Out of Iraq NOW is first (along with Howard)

DFA, stop coming out for something and asking for money.

enough already.

NOT ALL COWARDS ARE DEMOCRATS!

http://www.buzzflash.net/story.php?id=25398

"MODERATES"

http://www.workingassetsblog.com/2007/09/moderation_extremist_refusal_t.html

Roll Call's headline today blares "House Centrists Seek a Little Moderation on Iraq." The story is about "a small band of moderate House Democrats and Republicans is hammering out a bipartisan position on the Iraq War."

This story has been written over and over and over again on every single issue. It is as if reporters have a template set up in Microsoft Word, where they just fire up the story and change the names and issues. You know how it goes. It starts out with a declaration that the Brave And Serious "Moderates" are going to "put partisanship aside" and rescue America. Typically, the plan to rescue America is at best a non-binding gesture, and more likely one that runs roughshod over what most Americans actually want - but that kind of context isn't reported in the template

As we can see so clearly here, the term "moderate" in Washington when it comes to the war means guaranteeing that whatever bill takes center stage in the war debate - well, that "none of this leads to the end of the war." It means making sure that we "depart from the polarized debate over whether and when to withdraw troops" - you know, the debate over the actual issue, the debate that the latest Gallup Poll shows almost two-thirds of America wants Congress to have - and wants Congress to conclude by passing binding timetables to end the war.

And that's what it is. When it comes to the war, the so-called "moderates" have taken on the qualities of the smiling Darth Vader-ish poster boy for extremism - Dick Cheney. Remember, it was our Vice President who told ABC News last year the Iraq War "may not be popular with the public - it doesn't matter." I guess he's a "moderate" now too.

 Just who does this group consider to be The Left?   I would say anyone who opposes them.  And is neoconservatism really being revived in the other party?   And what else explains why the Democrats are more fearful of the GOPs base than of our base.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1510

"“Don't look now, but neoconservatism is making a comeback—and not among the Republicans who have made it famous, but in the Democratic Party,” declared writer Jacob Heilbrunn in a May 28, 2006 op-ed for the Los Angeles Times. In “Neocons in the Democratic Party.”

..."Concluded Heilbrunn: “It is amusing to see that at the very moment when hawkish realists are trying to extirpate the neocon credo in the Republican Party, it's being revived in the Democratic Party that first brought it to life.”

PPI, founded in 1989 by Marshall and Al From, is a project of the Third Way Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. As the think tank for the Democratic Leadership Council, the PPI says its mission “arises from the belief that America is ill-served by an obsolete left-right debate that is out of step with the powerful forces reshaping our society and economy.”

Democratic "moderates" are just Bush lawn Jockeys

I nominate Steny Hoyer, Rahm Emanuel, and most Democratic Presidential candidates.. Go Dennis!

O yes, and Chuck Scumer and Harry Reid

66. Tom Bearse

New York Times has ended TimesSelect

============
Great. I was hoping they would. Friedman should PAY US to read his column. The only one I really missed was Paul Krugman.

John wrote "Go Dennis!"

I don't know how you can put so much stock in this willing stooge of the Democratic Party.  I mean, you must have read about Kucinich's capitulation in the Socialist Alternative, where it was reported that

"Kucinich promised rank-and-file Democrats, many disillusioned with the pro-war/pro-corporate policies of the party, he would take his message to the Convention floor. However, Kucinich broke his promise and instead threw his support behind the pro-war and corporate-backed Kerry, with absolutely no mention of Iraq in his speech.

"Rather than 'changing the direction of the Democratic Party,' Kucinich’s campaign served to funnel left-wing antiwar activists into Kerry’s campaign. Kucinich’s endorsement and campaigning for Kerry provided a radical face that obscured the right-wing, big–business, and pro-war character of the Kerry campaign. Using his left-wing credentials, Kucinich played an important role for Kerry by campaigning against activists breaking from the Democrats and supporting the insurgent antiwar and pro-worker independent campaign for president of Ralph Nader."

10. That's old news Tom.

John wrote "That's old news Tom."

How does that fact redeem his cave-in to lap dog Democrats?  No one else has gotten special treatment around here. 

You can dredge up unpopular positions from the past of any Democratic Candidate.

Kucinich is now, and has been concistently for:

• Immediate withdrawal from Iraq
• Replacing US troops with UN peacekeepers (primarily from Muslim countries)
• Downsizing our armed forces, and closing foreign bases
• Greatly shrinking the military budget
• Establishing a Department of Peace
• Universal, single-payer health care
• Fair, progressive, and adequate taxation
• A ME policy that recognizes the rights of Palestinians

None of the other candidates (except Gravel) even come close to articulating these issues which exemplify the "Democratic Wing" of the Democratic Party

As you may have already heard, this week I plan to once again introduce binding legislation that uses Congress's 'power of the purse' to safely redeploy our troops out of Iraq.  Last May, with your help, we saw a majority of Democratic senators support a similar proposal.  Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, continue to be recklessly timid when it comes to blocking funding for one of the biggest mistakes in the history of our country.

But after yet another week of the same old rhetoric from the White House, Republicans in Congress, and through the testimony of both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, my hope is that more of my colleagues will finally join the millions of Americans that agree - now is the time to safely redeploy our brave men and women in uniform out of Iraq.

Tell my colleagues to support Feingold-Reid

To be clear, my proposal blocks further funding for the war AFTER the troops have been safely redeployed.  That emphasis is an important one to make, as some Republicans, and way too many Democrats, have time and again incorrectly made the false claim that they couldn’t support my ‘power of the purse’ proposal because 'we can't cut funding for our troops.'  Any elected official or talking head who puts forth that dishonest argument when discussing my proposal, knows the truth and is simply too timid to take on misleading attacks by the White House.  The Feingold-Reid legislation sets a timetable to redeploy our troops by June 30, 2008 - at which time further funding for the war would be terminated.

While many in Congress have acknowledged that the President has the wrong strategy when it comes to Iraq, Congress has thus far failed to do anything about it.  With our military at the breaking point and our ability to go after those who attacked us on 9/11 hampered by an Iraq-centric foreign policy, the time has come for Congress to use its constitutional power - the 'power of the purse' - to end this misguided war in Iraq.  I will need your help to take another step in our fight.  Please contact your senators today and tell them to support the Feingold-Reid legislation.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund

Betrayus John Warner is betraying Webb, switched his vote at the last minute. Something to do with something the Pentagon told him. I think we should swamp his office with calls NOW.!!!!!!!!!!!
!!wEBBS BILL IS DOOMED

lINDA b....

Meet the 2007 England Womens World Cup Soccer team that takes on the Colonies(USA) this Saturday......................GO 3 LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or Lionesses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swZ82iUiAEI&mode=related&search=

England National Team for FIFA World Cup China 2007
1 Rachel Brown (GK) - Everton
2 Alex Scott -Arsenal
3 Casey Stoney -Chelsea
4 Katie Chapman -Arsenal
5 Faye White -Arsenal
6 Mary Phillip -Arsenal
7 Karen Carney -Arsenal
8 Fara Williams -Everton
9 Eniola Aluko -Chelsea
10 Kelly Smith -Arsenal
11 Rachel Yankey -Arsenal
12 Anita Asante -Arsenal
13 Siobhan Chamberlain (GK) -Chelsea
14 Rachel Unitt -Everton
15 Sue Smith Leeds -United
16 Jill Scott -Everton
17 Jody Handley -Everton
18 Lianne Sanderson -Arsenal
19 Vicky Exley -Doncaster Rovers Belles
20 Lindsay Johnson -Everton
21 Carly Telford (GK) -Leeds United

John wrote: "You can dredge up unpopular positions from the past of any Democratic Candidate."

That's beyond obvious, but I'm trying to maintain this as an equal opportunity site for bashing Democrats.  Not because I support it, but because it's fair.  A whole assortment of lawmakers who are otherwise reasonably regarded as liberal have come in for criticism here, almost exclusively because of Iraq funding as a litmus test. 

I say this as a frequent critic of John Edwards, who has clearly turned from support for the invasion and who, I sense, would make a better than average president, regardless of any character misgivings I have for him. 

gOOD...wARNER'S LINE IS BUSY, LET's keep it that way. I wonder how long these idiots are goig to go on supporting this demented fool they call their leader

Roll Call's headline today blares "House Centrists Seek a Little Moderation on Iraq." The story is about "a small band of moderate House Democrats and Republicans is hammering out a bipartisan position on the Iraq War."

The essence of that position is: "Give Bush what he demands while trying to make it appear as if we really have no choice but to." 

Warner's line still busy. Hope I get through soon because I keep thinking of worse things to say to him.

"You can dredge up unpopular positions from the past of any Democratic Candidate."

The importance of it depends on the position. Those who voted with Bush on Iraq are damned. And they also voted with him on other odius aspects of his agenda which, while not as desperately important, nevertheless are telling of where they really stand once the rhetoric and promises are forgotten.

Sitka wrote "Those who voted with Bush on Iraq are damned."

What, no redemption theory?  What happened to the power of atonement?

What, no redemption theory?  What happened to the power of atonement?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Its the WAY they are atoning themselves...........sorry....uh uh............dont buy it........besides, this aint some little white lie or asking for a personal favour ina mens room.............we are talking alot of lives lost, credibility lost, and our own self doubt as a people.......................

None of those turkeys should even be running.............its cheapening democracy IMO.

IMO Americans, besides Africans as a whole, could learn from Sierra Leoneans:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200709190809.html

Sierra Leone: Lessons From S/Leone

Daily Champion (Lagos)

ANALYSIS

19 September 2007
Posted to the web 19 September 2007

Simon Ibe
Lagos

Sierra Leone has entered the history books as one more country where an opposition candidate has brushed aside the ruling party's flagbearer to win the presidency.

This followed the swearing in yesterday of 54-year-old Ernest Bai Koroma, leader of the opposition, All Peoples Congress (APC) as the new president of Sierra-Leone.

...

This, indeed, is a historic moment for not only Sierra Leone but the entire African continent because a statement has been made to reinforce the fact that incumbent parties can and even candidates, can indeed, be defeated in free and fair elections.

On the average, the Sierra Leone poll has been adjudged largely free and fair which is another major statement

...

the Sierra Leone election has shown that voters, no matter how poor or illiterate, know what they want from an election.

...

The immediate past regime was considered very corrupt and inept and Koroma came with the message of change, which caught on the people thus voted for democracy, for change, for jobs, electricity, healthcare and education and against corruption and poverty.

This is therefore a signal to Koroma and other leaders of countries in the continent that such critical issues, indeed, count in elections, even more than the so called incumbency factor.

Other countries in Africa have to accept a basic fact that ultimately the votes of the people must count. The earlier this is accepted the better for the growth of democracy on the continent.

Mike wrote "Its the WAY they are atoning themselves...........sorry....uh uh............dont buy it........"

I suppose you're right. 

attention lindab--I could have sent this as a link message, but I want everyone to know

Senator Webb did it!! I heard him say, in the process of introducing his amendment, that the reason the Bush Administration didn't plan for a withdrawal was because they have no plan to withdraw. The Senator couched it in terms of his prediction five years ago that this was the intent and went on to say that we need to have a national discussion of this matter.
He also said that he was stunned to hear from the Administration that our presence in Iraq would continue as long as we've been in Europe and South Korea.
I wasn't stunned, but I was disappointed. I'd been hoping that it would be Senator Clinton, during whose time in the White House this plan was cooked up, who would stand up and admit it was a mistake and that it should now be rejected outright. The reason I thought Senator Clinton would be the one to do it was because she'd have been more likely to have access to information that wouldn't be subject to the prohibition against discussing classified information in public.
That Senator Webb now brought it up on the floor of the Senate, where his testimony is immune from prosecution, and still couched it in terms of predictions he made before he was elected suggests that the topic is extremely sensitive.
However, I, for one, am sick and tired of the Bush Administration using classified information selectively to promote their own agenda, especially since that agenda has been hidden behind a wall of lies. I don't know if anyone's been pressured not to elaborate on the classified information leaked by the President, but it sure looks that way. Indeed, it looked that way when Senator Kerry referred to the fourteen enduring bases but once during the 2004 campaign.
It might be worth pointing out to the public that there's no problem with the rotations of the hundred thousand troops that are manning the mega bases. I've even read reports of how the engineers and technicians can trade four month tours to better adjust their civilian schedules.

Yes, what about those troops that never set foot on Iraqi soil outside "their" bases? And what about those fellows sitting at their consoles in Nevada or Colorado and dispatching drones carrying 500 lb bombs to drop on hapless Iraqis? Senator Graham went on about 670 troops re-upping. No doubt, they're the kind that sit on base, get fat on Burger King and enjoy having their laundry done by southeast Asians.

How about Senator Dodd and Senator Webb engaging in a colloquy? Be sure you give us a heads-up when it's set.

What, no redemption theory?  What happened to the power of atonement?

People can change. But when politicians change just in time for the next election, don't fall for it.

18.  Until they find a new one.  They're just waiting for someone to step up and tell them what to do.

Looks like Chris Dodd is targeting the teachers, as well as the fire fighters.

County Chairs announced by the Dodd campaign today include:

Polk County Co-Chairs
Dick Murphy of Des Moines ? Polk County School Board and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
Rose Mary Pratt of Des Moines ? Democratic Activist and Former Staff Member, Office of Governor Tom Vilsack
John Tekippe of Waukee ? President, IAFF Local 4

Linn County Co-Chairs
Rick Scofield of Marion ? President, IAFF Local 11
Jerry Vuichard of Cedar Rapids ? Business Manager, IBEW Local 1362

Scott County Chair
Jose Bucksbaum of Davenport ? Affirmative Action Chair, Scott County Democrats Central Committee
Johnson County Co-Chairs
Pat Harney of Iowa City ? Johnson County Supervisor
Eric Nurnberg of Iowa City ? President, IAFF Local 610

Black Hawk County Co-Chairs
Tom Powers of Waterloo ? President, IAFF Local 66
Dr. A. Frank Thompson of Cedar Falls ? Treasurer and Former President of the United Faculty, University of Northern Iowa

Dubuque County Chair
Helene Magee of Dubuque ? County Publicity Co-Chair, Dubuque County Democrats Central Committee
Story County Chair
Mike Bryant of Ames ? President, IAFF Local 625

Woodbury County Chair
Rob Marqusee of Sioux City ? Woodbury County Director of Rural Economic Development

Pottawattamie County Chair
Justin James of Council Bluffs ? President, IAFF Local 15

Clinton County Chair
Joel Atkinson of Clinton ? Vice President, IAFF Local 609

Cerro Gordo County Chair
Jerry Taylor of Mason City ? Activist and Member, Cerro Gordo County Democrats Central Committee

Des Moines County Co-Chairs
Diane Ehret of Burlington ? Teacher and Democratic Activist
Al Pealer of Burlington ? Veteran and Former VFW Post Commander

Dallas County Chair
Bob Skow of West Des Moines ? CEO, Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa and Former State Representative

Warren County Co-Chairs
Kevin Middleswart of Indianola ? Warren County Supervisor
Scott Voogd of Indianola ? Teacher and Democratic Activist

Lee County Chair
Bill Olmsted of Keokuk ? Keokuk City Councilman

Muscatine County Chair
Mark Butterworth of Muscatine ? Small Business Owner and Retired Teacher

Marshall County Chair
Wayne Sawtelle of Marshalltown ? Vice Chair, Marshall County Democrats Central Committee and Former Political Director, Iowa Professional Fire Fighters

Webster County Co-Chairs
Ernest Kersten of Fort Dodge ? Webster County School Board and Democratic Activist
Mary B. Wilson of Fort Dodge ? Retired Teacher and Former Member, Webster County School Board

Wapello County Chair
Marlin Hesse of Ottumwa ? Democratic Activist

Marion County Chair
David Isgrig of Pleasantville ? Superintendent, Pleasantville Schools

Chris Dodd is damned for voting with Bush on Iraq.  I'm not buying the way he's atoning for it.

13.  The problem, John, is that a President can't accomplish anything on that list by himself and Kucinich has demonstrated no ability to get others to work with him.  His organizational skills are virtually nil--even on the ground in NH.  People who have been carrying the water for him have now decided to back off and see what he can do on his own.

Maybe it's a lack of "situational awareness." 

Rather/08                   Kill your television.      Bring them home NOW>

30.  If you're paying attention, you'll have noticed that I'm looking for more.

Monica wrote "If you're paying attention, you'll have noticed that I'm looking for more."

Yes, I will have.

In comparison to having participated in the greatest blunder since the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Kucinich's shortcomings are nothing. That goes for Obama, Richardson, and Gravel too.

They are the only four worthy of my consideration.

In comparison to having participated in the greatest blunder since the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution,

Make that: voted with bush the greatest blunder since the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Is that our Charlie at the end?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmJ9_7Cfzxo&mode=related&search= 

thank you monica for the info. just got home.

and huron, great award!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmJ9_7Cfzxo&mode=related&search=

Sitka wrote "They are the only four worthy of my consideration."

I understand although from that list, Richardson has indicated that he regrets what he described as his former support for the war.  He's the John Edwards who never was.

I understand although from that list, Richardson has indicated that he regrets what he described as his former support for the war.

Well, that's pretty daming too. Scratch him. It's just as well since he's a DLCer.

Jeezus.

Someone go the d.c. and pull all those senators out of their chairs and knock them up side of the head.

why do you think they want to spy on us? to keep us afraid.

The sob's going to keep our kids in Iraq and the putzes that follow the putz.

Off with their heads.

Monica, Yes, it was(but you knew that). :-) Thank you for the video. I did notice Charlie several times, walking in the march, the group outside the building, then speaking to the protesters.

Goooo Charlie.

The latest Super News, Miss Teen President, on current tv.

http://www.current.tv/pods/supernews/PD0...

Just watched another one of those UF videos and heard Kerry in the back-ground say that he was going to answer his question because it's an important question. But, unfortunately, "he's not going to come up and swear me in as President of the United States."  Kerry was making a joke while the kid was being assaulted in the back of the room!

How is it that all these people are so self-absorbed?

Oh, I'm sorry.  That's a rhetorical question.  I already knew that about Kerry.  After all, he's the fellow who parked his sports car in a cross-walk and then refused to answer why he felt it necessary to do that.

Reid Tries To Calm Anti-War Activists The Politico reports Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid met with "leaders of the anti-Iraq-war movement" in New York yesterday, in "his latest effort to reassure this increasingly restive group that Democrats are doing everything they can to end the war." Reid "tried to explain his limitations and pleaded with anti-war leaders to keep their energies focused on Republicans, not Democrats," though "some activists are urging that Democrats who are not aggressive enough in confronting Bush on Iraq themselves be challenged with primary opponents or third-party candidacies in 2008."

In a change of strategy apparently intended to please the Democrats' anti-war base, the Washington Post reports that Reid, who had "been willing to make the troop withdrawal a 'goal' in order to attract GOP support [that] never materialized," announced yesterday he will instead "push for a firm deadline" of June 2008. Reid is quoted as saying, "It's all definite timelines." The AP reports that when asked "why Democrats won't soften the deadline," Reid "said he doesn't have confidence Republicans are willing to challenge Bush on the war." Reid is quoted as saying, "I think they've decided definitely they want this to be the Senate Republicans' war, not just Bush's. They're jealous."

The pressure on the Democratic leadership is now coming from both sides. According to The Hill, Rep. Neil Abercrombie, a Democratic moderate who has been trying to build bipartisan support for his Iraq plan, "was expecting to go to the Democratic Caucus on Tuesday to complain that liberals are threatening to support primary challenges against Democratic centrists because of their positions on Iraq." But "when he found out the issue wasn't on the agenda, he walked out." The Hill says Abercrombie's "anger highlights the rising tensions within the Democratic Caucus." Meanwhile, Roll Call reports that "a small band of moderate House Democrats and Republicans" is working on bipartisan Iraq legislation "that would avoid hard timelines for withdrawal." Reps. Mike Castle (R) and John Tanner (D) "have drafted a letter backing a series of proposals from the Iraq Study Group aimed at shifting the Iraq mission and incorporating such issues as ensuring leave for soldiers after they return home."

Keep flogging. 

Is this correct?

Is DFA on board to keep our troops in Iraq for nine more months?

Why? Why should hundreds more of our troops die? Why should thousands of more Iraqi die? Why another hundred million dollars?

How about Rachel or Jim come on here and explain why we should fund more of the same instead of sending cash to a real anti-war movement!!

oops, i did it again, that should be 'another billion dollars'

But who cares, it's all political games all the time... just keep coughing up those bucks,
... on top of the taxes we pay to the ones we've already sent to stop this war.

Åudrey, Moran's number please.  I wrote to Bowman last night.

Smith voting for Webb's amendment?  Are you kidding, Fred?  The man's a bushie.

IMO Al is the only person who CAN lift us out of the mud and corruption.  Think of the Cabinet he'd have.

Run, Al, run~~ 

Lookie what I just got in my inbox!

Thanks for your letter, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Dr. Bob Bowman

sheez... 'another hundred billion dollars'

... borrowed from those godless, communist, forced abortionist, slave labor Chinese. Oh, but their cr@p is cheap at Wally World.

I say for Reid to pull the appropriations bill from the floor. no vote, no money. nada.

then who will pay blackwater?

the pentagon has money for the troops who are sleeping on the ground.

Yes Monica and Kerry putting out a statement later that he didn't know the young man was taserd 'til after he left is bull. He was being tased in the room Kerry was in. And a woman was screaming they were tasing him. AND YOU could hear Kerry still talking. How could he just be standing there with all this going on? And yes, how could he be joking if he was even remotely upset at the abuse by the cops as that one woman tried to elude?

42.

linda b
Wed, 09/19/07
3:32 pm

...
why do you think they want to spy on us? to keep us afraid.

The sob's going to keep our kids in Iraq and the putzes that follow the putz.
----------

!!!

seashell, the only number you need remember and you can take it with you anyhwere in the US.

1-877-331-1223 The Capitol Switchboard.

Congressman Moran's aid that answered the phone seemed in quite good spirits and said "oh YES" when I asked to convey my appreciation for stating the truth.......

32.

Good point Monica.

 Dennis kept stepping on his d*ck while boy mayor of Cleveland.

 In particular, getting single-payer health insurance will involve a lot of persuasion, cajolery, and downright hardball politics. The Insurance and drug people are spending literally hundreds of millions of dollars (ultimately of our money) lobbying bribing members of congress of both parties. Clinton's, Obama's and Edwards' "health-care plans" all leave private insurers in the drivers seat, reflecting the big bucks Big Pharma and Big Insurance have pumped into their campaigns.

Truman couldn't do it, Nixon couldn't do it (even before Watergate), and Bill&Hill botched it badly.

 A majority of people wan't what is essentially an upscaling of Medicare, but the vested interests will fight it viciously.

By The Associated Press

As of Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, at least 3,787 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003

Since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq, 27,936 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department's weekly tally.


The latest deaths reported by the military:

- A soldier was killed Tuesday in a vehicle accident in Ninevah province.

- Three soldiers were killed by an explosion Tuesday near their patrol northeast of Baghdad.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20070919...

John wrote "Clinton's, Obama's and Edwards' "health-care plans" all leave private insurers in the drivers seat, reflecting the big bucks Big Pharma and Big Insurance have pumped into their campaigns."

There's at least the possibility that candidate Howard Dean was correct in his belief that an incremental approach to health care coverage reform is necessary because single payer has no prospects for success.  Just a thought, since the health care industry represents one-seventh of the American economy.