Senate hearing set on move to censure Bush

[deminks]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060324/pl_nm/security_eavesdropping_dc_1

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee announced on Friday it would hold a hearing next week on a call by a Democratic lawmaker to censure President George W. Bush for his domestic spy program.

In a one-sentence notice, the panel said the hearing would be held next Friday by the order of its chairman, Republican Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record) of Pennsylvania, who has opposed censure.

Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record) of Wisconsin introduced a resolution last week calling for a Senate censure of the president, charging that Bush's warrantless domestic surveillance program was illegal. Revelation of the once-secret program has triggered a political uproar.

"Some Democrats in Congress have decided the president is the enemy and the terrorist surveillance program is grounds for censuring the president," Vice President Dick Cheney told a Republican fund-raiser in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, adding, "The American people have already made their decision. They agree with the president."


Hey Dick, I didn't agree. I don't remember you asking for our opinion, btw.

[DearAbby]

1. :::waves from somewhere in 'murika:::

Vice President Dick Cheney told a Republican fund-raiser in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, adding, "The American people have already made their decision. They agree with the president.">>>







NO ONE ASKED ME.

[Pastiche423]

11. No one asked me either

[ClintonTyree]

37. Apparently a 33% approval rating means that bush is bullet-proof....

unlike Dick Cheney's hunting companions. Just HOW have the American people made their decision? Through stolen elections?

Yeah, Dick. A 33% approval rating means bush is doing everything right, there's no need to change a thing. :eyes:

[Selteri]

38. Cheney meant those who count the votes made their decision...

This is much like how Hitler and other ditators are 'beloved and chosen universally by the 'people' regardless of the truth.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rodeodance]

2. been waiting to see this in print (Reuters). Thanks

15 minutes ago

[rodeodance]

4. says Feingold is overseas now.

In Senate comments last week, Specter noted that experts had disagreed about whether the president has the constitutional power to conduct the program without court warrants.

"When he (Feingold) comes to the resolve clause and speaks about censure and condemnation of
President Bush, I think he is vastly excessive," Specter said.

As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Feingold will have an opportunity at next week's hearing to debate Specter.

The Wisconsin Democrat, traveling overseas, could not be reached for an immediate comment on Specter's decision to hold a hearing, his office said.

[pacalo]

24. We know this is going to be just a staged event,

but the good thing is that it will bring more attention to why censureship is appropriate & well earned. It will also highlight the Republican judiciary members' blind loyalty to a Nixonian administration.

If Spector allows Feingold to be heard & doesn't rely on the interrupt-him-so-he-won't-be-heard maneuver, then Feingold's arguments will certainly outshine any argument Specter could make. Feingold has common sense & "right" on his side.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Coexist]

52. OVERSEAS??! They know darn well he is touring IRAQ

for crying out loud...

[VegasWolf]

3. Great! Time to stand up and be counted!! Unless one is a DINO cowering

in the shadows trying to hang on to their cushy job!!!

[Voltaire99]

59. DINOs need your love and support!

Without it, they'd have to work for a living!

[fooj]

5. Uh no...the American people DON'T agree with the president.

Dick- turn off that Fox News. The authentic Americans out here hate your fucking guts.

:grr:

[Amonester]

16. "I had other priorities in the '60s than military service."

A supporter of the Vietnam War, little Dicktator wannabe did not serve in the war, applying for and receiving five draft deferments.

How about the American people agreeing NOW for him to go fight for them?

I agree with THAT. :)

[wordpix2]

54. re: VP 5Deferments & * pushing their "no good news" from the media spin

These dangerous morons need to take their asses along with their corporate-congressional whores and Coulter, InsHannity, Limpballs, Buchanan, Fucker Bowtie, Laura Inbredham, Bob Novak and the rest and go to Iraq to get all the "good news" from the war front.

[PurpleChez]

58. Silly Liberal! Military service only matters for Democrats!

The sick part is that the Thugs have assumed the position for this chickenhawk administration for five years now. And they'd feel privleged to take it up the ol' corn chute for another five if they could. But they will continue to condemn DEMOCRATIC candidates for their lack of military service. And if they actually HAVE military service the war fetishists will find some way to disparage or discount that service. What a bunch of scum-sucking parasites. Somebody give John Hinkley a weekend pass.

