*** Sherrod Brown of Ohio Capitulates to Bush and Torture! ***
Four weeks ago, after a careful review of Sherrod Brown, I made a public endorsement of Sherrod Brown on democrats.com and my own Blog. Today, Sherrod Brown, the man who voted against the AUMF in the first place, surrendered and bowed down to the Bush cartel.
Ranelli Endorses Brown
Sherrod Brown voted against the war from the beginning. Even after it was approved, he advocated heavily giving the troops the tools, equipment and body armor they needed. Something that the Bush administration has poorly done or not done at all. Brown also wants Osama bin Laden found, contrary to the Bush position of, "I don't think much about him."
Brown also wants significant troop withdrawals starting this October. A first step towards rectifying a tragic error in judgment by Bush and company and the first step in the reparation process of how America is seen around the world.
As a political author and researcher, I take each candidate on their individual merits, issues, record and history. I study them carefully and take time to review as much material as I can about each one of them. This includes their voting records in Congress as a whole, not just on key issues.
As they say in the NFL, "after careful review", I have decide that Sherrod Brown is worthy of my endorsement for U.S. Senator for Ohio. He should be humbled and proud. I don't endorse any politician lightly!
HR6166, The military Commissions Act, that essential legalizes torture, offers unparalleled and historic power to the President, and even a new definition of “enemy combatant” so broad it could include an anti-war protester, passed the House under Roll Call 491.
Thirty-four Democrats voted in favor of the bill, including, Sherrod Brown! Brown, who is in a tight race with Mike DeWine in Ohio for the Senate, appears to have forfeited his progressive values and the rule of law, in order to score election points.
Besides the obvious embarrassment of my own, vocal support and endorsement of Brown, the larger picture here is that Brown, who opposed the AUMF in the first place, is now essentially endorsing it and the Republican agenda!
This is a major blow to Ohio and the Country. Regardless of whether we get Brown or DeWine as our next Senator, we are fundamentally assured of being eschewed any real leadership or voice in the Senate, once again.
It doubly goes to show that, in my opinion, all politicians are corrupt, and when their career is on the line, they will yield to pressure and abandon both principle and party.
# # #
You can read the Roll Call 491 here:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll491.xml
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It's a shame the DNC threw Hackett overboard
It's a shame the DNC/DSCC threw Paul Hackett overboard. Even though Dean denies it, everybody knows it..... and maybe now we'll all regret it....
I am shocked and so
I am shocked and so disappointed. Since I am in his district, I am writing him about this and will tell him what I think. I would really like to know his justification! (Unlikely, I know).
Msfitts, you and I both.
A deluge of admonishment to his office is needed. Shall we lead the charge?
Is Brown just another DINO? If he is your Congressman, than you may know him better than me. I am stunned at this.
I spoke to his office for an hour last week. i really thought we had the right guy.
Hackett looks better all the time.
-Frank
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
I am appalled. I would
I am appalled. I would really, REALLY like to know why he decided to do this.
I have only met Sherrod Brown once but I have written him many times over the years about various things.
He helped me get some papers concerning my father's service in the Navy in WWII, and copies of medals.
When I wrote a letter to the editor back before the 2000 election why Bush would not be a good choice as president, he called me personally afterwards. (Unfortunately I wasn't home when he called, but my husband talked to him).
On a couple of other occasions, I'd get a hand written note.
He would generally reply to my political comments via a written (form) letter, or, as is now the case most of the time, e-mail.
I had always been impressed with him. This goes against everything I believed.
I am still shaking my head; like you I'm stunned.
I do thinks he needs to hear from people on this!
My Letter to Sherrod Brown's Office
September 28, 2006
Mr. Sam Liebert
Sherrod Brown for US Senate
203 E Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 223-1789
Dear Mr. Liebert,
As a progressive author and political researcher, I learned moments after the Roll Call, that Sherrod Brown voted FOR H.R. 6166. This is unforgivable! I don't know what his reasons or motives where, but they cannot be expunged from my memory.
I run my own progressive blog, am a long-standing member of several very high-profile blogs and am a contributing writer for opednews.com. I once wrote the following passage:
After careful and diligent examination, I publicly endorsed Congressman Brown for Senate four weeks ago. I donated money to his campaign and even spoke to Sky Beckwith for about 40 minutes about how I thought Sherrod could help Ohioans once elected. Condoning torture was NOT one of those subjects! It proves that even the most vigilant can be fooled. I am certain that this vote was NOT the actions of "a true progressive messenger of the people."
