Senate Passes $150 Billion War Spending Bill 92-3
By Logan Murphy Monday Oct 01, 2007 9:18pmThwarted in efforts to bring troops home from Iraq, Senate Democrats on Monday helped pass a defense policy bill authorizing another $150 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 92-3 vote comes as the House planned to approve separate legislation Tuesday that requires President Bush to give Congress a plan for eventual troop withdrawals.
The developments underscored the difficulty facing Democrats in the Iraq debate: They lack the votes to pass legislation ordering troops home and are divided on whether to cut money for combat, despite a mandate by supporters to end the war.
Hoping the political landscape changes in coming months, Democratic leaders say they will renew their fight when Congress considers the money Bush wants in war funding. Read more...
It is inconceivable that the Senate would pass this bill knowing how our tax dollars are being wasted, mis-managed and given to companies like Blackwater. In what might come as a shock to many, Blackwater pays it's managers more than twice as much as General David Petraeus makes for commanding some 160,000 troops. This go-along to get-along strategy by the Democrats will surely improve the poll numbers for Congress, no?
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Rep. David Obey has thrown down the gauntlet and said he is willing to fight Bush on funding.
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Dear Jah in Heaven, unbelievable.
Simply unbelievable...
Goddam cowards, all of them.
This sucks! I don't suppose they made any rules about controlling all the graft, corruption and WASTE that is going on in Iraq. Damn them to hell.
What a joke. This war will never end. The Dems are a huge disappointment...stand up and fight!
Sad.
Let's all stand up and applaud the Congress that fails us once again. No guts among the lot of 'em. And we think this country is going to get ANY better? America has just lost, and we'll continue to lose with this bunch. How about Americans get up and have a no-confidence vote in our government? How about we choose to censure the government since they like to waste their time censuring people like moveon.org that actually want this country to make PROGRESS!
At least my eyes are getting washed. I gotta go hug the dogs.
Inconceivable? Hardly. They've been the loyal opposition this whole time. Vote Kucinich or Vote Green is what I say.
go-along to get-along politics is exactly what got the German government into all that shit back in the 30's. I think its fair to say that what the Democrats are doing in congress and the senate right now is very akin to Chamberlins attempts at apeasement, and we all know how that turned out.
How do these wimps get their lips on Bush's tush all at one time?
When exactly did the Dems drink the "Kool Aid"? I am ashamed of all of them for their lack of courage.
mr.ed @ 9:
Some are sucking his dick too.
who voted against it?
No one can say they're seriously surprised by this anymore, can they?
I just saw some D rep. from Washington (I think his name was Smith), whining about how HELPLESS the Democrats were, since they didn't have the votes to do anything.
They're all useless. They can't do anything. They're all prisoners of momentum.
I guess they just need to quit, then. THey're useless, they need to go away.
Like the poster above said, vote 3rd party, or don't bother to vote. Those in power don't care one bit, as long as you vote to continue the 2 party system. But if a serious 3rd party contender comes up, watch what happens to them.
CLEAN SLATE folks. That is what we need in 2008.
No more easy reelection just because you have a "D". The current D list is not any better than the republiCONs.
Really it's time to get rid of all of them!
:=|
It's pathetic and hopeless. The Dems in the Senate are clueless cowards. I won't give them a dime unless and until they show me they believe what I believe. Russ Feingold, clone yourself! We need 59 more like you.
ellen @ 12:
That's what I'm trying to find out. I know one of my Senators did (Voinovich) but i am really hoping that my other Senator (Brown) didn't. I don't think he would. Voinovich is voting with the Pretzledent no matter what.
One more thing ...
Most of these Democrats running for President will NOT stop the war.
And their reasons for not stopping the war are lies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7raAL3Wld0
MYTH #1: Congress needs 67 votes to end the Iraq war.
TRUTH: The Senate requires just 40 votes to filibuster a war spending bill to halt the Iraq War.
The Democratically-controlled House requires a simple majority to stop a war spending bill from passing. Congressional Democrats, including Joe Biden, have refused to exercise, or even threaten to exercise, these basic powers.
MYTH #2: Because Bush vetoed one bill, Congress has no power to stop the war.
TRUTH: Congress sent just one (1) Iraq bill to Bush that was vetoed.
Democrats could have sent Bush another bill, but they refused.
MYTH#3: The Congress has no power at all to stop a war, meaning it’s all George Bush’s fault.
TRUTH: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and end wars, if it votes to do so.
Mostly recently, roughly 80% of Democrats in Congress voted to help continue the Iraq war.
DEMOCRATS ARE NOT INNOCENT BYSTANDERS
"They’re all useless. They can’t do anything. They’re all prisoners of momentum."
Uh,"Joementum" that is...
Actually, the rest of this article states that Bush can't spend the money unless he asks Congress and they are passing an additional bill later in the week that gives them complete authority over how the money is spent and Congress can choose to spend it to bring the troops home.
I'm as disgusted with the Dems in Congress as everyone, but if it's true that they're going to rein him in, I'm with them.
Lieberman is high maintainence.
Damn it! Brown voted for it, too! Against was Byrd, Feingold (of course) and Coburn (what a shock). None of the Presidential contenders even voted, the chickenshits.
92-3 ! How would the vote have been any different in a Republican controlled Senate?
When I said that it was a shock that Coburn voted against it, I was not being facetious. I really am surprised that a Republican from Oklahoma, no less, voted against it.
"In such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, not to be on the side of the executioners." -Camus
This vote is difficult to comprehend.
Roll call: Apparently if you're running for President, you no longer have to vote.
