Dianne Feinstein on Michael Mukasey: He's so Bright and Independent...
By John Amato Tuesday Nov 06, 2007 11:08am
Dianne Feinstein describes Mukasey as a man that is "well-steeped in national security law." If that's true then why doesn't he know if waterboarding is torture? via CNN's Late Edition on Sunday:
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Blitzer: When you both announced on Friday you will support the confirmation of Michael Mukasey to be the next attorney general, that effectively guaranteed that he'll not only get out of the committee but eventually will be confirmed as the attorney general. Even though he's taking what some are calling a wishy-washy position on waterboarding or torture, why do you believe he should be confirmed?
Feinstein: Well, first of all, because he is a bright, independent figure. Well-steeped in national security law, presided over some of those trials. In the 172 pages of written questions and answers, the independence of thought comes through.
He's not going to wear two hats like Gonzales did. He'll wear one hat, and that will be an independent attorney general for a department which right now, today, is in disarray. Twenty-three out of 93 U.S. attorneys are not filled with permanent confirmed U.S. attorneys. The 10 top positions are vacant.
What I believe this president would do if Mukasey was -- failed to be confirmed was put in an acting, also make recess appointments. That would bring about diminished transparency, diminished Congressional oversight and would not be for the benefit of the department. So this is a strong independent figure. I'd be happy to talk about my views on torture, if you want.
We're only interested in what Mukasey's views on torture are, Dianne. He's the one trying to get confirmed here. And if they don't match up to your view on waterboarding then why did you push his nomination through? Sigh...Then she goes on to quiver at the thought of what George Bush might do if he doesn't get his way. Mr. 24% is making her nervous.
What the heck is wrong with these people? She actually used the term "diminished transparency," and "diminished Congressional oversight" to describe what might happen in the Justice department if Bush had a hissy fit...Isn't that what we've had since Bush and Cheney took office? I could go on, but what would be the point. Please contact her and let her know (It does help) this is not acceptable:
Washington Office:
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0504
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
Main District Office:
One Post Street, Suite 245
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 393-0707
SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, D-R.I.: Is waterboarding constitutional?
MICHAEL MUKASEY, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE: I don't know what's involved in the technique. If waterboarding is torture, torture is not constitutional.
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Mush for Brains
Twofer? Frist
I think someone must be blackmailing our Democrat "leadership."
I don't think it's blackmail. I think it's pure unadulterated greed.
I've called twice and written, but this is ridiculous.
Time to go Dianne, we're gonna find you a challenger.
Why does she so look like a used car salesman here?
Just more spin and lies from a prominent Democrat TURNCOAT!!
I have a recommendation for DiFi, retirement. You are just another tired political hack not doing the job. Get lost.
I hope Californians find a good challenger against "kitty cat face."
..love the suit.
any notion that muky will be an independent AG was thrown out the window when it came to his BS over waterboarding. he knows what it is, and instead of being "indep" he decided to use his pseudo-prestige to protect the president. DiFi knows this, she is just trying to cover her ass.
DiFi and schumer have proven, again, that they deserve to be thrown out of office.
I would say that they are DINOs, but it appears that the dems have decided that being republican-lite is the definition of democrat.
It's more complicated than the left wants to make it out to be. If the guy declares waterboarding as defacto torture then he opens the Bush administration up for legal prosecution. Let's face it, that's not going to happen. Never ever in a million years will the dems gain from such a strategy. DiFi is being pragmatic, which is a concept that the left has a lot of trouble comprehending.
She's not afraid. She's an accomplice. And what's all this crap about Mukasey being a strong independent figure? He will be because she SAYS SO? No, Dianne, we have to go by what HE says, not by your feelings on the matter. Geez! Your constituency is not a bunch of neo-con retards, lady. Or....are they? I can't even tell anymore.
That's all, Dianne; you have lost my vote and anybody I know who I can inform of your recent record.
It's also people like you that have me laughing at national Democratic groups that call me on the phone and ask for my hard earned money. I make individual contributions to people who I think still have a crumb of credibility left and that's it (Hint: you ain't one of 'em).
By the way, Marge Simpson wants her suit jacket back. Get that lavender dye cleaned out of it and give it back, please.
Mukasey's bright and independent? Wasn't he at a committee hearing or show & tell?
Yo Dianne, an Alanon meeting can help you deal with the anxiety about what a drunk may or may not do. Ass!
Time for that senile old bitch to resign.
Ah, so she is saying that his Bush Bootlicking in the committee hearings was just him paying lip service to them that brought him to the dance. (rolls eyes)
pete moss @ 10:
She can be pragmatic all she wants; I get that. What I would respect is if she stated the situation the same way you just did. It's the bullshitting I can't stand. Well...then why do I even pay attention to what any politician has to say? I just touche`d myself. Ah well.....
i really dont think it helps anything but our own consciences...ol' madame bechtel aint gonna pay any attention.
I am so sick of the old and infirm being placed in positions of power.
After 60 they ALL should be subject to outside psychological review and CAT/MRI scans for abnormalities.
Perhaps even get a pshyc profile made up before they take the oath of office and make a comparative analysis as they progress.