I would sincerely like an answer as to why Sherrod Brown would vote for such a nefarious bill. I have my own thoughts, and as an author, I am fortunate enough to have a forum and the articulation to put them into meaningful and galvanizing words. I think it is highly important that Mr. Brown and his staff read my opinion and what I believe he has done.
The article may be read here:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_frank_j__060928_sherrod_brown_of...
I have canceled my email subscription to Sherrod Brown's campaign news, have removed my endorsement of him from my blog and wrote forum topics on several high-traffic blogs suggesting that they not endorse or vote for Brown, either. Donations will go to more worthy candidates and I will not vote for Sherrod Brown this fall. I cannot, in good conscience, vote for a man who puts torture on the law books in my country!
Make no mistake; I am a life-long progressive and Democrat. I will not vote for DeWine, either. I will chose not to vote for a Senate candidate, as I now feel that Brown and DeWine are two faces of the same coin.
Finally, many people have responded to my article and many are just as disappointed. A sampling of comments:
"As for donations or any such thing coming his way from me...none." -- Steve
"But when someone like Sherrod Brown does this, it suggests they will not stop Bush even with a majority." -- Eugene
"I am shocked and so disappointed!" -- Missy
Disappointed,
Frank J. Ranelli
Progressive author, writer & researcher
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Excellent letter Frank!
Excellent letter Frank!
Msfitts, thanks!
Thank you!
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
You know Frank, Jim says
You know Frank, Jim says that you're kind of cute when you're angry...;-)
Bill, funny, my wife does not....
say the same thing! ;-)
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
I have sent an e-mail, and
I have sent an e-mail, and will be composing a letter also.
I am still upset.
At the risk of sounding overly dramatic to some, Sherrod Brown with this vote did the one thing that I could not tolerate: giving that mad man in the White House even more power to do with as he sees fit.
There is no justification.
My Letter to Russ Feingold on Sherrod Brown's Vote
September 28, 2006
Mr. Russ Feingold
Honorary Chariman, Progressive Patriot Funds
PO Box 628008
Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: 608.831.1308
Fax: 608.831.1318
Dear Senator Feingold:
After voting for Mr. Brown to be a Progressive Patriot and campaigning for, and donating money to, Sherrod Brown for Senator here in Ohio, I thought I would let you know what I think of Mr. Brown's "Yeah" vote for HR 6166.
I am a progressive author, activist and writer. My article, entitled, "Sherrod Brown of Ohio Capitulates to Bush and Approves Torture!", can be read in its entirety here:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_frank_j__060928_sherrod_brown_of...
I am confident that being a "Progressive Patriot" does not include condoning torture!
A prompt response, as to your position on this nefarious bill and Mr. Brown's House vote "FOR" it, is greatly desired and appreciated.
Warmest Regards,
Frank J. Ranelli
Progressive Author, Writer, Researcher
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Msfitts, your answer awaits!
The answer:
The short answer was my supposition yesterday, he sold out to garner votes and avoid DeWine, was right.
Who here thinks this is a good ideas? Do we sell-out to gain a majority? At what point do "we sell our souls to the devil to do god's work?"
I really want to hear opinions here!!!
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
The only thing Brown got
The only thing Brown got right is that We don't give Terrorists the same rights as Soldiers in uniforms.
Why the hell this has anything to do with having REAL courts keep everyone honest is beyond me.
The Link
The smart politics of the detainee vote
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15049251/
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Was he pressured??
Tonight, I heard a couple of political
pundits comment on Television
and read an article(Buzzflash??, Truthout.com???). The point being made was Dems were making this vote "in order not to appear weak" and to avoid having the Republicans accuse them of being on
the side of the terrorists.
This is the lamest wrongheaded thinking.
They voted for the war in Iraq to avoid
appearing weak and having the Republicans bully them. Now they are doing ther same darn thing in this instance.
The Republicans plan or strategy for
winning the election is pure and simple
Convince the American People only they are
strong enough to lead the war effort.
The Dems are too weak and would rather
appease. Thereore they have been smearing the Dems over the past four
weeks.
My message to Dems is . To Joe and Jane
six-pack' everytime you affirm the Republicans ideas Joe and Jane think
the Republicans must have the right idea
so why vote for a Democrat. For implication to be out there that
you are afraid,so you submit to Republicans is even a worse picture
for the party.
