Rep. Dan Burton <i>Hearts</i> Scooter But He's Obsessed With Bill Clinton
On Friday's "Hardball" David Shuster brought in Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) to talk about a possible pardon for Scooter Libby and poor Dan Burton just couldn't stick to the topic. It's quite obvious that his obsession with The Clenis hasn't waned since the 1990's and he's still bitter that Clinton wasn't convicted. Wasserman Schultz and Shuster keep hammering Burton, and by the end of the segment he was cornered and marginalized, looking like a complete nincompoop.
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There were a lot of great comments on our post from Hardball yesterday, but a few C&L readers were concerned that Shuster's style was too similar to Fox News hosts. These shows help frame public opinion and debate in America and we must have people like David Shuster and Keith Olbermann on the air to keep reality in the public eye and steer the conversation toward the truth. Tucker Carlson's show is putrid and Chris Matthews is all over the place. If you like what you've seen from David Shuster drop a line to MSNBC and tell Dan Abrams you'd like to see Shuster get his own show.
Update: John Amato: Once Burton starts getting challenged by David he immediately calls Shuster a "strong Democrat and a liberal." Shuster laughed him off, but it's a typical card wingnuts like Burton play when the facts don't support their postions.
The comment section should be back up soon.
Burton,as if we didn't see enough of his split-lip face during drive up to the Clinton Impeachment. Shuster and Rep. Wasserman-Shultz made him look like the fool he is.
Burton is a relic from the not so distance past,when women and blacks knew their place! If they strayed to far from the kitchen or laundryroom,Burton was there to remind them!
Wonder how many watermelon's he's shot up lately,in his back yard?
I don't believe David should get his own show. In my eyes, he's like an investigative reporter. He maintains his integrity by being objective and not having to sell out for ratings. The reason Matthews is usually all over the place is because he'll come correct against those who benefits from being on his show, and he panders to those (Coulter, Delay, McCain, Hillary) whom he and his show benefits from having on. MSNBC, like every other news outlet, is for-profit and dependent upon ratings to increase ad revenue. Though Shuster should be the norm, instead of the exception, the reality is that his reputation is that he'll personally shut down any guest that is ill-prepared with the facts of any issue. Therefore I don't see ANY mainstream figures going on his show for fear of embarassment. I believe that Shuster should get more face time as a guest and continue to give his reports, but I'd hate for him to be given a show where he may be forced to compromise his integrity.
Go Debbie, Go Debbie!!! Give that lady a cookie!! (or better yet contribute to her campaign)
Give David Schuster his own show!!! Imagine! A reporter who call B.S. when a guest spouts GOP talking points that have been proven over and over to be lies .... and then asks a follow-up question. Imagine! A reporter that knows the in-depth FACTS of the case and doesn't let any guest get away with spin. Give David Schuster his own show.
Nobody seems to state the obvious, since Billy boy committed perjury and got away with it, from now on NOBODY should get punished for it. WTF??? what kind of reasoning is that?
I guess now if Bush got a bj it would be perfectly ok, hey, clinton did it. Since when did the GOP start setting their standards according to bill clinton??? By the by, clintons crimes were way more heinous than perjury, If you don't believe that, all you have to do is read about his bombing that Sudanese warehouse without proper intelligence, so he could get some attention away from Lewinski. (and he did get a bump in the poles) why all this stupid misplaced loyalty? Bill clinton should not mind us saying, hell yes that was wrong. If someone could save a life by slandering me, I would say go for it. I am way fonder of the fundamentals behind liberalism than that of the gop, but Bill Clinton Lied to our faces, and screw him for that. TAKE THEIR AMMUNITION AWAY!!!
Wasserman Schultz, along with 201 of her fellow Democrats, recently voted yes on HR 1585, which provides funds for the Iraq War through the end of Bush's term:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll373.xml
*sigh*
She's one of them.
Let's hope the Senate blocks this bill next week.
Red Bear Walking @ 1:
Is Burton a watermelon junkie? That must be some kind of needle... and vein!!!
matt greer @ 5:
Clinton did not commit perjury.
Alright, what is it with Indiana? They elect Mike "Baghdad is like a normal outdoor market in Indiana in the summertime" Pence, and Dan Burton. Certainly they have better candidates to select from?
We get the Reps we deserve.
The thing with Clinton's perjury, what he lied about was ruled immaterial to the case in question that he was a part of, thus it was ruled he was NOT guilty of perjury (because what he lied about was a matter not related to the Paula Jones case, which is what was being investigated at the time I believe).
And the one thing people need to point out too: the vast majority of those Clinton pardoned? They already SERVED TIME in jail or were sitting there for several years already. The only exception seems to be Mark Rich, and even his eventual punishment was about 400x worse than Libby's (compare Libby's $250,000 fine to Mark Rich's $100,000,000). And again, as was pointed out several times...Rich's lawyer was SCOOTER HIMSELF.
Someone tell these repugnants that Clinton is not the president anymore...
