Congress: A busy day…

kenn — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:24:39 GMT

Democrats are free to think republicans get what they think from the top.The two votes show that .

Congress: A busy day…

diane — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:35:23 GMT

there is a division in the democratic party. You have the DLC wing which is sympathetic to corporations and republican agendas.
then you have the progressive wing of the party which is more in line with the traditions and beliefs of the democratic party.
One of the things you in the press overlook with the primaries is the democrats are just as divided with Hillary as they were when Bill was pushing through his republican lite policies.
You talk about the split in the republican party with guillianni and their base but, it's the same in the democratic side with Hillary.
Democrats do not as a whole love Bill or Hillary and we see them as traitors to the party and pushing the DLC agenda.

Congress: A busy day…

Bob Kokomo IN — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:35:39 GMT

Let’s see if I understand this Water boarding is OK, Peru can dump their products in the United States with little or no import taxes while products made in the United States can be sold in Peru with a 100% import tax and we stuck a $23 Billion water bill up GW's ass. Doesn’t A 23% approval rating sound high

Congress: A busy day…

MK,MO — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:41:23 GMT

you might want to mention how the congress is considering bailing out the financial industry because of the jumbo loans that are going into bankruptcy, instead of the greedy investors taking the fall for bad loans it would seem congress would rather have the taxpayer take the hit, imagine that, another good example of take from the poor give to the rich economics so prevalent in the uncontrolled capitalistic sewer we live in.

Congress: A busy day…

jerry/corpus christi texas — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:45:13 GMT

And people wonder why there is no money for anything.

The only way to fix the system is a line item veto, but that will never happen.

Congress: A busy day…

John S. Alexander, Edinboro, PA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:45:52 GMT

Well, at least we now have an AG, lets hope he has some sense of what he must do to clean up that mess alberto and george gave us. George could of given us a Bernie Kerik type for AG.
While there will be some who tout this as a victory, maybe, but for who, our nation will still be run out of the White House till the next big scandel that waits in the wings.
It is inevitable for this president to continue to act out and lie, cover your a** politics means continuing till they go home, and they have a lot to hide from us.

Congress: A busy day…

Larry Albany ny — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:01:25 GMT

Shumer is such a hipocrit, after opposing Gonzales for saying the president is above the law and for writing the torture opionions, he now turns around and supports Mukasey who says the president is above the law and that it is ok to torture. Fienstein, Lieberman and Schumer all voted for an Attorney General that in all likely hood continue to rubber stamp Bush's assault on the Constitution. Its time for Demacrats to hold these arrogant Senators accountable. As the other Demacratic Senators point out that the arguement that he is better than Gonzales doesn't make him worthy to be Attorney General (would you vote for Stalin because he was better than Hitler?) and he refuses to uphold the current laws against torture because it doesn't specifically say waterboarding (torture is torture)and that he would support a new law that the he knows that the Congress can't pass and override the presidents vetoe (he would do a signing statement anyway). Also how pathetic that not one Republican voted against the presidents right to torture? Where is the outrage over the Senate of the United States of America cordoning torture for the whole world to see.

Congress: A busy day…

Avvorio, Houston, TX — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:18:23 GMT

Two bad decisions, 1 good one. Not a good day for Congress.

Congress: A busy day…

Thanks for returning diginity, Bush. — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:32:45 GMT

Is using a hacksaw on the last 3/4" of someone's fingers "torture"? We need to keep an open mind. It's OK because we're more moral than the rest of the world.

So basically the Japanese were only using "enhanced interrogation techniques" in WWII.

It's great how the right wingnuts howl and bark about how "P.C." you have to be these days, then make up euphanisms to ease their nearly non-existant consciences over murder and torture.

Hey, Mukasey - is it "rape" if the victim doesn't scream loud enough to rupture an eardrum?

Congress: A busy day…

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:42:28 GMT

Anyone who doesn't know that waterboarding is torture, that it is already illegal under US and International law, hardly deserves to be attorney general of the US. Unfortunately, that "ignorance" is the main reason Bush and Cheney want him. If he were able to see the truth and he admitted it, then he would have to charge Bush and Cheney and a host of their neocon friends with this crime, and the evil rot that has infested this country would start to be cleaned up.

