Friday, July 13, 2007

Sad John McCain/Sad Harriet Miers?/A Conservative for Justice




We're pushing on. All the way. Gonna win. Really. Gonna win. Really.

That's Senator John McCain's campaign message of the moment--after his now-impoverished presidential effort dumped its chairman and McCain's chief strategist. But this sounds like happy-talk covering up despondency. A former McCain adviser tells me that s/he met with McCain not too long ago and concluded the Republican senator was "depressed." This source says, "He was depressed about the war, depressed about how the war had been screwed up, depressed about us being stuck in Iraq, And he didn't know what to do about it. And I do mean depressed." McCain looked tired and worn out, his former adviser reports: "Sad. It was sad." By the way, McCain's campaign rhetoric is similar to his Iraq war rhetoric. Two causes--each faring the same. Coincidence?

SAD HARRIET? Consider the case of Harriet Miers. She worked for George W. Bush in Texas and wrote all those obsequious notes to him: Great job, boss! She was rewarded with a series of White House jobs, rising to the high position of White Counsel. Then she was nominated to be a Supreme Court justice. It doesn't get any better than that in the legal profession. Yet that didn't quite work out for her. And now, as AP reports, "House Democrats on Thursday took the first step toward holding former White House counsel Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress after she defied a subpoena--at President Bush's order--and skipped a hearing on the firing of U.S. attorneys." From Supreme Court nominee to being charged with contempt, that's some fall for Miers. Might she regret the day she met a fella named Bush?

CONSERVATIVES FOR JUSTICE? Was Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's 30-month sentence a victory for conservatives? Jeffrey Hart does not believe so. For decades, Hart, a professor of English literature at Dartmouth, was a leading light of the Right. He was a prominent contributor to the National Review . And he worked for Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon. The conservative Dartmouth Review was born in his living room in 1980. As a conservative, he has attacked George W. Bush for, among other misdeeds, misleading the nation into the Iraq war. For some time, Hart and I have been corresponding by email. The other day, the 77-year-old Hart sent me a note summing up his feelings regarding the Libby commutation. Hart writes,

Conservative principle has always stressed the importance of obeying the law. Some will remember that Eisenhower even dismissed his chief of staff Sherman Adams for accepting an expensive fur coat from a Boston businessman. In 1968, when I was a speechwriter for Nixon during his presidential campaign, I wrote his law-and-order speech, delivered in Philadelphia. Our theme was "the silent majority that obeys the law and plays by the rules." Even though Nixon didn't take his own advice, that core principle remains true. Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby is a convicted perjurer who also lied to the FBI, obstructing justice. His sentence was within the guidelines for such offenses. With his intervention in the Libby case, Bush violated core conservative principles as I have understood them since I voted for the first time in 1952 for Eisenhower.


Who ever thought Bush could make Nixon look not so bad?

Posted by David Corn at July 13, 2007 07:50 AM

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job, boss! She was rewarded with a series of White House jobs, rising to the high position of White Counsel.

Well, she did work for a bunch of old white men, but White Counsel? What a great slip of the typing fingers -- too true to be funny.

I suspect Mr. Corn will be correcting this at the original.

David B. Benson said...

Bush is not a conservative, but rather a despoiler...

capt said...

Dear EmailNation Subscriber,

Watch The Nation's John Nichols tonight, Friday, July 13, on PBS's "Bill Moyers Journal," the national public television program, discussing the case for impeaching President Bush and Vice President Cheney. The hour long program, which will air on PBS stations nationwide at 9:00pm and other times, features Nichols and former Reagan administration lawyer Bruce Fein, one of the nation's leading constitutional scholars, making the case for articles of impeachment against the President and Vice President.

Nichols is the author of the best-selling book, The Genius of Impeachment: The Founders' Cure for Royalism (The New Press), and has written extensively about impeachment issues in The Nation magazine as well as in The Online Beat. Check the show's website or local listings for exact time of broadcast tonight.

You can also listen to a podcast of an interview Nichols taped today re impeachment on Utah Public Radio.

Finally, please visit The Nation online to listen to RadioNation with Laura Flanders on Air America Radio, to read new Nation blogs, to view newsfeed links updated each day, to see when Nation writers are appearing on TV and radio, to get info on nationwide activist campaigns, and to check out exclusive online reports and to read special weekly selections from The Nation magazine!

Best Regards,
Peter Rothberg,
The Nation

P.S. If you like what you read at TheNation.com, please consider subscribing to The Nation at a sharply discounted rate. Subscribing is the only way to read ALL of what's in the magazine week after week--both in print and online.

*****

The Nation should keep this one "in house" and have Nichols debate DC.

HA!


capt

Gerald said...

Iraq Vets Break Through

Gerald said...

The Art of Deception

Gerald said...

The Bush Family

Gerald said...

Earth to Bush

Gerald said...

Congressman believes Bush will cancel 2008 election

Gerald said...

Why we need universal health care

Gerald said...

FYI!

With the fiscal year rapidly coming upon us let me share with you some information. Bush is requesting billions of additional dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cost for this charade will easily reach three quarters of trillion dollars. That figure does not include the reconstruction costs, health care for our soldiers, the deaths of our soldiers, and the killing of 600,000 Iraqis and the 2 million Iraqis who have left Iraq.

We don't even know what amount of money we are giving to countries who imprison prisoners and the torture that these prisoners receive from Bush's partners in crimes against humanity.

David B. Benson said...

Plan to stay up very late the night of August 12th. Drive out well away from street lights, etc.

Wathc the Persid meteor show until dawn...

capt said...

Now those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth, and let me remind you they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyranny: Barry Goldwater

=
He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man...The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people: Samuel Adams

=
The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essense of inhumanity: George Bernard Shaw

===


Thanks ICH Newsletter!

capt said...

Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 2003

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
Plato (427 BC - 347 BC)

The only kind of dignity which is genuine is that which is not diminished by the indifference of others.
Dag Hammarskjold (1905 - 1961)

The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.
Robert Maynard Hutchins

Love and hate are not opposites. The opposite of love is indifference.
A. S. Neill, Summerhill

And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor -- never its victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten.
Elie Wiesel (1928 - ), The Perils of Indifference

Indifference, then, is not only a sin, it is a punishment.
Elie Wiesel (1928 - ), The Perils of Indifference

Gerald said...

The Impeachment Process

Dear Posters:

I have felt that impeachment of Bush and Cheney would be futile. The Democrats do not have the numbers to convict Bush and Cheney and possibly not even to impeach Bush and Cheney and send their findings to the U.S. Senate to convict and remove Bush and Cheney from office. Listening and watching Bill Moyers Journal (July 13, 2007) has convinced me that the investigative impeachment process would be helpful and informative for Americans.

Bill Moyers Journal was a great informative program. Bill Moyers, John Nichols, and Bruce Fein are patriotic Americans. What impressed me was Bruce Fein’s conviction and passion for the U.S. Constitution! He is a conservative and a Republican who prefers to choose his country over his party. Listening and watching Bill Moyers Journal has warmed the cockles of my heart.

The impeachment process can be an informative process for Americans. Yes, the impeachment process can be helpful on why the U.S. House of Representatives has taken up the investigation of Bush and Cheney. The investigative process should include both Bush and Cheney.

Impeachment can be a learning experience for Americans. By not pursuing the impeachment process is a terrible injustice for the American people.

Sincerely,
Gerald

Gerald said...

Sheehan's visit inflames passion

capt said...

"Bill Moyers Journal"


Just watched the show. Excellent as always. Should be required watching - a civics lesson.



capt

Anonymous said...

Absolutely Capt. That show is incredible.

I don't see it posted here but it should be. This is a letter Micki wrote Thom Hartmann:


July 12, 2007

Mr. Thom Hartmann
c/o KPOJ Radio
4949 Southwest Macadam Avenue
Portland, OR 97239

Dear Thom:

I am one of your regular listeners (on AM1090, Seattle).

For a long time, I felt that Bush and Cheney deserve impeachment, but was reluctant to get on the impeachment bandwagon. However, a critical mass of impeachable offenses has come together and I am 100% in favor of a serious effort to remove them from office.

This may seem like a silly idea, at first reading, but as Ethel Merman said in Gypsy, “ya gotta have a gimmick.”

I would like to propose that someone (such as YOU), call for citizens to host National Ice Cream Socials over the Labor Day Weekend. They would serve MmmmmPeachMint ice cream. (Preferably made with Texas peaches and mint chocolate chunks.) A rallying slogan could be, “Enjoy MmmmmmPeachMint -- it’s good for your Constitution.”

Using the Ice Cream Social as the venue for this effort would be reminiscent of early America where the ice cream social was often a gathering spot to discuss social, charitable, political activities. I have tried to get some local ice creameries to feature MmmmmPeachMint as a “short term” flavor, but so far none of them have put it on their menu.

It is time to launch a surge for impeachment. This could be the start of the first massive grassroots’ effort to inform Americans on the importance of impeachment. Town, city, county, state politicians would be invited to attend. If these National Ice Cream Socials were held throughout the land, brought to the attention of local and national media, and fueled with the sweet taste of MmmmmmmPeachMint, this could be the start of something big!

________________________________

We're all trying to get a groundswell for impeachment going. Bill & Micki have gotten word to several important websites. See Dancing with Fools.

I can't think of a more clever and purely American idea than politicized ice cream socials.

If you remember, Micki and I both were holding back a little on impeachment in the various debates. There's no avoiding the necessity of it now, is there?

Dems are no longer damned if they do and damned if they don't. The populace has become restless and angry. We've heard and seen the stirrings. Let's go for it.

Please help get the word out. This is perfect timing with the crest of popular support.

capt said...

I love ice cream and any idea to bring people together is a good idea. I never miss Thom (or Stephanie Miller) they have some of the best radio on the airwaves.

There are already some getting togethers via "World Can't Wait"
HERE I bet you could bring some ice cream. (add some sugar free iced treats for diabetics)

On the show I especially liked the way John and Bruce explained the "tool box" and the responsibility of our rep's to stop Bush and his petty tyranny.

I have said (and posted) all along that Pelosi has no power nor right to take anything "off the table" and that even a calculation of the senate vote (if given up from the house) is not the measure for effacacy of the process.

I am happy to finally have a few of those previously not inclined join the cause. I hope it is not too late.


capht

David B. Benson said...

Carbon offset schemes are smoke-n-mirrors.

In today's The Independent

capt said...

Harriet Miers's Contempt of Congress: Are Conservatives About To Neuter Congress, While Claiming Full Legal Justification for this Separation-of-Powers Violation?



President George Bush has issued an instruction to his former White House counsel Harriet Miers to defy the House Judiciary Committee's subpoena. The Committee had sought to ask her about her role - and that of others in the White House - in firing a covey of United States Attorneys who were apparently not toeing the political line. Bush's instruction sent a very clear signal: As I wrote earlier, and as has been clear from the outset, he is looking for a fight.

By not responding to the subpoena, the President and Ms. Miers all but invited the House Judiciary Committee and, in turn, the House of Representatives to vote to deem her in contempt of Congress. It was a defiant, in-your-face insult to Congress. No president would do this unless he was quite confident of the outcome. Clearly, Bush's White House and Justice Department lawyers believe that the solidly conservative federal judiciary will grant them a favorable ruling, and that, in the process, they will greatly weaken congressional oversight powers, to the advantage of the White House.


In short, the Bush White House is not bluffing with this act of defiance. Rather, the White House truly wants to test, and attempt to expand, presidential power. Bush's White House is ready, willing, and able to play hardball. Indeed, the White House may actually be trying to bait the House Judiciary Committee and the House of Representatives into voting to deem Ms. Miers in contempt of congress.



More HERE

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Dean is a good read.

capt

Gerald said...

Capt, Hitler wants this contempt case to go to the Nazi Supreme Court and he will win. This expansion of power adds another nail in our coffins. Remember my prediction! There will be no 2008 presidential election!!!

Gerald said...

The Wise or Foolish Rulers

Gerald said...

Are our troops sufficiently ethical in war?

Gerald said...

Changing Theologies

Gerald said...

Is your religious cleric preaching the counterfeit Jesus?

Gerald said...

For some reason the Counterfeit Jesus article does no show up.

Gerald said...

For some reason the Counterfeit Jesus article does not show up.

Gerald said...

The Counterfeit Jesus article does now come up. I do not know what was the problem in the beginning. This website offers some heavy reading and a person must be strong in his religion to read the articles. You will be challenged.

Gerald said...

We are not trained and educated theologians with a background to understand everything in the Bible. But we must not forget the eight words, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU," so said Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.

There are people who preach and write well and can subtly play mind games with you. Hopefully, we can separate fact from fiction.

I also remember, "WHEN YOU DO IT FOR THE LEAST OF MY BRETHREN, YOU ARE DOING IT FOR ME." - Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God

Jesus, the Son of God, is very much into wanting us to love our neighbors.

I cannot speak for God but I do believe that He wants us to be decent and good people.

Gerald said...

Praying Each Day

There are scientists who can and who do believe in God.

Let us not become fixated on whether we are here through evolution or creation. We are here and God has a plan for you and me. Persoally, I do not let my sleep be disturbed by how I got here. It is what I do now that matters. "I shall pass this way but once. Any good that I can do let me do it now for I shall not pass this way again." St. Ambrose

capt said...

"The masses have never thirsted after truth. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim". Gustave Le Bon;"The Crowd"

=
"An evil exists that threatens every man,woman, and child of this great country. We must take steps to insure our domestic security and protect our Homeland" - Adolf Hitler (1933)

===


Thanks ICH Newsletter!

capt said...

A Counterfeit “Jesus”?
Part 1


Millions profess to “follow Jesus,” but are they all worshipping the Jesus described in the Bible?


What first comes to your mind when you hear the word counterfeit? Perhaps you think of counterfeit money. Counterfeiting currency is probably as old as money itself. Professional counterfeiters can turn out a product that is virtually impossible to distinguish from the genuine by the untrained eye. Even before the introduction of paper money, counterfeiters mixed base metals into what was supposed to be pure gold or silver, or “shaved” the edges of a coin so that it weighed less than intended.

Label counterfeiting is also an ongoing problem in today’s global economy. This involves cheap knockoffs that imitate quality products. They carry the same logo, but are made with low-grade materials and carry a much lower price tag. Preoccupied with the thrill of a perceived bargain, the buyer is caught unaware. When the item’s performance proves to be inferior, disappointment sets in.

But such deception can reach beyond consumer products. Consider that we can also be taken in on religious matters. A surprising number of Christians around the world—while sincere—have been misled by religious leaders. Are you sure what you are being “sold” is genuine? For instance, are you aware that the Bible mentions two persons called “Jesus”?

The apostle Paul forewarned of a clever counterfeit facing the early Church: “For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him” (II Cor. 11:4).

Paul was afraid that if false teachers came to the Corinthian congregation and preached “another Jesus” or “another gospel,” they would tolerate this instead of rejecting them. How many spend time determining if they are following the right Jesus? Could you believe a different gospel, brought by a different spirit? Is the Jesus you know the real Jesus?


Portrayals of Jesus

What is Paul talking about when he speaks of “another Jesus”? The Greek word translated “another” in this verse is allos, meaning “different.” We are considering a different Jesus—not the One of the Bible, not the only begotten Son of God, but an impostor.

Many ideas and practices that have absolutely no scriptural basis have been accepted by mainstream Christianity. These practices, introduced gradually by false teachers, have been accepted through tradition. This was also foretold: “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily [secretly] shall bring in damnable heresies” (II Pet. 2:1).

For example, many Christians have grown up exposed to illustrations of what they believe to be the Son of God. Most artists’ renderings of Jesus picture him in a helpless state, at the beginning or end of his life—either as a newborn or hanging on a cross.

During the Christmas season, Christianity venerates “little Lord Jesus,” portraying him as an infant in a manger, “tender and mild.”

Often found behind the pulpit in churches, many paintings or statues of Jesus display a gaunt, forlorn, longhaired man who often has his hands clasped in a prayerful position, gazing upward. Even Jesus’ death has been trivialized, depicting him with a slight trickle of blood oozing from the crown of thorns piercing his head, and another from wounds in each of his hands. Some artists even insert a “sacred heart” with a crack running through the center, depicting Jesus as having died of a “broken heart.”

Traditional Ceremonies

Every spring, millions gather early Easter morning to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. These annual sunrise services supposedly remind them that Jesus rose from the dead. Yet this tradition springs from ancient sun worship rituals that predate Christ’s earthly ministry.

Later in the year, adherents look forward to trading gifts on his “birthday” (supposedly December 25th), and become enveloped in the “spirit of Christmas.”

Have you not wondered why there are so many non-biblical customs surrounding holidays that are purported to honor the Jesus Christ of the Bible?


Worship Based on Emotion
In much of Christianity today there has been a shift toward a new center, which may loosely be described as a shift from mind to emotion. The modern demand is for a religious “worship” experience that stresses feelings above reason, logic and doctrine.

Many have abandoned biblically-defined worship and adopted religious entertainment, calling it worship. They have a pretense of Christianity, but it is only a façade, as Paul wrote: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (II Tim. 3:5).

For many, the final authority in matters of faith and morals is no longer the Word of God, but the inner workings of the human mind. Some denominations view the Bible as merely a historical document requiring human interpretation to correct its “errors.”
People can unknowingly worship in ways that are far different from what they sincerely believe or intend. Grasp what is at stake with another Jesus. With a different savior ultimately comes a different “mediator,” “high priest,” “shepherd,” “bishop of our souls,” “apostle,” “king of kings,” “lord of lords,” and all of Christ’s other titles and roles.

When one does not understand the “simplicity in Christ” (II Cor. 11:3) and allow the Bible to interpret itself, the inevitable result is to soon be unwittingly following a very different savior (vs. 4).

Nullifying the Law

The Jesus commonly spoken of in the large denominations of accepted Christianity promotes the idea that keeping God’s divine laws is no longer needed because they have been “nailed to the cross.” All a Christian must do is “accept and believe in him” to be assured a place in heaven. Beguiled by this notion, the majority reject the seventh-day Sabbath, the annual Holy Days and other truths of the Bible, leaving an open door for a host of non-biblical practices. The first-century apostles resisted this slippery path into lawlessness, but many believers allowed themselves to be led astray.


Paul foretold a time when fables and the traditions of men would be substituted for the truth: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4).

This deception began in the first century but has grown much worse in recent times. Most receive teachers who tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. Wrong conduct is justified—explained away—giving no regard to the warning, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20).

The Gospel

Paul wrote of “another gospel” and “another spirit,” appearing in conjunction with this other “Jesus.” When one examines the facts of history, it becomes evident that traditional Christianity brought in a different Jesus, and with him came a different gospel.

The one impersonating the true Son of God brought a social gospel of “love” and “tolerance”—one that does not require any personal responsibility, such as repentance. Its message is just “come as you are” and “believe on him” to receive salvation.

Today we hear a great deal about the person of Jesus Christ—confining the message solely to the things about the Son of God, but not about the message He brought. As a result, millions believe on Jesus, but do not believe Him—what He taught!

Notice Mark 1:14: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” The real Christ brought a message from His Father: news of the soon-coming kingdom of God—a supergovernment that will teach humanity to obey His Law, which leads to achieving the abundant life all have longed for, but were never able to realize.

There are many different “gospels” being offered, such as the gospel of salvation, the gospel of grace, the social gospel, and many other hybrids.

How important is it to believe the real gospel the true Jesus brought? In Mark 16:16, the resurrected Christ said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.”

This is not a trivial matter. Eternity is at stake! It is so important that God inspired Paul to write, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, [the same gospel Jesus preached] let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

Again, it is so important that Paul reiterates it in verse 9: “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.”

Is your minister cautioning you on the dangers of these counterfeits? If not, why? (See our article “Seven Questions Your Minister Does Not Want You to Ask,” published in this issue).

Spirit of Error

Observed objectively, when you compare the worship described in the Bible to modern Christianity, they appear as two totally different religions. The terminology is similar, like counterfeit labels on bootleg items. The names of the lead characters are the same, but the substance is different. Do “Christianized” traditions of men honor God—or someone else?

The different spirit bringing these erroneous gospels emanates from the master counterfeiter whom the Bible calls the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4). Seeking to counterfeit every aspect of God’s Plan, this powerful being “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). His spirit influences and directs human agents whom he uses to fulfill his will: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (II Cor. 11:13-14).

Now that you have read about the counterfeit “Jesus,” we must ask, “Who and what is the real Jesus Christ of the Bible?”

More HERE

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

There you go.



capt

capt said...

President Bush: Iraq Can Be Won



President Bush after receiving a stunning rebuke of his Iraq War policies from the US House on Friday, said on Saturday that the Iraq War can be won.

On Friday, the House voted 223-201 to force a U.S. troop withdrawal by next spring,

However, the bill still needs US Senate uncertain and President Bush’s approval which is doubtful.

In fact, President Bush in his radio address on Saturday said referring to an interim report on Iraq “This report shows that conditions can change, progress can be made, and the fight in Iraq can be won”.

President Bush took a “cup empty, cup full” attitude in his address.

Bush further said “The interim report released this week finds that the Iraqis have made satisfactory progress in eight areas -- such as providing the three brigades they promised for the surge, establishing joint security stations in Baghdad neighborhoods, and providing $10 billion of their own money for reconstruction. In eight other areas, the progress was unsatisfactory -- such as failing to prepare for local elections or pass a law to share oil revenues. In two remaining areas, the progress was too unclear to be characterized one way or the other.


More HERE

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

Bunnypants is “Non compus mentis” - now what?



capt

capt said...

New Thread