I think they're stuck in a time warp or just plain obsessed!
And it's time to give David Shuster his own show and to send
Tweety boy packing.
First!
I think all of you miss the point. Bill Clinton had a sexual encounter in the White House. Lewis Libby simply withheld secrets about our national security.
Bill Clinton wasted taxpayer dollars on sexual escapades while Lewis Libby was just doing the job we pay him for.
It is disappointing that this issue gets so blurred with partisan politics. But, when you cut through the fog it is quite clear that Mr. Clinton should have been impeached and Lewis Libby should have never been questioned in the first place.
By the way, I loved the disingenuous (love to throw that word back at the Repubs) of Burton when he says he supports the commutation of Skatin' Scooter, AND supports equal justice under the law which is why he wants Clinton to serve time. Huh? Hello! What about Scooter? What about Clinton being acquitted? Should we have all acquitted people serve sentences, and commute those of the convicted? What a mishmesh of worldviews.
I also loved that dumb attempt-to-grin look on his face when Schuster told him that Scooter was Mark Rich's lawyer. Like he had no idea and was going to have a talking over with his staff for not telling him.
Otay @ 9:
dan burtons an indianoplis shit for brains politician , as fucking worthless as they come , im sure when hes not in dc hes back here giveing blowjobs to pigmy midget snakes, its norther indiana whos sold on these repig turds, southern indiana votes demo but theirs less of us , cornfields yah know!
I mean the difference between Clinton and Scooter is that Scooter was CONVICTED and Clinton WASN'T. The Congress was Clinton's jury and the House found him guilty to impeach him, but the Senate found him not guilty when it came to removing him from office. Clinton's impeachment is BEYOND being pardoned by any one.
Libby, on the other hand, was found guilty by a jury and other Republican judges decided to uphold the conviction. For Bush to commute the sentence, and possibly pardon him in the future, is what makes it wrong. Nothing or no one can clear Clinton's impeachment, and nothing or no one would be able to put him back in office if the Senate had voted to remove him. And keep in mind, there were Republican dissenters who voted NOT to remove Clinton from office.
So to compare Clinton and Libby is ridiculous. Clinton NEVER commuted a setence or pardoned someone after they were convicted without that person serving a minute of jail time.
Thing Fish @ 8:
I did not have sexual relations with that woman. He lied to you and me brother, and if that is the worst problem you got with what I said there is a problem.
Alphie, right on! I was just jumping on here to say that!!!
As for Clinton, he inforced 8 years of the 13 year long sanctions on Iraq. Which as Sinan Antoon state;
"Really, the destruction of the structure of Iraqi society, which basically had gone on for a long time, started by Saddam as he was aided by the US, but the crucial, crucial factor is the thirteen years of the sanctions, which really had, you know, driven Iraq to the edge, so that the war was the final blow."
Make no mistake about it, Clinton is as big a war criminal as Bush and his assbag buddies.
Here's the story the Right doesn't want you to know about the Marc Rich Pardon: cannonfire.blogspot.com
Test comment. Work, damn it!
Kryptik @ 11:
Thank you Kryptik. Materiality is an essential element of the crime of perjury. It is not only why Clinton was not convicted - it is why he was never charged in any court of law. Neither his impeachment nor the proceedings before the Arkansas Bar involved the crime of perjury. His impeachment was based solely on political concerns, and the bar proceedings involved no criminal judgments.
When David Shuster laughed at Burton for calling him a partisan Democrat and mentioned that Burton should have seen his coverage of the Clinton impeachment at his last job... I just remembered what that last job was. He was a reporter for Fox News and he reported the way they wanted him to - he hung Clinton out to dry. That may also be why he left. Maybe he felt like a whore in that place.
Nowadays, I enjoy his reports on MSNBC. He's very thorough and fair - assigning blame and calling out hypocrisy wherever he sees it. He really doesn't take political sides. It just so happens that the repub's have been so embroiled in scandal lately that it may seem like they're getting hit harder. He would be just as tough on a democrat though. That's good.
And yes, he should have Joe Scarboro's old 9 O'clock slot that Dan Abrams is filling temporarily. By following Countdown, he might even be able to hang on to Olbermann's viewers and raise the ratings for the whole evening.
rend @ 18:
and the sooner we can all take a step back and realize that by pretending OUR leaders are perfect, we do not need democratic leadership, we really don't need GOP leadership, we need the CORRECT leadership that actually reflects, the actual views we hold as a country.....is anybody writing this down??
Kirk @ 13:
Um, what, Bill paid with tax payer dollars for his blowjob? To the best of my knowledge, the White house is the resident of the president, I suspect all presidents have had sex there, (usually with their wives though).
Now, frankly, being from a liberal, part communist nation(ok, social democratic), with about 70-80k USD pr capita in government saved up money, we have had one secretary of finance, who was married to another man, one single mother who was secretary of oil and energy department, (a child who noone knew whose father was anyway), I am generally amused with americans being of the opinion norwegians are stuffy, and you scream all over the place over this matter, while waving the flag for people who are mass murderers for money.
