BREAKING HARD: Congressional Democrats have conducted a joint caucus

[burythehatchet]

of the House and Senate and the leadership has announced the pending release of a strong statement condemning the non-responsiveness of the White House in producing documents related to the decision to conduct domestic surveillance.

The roughly 200 word statement will be concise, to the point, and relatively hard-hitting in that it indirectly implies a strong disapproval of the actions that the Executive branch has undertaken to shield itself from congressional oversight.

Looking for a link....

***********DEVELOPNG**************

[mikelgb]

1. lol

[bear425]

2. A strong statement! ok then. n/t

[Morgana LaFey]

78. Yeah, I'm with ya. Let's keep that powder really good and dry. nt

[The Stranger]

95. Thank goodness it is a "strong" statement.

How about another non-binding resolution to go with it?

Or a resolution regarding women victimized during the Pelloponesian Wars?

Now we're getting some action!

[GreenPartyVoter]

117. That'll show 'em

:eyes:

[Junkdrawer]

3. They go too far...

It just make us look like a bunch of whining loonies... :sarcasm:

[Fridays Child]

4. I'll be impressed, if the statement includes the promise of severe consequences...

...for the failure to comply with document requests and subpeonas.

[Pawel K]

5. Wow, no way, they are sending a letter?

Way to step up.

[Botany]

20. But this time they mean business

Dear Mr. President,

So you have stolen 2 elections, lied to get us into a war, have a Vice President who
runs a criminal operation, and you have spied on us.

Please don't do it again.

XOXOXO

The Dems.

[motocicleta]

29. PS Or you won't be sponge-worthy anymore ...

This time I mean it, you old goat!

JK, CD,
Your backdoor party

[burrowowl]

38. A bit sarcastic?!

:rofl:

[burythehatchet]

28. REGISTERED f'in MAIL brah!

[Individualist]

30. Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to the DLC's dog and pony show

"This is why the DLC is dangerous. For all their claims of supposedly wanting to help Democrats, they employ people like Marshall Wittman who specifically try to undermine the Democratic Party, even if it means he has to publicly defecate out the most rank and easily-debunkable lies. They reguarly give credence to the right wing's agenda and its worst, most unsupportable lies. They are the real force that tries to make sure this country is a one party state and that Democrats never really challenge the Republicans in a serious way."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/why-the-dlc-is-so-dangero_b_13640.html

[flyarm]

6. enough of the strong statements..get the table out and get their asses on

that table!!...impeach...enough of the rethoric!!

stand up to the fuckers for once and for all!!

it is what the people want damn it!!

fly

[alfredo]

82. Even a cop has to give a warning before pulling the trigger. I still

hold out hope that congress will act. Not holding my breath.

[MuseRider]

7. LOL! n/t

[GrantDem]

8. A strong statement???

About some strong actions?

[porphyrian]

9. If they do it again, Congress won't let them sit at the same table for lunch any more.

I really hope that's a stronger response than it sounds like.

[AuntPatsy]

10. Pretty sad how true it all is. Thats about all we get are strong statements

against this criminal administration....they should be ashamed of how true such headlining supposed fake news breaking is in fact our reality these days.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Any mention of impeachment?

Just wondering.

[ulysses]

12. "We'll frog-march the suckers," one aide commented, "right into time out."

[MuseRider]

21. Oh now my stomach hurts!

Oh god that was funny. Spoken like a true daddy with a little one at home. Good one ulysses!

[ulysses]

32. "When they want to be nice, they can come out and have a hug," he noted.

"But any more of this drawing on the Constitution with crayons and they'll go right back, young man!"

[MuseRider]

36. Why I oughta...........

:)

[lonestarnot]

50. Muse rider!

:hug: I love that "Why I oughta..........." post you make. Makes me laugh every damn time I see it! :rofl:

[MuseRider]

51. Glad to be of service!

The whole thread is pretty amusing. :hi:

[lonestarnot]

52. I'll have to check it out.

:patriot: adios friend.

[KansDem]

13. I'll see it when I believe it...

Yes, you read that correctly.

[ulysses]

17. how's that believing working out for you?

[KansDem]

25. Well, I haven't seen it yet...

...so I must not be believing it.

[kirby]

14. DONT MAKE ME PULL THIS CAR OVER!!!! n/t

[lonestarnot]

54. LOL

[Brundle_Fly]

73. that sums it up perfectly.

[Individualist]

...a strong statement! Wow!

That'll straight out the neocons.
:eyes:

[TahitiNut]

Lip service

:shrug:

[karlrschneider]

15. Does that trump two weak statements?

:eyes:

[bluethruandthru]

16. I'll bet they'll make the little

"shame-shame" motion with their fingers right at the white house too!

[Morgana LaFey]

79. stamp their little feet, maybe?? tell the administration they won't

be their BEST FRIENDS any more??

[Solly Mack]

18. ...

...

snicker

[Warren DeMontague]

19. Well, thank god it's going to be "relatively hard hitting".

Compared to what? What they've been going after the Administration with so far?

[jaysunb]

22. Oh ye of little faith....

(can't remember where I heard that)but, it's process people. It's slow it grinds it makes you feel like kicking something, but, I watched this back in the seventies w/ the watergate affair. It was infuriatingly slow, but it got there...

Patience grasshoppers. :evilgrin:

[burythehatchet]

27. that's an interesting point

I was 13 when the hearings were going on. Every night, it was sam Erwin or some other ancient face in my memory. But here's the thing about Watergate, and it holds true for other Republican scandals like Iran/Contra, like BCCI, etc, the perps never end up paying a price. See Ollie North, see John Poindexter, see Eliot Abrams, see so many others. What makes this different, besides the sheer audacity of the crimes, is that the Internet has allowed us all to open the door to knowledge about the goings on. Our expectations are much different because we know percisely how badly we've been screwed.

[jaysunb]

35. Almost all the "perps" went to jail

including the AG John Mitchell...Colson,Haldeman, Ehrlichman,Dean and several more that I can't recall off hand.

Most people never thought that would happen, but it did.

But your point is well taken with regards to the new dynamics. An old blues line goes like this : fellas, if you catch your woman doing wrong, don't whip her, it'll only make her smarter, and she won't let you catch her next time.

They've gotten much wiser and have a pretty well stacked deck this time around i.e. the courts the media, and a large swatch of the public.

It can happen for us this time too, but it'll be much harder and slower this time around.

[burrowowl]

40. Yes, it was slow!

Remember doing homework in the student union building because there was a TV and the networks actually boardcasted the hearings! Image doing what they were supposed to do, inform the public! OMG!

[Le Taz Hot]

59. No, no, no.

Sorry. We had a REAL press back then and REAL Democrats and REAL Republicans. The 4th Estate has sold out long ago and virtually every member of Congress and the Senate are bought and paid for by the same corporations that determine who our nominees will be, that put them in office and write the legislation.

Sorry, my friend. Not the same AT ALL.

[loudsue]

109. Ding! Ding! Ding! We've got a winner!!! You nailed it, Taz!

This is a whole new ballgame.

:kick::kick::kick:

[hatrack]

84. Yes, but Nixon didn't have the MSNBC Murder Of The Week running interference for him

To say nothing of Paris, Brangelina, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Chris Matthews and his extra-special friend Ann Coulter for a WHOLE FUCKING HOUR, Nancy Grace and the Flaring Nostrils of Justice and all the rest of the rising tide of puke and swill washing away what news it can't cover up.

Different time, different country, different fucking world.

[yardwork]

100. Seems to me that it got us....to where we are now.

I'm feeling a bit discouraged about Watergate these days. Seems like it just pushed Nixon out to make room for Cheney and Rummy and their buddies.

[Junkdrawer]

23. From Mid-May..."Congress Needs Our Help: How to stall on Impeachment…"

It’s mid 2007 and there’s a good 18 months of inaction needed until Impeachment is mute. But Bush & Co. keeps revealing more and more impeachable crimes. So, how does Congress stall for 18 months?

Here’s a few suggestions:

1.) Send a strongly worded letter asking Bush to stop committing crimes…at least for a few days.

2.) Begin drafting a non-binding resolution that suggests a date certain when all crimes by the administration should stop.

3.) Hold a hearing and take testimony from experts on how to hold a hearing on the possibilities of an impeachment hearing.

4.) Appoint a Bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission to look into what would comprise an impeachable offence and commit to suggesting the President follow the commission’s findings.

This is just a start. I’m sure DUers have many more suggestions

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=909046

[leftchick]

24. will it include the "I" word?

I didn't think so. :eyes:

[Bucky]

87. As in "I am very disappointed in you, Mr Cheney. VERY disappointed."

[leftchick]

88. sadly

you are most likely correct. :(

[Warpy]

26. Right, maybe they can huff and puff and blow them out of office

No wonder they're ignoring the subpoenas. They know nobody's going to push the issue.

Sure the USSC is stacked and will back them up. However, the whole process of challenging the runaway power of the executive will wake a few more people up and when Congress changes hands in a decisive way, they will have grounds to impeach the bought and paid for (in)justices.

[Purveyor]

31. AND.... Harry Reid will be the 'front man' delivering this "strong statement"! /chuckle eom

[burythehatchet]

34. you don't want to send your rock star out there at this point. Byrd should do it.

[LiberalEsto]

43. Wielding his fearsome

wet noodle

[Morgana LaFey]

81. I thought Byrd WAS the rock star -- ??

:evilgrin:

[Zhade]

75. FUCK REID and his "bar too high" cowardice.

NT!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

33. Thanks For The Info. Keep Us Posted! Can't Wait To Read What It Says.

Go get em Dems!

[Zhade]

76. Yes! Hooray for empty threats!

NT!

[Edweird]

37. oooohhh! strongly worded! what's next? stern warnings?

Let's see some indictments. Or Grand Jury testimony. I'm sick and tired of the posturing.

[lonestarnot]

55. And "symbolic gestures"

Fucking throw them out on the lawn!

[Canuckistanian]

71. Let's not be hasty here

There are some who advocate 'stern warnings'.

The true keepers of the "dry powder" pay them no heed.

[Perky]

39. The House needs to censure the president it is that simple.

The Senate should follow suit even if it it fails at cloture.

80% of the american population would applaud the move.

The House needs to censure the president it is that simple.

[Tatiana]

42. Now THIS would be a good start, if the Dems want to show they mean business. n/t

[Zhade]

77. At a minimum. Other countries arrest high criminals; they rule us with impunity here.

NT!

[Olney Blue]

41. Hope its a nonbinding strong statement.

(like the rest of them)

[upi402]

44. breaking wind, ...IMPEACH! n/t

[lonestarnot]

53. Woo Wooo Woooo Wooooot!

:applause:

[GeorgeGist]

45. Ouch ...

I'll bet that'll get Cheneyac's attention.

[dysfunctional press]

46. OH NO! not the STRONG STATEMENT!!! the white house must be quaking in it's lil' boots...

:eyes:

[lovuian]

62. I agree this is getting comical but I guess they have to go

through the procedures

[Kingshakabobo]

72. Next, THE COMFY CHAIR!!!!!!!!!!!

[MuseRider]

86. Nobody expects the Democratic Inquisition!

Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.....

[eleny]

47. Where's the beef?

[Zandor]

48. Making things up???

Just to criticize Democrats?

Why spark a hate fest against Democrats in congress with a made up story? They've done enough you can criticize then for legitimately.

[lonestarnot]

49. "It's got to be hard to be good."

By somebody. :shrug:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

56. Be still my heart.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[hootinholler]

57. It will be delivered with a keg of Dry Powder.

Since there is no longer room to store the latest shipment in the Congressional basement.

-Hoot

[burythehatchet]

58. you win! rofl

:rofl:

[JerseygirlCT]

60. Consequences???

Strong statements are nice. Even very strong statements.

What's really needed is action.

[lovuian]

61. We are witnessing a Constitutional Crisis before our eyes

be ready people to realize this is a Dictatorship

after the realization
Congress will need to shut down the government
we maybe heading there

[Morgana LaFey]

83. the Constitutional Crisis is that Congress won't do ANYthing

to stop these maniacs and destroyers of this nation and, if they get the chance, civilization itself.

[lovuian]

105. Your absolutely right and thats whats very obvious

Congress is doing nothing but investigations which go no where stealing laws being broken right and left and its obvious Congress is part of this stealing and broken government... We are watching this pathetic show of force...

meanwhile Bush the dictator goes on breaking law after law

I really see the state governments rebelling and Civil War will be next

with people migrating to safer places

This country is in dire straights and it is Bush Cheney and Congress and Supremem Court responsible

all these steps are going to the inevitable history lesson

The Power is with the People

Bush Cheney and the Powers to Be have FAILED and will keep FAILING

we get closer to the inevitable downfall

[mmonk]

63. Oh no, not a strong statement!

That is way too much partisanship. The next thing you know, they may slap their hand.

[senseandsensibility]

64. I just find this depressing.

I'm sorry; I'd like to feel differently. If only someone could convince me that this means something, I'd be open to it. But to tell the truth, it's almost beyond depressing and heading into the embarrassing category.

[bigtree]

65. that's the point of posts like these

to drive you to cynicism and apathy

with no link, no article, no story at all

[senseandsensibility]

66. I am surprised that there is still no link

I didn't read every response, and just assumed that there was one in there somewhere. Well, now I'm really confused.:shrug: The OP was hours ago.

[Emit]

68. There is no link and there won't be.

It's satire.

[senseandsensibility]

70. D'oh!

Got it now.:blush: Well, all I can say in my defense is that it's very believable satire.

[burythehatchet]

91. I guess it's kind of sad that it isn't possible to write something bizarre

enough for readers to understand the satire.

[Disturbed]

67. I am waiting for some strong action.

I won't hold my breath on that because I don't want to turn blue.

[Canuckistanian]

69. I smell a "strongly worded letter" brewing

Ah, those Democrats, they're so bold, ruthless and cunning.

[Telly Savalas]

74. You've glossed over the details of this.

The House and Senate have announced that a few members of their caucus have expressed interest in a non-binding resolution outlining a possible 18 month timeline for correspondence with the White House with an option to issue a "strong statement" after 15 months if a bipartisan committee believes the executive branch has failed to meet certain benchmarks. Of course these benchmarks may be waived by the Vice President if he feels they interfere with the conduct of his duties.

This is real progress, folks!

[yardwork]

99. 18 months. Wow. They're really rushing things, aren't they?

[hatrack]

80. No! Not . . . not . . . the STRONG STATEMENT!!

AIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

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

[EFerrari]

89. LOL!

:rofl:

[blueworld]

90. The White House was non-responsive; Russert waiting for phone-call n/t

[burythehatchet]

92. Best "journalist" line ever: "I wish someone would have called me"

[mattomjoe]

93. "Strong statement"? What's next?

Stern, disapproving looks?

[donsu]

94. why don't they just send in a 'strong' swat team and be done with it

nt

[rucky]

96. I issued a "strong statement" to my daughter about eating candy before dinner.

I hope Congress gets better results than I did.

[burythehatchet]

101. That's OK as long as impeaching your daughter is off the tabe nt

[DS1]

97. HARD!

:rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

98. LOL!

:D

[OneGrassRoot]

102. OMG - I LOVE this!!!!

Ya gonna put it on CafePress or something? Way to go!!!

:toast:

[Swamp Rat]

104. It's free! ... jus' download print and stick.

:D

edit: www.swamp-rat.com

[kath]

103. Hey, not just a strong statement, but a strong statement that "**indirectly** implies a strong

disapproval" -- INDIRECTLY IMPLIES - What the fuckity fuck????

[puebloknot]

106. "...indirectly implies a strong disapproval ..." Wow! Next thing you know...

...they'll draw up Articles of Impeachment to be introduced on the floor of the House in circa 2050!!!

[Vinca]

107. Oooooooh . . . a "strong statement." Booga, booga, booga.

I'm shaking in my sandals.:scared:

[Blue_In_AK]

108. Statement, schmatement.

I want some action.

[JoePhilly]

110. Yea, it says "We fart in your general direction!" nt

[ThomWV]

111. Is the word "IMPEACHMENT" In it anywhere?

[WilliamPitt]

112. OH FUCKING BULLSHIT

In his response to Fielding’s letter, Conyers said the president showed “an appalling disregard for the right of the people to know what is going on in their government.”

“The executive privilege assertion is unprecedented in its breadth and scope, and even includes documents that the administration previously offered to provide as part of their ‘take it or leave it’ proposal,” said Conyers, in a prepared statement. “This response indicates the reckless disrespect this administration has for the rule of law.”

“The charges alleged in this investigation are serious – including obstruction of justice and misleading Congress – and the White House should be as committed to this investigation as the Congress. At this point, I see only one choice in moving forward, and that is to enforce the rule of law set forth in these subpoenas.”

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/NEWS07/70628019/0/NEWS02

A lot of you people are really fucking quick to do the lemming thing whenever something to be incoherently incensed at is dangled before you...without a link, or any sort of attribution.

Jesus..."relatively hard-hitting in that it indirectly implies a strong disapproval of the actions..."?

Does that sound like anything other than satire?

P.S. Comprehensive searching finds no statement like this anywhere.

Duh.

[Gloria]

113. Is that "strongly worded" or "STRONGLY worded"?

[LSK]

114. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT - CALL THE JUSTICE DEP....

OOPS, NEVERMIND!!!

[Nimrod2005]

115. Ok Drudge, Jr. nice work.

[distantearlywarning]

116. Ooooh! A strong statement!

I bet Cheney's shaking in his boots right now!

Ok, probably not.

I know that people who say things like this are always accused of being trolls by people who don't want to hear it, but this is how I feel: The Democrats are being a bunch of pansy-asses right now, and I'm very disappointed in them.