You Can't Make This Stuff Up ...

In nearly five years in office, President Bush has not vetoed a single piece of legislation his Republican-led Congress has supported.

But the White House is threatening to vetothe Senate's $440.5 billion 2006 Defense spending bill because it includes an amendment that would mandate uniform standards for the treatment of military detainees. The provision, which passed 90-9, was authored by John McCain (R-AZ).

A Seattle Times editorial wrote that the amendment "to ban 'cruel, inhuman or degrading' treatment of prisoners by the military found a clarity of purpose and voice that eludes the Bush administration."

The Boston Globe, in its editorial, wrote: "Instead of threatening to veto the measure, as his staff has done, President Bush should embrace it as evidence that the military will correct abuses and hold itself to a high standard."

A veto by Bush would almost certainly be symbolic, because the Senate has the votes to override it.

And what a symbol it would be.

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This item first appeared at Journalists Against Bush's B.S.

and I *so* hope the Senate overrides his sorry ass.

will probably put in a loophole to make the amendement meaningless.

Then Bush will have no reason to veto the bill.

and Bush will sign it to save face.

On the other hand, if the Senate conferees can hold their ground, there is a huge political push behind getting the Pentagon bill passed -- and Bush's threat to veto the bill will be a HUGE political liability.

I'm not talking about the anti-war majority -- I'm talking about the arms contractors who want their damn money.


Bush is in some real political trouble now, and stubbornness on the issue of torture will cost him big time. He cannot afford a showdown with McCain on this topic.

I doubt that McCain will press his advantage all the way to humiliate Bush, but I have hopes.

The Texacutionner's only veto is about torture.

:rofl:

so it's symbolic, and would be ignored just like its predecessor anyway