Senate Debate, Part Duh, er, Deux!

[TayTay]

The Post Kay Bailey Hutchison story.

Gawd that woman is awful. Her argument does have one original thought in it. I think Rethugs all get implants in the morning with the talking points embedded in them.

What a dickhead!

[Blaukraut]

1. Salazar consponsor of Levin amendment

How many ARE there?

[Inuca]

12. Salazar was in

from the beginning, with Levin. Others, off the top of my head: Feinstein, Clinton, Obama.

[Blaukraut]

13. Ah, the appeasers n/t

[demdiva]

2. I just came in here to say the same thing

Didn't you know that working to get our troops out of an unjustified war is the same thing as telling them you are not committed to them (in particular those two that were found tortured yesterday)? Such total bullshit!

[jillan]

3. Perfect idea -

I really gotta go, this is where I can pick it up when I get back.

Keep posting "Kerrycat Reporters"

[TayTay]

4. Salazar is making all the right points, but

he refuses to 'go the distance' on this and say we need a deadline that says we will withdraw by this point so get yourself ready. It's like making this fabulous meal and then finding out you can't eat it, all you can do is stare at it. Damn.

I don't get it. The REthugs are phrasing this as a timetable for withdrawal no matter what the Dems say. They are not going to all of a sudden say, 'Oh my bad, I forgot you didn't want a timetable. Please forget that I just called you a craven coward and an unpatriotic little sniveler.' Honestly, why don't the Dems argue against what the Rethugs are actually saying and doing? This is just silly.

[jillan]

7. It feels like they are playing to the Republicans by not

setting a date for withdrawal.

I don't understand why they continue to try and please the repugs???
They are taking Kerry/Feingold/Boxer's amendment and softening it.

[Inuca]

22. "The REthugs are phrasing this as a timetable for withdrawal "

Good point. So it is even more disheartening to see most of them doing this cautious dance of semi-engagement and semi-convictions. Listening to Dodd, and once again the same passionate discourse about all the things that are wrong without drawing the what should be the inevitable conclusion. They are going to be painted in all the "cut&run" shades in any case, so WHY not go all the way??? DAMN!

[Blaukraut]

5. I'm sorry, but Salazar is a terrible speaker.

He sounds as though he is reading a script, and keeps making mistakes. His voice is monotone, too. ok, /shallowness

[TayTay]

6. They don't believe in what they are saying

There is no passion in this event so far. Everyone is going through the motions. (Some 'World's Greatest Deliberative Body', hmmmmph.)

Salazar has no investment in what he is saying. This is a defensive move, not a chance to express a part of his soul, a part of what he truly stands for and believes. It is a barren little debate, devoid of substance and drained of it's energy.

How sad. I would rather have the 8 or so people who will back KErry. I bet that will be a passionate debate.

[Inuca]

24. I wonder....

how many will speak for it... the 6 from last week? I know Boxer will.

[Blaukraut]

8. Ah! There we have the attack on K/F again

Is this how it's going to be then? The porponents of the Levin amendment will call the proponents of the K/F amendment irresponsible? This is the second time I have heard a Dem say this today. Nice, people, really nice. Backstabbing weasels. Go fight the rethugs' absolute refusal for ANY withdrawal, not your fellow Democratic Senators who are mostly WITH you on this.

[TayTay]

11. Agreed. This is just unacceptable

The Rethugs are fighting by saying that the Dems, especially K/F/B are flighty and irresponsible. The Rethugs are dragging out the war dead to justify more war. Look at this guy on the floor now, crying fake tears over some guy whose pay and benefits he would have cut.

Remember when you see these Rethug bastards on the floor, in last year's bankruptcy debate they wouldn't even vote to stop foreclosures for 'our troops.' Remember what these bastards really think about 'our troops,' they are fodder for the war and if they speak up against it they get the 'traitor' treatment. Remember what they said about Cindy Sheehan, that she was whoring off her own son's death. These people are beneath contempt. Democrats should be beating the shit out of these false and lying bastards. They should be happy that Kerry is taking them on, not upset that Kerry et al are 'upsetting the regular debate.'

[Inuca]

29. Who & what?

Do you remember who said what?

[Blaukraut]

44. Salazar said it was irresponsible to set a date for withdrawal

basically agreeing with the thugs

[Blaukraut]

9. Smith (R, Oregon) up now

Using the mutilated soldier's death now to justify staying in Iraq. The same old bag of convoluted logic again. 'ets make sure that even MORE soldiers die for nothing, so the ones who died already didn't die for nothing' :crazy:

[Inuca]

15. Smith referring to Kerry

(paraphrasing) I do not say that dissent is unpatriotic, I just say that it is unwise.

