"Is this the United States Congress or the board of directors of Goldman Sachs?"

Dennis Kucinich's one minute speech has more substance in it than all the talking heads and msm reports over the last weeks. I really love Dennis.

Congressional Intervention

"Hi my name is the 101st Congress, I'm a democrat, and my government has become unmanageable." Hi 101st.

It has become necessary to promote a congressional intervention on the sorry, sick, spineless, addicted-to terror congress and get them into a 12-step program pronto.

Their latest foray into the darkside is HR 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. Ya gotta give it to 'em though, they sure know how to name a bill in order to scare people into capitulation. Isn't time to let your Senator (this bill has PASSED in the house already)that Orwellian thoughtcrime is OFF THE TABLE? This is YOUR fisrt step, please take it today.

However lame or ineffectual you may think writing, calling, emailing your senator seems, doing NOTHING, is infinitely more so. Please contact your senator and tell them that this thoughtcrime bill is an UNACCEPTABLE way to thwart terrorism and is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The senate version is s1959.

UPDATE: Yes, someone has started a petition. Please sign it.

Thoughts from Ralph and Jim

Stolen from Mike-o at Dept Of Homeland Conspiracy: A snippet of Ralph Nader discussing impeachment, and the current congressional perspective on its initiation. Followed by Jim Hightower's article, "Is a Presidential Coup Under Way?"

Dead Dems Walking

Dave Lindorff at This Can't Be Happening! has a great few posts up exposing the democrats catatonic response to BushCo and his Thuglicans ability to continue to pass or block legislation at will and praising Chris Dodd for showing some backbone.

The Democratic Party in Congress, and indeed the leading candidates for the party's presidential nomination, are all dead men and women walking.

They look alive. They may even think they're alive. But their political futures are close to moribund.

President Bush is no chump. He has figured out how to emasculate the Democrats (those that aren't already eunuchs). Instead of making a decent estimate of the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and asking for it up front for the 2008 fiscal year, he is asking for it piecemeal, giving Democrats opportunity after opportunity to turn him down and end it all, knowing all the while that they'll cave and give him his war money.

This bullshit of not being able to pass bills without, what they call, the requisite 60 votes in the senate. Chris Dodd has proved it can be done, by one.

Idiot America

Scott Ritter's essay on the nail-bitingly slow lack of action by congress on the Iraq occupation:

The ongoing hand-wringing in Congress by the newly empowered Democrats over what to do about the war in Iraq speaks volumes about the level of concern (or lack thereof) these “representatives of the people” have toward the men and women who honor us all by serving in the armed forces of the United States of America. The inability to reach consensus concerning the level of funding required or how to exercise effective oversight of the war, both constitutionally mandated responsibilities, is more a reflection of congressional cowardice and impotence than a byproduct of any heartfelt introspection over troop welfare and national security.

Read the rest.

Muggled

A little four minute something from Go Left TV featuring Jason Alexander and Company. A short film parody of "Harry Potter" called "The Plot to Bury Congress". It's funny and oh so right on the money. Give it a look.

"If the muggles are upset, tell them we're fighting them over there so...we can do whatever the hell we want over here."

"The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail...so, far it's working for us. The Democrats are taking the blame for not getting anything done."

-Trent Lott in Roll Call, April 7, 2007

For more info go to: The Campaign for America's Future. Go check out where your Senator stands in regards to being "obstructionist".

An Unconscionable Act of Cowardice

I speak of the democratic leadership, 41 house members and 16 senators giving carte blanche to the criminal enterprise in the white house, in its ability to wiretap without a warrant, ANYBODY, American, foreign or domestic. They gave the chimp-in-charge the ability to undermine the 4th amendment to the constitution, to whit:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

This 'new' law is unconstitutional, but it will survive in spite of that fact. It will unless we DEMAND that our representatives rescind this new law. They will not unless we hound them. If we choose to rely on the "sunsetting" of this law in six months, recall the "Patriot Act" which has the sunset provision built in. Not only did the patriot act survive, but had more restrictions of our freedoms built into the new version.

This craven act has gives the only oversight of wiretaps to the corrupt liar, Alberto Gonzales. How can the dems do this? They clearly care more for how they appear than what we think. The shock is still palpable.

