Boxer/Dem Challenge of Condi Rice-Senate debate-C-Span2: NOW!

[Peace Patriot]

It's scheduled for RIGHT NOW, but there is some other business on the Senator floor first.

Go here to watch. You need RealPlayer or Windows Media

http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS&Sh...

Front page C-span says:

ON CAPITOL HILL
Senate Begins Rice Debate
On Tuesday morning the Senate takes up nine hours of floor debate on Pres. Bush's nomination of Condoleezza Rice to be the next Secretary of State. Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. voted 16-2 to recommend Senate confirmation. Sens. Boxer (D-CA) and Kerry (D-MA) voted against.
"Watch": TUES., C-SPAN2, 9:30AM ET
"Watch": THE FULL CONF. HEARING

· Rice: Conf. Hearing Video | Opening Statement
· Rice: W.H. Biography | Sen. Foreign Relations Cmte.

---------

Call & email Senators NOW--oppose Condi Rice appointment as Sec. of State!

ALL SENATE TEL, FAX, EMAIL and SAMPLE LETTER here (see lower posts):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=296466

-----------

Background:

http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=Current_Event&Co...


CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Rice as Secretary of State - Part 1
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a confirmation hearing for National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to replace Colin Powell as Secretary of State.
FROM TUESDAY, JANUARY 18
RICE'S W.H. BIO PAGE

CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Rice as Secretary of State - Part 2
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a confirmation hearing for National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to replace Colin Powell as Secretary of State.
FROM TUESDAY, JANUARY 18
RICE'S W.H. BIO PAGE

CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Rice as Secretary of State - Part 3
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee continues with a second day in its confirmation hearing for National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to replace Colin Powell as Secretary of State.
FROM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19

http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=Current_Event&Co...


-------

FINE INTRO SPEECHES BY BOXER & TUBBS-JONES RE: Ohio challenge Jan. 6:

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) & Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) on Challenge to Ohio Electoral Votes (01/06/2005)

[Roxy66]

1. Thanks....got it on now

[Roxy66]

2. It always makes me feel uncomfortable when they do the Senate prayer

[Peace Patriot]

3. No, don't be uncomfortable! PRAY! PRAY!

The U.S. of A. need prayers NOW!!!

[Roxy66]

4. I feel it's out of place in the govt

[SueZhope]

5. Thanks for the post

is he talking about the
holocaust so they can start new wars?

[SueZhope]

6. here they go again

spinning reality.
They always forget to mention
that Iraq is now a breeding ground for terrorists.

[Peace Patriot]

7. An hour of general business happening right now...

...and speeches on the Nazi holocaust, BUT two Repub Senators (Majority Leader one of them) made initial remarks about Condi Rice. Maj Leader used her race as an issue--1st Afri-Amer Sec of State. Does their hypocrisy and cynicism know no bounds?

Now Norm Coleman (who benefited from Paul Wellstone's assassination, won the subsequent election several weeks later with BushCon support) now speaking on Nazi holocaust, saying it happened due to misguided idealism that degenerates into hatred. Ex. Cambodian communists, and Rwanda. "And now anti-Semitism on the rise again."

Unbelievable hypocrisy! Over 100,000 Iraqis slaughtered by Bush bombs! Mass murder TODAY.

"The evil that men are capable of..." --Norm Coleman

"We will never forget the inhumanity of man..." --Norm Coleman

[hootinholler]

16. Because we all know that Colin Powell is lilly-white N/T

-Hoot

[Peace Patriot]

8. LIEBERMAN on Rice RIGHT NOW!

They're using this business time to start the speeches on Rice!

Lieberman--interesting, he's using the Constiutional argument that Prez has right to appoint, and partisanship shouldn't enter into nat'l security matter. He understands his colleagues' objections (Dem fighters!), but...

"We are at war!" -Lieb. well, who's fault is that? he thinks we are "at war with Islamic fanaticism." I'm sorry. Were those 100,000+ innocent Iraqis "Islamic fanatics"? (Their families may be NOW!).

"great stengths" of Condi Rice -she has the Prez's confidence--Lieb. (what is that worth?)

--sounds like Lieb. has had an earful from his Dem collegues, but he's doing his best to paint them as somehow unpatriotic cuz they're challenging Rice "in a time of war." Jeez.

OH GOD, HE'S QUOTING THOMAS JEFFERSON! Tom's rolling in his grave! Earthquake in Virginia!

[SueZhope]

9. are we sure he is really a dem?

his speech is delusional .

[Boswells_Johnson]

12. If he can support Bush like this, he's a Dem. by name only.

What a suckhole.

[Im with Rosey]

11. JOE IS DISGUSTING!

I can't believe the Zell he keeps pulling, he is just as bad as a repug. I am sure glad he is not my Sen., Thank You Barbara Boxer. I can't wait for her to speak.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

20. Lieberman is revolting. n/t

[NationalEnquirer]

33. Joe needs to be OUTED.

He is a joke, a pox on our party.
I can't STAND the guy.
What did Gore ever see in him?
Are those guys even friends anymore?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

128. Amen! Jo-mentum heh! I doubt if they are friends anymore -

remember Gore endorsed Dean or Joe

[NationalEnquirer]

10. Blah blah blah..

All this talk and posturing makes me ill.
Does anyone think that Condi won't make it?
Democrats dont have the balls to stop it, or slow it down significantly.
They might throw us a bone or two, but nothing major.

[Peace Patriot]

13. Lieb. extolling Bush and Rice! Why doesn't he become a Repub.? or why...

...doesn't the Dem party throw him out?

This speech is unfrigging believable!

Quoting Bush on freedom and democracy!

Now he, too, is using the Afr-Amer issue (her race). He says, "No one could have predicted at her birth..." her great accomplishments later. And while she was ambitiously pursuing that oil cartel career, OTHERS were fighting for her right to be equal (that's not exactly how he put it).

