Frist! is fulminating ... great !

> Senator Harry Reid, in a motion seconded by Senator Harry Durbin

Isn't it Dick Durbin?

Steve, that is fantastic news!
I have a suggestion of my own, which I have been shopping around.

I believe that people are overlooking an excellent opportunity now. We understand that Bush is trying to make the topic anything but Treasongate with his nomination of Alito; furthermore, ANY discussion of Alito by Democrats, no matter how constructive, plays into Bush's game. When it comes to judicial nominations, Bush is playing from a position of strength, but Treasongate puts him at a large disadvantage.

Now that Libby has been indicted, it will be crystal clear to Republicans that Treasongate is a very serious matter, which cannot be dismissed lightly.
Well, it will be clear to them---in private---but will they say so on the record? Hence, my proposal: call GOP Congressmen to get them on the record, NOW, about Treasongate and Rove while Rove's status is still up in the air. The smart ones will not back Rove to the hilt.. and once some of the knives come out, then the long knives and guns will follow.

Here is my list of questions:

1) President Bush promised to fire anyone involved in "leaking classified information" in 2003. [one needs the proper, exact quote---ThinkProgress could help]. Do you think that he should fire Rove, since he was involved in the outing of Valerie Plame?

2) [Read the text of Hutchinson's perjury quote] Do you agree with Senator Hutchinson's position that perjury is a technical crime which should not be prosecuted in the absence of other charges?
[if the answer is yes:] Would you support a Congressional Resolution in support of Alger Hiss, a man who was convicted only of the technicalility of perjury? What? You don't hear me? I said---do you think that Alger Hiss was unfairly charged and convicted?

3)Do you approve of the White House's actions toward Joe Wilson and his wife, regardless of their legality?

4)Do you think that if no charges are brought on either the IIPA or Espionage Act, that the White House is totally exonerated?

With Reid kicking Frist's ass, the public and knee the GOP lackeys in the front by insisting that the go on the record for or against Rove, outing CIA agents, etc.
We can take the ball away from Bush, and derail the Alito nomination, by refusing to change the topic.

Best,
Mark

This is why Harry Reid forced the Senate into a closed session.

Republican Chairman Pat Roberts on the Phase 2 Report on possible Bush White House manipulation of Iraq WMD intelligence:

- "I don't think there should be any doubt that we have now heard it all regarding prewar intelligence. I think that it would be a monumental waste of time to replow this ground any further." (March 31, 2005)

- "To go though that exercise, it seems to me, in a post-election environment--we didn't see how we could do that and achieve any possible progress. I think everybody pretty well gets it." (March 31, 2005)

- "[Phase 2] is basically on the back burner." (March 10, 2005)

For the full story, see:

"Fitzgerald, Iraq and the Truth About Pre-War Intelligence."

RICHARD Durbin.

Rockefeller- too late, too slow, too timid, too feeble.

Agree on the need to keep the focus on Libby-Rove et al. despite efforts to shift to the Supreme Court. Nick Kristoff's column today poses the possibility of a pardon for Libby. It's time for Dems. to raise the question to Bush: "Will you agree not to pardon Libby [and any others indicted] if they are convicted?"

Also important to keep Libby and the leaks front-and-center. One suggestion would be to refuse to discuss Alito until questions are cleared up on Libby-Rove-Cheney and actual Congressional hearings are held on the leaks.

T.J.

Dear Readers:

Apologies for referring to Senator Durbin as "Harry Durbin." My mistake -- was just rushing -- typing while listening to Reid's commentary on C-Span with Larry Wilkerson on phone at the same time.

Rushing stuff to print (or the web) is sometimes a mistake -- but did not have chance to check before posting. Fixed now.

I know Richard Durbin pretty well and just was very excited about what "Harry" was doing...

best,

Harry Clemons

Today's E.J. Dionne op-ed in the WaPo gets to the crux of the matter:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/31/AR2005103101386.html

The MSM is finally starting to talk about a cover-up at the highest levels of government. THIS is a battle worth fighting: Senate Democrats should hold up the Alito nomination until the public get some real answers about Iraq from this administration.

Smart move! Bring on the debate!

Shut it down until they do their jobs, imho. I'm not kidding. Apply this rule until they are forced to change it, then filibuster bills b/c of Iraq until they invoke the nuclear option.

It isn't just brilliant politically (at some point, I want there to be a record of a GOP senator up for re-election in 06' forced to vote up/down on an inquiry into pre-war intelligence), it is the right issue at the right time concerning the independence and relevance of the legislative branch.