I am curious was Sherrod pressured by some in our party who do not wish to
cross the Republicans.
Democrats--the Repuublicans plan to win
so they will smear you and are already
doing so. It just might be braver to
stand up to them.
Even if Brown was pressured, he still surrendered.
When one tries to simply not appear weak, they are in fact the weakest of all. There is nothing more I detest than someone who is a follower and follows the crowd to the chow line. How do you know the food is not poison?
In order to show that you are not weak, you must do the heaviest lifting of all; the courage to go it alone and get the job done yourself.
By voting with DeWine, Brown proved his weakness and inability to stand alone and to stand above; on principle.
Voting for torture, in order to look strong, not only weakens you, but it weakens the whole country.
I speak for myself, but I have had enough conversation with Bill Harding to know that if there is one thing Bill and I agree on (and many others) is we both abhor fence sitters and DLC'ers. Centrist people want to make me puke!
The point:
stand up and be a man, or sit down and let someone else be a true leader. Don't be confused by people in leadership positions, with people that are true leaders.
True patriots that champion the founding American principles don't surrender to popularity, they stand firm, even in the face of tremendous adversity.
Bottom line:
Brown just became an appeaser to Bush's radicalism.
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Frank, you and I both know
Frank, you and I both know that most "centrists" are really not moderates at all. They are centrists simply because they put their professional political careers before their honor, duty to their office, and their ethics.
I have heard the excuse, "but if he doesn't get re-elected, we will lose a seat in Congress, and to get re-elected he has to play ball." I say bullshit! The voting public has time, and time again, voiced their preference for politicians with a backbone over one who panders to them. Hillary is a prime example of that "professional politician" slickness, and that is why she will lose big time if she runs. That is why Lieberman was ousted. That is why Case lost.
We, as American citizens, want politicians who will represent us, and not their own, or their corporate contributors', interests. It's really that simple. That's how to win elections.
Bill, I knew I could count on you! More....
Bill, I knew I could count on you! ;-)
I posted this over at DailyKOS, too. Take a look. I received quite a response. I even ran a poll asking whether to rescind my endorsement. It was close, but they survey says, "yes."
It was just four weeks ago I made that endorsement post and write-up and Brown made a fool of me today. You even commented on it.
I have not wrote Brown yet, but will. He was even one of Feingold's Progressive Patriots. This is stunning and upsetting.
The link is here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/27/20573/8150
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Frank...don't feel too bad about it...
The most difficult message we try to get across on this site is that enablers are not worth justifying just because they wear the label: Dem. There are Dems and then there are other Dems. We all know the names of those who enable the opposition to put the country into the trash can.
Look at the problem with Obama that came up today(ummm, or yesterday). His office, on the torture situation, is taking a poll. A poll on torture? What is this man thinking? Obviously he is not thinking of much other than protecting his ass. He actually is in place to protect our asses and not his own.
Hackett looked good months ago. The DNC stepped in and told him to quit his run. Brown was not so favorably considered at that time...but the DNC using their clout(?), money, connections, who really knows--replaced Hackett with Brown.
These things, when they happen, confuse all of us. Hackett, at that time, was the people's apparent favorite for the job.
The same thing is happening in Tennessee right now with Ford. Ford is a DINO Bush enabler. But the powers that be are just simply gushing over the fact that he may be able to hang onto his seat. Who the hell wants him? Dinos are dinos--they hurt their constituents, they hurt their states, they hurt their country.
Not hard, with the confusion in our current situation, to take a wrong road. At least, you took a stand--something these FAUX politicians are unable to do without consulting the Farmers Almanac, the bible, the I-Ching, a roll of the dice or the toss of a coin.
We all know, whether or not we will acknowledge the fact, that the answer is not pretty. It is not safe. It is essentially destructive. Last resorts always are.
You did the best you could do with what info you had. That, at least, is honest. It shows backbone.
Still time to stir up a ruckus and perhaps change the minds of others.
A mind once expanded can never return to its original dimensions.
Anne Hathaway: 1556-1623
The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.
Louis Pasteur
Grinch, all true.
All true. Article for OpedNews in the works as we speak! ;-)
Fool me once....
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Frank, I had a bad feeling back when Hackett was told...
to step down. Your state finally had gotten behind a guy who seemed to fit the requirements for the job he was running for.
