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lonestar2004
Live to party,work to affordit.
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Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session
#4879814 - 11/01/05 01:56 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session Tuesday, November 01, 2005 By Sharon Kehnemui Liss
WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Senate prepared to go into closed session Tuesday after Democrats enacted a rare parliamentary rule forcing the shutdown of the chamber so senators could speak in a classified session about the lead-up to the war in Iraq.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (search) demanded the chamber be closed so they could hold a secret session that they say was prompted by "misinformation and disinformation" given by President Bush and his administration prior to entry into the war in Iraq.
In calling for the closed session, Reid of Nevada added that the decision was also prompted by the recent indictment of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby (search), Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, on five counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements in the investigation into the leak of a CIA operative's identity.
"The Libby indictment provides a window into what this is really about: How the administration manufactured and manipulated intelligence in order to sell the war in Iraq and attempted to destroy those who dared to challenge its actions," Reid said. "As a result of its improper conduct, a cloud now hangs over this administration."
Libby was not indicted for revealing operative Valerie Plame Wilson's (search) name, but for not being forthcoming about where he learned her name and whom he told. The investigation is ongoing, however, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald told reporters last week.
Republicans, who were clearly caught off-guard by the maneuver, called the move "gutter" politics. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (search) of Tennessee said the chamber was "hijacked" by Democrats.
"Once again, it shows the Democrats use scare tactics. They have no conviction. They have no principles. They have no ideas," Frist said. "But this is the ultimate. Since I've been majority leader, I'll have to say, not with the previous Democratic leader or the current Democratic leader have ever I been slapped in the face with such an affront to the leadership of this grand institution."
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Democrat Jay Rockefeller said Democrats were promised by committee chairman Pat Roberts that oversight would be conducted on the war, but nothing has been done yet.
Durbin said Democrats want to discuss launching "phase two" of a committee investigation into whether Bush and the administration misused data to justify war in Iraq.
"The purpose of this closed session in the Senate chamber is to finally give the truth to at least the members of the Senate, to finally call to task the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee," said House Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois.
A closed session is called when any senator demands one and a second motion is made. No vote is taken on whether to close the session. The last time a closed session was held was 25 years ago, Rockefeller said.
Republican Sen. Trent Lott, the former majority leader, said that the rule had been invoked two or three times under his tenure as majority leader, but only after a pre-arranged, negotiated discussion.
"This is not the way it has been done," Lott said. "We would never surprise each other ... This is very unfortunate for the Senate. It's not to say there isn't important information to be discussed ... but I'm astounded by this."
During the closed session, the chamber was shut to cameras, a security sweep was performed, and then Reid introduced a resolution calling for the launch of "phase two" of the intelligence committee's investigation.
"It is within the power of the majority to close down the closed session. They can do it by majority vote to return to the legislative calendar," Durbin said. "We're serving notice on them at this moment: be prepared for this motion every day until you face the reality. The Senate Intelligence Committee has a responsibility."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,174187,00.html
The Democratic Party is collapsing.
-------------------- America's debt problem is a "sign of leadership failure" We have "reckless fiscal policies" America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better Barack Obama
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Divided_Sky
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: lonestar2004]
#4879876 - 11/01/05 02:20 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Well I guess I'll be voting Republican next election. Not that I like Republicans at all but I can't stand those little impish self absorbed bastards known as Democrats. They have no principle, no civility and are motivated only by political opportunism. They smelled blood in the water and like a bunch vultures went desperately looking for a corpse. I'm willing to vote for the other side just because I detest those spineless Democrats that much.
No doubt they will be equally childish and fillabuster Alito, who is probobly our best hope to end prohibition and government interference in individual liberties.
-------------------- 1. "After an hour I wasn't feeling anything so I decided to take another..." 2. "We were feeling pretty good so we decided to smoke a few bowls..." 3. "I had to be real quiet because my parents were asleep upstairs..."
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lonestar2004
Live to party,work to affordit.
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4879904 - 11/01/05 02:28 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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this will backfire on them.
-------------------- America's debt problem is a "sign of leadership failure" We have "reckless fiscal policies" America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better Barack Obama
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Divided_Sky
Ten ThousandThings
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: lonestar2004]
#4879920 - 11/01/05 02:32 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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It will be bad news for somebody. Either Bush and the Republicans will throw down and stop repeating the same evasive lines (be good leaders and statesmen) or the Democrats will capitalize on the President's weakness. I think despite their pathetic motives, Bush's poor performance will bring the Democrats more sympathy unless he actually steps up and calls their bluff.
-------------------- 1. "After an hour I wasn't feeling anything so I decided to take another..." 2. "We were feeling pretty good so we decided to smoke a few bowls..." 3. "I had to be real quiet because my parents were asleep upstairs..."
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lonestar2004
Live to party,work to affordit.
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4879957 - 11/01/05 02:42 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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yes
here is an idea: Frist could adjourn the Senate and then have President Bush recess-appoint Alito.
He can the reconvene the Senate whenever there is legislation to be considered, otherwise it will stand adjourned. There is no debate on a motion to adjourn.
""The United States Senate has been hijacked by the Democratic leadership," said Majority Leader Bill Frist. "They have no convictions, they have no principles, they have no ideas," the Republican leader said.
-------------------- America's debt problem is a "sign of leadership failure" We have "reckless fiscal policies" America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better Barack Obama
Edited by lonestar2004 (11/01/05 02:44 PM)
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Silversoul
Rhizome
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4879967 - 11/01/05 02:45 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Divided_Sky said: They have no principle, no civility and are motivated only by political opportunism.
Ya, and Republicans are totally different.
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Annapurna1
liberal pussy
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4880026 - 11/01/05 03:05 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Alito...is probobly our best hope to end prohibition and government interference in individual liberties.
...
-------------------- "anchor blocks counteract the process of pontiprobation..while omalean globes regulize the pressure"...
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Redstorm
Prince of Bugs
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: lonestar2004]
#4880038 - 11/01/05 03:08 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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All of this sketchy behavior is absolutely childish.
-Dem's filibustering the nomination - childish -Rep's considering the nuclear option - childish -Dem's holding secret sessions - childish
It is painfully obvious that both parties are an absolute fucking joke. I don't understand how anyone can feel loyal to either of these mockeries that call themselves parties.
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looner2
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Annapurna1]
#4880065 - 11/01/05 03:15 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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The democrats are undermining their country in a time of war. They think losing a war is just another day at the political round-table.
I can't believe they would close doors to talk about the start of a war. Who cares about the start of the war? Why didn't they close doors and talk about WINNING the war? That doesn't matter. They are cut from the same mold as the terrorists... using the pain of death as a tool for political leverage.
We need to stop caring about "misinformation" and "WMD's". It really has no bearing on anything at all anymore.
We need to win. We can't lose. That is the bottomline. Do people not see the dire implications if we lose this war? God damnit.
-------------------- I am in love with Acidic_Sloth
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Divided_Sky
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Silversoul]
#4880086 - 11/01/05 03:21 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Paradigm said:
Quote:
Divided_Sky said: They have no principle, no civility and are motivated only by political opportunism.
Ya, and Republicans are totally different.
Republicans are just stupid, complacent and narrow minded. Democrats are pretty much the same except you can add hefty amounts of partisan bullshit, ridiculous statements, spitefulness, assinine behavior and demagoguery.
Remember good ol' Ted Kennedy vs. Timothy Leary. That is classic Democrat, just like John Kerry who both for and against the war.
-------------------- 1. "After an hour I wasn't feeling anything so I decided to take another..." 2. "We were feeling pretty good so we decided to smoke a few bowls..." 3. "I had to be real quiet because my parents were asleep upstairs..."
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Redstorm
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4880101 - 11/01/05 03:27 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm pretty sure what you just attributed to the Democrats can easily be slapped on the Republicans as well.
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Divided_Sky
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Redstorm]
#4880117 - 11/01/05 03:32 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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I don't know man. I'm a fan of neither, but the Democrats behavior just seems more childish to me. I think it is kind of true, Republicans principles may be pretty stupid, but at least they have some. Look at the judicial issues, Republican judges have been much more libertarian and politicaly nuetral than liberal judges. I think over the last week we saw that conservatives give a shit about other things besides abortion and church, while democrats can't seem to get over litmus tests.
-------------------- 1. "After an hour I wasn't feeling anything so I decided to take another..." 2. "We were feeling pretty good so we decided to smoke a few bowls..." 3. "I had to be real quiet because my parents were asleep upstairs..."
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Redstorm
Prince of Bugs
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4880129 - 11/01/05 03:35 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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There's no such thing as Republican or Democrat judges.
Also, you have to look at who is the minority party in congress. They are the ones who will always act like children. Look at the Republicans during the Clinton era.
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afoaf
CEO DBK?
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: looner2]
#4880134 - 11/01/05 03:36 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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you need to analyze the bullshit that lead up to the iraq war so that we don't find ourselves in this position again.
-------------------- All I know is The Growery is a place where losers who get banned here go.
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Silversoul
Rhizome
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: Divided_Sky]
#4880151 - 11/01/05 03:42 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Divided_Sky said: Republicans are just stupid, complacent and narrow minded. Democrats are pretty much the same except you can add hefty amounts of partisan bullshit, ridiculous statements, spitefulness, assinine behavior and demagoguery.
I see nothing in that statement which describes either party more so than the other. That may as well be a definition of "politician."
Quote:
Remember good ol' Ted Kennedy vs. Timothy Leary. That is classic Democrat, just like John Kerry who both for and against the war.
Do you think that maybe, much like Kerry, he was swayed by early claims of WMD's, but later realized he'd been duped?
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falcon
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: looner2]
#4880242 - 11/01/05 03:57 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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The troops in Iraq and Aghanistan are not at war.
What war are you talking about looner?
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looner2
ABBA fan
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: falcon]
#4880249 - 11/01/05 03:58 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
falcon said: The troops in Iraq and Aghanistan are not at war.
What war are you talking about looner?
Go read a newspaper.
-------------------- I am in love with Acidic_Sloth
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bukkake
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: lonestar2004]
#4880273 - 11/01/05 04:04 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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They want to talk about a lead-up to a war, they supported, two years earlier? Dissolve the party and revoke that ridiculous two-party system.
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TameMe
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: looner2]
#4880287 - 11/01/05 04:07 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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so what you're saying is.....
it doesn't matter who we decide to go to war with and it doesn't matter what the reasons for going to war are...all that matters is once the decision to go to war has been made then the only thing we should think about is winning the war?
and what does winning this war mean anyway? squashing the insurgancy completely?
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falcon
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Re: Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session [Re: looner2]
#4880292 - 11/01/05 04:09 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Nope, and we are not at war. Unless you are talking about some nebulous concept like the "War on Terror".
What war are we ingaged in? You cannot answer the question. Dammit.
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