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I do solemnly swear...
[Editor's note: This essay is from DCP blogger oncall and it reminds us of key points that are central to events of the last several weeks.]
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Those are the words are said by every federal employee, including the Attorney General when they begin their service to this country. The President and Supreme Court Justices say something a little different, but they also take an oath to defend the constitution. Every Senator swears a nearly identical oath as well. The supremacy of the oath is manifest by the fact that even Postal Workers swear the same oath.
Take note that none of these oaths are to the Republican Party nor to the Democratic Party. These oaths aren’t even to the people of the United States. These oaths are solely to the Constitution. Yet, when one watches what is happening in our nation’s capital, one is inclined to think that despite the oaths our leaders took to defend the constitution, they are more concerned about protection of their political party and their campaign contributors.
Mark Twain once said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."
Today, many Americans’ patriotism has been questioned when they have wondered aloud if their leaders were living up to the oath. Many Americans have felt the Iraqi war was a mistake. Yet, our leaders and especially their supporters have decided to question the patriotism of those who exercise their right to question our involvement in Iraq. Our leaders not only question their patriotism, they decide that in order to protect the rest of us, some of these groups should be spied upon. Recently a Pentagon document revealed exactly what types of people the government considers as “threats”; not only is Al-Qaeda a threat, but so are Quakers and military recruiting protesters. I would like to know when the decision to consider the Quakers a vital threat to our country’s security, was made. I suspect it happened when there was a group of Quakers in Florida that decided that it couldn’t support this war.
But it goes beyond the war. It goes to the heart of the constitution and the rule of law that governs our country. It is not just our laws as a whole, but the rule of law that our forefathers fought for and gave to us as a gift. That gift, that enduring promise for future Americans, that gift that patriots over the last two hundred and thirty years have died for, has come under attack.
Some people prefer to see things in a shade of grey. It is easier for them to excuse those who may bend the law. However it is not just a matter of black and white and shades of grey, when it comes to respecting our laws, it is a matter of right and wrong. The laws are not just recommendations that we should try to follow. The rule of law, as I see it, is the way we can live together peacefully and with liberty.
One can’t assume the law allows for certain activities - no matter how well intentioned those are. The law requires us to follow prescribed standards. I saw the Attorney General last week, attempting to defend the President from the statements that it wasn’t necessary to confer with the Congress, as the law requires, about the President’s domestic spying program. Incredibly, the President as late as April 2004, publicly stated that wiretaps require a court order. This is the same Attorney General who once worked as a counsel to the President and also said at his confirmation hearings that it was a “hypothetical” question to consider if the President would was indeed authorizing a wiretap program without warrants when in fact that was exactly what the President was doing.
Which oath did the Attorney General take? Was it the oath to the Constitution or the oath to George Bush?
Our President has decided that the laws were not adequate for him to defend the country from Al-Qaeda, and those determined to hurt us. I don’t know if he was right about that - he probably is, but that doesn’t give him the legal right to claim that he can ignore the written laws of the land. He should have done what the Constitution requires him to do. He should have gone to Congress and asked for a change in the law. Similarly the Congressional leaders who were “notified” - as they were - of the President’s program should admit they did not defend the Constitution as they swore they would. With this issue we are seeing the politics of defending the party (Republican and Democrat alike) instead of defending the Constitution.
There are some apologists out there who claim that if the President had done his constitutional duty, we would be less safe. But, I ask them this: Are we safer if we give up our rights to the rule of law?
Benjamin Franklin answered that question when he said: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Indeed, just before the Civil War, one of our nation’s greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, understanding that county’s true greatness and ultimate security laid in the Constitution, mandated that all federal employees within the Executive branch take the oath to the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin and the framers of the constitution recognized human frailties and in their collective wisdom realized that swearing an oath to the constitution itself protected Americans from those leaders who claimed to be acting on behalf of “the people.”
It is past time that Americans demand their elected officials admit what they claim to be doing on behalf of the American people is a bastardization of the oath they took to the Constitution. We need to remind ourselves, our representatives in Congress and our leaders. Send them a copy of the oath with your thoughts.
~oncall~
oncall,
Thanks for your essay. It's good to be reminded exactly what that oath does say.
And I think we should do some 'reminding' ourselves.
Email addresses available here:
http://www.congress.org
This is from the last thread, but seems more appropriate here:
Nuns on AntiTerror List
http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/6878145/detail.html
VA Nurse Charged with Sedition
http://72.3.233.244/freespeech/gen/24043prs20060131.html
Posted by: DiAnne at February 12, 2006 01:20 PM
oncall...thanks for keepin it real bro...its so hard to tell the difference these days...what with the lie machines running at redline on BOTH sides!
Brillant piece oncall.
I'm less inclined to blame Congress, as it appears that the "notification" was so much less than forthcoming.
I can't find the link to the Meet the Press from today just yet, but when it appears it's worth the read or listen.
Here too:
http://tinyurl.com/9bmxd
Newsweek seems to defend Congress, or at least point out that they were kept in the dark.
What I'm finding amusing is that for once Bush's framing isn't working. The harder he tried to explain this as "terror serveillance" the more MSM calls it spying on Americans.
Prehaps the tide is turning.
For those concerned about the validity of the electronic voting systems, there's a very important story about Diebold and things that are going to happen tomorrow at daily kos. The diary includes some to-do's ... it's very important that those who rant about their votes not being counted, stand up and take action when the opportunity presents itself.
Here's one... go read...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/2/12/0714/82809
I post this, somewhat off topic, as a mere curoisity. This is a job discription posted on Monster.com
L-3 Communications, ILEX Systems is seeking candidates for a Field Software Analyst position in Iraq.
The Field Software Analyst will perform required on-site software/hardware engineering support functions required to sustain field operations, system availability, and mission readiness., to include software installation, maintenance and test duties in support of CREW 2. CREW 2 (Counter Electronic Warfare Increment Two) is a ground-based electronic warfare (jamming) suite designed to disrupt enemy radio controlled detonators. Performance of duties requires a minimal level of supervision and demonstrating initiative, reliability, and independent judgment. Specific job duties include:
* Resolving software-related problems and developing alternative operational or technical approaches to mitigate problems;
* Installing and maintaining backup media for system-specific databases and system executable media; conducting table and database maintenance; performing monthly database backup and restoration and conducting systems initialization, and any other system administration functions as assigned;
* Performing periodic file maintenance to include purging, archiving, and restoring data. Executing system and diagnostic routines to ensure proper system operations. Reconfiguring hardware and software;
* Identifying, isolating, and correcting Operating System (OS) failures or other software faults;
* Preparing and submitting Software Problem Reports (SPRs);
* Providing assistance in operator training in support of New Equipment Training Teams (NETTs), operator training;
* Providing support for military exercises or operations as required.
Qualifications:
1. Minimum of two (2) year's experience in performing similar or related work is required.
2. Must have knowledge of the practices, principles, and techniques of computer operations; information systems; computer software and hardware; information security policies and procedures.
3. Must be skilled in communicating technical material to others, in the use and support of computers in applicable programs and systems, and in the troubleshooting information systems.
4. Must possess a security clearance.
Am I wrong, doesn't this sound like a job the military should be filling for it's self..
Are we in that much trouble?
http://tinyurl.com/8qhw4
Someone asked awhile back about Katherine Harris' chances of winning the Senate in Florida. This poll is pretty much the answer. She can't even get 60% of the Republicans in the state to vote for her. But she CAN get enough of them to win the nomination. Bill Nelson is pretty much a shoo-in.
There are no words...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/12/cheney.ap/index.html
Posted by: Ladytechie at February 12, 2006 03:27 PM
Yes, we probably are in that much trouble.
On the other hand, it sounds like they want a tech who can spy on what military personnel are writing home to their family and friends... and who can then turn around and tell the Pentagon and the administration what the military personnel are saying....
