Bush Still Wields the Threat of Terrorism

[rodeodance]

Source: nytimes




August 7, 2007

Bush Still Wields the Threat of Terrorism
By JIM RUTENBERG

WASHINGTON, ...........

But the Congressional vote that authorized eavesdropping without warrants on international communications, including those involving Americans within the United States, has shown that there is at least one arena in which Mr. Bush can still hold the line: terrorism. (See, “Democrats, Republican accusations of being weak on ...”)
................

But while the Democrats had hoped to leave town for the August recess on an upbeat note, Mr. Bush and his party succeeded in outflanking them with veiled — and not so veiled — warnings that any failure to give the president the authority he sought would leave his rivals liable in the event of another terrorist attack.

For a president who has played defense most of the year, relying on veto threats and, in terms of Iraq, almost plaintive pleas for time, it was a rare, winning use of offense. The victory points up an enduring challenge for Democrats, even as they have gained other advantages over Mr. Bush and his fellow Republicans.

“Everybody was afraid they might be branded as soft on terrorism,” Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, a Democratic presidential candidate, said Monday while speaking to Iowa voters.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/washington/07assess.html?th&emc=th

[iconoclastic cat]

1. *head explodes* nt

[Solly Mack]

2. yet..."soft" on rights is OK

[dkofos]

3. It's so much easier to legislate away our rights than to stand up to TYRANNY.

They will say the same thing no matter how you voted, you spineless assholes.

[bemildred]

4. So all of the Congress are cowards?

What does it mean when he says "Everybody was afraid"? Is this the basis on which the country is governed? Fear? Is is any wonder we are circling the drain?

[treestar]

5. Of course you will be branded "soft on terrorism"

Sheesh, quit letting the right set the debate and have all this power just by running their lying mouths!

[Exiled in America]

6. That's because democrats in congress are acting like cowards and betraying a nation.

Not a single one of them actually believes this is about making a safer. Every Democrat that voted yes and the Democratic leadership that agreed to worth "with" Bush on the destruction of our constitutional democracy DID so because they believe that YOU - yes YOU - are fucking stupid.

They believe that you are too stupid to understand that Bush is a liar. Then think you are mindless sheep, and they think you can't see through political games. They treat you with total disrespect because that's what they think they need to do to STAY ELECTED.

Its up to you to prove that they are wrong. But you can only do that if you STOP APOLOGIZING FOR THEM AND START VOTING THEM OUT OF OFFICE, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.

[rainy]

7. a possible hit on congress was mentioned in this article. that explains everything:

Just think of Tom Dashle and the anthrax scare. This plays right into the fear that was created then. This article reminds us that there was a direct warning to congress. Here's the paragraph in the above article:

In any case, Democrats said they had been left in an untenable position. They could either allow for a vote on the broader Republican proposals that were certain to pass, the Democrats said, or they could leave for the summer recess having passed no new security measure at a time when administration officials were pointing to potential threats from Al Qaeda, including a report in The Roll Call last week that terrorists were possibly focusing on Congress itself.

[OHdem10]

8. The Democrats always manage to appear to be following

the lead of GWB.

IMO, the division in our party--DLC Wing and Democraatic
Wing renders our party almost inactive.

As long as GOP appear to be the stronger party(stronger on
everything in general) the Gop will win back power.

We must remember our party is not all in agreement on the
war, on terrorism, on Trade Policy, on Globalization.
What are we in agreement on???? We do not have members
who will fall in line for the good of the party.

As a liberal, I believe the GOP made a serious mistake
in trying to run a CenterRight Government. Here is where
I have to say the GOP has strength.

Bush's numbers have been in the cellar. A momth ago the
Country was in a frenzy to bring the troops home. Many
Republicans agree with the sentiment in the country but
stood their ground on giving GWB and Surge a chance.
It takes courage to stand in one position knowing you
many lose complete power. The GOP know this and always
stand together giving each other support. Wrongheaded
as their positions are they are shrewed politicians.

Before the war, there were a few Democrats who showed
this same courage. Flags furling, Bands Playing the
great majority of the country were beating the drums
and ready to go to war. These Democrats stood alone
against the tide.

In both parties there has been courage shown. The sad
fact on the Democratic Side it was not the so called
leaders in our party and not enough to make a difference.

This is how they are able to change oppinion polls.
Their party never misses an opportunity to be on TV.
Our Party avoids it(being on TV) like the plague.
Until our party learns PR GAME is as important as
being in Congress and get themselve on TV and firht
for something--GOP will win 2008.

Do not yell fairness doctrine, when TV Shows invite
Dems on and they decline. I am not talking about
Fox.

[AndyTiedye]

11. Everything Changed After the Repiglickins Bought Up the Media

Their party never misses an opportunity to be on TV.
Our Party avoids it(being on TV) like the plague.

It IS the plague. The television and radio networks and most of the newspapers
have been doing everything in their power to destroy the Democratic party.
They have largely succeeded.

Avoid? Our people hardly ever get invited, and when they do it is only to be tag-teamed by the "moderator" and his attack-dog guests.

Of course they'll give the boll weevils lots of airtime. Joe Lieberman gets TV time anytime he wants.

The Fairness Doctrine, or rather the current lack thereof, really is the root of the problem.

[paparush]

9. IT'S ALL HE HAS... IT'S ALL HE HAS... IT'S ALL HE HAS...

Approval ratings in the 20's.
Dem candidates are outraising Rethug candidates.
Public opinion has swung against the war.
The economy is a teetering house of cards.

[OHdem10]

10. I think the Poster was reminding us how fickle the American

Public is and how easlly they can be swayed.
Bush's numbers have come up a little. The numvers on
terrorism ticking up slightly have to be taken
seriously.

The War may be the only thing the GOP has but
if we are still struggling in Iraq. The GOP
will take the War and Immigration and surely
give us a run for our money.

[AndyTiedye]

12. IT'S ALL HE NEEDS! It's All He Has Ever Needed

[IndianaGreen]

13. Bush succeeded in frightening the Democratic Congress into passing the warrantless searches

and giving Gonzo the power to spy on all of us, without any restrictions or oversight.

If the Global War on Truth's bogeyman works, why shouldn't Bush continue to use it?

[Name removed]

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