Tuesday, May 1, 2007

After the Veto


I've been reading George Tenet's book today. So not much to post about. But here's an interesting tidbit: As George W. Bush this afternoon readied to veto the legislation passed by Congress that attaches timelines and benchmarks to the Iraq war funding, a journalist I know interviewed Senator John Warner, the Republican who used to chair the armed services committee. Warner claimed that if the Democrats eased up on some of the conditions included in the Iraq war spending measure they could craft a compromise that might draw 25 to 30 GOP votes in the Senate, thus producing a veto-proof majority in the Senate. Is Warner being overly optimistic? Or are there two dozen (or more) Republicans in the Senate almost ready to jump ship and come out for a watered-down restraining order on the president regarding the war? As soon as that veto lands, the next round will begin, and Bush's stubbornness might not serve him so well.

Posted by David Corn at May 1, 2007 02:56 PM

40 comments:

Gerald said...

Nazi Israel confirms her evil ways for the world to see

Gerald said...

When a Nobel Peace Prize winner suffers violence, and the world scarcely takes notice, such times are outrageous and dark. But she's not deterred. And we can draw from her determination the inspiration to take risks ourselves for oppressed people everywhere. It is time, she said, for action to force the Israeli Government to enter into unconditional talks to end this tragedy upon the good and gentle Palestinian people. "Tell everyone," she told me over the phone, "we have to end the occupation now!" Hers is a call to pursue the Jewish vision of shalom -- human rights for all.

Remember my words on SHALOM! Everyone must have access to all of God's gifts to us. These gifts are not just for the rich and the powerful!!!

Gerald said...

If Hitler Bush supported the troops, he would not veto this bill before him. He treats our soldiers like cannon fodder. Micki shared with us a video and a mother's impression on the recruiting tactics of military recruiters. Remember Americans, we are not just cannon fodder for the military we are regarded as pieces of shit to be kicked around.

Carey said...

Dear Mr. Corn,

According to the War Room in Salon, Mitch McConnell said much the same thing. Not Condi Rice, though.

Obviously, something will be worked out, and timetables will be observed without saying so. At least I certainly hope so.


All, do check out Micki's video. The questions surrounding it raise valid questions about the directions interest organizations like MoveOn and, by extension, blogs like Daily Kos are taking. Opinions are being downplayed. Good opinions.

Military recruiters are way, way out of control.

Gerald said...

Praying Each Day

Carey said...

Capt,

From yesterday's thread:

I didn't mean an outcry from sane people like WTF or you or me. I meant the world, the international courts. Stuff like this goes right on past, just slips on by.

Your comment:

Now[a]days I have become comfortably numb.

I bet you a million bucks it's not all that comfortable. Like the feeling one got after hearing about Virginia Tech. Americans are inure to it. Not that big a deal.

Yes folks, I finally figured out I had George Tenet's name wrong. I do not know where I got Tenant.

As I told DWFers, sometimes my stupidity amazes me.

Anonymous said...

Nancy Pelosi rocks with her response to Bush's veto speech.

Catch it if you can. It's perfect.

capt said...

Mission Accomplished


4 years ago, on May 1, 2003, George W. Bush declared our "mission accomplished" in the Iraq war.

"In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed."
- George W. Bush
May 1, 2003

Four years later over 3,300 U.S. troops have been killed and many more have been wounded. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed in the ongoing civil war that is ripping the country apart. On this anniversary of "Mission Accomplished" demand an end to the Iraq war and the impeachment of the liar who got us there. Bring our troops home now!

- Ava
http://www.peacetakescourage.com



More HERE

David B. Benson said...

Paul Hawken has an upbeat, even encouraging, piece on AlterNet for the May Day...

capt said...

Bush Declares Today American "Loyalty Day"



Lost in the shuffle of losing American troops at a record clip in Iraq and George W. Bush itching to veto the bill that would bring our military men and women home, was the fact that King George has formally declared today as "Loyalty Day" in America.

