Path cleared for detainee legislation

[deminks]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060927/ap_on_go_co/congress_terrorism;_ylt=AnQO9i.GzTROreVyqDn3wj2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

WASHINGTON - Republicans on Wednesday cleared procedural hurdles in the House and Senate on the way to giving President Bush authority to detain, interrogate and try terrorism detainees before military commissions.

House Republicans succeeded on a vote in blocking any Democratic amendments to the legislation. In the Senate, GOP leaders won an agreement from Democrats to debate the bill for less than a dozen hours and then vote on it.

Four Democrats and Republican Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record) of Pennsylvania are being given opportunities to offer amendments in the Senate, but all were expected to fail with lawmakers eager to adjourn this weekend to devote the next five weeks to campaigning for re-election.

I think Smirky likes to watch. Maybe some others, too. That is the only explanation for passing torture legislation. IMHO.

[Robbien]

1. Reid has already said the Dems will support the torture bill

So this twelve hours of discussion is just a CYA for the DC Democrats.

Politicians suck.

[wtmusic]

3. Do you have a link to Reid's position on the bill?

thanks

[Robbien]

17. I read it in this article

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/politics/15615763.htm

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday that Democrats will propose changes to a Republican plan for terror trials, including who can be prosecuted as a terrorist and his ability to protest his detention in court.

Reid, however, indicated that his party does not want to stand in the way of its passage, all but ensuring it will. "I repeat, we all want to make sure these bad people are brought to justice," he said.

[ShortnFiery]

8. I want Reid replaced in his very next Democratic Primary!

:grr: I can't believe this cowardice from OUR Own Leaders! :cry: :grr:

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. He is up for reelection in 2010

[ShortnFiery]

25. I'll remember. :( eom

[Tellurian]

24. Reid was For $ale and the pubbies willingly paid it!

Because they needed his support..

most people DO have a price for their lack of integrity..

[pberq]

2. Just saw Rep. Ike Skelton of Mo. list the ways

that this bill violates the Consitituion - on C-Span 1

One that I wasn't aware of is the prohibition of creating an ex post facto law, which is exactly what this bill does.

[pberq]

4. Democrats Decide Not to Filibuster Detainee Bill

Talk about twisted logic!

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/27/146236

<snip>
Democrats Decide Not to Filibuster Detainee Bill
On Capitol Hill, Congressional Quarterly reports that Democrats are not planning any organized effort to filibuster the controversial military commissions and detainee treatment bill even though many do not agree with some of the specifics in the legislation. Democratic aides say they did not want to give Republicans an opportunity to paint them into a corner ahead of the November elections. One senior Democratic aide said “We’re going to do what we can to limit the amount of daylight between us and them on national security issues in order to neutralize this as a political issue.” Outside of Congress, opposition to the detainee bill is mounting.

31 Former Ambassadors Warn Against Eliminating Habeas Corpus
31 former Ambassadors – including 20 who served in Republican administrations – have warned lawmakers not to eliminate habeas corpus for prisoners. They said such a move would make a mockery of the administration’s efforts to promote democracy. Meanwhile Human Rights Watch is urging Congress to reject the entire bill. The group warned that the legislation will undermine the rule of law by denying the fundamental right of habeas corpus to detainees held abroad, by defining “unlawful enemy combatants” in a broad manner, and by limiting protections against detainee mistreatment. Human Rights Watch said the most troubling part of the bill is its “court-stripping” provision, which would bar detainees in U.S. custody anywhere around the world from challenging the legality of their detention via habeas corpus actions.

[BattyDem]

5. So once again, the Dems roll over and play dead!

If they don't think this bill is worth fighting, then what is? They're completely useless to us. We're on our own. :grr: :-( :scared:

[ShortnFiery]

6. This is WRONG! If ever they needed to take a stand, it is NOW!

:grr: :thumbsdown:

[OneBlueSky]

10. absolutely! . . . what the hell is WRONG with these people??? . . .

if they can't stand up against torture as national policy, what good are they? . . .

unbelievable! . . .

[ShortnFiery]

11. Hey, let's of course keep voting democratic but replace the gutless

wonders in The House and Senate?

Here's a valuable web site that will help us mobilize to vote out the spineless incumbents in their very next Democratic Primary:

Vote Out Incumbents Democracy http://voidnow.org

I'm not forgetting this deceit - I will not vote for the Senate Leaders ... hell, I'll give money to their Primary Challengers. :grr:

[opusprime]

9. I'm with you. I'm done.

I wont support any politician that votes for this bill.

If this passes without any Dem opposition, I'm tossing my DNC packet in the garbage and playing golf on my weekends.

What is the difference between us and them if we let this pass?

[ShortnFiery]

12. They are clearly out of touch with their constituents. :(

However, I'm motivated to get these bastards out and replace them with NEW Democratic blood. People who will uphold and cherish The Constitution. :grr:

[opusprime]

16. I just got off the phone with Maria Cantwell's office...

I told them in no uncertain terms that issue is about more than any election, its about the moral standing of our country.

I dont think they really cared to be honest.

This is really frustrating.

[pberq]

7. Steny Hoyer up on House floor now

This bill further erodes the moral high ground of the U.S.

[pberq]

13. Dennis Kucinich up now - a great Democrat!

[Radicalman]

14. BUT RIGHT NOW KARL LEVIN IS OFFERING AN AMENDMENT

Go to http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan2_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2 Support him now.......tell your Senator to support his amendment.

[confuddled]

15. Reid's D.C. staff denies...

that he is committed to supporting this abomination as of 5 minutes ago. They say he's on hold pending amendments being offered. Sounds pretty limp to me. If this thing passes with Democrats' support, I've had it with all of them.

[opusprime]

18. I just called Reid's office as well and laid into some poor kid...

They need to know they have to oppose this on principle, elections be damned.

And we need to take a lesson from the Republicans on this one. Its not the "Detainee Bill".

It's the Torture Bill.

Just like the Clean Air Act, and the Death Tax.

Let them explain away how this bill does not allow Torture.

[wtmusic]

19. I think I got the same kid

It sounded like he might have taken a Xanax or two since your call

[treestar]

21. if the polls saying Bush is unpopular are right, why do they think

that opposing him would hurt them in the elections? Why do they think opposing torture will hurt them in elections? They don't think very highly of their constituents.

[Jack Rabbit]

22. If this bill passes . . .

If this bill passes, any member of either hiouse voting "Aye" should be detained in The Hague. At least he will face a trail ant not be tortured.

[DoYouEverWonder]

23. Shouldn't the headline read

Legislation to Legalize BushCo's War Crimes?