[PurpleChez]

57. We all know that Preznint Corky is clueless, but I wonder if Dick is

aware of the contempt that so many have for him. I mean, dude's approval rating is...what?...18%...meaning that 82% of the country regards him somewhere between "dislike" and "loathe." I vote for loathe.

[rodeodance]

6. Average (10 votes) come on foks. rate it up on yahoo

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Average (10 votes)
4.2 stars

[Roland99]

19. 104 votes...4 1/2 stars

[killbotfactory]

7. What is worse? The President breaking the law...

OR TERRORISTS RUNNING WILD AND DESTROYING THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE! BOOGABOOGABOO!!!!

[VegasWolf]

8. or the Easter Bunny outlawed. nt

[VegasWolf]

9. Kicked and voted, currently 4 1/2 stars with 40 votes. nt

[PVK]

10. Move-On is sponsoring a drive to write LTTEs on this.

Please go there and participate. Thanks.

www.moveon.org

[JerseygirlCT]

12. And he knows this how? nt

[rodeodance]

46. he looked down the barrel of his gun and 'saw' it.

[jamesinca]

13. rated it

4.5 stars with 61 votes. I am sorry to hear that Arlen Specter feels the Constitution is such a petty thing that he has made up his mind on this issue even before arguments are heard. I will give him credit for at least letting it be heard in his committee.

[babylonsister]

14. So Specter can just call this w/o consulting with Dems at all? nt

[UpInArms]

15. "Some" being used once again - no, what the Democrats have said

is that illegal is illegal, stupid dick-munch.

[stevenleser]

17. I wrote an article about the Wingnut response to this. You all should see

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_l_060324_bush_censure_efforts.htm

Bush Censure Efforts – The Looney Right strikes Back with… a campaign to Censure Carter!?!?
Wingnuts at Free Republic http://www.freerepublic.com and other bastions in the Far Right Blogosphere are giddy over this thoughtless and infantile endeavor
by Steven Leser


http://www.opednews.com

You have to hand it to the Freepers! They are anything but boring. Unfortunately, it all goes downhill from there, particularly in the sanity department. On the one hand, we have the desire by people on the left to take the sitting US President to task for multiple potentially unlawful actions of his administration, to include what even staunch Republicans acknowledge may be unlawful warrant-less wiretapping of potential suspects. On the other, we have someone who has been and continues to be utilized as a diplomatic tool by Presidents on both sides of the aisle for the past 25 years who has committed no crime. So, what have the Freepers and other nutcases on the Right come up with as justification to censure Carter?

The campaign to censure him contends that Carter has met with some unsavory characters in his multitude of diplomatic efforts and thus has brought discredit upon the United States and undermined US Diplomatic policy and efforts. In particular, the website that is the center of this effort has huge pictures and makes a bid deal of Carter’s meetings with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, the late Yassir Arafat and leaders of Hamas. As always, these Republican protagonists have not thought things through. In the first week of January, 2002, Republican Senators Lincoln Chafee, and Arlen Spector met with Castro in Cuba as part of a bi partisan congressional visit (see http://www.cnsnews.com/foreignbureaus/archive/200201/for20020110g.html ). On January 10, 2005 another bipartisan congressional group visited Hugo Chavez, see http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1464 . On April 5, 2002 George W. Bush sent US special envoy Zinni to meet with Arafat, http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/dailynews/thenote_april5.html . Thus far, to my knowledge, no Republican or administration officials have met with Hamas, but they have promised to do so if Hamas recognizes the right of Israel to exist, but the point is made. If we include the pictures of Donald Rumsfeld meeting with Saddam Hussein in the 1980’s, the hypocrisy of this effort to censure Carter becomes laughable.

Those wanting to dishonor Carter would do well to remember that he is a former officer in the US Navy and a graduate of Annapolis. The Synagogue Council of America awarded Carter with the International Human Rights award in 1979 and of course, he won the Nobel Peace prize in 2002 just to mention a few of a long list of accolades from various countries and organizations on a variety of subjects. Carter is in no way a traitor, would never work in cross-purposes to the United States and has the respect of people and governments in all countries around the world. This baseless effort to censure him is a blatant knee-jerk reaction to the efforts to censure President Bush and should be condemned by all thinking people everywhere.