I still don't understand why the DNC/Dean told him to step down. Mystery then, mystery now.
Results are what one could expect. We suffer from some sort of national malady, as yet undiagnosed.
In the end, I think(for what that futile activity is worth)that the people of Ohio will have to solve their problems alone--if they are solvable.
We are going to find that the net has been a cleverly designed trap for those of us who are activists. We should have been in the streets long ago en mass.
That works...always has. To the current situation, there are no 'reasonable' solutions. We all will just have to do the best we can.
A mind once expanded can never return to its original dimensions.
Anne Hathaway: 1556-1623
The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.
Louis Pasteur
A Draft of The Sherrod Brown Sell-Out Article!
Sherrod Brown of Ohio Capitulates to Bush and Approves Torture!
BY FRANK J. RANELLI
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Sherrod Brown, seen by many as a true progressive, a real liberal, and a viable alternative to Mike DeWine, forfeited his progressive values and the rule of law, in order to score election points. How? By yielding to the Bush cartel and voting for torture!
Sherrod Brown, current Congressional representative to Ohio’s 13th District and Democratic nominee to unseat Republican Mike DeWine for Senator, did the unthinkable today. Brown, seen by many as a true progressive, a real liberal and a viable alternative to DeWine’s sycophant sucking-up to the Bush Administration, forfeited his progressive values, moral standards and the rule of law, in order to score a few election points and votes.
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on bill H.R. 6166, better known as “The Military Commissions Act” that essential legalizes torture, offers unparalleled and historic power to the President, and even a new definition of “enemy combatant” so wide-ranging it could include an anti-war protester! The bill passed by a vote of 253-168 in the House under Roll Call 491. Some may better know this bill as the “Terror Detainee Bill”, but most of us know it as the bill that authorizes the United States to torture people under the euphemistic phrase of “alternative methods”.
The bill passed largely along party lines, but not wholly. Thirty-four Congressional House Democrats sold their souls and their conscience to the radical-right and rabid Republicans. Among those Thirty-four congressional Democrats was Ohio’s own Sherrod Brown! This is the same Sherrod Brown who voted AGAINST the Authorization of Use of Force in 2002, lobbied hard for more equipment and body armor for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, co-sponsored a bill to bring the troops home this October and even admonished the President for not pressing the hunt to find Osama Bin Laden.
Congressman Brown is also the newest recipient of the endorsement of Democratic Senator Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriot Fund. I am certain that Senator Feingold will not find Mr. Brown’s vote for a bill that condones torture neither progressive nor patriotic. In a single word, what Sherrod Brown did was, unconscionable.
Some will suggest and might be inclined to offer conjecture that Brown, who is running in a dead-heat with Republican Mike DeWine, simply voted “yes” in a political move to appear tough on terrorism, thereby not giving DeWine a talking point against Brown. Being tough on terror, and therefore not weak, requires more than a dissembling nod to the forces that oppose you in a game of political shells. In order to show that you are not genuinely weak, you must do the heaviest lifting of all, the courage to go it alone and get the job done yourself. By voting with DeWine and the Republicans, Brown proved his weakness and inability to stand alone and to stand literally above, on principle.
True patriots that champion the unwavering founding American principles don't surrender to popularity or pressure; they remain firm, even in the face of tremendous adversity. True guardians of the America system of time-honored values don’t sanction sedition and subversion. Sherrod Brown today provided clear evidence that he is a career politician and not a civil servant to the people that elected him to Congress or appreciates those that have advocated his race to win the Ohio Senate seat in hopes of a better future.
Sherrod Brown eschewed all ethics, all morals, and all human decency to, dare I say, “Score a few Brownie points!” Brown’s vote for this grisly bill not only betrayed his progressive base, his party, but his country. It doubly goes to show that all politicians are corruptible, and when their career is on the line, they will yield to pressure and abandon both principle and party, taking the path of least resistance.
Brown surrendered away his convictions with this vote and bowed down to the Bush cartel. Brown more than became an enabler to the Bush radicalism that is so pervasive in Congress today, but he became a sell-out to his own judgment and those who stood beside him and trusted him. Trust, above all, is never negotiable. Once you negotiate away your trust and cross that line, you can never come back.
This is a major blow to Ohio and the country. Regardless of whether Ohio gets Brown or DeWine as their next Senator, Ohioans and now Americans are fundamentally assured of being devoid of any real leadership or voice in the Senate, once again.
