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July 18, 2007
Sleepless in Washington
Just my own take on the events as they happened up till 03:50
WASHINGTON - Democrats steered the Senate into an attention-grabbing, all-night session to dramatize opposition to the Iraq war but conceded they were unlikely to gain the votes needed to advance troop withdrawal legislation blocked by Republicans.
"Our enemies aren't threatened by talk-a-thons, and our troops deserve better than publicity stunts," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader.
McConnell and many other Republicans favor waiting until September before considering any changes to the Bush administration's current policy. They have vowed to block a final vote on the Democrats' attempt to require a troop withdrawal to begin within 120 days.
Workmen prepare to set up sleeping cots in a room off the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007, as the Senate prepared for an all night session to debate the war in Iraq. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
"We have no alternative except to keep them in session to explain their obstruction," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
So far, the legislation has drawn the support of three Republicans, Sens. Gordon Smith of Oregon, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
"Will the all-night session change any votes? I hope so," Reid said at midafternoon, pointedly stopping well short of a prediction that it would.
Not this time. Forced to make good on their filibuster threat, it was the Republicans' turn to describe the state of an all-night Senate.
A "political stunt," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. "Petty kindergarten games."
"We were instructed to legislate, not to strut across a stage," lectured McConnell, now minority leader. "This isn't Hollywood; this is real life, the United States Senate."
Not everyone was complaining. To at least one senator, an all-nighter offered some excitement, and a challenge.
"I'm trying to find a bench around here that's long enough for me to stretch out," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., a 6-foot-4 freshman lawmaker. "It's my first all nighter — I'm excited."
A worker lays out a cot for U.S. Senators in the Lyndon B. Johnson room, just off the Senate floor
OMG it really is a slumber party. LOL
Feinstein advocated “compelling Iran to abandon nuclear pursuit” .....I wonder how she proposes to do that.
Then she said she wants us to build schools to educate the kids to not grow up to terrorists. What a dumb woman.
All these senator’s pretending to be generals is luducrous and humorous (other than it is such a serious issue).
Not sure if Robt. Byrd was there, he might have been in a Klan meeting.
Mary Landrrieu’s gave her speech and called for a vote, her body looks like it is getting bigger. Maybe she is hiding federal funds for Katrina relief. She told how to win the war, how to fight the battles. Good grief, I hate arm chair generals. LMAO she put a big poster board up with a little photo of Osama on it and his height, weight etc. LOL This is what he looks like and how tall he is and what he weighs. OMG this woman is nuts. haha Now she said, we should give the money we are using to fight the war and use it to make a bigger offer of $$$$ to whoever can lead us to Osama. She is lying about the troops. Man she hates our military! F#$# her!
Still now sign of Teddy Kennedy. They are still serving alcohol in the bars of DC at this hour I am writing this. They can always look for Teddy there rather than actually in the Senate.
Joe Lieberman speaking now, he is on the right side of this war. He is the ONLY democrat speaking from a position of principle, not a position of politics. The rest of them just hate President Bush so much they want him to lose the war, at any cost to our country. He spoke of how well the surge is going, how great our troops are doing and how we have to stay there.
“The American military will never lose the war in Iraq...if lost, it will be lost by a lack of political will.” - Joe Lieberman
Lieberman told the dem's that the Reid amendment is a surrender and a vote for the amendment's is vote for defeat - just as our troops have the enemy on the run - will change to our soldiers running in defeat.
The bore and rino, grandstanding Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J yielded the floor. There is a God.
Reid forcing another quorum call vote. The Nevadah Cadavah speaks!! Gracious!! My driveway is more colorful than this man! Harry Reid is insane. He thinks he’s really “doing something” with this crap by making them stay up all night.
Calling Robert Byrd's name again........ "Bueller....Bueller.....Bueller....".....nope he isn't there.
I am dying here...hahaahahhaa........Reid is already caving so there will be no quorum call again before 0500 (poor darlings need sleep, or they are already too damned drunk to get back into the Senate floor un-assisted)...the 1100 gig was for the final speeches before 1100 (Wednesday MORNING)...
McConnell: I'll be brief. I'd simply like to ask my honored colleague Mr. Reid to kiss my @$$. I yeild the floor... Heh heh oh my words not his. hahaha
LOL.............get this......C-Span spells Harry Reid=== REED! OMG hahahaha too funny
As poorly as these Senators speak, it’s a wonder any of them got elected.
Tom Harkin, he’s a cold blooded liar!! He is comparing this war and Vietnam. Damn him!! He knows exactrly what happened when the DEMOCRATS had us pull out of Vietnam. Then he said the Surge started in January, I am sorry Harkin but you are insulting OUR intelligence.
Hey HARKIN listen up!! The blood of millions will
be on the Democrats hands,
just as it was after Vietnam. Our troops
were winning in
Vietnam, it was our Democrat Politicians that lost it.