Now, one question I wonder about: The CIA front, Brewster Jennings, did those employees have business cards saying "a sub division of the CIA"?
It seems the general talking point is purely if Valerie Plame was covert according to this or that law from this or that year, but the damage done to an organization seems to be swept under the carpet, and not being very headline friendly.
Somehow people are just discussing one person harmed by this, charming as she seems to be, but how bloody shallow can you be?
Burton is my representative and yes there are problems in Indiana.
We also have Mitch (war will cost 50 billion) Daniels as governor.
And "In God We Trust" taxpayer subsidized specialty license plates.
Burton is a dinosaur waiting around for his asteroid to hit.
Just another pompous wind-bag from the mid-west.
Please Debbie run for Senate!!! & kick Mel Martinez out of office.
jharp,
It's sounding a little like the bad old days when nearly all of Indiana's state and local government was run by the Klan.
Burton is just pissed off that he spent so much political capital trying to destroy Clinton, but Burton ended up hurting his own credibility and standing in the GOP.
As chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, Dan Burton issued more than 1,000 subpoenas to 141 different Clintonites. His inquiries included ten days of hearings on whether the White House used its Christmas card list for political purposes. In one case, Burton's investigators managed to subpoena the wrong man. His low point came in 1998, when Burton released misleadingly edited transcripts of secretly recorded phone conversations conducted in prison by former Clinton associate Webb Hubbell. Burton apologized, and his notorious lead investigator, David Bossie, resigned; but, by then, fellow Republicans were furious over the damage Burton had done to his own party. "There were a lot of self-inflicted wounds," one Republican fumed to The Washington Post.
source: http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20061106&s=crowley110606
Kirk: Scooter withheld secrets about our national security.
Indeed, it's best just to let those leaking secrets about national security continue to leak secrets about national security, because even to say their name let alone stop them would only leak more important secrets about national security, like the fact that they are leaking secrets and therefore people know whom to go to to get leaked secrets....oh, if they are stopped from leaking secrets then there would be no more leaks of secrets? Doh!
Okay, I have to take off the wingnut hat now. It's hard trying to do a good job at being a wingnut.
alphie @ 6:
Rubberstamp, anyone?
Norse @ 24:
Well, you are a perfect example of socialism. Look at the long winded bureaucratic comment you left compared to my simple market based retort: Bill Clinton had sex in the White House. End of comment.
The point is that these Repukes are complete hypocrites to use the Clinton argument. They all wanted Clinton impeached and jailed. They don't want Libby jailed. There only argument is Clinton got away with it. BUT!!!!! They wanted Clinton to pay a price. So, do they want the rule of law only applied to liberals?
Otay @ 30:
You pretty much got it. We can't let the terrorists know whether or not our government leaks secrets. That in itself is, as you rightly point out, is a state secret. Glad to see someone else is onboard with patriotism. It seems to have fallen out of favor as of late.
THis is a sea thick with the heady musk of sarcasm, its scent flung about madly by the jilted. the passionate contemperaries of all of us.
kirks a one shot kind of a troll ,id wager he only gets it up for his life partner once a month!sad isnt it?
Heehee. Do I need to comment on the response to my post?
the only people questioning shuster must be concern trolls. how nice are you suipposed to be to people who would murder someone and then blame their victims. that has literally happened on booshwatch and people are still clamoring for civility.
Doh!
The republicans need THERAPY...NOW.
Their fixation/obsession with Clinton is abnormal, indicative of mental disease.
How about we have a literacy test for wingnuts who want to comment on C&L? Or am I expecting too much?
Why are people concerned about Shuster's style? Sure he's a hard ass, but there's a big difference between him and the Fox talking heads: his arguments are based on objective fact.
It's time to quit being nice guys. Republicans don't respect comity, and much of the public is clueless or too busy to stay informed. It's a tug of war for the public opinion. We need to fight back, or the fact free Republicans spout fantasies and pull the center farther to the right.
i truly hope kirk is playing wingnut and not a real one in life....cuz i have seen troll posts before, and his is the most rediculous one
as for burton...there isnt much to say here
he hits all the wingnut talking points...then adds the "lied to the american people"
of course, if every pol were removed from office for lying, we wouldnt have a government left....and that might not be such a bad thing
matt greer @ 17:
You're upset because Clinton lied to you about a BJ? Please, get over yourself. Only thing dying from that lie was a few thousand spermatozoa. Clinton's response was based on the prosecutor's definition of "sexual relations" being penile-vaginal contact.
My problem is you parroting the lie that Clinton committed perjury. For someone so offended about lying I'd think you wouldn't mind being corrected for uttering falsehoods. Your concern is noted.
I agree with (Linda B)..Give David Schuster his own show..He can not do any worse then Matthews (Tweety)....Listening to David ask Rep. Dan Burton questions one could hear the passion in Davids voice which I found refreshing...
