Chris Matthews just said "I'll get to the heart of this speech now"....

[Segami]

"...This man from a foreign government walked into the United States legislative Chamber and tried to takeover U.S. Foreign Policy...."


"...He said you should trust me and not your president on this......I am the man you should trust,..I am your true leader on this question of U.S. geo-politics. To protect yourself, you must listen to me and not to this president..."


"...Startling situation,...to allow someone to come in, knowing that was going to be their message in the Chamber of the U.S Congress. This was a decision made by Boehner and certainly complied to by Netanyahu and his Ambassador Dermer. They went into the U.S. Congress to take over U.S. Foreign Policy today from the president. It's a remarkable day when the leaders of the opposition in Congress allowed this to happen..."


"...Think it through....What country in the world would let a foreign leader come in and attempt to rest from the president, control of U.S. Foreign Policy...."


"...This was a takeover attempt by Netanyahu with his complying American partners to take American Foreign Policy out of the hands of the president...."

YOU GO TWEETY!.............CALL IT AS YOU SEE IT........

[Fred Sanders]

1. Even CNN is flustered by the fact the speech amounted to nothing new and an apparent apology to

Obama.

Tweety is right about the ocassion and the Instituion of Congress being abused, but the contents were air.

Not even aired on the Big Three.

Bibi went with Speech number 3....play to the election crowd at home as a "stately leader" as well as a cartoonish flame thrower.

[glasshouses]

2. That's exactly what it sounded like

[riversedge]

28. I listened to Pres. Obama-his post remarks were great. someone

posted them here on DU

[Bucky]

78. Exactly! This has always been simply a campaign photo op for Netanyahu.

Of course our Republican friends have always been unclear on the difference between governing and electioneering.

[City Lights]

3. We cannot let Boner and the GOPee off the hook for

inviting Bibi to do this.

[rtracey]

10. and?

And what are we going to do? The lower chamber is gerrymandered to total republican control, the upper chamber is now out of the democrat control. Boehner shows his arrogance by inviting Bibi to speak. McConnell is just as arrogant. Not much to do except vote for a democrat ticket in 2016.....

[Romeo.lima333]

15. Not much to do except vote for a democratic ticket in 2016 -- this right here even if you have

Last edited Tue Mar 3, 2015, 07:04 PM - Edit history (1)

to vote for hillary

[calimary]

22. THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[uponit7771]

30. +1

[tiredtoo]

45. Still think this board should have a "like" button

like

[Romeo.lima333]

47. thanks

[Backwoodsrider]

57. I am looking for the "like" button still

maybe could use a dislike too

[calimary]

65. Welcome to DU, Backwoodsrider!

Glad you're here! It'd be neat to be able to "like" individual posts. But I suppose that's what the reply mode is for. Heck if I know. I'm a bigger Luddite than Hillary is!

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

82. Welcome to DU.

[Tarheel_Dem]

64. +1

[catbyte]

69. Actually, the proper word is "Democratic" ticket.

Using "democrat" instead of "democratic" is one of my pet peeves. Baggers use it to insult us.

Welcome to DU.

[Romeo.lima333]

75. fixed thanks

[Beartracks]

79. True that. Vote for the (D).

Even if they're not your first choice. Or second choice. Or third choice. Or fourth choice... They're still a huge sight better than the (R) is gonna be these days.

============================

[bhikkhu]

97. Absolutely. The US is a great country, and so is Isreal

but we both have our clown cars of politicians to deal with. I hope the whole speech-before-congress charade doesn't fly any better in Israel than it does here.

[kelliekat44]

31. Gerrymandered...only if we allow it to be. Get some damn candidates out there speaking fact and

educating the low-information RW. No election...state..local...or national should ever be uncontested. It's an opportunity to educate and spread some truth even if we lose.

[Gman]

40. 2010 was probably much more important than 2008

or 2012 because those elected representatives determined redistricting. And the GOP cleaned our clock just like 2014. In 2010 people either stayed home or they sat on their hands whining about single payer. This is the result.

[rtracey]

41. agree

[cui bono]

71. 2010 was not because people were "whining about single payer".