And WHO--what bigots, what white racists--were lynching and killing and beating those freedom fighters? The same people who support BushCon now. And who was exploiting the white bigots' hatred of Dem party Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, and luring them into the white bigot Republican party? The same Repub leaders that Lieb. is extolling today.

10 hour voting lines for blacks in Ohio TODAY. Vote suppression of some 3 million black votes nationwide TODAY. And slaughtering of 100,000+ ragheads (their lives don't count) in Iraq! And using poor black youth to do so!

And all done with carefully nurtured Negro tokens like Rice and Blackwell.

Lieberman out of the Democratic Party NOW!

[ROH]

14. Are you referring to Joe Lieberman or Joe Biden?

[Peace Patriot]

19. Both. But Lieberman was the one speaking just now. n/t

[NationalEnquirer]

32. Biden isn't like LIEberman.

Biden is still a democrat, he just doesn't have any balls.
Lieberman is another Zell Miller, he just wont admit it.

[NationalEnquirer]

30. Lieberman is another turncoat.

Just like Zell, only he hasn't come out of the closet yet.
And to think I voted for this guy 4 years ago.

[Peace Patriot]

15. Hawaii junior Senator now speaking on Native Hawaiian bill...

This first hour will be a mixed bag--some speeches on ConDo Rice, some other business. They said this earlier, 1st hour would be "business." Then it will be exclusively speeches on Rice nomination and Iraq war.

Now voting on Native Hawaiin bill...

They're also today commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz. That's coming up in speeches during this first hour. (We're supposed to remember Auschwitz and forget Iraq.)

Morning business now closed...

Here we go!

[Moosepoop]

17. Would someone please wake me up when Lugar is done?

:boring:

At least Lieberman was mildly entertaining... my daughter and I kept pointing out the resemblance between him and the dad on "ALF".

[Peace Patriot]

18. BushCon "talking point" of the day - Objections to Rice are PARTISAN.

Lugar (R-Ind.)

Rice well qualified. Mentions meeting Rice with Geo. Schultz before Bush Prez. Schultz mentored Rice! (Ah, that explains it!). (Oil cartel initiation--I wonder what that's like - anything like Skull & Bones?)

Says Rice answered 390 questions in Foreign Relations Committee. Why does he provide this number? Imagine answering 390 questions and SAYING NOTHING!

Quotes Rice: Foreign policy based on "freedom, democracy and the rule of law." Uh-huh.

Freedom: the freedom to die in Iraq.

Democracy: the right to vote for BushCons.

Rule of Law: F___ the Constitution! F___ the U.N.! F___ the Geneva Conventions! F___ the World Court! F___ international treaties!

Lugar: federal budget strained by the requirements of fighting terrorism (Halliburton laughing all the way to the bank).

**BushCon talking point of the day: Objections to Rice are PARTISAN. (Lieberman said this, too--giving finger to his Dem colleagues.)

Lugar trying to get more money for Oil Cartel (BushCon) dominion throughout the world (comprehensive Foreign affairs funding). Pushing money bills.

They're all worried about Soviet nukes, and, of course...Iran's nukes. (Where have we heard this before?)

Non-proliferation. Except for American proliferation.

I hope we all realize, listening to this speech, just what we're dealing with, and how big the problem is. Everything we are up against--Dem collusion with BushCons, Election Fraud, and everything else--derives from the MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX that we have become, that President Eisenhower warned us against, and that has now been TAKEN OVER and been put to 100% use of the Oil Cartel/Arms Dealers.

Why did Dem leaders allow BushCons to get control of our election system? Just look at the list of Dems WHO VOTED FOR the Iraq war, and those who vote for Rice today, and you will begin to understand.

Although nearly 60% of the American people oppose the Iraq war, we're still there, aren't we?--with little hope of ever getting out, and saber rattling for more invasions.

Look how unbalanced things are! Half the Dems and all the BushCons in Congress support the Iraq war and max defense spending. The other half of the Dems ARE THE ONLY ONES REPRESENTING A *MAJORITY* OF AMERICANS!

We really have to deal with this matter. Democrats like Feinstein and Lieberman have to go. Democratic leaders should be representing the majority of Americans!

---

Lugar's hypocrisy and lies on non-proliferation, and on HIV and hunger funding are amazing. The truth: Arms dealers looting the US government! Drug companies (BushCons all) profiting from disease, suffering and death! Bio-tech companies destroying local agriculture! American ag giants dumping produce on poor economies!

Now he's onto orphans... g - o - d!

Puke time.

[SueZhope]

21. excellent analogy

will someone get some tomatoes , pies and perhaps a cane
get this man of the stage. he's done thank god

Bipartisan: means do as we say

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

23. Teddy voting against!!! :) n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

24. Teddy "Rice should not be promoted"!!!! n/t

[mod mom]

71. about time Senator! rice should NOT be promoted!

Can't stand to see her lily white smirk. Your commentary will suffice.

what about all the African American blood shed for civil rights, rice? All for naught according to your administration. Perhaps a civil rights course would benefit her.

[SueZhope]

25. OH MY GOD!!

thats great news
had he ever said that before?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

26. He has spoken out heartily against Iraq. n/t

[SueZhope]

28. yes very true

its so nice to hear someone share reality instead of
spin about this war, if the rest of them would wake up
and be honest with the American people.

its amazing how delusional ideology
can keep people supporting something that
is wrong.

What a great speech he gave!!

Oh my god mark dayton also
GO dems go!!

[Peace Patriot]

22. Lugar warns of "inflammatory language" to come...

BushCon talking points: partisanship, inflammatory language.

Kennedy on now. He asked some of Boxer time to be yielded to Dayton! Dayton's on board!!! He's going to voting against!

[mirrera]

27. Teddy is awesome!!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. Yes he is!!!!! Now Dayton is speaking and will vote NO!!!!! n/t

[SueZhope]

34. he said it: lies lies lies wrong wrong wrong n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

35. "Immoral" n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

36. I hope Byrd speaks! He can be AWESOME!!! n/t

[Peace Patriot]

31. Great speeches by Ted Kennedy and Mark Dayton!

I'll do details in a moment.

