr. Russert's probing about Congressman Conyers' Judiciary Chairmanship and website.
And here is the Tom Delay interview on ABC Today (where you're a captive audience first for a commercial! God bless our Corporatocracy!).
Kudos to Congressman Conyers and all of his hard work to hold this Administration accountable.
We are indebted to you for providing a forum where caring citizens can put their forces of energy together to do what they can to support you. Every effort of each person here on the blog or in the Locker Room combines together into a very strong forward force for Administrative change and a return to our personal freedoms that are being stripped away daily.
Locker Room buddies, I hope to be back soon to aid you in your efforts.
Hmmm...the NYTs has a story now that Rove is pushing this very thing that Russert said to Pelosi about you. Could it be Rove is chatting with Russert again as he did about Valerie Plame? Some people never learn do they? Rove is trying to make you the boogy man JC and you just can't let him do it. Why is Rove getting Russert to talk for him on TV? Didn't Rove say he heard about Plame from Russert or was that Libby? Clearly Tim needs to back off from the party line being given by Rove under the circumstances. It looks like they talk all the time.
The once stalwart institution that has produced some of the greatest leaders in the world, have succumb the corruption blanketing this nation. Retired military leaders and former graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point recognize the war criminals for what they are, and are now being sued by the academy for upholding their oaths of office. The lawsuit is frivolous and now has aligned itself with the war criminals in the administration.
Ethics in leadership was once an engrained ideology that was the cornerstone of American leadership. You may recall Comment # 86 where this is discussed. True leadership is quickly being lost. Some of the most stalwart ethical leaders are unable to reconcile the havoc we have unleashed by these war criminals.
Take for example this proud member of USMA faculty and teacher of ethics, Col Ted Westhusing. Always one to do the right thing, Col Westhusing felt he could better teach the cadets about duty, honor, integrity, and loyalty; and how we were doing the right thing in Iraq, by doing a tour there. But the reality did not match the reality he had been led to believe. Col Westhusing was found dead in his trailer one month before he was scheduled to leave.
This country continues to flounder under stupid leadership and stupid military leaders continue to side with war criminals and have no honor.
Partial list of the Disgraced
Ashcroft= Loser to a dead guy
Comment #12: Reed31463 said on 5/8/06 @ 2:05am ET...
G. Stephenopolis pulled this Ken Mehlman email out against Howard Dean today on ABC.
Republican National Committee chairman Ken Mehlman claimed "[t]he Democrats' plan for 2006" is to "[t]ake the House and Senate, and impeach the president," adding, "With our nation at war, is this the kind of Congress you want?"
As predicted in comment #19, Rather than not answering the question, I think this would have been a better response. But then again, what do I know? I am just a stupid unemployed worker losing my home.
Comment #13: Frosted Flake said on 5/8/06 @ 2:59am ET...
It seems to be a case of the handwriting on the wall. Very upsetting of course, from a certian point of view
I have here a piece which might be a good one. And might even belong on this page, which is quite a coincidence.
A tip of the hat to Patriot, for the assist.
==================================>
If you pass thru Bandon on any given day about five, it is likely you will see on the southeast corner of 101 & Hwy 42S, in front of the "Welcome to Bandon" sign, a line of ten or twenty people. They are standing there, a yard apart, facing traffic, wearing black. They are not DOING anything, or waving anything, or saying anything. They are simply standing there, being visible. In particular between the collar and the hat.
This is because the President said,"You are either with us, or you are against us." These people Are some of us, and are definately with us, physically, and have done and contemplate doing no wrong, and are keenly aware that they fit the definition of "Enemy" the Presidents words lay down. Way down the list of priorties, but nevertheless on the list, because they do not believe that freedom, justice and morality should be cast upon the fire just to ease the chill in a few peoples spines.They are showing us who they are, that they are here, and that they are not going to leave, much less run and certianly not going to hide.
Naturally, this kind of behaviour upsets certian people. On the southwest corner, in front of the VA, under the Stars and Stripes, with many flags of thier own, and an assortment of signs indicating a belligerant mentality and an unfamiliarity with that word, wearing assorted fragments of ancient military gear, is a lynch mob of between ten and twenty folks who, I think, would if they could get away with it. Overstatement? If so, then not by much. They are at very least exercising thier allegedly God given, State sanctioned Right to tell other people to shut up and kill as they are told, while demonstrating thier agreement with the protesters they are protesting on the point of the definition of "Enemy".
Naturally, this kind of behaviour upsets certian people. On the northwest coner, cleverly placed between the Jingoists and the coffee stop, with thier own military accutraments, but with no flag, and with more enlightened signage, there is a third group of people.
And, Naturally, if you were to happen upon this scene for the first time today, without being aware of even the order in which these protests were first mounted, or that they have been going on for a loooooooooooong time now, and without having someone like me to explain it to you, it might be very difficult for you to understand the conversation taking place in what amounts to Bandons' publc square.