[SomeGuyInEagan]

109. Yup. And more than a few here were reminding us of that.

2020 is the next one, a Presidential election year with typically high voter turnout.

Look for Republicans to subvert the process with either lawsuits or ballot initiatives that year to excite their base (2020 ... marriage equality will be everywhere by then, perhaps revoking Roe v. Wade? a ballot measure proposing the establishment of a national religion would certainly excite their base of "victims" as would anything dealing with immigration ... we (Ds) need to start pushing an ERA effort again, with 2020 being the target year).

[Gman]

117. The 2011 gerrymandering is solid and will easily last

Through 2020. If we were going to stop them 2010 was the year to do it. It could be a couple of generations now.

[Erose999]

55. Complete intransigence from the Executive branch would be a start. Veto at every opportunity,

Selective enforcement... don't execute the laws Congress passes that are disagreeable. Continue executive action on immigration.

This is what the GOP would do. Its time to fight fire with fire.

[V0ltairesGh0st]

63. Take OUR country back perhaps..... ?

To borrow a page from the misused and misunderstood "conservative" view of rebellion. When might we as liberals and, progressives be fed up enough to heed the call and rise to arms against complacent, and destructive "elected" officials ?


"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [i.e., securing inherent and inalienable rights, with powers derived from the consent of the governed], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." --Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315

Perhaps soon would be a good time I'm thinking.

[grahamhgreen]

111. We could prosecute war and financial crimes... They are, after all, crimes.

[Cosmocat]

110. If the democrats pulled this shit on a republican president

the Republicans would have the white house and both chambers for the next quarter century ...

[Cha]

4. Thanks, Tweety! Segami!

[deminks]

5. None dare call it treason.

Et tu Tweety?

[Segami]

6. Heads would be exploding if he so called it treason...

Stay tuned....more to come.....

[zeemike]

92. And if it were a Republican president we would hear treason all over the place.

We are scared to do things like that...afraid the media would call us radicals.
But it is no big deal if the right does it.

[HappyMe]

7. Yay Tweety!

He's exactly right.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

8. It was an attempt to take power away from the BLACK GUY.

[kwassa]

12. and they will never stop trying.

[Ohio4theWin]

32. Race troll?

No idea why you brought up race but doing so is ridiculous.

[vlyons]

42. no it isn't

Come to where I live in east TX and listen to the rednecks racist remarks about Obama

[libdem4life]

46. Damn straight.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

53. Actually, invoking "commies" is ridiculous but they do that too.

[pennylane100]

56. Ridiculous is your pathetic attempt to deny the outright racist views of the GOP

http://www.politicususa.com/2015/01/06/republicans-protect-scalise-neo-nazi-gathering-worry-trouble-fund-raising.html

http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2015/01/13/as-racist-republicans-survive-their-scandals-congress-prepares-to-go-after-president-obamas-immigration-reform

http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/nobody-likes-to-talk-about-it-but-its-there/?_r=0

http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/nobody-likes-to-talk-about-it-but-its-there/?_r=0

I could post a hundred more articles about the racists in congress that hate Obama, but I am not sure it would matter to you.

[erronis]

62. Am I missing something?

Until this was interjected there didn't seem to be much reason to bring up race or religion or communism/etc.

I may not agree or disagree with what you are trying to say but wouldn't it be better in another thread? Unfortunately straying away from the main points of a discussion is exactly how conversations are hijacked.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

86. Tweety keeps saying, "I don't get it!" all the time when the rest of us do.

[pennylane100]

90. Actually, I did not bring up the suject,

An earlier poster mentioned it and was called a race troll. That is what I objected to.

When we are constantly reading about all the racist insults coming from the lunatic fringe on the right, we do not owe them a pass because it is not the appropriate time. Racism is very real to black Americans, it is institutionalized as we use laws to stop them from voting. Our police force has proved itself to be criminally abusive to people of color with no repercussions, and major financial institutions have been fined millions of dollars for discriminate lending practices, and the list goes on.

Racism plays such a significant role in the lives of black citizens and there should never be a time when it is inappropriate to include it.
The comment made by the poster that got him called a race troll was not offensive and he/she did not deserve the answer his/her post received.