[Blaukraut]

18. that's what the nazis told the Germans, too.

It is unwise to dissent. In other words 'Speaking out may get you killed'

[JanusAscending]

16. Ya know?

He's a repub, but it was heartfelt at least,even tho' he was wrong! OOPs.........my Senator up now.. go Chris!! Gotta go watch this

[Inuca]

10. You made me chuckle

with the title, thanks :-)

[TayTay]

14. Hey Rethugs, remember this one and how you protected the troops?

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 1st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate


Vote Summary

Question: On the Amendment (Durbin Amdt. No. 16, As Modified. )
Vote Number: 13 Vote Date: March 1, 2005, 06:07 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Amendment Rejected
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 16 to to S. 256 (Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 )
Statement of Purpose: To protect servicemembers and veterans from means testing in bankruptcy, to disallow certain claims by lenders charging usurious interest rates to servicemembers, and to allow servicemembers to exempt property based on the law of the State of their premilitary residence.

Voting Nay to this and to screwing over 'the troops':

NAYs ---58
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burns (R-MT)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Chafee (R-RI)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Collins (R-ME)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-NE)
Roberts (R-KS)
Santorum (R-PA)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

Gee Senator Smith, I sorry this debate made you cry. I wonder how many service men and women are crying from bills they can't pay due to usurious loans. I would actually feel some of your tears if you had walked the walk and not just talked the talk.

[Blaukraut]

20. crocodile tears, nothing more

This lovely example of troop support by the rethugs should be brought up by every single one of the Dems today. And I'm sure there's a lot more where that came from.

[TayTay]

23. Oh tons. Remember how the Rethugs squawked when Kerry

wanted to raise the death benefit from $10,000 to $100,000? Or how Kerry fought for the PTSD funding and the REthugs ruled his amendment 'not germaine' and made all the amendments pass the 3/5ths rule? (Not one did, btw.)

These lying piece of shit bastards have the nerve to stand behind 'our troops' and cry that we have to fight them over there because 'our brave troops' have sacrificed so much. I hope they choke on their own pompous and idiotic bile. These truly are a bunch of lying bastards.

Cry me a river Senator Smith. But next time, vote to protect the vet, not give him or her more death and war unending.

[TayTay]

21. How about this one? This is what I call 'supporting the troops' right?

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 1st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate


Vote Summary

Question: On the Motion (Motion to Waive CBA Boxer Amdt. No. 2634 )
Vote Number: 343 Vote Date: November 17, 2005, 10:41 PM
Required For Majority: 3/5 Vote Result: Motion Rejected
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 2634 to S. 2020 (Tax Relief Act of 2005 )
Statement of Purpose: To provide an additional $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010, to be used for readjustment counseling, related mental health services, and treatment and rehabilitative services for veterans with mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, or substance use disorder.

Nay: No funding for PTSD or mental health money for 'our troops' whom Rethugs cry over when they think it's politically expedient:

NAYs ---55
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burns (R-MT)
Burr (R-NC)
Chafee (R-RI)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-NE)
Roberts (R-KS)
Santorum (R-PA)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

[jillan]

17. Good for Dodd for saying to stop the personal attacks

and defending the patriotism of democrats.

I like Dodd, but why is he co-sponsoring the wrong amendment?

[demdiva]

34. And those personal attacks latest all the way until ....

oh ...until the next Republican spoke

[Inuca]

19. Dodd up

attacking Smith about personal attacks, and the use of "cut & run" and the like. I like the way he speaks, he has (or at least conveys) passion & conviction. He seems to be quite pissed with Smith (I only heard the very end of S's speach).

[jillan]

25. Dodd is doing a great job imho.

[TayTay]

26. He is doing a good job.

I just wish he would 'go the distance' and back the withdrawal. But at least he isn't bashing other Dems. Dodd is a good man.

[Inuca]

27. I only heard him

on & off (streaming problems), but seems to me that he speaks more as if he is for Kerry rather than Levin, mentioned timetables, time horizon of 12 to 18 months, Iraqians having to take responsibility for their future, etc.

[Inuca]

28. OMG, McConnell !!!!

[karynnj]

31. Mocking Kerry

He is a jerk - he listed Kerry's plans - including the one HE (McConnell) put up last week.

[Inuca]

32. "And my good friend, the junior senator

from Massachussetts, has had no less than 4 plans in the last 12 months". ASSHOLE!!

