Is there any political opposition in America at all at the moment?

[p_p_man]

I've heard nothing of substance from the Democrats for a year now, and even with Environ giving them an ideal opportunity to jump all over Bush and his cronies, they've allowed the media to take over the role of opposition.

I've just come across this on the Netscape Home Page:

"In the Democrats' radio address broadcast an hour later, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., supported Bush in his war on terrorism, but suggested the nation needed a quick economic boost.

'In the war on terrorism, President Bush and his national security team continue to do a superb job,'' Daschle said.'

Has he really? Isn't there just one tiny thing that the Democrats can find to criticise about the Administration's handling of the terrorist threat?

Is it time for America to have a substantial third party? At least it will give the people more choice.

And provide more opposition.

 

[heterotic]

I'd cream my pants if the libertarians suddenly had more than a snowball's chance in hell somehow, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

 

[WriterDom]

Politicians are gearing up for the war. Not the war of Terrorism, but the elections of 2002. Historically, the party in the White House loses seats. But who knows, for the first time in many years, more people are identifying with the republican party. There are more republican senators up for reelection, but most are pretty safe. There are quite a few democrats running in red states. One gain would shift the power. And the republicans have raised almost twice as much money. It should get interesting. Daschle is a do nothing obstructionist who is fucking up his party.

 

[p_p_man]

Politicians are gearing up for the war. Not the war of Terrorism, but the elections of 2002.

Even more reason for the Democrats to start acting like an opposition.

Otherwise they'll be in danger of losing by default.

pp

 

[Nogard]

Of course the Republicans have raised more money, they are much better at taking bribes. As Mark Twain said "The best government money can buy." Lets ask shrub about eldorado savings

 

[p_p_man]

Lets ask shrub about eldorado savings

This sort of thing would be much better coming from the Democratic Party. As would questions on Environ and MDS and Bush's promise to present to the world America's answer to Kyoto (which we were expecting to hear during the latter part of last year).

Where's the Opposition?

That's all I'm asking. I'd hate to see Bush get away with every idiotic notion he has just because there's nobody speaking out.

Apart from us that is. But we don't count.

 

[RisiaSkye]

I think politicians are afraid to criticize. Given the right-wing reactionary tilt the country's taken since 9/11, and the backlash against Republicans for making such a big deal about Clinton's blow job, I think they're piss scared to rock the boat in any way--afraid it'll backfire and they'll lose their cushy jobs and fat perks.

Contemporary U.S. politics isn't *really* about opposition, it's about the illusion of opposition, so as to exploit the differences between people. Otherwise, government'd actually have to represent all people who live here, which ain't gonna happen. Instead, it's much easier (and profitable) to blow smoke, sling mud, and wait for the checks to roll in to campaign headquarters.

Ideally, a politician who hopes to be successful should work to instill and exploit some righteous indignation in their target audience, as nothing gets people emotionally invested in the illusion of politics like the desire to force their own personal values onto others. Right now, all that reason-crushing emotional reaction is already in place, thanks to 9/11--people are already more pro-government than they've been since Bush, Sr. started bombing Iraq. So, politicians can wait it out until closer to the election, see which way the wind is blowing (meaning-- see if they will be more likely to get dollars and votes by continuing to tow the Republican line or not). If they smell backlash, which could happen (especially if U.S. soldiers start coming home dead), they'll turn on Bush--just in time for the elections.

This should be an interesting summer.

 

[Unclebill]

Originally posted by p_p_man
I've heard nothing of substance from the Democrats for a year now, . . .

Where have you been? I've been saying that for TWENTY years.

Originally posted by RisiaSkye
. . . and the backlash against Republicans for making such a big deal about Clinton's blow job, . . .

You really should get your facts straight. A post like this denigrates your intelligence.

The charges against Clinton were perjury, suborning perjury and obstruction of justice, not anything to do with a blowjob, aka Lewinski. Perjury is a felony and when committed by an officer of the court, it's particularly egregious.

