The New Accountability in Washington

roni · 03-14-2007

I am tickled pink by the apparent increase in the use of checks and balances in the USA national government. It feels so refreshing to me to have a legislative branch that does not act like the submissive and subservient lap dog of the executive branch - as it seemed to have over the previous 6 years when it comes to its oversight function.

Not delighted with the way they are mucking around with war policy - I still think it is best to let Bush do what he will, particularly now that he has someone who is more competent heading up the Department of Defense and now that the influence of the ideologues has, at least, temporarily been replaced by the influence of more pragmatic voices within the administration.

kwagner99 · 03-14-2007

Yeah, but leave it to Joe Lieberman and the Blue Dog "Democrats" to muck it up! Like a battered wife, they will do everything in their power to continue enabling Bush, and give the vast majority of the American people that are against the war the Big Middle Finger.

Mr Cancun · 03-14-2007

Last I read, some 73% of the population wants to win the war in Iraq instead of cut & run. Looks like David Petraeus has shown great leadership in help stopping the insurgency there. Here is an update from USA Today:

Coalition forces have detained about 700 members of the Mahdi Army, the largest Shiite militia in Baghdad, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Monday.

The militia, which is loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and has clashed with U.S. troops in the past, has mostly avoided a direct confrontation with American and Iraqi government forces, Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview with USA TODAY.

Some of the militia's top leaders have left the capital, and Iraqi government officials are negotiating with al-Sadr's political organization in an effort to disband the militia, Petraeus said.

"I think in part one reason that al-Sadr's militia has been lying low … is due to some of the discussions being held," Petraeus said in a telephone interview from Iraq. "It's also in part due to some of the leaders leaving Baghdad" and others being arrested, he said.

The seven hundred Mahdis are only the tip of the iceberg. The White House estimated that 16,000 other insurgents are held by US and Iraqi forces as well, making this sweep an early success. In fact, the burgeoning numbers of detainess require the US to send more military police to guard them.

Moqtada al-Sadr has still not made an appearance in Iraq after the beginning of the surge. He skedaddled to Teheran to meet with his sponsors and hasn't made a public return. Some believe that the surge might wind up boosting Sadr if the surge suppresses the Mahdis but leaves the Shi'ites exposed to Sunni attacks. However, if that's the case, Sadr has avoided taking advantage of the situation. If he thought he would benefit from Shi'ite dissatisfaction, he would be leading protests on the streets of Baghdad. Instead, he's in hiding while Baghdad's Shi'ites have begun to live normal lives free of Sadr's goons.

Petraeus appears to be on the right track and gathering momentum. Congress represents the only real long-term obstacle to success.

PlayadelSoul · 03-14-2007

I am thrilled by virgin piña coladas and walks in the rain.

kwagner99 · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cancun

Last I read, some 73% of the population wants to win the war in Iraq instead of cut & run.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but this was the headline of the latest CNN poll:
Poll: Less than half of Americans think U.S. can win in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/...oll/index.html

eccentrictinker · 03-14-2007

In the words of Rodney King...

"Can't we all just get along?"

Cue "Dueling Banjos".

.

Mr Cancun · 03-14-2007

Sorry I lied ,I rechecked the fact stated and found out that 57 % of the population said they supported "finishing the job in Iraq" - keeping U.S. troops there until the Iraqis can provide security on their own.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02212007...ndy_soltis.htm

kwagner99 · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cancun

Sorry I lied ,I rechecked the fact stated and found out that 57 % of the population said they supported "finishing the job in Iraq" - keeping U.S. troops there until the Iraqis can provide security on their own.

That poll is three weeks old. And it is from the Rupert Murdoch-owned NY Post. (Fox News, anyone?) The CNN poll was released yesterday. 54% of those polled said they do not believe we can win in Iraq, 54% believe we were misled into war and only 39% believe we should remain in Iraq, with 21% wanting an immediate pullout, and 37% wanting a pullout within a year.

But this thread is about a new accountablity in Washington. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but too many DINOs (Democrats in Name Only) are bought and paid for by interests that are very happy with the status quo...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02212007...ndy_soltis.htm[/quote]

PlayadelSoul · 03-14-2007

Is a witch hunt for payback on Karl Rove considered oversight? Just curious, as I heard Chuck Schumer claiming that Scooter Libby was just a fall guy. Hard to say what he actually took the fall for, since the crime he supposedly lied about never occured. And, the supposed leak came from one of Colin Powell's boys, who were known to be at odds with Rove.

This is going to be 2 years of shit flinging and forcing something to stick. Hardly a worthy exercise for the most ethical Congress in the history of man. You would think that such an pure crew might want to actually get some work done and pass laws to help their constituents. Instead, its business as usual. Taxpayer money for sound bites.

Mr Cancun · 03-14-2007

Yeppers, we kinda got off track here on the original post(sorry Roni) but one interesting thing turned up on that CNN poll:

Weighing in on a withdrawal

Twenty-one percent of responders support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and 37 percent said troops should come home within a year. Another 39 percent said the troops should stay in Iraq as long as needed.

If they think we cannot win, then why do they not want an immediate withdrawal?

kwagner99 · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Is a witch hunt for payback on Karl Rove considered oversight? Just curious, as I heard Chuck Schumer claiming that Scooter Libby was just a fall guy. Hard to say what he actually took the fall for, since the crime he supposedly lied about never occured. And, the supposed leak came from one of Colin Powell's boys, who were known to be at odds with Rove.

This is going to be 2 years of shit flinging and forcing something to stick. Hardly a worthy exercise for the most ethical Congress in the history of man. You would think that such an pure crew might want to actually get some work done and pass laws to help their constituents. Instead, its business as usual. Taxpayer money for sound bites.

Will you at least agree that what we are facing today is just a wee bit worse than lying about a little skull in the oval office?

PlayadelSoul · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwagner99

Will you at least agree that what we are facing today is just a wee bit worse than lying about a little skull in the oval office?

If there has been a crime committed by this administration, I have not seen one lick of evidence.

I never had a problem with Clinton getting some in the White House. My problem was with his pattern of getting some from subordinates, lying to a grand jury, and witness tampering.

kwagner99 · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

If there has been a crime committed by this administration, I have not seen one lick of evidence.

I never had a problem with Clinton getting some in the White House. My problem was with his pattern of getting some from subordinates, lying to a grand jury, and witness tampering.

Kinda like......wait for it.........Scooter Libby?

TAPPY · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

I am thrilled by virgin piña coladas and walks in the rain.

You crack me up...where do you come up with this stuff !!!

I hope you change your avatar back to your cute kids - cause that mask one is kinda freaky !!

roni · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

If there has been a crime committed by this administration, I have not seen one lick of evidence.

I never had a problem with Clinton getting some in the White House. My problem was with his pattern of getting some from subordinates, lying to a grand jury, and witness tampering.

Congressional oversight is not the same as criminal investigation. It is an important job of Congress that has not been done with vigor for the past 6 years.

In the past it has led to the resignation of Richard Nixon and the impeachment and trial of Bill Clinton.

It is returning to the role it has traditionally played when one party controlled the executive and the other the legislative. I suspect that Rove does have some questions to answer on the US Attorney issue and I suspect that he will have a full opportunity to do so--under oath.

That falls way short of a witch hunt.

03-14-2007	#1 (permalink)
roni Happy Curmudgeon Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 26,776	The New Accountability in Washington I am tickled pink by the apparent increase in the use of checks and balances in the USA national government. It feels so refreshing to me to have a legislative branch that does not act like the submissive and subservient lap dog of the executive branch - as it seemed to have over the previous 6 years when it comes to its oversight function. Not delighted with the way they are mucking around with war policy - I still think it is best to let Bush do what he will, particularly now that he has someone who is more competent heading up the Department of Defense and now that the influence of the ideologues has, at least, temporarily been replaced by the influence of more pragmatic voices within the administration.

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03-14-2007	#2 (permalink)
kwagner99 beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 400	Yeah, but leave it to Joe Lieberman and the Blue Dog "Democrats" to muck it up! Like a battered wife, they will do everything in their power to continue enabling Bush, and give the vast majority of the American people that are against the war the Big Middle Finger.

03-14-2007	#3 (permalink)
Mr Cancun reposado Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Far North Dallas Posts: 1,359	Last I read, some 73% of the population wants to win the war in Iraq instead of cut & run. Looks like David Petraeus has shown great leadership in help stopping the insurgency there. Here is an update from USA Today: Coalition forces have detained about 700 members of the Mahdi Army, the largest Shiite militia in Baghdad, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Monday. The militia, which is loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and has clashed with U.S. troops in the past, has mostly avoided a direct confrontation with American and Iraqi government forces, Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview with USA TODAY. Some of the militia's top leaders have left the capital, and Iraqi government officials are negotiating with al-Sadr's political organization in an effort to disband the militia, Petraeus said. "I think in part one reason that al-Sadr's militia has been lying low … is due to some of the discussions being held," Petraeus said in a telephone interview from Iraq. "It's also in part due to some of the leaders leaving Baghdad" and others being arrested, he said. The seven hundred Mahdis are only the tip of the iceberg. The White House estimated that 16,000 other insurgents are held by US and Iraqi forces as well, making this sweep an early success. In fact, the burgeoning numbers of detainess require the US to send more military police to guard them. Moqtada al-Sadr has still not made an appearance in Iraq after the beginning of the surge. He skedaddled to Teheran to meet with his sponsors and hasn't made a public return. Some believe that the surge might wind up boosting Sadr if the surge suppresses the Mahdis but leaves the Shi'ites exposed to Sunni attacks. However, if that's the case, Sadr has avoided taking advantage of the situation. If he thought he would benefit from Shi'ite dissatisfaction, he would be leading protests on the streets of Baghdad. Instead, he's in hiding while Baghdad's Shi'ites have begun to live normal lives free of Sadr's goons. Petraeus appears to be on the right track and gathering momentum. Congress represents the only real long-term obstacle to success.

03-14-2007	#4 (permalink)
PlayadelSoul Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: We'll know when we get there, We'll find mercy Posts: 8,965	I am thrilled by virgin piña coladas and walks in the rain.

03-14-2007	#6 (permalink)
eccentrictinker life=playa Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 772	In the words of Rodney King... "Can't we all just get along?" Cue "Dueling Banjos". .

03-14-2007	#7 (permalink)
Mr Cancun reposado Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Far North Dallas Posts: 1,359	Sorry I lied ,I rechecked the fact stated and found out that 57 % of the population said they supported "finishing the job in Iraq" - keeping U.S. troops there until the Iraqis can provide security on their own. http://www.nypost.com/seven/02212007...ndy_soltis.htm

03-14-2007	#9 (permalink)
PlayadelSoul Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: We'll know when we get there, We'll find mercy Posts: 8,965	Is a witch hunt for payback on Karl Rove considered oversight? Just curious, as I heard Chuck Schumer claiming that Scooter Libby was just a fall guy. Hard to say what he actually took the fall for, since the crime he supposedly lied about never occured. And, the supposed leak came from one of Colin Powell's boys, who were known to be at odds with Rove. This is going to be 2 years of shit flinging and forcing something to stick. Hardly a worthy exercise for the most ethical Congress in the history of man. You would think that such an pure crew might want to actually get some work done and pass laws to help their constituents. Instead, its business as usual. Taxpayer money for sound bites.

03-14-2007	#10 (permalink)
Mr Cancun reposado Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Far North Dallas Posts: 1,359	Yeppers, we kinda got off track here on the original post(sorry Roni) but one interesting thing turned up on that CNN poll: Weighing in on a withdrawal Twenty-one percent of responders support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and 37 percent said troops should come home within a year. Another 39 percent said the troops should stay in Iraq as long as needed. If they think we cannot win, then why do they not want an immediate withdrawal?

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