[Blaukraut]

47. this is something I'm heartily sick of

why do they insist on referring to Kerry as 'my good friend' and then proceed to treat him as anything but? Disingenuous bastards.
Stop calling each other friend! Nobody believes you!

[jillan]

48. lol - they all do that - even dems

I wish they would say how they really feel

Wouldn't you just love to hear Kerry refer to McConnell
as that stupid idiot from the other side?

[Blaukraut]

52. Yes! I'd give my right arm for that!

Kerry, referring to McCain 'my so-called friend, the backstabbing, lying piece of garbage'

[TayTay]

36. McConnell is a major asshole and he's not dumb

like Allen and sessions and so forth. I have been waiting for him. I knew he was going to say that Kerry, in effect, supports what happened on 9/11 and is 'a coward.' This guy is a 'take no prisoners' asshole who cares only about himself. Truth is irrelevant.

Remember, the assholes can't mention the deaths and suffering our troops have endured. They can't. They don't vote money to alleviate it.

[Inuca]

43. 100% agree

Not dumb. Dangerous & evil. Same with Cornyn, I don't think he is dumb, just venomous.

[Inuca]

37. This guy is just f...ing unbelievable!

One thing we know for sure, is that if they push us out of there they will soon be over here. Just one in an abundance of inanities. He keeps spewing one "balck is white & white is black" after another, it's just unbelievable.

[Inuca]

39. Kennedy

I intend to support both the Levin and the Kerry amendments. Bravo Kennedy! ANd quting RFK.

[demdiva]

30. This is seriously pissing me off!

[TayTay]

33. Who really supports the Troops

4. S.RES.470 : A resolution promoting a comprehensive political agreement in Iraq.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 5/8/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. S.J.RES.33 : A joint resolution to provide for a strategy for successfully empowering a new unity government in Iraq.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 4/6/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 4/6/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. S.J.RES.36 : A joint resolution providing a strategy for stabilizing Iraq and withdrawing United States troops.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 5/8/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

----------------------

11. S.240 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow small business employers a credit against income tax with respect to employees who participate in the military reserve components and are called to active duty and with respect to replacement employees and to allow a comparable credit for activated military reservists who are self-employed, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 2/1/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


13. S.460 : A bill to expand and enhance benefits for members of the Armed Forces and their families, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 2/18/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/18/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25. S.1993 : A bill to provide for a comprehensive, new strategy for success in Iraq that includes a sustainable political solution and the redeployment of United States forces tied to specific political and military benchmarks.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 11/10/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
29. S.2163 : A bill to amend titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code, to increase and index educational benefits for veterans under the Montgomery GI bill to ensure adequate and equitable benefits for active duty members and members of the selected Reserve, and to include certain servicemembers previously excluded from such benefits.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 12/21/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 12/21/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

38. S.2449 : A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for nonregular service from 60 years of age to 55 years of age.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

59. S.2970 : A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide free credit monitoring and credit reports for veterans and others affected by the theft of veterans' personal data, to ensure that such persons are appropriately notified of such thefts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 5/23/2006) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

65. S.AMDT.333 to H.R.1268 To extend the period of temporary continuation of basic allowance for housing for dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 4/11/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 4/13/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 333 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

66. S.AMDT.334 to H.R.1268 To increase the military death gratuity to $100,000, effective with respect to any deaths of members of the Armed Forces on active duty after October 7, 2001.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 4/11/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Latest Major Action: 4/13/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 334 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

76. S.AMDT.1502 to S.1042 To make permanent the extension of the period of temporary continuation of basic allowance for housing for dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 7/25/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1502 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

100. S.AMDT.3143 to S.CON.RES.83 To prevent the imposition of excessive TRICARE fees and co-pays on military retirees.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Senate amendment not agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3143 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 53. Record Vote Number: 67.

[Blaukraut]

50. It is beyond me how the troops consistently fall for the rethugs

Believe me; I've witnessed this travesty for 20 years as a military dependent. Cuts after cuts in retirement, raise freezes, you name it, but the GI's and their families were, for the most part, die-hard republicans and believed the bullshit being fed to them by their officers that the Democrats were the ones wanting to cut defense spending.
Damn straight the Dems wanted to cut defense spending - such as Star Wars, the B2 bomber that leaked fuel and was a worthless piece of crap - in order to INCREASE GI's pay, housing allowance, food allowance. Those mean old Democrats.

[ray of light]

74. thanks for these taytay. (Posting your references elsewhere.)

Hope you don't mind.

[JanusAscending]

35. McConnell is up now!!

He needs to go to the recycle bin!! He's such a slow talker, and keeps saying the ssssssssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee things over and over and over.:puke: Did I just hear him say that Kerry was giving his ammendment tomorrow?????????????? WTF????

