Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Libby Sentenced



From my "Capital Games" column at www.thenation.com. And look for me on PBS' Newshour this evening, talking about the Libby sentence....

I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby stood before federal district court Judge Reggie Walton. It was finally the moment for Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff to speak. The sentencing hearing was coming to an end; Walton was about to pronounce the punishment Libby would face for having obstructed justice in the CIA leak case. Libby, who did not testify during the trial, thanked the court for showing him and his defense team consideration during the proceedings. He told the judge, "It is...my hope the court will consider...my whole life."

That was it. No apology. No expression of remorse.

Then Walton sentenced Libby to 30 months in jail and a $250,000 fine. Libby didn't flinch. His wife, Harriet Grant, cried. Notable conservatives in the front row-of the crowded courtroom--Mary Matalin, Barbara Comstock, and Victoria Toensing--appeared shocked.

Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald had asked Walton to incarcerate Libby for 30 to 37 months. At the hearing, prior to Walton's ruling, Libby's defense attorneys--Ted Wells and William Jeffress Jr.--contended that Libby should get off with probation. They threw several arguments at the judge. First, they claimed that the toughest sentencing guides should not be applied to Libby, echoing an argument put forward by Libby's champions in rightwing circles: Nobody was ever charged with leaking the identity of Valerie Plame Wilson, so the whole case was not such a big deal. Walton did not bite. Citing appeals court decisions, he noted that in an obstruction of justice case it's the investigation that counts, not the ultimate outcome of the investigation. "Your position," Walton told Jeffress, "would seem to promote someone aggressively engaging in obstruction behavior."

Next, Jeffress asserted that no one really knew if Valerie Wilson had been a covert CIA officer covered by the Intelligence Identities Protection Act and suggested this ought to be a mitigating factor. (In a recent court filing, Fitzgerald declared, "It was clear from very early in the investigation that Ms. Wilson qualified under the relevant statute [the Intelligence Identities Protection Act] as a covert agent whose identity had been disclosed by public officials, including Mr. Libby, to the press.") Walton, with his voice rising, outlined the case: "The CIA believes one of its agents were improperly outed....They had a legitimate concern. So they contact the Justice Department and they say this needs to be investigated....And the Justice Department...goes to investigate and they make inquiries....And that person lies." Walton went on: "When law enforcement officials...initiate an investigation...it is the obligation of the American citizenry to be honest and forthright." And Fitzgerald, wearing a gray rumpled suit, added that Libby's lie to those investigating the Plame leak created "a house of mirrors" and made it more difficult for the investigators to "sort out the truth."

Walton indicated that as a matter of law he was sticking with the tougher sentencing guidelines. Next, the issue was whether he ought to use judicial discretion and cut Libby any slack. Fitzgerald argued that Walton's sentence should "make a clear statement that truth matters." He noted that Libby had lied persistently during the leak investigation and had subsequently displayed no contrition. The sentence, the prosecutor continued, should also send the message "that one's status in life does not matter" when it comes to justice. Realizing what Wells and Jeffress were about to argue, Fitzgerald declared that a public servant ought not to receive special treatment. Libby, he said, deserved no more consideration that a social worker, a teacher, a cop. Fitzgerald recognized that Libby had worked long and hard in a variety of government jobs, but he said, "We need the truth from government officials."

Wells had one last shot. The dynamic and dramatic African-American defense attorney said he had "no quarrel with Mr. Fitzgerald's statement that truth matters." But, he added, "it is entirely appropriate for a sentencing judge to take into consideration the good works and the good deeds a person has done." He contended that Libby for decades had engaged in "exceptional public service." He reminded the judge that over 150 people had submitted to the court letters hailing Libby. This band includes prominent conservative and neoconservative hawks, including Donald Rumsfeld, Richard Perle, Henry Kissinger, John Bolton, Doug Feith.

