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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by zeugma on May 7, 2006, at 20:16:53
is really too kind.
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Democrats pledge probes of Bush, not impeachment By Andrea Hopkins
Sun May 7, 2:39 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats will launch a series of investigations of the Bush administration if they take control of Congress in November but are not out to impeach President George W. Bush, a top Democrat said on Sunday.
House of Representatives Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Democrats would hold hearings on the use of intelligence in the lead-up to the Iraq war and investigate the high price of energy and prescription drugs if they win the extra 15 seats they need for a House majority in the mid-term elections.But Pelosi denied Republican claims that her party would move quickly to impeach Bush.
"I said we'd be having hearings on the war, we'd have hearings. But I don't see us going to a place of impeachment," Pelosi said in an interview on NBC's Meet the Press. "Investigation does not equate to impeachment. Investigation is the requirement of Congress. It is about checks and balances."
In Congress, the majority party controls the chairmanship and agenda of all committees, where most laws are drafted and investigative and subpoena power is held.
With Bush's public approval rating at an all-time low and Republicans fearing they could lose control of both houses of Congress in November, Democrats are laying out plans for an aggressive start to the new Congress.
Michigan Rep. John Conyers (news, bio, voting record), the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has called for the creation of committee to recommend grounds for possible impeachment of Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.
But Pelosi said such a decision rests with her and the Democratic caucus.
"John Conyers is an enthusiastic advocate. I am the leader. Our caucus will decide where we go," she said.
While she declined to rule out impeachment, Pelosi focused on investigations of the White House's energy task force and the prescription drug bill.
"You never know where the facts take you ... but that is not what we are about," Pelosi said. "We will have subpoena power and that's why the Republicans are so afraid that we will be able to show the public how they arrived at a prescription drug bill that is born of corruption," Pelosi said.
"The cost of corruption is huge to the consumer, whether it is low income seniors paying more at the pharmacy, whether it is all American consumers paying more at the pump or home heating oil. How did we get to this place? That is worthy of scrutiny."
____________________Clueless is too kind. The stupidity of the Republicans is only equaled by the cowardice and lack of vision of the Democrats. I vote for the enthusiastic advocate, not the leader.
-z
Posted by zeugma on May 7, 2006, at 20:40:53
In reply to Declan on the centre-left: clueless, posted by zeugma on May 7, 2006, at 20:16:53
I generalized hastily. Russell Feingold, Conyers, Patrick Leahy, and one other whose name I forget were the only Congressional Democrats willing to censure Bush for his blatantly contemptuous regard for the law. My hope rests in Republicans like Specter, Susan Collins of Maine, and perhaps even Mr. Hoekstra of Michigan, whose motives may have been difficult for me to divine, but who came out and said that the military- civilian distinction must be maintained at all costs, even if it means defying President Bush. My hope rests in any politician who doesn't think that the only thing wrong with this country is the d*mned prescription drug bill. Plans for a pre-emptive nuclear war strike are drawn up, Iraq is in chaos, the country is bankrupting itself on dead Halliburton dreams, ten states (including my own) are suing the Federal Government for refusing to uphold its own environmental laws, a Republican probe charged Mr. Bush with incompetence and disinterest during Hurricane Katrina, the CIA is falling apart in the midst of a supposed war of terror, and her bold program is to investigate the prescription drug bill?
it's about as stirring a proposal as Mr. Frist's idea to send every American a $100 bill to make them feel better about the price of gas. At least the Republicans had the sense to recognize a bad idea when they saw one.
-z
Posted by Declan on May 7, 2006, at 22:14:22
In reply to correction, posted by zeugma on May 7, 2006, at 20:40:53
Posted by verne on May 8, 2006, at 4:29:51
In reply to Declan on the centre-left: clueless, posted by zeugma on May 7, 2006, at 20:16:53
Don't tailgate on Declan's earlier post that resulted in his block.
How gutless.
verne
Posted by zeugma on May 8, 2006, at 5:05:14
In reply to Hiding Behind A Previous Block, posted by verne on May 8, 2006, at 4:29:51
> Don't tailgate on Declan's earlier post that resulted in his block.
>
> How gutless.I am the only one who will be blocked for using his words.
How is that gutless? What he said was true. That he was blocked for it is the travesty. But are you suggesting that he will be blocked again because I pointed out that he is correct?
To me, what is ridiculous is the moderation of this board.
I can't answer the question on Obama, as far as I am concerned his behavior was as gutless as most of the Senate when they refused to consider censuring Bush. They say he is a rising star in the Democratic party. But I don't have time at the moment for a more detailed analysis, have to be out of the apt. soon.
-z
>
> verne
Posted by zeugma on May 8, 2006, at 5:48:00
In reply to Hiding Behind A Previous Block, posted by verne on May 8, 2006, at 4:29:51
verne,'
i think you were trying to defend Declan from getting blocked again, which is noble. i reacted defensively and apologize for that.
i also want to say that when i said the moderation was ridiculous i meant that people get blocked for reasons that are sidiculous, and not that the moderators themselves are. i admire all of the deputies and Dr.Bob himself. I think the Pol board is an impossible creation but even so I have had the pleasure to converse with many here including you.
The *people* of babble- *all* of them- are the reason i love this site. otherwise i wouldnt bother posting so much, and getting the frequent block. But i don't want to trigger others, and so accept this.
thanks,
-z
Posted by verne on May 8, 2006, at 6:05:26
In reply to apology to verne-pls read » verne, posted by zeugma on May 8, 2006, at 5:48:00
Sorry "z",
I was just a bear looking for an excuse to go crashing and ripping into a thread.
I should apologize for trying to drag you down into the same whirlpool that got Declan.
But your reexamination of your motives and heartfelt apology wasn't lost on me. I think we could easily trip over each others' apologies.
I think it would be a race to apologize with you. We are alike that way.
I'm trying to quit this place, violate the rules, and get blocked. I'm sort of crashing around right now.
I liked your discussion of idiosyncrases (sp) Take care. Perhaps, I'll be back in a year or so.
verne
Posted by Estella on May 8, 2006, at 10:05:46
In reply to I Was Looking for Trouble, posted by verne on May 8, 2006, at 6:05:26
damn.
maybe we will have to start a blocked babblers club.
or maybe that would defeat the purpose.
i'm sorry if i've set things off...
i'm sorry i couldn't connect with you more verne...
z.
i shall miss you.
i won't forget you.
i promise.
Posted by Declan on May 8, 2006, at 14:48:35
In reply to Re: I Was Looking for Trouble, posted by Estella on May 8, 2006, at 10:05:46
Hi Verne
Last year a moose (elk?) in Sweden got drunk outside an old people's home and walked off with a bicycle round its head.
I hope you find this as amusing as I do.
And I really hope you stick around.
Declan
Posted by teejay on May 8, 2006, at 21:05:40
In reply to Re: I Was Looking for Trouble, posted by Declan on May 8, 2006, at 14:48:35
getting barred from this rather poor debating platform (i speak of the politics board only there) really is a shot in ones own foot.
Good health to you all, and verne, I hope you stick around the alt board :-)))
Posted by Declan on May 9, 2006, at 10:45:16
In reply to I Was Looking for Trouble, posted by verne on May 8, 2006, at 6:05:26
Maybe I was looking for trouble too, verne. We're not supposed to post anything that could lead anyone to feel put down. And you shouldn't have to figure out my intentions. I wondered later if my post was lobbed across your path like an explosive, or whether it was an expression of affection, or both, and which (if any) would be more unwelcome. I don't want this to become one of those apologies that compounds the offence. So....just kidding, hey?
Declan
Posted by verne on May 9, 2006, at 13:09:19
In reply to Skating on thin ice » verne, posted by Declan on May 9, 2006, at 10:45:16
Declan,
I'm trying to quit this place. Combination that, and feeling sorry for myself, drinking, and I become anti-social, even belligerent. (I'm not a mean drunk really but my posts and messages left on answering machines can turn downright ugly)
Zeugma, I'm really sorry I attacked you for little reason. Same as above's explanation to Declan - mostly drinking. Stress of upcoming daughter's wedding and thinking she was mad at me triggered this last bender. I've since discovered she wasn't upset with me and I've made part of my wedding gift: sobriety. The real test will be the wedding reception - very small, but still at my place.
Sorry you got blocked. I think you're a sensitive and very helpful poster. When you come back I will probably be gone (taking a long break) so you won't have to worry about me jumping you.
I'm just making my usual rounds of apologizes the morning after. How I didn't get blocked is a mystery to me.
Verne
This is the end of the thread.
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