"but a few C&L readers were concerned that Shuster’s style was too similar to Fox News hosts."
Um, those were all wing nut concern trolls. Any comparison between the hard hitting, fact based journalism that Schuster is doing and the serial lying, fact free name calling by Fox News is specious.
Dan, the reviled Rep of my 'rents.
Meet the Cosmic Utensil
Squat.
How's the boys with the gold chains?
Am I the only one who thinks that Burton looks a little twitterpated through this whole thing? He looks like he's enjoying the lashing he's getting from the congresswoman....
ISNT IT STRANGE THAT BUSH SUPPORTERS ARE CALLED THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT AND YET THEY THINK ITS OK TO TORTURE PRISONERS, LIE , SLANDER ANYBODY THAT SAYS ANYTHING THEY DONT LIKE, THOSE ARE CHRISTAINS? WELL THATS WHAT PASS'S FOR THE CHURCH TODAY, A MORE WORTHLESS BUNCH OF PEOPLE I HAVE NEVER SEEN.
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has more balls than both of these dweebs put together.
And what a garbage. *What did Clinton lie about?*
In one case, the underlying is treason, which is a crime, in the other case, the underlying issue is felatio, which is not a crime.
Kirk @ 13:
Where is the lol? You can't be serious?
I have made a short video designed to explain the outrage of this Libby commutation to people who are not really paying attention. It is being hosted by both www.current.tv (Al Gore's Network) and also by YouTube.
Feel free to send it to people who you may think need a nice compact explination of why this is such an outrage. Both versions are also embeddable:
Current TV Link
YouTube Link
I @ 50:
Maybe fellatio is a crime in Indiana?
shuster does a good job of framing this stuff.
Clinton lied about a BJ. Bush lied to start a war that has resulted in the deaths of over 3000 Americans and at least 100,000 Iraqis. BTW scotter lied about outing a CIA agent, to punish joe Wilson for exposing the lies of W an Co.
It's always all about Clinton. A hundred years from now, some Republican moron will use the Clinton defense to try to weasel out of the outrage du jour.
Sadly this plays well among the tiny brained folk.
I personally would not expect someone to feel inclined to tell me the truth about getting a BJ. Not that I would have asked in the first place. I never could understand how asking about Monica Lewinski was germane to the Starr investigation anyway. It certainly never arose to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor either. It was a setup.
Libby on the other hand, was actually convicted of perjury, and lied to prevent the uncovering of a real crime that involved a violation of national security, to protect Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and pResident Bush. It is beyond question that the pResident committed a high crime when he commuted Libby's sentence to prevent him from giving evidence that would incriminate the Bush regime triad.
jerry hall @ 48:
Don't forget, that they also endorse more war with other Middle Eastern Nations. You know, war that brings needless killing and slaughter of innocent people.
60 years ago, America lead the prosecution of a rogue Nation who committed, albeit on a grander scale, the very crimes committed in our name. But that's a different story for a different thread.
I like Debby, mostly. She speaks 'common folk' sense. I've been wrangling with attempting to state what she clearly laid out for ALL AMERICAN'S to understand...
CLINTON WAS NEVER CONVICTED... LIBBY WAS!
Besides, it's always easier to distract your audiences attention, as the GOP seems preferential to doing, onto other similar topics so as to not have to claim a position on the item they redirected from. Debby doesn't buy that tactic and lays it out there, "IT'S PEE ON LEG NOT CLOUD IN SKY!" with her, "I'll let you cook your own goose," line.
And when any GOOPER tries to make it about Clinton's Pardons, I'll ask them, "So, I suppose that you're arguing is that because Clinton did it, that makes it right? So why hold up what Clinton does, by your standard, as being right AND wrong? Conflicted idealisms don't make for coherent argumentation," or "So what you're arguing is that the principle of 'Two wrongs' is that now it's right?"
"Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has more balls than both of these dweebs put together."
I disagree.
I don't think people realize exactly how spineless the House Dems are.
They caved in to Bush's request for "emergency" funding for the Iraq War through September of this year back in May and vowed they'd fight the next one.
But in reality, they had already approved a FY 2008 Defense budget that included enough money to fully fund the Iraq War through September of 2008.
Assuming the Senate rubber stamps this bill (H.R. 1585) next week...the 110th Congress is out of the Iraq War funding game altogether now.
Burton was stupid. Case closed.
mls @ 52:
n one case, the underlying is treason, which is a crime, in the other case, the underlying issue is felatio, which is not a crime.
Maybe fellatio is a crime in Indiana?
It is: :-)
Kirk go home. If you are home leave the planet. There is not enough oxygen to clear a brain like yours. I don't like to be personal but you are too stupid for this web site.
Heya, some of you cats need to turn your sarcasm sensors on... Kirk is joking. Read his first post again. C'mon, you guys.