Bandon is a small town, too small to have a public square (sarcasm), but it does have a library. I don't know if the jingoists know about this (not sarcasm), but the other two groups had informal represenation at a funciton held there about one hundred dead solders ago. As did Congressman DeFazio. The Congressmans delagation met with some rudeness, which I hope the Congressman heard of. After this we returned to the program.
We were there primarily to listen. To begin with, to some deeply insightful as well as beutiful music, about which I could go on for a while. Think of Joan Baez, and you have the idea. Afterwards, we turned our respects to the evenings' speakers.
The both of them are mothers of dead soldiers. Whatwassat? Oh! I meant to say, "Fallen heros of the glorious struggle to, uh, the glorious cause that we, uh, the, uh, noble undertaking to, uh, whatwassat? Don't say undertaking? Well, what did you want me to say? You don't KNOW? Well then, quit jostling my elbow.
The both of them are mothers of dead soldiers. And both of them had been, and are, traveling the countryside bringing to those inclined to listen an inkling of what it is like to lose a child in a war which would have been easy to simply not fight. Cheep too, but that is another issue. Money means nothing compared to blood. And blood spilt for nothing is maddening. I think, at the foundation level, what these women were doing was, trying to stay sane. I did not get the impression they were after sympathy. My impression was they wanted life to make sense and death to have meaning. Let us not understate things, losing a son is a dagger in a mothers heart. Losing a son for a lie twists that blade. For this there is no mercy and only madness will truly dull this pain...and only truth will stop this affliction being visited upon others.
I have considerable respect for these womens courage and I see what they are trying to do. And I know it is hard. I tried myself to imagine standing beside the hole they lowered one of these ladies sons into on the newsclip. I could do that. I tried to imagine how I would feel. With marginal success. I tried to imagine how she felt. With no success.
And I wanted to. What about those who don't? Not just the flag wavers, but also the guys who "Admit nothing, deny everything and make counter accusations." How do we change the minds and the behaviour of fools more afraid of admitting than committing error. And how do we address the matter of the "Politicians" who hide behind such fools and "Admit nothing..."
If I might make a suggestion. I think a Truth Commission would suit these purposes.
You recall that South Africa successfully removed a deeply entrenched malignancy from thier Government using this method. This despite several serious problems, including : The bad guys had all the guns. The bad guys had all the badges. The bad guys had all the information. And the bad guys were both on defense AND possesed the initiative. Those are pretty high hurdles. Higher than the ones we now face, however bad things may really be.
As I recall, the method works like this :
A/ Anyone can testify to anything before the truth comission.
B/ The motive is immunity to prosecution for the crime testified about, and only that (or those) crime (s).
C/ This information is poured into a database programed to printout the names and deeds of those testified about, who did not themselves testify to the issue.
D/ This printout is presented as probable cause to obtain warrents, which starts the ball rolling.
If I might add a particular American spice to the South African recipe, I suggest that those testifying to the truth commission to gain immunity be barred from office in the United States unless recalled by Congress in the manner of Amendment Fourteen, Section Three. This to keep them out of our business, which is a good idea.
That seems to be that. You will forgive my surprise, I hope. When I started to write this I thought I had a completely differant topic in mind. Now that I've taken it this far, I suppose I'll have to keep it.
I appreciate this forum.
Frosted Flake
Comment #14: koryannder said on 5/8/06 @ 5:46am ET...
This from another website....
Here's a list put together a couple of days ago by quite a few people
for a bit of fun. It's by no means a large sampling of the lies told by
Republicans, but it just goes to show that if you pay attention it's just a
catalog of disinformation, lies and talking points, only one of which is
remotely true unless a Republican says it.
Iraq sent its WMDs to Syria.?
Democrats don't want to wiretap terrorists.?
Joe Wilson admitted that Valerie Plame wasn't covert.
Tom DeLay is like Jesus Christ.?
We do not torture.?
There is no global warming.?
There is global warming, but humans didn't cause it.?
John F. Kerry is a flip-flopper.?
George W. Bush is the decider.?
John McCain is a straight-shooter.?
Dick Cheney is a sober shooter.
Harry Whittington got himself peppered.?
Nobody at the White House knows Jack Abramoff. (But was there over
200 times)
Evolution isn't supported by the facts.?
Diebold voting machines are secure.?
Fox News is fair and balanced.?
Mission accomplished.?
Bill Clinton did it too.?
No one could have anticipated the Iraqi insurgency.?
The budget deficit will be cut in half in four years.?
Anyone who thinks Dubai shouldn't control our ports is racist.?
We've turned a corner in Iraq. (At least a dozen times)?
There's a war on Christmas.?
There's a war on Easter.?
There's no civil war in Iraq.?
The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently
sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.?
Bush won Florida in 2000.
Bush won Ohio in 2004.?
We support open, free, and fair elections ... for the Ukraine.
The rule of law is important.?
This administration will hold itself accountable.?
No one could have anticipated Katrina would hit New Orleans.
No one could have anticipated that the levees would be breached.
No one could have foreseen the failure of FEMA.?
Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job.