It isn't Fitz's job, nor should it be, to look into pre-war intelligence. And, constitutionally, it really isn't the press' job. It is the legislative branch.

Seriously. Let's shut it down until they do their jobs.

Let's remember why the Iraq intelligence issue is so crucial at this time. Not only do we still have "boots on the ground" in Iraq, but we have hot button issues such as Syria and Iran on the table. With the Administration responding to the CIA leak scandal by promoting two more hardliners such as Addingtion and Hannah, do we want another intelligence failure? Do we want business as usual?

Frist said the democratic leaders "hijacked" the senate. How was it a hijack, if it was allowed by the rules? I guess we can expect the republicans to vote on a rule change soon.

...oh to be a fly (or, if I were a republican, a slug) on the wall in the Senate Chamber right now...

I agree with Jack Cafferty on CNN. If the administration didn't lie to us, they have nothing to hide and the republicans should not be afraid of an investigation.

My opinionL It's not like the investigation will take time away from the senate actually working to improve America, based on how they have been spending their time recently.

Clever to hit Bush with this just as he is about to depart on an overseas trip.

I say good for Reid and the Democrats. I think pressure is needed to hold this White House accountable. More must be done to expose what this White House as done.

I think 2000 American lives and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilian lives are worth a discussion, especially one that includes "the" pro-life party.

Didn't realize Bush was going out of the country.
This is fantastic---the foreign press will not be afraid to ask him real questions about pre-war intelligence.

Is he going to Britain? I love how the British media really questioned him before the war.

Pat Buchanon, on MSNBC agrees with Harry Reid.

Kit Bond, pure LIAR saying "It is a fact that Wilson's wife sent her husband to Niger," not Dick, or his office. He can't be that ignorant; he has to be a pure bald-faced LIAR.

Since EVERYONE can trust Frist.
Shouldn't he be editing his subpoena responses?

On MSNBC, a reporter just said that a representative from the democratic part said that they are prepared to to this everyday until they get an investigation.

Clearly, by nominating Scalito, Bush declared war so democrats should respond in kind. Shut the government down until satifactory responses come from the party in charge.

Rule 21 was a brilliant move by Reid. It is about time feathers are ruffled and fur starts flying. I, for one, want to know the truth and I deserve the truth. We, the people, deserve the truth. Go Harry! I hope he digs his teeth in and doesn't let go until all the dirt comes out of the hole. There is now hope. Made my day.

Congratulations, Steve, TWN was just featured on CNN as a "liberal blog" supporting Harry Reid's move today.

Steve, You should post Reid's statement--I couldn't believe it actually came from a sitting Democrat. Surely we're seeing our Democrats taking heed of Bill Clinton's recent call to arms.

Someone on CNN (Norah O'Donnell?) just said that the Democrats "bungled" their message....

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/110105X.shtml

Here's a link to Reid's statement.

If the Dems keep doing this every day, expect the Repubs to try a lightning rules-change. In addition, expect frantic subject-changing attempts: back to Alito; bird flu; and more surprises, no doubt (is it just a strange coincidence that SciFi Channel is showing "Mission to Mars" AND "Red Planet" back to back tonight?!?).

Junior has already done his "Bird Flu" Mission Accomplished so the only other diversion is Alito who is getting pounded right now by those-who-know-better. Don't forget that Prince Charles and his second wife are coming to the U.S. so that should divert some attention. Camilla's wardrobe is said to be spectacular. Huge hats with pheasant feathers, the whole nine yards. So if Reid & Co. go into Rule session every day, there really isn't many substantive distractions. Go Harry!

F*ck yeah Harry and Dick Durbin...lets go get the poisonous traitors that position themselves as representatives of the American people.

The American people want answers, truthful answers, not lackey dog and pony shows...

This news made my day...

If Republicans do continue to stonewall, through rule changes or whatever, and Democrats are unable to get the required people to testify under oath in the near future -- we need to make this a major issue in the 2006 elections. "If you, the American public, will entrust Democrats with a majority, we will be **relentless** in getting you the truth about how we got involved in the quagmire in Iraq."

Wow "hi", what a mature post. You realize you just inferred that the mother of a fallen U.S. soldier is running an asylum. Nice work.

Don't be afraid of the truth, it will set you free. This administration is going down. Hard.