Can we just parade all the right wing wingnuts in front of Schuster and Wasserman-Schultz and let them give each one of them the royal smack-down, they so rightly deserve? NEXT!
Nothing wrong with Schuster's style. Perhaps he could have smiled while he smacked them down. Repubs like smarmy.
regardless that one was impeached for in essence being a dumb ass and thinking with his penis, and the other was tried and CONVICTED by a court for obstructing justice, regardless of these two facts, this congressman shows his complete ignorance by continuing to support a criminal. scooter libby was pardoned for a criminal act, bill clinton was impeached for a bj. any difference there brother senator. what state does this guy represent other than the state of ignorance. it leaves me feeling less and less for the intellectual powers of those whom we elect to serve.
matt greer @ 23:
Hey Matt, why were they investigating a presidents sex life in the first place? Is it a crime to have sex? NO. Is it a crime to have sex while married? NO. Is it a crime for a president to have sex? NO. Is it a crime for a president to have sex while married as a president? NO. What was the crime in the first place? Just one question Matt. BEFORE the investigation, what crime did Clinton commit?
Shall we put your sex life in front of camera's (if you have one)?
Last I looked, sex with a legal adult in a legal matter regardless of who you are is not a crime.
The point? There was no reason for an investigation in the first place. It's not like he covered up the outing of a CIA agent.
So tell me us Matt, before the investigation, what crime did Clinton commit?
Kirk @ 13:
*chuckles* It might be that I'm simply looking at this from a humorous light, but I think that a few folks might want to take a step back and note that this post is actually heavy with the (ironic/sarcastic) funny.
Also, I heartily concur. Far -too- much questioning going in government these days if you ask me. Hard to clear brush/fight tarristos while everyone's bugging you about this and that day in and day out.
Clinton, at the end of his presidency, pardonned people who had already served part or all of their sentence.
Bush, while president, commutes Libby's sentence so he doesnt have to spend any time in jail.
The people Clinton pardonned were not working in his government.
Libby was Cheney's right arm, an important member of the government.
But more importantly:
Libby was obstructing justice on an investigation which could have found either Cheney or Bush guilty of ordering the outing of an undercover agent.
Valerie Plame was outed, Brewster Jennings was outed as a front company and as a result, millions of dollars invested wasted, an untold number of undercover operatives saw their lives in danger, we do not know how many were captured or died. We do not know how much of a setback that was in the hunt for WMDs.
This was an act of treason which lessened the security of the nation.
And in the mind of republicans, what Clinton did compares to what Bush did. It doesn't remotely. They are complete wrong.
Republicans, soft on treason.
man, how long are these idiots going to keep blaming clinton?
This Guy @ 66:
I decided to get shit faced today and am on on miller genuine draft #9 so I am kind of in a black and white mood. There is nothing humorous about the bull shit the republicans put Clinton though. Especially when it cost the tax payers 80 million dollars.
Libby is a designated fall guy with a get out for free card. Which is just disgusting.
We are questioning this government because there are enough examples to give us reason too. Bugging you day in and day out? Most Presidents do a good enough job to prevent this.
Heartily concur, kiss my ass!
Re Shuster being too much like FOX news hosts. Shuster has facts and delivers ably. He stays on topic and responds effectively. FOX news has emotion and gimmicks. They pull you mic if you piss of one of their stooges. Big difference!!!
Geez, Shuster....a freakin' awesome. Kinda like Cliff Schecter, a freakin' awesome.
Thing Fish @ 43:
We are all in this together sir. I would take a nut in the mouth so you would not have to. I am not under myself, I question every day the things I think, and I try desperatly to sift some truth out of the barrage of crap thrown my way. I know I am not always right, and I prescribe to "if you learn something new everday you are very lucky". A few years ago I was not heavy into politics, now I am, and I am trying to make up for lost time. It is merely my opinion that the President should not lie to his people. If you had a candidate stand up and say, "hey, in addition to all my policies, I just wanted you to know that I might lie to you if I feel like it is worth it". seriously. I do know what he did to the Sudanese people, and that is where my anger comes from, "if that is the biggest thing you have a problem with what I said" was an attempt to get you to read between the lines ( i am not writing this in a condescending manner, and I hope it does not come across that way). Sure, comparitivly lying about the bj is nowhere in the neighborhood of what has been happening in the last few years, but it is still a lie. The message, I think I was trying to make, was that by denying our own fallacies we empower our "enemies." The way I feel, dems and repubs fling "but you did it" and, I dont think when they were doing it it was a big deal" and the real issues never get adressed. take it easy man, and I appreciate you letting me in on the official story, though I think the underlying issue is more important, PEACE
Greg @ 65:
please see comment 62
Nothing you just said has anything to do with my stated view in that particular comment, I just think the 2 party sytem is enabling corruption and obfuscating the real views of the american people. I am sure my sex life is well below average of 25 year old men, but I work a lot. In rural MS. I promise the dirty looks I get from the people I live around is worse than the thing some of you are saying, but that is because they understand what I am trying to say ( not an insult!!! I just mean I would rather be scolded for a mistake than one of my actaul beliefs) Peace
Kirk @ 32:
Your comment wasn't as simple as you aver. Please note, you added this, "Bill Clinton wasted taxpayer dollars on sexual escapades..." (How, exactly, I'd like to know.) And that in the Libby case, he was just doing the job we pay him for. Where do I sign up for a high salaried job, obstructing justice (and with impunity-- sounds like fun)?
