I read the Politics section of Original Signal, which means I get the finest both hemispheres of the political blogs have to offer, including those to which I am diametrically opposed.
I've noticed quite a bit of "upgrades" and "updates" at LGF (that's Little Green Footballs, and well, I'm not linking to them), and I wonder what they're up to? The most reason one that caught my eye was a redirect so that visitors from LGF Watch would instead go to the homepage of the Israeli Defense Force. It's tempting to contemplate skullduggery, but as LGF is a high-traffic site, I was wondering what they were up to.
At one point, DeLay claimed that places like Bahrain and Qatar wouldn’t accept U.S. troops who had redeployed out of Iraq. Sestak put his hand on DeLay’s arm and informed him that the U.S. military already has bases in those countries.
This must be a big deal, as I'm seeing some conservative attacks on Josh Marshall's TPM and TPMMuckraker, who have been the pitbulls on this story.
The conservative blogosphere is deep in the 4th Stage of Republican Grief - Evoke Clinton (either one), in that Clinton fired all the US Attorneys at the start of his term as well. This is true, and customary.
A few distinctions - while it is true that US Attorneys serve "at the pleasure of the President", and may be fired at any time, it is the manner, method, and machination through which this occurred that is troubling.
Thompson (IMDB), most recently known for his recurring role in the Law and Order franchise, has a full political pedigree (wiki). Most notably, he was the co-chief counsel for the Republicans on the Senate Watergate Committee, Special Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, is a visiting scholar at AEI (the American Enterprise Institute), was appointed by George W. Bush to an informal position guiding John Roberts through the Supreme Court confirmation process, as well as serving on the "Free Scooter Libby" advisory board).
WASHINGTON, DC—President Bush announced Monday that his administration will permanently sever ties with the democratically controlled United States Congress, ending a nearly 220-year-old alliance between the two governmental branches.
"Our administration no longer recognizes the authority of this rogue body," said Bush in a televised Oval Office address. "Clearly, these combative men and women have a political agenda in direct opposition to our own. They have no concern for my national interests, and have left me no choice."
After six years of cordial relations between the executive and legislative branches of government, tensions flared up in January when Congress came under the control of "hostile new leadership." After a dramatic standoff last week over American policy in Iraq, the president openly denounced Congress, refused to accept calls from majority leaders, and returned Congress–approved legislation unsigned and unread.
Funny stuff, huh? Then I saw this one, NOT from the Onion (it's from USNews)…
With President Bush unable to get much traction so far in moving his agenda through Congress or in improving his job-approval ratings with the public, White House advisers are casting about for ways to jump-start his final two years, including issuing executive orders to get things done without having to ask for support from the Democratic-controlled Congress.
Flip-flop personified, although if by chance he should get elected, Doonesbury can follow the grand tradition of personifying the President via an icon (W. as Centurion helmet, etc.) by portraying McCain as a weather vane, via YouTube.
Being "right" is small consolation. Knowing that in a couple months there will be a "Constitutional Crisis" that makes Watergate look like tiddlywinks isn't very rewarding. Basically, one of those moments where the country stops, and has to reevaluate and reinterpret the Constitution. It's a matter of framing. Thomas Paine. What was it about Common Sense that helped the country see the truth and move towards Independence.
There's a couple things going on here. Israel, or more appropriately the Likkud Party, their version of the Neocons, want all of Israels enemies liquidated - Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
The ambitious opening agenda of the 110th Congress seemed futile to me. With such a thin majority (51/49), plus with the treasonous Benedict ArnoldEmperor Palpatine Joe Lieberman as a faux Democrat, it seemed highly unlikely that they could hold a caucus together, and successfully pass bills, and on some of the hot button items, manage to overide a Presidential veto.
Q: If you have the authority to put the troops in there no matter what the Congress wants to do.
BUSH: I think I’ve got, in this situation I do, yeah. I fully understand they could try to stop me from doing it. But I’ve made my decision. And we’re going forward.
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
Teddy Roosevelt, in a 1918 Op-Ed in the Kansas City Star.