Congress: A busy day…

docrock,tx — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:13:18 GMT

Politics aside,we could have done better for A.G.Is there anyone out there who thinks Bush Sr. would not have filled Gonzalez shoes?He is as qualified as Condi,and has ten times the integrity.Torture is Torture.Period.To allow this madman even one small victory increases our slide into Tyranny.Vote them all out of office.Elect to pave the way for your childrens future well being.Stop The War!!!!!!!!!

Congress: A busy day…

Ruben Astoria NY — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:13:55 GMT

Congratulation to Mr. Mukasey been from NY that was this guy best shot. The TLC I believe is a litle to late for this I know this is more complex that the point that i going to make,but after this countries been Isolated for so many years from this administration to manies things had been happening down there lets start with the south market then Mr. Chaves working on Alba the world bank losing lot of credibility and againg Mr Chaves creating the south bank and in top of all this due to the Isolation more and more countries down there are becoming red meaning socialism. Europe is also taking over together with china and the last of this phenomenon Iran with the oil in the highes most of this country are becoming more solvency and less dependent of the North. counting more with Europe and China as provider. I remenber dem. were criticizing the rep. because they were trowing money in pork proyect but they doing worse. hey I'm a dem. but this people disappoint me we were expecting them to be tough with this President we were thinking impeachment but they nothing but his cashier what ashame.

Congress: A busy day…

Joe Einloth — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:16:31 GMT

Jerry, never say never on the line item veto. Just don't count on it passing constitutional muster if Congress enacts one. They tried this before and it was overruled. You're amending the Constitution without going through the process prescribed in the Constitution for amendment.

Congress: A busy day…

Ruben Astoria NY — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:20:26 GMT

Congress: A busy day…

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:45:00 GMT

Unless I missed it, I'm wondering why MSNBC didn't point out that all five of the sitting Senators that are running for president failed to show up for the vote. I think that's a fairly important tidbit, considering they want us to trust them with running the country and they can't even manage to show up to vote on the confirmation of the Attorney General. That's kind of a big deal, particularly given the controversy surrounding Gonzales and Mukasey.

But I guess since their votes would not have affected the outcome, they didn't think they needed to make an appearance. Nevermind that it is their JOB to show up and vote on things like this.

Pathetic, all of them.

Congress: A busy day…

nuanced — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:46:55 GMT

His few Democratic supporters said last night that, although they are troubled by his equivocal views on waterboarding, they believe Mukasey represents the best possibility for change at the troubled Justice Department. "This is the only chance we have," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
The other Democrats in favor of the confirmation were Sens. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), Evan Bayh (Ind.), Thomas R. Carper (Del.), Mary Landrieu (La.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.)
and Democrat-turned-independent Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.).

--- Mukasey is not the only puppet of George Bush.

Congress: A busy day…

Mike — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:55:04 GMT

Mukasey pretty much told congress that if they pass the law outlawing waterboarding; he'd hold that position...

I see no troubles here with him...it's only a year left of the Bush Admin and nothing this guy is going to do it going to fix the negligence over the past few years...

The only thing he can do is to begin cleaning house of the incompitent persons filling positions gained by patronage via the administration...

Real attorneys that care about the constitution (con or progressive) will not start applying to the department again until a new president takes over...

So, Congress, take Mukasey at his "between the lines" hint and pass the legislation outlawing waterboarding...He'll follow suit...His career will be determined not by the Bush of the past 7 years , but by cleaning house for the next year...He only stands to gain by going against Bush...

Congress: A busy day…

kenn — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:55:39 GMT

Can you say Billions lost in Iraq, we would have more money, jerry,if republicans had any kind of restraint.They had plenty of restraint when it comes to helping middle class kids, those bums,always trying to spend what they dont have,the kids that is .But when your in charge its meet the new boss same as the old boss

Congress: A busy day…

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:07:54 GMT

No diane, it is you and people with your hatred for the clintons that are the problem. go look in the mirror and you will see the problems within the democratic party. Fools like you.

Congress: A busy day…

jerry/corpus christi texas — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:19:39 GMT

Gsoline is hitting $4.00 a gallon in some places....

How come the democratic controlled congress hasn't jumped into their SUV's go to the gas station two blocks from the capitol and protest high gas prices?

because they care nothing for the middle class....
this talk about the poor, poor middle class is such a joke. Democrats do not care about the middle class no more then Hillary clinton cares about tipping waitresses.