But Wells did not read the letters from these notables. He chose six others. In this group were retired Admiral Joseph Lopez, who praised Libby as a "linchpin" during the first Persian Gulf War; Seth Carus, a biowarfare expert who asserted "Libby has done more to enable the United States to address the challenge of bioterrorism than any other single person"; Robert Blackwill, a former Bush National Security Council official, who said that at the White House no one was "more driven by...sound policy reasoning than Libby"; and Paul Wolfowitz, the former deputy defense secretary, who extolled Libby's "decisive contribution" to forging the post-Cold War world. (Wells' use of Wolfowitz, the scandal-struck and outgoing World Bank president, as a character reference prompted smirks among reporters in the courtroom.)

None of the testimonials Wells read referred to the Iraq war. And Wells told the court that though the Libby case was not about the war, it did "seem that Libby was the poster child for all that has gone wrong with this terrible war." Wells essentially argued that was punishment enough. He noted that Libby has "been exposed...to overwhelming negative press coverage" and has "endured public scorn and ridicule." He pointed out that Libby has received hate mail. And that whether Libby goes to jail or not, he will no longer be able to serve his two great loves: working in the government and practicing law. "He has fallen from public grace," Wells exclaimed. "It's a tragic fall....There's no need to incarcerate Mr. Libby."

Walton accepted none of this. He acknowledged Libby had been a public servant for years, foregoing income he could have obtained in private practice. But, the judge noted, "we expect a lot" of senior government officials. Libby's high position, Walton remarked, came with high obligations. Walton derided the attacks launched by Libby partisans and commentators against the CIA leak investigation, the trial, and the verdict. "The evidence overwhelmingly indicates Mr. Libby's culpability," he declared. He blasted Libby for discussing Valerie Wilson with reporters without considering that she might have been an undercover officer. "Government officials must realize," he said, "if they're going to step over the line...there are consequences."

In the end, Walton explained, Libby's government service and his violation of the obligations of his office balanced each other out. There would be no mitigation in the sentencing. He announced his decision: two-and-a-half years in jail and a quarter of a million dollars.

Libby was not hauled off to jail. His lawyers asked Walton to permit Libby to remain free on bond while they appeal the conviction. Walton indicated he was not sympathetic to this position. But he noted that it would take the Bureau of Prisons 45 to 60 days to find a spot for Libby. Consequently, he said, the defense could file a motion on this point by Thursday, and he scheduled a hearing on this question for next week. Presuming Walton does not change his mind at that hearing, Libby will have to surrender himself and begin his jail term sometime in the next two months.

After the sentencing hearing was concluded, Libby exchanged hugs with his wife and friends. His lawyers said they would make no statements. They quickly left the courthouse. Fitzgerald and his team exited the courtroom without answering questions. A few minutes later, I spotted Fitzgerald alone in a courthouse hallway. He was checking messages on his cellphone. Anything to say? I and another reporter asked. He shrugged sheepishly and stuttered, "I...I..." He closed his cell phone. "Just can't." He had an apologetic look on his face. Then he left the building.

Minutes later, as television camera crews in front of the courthouse were breaking down their equipment, a motorcade sped past. In a dark limousine was Cheney, on his way to meeting with on Capitol Hill. His former aide--who had helped Cheney guide the country into the Iraq war--was heading to jail, having been convicted of obstructing an investigation that had targeted Cheney among others. Cheney was still in power. His office had, as of that moment, issued no comment on Libby's sentence.

Fitzgerald got from Walton the message he wanted: Libby lied; this lying was consequential; it demanded serious punishment. One of the Bush officials responsible for a war that many Americans believe was sold with lies will be imprisoned for lying. Still, Libby's conviction and sentencing will have little impact on popular opinion, for most of the public has already reached a verdict on Bush, Cheney and their administration. The Libby case is merely an affirmation of the (widely-held) view that the Bush crowd is not an honest one.

