WASHINGTON – Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) announced today a new, live, online show – “Senate Doctors” – broadcasting here every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The first show will air Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) – an orthopedic trauma surgeon and former President of the Wyoming Medical Society – and Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) – a family practice physician specializing in obstetrics – will be regular hosts, with guests making appearances. The show will focus on policy discussions, with constituents sharing their questions, stories, concerns, and comments about health care proposals being debated in Congress.
Senate Doctors are looking for your questions on healthcare. Click HERE to submit your questions to the Senators.
Send your gas receipts to Sen. Jim Inhof!
WASHINGTON, DC – House Republicans today sent a letter to every member of the Democratic caucus requesting they join Republicans and the American people in calling for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reconvene the House of Representatives and pass a comprehensive, “all of the above” energy plan.
“If you agree that Congress should not be taking a five-week vacation until we address the energy crisis, will you join us in publicly calling on Speaker Pelosi to reconvene the House and allow a vote on increasing American-made energy,” the entire Republican leadership said in the letter.
Many of the constituents in Rep. Scott Garrett's Northern New Jersey district commute to nearby New York City every day, so when the price of gas jumped to $4 per gallon, he heard about it.
Calls from constituents were so overwhelming, in fact, that his office established an e-mail address (PainAtThePump@mail.house.gov) for people to share their comments. Garrett, who returned to Capitol Hill today, told me he wanted to hear from constituents who changed their lifestyles in order to cut back on driving.
$10, $20, $30 per gallon of Gas...
Via House Republican Leader John Boehner:
Washington, Aug 3 - House Republicans will be back on the floor of theU.S. House of Representatives again Monday to continue the unprecedented protest that began last Friday, when dozens of Republicans joined hundreds of American citizens on the House floor to protest Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) decision to send Congress home for the rest of the summer without a vote on legislation to lower gas prices and move America toward energy independence.
In an urgent memo sent to GOP Members and staff Saturday (“A Call to Action onAmerican Energy”), Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) hailed Friday’s action, which was led by Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Tom Price (R-GA), and others, and encouraged House Republicans to return to the Capitol beginning Monday morning to help keep the historic effort going.
“It’s not a request we make lightly. But the American people are suffering,” Boehner and Blunt said in the memo. “The consequences of continued congressional inaction on gas prices are unacceptable. We’ve called on the Speaker to call Congress back into an emergency session this month and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. We must continue to make a stand until the Speaker complies.”
“We realize not everyone can be in Washington next week. But if you can be, we ask that you come to the Capitol, join our colleagues, and lend your voice, beginning this Monday at 10:00 am,” the GOP leaders wrote. “If you can’t be in Washington, we ask that you contribute to the cause in other ways – such as spreading the word among your constituents, writing an op-ed for your local newspaper, or taking our ‘all of the above’ energy message to your local airwaves.”
“Republicans stand with the American people. We share their passion and determination for energy independence, and we’ve pledged to fight boldly until Congress heeds their will,” Boehner and Blunt concluded.
The Democrat controlled Congress has broken into the SINGLE digit approval rating according to the latest Rasmussen Report on Congressional Performance.
The percentage of voters who give Congress good or excellent ratings has fallen to single digits for the first time in Rasmussen Reports tracking history. This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category.
As usual the peace folk salivated too quickly:
The Iraqi proposal stipulates that, once Iraqi forces have resumed security responsibility in all 18 of Iraq’s provinces, U.S.-led forces would then withdraw from all cities in the country. After that, the country’s security situation would be reviewed every six months, for three to five years, to decide when U.S.-led troops would pull out entirely, al-Adeeb said.
H/T: This Ain't Hell
They stuck pork-barrel spending for peanuts and spinach on a bill meant to fund American troops in harm’s way.
They created slush funds for secret earmarks, attempting to spend billions of taxpayer dollars without transparency.
They jammed “green pork” accounts into the energy tax bill, allowing taxpayer funds to be used to subsidize things like Lexus Hybrids in Beverly Hills and putting copies of Al Gore’s book in children’s classrooms.
They voted to look the other way when the Speaker’s own choice for majority leader broke House rules by threatening a Republican member who dared to challenge an illegitimate earmark.
They stonewalled lobbying reforms that require lobbyists to disclose taxpayer-funded earmarks for which they’re lobbying Congress, repealed Republican reforms requiring earmarks in tax and authorizing to be publicly disclosed and subject to challenge on the House floor, and killed legislation requiring taxpayer-funded state and local government lobbyists from following the congressional gift ban as they lobby for pork.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby's request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself over to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence.
I have said throughout this process that it would not be appropriate to comment or intervene in this case until Mr. Libby's appeals have been exhausted. But with the denial of bail being upheld and incarceration imminent, I believe it is now important to react to that decision.
From the very beginning of the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame's name, I made it clear to the White House staff and anyone serving in my administration that I expected full cooperation with the Justice Department. Dozens of White House staff and administration officials dutifully cooperated.
After the investigation was under way, the Justice Department appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald as a Special Counsel in charge of the case. Mr. Fitzgerald is a highly qualified, professional prosecutor who carried out his responsibilities as charged.
This case has generated significant commentary and debate. Critics of the investigation have argued that a special counsel should not have been appointed, nor should the investigation have been pursued after the Justice Department learned who leaked Ms. Plame's name to columnist Robert Novak. Furthermore, the critics point out that neither Mr. Libby nor anyone else has been charged with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act or the Espionage Act, which were the original subjects of the investigation. Finally, critics say the punishment does not fit the crime: Mr. Libby was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.
Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable. They say that had Mr. Libby only told the truth, he would have never been indicted in the first place.
Both critics and defenders of this investigation have made important points. I have made my own evaluation. In preparing for the decision I am announcing today, I have carefully weighed these arguments and the circumstances surrounding this case.
Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.
I respect the jury's verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.
My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.
The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby's case is an appropriate exercise of this power.
The mainstream Democrats at DU respond:
Edited on Mon Jul-02-07 06:05 PM by autorank
Any Democrat who opposes impeachment after this should be recalled.
This is the beginning of the end of something, don't quite know what but things are going to explode in our corner of the world and, as we who follow public opinion know, DU is pretty mainstream (at least on elections and voting rights issues, Iraq, the environment).
This will be one of the most intense and productive periods in American history. We have three tracks of ultimate truth going:
1) The world is dying - according to mainstream science. We're screwed unless we act in the next few years and then we're still screwed to an extent.
2) We're monsters to each other and allow each other to suffer vis a vis our health care system - Sicko is an indisputable argument proving that.
3) NO ONE can now deny this - Bush is utterly corrupt. Those 26% who still support him will dwindle by 20-30% so it will be only the 18% or so who always support the lunatic right (it was about 14% way back who continued to support McCarthy after he was disgraced thoroughly).
On edit: Not worth the effort to recall them. They just need to be scared into doing the right thing.
dicknbush Mon Jul-02-07 07:09 PM Response to Original message 233. HYE PELOSI...YOU BETTER PUT IMPEACHMENT BACK ON THE TABLE!
IMPEACHMENT IMPEACHMENT. THAT SHOULD BE THE ONLY TOPIC OF DISCUSION FORM NOW ON UNTIL THE END OF THIS TRAVESTY. IMPEACHMENT IMPEACHMENT IMPEACHMNET!!!
ProudDad Mon Jul-02-07 07:36 PM
Response to Original message 275. Cute he does this on July 2
so it can sink into the news hole under all of the patriotic BULLSHIT that's going to flood the MSM for the next 2 days.
Clever...
PISS ON ALL FLAGS!!!!
Throwing Stones Mon Jul-02-07 07:36 PM
Response to Original message 277. FUCK THE FUCKING FUCKERS!
that is all.
kramer Mon Jul-02-07 09:59 PM
Response to Original message 378. I have a workable solution -
Every democrat or progressive in the country let's start it today - refuse to go to the mall shopping until Bush takes back his order.
Absolutely no new purchases!
Watch the economy and the stock market going down.
It will work in just a few months.
Everybody, do you hear me?
46 to 53 Immigration bill goes down in defeatIt is to my great shame as an American and Democrat to witness this Senator abandon our soldiers and the citizens of Iraq. Senator Reid's ill measured comments signal to the world and more importantly to terrorists that America can be beaten without much effort. It sends a clear message to the Iraqis and oppressed civilians worldwide that America will not support your struggle to end tyranny and foment democracy. The last time the Senate acted in such a manner, over 3 million people died. The US cut and ran from Southeast Asia without a surrender plan, and in our wake, millions were put to death. If the words of Senator Reid become reality, I have no doubt that the world will witness a return of the ‘killing fields’ in Iraq.
Adding insult to injury, Democratic senators have put forth a bill that will be felt most keenly by our troops in Iraq. These valiant men and women will begin to run short of ammunition, armor, replacement parts and vehicles, food and medical supplies. It will become more difficult to replace the wounded and rotate troops out of combat. The terrorists, whom our soldiers defeat daily and burdened no such hardships, will have increased opportunity to kill civilians and soldiers with impunity.
The actions of Senator Reid and the DNC controlled Congress reveal an indifference to how many innocent people are butchered as they claim “concern" for US soldiers. The cost of the liberation of Iraq has been held as a reason for ending this war. Does the cost of surrender include $74 million for peanut storage, $252 million for dairy interests, and $25 million for spinach? Just because one loses a battle, doesn't mean the War is lost! If Senators such as Harry Reid were in charge of WWII, we definitely would have lost the war before we had a chance to win it!
Give troop surge a chance, it's only been in effect for a few months. It's too early to quit and run! There are approximately 30M Iraqis and approximately 300M Americans, we can win this war by the numbers, not to mention we have a higher kill-ratio than the insurgents.
Congress has the power to declare war on another country, but our President is the one who decides to end it – NOT CONGRESS - NOT SENATOR REID. Our President has indicated that when the Iraqis can stand up, we will stand down. Once the Iraqis have enough training that they can defend their own country, we can pull out. Giving the President and the troops all the support in both funding and words would truly end the war, not just because congress said so, but with victory.
Victory is what American’s want, not repeats of a sunny day in September. On the anniversary of the liberation of Iraq, an organization called the Gathering of Eagles, organized tens of thousands of American citizens to counter the message of defeat broadcast during the Anti War/ Anti America demonstrations.
Were you listening?
Sincerely Yours,
Skye
Democrat AND Voter
BAGHDAD — Iraqi troops have passed a key test by showing up at 70 percent strength or better for President Bush's "surge" in Baghdad, a senior U.S. general said.
"This movement of these three brigades and two separate battalions into Baghdad to our way of looking at it has gone very well," Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, said in an interview.
"We've also learned more lessons from this one, and in future deployments, we'll make it even better," added Gen. Dempsey, the top American in charge of building up Iraq's security forces.
Republicans Standing Up for the Iraqi's.
WASHINGTON — In a rare Saturday session, one day after the House issued a stinging rebuke to President Bush’s plan to boost the number of troops in Iraq, Senate Democrats were unable to muster the 60 votes necessary to end a Republican filibuster and pass what has become a symbol of resistance to the war.
It was the second time in recent days that the Senate was stymied by parliamentary rules requiring the consent of a supermajority before any action could be taken on the anti-war resolution.
The vote was 56-34, with 7 Republicans joining 49 Democrats. Both Illinois senators, Dick Durbin and Barack Obama, voted to cut off debate and proceed to a vote on the resolution.
Senator McConnell: Phone: (202) 224-2541 Fax: (202) 224-2499 E-mail here:
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfmSenator Lott: Phone: 202-224-6253 Fax: (202)-224-2262 E-mail here:
http://lott.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenator Kyl: Phone: (202) 224-4521 Fax: (202) 224-2207 E-mail here:
http://kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfmSenator Ensign: Phone: (202)-224-6244 Fax: 202-228-2193. E-mail here:
http://ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfmSenator McCain: Phone: (202)-224-2235 Fax (202)-228-2862. E-mail here:
http://www.exploremccain.com/Contact/Senator Warner: Phone: (202) 224-2023 Fax: (202) 224-6295. E-mail here:
http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfmSenator Cornyn: Phone:202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856. E-mail here:
http://cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.htmlSenator Smith: Phone: 202-224-3752 Fax: 202-228-3997. E-mail here:
http://gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.HomeSenator Coleman: Phone: 202-224-5641 Fax: 202-224-1152.E-mail here:
http://coleman.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
Or modify this letter and email it to the Senators:
Dear Senator X,
I am writing this letter to express my deep concern over the forthcoming non-binding resolution proposed by Democrat Senators in opposition to President Bush's strategy to protect the fledgling Iraqi government and to secure a victory against Islamofascists bent on eviscerating Iraq and Western society.
In the past, the House and Senate expressed their intent for victory in Iraq by overwhelmingly voting in favor of non-binding resolutions supporting victory in Iraq and the war on terror. This year, the new Senate is poised at reversing this course, acquiesce to the demands of terrorists and approve a resolution dictating the terms of our surrender. In the State of the Nation Address, the President points out it is uncharacteristic of Americans to fail to keep our promises, abandon our friends and weaken our national security. Whatever you voted for regarding Iraq, you did not vote for failure.
Secretary Gates outlines the calamity that would "haunt our nation, impair our credibility, and endanger Americans for decades to come." Our nation has traveled down this road before and its repercussions lead to the events of 9/11/01. This is the peace that comes from appeasing terrorists.
Senators, like civilians, are no experts in counter-terrorist strategy and guerilla warfare. In order to form a balanced stance on the situation in Iraq, one must consider the opinion and advice of those who possess expert knowledge on the subject – namely those in the Iraq theatre. General Petraeus, in his statement before the Senate Armed Service Committee, reminds us of what is at risk by voting in support of the non-binding resolution:
"No matter how well-intentioned, a resolution being opposed to this new strategy is a vote of no confidence in you. No matter how well intentioned, the enemy will see it as a weakened resolve.”
Ayman Zawahri in a statement after the November 2006 elections claimed "the Mujahideen, the Muslim Ummah's vanguard in Afghanistan and Iraq, are the ones who one won this election." Atrocity and terror are not political weapons, yet this new Congress has allowed terrorists to use these bloody tactics to influence our policies. A vote in support of this non-binding resolution validates that claim and encourages the enemy to kill Americans in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the United States.
I need not remind you that rooting out terrorists wherever they may hide in this world is not just work…it is THE work of this government. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to work with and not merely in opposition of the Executive branch. Thus far, the only thing resembling a "plan" from the Legislative branch is nothing short of surrender. This is absolutely unacceptable – the American people expect better from our elected representatives. I urge you to support a democratic Iraq and the strong desire of the American people for victory by voting against this non-binding resolution.
I need not remind you that rooting out terrorists wherever they may hide in this world is not just work…it is THE work of this government. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to work with and not merely in opposition of the Executive branch. Thus far, the only thing resembling a “plan” from the Legislative branch is nothing short of surrender. This is absolutely unacceptable – the American people expect better from our elected representatives. I urge you to support a democratic Iraq and the strong desire of the American people for victory by voting against this non-binding resolution.
Information shamelessly borrowed from
Dear Senators,
I am writing this letter to express my deep concern over the forthcoming non-binding resolution proposed by Democrat Senators in opposition to President Bush's strategy to protect the fledgling Iraqi government and to secure a victory against Islamofascists bent on eviscerating Iraq and Western society.
In the past, the House and Senate expressed their intent for victory in Iraq by overwhelmingly voting in favor of non-binding resolutions supporting victory in Iraq and the war on terror. This year, the new Senate is poised at reversing this course by acquiescing to the demands of terrorists and approving a resolution dictating the terms of our surrender.
Eight Arab nations have publicly declared their support of President Bush's strategy. What message are we signaling to the world with this resolution; that more Arab citizens support America’s desire for victory in Iraq than US Senators? A vote in support of this resolution sends a clear message to the Iraqis that the US does not support their version of a 'noble experiment in democracy'. Has the new Senate deemed itself arbiter over which struggling third world nations are capable of democracy and which are not?
A brief review of the resolution reveals the narrow focus on one aspect of the President's plan, ignoring the other fundamental elements crucial to its success. By rejecting one component, you undercut the success of the other components of this plan.
I need not remind you that rooting out terrorists wherever they may hide in this world is not just work…it is THE work of this government. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to work with and not merely in opposition of the Executive branch. Thus far, the only thing resembling a “plan” from the Legislative branch is nothing short of surrender. This is absolutely unacceptable – the American people expect better from our elected representatives. I urge you to support a democratic Iraq and the strong desire of the American people for victory by voting against this non-binding resolution.
Sincerely,
Skye
Philadelphia, Pa
PS: I am posting this letter on my blog http://midnightbluesays.blogspot.com/, and would be happy to post your response to this letter on MidnightBlue.
CC: POTUS