Alphabetical by Senator Name
Akaka (D-HI), Yea
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Yea
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Not Voting
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Yea
Brown (D-OH), Yea
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Cardin (D-MD), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Not Voting
Coburn (R-OK), Nay
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Corker (R-TN), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
DeMint (R-SC), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Not Voting
Dole (R-NC), Yea
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kennedy (D-MA), Yea
Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea
Leahy (D-VT), Yea
Levin (D-MI), Yea
Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Yea
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Not Voting
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Yea
Reid (D-NV), Yea
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Sanders (I-VT), Yea
Schumer (D-NY), Yea
Sessions (R-AL), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Yea
Tester (D-MT), Yea
Thune (R-SD), Yea
Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Webb (D-VA), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Yea
92-3? Un-fucking-believable. How were the 3 patriots?
...and call this thing what it is. It's an "offense bill", not a "defense bill". Offensive for Big Oil, defense contractors and Halliburton. The only way to fight back is to leave America and take your tax dollars with you
Today I watched the Blackwater hearings and realized the democrats are just as fucked up as the repukes. They don't ask the right questions and seem more content to grandstand than to get to the bottom line
Why do they all have to spend so much time patting these folks on the back. Does anyone else get that many compliments when they are called on the carpet?
Other than Henry Waxmen, the rest of the democrats had their head up their ass.
Jack Jett
They toss out our votes, they supress us voting and now they ignore our mandate...
Taxation without representation.
If we can't vote them out- smoke em out.
Stop paying taxes until these so called Representatives do the job we gave them.
BTW ..
Someone said they need 40 votes to stop the funding.
Who are the democrat wimps that are afraid Bushy might call them a bad name?????
jack jett
Earth to deluded ones: The Democratic Party will not end the war because it does not represent those who are opposed to it. They represent those who profit from the war. The sooner everyone wakes up and realizes this the sooner we can get on with an alternative.
In a just world, every single Senator who voted for this bill would be arrested and tried as a war criminal. If any of us wrote a check to facilitate a crime, we would be arrested and tried as co-conspirators. If the war is illegal, the Senate is filled with unindicted co-conspirators. Lampposts are too good for them.
Congressman Obey has it right. He's going to fight Bush on this, and as Chair of the Appropriations Committee in the House he has a heck of a platform to do it. I just hope Pelosi lets him do it. He should do it anyway even if she doesn't.
pinkobait @ 18:
It's a wonderful thing.
92-3? Oh dear.
As a baby boomer and graduate of duck & cover, please tell me how this current government is much different than the USSR and their one party system.
The Democrats are giving citizens of this country very good reason to reconsider their options.
I think it was Mike Gravel who said that when a politician considers a position their first thought is not the people they are supposed to serve but rather the cash that got them into office and which keeps them riding high. We citizen types figure rather low in the chain of priorities.
Gravel would up-end this with the National Initiative, putting the power of lawmaking into the hands of the citizens.
With this power we could tell Congress to go to Hell, and pass a bill to de-fund this goddam war and get out.
Until we have a national initiative process, we are powerless and really victims in the hands of a powerful few.
Gee, I wonder if our government is broken?
I am profoundly disappointed in the lack of courage and character amoung the Democrats.
Being close to sixty years of age, I thought a had a somewhat educated understanding of how national partisan politics works. I guess I was wrong. I really do not understand why it is so difficult for Democrats in the House and Senate to VOTE THE WAY THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT THEM TO VOTE! What a bunch of chicken-livered WEASLES!
This vote does not make any sense. Has Diebold taken over the Senate electronic voting system?
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
SUPPORT THE TROOPS! BRING THEM HOME!
Dear Jimmy-boy-"folding-chair"-Webb.....F*CK YOU!
Let's just remember this when we show them our level of support next November. I'm not voting for ANY incumbant. We have to remind this government that: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". When most of the governed don't give their consent to this war, these people in congress should have no power, and it's up to us to take it away from them.
Uh not quite. actually it's this.
Senate passes mammoth 648 billion defense bill AFP - Mon Oct 1, 8:06 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate Monday passed a mammoth 648 billion dollar defense policy bill, shorn of attempts by disappointed anti-war Democrats to dictate President George W. Bush's Iraq strategy.
I'm thinking that Tom Clancy had a good idea at the end of Debt of Honor. Anyone who has read the book will know what I am talking about.
There is only one dynamic in government: To get re-elected. No other principal enters into it, it is the only factor to be considered in decision making.
AF_Comm_Guy @ 42:
Think Alexander Haig will jump up and assure us all he's in charge again???
Hanshiro, haven't I met you in a novel?
For everything the Dems did today to show they had some balls...oh, they just got cut off with this war spending nonsense!!!
TIME FOR A THIRD PARTY???????? THIS IS COPORATE AMERICA AT WORK.
L.A. Confidential @ 41:
Democratic Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Clinton of New York, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Barack Obama of Illinois, as well as Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, missed the 92-3 passage of the 2008 defense authorization bill. The only senator running a presidential campaign who made the vote is Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who voted for the bill.
William Wallace @ 47:
Maybe we should just do away with this entire congress and start over with no parties allowed. Allow only individuals to run and allow them to only have a certain budget with no soft money. Then maybe the common man could get elected.
AFP via Yahoo! News - Oct 02 8:12 AM
Iran has slashed the use of the dollar in payment for its oil exports to 15 percent, an official said on Tuesday, amid growing pressure from arch-foe the United States on its financial system.
Boing
This just in...with all the outsourcing the Republicans believe in it should be no surprise to anyone that Mohamed is going to be handling all of Jesus's duties from now on.