# # #
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Link to published article on opednews.com about S. Brown
Sherrod Brown of Ohio Capitulates to Bush and Approves Torture!
BY FRANK J. RANELLI
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Sherrod Brown, seen by many as a true Democrat, a real liberal, and a viable alternative to Mike DeWine, forfeited his progressive values and the rule of law, in order to score election points. How? By yielding to the Bush cartel and voting for torture!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_frank_j__060928_sherrod_brown_of...
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Well done Frank, and to the
Well done Frank, and to the point. Thanks for all that you do.
ALL AMERICANS ARE TERROR SUSPECTS TO REPUBLICANS
This includes rabid Republicans themselves.
I'm too exhausted right now to even link to the AOL posted article I just read. In it they constantly speak to what rights Terrorists will have or not have if this bill passes.
Is it just me???
What the hell are they talking about. This is NOT a debate about Terrorists. This is a debate about secret police torturing American Political prisoners. About the torture of Moms and Dads in secret who turn out to be nothing more than Moms and Dads.
NOBODY is asking for more than the simple light of day shining on a process to keep everybody honest and efficient. Slobs allowed to rule in the dark will not report on their stupidities. How does this reflect the efficiency of the American Free Market with feedback and competition?
True Conservatism is dead in this Nation. Any ture conservative folks left are welcome here in my view as they have nowhere else to go. Lunatics and CINOs are not.
Jim, have the proponents of
this damn bill even given one minute of thought to
what will happen to our servicemen and women
who are detained by other governments, if this bill passes?
I don't think so!
PS- please check your e-mail.
Es muy importante!
;-)
torture
Submarine USS Wahoo ss238
At this point, I want to just get a Majority in the House
at least in Novembra.
Then we can clean house and tell these people that we
are not going to stand for this crap.
Torture is torture is torture.....period.
Backboners
There are damned few politicians with that " backbone " that you speak of, unfortunately. And the public? Short of an actual rebellion, an uprising of the people, the public is out of the loop it seems. Yes, there is a great hue and cry among us bloggers about the fascist police state that this country is heading for, but the NeoCons just keep getting everything they want. Terror? Torture? Wiretapping? Fixed elections? Media manipulation? They get it all, almost every time. Just when it seems like the Repugs might finally have gone too far and are about to be exposed, and things are turning around, something like this Brown deal happens to demonstrate that they've got it dialed. We've got to keep hammering them on every single issue, but it might be awhile before the " public " gets any say over what happens. If and when that time comes, I hope like hell that we've learned our lesson and never let this happen again.
Then they came for me and there was no one left...
The public and the republic, IMO, has been lost or a been losing ground least five years now.
Bush gets his way every single time. Name one instance where the democrats stopped Bush or anyone stopped Bush for that matter?
We must face it, someone, that being the neocons, executed the perfect crime and stole America!
At one time, I was confident that the American people would not stand for this, but as of today, I no longer believe that.
Today, the Senate 'sealed the deal' and our doom by voting for torture. Yet, no one has taken to the streets, no one left work early, no one even noticed but us lonely bloggers.
My wife works at a large company and every day at lunch she shares my writing and research with them. The all listen but all say the same things:
- Wow! That's too bad.
- What? there is nothing I can do, though.
- I don't have time for politics.
- The President wouldn't do that.
- I have kids, I just want to be safe, that's all.
and on and on and on....
History will judge us harshly and sharply. There is no way in a single blog node I could list all the things Bush has done to destroy this country. I honestly, have lost track.
I only have one question left:
All these people that support Bush, and all those that chose to sit the fence and do nothing, what will they do when Bush and company finally does get too close for comfort to them, too?
The "as long as it is not in my backyard" defense did not portray the people of Germany well, and it will not portray our inactions to stop this well, either.
I leave everyone on this blog with this final reflection:
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Frank, that is one of my favorite poems.
Thanks so much for posting it.
btw; Your letters are excellent and to the point!
Thank you so much Karen. Being a liberal, politcal writer ...
Thank you so much Karen. Being a liberal, politcal writer and trying to survive in today's neocon world is tough. The support is appreciated. As Bill Harding will tell you, while he is 4 or five hours behind me, we often have debates at what would amount to 4:00AM my time for me.
My dedication has been unwavering to this point. I question it now, after today, though. Has it been all in vain?