GWB is a Godly man.?
Bush flew F-102s in the Texas Air National Guard.?
Bush is a compassionate conservative.?
Bush is a great guy to have a beer with.?
Bush is no longer an alcoholic.?
Dubya owns an honest-to-God real ranch.?
George W. Bush is a genius.?
Dubya is a great cyclist. ?
George Bush is a war hero ... and John Kerry isn't.?
John Kerry "outed" Mary Cheney.?
John Kerry shot himself in the leg to earn his medals.?
Al Gore thinks he invented the internet.?
Ronald Reagan was the best president in history.?
Hillary Clinton will be the Dem nominee in 2008.?
Jefferson was the anti-Christ.?
Bill Clinton caused 9/11?
Bill Clinton was once offered Bin Laden "on a silver platter" and turned
it down.?
Saddam Hussein attacked us on 9/11.
No one could have anticipated airplanes flying into buildings.?
We have removed the Taliban from Afghanistan.?
The Iraqis will welcome us with open arms and flowers...?
[Iraq] could take six days, six weeks, I doubt six months.
Yellow magnetic car ribbons really help the troops.?
The insurgency is in its last throes.?
But even if Iraq IS in a Civil War, its a good thing.?
The only way to get Zarqawi is to invade Iraq.?
We're fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them over
here.?
When they stand up, we'll stand down.?
Iraqi oil will pay for the war and the reconstruction.?
Gas prices are high because of librul environmental regulations.?
Drilling the ANWR will lower the price of oil.?
Gas prices are high because of taxes.?
The 'magic of the marketplace' will solve all problems.?
Unemployment numbers have never been so low.?
Republicans restored the economy after the shambles left by Clinton.?
Clinton/Gore recession.?
The economy is booming!?
As President, Governor Bush will...pay the debt down to a historically
low level.?
By far the vast majority of my tax cuts go to the bottom end of the
spectrum.?
Tax breaks for Hummers is good for the economy.?
Tax cuts increase revenue.?
The estate tax hurts family farms.?
Private Accounts will save Social Security.?
Bush will make health insurance affordable for hard-working, low-
income families.?
Healthy Forests Initiative will help forests.?
No Child Left Behind will help all children.?
Healthy Skies Initiative will reduce air pollution.?
Nobody wants reform more than Republicans.?
Republicans are compassionate conservatives.?
Republicans are pro-life.?
The government is tapping your phone to protect you.?
Dissent is unpatriotic.?
Valerie Plame is covert and a traitor.?
Karl Rove couldn't have done it [leaked Valerie Plame's name] because
he knew he'd get caught.?
Patrick Fitzgerald is going to indict Joe Wilson.?
You're either with us, or against us.?
A vote for John Kerry, is a vote for Al Qaeda.?
George Bush doesn't read the polls.?
Everyone had the same intelligence.?
Iraq is the central front on the war on terrorism.?
Republicans are the party of ideas.?
Those trucks we found in Iraq were mobile biological weapons labs.?
We know where they (the WMD) are.?
These are not assertions. These are facts backed up by solid
intelligence.?
Terri Schiavo is responsive. (Bill Frist on the Senate floor).?
I never said she was responsive (Bill Frist, a few days later).
Terry Schiavo wants to live.?
Anyone who leaks information will no longer be part of this
administration.?
Sex Education causes STDs and increases pregnancy rates.?
HPV vaccine will cause teen sex cults.?
Terrorists didn't know we could use wiretaps until they read about it in
the paper.?
...we are in a war that is a different kind of war than we've been in
before.?
Vice President Cheney is a former CEO of Halliburton.?
I will restore honor and integrity to the White House.?
Nothing is more important in a time of war than cutting taxes.?
Democrats hate America.?
"Bin Laden Determined to Strike within the U.S." is a historical
document.?
Thousands of tactical errors were surely made in the war against Iraq.
(Condiliar)?
And when I said "thousands" of tactical errors, I was speaking
figuratively. (Condiliar a few days later)
Jesus would have voted for Bush.?
I'm a uniter, not a divider.?
The 'CEO' President.?
Republicans give you back 'your money'.?
Whenever we say 'wiretaps' that means we're going to get a court
order.?
If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as
I'm the dictator.?
George Bush was a successful businessman
Comment #15: point of order said on 5/8/06 @ 7:21am ET...
I think the point Mr Russert was making was, that you Rep Conyers, as head of the Judiciary committee, would be entering into any investigations you might preside over with a guilty until proven innocent mindset judging by the content of this blog. Remember this post
-----------------------------------
Libby: Bush Outed Valerie Plame
According to documents submitted in his defense, Scooter Libby alleges that President Bush provided the authorization to leak Valerie Plame's identity and destroy her career as an intelligence agent. So why is everyone reporting this story by explaining that the President declassified the National Intelligence Estimate? This is true, but the real story here is not the President leaking, or declassifying, the NIE. If what Libby alleges is true, the story is about the President telling the world that he would fire anyone who leaked the identity of Valerie Plame when he knew it was himself.
