<I>Habeas</i> Restoration Act Fails Cloture
By Nicole Belle Tuesday Sep 18, 2007 7:39pmLet's be clear and unvarnished...44 of our Senators hate the Constitution and basic civil rights. They do not believe in the fundamental right of due process. RestoreHabeas.org has the breakdown.
Absolutely unacceptable. With all the horrors that we hear about Hamdan, about suicides, about innocent people rounded up for bounties and left to rot in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, it is absolutely immoral that 44 senators feel that entrusting basic civil rights of any person to the Bush administration is the way to go.
Senator Dodd has not given up the fight:
"America's moral standing, and with it the security of the United States, suffered another setback today, atop a pile of setbacks that has accumulated over the past six years. The outcome of this vote is both symbolic and tragic. Each of us in the Senate faced a decision either to cast a vote in favor of helping to restore America's reputation in the world, or to help dig deeper the hole of utter disrespect for the rule of law that the Bush Administration has created. Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues chose the latter, and my disappointment runs deep. But I will not rest my case with this vote. Instead, this defeat will only deepen my resolve to restore the rule of law and with it American security, for far too much is at stake - for every American - to simply give up the fight."
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Am I in an f'ing nightmare? E
first
I am past outrage. I have been for about 2 months. The spineless dems, the inhuman rethugs. The media doesn't cover any of it, and most of my friends have no idea any of this is going on.
Whatever. :(
ok 2nd..damn slow refresh rates.
Anyways..lets recap the past 2 days shall we?
Monday a kid gets tackled by 6 cops, pinned down and tazered, for asking questions at a public forum.
Today, 44 Senators decide that our Constitution is meaningless, and move us one step closer to a full police state.
Woohoo, and its only Wednesday!
Maybe by Friday we'll get to check out those nifty supermax prisons Halliburton has been building in the upper Northwest!!!
Dave in PA @ 3:
at least no democrats were in the no column this time.
Fuck the filibuster. Let them stand there and read "War and Peace" for all I care. Put them under the spotlight on the news every night defending their position.
Or do I just not understand how a filibuster works?
Consumer @ 4:
I'm up here in the Okanogan Highlands, right in the area of those "detention centers." They'd better get us all rounded up soon. It's starting to get cold and we'll all need a chance to get set up and settled in before the real winter hits. Gets pretty cold up here, you folks from the south are going to want to bring an extra blanket or two. See ya' there.
We didn't gut the constitution and bring out the military to fight the mob. All terrorists are is a mob.
ALL the senators that do not support habeas corpus should be arrested as enemy combattants. let them think in a cell without the right of this constitutional right.
If the Dems can't exploit this obvious breach of trust, well I don't know what.
The Dems should run video of Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul
admonishing his fellow Rep. who have supported this unconstitutional legislation
with the byline "Remember the good old days of real conservatism?"
...
Does anyone remember what the breakdown vote was to rescind Habeas? So much crap flies every single day, I can't keep track. So the Dems can't get it back, which one of them voted to give it up in the first place? I'm with Dave in PA, add to that most of my family as well. Torches and Pitchforks to the gates. I see no other way at this point.
The GOP platform for the next election must now include a statement invalidating the Bill of Rights. Because that's exactly what this breakdown says.
My ACLU membership has lapsed. They'll get my check by the weekend.
Are these Republicans so short-sighted that they don't see how this will play out in the long term, will hurt America and diminish the high moral standing we have enjoyed in the eyes of the world for at least the past 100 years? Instead, like lemmings, they give in to the "sage" request of George W. Bush, Jr. who, by all accounts, has the smarts of a high school drop-out.
I guess they must let their children (assuming they have kids - did they also need Bush to tell them how to procreate?) decide what TV shows to watch, when to go to bed and how much candy they can eat every day. Geez.
A "free" America , at least the one we all grew up in , and loved , , , is DEAD , in MY experience . Period .
It will take 50 years to reverse ( IF possible ) the infection known as " Bushit Imperialism " . I will be DEAD by then , so , "America" no longer exists , , ,
And until "AmeriKans" and our Media Whores care MORE for RESTORING true democracy than they do for O -"F"ing -J ,
F*CK IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usama (why they changed the spelling, Usa......) himself said that since America is a democracy, and people can vote for their true representatives, that the American population is guilty if their government wages war, sanctions that kill Muslims, etc.
This vote is proof of that. Unfortunately.
Wtf is with Leiberman ???? You'd think this one he could vote yes on...Also he voted no on the Webb amendment...
Since nothing is getting done anyway, why don't the Dems throw this whiney ass Zell out of every committee he's on. He's friggin toxic.
