Since I've been here never seen ANY important issue ignored here like the Iraq debate occurring now

[bigtree]

Is it so far-fetched for me to conclude that there's been more interest here in just bashing Democrats for their failure to translate the Iraq debate into action than there is in helping that process move forward?

I dutifully petitioned my congressfolks (along with DUers) during Court confirmations; on issues as removed as the comatose woman; energy legislation . . . I mistakenly expected the same sort of collective DU tracking effort on this important debate as well.

One thing for certain, this really doesn't seem like the place to solicit support for the present legislative efforts of our Democrats regarding the critical issues related to Iraq. But that Democratic effort is going on right now, with amendments to the Defense authorization bill, and I personally know folks who are spending this time forwarding their appeals to their congresspersons and to the media in support of the collective efforts of our Democratic legislators to end the occupation.

The debate over the host of amendments will be going on for about 2 weeks and is occurring on C-span2 right now.

[cui bono]

1. Didn't you hear? Cindy Sheehan is all the rage right now. n/t

[bigtree]

2. she is a courageous lady

I wish her well

[cui bono]

10. My comment was not about Cindy, it was about the obsession of her in DU. n/t

[seemslikeadream]

3. Isn't funny how that is working?

You'd think it was somehow intentional :shrug:


not on Cindy's part, that is.

[cui bono]

9. I know. All the talk here about how the MSM obsesses over Paris Hilton

and Anna Nicole Smith and yet the same thing happens in here all the time.

[0007]

17. ...all Sheehan is trying to do is fire up the people to act. I'm

sure John Conyers will graciously listen to Cindy, while knowing what the ploy is... :hi:

[seemslikeadream]

19. Luv ya 0007

:hug:

Don't ya just hate this crap?

Waiting for the day it's said someone saw Cindy spitting on a returning vet

[0007]

21. Some days are pretty rough here for sure......

a lot of trolls and just plain nut jobs roaming this site.

Thanks for the hug, I needed that one badly. :loveya:

[w8liftinglady]

4. if you are referring to the webb/hagel amendment,i've already acted...how about the rest of you?

[sandnsea]

5. Impeachment overshadows the real issues

This is exactly what the next year would be like if we brought impeachment proceedings. It would be a non-stop mudslinging match. The Repulicans are praying we impeach. It would be the dumbest thing we could ever do.

We should keep piling on the evidence until they're forced to resign or we've humiliated them so badly we can pick up even more seats in 2008.

[bigtree]

12. as long as we keep the issues which matter on top of our debate

we'll make progress toward the accountability we all seek; even toward impeachment if we don't allow ourselves to be diverted and divided. I believe in supporting our Democratic legislators because they represent the only effective opposition we have NOW to Bush and his republican enablers.

I agree that folks are overestimating the White House's ability to stand long under pressure; especially since they're guilty as hell. The evidence is there and it will get coughed up, but we need to remember that most prosecutions take time and a dedication to due process. Contempt charges are just a breath away . . .

[flyarm]

6. i have been watching and not posting!!..watching vote now!! eom

maybe others like myself have been watching and not posting while we watch..only reason i even looked here now is because they are voting now!!

when i watch i do not like to post!!

i don't want to miss anything on the floor!!

fly

[churchofreality]

7. Its clear this administration does whateverthefuck they want

Its doesn't matter what we do or what congress does. Until enough repubs come around to override a veto, it's W's way or the highway.

[mrcheerful]

8. Iraq debate? Theres no debate needed as the whole thing is illegal and the debate ended with the

third surge of *.

[HamdenRice]

11. Iraq?! IRAQ?! I wanna know how Paris is!

Is she getting over her trauma?

[Marrah_G]

13. I've taken to listening to Cspan at work

They really are trying, people just don't watch.

[mmonk]

14. Bills = nowhere.

It's all politics for 08.

[bigtree]

20. What do you do in '08 when faced with another seemingly intractable balance of power

I'm old enough to know better than to behave like some defeat at the hands of these political opponents represents some unmovable check on my future ability to prevail. They are counting on the type of cynicism in our political system you are expressing. I won't advocate that attitude. I've seen plenty of republican political obstacles knocked down from the Democratic minority as well from the position of the majority. What we need is unified pressure on the republicans, directly, locally, through the press, and through whatever media we can manage to influence or direct.

[malaise]

15. I've been watching on and off n/t

[rainy]

16. Why did Webb vote no?

[rodeodance]

22. i do not know what the amendent was--wherby he voted with 5 nays

[SteveM]

18. Actually, most internet sites are not as yet well-configured to effect political change.

Certainly, you can carry out a blog-lynching (as in the case of Jim Zumbo, hunting editor for Outdoor Life) and any number of lesser luminaries, and you can raise a lot of dough for some pol. But I haven't seen much on the internet which encourages mass or systemic change.

Back in the day, there were storefront political organizations with warm body meetings and sweaty door-to-door walks to sign folks up; hell, there was even the occasional mass demonstration. It's all spike tail, I've been told.

But what do we have now?

"If a man does away with his traditional way of living and throws away his good customs, he had better first make certain that he has something of value to replace them." Basuto proverb from SOMETHING OF VALUE, Robert Ruark, Doubleday, 1955.

[rodeodance]

23. Pelosi is speaking on House floor NOW--4:10 pm CT

[bigtree]

24. dust-up

going on right now