OR, they may want to hire someone "from the outside" - say, someone who is (could be, will be) connected to the mercenary outfits, such as DynCorp and KBR (Halliburton subsidiaries), or Blackwater..., someone totally loyal to the administration and PNAC guidelines... someone who could hack into other computer systems (to, for instance, change vote totals, or jam operating systems).
Hard to say without knowing the name of the company who wants to hire an individual with the qualifications to fill that job description....
Our esteemed VP just shot someone on a hunting trip?
Guess he had no one to aim the gun for him.
Dang
Posted by: Lou at February 12, 2006 04:04 PM
OMFG...! You're right: there are no words.
I wonder if this will make Lamestream Media evening news? Might have to tune in just out of curiosity to see if it's mentioned before the first commercials come on....
http://tinyurl.com/cj7po
Here's the url to the shooting incident.
Cheney's only good at shooting birds that are raised to be shot. He shouldn't be allowed to operate a shotgun.
Actually, he shouldn't be allowed to be walking free after Louis Libby's latest revelations.
Maybe he won't be for long.
He shot a 78 year old man, for cripes sake.
Hardly worthy prey.
OMG- and CNN is covering church fires??????????
And the VP just shot a man on a hunting trip!!!!!!!
ALMOST unbelievable.
This happened YESTERDAY???
Talk about control over the media. The Repugs really have it, don't they?
Of course, Cheney may just be a bit upset today after George Allen, a Republican, said that there should be a full investigation of Cheney's ordering Libby to leak Plame to the media.
Poor ol' Dick's heart must not be having a good weekend.
First Photo of Bush and Abramoff
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021206X.shtml
The first photo of Bush and Abramoff comes to light after recent emails were found that contradict the White House's claims that the President has no recollection of meeting Abramoff. Abramoff wrote in these emails that he met Bush almost a dozen times over the past five years, and even received an invitation to the his Crawford, Texas, ranch.
{{{In this article, Abramoff is quoted as saying Bu$h has one of the best memories of anyone he knows....}}}
Good thread header, oncall!!! :-)
Yes, our legislators need a reminder about their oaths of office.... In theory, their loyalties should be, in order: The Constitution, this country, and anyone or anything else a far third in line (if those third place positions do not involve dishonest politicians who are liars)....
The two quotes you used are what are on my outgoing emails by default. :-) I love both Ben Franklin and Mark Twain!
Ladytechie- no, not really. I have a VERY close relative who works for an independent contracting company that does a similar kind of work- not the same, but similar. And they don't work in Iraq, but what they do certainly affects the war effort. They're considered a "scientific consulting firm."
It's pretty common practice for the military to contact out highly technical jobs like that- because, like this young lady, many highly educated people don't gravitate to the military after college. The military just doesn't pay enough.
If they need someone bright enough to do the job, sometimes they have to look to the private sector for help. And there are a lot of firms set up to take on contracts exactly like that one.
The security is high, the applicants are well screened, and they're the "cream of the crop" as they say.
Even the so called "Star Wars" program is staffed largly with civilian contractor scientists. It's just the way things are done nowdays.
Ha haha! LOL!
Do you think it's about time for another vacation, and quail hunting lessons from Cheney, for another Texan who LOVES vacations?
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at February 12, 2006 04:58 PM
Check out this thread at DU for some humorous comments about this "mishap", including an Alberto Gonzales "statement" on Cheney Shooting
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x396174
I have posted this thread head on dailykos as well. If I may be so presumptuous to ask you to please visit the link and recommend the diary, I would very much appreciate it.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/12/174733/079
It has just been announced during the Olympic coverage that Cheney couldn't shoot his way out of a paper bag.
Gladly recommended oncall..
And someone else from here has informed me that this type of outsourcing is far more common that I supposed.. My tin foil hat may have been a bit tight when I saw it..
Last year I canvassed with a dear little old lady who's biggest issue was reinstating the draft, I thought she was a bit "out there" on the subject. You know, this type of outsourceing does the same thing cheaper. We get the skills, the person filling the job gets what I assume would be better than average pay, and the gov't doesn't pay a dime. Nice racket. NO, I'm not applying.