About time the Demos put their foot down, found their spine and guts....America deserves the Truth and Answers...Enough is Enough.

I offer two items in the recent press to underline what Sapere Aude said above. He is right. Accountability for past actions matters. But while we are looking at the rear view mirror, we may be driving into new territory in the Middle East, riding in Bradleys and Humvees, no less.

From the Globe and Mail:
"[Sy]Hersh recently got hold of a copy of the United Nations interim report by German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis on the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The document cited "converging evidence" that senior levels of the Syrian government were involved in the murder.

But according to Hersh, the Mehlis report is built on the same anemic foundations as Powell's UN presentation in February, 2003. "He is relying on intercepts of an unnamed source inside the Iranian air force, someone without inside stuff. It's not empirical." On the basis of this thin evidence, he says, the Bush administration is campaigning at the UN for sanctions on Syria." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051031/HERSH31/TPEntertainment/?query=Seymour+Hersh

And this bit from Condi: "Speaking in Monday's meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the resolution 'made it clear that failure to comply with these demands will lead to serious consequences from the international community.'"

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/11/01/syria.un/

"Camilla's wardrobe is said to be spectacular. Huge hats with pheasant feathers, the whole nine yards."

Hey, if the Repubs are down to the wardrobes of visiting British royals as diversionary tactics, they're getting pretty desperate. Karl may well be wishing he still had Tom Daschle to play games with, rather than the mild-mannered grandfather from Searchlight, Nevada. But then, if the stars are with us, Karl may be having other problems before the fat lady sings. Well, these boys set up the game. Like all bullies, they start to cry when it doesn't go their way.

FYI... I just called the offices of both of my state senators (one R, one D) to express my support of the closed session and its purpose, as well as my condemnation of Senator Frist's comments.

Also, there was a Pentagon briefing today that was playing on the TV at lunch (CNN? CSPAN?), and Secretary Rumsfeld was questioned on Wilkerson's comments. Good job!

Searchlight, Nevada

Perfect place for Reid to be from. Shine a searchlight on Bush's stinking mess! Watch the vermin flee.

Bush is going to Argentina to participate in the Summit of the Americas. It seems Argentineans will give the commander-in-chief a very warm welcome...

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a80d697c-4a34-11da-b8b1-0000779e2340.html

"Yet Mr D’Elía insisted that despite Argentines’ strong anti-US sentiment – a poll published in yesterday’s Pagina/12, a daily newspaper, suggested that almost 60 per cent of the population rejected Mr Bush’s visit – there would be no violence during Friday’s march.
"The only violent person in Mar del Plata will be Bush himself. He’s the only terrorist around here,” he said." "

Why do I think it will be a very long time before the next presidential press conference in prime time?

Alkito is a nutjob, through and through. When voters hear he supported the strip search of a 10 year old as part of an investigation of her father on drug charges, and that he believes parents have no right to demand that schools protect their children from sexual predators, the Republicans will regret selling out to the extremists.

This is good in the meantime--it keeps us focused on the critically important fact that this president and this Administration lied about Iraq--they lied to Congress, they lied reporters, they lied to investigators, they lied to the American people--they lied to everyone.

Alito's time will come. Let's keep our eye on this ball.

Fristy, from the video at Crooks & Liars (start at the 0:50 mark):

"I'll have to say, not with the previous Democratic leader, or the current Democratic leader, have I ever been slapped in the face with such an affront to the leadership of this grand institution."

Emphasis his, not mine. Ditto below:

"Every other time...there had at least been consideration for the other side of the aisle, before a stunt - and this is a pure stunt that is being performed by Senator Reid, Senator Durbin, and..."

Gol-lee, Senator Frist, did those big bad bullies, Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, take your lunch money and give you a wedgie?

And here I thought you were the Senate Majority Leader, not a guy whining that he wasn't given...consideration.

From today on, I'll be rooting for you to win the GOP Presidential nomination in 2008. That vid of your tantrum will make a dandy Democratic ad!

About freaking time. Is that the last gasps of a falling GOP I hear coming from Dr. Frist?

Seriously, can we all just take a moment to thank the Minority Leader for finally stepping up to the plate?

SCC wrote, Reid, Durbin, Rockefeller -- I salute all three.

But hasn't Rockefeller been a complete wimp in his role on the committee?

Related question: does the minority in the Senate have subpoena power?