[paleotn]

95. You're apparently missing a great deal....

one major impetus for this awful insult (bringing a known, foreign warmonger to speak in the House chamber and attack a sitting US President) is the simple fact that much of the scum on the far right just can't bring themselves to accept the fact that the President of the United States is in fact.......black! Tell me they would have pulled this shit on Clinton or Carter. In over 50 years, I've never seen this kind of unmitigated disrespect for not only the man but also the office he holds. They would shit on the office of President of the United States just to get back at him for "stealing" what they consider a white man's office. Go ahead and tell me again it's just politics. As a white, native southerner, trust me, I know better.

[vlyons]

108. their hateful contempt for Obama is no secret

It's like they are competing to throw the best insult.

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

84. Even Republicans would never have inviteda foreign leader to insult any other president.

[The CCC]

9. Chris Matthews just said "I'll get to the heart of this speech now"..

Boner, and crew need to be tried, convicted, executed for TREASON.

[calimary]

25. I don't know why we can't use the "T-word."

WHY NOT????

What the hell? WHY shouldn't we? Why can't we? Why do we have to tiptoe around this? Why can't we sling some reeking, smoking, radioactive mud?

I keep thinking back to the story told about LBJ, early in his career, running for office in Texas. He accused his opponent of - um - sleeping with pigs. He knew full well it didn't apply, factually. But he did it anyway. THE POINT WAS: MAKE HIM DENY IT!!!!

WHY can't we do that now? MAKE 'EM face and have to deal with charges of treason. Make 'em deal with it. Make 'em dance around it and deny it and harrumph it and foam at the mouth. Why can't we do that?

[gratuitous]

36. I tend to agree, but . . .

And you knew there was a "but." By mentioning treason, that word becomes the issue, instead of the fiasco we just got today. Boehner, Netanyahu, and all the rest gets subsumed by a specious argument over what is and isn't treason.

Surprisingly (to me, at least), I think Tweety got this one right. Tell people what was wrong with this, and enumerate the various offenses committed by Boehner in extending the invitation and Netanyahu for following through on it. People can then decide on their own just how grave the matter is. In my opinion, letting the facts steep in the public consciousness will mean the desired result has a better chance of following than by coming right out and calling treason.

[The Wizard]

50. More sedition than treason and

Repubics are assholes on a good day. Everything changes once the lying starts.

[leftynyc]

39. Because it would make us look like imbeciles

It's not treason - which has a specific definition - which is why you don't see anyone in Congress - even those who skipped the speech use such an incendiary word when it's obviously not true.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

54. [phone] n/t

[demwing]

91. I don't think it rises to treason

but it's definitely sedition.

And BTW - I don't think we should want to execute ANYBODY.

[Sheelanagig]

13. I like it when I can agree with him!

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

81. Welcome to DU.

[Sheelanagig]

89. Thank you!

[yallerdawg]

14. Maybe submissively passing full clean DHS funding...

is an apology from Boehner?

If they rant and rave, and then do what the Democrats want, isn't that pretty good?

[daleanime]

23. Did they pass clean funding?

I had only hear about a one week extension.

[herding cats]

16. Did he mention the stump speech angle?

That Netanyahu just used our congress to actively campaign for his reelection is an angle we should also be discussing now. That's what just took place here, our congress just gave Netanyahu a major venue for a political stump speech.

What a joke we must look like to the rest of the world right now.

[The Wizard]

51. How much did Boner

contribute to Netanyahu's campaign fund?

[herding cats]

60. Israel's campaign finance laws are actually rather strict.

The exception being their primary elections where there is no state funding. While it's true Netanyahu received 90 percent of his funding this campaign from US sources, that total only amounts to $250K due to the limited amount of money which isn't state financed being allowed in their elections. I wish the US were more like that, but it'll never happen here.

I just wanted to make it clear my grievances are with Netanyahu using the US Congress as a Whistle Stop for his current campaign circuit. That and his attempts to undermine the president's talks with Iran, and the implication he knows more than the elected leader of of this country just because some pack of warmongers decided to give him a platform from which to spew his rhetoric, are what has me on edge.

