Thank you to the handful; shame on the rest

Thank you to the THREE brave Republican senators who crossed the GOP partisan line and voted for our stimulus. Arlen Specter. Olympia Snowe. Susan Collins. Thank you for putting our national interests ahead of partisan politics.

I recently saw an op-ed by Specter in the Washington Post:

I am supporting the economic stimulus package for one simple reason: The country cannot afford not to take action.

The unemployment figures announced Friday, the latest earnings reports and the continuing crisis in banking make it clear that failure to act will leave the United States facing a far deeper crisis in three or six months. By then the cost of action will be much greater -- or it may be too late.

This reason makes sense. This reason is rational, and shows that Senator Specter recognizes the gravity of our national situation and cares about our collective survival.

So what is wrong with the rest of his party? Even my own Senator Lugar voted lockstep with his GOP peers, casting his vote against our bill.

The banks have their money (and are already back, asking for more.) But this bill was for the people; for all of us who were crushed when the greedy bankers and speculators ran amok under Bush and the GOP gilded age.

Yes, this mess was created by eight years of greedy excess, with no oversight and plenty of winks and nods from the GOP. I'm sure the seeds began long before W was elected. But removing all federal oversight turned a smoldering fire into a raging inferno. The fire has now spread across both oceans and has threatened the global economy.

Heckuva job, guys.

And so now we all turn to the government for help, as the only entity powerful enough to right our national ship. As Lincoln wisely noted: "If all men were just there would be some, although not as much need for government."

And all men are not just. Not even close. It only takes one Madoff - plundering without any apparent government oversight - to bring down benevolent giants.

That even Indiana's Senator Lugar couldn't bring himself to vote nonpartisan... this is a great disappointment. For me, this pretty well signals the final inglorious swan-dive of the GOP.

Due to GOP screaming, this bill is now laced with tax cuts that siphon money away from the programs we really need.

Tax cuts have never worked for anyone but the very rich - which is why the GOP supports them (when voting, they cater to their real base.) Now there is less stimulus money available for rebuilding our roads, dams, bridges and levees; improving our lagging educational system, our health care system (health care costs are the number one cause of bankruptcy in this nation,) and creating an alternative energy grid.

All of these desperately-needed projects create new jobs. They also will address our crumbling national infrastructure, which just wasn't a priority for the GOP. Apparently the wealthy never drive over out-dated bridges or live below aging damns.

Or reside below Gulf Coast levees.

But because they have a lot of money, they adore tax cuts. This is only logical. The more money you have, the higher your taxes. A tax relief check for most of us would barely pay off a credit card. This is supposed to stimulate our economy? No -- only satisfy the wealthy who fill the GOP political coffers.

Think about it. What is the point of a tax cut if you've lost your job due to a factory closing? How will a tax cut help you if you've already lost your home?

The GOP is dead. The die is cast.

Our entire state turned blue because people here are desperate for change, yet our remaining republican representatives still won't represent us. They stubbornly play political games while people here suffer and grow angrier by the day. I expect they will be out the door in the next election. We watch the president -- because we can see he is aware of our pain, listening and trying to help us -- we set our jaws, and we vow to do whatever we can do to make this work.

We will do it from the ground up; with federal assistance and a will to survive. And we will proceed without the GOP. They have rendered themselves obsolete as a force in American government, and the politics they hold more dear than anything else, including the best interests of our nation.

Rather than owning up to the failures of the last eight years - which they could at any point have addressed, to head this off - they stubbornly refuse to work with the Democratic majority that we elected (the majority of voters) and the ACTION that is being taken to address our national crisis.

By voting against our stimulus bill, they voted against the American people... hoping and betting that the economy won't turn around before the 2010 election; rearranging the political deck chairs as our nation sinks.

It appears they finally ripped off that American flag they've been hiding behind.

But thank you to the three senate republicans who stepped forward. History will remember you kindly. And we all owe you a debt of gratitude... and maybe even a thankful phone call.

Figuring out my 'representation'

I just read my recent 'megavote' mailing, and I am... frankly mystified.