Congress: A busy day…

John B, Des Moines, IA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:56:09 GMT

Rather than a line item veto I would suggest a "germain-ness" rule as we have in the Iowa legislature. Every bill is required to pertain to one subject and that subject must be reflected in the title of the bill. Thus a road funding bill can't also contain revised criminal penalties and a corrections bill can't be larded with water projects. It isn't perfect but at least it isn't unconstitutional and it keeps the legislature from holding the executive hostage by tieing a measure he finds important to one he can't support.

Congress: A busy day…

kenn — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:58:37 GMT

Thanks to mr cheynee and the secret energy commission 4.00 a gallon is on its way ,and to think that people are worried about transparency when his papers will never be released,and people squawk about hilliary not releasing stuff as first lady you bunch of hippocrits

Congress: A busy day…

John B, Des Moines, IA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:00:18 GMT

I dunno jerry, how come the President and VP from Texas insist on threatening, destabilizing, or outright invading oil producing countries, thus causing speculators to drive oil prices to irrational levels? GWB was speaking truth for once when he referred to his base as the "haves and have mores".

Congress: A busy day…

Joe Einloth — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:04:24 GMT

So, Jerry, you're telling me that REPUBLICANS climbed into their SUVs and went to protest? Or, did they just collect fatter dividend checks?

Congress: A busy day…

Val Jones, Raleigh, NC — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:27:56 GMT

Never again must this country permit anyone to take office, by honest vote or appointment by the Supreme Court, another George W. Bush. By intellect and temperment, he is totally unqualified for the position. He has taken us to war unnecessarily, made us a debtor nation, OK'ed torture, disreguarded the Constitution and ruined our reputation around the world as a good and decent people. We should all hang our heads in shame!

Congress: A busy day…

Disturbing /AZ — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:49:24 GMT

Being factual, not "one" that is running for President wants to open their mouth about gas! Same goes for 20 million Illegals, Homeless, Industry, trucking. but pumping trillions into the Mideast is not shameful. My how the Priorities of this bunch of Paper hangers has spun out of control.

I would ""Hope"" three good people with common sense and leadership would enter this race on a third party ticket! It is time to shake up the Washington self serving paper Hangers club. Never has America leadership or representatives been so undivided. Our place in this world as being the super cop must end! Washington no longer addresses national agenda, Our monetary system and infrastructure are near the failure point.

Just who is the leader, Washington is a bag of self serving losers with their own personal agenda's!

Congress: A busy day…

Disturbing /AZ — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:50:17 GMT

Congress: A busy day…

Ellis B. Kingman, Az. — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:01:04 GMT

While the Bush years resemble a "three stooges" calamity, Clintons' does not rate much better. Have we forgotten the several administration indictments, the pardon of an FBI fugitive who contributed to Clintons' campaign, the Chinese officials campaign contrabutions, the rentals of Lincolns' bedroom and Airforce One, Hitlerys refusal to turn over subpoenaed documents she claimed were lost but were not, or filegate, travelgate and whitewater amongst other scandals? Have we learned nothing from history, or are we just addicted to the monthly disclousures of Administration corruption and abuse of power. And why has nobody figured out free trade agreements that create an 800 billion dollal trade deficit and the loss of seven million jobs is not good for an economy?

Congress: A busy day…

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:27:42 GMT

Mike:

Mukasey does not have a choice whether or not he will honor a law passed by Congress. It is his job, period. His job is not to play footsie with the president and do what Bush wants him to do; his job is to enforce and apply the laws of this nation - whether he likes the laws and whether the president likes the laws. His assurances that he would not permit waterboarding if it was outlawed are ridiculous. That's like praising a teacher for saying she will grade papers. It is an essential part of the job.

Congress: A busy day…

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:29:01 GMT

THE LINE ITEM VETO IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!!!!

Sorry, I just cannot STAND it when people talk about it as a legitimate option. It is NOT a legitimate option unless you amend the Constitution.