92 Wooden Crosses
or nooses.
I dont care, just get em gone.
NAYs ---3
Byrd (D-WV)
Coburn (R-OK)
Feingold (D-WI)
Did not Vote - 5
Biden (D-DE)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
McCain (R-AZ)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm...
I used to think the Dems were cowards, that they lacked spine ... but I'm beginning to realize that they actually benefit if the war continues. Maybe they benefit financially (altho not nearly as much as the Repubs do, they who invest in the military-industrial complex), but certainly the Dems benefit politically. Consider: If they force an end to the war too soon, with what will they attacked the Repubs in 2008? The Dems aren't cowards ... they need the war for their political ends. Beyond this they know (as do the Repubs) that it is in times of war that the government as a whole has it's most power over the people. Orwell knew this; it was the founding theme of 1984. During a time of war, the government can do what it wants without too much protest; power gets concentrated not in the grassroots but at the top. Of course the Dems know this; they're counting on it, especially since they expect to take the White House in '08. They certainly don't want to give up that power.
No, the Dems are not cowards. They're simply professional politicians. Don't expect them to be white knights or saviors or heroes here ... you'll just end up disappointed and disillusioned.
There are many "corporocrats" that want permanant war.
It is great for their donors.
5th no vote = Obama
The message is clear to future presidents. Start any lie based wars you want, sock it to the US taxpayer with the bill and we in congress will roll over for you. If i were the parents of a kid in Iraq I would say go AWOL now and we'll leave the country together, if it was good enough for the Chickenhawk in Chief to go AWOL, it's good enough for soldiers fighting this war for the corporatists and Halliburton.
Seems pretty clear the Dems are playing politics with the troops lives. They want us to really fucked come 2008 so the American people will punish the Republicans for the war, what other reason could there be? It's a disgrace.
what a bunch of fucking assholes ALL OF THEM.
it's time to clean house and get rid of the corporate slaves in congress.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070927/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_debate
Wow, so I guess when Hillary said she would "not vote" for a war funding bill she meant literally not voting...she didn't have the guts to vote no so she didn't vote? I am disappointed in all of them...........I am just sick...
meow
Fucking arseholes, cheats and liars. each is as bad as the other.
The Three
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Coburn (R-OK), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
And here's to the A-holes who think they are responsible enough to run the country:
Biden (D-DE), Not Voting
Clinton (D-NY), Not Voting
Dodd (D-CT), Not Voting
McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
Obama (D-IL), Not Voting
Not responsible enough to make it in to vote. I'll call these chickenshit yeas. My take? 'Not voting'-for any of you lot.
The Democrats aren't going to put an end to this (as they should as that is why they were put there), so could they at least tax the living hell out of the rich fuckers (the one million a year and up crowd), the oil companies, and the defense contractors? Make them pay the costs for their war.
Didn't Hillary just say recently she would vote to not fund the war? Oh, I get it, she said she would not vote to fund the war, as in not vote. How brave. Look at the pro-war crowd tremble at her non-existent vote....
/sarcasm
FunMe @ 17:
The expansion of the illegal wire tap bill was just a tip of the iceberg.
Out of all the senators we have, 100, is Russ Feingold the only individual in the lot with character and a spine? 1 person out of 100? That's pretty bad odds to passing legislation good for the country.
Mr Pelicano @ 31:
STOP SHOPPING. It sounds too simple, but that's how you stop the flow of money to the corporations. Think about it: 2/3 of your economy os based on consumer spending. That's why Bush always says, "Keep shopping." (Have you noticed?) Buy only what you ABSOLUTELY need and encourage your friends to do the same. Make Christmas gifts, exchange vouchers for services, donate to an NGO. Don't give them their Christmas spending orgasm. Watch Wall Street beg.
This site is always worth a peek:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
FunMe @ 17:
Excellent synopsis. I wish everyone understood this.
Chock up another victory for the CFR/Trilateral Commission,AIPAC,PNAC, Bilderberg branches of the NWO.
They have got you all conned into thinking there are two competing parties....WHEN THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS OTHERWISE.
Its time to get rid of them all and do a major overhaul.
dadams @ 57:
There is only two possible ways to do this.... not vote for any incumbent (but the corporate machine will submit two fixed fighters again as they usually do) or do as Jefferson suggested.
Water the tree of liberty.
even Boxer voted for it.........................see ya Babs...your not getting my vote again.......or my wife's......I was already over Feinstein
the democrats got shit in thier blood and thier hearts pump piss! were sold out thiers more repubs in the dem party then dems!
Truth be Told @ 68:
Not all of us. I have been saying that there's no difference for decades myself.
In fact there have been many flame wars here between those of us calling the dems no alternative and those who DO believe there's a difference
It's offensive you tar us all with the same brush.
When is every Democrat in America going to tell their Rep and Senator that they are sitting home on election day unless they do something to end the War NOW! Support has to be earned. Being the lessor of two evils does not get the vote any longer. These cowards are complicit in the slaughter that is Iraq everyday.
jack jett wrote in # 30
Actually, doesn't it require only one to put a secret hold on a bill? It works for the Republicans, why hasn't anyone ONE of our wonderful congress members thought of that? Don't we win by default if the funding never gets authorized?
At least now I can stop deluding myself into thinking someone will be held accountable for all the war crimes that have been comittted. Bush/Cheney and all the rest of the neo-war-criminals are not only going to get away scott-free, they are going to profit handsomely from this.