There are two bills specifically that I would have expected my representatives (in the Senate and the House) to vote exactly the opposite of the way they voted. It would appear now that my 'Blue Dog' Democrat is actually to the right of Senator Lugar (R-IN.)

First the Senate voted to pass the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act - the very bill Bush plans to veto (I guess he doesn't like children?)

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (68-31, 1 Not Voting)

The Senate passed this bill that would add 3 million lower-income children to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Sen. Richard Lugar voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Evan Bayh voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Thankfully Evan Bayh voted with the Democrats, and I was pleased to see the Senator Lugar supported this as well.

Now to check the vote of my Congressman, Baron Hill, for the House version of this same bill:

Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (225-204, 4 Not Voting)

The House voted for this bill that would expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, adding up to 5 million children to the program.

Rep. Baron Hill voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Huh?

It passed and it appears the majority of Democrats voted for it... what gives?

Now on to the FISA bill that has so many of us, well, upset. Senator Lugar actually refrained from voting, and Senator Evan Bayh - Democrat - voted in favor of it:

Protect America Act - Vote Passed (60-28, 12 Not Voting)

The Senate passed this bill which would temporarily expand the executive branch’s authority to spy on suspected foreign terrorists without a court order, when communications are passing through the U.S.

Sen. Richard Lugar voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Evan Bayh voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Meanwhile, I've already written about the epic 'Blue Dog betrayal' of the Democratic Party on this very vote when it went before the House:

Protect America Act - Vote Passed (227-182, 23 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill which would temporarily expand the executive branch’s authority to spy on suspected foreign terrorists without a court order, when communications are passing through the U.S.

Rep. Baron Hill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

So what am I to make of this?

It appears... that Senator Lugar, my only REPUBLICAN representative is in favor of insuring children - even though the president is not - and my Blue Dog congressmen - DEMOCRAT - is somehow against this children's coverage, apparently siding with the president.

My Republican Senator Lugar also refrained from voting against the FISA bill - and no, I don't know why and probably should call and ask.

Both of my DEMOCRATIC representatives voted to give total and now LEGAL wiretapping authority to Alberto Gonzales (the very guy the Democrats are supposedly preparing to impeach - or so they say,) so that they could head off on vacation for the entire month of August.

If you were me -- wouldn't you be confused?

Bush chief of staff faces possible contempt charge

Possible contempt. I suppose like Gonzales -- anything is possible, if not likely. Somehow these guys just always skate.

But here's the goods, from Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House chief of staff faced possible contempt charges after a congressional panel on Thursday ruled as invalid President George W. Bush's bid to limit the probe of the firing of federal prosecutors.

On a party-line vote of 7-3, a Democratic-led House of Representatives Judiciary subcommittee rejected Bush's contention that his claim of executive privilege shields the top aide, Joshua Bolten, from having to turn over subpoenaed documents.

"Those claims are not legally valid," said panel Chairwoman Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat.

Here is the official letter from Chairman Conyers:

BY FAX AND U.S. MAIL

Mr. Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Office of the Counsel to the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Mr. Fielding:

I am disappointed that the President's Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has continued to disobey the subpoena served on him on June 13, 2007, and has not produced the documents called for by that subpoena. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the text of a ruling by Chairwoman Sanchez at today's meeting of the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law rejecting the claims of privilege that you have sought to raise in response to that subpoena. The ruling was sustained by a 7-3 vote of the Subcommittee.

This letter is to formally notify you that I must insist on compliance with the subpoena, and that Mr. Bolten's failure to promptly mitigate his noncompliance could result in contempt proceedings, including, but not limited to proceedings under 2 U.S.C §§ 192, 194 or under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives. In light of Chairwoman Sanchez's ruling, we strongly urge immediate production of the responsive documents pursuant to the subpoena. Please let me know in writing by 10 a.m. on Monday July 23, 2007. whether Mr. Bolten will comply. If I do not hear from you in the affirmative by then, the Committee will have no choice but to consider appropriate recourse.