Herre's a part of the Cheney thing that makes me wonder if he is actually fit for office (not that I thought he was before, but....)
-snip-
""Fortunately, the vice president has got a lot of medical people around him and so they were right there and probably more cautious than we would have been," she said. "The vice president has got an ambulance on call, so the ambulance came.""
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/12/cheney.ap/index.html
His heart is bad enough that he's got a team of medical people with him at all times.
Posted by: madame defarge at February 12, 2006 05:16 PM
Heh, heh.
Funny stuff!
("Duck and cover" has a whole new meaning!)
Posted by: Carol at February 12, 2006 06:21 PM
Excellent point Carol.
And oncall, Excellent article!
John W. Dean | Cheney and Presidential Powers
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021206A.shtml
Top white house officials are currently giving weak legal arguments for the presidential power to conduct warrantless electronic surveillance. Dick Cheney attempts to justify unprecedented presidential power by saying that terrorism has created a new climate that necessitates it. However, John W. Dean says that Cheney has always pushed this cause.
Sibel Edmonds | Porter Goss's Op-Ed: 'Ignoturn per Ignotius!'
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021206C.shtml
A proud national security whistleblower, Sibel Edmonds, responds to a recent editorial published in The New York Times by clarifying the role and rights of whistleblowers in America today, and challenging the notion of "classified information."
{{{Wow! Goss likely has whiplash from the verbal bitch-slapping that Edmonds gave him...!}}}
Frog-marching the Media to the Gallows
By Mike Whitney
The Times has proved once again that the elite-media is a steadfast partner in mobilizing the masses for unpopular wars. Despite the countless thousands of innocent people who have already been killed by the Time’s fear-mongering coverage of "imaginary" Iraqi WMD, the editors continue to use the corporate-bullhorn to call the nation to arms.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11888.htm
CIA chief sacked for opposing torture
By Sarah Baxter and Michael Smith
The CIA’s top counter-terrorism official was fired last week because he opposed detaining Al-Qaeda suspects in secret prisons abroad, sending them to other countries for interrogation and using forms of torture such as “water boarding”, intelligence sources have claimed.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11886.htm
Book Casts Doubt on Case for War
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021206E.shtml
President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair were not sure there was enough evidence to convince the Security Council to go to war with Iraq. Bush proposed an alternative: to paint a US spy plane in United Nations colors to see if that would tempt Hussein's forces to shoot at it. This January 31, 2003, account appears in the new edition of "Lawless World," a book by British author Philippe Sands.
US Prepares Military Blitz Against Iran's Nuclear Sites
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0212-04.htm
ICH also has this story headline, and ICH includes a little map.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11879.htm
You knew that the humorists couldn't let this one get away:
CHENEY SAYS SHOOTING OF FELLOW HUNTER WAS BASED ON FAULTY INTELLIGENCE
Believed Shooting Victim Was Zawahiri, Veep Says
http://borowitzreport.com/
I go to a GARDEN SHOW and walk through wondrous and peaceful gardens .. people are taking home orchids .. I am inspired. I run into a Zen monk I didn't think was still alive and we talk about crows, Kwan Yin and love. I get home and Cheney has gone quail hunting and hit an elderly fellow hunter. Maybe there is something in my little book from the monk that covers this. I don't know ..
All jokes aside, why did it take almost 24 hours for Cheney's shooting accident story to make it to the mainstrean? From what I have read, the police only found out about this after it became news. My other questions: Was Dick Cheney trying to hide something, and if he hadn't gotten those five deferments might this accident never have happened?
Posted by: oncall at February 12, 2006 09:26 PM
Here's another humorous one, though I really can't laugh at any of it at all. (I'm not sure why not.) I guess because I keep picturing those kids in the military being shot at while Cheney's playing games with it.
http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/
I found it, and those are funny.
Here is something guaranteed to give you nightmares
http://www.5forward.com/NewCon06/x-men_big.jpg
Oncall -
Excellent thread topic - well done! Let's hope our democratic leadership can figure out how to use this to our advantage. If only.
