Senate Democrats ready anti-war speeches

Posted on Mon, Jan. 24, 2005


Senate Democrats ready anti-war speeches

By BARRY SCHWEID
Associated Press


WASHINGTON - Condoleezza Rice is no longer on a fast track to Senate confirmation as secretary of state, but the slowdown appears to be temporary as Democratic foes of the war in Iraq line up to have their say.

Nine hours have been set aside Tuesday for debate, divided equally between Democrats and Republicans. On Wednesday, a brief series of statements is expected - and then the vote to put her in charge of U.S. diplomacy.

President Bush's decision to go to war with Iraq in March 2003 and postwar violence that is taking a rising toll of U.S. casualties are the main causes of the slowdown. Rice was supposed to be confirmed last week, but Democratic critics insisted on an opportunity to air their views on the Senate floor.

Two Democratic opponents of the war, Sens. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia and Barbara Boxer of California, have booked an hour each to speak, with eight other Democrats due to weigh in with briefer speeches.
(snip/...)

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/10722225.htm(Free registration is required)

that'll stop the war from starting!! What? You say it already has? Huh, where've I been?

< /sarcasm>

I guess its good they're saying anything at all. A little too late though. Why'd everyone wait until the election was over?

n/t

speaking out against Rice.

He held DU enthralled as we followed his every word in the well of the senate. Senator Byrd is held in very high regard here.

led by Khephra for six weeks leading up to the October 10, 2002 vote.

For days on end, The Senator Robert C. Byrd, stood alone on the senate floor, eloquently defending our Constitution.

He called those of us who sent emails, faxes and flowers to him, his heros.

His speeches can be found here:

http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_newsroom/byrd_newsroom.html

okay, she's not fat, but it was her duty to protect us from 9/11 and three thousand deaths are on her conscience for that.

and because of her whoring of the war propaganda she's now got around 1500 additional American deaths to answer for (not including the mercs) and 100,000 Iraqis. Boy I bet she's dreading meeting her maker.

do not believe in god. Anymore than I do. They just use it as a tool to get the faithful to be quite and allow them to murder our troops and innocent Iraqi`s. Who had zilch to do with 9-11. Take the profit from the oil and the rebuilding of what we have blown to bits. And we would not be there commiting this war crime. She might dread going to Europe someday. As Rumsfield does. But I will never believe she dreads meeting her maker. Her father and mother made her. And I suppose she has met them.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

vote "Nay" for her confirmation. Merely speaking out against her and then voting FOR her means diddly-squat.

She is going to be confirmed ANYWAY by her own kind...so what difference will it make if most of the Dems vote "Nay?" They are already being treated like shit by the Repubs so what are they afraid of?

this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=14400&mesg_id=14400

has a handy fax tool which sends multiple faxes from your email. DUer arnheim has even listed many fax numbers to make it real easy for us.

communicating with my own senators by email but this will help me communicate with ALL of them.

In another post someone said, "Don't bother senators who are not in your state, it irritates them."

Well, I look at it this way, once they are elected and go to DC, they then represent ALL of us and they need to know how we feel.

They pretend to dislike---which in reality is what put most of them where they are (In the Congress) in the First Place.

LOL

actions not words is what we must pay attention to.

Dayton of Minnesota comes to mind as one. A no vote from him will be used against him by an agressive GOP.

However, I think a no vote on Rice by Kohl (up in 06 if he chooses to)would not cost him much (the Wisc GOP seems to be all about the Governors race in 06, and tend to not put up very good senate candidates, the exception being Neumann v Feingold in 98).

It's not enough to speak in opposition to and then vote in support of a person or bill. Getting the nitty gritty on the record is NOT enough. If they're going to be judged by their voting record anyway, it should reflect things they're unashamed to defend.

If we have over 40, there's no excuse if she's not filibustered.

Its MURCKA, dammit!!!

press conference on the Republican agenda for this Congress. In response to a question about why the holdup on Condi's nomination, Frist said that Senator Byrd wanted to speak about her. So I hope he really tears her up. I'll be watching the Senate all day tomorrow.

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

Kennedy voted against the war, but he isn't pro-insurgency.

No wonder we get labeled as kooks.

I guarantee you that what Boxer pointed out in the committee hearing would be news to 65-70% of this country. We have reached a point where the only way of getting actual facts out is for US Senators....SENATORS!! mind you...to demand to be heard and hope against hope that the 90 news report has something that effects enough listeners to do something.

I sayd *hope against hipe* because the press isn't going to be getting in line to report on what they failed to report (more than once) before the war and that they heralded during the war.

of truth we so desperately need right now. I will be home and watching tomorrow.

The rest of them tiptoe while the courageous stand alone, almost.

Pass the bbq sauce.

The Permanent ones! Along with the 14 Permanant bases. How long are we staying Condi? 30, 40 years??? God I think our congress critters are clueless sometimes...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2281&ncid=742&e=5&u=/thenation/20050118/cm_thenation/132132

Permanent Presence

Tue Jan 18,10:02 AM ET Op/Ed - The Nation


Ari Berman

In his first debate with President Bush (news - web sites), John Kerry (news - web sites) made a surprisingly bold assertion about US policy toward Iraq (news - web sites): "I think a critical component of success in Iraq is being able to convince the Iraqis and the Arab world that the United States doesn't have long-term designs on it," Kerry said. "As I understand it, we're building some 14 military bases there now, and some people say they've got a rather permanent concept to them."

Though the media ignored Kerry's statement and failed to do any substantive follow-up research, his comments were well-grounded in reality. On the day of the debate the Christian Science Monitor spotlighted the findings of defense specialist John Pike, whose website, GlobalSecurity.org, located twelve "enduring bases" in Iraq, including satellite photos and names. In March, the Chicago Tribune reported that US engineers were constructing fourteen such long-term encampments--the number Kerry referred to. The New York Times previously placed the number at four.


While the exact figure may change, suspicions of undisclosed US imperial plans--exemplified by permanent military bases--rightfully linger. Before the war, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz suggested moving US troops stationed in Saudi Arabia into Iraq. In October, a survey by the University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes found that two-thirds of respondents disapproved of a permanent military presence, even though more than half thought the US would build the bases anyway.


Now comes a report in the New York Sun by Eli Lake revealing that the Pentagon (news - web sites) is building a permanent military communications system in Iraq, a necessary foundation for any lasting troop presence. The new network will comprise twelve communications towers throughout Iraq, linking Camp Victory in Baghdad to other existing (and future) bases across the country, eventually connecting with US bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan (news - web sites).

that Condi Rice's confirmation is certain. True or not true??

Yay mods! :thumbsup:

I want to watch her squirm

The schedule isn't set yet, but it usually starts at 9:30 a.m. And the Condi debate may possibly start around 10:00.

Mock disapproval. Well we tried people... B**ls**t!

Nothing will be done unless WE DO IT.

dog and pony show. We want people to vote NO on her confirmation, not just stand up and say she's a douche bag.

Opposition is not just speeches; show with your actions!

In my opinion, Any person in the senate or the congress that, at this point, is for continuing the invasion is neither a democrat or a republican. They are fascists, plain and simple. They are whores who can't see beyond their own noses.

It is sort of weird, the republican voters think that the democrats are finished (and they are, in all probability), but the republicans were finished a long time ago. Their party was hijacked years ago and most of them are yet to figure that out. Folks, fascism is here to stay. Lets get on with our lives, or what is left of them. Hug your kids and make each day count.

Why didn't your candidate for President speak on the matter?

If the democrats want to really differentiate themselves from republicans, the time is now, by telling Condi, in unison, to take a hike.

Watching Byrd on C-Span now...great speech. Now if only someone had given it 2 years ago when Bush, Rice, Cheney et al were originally slinging this shit around.

not many were listening then.

fortunately, today, more are :bounce:

:hi:

peace

It's about time the Senate Democrats showed some cajones.

Rice.

Not sure what the Senators are trying to do here. I think it would be better for them to save their political capital for an issue they can win. Like Social Security reform.

It only gives the Repugnants ammunition when former Klansman Robert Byrd stands in between a black woman from Alabama and the door to the State Department. And somebody please tell Teddy "Splash" Kennedy to stop talking about Water Torture.

There was a time when Rieght WIng Radio had to write their own material, it seems the Senators are doing it for them lately. I would like to see the good guys regain control of the Capitol once more before I die, and it isn't going to happen like this.

In what way are they spending it? Please elaborate.

There is no such thing Social Security Reform. First of all it doesn't need to be reformed because there is nothing wrong with it. And if it is the Republican Plan to Destroy Social Security to which you refer...then call it what it is. Destruction is not Reform. It is what it is.

What a racist view you put forth. What the fuck does the color of Rices Skin have to do with the fact that she is inept and a liar? What the hell has ones membership in any organization have to do with pointing out the fact that she is?

Why should Ted Kennedy not talk about Water Torcher?

How exactly are "the good guys" going to regain control of the Capitol if they don't take it? By kissing anti-american fascist ass? Nah I don't think so.

Boy you spew a whole bunch of nothing.

RC

March 19 was the day of "Shock and Awe." I am going to be joining fellow protesters on March 19, in San Francisco. But, there are protests going on around the world.
Check:
http://www.answercoalition.org/

I don't agree with all of their ideas, but they are good organizers, get permits, work with the cops, etc., so it is a good experience.

I will be there, just one more body. Join us, if you believe in the cause. It's fun!

Howard

One of the most ballyhooed statements regarding Rice is her supposed expertise on Russia and the former Soviet Union. She served previous administrations in that capacity.

But hasn't current research shown that our Cold-War estimates of Russia were wrong? And wouldn't being so wrong invalidate any claim of expertise? Just a thought.

Both Gorbachev and Kruschev said that the Soviet Union collapsed on its own as any misquided economy would. Reagan had nothing to do with it. Her
premise that she helped bring the wall down is another lie. At least these lies will be recorded for posterity in Congressional Records.

AP Headline: Senate Confirms Rice As Secretary of State

Jan 26, 12:17 PM (ET)
By BARRY SCHWEID

WASHINGTON (AP) - Condoleezza Rice won easy confirmation Wednesday...

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050126/D87RT15O1.html

It was inevitable. By taking a stand on an issue they couldn't win, Senate Democrats have postured themselves as obstructionists. That's how it's going to play outside of the DU circle. So when monkey boy starts pushing SS reform through the Senate, any opposition , no matter how well founded, will just appear to be more of the same.

Even though Robert Byrd probably threw away his white hood years ago (and if he didn't, I'm pretty sure he doesn't wear it much anymore) he should be a little more cautious. There are those in the African American community who remember that he once wore white sheets, and his aggressive treatment of Dr. Rice doesn't p
I know there is a lot of satisfaction in hearing topics usually reserved for these boards brought up on the Senate floor, but if those issues were capable of swaying the public, we'd all be talking about "President" Kerry right now. (Or even Better: President Dean!)

He may be a Democrat, but you can see the disgust on his face when he looks at her. It makes me wonder: what does he say about us behind our backs? I think we really nead to have African Americans that high up in the government. Too bad THEY were first. I guess I can even forgive her for dissing us. (I think.) :cry:

and I look at Condi with disgust.

I'm not a racist and I think Byrd's antipathy to Condi is based on the same feelings I have.

Byrd is skillful enough that if he shows his disgust it's because he is allowing it to be seen.

If he had never been in the KKK, I might think you might be right, but I think he would even look at me, an attractive black woman, with disgust.

I can tell. I know that look.

Next time I get the chance to see this I'll watch closer.