What have you got against socialism?? It's not evil. You've had too many years being brainwashed about evil Commies. Typical!! In Canada, the average citizen has a much higher standrad of living than the average American. We've evened out the differences between super-rich and super-poor. Don't worry, there are still tons of super rich folks walking on our streets. We just have less crime, better health care, and more programmes for those less fortunate. It really ain't so bad. It's actually very nice. I rarely even lock the door.
Kirk @ 34:
Define terrorists. I consider Americans terrorists.
matt greer @ 72:
Jack looks around, incredibly frustrated.
JACK: You are a moron.
Tell me I'm wrong, but I have a feeling there's a difference between perjury involving a treasonous offence, especially one in which the lives of CIA agents were compomised, as opposed to perjury involving a consensual sexual act. Gimme a break. Those old farts were just jealous that it wasn't them with Monica on the floor in front of them.
Thing Fish @ 76:
Thing Fish @ 76:
please elaborate
It looks as though Dan Burton isn't the only one with an obsessive hardon over Bill Clinton
get a grip. you'll get a piece one day, as soon as you get off of The Clenis.
I was impressed with how Shuster handled Barton's "you're a Democrat and a liberal" attack on Shuster. I'm pretty fed up with that tactic, myself. Not that there's anything wrong with being either a Democrat or a liberal or a Republican or a conservative.
Wasserman-Shultz was right to bring the conversation back to the reality that Libby was convicted; Clinton was not -- and, right or wrong, there's no do-over on that. It is what it is, and it's a false parallel to bring Clinton into the discussion of Libby's term on a conviction. It's such a fundamental fact it's offensive anyone would have to point it out, let alone have to fend off a speculative attack on one's personal ideologies for having the "audacity" to debate on facts.
Snowball @ 45:
Well both BillO and Shuster are both good at silencing their guests. Though Shuster drags it out by using rhetoric and logic. BillO is more efficient with his mike cut-off approach.
I guess I will take a second while I am waiting to know why I am such a moron, and try to make my point one more time.
First off, I do not now, nor have I EVER thought that Bill Clinton's BJ was in any way comparable to the crap with Libby. I am jus cognizant enough to realize that that is the way the argument is being spun. This is what the GOP has turned it into. Now is it disputable to say that if Mr clinton had never lied, the GOP would not be able to make this argument? I do not think it is. Is it a fact he never technically comitted perjuy, I guess so, I have not had time to check that, but I take your word for it. Should I have checked that before I wote it, sure, but I think you would understand if you went through your formative years while this thing was going on, in a republican household (i think it is a miracle I am not sporting a W sticker after the things my dad said about the dems) with right wing parents, and never going back and actually looking up that specific part of the case. I apologise for the mistake, and I understand your frustration must come from thinking that I am some GOP dude trying to assert propaganda. I am not. I think if you did a poll on the # of americans who think he DID comitt perjury ( much like the exasperating polls that show 40 % still believe IRaq was invovled in 911) you would get a high figure. Which is noexcuse for my lack of knowledge, but I do no like being called a moron, and I think you probably have things to say which would be much more informative to me. Once again I realize you may be used to talking to sarcastic Gop a holes, thats not me. Peace
I thought the Party of Values were supposed to restore American values, yet time and time again they play the "Clinton impeachment" meme. If they were truly trying to establish the fair rule of law then why do they excuse the current administration doing the very things they publicly attack Bill Clinton for? If it was wrong for Clinton to do it, then it should be patently wrong when the current administration engages in the similar conduct. Instead of holding the Administration accountable for its actions, and theoretically raising the bar higher, they knock the bar down. By holding out Clinton as an example of corruption and illegal behavior, they use his actions to excuse their own President instead of holding to a higher standard.
This makes no sense and it's no wonder that the Republican party has lost it's credibility with the American voters. If the Republicans truly valued law and order, and equal justice they would be outraged that a convicted felon is being given a Get Out of Jail Free card. If you want to set the mark higher, then aim for the mark and stop making lame excuses.
Thing Fish @ 81:
Way to put it! I have been been trying to sum it up myself. I notice nowadays that if you listen hard, these pundits sound increasingly like they are trying to make my point for me with all the crap they spew. Full circle
If I had a nickel for every time a Republican said Clinton.
Mike @ 60:
Maybe fellatio is a crime in Indiana?
It is: :-)
Well that explains Dan Burton and his obsession about Clinton.
