republician Oink Oinks!

[peapod]

Republican Hogs at the Trough Push Through Oil Refinery Bill


Today is truly a sad day for the American people and the earth.
The new corporate friendly oil refinery bill has been forced through
by the republicans. The bill effectively turns the American people
into the unwilling slaves of the oil companies. House Democrats were
sadly reduced to chanting; "shame, shame, shame", and were unable to
save their country from the ruthlessly corrupt 'right wing' mob.

On Friday the Republican leadership pushed through the oil refinery
Bill making it easy for oil companies to build new domestic refineries
at public expense. The bill passed 212-210, only because the republican
house leadership extended the vote by 40 minutes during which time two
Republicans switched their vote.

The legislation removes most of the regulations in the government permit
process for the construction of new refineries. It opens federal lands
for future refinery construction, weakens environmental protections, and
offers subsidies from taxpayers to build refineries even though the oil
companies have made record profits since Bush took office.

Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts called the legislation the "leave-
no-oilman-behind bill." The bill also limits the power of communities and
citizen groups to challenge the location of an oil refinery by forcing
them to pay an oil company's legal costs whether or not they win or lose
any potential lawsuit.

The New York Times reported that during the extra 40 minutes of voting House
Speaker Dennis Hastert, majority whip Roy Blunt and former Majority Leader
Tom Delay all pressured other Republicans to change their votes. After the
Republicans extended the vote, Democrat Henry Waxman asked from the floor,
''Doesn't this make the House a banana republic?''

Then House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi took the floor. She began by saying
"Mr. Speaker, my parliamentary inquiry is this; Is it not bringing dishonor
to the house of representatives for this body to act..." At that moment the
shouting and interruptions began. Before Ms. Pelosi could continue, the
republican speaker of the house began to yell; "Young lady", "Young lady",
as a form of disrespect toward the senior representative. "Young lady", he
yelled again, then he blurted out, "Gentle lady you are not... Gentle lady
is not stating the proper... Gentle lady is not stating the proper parliamentary
inquiry..." While the republicans jeered and booed they effectively drowned
out Ms. Pelosi's words making it impossible for her to express any dissenting
opinion or any opinion other than one favorable to the actions of the
republicans and the oil companies they brazenly serve.

As the republican speaker of the house and his gang of corporate cronies
shouted Ms. Pelosi down it quickly became apparent that in America's so-called
democracy, dissent is no longer permitted. Ms. Pelosi was only able to manage
a few more words before the din of derision became intolerable. In an
atmosphere quite different from the government of America's past, and more
like a bar room or a circus, democracy and open civilized debate is impossible.

Valiantly she continued: "Is it not bringing dishonor to the House of
Representatives for this body to act in the sinful way that it did? Is it not
not part of the culture of corruption of the republican party, to dishonor
the wishes of the American people?" Her simple humble question was met with
such force and such anger. It was met with the same degree of fear and
discomfort by the republican leadership that a mass of cock roaches would
exhibit under a bright light.

In the end the true test for the American people, their way of life, and their
system of government will be weather or not they can survive the reign of the
Neocons and the mindless greed of the republican hogs at the trough.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: republician Oink Oink

That's the way they work, Peapod. The Republicans have the US party with no soul or pride. They stand for nothing but corporate greed. Of course our Conservatives here are just like them, we just have the good sense not to put them in power.

 

[Texas1]

Boy this guy Reverend Blair is really full of himself.
Neocons have:
No pride or is it no pride day?
No soul or is it no religion?


Jealously will get you nowhere Sir Commie.

I can just guess the type, surfs the net 24x7, posts only on Liberal sites, thinks his views are IT, probably a NDP voter.

How am I doing?

 

[peapod]

Well since you asked, you doing like you always do "lousy" :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Beginning Of The End For The GOP
Michael K. Fauntroy
October 14, 2005


Michael K. Fauntroy is a regular commentator for the BBC and NPR. Fauntroy is an assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University, where he teaches courses in urban policy and American government. Read his blog at www.MichaelFauntroy.com.

Unlike many observers who have gleefully exulted in Tom DeLay’s recent indictments, I think his guilt or innocence is almost beside the point, particularly since he’s still in the House wielding his considerable power. His arm twisting to ensure recent passage of the giveaway for the oil-industry energy bill proves his troubles aren’t weakening his support among House Republicans—yet. You see, his possible acquittal doesn’t obviate the fact that he is a dirty politician and his continued presence as such a prominent Republican marks the beginning of the end of GOP dominance of Congress. I write this not because I know a secret but, rather, because DeLay’s indictment is one of a long list of ethical lapses that show the national GOP to be corrupt. How can they go to the voters next year asking for continued congressional control when it is now clear that all they want to do is use it to enrich their friends and punish their enemies, all on the taxpayers dime?

The DeLay indictments are another in a long line of recent events demonstrating that the Republican Party in Washington, D.C., from the White House to Capitol Hill, is shot through with corruption and besotted with power. They've looted the federal treasury of billions to pay for an unjustified war in Iraq (and the Coalition Provisional Authority has literally lost $8 billion there), no-bid contracts to their friends is their standard operating procedure, they've jeopardized people all over the country with that ridiculous bankruptcy bill they wrote and passed, they've been wasteful spenders of taxpayers money, and they don't seem to care about the damage their policies are doing to the federal deficit.

Karl Rove might have outed a covert CIA operative. David Safavian resigned his position as the Bush administration's chief procurement officer just prior to his mid-September indictment on charges of obstruction of justice surrounding crooked GOP lobbyist and DeLay crony Jack Abramoff. There are examples too numerous to list here of political appointees that are patently unqualified for the jobs to which they have been assigned. Not to mention the fact that some of these jobs require decisions to be made that literally have life and death consequences (those who come to mind immediately are Mike "Brownie, you're doing a great job" Brown and the guy in charge of the government response to fllu pandemics, Stewart Simonson ).

Meanwhile, Republican elected officials are being caught in scheme after scheme to enrich themselves. Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham sold his house to a government contractor doing business before Cunningham’s committee for nearly twice its market value in what can only be called a bribe. Further, Cunningham lived for years on this same contractor's houseboat in D.C. Sen. Bill Frist is now under investigation for what may turn out to be insider trading. Numerous Ohio Republicans, most notably Governor Robert Taft, have had varying levels of investigations their way, not to mention legitimate concerns about voter suppression in the last election. And let's not forget former Gov. Ryan of Illinois, who is currently in court facing charges that he took cash and gifts to help insiders land lucrative state contracts.

DeLay’s indictment may turn out to be nothing. It may turn out to be a big deal. Either way you slice it, it's part of a long pattern of corruption that has developed over the years of GOP dominance of Congress and the White House. The Gingrich Revolution was largely built around the argument that 40 years of Democratic control led to arrogance and corruption. Now it's clear that the GOP has done more damage to the nation in a shorter time and we have to pay the bill.

© Michael K. Fauntroy, September 29, 2005

Texas. sorry, "sir" but you are out of bounds......by "attacking" a poster. :bs: :bs:

"How are ya doing??? "

You don't want to know... :x :roll:


********
Hi Peapod......Love your avatar. !!! Good job !

 

[peapod]

Thanks ocean, a old member that does visit anymore made it for me. Perhaps he will see it and return 8) Blah! I kinda miss the guy, identical twin he was..both born with a club foot and clef palet, and I love da picture he posted of them wearing tinfoil beanies as young pups!

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Thanks ocean, a old member that does visit anymore made it for me. Perhaps he will see it and return 8) Blah! I kinda miss the guy, identical twin he was..both born with a club foot and clef palet, and I love da picture he posted of them wearing tinfoil beanies as young pups!

sounds like a great chap. Would be nice to "meet" him.

Very creative.!!!

 

[Ten Packs]

Texas. sorry, "sir" but you are out of bounds......by "attacking" a poster. :bs: :bs:

In the finest traditions of "Personality Politics" ala Rush, Newt, and Karl.... :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Texas1]

Attacking and making false claims is one thing, being right on target is Kreskin like.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Texas. sorry, "sir" but you are out of bounds......by "attacking" a poster. :bs: :bs:

In the finest traditions of "Personality Politics" ala Rush, Newt, and Karl.... :roll: :roll: :roll:

hi Ten..... indeed. and thanks. Now I have a NAME for it. :wink:

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Attacking and making false claims is one thing, being right on target is Kreskin like.

:roll:


now back to the repugnant oinks.

 

[Vanni Fucci]

Attacking and making false claims is one thing, being right on target is Kreskin like.

Yes Kreskin lke indeed...

My prediction is that you'll be missed for the next 24 hours... :wink:

 

[peapod]

right! let move on ocean, check this out :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.file83.com/senate_space.mov

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Attacking and making false claims is one thing, being right on target is Kreskin like.

Yes Kreskin lke indeed...

My prediction is that you'll be missed for the next 24 hours... :wink:

my crystal ball says.........he WON'T (be missed.. :wink:


sorry guys, just could not resist that one..

 

[Ocean Breeze]

right! let move on ocean, check this out :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.file83.com/senate_space.mov

sorry pea...... not getting anything. A movie file???

 

[jjw1965]

Boy this guy Reverend Blair is really full of himself.
Neocons have:
No pride or is it no pride day?
No soul or is it no religion?

On Friday the Republican leadership pushed through the oil refinery
Bill making it easy for oil companies to build new domestic refineries
at public expense.

I can't understand why my fellow Americans refuse to see what this administration is doing to us!

 

[missile]

Because bills like this one are worded so that the average man has no idea of the true meaning behind them..sort of a preSpin of the thing the Feds want to happen.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: republician Oink Oink

That's why they tried to shut Pelosi up on the floor. They don't like when people reveal what they're really doing.

 

[Jo Canadian]

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Criminal Arrogance
Raj Purohit and Sam Stein
October 14, 2005


Raj Purohit is senior fellow for international law and justice and Sam Stein is press secretary at Citizens for Global Solutions.

At the risk of stating the obvious: This is a rough time for U.S. public diplomacy. Recent studies have shown that over the last four years the world’s perception of the United States—although slightly improving—has remained disconcertingly negative. In fact, a June 2005 Pew Research Center Poll revealed that the populations of just six of 16 major industrialized nations gave the United States a favorability rating of 50 percent or above. While the ongoing Iraq conflict is a key source of frustration, it is not the only one. U.S. policy on a broad range of issues including climate change and development policy has failed to consider the wishes of the global community, including our key allies.

As sad as these statistics are, even more depressing has been the ineffectual steps the Bush administration has taken to repair America’s sagging reputation. Assuming that the use of more multilateral rhetoric and the appointment of Karen Hughes as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy will solve this crisis suggests a fundamental lack of understanding of the problem facing the country. Practical changes in policy will do more than rhetorical flourishes to improve global perceptions. A good place for the administration to start is with a simple reconsideration of the way the U.S. engages countries who are party to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is the only permanent international court capable of trying individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when there is no other recourse for justice.

Since it came into office in January 2001 the Bush administration has spent an enormous amount of political energy trying to de-legitimize the court’s existence. The administration secured passage of the anti-ICC American Servicemembers’ Protection Act (which is commonly referred to in Europe as the “Hague Invasion Act” due to its polemic language), decided to un-sign the ICC Rome Statute and flirted with a global anti-ratification campaign. Most recently the administration and its congressional allies have sought to force members of the ICC (the number of countries that have ratified the treaty is now 99 and growing) to sign Bilateral Immunity Agreements (BIAs), which exempt all U.S. nationals and non-national contractors from accountability before the International Criminal Court.

Its current tool of choice in the effort to secure BIA’s is the Nethercutt Provision (which became law in 2005 and is up for renewal in this year’s House version of the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.) The provision ties U.S. foreign policy assistance to countries support of the ICC by pushing these countries to sign BIAs. Under Nethercutt, ICC member countries stand to lose Economic Support Fund (ESF) Assistance if they do not put all U.S. citizens on their territory, even mercenaries and common criminals, above domestic law—law that their own citizens and leaders are expected to obey.

This high-handed policy is harmful to both U.S. interests and standing in the world. Even worse, it’s completely unnecessary. For starters, the ICC has refused to prosecute individuals where there is an able and willing national justice system in place to investigate the alleged crimes. In addition, in almost all countries party to the ICC, agreements granting immunity to U.S. service members are already in place. “Status of Forces Agreements,” or SOFAs, have been settled international policy between the U.S. and other nations since before the ICC’s conceptualization. Under SOFAs, countries must turn over U.S. officials and other military personnel accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide to the U.S., instead of putting them on trial in domestic courts or sending them to an international court or tribunal.

Clearly, the legal framework exists—with or without BIAs—to ensure comprehensive protection for U.S. nationals abroad. The real consequence of the administration’s push to secure BIAs is that it harms America’s global standing and ironically undercuts key policy objectives.

Perhaps the most startling case of this undercutting is that of Jordan. According to the State Department’s own funding request, “Jordan is a vital ally in the Global War on Terrorism, providing intelligence, diplomatic, military and security cooperation with the United States.” The $250 million that Jordan is slated to receive in fiscal year 2006 would benefit a country whose “critical location and highly cooperative government make it a linchpin of regional stability and security.” In addition, “Jordan’s record of cooperation on Iraq stability has been stellar and Amman has become the venue of choice for many Iraq-focused initiatives,” including the training of Iraqi police and conferences on economic reconstruction.

Unfortunately, Jordan also happens to be a strong supporter of the ICC and its U.N. ambassador, the president of the ICC's Assembly of States Parties. Consequently, the United States is threatening to withhold aid destined to support Jordan’s economic growth and governance reforms. Considering the role Jordan plays in the Middle East, it defies logic that the U.S. would seek a fight over a BIA that it does not need.

Jordan, of course, is not alone in bearing the brunt of the BIA campaign. Fledgling democracy and regional leader Kenya has recently come under the crosshairs, as have other African nations such as South Africa, Mali, Namibia, Tanzania, Lesotho and Niger.

At a time when the U.S. is desperate to repair its image abroad, threatening foreign aid as part of the BIA policy stands out as unnecessarily, even overtly, antagonistic. The Bush administration must take pause and rethink this ideologically driven campaign. Bilateral Immunity Agreements not only fail to provide any additional protections for our troops, they also fail to endear us to some of our most important, regional and political supporters. The numbers don’t lie; America has a ways to go to reclaim its historical position as a leader of international law and justice. Stopping this BIA campaign is a good start.