"America was founded by patriots who risked their lives to bring freedom to our Nation. Today, our citizens are grateful for our Founding Fathers and confident in the principles that lead us forward. On Loyalty Day, we celebrate the blessings of freedom and remember our responsibility to continue our legacy of liberty," reads the stirring proclamation from Bush.

"Our Nation has never been united simply by blood, birth, or soil, but instead has always been united by the ideals that move us beyond our background and teach us what it means to be Americans. We believe deeply in freedom and self-government, values embodied in our cherished documents and defended by our troops over the course of generations."

Bush then goes on to urge all of us to demonstrate our loyalty to the United States "…by flying the flag, participating in our democracy, and learning more about our country's grand story of courage and simple dream of dignity."

It's funny, but he doesn’t mention anything about how it demonstrates loyalty to lie your country into a war and go against the wishes of the vast majority of Americans by pledging to stay in that war indefinitely. The proclamation also doesn't say anything about this White House's loyalty to the families of almost 3,400 troops who have been killed in that war.


More HERE

*****end of clip*****

The neoconsuperfratboy has declared May 1st "Loyalty Day" in his far too cynical way also signing the veto on the 4th anniversary of "Mission Accomplished" BS.

Anybody think it a coincidence?



capt

capt said...

Confucianism
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2

Buddhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1

Christianity
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1

Hinduism
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517

Islam
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah

Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id

Taoism
Regard your neighbor's gain as your gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P'ien

Zoroastrianism
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5

=

Thanks ICH Newsletter!

David B. Benson said...

capt --- That's good, but what about

Sihkism?

Baha'i?

...

capt said...

Being Baha'i


"To be a Baha'i simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood." - Abdu'l-Baha

"Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer to the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility." - Baha'u'llah

More HERE

capt said...

The Sikhism Home Page


God is only one. He is realized with the grace of the True Guru.


You have never sung the praises of God and have wasted your birth (human life) in vain.
Nanak says, O mind! Worship God as the fish loves water. (1)


Why are you absorbed in poisonous (sinful) deeds?
You do not renounce them even for a moment.
Nanak says, O mind! Repeat the Name of God, so that the noose of death may not strangle you. (2)


Youth has passed away in vain; and old age has overpowered the body.
Nanak says, O mind! Repeat the Name of God, the age is passing away. (3)


You have become old; but you do not even now realize that the time of death has arrived.
Nanak says, O mad man! Why don’t you worship God. (4)

More HERE

David B. Benson said...

capt --- Thanks. I like the Bah'i!

capt said...

Megavote

I get updated after every vote with the details and who voted for or against. The updates include the up coming votes so it is really a neat tool.


capt

David B. Benson said...

One of the hottest, dryest Aprils on record everywhere in Western Europe.

capt said...

Pelosi and Reid Slam Bush’s Veto




Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid addressed the media today to respond to President Bush's excuse for vetoing the Iraq spending bill and the will of the American people. It also appears like the Democrats are reading the blogs. As Nico did earlier today, Nancy Pelosi quoted 1999 George W. Bush where he called on President Clinton to lay out a timetable for removing troops from Kosovo.

Download (WMV)

Download (MOV)

I would have included President Bush's remarks, but it was the same old tired song and dance — "artificial timetables," "micromanaging the war," "embolden the enemy," etc. etc. Just go back and look at any of his speeches/press conferences.

UPDATE: (Nicole) Here's transcripts of Reid's statement; Jim Webb also has a few things to say (video up at dKos)

More HERE

capt said...

"One of the hottest, dryest Aprils on record everywhere in Western Europe."

And it is raining again (very odd) here in the ABQ.

We have shattered a 10 year drought.


capt

Saladin said...

weather happens, adapt.

capt said...

