Unity 08

What Digby said.

Regular posting will resume after New Year's. Have a great one!

It's OK If You're a Republican

Wonder what Chris Dodd has to say about this:

Dr. Coburn's weapon of choice is the "hold," a procedural maneuver that allows a single senator to prevent a bill from being passed quickly without a roll-call vote or floor debate. Until a rule change this year, senators could keep their holds secret, and they usually did. Dr. Coburn notifies colleagues about his intentions.

Dodd for majority leader '08!

Et Tu, Scooter?

Remember how this turned out?

"If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is," Bush told reporters at an impromptu news conference during a fund-raising stop in Chicago, Illinois. "If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of.

Here we go again:

President Bush said Thursday he will reserve judgment on his administration's destruction of CIA interrogation tapes until several inquiries are finished. "Let's wait and see what the facts are," Mr. Bush said.

I'm not holding my breath.

Abu Who?

Because this makes them worse:

Blood-splotches on walls, chains hanging from a ceiling and swords on the killing floor � the artifacts left a disturbing tale of brutalities inside a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq torture chamber. But there was yet another chilling fact outside the dirt-floor dungeon. Villagers say they knew about the torment but were too intimidated by extremists to tell authorities until now.

Stories such as these claims of insurgent abuses and the silence of frightened Iraqis have emerged with increasing frequency and clarity recently as U.S.-led forces push deeper into former extremist fiefdoms and forge alliances with tribes seeking to reclaim their regions.

The reports and tips now pouring in build a harrowing portrait of rule under al-Qaida and its backers: mass graves, ruthless punishments, self-styled Islamic courts ordering summary executions.

Abu Ghraib was a "correctional facility." We built schools!

Move Over, FISA

Chertoff's in town:

After delaying a domestic satellite-surveillance program for more than two months, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff expects to finalize a new charter for it this week, a move that attempts to quell civil-liberties concerns and get the program back on track.

Mr. Chertoff also plans soon to unveil a cyber-security strategy, part of an estimated $15 billion, multiyear program designed to protect the nation's Internet infrastructure. The program has been shrouded in secrecy for months and has also prompted privacy concerns on Capitol Hill because it involves government protection of domestic computer networks.

Both areas put Homeland Security in the middle of a public debate over domestic spy powers, kicked off by the revelation two years ago that the National Security Agency had been eavesdropping on some conversations in the U.S. without a warrant. In the fall, the department put the satellite program on hold after an outcry on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have also asked Mr. Chertoff to delay the introduction of the cyber-security initiative. "One lesson I've learned is it's not enough to say we know what we're doing is going to be OK," Mr. Chertoff said in an interview. "We've got to really make it clear to the public that we're doing this, but we're not doing that."

...

The charter will clarify that the satellite program will follow all current U.S. legal restrictions on technical surveillance. Where a warrant is required for collection, one will be obtained before that activity is approved. Under the charter, the program won't use technology to intercept verbal communications.

Can't... hold... back... any... longer....

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

If you don't comply, zombie Chertoff will eat your brains

Bush's EPA Sides Against California

Surprise:

The Bush administration blocked California's plan to put tighter limits on automobile tailpipe emissions, handing a victory to the auto industry on the same day the president signed an energy bill that mandates the biggest boost in federal fuel-efficiency standards in more than 30 years.

Late yesterday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson blocked California from going further than the federal government does in curbing auto emissions that contribute to global warming, setting up a clash with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Just remember, Bush gets it:


Update: Waxman smells something fishy.

In a letter to EPA today, Chairman Henry Waxman of the Oversight Committee requests that the agency preserve and produce all documents relating to Administrator Johnson’s decision to block California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The investigation follows prior committee inquiries on highly questionable attempts by the Department of Transportation to lobby Congress regarding California’s efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

KBR

Classy job, those contractors.

Obstructing and Abetting

Republicans and their media lapdogs.

What Digby said.

That's Not How Things Work

How many times have you heard that line from people who work in politics? To them, everyone on the outside who actually stands for an ideal is a naive, clueless hillbilly.

Dodd's FISA victory yesterday proved that that's now how things work.

On a somewhat related note, Atrios:

One of my pet peeves has long been a certain strain of defeatism. Understandably we all feel defeated at times, but there's a certain kind of defeatist out there on the internets, people who spend most of their time chastising others for thinking it's possible to have any influence and attacking the "stupidity" of those who even bother to try. Maybe those people are right. Maybe there never is anything to be done. But if that's the case, get a new goddamn hobby.

Idealism, passion courage and keeping a level head will win the day, every day.

Reid Pulls FISA Bill

Dodd won this round, but let's be clear about what's at stake: he's only delayed the bill for a couple weeks until after New Year's. While we hope that McConnell will release enough information on the administration's program that Senators will be able to make an informed decision, I wouldn't bet on it.