I am telling you listening to this Harkin is making me sick to my stomachl. He just read two letters, supposedly from two different moms of soldiers saying bring them home. Then he pleaded..... LET US HAVE THE VOTE!! over and over.
That ticks me off so much. I am in 4 email groups of wives, family members and friends of our troops. Every day I see what they go through and you know what????? Every single day I also read how proud they are of their loved one, scared yes, but PROUD.
Harken said we lost already in Iraq, it is time to get out of there. He also said the President lied us into Iraq, and killed thousands of soldiers and Iraqis.
These absolute lies will not be called out, and the “TRUTH” will be whatever the leftist media decides it is.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
They are all giving different start dates that the surge started. Someone better have the Dems get their talking points right...The surge started in January...then March then May...which is it guys?
You know what would be funny? The next Republican goes to speak, says “Get that damn sign out of my face. Where the hell was that sign when the President’s judges were up for a vote? You a-holes pulled the same b.s. that you decry now!
“’Let us vote’? Kiss my - I yield the floor.”
I am making jokes, but I must say, listening to the outright lies that are being spewed here this evening by the likes of Harkin and others, scares me even more for my country!
And millions will die in rabid unstoppable violence when the Democrats force us to cut and run in cowardly defeat.
For liberals, history begins when they wake up in the morning. And whatever they decide to MAKEUP and lie about.
John Thune is speaking now and he is doing GREAT! He read a letter from a Marine and it said...."please accept the adivce of one Marine, that knows the sacrifice, has experienced the sacrifice and knows what it would mean to leave Iraq at this time."
GRRRR Senator Jim Webb interrupting Thune and trying to agrue with him and use up Thune's time. Webb asking him if he (Thune) knows of the beliefs of our troops. Thune is not falling for it and he is staying strong. I love it.
Thune: Reclaiming my time. meaning shut the heck up I have the floor. Go Thune not speculating on our soldiers political beliefs.
Smarmy Jim Webb asks Thune about political make-up of the military. Trying to get Thune to talk about phony polls of military on Iraq. Webb called out of order as he tries to talk over Thune to get in phony poll results.
WEBB IS A THUG!!!
Oh Lord on High - Olympia Snowe- God help us! Could anyone be more of a bore then she is and a rino on top of that. LOL Snowe bragging about spending 28 years KEEPING HER SEAT FROM ANOTHER AMERICAN, as if she OWNS it.
She thinks we are stupid, Snowe says this legislation will allow our troops to fight AQ in Iraq anytime we want?
Jeff Sessions!! Yipee! Can I hear an Amen! He is laying into them. Scolding them for not waiting to here the report in Sept. and how they had voted to send Petreus ( spelling) and how he had been there for several tours and that they are in so many words slapping Petreus and the troops in the face.
He said this pulling out would provide the enemy with a victory of such huge proportions , a tremendous blunder, and would aid the enemy.
" we agreed to do this surge and wait for the report and that is what we should do. We talked and we talked and we voted on this surge, an increase on soldiers in Iraq and on Petreus and the new strategy and he is executing it. And now YOU want to change it again?? Because of some poll that just came in? Let's get real here!!! A change without even listening to Petreus is wrong.
"Many have said that Bush lied to get us in this war. I reject that. And to pull the plug on them when they want to be successful is wrong. A failure of will by the Congress to our military would be the badest thing to do to them. He has only had his fulll compliment of the troops for the surge for about three weeks."
" I have met some of these Marines, and why would I want to bet against one of these tuff Marines!"
Sessions was awesome, I tried to type as he spoke but it is hard to keep up. haha But it will give you an idea of what he said.
McCain is up now to speak, but I am off to bed. See you all later.
Goodnight or good morning everyone. I am going to sleep now.
Hahaha I just wanted to give you an idea of what I heard and
saw with all of this instead of some liberal media BS.
Posted by Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 03:55 AM
Comments
Harkin is comparing the Iraq War to Vietnam? How would he know? He lied about "flying combat missions over Vietnam", when he arrived there once from Okinawa on a supply mission. He was last seen looking like a constipated toddler on stage with a maniac Howard Dean, and just before that, whimpering and snivelling at the Paul Wellestone Death Festival and Fund Raiser.
Dick Durtbin is bringing his GI Joe Jammies. He compared the sleeplessness ahead to the ordeals of soldiers in combat. Quoting myself from Nickie's, Durtbin is like a monkey eating his own snot. You're disgusted, but you just have to watch to see how bad it gets.
Posted by: Rhod at July 18, 2007 05:45 AM
Heartless Harry is so damn full of himself, isn't he?
He only listens to one side and then picks out the parts he wants--like the person who takes all the chicken boobs out of the fried chicken bucket, leaving the thighs. legs and wings for everyone else because they're selfish.
Harry has no idea what it going on over there and he's never made the attempt to even vaguely understand it, either.
He's the old man on the block who yells at the neighbor kids to get off his lawn.
Posted by: Lynn at July 18, 2007 06:10 AM
Who's doing the filibuster ? And since when do they use 'Roll-aways', beds, during a filibuster ?
And Durbin is the biggest dummy there, amazing how these slimeballs get elected. This sleep over is likened, by Durbin, to GI's in Combat, ... A nice dry room, a bed with sheets and a pillow, ...
no hole to sleep in, if there is time for any sleep, and after it has been raining constantly for about two weeks, you damn near got to sleep standing up for fear of drowning, because the damn hole is filled with water. Everything you own, which isn't much, is soaking wet. One good thing, though, the rain gets rid of the bugs, for awhile. And the only thing you got to look forward to is that left over can of 'Ham and Limas', filled with a plug of lard 1/2 inch thick. If only you could find your 'John Wayne Key'.(p-38)
Yeah, these guys are really 'ruffing' it.
This is the biggest bunch of crapola the dems have come up with yet. No wonder there poll numbers are the lowest in 40 years.
Posted by: Mark at July 18, 2007 08:22 AM
1992: Al Gore criticizing President Bush on his disregard for Iraq's link to terrorism and nuclear weapons program. FOX News needs to be playing this video daily.
Posted by: BobF at July 18, 2007 10:15 AM
Rhod, LMAO you are so good. h
hahahhahaa
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:03 AM
Lynn, hahaha truly can imagine that.
"He's the old man on the block who yells at the neighbor kids to get off his lawn."
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:06 AM
Mark, it is so disgusting. They are such horrible people.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:09 AM
Bob thank you, I agree they should play that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:10 AM
What a bunch of phony bullshit, as Mark said, the Dirtbag's comparing this obstructionist sleep in to actual combat is an insult to those who have been there. The perpetual wet of the monsoon season, the mildew growing on your body from the filth, eating cold 'C' rations and drinking bongwater, the daily Dapsone and Atabrine tablets with their lingering diarrhea, the 110 plus daily heat, the red laterite dust that permeates everything, sleep is on the ground, in a hole or under a poncho or poncho liner with the incessant buzzing of mosquitoes in your ears and their Malaria infected feeding. Did I mention the sights, sounds and smells on the battlefield? Yeah, they know and they have it so rough on their portable cots.
As much as I dislike the man, Lieberman is the only one with a clue, yet he's like a shit eating dog, you love him but detest his eating habits.
God help me I'm so disgusted with the lot of them.
Posted by: Jack at July 18, 2007 11:31 AM
Any truth to the rumors that Barny Frank tried to sleep with a few male interns, and that more than one Demliblooney senator was caught sleeping on the same cot? So the Defeatocraps lost another one for Al-Qaeda, eh? Too bad Osama! - Off to the Nationals day game Gophers!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at July 18, 2007 11:50 AM
This is the elite of our elected officials? It is more like a bad Nickelodian skit. Harry Reid et al are trivializing a serious situation. Do they not even vaguely understand how turned off the public is with them? Or are they trying for an all time record of 0% public approval?
There is nothing even remotely Statesman about this event. They are acting like a bunch of tinhorns in a Third World dictatorship, while we have troops in harm's way. The troops are performing in a deadly environment with many hardships and our US Senators, mostly Dems and a few RINOs, play political games that undermine and endanger the mission and ives of our soldiers.
The sad aspect to this is that thoughtless, selfish and very stupid people vote to put these crooks in office, sometimes over and over.
Posted by: TomR at July 18, 2007 01:05 PM
Jack, Mark:
Memories. Good ones, well put. The Monday diharrea from the malaria tablet, showering with water from a tent flap, and that laterite you recalled. Remember when it got wet? Slick, like sh** and impossible to lift a boot when you got stuck in it.
Posted by: Rhod at July 18, 2007 01:40 PM
I tried to stay up as late as possible watching the proceedings (maybe a bad choice of word, that assumes progress is being made...) and finally fell asleep about 1 AM. However, I was glad to hear the surrender monkeys lost another round. Maybe sense is starting to prevail. If nothing else, maybe some of our elected "representatives" (used that word really, really loosely) are at least starting to worry about re-election, I mean, after all, that's really all that matters, right?
It's going to be a real interesting rest of the year in the hallowed halls of Congress.
Posted by: gregor at July 18, 2007 07:00 PM
Jack, I am so disgusted too and I can only imagine how Veterans like you and all Veterans feel about all that has been happening.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:23 PM
Darth, yes they lost another one for Osama, good way to put it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:26 PM
Tom that gets me more then anything.
Here there are grand standing and our troops are fighting bullets, IED's and making sacrifices every day.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:29 PM
Gregor your right, to them that is all that matters, that they get re-elected. Good point Gregor.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 18, 2007 11:31 PM
The thought of seeing the PIAPS in her "nightie" makes me sick
Posted by: DD2 at July 19, 2007 10:40 AM