Now the Libby saga enters the real endgame: pardon or no pardon. Bush has a week until the question is truly forced upon him. If next Thursday's hearing changes nothing, Libby will be awaiting a vacancy in a federal penitentiary. This will drive the Libby Lobby to pump up the volume on its call for a pardon. Conservative pundits will go wild. Republican presidential candidates will demand freedom for Libby. (Former Senator Fred Thompson is a member of the Libby Legal Defense Trust and has hosted a fundraiser for Libby.) What will Cheney say? What will Bush do? It appears Bush will not be able to opt for on-the-sly, last-minute sort of pardon that his father awarded Iran-contra figures shortly before leaving office and that President Bill Clinton handed to fugitive financier Marc Rich as the Clinton presidency was ending. If Bush wants to pardon Libby, he will have to do it in full public glare. He will have to explain why a convicted liar--who shares blame for the mess in Iraq--ought to go free.

When Bush first ran for president in 2000, he vowed to bring accountability and ethics back to the White House. A pardon of Libby would be a telling moment in his long departure from that promise.

Posted by David Corn at June 5, 2007 03:14 PM

33 comments:

capt said...

Mr. David Corn,

Excellent post. The lack of remorse and contrition tells of liars still believing their lies, eh?



Thanks

Kirk

capt said...

“We need to make the statement that the truth matters ever so much,” Fitzgerald


“We need to make the statement that the truth matters ever so much,” Fitzgerald


“We need to make the statement that the truth matters ever so much,” Fitzgerald

Gerald said...

30 months? Give me a break! He could have received up to 30 years.

If he goes to prison, he will out in 15 months with good behavior. Minus the two months waiting a bed in the prison that means he is out in 13 months.

Joe Average would have received 30 years. Our judicial system is broken to favor the fat cats.

capt said...

Gerald,

I might be mistaken but I think federal time does not allow for "time off" for good behavior.

In this case 30 months seems light but the punishment is for the lying and obstruction not for treason or outing Plame.

Maybe Cheney will stand for those charges. (I'm not holding my breath).



capt

Gerald said...

Fitzgerald says that the truth matters? Has Hitler Bush ever spoken the truth to us and, yet, he is glorified.

Do wonder why there is so little respect for the law in the Nazi States of America?

Gerald said...

capt, I hope you are right! Cheney needs to go to jail for treason as the chief operating criminal for treason, torture, murders, and war crimes.

Slick Dick works behind the scenes.

Gerald said...

Toensing, Maitlin (sp), and Barbara ? were surprised at the sentencing. For them in their mind crime pays. The Nazi women sat alongside of each other. Can you imagine if these Nazi women ruled in countries? Crime would be expected of all the citizens.

We have double standards in our country. One standard for the rich in that crime pays! And, one standard for the poor and middle class just don't get caught or else!

capt said...

Gerald,

It will be a very long hard road to return our country to a level of justice and respect.

Seen from within and without we are still sorely lacking on both.

Surely Libby being found guilty is a step in the right direction but this journey (like all others) is one step after the other without relent.

I hope the next generation will persevere, persist and continue the good fight. It all gets so twisted so fast, I hope they learn from our substantial mistakes.


capt

capt said...

Bush derails attempts to end illegal wiretapping



President Bush derailed a bill by the US Congress aimed at ending the Administration's illegal wiretapping by not providing documents related to the President’s warrantless wiretapping program to the Senate Intelligence Committee that is currently reviewing the proposed legislation.

The US house of representatives last month passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 bill with an amendment that makes Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) the only means by which domestic electronic surveillance for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence information may be conducted.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Intelligence Committee, but the Committee is unable to proceed as the White House has repeatedly refused to hand over the relevant documents.


More HERE

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The whole wiretapping issue is the most un-American thing I have ever heard of.

With or without oversight secrets are ALWAYS used against your political opposition.

There will be no free or fair election while Bunnypants and his minion are listening in on everybody. It is one thing the Watergate bunglers couldn't do - listen in on the Democrats so the GOPhers could wield power they do not posses rightly.



capt

Gerald said...

capt, Amen brother!!!

Gerald said...

capt, in listening to people from around the world there is little or no respect for the Nazi States of America.

Our torture of prisoners in Iraq and around the global are creating more terrorists who hate us. These terrorists have long memories.

capt said...

China shares tumble as panic spreads



SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China stocks tumbled 8.3 percent on Monday in their second biggest drop this decade, erasing $340 billion in market value and extending big losses from last week after the government hiked the share trading tax to cool a feverish bull run.

In an apparent attempt by authorities to restore confidence, front-page editorials in official newspapers tried to reassure investors the market's medium- and long-term outlook was still positive, and that the tax hike was merely aimed at speculators.

But that failed to stop selling by many of the anxious and often inexperienced individual investors who had jumped into the market in recent months for what seemed like easy money.

"This is obviously panic selling, and the sentiment is quickly spreading across the market," said Wang Jing, deputy general manager at Everbright Securities.

"But the fall is normal today, given the fact that the market has gone up so much. It won't be surprising if the index falls to about 3,000 points -- which would mean a 30 percent correction from the top."


More HERE

capt said...

I Scooter Libby was Marc Rich's attorney for the Clinton pardon of Rich.

Poetic justice? (provided Libby is not pardoned)



capt

capt said...

Eye on Mali: Jatropha Oil Lights Up Villages



Some 700 communities in Mali have installed biodiesel generators powered by oil from the hardy Jatropha curcas plant to meet their energy needs, according to Reuters. The Malian government is promoting cultivation of the inedible oilseed bush, commonly used as a hedge or medicinal plant, to provide electricity for lighting homes, running water pumps and grain mills, and other critical uses. Mali hopes to eventually power all of the country’s 12,000 villages with affordable, renewable energy sources.

The landlocked West African nation, at the southern edge of the Sahara desert, is seeking to boost the standard of living of its 80-percent-rural population and to reduce migration from impoverished rural areas. "People have to have light, to have cool air, to be able to store vaccines, even to watch national television," Aboubacar Samake, head of the jatropha program at the government-funded National Centre for Solar and Renewable Energy, told Reuters. "As things stand, a snake can bite someone in a village and they have to go to [the capital] Bamako to get a vaccine."

Energy self-sufficiency is another goal of the program. Private international companies have offered to develop the jatropha industry in Mali, but were told the biofuel would not be approved for export until the country’s domestic energy needs were met. Standard diesel and other imported fossil fuels can be costly to transport to remote villages and are unaffordable for much of the nation’s population. Jatropha provides an inexpensive, local source of fuel, with the plant’s seeds containing about 35 percent oil.


More HERE

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Sounds like it could be a solution in other places too.



capt

David B. Benson said...

Taps was played again today.

Only happens when an active duty ROTC graduate dies...

capt said...

"Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking; where it is absent, discussion is apt to become worse than useless." -- Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoi - (1828-1910) Russian writer Source: On Life and Essays on Religion

=
"Free inquiry requires that we tolerate diversity of opinion and that we respect the right of individuals to express their beliefs, however unpopular they may be, without social or legal prohibition or fear of success." -- Paul Kurtz Source: "A Secular Humanist Declaration," in On The Barricades, 1989

=
"This is, in theory, still a free country, but our politically correct, censorious times are such that many of us tremble to give vent to perfectly acceptable views for fear of condemnation. Freedom of speech is thereby imperiled, big questions go undebated, and great lies become accepted, unequivocally as great truths." -- Simon Heffer Source: Daily Mail, 7 June 2000

===

Thanks ICH Newsletter!

capt said...

"Taps"

How sad that another hero has fallen for this insane occupation.





capt

uncledad said...

Howdy Capt!

All I can say is it’s too bad he's doing a little more time than that democracy killing, law breaking "Paris Hilton". Everyone knows the damage she has done to our democracy. I only pray Scooter can get the same sort of praise from the "liberal" media. If only Ronnie Reagan was still hear to keep us all in line.

Gerald said...

If you think Hitler Bush is evil now, wait until he nukes Iran

Nazi Americans will truly believe that day will be the most glorious day in Nazi American history.

Gerald said...

Five years of unsuccessful war in Iraq and Afghanistan and Israel's recent military defeat in Lebanon have convinced the neocons that America and Israel cannot establish hegemony over the Middle East with conventional forces alone. The neocons have changed U.S. war doctrine, which now permits the U.S. to preemptively strike with nuclear weapons a non-nuclear power. Neocons are forever heard asking "what's the use of having nuclear weapons if you can't use them?"

Neocons have convinced themselves that nuking Iran will show the Muslim world that Muslims have no alternative to submitting to the will of the U.S. government. Insurgency and terrorism cannot prevail against nuclear weapons.

Many U.S. military officers are horrified at what they think would be the worst-ever orchestrated war crime. There are reports of threatened resignations. But Dick Cheney is resolute. He tells Bush that the plan will save him from the ignominy of losing the war and restore his popularity as the president who saved Americans from Iranian nuclear weapons. With the captive American media providing propaganda cover, the neoconservatives believe that their plan can pull their chestnuts out of the fire and rescue them from the failure that their delusion has wrought.

The American electorate decided last November that they must do something about the failed war and gave the Democrats control of both houses of Congress. However, the Democrats have decided that it is easier to be complicit in war crimes than to represent the wishes of the electorate and hold a rogue president accountable. If Cheney again prevails, America will supplant the Third Reich as the most reviled country in recorded history.

Gerald said...

NAZI AMERICA IS THE MOST EVIL, VILE, AND WICKED NATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE.

This is one time that I wish I am wrong.

Gerald said...

Why I am ashamed to be an American

Gerald said...

In conclusion, in order that you might understand where I am coming from, you need to realize that I do in fact have a bit of respect for my country, or at least for that which was envisioned by our forefathers, the founders of, what has turned out to be, a once great nation. However, just as we would with someone we love, we have no choice but to call attention to weakness, since in doing such a thing we give our loved ones an opportunity to address the problem. It is, and must be, the same with that of the land in which we have been born. If we truly care about our country, if we really do want our nation to flourish, then we should realize that we have not only the right, but, much more importantly, the responsibility, perhaps even, one might say, a moral responsibility to point out its deficiencies in order that it might once again be revived. For we must remember, as our nation goes, so do we……. in its flourishing we, as a people, will no doubt thrive, but in passing away, we, as a collective society, might well cease to exist.

Doug Soderstrom, Ph.D. is a psychologist and can be reached at dougsoderstrom @ sbcglobal.net

Gerald said...

Hitler Bush is truly an insane person. We have lunatics running our asylums in Washington, D.C.


Dying for Nothing

Gerald said...

NAZI AMERICA IS TRULY AN EVIL EMPIRE!!!!!

Gerald said...

Jesus Christ of Nazareth speaks sanity to a world of lunatics!!!!!

Gerald said...

Is Nazi America's nuking of Iran her true manifest destiny?

Remember these pictures in your mind before the nuking of Iran!

Gerald said...

Here are pictures of Iran (Iraq) after we nuke her

Ivory Bill Woodpecker said...

A quarter million bucks, hmm? Does anyone here think Scooter will pay one cent of it? I reckon some wingnut sugar daddy will pick up the tab.

capt said...

If You Think Bush Is Evil Now, Wait Until He Nukes Iran



[…]

Neocons have convinced themselves that nuking Iran will show the Muslim world that Muslims have no alternative to submitting to the will of the U.S. government. Insurgency and terrorism cannot prevail against nuclear weapons.

Many U.S. military officers are horrified at what they think would be the worst-ever orchestrated war crime. There are reports of threatened resignations. But Dick Cheney is resolute. He tells Bush that the plan will save him from the ignominy of losing the war and restore his popularity as the president who saved Americans from Iranian nuclear weapons. With the captive American media providing propaganda cover, the neoconservatives believe that their plan can pull their chestnuts out of the fire and rescue them from the failure that their delusion has wrought.

The American electorate decided last November that they must do something about the failed war and gave the Democrats control of both houses of Congress. However, the Democrats have decided that it is easier to be complicit in war crimes than to represent the wishes of the electorate and hold a rogue president accountable. If Cheney again prevails, America will supplant the Third Reich as the most reviled country in recorded history.


More HERE

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

For a dumb guy I think PCR is pretty smart.



capt

capt said...

Lets Create A Soldier Bond As The Authentic Support For Troops, Vets and Military Families



I have already begun urging Democrats from the high levels to the grassroots to initiate a Soldier Bond that would raise $500 billion dollars, over 20 years, to meet the needs of our troops, vets and military families.

The Soldier Bond would be structured similar to the U.S. Savings Bond, modelled after the War Bond of the 1940's, and the money would be used for the human, health, educational, financial, vocational and psychological needs of all troops, vets and their families.

The original legislation I propose is this: that Congress can pass by the 4th of July a plan to require two things:

First that the President consult with Wall Street leaders and present to Congress by September 1 specific options for an actionable Soldier Bond.

Second, that the executive and legislative branches immediately begin consultations with the full range of veteran's advocates and support groups to fully delineate the program needs, and honestly account for the costs of addressing them..

Every major group should have public input and veterans who served in World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I, Bosnia, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars should all be part of the policy process and should all benefit from the Soldier's Bond.

I have discussed this concept with many veterans over the last month and I will promise that any program similiar to this would receive overwhelming, enthusiastic and deserved support from many tens of millions of Americans.

I will promise that if a Soldier's Bond is offered Americans everywhere would line up to buy it.

And I guaratee that if something such as this is not done, our young people will either be forced to assume this burden through a massive tax increase, or continue the neglect of our leadership generation today.

The Soldier Bond is about rising above politics and is structured to appeal to the universe of Americans in Washington and around the Nation, but I will make two political points.

First, I have concluded that the Democratic Congress is incapable of a coherent and principled, and effective position on the Iraq war so long as the President can claim, falsely, that Democrats do not support the troops, and Democrats, sadly, succomb to this false argument.

Second, Democrats and Republicans need to have heartfelt and honest conversations with themselves about why nearly 70% of America disapproves of all of them.

On the war policy itself, and the treatment of troops and vets, both parties share major responsibility. The issue is not who can claim bragging rights to the status quo, but who will set the standard for the future.

What Democrats and Republicans do not get, is that for voters who feel passionately pro or con the Iraq war, and for voters who feel passionately that we must do far more for our troops and vets, these are the most educated and informed voters in the history of America.

These voters cannot be fooled and should not be insulted by talking point flim flam, written by party consultants, repeated by elected officials.

Patriotic and concerned voters, who care passionately about these matters see through this instantly. When Americans disapprove of policies, parties or institutions and receive this self-congratulatory propaganda and even worse, solicitatons for money based on this propaganda, they become even more angry, alienated and disillusoned.

That is why 50% disapproval became 60%, and now in some polls 70% or more. And this skyrocketing disapproval has reached the Democratic Congress as well as the Republican President. Yet propaganda continues to flow while public discontent rises to levels dangerousto a democracy, and destructive to any party or candidate who talks down to our people.

Here is an alternative: show leadership, tell the truth, and the public will join us. Aspire to the Gold Standard for supporting troops, vets and military families and a hundred milllion Americans and more, will applaud it, and support it.

It is derelict and sick that the Marine Corps urgently seeks assistance that they regard as life saving in 2005 and even this is insulted and ignored by those who claim to support the troops.

It is derelict and sick that troops continue to die preventable deaths because of lack of support from Washington. It is derelict and sick that hundreds of thousands of our vets are homeless, that wounded troops continue to suffer indignity and pain because of lack of attention and support when they return home.

It is derelict and sick that disabled heroes suffer further indignities tolerated by those who claim to support them; that veteran centers are overloaded and underfunded; that mental health treatment is so far behind the long term need; and that this happens while our political markets dish out talking points that nobody believes, while our Dow Jones market reaches record highs, and our politicians enact tax cuts while these derelictions continue.

These are not matters of philosophical or partisan disagreements. These are matters of fundamental national honor that we send our young to war, subject them to this lack of support, dump talking points on American families, and wonder wonder why 70% of them disapprove of virtually every institution, including both parties, in Washington.

The Soldier Bond will be a major part of the moral, military, patriotic and political solution because it represents an honorable, powerful, gold standard, red, white and blue support for our troops, vets and military families.

The $500 billion dollar, 20 year package is based on conservative projections of long term needs that have come from diverse sources. These needs are currently unmet, unplanned and unbudgeted. Whether one supports or opposes the war policy they rise every hour the policy continues, and every day these problems are not addressed.

One great benefit of bringing, empowering and publicizing the involvement of all groups representing veterans, troops and military families is that we will refine the exact program needs and cost while we create a national consensus to act.

The Soldier Bond would finance those needs that are human, health, financial and other matters that could receive near universal support from the political community and the broad base of the American people.

This would be voluntary; no person is forced to buy the bond. Mark my words, if this is not done, many will be forced to ultimately pay far higher taxes if we shamelessly dump these obligations on our children.

It is time politicians recognize that America is a great and noble country, with a great and noble people, who yearn to be asked what they can do for our country, and would line up in droves, to do it.

Long term, we have at least a $500 to $750 billion problem and the gold standard for true integrity and patriotism is a $500 to 750 billion solution.

The Soldier Bond will not need talking points; just tell the truth, call the Nation to action, and the Nation will respond.

We Americans live in a blessed land we love. The Soldier Bond will give every American the opportunity to share the patriotic bond with those who give us the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Lets honor the American people by giving everyone a chance to serve. To prove our pride in those who wear the uniform. To prove our patriotism by doing our duty, To prove our Americanism by reminding each other that we are a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people and that on this matter, we the people are in this together.


More HERE

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Is this the best idea in a long time or what?

I would gladly support the troops via soldier bonds. I don't see a downside.


capt

capt said...

Fox analyst: 'Space aliens kidnapped president' and 'left this tool'



On Monday, Fox News covered Vladimir Putin's threat that if the US government goes ahead with setting up a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, Russia will target its own missiles at European targets.

The discussion led to an unlikely reversal of political positions, with conservative Fox political analyst Tammy Bruce describing the situation as "another glaring example of the growing incompetency of the Bush administration and his foreign policy," while Democratic strategist Bob Beckel concluded that "I support Bush on this ... and it's a strange day when I do that."

Bruce began by defending Putin and asked how we in the US would feel if Russian missiles were sited in Cuba or Honduras. She pointed out that the US missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland are supposedly intended to guard against the threat of potential Iranian long-range missiles, even though those missiles don't yet exist and we've said we're not going to allow Iran to develop them.

She then blew up about immigration and Iraq as well, saying, "I'm waiting to find the space aliens that kidnapped the president that I grew to admire after September 11 and left this tool behind. ... I'm furious."

When Beckel weighed in to insist that in this case he doesn't think Bush deserves conservative anger, because "Putin has been a thug from the beginning," Bruce retorted that "every maniac in the world has felt empowered during the last five years. That is the president's issue ... because Bush has been so ineffective."

The following video is from Fox's American Newsroom, broadcast on June 4.


More HERE

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Funny on too many levels.


capt

Robert S said...


No Dal Molin