Let's keep up the pressure to strip telco immunity out of the FISA bill.

Different Day, Same Bullshit

Iraqn:

A Pentagon report will accuse Iran of continuing to funnel weapons and training personnel into Iraq, adding fuel to a heated debate among U.S. policy makers about whether Iran deserves any credit for the steep declines in Iraq's once-unrelenting violence.

This is the same Pentagon that couldn't trump up charges of Iraqi WMD and Christian-eating babies quickly enough. The same DIA that had their own special offices set up to counter the sane CIA intelligence. Why does anybody care what Dick "shot to the face and you're to blame" Cheney believes about anything? He's insane, has no credibility and is wrong about everything all the time.

Of course, Thomas Friedman will use this as an excuse to tell the Iranians to "suck on this."

Filibuster Telecom Immunity

More Dodd:

It's time to see the Senate stand up for the rule of law.

You don't demonstrate leadership in the footnotes of a press release, or parroting responses from focus groups.

Leadership is demonstrated through action.

That's not so hard, is it?

Support Dodd, pay a visit to the site, email or call your Senators. The fight for telecom immunity is about being able to unlock the door to many of Bush's abuses - even pre-9/11 abuses - over the years. Granting the telcos immunity now means letting everyone off the hook forever.

He Had to Go

Joe "nobody supports bringing the troops home more than I do" Lieberman, for doing things like this:

Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, trying to mount a comeback in his presidential bid, on Monday won the endorsement of independent Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, a former Democratic vice presidential nominee.

McCain and Lieberman appeared together on Fox News Channel and were expected later in the day at a campaign event in New Hampshire, where McCain hopes to pull off a repeat of his 2000 victory in the state's presidential primary on January 8.

"I happen to the think this guy is the best of all candidates to unite our country across political lines so we can begin to solve some of the problems people have in this country," Lieberman said.

"I'm certainly sending a message that I agree with John McCain a lot more on national security, foreign and defense policy."

Remember, the only reason he gets to feel at all relevant is because the Dems hold a razor thin majority in the Senate. Elect more and better Dems and help make Joe nothing more than a fly on the wall.

Paul Krugman Writes a Column

Hello hammer, meet head of nail.

It's Torture

No ifs ands or buts:

The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted on Thursday to outlaw harsh interrogation methods, such as simulated drowning, that the CIA has used against suspected terrorists.

On a 222-199 vote, the House approved a measure to require intelligence agents to comply with the Army Field Manual, which meets the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of war prisoners and prohibits torture.

That looks pretty party-line to me.

Republicans heart torture!

It saddens me that this even needs to be passed.

A Little Less Conversation

A little more action:

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to hold two top aides to President George W. Bush in contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate in its probe of fired federal prosecutors.

On a largely party-line vote of 11-7, the Democratic-led panel sent contempt citations against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove to the full Senate for consideration.

All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me. Reuters notes that Republicans can use procedural hurdles, but they can't stop the Capitol police from hauling in Rove and Bolten's asses if they don't respond to subpoenas, which they haven't.

Gore Speaks Truth

I can't wait for the right-wing to start whining like the childish asshats they are for this:

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore drew cheers at 190-nation talks by saying the United States was the main block to launching negotiations in Bali on a new global climate treaty.

Efforts to start two-year negotiations on a pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol flagged on Thursday, the penultimate day of the December 3-14 talks, after the European Union accused the United States of lacking ambition.

"I am going to speak an inconvenient truth," Gore told an audience of several hundred, playing on the name of his Oscar-winning documentary.

And in low tones he added: "My own country the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress in Bali," spurring rapturous applause and cheers.

Of course, none of the criticism will be substantive, but rather it will consist of attacks on Gore.

That didn't take long.

Worst President Ever

Guess who?

U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday vetoed a bill expanding a popular children's health-care program for a second time, angering Democrats who are locked in a fight with the administration over the budget and spending.

Pushed by the Democratic-led Congress but also supported by many Republicans, the bill was aimed at providing health insurance to about 10 million children in low- and moderate-income families. Taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products would have been increased to pay for the aid.

Bush vetoed an earlier version of the bill in October but Congress quickly passed another one that included some changes but not enough to satisfy the White House concerns.

Can you believe it? Of course you can. Why doesn't our media get it? Bush doesn't give a shit about compromise, he only cares about being the only deciderer in power, and all he's interested in is getting exactly what he wants, with no deviations from his plan. He is a whiny, spoiled brat who hates everyone who disagrees with him, and as a result, a horrible human being.

Get That Spine!

Thank you, Senators:

Senate Democrats are calling the White House's bluff on a threatened veto of an energy bill by refusing to take out language that would remove tax breaks for big oil and gas companies.

The Senate's version of the bill, which modifies energy legislation passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives, is scheduled to be voted on Thursday. It would repeal about $13 billion in tax breaks for mostly big oil companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp.

The White House has said the bill unfairly targets the oil industry and that President George W. Bush would veto the legislation in its current form.

Bush isn't bluffing - he will veto the bill because it's not exactly what he wants. But it's better for Congress to put a bill in front of him that is supported by a majority of not only Congresscritters but also Americans. Even if the result is the same as it would be if Congress just gave up and didn't put a bill in front of him that he wouldn't sign, now when he vetoes it, the blame will rest squarely on Bush's shoulders and nobody else's. We like it when our leaders have spines and go down fighting, not when they roll over and play dead.

Kudos to Senator Reid on this one.

Bush Administration Interfered with Climate Change Science

My favorite Congressperson publishes a report.

The New iRaq

Or, I could have titled this post, "If Conservatives Got Their Pony."

Get Out the Smelling Salts

One of the Village's finest has been wronged:

Former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, dropped his appeal in a perjury case that fueled debate over the Iraq war, his attorney said on Monday.

Libby was found guilty in March of lying and obstructing an investigation into who blew the cover of a CIA officer, Valerie Plame, whose husband had criticized the Iraq war.

President George W. Bush commuted his 2 1/2-year prison sentence in July, but the former chief of staff to Cheney still had to pay a $250,000 fine.

"We remain firmly convinced of Mr. Libby's innocence," attorney Ted Wells said in a statement. "However, the realities were, that after five years of government service by Mr. Libby and several years of defending against this case, the burden on Mr. Libby and his young family of continuing to pursue his complete vindication are too great to ask them to bear."

Bush has not ruled out a full pardon for Libby.

Oh, my poor Scooter!!! Oh the agony!!!! Never mind that he's fund raising to pay that fine.

Like that last line? Bush totally will, that arrogant fuck.

Pardon Me

The Huckstir:

As governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee had a hand in twice as many pardons and commutations as his three predecessors combined.

The case he's asked about most concerns the parole of a castrated rapist who later killed a woman.

Although the Republican presidential contender and Southern Baptist preacher plays down any personal involvement in that release, Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations in his 10 1/2 years as governor of Arkansas. The acts of clemency benefited the stepson of a staff member, murderers who worked at the governor's mansion, a rock star and inmates who received good words from their pastors.

"It seems to be true at least anecdotally that if a minister is involved, (Huckabee) seems likely to grant clemency," prosecutor Robert Herzfeld said in 2004 after successfully battling the then-governor over the release of a killer.

Huckabee's actions are too creepy and well-documented for most people to ignore. So creepy.

Leading the Pack

There's you in "U.S.," but there is "us:"

Washington rejected stiff 2020 targets for greenhouse gas cuts by rich nations at U.N. talks in Bali on Monday as part of a "roadmap" to work out a new global pact to fight climate change by 2009.

"It's prejudging what the outcome should be," chief negotiator Harlan Watson said of a draft suggesting that rich nations should aim to axe emissions of heat-trapping gases by between 25 and 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

Prejudging... heh. This is really the fault of all those scientists who have prejudged the future.

Can somebody remind me when we became the most backward industrialized nation in the world?

Huckabee Is Creepy

Kos:

Huckabee on his recent rise in the polls:

There is only one explanation for it, and it is not a human one.

Well, if you want to argue that America's Playa isn't human, then sure, Giuliani's criminal expensing of his adultery to the taxpayers would, in fact, be a non-human explanation for Huckabee's rise. But that's not what Huckabee means. He means that God has apparently chosen him out of the entire field of presidential candidates to be the next president of the United States.

Which leads to the obviousquestion: If Huckabee's god has chosen him as his favored candidate, will that mean that this god isn't "all powerful" when Huckabee crashes and burns? Or like Peter Waldman puts it:

[I]s Huckabee just saying that God is giving him a temporary bump in the polls, only to send his campaign crashing down later, in order to demonstrate to His earthly subjects the danger of hubris and the importance of early fundraising?

Uh, NYT?

I believe this belongs in the Opinion section, not in Business:

If he digs deep enough, Mr. Cuomo may find some e-mail messages, instant messages or maybe even phone text messages that mention the deteriorating quality of mortgages. He might even find some disparaging remarks about the eager, yield-hungry investors, sometimes known as “dumb capital” on Wall Street. And perhaps there will be some comments about the complexity of subprime-linked securities and the willingness of rating agencies to give these investments platinum ratings.

