Thank you, Democrats, for finally getting it

[mudesi]

This all night marathon in the Senate will probably fail. They don't have the votes (probably), and the Republicans will spin it as a political "stunt", Sean Hannity will whine about it, Bill O'Reilly will explode over it, and perhaps even some DUers will post and complain about it. Why bother? "They don't have the votes!"

But you know what I saw when I turned on my TV this morning? MSNBC talking about the Iraq war. CNN talking about the Iraq war. Fox News, even, talking about the Iraq war. No missing blond girls or car chases or "news" about Lindsay Lohan's alcohol detecting bracelet today. Just like Cindy Sheehan made CNN's Kiran Chetry utter the words "President Bush" and "impeachment" in the same sentence a little over a week ago, the Democrats have brought the dimming spotlight on Iraq back to full brightness.

That, my friends, is what it's all about. When the Democrats caved in last time, I, and several others, were extremely disappointed. I certainly hope they learned their lesson. Pass a bill and send it to the president. If he vetoes it, send it again. If he vetoes it, send it again, if he vetoes it, send it again. And again. And again. And again.

Similarly, the time has come to introduce articles of impeachment against the president and the vice president for high crimes and misdemeanors. Do they have the votes? No. But that's not the point. It's about fighting for what is right, no matter how hopeless, no matter how much adversity, no matter how loud the Republicans' latest temper tantrum is. It's about using the media to put your message on the airwaves. I believe Michael Moore recently gave us a fine example of how to accomplish that successfully. I'm glad the Democrats are finally doing it. Let us hope they continue.

[Toots]

1. It's about fighting for what is right, no matter how hopeless,

Sorry but that is "off the table" IMO there is nothing to be so proud about. All this is is a political stunt that is destined to fail. Everyone knows Bush* will veto it even if it were to somehow pass. They need the same number of votes to override a Bush* veto as they do to remove him from office. They only need a simple majority to Impeach the bastards though. They say they have too many other priorities to waste time trying to Impeach. Do they think we are brain dead. What can they possibly get accomplished as long as Bush*/Cheney are still there to stop them? If they truly want to capture the Public's attention an Impeachment Trial is the very thing that will do it. Bring out the fact and let the Public decide..Let the Public apply the pressure on the Republicans..

[Dhalgren]

2. Good post. K&R...

[ulysses]

3. agreed, kicked and recommended.

:thumbsup:

[porphyrian]

4. Kucinich has already introduced the document to impeach Cheney - H.Res. 333

All they have to do is read it and vote.

[John Q. Citizen]

6. Yes, vote to hold impeachment hearings that will be covered by the networks as they

and the Dems can lay out the case for impeachment thoroughly, concisely, for the American public.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

5. I'm Proud Of 'Em. My Only Mild Disappointment So Far Is That They're Not Screaming The 'Stunt' Meme

back in their faces enough. If I could have their ears, I'd tell them to pound the stunt meme over and over and over, and even more loudly, about the republican tactics of requiring 60 votes. Pulling that for this legislation is the stunt, not the Dems requiring the all nighter. I wish that point was being made more repeatedly.

But other than that detail, I'm really proud not only of their action here, but also of their words on the floor. So many of their speeches have been amazing.

[unhappycamper]

7. The 'We don't have the votes' did not cut it the last time.

I'm glad Reid decided to go the distance. It's important that discussion about the occupation (repukes still call it a war) takes place all over the country. It's important that this discussion continues until we get the fuck out of Iraq.

I completely agree with you: If * vetoes, send the same goddammed bill again. And again. And again. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

[Bitwit1234]

8. One someone just reposted yep the democrats have to

fight for what is right. Even if they don't get the votes they should cry it from the top of the capital dome. THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT FOR THE TROOPS, THEY ARE NOT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEY SUPPORT THE EGOMANIAC BUSH. They want the war to keep going to line their pockets. The democrats have to get on TV and shout it, they should give interviews to the newspapers. Even if they aren't all published some will get thru. THEY ALSO MUST SHOW UP THE MSM to being republicans shills.

[jean]

9. the All-Night Debate was Air America's idea - take a look at this account - - -

http://www.airamerica.com/node/4476

excerpt (short version):

Tonight's All-Night Senate Iraq Debate: Air America's Idea
By Nancy Scola on July 17, 2007 - 6:58pm

What you're seeing on Capitol Hill tonight was Air America's doing. Okay, maybe that's overstating it a bit. Harry Reid's decision to keep the Senate in session overnight for a marathon 30 hour session comes after months of collective organizing and agitating. Progressives from all over the place have been pushing for Democrats on the Hill to make clear to the world that it has been Republicans that have been using just the threat of filibuster to block up-or-down votes on Iraq, spending, and more.

So, in truth, if it was anybody's doing other than Reid's, then it was the progressive communities doing. But Air America and in particular The Young Turks did have a role in the production.

Short version: Young Turks host Cenk Uygur has been pushing for the Senate to force the Republicans to actually, physically, filibuster -- you know, stand up and talk for hours on end, read from the telephone book, that kind of filibuster. (Not the gentlemen's filibuster that the Senate has been using of late, we're one side says "I think might like to filibuster" and the other side says "very well.")

When midwestern middle-of-the-road Senator Kent Conrad went on the Young Turks last week and suggested that the Democratic caucus might be ready to give that a try, it unleashed a flurry of interest in and advocacy on behalf of the idea. And then yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he'd indeed be keeping the Senate in all night to debate the Levin-Reed amendment on Iraq.

[pberq]

10. Cool. So if it was Air America's idea, then it's time to use another one:

Inherent Contempt - we've heard from several legal scholars on Air America and Keith Olberman - use inherent contempt to bring Harriet Miers to trial in the House.

[frogcycle]

13. well, Air America may have said it

but I (and others) have been posting it here and elsewhere for months

"screw cloture, call their bluff" comes to mind.

[Fly by night]

11. It's about honoring the Constitution or hastening another civil war.

The rule of law or the law of the jungle -- it's up to our leaders to choose.

Fortunately, if it's the latter, chickenhawks make good cannon fodder. Better them than any more American kids who really love what this country is supposed to stand for.

[lonestarnot]

12. The allnighter demonstrated that the pugs are obstructionist serial killing 10 bil a month spenders

on the war of lies so bushitler can continue his crusade.

[jedicord]

14. Yes, and Obama finally said it - or at least Americans finally heard it.

(to paraphrase) "We're fighting the wrong war, in the wrong place - the terrorists are in Pakistan and Afghanistan."

On national tee vee!:headbang:

[Javaman]

15. So if they knew they didn't have the votes for this one, what's preventing them

From starting the impeachment process???????????????

[mudesi]

16. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. (nm)

[wiggs]

17. This one wasn't off the table. Impeachment is off the table. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

18. I agree with you, LS

I am proud of the way the Democrats stood up and spoke the truth. Maybe they are finally listening to us, maybe they really will work for us this time. Somebody once talked about government of the people, by the people, for the people. WE are the people. They should be working for us -- not for corporations, big oil, the war industry. It's time for a change.