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Gold9472
03-12-2007, 08:31 PM
Democrats back off on effort to limit Bush's Iran options

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20070312-1603-us-iraq.html

(Gold9472: How nice of them.)

By David Espo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
4:03 p.m. March 12, 2007

WASHINGTON – Top House Democrats retreated Monday from an attempt to limit President Bush's authority for taking military action against Iran as the leadership concentrated on a looming confrontation with the White House over the Iraq war.

Officials said Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the leadership had decided to strip from a major military spending bill a requirement for Bush to gain approval from Congress before moving against Iran.

Conservative Democrats as well as lawmakers concerned about the possible impact on Israel had argued for the change in strategy.

The developments occurred as Democrats pointed toward an initial test vote in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday on the overall bill, which would require the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by Sept. 1, 2008, if not earlier. The measure also provides nearly $100 billion to pay for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The White House has issued a veto threat against the measure, and Vice President Dick Cheney attacked its supporters in a speech, declaring they “are telling the enemy simply to watch the clock and wait us out.”

Top Democrats disagreed sharply.

Pelosi issued a written statement that said the vice president's remarks prove that “the administration's answer to continuing violence in Iraq is more troops and more treasure from the American people.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement that America was less safe today because of the war. The president “must change course, and it's time for the Senate to demand he do it,” he added.

The Iran-related proposal stemmed from a desire to make sure Bush did not launch an attack without going to Congress for approval, but drew opposition from numerous members of the rank and file in a series of closed-door sessions last week.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said in an interview there is widespread fear in Israel about Iran, which is believed to be seeking nuclear weapons and has expressed unremitting hostility about the Jewish state.

“It would take away perhaps the most important negotiating tool that the U.S. has when it comes to Iran,” she said of the now-abandoned provision.

“I didn't think it was a very wise idea to take things off the table if you're trying to get people to modify their behavior and normalize it in a civilized way,” said Rep. Gary Ackerman of New York.

Several officials said there was widespread opposition to the proposal at a closed-door meeting last week of conservative and moderate Democrats, who said they feared tying the hands of the administration when dealing with an unpredictable and potentially hostile regime in Tehran.

Public opinion has swung the way of Democrats on the issue of the war. More than six in 10 Americans think the conflict was a mistake – the largest number yet found in AP-Ipsos polling.

But Democrats have struggled to find a compromise that can satisfy both liberals who oppose any funding for the military effort and conservatives who do not want to unduly restrict the commander in chief.

“This supplemental should be about supporting the troops and providing what they need,” said Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., on Monday upon returning from a trip to Iraq. Boren said he plans to oppose any legislation setting a clear deadline for troops to leave.

In his speech, Cheney chided lawmakers who are pressing for tougher action on Iran to oppose the president on the Iraq War.

“It is simply not consistent for anyone to demand aggressive action against the menace posed by the Iranian regime while at the same time acquiescing in a retreat from Iraq that would leave our worst enemies dramatically emboldened and Israel's best friend, the United States, dangerously weakened,” he said.

Gold9472
03-12-2007, 08:33 PM
"unpredictable and potentially hostile regime"

Anybody else have a problem with that description? Remind you of any of the statements made about Iraq? Remind you of the pre-emptive arguments made for Iraq?

Remember, there are a lot of "unpredictable and potentially hostile regimes" in the world. The Bush Administration being one of them. If we're going to be pre-emptive, then why don't we attack every "unpredictable and potentially hostile regime"?

AuGmENTor
03-12-2007, 10:21 PM
So glad the democrats got in there and fixed everything... I told you they are ALL fucking losers. (especially Al Gore... How I LOATHE him.)

Chana3812
03-13-2007, 07:49 PM
So glad the democrats got in there and fixed everything... I told you they are ALL fucking losers. (especially Al Gore... How I LOATHE him.)

:double-fi

Aug, I bet Bill Orielly would love it if you would blog over at his board -- or maybe even at Glen Beck's or Ann Coulter's. I'm sure you would feel right at home -- nice and comfy -- full of hatred for liberals and the environment. :FU:

You guys would have a jolly -o- time ... making fun of kidnapped children & burned alive illegal immigrants, and then discussing how bad the Democrats are doing in Congress... all the while patting yourselves on the back for your total lack of compassion, intelligence, morals, wisdom and honesty.

And .... don't forget to watch NASCAR :butt:

plus a little gay porn for excitement !! Corp Sanchez likes it "Military Style"

<ring> <ring> <ring> Hey ... the telephone is ringing !! It's Rush Limbaugh!! He wants to know if you want to take a quick trip to the islands and pick up some 12 year old girls to f*ck. Bring lots of Viagra and Oxycotin. Sean Hannity will meet you at the airport with a limo - a GAS GUZZLING LIMO.

You guys have fun .... and don't come back ... :icon_mad:

AuGmENTor
08-04-2007, 01:04 PM
:double-fi

Aug, I bet Bill Orielly would love it if you would blog over at his board -- or maybe even at Glen Beck's or Ann Coulter's. I'm sure you would feel right at home -- nice and comfy -- full of hatred for liberals and the environment. :FU:

You guys would have a jolly -o- time ... making fun of kidnapped children & burned alive illegal immigrants, and then discussing how bad the Democrats are doing in Congress... all the while patting yourselves on the back for your total lack of compassion, intelligence, morals, wisdom and honesty.

And .... don't forget to watch NASCAR :butt:

plus a little gay porn for excitement !! Corp Sanchez likes it "Military Style"

<ring> <ring> <ring> Hey ... the telephone is ringing !! It's Rush Limbaugh!! He wants to know if you want to take a quick trip to the islands and pick up some 12 year old girls to f*ck. Bring lots of Viagra and Oxycotin. Sean Hannity will meet you at the airport with a limo - a GAS GUZZLING LIMO.

You guys have fun .... and don't come back ... :icon_mad:How did I miss THIS little hate fest? Talk about people being angry!
I will consider this post to have occurred before our little truce Chana, and will not reply in kind.
I don't support ANY of these people. With the exception of Ron Paul and Cynthia McKinney,* I think the entire government should be scapped and started over... SANS parties. Elections should be by popular vote of VOLUNTEERS. Meaning NO campaign contributions. Each candidate should be given X amount of airtime/ printed literature. Big business should not be allowed to lobby congress any longer.
I could go on, but you get the idea. See, we really aren't too opposed except that I believe this system isn't fixable, and you think Al Gore is the (insert Judaic saviour figure here ;) ) I can't stand ONE of the people you mentioned. In fact, if left alone in a room of them with an aluminum bat, I could go a long way twords improving mass media drastically...

Gold9472
08-04-2007, 04:36 PM
Play nice.

AuGmENTor
08-04-2007, 06:08 PM
Shit, that WAS nice! How much nicer do I need to be?

Gold9472
08-05-2007, 12:15 PM
I was talking to both of you.

beltman713
08-05-2007, 12:32 PM
I approved this message.

beltman713
08-05-2007, 12:39 PM
These dumb ass Democrats will sit there and criticize this administration for getting us into Iraq, but will bend over backwards to help Bush get us into another war with Iran. Jesus Christ, what the fuck is wrong with these morons?

AuGmENTor
08-05-2007, 03:08 PM
I think they are afraid... Of what, I have no idea. It just makes no sense that their platform was how they were going to get in there and fix everything, and they haven't done SHIT. Chana and I resolved our conflict ourselves a while ago Jon. Cmon now, for the most part the regulars here behave ourselves without needing to be chided to do so...

somebigguy
08-06-2007, 10:16 PM
Fucking democrats, just two sides to the same coin. The sooner people learn that the two party system is bullshit the better.

Wake up liberals, you may think your smarter than the neo-con scum but you're not. You are being played too.

Oh, and way to go taking impeachment off the table you worthless pieces of crap. The only damn reason you were elected, and it goes out the window.

Wake up liberals. :frowning: