A great discussion going on over at Common Dreams re: Taibbi RS article

[DaDooRonRon]

Perhaps some folks might be interested in it, in that it is substantive in nature, as opposed to the insanely childish and void of merit dueling fuck you candidates food fight which is currently happening here.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/09/6945/

(don't mean to hijack, but it IS quite good)

[leftchick]

1. yes it is

<snip>

#
RichM February 9th, 2008 12:44 pm

If anyone wants to see what ignorant looks like — in the flesh, as it were — take a gander at Daniel David’s 12:02 post. DD says that Taibbi ” thinks that if Reid and Pelosi would just trash the military effort in 2008 that it would somehow end the war.”

- Actually, Dan, if EITHER the Senate or House Democrats simply refused to pass a war funding bill, the war would be effectively finished. Period. They can’t fight a war without the funding, and a simple majority of either house is enough to block any appropriation. Before an appropriation is sent to the president, it must be agreed upon (”reconciled”) by BOTH houses of Congress. Thus, a majority in EITHER house could block it, if determined to do so.

The Evilcrats could easily have done this when Bush requested more war funding in the spring of ‘07. They didn’t need to override a veto, or defeat a filibuster, to block the appropriation. They only needed a simple majority of either house — and they had majorities in BOTH.

The Democrats haven’t blocked war appropriations because they’re not really against the war. As Taibbi says, their game is merely making fake grandstanding gestures of “opposition,” without using any of their decisive Congressional power to actually end it.

Another striking aspect of your own personal stupidity, Dan, is revealed by your use of the phrase, “… if Reid and Pelosi would just trash the military effort in 2008…”
- It has nada to do with “trashing the military effort.” It has only to do with opposing an unjust murderous war that’s based on lies, & is destroying the moral fabric of US society.




The truth Hurts.

[scarletwoman]

11. So cool to see our old friend there, isn't it!

He's still writing and arguing brilliantly! Hooray!

:hi: leftchick

:loveya:
sw

[leftchick]

12. Hi sweetie

yes, Rich is still out there fighting the good fight. Thank god!

:loveya:

you rock sweetie!

:)

[SoFlaJet]

2. While I agree with Matt T

about the spinelessness of Reid and Pelosi who I am VERY disappointed in the plain fact of the matter has always been this; There is NO WAY this war was going to end with George W Bush in office and such a slight margin in the senate-sadly we're going to HAVE to wait for a democratic president and a bigger majority in the house and senate-and we're gonna have to get rid of the likes of the Joe LIEberman appeasement...we need a new era and a new senate and hose majority leadership-I suggest Dodd and Wexler

[lies]

3. Taibbi

It's funny how often Maher has to reign him is.... I like him, but he has no perspective.

The real jist of his story is not that Democrats suck, but that they were the only hope to defeat the bastard republicans and instead they played politics...

People are really overblowing this as an attack against liberalism or something, when it's a liberal wishing the people of his party would do what they say they're going to do...

Big surprise, most of us feel that way.

But really, at the end of the day, the problem is the candidates and the voters...

and that shit ain't changing..

You want real change???

Nominate Paul and Kucinich.

Don't nominate the wife of the president and a status quo 50 term senator.

Change is NOT coming.

[SoFlaJet]

4. how about a not yet finished with one term senator?

like Barack Obama? Did you happen to hear his speech last night from Virginia lies? Pretty damn inspiring stuff

[lies]

5. rhetoric is often inspiring

but his record is sketchy..

in many ways he's a foreign policy hawk... sure he might be less willing to pull the trigger, but that's not the same as change...

give me someone that isn't gonna let the weapons dealers own our military...

give me someone that doesn't feel that they have to pander to the religious goofballs to get elected...

Obama is fine and all, the best of a bad lot, but mark my words he is not bringing anything but different rhetoric.

EXAMPLE:


Barack Obama, a leading Democrat candidate in the US presidential race, provoked anger yesterday by threatening to send troops into Pakistan to hunt down terrorists — even without permission from that country’s Government.

Standing in front of a Stars and Stripes flag, Mr Obama said: “There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again . . . If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will.”

[SoFlaJet]

6. so who mare you planning on voting for lies

is the obvious question? It's gonna either be Obama or Clinton or McCain-I mean why even waste your time writing in someone who although may meet your decree-hasn't a snowball's chance in hades of winning

[lies]

9. Obama

Because I will vote and he's the least bad.

I always vote for Kucinich when I can, and always will I guess...

Obama is, by far, the best bet, imo.

[stillcool]

7. Thanks...I need a change..

in perspective... :toast:

[DaDooRonRon]

8. There are several good sites out there

Some you can find about from here, some not.

I like both kinds. :)

[scarletwoman]

10. Love the discussion there! Thanks for bringing it to notice.

I especially love seeing that one of my absolutely very favorite oldtime-now ex-DUers is posting there! What a treat!

:woohoo:
sw

[DaDooRonRon]

13. Man, can RichM lay it out or what???? n/t

[scarletwoman]

14. He's awesome, always has been. I've been utterly in love with him from the 1st time I came upon one

of his posts on DU, back in late 2001.

I've never made a habit of reading comment threads at Common Dreams, but if Rich is posting there, I'll have to check them out more often.

Thank you again!
sw