Blogged by JC on 04.06.06 @ 10:02 PM ET link 20 Comments
http://www.conyersblog.us/
-----------------------------------
it was very telling that is disappeared as quickly as it was posted. Also the pure unadultered hatred shown for President Bush on this blog, apparently sanctioned by yourself, leads one to question whether you are capable of heading a full and impartial hearing on any issue dealing with this administration. Perhaps Mr. Russert was offering you some freindly advise?
Comment #16: wallen said on 5/8/06 @ 7:36am ET...
re: #15
Are you suggesting that Congressman Conyers' compilation of intelligence and facts are somehow being fixed around a policy to impeach, and that the Bush administration is simply so honest and govern so transparently that there is nothing to see, and therefore, we should just move along?
Comment #17: point of order said on 5/8/06 @ 7:57am ET...
absolutly not. I am interpreting what Mr Russert meant was much of the content of this blog leads one to question if any hearings held would be fair and impartial.
Comment #18: wallen said on 5/8/06 @ 8:02am ET...
Okay, so do you think, as Mr. Conyers proposes, a "bipartisan Committee, equally composed of Democrats and Republicans, to investigate pre-war manipulation of intelligence and other matters" would not be fair?
Comment #19: point of order said on 5/8/06 @ 8:13am ET...
I am interpreting what Mr Russert suggested as far as this blog is concerned.
Comment #20: wallen said on 5/8/06 @ 8:25am ET...
Fine. If Mr. Conyers were to recuse himself from the investigation, do you think a bipartisan committee with an equal number of republicans and democrats should investigate the possibility of pre-war manipulation of intelligence?
Comment #21: Patriot said on 5/8/06 @ 8:38am ET...
Mr. Conyers, I believe, took down that posting because it contained the first response to the Libby revelation, which turned out to be misstated. Had it been completely accurate, he would have left it up. I saw the original posting and saw when he took it down.
That shows me something... that he'd rather have complete accuracy than BS because it supports his feelings.
#20 wallen... good question! answer it, POO.
Comment #22: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 9:02am ET...
#17, POO, remember free speech and the right to protest before this Administration relegated it to "Free Speech Zones?"
Comment #23: point of order said on 5/8/06 @ 9:42am ET...
Comment #20: wallen said on 5/8/06 @ 8:25am ET...
Fine. If Mr. Conyers were to recuse himself from the investigation, do you think a bipartisan committee with an equal number of republicans and democrats should investigate the possibility of pre-war manipulation of intelligence?
-----------------------------------
Sadly, I don't think you can put together a bipartisan committee such as that. To many bridges have been burned. I think the only way to go is an independent investigation.
Comment #24: wallen said on 5/8/06 @ 9:52am ET...
So you think something like Ken Starr's Independent Counsel should investigate this?
Comment #25: Ron said on 5/8/06 @ 10:51am ET...
Russert and POO are two perfect examples ,that Assholes refuse to die out.
Even when faced with the undeniable truth, they keep running and foaming at the mouth!
Poo who would you suggest running the inevitable investigation against this deplorable administration? Karl Rove !
And by the way why do you think we all hate Bush?
Comment #26: Rusty said on 5/8/06 @ 11:00am ET...
Pointless Disorder,
Gosh, I just can't see why 3 billion people would despise a man who said, "The Best Moment Of All My Presidency Was When I Caught A 7.5 Pound Perch In My Lake."
Perhaps they don't like Bush's unadulterated stupidity.
Comment #27: Nolip said on 5/8/06 @ 11:09am ET...
Re: Hatred of Bush...it might be said that Dubya has his good points but that's in very limited circles when you consider the following...
1) He disregarded available intel about an impending attack from Al Quaeda because he was too busy on his vacation in '01
2) After the attack, which he could have prevented but did not, occurred and the damage done, he convinced a hurting nation to follow him into an unnecessary war that's led to the deaths of over 2400 great American citizens and a far greater number of great Iraqi citizens
3) He and his VP assigned two of their minions the task of outing a covert CIA agent which impeded the intelligence gathering of Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities
4) He lied to Congress and the American people about the presence of WMDs in Iraq as well as the purchase of yellow cake uranium from Niger by Hussein in order to convince this nation to go into war
5) He's bled the treasury which was mounting a comeback in 2000 before he took office and has pissed away a trillion dollars on creating one of the more elite terrorist training grounds ever built, Iraq
6) He's admittedly tapped the phones\e-mails of American citizens because he thinks he has the right to do it without any legal justification for his efforts whatsoever
7) He's skirted around 750 laws that Congress enacted because he wrote a signing statement saying he didn't have to follow the laws of the land which he swore to uphold and defend in his oath of office...
This list could go on and on and the only question I have for POO is "What's not to like about a piece of work like Dubya"? Call it hatred, call it disgust, call it anything you want but know this, we have Captain Smith driving the Titanic full speed through an iceberg field...he has no business at the wheel because he has no experience with disaster and we, as a nation, conceivably will sink under the weight of this administration if Dubya isn't thrown overboard before the end of his term...oh yeh, did I mention Bush wants to nuke Iran, he just hasn't told us yet...he probably will reveal that AFTER he drops the bomb...
