Digby: The Bush Dog Whisperers (ouch!)

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Bush Dog Whisperers

by digby

The guys over at Open Left are running a campaign against what they are calling the Bush Dogs. These are Democrats, many of whom identify themselves as part of the conservative Blue Dog caucus, who have consistently betrayed progressive principles, heck even centrist middle of the road principles, to vote with one of the most unpopular presidents in American history. (It should be noted that not all of those who identify as Blue Dogs are also Bush Dogs --- these BD's are a special breed.)

There was a time when a cross party conservative coalition was a natural part of the political spectrum. It was a function of the unusual New Deal coalition brought about by the crisis of the Great Depression. But we are now in a partisan world in which the two parties have naturally split along pretty clear ideological lines. Members like the Bush Dogs are relics who are skewing the new order in ways that only serve the Republicans. (You'll notice that they don't have any Reid Dogs or Nancy Dogs.)

These people are called Bush Dogs for a simple reason: they have no self-respect and they have no sense of dignity. They are faithful hounds who continue to love the man who beats them no matter what. The Republican congress of the last six years is equally pathetic, of course, but these Bush Dogs are so much more so. They are loyal to a man who isn't even their master. They get nothing in return, no money, no help no support --- and they never did. Yet still they sit at Bush's feet and beg for his kick.

I think Open Left is right to call these people out. There are good reasons for people to be moderate or conservative Democrats in certain areas, even in this partisan era. There are votes and policies that they will want to influence and there are times when they will use their clout to block votes. That's politics in a big coalition.

But empowering the most unpopular, failed president in history, voting affirmatively with him on issues that the majority of the country are against and which will bring them no credibility with their own constituents is just blind, drooling devotion for no good reason. Bush is serving up nothing but poison, even to Republicans. These pooches are foolishly begging for tainted table scraps.

The Bush Dogs need to be retrained. It's for their own good. They'll be much happier.

14 U.S. troops die in Iraq copter crash

By HAMID AHMED, Associated Press Writer
14 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - A Black Hawk helicopter went down Wednesday in northern Iraq, killing all 14 U.S. soldiers aboard, the military said, the deadliest crash since January 2005.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, lashed out at American criticism a day after President Bush expressed frustration with the Iraqi government's inability to bridge political divisions.

"No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people," the Shiite leader said at a news conference in Damascus at the end of a three-day visit to Syria.

"Those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to Syria. We will pay no attention. We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere," al-Maliki said.

The military said initial indications showed the UH-60 helicopter experienced a mechanical problem and was not brought down by hostile fire, but the cause of the crash was still under investigation.

It was one of two helicopters on a nighttime operation. The four crew members and 10 passengers who perished were assigned to Task Force Lightning, the military said. It did not release identities pending notification of relatives.

The U.S. military relies heavily on helicopters to avoid the threat of ambushes and roadside bombs — the deadliest weapon in the militants' arsenal — and dozens have crashed in accidents or been shot down.

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