[liam97]

37. am I hallucinating

or is Dayton really saying these things

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

40. Do you feel that glorious breeze? It's called the Truth is Getting

Out there by more than just Boxer and Kerry!!!!

In otherwords, you're not hullucinating!!!!!

[liam97]

46. I want to believe you

but one dem after another calling Rice a liar... is this a good TV show produced bu Al- Jazeera?

[Peace Patriot]

61. liam97: THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!!!

What is your game, liam97? Go away!

[Peace Patriot]

97. liam97: Sorry for the tart comment, if what you intended was irony.

I was desperately trying to catch quotes from these great speakers, and your comment came out of the blue and seemed totally off the wall. I now see you may have meant to be funny. But it was so very like the BushCon propaganda on Democrats, liberals or any opposition or criticism of any kind, that I felt I had to react.

[zann725]

126. "This is what Democracy sounds like!" "Show me what Democracy looks like!

This is what Democracy looks like!"

Yeah Dem Senators with courage!

[mirrera]

38. Vigilant press!!!

Dayton is awesome, but I couldn't believe he said that about the vigilant press...If he only knew what else he is missing. We better make sure he is on line. This guy is ON FIRE!!!

[SueZhope]

45. he got one part wrong about the press

but he was trying to point out that compared to the bush administration they get more
news from the news (scary thought ha)

That was a powerful speech!!

[life_long_dem]

39. Senator Dayton is slamming the liars.

I think a DU standing ovation is in order.

This is a great day....

[DemReadingDU]

49. My opinion of Sen Dayton has risen

He did not speak so eloquently when Sen Boxer challenged the electoral vote last month.

[go west young man]

41. Kennedy was killer....

But Dayton is nailing it home! He is challenging her impunity! He doesn't like being lied to.

[Moosepoop]

47. That's my Senator up now

Senator Levin has been useless so far, but it looks like there may be hope for him yet. :-)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

42. Levin, "Rice is revising history"!!!!!! n/t

[mirrera]

43. Maybe we are all dead and this is heaven???

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

44. Pinch me someone! Please! Tears here!!!! n/t

[mirrera]

48. Do you think anyone but us is watching???

I can't disconnect to call people....I can't...

[liam97]

51. doesn't matter

its entering the Congressional record

[Helga Scow Stern]

55. And some of these speeches are worth seeing again and

again.

I am so proud of Dayton, it almost makes me want to forgive him for his ignorance on 1/6/05.

At least we can congratulate him on this and express our regret at his prior misunderstanding.

[mirrera]

63. Dayton said he relies on the press...

His heart is obviously in the right place, and he certainly gets it that they lie, it shouldn't be to hard for him to get it about the election. One would think...

[Amaryllis]

115. Lots of them get info from MSM! We MUST educate them! It is one of our

primary tasks if we are ever to clean up the elections.

[Moosepoop]

60. I sure hope RICE is watching!!!

:evilgrin:

[NickiWitch]

50. *pinch*

This is so much fun to watch!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

54. lol! Nicki! It's really happening!!! Thanks for the pinch! n/t

[NickiWitch]

64. I can't tear myself away from my computer!!!

and I have to pee!!! DAMN MY TINY BLADDER!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

65. Bayh voting against!!!!! n/t

[NickiWitch]

66. I'm taking down names....

so I can send them all thank you cards.

So far:

Kennedy
Dayton
Levin
Bayh

Of course Senator Boxer will get another one. :bounce:

[buzzard]

52. I know I"m watching cspan here in Canada and thank God some have

finally seen fit to respond as they should have years ago.

[SueZhope]

53. the dems awake from a long sleep, its like a good dream n/t

[JoMama49]

57. They are responding to our calls, letters, faxes and

emails! They now know they have a base out here who thinks this Admin. is criminal, liars and war mongers. Now if only they'd vote no on *'s next $80 million he's going to ask for to throw down the drain! That's our money, not his!!! Let him pay for it with his own damn $.

[Peace Patriot]

56. Mark Dayton (D-Minn): TOTALLY AWESOME SPEECH!

SUCH A GREAT SPEECH! I am speechless!

Rice "mislead me and other members of Congress who would have voted against the Iraq war if they had been told the truth."

BushCons in Congress are supporting a Prez who was "wrong, wrong, wrong," and are supporting all the lies told.

Rice lies on Iraq WMDs were "no slight misunderstanding, no slip, not limited to one meeting..."

Said he has to get major security info from the newspapers, and might as well skip committee meetings and top secret briefings: "We cannot get the truth from this administration."

"The administration's lying must stop NOW!"

"It's wrong, unamerican and DANGEROUS!"

Administration guilty of "misrepresenting, distorting, hiding the truth--in matters of life and death."

"I don't want to impugn anyone's integrity--BUT I DON'T LIKE BEING LIED TO!"

Impassioned, beautiful speech.

----

Carl Levin now speaking -- much dryer--the nuts and bolts of the lying. Dayton was hot!

[Helga Scow Stern]

62. That Dayton speech is historical.

That should be played over and over.

[Karenca]

58. Dayton and Levin are AWESOME! Finally!!! : )).....eom

[JoMama49]

59. Big Eddie at www.wegoted.com often has Senator

Dayton on his show via telephone. I'm going to write Big Ed and thank him and Senator Dayton for today's speech.

[Karenca]

67. BAYH VOTED NOOOO!!!!!!! ......nt

[JoMama49]

70. Senator Kay Hutchinson - no more than a *bot! She's

saying that poor Condi couldn't have anticipated some of the things she said not coming true!? Extolling the so-called virtues of Condi - calling her wonderful, blah blah blah.

[MadisonProgressive]

72. Man she's a bitch!

[SueZhope]

78. its sickening that she said

why should we rehash the past
Adah hello , in other words
the administration can do what ever they want
and take no responsibility ( we will back
our king and not question his misjudgment)

In other words :we love her cause she kisses Bush ass

[Moosepoop]

75. "Rehashing potential mistakes"? Hutch is an idiot!!!

Did she really say that?? Is she really saying all those idiot things that I THINK I'm hearing????

[Catamount]

68. Looks like the dems are growing some

Knackers!
There is still hope!
Yeah!:)

[mirrera]

69. That was a great line about the senate providing leadership!

Oh hear we go...forgive poor Condi...Terror...Terror...blah blah

[Peace Patriot]

73. Evan Bayh (D-Ind): "No ordinary incompetence..."

Rice's list of tragic errors is "lengthy and profound."

Mentions advice given by both sides of aisle, by State Dept. and CIA, on troop strength and planning--all ignored and dismissed by Rice & Co.

"Men and women are dying as a result of these mistakes..."

BushCons "even succeeded in discrediting the cause" they claim to be fighting for, quotes Bush on freedom and democracy. Iraqi Election Commissioner told Bayh "My people equate democracy with violence, disorder, death and economic disintegration."

Bayh: "heartbreaking," given troops idealism, "the ineptitude at top levels of the admin."

-----

Kay Hutchinson (R-Tex) just said: "No war is ever perfect."

----

I want to go back to Ted Kennedy's speech. Dayton's speech was so hot, it might get forgotten. I'll detail when they take lunch break. Kennedy was also fine--clear, strong.

[New Earth]

74. wtf

nevermind i got it to work.

[MadisonProgressive]

76. Salazar! Another ZELL!!

[Catamount]

77. Salazar is a repug plant in my opinion nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

79. Put Salazar on the sh*t list!!!! n/t

[Catamount]

81. Absolutely..n/t

[mirrera]

80. Kay "A new kind of enemy"

Condi qualified to deal with a new kind of enemy? She is the new kind of enemy! Her and the asses of evil...

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

82. She is the "enemy within". n/t

[New Earth]

83. GUY'S I'M REALLY CONFUSED

i thought they already voted on this? i don't understand how they can still be debating and are going to vote again.

i thought this was the whole thing when Kerry and Boxer voted no?

Sorry i don't usually follow these things and i don't understand how it works.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

86. Faye, the vote you are talking about was within the Foreign Relations

Committee who voted to recommend her for Secretary of State. The vote to confirm has to be done by the Senate.

[New Earth]

91. oh ok

cool, thanks. that makes more sense now :)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

92. YW! n/t

[tex-wyo-dem]

87. Hi Faye...that was just committee vote, this is final senate vote (n/t)

[mirrera]

84. I missed Salazar!

What did he say?

[Helga Scow Stern]

88. Salazar supports Rice, but

he made many attacks on Iraq policy, including the money spent and the unknowns for soldiers.

He took the administration to task, but loves Rice.....unfathomably.

[life_long_dem]

85. Does condasleezea gets an asterisk in the history books, like * * ?

At least she is opposed by some. Although, it should be by the whole Senate.

Does Kennedy get to speak again? I would like to hear him speak after having a liquid lunch.

I can't wait for Senator Boxer to slam the LIAR again.

[mirrera]

89. C-span has Rice's speech on after all that???

I can't believe the commentary after what we just witnessed! Not a mention of all the "NOs" We have to hear Condi speak? Can you imagine people just turning on c-span right now? They might think everything is hunky-dory with her confirmation...GRRR

[Peace Patriot]

90. Ken Salazar (D-CO): Voting FOR...but...

"General lack of candor" of Rice & Co. toward "troops, their families, taxpayers and even ourselves."

They now want $80 billion MORE! Deficit burden on us and our children. Just announced, troop strength in Iraq to remain the same indefinitely, 2nd and 3rd tours will be required; they originally claimed the entire Iraq op would be less than $50 billion.

He spoke of the importance of the "informed consent of the citizenry." (Our letter may have influenced this comment--we pointed out nearly 60% of Amer's oppose Iraq war, and they have NO "consent of the governed.)

Salazar's position is contradictory and sickening. He sees all these things, but can't bring himself to fight it on the chosen ground.

These kind of waffling Democrats really need to go!

----

Some talking head on CNN yakking, yakking, yakking away about Rice going off to Europe. NOT ONE WORD about Dayton's firey speech--or the growing opposition.

----

LUNCH BREAK: They're re-showing Rice at the Foreign Relations Committee. Let's see if they re-show the questioning of Rice.

Rice testimony: She's talking about Birmingham and Dr. King. Disgusting. If Martin Luther King were alive today, he would be leading the struggled against HER and her mass murder and torture in Iraq.

---

Coming up after the break (I only got partial order...)

McConnell (R-Ky)

Byrd

Hagel (R)

Allen (R)

Boxer

somebody

somebody

Feinstein (80% R)

[rainy]

94. I get off work at 300 and do not want to miss a beat of this, especially

Byrd. If I run to my car and turn on c-span on XM radio will I still hear the hearing?

[Catamount]

102. Help??? Does anyone know how to get this on Cspan radio.....

I looked at their guide and found it very confusing.
Thanks in advance!

[New Earth]

103. this might help

go here http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspanradio.asp?code=csr

and click on "LISTEN" to whatever media player you want to use.

i think that should be it. never used it before but i think that's how you do it.

unless you mean actulaly ON the radio, then i have no idea.

[Catamount]

105. Thanks Faye, it's what I meant! n/t

[Catamount]

106. Strange ...Kerry's on the radio now (last week's speech)

Ok, got it live now!

[seabeyond]

157. we need to educate salazar and take back colorado

i was wondering why they let salazar beat coor.

