What I am most po'd about as I watch this hearing today...

[Skidmore]

Congress gave their powers away. They sold this nation out to the highest bidder. The Dems tried to take Iraq off the table as an election issue, and the Rs wanted it there as an election issue. Daschle and Gephardt need to stay away from the public arena now. I'm in no mood to listen to them. The Rs don't give a crap, but I'm sick of hearing Dems line up and justify this action. They gave away the war powers and the gave away the powers of the purse. The continue to repeat the same stuff. No acknowledgement of the fact that they jumped on board this disastrous policy.

I'm really scared for the first time. I always thought we stood a chance because perhaps some Rs with consciouses would step forward and help put a stop to this. I see goosestepping. I hear more war drums. And if that mushroom cloud materializes, the greater majority of our legislators will have more blood on their hands than they already do.

[liveoaktx]

1. I thought at least ONE R would step up, such as Brownback

who at least expressed reservations last month.

I'm disturbed at this hearing. The Dems don't have the power to change anything, and the Repubs are soundly behind snooping on people.

[stop the bleeding]

2. yep - n/t

[wiggs]

9. I don't buy that the dems are powerless.

There are things the dems can do within congress and outside congress....there are much more effective ways to use their offices and positions to make strong points, to educate the public, to gum up the works, expose outrage, keep issues alive, make stands.

They are starting to do better, but they have a ways to go. They are clearly expressing the dem position in this hearing and on cspan, but need to find a way to bring the issue mainstream with the same vigor, clarity, and outrage. Even then, I'm of the opinion that educating the public is not enough. Low approvals for GOP and WH don't really matter at this point. They have to upset the apple cart, bring resolutions, begin lawsuits, throw a monkey in the wrench, go to supreme court, take the ball and go home, march en mass for an independent prosecutor, lobby to hold the AG in contempt of congress, hold press conferences every day, invoke rule 21 again....whatever it takes. This is yet another winning issue, if only someone wants to take advantage.

I'm expecting too much, I know, but this is what needs to be done. They aren't powerless unless they choose to be.

[AtomicKitten]

3. It's a hand-job - live on tee-vee

As if we expected more.

[chimpymustgo]

6. There is absolutely nothing to protect us. A few tough questions by

Feingold, Durbin, Leahy - then what?

"The Committee" will give the Chimperor what he wants.

[Burning Water]

4. The problem is

that Iraq is going to be an election issue, no matter what the Dems do. They won't stop attacking our positions, just as we never stop on their's. The thing the Dems need to do is convince Americans that they can protect them AND protect their civil liberties at the same time. specific proposals are needed. "Republicans are incompetent" just doesn't seem to get it. True, they are incompetent, as everyone can see that, but at least people see they have a plan, if a bad one. Dems need one too.

Wes Clark can put together a plan, if anyone can. IMO.

[cally]

5. I'm scared about all this too

They all know that they are trying to give the President unlimited power and yet noone is concerned except a few Dems. The AGs smirk is frigtening. He's so sure that noone can stop him and sure that he doesn't have to give answers to Congress. I hate this ruling junta so much. I just can barely believe that at least a few Repubs aren't trying to stop them.

[savemefromdumbya]

8. King George (part 1) thought he had unlimited powers too but....

look what happened when the previous King George wanted to mess with the people of America?

[orwell]

7. If you want...

...to put the blame squarely where it belongs it is the toadying complacence of "We the People..."

We long ago ceded our authority to the silk draped lap of luxurious empire, cheap energy backed by war without end, big screen TV's, "Hummers", fast food, and all the other "advantages" of a bloated, sycophant, spoiled society. And then we proceed to elect "leaders" who reflect our own dimwitted arogance. (Remember no matter what to "support the troops.")

How can we expect "them" to be any more than us, putting sound bites ahead of rational discourse, spewing "fux" talking points without critical self examination.

This whole one act drama has a fairly predictable outcome, a rapidly accelerating descent into moral and spiritual chaos, the fetid manure from which the next "shining city on the hill" will germinate...most likely on another "Earth", far far away.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

[chimpymustgo]

10. Can't much argue with that.

nice piece of writing.

[orwell]

12. Thanks...n/t

[fooj]

11. I'm afraid you may be right.

I look around in my community and I can't believe how little people seem to care about their basic fundamental rights. It's mind-boggling.

Skidmore...yes, the fear is palpable. I feel it, too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2441759&mesg_id=2441759

peace.

[Village Idiot]

13. Ein VOLK, Ein REICH, ein FUHRER.

Willkomen zu Amerika!

[soothsayer]

14. We ought to cut them off from our funds. No more taxes!