Comment #28: Rusty said on 5/8/06 @ 11:13am ET...
Gosh Part II, I wonder if Bush's lake was stocked with a couple hundred 7.5 pound perch outsourced from real lakes right before he hopped into his manly boat with his manly fishing rod for his Fisherman-in-Chief photo op.
Hi Karl! How are we doing so far today?
Comment #29: Nolip said on 5/8/06 @ 11:25am ET...
"Fitzgerald is weighing Rove's foggy-memory defense against evidence he has acquired over nearly 2 1/2 years that shows Rove was very involved in White House efforts to beat back allegations that Bush twisted U.S. intelligence to justify the Iraq war, according to sources involved in the case."
Rove's Time in Limbo Near End in CIA Leak Case
Comment #30: Frosted Flake said on 5/8/06 @ 11:44am ET...
This report from National Public Radio makes clear the state of progress in developing civil law enforcement capabilities in Iraq. It is NOT good news, nor does it suggest we might expect some, anytime soon.
I'm sorry it is Audio, but then, NPR is Radio, so whateryagonnado?
Word to Wallen ; Good spanking! But remember to wash with tomato juice or that stank will cling to you for days.
Comment #31: ljm said on 5/8/06 @ 11:47am ET...
Take a page from Al Sharpton's book and find a one liner you are comfortable with like....Rove is spinning for the Republican party that if the Democrats win, John COnyers will hold the Bush administration's feet to the fire of accountability like that's a bad thing! You don't need to be on the defensive. Stay on the offensive.
Comment #32: unspun said on 5/8/06 @ 12:25pm ET...
For those reading this blog who are more concerned about putting the interests of this country before the interests of party, for those who feel it is more important to preserve the Constitution, and to establish a competent government that is able to ensure the safety of Americans than it is to support and defend the status quo of the GOP, I ask:
Had Enough?
Under the Republican Administration and Republican Congress this nation has suffered:
1. An attack by a terrorist organization resulting in the loss of 2,986 people. =Casualties 9/11
2. Invasion of Iraq for reasons that have been proven to be false: Total American Casualties (Iraq & Afghanistan—as of 5/1/06)—2,651+ dead, 17,648+ wounded, and counting. =American Casualties
3. Hurricane Katrina, resulting in the death of 1,300+ people. : =Katrina Casualties
4. GOP scandals as of May 8, 2006: 184. =GOP Scandal Scorecard
Total American Dead Since September 10, 2001: 6,937 (As of May 1, 2006)
Total American War Wounded: 17,648 (As of May 1, 2006)
Total GOP Scandals 184 (As of May 1, 2006)
This is just the short list. It doesn’t include the number of deaths, wounds, illnesses and homeless directly or indirectly caused by the abovementioned disasters.
People often lose interest when confronted with a voluminous listing of GOP wrongdoing. There are just too many scandals and they are too complex to follow for the average person who doesn’t really read or watch much news.
The Democratic leadership could best serve their country by focusing on the short list, and by going on the offensive, with emphasis on the cost in American lives, liberties, deficit spending, and moral bankrupcy that have resulted from the failed polices of the Republican Administration and Congress.
Comment #33: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 12:50pm ET...
Just a bit of humor to break up the day.
(We're still allowed to enjoy a bit of political humor, correct?)
23rd Qualm
(Written by a retired Methodist minister)
Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war,
I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion.
Thou anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever.
Comment #34: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 1:28pm ET...
I expect we'll be seeing much more of these Russert-type attacks being hurdled at JC as time rolls on -- afterall, JC could be in a role to take some strong action at a point, and he might be real "scary" to some folks!
Comment #35: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 1:32pm ET...
Off Topic:
Here is Illinois' Petition for Impeachment.
Bush Impeachment Online Petition and Delivery (Ends: 2006-05-15)
sign here
Comment #36: Patriot said on 5/8/06 @ 1:35pm ET...
31%
USA Today/Gallup Poll - Bush's newest approval rating.
Comment #37: Frosted Flake said on 5/8/06 @ 1:48pm ET...
Iran's Leader Writes to President Bush
By NASSER KARIMI of the AP
Whitehouse says,"Letter? What Letter?"
Bugging the Democrats
David Corn of the Gaurdian
Interesting comments
Blair defies a party plot
The Daily Telegraph
70 MPs demand date for withdrawl from #10 Downing Street
And Then There Is This
The President "Wants" to close Guantanamo.
Busy Newsday.
Comment #38: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 1:55pm ET...
My #34 above (hard to sneak this stuff in while working)
"hurled" not "hurdled" or hurled to be hurdled . . . .!
Comment #39: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 2:17pm ET...
This just in -- wow, JC is really, really in the news:
"May 8, 2006
Rove Is Using Threat of Loss to
Stir Republicans
By JIM RUTENBERG
WASHINGTON, May 5 — To anyone who doubts the stakes for the White House in this year's midterm Congressional elections, consider that Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, the Democrat who would become chairman of the Judiciary Committee if his party recaptured the House, has called for an inquiry into the possible impeachment of President Bush over the war in Iraq. . . . "
NewYorkTimes
Comment #40: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 2:33pm ET...
#39, Great find, tahoe!
See that, JC? I told you that you were on the top of the Karl Rove talking points bulletin that he distributes before the Sunday shows.
Here's your proof!
Karl's using this as his deep 6 strategy - he has to get all his licks in before his upcoming indictment. He's running short on time. Pretty soon no one is gonna care what Republican strategies come out of the woodwork because the you know what is gonna hit the fan! All eyes will be on Karl and it's a downward spin zzzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz (that's the sound of the engine sputtering on Karl Rove's propaganda plane).
Comment #41: unspun said on 5/8/06 @ 2:47pm ET...
#33, TIA: Thanks for the poem, it's a "keeper".
I think the Democrats need to have this response when questioned about "investigations" or "impeachment":
"You say that like it's a bad thing".
Comment #42: Patriot said on 5/8/06 @ 2:51pm ET...
This entire election campaign, as far as the Rethugs go, may be centered on preventing JC from becoming Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Mr. C., I said once that you are making history and history depends on you. You are going to be considered the most dangerous threat to this administration and to the Republican party and yet they can't put anyone against you who would bring about your defeat. Notice, it's just assumed that you will be Chair... there's no doubt on their part.
On top of this, the threat of your web site and this blog is being talked about now. I'm delighted to be on your team! Just remember, for every thirty-one people who are buying the Rethug talking points, there are now sixty-nine who aren't.
Now, we've just got to get a Fitzmas present of a Rove indictment!
We're on a Roli!
Comment #43: Rusty said on 5/8/06 @ 3:00pm ET...
If we keep hurdling along on our Roli at this rate, Rove will be hurling by Friday.
Comment #44: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 3:11pm ET...
Well, shall we just address Karl directly, now that we pretty much figured out he reads the blog here?
You know, Karl, I always did think it wasn't such a great idea to, you know, change the time back on your computer when you created that "I didn't take the bait" email to Hadley.
I guess you forgot about the White House having realtime backups, huh?
(just kidding with you, Karl - wink)
Comment #45: rblaster said on 5/8/06 @ 3:15pm ET...
From the Associated Press May 8, 2005:
Bush said Friday he was paying close attention to threats made against Israel by Ahmadinejad, who recently questioned Israel's right to exist and said the country should be wiped off the map.
"I think that it's very important for us to take his words very seriously," he told the German newspaper Bild, according to a transcript released Sunday. "When people speak, it is important that we listen carefully to what they say and take them seriously."
For once, I agree with Bush. We should take people seriously when they speak, especially when they say things like: "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator", or any of the hundreds of other little "slips" this pathetic excuse of a President has uttered.
Comment #46: rblaster said on 5/8/06 @ 3:22pm ET...
I should add that I expect the DNC to use this sound bite and all the others in the '08 campaign (even if he is replaced)...in a perfect world I wouldn't feel that way, but with this crowd using outright lies to disparage opposing candidates and parties, I hope we can at least use their own words - relentlessly - against them when the time comes. I tried, so very very hard this past weekend to engage my father in law in a conversation about this criminal administration, and you know what his defense was? Clinton caused ALL of it. He actually said he knew that because Rush said so.
I am still trying to regain my sight after almost clawing my own eyes out in response to that one.
Comment #47: DTW 06 said on 5/8/06 @ 4:11pm ET...
This brings to mind a QuestionItNow post from a couple months ago:
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Oversight, Oversight, Where for Art Though Oversight?
Now that Judge Samuel Alito has been admitted to the United States Supreme Court, will he extend executive power, as we suspect? Or will he rather respect the constitution, the separation of powers, the Bill of Rights, and liberty? What happens next?
Will the administration and their Republican counter-parts continue to manipulate real and exaggerated fears to hold on to power? Will people wake up and realize the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, the Iraq War, and tax cuts for the richest Americans in a time of an endless "War on Terror" are making us less safe?
The illusion of safety is worse than facing sober reality. It is time to wake up America! The Cold War ain't over. And it is beginning to look like we're losing that long-term generational war to Communist China. How much United States Government Debt Does China Own?
Patriotic Americans need to get involved in a 'We The People's Government.' It is time working people, entrepreneurs, teachers and preachers, the cops, firefighters, doctors and paramedics, high tech worker, national guard troops, artists, and people of good will, realize their power.
We are the people. As Katrina so blatantly demonstrated, we can not rely on our government to keep us safe. We have to rely on each other. The real heroes in a time of crisis are the average, everyday neighbors, fire fighters, police, charities, and national guard troops who roll up their sleeves and do the "HARD WORK."