I think if we're going to be even more clear and unvarnished, we'd have to say: 44 of our senators hate America!
Blackwater and Bushes army
We're finally on our own
What key event will be the turning point for us here in the US? More and more people seem to be becoming outraged, so WHEN will the tipping point be? Will it be something like Blackwater offing a bunch of peaceful protesters? Return of the draft? Total collapse of the US stock market? Worldwide environmental disasters? Halliburton-owned concentration camps?
Bush calls for expansion of spy law
AP
FORT MEADE, Md. - President Bush said Wednesday he wants Congress to expand and make permanent a law that temporarily gives the government more power to eavesdrop without warrants on suspected foreign terrorists.
Uh duh sure Mr. Preznit~! How much duh money ya want! Will it be enough?
Indigowatcher @ 19:
All of the above at the rate things are disintegrating.
They didn't vote on restoring habeas...they voted on whether to end the republican filibuster of the bill to restore habeas. Where are the Dems, screaming that the republicans wouldn't allow "an up or down vote"? For the last several years, we heard that seven times a week or more.
As long as we let them frame the question, we lose and we deserve to.
Money, get back.
I'm all right jack keep your hands off of my stack.
http://bagnewsnotes.typepad.com/bagnews/images/Bush-Motorcade-Policeman.jpg
Fascist regime takes another bite out of the US Constitution
Theres that little scumbag Lieberman again:right in there with his rightwing friends.Just.shameless.
L.A. Confidential @ 23:
He ain't pointing that machine gun at Iraqi Isurgents folks.
OK YOU STUPID AMERICANS !!!!
The Dems are not enough in the majority. What are you going to about the next time you vote?
Senators Who Voted No & Are Up for Reelection in 2008
Alexander, Lamar (R-TN)
Allard, Wayne (R-CO)
Cochran, Thad (R-MS)
Coleman, Norm (R-MN)
Collins, Susan M. (R-ME)
Cornyn, John (R-TX)
Dole, Elizabeth (R-NC)
Domenici, Pete V. (R-NM)
Enzi, Michael B. (R-WY)
Graham, Lindsey (R-SC)
Inhofe, James M. (R-OK)
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)
Roberts, Pat (R-KS)
Sessions, Jeff (R-AL)
Stevens, Ted (R-AK)
THE TRUTH...
was outlined on Hardball tonight.
At the end of the program (I'm sorry that I can't name who it was that put this idea forward, but I think it's dead-on) one of Chris's debate panel suggested that the Republican Reps and Senators are going to stick with the president like bugs on shit until they get past their national Convention.
Once their ultra-conservative "base" is SATISFIED with their nominee for president... THEN the politicians in the party will start running for doors... and start voting with the Democrats... SO THEY CAN PROTECT THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.
Me and my horse... we BOTH think this passes the SMELL TEST... and it stinks to high heaven. They will let as many troops AS NECESSARY die in Iraq just so they can get past their convention unscathed in the eyes of the religious right... and get another chance for re-election by FLIP-FLOPPING as much as they have to to win tight races at home.
The so called US republic has been decomposing for several years, maybe decades. Today, I do not even hear lip service paid to the ideals the US was founded upon.
Those unexceptional filth-bucket-billionaires and their political arm (the three branches of the US federal government), most state and municipal governments (those taken over by religious lunatics and their imaginary friends), the yellow fourth estate, and all the wussy pant-wetters who voted (twice) to send psychopathic mercenaries to lash out at the entire Middle-East region deserve the worst that could happen to them. After all, they do seem so eager for their comeuppance. I'll be sure to tune in for it if they attack Iran.
Last Halloween, I went as the ghost of habeus corpus. Just today my daughter asked me what I was going to dress up as this year...
Karen @ 28:
Susan Collins is going DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Damned her flea ridden crotch!!!!
exitstan @ 30:
It's finished. Whens the last time you heard any candidate talk about a domestic growth plan?
Karen @ 28:
Ok people: you know who to vote out of office next year. Let's not forget.
Well I guess now that we've all screwed ourselves we have an obligation to keep screwing ourselves.
Not only do 44 Senators hate our constitution and our freedoms, add a couple more Senators who also hate our troops (by not giving them time off to rest from their battles) and then condemn those who demand our troops be brought home, or worse, mock the service of their colleagues who did serve, while they hid behind five deferments, went AWOL and was never charged, or hid behind their wives' skirts and got her pregnant on purpose to make damned sure they didn't have to suit up.
There is nothing they can say that justifies their vote. And if any of them are up for re-election in 2008, their opponents better hang these votes around their necks like a damned anvil and drown them in their own vile of shyt.
F***ing obstructionist Repugs!
Rather Sues CBS For 70 Million: Network Made Me "A Scapegoat...To Pacify The White House"
I want a list of those that voted against restoring the constitution!
I think they're voting no just because the Dems are voting yes. None of these idiots are actually thinking about what they're voting for. They're like 3rd graders.
Let's all say it together folks - the GOP FILIBUSTERED this bill. Can we all use that word??
Let's try it again:
FIL-I-BUSTER.
That wasn't so hard now was it?
SO WHY THE F*CK CAN'T THE EDITORS OF THESE STORIES USE THAT WORD?? They didn't seem to have any trouble using it ad-FUCKING-nauseum when the Democrats used it to block judges, did they?
Let's all say it together, class:
FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER.
FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER.
FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER. FILIBUSTER.
JESUS F*CKING CHRIST. IS IT SO F*CKING HARD TO CALL A F*CKING SPADE A F*CKING SPADE????
Chicken Little - NOT!! @ 7:
be ok if i dont attend , thats what my rifel and 45 was bought for!
Let's see: Vitter, Craig and Stevens are already damaged goods from scandals. And Warner is retiring. That's the 4 votes short...
But, we'll probably get 4 more traitors to the Constitution to replace them...
Nicole:
"Let’s be clear and unvarnished…44 of our Senators hate the Constitution and basic civil rights."
Since when did any politician except Paul even MENTION the Constitution EVER??? Let me be clear. Both the GOP AND democrats have plenty of anti-Constitution members.
If the Constitution is what worries you, why don't you ever have supportive words for the only candidate who even speaks of the Constitution? Of course it is tough to do since he happens to be NAMED a republican, but everyone knows he isn't.
Don't you think that by ignoring him you are contributing to the general problem? Each one of us can make a difference, but if we expect others to make a difference because of selfish or political affiliation reasons, then nothing will get better.
I think if C&L wants politicians to support the Constitution, then it should report stories on those who support it, no? I mean, wouldn't that be the most effective way of getting the message out there?
dear sitemonitos,
senator john conryn(?) of texas set up a bill disagreeing with the moveon general patreaus ad. his bill would talk about how moveon was wrong when they chose to put the ad up. dick durbin counter that by saying that if the senate is to vote on the bill, will the senator from texas allow on an amendment that apologize to john kerry in 2004 when he was attack by the swift vote for truth, a texas base group.
than senator barbara boxer said she also wants to include max cleveland and a general that was against the invasion who was call treasoneous to be include in the bill too. senator cornyn anwser by saying that general patreaus was not running for public office and kerry and cleveland was, so it was okay to smear kerry and cleveland.
so, yes, if they want to go into the past and bring this issue up, they should bring up their own bill. but no, he will not add amendment into the bill that critize moveon ad about the general patreaus.
it was just on cspan, and i thought that people of crooks and liars might enjoy it.
Divorced one like Bush @ 8:
So true.
I am so angry and pissed at this government that my heart is racing & my blood pressure is jacked up. So, I would like to just state the inverse of what I feel right now so I don't kill my own soul and destroy myself with rage. So, here it is. Love and light to all of my fellow libs, progressives, dems, and anyone reading this thread. And.......................the rest of the world too.
Johnny Lydon stated in a Public Image song that anger is an energy. So, I need to figure out how to channel that energy into something constructive. I really am quite pissed at our country. Disappointed falls short of the mark in explanation. I need to get calm before I start calling anyone in government to voice my opinion, so great is my outrage. All that I've read and heard over the last couple of days has wound me up tighter than an eight-day clock. I've been here with you guys reading along, but the recent events have pissed me off so much that haven't been able to come up with anything nearing civility to enter into the comments until now. I thank the creator for my schnauzer, she's the closest thing to God on earth. Her ability to calm me has allowed me to make this post without advocating the same hate in return as we hear from the opposition. I have been and will be here reading and hanging out with y'all but it hurts to write and is difficult to do through tears. The America of my youth is dead.
Whats with these freaking people they feel things crawling all over their skin while debating bills and see worms crawling out of their big mac at them in the congressional cafeteria or something?
Ludicrous
Consumer @ 4:
Don't forget about the Bin Laden trades, due to expire this Friday...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/30/94850/6571
Consumer @ 4:
All these important Bills are being preempted with O.J. rubbery coverage.
Im in the northwest, where is this super prison?