On the Cheney thing, in the mood that I was in today, after having the head shaking moment I'm sure we all had, I was a little annoyed that Cheney is so busy and hard working as VP of the free world that he has time to go quail hunting in Texas with his pals.
Meanwhile, I, and I'm sure most of you, am working my tail off for the money I earn, and trying to squeeze a few more minutes out of the weekend to do all the things that didn't get done during the week.
Gee, maybe I should run for Vice President. Apparently it's a piece of cake. Unless you're the unfortunate pal in his gun sights, of course.
The Constitution sets restrictions upon Government. Following the Constitution would prohibit many of the Bush Administrations actions and policies, in effect this Adminstration has been breaking the law.
Why Senators allow this charade to continue is beyond me.
John W. Dean | Cheney and Presidential Powers
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021206A.shtml
Top white house officials are currently giving weak legal arguments for the presidential power to conduct warrantless electronic surveillance. Dick Cheney attempts to justify unprecedented presidential power by saying that terrorism has created a new climate that necessitates it. However, John W. Dean says that Cheney has always pushed this cause.
Cheney
karma comes home
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1102-30.htm
worth a re-read
White House Acknowledge Abramoff Photo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-5614025,00.html
so sick of these residents
Photo of Cheney with his Victim
http://tinyurl.com/clq5n
I deliberately tuned in to in-state news at 10 pm... the Cheney story was mentioned about third in the teaser before that, and was fifth in line for stories... behind the potential NW strike that may have to be settled by a bankruptcy judge (that will be a first if it happens), and a couple of other serious things involving deaths and accidents.
Then they mentioned there are now questions tonight as to why it took almost 24 hrs. for the story to break, that it was first mentioned in a local TX newspaper....
Hmmmm.... another cover-up, obviously, but if it was accidental, why the cover-up? The incident of Cheney shooting someone, even accidentally, should have been the first news story....
Well NewsBusters (rightwing site that tracks the "liberal bias" of the media) thought that ABC was unfair because they mentioned the duck hunting trip with Scalia. I'm glad they did.
The Cheney thing was number 1 story on Google and 5 minutes later shot way down the page. It's already out of the bag, all over the internet & in all the British papers.
A second network started their 10 pm news late, and while I don't know what number the Cheney story was, I saw four other stories before they even mentioned the story - briefly, in passing, like the story was thrown in as a filler, just before the mention of the blizzard conditions on the east coast, and before the first commercials.
I am thinking the administration wants this story to die rather quickly....! ;-) If national news had not picked up the story from a local TX newspaper, I seriously doubt anyone would have even known about it...!
And, if, as oncall posted, the police didn't even find out about it until after the news broke, that means there's a cover-up for some odd reason we know nothing about.
Gee. Must be nice to control the media so well that the story of the #2 man in our government shooting someone is barely mentioned in passing... eh.?
Today was Evolution Sunday at the more sane churches, in celebration of an anniversary of Darwin's discovery
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/13/national/13evolution.html
Nice to know religious Americans aren't ALL wackos.
NonnyO
One of the Texas papers said hunting accidents such as this are rare and mostly happen to older hunters who haven't taken hunting safety classes. They're supposed to be wearing orange (which is a good color for Cheney to get used to). It's not usually considered a crime as it's "accidental" and part of hunting. Sounded like they didn't want hunting to get a bad name (as far as safety).
Photo of Cheney with his Victim
http://tinyurl.com/clq5n
Posted by: not my vp at February 12, 2006 11:07 PM
Ha ha! ROFLMAO!
You guys are too fun-nee!!
NonnyO
Cheney story is back up to number 2 on Google - must be all those on-line readers popping on in Bangkok and Beijing
Why Senators allow this charade to continue is beyond me.
Posted by: Toolmaker at February 12, 2006 10:08 PM
Me, too....
I'm so sick of the silence every time The Cretin and his Criminal Cabal commit yet another crime, yet another breach of ethics and moral and civil standards......
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke
As long as our elected senators and representatives - and Lamestream Media - remain silent and do nothing, the evil of this administration will flourish.