Steven Leser is a freelance journalist specializing in Politics, Science & Health, and Entertainment topics. He has held positions within the Democratic Party including District Chair and Public Relations Chair within county organizations. His coverage of the Ohio Presidential Recount in 2004 was distinguished by actual interviews with Carlo Loparo, spokesperson for the Ohio Secretary of State, along with Supervisors of Elections of several Ohio counties. Similar efforts on other topics to get first hand information from sources separate Mr. Leser from many of his contemporaries.

[Breeze54]

20. Welcome!! I get opednews!! TY!!!

Every day, like clockwork, in my inbox!!

:thumbsup:

[stevenleser]

21. Thank you and thanks for reading!!!

Hope to see more DUers over at OpedNews and vice versa!

[rodeodance]

45. What a hoot. thanks

[wordpix2]

53. how sick to censure Carter--this proves the RWnuts are insane

[stevenleser]

18. Bump

Bump

[Psephos]

22. Time to stand up and be counted, DINOs n/t

[stevenleser]

23. What do you mean by that?

At least with regards to this thread?

[Psephos]

25. Senate DINOs are going to have to choose between Feingold or *

Or explain just what about Bush's handling of Iraq doesn't deserve censure.

I'm predicting a weaselfest, myself.

Peace.

[MannyGoldstein]

28. Winston Chuchill on DINOs

"You had a choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you shall have war." - Winston Churchill

[stevenleser]

42. I think you both are right...

...but be forewarned, this needs to be put forward by someone who can really lay out the case WELL, particularly the illegalities involved. The Rethuglicans are waiting to couch this as a partisan ploy.

[fooj]

26. For all that is good in this world...UNITE on this one.

Do it for the people in this country. Do it because it is simply the right thing to do. The president broke the law and he must be held accountable. Period.

Peace.

[MannyGoldstein]

27. The DLC is Winning

The DLC (the other Republican Party (tm)) looks to be winning on this one - Senate Democrats seems to be triangulatin' as fast as they can.

Fortunately, it's only a full-frontal breach of the Constitution - not like it's important to take a stand here or something.

:mad:

[MGKrebs]

29. In the "strict father" paradigm, the "American people" means

"conservatives". Anyone not in the family doesn't count.

Guess that makes me a rebel!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. Hmmm. Here's a poll on the subject. Cheney wrong.

http://surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateWireTap060227State.htm

Weighted Average

Clear That Bush
Obeyed The Law 31%

Clear That Bush
Broke The Law 40%

Unclear 22%

[bluerum]

31. Who agreed?!! Did anyone here agree??? I didn't agree - no one even

asked me!!

The president is an incompetent liar!

He should be impeached.

Period.

End of discussion.

But given the reality of the power structure in the senate and congress right now censure would be a major victory - if it happens.

[Teena]

35. bluerum -

I don't know if I would call censure a victory, but it sure is one step closer to one! Next step - reveal everything about 9/11 that proves it was an inside job and Bush et al are outta there!

[bluerum]

48. Oh I see censure as a victory of sorts. Not that it would shut the dumb

ass up but it be a clear signal.

I don't know about impeachment - we would end up with dead eye dick as a president but then * would be gone. We need to get rid of them both.

If Libby spills the beans on Cheney then we can impeach them both.

[bigbrother05]

32. Can we add the Patriot Act

signing declaration to it.

[bahrbearian]

61. You'd think so wouldn't ya,,, no , no seems to care anymore.

[chelsea0011]

33. This will be one interesting debate. And the Dems can use the words

of Repubs against them in November. You can be sure some repukes will be way over the edge. maybe even shrill and angry.

[Teena]

34. Here's a bit more encouragement...

Yesterday a very conservative radio station in my area covered the story about Charlie Sheen making public his opinion that 9/11 was a Bush administration inside job. They took a poll of the callers who agreed that it was an inside job and the number was 82%! This is a conservative show, mind you! They love Bush and the only host who wasn't a Bush supporter, Jerry Springer, no longer works there!

We are getting there people. Just keep talking to your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers. The sheer will of the masses will drive those bastards from our seat of government and, hopefully, to prison.