Is it just futile attempts now? Has history already been written and we have refused to pick up the book and read from it?
Have we reach the point of entropy -- CUE JIM -- for an explanation and the decay is inevitable.
The poem is powerful, I agree.
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
I never give up, Frank.
Even when the odds look insurmountable,
putting one foot in front of the other always
helps me feel better.
;-)
Hi Karin, I'm heading back
Hi Karin,
I'm heading back to bed but I did email you ;)
Jim
I got it.
Thanks.
;-)
SHOULD WE WORK TO "LOSE" IN NOVEMBER?
We have ONLY 32 Democrats in the Senate and one descent Republican.
Should we work to increase that number KNOWING full well we can not gain majority (of REAL Democrats)?
Specifically should we crush the turncoats the way they think crushing children's testicles is no big whoop.
And yes they can scream all they want about that characterization but they have opened a big black door of easy abuse and they f@@@ing know it.
I say we build the Party with REAL conservative and liberal citizens who are Americans first, and commit to unseating the traitorous politicians, whatever label they may wear.
This is not being an "Independent", this is building the Democratic Party, a party of independents. (E.G. Tough as nails Union members, tree huggers, etc.)
Bush has dismantled
Bush as dismantled the Bill of Rights, the Constitution. Maybe he will dismantle the System of Democracy itself. He is the" War Time President" so maybe he will quit being President when his WAR ON TERROR is over, say in about ten or twelve years..I wonder how the American people would respond to that?
"Itadakimasu!"
I second everything you said
I second everything you said (and said so well).
This is a sad and terrible day in America....
If he WAS pressured (no
If he WAS pressured (no matter by whom) - and caved into it - that even makes me more upset. That last thing we need is more Dems going limp.
We need them to stand up to this adminstratiotion, and get in it's face over things like this.
We don't need more excuses.
They are giving Bush the power to disband Congress.
Perhaps not by an anti Constitutional wave but by simply whisking away political opponents. (Some Democrats are already taking care of the anti Constitutional wave.)
But "NO" I hear the masses proclaim, such abuse of power would not occur.
-Well first YOU give him the power.
-Second, if you need the political will to do it as well as the LAW you just gave him, then wait for another Terrorist attack.
The test case will be with ONE member of Congress with a bit of grey in the Case.
Not likely right? Yep....yet it used to never be on the table for accepting odds.
Why do you acquiesce to an Election's results?
Republicans have broken our backs. They keep jumping over monumental hurdles. And here is the scary part that some of our Democratic Leaders do NOT understand: These hurdles they jump, are just as big as ELECTIONS.
Why do you acquiesce to an Election's results?
The only reasons are psychological. E.G. Police on the losing side of an election would enforce that election due to habituation, a deep feeling of respect for the laws that govern us, etc
When you continue to minimize the psychological pillars that held this Nation together for so long you risk minimizing the psychological impact of an election.
Oops.
It occured to me that some Democrats in power might not get what I am saying so I'll spell it out:
IF
you continually fold so as not to appear weak, in order to do the most good AFTER being elected in 2006 and/or 2008
THEN
your strategy is flawed.
---------------------------------
What you do now determines:
-how your base will react to you.
-how your non base, slowly awakening, will react to you.
-whether there is the will (and sufficient law) left to discern the true winner of a close election.
-etc.
This is to say nothing of simply doing what is right.
They have folded so
often and so much that I think they're Republican plants. They can't be afraid, what's there to be afraid of? At this point, courage wouldn't cost them anything. They're just fake. Fake Democrats. Fake Americans. Fake represntatives. Fake human beings. They're walk-ons. Republican body snatchers. It's unbelievable that this has happened to America, but it has. It's getting close to 1933 Germany and Karl Rove is Goebels reincarnated.
Your yea vote on the unconstitutional Military Commisions Bill:
My email to Congressman Brown;
In the past I have supported you with my contributions and letter writing, but this vote goes against everything that this country once stood for. This Bill does not represent the American moral values that I believe in and hold dear. You will not receive one more cent from me for your campaign. You are no better than Senator Dewine in your failure to support and defend our Constitution.
Like so many other bills which have been allowed to become law, this bill is unconstitutional and illegal.
By suspending Habeus Corpus, creating a sweeping ambiguous net in its definition of an "enemy combatant" and who can be indefinitely apprehended and detained, and formally allows for the establishment a dictatorial form of governing.
