Senate Stirs on Matter of Censure

[kentuck]

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0330-27.htm

<snip>
What Feingold suggests is actually a lot less draconian than the impeachment process the Republicans launched against President Clinton, their Democratic nemesis. Censure would be an embarrassment but it carries no heavy fines, loss of job or jail time. The impeachment farce was unpopular but it thrilled the GOP conservative base.

The cry then was: "No president is above the law." But now the cry has changed when it is one of their own who has messed up.

Clinton messed up with an intern and nobody died; Bush has messed up a whole country, and hordes of Iraqis and Americans have died. So why isn't censure a legitimate and timely topic?

Democrats, except those on the excitable left, are nervous about going too far. Only two other senators, Barbara Boxer of California and Tom Harkin of Iowa, have dared to endorse the Feingold proposal. But the subject is out in the open now.

"We owe it to the people to determine what went on before we decide what we will do," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I, said mildly. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was firmer. "Based on what I know," he said, "what Bush is doing is illegal."

But Pat Roberts, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is determined to let Bush do whatever he wants and tell us nothing.

"I think the program is lawful," he snapped. "You don't have any civil liberties if you're dead."

Roberts said officials talked to senators on the need for government secrecy in briefings behind closed doors "where it should be."

Reed countered that the briefings were inadequate and access to classified information was too constrained. And, he added, that culture of secrecy is hurting the president.

And there you have it. Bow before the GOP establishment or unravel the sleeve. Go for it, guys.

[babylonsister]

1. Tomorrow will be interesting. I know what I would

like to see, but I don't have a clue how this censure measure will go. Anyone?

[rodeodance]

2. Roberts has to go!!

....But Pat Roberts, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is determined to let Bush do whatever he wants and tell us nothing.

"I think the program is lawful," he snapped. "You don't have any civil liberties if you're dead."

[Catrina]

3. Was someone asking for civil liberties for the dead?

What did he have to say about the living?

[Toots]

4. "You don't have any civil liberties if you're dead."

This is an out an out threat IMO. It is how bullies legislate.