Debate, All Night Long, On Iraq

As Senate Sets Stage For Vote On Withdrawing Troops Within 120 Days

(AP)  Senate Democrats staged an all-night debate on the Iraq war in a dramatic attempt to wear down Republicans who refuse to vote to begin to bring troops home by fall.

Republicans responded with a yawn - agreeing to stay around and respond to any votes that might be scheduled around-the-clock but remaining steadfast in their opposition to the Democrats' anti-war legislation.

"This is nonsense," said Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.

Added Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn of his Democratic colleagues: "I bet I can stay up longer than they can."

And so he did, speaking on the floor after even Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had retired, a little after midnight, to a cot set up in a parlor adjacent to his office.

Reid had pushed through a motion minutes earlier, on a 41-37 roll-call vote, instructing the Senate Sergeant-at-arms to "request the attendance of absent senators" in an effort to keep members near the chamber. Having made his point, Reid than announced there would be no further votes before 5 a.m.

Thus, most senators got a chance for a few hours of shuteye even while a handful of their colleagues took turns droning on through the night with floor speeches.

The "live" audience for the speeches was sparse, however, and there was no indication how aggressive the sergeant-at-arms was being in carrying out his official instructions to keep members near the chamber - or whether he was insisting that they be awake.

The Senate was to vote Wednesday on legislation by Democrats Carl Levin and Jack Reed that would require President Bush to begin pulling troops out of Iraq in 120 days. After April 30, an unspecified number of troops would be allowed to remain in Iraq to fight terrorists, protect U.S. assets and train Iraqi security forces.

The legislation is expected to attract the support of a narrow majority of senators - around 52 votes - but fall short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate and end a filibuster.

"Will the all-night session change any votes? I hope so," said Reid. "Because it will focus attention on the obstructionism of the Republicans."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice planned to spend most of Wednesday on Capitol Hill lobbying lawmakers on Bush's Iraq policy, a senior State Department official said.

Rice's plans included spending up to five hours in the morning and early afternoon in group and private meetings in both the Senate and House. The focus would be Iraq and other foreign policy issues, including the Middle East, the official said.

While the issue was momentous - a war more than four years in duration, costing more than 3,600 U.S. troops their lives - the proceedings were thick with politics.

MoveOn.org, the anti-war group, announced plans for more than 130 events around the country to coincide with the Senate debate, part of an effort to pressure Republicans into allowing a final vote on the legislation. A candlelight vigil and rally across the street from the Capitol was prominent among them, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, among those attending.

So far, the legislation has drawn the support of three Republicans.

"We are at the crossroads of hope and reality, and the time has come to address reality," said Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, adding that the Iraqi government was guilty of "serial intransigence" when it came to trying to solve the country's political problems.

Republican Gordon Smith, who is seeking re-election next year, said Iraqis appeared focused on "revenge, not reconciliation," and that the administration needed to change its approach. "The American mission is to make sure that Iraq doesn't fall into the hands of al Qaeda," he said, rather than referee a civil war.

[lars008-2009]

from current fascist nazi terrorislam teachings...

FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM TO ENSLAVE NON MUSLIM WORLD

HAMAS MICKEY MOUSE SAYS
Islamic rule will benefit Christians and Jews
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook - May 14, 2007
The force behind Hamas TV%u2019s controversial Mickey Mouse clone said today that his children%u2019s television program will continue to promote worldwide Islamic supremacy, for everyone's benefit, including Christians and Jews.
In a long interview on Hamas TV, Hazim Al-Sha%u2019arawi, Deputy Director of Al-Aqsa TV and one of the creators of the Hamas children%u2019s TV show Tomorrow%u2019s Pioneers, said that using the program to promote Islamic rule over other religions is actually promoting %u201Cjustice, goodness and world love.%u201D
Al-Aqsa TV and the Palestinian Authority have been under fire since PMW reported last week that Tomorrow%u2019s Pioneers was using a character named Farfur, a knockoff of Disney%u2019s Mickey Mouse character, to convey messages about Islamic supremacy as well as hatred of Jews, Israel and the U.S. Despite public statements by PA Minister of Information Mustafa Barghouti that the show would be taken off the air until it could be reviewed and revised, a new episode of the program %u2013 featuring Al-Sha%u2019arawi as one of the hosts %u2013 ran Friday.
http://pmw.org.il/bulletins_may2007.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S995NCeaUg

[lars008-2009]

from current fascist nazi terrorislam teachings...

what do you call an ideology that:

kills you if you don't join it...

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=82201&ln=eng&txt=islam%20law%20kill%20kaafir

kills you if you leave it...

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=696&ln=eng&txt=kaafir%20kill

kills you if you don't do what they tell you to do..

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=6035&ln=eng&txt=kaafir%20kill

kills you if you speak against it%u2026.

http://islamqa.com/index.php?QR=22809&ln=eng

kills anybody that is not a member of it...

http://www.hauns.com/~DCQu4E5g/koran5.html

still practices slavery

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=12562&ln=eng&txt=slavery

still practices pagan rituals...

http://answering-islam.org/Silas/pagansources.htm

allows the r a p e of babies and animals...

http://www.homa.org/default.asp?TOCID=2083225445

a. satanic cult???
b. islam???
c. all the above???

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

[iceman_1960]

The attempt to smear modern Islam by selectively quoting from the Qu'ran is an old trick.

Anti-Semites have been using that trick for years by selectively quoting the Talmud.

"By selectively citing various passages from the Talmud and Midrash, polemicists have sought to demonstrate that Judaism espouses hatred for non-Jews (and specifically for Christians), and promotes obscenity, sexual perversion, and other immoral behavior. To make these passages serve their purposes, these polemicists frequently mistranslate them or cite them out of context... Even when they present their citations accurately, they judge the passages based on contemporary moral standards, ignoring the fact that the majority of these passages were composed close to two thousand years ago by people living in cultures radically different from our own. They are thus able to ignore Judaism's long history of social progress and paint it instead as a primitive and parochial religion.
Those who attack the Talmud frequently cite ancient rabbinic sources without noting subsequent developments in Jewish thought, and without making a good-faith effort to consult with contemporary Jewish authorities who can explain the role of these sources in normative Jewish thought and practice."

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud#Contemporary_attacks

[iceman_1960]

George W. Bush, to his credit, has always distanced himself from the ugly religious bigotry of lars008 and his fellow travellers.

On September 26, 2001 (note that date !!) Bush had this to say:

"It's my honor to welcome to the White House my fellow Americans, Arab Americans, Americans who are Muslim by faith, to discuss about the current issues that took place, the aftermath of the incident, and what our country is going to do to make sure that everybody who is an American is respected.

I have told the nation more than once that ours is a war against evil, against extremists, that the teachings of Islam are the teachings of peace and good, and the al Qaeda organization is not an organization of good, an organization of peace. It's an organization based upon hate and evil.
...I appreciate the contributions of time, the contributions of blood to help our fellow Americans who have been injured. And I'm proud of the Muslim leaders across America who have risen up and who have not only insisted that America be strong, but that America keep the values intact that have made us so unique and different -- the values of respect, the values of freedom to worship the way we see fit. And I also appreciate the prayers to the universal God."

Source:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010926-8.html

[iceman_1960]

I don't know how many more times Bush has to say this is NOT (repeat, NOT) a war against Islam,

Before lars008 gets the message.

Hey lars008,

You post a lot of cr@p on the CBS website, and you have frequently claimed that the invasion of Iraq was justified.

You post link after link of anti-Muslim propaganda, but you know what?

I have never once seen you post in support of our soldiers who are doing *your* job overseas.

Not once.

And that is despite the fact, that they are over there fighting a war that you cowardly support and encourage, but refuse to fight.

Here's a reminder of what they go through on a daily basis, while you sit back and encourage the deaths of civilians and soldiers alike.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightlin
e/popup?id=3382593&contentIndex=1&page=1


Is this the war that you want others to fight for you - while you sit there dribbling your anti-Muslim cr@p?

Why won't you go and fight them for yourself?

Too scared?

Or are you just another rotten cowardly neocon piece of excrement?

[iceman_1960]

"Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to know why Congress has such a low rating with the American people?"

That's a tough one, Senator.

Why do you think they held this all night marathon ?

"Most Americans say that the Democrats in Congress have not done enough to change President Bush%u2019s policy on Iraq." (*)

Republicans should avoid the topic of Congress' low approval ratings, just as convicts should avoid ridicule of overly lenient judges.

(*) Source:

Conservative pollster Rasmussen, Tuesday, July 03, 2007

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/46_say_congress_doing_poor_job_16_say_good_or_excellent

[lars008-2009]

And Dhimmitude For All
Another arena requiring testimony is dhimmitude in Western institutions. This is %u201Cepitomized,%u201D writes Mark Durie, %u201Cin the slavish attitude adopted by Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,%u201D in a 2002 statement to the Organization of the Islamic Conference Symposium on Human Rights in Islam in Geneva. Like a dhimmi, she affirmed the greatness and moral superiority of Islam, implying inferiority of non-Muslim infidels, and denied any possible voice of protest against Islamic abuses of human rights.