[Im with Rosey]

161. Feinstein has just finished

I will never vote for her again! EVER! She has also pulled a Zell and has become 100% repug, 80% is being too generous! What is she thinking? I quess there must be something in it for her, she is certainly not representing Ca. I am as disgusted by her as I am proud of Boxer! I must add, I'm really glad Warner isn't my Sen.! Looking forward to Kerry...

[Peace Patriot]

93. Kennedy's speech...

He gave a very fine speech, as the opener for the day by Dems.

He said Rice's qualifications are all well and good for appointment as Sec of State "except for the Iraq war."

Rice was "principle architect and advocate" of invading Iraq, while the threat of Al Q and OBL had not been dealt with. There must be ACCOUNTABILITY for that mistake.

He mentioned Rice's statement just prior to Senate vote on Iraq in '02, "I don't want that 'smoking gun' to turn into a mushroom cloud." But Rice had denied the Senate info that there was great dissent on Iraq nukes within intel community. She assured Senate that BushCon had informed UN inspectors of all potential WMD sites, but in reality they had not done so.

"Had Dr. Rice shared all info. with the Senate, the rush to war would have been stopped," 1,400 troops would not be dead, 10,000 not wounded, and we would have been able to keep faith with our allies.

There were no WMDs of any kind in Iraq. Now Iraq is a breeding ground for terrorists, we are less secure, there is more Al Q, and US is hated around the world.

In order to repair the disaster of Iraq, Bush and Rice must ACKNOWLEGE MISTAKES. (F.i., Gen. Shinseki advised higher troop strength going in. Rice said troops sufficient.) And there has been no disavowal of torture.

There was no reason to go to war in Iraq. Rice "the principle architect of a failed policy."

We now need a clearer vision and better strategy, to stabilize Iraq, and regain lost respect around the world.

DR. RICE'S FAILED POLICY IN IRAQ MAKES HER UNQUALIFIED FOR SEC. OF STATE.

[KaliTracy]

95. just quickly -- they played part of Dayton's Speech on NPR at the top

of the hour news brief -- where he said he didn't learn about 150,000 troops being there from any government source -- that he learned it from the newspaper (Washington Post ...or it might have been the Times).

[Peace Patriot]

96. In making tel/email contact today, I suggest the following "talking...

...points":

1. Boxer & Co. are representing THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS. Nearly 60% of Americans STILL oppose the Iraq war, now today. As Kennedy said, "Rice was the principle architect and advocate of this failed policy." This has resonance with Democrats. WE are the majority!

2. Bush has no mandate for war! Rice & Co. are spoiling for ADDITIONAL wars. Iran. Syria. No. Korea. Much saber-rattling.

3. How can we trust Rice on these other situations, after the 100% LIES they told about Iraq? How can the REST OF THE WORLD trust her?

4. Ohio and election fraud, if you want to get into it, re: Bush's "mandate." Greg Palast says 3 million Afr-Amer votes suppressed. That's almost Bush's margin. The true sentiment of Americans is reflected in the poll on Iraq (57% against) and approval of Bush (hovering around and under 50%).

No mandate for war!

WE are the majority! Boxer, Dayton, Kennedy, Levin etc. represent the MAJORITY.

Rice the principle architect of this disaster--LIED to Congress and to everyone.

[Peace Patriot]

98. KICK! Byrd & Boxer coming up in 1/2 hour. n/t

[helderheid]

99. kick!

[Peace Patriot]

100. Kick again! n/t

[New Earth]

101. can someone start a new thread

when it comes back on? before this one gets too long?

[Catamount]

107. Done..it's on there now

[Peace Patriot]

104. Scott McClellan (sp?) press conf (filler before cont'd Senate debate) is..

...not without interest. A reporter (named Mark, short, a little pudgy) just said someone in the Gulf (ambassador?) just said, re US invasion of Iran, "it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when."

Senate debate on Condi back in session NOW!

[Peace Patriot]

108. Go here for continued reports & discussion on the Senate debate...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=303884#303895

Nope. Changed my mind. I'm staying here. It's too confusing.

[KurtNYC]

109. Mitch McConnell is insane

"they watched footage of those 2 planes hitting the WTC"

There was no footage of the first plane

"Saddam had the means" to strike the US - apparently not.

Obviously he is not limited by reality-based thinking.

[mirrera]

110. Byrd on, is there a fist in the velvet glove...

Common Byrd....

[liam97]

111. gloves coming off

fist showing

[NickiWitch]

113. FIST IS NOW FLYING!!

He's pissed! :evilgrin:

[mirrera]

114. Oh yeah...n/t

[Karenca]

112. Looks like Byrd is STRONGLY OPPOSING!!! .....nt

[JoMama49]

116. Not only is he opposing, he is illustrating her lies with her

own words, with the dates and quotes to prove it! He is kicking butt!
He asserts that both * and Dr. Rice have violated the U.S. Constitution by falsifying evidence to get us into an illegal war!!

[JoMama49]

117. Now, he's poking holes in their claims that the Intelligence

community failed them. Says it was their responsibility to make sure the intelligence was correct. He says they abused the intelligence to get us into an unprovoked war. He also refutes their fraudulent info that Iraq was a training ground for terrorists or that they had any ties to Al Quaeda. This man is spelling it all out very clearly!

[meganmonkey]

118. Points out 'ironic twist' that they claimed Iraq was a terrorist breeding

ground, which it wasn't before, but NOW it is!

[NickiWitch]

119. I love this man!!!

He's really good! How can *anyone* argue with him on this??? It boggles the mind that people will *still* think she's the greatest person on earth.

[mirrera]

122. he was awesome before the war and no one listened.

This is a war about the last oil on the planet, and it is going to take more then the truth to stop these people, but the truth is START!

[NickiWitch]

124. I'm listening now.

I hope the other side is paying attention. Maybe some day the Kool-aid will ooze out of their ears and they'll finally here some truth.

It's about time!!!

[gordianot]

120. Sounds to me they are finally taking a stand.

Could it be they are finally focused enough to educate the American Public?

In my cube I would love to hear this.

[JoMama49]

121. Gordi - when you escape from your "cube" tonight, be

sure to play the archive of Byrd's speech. It will make you weep with joy!

[JoMama49]

123. OMG! Now he's switched over to 911 and the PDB that

Condi ignored. Why did Dr. Rice and * reassign Dr. Clark, a terrorism expert in the WH who could have helped with this? Why did they wait 9 months to focus on the possibility of a terrorist attack when they were well warned by the outgoing Admin.? Wowzer!

[mirrera]

125. The nazi-cons on both sides of the aisle must shut their hearing off.

It is like my Teenager. I think I am making sense, but judging by the response, he is listening to the music in his head. HOW can any sane person not hear what Byrd is saying? HOW!!! We are in the bizarro world.

[JoMama49]

127. He's even blaming the * Administration for creating the

violent insurgency in Iraq! Can you just imagine *, Cheney, Rove, Card, et al. listening to this! Why can't I be a fly on the wall of the Oval right now!? Talking a lot about accountability - says this Admin. has been one of disastrous failure after failure for the past 4 years! Says they take credit for successes but never admit their failures. There remains too many questions about Dr. Rice's record to now promote her!

[JoMama49]

131. Now, Chuck Hagel has a very hard act to follow! He sure

doesn't sound very certain of himself - talking about Condi being an accomplished musician. Well, gee, that qualifies her to be SOS, huh?

[SueZhope]

130. This man speaks the truth with elegance and wisdom

wake up America!!!
Time to here the word of truth.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

129. Byrd Rocks!!!! n/t

[Peace Patriot]

132. Continuing speeches...

Mitch McConnell--blather.

BYRD! BYRD!

My, my, what an awesome speech! Details in a moment. Robert Byrd. He said it all.

----

Now, some numbskill R from Nebraska is talking about her piano lessons. Hagel.

[SueZhope]

133. Chuck Hagel talking out his but n/t

[NickiWitch]

134. Sorry Chucky....

you get a big GONG, not only for your severe butt kissing to * and Condi, but for that horrid tie.

[gordianot]

135. She should have taken more lessons.

Maybe she would have found a job that suited her better.

[NickiWitch]

136. WHY MUST THEY *ALWAYS* THROW THE RACE CARD??!!

This has nothing to do with what color she is. It has EVERYTHING to do with the lies she's told.

WHY CAN'T PEOPLE GET IT THROUGH THEIR THICK SKULLS!!???

[JoMama49]

137. Because, Nicki, she is so guilty, as is * of deceiving the

American people and violating the constitution. They don't have anything else to use. Like the adolescents that they are, they use whatever they think can best manipulate the sheeple.

[NickiWitch]

139. It's pathetic!!

I know *why* they're doing it...I just can't believe Americans are still falling for this ploy.

My frustration level is at an all new high.

I need a :hug: and a :beer:

[understandinglife]

138. Yahoo -- vote it up

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050125/ap_on_go_co/senate_rice


BE THE BUSH OPPOSITION;24/7

[New Earth]

140. dude that is IMPOSSIBLE

1341 votes in 17 minutes? wtf??????/

[NickiWitch]

141. Wave to the Freepers!!

:hi:

[New Earth]

142. hi freepers!!!

get a life! :hi:

[NickiWitch]

143. Slip o' the tongue?

Or what he *really* means?

Senator George Allen said "less secure" when he meant to say "more secure".

Naughty boy. :spank:

[meganmonkey]

145. Freaky double speak from this guy

We are helping people 'taste the sweet nectar of liberty' ??? :puke:

Yeah, as we blow their fucking limbs off.

This guy is making me sick.

He also says we are doing a disservice by dissenting, because leaders in capitols around the world see it and we lose credibility.

Like we have any fucking credibility!!

[understandinglife]

152. Just emailed the guy .... simple message: War criminals don't have...

....credibility.

Governments that don't prosecute them, have no credibility.

Bit of a bind for *, Condi, and the rest of their neocon cabal -- 'you can run but you got no place to hide.'


BE THE BUSH OPPOSITION;24/7 (aka TBO;24/7)

[wildflower]

149. And talked about "tasting the sweet nectar of liberty"...??? n/t

[darkworkz]

144. What have the Republicans actually said?

What in fact have the Republican's said in support of Condi? Bush wants her and we're duty bound to give the pResident what ever he wants?

How is this sound logic? By their own words, what purpose are the Republicans serving in the Senate today? A rubber stamp?

There are mission critical issues that must / will be dealt with in the immediate and near future (i.e. energy, financial) How have the republicans distinguished themselves and positioned themselves for those greater matters that loom on our horizon?

Could it be that hollow empty words are ringing through out the halls of Congress right now? And Karl has proven once again the inability to alter the course of the "wind"?

[NickiWitch]

146. I've been hearing a lot of BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

and that we should shut up and pass her through or our county is going to lose it's credibility.

We've already lost it!!! It's time to get it back!

[darkworkz]

155. say it loud, say it proud, Nicki! n/t

[meganmonkey]

147. Here's Boxer!!

[AtLiberty]

148. I'm so tired of the hypocrisy!!!

Republicans give hearty praise for Condi Rice and her personal story...overcoming racial discrimination, blah, blah, blah...

Yet these SAME people condone racial discrimination in the election process.

grrrrrrrr

[Peace Patriot]

150. Robert Byrd (D-WV): Our Thomas Jefferson! Boxer on NOW!

WONDERFUL SPEECHES!

[redacted]

151. "Our lives begin to end once we fail to raise the issues that matter"

From the introduction to Boxer's remarks

[NickiWitch]

153. How about those visual aids!!!

I just love how she puts the lies on friggin' billboards!!

BIG GIANT LIES DESERVE BIG GIANT BOARDS!!!

I love you, Senator Boxer!!!

[darkworkz]

154. What have the Republicans actually said?

What in fact have the Republican's said in support of Condi? Bush wants her and we're duty bound to give the pResident what ever he wants?

How is this sound logic? By their own words, what purpose are the Republicans serving in the Senate today? A rubber stamp?

There are mission critical issues that must / will be dealt with in the immediate and near future (i.e. energy, financial) How have the republicans distinguished themselves and positioned themselves for those greater matters that loom on our horizon?

Could it be that hollow empty words are ringing through out the halls of Congress right now? And Karl has proven once again the inability to alter the course of the "wind"?

[Peace Patriot]

156. Moderator, I object to the moving of this post in the midst of live..

...reports on the speeches. I think it was very high-handed. And I was unable to report on Boxer and Durbin live speeches because of it.

[rudlop]

158. Feinstein

Ms. Feistein sucks. What is she saying? Come on California, get her outta there.

[Peace Patriot]

159. I am going to try to calm down, back up and continue reporting on...

the speeches. I am so upset with DU at the way this post was handled! We've been bounced all over the place and have lost many participants.

------

Okay.

Robert Byrd

No one understands what is at stake with BushCon war policy better than Robert Byrd.

He started with a quote from Alexander Hamilton, from the Federalist Papers, that a president or advisor might be tempted to favor his "private inclinations and interests" rather than submitting his actions to consideration when such actions might be rejected. That is why the Constitution was designed as it is--to provide larger considerations than narrow "private inclinations and interests" (read Halliburton).

Thus the Consitutional duty of the Senate to advise and consent on appointments (and also, he later points out, vesting war powers with the Congress not the Prez).

Byrd is such a gentleman. He calls her education "remarkable, remarkable, remarkable." (--even makes a joke, she got her BA at age 19, he got his BA at 77!)

He said, but the duty of advice and consent is not just a formality to endorse a candidate's education or expertise. Nor does he subscribe to the notion that the Senate MUST approve nominations.

He expressed dismay at accusations that Dem objections to Rice are somehow nothing more than petty politics or partisan delaying tactics.

Advice and consent is NOT a ceremonial exercise. He held up a copy of the Constitution, says he has often defended THIS institution (Congress), C. says Congress is a branch of gov't that is "separate but equal"--stress on EQUAL.

No, I can't do this. Feinstein's now on.

Skip Byrd. Skip Boxer--because of all this moving of the post. I'll do it later.

Feinstein

--praise of Rice, 1st Afr Amer blah, blah

--she "can be a strong and effective voice for Amer interests abroad"

--Iraq election, what afterward? de-Bathification bad policy. destroyed Iraq infrastrucure, police & military. now Sunnis are part of the problem. (--all planned by Rumsfeld!)

--"I don't know what Dr. Rice will do...but, gee, it's a significant problem out there...''

--now she's onto Israel and "the time for peace is now" (quoting Rice), and how Rice will make peace in Israel/Palestine (--some record Rice has on that, right?)

--this is such crap!

--this Senator is bought and paid for

--Rice has "the skill, judgement and the poise" to blah, blah

--addressing critics who say Rice was "key architect" of Iraq policy; Feinstein says it was Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney & Co. (--she isn't part of their cabal?)

--77 Senators voted for Iraq war, based on bad intel - should Rice be blamed for wrong and bad intel?

--Feinstein wants to see the US "regain the respect of the world" (--who lost it?)

--Amer's great strength is not military, but our...sense of justice? our sense of justice!?!

--christ.

--Rice is going to restore US integrity?

--"only time and events will tell" (--time and events HAVE TOLD!)

Feinstein out of time, thank god.

[Peace Patriot]

160. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)

...freedom & liberty & democracy everywhere...and she likes football...

...Condi Rice "the most powerful woman in the world" last year (--100,000-plus Iraqis slaughtered)

...blessedly short.

[Peace Patriot]

162. Jack Reed (D-RI)

A very serious and intelligence speech, with many original points. I'm impressed!

--best judge of Rice is her existing record

--her record is v. troubling

--Nat Sec advisor's job is to martial best info to Prez to make difficult decisions; this mission not adequately performed

--Rice a key figure in Bush policy establ; close to Bush, must be judged on the result of that closeness

--Rice principle architect of the policy of pre-emptive war; and said Iraq was the global center of terror -

--Rice said all sorts of links between Al Q and Saddam--NOT TRUE!

--no WMDs in Iraq, no nukes, no links to 9/11

--troop strength - Rice said "adequately resourced"--a GLARING ERROR (now instability and violence in Iraq)

--the aide Rice blamed for the "yellowcake" mistake in Bush State of the Union is now going to be Nat'l Sec advisor!

--her work in Iraq Stabilization group, failed.

--she scheduled a speech on multi-billion dollar Missile Defense system for 9/11, cornerstone of Bush policy; $ cuts to counterterrorism budgets; Richard Clark warned of impending attack by Al Q in 1/01, asked for meeting--didn't happen til a week before 9/11

--Bush is replicating an inner circle of "closed boxes"--no consideration of wider views

--Bush/Rice so close it's been described as mind meld--will she be able to tell Bush the hard truths?

--NYT: Rice "tells Bush what he wants to hear on decisions he has already made," rather than telling him what he needs to hear

--Rice - partisan speeches in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylv. - NS adviser and Sec of State shouldn't be partisan

--Rice's mistakes have seriously eroded American interests around the world -- why we're having to go it alone in Iraq

--new request for $80 billion MORE, troop strength now to stay the same (at least 100,000), so NEXT year, we'll see a request for another $80 bill.

--Rice nomination means CONTINUATION of policy: bogged down in Iraq, Al Q now a bigger threat

--There will be no new and realistic re-assessment of policy, with Rice--all hope for that lost.

------

Geo. Voinovich (R-Ohio). blah, blah, blah.

---

James Inhofe (R-Ok)

--something about "sharing the joys of freedom" (where do the BushCons get these people? better yet, how do they "elect" them. heh-heh)

[Peace Patriot]

163. Here comes the hit man...

John Cornyn (R-Tex)

The "specter" of partisan politics...(you aint' seen nothin't yet, Tex!)

...vitriol, poison used to assassinate the character of people like Alberto Gonzales, a personification of the American Dream (yeah, torture)

...bringing the hard feelings of the campaign

...to "impugn" the integrity...beneath the dignity of this body

...to try to tie Rice of Abu Ghraib, which was a handful of individuals, disgusting actions by sick individuals, who are being prosecuted

...tying her to torture, to demean her service, taint her nomination; to dare to say this Admin. approves a policy of torture

(o-o-o-o, the torture thing really gets to them--how dare anyone impugn their integrity?)

--"tired old arguments" on war on terror, partic. "Oper. Iraqi Freedom"

--(he's lying - he's saying Iraq was plotting terror against us)

--invoking FDR and 1941 (don't wait til you see the whites of their eyes)

--invokes Israel taking out nukes...and Israel still there (whose government do these BushCons represent?)

--(lying again--he's saying every gov't in the world believed Iraq had WMDs--NOT TRUE! France! Germany! Russia! China! And everbody else said, Don't invade! Not necessary! Inspectors are doing their job!)

I cannot believe the lies. No more reporting of them by me. I'm taking a little break, hoping Tex will be finished soon.

[Peace Patriot]

164. What's going on? They're shutting down debate!

No more Democrats to speak--with plenty of time left! This is weird!

Joe Biden will make some kind of statement tomorrow, said the chair.

[rzemanfl]

166. What the hell? They pushed Kerry into tomorrow morning when

everyone is at work? What is going on????

[Peace Patriot]

165. Well, between the treatment we got by the moderators here at DU...

...today, on the debate day of all days, and this mysterious shutdown of the Democrats' speeches, I am left bewildered.

Couldn't the Democrats in the Senate fill the final hour of speeches? Are the Senate Democrats so bereft of people of conscience?

The debate ended on a note from Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) that "Far Left groups" had influenced the Democratic Senators to oppose the Rice nomination. The "Far Left" he characterized as "people who are never happy when America commits itself around the world." And then, of course, he invoked the "soldier" in the field whom WE are harming.

"...when America commits itself..." = that is, when warmongers and war profiteers are slaughtering over a million people in Vietnam and over 100,000 in Iraq, with no justification. That's what "commits itself" means.

This, after Cornyn (R-Tex) berated Senator Boxer for saying that the Congress needs to act as a "check and balance" on the Executive, re: the Condi Rice nomination--in a fundraising letter for Democratic Senators! A fundraising letter! My God, how terrible can you get?

---

Oh, my God! Did anyone else catch the interview of Majority Leader Bill Frist after the debate. This may explain why debate was cut off.

There he stood, flanked by Andrew Young, a Dr. King lieutenant, mayor of Atlanta and later UN Ambassador, and C. Dolores Tucker, a black member of the Nat'l Commiss. on Status of Women, and Hope Sullivan, Nat'l Congress of Black Women, with Young saying the Rice nomination is "what this country represents," and Tucker saying "why are we doing this?" (Sen. Dems speaking against Rice nomination), this "Monday morning quarter backing," "we don't like what's being done."

Her point seemed to be that Rice should not be criticized or opposed because she is a black woman--and the appointment is the highest post a black woman had been appointed to.

I remember Andy Young from the days when we white students traveled to Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to support SCLC's voter registration drive. I am so disappointed!

Reid (Dem minority leader) is now defending the debate--"it's not too much to ask to have debate on the most important Bush appointment." --saying there WILL be debate on Gonzales, who wrote the legal justification for torture; he mentions the kinds of torture (cutting off peoples' fingers one bit at a time).

C-Span is right now re-broadcasting Senator Dayton's speech. A great speech!

[Peace Patriot]

167. Here's my letter to Barbara Boxer:

Dear Senator Boxer:

My profound thanks to you for your brilliant speech on the Condi Rice nomination today, and for all your efforts to empower the Democrats in Congress and transform them into the advocates of the majority of Americans that they need to be.

Your speech was extremely well-organized and well focused. You laid out the case about Rice's lies in a clearer way that I've ever seen it done before. And the props were an excellent addition to the speech.

You have a high and rough mountain to climb to pull the Democrats back to their progressive roots. I saw just how high, how rough and how difficult with the post-debate interview on C-Span of Bill Frist presenting Andy Young and C. Dolores Tucker. Tucker said "we don't like what's being done"--as if to say that Condi Rice should not be criticized or opposed because she is a black woman.

I was thoroughly shocked. I remember Andy from my time as a civil rights worker in Alabama in 1965. It's beyond me to understand how he or these other African-Americans could possibly support this war policy, the mass murder of a 100,000 Iraqis, the torture of prisoners, and the mockery of democracy that is occurring in Iraq right now, and that occurred in Ohio here on Nov. 2, 2004, and throughout the nation, if the truth were known.

All I can say is, the mountain IS worth climbing. The future of our country depends on it. And if there is bitter disappointment and sadness and tragedy along the way--such as former civil rights workers now currying favor with Bush--that is the price we all must pay for saving our democracy.

Thank you again for your powerful presentation. It was heartening to see something real happening in Congress--real information being provided, and genuine principles being stated.

You are an extraordinarily courageous representative of all of the people.

[opihimoimoi]

168. Boxer ROCKS

She has informed America something dreadful is going on....

Condi wears whips and Bush got cuffs on.....

Between those two...America is going downhill fasssss...........

[Peace Patriot]

169. DEBATE & VOTE Right Now on C-Span2. KICK!

Scheduled for 9:30 am today, Wed, Jan. 26

Maybe we'll get some answers as to why Democratic debate was cut off yesterday, with an hour of speeches to go. Biden is supposed to make some sort of statement.

http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan2_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2