If that happens, it will be Mr. Cuomo, not Mr. Spitzer, who will be cast as the Scrooge of Wall Street. Bankers will say he is just another overly zealous prosecutor out to undermine America’s capitalistic dynamism. By then, of course, Wall Street’s next boom should be just getting under way.

Wow, just wow. Read the whole article - it's a real trip - it manages to cast paranoid aspersions on Cuomo that are made by loose associations in Jenny Anderson's mind and is overly defensive about Wall Street firms - sort of like one giant Wall Street lovefest.

I think this reporter has grown a little too close to the people she covers.

(Emphasis mine)

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

Speak no evil:

The Central Intelligence Agency in 2005 destroyed at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two Al Qaeda operatives in the agency’s custody, a step it took in the midst of Congressional and legal scrutiny about the C.I.A’s secret detention program, according to current and former government officials.

The videotapes showed agency operatives in 2002 subjecting terror suspects — including Abu Zubaydah, the first detainee in C.I.A. custody — to severe interrogation techniques. They were destroyed in part because officers were concerned that tapes documenting controversial interrogation methods could expose agency officials to greater risk of legal jeopardy, several officials said.

Everyone knows it's torture. Bush will insist it isn't, which will cause Joe Klein to have a fainting spell over his candor, David Broder to predict Bush's revival in the polls, Chris Matthews to get some Codpiece love going and the Washington Post to transcribe whatever Bush says without weighing in on its veracity, but we all know it's torture and wrong. The CIA destroyed the tapes because they were committing illegal and inhumane acts. It's that simple.

Origins of the Right-Wing Blogosphere

White House petri dish cultivator Dan Bartlett:

I mean, talk about a direct IV into the vein of your support. It’s a very efficient way to communicate. They regurgitate exactly and put up on their blogs what you said to them. It is something that we’ve cultivated and have really tried to put quite a bit of focus on.

It sounds like they were trying to rear cancer. Great success!

Romney Just Lost the Nomination

This dog won't hunt with the Republican base:

Republican Mitt Romney, confronting voters' skepticism about his Mormon faith, declared Thursday that as president he would "serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause," and said calls for him to explain and justify his religious beliefs go against the profound wishes of the nation's founders.

At the same time, he decried those who would remove from public life "any acknowledgment of God," and he said that "during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places."

U.S. Constitution, Article VI:

no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States

Too bad for us being a Republican means never having to say you're sorry. Now where'd I leave my flag? I need to go wrap myself in it.

Your Liberal Media

Rove says, they write.

U.S. to Pursue Iran Sanctions

This time it's because Iran made Bush look stupid:

The United States will forge ahead with a third sanctions resolution on Iran, U.S. officials said Tuesday, arguing that the American intelligence report made public this week showed that it was international pressure that caused Tehran to halt its nuclear weapons program four years ago and that such pressure must be maintained.

But China and Russia, veto-wielding powers on the U.N. Security Council, are likely to use the report's conclusions to argue that Iran poses no imminent danger and that additional economic sanctions are unwarranted.

China's U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, told reporters Tuesday that Security Council members would have to reconsider new penalties "because I think we all start from the presumption that now things have changed."

But U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said that his instructions to press for new sanctions "have not changed" because Iran remains in defiance of two Security Council resolutions demanding that it suspend its uranium enrichment activities. Khalilzad said he could start circulating a draft sanctions resolution targeting individuals and companies related to Tehran's nuclear program as soon as Friday. The National Intelligence Estimate released Monday says Iran probably stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003 because of international pressure.

We are ruled by children.

Quick! Somebody Fire... Oh, Just Fire the Whole Lot of Them!

Glenn catalogues the stab-me-in-my-eyes-with-a-red-hot-poker stupidity, negligence and dishonesty.

Touching the Children

Stop, please.

In this case, it's a 28-year-old scheduler to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) who has been arrested by the FBI on charges that he arranged to have sex with what he thought was a 13-year-old boy. The staffer, Mike McHaney, was arrested on Friday after he told a cooperating witness for the FBI online that he could take a "long lunch" to have an afternoon tryst with the boy.

Getting Better All the Time

The war:

Hundreds of Iraqis displaced by fierce battles between al Qaeda militants and U.S. and Iraqi security forces began receiving humanitarian aid on Monday at a camp set up on Baghdad's southern outskirts.

The Iraqi Red Crescent aid programme began on the same day the humanitarian group announced falling violence had allowed between 25,000 and 28,000 Iraqis to return from Syria in September and October.

More than 100 Sunni Arab families had been seeking help since Sunni Islamist al Qaeda launched a major attack on the town of Adwaniya, 20 km (12 miles) southeast of Baghdad on November 13.

We're building hospitals and schools!

Adding, "al Qaeda," heh.