Families of fallen soldiers had to go down to the basement

[eleny]

I'm just now watching the rerun of the DSM hearing on C-Span2. And it hit me that in denying the House members a room to talk to their invitees, those SOB Republicans forced the families of lost soldiers to a basement. The Republicans deserve to have their yellow ribbons shoved up their asses so deep that they can taste them.

[ailsagirl]

1. It must be unbearable-- and the DOD refusing to provide details

The things that are going on in this so-called administration are absolutely appalling. I'm running out of adjectives that truly describe their evil ways. WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO WAKE UP??????

Tonight I went on a walk and noticed three houses in a row, each displaying the flag. I don't even know what it means anymore.

I also passed a little car just plastered with bumper stickers-- one looked very familiar: Kerry/Edwards 2004

:patriot:

[AmBlue]

3. Yep, tonight my kids wanted 4th of July flip-flops

The left shoe navy blue with white stars and the right red and white stripes. I actually hesitated to buy them. I really had to stop and think about it, actually think about whether I could buy them. The realization that I hesitated because of a profound sense of shame and sadness that I feel for what is being done in our--no MY-- name is just devastating. They wanted them so badly-- their patriotism still yet untainted-- I gave in and bought them. They were cheap enough. But I pondered that feeling for a long time after.

I sure hope something happens soon that can make the shame go away. But I'm really not holding my breath.

[Clark2008]

6. Actually, wearing the flag, unless you're military or emergency services

or, gasp, president, is against the flag code. Using the flag in advertising is against the flag code. Heck, using it for celebrations other than as a flag is against the flag code.

I always tell my son that it's dishonoring the flag to wear it until you earn the right to.

However, he's smart and says, "Bush wears it and he didn't earn it."

*sigh* He's correct, you know.

[AmBlue]

11. These are not American flags...

...just motifs that suggest the American flag, kinda like 4th of July bunting. Not actually the flag, but using R, W & B stars and stripes in a different configuration.

Smart son you got. Sounds a lot like mine!!

[misanthrope]

33. Technically, it's still against...

...the flag code. That's what has always killed me about jingoists out there who are so adamant about their patriotism: they will put their flag outside the house every chance they get to let every know how uber-American they are, but then they leave it hanging up at night and in inclement weather. Or they yell like hell when flags are burned (and the right to do so is upheld), but they'll turn around and eat baked beans off a paper plate emblazoned with the stars & stripes at a Fourth of July picnic.

[ailsagirl]

35. Some guy who lives nearby has a HUGE flag covering his

entire garage door!! Honestly... makes me want to barf.

Of course I don't know for certain it's a * supporter but I'd be willing to bet it is. :crazy:

[misanthrope]

41. It doesn't matter who he supports...

...he's still disrespecting the flag.

[Pharlo]

37. Bet this individual never heard of the flag code ---

I live in rural Wisconsin, and I'm driving to work one morning. I see a semi coming towards me (two-lane backroads) and from a distance, I notice something odd about the grill. As we come closer, I notice the truck has an opaque grill with the American Flag imposed on it. I thought nothing of this until we had passed, and I realized the truck was hauling liquid fertilizer (the odor is not mistakable).

I suppose nothing says "I love my country" like using the US Flag to haul shit.

[lostnfound]

20. Made in China, too, no doubt.

I know the feeling. My kid's school gives him a free flag shirt every year.

[Virginian]

34. At a 4th of July parade last year, a politician was passing out flag magne

flag magnets. They were about an inch high, just little flag magnets. In the center of them, written in black ink on a white stripe was the word "China." Gee, could there be some symbolizm there? We are so in debt to China that they own us and our flag.

[Hugin]

21. It'll get better.

I'm still patriotic... I'm proud of the things I've done
for my country and I'm not about to let those bastards
bastardize it.

Same goes for religion.

I used to think patriotism was wrong... Due to the fact
it's not an individual's choice which country they are
born into.

I've recently decided that's not quite correct. There
are many many Americans who've spent their lives making
this a great country. It's selling *them* short not to
respect their toils and to not add my own.

We have a vision... Let's make it happen!

I hope your children wear their flip-flops with pride!

[AmBlue]

22. Thanks, Prag

I do feel hopeful sometimes, but geesh!!! They've hijacked my religion, they've made a mockery of all the heros that have given heart and soul-- and blood and guts-- for the love of America. They all but piss on the graves of the young men and women who, with all good intentions, signed up for military duty. Hell, they won't even give our dead a decent homecoming! They shit on our vets by cutting benefits and not making sure our soldiers are fully and adequately re-acclimated--physically and mentally-- back to their old lives when they get home. And, as we all know, my little tirade here barely scratches the surface!! How many ways can they rape and pillage America before this whole freaking country gets hopping mad?????

I worry about the world my boys will have to live in when these cretins are done with it. But believe it or not, I do feel hopeful sometimes... I do. Mostly because of what I know and learn from reading here. I'm so grateful for this place.

[Lars39]

2. A *small* basement room at that.

It was a disgraceful show of raw hubris.

[fla nocount]

4. I never registered the irony or dichotomy. Thanks, can I use that? n't

[eleny]

7. Sure!

[emlev]

5. Yeah, they're the *new* "democratic underground"

but I think it'll look just great in the history books. It makes a powerful point about how things are.

[Cleita]

8. How about the fact that the Pentagon refuses requests to

meet with the same families of killed soldiers to answer some questions.

[slor]

9. You know...you have made a good point...

I was caught up in the big picture, the impeachment of the chimp, to have noticed the utter disrespect, on so many levels, that the rethugs forced upon these families. Maybe everyone should point THAT out to dana milbank, and his shameful report on those hearings. And please tell him that he is a "rancid tub of ignorance".

[ngGale]

10. This is the best topic to place my 1000 th post about...

I taped the hearing, but watched it because it caught my eye. The tiny room stuffed in a basement. The basement in the cradle of our so called democracy. Very small, being shut out of every available room by our present administration. The lack of respect was overwhelming and I couldn't stop watching. Joe Wilson - sitting there giving testimony and also respect to his wife. We will never forget her name, Valerie Plame - our WMD expert. A woman who knew A.Q. Kahn's network - our national security, sold out because her husband told the truth. Keeping us safe, what a joke!

The parent's of fallen soldiers who can't even get an appointment to discuss their lost children. A man from the UK who lost his son, thanking Mr. Conyers for having the hearing. The blood of our children is on the hands of both Bush and Blair. And they don't have enough respect to give them a decent place to tell their story.

The parts that made me cry was the parent's who lost their children searching in Iraq for those non-existent WMD's. That is ironic, isn't it? Getting killed in action searching for something that this administration knew wasn't there to begin with.

I'm not sure how they live with themselves. But, hell couldn't possibly be hot enough for them.

Like one mom said during the hearing, this situation defies language.
So, I'm going to stop before I have to resort to profanity myself.

Peace

[AmBlue]

13. Congrats on your 1000th post!!

And you're exactly right. I felt the same way watching it. That the Repukes didn't want them to have ANY room at all, that the Repukes scheduled an unprecedented 11 votes on the house floor obviously to impede or prevent the meeting from happening, watching the dedication and passion of our very finest congressmen and women, Joe Wilson, Cindy Sheehan, all standing up to speak the truth in that crowded, little room. It was all just about unbelievable. I don't know how Bush and all the rest of them sleep at night.

As sad as this whole state of affairs is, I'm so proud to be on the side we are on. Aren't you? I know in the end, somehow, truth in America will prevail. By whatever contorted or twisted path it finds its way out, I believe in this. And it will be because of the good efforts of people like John Conyers and people here at DU.

NGU :patriot:

[eleny]

27. You point out the most horrible irony

"Getting killed in action searching for something that this administration knew wasn't there to begin with."

And the wingnuts are going crazy over Dick Durbin's "gulag" comparisons? Your point illustrates almost the worst sin of all. This administration is nothing but a collective of sociopaths - no conscience whatsoever.:cry:

Congratulations on a really strong 1000th posting.

[ngGale]

32. The irony of being killed searching for WMD's...

this fact alone should be an impeachable offense. It's a perfect example of pre-mediated murder, IMHO. Not that the war is not, but this is especially egregious. :cry:

Thanks for the congrats, from both above posters.