As expected, US Americans are US Americans. Democrats or Republicans. It makes no difference. The world is tired of you, and your days are numbered.
hadenuf @ 35:
No difference, except the Russian people knew their system and media were rigged. Ours still thinks it has a republic with competing parties.
It couldn't be any further from the truth at the national level.
Vote 3rd party and withhold your income tax in escrow accounts (dispute what you owe in other words).
Yup, yup.........It's ALWAYS something, isn't it? There is always something that seems to stand in the dem's way of accomplishing an end to Bushes bloody folly. We're being played.....it's all smoke and mirrors. Well more correctly, they are playing with the lives of our kids and they are using OUR money to do it with.
Canuknotusa @ 76:
*waiting for the Canadian invasion so you can fix things*
No deluding yourselves any more kids, they spit on you and are laughing about it at the party tonight.
There will be no accountability moment. Just the inevitable slow slide to fascism, economic collapse and international condemnation.
If you can get a residency Visa elsewhere, do it now. The country you grew up in is dead.
Symes @ 81:
I almost agree. Ever since I began learning the truth, especially about 9-11, I have come to accept that there will not be a Normandy Beach for America. Instead, it will have to be a 1776.
Going to another country will not help, there are too few under the New World Order umbrella of control, and those that aren't, are on the target list for future operations.
I just can't understand wtf this bill is all about, or what the Dems are thinking.
They gave Bush every penny of the money he was asking for, but they might get to tell him how to spend it. If they can make Bush bring the troops home and not allow him to spend it on combat (& if that's the case, where the hell have the Dems been explaining that aspect to us?), then it might not be so bad, but I sure as hell won't hold my breath.
Disappointed. :(
Truth be Told @ 82:
True enough, but it is preferable to get some distance from the hornets then to remain with ones hands inside the nest itself.
Europe itself is under the influence, but not so much that a US economic collapse and military threat won't rouse it from it's sleep. It looks to be coming round even now, only the UK remains a staunch ally in the old sense.
My two Senators, Pelosi and Feinstein, have shown me nothing but contempt with their recent votes. Especially Feinstein, who isn't up for reelection until 2012 and probably won't even run again as she is 74. I would rather have a full on bigoted Republican in the Senate as then at least I could expect their vote to match what they say rather than the feeling of constant betrayal.
kaT @ 19:
Thanks for this bit of sunshine. I sure hope you're right!
Buckeye Nut Schell @ 74:
That would be political suicide. No funding bill at all would not just cut off the funding they need to keep the war going, but also the money they would need to bring the troops home, but most importantly it would also immediately stop all military payroll. Bush and the GOP would have a field day blaming the Dems for not paying the troops and abandoning them in Iraq while their bills at home don't get paid & their homes start to get foreclosed on, etc. I don't see that happening in any scenario.
Smack_dab @ 85:
Pelosi is in Congress, but the feeling still applies. Feinstein's married to a war profiteer and is about as progressive as albright, reno or thatcher.
Well, I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better use of $150 billion.
xargaw @ 73:
yeah! and blackwater is getting fatter checks for genocidal war crimes and also shooting at
american troops(they've been vewy kwiet about that part. In afghanistan AND in baghdad.)
If, as Harry Reid says in the article, that this "bill authorizes the money to be spent, it does not guarantee it; Bush will have to wait until Congress passes a separate appropriations bill before war funds are transferred to military coffers." and that they can still direct "that the money be spent on bringing troops home instead of combat; setting a date when money for the war is cut off, and identifying a goal to end the war to try to pressure Bush to bring troops home," then I'm thinking this isn't so bad at all.
But that's a really big if, and there hasn't been any sign that the Dems will be able to follow through like that. They sure haven't done so thus far since taking the majority.
Now the war has been funded for the next 12 months.
Our Democratic \"representatives\" are helping loot the treasury, stuffing treasure in the pockets of Blackwater, Haliburton, and the Carlyle Group and telling us to go fuck ourselves.
Two thumbs up for the Democrats.
http://iraqsinconvenienttruth.com/2007/10/02/two-thumbs-op-for-democrats...
Sometimes I wonder why I even bother subscribing to so many action alerts when they don't even matter
There was more opposition for the war when the Republican had majority rule. Just unbelievable!
The presidential candidates that are running cast a no-show????
BaScOmBe @ 88:
Oops, I'm confusing my faux-liberals. It's Boxer and Feinstein. Not that it matters who is in the Senate not-representing me.
How far up your ass does Hillarys dick have to be before you know shes fucking ya?
$150 billion would be enough to supply new fuel station for alternative energy and not even need to buy oil from the middle east.
Killary @ 96:
Far enough to leave a stain on a white blouse! otherwise this whole affair seem to be consenting with both party involve.
can we just cut a little.....very little....say 22 billion?...you know....for the little children.
CALBLUE61 @ 99:
When Bloody Billy hears you say that he knows deep down in his briquette that hating children is the right thing to do.
Troy @ 40:
VOTE OUT ALL IMCUMBENT DEMS IN THE PRIMARIES! Then the general election will be an easier decision.
The divergence between the political parties was for purely political reasons. Winning points for their game by any means. The leaders know the truth: The danger to our Lives, our Liberty and our Nation isn't in party A or party B. It's the rabid jackals at the door.
America still has not learned a lesson, perhaps because we don't feel the loss of the freedoms, because we're too busy making ends meet, watching our children grow, keeping our jobs and worrying about our families and our future.
Even as the appalling truth becomes apparent, America remains paralyzed by shock from 9/11 and hatred for the others of the planet Earth.