That fact that the MSM barely reported this to the American people is no shock but how many more of of constitutionally protected freedoms will we let fall by the wayside until we say "NO MORE"? Call or write your rep or senator, especially if they are on the rollcall of traitors. Tell them you will not support them in the future. Tell them you will encourage all those in your sphere of influence to do the same. Tell them it is UNAMERICAN to undermine our basic rights. If you have outrage fatigue, buck up and do your duty to the nation by voicing your opinion.

It's no accident the MSM concentrates on the yo-yoing of the stock market, the bubble burst of the housing market, back to school sale and the mine tragedy in Utah; they want you distracted and exhausted, then you can't fight back. This can't wait. Do it now. Vigilance to the Constitution is more important now than since its very inception. Your nation is counting on you.

Congressman tells truth, is completely ignored.

By SoccerDad the LeftCoaster...via Avedon Carol.

General Eaton: If Pres. Bush Won't Listen, Congress Must

Former second commander in Iraq, Major General (ret.) Paul D. Eaton declares that the President did not listen to his commanders, and is still not listening, when it comes to the war in Iraq.
Video courtesy of Vote Vets Call your senator now. And keeping calling until the message gets through. No more stalling.

Impeachment Pie, best served piping hot

And boy, am I hot. The Honorable Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has filed Articles of Impeachment against Dick Cheney, and not a moment too soon. He made the announcement of his intetions yesterday.

This story got exactly NO PLAY on mainstream media, not even Olbermann's show (in his defense, Allison Stewart is subbing for him this week). The buzz is, because impeachment is a long and involved procedure, by the time it comes to fruition, the point becomes moot. Horse feathers.

The weight of scandal as a result of negligence, malfeasance and criminal enterprise by this administration will ultimately bring it down. It will take actions like this by the Democrats and about 1000 more investigations, but it will happen. The only caveat: The American People. If we do not support and demand further action from our representatives, they get the idea that we don't give a shit and/or are too stupid to care.

Ohio newspaper, The Chronicle -Telegram writes this about Congressman Kucinich's bold move:

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich filed articles of impeachment Tuesday against Vice President Dick Cheney, saying his action is driven by a desire to defend Americans’ right “to have a government that is honest and peaceful.”
The Ohio congressman said Cheney manipulated and fabricated intelligence on weapons of mass destruction to justify the Iraq war.
Kucinich said it was important to introduce the legislation “because the threat of war against Iran is very real.”
“This vice president cannot be permitted to continue to violate both the U.S. Constitution and the U.N. Charter,” he added. [snip] Kucinich had said earlier Tuesday that he was planning to postpone his plans to introduce the articles of impeachment due to Cheney’s health concerns. Cheney was taken to his doctor’s office for an ultrasound of a blood clot in his leg Tuesday. He later returned to the White House to resume his normal schedule, said Megan McGinn, a spokeswoman for the vice president.

Not said in the article was Rep. Kuchinich filed later in the day after Darth Cheney resumed his "normal schedule" of calling Democrats traitors and telling the American people to go fuck themselves.

Today WaPo's Dana Millbank, the cocktail-wienie-eating kiss-ass reporter smirks outwardly while narrating about the futility of Kuchinich's effort. Dennis addresses his rationale for impeachment in the only video of the news conference I could find. Wolf Blitzer takes Dennis on in The Situation Room and gives a bit of honest context and the serious weight this resoultion deserves.



Now, go call your representative to encourage them to go forward with H Res.333 impeachment proceedings and then go give a little love to Dennis Kuchinich for his bravery. It will take the pressure of the American conscience to raise the backbone of spineless politicians in this effort. Please throw your weight into the mix.

Calm Down Little Buck-a-Roo

HuffPo's posting this gem:Pelosi To Bush: "Calm Down With The Threats, There's A New Congress In Town"

Boxer Busts Out

I heard this clip several times today but this was my first viewing of the smackdown of James "global-warming-is-a-myth, the-world-is-only-6,000-years-old" Inhofe(OK-R) by the new chair-in-town Barbara Boxer(CA-D). Think Progress .

Veterans:Call in to Congress

Throughout the week of March 5 - 12, national peace and justice organizations will be mobilizing phone calls to congress to stop the passage of the supplemental $93 billion!

