Blue America candidates respond to the news that Bush approved a <i>Torture Nation</i>
John Amato and Digby have been doing yeoman's work in covering the latest Bush Regime scandal: torture in the highest places. Late last night John asked me to talk to our Blue America candidates to ask them how the felt about this. In that link above you can read what Eric Massa (D-NY), Dennis Shulman (D-NJ), Leslie Byrne (D-VA), and Tom Perriello (D-VA) have said. Interestingly, Leslie Byrne, who was a member of Congress already and is attempting to reclaim her seat in November, went right to the accountability question. I'm with her-- 100%.
Jim Neal is the Blue America candidate who is running against North Carolina's robotic, lemming-like Bushoid, Liddy Dole. These were his thoughts on this today:
"I am appalled, though sadly not surprised, that the Bush Administration, at the highest levels, authorized and approved torture. Time after time, this administration has trampled the values and principles we hold so dear. Whether it’s engaging in torture, which has no intelligence value and is blatantly immoral, tapping our phones, invading our privacy, and then giving immunity to the law breakers, or using the Justice Department to pursue its political enemies rather than real law criminals, the Bush Administration and their allies in Congress have shown an utter disregard for the American people and our Constitutional form of government. We need real leaders in Washington, who will stand on principle not political expediency."
Take my word for it; Jim Neal and Liddy Dole agree on very little-- and this surely isn't one of them. Perhaps today would be a good day to visit the Blue America ActBlue page and let this anti-torture candidates know you support their positions with a $5 "thank you."
(correction: Howie Klein originally wrote this post.)
they also broke the law!
Bush makes me ashamed to be an American.
"Udder disregard"?
Bush's response? "Tough tittie!"
[Thanks, funny guys! Duly noted, and kicked upstairs for correction. We can't sneak anything by you, can we? Site Monitor]
udder ?
you mooite have made a mistake :)
Udder disregard is driving up the price of milk!
Bush needs to make a clean breast of this.
(Can't...stop...must...make...puns...)
That's "teat disregard."
I see y'all intend to milk this for all it's worth.
Why the hell isn't the U.S. breaking the Nuremberg and Tokyo precedents like steel on ice on the news when Dubya himself admits to it?
Time to take the WH off the public teats!
The Repubs have always tried to cow the Dems...
Anyone who expresses surprise about this goes down in credibility points. I knew it from at least Abu Ghraib on. Doesn't it stand to reason that if the military or CIA were doing things the Prez didn't sanction that he would be in front of a podium the minute he found out covering his ass?
And yet again, against all odds and reputation, John Ashcroft seems to be the voice of reason in these little conspiricy gatherings. Who'd'a thunk it?
They should give Ashcroft a lighter sentence to snitch them out.
John,
Excellent use of Mike McGrath's drawings,
Those of you who may not know, but the drawings are from McGraths year as a POW.
America was outraged at the treatent of our POWs,
But it took the Bush administration to legitimize the ahborent practices...
Outrageous..
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/honor/gallery/index.html for more clips..and connecting the dots.
So exactly what is the point of this post? To raise a little scratch for yet another dem that has a fainting spell about torture without that dem ever mentioning the 'I' word? Any dem candidate, including O and C, should not get another red cent until they come out for Impeachment hearings. Anything else is just a way to get one more coward a job.
I had to laugh when I read "udder disregard". Does that make me a bad person?
i know this is off the subject, but Lou Dobbs just accused Barack Obama of not having the "courage" to come on his show and talk about the "bitter" comments.
i dunno... it just seems like a video of that is something i would see on C&L, so i thought i'd mention it.
“I am appalled, though sadly not surprised, that the Bush Administration, at the highest levels, authorized and approved torture. Time after time, this administration has trampled the values and principles we hold so dear. Whether it’s engaging in torture, which has no intelligence value and is blatantly immoral, tapping our phones, invading our privacy, and then giving immunity to the law breakers, or using the Justice Department to pursue its political enemies rather than real law criminals, the Bush Administration and their allies in Congress have shown an udder disregard for the American people and our Constitutional form of government. We need real leaders in Washington, who will stand on principle not political expediency.”
yeah? what are you gonna do about it? nothing that's what, my feelings, put up or shut the fuck up.
The torture has nothing to do with deriving the truth from “terrorist suspects.” The war on terrorism is a fraud (see Nafeez Ahmed, The War on Truth), and torture’s questionable efficacy in gleaning such truth is a red herring. The torture “story” is about intimidating and demoralizing Americans and desensitizing them to State-organized violence in their name, and with their dollars, in order to remove what’s left of public opposition to invasion, conquest, and occupation of resource-rich countries.
John Amato and Digby wish to know what the Democratic candidates think of the Bush administration approving torture? One would like to think that the Democratic candidates, these defenders of the Constitution, would all agree that this should remove any doubt why this administration should not only be immediately impeached but tried in The Hague for war crimes. All these Democrats did agree that these things should be done, did they not? If not, why not? Or would that be because it would not be somehow politically expedient [despite the fact that Article II Section 4 is not at all ambiguous on this issue, as it clearly states that "The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States SHALL {my emphasis} be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors"] to take such actions before a presidential election, unless these prestigious Democrats are claiming that approving of torture by a U.S. government does not somehow merit the definition of high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Cowards, the whole lot of them.
(correction: Howie Klein originally wrote this post.)
Howie! Got milk?
miss_kitty @ 22:
I only drink almond milk
DownWithTyranny @ 23:
I guess you are a guy that shows 'udder disregard...' literally!
:)
If we're going to talk about "accountability," the only form of accountability in the Constitution is impeachment.
Democrats.com has a new petition here:
http://www.democrats.com/impeach-for-torture
Bush assuming what is for the sake of America's security is a lot like how Homer Simpson thought that ballet was a bear driving a little car in a fez hat.
The only way America can cleanse herself from this shame,
is to impeach these criminals. And I don't care how much longer
they got left in office. Congress "LET'S ROLL"
Well, considering the big boobs in this administration, it is all in a day's work.
Ah, spelling errors - the bane of our existence. However, the comments here gave me the biggest laugh I have had all day. Thank you!
Let's not be suckers. To use the phrase "to pursue its political enemies" is to endorse and support a Republican frame. Progressives should always foreground, question, and challenge the frame. It's not "political enemies." Rather, it's "perceived as" or "misrepresented as" or "dissed as in middle school as political enemies."
It shouldn't be about winning a civil war, folks. It should be about healing a nation and embracing the principle of loyal opposition. Extremists right and left, at home and abroad, would love to see us destroy ourselves. But the majority of us, those who fall within one standard deviation of the rational mean to the right or left, must resist being sucked into this juvenile, playground caricature of rational discourse.
We need to distinguish between extremism and loyal, honorable, honest opposition. Otherwise Walt Kelly's Pogo the Possum will have been proved right: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
America will be embarrassed in the future when one of these lying murderous thieves gets nabbed outside the US without diplomatic immunity at their disposal.
Rant Alert.....
I am getting quite frustrated about this and its because of the fricking no action from Congress. I saw the Nader video and heard the conspiracy theories about if impeachment starts then Bush will invade Iran; well I don't give a flying f*ck any more if he does. I want to see the asshole hung up for his crimes and that smirk off the Internet and out of our, and the rest of the world's lives.
In my opinion he made a bet, (Iran invasion) like a school yard bully and nobody (the chickenshits the congress) is willing to call his bluff, . And if Congress calls him on it and he invades then finally the rest of the sleeping idiots in this country might wake up and realize just what the f*uck going on. Yeah, if it takes a rebellion ignited by a false threat materializing then so be it. The image of this SOB getting off scot free is what really is making me sick!!!
VietVet8666 @ 2:
He should make you proud, especially in your righteous anger.
below_me @ 19:
Why are you getting so angry? Are you doing anything yourself? We'll never defeat this evil force by attacking people who agree with us.
annie @ 9:
yes annie, we will pursue this because it is important that this country
regain it's morale stature in this country and the world. though you
appear to be willing to back this criminal administration, many of us
are not and will not remain reticent to blatant disregard to the Constitution
and the laws we have in this country by bush, cheney and the rest of
this gop administration.
[There was a dairy-oriented typo in the OP which has been corrected. That's what annie @ 9 was referring to-Sitemonitor]
Bush is stupid...
dadams @ 34:
I think she was goofing on the typo "udder" from way up there.
I wish Blue America could find a strong Democratic candidate to run against Saxby Chambliss in my state of Georgia. He does not intend to support a special investigation of Bush et al who authorized, approved and formulated the torture program. He says the DOJ investigation of waterboarding is sufficient.
This administration's policy on torture has embittered me as an American.
Bitter, bitter, bitter, okay Hillary?
I know that once the trial against Bush and his cohorts gets going things will be revealed that will be astounding.
yellow paper @ 39:
What trial? We'll be too busy fixing our economy, tending to Iran/Afghanistan/Iran and observing the behavior of Elephants and Donkeys (Snakes and Rats would be more fitting, though). If a trial hasn't happened yet, I don't know what evidence exists to lead me to believe there ever will be one. They're the ones selling their souls, not me. And in that much, I can find peace.
I keep having a deja vu about some smarmy little asshole in a bad suit repeatedly telling the world ( often in a near yelling state too ) that WE DONT TORTURE !!!. Help me out folks. What was his name. mmmmmmmmmm
Well, I supposed thats one more bullet to add to the good ol' resume; DUNGEON MASTER!
Andy Fig @ 42:
Please don't equate these guys with my kid, or any of the excellent DM's I RPG'd with back in the day(yeah, I'm a reformed AD&D geek who raised another AD&D geek). Real DM's know the difference between fantasy and reality.
Oh come on...Elizabeth Dole robotic....ho ho....remember that convention or
GOP rally when Dole had on that yellow suit and was dancing up and down like her hoochy kooch was itching. And the republicans thought that was a reason for her to run for president.....I thought she was funny.
Iran attacked.
Oil $210.
Dollar collapse.
Draft.
Riots in the US.
Torture for you is around the corner.
and true to BushCo operating procedures, a half dozen part-time conscripted boots on the ground pay the price. Always blame the little guys.
Frank Dufek @ 40:
The more a trial is mentioned, the better odds that someone who has some clout will read it and say that that is the way to go. Think of the millions (perhaps billions) of people who would rejoice knowing that this MisAdministration is going to court for Crimes Against Humanity. Think of the cheers and I really think there would be dancing in the streets. Hear that Cheney, you psychopath and Bush, you meaningless little puppet? History will have insight on you as you're getting close to Pol Pot in numbers innocent people murdered and displaced under your name.
Forgot to mention that I think a War Crimes trial could be a huge economic boon for the US. World opinion towards the US could be drastically changed for the better with the rest of the world realizing that the old ways of doing US business might be gone. Not going to be easy though...
So.
Ask yourself this simple question, if you broke a law, would you get off scott free without any kind of accountability whatsoever? I didn't think so, and they shouldn't either!
Indict, Impeach, Convict of Treason, High Crimes, Spying, manipulating intelligence, torture, war crimes (including murder and pillaging U.S. treasury).
Bush and Cheney need to be held to account, or the system fails the entire nation and the world. Do you want to be remembered for that? History is already reflecting this as the "worst presidency ever"!
FreedomOfInformationAct @ 50:
That is why the non-actions on this of the opposition is just as bad.
I can not imagine this coming out in any other western country, without a government falling directly.
The US is a sick nation, on a self destructive path.
I consider it really pathetic how Colin Powell, who betrayed his nation in his notorious State of the Union speech, which enabled the slaughter of over a million people, and who was not deterred after being treated as a pariah by making a few miserable appearances to rtry and ectify his image. And now we learn that he sat in on the torture meetings. What a legacy for a traitor.
I'm surprised Bush isn't down there taking part in the festivities.
Bob Fertik @ 25:
AMEN!
I'm sure there are posts about this on some other blogs/sites but I haven'ty seen much at all.
I've been over to Huffington Postand they have had on article on it so far (that I found) yet there are probably a dozen articles on "bitter." I've onluy looked at three of them but on those three there are over 10,000 responses, the majority of which are expressing extremme outrage that Obama would be criticized, blaming Hillary clinton, you know the drill, and then of course there are those expressing self righteous indignationwhat he said, and then there are those gloating.
Its like a trainwreck you can't turn away from.
I read the original argument, than Jane Smiley's, can't remember what else.
Anyway the point is there are thousands upon thousands of comments and blogs expressing total outrage about this woman writing this article and none about the fact that the pResident announced what he did!
Maybe I'm "out of touch"but it seems to me that the outrage is somehow misplaced.
I'm so glad I came here.
Have to go look at the links.
wha? @ 47:
accountability @ 55:
None of the candidates will do anything about going after Bush. They've enabled him or sat complacent as he waged war and raped the Constitution. Furthermore, McCain and Clinton are poised to attack Iran while Obama has his sights set on Pakistan. They're not running to bring Bush to justice, they're running to have their own chance at holding the reins of power in the hopes that they won't piss off as many people as Bush did. At this point, I don't know how we can win anymore. They've stacked the cards against we the people and perhaps only 1/4 of us are vigilant enough to notice.
over the top...JA
How do you spell War Criminal?
George W. Bush
VietVet8666 @ 2:
Ahhh...
But on the flip side of this sentiment is knowing impeachment will bring us the proudest day America has seen in a very, very long time... NO?
Then I will be proud to know I was on THAT side of the lamentation you speak of.
I have been witnessing the approach of these days for many years now.
The one thing to keep in our foremost mind MUST be in our accountability to see it come to fruition.
Americans MUST urge, ney, DEMAND from their Representatives on this matter...
Remind them that if they wish to make it a political issue, sorry Nancy P. this means YOU, then so shall it be - about their political future.
Remind them that IMPEACHMENT is not political but Constitutional AND an Obligation Affirmed BY their Oath.
Remind them that anything short of defending and protecting OUR Constitution is proof they are not worthy to BE in such a position...
A position that I fear for many already, sorry Nancy P. this means YOU, have forsaken that Oath and affirmation to faithfully discharging their Duty, in favor of Political Loyalty.
A position that far too many have demonstrably shown their capability to have mental reservations in this regard WHILE, for many, this means YOU Nancy P., A PURPOSE OF EVASION!
A position in times like these, where one chooses TREASON to the People's Constitution over Patriotism to the Nation, requires such a reminder to at least... IMPEACH or RESIGN!
We'll let the War Crimes Trials play out and differentiate THEN who aided and supported what!
.
mother @ 58:
I had to go look it up myself.
This is all I found.
Along with a see also.
.
I gave a little to each candidate mentioned, but Tom Perriello isn't on this Blue America list. He's just the type of candidate Blue America should support, and running against just the type of bigoted Republican (Virgil Goode) that Blue America should work to bring down.
Torture? I heard it was "enhanced interrogation".
Went to ActBlue and left Jim Neal a contribution.
While I was there I also gave several Senator
candidates and Leslie Byrne a contribution! :)
"Thank you!"
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