Even as we see what the pathetic, unempathetic and sometimes just plain evil men and women in Washington are doing, we can't believe they have the intentions that they demonstrate by their negotiations, votes, public statements and grandstanding.
They are evil! They must be brought to account in every election for the next 40 years, at least. Not just the republicans, but the democrats too.
Each and every one of them who demonstrated a disregard for the rights of the citizenry of the United States should be voted out.
Each and every one of them who suppressed the minority party in Congress and the Senate of the United States should be voted out.
Each and every one of them, who advocated the overthrow of the constitution should be voted out.
Each and every one of them who advocated for a corporation over a citizen should be voted out.
Each and every one of them who voted against the men and women who they sent to Iraq on the basis of a lie should be voted out.
If they support the war, they should be voted out.
If they voted for a cut in Veteran's benefits, they should be voted out.
If they voted to force a religion on the people of the United States that is not their chosen religion, they should be voted out.
If they voted to change the rules to support political corruption, they should be voted out.
If they voted for CAFTA, they should be voted out.
If they voted for the Patriot Act, they should be voted out.
If they supported the end of the filibuster, they should be voted out.
If they supported the tax cuts for the wealthy and the bankrupting of the government, they should be voted out.
If they supported cuts in programs that help the poor, the elderly, the infirm, they should be voted out.
If they supported an end to social security, they should be voted out.
If they supported the destruction of the environment, they should be voted out.
If they voted for Roberts, they should be voted out.
If they voted for Alito, they should be voted out.
If they support Bush, they should be voted out.
I don't care which party they belong to.
Go back to bed America, your government is in control.
You are free...to do as we tell you.
Here...heres 56 channels of shit. Watch this and shut up.
A history of liberal voters:
Year One: "The Democrats are this country's only hope. They will restore justice and civility in Washington."
Year Two: "They Democrats stabbed us in the back?! How could they?! I will never trust the Democratic Party again!"
Year Three: "These Republicans are so evil. Clearly, the Democrats are this country's only hope..."
Year Four: "The Democrats did WHAT?!! How could they..."
(ad infinitum)
Protect yourself from historical amnesia. Join your local socialist/anarchist organization. If you don't at least aim for the top, you will never get there. Vote only for people who reflect your own values, and for the love of god, stop supporting a capitalist oligarchy that exists only to exploit the world's population.
Smack_dab @ 95:
I have Lautenberg and menendez. you'd think menendez would take his experience and exact a little revenge on the repugs. nope! I'll never vote for him again. the DLC has paralyzed northeast politics.
Killary @ 96:
check with arianna huffypoo. she has it measured! :lol:
It's time to get rid of all of them. None of them have any integrity. All they stand for is "Death", "Destruction," and "GREED." It is so shameful to this country and the people in it. What they are doing is grossly nauseating and disgusting! Where in God's name did these freaks come from???????????? They are without natural, human feelings and emotion. Something is very wrong with these politicians, very, very wrong!
Kiki @ 108:
There is nothing wrong with them, they are humans, they got corrupted by power, money and will do ANYTHING to hold on to that corrupted power. This is sadly human nature. Just try to get them out of there.....you will see what I mean.
The Dems are appeasing the Republicans, so they are a part of the problem....
When the Republicans star shoveling Americans into the ovens, the Democrats will happily carry away the ashes..
Is it any wonder Dems are becoming Independents by the thousands?
CALBLUE61 @ 109:
hillary has had people forcibly removed from her assemblies for wearing anti-war button and tee-shirts. she's no different than boosh in that area.
I'm beginning to think the Democratic party is filled with Republican plants...
FunMe @ 17: MYTH #1: Congress needs 67 votes to end the Iraq war."
Your straw dog #1: Who has ever said this?
The video shows Biden saying:
1) "You stop this war when you elect a Dem president."
2) "You need 67 votes to stop this war."
Biden was clearly referring to conviction after impeachment.
"TRUTH: The Senate requires just 40 votes to filibuster a war spending bill to halt the Iraq War."
Which is besides the point Biden was making. However, you may also notice that WE DON'T HAVE 40 VOTES in the Senate to defund the war. We have, at last count, about 25 votes.
"The Democratically-controlled House requires a simple majority to stop a war spending bill from passing."
We don't have that simple majority.
Congressional Democrats, including Joe Biden, have refused to exercise, or even threaten to exercise, these basic powers.
MYTH #2: Because Bush vetoed one bill, Congress has no power to stop the war."
Now you misconstrue Richardson's statement, which was "all of these efforts have failed because the president vetoed them.' Here's a clue: Richardson is not in Congress. No one in the Dem leadership has suggested any such thing, and in fact the military appropriations bill is still pending, and in fact the Chair of the House Appropriations committee has today barred any supplementals without withdrawal plans, and today the House passed a bill requiring withdrawal plans in sixty days.
"TRUTH: Congress sent just one (1) Iraq bill to Bush that was vetoed. Democrats could have sent Bush another bill, but they refused."
That's also false. The ability to pass the first bill was with the Blue Dogs' support. After the veto, they withdrew that support. That wasn't refusal, it was lack of votes. Other bills are currently pending.
"MYTH#3: The Congress has no power at all to stop a war, meaning it’s all George Bush’s fault."
Clinton's statement is quite clear, and refers to what Biden said. You end the war when you replace Bush. That claim is a candidate's claim, but it isn't exclusive as you claim.
"TRUTH: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and end wars, if it votes to do so."
This is not a declared war, as you may know. Apparently you choose to ignore the war powers dispute in the gov't, preferring with that singular leftist blindfold of ignoring what you don't want to acknowledge.