This is great! I also heard Harry has a website where he takes on Republicans. Anyone know what the address is?

a link to harry reid's new call to arms: www.giveemhellharry.com

Ho hum. A few feathers got ruffled today. Little else occurred. We have had the knowledge, and the proof, that Bush lied us into war for quite some time now. The Downing Street Memo pretty well clears that question up. The media will downplay this, they will turn up the volume on the Supreme Court issue, and like we have seen far too many times in the opast, this will die a quick death.

Without a responsible fourth estate, we really have nothing going in our favor.

give em hell harry

I met Reid a long time back and was impressed by him then, a lot less lately. Now he's done it, by gum, he's done it!

This is more interesting and cheering than Fitzgerald's revelations on Friday because it not only puts the issue front and center but may signal the recovery of the Democratic Party, an old friend quite a few of us had decided to abandon. The apparent recovery of serious muscle and guts by Democrats in the Senate could bring a more significant, long-term change than the bringing down of Scooter or even, maybe, Karl.

"Carpetbagger," onthe replacement of Scooter Libby by David Addington, wrote today "The only lesson the White House has learned from the Plame scandal is that they've been reckless and arrogant for five years — and they like it that way." True. Senator Reid will sow some doubts, don't you think?

Congress should stop until the road to the Iraq war is thoroughly publically examined. The republican leadership needs to be made accountable for blocking these efforts. Loyalty to country should trump loyalty to party, and particularly individuals within a party.

Frist needs to go if he will not yeild. He's already under investigation for improper investments. Reid has much support for this. Reid's aggressiveness for these principles will be rewarded.

Give 'em hell, Harry. It's about frigging time!

Harry Reid T-shirts:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/browse/v0.1/design_details.aspx?p=2&id=7935875&q=harry%20reid&opt=&fpt=&c=&hlv=t

Thank goodness, the Democrats finally stepped up to the plate. And thank goodness, they did not get fooled by the Alito's smokescreen.

The American people want accountability and it is about time that they get it.

Keep it up Harry! Dog Bush, Cheney, and the neo-cons for as long as it takes to bring them to their knees.

Go for the filibuster of Alito's nomination. Let's see if the Republican bullies REALLY want to use the nuclear option. My guess is that they won't have the nerve to go for it since the 2006 elections are so close. After all, they got nothing but grief from shutting down the government in 1995.

Look at Frist making a fool of himself in the Seante today, crying that the Democrats "hijacked" the political process! That was the typical reaction of a bully when someone finally stands up to him. Whine and cry. Pathetic!

Are se supposed to believe that had Reid mentioned the use of rule 21 to Frist that he would have allowed it? Gimme a Break.

NOW DO NOT STOP... IT HAS STARTED
.

WHEN IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS

.

IT BECOMES NECESSARY for the PEOPLE of the United States

TO ALTER or ABOLISH the United States Government

as it exists in the year…

2001 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06

.

Using the Authority, Law, and Intentions of the Constitution

and the Declaration of Independence.

.

And Now the People Step Forward

and Charge High Treason,

and Show that Democracy in its roots today,

.

Is Corrupt.

.

And that the Constitution has been Altered and Betrayed

in Favor of…

A Small Group of Millionaires,

.

Over Another...

the Governed,

.

the People of the United States.

.

And that the Election Process is UN-fair

and has been Overwhelmed

and Monopolized

by Millionaires

and their millions of dollars

.

BU$H = TREASON … Continued at…

.
http://www.RogerART.com
.

SEE on left… LINK ( 2 ) to

( Re-Written ) Declaration of Independence

SEE ALL ( these words in ) 15 + PAINTINGS at…

http://www.rogerart.com/20_PATRIOT%20DEMOCRACY.htm

Does anyone have a link to the statements at the end of the closed session. I briefly saw a comment on cbs news earlier with Frist stating something about a 6 member committee, that had to account to both leaders (he motioned to himself and off camera). I am trying to catch up, but I was at work all day, no CSPAN access. Thanks in advance. Please forgive my ignorance.

Thanks Harry

The thanks of all Americans on Harry Reid's heroic stand for the real causes of the Iraq War is worth noting!!!! Twenty will get you eighty that this blockbuster action is going to result in an investigation that will make Watergate appear like a pimple on Cheney and Bush's rear end. Make them sweat Harry!!! The American people have waited a long time for this!!!

Amazing stuff from Reid today. A culmination of a whole series of events - no doubt. Someone posted above about EJ Dionne's column today. There were two other notable columns of a similar vein in the Boston Globe and the LA Times. The MSM has been complicit with BushCo and it's all tumbling now - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1016

Mr. Clemons,

I read your blog comments in Newsday: Thanks for your views/info on the Senate rule.