NonnyO,
I tried to answer your post last night, but my computer wouldn't let me post, kept giving me that "page can't be found". So I shut it down.
Re: the commercials and where we get our stations from: I think our PBS station is Fargo.
The major networks are closer to me. How about you, do you get any Fargo feeds? I think you mentioned once you got yours from the greater area.
Posted by: nmp at February 12, 2006 11:49 PM
Could be...! ;-)
I just find it mildly astonishing that the Cheney shooting incident wasn't the #1 lead story on two networks on in-state evening news....
I bet it makes the Monday morning headlines everywhere in the world - including the mention of the fact that no one found out for about 24 hrs. - except the US.
Thanks for the great header, Oncall.
Frustrating that we can see it, yet they seem to be pulling off this coup and destroying our constitution right under our noses, and so many are mute.
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at February 12, 2006 11:53 PM
I get one of the Faux feeds from either Fargo or Grand Forks - think Fargo - I get two Faux stations, and one is from the Cities - well, if I wanted to watch Faux, that is. PBS I get from Bemidji and ABC and CBS from the Twin Cities (ABC has a little local affiliate in Alexandria that broadcasts regional news for about five minutes during each newscast). Since I refuse to pay for cable, I don't get NBC.
The thing that bothers me about the war ad is that the propagandistic misinformation and disinformation broadcast from any Twin Cities station is able to be seen not only in MN, but WI, IA, SD, and ND. I fear this very, very blue state will turn red this fall if those ads are not countered by something with the truth in them. The neoCons already have a toehold because we have a neoCon governor and the '04 election cycle saw ads that were most definitely influenced by Rovian slime, and those districts ended up sending neoCons to DC. I think that's also why The Cretin makes such frequent stops in this state. The neoCons used to just fly right over and ignore us.... I wish they still had that habit...
NonnyO
My husband is reading me things from Chicago Tribune blog - says Wittington's family notified the press, that Cheney has had DWIs before, that maybe the delay was to get blood alcohol content normal. The TX paper I talked about before not only mentioned that these "rare" accidents happen with older hunters that haven't taken gun safety but that sometimes it's people who are drinking.
People are also looking into the connection between the Wittington family & Bush. I know he's a prominent Austin realtor & lawyer.
Well people in London are bringing their Guardians and Independents in off the step, as it's morning - so the Cheney story is back at #1 on Google. News as entertainment sells and this is at least as interesting as the 37 pound woman giving birth, the Haitian woman with the human head in her baggage, the Vatican asking Michael Jackson to record a song.
One of the Chicago Tribune bloggers says he heard a 2nd gun went off on a grassy knoll. LOL
Dick Cheney jokes
http://www.hungryghost.net/magpolitics/cheney.htm
some are stupid, some I don't get, some almost made me pee my pants laughing.
back at Google #1, because everyone wants to read this
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/02/slow_white_hous.html
just doing my civic duty
I actually watched CNN - on-line. There were a couple of high schoolish reporters on the left and on the right of the screen, they showed footage of Cheney with some Saudi dude and bush, then shaking hands of military guys, getting out of plane, etc. The reporters had very little information and were filling in time as best they could. The internet is filling up with satire, to fill the vacuum and relieve the tension. This is no doubt an embarrassing moment for the White House.
Interesting how shooting one man, and superficially, makes the news.
Killing thousands upon thousands, attracts very little attention.
Toolmaker
Well that is true.
I guess it's because he's the VP & also, it's pretty ironic that he had alot to do with more than one war.
I wonder if Cheney learned how to shoot from a NRA instructor?!?
When I was in high school, we had the option of learning how to shoot rifles from an NRA instructor who came to the school (all the boys and some girls went deer hunting every fall). The boys in the class brought their rifles from home (on the school bus, no less!) to take the class.... (My dad was FAR more strict about gun safety than the NRA instructor!!!)
Alcohol and guns do NOT mix... Wouldn't surprise me if alcohol played some role in there somewhere - aside from old age and lack of good reflexes and lack of peripheral vision.
Yes, Toolmaker, it is sad that an incompetent shooter who injured another man has gotten so much (belated) attention in the press compared to the lack of attention for the tens of thousands of innocents and the thousands of occupation soldiers....
But at this immediate second in time, I'll take any negative attention that is thrown at The Cretin and the Vice Cretin and hope their teflon is scratched.... It's just too delicious a little scandal (on top of the more serious scandals and the death and destruction in Iraq and the probability of more to come in Iran) to ignore... and maybe it will divert some Lamestream Media attention to all the other criminals in their administration... the ones who are already under indictment and the others who haven't been charged yet - including, potentially, the Chinkster who can't shoot straight (all puns intended).
And, if it reflects badly on the NRA and the huge gun lobby, well, I will take that 'good news' as I find it... ;-)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060213/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cheney_hunting_accident
Oh, and the above link is to a much longer story about the Cheney shooting incident than the few paragraphs that were in other links earlier.
Gee, maybe Cheney needs to go through boot camp and learn how to handle a gun while he finds out what war is really about.
This item, which is far MORE important than the Cheney hunting story, was completely ignored so I'm reposting it. The tomorrow reference is now TODAY.
For those concerned about the validity of the electronic voting systems, there's a very important story about Diebold and things that are going to happen tomorrow posted at daily kos. The diary includes some to-do's ... it's very important that those who rant about their votes not being counted, stand up and take action when the opportunity presents itself.
Here's one... go read...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/2/12/0714/82809
Great header, oncall.
Cripes...a hunting accident and we jump all over it when we have bigger problems? Still, I can't resist noting that I still would prefer hunting with Cheney over taking a ride with Ted Kennedy
Joyus,
Why don't you go hang out at Michelle's place? We're really not interested in hosting trolls around here.
Better yet joyus, why not sign up for that all-expenses paid (by the taxpayers) hunting trip with Dick Cheney?
You seem to be qualified in the staying low department.
... and joyus, speaking of the bigger problems that need to be jumped all over, which one of the thousand or so that have been directly caused by the actions of this administration, and people like you in particular, would you like to discuss first?
Bring it on, junior.
Hello Joyus!
I want to personally thank you for all you do for Michelle Malkin; I know she simply could not do it without you!
Welcome back to the DCP, and feel free to ask questions here, especially if you actually want answers! We tend to enjoy democracy in action. It's why we are here.
Dear Large-D Democratic Party People,
[1] Read this book: http://tinyurl.com/afw3r
[2] Do what it says.
[3] Stop whining and start winning again.
small-d democratically yours,
Otter
The ranch Cheney was hunting on is 50,000 acres (for comparison, Seattle is 66,000 acres).
That is one big Bush supporter ranch!!
from my Republican uncle:
neat website......can they put a favorable "spin" on news of Cheney's shotgun?
http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=1951
If it's no longer pc to talk about this, can go to Kos or TPM. I say it's an important story because Cheney has been a neocon for decades and without him in office, Diebold etc. wouldn't have made as many inroads.
It'll be fun to see Scottie McClellan get "peppered" with questions. Look how they blame the victim - 30 yards away. If he had called out, who would have heard? Anyway, who is DRIVEN in a car to shoot birds? Shouldn't hunters be able to walk? What hunter travels with an ambulance, & then had the nerve to make fun of Kerry.
As the new TIME magazine says:
If Cheney now finds himself criticized or lampooned, he'll ironically be in the same position he himself put Senator John Kerry in during the final days of the 2004 Presidential campaign, though the circumstances then did not involve a potentially deadly accident. At the time, Cheney used his widely-known experience as a hunter to mock a duck-hunting foray in Ohio in which Senator John Kerry ended up shooting a goose. "The senator who gets a grade of 'F' from the National Rifle Association went hunting this morning," Cheney reportedly said, to hoots. "I understand he bought a new camouflage jacket for the occasion, which did make me wonder how regularly he does go goose hunting.” As the Texas incident shows, experience does not make hunters immune to accidents, which is why hunting advocacy groups put such a relentless focus on safety as the top priority.