Congress: A busy day…

Lee Holmes — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:16:09 GMT

John Doe: You are incorrect. No federal law extant adresses waterboarding. Not one. Indeed,Pelosi could not find it when she turned to the US Armys new[2006] Field Manual,though the Joint Chiefs have referred to the UCMJ[which is not civil law],in order to address the waterboarding issue. It is to Congress to create the law that will specifically ban waterboarding. Mukasey is acting under where waterboarding is now. Not where is should be according to its critics.

Also see: The United States Code: Cornell University Law School www4.law.cornell.edu

The VOLOKH Conspiricy www.volokh.com [discussion board for lawyers,[civil and military],jurists[including federal judiciary],and law clerks].

Congress: A busy day…

Steven, Ontario, Ca — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:46:04 GMT

The United States of America is at a crossroads. If one of the parties does not drastically reinvent itself, we will see a third party gain power by 2012. Whether it's Liberterians, Greens, "Unity", or just pure independents, a new generation is emerging in Politics, and we will not settle for the politics that have ran this country for way to long. As the Baby Boomers get older, the next generation is set to change things. While I myself believe Obama and Edwards offer a chance to save the Democratic Party, the Republicans must also figure out who they are. Politics of Hate and Fear are going to end...hopefully we see that change in next years caucuses and primaries, because it is desperatly needed.

Per Line-Item Veto, this is ridiculos. You are giving way to much power to the exectutive branch. Mix-matching bills forces comprimise...the only way we will fund this project is if you fund this one also. While ear-marking is out of hand, and something must be done to fix it, line-item veto's do not offer a real solution.

Congress: A busy day…

Rafael DeJesus, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:48:25 GMT

Only under the weight and threat of a republican administration is the issue of torture being legal is up for discussion! The new AG is no diferent than the idiot who he is replacing. Torture is torture! They along with the Idiot In Chief have opened the doors to the torture of our young men and women. Those in the Middle East and elswhere that hate us will now be able to justify torture in defense of their national interest and security. Disgraceful and immoral. I heard yesterday that our national debt has reached an all time high, $9,000,000,000,000! Yes, $9 Trillion! Our dollar is taking a dive and many americans believe you can torture for the greater good! What a sad state we are in. Thanks! GWB ... great legacy you leave behind! VOTE THE BUMS OUT! VOTE DEMOCRAT!

Congress: A busy day…

JL — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:56:06 GMT

Waterboarding? Yawn. Wake me when we're taking pliers to toenails.. Then I might be able to muster some outrage. Until then, stop wetting the bed already.

Congress: A busy day…

Phil Rosenblatt, Ipswich, MA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 01:36:38 GMT

My heart goes out to those poor Jihadi terrorists! What a crime it would be to make them think they were going to drown on a "water board". Clearly a violation of our consciences. Has any one looked into what tortures they use of THEIR victims? They can't be printed because our stomachs couldn't take it. And if they don't torture you, you'd be lucky if they only decided to kill you outright. Hasn't any body looked at the videos of them slicing peoples' heads off with a knife and holding up the bleeding head before the cameras? (They record it with sound, too, so every one can hear the screams). We basically use the marginal "tortures" to get info from the captured Muslims if we think they have any. They torture their captives for the horrible fun of it. These are beasts, and should be killed at once, unless we think we can get info from them first. Then kill them. If we, as a Nation and a Culture, cannot fight this kind of war, we will be destroyed. Period.

Congress: A busy day…

Phil Rosenblatt, Ipswich, MA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 01:46:19 GMT

Congress: A busy day…

JAMES DECKER INGALLS, IND. — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:38:28 GMT

AS I READ ALL OF YOUR MESSAGES I ASK MY SELF THE FOLLOWING. WHAT HAS GONZALES DONE THAT JANET RENO DID NOT DO?
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER WACO?
IS WATERBOARDING AS MUCH TORTURE AS BEING BEHEADED LIKE DANIEL PEARL? WHY IS GAS SO HIGH? COULD IT ABE THAT THE DEMOS WILL NOT LET US DRILL OFSHORE AND IN ANWAR, JUST MAYBEY GAS WOULD BE CHEAPER, BETTER CHECK AND SEE WHAT STOCKS THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS HAVE. IT CONCERNS ME THAT MY FELLOW AMERICANS DO NOT SEE THE THREAT THAT THIS NATIONS FACES FROM RADICALS. I FORSEE A AMERICA UNDER ISLAMIC LAWS I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY IT, AS FORMYSEL AFTER SERVING 30 YEARS IN THE MILITARY I GOING TO FIND A NEW HOME OVERSEAS.