[me b zola]

38. Add to that horrible irony

In light of the DSM, reflect on the hubris of Rumdum's flippant remarks to the soldier who asked why they had to search for scrap metal to armor themselves:

"We go to war with the Army we have, not the Army we want" The DSM certainly makes this putrid remark even more egregious :grr:

Just the other day a couple of soldiers died riding in an UNarmored humvee when it hit an IUD. :cry: :grr:



IMPEACH, INDITE, IMPRISON

[Justice]

12. That is the message that needs to be repeated over and over

[AmBlue]

14. You're SO right! I just nominated this...

How 'bout a couple more votes?

[Vinca]

15. The fact that a serious discussion about a war we're engaged in

was relegated to a small, basement room speaks volumes about the party in control of Congress. They really are involved in a cover up.

[nuxvomica]

16. Compare to the space allotted Moon's coronation

Remember when Rev. Sun Myung Moon's minions where given a large conference room on the Dirksen office building to coronate Rev. Moon as the Messiah? Pictures and video here:
http://www.iapprovethismessiah.com/2004/05/im-and-i-approve-this-messiah.html

[Rhiannon12866]

29. I sure remember that! I thought that this was just insane! Yikes!

At the time, I thought that all the participants should have been led away in straitjackets! But now I realize that it is just a very arrogant and irresponsible agenda. I'm just so thankful for the leadership of John Conyers and his brave colleagues!:patriot:

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. A caller on Randi Rhodes show yesterday

pointed out that the RW cared more about Terri Schiavo than the soldiers who are dying to support their cause in Iraq. And they should work as hard to save the soldiers' lives as they did to save the life of a brain dead woman who had no chance of recovery.

[cthrumatrix]

19. good point... they care about "POWER"...not Schaivo

[AmBlue]

23. They also care about smokescreen...

and suppression of the truth, which is what I believe my governor Jeb's hand-wringing over what happened to Terry Shiavo 15 yrs ago is all about. They don't want DSM to get out, so * talked brother Jebbie into regurgitating one of their biggest stink-bombs THE DAY AFTER CONYERS' DSM HEARING. Jeb/Schiavo made the front page of the St. Pete Times, but they printed NOT ONE WORD of DSM. :mad:

[izzybeans]

18. One of the dem congresswomen, I forget which one, went so far

to say that republicans in congress are engaged in a cover up. 1) Lock dems out of chambers, move to basement. Check 2) propagandize in the media. check 3) Schedule a record number of important votes to coincide with the hearing. Check.

They are hitting the trifecta aren't they. I really hope that this issue gets pressed in the 2006 election. The white house aren't the only republican group in need of impeachment.

[ROH]

30. Zoe Lofgren (CA)

Zoe Lofgren (CA): Meeting in basement of Congress because rest of Congress are participating in coverup... there is no other way to say it...

http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001471.htm

[izzybeans]

31. Thank you. That's who I was thinking of. She's right on the money

with that one.

[donsu]

24. kick

nt

[mzmolly]

25. Now that's supporting the troops ey?

What an excellent point, I had not considered it. It's outrageous.

[CelticWinter]

26. amazing isnt it

they suffer from selective sight and in this case it was out of sight and out of mind.

[Rhiannon12866]

28. I watched the repeat last night and I had he same reaction.

It's truly, indescribably shameful. It defies words. This arrogant, warmongering administration has lied us into an illegal and unnecessary war in which almost 1700 brave Americans have died, and thousands of others have been maimed for life, and they have just turned their backs on them. They continue to say that their war is "going well." What would constitute not well?! Their now-infamous "mushroom cloud?!" Yikes! What the hell does it take?!
:nuke:

Thanks so much for posting this. I hung on every word of John Conyers' magnificent hearing and have been so wanting to talk about it. But no one else, except my fellow DUers, even watched the damn thing and I have yet to find major coverage of this historic event in the mainstream media! Shameful, indeed.:grr:

[KlatooBNikto]

36. And the idiot Dana Milbank of the WaPo ridicules their sacrifice.

Disgusting and despicable.

[mvd]

39. Republicans = all talk and no action

:grr:

[rustydog]

40. But...if you shove yellow ribbons deep up the repubs asses

their speech will be muffled. It is hard enough trying to understand them.