[TayTay]

38. Vote tomorrow. Debate tonight n/t

[demdiva]

42. But when will I sleep ??? :) Thanks!

[karynnj]

40. Yay! Kennedy

will vote for both. Making excellent comments - as one would expect from a MA Senator.

[demdiva]

41. Thank the lord that Teddy came after McC or someone could have gotten hurt

[TayTay]

45. Gotta go!

See you guys in about an hour and a half. (Travel time.)

[jillan]

46. Here comes another major dickhead

Graham

[Inuca]

51. Graham ended by saying

let's stay with the Iraqi people who want us out!! Id I hear this correctly? The truth sneaked out of his mouth by mistake? Last comment, really have to go now.

[Inuca]

49. Gotta go too

probably until tomorrow. Pleading one last time to keep the comments up.

[demdiva]

53. Oh here it comes again - George Allen Up

:grr: George Allen

However, Biden (ahem), Obama and Durbin are up next

[Blaukraut]

54. Oooh, everyone's favorite; George 'dumbass' Allen n/t

[karynnj]

55. Allen is up

attacking Kerry - he wants to see Iraq up on its feet - I think Kerry wnats just that. Gee, all the people Allen spoke to in Iraq like us and want to stay - can he not realize that these weren't randomly selected.

When told he had used 5 minutes - he paused for at least 5 seconds, then said he had 2 minutes left. (Did it take that long to figure it out?)

[karynnj]

56. Hagel up now

The Iraqi leader's letter sounds to back Kerry. Interesting that 2007 is date - Could he back Kerry? That would be a coup.

On edit - no, not even the Levin amendment.

He's against the cut off of funds in 1975 for Vietnam.

[demdiva]

57. Carper is up

[Blaukraut]

58. Kit Bond is 'flabbergasted ands aghast' at his colleagues

who want a timetable for withdrawal. Dogging Howard Dean now for telling the truth. Yep, it was coming; equating the Iraq war with 9/11.

[demdiva]

59. Biidddden

Let's see how many times he can agree and disagree with someone at the same time

[Blaukraut]

60. Lordy Lordy, Bond must be the only rethug who has a kid in Iraq

But they'll probably parade him around all day long to show that Howard Dean and those evil 'cut and run' Democrats that they're not cowards who sit in their airconditioned offices (99.9 %) and DO join the military (0.1%), thank you very much!

[Blaukraut]

61. wow, color me surprised!

Biden actually asks 'which amendment are we debating here?'

[karynnj]

63. Biden is so not Presidential I can't understand why he

is considered so by anyone. He was as bad as any of the Republicans - except he is saying it's not working.

[flpoljunkie]

62. Did Warner say the debate on both amendments would conclude today?

Does that include voting, too?

[beachmom]

64. Thanks for live-blogging, guys -- will Kerry be speaking soon?

I can't watch TV right now, but I have it recording until 8 PM. Should he be on by then?

[flpoljunkie]

67. I thought Warner said they would finish the debate on both amendments.

tonight. So, Kerry will be speaking tonight, if I heard correctly.

[karynnj]

65. Inhofe up now

what an idiot. The insurgents aren't Iraqis - proof Zarkawi was Jordanian and Bin Laden is Saudi - He blasted Kerry for saying it's a civil war.

[flpoljunkie]

66. Obama, NO ONE is calling for a "precipitous withdrawal." Not Kerry,

not Murtha, and not Feingold! Why say it, when it is untrue?

[politicasista]

68. Why he trippin?

BTW: :hi:

[flpoljunkie]

69. Hi to you, politicasista!

Good question.

[ProSense]

70. We want to hold them to that timetable?

Levin is contradicting himself!

[ProSense]

71. Warner is scared to let the truth get out! n/t

[Blaukraut]

72. what a prick!

He absolutely is trying to curtail Kerry's and Feingold's time to speak!

[JanusAscending]

73. He's what you said, and more!!

My head is ready to BLOW!! I had to fight with myself to keep from throwing something at the TV!! Please Virginia: when he runs again, put him out to PASTURE!! Where's Frist today? Reid had to intervene from the floor on our side, and all the repukes have is Warner?? In answer to a previous posters question about when Kerry is going to speak, probably when I have to leave for work thanks to Warner!!!! But I'll be late if I have to. He should be up in about a half hour God willing. This is all such bullshit, and Warner tried to blame Ted Kennedy for the delay in Kerry's amendment (for the time he took to debate the minimum wage yesterday):grr: