George's "My Way Or The Highway"Attitude Remains Intact

Via Raw Story "They came up and said, 'This is our offer. Take it or leave it. Accept these papers where we've erased 100 pages or more so you don't even know it's on there. Do a closed - door hearing where the public has no idea what was said, and then [of course]not under oath." So obviously the little dictator that could still believes he and his group of minions need answer to NO ONE. The normally genteel and most respectful Senator from Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, had to literally remind the yokel in the White House who is under the delusion that he is really the President, along with his puppet mouthpiece Tony Snowjob that "What we're told we can get is nothing, nothing, nothing," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Judiciary chairman. "I know he's the decider for the White House -- he's not the decider for the United States Senate." Video available here. I understand this may be a difficult and unlikeable reality George needs to face up to but wake up to it he must. If not, he and the country is in for a nasty couple of years where nothing will get done thanks to them refusing to realize they are not in the majority (even if definitely slim in the Senate, thanks to Joe LIEbermann and his constant threat to join the Republican ranks). Just in case you missed it, Tony Snowjob seems to be loosing it as well as can be seen by ABC's "Good Morning America." claiming to all far and wide that they have nothing to hide, and are really nice guys willing to give the truth - well their version of it only. Of course this means the meeting is closed to the public, no transcript made available, all based on the assumption that George and the boys (as we have learned for 7 years now)would never ever lie to the Congress or the people who put them there to serve. Of course to no surprise, Democrats rejected Bush's offer -- relayed to Capitol Hill by White House counsel Fred Fielding (remember that name from the Watergate Era?)-- in large part because there would be no transcript and the testimony would not be public. The final and clearest remark regarding the entire matter over the use or non-use of the power of the subpoena and its' "under oath" requirement comes from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NEV) when he said..... it would be "outrageous," to allow Rove to testify off the record. "Anyone who would take that deal isn't playing with a full deck." Words so true and if the stubborn dictatorial bunch across the aisle continue to believe they are answerable to no one, it is definitely going to be a rough and nasty next couple of years where nothing is accomplished, and the nation and its' people suffer because of it.

We Don't Need A "Troop Surge" - We Need A Surge Protector

What the hell is going on? Did no one not even the Democrats hear the fuckin' message the voters gave out on November 7th? Presidential hopeful and media whore John McCain, and now King George seem to be sending out trial balloons to make the "New Direction" called for in the ISG report mean sending in even more troops. Even worse, we now have leading Democrats like incoming Senate Majority Leader Democratic Harry Reid saying over the weekend he would support a short-term increase in American troops in Iraq if it were part of a broader withdrawal plan. This is just damn nuts, and if the Democrats agree to this plan then every damn one of them that does needs to be turfed right out of office and sent packing to where they came from before Nov. 7th. Thankfully, despite the way Hillary Clinton has been labeled a "war-hawk" she has come out against any troop increase. In a statement to MSNBC “Everyone knows there is no military solution to the difficulties we face in Iraq,” said Clinton, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “There has to be a broad-based comprehensive approach that includes resolving some of the political issues, bringing the region together.” In addition to Clinton, former Sec. of State Colin Powell also threw cold water on Bush and McCain's plans.You can read the entire transcript at Think Progress. The incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), has also released a statement in opposition to any increase in troops. “The recent speculation in the press regarding an increase of 20,000 to 30,000 or even 50,000 troops in Iraq has left me with many concerns. Everything I’ve heard and everything I know to be true lead me to believe that this increase at best won’t change a thing, and at worst could exacerbate the situation even further. I am also extremely concerned about the additional burden that would be placed on the Army and Marine Corps. “The Iraqis need to understand that responsibility for the future of that country is theirs. Beginning the redeployment of some number of American forces would send that message. I urge the President to carefully consider this option to help move the political situation in Iraq forward. Read on.... Hopefully more sensible heads will prevail in both Houses of Congress and the other members will heed these opinions wisely.

Disgusting Media Coverage

Has anyone else noticed or is it just me but I'm beginning to feel the Media is performing a form of death watch over the sudden illness of Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD). The Senator underwent brain surgery for what is described as intracerebral bleeding. However to hear the media tell it (particularly Fox), everyone (meaning Republicans of course) is all but ready to fill his vacant seat in the Senate. Media Matters has the rundown, and the video. so you can watch Fox's Bret Hume and Neil Cavuto practically salivating with reports that were the Senator to become "incapacitated" or "unable to serve in any way," or his condition were to "worsen," then South Dakota Gov. Michael Rounds (R) would appoint a replacement to take Johnson's seat until the 2008 general election. Don't get all excited oh fair and balanced Fox reporters, because as Media Matters correctly points out the U.S. Constitution states that the governor may appoint a replacement senator only if Johnson's seat becomes vacant and, in contrast with provisions concerning the presidency, includes no provision allowing officials to declare that a senator is incapable of serving. Indeed, several senators have remained in office despite significant infirmities. As a matter of fact, according to a statement released by the Attending Physician of the United States Capitol Admiral John Eisold, “Senator Tim Johnson has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Specifically, he has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required.” So take your valium and Vicodin all you low-life Republicans hoping for the worst. You're quickly becoming quite nauseating. As an aside, I will add that I have a sister who had this happen whe she was 63, (and yes I know every case is different), she is now healthy and happy at age 75.