[calimary]

66. Has me on edge, too, herding cats.

I know just what you mean! And frankly, considering the calculating manipulations that we have seen netanyahu pull, sticking that nice shiv into President Obama's back, him and his ambassador BOTH sneaking around behind our President's back with boner and pulling this sneaky-ass manipulative posturing just for a photo-op to brag about back home. I wouldn't be surprised, if he's THAT sneaky, that he doesn't have plenty of other ways to fund his campaigns. I wouldn't expect a guy like this to play fair and follow rules, any more than I'd expect the GOP to play fair and follow rules.

[herding cats]

68. Netanyahu was in his element today.

Using the US Congress as a forum to spread his war with Iran rhetoric at the behest of true supporters of his ideology. It is, to say the least, a worrisome moment in American history. All we can hope for is that the Republican's and Netanyahu's united stand against our elected president manages to blow up in their collective political faces. I disagree with both groups politics, but their underhanded tactics flat out tick me off. Hopefully this is a step toward more people seeing them for what they really are, warmongering hacks who are opposed to any sort of diplomacy. The added bonus of both parties getting to undermine a president they don't like made it all the sweeter for them.

[calimary]

83. Fuck him. I don't take orders from bibi netanyahu. I don't acknowledge any authority he may or

may not purportedly think he might have over me. For me, the answer to that one is "Absolutely NONE Whatsoever!"

And to grandstand before a joint session of Congress in what's effectively a political stunt to boost his own selfish chances back home, after having stuck a shiv in President Obama's back (ANOTHER one, frankly, since he had nothing good to say about our incumbent President during the 2012 election season) and pulled a sneaky-ass maneuver violating protocol without consulting the White House or going through proper channels to do this sort of thing. ASSHOLE. I hope he's voted out. I hope this backfires so egregiously that it leaves the GOP permanently hobbled.

[Hekate]

17. I saw that. He cut through all the BS & told it like it is. You go, Tweety!

[dissentient]

18. K&R. When he is right, he's right.

[Paper Roses]

77. One of the ferw times I agree with Tweety. Shame on the Rethugs. n/t

[libodem]

19. Shameless bastids

[Duppers]

20. Heard him live

And was cheering!

Thanks so much for posting this.

[dinger130]

21. Tweety just hit a bulls eye.....

dead center.

[calimary]

26. Welcome to DU, dinger130!

Glad you're here! He totally did! Sometimes our dear ol' potato-faced Tweety gets it spot-on. This time he certainly did. And it's great that he's saying it, out loud. Hope he rams it home on his own show tonight. And I hope others pick up on it.

Because this is EXACTLY what happened.

[Iliyah]

24. GOPers - The United States of Israel

[calimary]

29. Well, I don't know about them, but last time I looked, I lived in the United States of AMERICA.

And my leader is President OBAMA. NOT this asshole netanyahu. Sorry. I don't take orders from him. We didn't bother watching the speech. My husband changed it to the Weather Channel.

[tomsaiditagain]

27. He's right

I have a hard tome listening to Mathews on tv due to his ranting and cutting in on people talking but, he is right on many points.

He's right on this one

[RKP5637]

38. He definitely is, I saw part of his response, and it was right no target IMO. Yep, I know

what you mean about his ranting and cutting in on people talking, but he sure got it right on this one.

[kelliekat44]

33. Tweety today. It remains to be seen what he will be like tonight. Still, drop him a line to let

him know how you feel.

[kelliekat44]

34. We're better off with Israel trying to run this country. nt

[whathehell]

88. I do hope you are being facetious..

[RKP5637]

35. And the republicans applauded and applauded further convincing me of their goal to

destroy America as best they can. GOP = No America, No Constitution, No Civil Rights! GOP, obsolete in the 21st century.

[KeepItReal]

37. Matthews is 100% correct.

What Boehner and the GOP did is disrespectful at least, sedition at worst.

[Wellstone ruled]

43. Buddie,you finally Nailed It!!!!

[lumberjack_jeff]

44. "If you don't obey Netanyahu, you're unamerican"

Exhibit #1 of the degree to which Republicans have lost their minds.