[wordpix2]

56. that IS good news from middle America

[Patsy Stone]

36. When did we make our decision to support him?

Was there an ES&S machine involved?

Every little helps, although I'm not sure this will get much coverage except to point out that it's we "angry, bullyish Democrats" who are out to get *.

K&R for Russ!

[emald]

39. can you believe this POS?

Chinney lies with boldness when he says the american people are with the president. And check out the line that begins with "Some Democrats..." Another straw man argument. This administration is on political crack, lying just because they can. Prison is too good for these fools.
And if I hear another person say that GWBusit is "not above the law" I'm gonna puke. Of course he's above the law! Has anyone stopped him? No. He is still doing just what he wishes in trampling the constitution and puking on our rights. Of course he is above the law. He hasn't been stopped yet. Guess "some" americans want a lawless society where kings rule at their own whim.

[Joey Liberal]

40. Cheney is on drugs and is an evil bastard n.t

[madrchsod]

41. much to do about nothing

karl gave it his blessing to the republicans and now he can fire up the spin machine... "the democrats are betraying the people of the usa..." as for dickie ,he`s a snaring old man cause he has a pretty good looking old lady that "he can`t get any satistfaction"..ya "happiness is a warm gun"...oh my a beatles and stones quote.

[rodeodance]

43. Contact your Senators--see below--toll free # and info.

I posted this earlier:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2534331&mesg_id=2534331


Given the upcoming Senate hearing (Specter, Chair)---on the the resolution, our CongressCritters NEED to hear from us!--both Dem and Repug.
*Also below is a list of Intel Committe Members--hit em!

** Also please email C-span to
Suggest Events: Submit a public event that you think C-SPAN should cover - [e-mail]


http://topplebush.com /

SUPPORT FEINGOLD'S RESOLUTION CENSURING BUSH: Call your two Senators today and tell them to support Sen. Russ Feingold's resolution censuring Bush for authorizing NSA to illegally spy on Americans and for lying to both Congress and the American people about this illegal program.

http://contactcongress.blogspot.com /

TOLL FREE SWITCHBOARD (ask for Senator by name)
888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641

For detailed fax and local office info, click the appropriate state on the right.(ALL the numbers you need for Senators are listed--just a click away :-).

AND:

http://topplebush.com /

SEND AN EMERGENCY MESSAGE TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NOW! Tell them that legalizing ongoing executive branch lawbreaking allowing Bush to spy on Americans is not what the Founding Fathers meant by checks and balances. Sign PFAW's petition now!

http://actions.pfaw.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=...
Don't Let Congress Fail America
Take Action On This Issue

The GOP controlled Congress appears ready to abandon any investigation into possible violations of law by the executive branch, with regard to the NSA’s warrantless eavesdropping on U.S. citizens. Worse, it is now planning to pass legislation that rubber stamps that eavesdropping!

Send a message now:
Take Action
Message Recipients
Your Federal Senator(s)
Email
Your Federal Representative(s)
Email
Review the Message......

.......
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060324/pl_nm/security_eave ...
Senate hearing set on move to censure Bush

15 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee announced on Friday it would hold a hearing next week on a call by a Democratic lawmaker to censure President George W. Bush for his domestic spy program.

In a one-sentence notice, the panel said the hearing would be held next Friday by the order of its chairman, Republican Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record) of Pennsylvania, who has opposed censure.

Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record) of Wisconsin introduced a resolution last week calling for a Senate censure of the president, charging that Bush's warrantless domestic surveillance program was illegal. Revelation of the once-secret program has triggered a political uproar.

"Some Democrats in Congress have decided the president is the enemy and the terrorist surveillance program is grounds for censuring the president," Vice President Dick Cheney told a Republican fund-raiser in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, adding, "The American people have already made their decision. They agree with the president.".......