The Senate Follies... (or should I say folly)

Meanwhile GOP members of the Senate - the obstructionists - are facing our own contempt... but as you can see, we're not terribly effective either. Over 70% of us want out... but hey, who's counting heads?

I so enjoyed the all-nighter with the Senate, (except for Libermouth - did he talk for an hour or did it just feel like a week?) I was happy to see my respect for Chuck Hagel was well placed (he once again bucked the GOP lockstep and voted to hold a vote; yes, it this was all simply about holding an up and down vote on an amendment to get our troops started on an exit from Iraq. Republicans can't even manage that.)

Was disappointed with my own Senator Lugar - especially after his recent speech calling for a change in direction prior to the September deadline (which by the way just magically changed to November!) It would have been nice if his words could have been accompanied by his vote. As they say... talk is cheap.

We did get a little more insight into the 'why' of the GOP obstruction, with an eye-opener of a comment from Idaho Senator, Republican Larry Craig, who came right out and admitted we can't leave Iraq 'without the oil:'

Idaho GOP Sen. Larry Craig stood on the Senate floor late Tuesday night and said:

"What happens to the world energy supply if Iran does gain more control in the Middle East? What are the realities of the consequences of an Iran that possibly could gain control over 54% of the world energy supply? They could place a choke hold over the Strait of Hormuz and possibly in sea lanes in the region, severely limiting the supply of oil to the world market. That is not just a reality that the United States must face, but a reality for the world. I have worked very hard with my colleagues to lessen the U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

He was cut off by the presiding officer, but later amended his remarks to include in the Congressional Record this:

However, we are not yet capable of raising production in the United States because we have been blocked by the other side of the aisle from doing so. Therefore, a premature withdrawal from Iraq could have dire consequences with our economy and energy supply; but would also have the same effects on the world economy.

Waiting on Iraqis to sign that 'we're taking all of your oil' bill, aren't you?

Well, the Iraqi Parliment is taking the summer off... and apparently so are you! Golly - I guess those poor troops will just have to slog around in 100+ heat and get their limbs shot off until you all come back from summer vacation. Happy golfing and I hope y'all get nice tans. I'm sure the troops are getting very tanned... or are those scorch marks from the bomb blasts?

(This makes me sick.)

Senator Lugar's Speech

I am out of town, and almost missed this... but I cannot in good faith say that I have not been waiting expectantly for it.

Senator Lugar is a good man, and at times like this, good men can't keep silent.

I hoped he was working behind the scenes to get this done, and I suspect that he never stopped... apparently he finally reached the same conclusion that others (Specter, Hagel) arrived at, on their own quests for reasonable change: regular channels aren't working.

Bravo to my Senator!!

Press Release of Senator Lugar

Lugar Senate Floor Speech Calls for Course Change in Iraq

Connecting our Iraq Strategy to our Vital Interests

Monday, June 25, 2007

Mr. President, I rise today to offer observations on the continuing involvement of the United States in Iraq. In my judgment, our course in Iraq has lost contact with our vital national security interests in the Middle East and beyond. Our continuing absorption with military activities in Iraq is limiting our diplomatic assertiveness there and elsewhere in the world. The prospects that the current “surge” strategy will succeed in the way originally envisioned by the President are very limited within the short period framed by our own domestic political debate. And the strident, polarized nature of that debate increases the risk that our involvement in Iraq will end in a poorly planned withdrawal that undercuts our vital interests in the Middle East. Unless we recalibrate our strategy in Iraq to fit our domestic political conditions and the broader needs of U.S. national security, we risk foreign policy failures that could greatly diminish our influence in the region and the world.

The current debate on Iraq in Washington has not been conducive to a thoughtful revision of our Iraq policy. Our debate is being driven by partisan political calculations and understandable fatigue with bad news -- including deaths and injuries to Americans. We have been debating and voting on whether to fund American troops in Iraq and whether to place conditions on such funding. We have contemplated in great detail whether Iraqi success in achieving certain benchmarks should determine whether funding is approved or whether a withdrawal should commence. I would observe that none of this debate addresses our vital interests any more than they are addressed by an unquestioned devotion to an ill-defined strategy of “staying the course” in Iraq.

I speak to my fellow Senators, when I say that the President is not the only American leader who will have to make adjustments to his or her thinking. Each of us should take a step back from the sloganeering rhetoric and political opportunism that has sometimes characterized this debate. The task of securing U.S. interests in the Middle East will be extremely difficult if Iraq policy is formulated on a partisan basis, with the protagonists on both sides ignoring the complexities at the core of our situation.

Commentators frequently suggest that the United States has no good options in Iraq. That may be true from a certain perspective. But I believe that we do have viable options that could strengthen our position in the Middle East, and reduce the prospect of terrorism, regional war, and other calamities. But seizing these opportunities will require the President to downsize the U.S. military’s role in Iraq and place much more emphasis on diplomatic and economic options. It will also require members of Congress to be receptive to overtures by the President to construct a new policy outside the binary choice of surge versus withdrawal. We don’t owe the President our unquestioning agreement, but we do owe him and the American people our constructive engagement.

Seeking a Sustainable Policy

In my judgment, the costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that might be achieved. Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests over the long term.

I do not come to this conclusion lightly, particularly given that General Petraeus will deliver a formal report in September on his efforts to improve security. The interim information we have received from General Petraeus and other officials has been helpful and appreciated. I do not doubt the assessments of military commanders that there has been some progress in security. More security improvements in the coming months may be achieved. We should attempt to preserve initiatives that have shown promise, such as engaging Sunni groups that are disaffected with the extreme tactics and agenda of Al Qaeda in Iraq. But three factors – the political fragmentation in Iraq, the growing stress on our military, and the constraints of our own domestic political process -- are converging to make it almost impossible for the United States to engineer a stable, multi-sectarian government in Iraq in a reasonable time frame.

Read the rest here...

Lugar!

GOP senator says Iraq plan not working

By ANNE FLAHERTY
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Lugar, a senior Republican and a reliable vote for President Bush on the war, said Monday that Bush's Iraq strategy was not working and that the U.S. should downsize the military's role.

The unusually blunt assessment deals a political blow to Bush, who has relied heavily on GOP support to stave off anti-war legislation.

It also comes as a surprise. Most Republicans have said they were willing to wait until September to see if Bush's recently ordered troop buildup in Iraq was working.

"In my judgment, the costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that might be achieved," Lugar, R-Ind., said in a Senate floor speech. "Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests over the long term."

More...

Banish the "Mayberry Machiavellis"

To all of you reasonable, decent, law-abiding, Constitution-adhering Republicans out there: have you had enough yet?

This can't be pleasant for you. Its horrifying for all of us, but I can only imagine how difficult this must be for those of you who actually voted for it.

You were deceived.

This 'compassionate conservative' lied to you. It happens.

Those of us who voted for Clinton also discovered a few dirty little secrets after he left office - Monica was the least of it. Clinton was simply a lot more clever at hiding issues that wouldn't be particularly popular with the masses - like selling out our media to monopolization by corporate overlords. Wonder why you always have to turn to cable TV to find anything authentic: ie, not white-washed, sanitized and 'dumbed down'? Thank Clinton.

This is much worse of course, because these Bushies don't make even a pretense of abiding by the rule of law. Its 'partisan-way or the highway' if you want to work in the Bushland: and they don't even bother to find qualified stooges for some of the most critical departments in our nation's government (*cough* FEMA.)

If you're a loyal Bushie, you too can be Ambassador to the UN! You too can be head of the FDA! Want your mining company to expand at an unprecedented rate and have rights to drill literally anywhere in the country, including National Parks and public lands from sea to shining sea? If you are a loyal Bushie - you too can be head of the EPA or Fish and Wildlife, or Forest Service, or Department of the Interior! Hate wolves? If you are a loyal Bushie, you can wipe them off the face of the planet! Want your business to make triple its previous annual earnings in a few months? If you are a loyal Bushie, you too can be an Iraq contractor! Are you totally unqualified to run a rural McDonalds, but you've always wanted a hot-shot position high up in the Federal government? No problem! If... you are a loyal Bushie.

But what if - heaven forbid - you are a Republican with a conscience?

After listening to former deputy attorney general, James Comey's testimony yesterday via YouTube, it occurred to me how absolutely horrific this must be for those within the administration that actually have souls, ethical centers and who believe in the rule of law. Comey is a real patriot: he was prepared to tender his resignation rather than allow illegal warrantless wiretapping to take place without the authority of the Department of Justice. From the sound of it, the entire department, as well as the head of the FBI -- all were willing to give up their jobs, because they believed in something greater than themselves. They believed in America. They believed in law and the Constitution.

Our government is going to hell in a handbag under the Bush Administration and its racketeers. Frank Rich, of the New York Times, summed it up pretty well, when he wrote:

By my rough, conservative calculation — feel free to add — there have been corruption, incompetence, and contracting or cronyism scandals in these cabinet departments: Defense, Education, Justice, Interior, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development. I am not counting State, whose deputy secretary, a champion of abstinence-based international AIDS funding, resigned last month in a prostitution scandal, or the General Services Administration, now being investigated for possibly steering federal favors to Republican Congressional candidates in 2006. Or the Office of Management and Budget, whose chief procurement officer was sentenced to prison in the Abramoff fallout. I will, however, toss in a figure that reveals the sheer depth of the overall malfeasance: no fewer than four inspectors general, the official watchdogs charged with investigating improprieties in each department, are themselves under investigation simultaneously — an all-time record.

Wrongdoing of this magnitude does not happen by accident, but it is not necessarily instigated by a Watergate-style criminal conspiracy. When corruption is this pervasive, it can also be a byproduct of a governing philosophy. That’s the case here. That Bush-Rove style of governance, the common denominator of all the administration scandals, is the Frankenstein creature that stalks the G.O.P. as it faces 2008. It has become the Republican brand and will remain so, even after this president goes, until courageous Republicans disown it and eradicate it.

Until courageous Republicans disown and eradicate it. Bingo.

My own Senator, Richard Lugar, is probably the best representative I've ever had in my life - hands down. No matter what the subject, concern or issue - every time I write to his office, I receive a personal response. Recently I wrote to him and begged him to do something about the pet food disaster (the tainted food ingredients imported from China.) I happened to mention that I was a Celiac and that its hard enough to find food that I myself can eat, let along trying to keep my pets from dying of ingredients I can't even verify. I received - as always - a response from his office, on his letterhead. It was an absolutely amazing letter, in that he responded to every bit of my content - right down to expressing his regret that I suffered from Celiac, and that he was working to get better labeling for food additives! Talk about representation... the man actually reads his letters. He also cares.

I don't agree with many of his votes, but I realize that in this now partisan time, his choices are limited. He can vote with his party, now ruled by these 'Mayberry Machiavellis;' or he can vote against his conservative values and with the Democrats - something that will be loudly attacked and trumpeted through the press as a betrayal to his party.

After a lifetime serving as a Republican Senator in a predominantly Republican state, I can see why he isn't willing to line up against his party. But I keep waiting for him to speak out against the unconscionable behavior of his associates.

Lugar is a good man. What is a good man doing in the middle of this new 'sewer' politics?

I am watching him closely, occasionally begging him to line up with Hagel or at least consider speaking out, where he can. Lugar has a soul, a conscience. Lugar is one of the chief reasons I can't throw the conservative baby out with the dirty, stinking neocon bathwater. And there are many other Lugars out there; the term 'conflicted' probably doesn't even come close to describing their current predicament.

Gentlemen and ladies: save your party. You don't have to put up with this... criminal behavior. Seriously, you don't. None of us should be tolerating this blatant abuse of power.

As an independent, its easy for me to rail against it, because I don't 'own it.' But I also believe that because you were so gravely deceived by these people who now run roughshod over our government - you don't have to own it either. You can, in the words of Nancy Reagan, 'just say no.'

Say no to the corruption. Say no to corporate pandering, lies, illegal behavior, torture, bigotry and just bad governance. Say no to partisanship and choose instead to be 'American' rather than just 'Republican.' Defend your Constitution against those within your party who blatantly attack and undercut it, and through these attacks - our democracy.

It is time to defend America here at home. This is stuff you can sink your teeth into... real patriotism, not just empty words.

Let's get it done. The only way we're going to clean up this stinking mess that sociopathic neocons have made out of our once working Federal government, is to pull together as a nation of citizens... and just say no.

The Army is ordering injured troops to go to Iraq

An open letter to the Honorable Senator Lugar of Indiana, from a constituent:

Dear Senator Lugar:

This is unbelievable. I cannot stand this anymore.

How did our government become this sociopathic? Please... do something. This isn't a partisan issue!

I'm so sick of partisan issues I could tear my hair out - that's one of the chief reasons I became an independent, and am a fervent supporter of Senator Hagel. He continually promotes bipartisan cooperation and tolerance. He is speaking out against this madness. I can't imagine how the rest of you can keep quiet!

While the House and the Senate argue 'partisan politics,' these men and women are being abused - literally abused - for their country. I thought things were bad during the Vietnam war (I grew up during that war, and it has affected me - through the vets I have known - ever since I was four years old and my best friend lost his father over there.) This is just... unfathomable. Please make this stop.

If we don't have the troops to occupy Iraq, we have to get out. This is obvious. This is logic. This is called 'the writing on the wall.' I really don't care how embarrassing it is to this administration. Or how much money the independent contractors are making over there, and how much lobbying influence they have in the White House, the House and the Senate (yes, I'm cynical -- but shouldn't I be? Really, shouldn't I be?)

This is flat out wrong, and as an American citizen I am now well beyond outraged. I'm ready to get into my car and drive to Washington, and stand on the steps of the Capitol building with an American flag... to remind you that this isn't a banana republic, this is the United States of America, formerly the greatest democracy in history.

Unfortunately, I don't think even millions of people on the Capitol steps with flags would break this Congress out of its partisan deadlock. Apparently Chuck Hagel telling you all to consider 'selling shoes' didn't get your attention. I can't decide who I am angrier with - the president for his abuse of power... or all of you for allowing it to continue. The elephant in the middle of the room is starting to knock down the walls... can you see it now?

How on earth... are we going to catch Bin Laden if we have no army? We continually hurl them on the rocks of Iraq, in a losing war. Yes, we are wasting them!! This is no 'war on terror.' This is suicide. This is madness. (We are still looking for Bin Laden... aren't we?)

And what about just plain old ethics? What about honor? Do these concepts even exist in Washington anymore?

Ethics. I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about who we are as a people, as a country, as a democracy. Sending injured troops back into Iraq is wrong! The abandonment of New Orleans was wrong. Secret camps and torturing prisoners - and denying them Geneva rights - wrong wrong wrong. Spying on American citizens is wrong.

When will you representatives of the people join together - yes, across party lines and in the face of the lobbyists - and end this national nightmare?

I am baffled as to why you are allowing this to continue on your watch. Impeachment charges were brought against Clinton for lying about sex, and against Nixon for being paranoid (basically, and yes he broke laws too, like Bush and Cheney.) And yet... this president is getting a free ride to blast away at our rules of law, our ethical standards, our reputation as a nation and a democracy - even our Constitution. This trumps anything Nixon could have dreamed up. And it is far from over. Bush and Cheney won't even take nukes 'off the table.' They reserve the right to attack Iran without warning, and without permission from Congress. This administration scares me to death.

As I've said before, I believe you are an honorable man. There comes a time when honorable men speak out. Lincoln, who I greatly admire, said "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." I would follow Senator Hagel anywhere, because he is doing his job. Please stand with him. We need you. These troops need you. Take back your powers of oversight, sir. Your country needs you.