That was all fabrication by him, his defenders and the press to lie to the public to garner support for the exoneration of a criminal.

And that speaks volumes of the principles, ethics and values of the Democratic party and their supporters and proponents.

 

[p_p_man]

I know that, at times, the official Opposition to a Government...

finds it more tactically wise to say nothing about certain areas of scandal which may arise during the course of an Administration's term of office.

Environ, I think, is probably one.

But I would have thought that the gap between the Right and the Left in America is large enough (unlike in the UK where the distinction has become more blurred with the passage of time) to exploit some differences between the two.

But as you say it could be an interesting summer.

 

[p_p_man]

Re: Re: Is there any political opposition in America at all at the moment?

And that speaks volumes of the principles, ethics and values of the Democratic party and their supporters and proponents.

Don't start that again!

At least you're learning brevity...

 

[Guest]

Daschle is a do nothing obstructionist who is fucking up his party.

Obstructionist? Only a couple of weeks ago thousands of Rush Limbaugh listeners had to look that word up in the dictionary just to know what it meant and today they are using it in a sentence. Daschle is going exactly what Republicans said is the right thing to do for America. In the years 1992 through 2001 Republicans said that being an obstructionist was a patriotic duty. Were they lying? Are you accusing the republican party of lying to us for almost 10 years about the patriotic act of obstructing a corrupt president? Bush himself believes that obstructing is an admirable and patriotic thing to do. Bush and Cheney have both been obstructing the investigation into the energy commission and Enron for over six months. The white house said Bush is obscructing the investigation on a matter of principle. Do you dare disagree with Bush? Are you arguing that Bush is a do nothing obstructionist who is fucking up his party? Attacking Bush is not going to make you any friends here in America. Traitors like you should go to China or Cuba where people would agree with your attacks on our president. Your post attacking our obstructionist president should be reported to the FBI. Are you in this country legally? If you don't like America, or President Bush, then why don't you leave?

 

[p_p_man]

You Are Busted...

are you for real?

 

[RisiaSkye]

Re: Re: Is there any political opposition in America at all at the moment?

You really should get your facts straight. A post like this denigrates your intelligence.

The charges against Clinton were perjury, suborning perjury and obstruction of justice, not anything to do with a blowjob, aka Lewinski. Perjury is a felony and when committed by an officer of the court, it's particularly egregious.

Ah, but I thought that the Justice system was politically neutral, Bill. I was talking about the Republican party's getting in bed with guys like Robertson to cry "immorality," which is a different thing than going to court to try someone on criminal grounds. The criminal charges are another issue.

I'm not trying to open a whole new can of worms here, but I do want to be clear. I'm not so naive as to suggest that the Special Prosecutor was politically neutral in his investigative efforts, but I am talking about the actions and public moves of Republican politicians--in the non-judicial arena.

That was all fabrication by him, his defenders and the press to lie to the public to garner support for the exoneration of a criminal.

If my separation of Judicial from Legislative makes me sound less intelligent, I guess we're even, as this makes you sound paranoid--just as paranoid as Clinton's whole "vast right wing conspiracy" bullshit. "The press" is as vast and diverse as any other huge body of communication. Why substitute a conspiracy theory when simple self-interest will explain it?

He wanted to keep his job, the Starr Report information came out through some pretty shady back-door political dealing, and his office exploited the ethical faults of the other side to their own advantage to the best of their ability. This is not at all unlike what the other side did, either. Maybe it was *just* here at my house, but I read MANY media missives which were everywhere from critical to overtly and aggressively hostile about Clinton. As I assume they wanted to sell newspapers and advertising time, and we're in a Democratic state, that indicates at least *some* level of media diversity on the subject. I certainly don't remember a universal media love-fest.

In any case, it doesn't change the fact that the public for the most part grew disgusted with *both* sides of that whole fiasco. As the initiators of the public inquest, Republicans paid a lot of the price in terms of the public's urge to punish someone for the sleaziness of the whole deal--on both Republican and Democrat sides.