DAvid @ 41:
Here is how the Democrats should be framing the debate:
The Republicans will not let us vote! The American people voted in a new Congress in 2006, so the Republicans way to keep screwing the American people is to not let that new Congress vote. That's right. They won't let us vote. The Democrats had a majority to restore habeas corpus, but the Republicans wouldn't let Congress vote on the issue. Democrats had a majority to (insert issue here), but the Republicans stopped the vote. That's right. It's procedure called a filibuster, but all you need to know is this: Whenever the Democrats wanted to represent the people, the Republicans wouldn't let Congress vote. You voted in people to represent you in Congress. Their job is to vote the way you told them to. And they would have, but the Republicans wouldn't let us vote in the first place. See that man/woman, I'm running against? He wants to make sure your voice doesn't get heard. Because if he has his way, there won't be any votes.
I hate Voinovich (I call him Son-of-a-vich). I'm going to do all I can to unseat that unresponsive bastard.
L.A. Confidential @ 26:
That ain't a machine gun. For one thing, the barrel is very wide, and second there's a circular magazine between his two hands. It looks like a grenade launcher... but assuming that he isn't using explosive/incendiary grenades, it's probably a tear-gas grenade launcher.
Why are the Republicans opposed to letting the detainees have their day in court?
PurplePatriot @ 6:
No, that's it alright! The Dems just have to summon up the balls to stand up to it. They have to be willing to put the Repugs in that spotlight and frame the coverage before the GOP does.
bro @ 44:
Chris Dodd talks about the Constitution regularly. Russ Feingold talks about the Constitution regularly. Dennis Kucinich talks about the Constitution regularly. Howard Dean talks about the Constitution regularly. And even Arlen Specter talks about the Constitution regularly.
Others do to. Paul is not the only one. Moreover, Paul does get coverage on C&L when he defends the Constitution. He's praised for it. And there are also people here who point out the myriad disagreements they have with Paul.
I point this out as a regular advocate for libertarians and progressives to work together, not a knee-jerk anti-Paul poster. Though I do have plenty of problems with Paul's interpretation of the Constitution, and think he is wrong more than I think he is correct.
Time to strip them of legislative immunity. They've abused it.
The public faces the threat of detention and searches without warrants. No reason to recognize Members of Congress' "right" to be above the law.
Throw them in jail. Then deny them Habeas. Then they might change their mind. Gear up for some grand jury indictments, and detentions without chance to appear before any court.
Or would that be mean? Do it anyway.
Hey, all the Republicans did was block the "special rights for terrorists" bill. That's good for America, right?
It's about the framing.
The Democrats and Republicans are useless on this one. I think the Libertarians need to step up (and no, I'm no Libertarian...taxation is not theft and traffic laws ought not be voluntary guidelines.)
BUT, they're slant on this issue is spot on AND they have credibility with Republican-leaning voters, so...
Here's the ad to run in the red states: "Do you think that president Hillary Clinton should have the right to arrest anyone she wants without any oversight or review? Because that's the power your Senator just voted to give her."
Chicken Little - NOT!! @ 7:
Don't worry, if Blackwater has to leave Iraq I'm sure that Bush and Cheney will make them available for home duty like they did in NOLA!
FastMovingCloud @ 55:
Yep... as governor, he was the first of a bandit of Republicans to turn Ohio from one of the top ten states in education and economy to the "Mississippi of the North" it is today.
The good thing about being in the majority is being able to control the agenda and force the vote. 6 senators away from a GOP filibuster proof majority and this vote brought us one step closer to that goal. Get these sorry Republican SOBs on record for being against the American people and come 2008 the Republics can look forward to another thumpin at the polls.
JasonS @ 61:
Join us, Jason? :)
Kay @ 11:
Here 'tis: The Breakdown
AConfederacyofDunces @ 10:
Don't hold your breath waiting for the Dems to stategically exploit anything perpetrated by The Republican Crime Syndicate. It takes strength and conviction. Thats something this current crop of Democratic leaders lack.
Blue Buddha @ 56:
They could also be concussive grenades... while those don't do much explosive damage, they cause temporary blindness and deafness that's nasty. :(
Congress never had any constitutional authority to suspend the writ of habeas corpus to begin with. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution permits such action only in the event of foreign invasion or armed insurrection. Every single one of these sons of bitches who voted for the Military Commissions Act or who has just voted not to restore the writ has broken the oath of allegiance to serve, protect and defend the constitution. Any such a person is no patriot and is unfit to serve in any office of public trust.
Yeah.. The Greedy Old Perverts can Filibuster... but we (Dems) can't even get a simple, and obvious human right that has been THE precedent of human rights for 80% of the last 1000 years...
Its fucking PATHETIC.