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Dee, Sioux City, IA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:40:02 GMT

What a big day!! Yay!!! What is really disgusting is that there has been virtually NO coverage of an even larger event on Tuesday, when Rep. Kucinich (D. OH) presented H.Res.799 (formerly H.Res. 333), to impeach Dick Cheney. In a cynical move, the Republicans actually voted for the measure (hoping to trap the Democrats in an embarrassing debate), and managed to send it to John Conyers in the Judicial Committee, which is the Committee that examines and ultimately starts the impeachment process. We have some very serious issues that are not making the news; it's time for us to start holding not only the administration accountable, but also the media, for failing to be our eyes and ears in the government.

Congress: A busy day…

Joe Donahue — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 06:25:34 GMT

Theres no change! It's still Bush & Chaneys man.

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Joe Donahue — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 06:26:09 GMT

Theres no change! It's still Bush & Chaneys man.

Congress: A busy day…

Roth — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:28:40 GMT

Rafael DeJesus, Atlanta, GA You are correct, Torture is torture! And further waterboarding has been recognized as Torture by our government when we tried, convicted, and punished enemy combatants in WWII. King George's condoning it throws out the rules of war and opens the entire population to the use of any method an enemy combatant may select to employ in the furtheraance of their goals. VOTE THE BUMS WHO SUPPORTED HIM OUT! VOTE DEMOCRAT!

Congress: A busy day…

leon houston — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:28:54 GMT

oh yea, billions for water projects and they override, when it comes to healthcare for middle class kids that would upset big oil and big insurance so we cant have that. can we now?

republicans hate America, the middle class and Gen. Sanchez

And defenders of republicans just have no class at all.It is time to stop defending the indefensible and get a new horse for the race.

Congress: A busy day…

Jason Mitman, Youngstown, Ohio — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:46:49 GMT

I have tp wonder how long this man will be in the office. Seems like ever few months or so our cronnie down there has one of his cabinet members resign. Could it be because they are seeing something we aren't ?

Congress: A busy day…

Ed Foss, Enid, Okla — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:07:48 GMT

If Congress is so upset with waterboarding as being Torture. Why then do they not pass a law making it such. Also, with all the Committee inquiries into Criminal charges against the WH, how many indictments have been made?? Libby does not count, because he was convicted for something he personally did.

Congress: A busy day…

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:45:21 GMT

JL-Think of your son or daughter or mother or wife tied up blindfolded and defenseless. Imagine four men picking them up and laying them head tilted down on an inclined table. Imagine a soaked rag stuffed in their mouths as water or urine (it's ok urine is sterile and can be collected in great quatities in concentration camps,,perfectly humane)is poured over the head. At first your loved one holds their breath but that can't last and they eventually inhale involuntarily. There sinuses fill and try to cough and they struggle insanely against the men holding them. At this point they pull the rag set them up and demand answers to questions. Your loved one tells them what they know..tells them anything. The interrogators need to be sure it is the truth so they call your loved one a liar and lay him back for more. They have to be sure that they are getting the truth and the only way to do that is waterboard to the point of drowning to make sure that the victim believes he is about to die. No problem if he does die. After all he is just the accused and what he will have said by then can be cataloged as intelligence. He confessed, he must have been guilty.
JL-The only people who are wetting the bed are cowards like you who would condone this Un-American In-Humane treatment of another humane being because you are cowering in your duct taped room waiting for another terrorist attack. My America struggles to be RIGHT, and HUMANE. Your America sells it's soul, and the souls of those it requires to do this evil work, for the false security it extracts from the frantic lies of tortured men. You would be right at home in 1600s Salem Massachusetts or the dungeons of the Spanish Inquisition or the basement of Gestapo headquarters in Paris. You defecate on the graves of men who died young fighting what YOU apparently believe in.
You soil my country.

Congress: A busy day…

Laughing — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:04:30 GMT

What a laugh. George 41 wants us to support his ignorant son. What have his sons contributed to this country. Neil a thief, Jeb can't even control his own family. George a evil to the world and this country. Why I sure would be PROUD of such fine sons. NOT