And that speaks volumes of the principles, ethics and values of the Democratic party and their supporters and proponents.

I'm very hesitant to interpret the principles and ethics of nearly half the nation, at least to the extent to holding myself above them. The values by which people lead their own lives are not necessarily reflected in their voting practices. Once again, self-interest rules the day. Many people vote for the party platform which both has a chance of winning and most benefits them personally. *Very* few people vote based on a larger concept of government process and the different theoretical models of state leadership. However, to suggest that this is somehow a *less* valid set of voting criteria than your own ignores some of the complex implications of representative government, and it's a somewhat arrogant value judgement.

Of course, politics aside, you know I still think you're a doll. This is why I stayed out of your convo with Manu, btw. I think you're a hell of a nice guy, Bill, and an intelligent and generally level headed poster. But, when it comes to politics, you've got the same problems as the rest of us: you see the problem stemming from everywhere except the camp you've decided to join.

 

[Lost Cause]

As a Libertarian, and a citizen not a subject, when at war I back my leadership to the hilt. I also watch and petition my elected reps when they diminish the Constitution, or Bill of Rights. I don't vote blindly by party, but, if I find the smell of socialism in my reps, I actively participate in the election to get them out. Most Americans are not black & white, they vote all over the board depending on the issues.
We don't oppose just to oppose, that's the European Empire mentality which we shed 200+ years ago. Cheers!

 

[SINthysist]

So, you see, there is opposition. It's all hiding at Lit. Oh, by the way, you Dashle defenders,

Bush approval - in the 80's
Dashle approval - in the 20's

Now if you were correct in the 90's about the polls being the measure of the American people, the you should note this and what WriterDom pointed out about the 40-35 percentage edge of Republics ovewr Democrats.

The old truism may go out the Window. In Illinois, the Dems have already lost one to re-districting. He will now run against a very popular Republican in a Rural part of the state. But he's sounding VERY CONFIDENT!

 

[pdx39]

Who would want to oppose such a fine leader? In George W. Bush's First year in office he has:

1. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops.

2. Cut federal spending on libraries by $39 million.

3. Cut $35 million in funding for doctors to get advanced pediatric
training.

4. Cut by 50% funding for research into renewable energy sources.

5. Revoked rules that reduced the acceptable levels of arsenic in drinking water.

6. Blocked rules that would require federal agencies to offer bilingual assistance to non-English speaking persons. This, from a candidate who would readily fire-up his Spanish-speaking skills in front of would-be Hispanic voters.

7. Proposed to eliminate new marine protections for the Channel Islands and the coral reefs of northwest Hawaii (San Francisco Chronicle, April 6,2001).

8. Cut funding by 28% for research into cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks.

9. Suspended rules that would have strengthened the government's ability to deny contracts to companies that violated workplace safety, environmental and other Federal laws.

10. OK'd to state Interior Department appointee Gale Norton to send out letters to officials soliciting suggestions for opening up national monuments for oil and gas drilling, coal mining, and foresting.

11. Appointed John Negroponte - an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure to the post of United Nations Ambassador.

12. Abandoned a campaign pledge to invest $100 million for rain forest conservation.

13. Reduced by 86% the Community Access Program for public hospitals, clinics and providers of care for people without insurance.

14. Rescinded a proposal to increase public access to information about the potential consequences resulting from chemical plant accidents.

15. Suspended rules that would require hardrock miners to clean up sites on Western public lands.

16. Cut $60 million from a Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America program for public housing.

17. Proposed to eliminate a federal program, designed and successfully used in Seattle, to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

18. Pulled out of the 1997 Kyoto Treaty global warming agreement.

19. Cut $200 million of work force training for dislocated workers.

20. Eliminated funding for the Wetlands Reserve Program, which encourages farmers to maintain wetlands habitat on their property.

21. Cut program to provide childcare to low-income families as they move from welfare to work.

22. Cut a program that provided prescription contraceptive coverage to federal employees (though it still pays for Viagra).

23. Cut $700 million in capital funds for repairs in public housing.

24. Appointed Otto Reich - an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure to Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs.

25. Cut Environmental Protection Agency budget by $500 million.

26. Proposed to curtail the ability of groups to sue in order to get an animal placed on the Endangered Species List.

27. Rescinded the rule that mandated increased energy-saving efficiency regulations for central air conditioners and heat pumps.

28. Repealed workplace ergonomic rules designed to improve worker health and safety that contributes to global warming.

29. Abandoned campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide, the waste gas.

30. Banned federal aid to international family planning programs that offer abortion counseling with other independent funds.

31. Closed White House Office for Women's Health Initiatives and Outreach.

32. Nominated David Lauriski - ex-mining company executive - to post of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.

33. OK'd Interior Secretary Gale Norton to go forth with a controversial plan to auction oil and gas development tracts off the coast of eastern Florida.

34. Announced intention to open up Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest to oil and drilling.

35. Proposes to re-draw boundaries of nation's monuments, which would technically allow oil and gas drilling "outside" of national monuments.

36. Gutted White House AIDS Office.

37. Renegotiating free trade agreement with Jordan to eliminate worker's rights and safeguards for the environment.

38. Will no longer seek guidance from The American Bar Association in recommendations for the federal judiciary appointments.

39. Appointed recycling foe Lynn Scarlett as Undersecretary of the Interior.

40. Took steps to abolish the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

41. Cut the Community Oriented Policing Services program.

42. Allowed Interior Secretary Gale Norton to shelve citizen-led grizzly bear re-introduction plan scheduled for Idaho and Montana wilderness.

43. Continues to hold up federal funding for stem cell research projects.

44. Makes sure convicted misdemeanor drug users cannot get financial aid for college, though convicted murderers can.

45. Refused to fund continued cleanup of uranium-slag heap in Utah.

46. Refused to fund continued litigation of the government's tobacco company lawsuit.

47. Proposed a $2 trillion tax cut, of which 43% will go to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.

48. Signed a bill making it harder for poor and middle-class Americans to file for bankruptcy, even in the case of daunting medical bills.

49. Appointed a Vice President quoted as saying "If you want to do something about carbon dioxide emissions, then you ought to build nuclear power plants." (Vice President Dick Cheney on "Meet the Press.")

50. Appointed Diana "There is no gender gap in pay" Roth to the Council of Economic Advisers. (Boston Globe, March 28, 2001.)

51. Appointed Kay Cole James - an opponent of affirmative action - to direct the Office of Personnel Management.

52. Cut $15.7 million earmarked for states to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.

53. Helped kill a law designed to make it tougher for teenagers to get credit cards.

54. Proposed elimination of the "Reading is Fundamental" program that gives free books to poor children.

55. Is pushing for development of small nuclear arm to attack deeply buried targets and weapons, which would violate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

56. Proposes to nominate Jeffrey Sutton - attorney responsible for the recent case weakening the Americans with Disabilities Act- to federal appeals court judgeship.

57. Proposes to reverse regulation protecting 60 million acres of national forest from logging and road building.

58. Eliminated funding for the "We the People" education program which taught School children about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and citizenship.

59. Appointed John Bolton - who opposes nonproliferation treaties and the U.N. - to Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

60. Nominated Linda Fisher - an executive with Monsanto - for the number-two job at the Environmental Protection Agency.

61. Nominated Michael McConnell - leading critic of the separation of church and state - to a federal judgeship.

62. Nominated Terrence Boyle - ardent opponent of civil rights - to a federal judgeship.

63. Canceled 2004 deadline for automakers to develop prototype high mileage cars.

64. Nominated Harvey Pitts - lawyer for teen sex video distributor - to head SEC.

65. Nominated John Walters - strong opponent of prison drug treatment programs - for Drug Czar. (Washington Post, May 16, 2001.)

66. Nominated J. Steven Giles - an oil and coal lobbyist - for Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

67. Nominated Bennett Raley - who advocates repealing the Endangered Species Act - for Assistant Secretary for Water and Science

68. Is seeking the dismissal of class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. against Japan by Asian women forced to work as sex slaves during WWII.

69. Earmarked $4 million in new federal grant money for HIV and drug abuse prevention programs to go only to religious groups and not secular equivalents.

70. Reduced by 40% the Low Income Home Assistance Program for low income individuals who need assistance paying energy bills.

71. Nominated Ted Olson- who has repeatedly lied about his involvement with the Scaiffe-funded "Arkansas Project" to bring down Bill Clinton - for Solicitor General.

72. Proposes to ease permit process - including environmental considerations for refinery, nuclear and hydroelectric dam construction.(Washington Post, May 18, 2001.)

73. Proposes to give government the authority to take private property through eminent domain for power lines.

74. Proposes that $1.2 billion in funding for alternative renewable energy come from selling oil and gas lease tracts in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.

75. Plans on serving genetically engineered foods at all official government functions.

76. Forced out Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck and appointed a timber industry lobbyist.

With a track record like this, he should be remembered as one of our greatest presidents ever.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Yes, peapeaman, the US is still a hotbed of political opposition. We just don't tell you about it.

 

[WriterDom]

Who would want to oppose such a fine leader? In George W. Bush's First year in office he has:


2. Cut federal spending on libraries by $39 million.

This copy and paste makes an appearance about every 6 months. Some of them are really funny. 39 million cut from libraries? There are over 20,000 libraries. Works out to 5000 or so per library. Is it the function of the federal government to fund libraries? And you even have to question what liberals call cuts. If a program is to get a 100 million dollar increase, and republicans hold the spending down to a 61 million dollar increase, then some little web monkey that gathers this garbage, calls it a 39 million dollar cut.

 

[Weevil]

Re: Re: Is there any political opposition in America at all at the moment?

You really should get your facts straight. A post like this denigrates your intelligence.

The charges against Clinton were perjury, suborning perjury and obstruction of justice, not anything to do with a blowjob, aka Lewinski. Perjury is a felony and when committed by an officer of the court, it's particularly egregious.

That was all fabrication by him, his defenders and the press to lie to the public to garner support for the exoneration of a criminal.

And that speaks volumes of the principles, ethics and values of the Democratic party and their supporters and proponents.

I'm sorry Bill but as much as you'd like to believe this it just isn't true.

I'm the first to say that the Clinton thing was about something bigger than a blowjob but you are in a fantasy world, an easily tumbled fantasy world, if you truly believe that it was the Democrats and CLinton supporters who wanted to turn this into a morality issue.

How did you tell your kids?

 

[Weevil]

This copy and paste makes an appearance about every 6 months. Some of them are really funny. 39 million cut from libraries? There are over 20,000 libraries. Works out to 5000 or so per library. Is it the function of the federal government to fund libraries? And you even have to question what liberals call cuts. If a program is to get a 100 million dollar increase, and republicans hold the spending down to a 61 million dollar increase, then some little web monkey that gathers this garbage, calls it a 39 million dollar cut.

Back when I played hockey the coach used to say "Just get the puck on net, you never know what kind of shot will fool the goalie"

So WD, First you say that the cut isn't that much, then you try that we shouldn't be funding libraries at all and finally you shoot a it's not a cut at all but a 60 million increase.

Bad angle, Bad angle.

 

[delite]

Who would want to oppose such a fine leader? In George W. Bush's First year in office he has:

1. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops.

2. Cut federal spending on libraries by $39 million.

3. Cut $35 million in funding for doctors to get advanced pediatric
training.

4. Cut by 50% funding for research into renewable energy sources.

5. Revoked rules that reduced the acceptable levels of arsenic in drinking water.

6. Blocked rules that would require federal agencies to offer bilingual assistance to non-English speaking persons. This, from a candidate who would readily fire-up his Spanish-speaking skills in front of would-be Hispanic voters.

7. Proposed to eliminate new marine protections for the Channel Islands and the coral reefs of northwest Hawaii (San Francisco Chronicle, April 6,2001).

8. Cut funding by 28% for research into cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks.

9. Suspended rules that would have strengthened the government's ability to deny contracts to companies that violated workplace safety, environmental and other Federal laws.

10. OK'd to state Interior Department appointee Gale Norton to send out letters to officials soliciting suggestions for opening up national monuments for oil and gas drilling, coal mining, and foresting.

11. Appointed John Negroponte - an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure to the post of United Nations Ambassador.

12. Abandoned a campaign pledge to invest $100 million for rain forest conservation.

13. Reduced by 86% the Community Access Program for public hospitals, clinics and providers of care for people without insurance.

14. Rescinded a proposal to increase public access to information about the potential consequences resulting from chemical plant accidents.

15. Suspended rules that would require hardrock miners to clean up sites on Western public lands.

16. Cut $60 million from a Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America program for public housing.

17. Proposed to eliminate a federal program, designed and successfully used in Seattle, to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

18. Pulled out of the 1997 Kyoto Treaty global warming agreement.

19. Cut $200 million of work force training for dislocated workers.

20. Eliminated funding for the Wetlands Reserve Program, which encourages farmers to maintain wetlands habitat on their property.

21. Cut program to provide childcare to low-income families as they move from welfare to work.

22. Cut a program that provided prescription contraceptive coverage to federal employees (though it still pays for Viagra).

23. Cut $700 million in capital funds for repairs in public housing.

24. Appointed Otto Reich - an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure to Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs.

25. Cut Environmental Protection Agency budget by $500 million.

26. Proposed to curtail the ability of groups to sue in order to get an animal placed on the Endangered Species List.

27. Rescinded the rule that mandated increased energy-saving efficiency regulations for central air conditioners and heat pumps.

28. Repealed workplace ergonomic rules designed to improve worker health and safety that contributes to global warming.

29. Abandoned campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide, the waste gas.

30. Banned federal aid to international family planning programs that offer abortion counseling with other independent funds.

31. Closed White House Office for Women's Health Initiatives and Outreach.

32. Nominated David Lauriski - ex-mining company executive - to post of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.

33. OK'd Interior Secretary Gale Norton to go forth with a controversial plan to auction oil and gas development tracts off the coast of eastern Florida.

34. Announced intention to open up Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest to oil and drilling.

35. Proposes to re-draw boundaries of nation's monuments, which would technically allow oil and gas drilling "outside" of national monuments.

36. Gutted White House AIDS Office.

37. Renegotiating free trade agreement with Jordan to eliminate worker's rights and safeguards for the environment.

38. Will no longer seek guidance from The American Bar Association in recommendations for the federal judiciary appointments.

39. Appointed recycling foe Lynn Scarlett as Undersecretary of the Interior.

40. Took steps to abolish the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

41. Cut the Community Oriented Policing Services program.

42. Allowed Interior Secretary Gale Norton to shelve citizen-led grizzly bear re-introduction plan scheduled for Idaho and Montana wilderness.

43. Continues to hold up federal funding for stem cell research projects.

44. Makes sure convicted misdemeanor drug users cannot get financial aid for college, though convicted murderers can.

45. Refused to fund continued cleanup of uranium-slag heap in Utah.

46. Refused to fund continued litigation of the government's tobacco company lawsuit.

47. Proposed a $2 trillion tax cut, of which 43% will go to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.

48. Signed a bill making it harder for poor and middle-class Americans to file for bankruptcy, even in the case of daunting medical bills.

49. Appointed a Vice President quoted as saying "If you want to do something about carbon dioxide emissions, then you ought to build nuclear power plants." (Vice President Dick Cheney on "Meet the Press.")

50. Appointed Diana "There is no gender gap in pay" Roth to the Council of Economic Advisers. (Boston Globe, March 28, 2001.)