Copied with apologies from blumeme.com
The Senate just rejected the restoration of habeas corpus. 43 Senators voted against the Constitution. 43 rejected a doctrine that predates our late, lamented republic by at least a century.
To be fair, no Democrat voted the wrong way. (Joe Lieberman voted the wrong way, but he isn't even a DINO anymore.) But they have gone along with a complete re-writing of the rules of the road. If the majority needs 60 votes to get its way in the Senate, then how on earth did the Republicans get their way these last few years? They never had 60 seats. No, the Dems are now culpable, too. They allowed FISA to be gutted. They allow Iraq to fester. They surrendered the big game without firing a shot.
Here's my metaphor for the day:
The Constitution stood, bound and blindfolded, before Bush's firing squad. The call to the Democratic cavalry went out. And, lo, the cavalry rode in, at the very last minute... and shot the prisoner themselves.
I used to take the Constitution for granted, and I argued that the Bill of Rights was what really mattered, and what was most endangered. I was wrong, and it is all gone now.
I have always had some sympathy for for the libertarian viewpoint, but felt it was a viewpoint without a meaningful constituency. Now our very founding principles fall into that same category -- hardly anybody who matters gives a damn about the real intent of the framers anymore.
Don't like my metaphor? Try this one from a commenter @ Greenwald's place:
Democracy in the USA right now is in a similar condition to Norman Bates’s mother - a corpse dressed up and sat in a rocking chair in the basement, while a madman runs the family business upstairs.
No sunshine from me.
posted by bluememe at 9/19/2007
rduke @ 70:
With all of those Babylonian artifacts that disappeared after the fall of Iraq, and probably wound up as decor in Bush's top contributors' offices, maybe they want to restore Hammurabi's Code. "Eye for an eye" anyone?
Consumer @ 2:
WHAT IN THE HECK IS THIS DUMB THING ABOUT? IT'S ALWAYS THERE IN YOUR FACE. EITHER SAY SOMETHING OR GO AWAY PLEASE.
motorfingaz @ 67:
Convict a rich old white man without granting him Habeas Corpus rights and they'll turn around really fucking quick, I guarantee it.
Email them, call them, let them know they won't be reelected.
Old bastards one and all.
Cat Atomic @ 75:
I keep suggesting that whenever a wingnut makes a physical threat in public against a person or specific group (which must happen at least once a week), that we should take steps to register their name on the No Fly List. According to the Patriot Act, such threats will land you on that list, and once one of them finds out that they got there, believe me, they'll be screaming to repeal the Patriot Act.
Back in the days before Democrats regained control of the Senate, "up or down vote" was a favorite GOP talking point. Now twice in a single day, Senate Republicans resorted to the filibuster to the thwart the will of the American people.
For more, see:
"GOP: No Up or Down Vote on Iraq, Torture."
Oddly enough, I watched NBC Nightly News this evening and this story was conspicuously missing.
Will wonders never cease.
...
AConfederacyofDunces @ 79:
But OJ acting like an idiot and Britney's vagina are far more important news stories!
Stash, thank you, thank you. I so appreciate your time.
How much more out of touch with the American people can Republicans get? WTF is wrong with these people? Are they really that afraid of this administration? What a bunch of pussies! They don't have an original thought between them all!
If Dems somehow manage to blow the '08 election, I may leave the country. Republicant's have fucked up so badly that it would be hard to believe that they could retain the WH; however, I know enough to NEVER underestimate the stupidity of the American people in an election.
Amazing..........
Corpus Constitution.
Perhaps you should just leave and then join the allies in "liberating" the US later.
See how the fascists left there like occupation and raping of resources.
This underlines a simple fact that many of us have known for some time. The Republicans are no longer a political party, they are a criminal conspiracy. They've all taken oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution. What other blood oaths have they taken, and to whom?
Habeas Corpus.
Habeas Corpus? “…a legal action, or writ, through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention.”
Anyone have a problem with Habeas Corpus? It seems that 43 Repugnican Senators plus one independent A__hole from Connecticut do.
Thanks to these Republican Senators for stepping forward and standing up for the Constitution of the United States of America.
Olympia Snowe, Republican Senator from Maine,
Richard Lugar, Republican Senator from Indiana,
Chuck Hagel, Republican Senator from Nebraska,
John Sununu, Republican Senator from New Hampshire,
Gordon Smith, Republican Senator from Oregon,
Arlen Specter, Republican Senator from Pennsylvania.
Thanks.
this country is in the fckin' toilet.
please someone, anyone bomb us into oblivion...it's our only hope.
if this country was a stock on the market, we all would have dumped it a long time ago.