Pay Attention
ask questions
Speak Up
ACT
posted by REB 84 at 1/29/2006 01:02:00 AM
Comment #48: unspun said on 5/8/06 @ 4:38pm ET...
#32: Updating # of American troop deaths from 2,651, to 2,683 as of May 8.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/iraq/
Comment #49: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 5:18pm ET...
#40, my pleasure, unspun. A little humor helps us take some perspective on things... sort of.
Regarding Hadley takeover of the top spot at the CIA:
Negroponte is reported as having mentioned that he is willing to give up CIA covert military operations to the Pentagon. That being said, supposedly because of the structure change, Hadley's appointment is not supposed to need Congressional oversight.
Sigh...
Read all about it at the New York Sun article.
So if this is true, would the CIA stop briefing the Intelligence Committee about ongoing CIA military operations?
Comment #50: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 5:37pm ET...
#40, my pleasure, unspun. A little humor helps us take some perspective on things... sort of.
Regarding Hadley takeover of the top spot at the CIA:
Negroponte is reported as having mentioned that he is willing to give up CIA covert operations to the Pentagon.
It was reported that the only thing left that the CIA will do would be information gathering - all else would move to the Pentagon, per an undisclosed source.
Oversight would be removed for all CIA military operations. What does that leave the Intelligence Committee to do? Perhaps they could take up needlepoint.
You can read the article at the New York Sun.
Comment #51: Truth_in_action said on 5/8/06 @ 5:47pm ET...
Well, sorry for the extra post.
I checked and it wasn't there, then had to recreate it, which is why it looks different.
Dang nabbit! Well, must have been meant to be.
I've have tried unsuccessfully to limit my time on the blog to get some important things done in my life and I see I am not having much success in limiting myself here. I'm afraid I am going to have to go cold turkey.
I hope to be back in about 4-5 weeks. I hate to leave especially now with everything kicking up politically, but I have no choice.
Congressman Conyers, bloggers and Locker Room friends, I wish you all the very best as I take this brief time off. I will be praying for support and success for you all in your efforts and sending positive thoughts your way. I hope to be back soon.
Comment #52: Reed31463 said on 5/8/06 @ 5:49pm ET...
Comment #6: Nolip and everyone who commented for democrats to stay on the offensive.
Republican National Committee chairman Ken Mehlman claimed "[t]he Democrats' plan for 2006" is to "[t]ake the House and Senate, and impeach the president," adding, "With our nation at war, is this the kind of Congress you want?"
To this comment, I would reframe it back into the executive's problem. Speak truth to power, because we do want our congress to hold this executive accountable. What Ken Mehlman really should be asking is..."With our nation at war against the wrong adversary, with a burgeoning deficit and record corporate profits for the energy industry, with an unprecedented economic policy of tax cuts for the rich during a time of war, with refusal to cooperate on global warming, with the ineptitude of handling the Hurricane Katrina crisis, with outright lying to the American people over wiretaps and a complete disregard for the rule of law, is this the kind of President you want?
Comment #23: point of order. Do you think the President did not break the law? Do you think there should be an investigation into any number of allegations?
Comment #32: unspun. Thank you!
Comment #37: Frosty. Why is the white house denying the letter? Have they lost it? Would you trust an administration that cannot keep track of letters, let alone which agents have NOC?President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has spent months vilifying Washington and its allies as bullies trying to wrongly deny the Iranians the right to enrich uranium to fuel civilian nuclear reactors.
Comment #35: Tahoebasha1. Thanks for the link. Remember we need this to go straight to the House floor for an up or down vote. Reference the Swayne precedent.Notice there is again no mention as to why Iran actually does have the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The IAEA has had this mission for 32 years and they have kept Iran in line.
Now all of a sudden this incompetent bumbling administration is right about Iran after they lost their best source they "accidentally" outed.
Comment #39: Tahoebasha1 referenced this article at the NewYorkTimes. Democrats, please take notice at the issues that the Republican are going to try and use in order to frame the debate of this years coming elections. Mr. Rove and the White House political director, Sara Taylor, have already been reaching out to nervous and vulnerable Republicans, three at a time, laying out an emerging three-prong attack on Democrats over national security, taxes and health care.
- National Security: The Army is stretched thin, our borders are less secure, the national debt makes our country even more vulnerable economically, UAE Dubai port deal, leadership is in shambles (i.e. FEMA), and our international relationships abroad are garnering more and more enemies than friends.
- Taxes:Tax breaks for the rich, minimal tax breaks for the poor and middle income wage earners; gas prices and oil company profits; a ballooning National Debt, that once not too long ago, had a budget surplus and the longest bull market run in history under the democrats.
- Health Care:Is it really better? Ask seniors if they were given the shaft. They will tell you. How many more people are without health care coverage?
Is this the best they have? Have you had enough lies, deception, and secrecy?
Comment #53: Genghis Khan said on 5/8/06 @ 6:37pm ET...
According to POO-for-brains' logic, John Gotti should never have been convicted because the prosecution entered into the trial "with a guilty until proven innocent mindset".