To let those with dementia rule a nation with as many weapons as this one has is insane.
I am SO voting her out of office...
i didn't want to believe it but i guess it's true:
she represents the aipac. not californina. not america.
(10) pete moss-
i respectfully, and strenuously, disagree.
pragmatic about.... torture? hmmmm.
had DiFi and schumer not supported muky he would not have been confirmed. yet they did. and now we will have an AG that uses his position to protect Bush. you might think that is a good strategy, but others do not.
i do agree with you that this dud would not sell bush down the river, because he is a compromised man, but to somehow then reach the conclusion that he is thus a good choice for the AG is not "pragmatism" it is irresponsibility.
That Mukasey is needed to 'fix' the Justice Dept. is a lie. The Justice Dept. isn't broken because Alberto Gonzales was a terrible AG, it is broken because Bush/Cheney wanted it broken. You can't address fixing the Justice Dept. without addressing Bush/Cheney. So their justification for voting for Mukasey is totally false and they know it.
Liberals need to start realizing that the Dems treat liberals the way Repubs treat social conservatives. We're just means to an end.
Her justification is basically: I am afraid that the Shrub is much smarter than us and will outmaneuver even worse in the future with a recess appointment, so we'll play the gullible fools yet again for now and give him another wingnut nomination.
Great. We are stuck with the idiot Feinstein until she retires.
pete moss @ 10:
Um, I'm just a moose, so please explain to me how having the AG pursue criminal activity in the Exuctive Branch doesn't benefit the nation, and why the Democrats wouldn't benefit from having said criminality brought to light?
did difi have anything to say about her husband's awesomely generous defense contracts.
didn't think so.
thanks for posting this- it is absurd and horrendous that she did this...and what are Shumer's "reasonings".....we are talking about torture...lordy...
don't waste your time emailing unless you are in CA, they send you a polite "screw off" if your zip doesn't match.
Instead, perhaps you will hear this? You are a traitor now, and are obstructing justice, involved in a criminal conspiracy to spy on americans, you are a war criminal for allowing funding to come to a vote without saying no. Perhaps the people of your state will retire you, and then imprison you for crimes against them and the people of this nation. You are a thoughtless stooge paid off by companies that have more to offer than your paycheck from the American people. What kind of human scum are you anyway? You are a self serving republican thug and we can only hope the frog walk you do is for crimes that will prevent you from lobbying for your favorite charity, yourself.
pete moss @ 10:
So now supporting torture is pragmatism? And, it doesn't matter if this guy says it is not torture, our laws do. Remember the JAGs? Here is a link to their letter to refresh your memory.
I'll wager she's going to retire at the end of this term. Stay tuned.
Feinstein's arguments remind me of when GW tried to get his choice for the Supreme Court, Harriet Myers, through the nomination process, by telling the Religious Wrong with a wink and a nod that Harriet was "on our side."
Yeah, right.
Oh, ye of little faith--just wait until the Democrats activate their secret plan. You'll all be sorry you ever doubted.
personally, i don't think it makes one bit of difference if you call. they have an agenda and we are not a part of it. the only thing to do is vote them out of office when the time comes.
pete moss @ 10:
Pragmitism to you is letting criminals go free then is what you've just said. Figures.
Disgusting. That DINO douchebag can go to hell.
20 joe cantwell Says:
I agree, you cant(very)well.
This is inane at best, aiding and abeting at worst. Of course, Bush would make a recess appointment, but it's better for Bush to take the low road than Congress.
dumbstruck @ 2:
I think this is proof positive that the warrantless eavesdropping is aimed at political rivals more than terrorists.
It couldn't be clearer except to spineless sell-outs like DiFi. If he won't say waterboarding is torture, no way is he independent, bright or intelligent. He's just another water-carrying spokesmodel for Chimpy & Darth's Just Us Dept.
What do you expect? Her husband is making money hand over fist from this war and she is benefitting from the profits he is reaping, which is a strong reason why she has helped provide everything Bush needs to keep everything going strong. With Democrats like her, you don't need Republicans. She should be under investigation for ethics violations and kicked out, but the Dems are so afraid to lose their precious balance in Congress without bothering to think that if she does not vote with them on the major issues - it hardly makes her relevant to anyone but Bush and the neocons. Get rid of her!
Bought and payed for she is.
I guess it's true...people get delusional when they get old.
Another Dem siding with the 24%-ers. Hoyer credits surge with quelling violence in Iraq
Feintsein, Pelosi, Hoyer. Reality is setting in that 24% is a whole lot higher than 11%.
pete moss @ 10:
What, are you an idiot!
This country is based on the rule of law.
At least it is supposed to be.
That means it doesn't matter if the Dems gain or lose from this, they are hired to make sure that the rule of law prevails and that the Constitution is defended.
By explicitly OKing torture in this manner they have tacitly agreed that the US is a rogue nation and that the Constitution has been supplanted by a defacto dictatorship..
Pragmatism has NOTHING to do with this, this is treasonous action in direct violation of the oaths of office that these 2 scum suckers took.