......

http://judiciary.senate.gov/members.cfm

Arlen Specter - CHAIRMAN, PENNSYLVANIA

Orrin G. Hatch UTAH

Patrick J. Leahy - RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER, VERMONT

Charles E. Grassley - IOWA

Edward M. Kennedy - MASSACHUSETTS

Jon Kyl - ARIZONA

Joseph R. Biden, Jr. - DELAWARE

Mike DeWine - OHIO

Herbert Kohl - WISCONSIN

Jeff Sessions - ALABAMA

Dianne Feinstein - CALIFORNIA

Lindsey Graham - SOUTH CAROLINA

Russell D. Feingold - WISCONSIN

John Cornyn - TEXAS

Charles E. Schumer - NEW YORK

Sam Brownback - KANSAS

Richard J. Durbin - ILLINOIS

Tom Coburn - OKLAHOMA


...........
http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/06/03/2...

Remarks of Senator Russ Feingold
Introducing a Resolution to Censure President George W. Bush
As Prepared

March 13, 2006

Mr. President, when the President of the United States breaks the law, he must be held accountable. That is why today I am introducing a resolution to censure President George W. Bush.

The President authorized an illegal program to spy on American citizens on American soil, and then misled Congress and the public about the existence and legality of that program. It is up to this body to reaffirm the rule of law by condemning the President’s actions.

All of us in this body took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and bear true allegiance to the same. Fulfilling that oath requires us to speak clearly and forcefully when the President violates the law. This resolution allows us to send a clear message that the President’s conduct was wrong.

And we must do that. The President’s actions demand a formal judgment from Congress..........

Edited to include the resolution.

[rodeodance]

44. * Also please email C-span to cover hearing.

** Also please email C-span to
Suggest Events: Submit a public event that you think C-SPAN should cover - [e-mail]

[creeksneakers2]

49. Done

(To Arlen Specter)

Thank you for holding a hearing into Russ Feingold's censure proposal. Even though I was not in favor of the confirmations of judges Thomas and Alito, I was pleased that my Senator conducted the hearings so fairly. All of the points and questions on my side were given a complete airing.

I trust you'll do the same with the censure hearing. I'm opposed to a censure at this point, because I don't want our national political debate to become nothing more than a game of gotcha'. Similarly, a committee hearing with the only purpose of forcing Democrats to vote on a controversial issue would be part of the gotcha' game.

So I'm hoping that your hearing will address one of the most important issues we face now. What are the powers of the president? Is he bound to submit to the will of Congress? Is the president bound by the courts?

Its hard to address whether or not the president broke the law with the wiretaps with absolute certainty, although it looks very much like he did. What is certain though, is that the president has claimed almost unlimited powers to himself. This week he made a statement after signing the Patriot Act that he has no duty to report to Congress . The law specifically states he must do so. The president has taken the position that he can do just about anything he wants. That must be stopped.

So, I think a nice compromise proposal for your hearing ought to be a resolution that gives the sense of the Senate that the president must obey the will of Congress and the law. Define what the powers of the Commander in Chief has. A resolution should make it clear that executive privilege does not shield all executive branch activity from Congressional oversight. Perhaps that would be enough to get the president back on his side of the separation of powers. The president should be warned that failure to do so could lead to censure or even impeachment. Could you please talk about that idea at your hearing?

[rodeodance]

47. 4.1 stars

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Your Recommendation:

Average (313 votes)
4.1 stars

[wordpix2]

55. "censure & condemnation of * is vastly excessive" ---Specter

Well at least we know where Specter stands, even though he's been crtical of *'s spy program. :argh:

snip: "When he (Feingold) comes to the resolve clause and speaks about censure and condemnation of President Bush, I think he is vastly excessive," Specter said.

[FogerRox]

60. thank you Russ---- Kn R

CLick to read the Saturday ERD:




CLICK the logo to recommend:

[mvd]

62. Cheney's delusional

He just can't see anyone disagreeing with King George. Hey, Darth Cheney - do not speak for me!

:sarcasm: Those polls must be the result of a liberal media conspiracy!:sarcasm:

[lies and propaganda]

63. when did the repugs jump on board?

was their sinking ship toooooooooo much, bastards.

[Imagevision]

64. CENSURE NOW! -- IMPEACHMENT AFTER NOVEMBER?

[Imagevision]

65. CENSURE-CENSURE-CENSURE!!!!!

THEN IMPEACHMENT-IMPEACHMENT-IMPEACHMENT-IMPEACHMENT!!!

[oasis]

66. So Cheney believes he speaks for the American people? Gimme a

few swigs of that Diet Sprite. :beer: