Rockefeller: "POLITICS PUT OVER NAT'L SECURITY-I Am Furious, Double-Crossed, Misled & Minimized"

To conclude, this story about the funding for our spy agencies which the WHITE HOUSE ordered shut down on a "party loyalty" vote, and turning mild mannered Jay Rockefeller into an inferno of fury on the Senate Floor, is something that was missed entirely by the MSM, but well worth reporting.

It will have consequences. We might have moved another step closer to the realization that impeachment of Bush and Cheney really is the only option. Make each and every one of these "party loyalists" acquit Bush in the face of a mountain of evidence for staggering crimes. Let them ride loyalty to Bush all the way to defeat in 2008.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/4/18/24316/7447





Opponents of U.S. Intelligence Measure Block Vote in Senate

By Jeff Bliss

April 16

Democrats and Republicans have pressured Bush to give them more information on intelligence matters after allegations that suspected terrorists were tortured at secret prisons operated by the Central Intelligence Agency and that the National Security Agency was conducting surveillance without court warrants.

Interrogation Tactics

Under the legislation, Bush would have to tell lawmakers about interrogation tactics at the prisons, and the government would be required to publicly reveal total spending on intelligence programs, which is estimated to be about $44 billion annually.

Under the legislation, the maximum prison sentence would increase to 15 years from 10 years for those who disclose the identity of a covert agent, a response to administration officials revealing the secret status of CIA agent Valerie Plame.

more at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aB9kjtsO.4j8&refer=us

This feud has been simmering for a long time, ever since Whitewash Roberts took over the chair of the Intelligence Committee. C'mon Jay, get back to work on the last 3 sections of the Phase II report. Many's been the Democratic member of Congress who tried to cooperate with Publicans during the last 6 years and lived to regret it.

Edit:

Roll Call Vote 131, Question: On the Cloture Motion (Upon Reconsideration, Motion to Invoke Cloture on S.372)

Required For Majority: 3/5

Vote Result: Cloture Motion Rejected

Vote Counts: YEAs 50 - NAYs 45 - Not Voting 5

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00131#position

Every one of the Senators who voted nay was a Publican. The only Publicans to vote yea were Hagel and Snowe. Not voting were Biden (D-DE), Brownback (R-KS), Johnson (D-SD), McCain (R-AZ), and Obama (D-IL).

They have been putting politics over national security from the very beginning but at least he noticed it now. I hope we see more than just this little hmph..

Given his and his wife's illustrious Republican heritages.

Go back and look at his history from Governor to College President to Senator and in particular look back at his activities on the Intelligence committee and then see if "at least he noticed it now" seems to be a good way to imply that this life-long Democrat has in some way failed us in the past.

I feel if you are going to correct someone, then you should at least include some links to help them along. Correct?

For the OP:

Source: Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Rockefeller)
<i>John Davison Rockefeller IV (born June 18, 1937), generally known as Jay Rockefeller, has served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from West Virginia since 1985. He was Governor of West Virginia from 1977 to 1985. As a great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, he is the only current politician of the prominent six-generation Rockefeller family and the only Democrat in what has been traditionally a staunchly Republican dynasty.<1> </i>

It's probably no wonder they don't want anyone looking over their collective shoulder. But the people deserve to know what's being done in their name and with their money. The GOP has declared its first loyalty is to politics, and not to America. These traitors deserve to be turned out of office, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

are you really shocked by the WH's behavior in this matter. This is how they have operated since day 1, hell even before day one of this national nightmare! Why should you be shocked. Don't you realize that a crime family is running the WH these days?

Where have you been for the last seven years, senator?

playing pinochle in the cloakroom?

edit:

ha! spellck changed it to pinnacle..thanks-

Gee: more outrage from a Democratic senator against the Bush administration--oh THAT will make em shake in their boots all right.
So whatcha going to do about it, Rocky? Write a letter?

List of Roadblocks the Senate GOP has Put Up re: Iraq Investigations

Intel Coverup Timeline

'...asleep at the wheel..." is an incorrect and uninformed assessment. Jay has been doing what he could but has been ruthlessly shut out by the Bush league lapdog GOP Senate until 3 months ago. Your desire for immediate gratification is not a realistic expectation. What was he supposed to do with this legislation, personally suspend Senate rules on cloture?

and he could have been lobbying the rest of his senate colleagues to do likewise.

called for in June 2005.

10 Dems overall signed the letter of inquiry. Only ONE Intel Dem signed it - Corzine.

Is there another side to the story of which you are aware? Gotta link?

was given for it.

On Letterman's show, Dave asked Bill Clinton pointblank about the Downing Street Memos and Bill claimed he never heard of them - this was about 4-6 weeks after the DSM story broke and AFTER the senate letter of inquiry, so it is hard to believe that statement.

Why? We have never been given a real answer, but my conclusion would be because the media was giving Bush a pass on it to cover up their own neglect, so the senate Dems felt no pressure to make it an issue.

Here's the media climate on the DSM at the time:
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2556

Mayhaps I shall research the issue as you seem to have done. I confess to have been caught cold on this one.

Lasher

and through congress.

I am just proud to have been part of such a concerted effort that actually gained us some significant traction, as most newsmedia tried to pass over DSM quickly in the first few days.

After all, he was with the 'Minority Party".

One of two things went on here:

1) He's a complete moron, and should be booted out of office for being such a dumbass
2) He was enjoying the ride and now wants off, and should be booted out of office for being a dumbass

If he doesn't know how to get the job done, he's just taking up space.

...then demand that Bush sign the legislation in a show of "party loyalty"?

Inquiring minds would like to know!

Maybe their offices were bugged by NSA? Maybe they've been threatened with Anthrax? Maybe they've been told the RNC will DESTROY them? Who the hell knows why they continue to follow this psycho down his DESTRUCTIVE path? They're a bunch of yellow-bellied chickenhawks who can't even stand up for what's the best for this country. They are so finished come November 2008.

This tactic is clear: Block legislation in the Senate so Junior doesn't have to veto it. That way he might appear as so above all this partisan bickering and ready to cooperate for the good of the nation (Hums Marine Corps Hymn in the background).

Joe Sixpack will glaze over when he hears the term 'cloture' and wonder why Senate Democrats didn't pass the legislation if they think it's such a good idea. After all, they have the majority, don't they? How could that be Junior's fault?

What a novel idea.

It is items like this that indicate to me that Bushco has become quite desperate and that only enhances my anxiety regarding Bushco's intentions regarding Iran.

I too believe that November 2008 will not be politically kind to Rebublicans.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he supported blocking a vote on the measure because Democrats have displayed a pattern of shutting Republicans out of the legislative process by limiting debate.

``Republicans take no joy in this, but we'll continue to do it until we're heard,'' said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican.

The House last year passed an intelligence spending proposal without the disclosure requirements for funding and secret prisons. The House Intelligence Committee is working on a spending proposal measure for fiscal year 2008, said Kira Maas, a spokeswoman for the panel's chairman, Representative Silvestre Reyes, a Texas Democrat.

Limiting debate? Don't think so! Even if it were true, that's a hell of a lot better than shutting the doors to Democrats like they the Cons did.

I wonder what resistance Rockefeller's getting on Phase II. That was supposed to be a primary objective for the Committee with the Dems coming into the Majority. The lies that Roberts had told and having to publicly face his complete lack of oversight were part of his reason for leaving the Committee. The crap the Minority is shilling at the WH bidding might just push Bond too far.

the wingnut base will never sway but all those others who want truth and real leadership are going to jump ship come '08............

the wingnut base will never sway but all those others who want truth and real leadership are going to jump ship come '08............

separate impeachment charges on each of them. Then force the "loyal Bushies" to acquit him over and over again until the people are so outraged they will never ever vote GOP again.

he was shown which he was forbidden to discuss. He was infuriated. Also he and other dems pushed, but Roberts was massive in defense of everything PUG. He kept saying he would investigate the WH and the war, but he never would. Porter prevaricated, stalled and slimed for 6 years at least.

Should someone leak it, what happens to them?

Gitmo? Or what?

regarding the domestic wiretapping.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/rock-cheney1.html

It's handwritten. He couldn't even dictate it to his secretary. It's dated July 17, 2003.

19 Senators (including Johnson, of course) didn't vote

what did 'not voting' represent?

"Senator Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican, led opposition to the legislation, which he said would compromise national security. In a 41-40 vote, the measure's opponents prevented its supporters from mustering the backing from at least 60 senators needed to limit debate and bring the measure to a vote."

``The word is out that the Republicans are not going to support'' a vote ``on this most important bill,'' said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, before the vote. ``That's beyond my ability to comprehend why the Republicans would stop us from moving forward.''



Question: On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on S. 372 )

Vote Number: 130 Vote Date: April 16, 2007, 05:32 PM

Required For Majority: 3/5

Vote Result: Cloture Motion Rejected

Measure Number: S. 372 (Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 )

Measure Title: An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

Vote Counts:
YEAs 41
NAYs 40
Not Voting 19

Not Voting
`````````
Biden (D-DE)
Brownback (R-KS)
Cochran (R-MS)
Craig (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dodd (D-CT)
Ensign (R-NV)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Harkin (D-IA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
Nelson (D-FL)
Obama (D-IL)
Roberts (R-KS)

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00130

Most in Congress are fully aware of those crimes. The problem is that most will not do anything about it.

There is 6 years worth of evidence to impeach these criminals and you're still wondering whether or not to do it?

Spare me the hot air.

As my father used to say....shit or get off the pot.

You're late to the party. How about impeaching the prick now?

there that thought that America was up for sale. And the punishment should be swift and severe or else they'll mistake that message for "We may be bought, but not cheaply."

Begin the impeachment process, NOW!

Make the BushCo supporters stand on deck in the BushCo sinking ship.