Congressional republicans are the the unamerican ones.

[George II]

48. I thought he was 110% correct! Why is it no republicans could see this?

[pansypoo53219]

49. coup de eDUH

[SunSeeker]

52. Tweety nailed it.

[V0ltairesGh0st]

58. MUTINOUS COWARDS !!!!

I Can't wait for Obama to finally break a foot off in their asses like they all deserve.

[wiggs]

59. Yes but that's not the worst of it. That's bad enough certainly, but IMO the scary,

dangerous part is that a foreign leader conspired with radical elements of a political party to foment war and may succeed.

If you want an adversary to discuss, negotiate, compromise, keep coming to the table, engage, moderate talking points, advocate among hardliners at home, change minds, create change....YOU DON'T DO IT BY CONDEMNING YOUR ADVERSARY IN HARSHEST TERMS POSSIBLE, CALLING THEM NAMES, AND HAVE THE US CONGRESS GIVE YOU STANDING OVATIONS AND CONSTANT APPLAUSE. It leaves no room for discussion. It diminishes hope. It polarizes and gives strength to the extremists in both countries. It creates a wet blanket of animosity instead of an atmosphere of optimism.

This reminds me of Obama's wise observation during his first months in office, pertaining to the prospects of reaching compromise with rebublicans in congress. After being called every name in the book by not only gop pundits but by republican leaders and legislators -- socialist, marxist, dangerous for america, communist, etc etc -- Obama said that the republicans have given themselves no room to even discuss issues with the president, their sworn enemy. There was no where to go after republicans created such a polarizing, hateful environment...and Obama knew it.

They are throwing rocks at the two parties sitting in the street trying to diffuse a bomb.

Only the negotiators know the effect of this speech and display by congress...I hope both sides aren't hardened by it...I hope negotiators continue with optimism and hope...I hope they see the bloviation and stunts for what they are and can convince their leaders and constituencies they mean nothing in comparison.

I'm not really sure the Iranians have said they want to destroy Israel and the Jews (actual official quotes are not what become part of the western memes)...but I'm pretty sure that Netanyahu just advocated for a diminished, destroyed, powerless, impoverished Iran instead of a strong, modern, controlled, peaceful Iran. And I hope level heads on all sides prevail instead.

[olegramps]

61. There has been intense discussion regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities; what about Israel.

From what I can access it appears that Israel has a rather formable nuclear arsenal and rockets to deliver them in addition to submarine launch capability and bombers. They have refused to sign the non-nuclear proliferation treaty making it more likely that they have nuclear weapons. What is the possibility that they would use these weapons if they were under attack in the face that they are determined, justifiably, to survive against an enemy that has sworn to destroy it? Could this result in the dreaded nuclear holocaust that everyone fears could result the earth's destruction? If we are demanding that Iran abandon any nuclear program designed to produce nuclear bombs, then should we also demand that Israel disarm their nuclear arsenal? I would be interested in hearing what other think about the situation.

[samsingh]

67. can it be called treason?

[longship]

73. Uhm! No!

Treason has a specific definition in the USA. It is in the US Constitution.

I am very uncomfortable with Democrats using that term in such a casual way. It seems to be the kind of hyperbole that today's GOP uses -- Obama is a Kenyan, Muslim, anti-Christ, etc. Any intelligent person could debunk any of those claims, including the treason one.

But this situation does stink to high heaven, politically. And the GOP should pay dearly for it in any just universe.

But... NO! It does not rise to the level of treason under our Constitution.

Best regards.

[tridim]

96. If it's not treason and there's no word for it, there should be.

It is a thing now, for the first time in our history.

[longship]

103. Again. Treason is specifically defined in the US Constitution.

The reason it is defined there is because many governments used the charge of treason as a way to suppress opposition to the current government, meaning political opposition.

That is one thing that the founders of the USA understood that those who decry treason because Boehner invites Bibi to address Congress do not. As odious as Boehner's act, it does not come close to treason.

Read the Constitution. It is in Article III.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

If one does not understand both what the US Constitution actually says, let alone its historic context, one has no cause to charge a person for treason. Let that be ones measure on this issue. It is a very serious charge. And unlike some here on DU, the founders understood clearly that accusations of treason should not be used for political reasons. After all, that was the purpose of those Article III words.

The extent that one does not understand that is the extent that one does not understand the principles on which the USA was founded.

[samsingh]

112. don't the repugs accuse us of this constantly for even speaking our mind?

I think the Dixie Chicks were accused of this.

[longship]

115. Yup, they indeed do.

But that doesn't mean that we should, which is why I do not especially like it when Democrats do it.

Regards.

[samsingh]

116. actually it does - unfortunately - the repugs don't back down until they're beat up

they are thugs and bullies and don't understand

[kentuck]

70. Right on!

Target.

[ChiciB1]

72. WEEEELLLLL, Tweety Has Certainly Ticked Me Off

many, many times to the point where I only watch him from time to time, but really happy this was posted. I WOULD have missed it for sure!

Guess he has his days and then he has HIS days! Sometimes he's so ME, ME, ME and really turns me off!

So, TWEETY... good on you for telling it straight!

[Enthusiast]

74. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

[TNNurse]

76. My thoughts

1). He should never have been there
2) He was there for three reasons: They love war, they hate the President, and many of those crazy conservatives suck up to Israel because they want to be on good terms when Jesus comes back to save them and that could happen any day now.
3). They really are that awful.

[AzDar]

80. K & R

[joeybee12]

85. Exactly...and not one Dem should have attended, not one...knr

[Adrahil]

87. Fuck Nutandyahoo!

And fuck the traitors supporting this debacle.

[longship]

93. A longer clip!

[spanone]

94. it IS stunning. it goes to show that there is no depth so low this congress won't go there

to embarrass or humiliate this President.

[blkmusclmachine]

98. ,

,

[Greybnk48]

99. Matthews nailed it!

I may watch him again for a while.

[LynneSin]

100. To me that sounds like borderline fricking trea........

Boehner allowed for a foreign leader to come into congress and let this foreign leader dictate gphow we should run our country? That sounds like (taking out the 'T' word but I am thinking it) I'm pissed that Boehner even pulled this stunt because Boehner is not the damn President!

[Initech]

101. Borderline? I wonder how it's not.

[LynneSin]

102. I look at the state of our Veterans Affairs from these last two wars....

for the life of all that is dear we do not have the money or man-power for another 10 year war. We are doing a shitty job taking care of the veterans from the last ones. Let's not do something stupid because the GOP wants to try and show up Obama. From what I am reading - Americans want us to stay out of the Middle East and I have to agree.

[Greybnk48]

114. Me too. It seems fairly clear. n/t

[pa28]

104. And Netanyahu thought teasing Harry Reid as a prelude would be a charming touch.

This arrogance of this scumbag is just astonishing. He should not be given another inch or another dollar.

[mackerel]

105. Will we see more of this type of thing by the Republican Congress?

[Buns_of_Fire]

106. Step 1: Declare Ron Dermer "persona non grata" and ship him back to Bibi!

No self-respecting country is going to put up with an ambassador interfering with that country's political processes. Ambassadors are rejected by countries all the time for one reason or the other, and this seems like a perfectly good reason to me.

And it would certainly send a message to the Senator from Jerusalem. Hopefully, it would also be noted by the voters in Israel on election day.

[zentrum]

107. This was a take over attempt by

…Boehner, using Netanyahu.

Did you look at Boehner's face during Obama's State of the Union? He was exuding a really bilious hate. I know he always looks degenerate and faintly ill but during this speech he was disgusted looking. I think he personally, deeply hates O and whatever the fall out from this treason he doesn't care just so long as he can hurt the President.

[marmed]

113. The republicans and some spineless democrats just pulled the biggest coup on the United States

In the form of a treasonous coup, the republicans and the spineless democrats just installed President Netanyahu as our new president. is everyone happy? Never in the history of this country has congress without shame, but with arrogance toppled Pres. Obama and installed a foreigner as our new President Netanyahu.