If I was on the show I would ask Dan Burton if he ever had a BJ. if he didn't tell me or tell me that he didn't, either way, it was a very personal question, then mind you the question was ask Clinton in front of many official, a question that has nothing to do with the national interest. If having marital affairs a crime then many people would be in jail.
We are a nation so obsess with someone else's sex life, its an utter joke, to spend tax dollar on the inquiry. Did Monica file charges against Clinton for Rape? Was she force to give Clinton a BJ?
If you ask me, the real crime was airing someone indiscretion to the public. Are the Clinton entitle to deal with their own personal lives as they feel fit? If Hillary wants to disclose to the public of what Bill did to her, then that is her call to do so. Must of been real hard for her during those times, having the congress airing out her situation.
I loved the way David Shuster beat up on old ignorant Dan and his big smirk who happens unfortunately to be my rep. I've always said their's something in the water here....first we had Dan Quale, then Dan Coats and Dan Burton all real a**holes. And David Shuster seems to be one who always has the facts to shoot down some imposter like Burton.
To MSNBC Dan Abrams
Thanks for David Schuster. He and Olbermann are like the arrival of the cavalry after having held off a band of blood thirsty murdering cannibals for the past 10 years without a sign of hope and while using nothing but slingshots and being infiltrated by no-good cowards and traitors in the ranks (Mathews-Russert). Schuster is brilliant, takes no Neo-Con BS and has the issues and the information totally mastered and down cold with the truth. It's about time. So,only one question now. What took you guys so bloody long to get the SOS?
Burton has that vacuous, condescending smile that I often see conservatives get when they are arguing a point. It is the look of someone who either is so sure they are right or doesn't care whether they are or not. They are just being kind to even talk to you, like you are a child.
Shuster is very polite but doesnt tolerate nonsense. people should keenly observe him before worrying he is fox style. i am gonna drop a line viewerservices@msnbc.com to let shuster continue hardball and drop a hardball on tweetys ass.
Schuster should remain in his current position as reporter.
But, still lose TUCKER and Mathews.
I watched this yesterday after being directed to the MSNBC video page from the comments section here at C&L.
I know I'm probably not the first one to post this, but since yesterday's criticism of Shuster's confrontational style made the C&L front page, I should comment here that in this segment, he was much more professional and only confronted Burton about his most egregious logical fallacies.
This is exactly the kind of Hardball I'd like to see: a no-fallacy zone!
Also, I'm surprised that Wasserman-Schultz, who did a very good job ripping apart Burton's BS talking points, didn't drive the stake into its heart by pointing out that Clinton's false statements were ruled not to be material to the charges being considered in that case, and therefore not "perjury," because it was about a blowjob. Whereas Scooter's false statements were about an act of treason.
Plisko @ 51:
Plisko, that was farking awesome!
Let's get the truth out about Dan Burton, flaming liar and hypocrite:
www.tylwythteg.com/enemies/burton.html
After watching the vid, I've concluded that Dan Burton is a product of the demoralizing Private School system.
Has Congressman Burton thought about the "Devil made me do it" response.
Since Rep. Burton decries Clinton this and Clinton that,( which is Burton's penis envy of Clinton).
Then no one should ever more go to jail for anything because of Clinton. Maybe Burton means just Republicans shouldn't do time for the crime(s)? What American can strongly believe in American justice?
And since the Republicans are so Religious. What of their God and his morality?
The unforgiving republicans, demand and expect forgiveness and mercy for Republicans only. Its some sort of privileged club of get out of jail free cards when they have power.
One more time Dan Burton. Can I lie to a grand jury using the Scooter (inmate #28301-016) excuse like it is the Fifth and three quarters amendment?
Shuster Rocks. Look out Pucker Carlson, you have been served by someone who knows his stuff.
And by stuff, I don't mean dancing with a star, or spewing hate for the sake of spewing.
Jack Jett
www.jackejett.com
Do the Repugs know that nowadays, after demonizing Slick Willy, every time they pull a "Clinton did it" they sound totally pathetic.
If Clinton was so evil, why is he used to defend and excuse so many scandalous acts?
And, when I was a boy of 6, if I tried to used the "Clinton did it" defense, the reaction I'd get from my mother was "Well I'm not Clinton's mommy!" It doesn't matter what someone else did, it's still wrong.
David Schuster is a bit 'loud' - but I'm a bit 'old'. David Schuster is a journalist and journalists ARE supposed to challenge. Schuster's style is nowhere near similar in style to Fox News. The partisan hacks working for the AP, the NYT, AOL/Time-Warner, etc., are not journalists; they're biased self-professed 'pundits' who have forgotten what their job really entails.
David's in-your-face style is about calling people on the facts. When they don't like it, they accuse him of partisanship because that's the game THEY play - always. Schuster should NOT back down and there's absolutely nothing wrong with our being assertive and demanding the truth or facts be disseminated to counter the flood of bullshit from the likes of Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, Rush Limbaugh, Beck, and other lame-brained proselytizers for the ReThugs.
Go to it Shuster, you and Debby grind that smugged piece of mascara
called Dan Burton into the rug his lies and face so resemble.
I watched this exchange and Shuster and Wasserman-Schultz were masterful. Burton looked and sounded like an idiot. I never realized that Congress had so many stupid people like Burton, who keep getting re-elected year after year!
Shuster needs his own show!
I watched this and thought Rep. Wasserman-Schultz was abrasive. That's not to say she wasn't right on her points -- of course Burton's a dirtbag -- but her constant interruptions made her seem shrill. I hope somebody makes her aware of this point. This rudeness does nothing to win over viewers who might be undecided about what to think of the situation.
Otay @ 9:
Indiana is full of idiots like Burton. They also elect reps that want to start every legislative session with an acknowledgement that Christ is their personal savior, and campaign on the issue to the nodding approval of a bunch of slack jawed dimwits.
It is as red a state as Georgia and Alabama.
Burton is an obviously dishonest cretin. But, I'm still not in a mood to forgive Clinton for those particular acts he committed which gave ammunition to jerkweeds like Burton. The propaganda value the GOPers and neocon will extract from Clinton's disgraces have far outlasted the Clinton administration, and they continue to overshadow his numerous accomplishments.
The Republican Party seems at this point to be composed exclusively of criminals and their apologists. They will use any hook they can grab onto to justify themselves and their criminality and totalitarian leanings. which makes it all the more important that the Democrats exhibit spotless behavior and credentials.
I think that there is an aspect in the Libby commutation that nobody at all seems to be talking about. CONFLICT OF INTEREST! Libby committed perjury and obstruction of justice to protect corrupt officials in the Bush administration and then rewarded by that same administration.
First!
I think all of you miss the point. Bill Clinton had a sexual encounter in the White House.
[...] lawyer for one pardon receiver…well…see for yourself. Video is here and another good video is here on the but but but Clinton [...]
It's funny how conservatives spend so much energy talking about how morally superior they are to the Clintons, and then in the next breath, argue that since Clinton did something, they can do it too. Whenever I point this out to a conservative in a discussion, their head explodes. Works every time.
Wordsmith @ 99:
Absolutely. Why does nobody get this? Because journalism has disappeared and been replaced with "opinionism."
It's certainly okay to spout whatever incendiary crap you want, so long as you don't put someone on the spot and demand real answers.
In the U.S., the media plays softball. The reason why the rest of the world is upset with U.S. policy is that their leaders actually have to answer questions to journalists.
Oddly enough, when politicians have to answer questions, not only are they likely to be more honest and transparent, but the public is more informed.
We're so brainwashed that asking hard questions and demanding answers (worse yet, reporting news) is "liberal bias" or "left-wing slant," politicians (and pundits) are shocked when a journalist actually does their job!
I'd already written MSNBC about Schuster's single-handed resuscitation of journalistic integrity, unprompted. I hope others are doing the same.
It is astounding how weak and stupid Burton is. What a bankrupt argument, well, it is not even an argument, that somehow the Libby pardon was on the up and up because Bill Clinton was let off the hook for his perjury. Lame. It is such a lame "argument". I have heard there is a lead problem in D.C. I think these Libby and Bush defenders should cut down on their water consumption. It is obvious that they are just using this fiasco as an opportunity to drag Former President Clinton through the mud and by extension get some mud on his wife, Hillary Clinton, our next President. A despicable bunch this part of the Republican Party is! They deserve to be spat on. However, kudos to them for turning a weakness into a propaganda opportunity (from their perspective). Got to give credit where credit is due. Rove probably conceived the strategy and the rest of them fell into lock step at his command as the Blackshirts do so well. They are so slimey it is hard to get ahold of the reptilian brained bunch. Similar to a salamander but with a bite and looks more like a Komoto Dragon. Impeach Cheney, Impeach Cheney, Impeach Cheney, Impeach Cheney, Impeach Cheney, Impeach Cheney. Cheney Evil, Cheney Liar, Cheney Evil, Impeach Cheney, ad infinitum... or until it actually happens, pray to God and write your Representatives. There may not be the votes to impeach and/or convict but this should not deter the attempt because it is Congress' Constitutional DUTY to attempt impeachment with an administration this corrupt.
THIS GUY BURTON REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH GOVERNMENT TODAY. HE IS JUST A PARTISIAN HACK. LIKELY NOT MUCH INTELLIGENCE, JUST GOOD AT PLAYING POLITICS. IT IS A DISGRACE THAT GUYS LIKE HIM ARE ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMMITEE. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF POLITCIANS. THOSE THAT TRY TO SOLVE THE COUNTRIES PROBLEMS AND THOSE THAT ARE JUST THERE TO PLAY POLITICS. THIS GUY IS JUST THERE TO PLAY POLITICS. INDIANA PLEASE VOTE THIS GUY OUT OF THERE.
Funny thing is he was happy to let her talk. He didn't have anything substantial to say, so why bother?
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