Far too long for your blog, my full response to these developments is here: Why specific Congressional representatives could face the same consequences as Libby.

Thank you for your remarks and continued discussion on these issues.

Love Harry today, and usually think his style is underrated. Do we think he set up Harriet, or just a bit of serendipity.

Not enough has been made of Kerry's speech on Iraq, which gives solutions, many of which he mentioned throughout the campaign, like no permanent bases, as if the neo-cons ever want to leave Iraq. It ended with the the Congress taking control of the situation of Iraq, if Bush can't or won't.

GO REID GO!

GIVE 'EM ANOTHER BLOW!!

Allow me to share my small quiet YEEHAW, That Reid made my day.

For people who just tuned in, Pat Roberts has brought the entire Senate into dishonor.

He dragged his feet on doing his job to look into why US intelligence failed in predicting what we would fing in Iraq.

He claimed he wanted to avoid playing politics, so he stretched it out past the 2004 election.

He promised in writing he would do the investigation.

And that ugly, narcissistic, slack-jawed, liver-spotted toad LIED.

Anyone who knows the Senate knows that it works on courtesy and on gentlemen's agreements. If you LIE to your colleagues, or p--s them off, the whole system breaks down. Cheney telling Leahy to go f--- himself was incredibly stupid. The Dems should have shut the place down then and demanded Cheney apologize on C-Span. Not to Leahy, but to us, for using our Congress as his verbal latrine.

There are dopes in the Senate.

There are crooks in the Senate.

There are fools in the Senate.

But Pat Roberts is a special kind of bad.

What we are witnessing now is the opening days of the post-Cheney era. The writing is on the wall for the whole corrupt caboodle of crooks and liars who are pushing this planet to the bring of WW3.

Reid has always been a fighter, but now, smelling blood, he is going to remain on offense until the American people get justice for the crimes of this administration.

To hell with gentlemans rules. This is no palour game. The fate of American democracy and world peace is at stake.

Please everyone, e-mail Harry Reid and thank him for stepping up to the plate.

Good for them about time thanks to all of them .Republicans doesn`t like ths shoe on the other foot, Thanks again.

Harry Reid's website, where you can email him.
http://reid.senate.gov/

This link shows every republican attempt to block the investigation.

http://reid.senate.gov/record2.cfm?id=248135

"For more than two years, Senate Democrats have pressed Republicans to address the misuse of intelligence. At every turn, Republicans have blocked efforts to investigate how intelligence was used in the run-up to the war in Iraq. Below details the long record established by Democrats to investigate this matter."

Pfffffft. So much for that. On Nov. 14th, look for some skin deep bit of bullshit to be offered as a token to Reid's efforts. Remember when the lying SCUM said they would turn over the "missing" two thousand pages of the Taguba report??? Well, where the hell are they?

Everytime there are hearings about the nefarioua dealings of these scumbags and traitors, we keep getting promised facts and documents that never actually materialize. In the public eye, like on C-Span, they make promises. But after they are "off the air", they renege on those promises.

Don't look for facts on the fourteenth. Reid was grandstanding, nothing more. He got his press time, his little sound bite. Now he will go behind closed doors with the rest of the cowardly democratic leadership and see what kind of deals he can cut with the neopukes in exchange for toeing the line for another six months.

We ought to run the whole slimey connivin' bunch of them out of Washington and start over.

Justice will be done only when we see them all hanging from the gallows-Bush ,Cheney ,Rumsfeld, Powell , Wolfowitz, Feith,Rove,Libby, Franklin,Rice,and Chalabi. Did I forget somebody? Oh Judy Miller too.

"Justice will be done only when we see them all hanging from the gallows-Bush ,Cheney ,Rumsfeld, Powell , Wolfowitz, Feith,Rove,Libby, Franklin,Rice,and Chalabi. Did I forget somebody? Oh Judy Miller too."

Posted by Funky B

You missed a major player....

Dov Zakheim.

Add to Markie's list of questions for the senators/congressmen.

Do you think Karl Rove was right when he said Joe Wilson's wife "was fair game" yes or no?

Just a straight up or down answer please.

I seem to recall agreement from some talking dead.

eugene

Beware of False Profits.

The Senate webpage has conveniently removed the link to Rule 21. IS there another way to get to it?

Jeff