On March 8th, join Veterans For Peace, IVAW, Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace, and Democracy Rising as we flood Congress with calls telling them to stop funding this war!

Every day, the Democratic Leadership gets closer to ending this war! And you have made that happen! With our feet, we marched in Washington DC and will march on the Pentagon next weekend. With our actions, we have occupied Congressional offices from to California. Now it's time to use our voices as we flood Congress with calls that scream, "NO NEW FUNDS FOR WAR - BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!"

Congress is close to voting on the supplemental funding for the continuation of the war and occupation of Iraq and it is important for Congress to hear from veterans and their families.

WE know that ending funding for this war does not mean that we are stopping funding for our troops. We know the best way to support the troops is to bring them home NOW and take care of them when they get here.

Call Congress:202-224-3121 For additional information regarding what you can do about the situation at Walter Reed, read Paul Rieckhoff's HuffPo article. Good talking points for your letter or phone call to congress.

Jim Webb's Floor Speech on Iran

Senator Jim Webb Introduces Bill Prohibiting Use of Funds for Military Operations in Iran.

Senator Jim Webb delivered the following statement today on the Senate floor, introducing legislation prohibiting the use of funds for military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. The text of the bill and audio and video of the statement are available upon request.

"Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that will prohibit the use of funds for military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. The purpose of this legislation is to restore a proper balance between the executive and legislative branches when it comes to the commencement of military activities."

Susan UnPC delivers the rest of the speech over at Larry Johnson's "No Quarter"

Rep. Demands Kiley Be Ousted

Representative Louise Slaughter(D-NY) has called for the immediate removal of LTG. Kevin Kiley. Think Progress has that and so much more. Think Progress is burning it up today on the Walter Reed fiasco and its fallout. Read here.

Murtha seeks to restrain action in Iran

Read the John Murtha plan here.

Open Letter to the Senate

I have just emailed this to my Senators. Please take any part of it or write your own and send it. Send it to your Senators today.

Dear Senators Boxer and Feinstein,

My request as an American , a voter, a USAF service-connected disabled veteran, the spouse of an active duty USAF officer and constituent is that you and the other 98 senators go to the nearest VA hospital, or Walter Reed, or Bethesda and look those broken souls in the eye. Explain to them why you can't take a more principled stand on their behalf. Then tell these soldiers, marines and airman that if they wait another two years, there might be enough funding to help with their problems.
Then I want you and your duly elected colleagues to go to the nearest military base and look those kids, and the parents who must leave their kids, and tell them why you can’t do anything to prevent their deployment to Iraq. Then tell them if they are still alive in two years, you might be able to help them then.
Next, I would like you to go visit some widows, widowers and family members, part of the one percent of the American people actually sacrificing, and tell them you would have really liked to have taken a stand to prevent their loved one from dying, but you couldn’t figure out a way to do that and get re-elected. Tell them you are sorry that in two years their loved ones will still be dead, but only then you will try to keep someone else’s kid, parent, spouse, from getting killed.
Finally, I want you to face the American people with respect to the resolution against the escalation of the war, and follow Chuck Hagel's advice, “I want 100 senators to look in that camera and tell your people back home what you think. Don’t hide anymore.”

This hand wringing on the part of those of you in power is unconscionable. As you posture, people die. It’s that simple.

Sincerely,
(my name)or yours

Please contact your senators and congressperson. Thank you.

Quote of the Day

Our quote today comes from from Shoephone that irrepressible sprite over at Evergreen Politics. She has a great post up about the US Attorney firings prompted by Abu Gonzales and BushCo Inc.


Is this the new majority's idea of gate crashing?

Senator Patty Murray said she's finds it "deeply disconcerting that he could have been let go for political reasons". That's a nice sound bite, but I'd like to ask Senator Murray exactly what she and her newly Democratic majority plan to do about it. It's not just a matter of pushing good attorneys out, it's that the re-strengthened Patriot Act allows for replacements without even a cursory look by a Congress needing to conduct oversight. I have hopes that Senator Pat Leahy, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, will be looking into this, but it's time for all of our senators to start undoing some of the damage that's been done to this country - before the 2008 campaign season begins in earnest and they start skipping votes. So, as they wade through the broken glass of the last 6 years, I'd like to remind the Democrats that flying the banner of "majority" doesn't mean much until you crash the gates and really take the castle.