Oddly enough, I agree with him that an independent investigation should be done. However, that would keep the revealed information secret for WAY too long. Hearings must be public and open to all citizens.
Therefore the only acceptable and equitable method is a set of hearings by the Judiciary Committee broadcast on CSPAN. Since the current Committee Chair has shown himself incapable and unwilling to do this, we'll have to wait until sometime in early 2007.
If the Bush Administration has nothing to hide, they should welcome hearings, no?
That's what THEY tell US about the Patriot Act, after all...
Comment #54: Patriot said on 5/8/06 @ 6:58pm ET...
#51 Truth_in_Action, we will miss you greatly. You've been a great asset to the work we've done in The Locker Room and your input and thoughtfulness have really been appreciated. I hope you will return to us soon. We will miss you.
Comment #55: Rusty said on 5/8/06 @ 7:12pm ET...
Truth-in-Action,
Thank you for all the insights and energy you've brought to ConyersBlog and Soapbox4Truth. Like OhioDem, you deserve a break!
I'm looking forward to your return on June 15th at sunrise to CB and SoapBox4Truth. If all goes well, I may be out of the Tequila Cookie Rehab wing of the Betty Ford Clinic by then, and we can go shoot a 7.5 pound perch in the face or something to celebrate.
Have your people call my people in a few weeks so we can coordinate the festivities. Thanks.
Comment #56: point of order said on 5/8/06 @ 9:07pm ET...
Comment #53: Genghis Khan said on 5/8/06 @ 6:37pm ET...
According to POO-for-brains' logic, John Gotti should never have been convicted because the prosecution entered into the trial "with a guilty until proven innocent mindset".
-----------------------------------
Well if the Judge who had presided over the TRIAL,not hearing, had a blog and declared Gotti to be guilty until proven innocent, then I would expect him to be removed fron the trial.
Comment #57: DTW 06 said on 5/8/06 @ 9:56pm ET...
Rep. Conyers and Conyers Bloggers,
This Tim Russert episode is a microcosim of the sad state of affairs that American media has become.
Last night, I finished a book that presents a damning portrait of modern media. I strongly recommend "Tragedy & Farce - How the American Media Sell Wars, Spin Elections, and Destroy Democracy" by: John Nichols and Robert W. McChesney.
While this book is depressing at times, it finishes on a positive note. Many Americans are waking up to this sad state of affairs. One strong example is FreePress.net (founded by the authors). Following is its mission statment:
"Free Press is a national nonpartisan organization working to increase informed public participation in crucial media policy debates, and to generate policies that will produce a more competitive and public interest-oriented media system with a strong nonprofit and noncommercial sector.
We believe that a more democratic US media system will lead to better public policies — at home and abroad. As our world becomes more and more interconnected, it is imperative that any kind of development takes into account basic environment, economic, and human rights, while defining corporate and personal responsibilities. Free Press considers information to be among the most important resources to any society. We strive to open up the media system to allow more diversity of opinion to be expressed, to present a broader perspective, and to increase the caliber of information available to everyday people. This, in turn, will lead to a more participatory and accountable government and to more sustainable policies and practices regarding national and global development."
Pay Attention
ask questions
Speak Up!
QuestionItNow
Comment #58: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 10:13pm ET...
TIA
I empathize with you -- it's hard to "do it all." We'll miss you, but we'll be here when you get back.
Comment #59: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 10:36pm ET...
#52 - RR
Thanks for emphasizing the importance of all that you articulated. You should be Fitz' right-hand man -- you know, your fact finding and thoroughness is awesome.
#57 - DTW 06
Thank you for your information -- somehow, I think people are actually starting to catch on -- it shoulda' only happened sooner. But, it seems to be happening now and we need to take full and appreciative advantage of that fact.
Also, thank you for your repost of OhioDem1's "The President Has Failed America" post, which was one of his best, along with his many other excellent posts.
And to Rusty:
Thank you for all your satirical and most clever pick-up on the whole "friggin" situation. You have an incredible ability to focus on the reality with humor tossed in. You make us laugh and cry at the same time.
And last, but not least, to all the wonderful bloggers on this blog who put a lot of effort out -- I think JC must be quite pleased with the lot of us.
Comment #60: Gina said on 5/8/06 @ 10:56pm ET...
Are any of you from Michigan?
Comment #61: tahoebasha1 said on 5/8/06 @ 10:59pm ET...
#60 - Gina
There are quite a few from Michigan, Gina. I am not, however, I am from Illinois.
Comment #62: DTW 06 said on 5/8/06 @ 11:56pm ET...
#60 - Gina
I grew up in the current Conyer's district and am now pushing for Tony Trupiano in my home district, Michigan's 11th. Where are you from?
Go Blue!
Comment #63: Alma said on 5/9/06 @ 1:40am ET...
Gina, I'm in Michigan and am lucky enough to have Rep. Conyers as my Rep.
Comment #64: DTW 06 said on 5/9/06 @ 6:55am ET...
#59 Tahjoe -
Thank you for the kind words. Please read the book.