He isn't bright or intelligent. Laws stating waterboarding is torture have been on the books in this country for about 100 years. He claims he can't comment because he doesn't know the details of waterboarding. Well, as a bright lawyer, I expect him to research legal decisions on the matter. There is plenty of legal decisions on the subject at hand going all the way back to the Spanish-American war. A bright, independent lawyer would do his homework.
But, we all know that he knows what waterboarding is and what the law says about it. Which makes him a liar, and if he conformed, a criminal.
He is bright, independent, and smells of cinnamon and unicorns and daisies.
We don't need a third party in this country. We need a second party.
What part of the word Independent is confusing here, he's clearly NOT vs. IS!
Mr. 24% would put in??????
Auntie Em! Oh Auntie Em, where are you?
He's also a personal friend of one Rudolph Giuliani
oldtree @ 27:
They also send you a polite "screw off" if it DOES match!
DiFi reasoning
because Mr. 24% will not nominate an independent AG (his responsibility), we will give up our responsibility (ensuring an independent AG).
Yeah, that works in shitontheconstitution land!
You're a putz, Dianne... a stupid, likes-to-be-lied-to idiot! They must have some really incriminating stuff on you, huh?! Why do you call yourself a Democrat? I think you're Joe Lieberman's best friend...
End the incumbentocracy!!!
Here's what would have happened if DiFi didn't go along with this guy:
He never would have said that waterboarding is torture, he would not be nominated, and instead Bush would make a recess appointment.
That's what's pragmatic about DiFi's stance. Better the devil you know....
DemoChristian @ 37:
My suspicion as well...
A little less shrill, John.
Mukasey is bad news. But did you expect a nonpartisan nominee from Bush? EVER?
Let's count on Congressional oversight and move on.
Don't perseverate.
MN USA @ 31:
Let me guess what the secret plan is: to roll over and expose the neck and stomach to the Repug attack dogs. And then tell the public it was their diversion strategy.
"Diminished transparency." That could be applied to so many things with this wonderful administration. First and foremost the Constitution. Welcome to the police state boys and girls.
Papers please.
SeekTheTruth @ 55:
Only if they send lots of mean letters and use please at the beginning of each sentence...
We need to impeach some Democrats before we even start thinking about impeaching damned Republicans.
Dennis @ 42:
Of coures, that 11% is from the fact that they're doing crap like this. If you're shaking in fear of a man who's more hated than Nixon at this point, you deserve to be at 11%.
DiFi's pragmatism is not pragmatic at all. It's spineless. It's moronic. It's just plain criminal. The laws have been clear on waterboarding, and if it opens up the administration to prosecution...well, then they deserve it. When you're going to be the AG, this kind of crap needs straight answers. You're not going to get hired as an accountant if you can't understand tax code. This is just as fundamental as that.
And if Bush puts in a recess appointment...well, how much worse can it be than what we've had? At the very least, there would be zero air of 'bipartisanship' in his appointment. Instead, the Democrats look like craven cowards, and for god's sake they deserve to. Craven, idiotic, complicit cretins.
It's sad that the mushiness about torture is even being debated. The fact that we all but have an AG now who refuses to make a stand on torture because Democrats are afraid of one of the most deeply unpopular presidents in US history is beyond tragic.
pete moss @ 53:
So if some one is going to do something bad and you can't stop them then you should help them. That's a woderful theory of pragmitism you have there junior.
Bonkers @ 16:
Or, more to the point about how I feel:
Her right to be be pragmatic ends where her fist hits my nose (or something like that). Couch it any way you want, Di, but do the right thing or get thee gone.
pete moss @ 10:
See, this is where I disagree with you.
What you call "pragmatism" I, and several others, call it APATHY!
The pragmatism you refer to is just the EXCUSE to carry on, "Let's face it, that's not going to happen." That's NOT pragmatism, that's called APATHY. You no longer care and instead insist that change is too difficult.
Diane is not being pragmatic. For it to be pragmatic, it needs to be solidified in reason. There is no reason to confirm the Highest Law Official when even he insists that speaking about the law is a hypothetical. When in fact, the law is concrete. And so should Diane's decisions be based on concrete, sound reasoning. Many of us don't buy her B.S.
And that is why I have to call out your B.S.
Your "pragmatism" is the same reasoning that impeachment was tossed out. It just didn't make (political) sense. However the facts remain, impeachment IS Constitutional, sound and one of the ONLY means of REAL accountability. It's removal was NOT pragmatic. IT WAS DUMB and a death nail to this Nation and the sycophantic groupies that follow the gang of criminals ruining our name, America.
Suggestion: Shift your paradigms and your pragmatism will realign itself to reality.
.
On Diane: Why does she hate America so?
.
Diane "5th Columnist" Feinstein. AIPAC owned and operated since 1992.
~
Fascist dictatorship is so complicated... Somehow, even an idiot like Bush can understand it...
Traitor Feinstein almost didn't run in her last election. She was very tired. She certainly won't be running again three years from now. She's done her dirty work for the Bush gangsters... Feinstein is a traitor to our Bill of Rights; Feinstein is a traitor to our Constitution; Feinstein is a traitor to our America.
SeekTheTruth @ 55:
....isn't this part of oversight?
Screw oversight, if Democratic congressmen can't do this, how the hell do you expect them to hold any meaningful oversight? You're falling into Bush's trap. After all, he bitched that these questions should have only been asked after Mukasey's approval (you know, stuff that's actually relevant to his freakin' potential job and directly relates to his competance at said job).
Dilapidus @ 4:
Don't bother. I've emailed her several times on issues that made me
wonder why she calls herself a democrat. Her email responses are as
lame as she is and loaded with the worst excuses for her recent string
of Bush appeasement. Also, I believe she is not running for re-election
so she will vote with the repigs 100% and not give a shit about her
constituents at this juncture. She and her war profiteering husband
have made their millions and now it's time for her to ride off into the
sunset.
We're looking at a tired career politician who needs to either retire or be voted out of office so a younger senator with a backbone and fire can take over.
pete moss @ 10:
I think most everyone comprehends this.
The thinking on the right can be summed up by a quote by Dick Armey,
"I'd rather do the wrong thing for the right reason, than the right thing for the wrong reason." Which essentially means that through magical thinking, we can rationalize any crime.
These people will do anything for the sake of appearances, and will justify any crime, any abuse, any traitorous act, so long as they can imagine a 'right' reason for doing it.
We understand this.
But we still think it is wrong to commit and endless stream of felonies and acts of treason in order to chase after imaginary boogey men.
The rightists can justify anything in the name of fear. If they could imagine that burning the hands and feet off of children with a blow torch might save one life from an imaginary terrorist, they would justify it, and say it isn't technically torture, because it's being done for the right reasons.
What the rightists don't understand is that doing the wrong thing, for the right reasons, is still doing the wrong thing.
Feinstein is up to her neck in the bloodshed unleashed by her vote to entrust a declaration of war to Bush/Cheney. Their treason is her treason. She refuses to face up to that rude truth, however, and continues to support the perpetrators of the great tragedy because their crimes are her own. She is truly a wretched excuse of a human being.
right on! @ 54:
I believe it.
Diane Feinstein sounds like she has ulterior motives in her support for this Bush Cabal. I think her husband works in the Defense Industry or what some call the Military Industrial Complex. He is benefiting from the fake War on Terror. Too bad more people weren't waking up to these schemes and plots.
pete moss @ 53:
Except in this case, we get the crap about how Mukasey's approval was a 'bipartisan effort'. THe problem with our Dems is that when they do end up as pragmatic, it's about exactly the WRONG ****ING THINGS.
Take the Kucinich resolution earlier. Repubs tried to hang it around Dems necks by trying to push it to full debate. This, in any sane world, would have benefited the DEMOCRATS, because the debate about said impeachment would have been prime stage to shine a light on this administration's incompetance. Instead, they shuffled it off to committee to kill it off, because they shied away.
Pragmatism about torture would tell you that most Americans likely disapprove of it, and those who dont' disapprove of it will probably never ****ing vote for you anyways. Passing on a guy who's this gutless and this in Bush's pocket is tacit approval of the very tactic he refuses to condemn. All the 'pragmatism' and gladhanding about how Bush's recess appointments would be much worse, and how we need to clean up the Justice Dept. is crap. The problem was not Gonzales alone, the problem isn't the vacuum at the Dept. The problem is endemic, institutional, and starts and ends with the Bush Administration itself. They can't figure this out, they deserve to be laid out on their asses (not that it takes more than a stiff breeze to do that to them these days).
I live in California, I've called her office, I've told them that I will never vote for her again and I can tell you this, she doesn't care. The DNC will not put up a proper challenger to
Diane and she knows it. So, her answer to all of us is as simple as our President, "Go fuck yourself!"
I URGE my fellow Californians that if the DNC refuses to back a challenger to Diane vote
for the most progressive challenger.
Diane is laughing at all of us.
She's like the kid at the fast food counter, "Hey whatever man I just work here."
Terrible @ 61:
In the Christian mythology, Satan is never ever destroyed. Since he can't be beaten, Christians should just worship him instead. They don't have the votes to get God to just wish him out of existence.
Terrible @ 3:
I think ALOT of both!
Should I address my letter to Diane Lieberman?
I tried to get through to her DC office yesterday, phones were hopelessly jammed, and her website was crashed. Hmmmm, methinks a few constituents are rather unhappy with her. Hope she enjoys her upcoming retirement.
SeekTheTruth @ 55:
What I don't get about this statement is that the AG is subject to oversight regardless of whether he is appointed by recess or voted in by Congress. To me this is a BS reason to vote this criminal into office. They are trying to scare us into thinking that there will be no oversight if the AG is recess appointed. But that makes no sense. AG's are subject to oversight period. What makes them think that Mukasey would allow them their oversight anymore than the next Bushie pick?
Sadly, I don't think senility has brought this on. Watch the documentary, The Life and Times of Harvey Milk, and you'll see Diane as a member of city council acting in the atrocious manner she has so often displayed. This is nothing new. I have never understood how voters returned her to office when she so clearly does not share their views and cares only about getting along and her own personal hide.
DiFi (and all the Dem current Dem leaders) must go. They simply don't understand brass knuckle politics and their Constitutional responsibilities. They have the power, use it-- just like the Rethugs did. You don't want a worse interim appointment? Fine. Don't recess, technically. Publicly give Bush an ultimatum: either appoint an independent AG or be prepared not to have one for the rest of his term. Seize the security issue by accusing Bush of making the nation weaker in the face of terror by not agreeing to a Rethuglican AG agreeable to the Dems.
PUT THE ONUS ON A PIG HEADED BUSH. Let him throw a fit on television by planting questions with reporters. Then appear calm, deliberative and appalled to respond in the media. DRIVE THE DISCUSSION. DON'T BE A HELPLESS VICTIM BYSTANDER.
scooter @ 79:
Since when do constituents matter these days?
No, I'm serious. When have these assholes actually listened to the people in the last few years?
Kryptik @ 83:
The most important thing a Dem needs to do to get campaign financing, is to stroke Rahm Emmanuel. So long as he believes that you are supporting the Republican Party line, he'll direct campaign funds your way.
so friggin' old, she got senile.
Weaseldog @ 76:
Should? Sometimes I'm sure they do!
Hmmm. The top ten positions are vacant, eh? Those wouldn't have happened to include eight spots where the holders were summarily dismissed by a schmuck you confirmed, Dianne, using a little-known clause of the improved USA PATRIOT Act that you helped shove down our throats, would it?
I'm not looking for bright. I'm looking for honest. (Though it's a mystery how you arrived at 'bright' unless you were awed by his circumlocutions about waterboarding.)
And independent? When he can't even say, "I will prosecute any member of the administration found to have violated the law"?
The deal is done, now. Feinstein and Schumer rolled over and approved an AG who won't stand up to the unconstitutional views of Cheney/Bush.
Now schedule him for oversight hearings every six weeks. Use them to publicize the illegal activities of Cheney/Bush.
Kryptik @ 73:
I was just trying to explain this to my girlfriend. She couldn't understand why the Dems voted against it and Repubs were voting for it. I tried to explain their rationale and she rightfully came to the conclusion that the Dems are chicken shit. Only this group of Dems could look at trying to bring up articles of impeachment of a Vice President whose approval ratings are in the teen to the forefront as a liability!!
Californians oust this dumb slut Whore for the money
I see DiFi is wearing her little old lady wig and a suit she wore in the 1970’s. She sports this look when she doesn’t want to be questioned about a stupid vote.
okay, feinstein or one of your flunkies who reads the blogs and reports, let me be as clear and succinct as possible. in supporting the appointment of mukasey, you in effect are telling geo bush to keep up the good work. when has he ever made an appointment that turned out to be a good one. he drags the bottom to find those whom he would reward with an appointment but only if they are willing to follow blindly. thus in supporting mukasey, you are supporting bush. mukasey may be a good and decent fellow as you intimate but he has in effect already sworn allegiance to bush as evidenced by his unwillingness to call water boarding torture. this lone act negates any good that he has done in the past and certainly stands forthright against his approval by the democratic party. yet, feinstein stands almost alone among dems in her endorsement of him.
She needs to go and anyone else who would support the crooked govt we currently have running this nation.
Flunky, please pass this on to feinstein since her phone lines are clogged.
The reason why Feinstein and Schumer support Mukasey is the big elephant in the room. Race before nation.
Weaseldog @ 76:
Christians do worship Satan. He has 24% still supporting him.
Feinstein-Schummer-Lieberman. The axis of Zionists. Israel's interest first, America's second.
Kevinsf @ 91:
Uh huh, wearing her Church Lady outfit to fool the middle American Christians that Jew Lady is one of them while she stabs them and the nation in the back.
Really DiFi.... 'smart and independent' is he huh?... Ya really think that's playin in California? Do YOU really believe that tripe? How can you be this stupid and gullible lady??? The repubs are playin ya dummy! I'm not going to bother calling her or writing.. already did that last week... She or at least one of her flunkies who screens her email already knows she lost my vote forever...JD
Dear Senator Feinstein:
When you took office as Senator, you swore to, "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
The VIII Amendment to that Constitution states, "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
No reasonable person can claim that "Waterboarding" is anything other than "cruel and unusual". This is so widely held a notion, that its use is proscribed by international law, as well as our own.
Claiming that this despicable act of torture is legal simply by virtue of calling it something else is the kind of child's game one would expect out of a second grader, but not an Attorney General of the United States. By making this ludicrous claim, Mr.Mukasey is making it clear that he intends to allow blatant disregard of our Constitution by the executive branch to continue, without challenge.
Senator, you are an intelligent woman. Certainly you cannot believe that supporting the appointment of a man who maintains this position is consistent with your primary duty to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The Constitution IS America. If you intend to allow yourself to become a willing accomplice in its destruction, you should consider resigning from office, instead. If you care at all about this nation, you must reverse your current stance, and OPPOSE MICHAEL MUKASEY's appointment as Attorney General.
I had the opportunity to interview Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys a while back, and he described Feinstein as never having met a police state she didn't like. I think it's time for the people of California to give her the boot and send her into retirement.
Call, shmall ..whatevah. Won't matter. DiFi doesn't give a cr#& about the country, the Democtratic party or for that matter her constituents.
All she is doing is giving cover to Bush. As kryptik pointed out, now Mukasey is a "bipartisan". The repugs can say "look,he's your guy too. How can you complain about anything he does." As for DiFi ... she's trying to justify her capitulation by telling everybody what a well meaning independent guy Mukasey is.
And what is this "diminished transparency" BS. There isn't any transparency now, and there never will be under Bush. Chickenshit indeed ..if I wasn't so temperate .... oh, fuck it. I applaud the fact that a "mature American" like DiFi is unafraid to show she still enjoys blowing a young stud like W.
Wait. Aren't you arguing that independence is a good thing? What is if it's independence from YOU and YOUR opinion as well as independence from the opinion of the Pres/VP/whomever?
Is it still a good thing? Or is it only good to be independent if the AG is on your side?
So what if you disagree about some things? People with independent views often disagree, you will find.
By the way, this post concerns the comment about pushing his nomination through even if he doesn't agree with her view. It is NOT in reference to the practice of waterboarding, which I find offensive and most definitely illegal under international law.
Isn't it sad that I have to qualify a post even among those with whom I am politically in agreement for fear of being bashed? Think twice before you look for ways to tear people down. And learn some compassion and/or restraint.
SIJ @ 99:
Biafra kicks ass! I've heard his spoken word before...not live unfortunately...he's been railing against this very thing since the late 80's...if not earlier...I've never really known that much about DiFi until the last few years..and me no likey!
Nick @ 100:
And I'm independent enough to say that I personally disagree with Diane and as a voter in California want her removed for someone who wants to protect the constitution from asshole like her. You can admire her independence all you'd like and I'd argue that we voted for her to represent the voters of California. You want to tell me I'm wrong?
Nick@100;
Actually, I agree with the concepts you allude to.. However after seven years of living thriu this administrations lies, deceits, various manipulations in multiple venues and a former AG who undermined the department of justice from within, which doesn't even scrap the top of this cesspool we know as the Bush presidency; your comments almost seems 'quaint' to borrow an expression from that previous Bush administration AG... And your very last sentence? Should be solely directed to this administration...They are the ones who need so badly and have so compeletely failed to learn or show any restraint or compassion in any regard for anyone or anything save their own twisted views......JD
We don't care what she says anymore. Whatever was left of her credibility has gone completely. California needs to get rid of her. The sooner the better.
This line that Mukasey is a fine and good person is nothing more than Victorian politeness. It is phony and thus makes the 2 dems phony.
If Mukasey were selling you a car with a very large engine and you asked: Is this car a fuel efficient car? And he answered: Well I have not seen the reports, I can not speak to hypotheticals. It could be considered fuel efficient depending on the facts surrounding it's use. It is abhorrent to me that it forces one to spend $100 dollars to fill the tank...What would you be thinking?
A person failing to answer a direct question when the facts and answer are known is a person looking to hid their intent. If that person's actions will have zero effect on your life, no problem. But, when they will be in such a position to determine what the rules are, their lack of answering is anything but a good and fine person. They are a dishonest and selfish person; a liar.
What ever integrity Mukasey had, he gave it up in his intentional non answers.
Perhaps its time to pull a Gray Davis on her ass......JD
Jeez. You guys are mean when you're mad. I was already upset with Feinstein - the Southwick business being my personal last straw - so the Mukasey thing was just icing for me. I already wrote the good senator, telling her I can't support her anymore, and that I won't vote for her again. Now, instead of spinning our wheels here, thinking up foul names to call her, let's get busy. Who's a plausible (and electable) alternative? Anybody got names to offer up?
It came as no surpise to me that Chucky voted for Mukey -- after all, he suggested Mukey to Busholini. Diane Lieberstein is another story.
Terrible @ 61:
Thanks oldster. It's called politics american style. Or do you prefer to suffer under delusions of idealism?
Does anyone know how many years she has left on her term? I gladly give $500 toward impeaching her.
And Feinstein is so stupid and full of shit. I sure hope another Dem runs against her next term. Cause I will NEVER vote for this idiot again. Ever.
liberalNmoderation @ 102:
I shall preface by saying I am on the left. I say who cares what Biafra says about anything. He has his rock and roll (oh, sorry...punk rock) pulpit to spew from, but he's not the spokesman this leftie wants speaking for him.
MN USA @ 31:
What secret plan? To dig a hole so deep they can not get out? There is no secret. Or maybe you know something we don't. Please explain.
The only thing they got left is to go after the Bush admin with criminal charges after their term is over. If any of the candidates had a brain or integrity, they would make a Bush trial a promise to the American people. They also should promise to turn over rumsfeld to france and germany where there have already been formal charges brought against rummy.
They should also promise to deliver the pentagon security footage from 9/11. These simple promises would seal the presidency for any of these candidates. Just because congress does not have the guts to face this pressing reality, does not mean that the American people do not.
Go Cindy Sheehan!
Put impeachment on the table. Or are there not enough dead yet?
What they are really voting for is a person who will mark time to limp this Justice Department through the remainder of this disaster of a Presidency without causing to much havoc. Can you imagine a truly independent AG going after the Criminals in the White House it would send all of these ossified DINOsaurs into a swoon to have to really do something that required real courage and honesty!
Why do we even have Senate confirmations if recess appointments are always threatened?
Just another lame ass excuse from a DINO senator. Got to get rid of these idiots.
"He is not going to wear 2 Hat like Gonzales did, He will wear 1 Hat"
what a height of stupidity , Senator is giving opinion about a person who has no opinion about Water Boarding.
she should have also said "And occasionally he WONT WEAR ANY HAT !!!"
huh !! same old calculative politics.
pete moss @ 113:
I believe Jello was speaking for himself. Just like you are. Or maybe I should dismiss your opinions based on your job?
pete moss @ 113:
One platform Biafra ran on when going for Mayor of SF was thaty all business people were going to have to show up for work in a clown suit instead of a brook bros. Funny to think about.
I still think politicians should be made to wear a nascar type sponsorship vest while at work.
wow, this song is gettin' old.
refugblicans promote something bad for the country, dumocrats vote it in, etc, etc, etc...
i want america back!!!
And for the record, pete moss @53 and @10 is full of sh*t. I guess criminal minds do think similarly.
Have a glorious day.
I'm so sick of the DLCers like Feinstein showing they're "tough"
pete moss @ 113:
No wonder the left sucks so much in this country....
name one person Dianne Feinstein...... that Bush has appointed that has not turned out to be a corrupt scumbag sleazeball...
just one....there are of course not any.
How could you roll over one more time for another corrupt man.
We have had 7 years of incompetence and 7 years of no accountable thanks to cheerleaders like Dianne Feinstein..
It is time for Dianne to resign.
Nick @ 101:
There are so many red herrings and logical fallacies in this post that I don't know where to begin. BTW, nice job at shielding yourself behind the coat of "compassion and/or restraint." LOL...
pete moss @ 113:
Yeah we could tell what a leftie you are from your first comment.
cin @ 125:
The only good thing about this whole incident is that she is not running for re-election. Her hubby is reaping major contracts in Iraq, thus she has been bought and paid for a long time.
However, at some point I started to get the distinct impression that the Democrats have been laughing at the faces of liberals for at least the better part of this decade.
Dianne Feinstein on Michael Mukasey: He’s so Bright and Independent…
Actually Diane, you and Chuck Schumer are the nitwits.
Feinstein = traitor
Feinstein has obviously has forgotten why she is there and has apparently never read the Constitution. What more proof is needed that she has turned to the darkside? She no longer serves the People. She is another Lieberman, a fascist pretending to be a progressive. It is time for her to go. Any commentors here California resident s that would be willing to run for her seat? Start a campaign, I'll send you money.
Frankenfeinstein is just one more reason why term limits may be a good idea.
Ya know...she wants to climb in bed with the rest of the neocon and corporate masters, that's ok...but can she at least give the rest of us a reacharound.
I have notified Feinstein's office over and over that a vote for Mukasey would be (and now is) a vote for torture. I don't think she cares, since I understand that she is not running for re-election. If not, then the only recourse we California voters will have is to make sure the senator who replaces her is not such an obvious enabler of torture.
If he was so independent, why couldn't he just say that waterboarding was torture? Waterboarding is torture by anyone's definition -- except the definition of the Bush administration.
12 ysbaddaden Says: Mukasey’s bright and independent? Wasn’t he at a committee hearing or show & tell?
Do you mean "snow and sell"?
dr who..
democrats have been laughing at the faces for too long..
I was so upset when I heard about this monday...just dagger to the heart.
They really don't care. I just phoned Dianne Feinsteins office, and after 3 days I finally got through. Why would anyone after all the blood sweat and tears of trying to help get our side elected, why would anyone feel inclined to vote. I sure don't.
The real sickening part about all of this, is that the republicans have been intimidating and stealing and taking whatever they want, never playing by the rules, all the while deciding that there are no rules for them. So they used this approach to steal the whitehouse. They were never held accountable for that. And they know that people like Dianne Feinstein will roll over and over and over again, and for Bush every day he gets what ever he wants.
It makes me ill...
I didn't know about Diannes husband or that she wouldn't be running anymore.
There is one thing certain. There are no knight in shining armours in DC for Democrats. Last November what we thought was our fairtail election, was pointless really.
Heartbreaking:(
She uses fear tactics (fear of Bush). She's tolerant of homosexuality. She has a deep voice.
OMG- It's Rudy in drag!
No, seriously. Look at her. It's Rudy in drag.
Maybe Feinstein is better unmasked and the rest of the bluedog idealogical phonies who are in it for the cash.
Hey California, recall this bitch. The next time she can be voted out is 2012. That's 5 years away. That's too long. RECALL FEINSTEIN.
Weaseldog @ 71:
I've been convinced of this for years, now. There is no other explanation.
Dr. Who @ 124:
What? I thought that was Dianne Finestein in the CNN clip? Jesus, what's this country coming to, with aging punk-rockers cross dressing like that?? What's with that hairdo, anyway?
I am so happy to know what a great guy Mukassey is. If he is so wonderful, why did the real Democratic Senators on the committe vote "No"? Dianne, go back to tinting your hair, counting your money, and contemplating Botox. What state/country do you represent?
As expected, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-8 to send the nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to the full Senate for confirmation as Attorney General. As the AP reports, Democrats Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) provided the decisive votes after accepting "his assurance to enforce any law Congress might enact against waterboarding." Sadly for Schumer, Feinstein and the American people, Congress in 2005 already passed a law express forbidding waterboarding and other interrogation techniques amounting to torture. And President Bush already issued a signing statement declaring he would ignore it.
For the details, see:
"Waterboarding the Constitution: Mukasey and Bush's 2005 Signing Statement."
The rubber-stamp Senate confirmation process has been a joke for decades; the only time it had teeth in it was when the GOP allowed secret holds to be placed on nominees which only was allowed when the GOP controlled-Senate had a Democratic president. Anyone who gets a hearing is almost always confirmed no matter the party in the White House or in the Senate majority. Let Bush give Mukasey a recess appointment but don't give Mukasey the Senate's imprimatur: it's time for the Senate to start asserting its Constitutional powers, not cowering before this lamest of lame duck Presidents. A vote for Mukasey is another nail in the coffin for the separation of powers!
Feinstein=Imperious Old Trout.
Recall her, California.
Sung to the tune of John Mellencamps's song Jack & Diane:
Little diddy, about Chuck and Diane,
2 American pols whoring in the heartland.
Chucky yearns to be a Carlyle Group star,
Diane's a duplicitous twat with morals on par.
Suckin' on corporate cash like bloodthirsty fleas,
Diane got Chucky's back, coordinating their sleaze.
Chucky say, "Hey Diane, let's thwart the people's plea,
Give Bush's hack Mukasey a pass, and let them do as they please.
Say uh, oh yeah torture goes on,
Long after the thrill of interrogatin' is gone.
Say uh, oh yeah torture goes on,
Long after the thrill of interrogatin' is gone. They waterboard on.
Chucky sits back, claims his decision's a torment,
Diane pats his head and pretends she knows what he means.
Well then there Diane, we oughtta run off to join the GOP.
Diane says "Baby, you right, we ain't Dems like they think"
Chucky say uh,
Oh yeah torture goes on,
Long after the thrill of interrogatin' is gone.
Oh yeah torture goes on,
Long after the thrill of interrogatin' is gone. They waterboard on.
Gonna let Bush torture, let them roll,
Let the bible belt, come and save our souls.
Holdin on to our Senate seats as long as we can,
Till changes come around real soon, make us human again.
Oh yeah torture goes on,
Long after the thrill of interrogatin' is gone
Oh yeah torture goes on,
Long after the thrill of interrogatin' is gone. They waterboard on.
Little diddy, about Chuck and Diane;
Two American traitors doin' the worst that they can.
I just sent this letter to Senator Feinstein:
"Senator Feinstein,
I'm not a California resident, but I am effected by your votes. I am disturbed by your record. I condemn your support of Mr. Mukasey, and I condemn the shabby rationalizations which you have used to justify that support. Apparently neither one of you have read the Constitution. Both of you appear to be so morally stunted and defective that he can't figure out what is or isn't torture, while you seem to have no problem with that glaring failure of character. His unwillingness to speak out against what he well knows to be a crime and his hinted support for the notion of a unitary executive is at complete odds with every good thing this country once upon a time stood for. The answers, non-answers and evasions he gave during hearings demonstrated his complete moral unfitness not only for AG, but also unfit for any position of influence or authority...including judge. It was also a demonstration of dishonesty.
You are a fool if you think that imagined security can be had at the expense of safegaurding human rights and civil liberties. The kind of safety you are looking for can only be found in a maximum security prison or a graveyard. I think you are unfit for the office you occupy, and I just wanted to let you know that I will be joining milions of other Americans who will be sending money to support whatever true Democrat arises to run for your seat.
You should be ashamed of yourself."
They just dont have the spine to do something like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aewpvcxAwTk
That was in 2003
Udon Nomee @ 139:
Well, the patriot act -- all 600 pages of it -- was written in less than a month, and it was only the Democratic senators who were going to vote nay who got all them Anthrax letters. 2001 had a lot of "terrirism" going on, once the GOP got all their rubber stamps, them Anthrax dude and Osama sure kept a low key after that...And Wellstone died days after voting nay on the war against Iraq resolution.
But then again, George Bush must be the luckiest boy on earth... after all he always gets all these coincidences happening all the time.
pete moss @ 10:
Sorry, Pete. Anytime you sacrifice principle for an imagined expedient that isn't pragmatism, it's dishonestly justified moral cowardice and it's the kind of foolishness that backfires on you every single time...without exception. The most practical thing anybody can ever do in any situtation is always do the right thing, because the right(principled) thing always ends up being the single path that most effectively uses energy without dissipation. What she has done will only cause more harm.
pete moss @ 10:
Not at all pal. We understand there is a clear difference between pragmatism and cowardice. Feinstein is clearly in the latter category. She had a chance to take a stand on principle and copped out and excused herself by claiming it was pragmatic. Wrong!
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