"Mostly recently, roughly 80% of Democrats in Congress voted to help continue the Iraq war."
That's bullshit. To what are you referring?
It is inconceivable that the Senate would pass this bill knowing how our tax dollars are being wasted, mis-managed and given to companies like Blackwater.
Good way of putting it! This is what I wrote Pat and Bernie this morning:
"Dear Senators, I used to think you respected working Vermonters!! Your vote to hand over our hard earned money to fund an illegal war complete with numerous war crimes certainly shows me I was very much mistaken! The majority of Vermonters, that's We The People to you, have consistantly rejected illegal war and war crimes and yet you vote to support and fund these criminal activities with OUR money! That is so perverted that words can not fully express my disgust with you. You like crime so much then use your own damn money to fund it."
justabill @ 91:
I was thinking about this - that it is just an authorization bill and there still has to be appropriations passed for Iraq, meaning they may have passed this bill, but there is still time to refuse to fund Iraq and have hope that the congress will not pass that bill...
...but then I thought which congress am I thinking about here? And came back to reality.
Yes, it is possible the Dems will fight the appropriations, but at this point congress taking a battle on anything would be considered similar to a visit by aliens from outer space.
justabill @ 87:
Point taken, however, a secret hold does force an issue. It forces Republicans who want the money to come and get it or announce that they won't. Let them blame the Democrats for holding up the money, all we have to do is say "Bring them home and we'll give it to you". Period. It's a game of chicken. They have kicked our ass at it every time so far but it really is a child's game. It takes balls though and it seems the Bush Administration's balls are about 4800 times as big as the opposition party's right now.
I say if you can't beat them at a game you were chosen to play, get out and let someone in who can. It takes something called courage.
Kucinich 08...
There is NO FUCKING CHOICE!
Lets get some Official announcement... LIBERAL BLOGGERS ... THERE IS ONE CHOICE... AND ONCE VOICE THAT IS FREE TO SPEAK!
YOURS!
Kucinich 08'
Lets Win this shit!
Is it sinking in now, my children? They LIE to our faces every minute, and vote to keep the WarCrime, and pillage of our treasury going. This, after the Vichy Dems authorized expanding our glorious war into Iran, while telling us the oppose the Iraq atrocity. On top of this, at last count, we have been saddled with about $30,000.00 of national debt APIECE, and that will go up tomorrow. Their contempt for the People is bottomless, and they LOVE showing it. Representative government here has ceased to exist.
We are currently governed by madmen, aided and abetted by collaborators and traitorous thieves. HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH YET?
I really wish people would start to use the proper term when discussing Iraq...it's not a war but an OCCUPATION!!!
Jerry @ 80:
ummm yah right, sorry but we don't want to
Phantom: Those statements of yours are statements of confusion. There will always need to be a shred of government to cover our needs neither anarchy or the extreme opposite socialism will be sufficient happiness. The true happiness lives in individual Liberty with sufficient government to cover a individual nations needs. This is known, it's proven. This is further evidence of that. These politicians played games to win points, contorted the truth this is common, usual and almost universal. While true anarchy has never existed for more than a ridiculously short marginal amount of time. Socialism will place a great strength in hands of the mental contortionists. We can't live in a organized great society without politicians nor can we achieve such success with an ever emboldening bureaucracy.
This should be a lesson to us all: The parties rushed into Iraq, why? Then the parties pointed at one another and yelled "Unpatriotic!", why? When it comes to action the parties are virtually the same on this issue, why?
1st. There was believed to be good reason to go into Iraq. The parties could play their actions in their favor.
2nd. Opportunity to win party points, A is a liar, B is a liar. They were both right.
3rd. They are not stupid they don't want to die, destroy the Nation or loose party points.
I don't hate the government any more than I hate a snake. Snakes have their place in a healthy ecosystem.
Kennedy and Kerry voted Yea????
This Massachusetts liberal is ashamed....
Smack_dab @ 95:
Speaker of the House is not Congress.
That is the problem - understanding the basics.
It is so great to see everyone is awake now.....but is it too late? Who cares about Iraq when Iran is the new prize. Here is the deal, tell me if I am wrong on this, Iraq sits pretty darn close to Iran doesn't it? If we go to war with Iran wouldn't it be rather convenient that we already have all of our boys over in that part of the world? Won't it be easier for us to launch attacks from there. I think that only a few people have been picking up on the fact that as much as you would like to think that things have been a disaster, things have in fact been going very well. Very well that is for the Neocons to bring in Bush Sr.'s "New World Order" If you are going to rule the world, you're going to need to control all of the oil. Who cares about a national debt when you can just steal all the wealth you need?
I'm wondering, now that truth flashes right before our very eyes, what will we "Americans" do about it. Our founding fathers would be sick to see this is what their blood was spilled for.
as a citizen, what the hell can i do? I have no voice, I'm powerless....
Nick911 @ 124:
It's the Polish listening post incident all over again.
Watch and see if they don't just pull a move from the Nazi's play book.
"US forces fired upon from Iranian troops at border station!"
"US forces retaliate against Iranian border attack, news at 11."
We'll line right up and defend the Homeland dontcha know.
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Coburn (R-OK), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
These three should be top officers in the white house, obviously.
Choam Nomsky @ 125:
If "We Te people" all used our voice at the same time it would be heard. We could use our voice peacefully as well. What if every one that wants this war to be over did nothing for a whole day on the same day. Would that send a message? No school, no work, no store, no gas, no anything. We the people have all the power but we have been conditioned to feel weak, insecure and helpless.
