Is anyone watching/listening to the Sen debate this AM

[TayTay]

On the defense appropriations bill? The Rethug bastards are trying to get cloture passed so that any amendments that actually benefit veterans can't even get debated. (Kerry is trying to re-introduce his bill that would allow families of KIAs to stay in on-base housing for up to a year. Yes, relief for families who have people Killed In Action.)

These bastards are the lowest possible scum. There are at least half a dozen amendments that Dems are trying to introduce to help vets. And the REthugs are slamming them down in order to lick the feet of the Gun Lobby. How disgusting.

[whometense]

1. I started to watch,

but I'm not sure my blood pressure can take it. The sight of Frist did it for me before I even heard a word out of him.

Do you know what's happening with that amendment about torture? I heard * said he'd veto the entire defense bill if it was included. Let's see...pro-torture, and he'll delay defense appropriations to make sure we can exercise our right to torture. Makes sense to me. :sarcasm:

[karynnj]

4. I wonder when Republicans will push back

on anything. I hope the Democrats at least stick together on this.

[karynnj]

2. Didn't Stevens accept this amendment

after Kerry spoke several months ago. This is so obnoxious as it seems like it costs very little (in budget terms) and if there are people saying it would help them though a bad time, this is heartless. Are any of the major veteran organizations helping on this?

I guess Kerry thinks supporting the troops is not done simply by putting a made in China Support the troops magnet on his car.

[Mass]

3. It was in the supplemental - Now Kerry tries to make it permanent.

[karynnj]

5. Thanks

That makes sense. It really seemed to be so little to ask for the families.

[TayTay]

6. The bill was thrown out in committee

That's our Rethug Congress at work. Leave no special interest behind, but nothing for the people who actually are in harm's way. Bastards.

[Mass]

7. They're voting cloture right now

My only regret: why cant the dems call things like they are.

There is ONE reason why the Republicans are calling for cloture: they do not want a vote on the interrogations amendments, that way Bush will not have to veto them.

And Feinsteing voting for cloture. (Edit: she just changed her vote to NO)

[TayTay]

8. and that brace of Nelsons

And Chafee voted Aye. Why can't Rhode Islanders take that bastard out?

[Mass]

9. Conrad as well

However McCain and Graham voted NO.

[TayTay]

10. IT FAILED

I got at least 44 Nays. Yeah.

[Mass]

11. Yes, I heard Collins and Snow vote NO as well.

[TayTay]

13. Feinstein changed her vote to no

There is a God, see, miracles do happen.

[whometense]

14. Wanted to be on the winning side?

God, that pretty slimy of her, isn't it? Not that I'm judging or anything.

[whometense]

12. Wahoo!!!!!

I was thinking that sounded like some of that patented Harry Reid vote-counting.

[TayTay]

15. Too bad the Lautenberg Amendment failed

It's purpose: To stop corporations from financing terrorism

Well, we can't have that now can we. All Dems voted for this, all Rethugs, save for
Ensign (R-NV)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Kyl (R-AZ)
voted against it. It failed 47-51. Damn.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00203

[whometense]

16. That's weird.

That's a pretty wingnutty group there. Voted yes??? Wow. I wonder why.

I don't get what just happened with the defense bill/gun liability??? Obviously, maneuvering, but the strategy is going right over my head.

[TayTay]

17. The Rethugs promised the Gun Lobby they would

pass their bill this week before they all went on vacation. Those pesky Democrats want a defense appropriations bills before a Gun Lobby Wingnut bill.

The Defense Bill cloture FAILED. So the Senate can still accept amendments to that bill and debate it until they just can't stand it anymore. However, if the Gun Lobby Wingnut bill DOES get cloture, then it becomes prime because the Senate has just shut off debate on it after 30 hours.

So, the Dems are trying to trap the Rethugs into agreeing that the Gun Lobby Bill is more important to them than a bill that deals with our National Defense. And the Rethugs want the Dems on record, again, as against the 2nd Amendment so they can take the vote to Wingnut-ville and dance around the open campfires of nuttiness with it.

Clear?

[whometense]

19. Got it.

Thanks. Not to sound ignorant, but what does absolving gun manufacturers form liability have to do with the 2nd amendment. Nevermind. Silly question.

[Mass]

18. This is a way to avoid voting on the amendments that deal

with interrogation techniques.

[whometense]

20. It's actually kind of astounding

that none of those rethugs (with the exception of those noted above) want to be on record as opposing torture.

[Mass]

22. It is also astounding that Bush would be willing to cast his first veto

on a DOD spending bill because it opposes torture.

[TayTay]

23. What a guy!

Honestly, this Admin is so totally awful that nothing would surprise me anymore. Did you hear Sen. Durbin (the Sweetie) on this on the floor yesterday. He just wants some regulations that everyone can agree on that torture is bad. I can't believe we can't even agree that torture is a bad thing and we might want to think twice before we engage in it.

[sandnsea]

24. He kind of has too

Otherwise he'll be admitting their previous policy on detainees was wrong, and therefore torture, don't you think?

[TayTay]

21. I agree. But they have to at least get them on record now

And the Senate is so screwed now. The Gun Lobby cloture will PASS. So the Senate has to drop the Defense Appropriation bill so it can debate giving the Gun Lobby everything it wants. (And the Gun Lobby opposes measures that would make it harder for terrorists to get firearms in the US. Imagine that.)