Disappearing world: Global warming claims tropical island



For the first time, an inhabited island has disappeared beneath rising seas. Environment Editor Geoffrey Lean reports

[…]

Human cost of global warming: Rising seas will soon make 70,000 people homeless

Refugees from the vanished Lohachara island and the disappearing Ghoramara island have fled to Sagar, but this island has already lost 7,500 acres of land to the sea. In all, a dozen islands, home to 70,000 people, are in danger of being submerged by the rising seas.


More HERE

*****end of clip*****

I guess all 70,000 humans should learn to swim?

People have no choice but to adapt. There is a substantial difference between weather and climate (look it up).

Making such a flippant statement is very heartless and lacks compassion for those effected by both weather and climate change.

There are people suffering and dying right now today and not for lack of adaptation.

My cousin was drowned in the South Platte two days ago. Hot weather and unseasonal rain is blamed for two more deaths in Colorado.

Maybe "weather happens, adapt." is something you could send their families in a sympathy card?



capt

capt said...

Hot weather, swift water



Snowpack melt and recent rainstorms contribute to three drownings


The Front Range's swift rivers and lazy lakes offered a reprieve from near record-breaking temperatures over the weekend, but they also brought tragedy in the form of three drownings.

Temperatures in Denver stretched to 81 degrees Sunday, 2 degrees shy of the record for the date, said Carl Burroughs of the National Weather Service.

But recent rainstorms across the Front Range - combined with seasonal snowpack melting - made some rivers and streams dangerously fast over the weekend, he said.

Rodney Lamoreaux, 49, drowned Saturday when he attempted to cross the South Platte River and was swept under, said Margie Martinez, Weld County sheriff's spokeswoman.

Lamoreaux, of Aurora, was turkey hunting with his brother at the Centennial Valley State Wildlife Area near County Roads 65 and 380, Martinez said.

She said the river was in "flood stages" last week but had begun to recede Friday evening.

More HERE

*****end of clip*****

"weather happens, adapt."




capt

capt said...

Introduction to Climate



Weather is the current atmospheric conditions, including temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity at a given place. If you stand outside, you can see that it's raining or windy, or sunny or cloudy. You can tell how hot it is by taking a temperature reading. Weather is what's happening right now or is likely to happen tomorrow or in the very near future.

Climate, on the other hand, is the general weather conditions over a long period of time. For example, on any given day in January, we expect it to be rainy in Portland, Oregon and sunny and mild in Phoenix, Arizona. And in Buffalo, New York, we're not surprised to see January newscasts about sub-zero temperatures and huge snow drifts.

Some meteorologists say that "climate is what you expect and weather is what you get." According to one middle school student, "climate tells you what clothes to buy, but weather tells you what clothes to wear."

Climate is sometimes referred to as "average" weather for a given area. The National Weather Service uses data such as temperature highs and lows and precipitation rates for the past thirty years to compile an area's "average" weather. However, some atmospheric scientists think that you need more than "average" weather to accurately portray an area's climatic character - variations, patterns, and extremes must also be included. Thus, climate is the sum of all statistical weather information that helps describe a place or region. The term also applies to large-scale weather patterns in time or space such as an 'Ice Age' climate or a 'tropical' climate.


More HERE

*****end of clip*****

Here is a primer.

Talk about people that support the MSM lies, climate change deniers are supporting the position of big oil and mega-dollar multinationals. Which is worse?




capt

Robert S said...

Loyalty Day,

At first, I thought that the link would go to the Onion, not the White House. This was May Day, after all, the Anniversary of the
Haymarket Affair
which led to the world's recognition of May Day as an International Labor Day - everywhere but in the U.S.

Of course, Loyalty to G.W.B. is not loyalty to the Nation, which he refers to as the Homeland with its Fascist undertones and its outright dismissal of the fact that for all but the Native Americans, our origins (homelands?) are elsewhere.

Nor is it Loyalty to our Laws and Constitution, which he is by Oath sworn to protect, as he has violated both with regularity.

Nor is it Loyalty to our Nations Uniformed Service members, whom he claims to Lead as Commander in Chief, but whose Service he has Dishonored by illegal resort to force.

To What Then, is Loyalty to G. W. B.? Just That...Loyalty to the Person of G.W.B.

Robert S said...


Sikhism was founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469-1538). At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the oppressive Hindu concept of caste.


The rejection of the caste system is reflected in that every male Sihk uses Singh (Lion) in his name and every female uses Kuar (Princess.)

Robert S said...

Sorry to hear about your cousin, Capt. All of us who enjoy the great outdoors need to remember the reality of the sudden unexpected incident.

May he have found peace.

capt said...

Sealing His Eyes And Ears




Robert C. Byrd is the senior senator from West Virginia.

Four years ago, President Bush landed on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln to declare, "Mission Accomplished." For thousands of our soldiers and their families, and likely for the Iraqi people, it feels like a lifetime has passed. How wrong the president was then and how wrong he continues to be today.

By vetoing the supplemental legislation, the president has chosen to hold hostage $100 billion for our troops to a failed policy. He is once again demonstrating his detachment from the realities on the ground in Iraq, and his indifference to the will of the American people at home. The president's veto ensures that hundreds, maybe thousands more will die in Iraq without bringing that country any closer to peace.

Before the war began, I urged the president to think through the consequences. I was very concerned about the repercussions that would follow this country’s certain military victory. Tragically, the repercussions I feared all have come to pass.

No matter how hard the president hopes it will happen, sectarian violence will not be quelled with U.S. forces occupying the Iraqi nation. Cross your fingers. Rub your lucky rabbit’s foot. Nail a horse shoe over the door to the Oval Office. Hoping for luck will not change the deadly dynamic in Iraq. Peace demands an Iraqi-led diplomatic, economic and security effort, the kind of which, to date, the Iraqi government has been unable or unwilling to undertake. Our legislation could have motivated the Iraqi people to take more responsibility by instituting benchmarks and rewards for positive outcomes. Instead, the president has again chosen to have our troops go it alone in a centuries old sectarian war with no end in sight.

When he took office more than six years ago, George W. Bush issued a call for renewed responsibility in government. What is responsible about clinging to this failing course in Iraq? What is responsible about the president continuing to foster and manipulate the fears of the American people? Today, faced with the tragic consequences of his misjudgments in Iraq, the Bush administration is paralyzed, unwilling to even acknowledge, much less remedy, its catastrophic blunders.

We have learned a lot about President Bush since this war began. We know that he cannot admit mistakes. Although the Bush administration has misled the American people and caused a disaster in Iraq, the White House has chosen to continue living in the fantasy world of a public relations campaign designed to obscure reality.

I am sorry that this day has come to pass. I have seen clashes between the legislative and executive branches. I have seen presidents make mistakes in the past. Everyone makes mistakes. I have made them. Every senator has made them. But I have never seen such arrogance by a White House that seals its eyes and ears and blindly sends our brave troops to their doom.

The Congress will get to work on a new version of the supplemental appropriations conference report. We will not delay. But we also will not stop in our efforts to stand for what is right and to craft policies that reflect the true strength of America—humility, modesty, honesty. We will continue to press for a strong, intelligent foreign policy that does not rely on military might alone. And we will not relent in our efforts to bring secure peace for Iraq and to bring our troops home from war.


More HERE

*****end of clip*****

Better late than never. I have been disappointed with the senator on many issues but agree we need to bring the troops home. The sooner the better.



capt

capt said...

RS,

Thanks.



capt

capt said...

Commentator uses name-calling more than once every seven seconds in 'Talking Points Memo'



Content analysis of O'Reilly's rhetoric finds spin to be a 'factor'

Editors: Additional data, charts and the full text of the study are available online at

http://journalism.indiana.edu/papers/oreilly.html.


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bill O'Reilly may proclaim at the beginning of his program that viewers are entering the "No Spin Zone," but a new study by Indiana University media researchers found that the Fox News personality consistently paints certain people and groups as villains and others as victims to present the world, as he sees it, through political rhetoric.

The IU researchers found that O'Reilly called a person or a group a derogatory name once every 6.8 seconds, on average, or nearly nine times every minute during the editorials that open his program each night.

"It's obvious he's very big into calling people names, and he's very big into glittering generalities," said Mike Conway, assistant professor in the IU School of Journalism. "He's not very subtle. He's going to call people names, or he's going to paint something in a positive way, often without any real evidence to support that viewpoint."

Maria Elizabeth Grabe, associate professor of telecommunications, added, "If one digs further into O'Reilly's rhetoric, it becomes clear that he sets up a pretty simplistic battle between good and evil. Our analysis points to very specific groups and people presented as good and evil."

More HERE

*****end of clip*****

"simplistic battle between good and evil"

Just what the soft minds of the "cons" need. No small wonder he gets ratings.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."

~ H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)



capt

Anonymous said...

Captain, my condolences. Very sorry to read of your cousin's untimely death.

Robert S said...


Senate committee subpoenas Gonzales for Rove e-mails
Michael Roston
Published: Wednesday May 2, 2007


**************************


BREAKING: 3 US Reps Support Cheney Impeachment
By Matthew Cardinale, News Editor, Atlanta Progressive News (April 29, 2007)


(APN) ATLANTA – H Res 333, the bill introducing Articles of Impeachment against Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney, now has two co-sponsors, for a total of 3 current total supporters, including sponsor US Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Atlanta Progressive News has learned.

David B. Benson said...

Capt --- My condolences as well.

Saladin said...

Capt, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and I didn't mean to be flippant, I was referring to the comments about dry weather and drought breaking rainy weather, I know the difference between weather and climate. Also I am NOT a climate change denier since the climate changes all the time. But are you saying that floods and droughts are only a recent phenomenon that is caused by human activity? Or that islands have never vanished before? Or that humans have never been uprooted because of climate changes? Or that the earth itself has not experienced huge fluxutions in it's climate and weather patterns in the recent past? Or that if I experience a flood here in this valley I would not have to adapt if I didn't get swept away? What about the massive flooding that occurred in the Columbia River Gorge some 10,000 years ago, how many do you suppose were killed or forced to flee? Am I a "big Oil" supporter because I think all this climate fear mongering is bullshit? Because I know for a fact that the earth changes, sometimes in ways that are very inconvenient for the life that inhabits it. Maybe if they had raised taxes they could have forced the earth into submission. We will adapt, or else. And everyone who truly believes driving is the main cause of global warming should stop, and all those calling for a change in lifestyles should be making changes as well. I am a very simple person living a minimal consuming life, I do not need the fear of climate change to make me do what I believe is the right thing. If our climate history is any indicator we are due for an ice age, soon. I seriously doubt the puny little lifespan of us humans is any good judge or controller of something as complex as climate. And I am certain that paying more tax will do exactly nothing to change anything, except to make us all a lot poorer that is. Too bad there isn't an equal movement to stop the DU poisoning that is maiming and killing many people right now, but we hardly ever hear anything about that. Guess I'm just heartless.

Anonymous said...

STFU about taxes already!

There you go again making no sense and conflating EVERYTHING into the me-me-me libertarian cure-all -- no taxes.

David B. Benson said...

Saladin --- "If our climate history is any indicator we are due for an ice age, soon."

In 50,000 years.

I guess your idea of soon is different than mine. I agree that that is soon to a geologist...

Carey said...

I'm so sorry Kirk for your loss. All of our sympathy wishes to you and your family.

Carey said...

Robert S. expressed it beautifully Capt.

Anonymous said...

Capt, so sorry to hear about your cousin. My condolences to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Saladin! What Micki said!

capt said...

New Thread!


And thank you all for the condolences and love.


capt