51. Appointed Kay Cole James - an opponent of affirmative action - to direct the Office of Personnel Management.

52. Cut $15.7 million earmarked for states to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.

53. Helped kill a law designed to make it tougher for teenagers to get credit cards.

54. Proposed elimination of the "Reading is Fundamental" program that gives free books to poor children.

55. Is pushing for development of small nuclear arm to attack deeply buried targets and weapons, which would violate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

56. Proposes to nominate Jeffrey Sutton - attorney responsible for the recent case weakening the Americans with Disabilities Act- to federal appeals court judgeship.

57. Proposes to reverse regulation protecting 60 million acres of national forest from logging and road building.

58. Eliminated funding for the "We the People" education program which taught School children about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and citizenship.

59. Appointed John Bolton - who opposes nonproliferation treaties and the U.N. - to Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

60. Nominated Linda Fisher - an executive with Monsanto - for the number-two job at the Environmental Protection Agency.

61. Nominated Michael McConnell - leading critic of the separation of church and state - to a federal judgeship.

62. Nominated Terrence Boyle - ardent opponent of civil rights - to a federal judgeship.

63. Canceled 2004 deadline for automakers to develop prototype high mileage cars.

64. Nominated Harvey Pitts - lawyer for teen sex video distributor - to head SEC.

65. Nominated John Walters - strong opponent of prison drug treatment programs - for Drug Czar. (Washington Post, May 16, 2001.)

66. Nominated J. Steven Giles - an oil and coal lobbyist - for Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

67. Nominated Bennett Raley - who advocates repealing the Endangered Species Act - for Assistant Secretary for Water and Science

68. Is seeking the dismissal of class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. against Japan by Asian women forced to work as sex slaves during WWII.

69. Earmarked $4 million in new federal grant money for HIV and drug abuse prevention programs to go only to religious groups and not secular equivalents.

70. Reduced by 40% the Low Income Home Assistance Program for low income individuals who need assistance paying energy bills.

71. Nominated Ted Olson- who has repeatedly lied about his involvement with the Scaiffe-funded "Arkansas Project" to bring down Bill Clinton - for Solicitor General.

72. Proposes to ease permit process - including environmental considerations for refinery, nuclear and hydroelectric dam construction.(Washington Post, May 18, 2001.)

73. Proposes to give government the authority to take private property through eminent domain for power lines.

74. Proposes that $1.2 billion in funding for alternative renewable energy come from selling oil and gas lease tracts in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.

75. Plans on serving genetically engineered foods at all official government functions.

76. Forced out Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck and appointed a timber industry lobbyist.

With a track record like this, he should be remembered as one of our greatest presidents ever.

Thats it I promise never ever to moan about Tony Blair ever again if this lot is for real Our Tony's a saint and you lot got a greedy manipulative enviromental hooligan on your hands.
hey may be you could elect our Tony next time, He's already been rehersing the role.

 

[p_p_man]

Our Tony's a saint and you lot got a greedy manipulative enviromental hooligan on your hands.

Ahh! A convert...

 

[delite]

Ahh! A convert...

My dear darling p_p_man , only incomparison to the enviromental hooligan in the white house.
I thought if they wanted Tony we could throw in prescott as a free gift.

 

[Moridin187]

Is it the function of the federal government to fund libraries?

Yes, it is. The government takes our money through taxes, and should therefore provide services. The way that America has gotten so far ahead in the past couple hundred years is through information. The larger the amount of smart people we have, the better the country fares. Nothing makes a person smart like reading.

And you even have to question what liberals call cuts. If a program is to get a 100 million dollar increase, and republicans hold the spending down to a 61 million dollar increase, then some little web monkey that gathers this garbage, calls it a 39 million dollar cut.

Uhh.... WD, man.. That IS a cut. They don't usually give a program 100 million dollars then take back 39 a few months down the road...

 

[p_p_man]

the enviromental hooligan in the white house.

Oooo, I just love the way you talk.