In short, it is a grotesque power grab that shelves our rights and our dignity as citizens.
See: www.Democratsfortorture.org
Not to mention, It would is unconstitutional to suspend habeas corpus for the "War on Terror".
Here is Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution:
"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."
Shayne Munger
Riverside, CA
P.S. There is no war in the pursuit of the "War on Terror". The Congress has not declared war nor is this fight against terrorism a conventional war. It is an international "criminal conspiracy" and this means that this sham war is no foundation for the President to claim that he has war powers. This conspiracy should be fought with standard international police tactics and with standard intelligence methods, particularly human intelligence gathering methods.
Shayne, Excellent letter, even better website!
The letter is excellent. If only congress actual read or cared about what the Constitution says.....
The website would be terribly funny if it were not true, but it is powerful and I think it is important to expose these clowns and purge them from OUR government.
Brown fooled me, but it won't happen again. The funny part is, that since he voted against the AUMF and has been such a vocal critic of Bush, he could actually be declared an enemy combatant and whisked away to never-never land!
Be careful what you wish for, Congressman, "for one day it may actually reach up and bite you!"
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Sherrod Brown's Vote FOR Torture Gets "Googled!"
Sherrod Brown’s ill-fated and discouraging vote received a little more attention than I believe he wanted it to! (See Google frame capture.)
By simply going to Google, typing in "Sherrod Brown" and clicking the NEWS link before hitting search nets you the following results! My opednews.com article outlining his egregious vote has captured national attention, much I suspect, to his chagrin.
Further, the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper was quick to point out, “By Thursday morning, several Web logs with Democratic bases were filled with criticism of Brown. Supporters said he had compromised his principles to avoid being labeled weak on national security.”
To date, emails and calls to Brown's office have gone unanswered. However, the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper does make mention that they [Brown's camp] "issued a statement" explaining why he voted FOR the bill.
I don't think there is ever a reason to vote FOR pro-active torture and I think that Brown has "issues" if he does!
# # #
Yeah, go ahead, mess with Rantin' Ranelli! ;-)
SOURCES:
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/115951947...
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=sherrod%20brown&sa=N&tab=wn
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Way to go Frank...the shotgun blast heard around the world...
It is intolerable that these chickenfreaks still manage to avoid communicating with the people who are calling and writing them. They simply hide, like ostriches, hoping the dust will settle before we get them dug out of their hidey-holes.
A mind once expanded can never return to its original dimensions.
Anne Hathaway: 1556-1623
The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.
Louis Pasteur
Brown is getting a lot of flack about this
Brown is getting a lot of flack about this here in Ohio and that fact that my article on it is on the front page of google news, proves it.
I hate to see DeWine back in for another six years, but to me, this vote shows Brown and DeWine as two faces of the same coin.
I think they are all 'enemy combatants' of the US Constitution and should resign immediately so real Americans who value the rule of law and human decency can take their place.
I am damn mad about this, and I think I got my point across. I can't prove it, but the reactions to this printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, may have been initiated, at least in part, to me jumping all over this so fast...at least I hope this was the case.
"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"
Not making excuses.
According to the latest that I've heard, the race between Brown and DeWine is very tight indeed - neck & neck as they say.
In a program on public television, talking heads were explaining that Brown (in their opinion) had no choice but to vote for HR 6166 and go against his conscience (their words). In other words, it was 'political expediency'. This doesn't make me feel better.
Since Brown is my rep I had written him to ask him why he voted this way, that I was very disturbed by it, and felt I would have no choice but to withold my vote for him.
However, I have re-considered. I absolutely do NOT want DeWine to win re-election. Despite my great disappointment, I will cast a vote for Sherrod Brown.
If Brown were a moral and
If Brown were a moral and honest person, then he certainly did have a choice. "Political expediency" is never an excuse to abandon principles and values -- especially in the case of human rights violations.
"Centrism" and political expediency is the excuse that the DLC has used in their methodic dismantling of the Democratic Party and its core values.
brown
Submarine USS Wahoo ss238
As much as I despise this vote, and the vote to OK torture.
We would be better off with Brown in the Senate, with another
Dem, along with VA, TN which are swaying towards our side.
We can finally put these evil 6years behind us, start to
heal America and the World.
This in no way excuses him for voting the way he did, election
or not.
But like I said, the more Dems we have in the House and Senate
the more we can fix the system.