This makes me think of "A Bugs Life." One ant can't do much but when everyone bands together they are an unstoppable force.
Symes @ 126:
Don't forget the captured Polish soldiers shot dead on the scene...it was called Operation Himmler.
A classic false-flag attack.
Didn't we have one of those lately? I can't remember where or when though.
rduke @ 117:
A choice which has ZERO chance of becoming real is not a choice, either.
FunMe @ 14: CLEAN SLATE folks. That is what we need in 2008."
Name ONE Congressional incumbent you can remove in 2008, along with their replacement.
Those who know nothing about politics make such ridiculous proposals.
In any case, you could only remove 1/3 of those Senators who voted today in 2008. Of that 1/3, about eight have any chance of being removed, and those eight are all Republicans.
Paul in LA @ 130:
It only has no chance because you wont or don't believe in making it real. The colonists didn't think they had much of a chance versus the British Army and Navy.
For what its worth, the only other real choice is Ron Paul, a true Constitutionalist. He's the only chance of defeating the war-mistress Hillary and the plans to expand the war and continue it in Iraq. He is not a republican cut from the same cloth as the any of the others.
Chris @ 119:
It's not an occupation, it's an ongoing genocide (or 'ethnic cleansing' if you prefer that piece of nonsense).
The CPA was an (illegal) occupation authority. Once Iraq had the election they had, that made it not an occupation. Since the term occupation is in fact a legal term, you have to live with the fact that this terminological term dispute is moot.
Truth be Told @ 132: It only has no chance because you wont or don't believe in making it real."
Click your heels together three times all you like, but Kucinich and Ron Paul have ZERO potential to become president.
"For what its worth, the only other real choice is Ron Paul, a true Constitutionalist."
Rep Paul believes in absolute sovereignty, a concept that the UN and the Nuremberg trials removed from the law books. Rep. Paul DOES NOT BELIEVE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW, WARCRIMES LAW, or human rights law. He doesn't even believe in nationwide law, prefering to believe that each state legislature should decide the rights of its citizens, without regard to supreme court decisions.
Such a view of the Constitution is not 'constitutionalist,' it is ARCHAIC nonsense, since Marbury v. Madison, in 1803.
He also has called for impeachment, but doesn't seem to be able to produce a bill of impeachment. Why is that? He's a Republican, and a R started impeachment might even get past the filter. But, he's a talk-only COWARD on that point.
And he's a Republican, who has voted many, many times in favor of this latest gutting of America.
Buckeye Nut Schell @ 116: a secret hold does force an issue.
If you think this ploy has any chance of stopping an active military engagement by a sitting president, you have Cheerios for brains.
Tigerwong @ 127:
Apparently you don't know Tom Coburn. That's the asshole who fought with Gingrich because he thought G. was moving the R caucus to the left.
When you get 99% of the Senate voting on something, it is either a bill to kiss puppies, or a bill that nobody wanted to contest. This is the latter. It authorizes, but does not appropriate.
(The key part is the not appropriating, not the 99% vote, which tells you nothing other than that the Senate didn't wish to take this bill seriously.)
Tom Coburn, via wikipedia:
Roll call please, I would like to commend the senators who voted against the procurement/(raping of the US Treasury) please.
A procurement has NOT been approved. This was a defense POLICY resolution, not an appropriations bill.
Nays were Byrd, Coburn, Feingold.
"UPDATE: Meanwhile, Rep. David Obey has thrown down the gauntlet and said he is willing to fight Bush on funding."
This is not 'Rep. Obey,' this is the CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. He should be refered to as Chairman Obey.
In other words, MUCH bigger news than that a congressman has vowed to fight. The Chairman has the ability to stop the appropriations process. He is the key player in that fight.
ok I commented before reading other comments (pardon me I'm a bit tipsy) ... Feingold (sweet, but not surprising) ; Byrd (see above); and Coburn (who?) but at least three have the stones to stand up. And Blackwater (I hate to scapegoat them, because it's not like other private contractors are much better) employees getting paid something like 2x (going off of Prince V. Patraeus) as much as the VOLUNTEERS in our army, being paid that much at taxpayer expense, sickens me.
/snarkon
Thank God our taxes are paying Prince's salary rather than:
-- rebuilding New Orleans
-- educating our children (and adults -- education should continue well into adulthood)
-- btw, caring for our children (SCHIP)
-- getting us higher than just above Cuba in worldwide healthcare
-- finding Osama
-- fixing infrastructure
-- lessening the national debt (increased largely by WHAT???)
-- finding a way off oil (that will pass in the Legislature in spite of corporate interests)
-- and lest we forget: PAYING THE MILITARY FOR THE JOB THAT THEY CAN DO IN SPITE OF ERIK PRINCE'S STATEMENT TODAY THAT THEY CAN'T.
/snarkoff
I'm sure that the if the funds directed towards the war in Iraq (soon to be called "The War of Error" in history IMHO) were appropriated to these dire situations, we would be a much more prosperous nation and higher in the world rankings (healthcare, education, crime, etc., etc., etc) than we are currently.
I love America, but I am ashamed of what it has become. Two parties, engaged in political warfare, using the American people as ammunition. It is sick.
I want to say more, but I can't. I'm too angry -- plus I have work to finish for tomorrow, it's almost 2am, and I'm tired.... and angry.
BaScOmBe @ 88:
I just sent Feinstein a scathing email asking her why ending the war/occupation in Iraq isn't one of her priorities. Who is Feinstein married to? It says on her website that she's been a member of the Aspen Strategy Group...so its no surpise really that she votes the way she does.
annoy @ 121:
I appreciate your feedback. What most Americans don't seem to realize, however, is that 'state socialism' is not the only form of socialism out there. The real goal, in many socialists opinions, is to form an ordered, decentralized network of autonomous workers councils to replace the current capitalist system. Even today, I see numerous examples of this alternative through out the world (they are all struggling to survive not from their method of organizing, but from an unwelcoming government). Examples include the factory workers in Argentina, the Zapitistas in Mexico, the workers movement in Brazil, etc. And these are just contemporary examples. Libertarian socialism has a rich history that I encourage you to explore.
What do Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Eugene Debbs, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Naomi Klein, and countless others have in common? They are (were) all socialists who see potential not in Soviet style communism, but in real socialism. This is what I, too, advocate. Americans are woefully ignorant of socialism (anarchism being a type of socialism), and I hope progressives here take the opportunity to explore it further.
Paul in LA @ 133:
Ok,point well made...Thank you for that. Its all the more disgusting that the senate would vote to fund the ongoing genocide/ethnic cleansing of Iraq!
[Deleted Comment spam-Sitemonitor]
The Senate vote today didn't do anything. That's why it had a nearly-unanimous vote. When you see the Senate actually doing something, the vote will be mixed, because there will be a fight over it.
A lot of disaffiliated leftists want to bash the Dems for being politicians, or for being part of the American government. They have a lot of valid reasons, no doubt, but the effect is quite negative, and the agenda drives the propaganda.
We have, currently, by enormous luck, the most progressive Speaker in the history of the country, and one of the most progressive leaders of the Dem party (Howard Dean) in history as well. We are incredibly lucky to have that, and we also have the R party in tatters, and their vote-fraud system in the process of dismantlement (though a lot more work is needed).
Congress will never be perfect, and a lot of what Congress does is obnoxious. But we are crawling out of this coup. Even the attack on Iran plan has suffered ENORMOUSLY in the collapse of Bushco's political power. They are now talking about limited strikes instead of B-52 carpet bombing, as was their original plan. We still need to stop them, but simply lumping the Congress into one bunch under the RHETORIC of disaffiliation, and the total lack of trust that goes with, is just losing the advantages we have gained in 2006, and helping elect Republicans.
Leftists think they're all the same, so they don't care if their rhetoric, salted with lies and spin of their own, elects more of the REAL enemy. They just don't care.
annoy @ 121: "The parties rushed into Iraq, why?"
The parties did NOT rush into Iraq. The House Dems voted sixty percent NAY on the Iraq Resolution (Senate Dems split their vote). House Dems put anti-war Rep. Pelosi in charge of the minority caucus. Howard Dean, the current party chairman, was also opposed to the Iraq Resolution as well. It is simply not the case that the Dem party 'rushed into Iraq.' In fact, we were pushed against our will, all of us.
Phantom: "anarchism being a type of socialism"
O'Reilly. In your dreams. Being without a government is NOT socialism in any human society that has ever existed. To pretend that persons will share all their property without being required to is HILARIOUS utopianism. And then let's compare the anarchic response to disaster. How does anarchy resolve SCARCITY? By 'socialism'?
You live on a planet, but apparently not this one.
109 CALBLUE 61
"There is nothing wrong with them, they are humans, they got corrupted by power, money and will do ANYTHING to hold on to that corrupted power. This is sadly human nature. Just try to get them out of there…..you will see what I mean."
That is not human nature and there is something wrong with them! Anyone who cares nothing about those dying and maimed troops are not with human feeling! There isn't any remorse in any of those people and that is not human! When someone thinks more about money and power than a human life, something is very, very wrong and we will get them out of there. They will all be voted out sooner or later, that is if we could have an honest election and one that isn't fixed! They have brought nothing but filth and shame to this country, not only through politics but through their sexual acts. It is totally disgusting and disgraceful and it makes me sick to my stomach! You can think what you want, but if you call that human nature, your elevator isn't going to the top floor or maybe you're one of them with a heart waxed cold. Get a life!
Paul in LA @ 145:
I wish I could agree with you that we have the Repug party in tatters...but if that is the case why do they still get their way??? And I'm sorry but for Pelosi to say that impeachment is off the table doesn't lead me to believe that she is progressive at all.
Jeebus @ 140: "Blackwater ... employees getting paid something like 2x (going off of Prince V. Patraeus)
Actual BW forces get about four times as much as basic soldiers.
Speaker Pelosi was on The View this morning. I haven't watched it yet, but a friend told me it was worth seeing, if only for Whoopi's proclamation that she would gladly have sex with Mr. Pelosi, adding (supposedly) 'I'd do her too.'
http://abc.go.com/daytime/theview/index
Chris @ 148: I wish I could agree with you that we have the Repug party in tatters...but if that is the case why do they still get their way???
They do not. They are obstructing, but they are losing power by the day. IF we can block the goddamn crony AG replacement everybody including Moveon seems to be laying down for, and get special prosecutors working AGAIN, you will see the rest of the R party collapse.
• The RNC is under subpoena on the felony vote-caging that brought down Rove and Gonzales. FAR more than demonizing the Dems we need to work with them to BLOCK MUKASEY -- Special Prosecutors NOW!
Demand JUSTICE. Don't just play politics with politicians.
"And I'm sorry but for Pelosi to say that impeachment is off the table doesn't lead me to believe that she is progressive at all."
She is progressive, she is very progressive, and that does not mean that she can start an impeachment during an illegal war with the media complicit and the DoJ nonfunctional and only 25 votes in the Senate to convict.
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