Not surprisingly, Islamism is growing at the UN, too. On August 5, 1990, explains David Littman, the 19 members of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers adopted the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (CDHRI). This document very specifically subjugates all human rights to those accorded by Islam. [1] The CDHRI totally contradicts the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Yet the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 1997 published it, establishing its authority as a quotable UN source. For example, the 26-member Sub-Commission on Human Rights referred to it in the preamble of a resolution adopted on August 21, 1998. [2] That Islamic human rights is gaining ascendancy and credence at the UN should be of concern to all Human Rights activists and organizations.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17637

panhandlpete wrote:

"These REPUB warmongers think that whatever they pursue is right and good, and their killings are sanctioned by God. So, are they any different from the extremist Muslins?"

I don't think there's a heck of a lot of difference.

Muslim extremists use violence against civilians to achieve their aims. They use the most effective weapon at their disposal - suicide bombers.

GW Bush and his neocons use violence against civilians to achieve their aims. They use the most effective weapon at their disposal - US forces.

Some would argue that the Muslim extremists are cowards because they strike civilians without warning.

And I would agree.

But then, how much warning do civilians have when "smart bombs" are launched directly at them due to decisions by cowards who refused to go to war themselves?

And GW Bush is just that - a coward.

[panhandlpete]

Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to know why Congress has such a low rating with the American people?

Well, Sir, speaking for myself....and to you in particular.....many of you seem to think that because you were sent to that great body to represent the people, that YOUR ideas are what you represent and what YOU think is right for the country is the way you vote. You need to look up the word represent. The ballot box will be your answer come next election time.

[panhandlpete]

Folks, even IF this bill could be voted on and passed, only some of the troops would get to come home. According to Inhofe, we will still have troops in Iraq on and on. He eludes to the "global" war being waged....u know...the "global war on terror." And, Inhofe can speak Spanish....so, what?

These REPUB warmongers think that whatever they pursue is right and good, and their killings are sanctioned by God. So, are they any different from the extremist Muslins? The big difference I see is that those in charge here have $$$$$ directing their decisions, power to control others, and ensure their own family/friends the best life possible, to H@ll with the desires of the American voters.

[johnpatrick9]

Saddam was a rotten plum ready to drop on his own. What bush did was to invade A weak land then wreak havoc upon its hapless citizens under the guise of "resucuing" it/ So several hundreds of thousands are now dead and several hundreds of thousands are now maimed in body mind and spirit due to the incompetence and arrogance and lies of war criminals bush-cheney. We are in disgrace throughout the world and seen as fools ruled by corporate/imperialists and still the red state yahoos wave the flag of which they have no comprehension and spend our blood and wealth on a fools errand for a fool of a president. Wake up! We know that you are ashamed that you voted for a dope but healing comes with admitting to it and then never following those who preach aggressive war in the wrong place - and who could not even managae a baseball team ,to lead it surrounded by careerist toadies serving their wallets and titles rather than the nation. BE ASHAMED IF YOU VOTED FOR BUSH AND IF YOU VOTED TWICE NEVER ADMIT IT FOR HISTORY IS AGAINST FASCISM.

[gradyrogers]

I am embarrassed of the government officials that we have elected for office. They seem to have reverted to child-like tactics. Isn't it amazing that they are willing to stay over night to debate. Why aren't they doing something during the work week? Where are they during the work week? They are busy pointing fingers, instead of doing their jobs. Trying to get reelected, instead of doing their jobs. Our democracy is becoming more corrupt every day. Why are the voters left feeling that we really don't have much of a choice in matters any more. We usually have to vote for the lesser of two evils. I am disappointed with the performance of our elected officials. No company in the U.S. could be ran like our government with expectations of success. I think that it is time for our officials to quit acting like they are on another episode of the Jerry Springer Show, and do what we elected them to do.

[rharrin1]

Republican senate comment always refer to "let the troops do their jobs", "let our military work", "we await the decision of the military" -

BUT as we have seen bush has not let the military make the fighting decisions the decider has made all decisions.

[victoriarum]

Although Iraq is a pressing issue, please do not forget the terrorist that we contend with daily, "the invisible one," thus the world hasn't begun to comprehend.

Pray for Peace, God Bless You.

[antoniof123]

What only 1 all nighter; call me when you reach the same number as the troops the GOP is saying it is crazy maybe if they had to live like the troops for this lost cause they might not complain so much.

[lars008-2009]

the war is legal

the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....

blame saddam for iraq%u2026%u2026. Even clintoon and the dems wanted the resumption of hostilities back in 1998

US Vice-President Al Gore has told Iraqi opposition politicians that the United States remains committed to the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein. BBC 6/2000
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1854092/posts

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

Moreover, no international law can prevent the United States from taking actions to protect its vital interests, when it is manifestly clear that there is a choice to be made between law and survival. I believe, however, that such a choice is not presented in the case of Iraq. Indeed, should we decide to proceed, that action can be justified within the framework of international law rather than outside it. In fact, though a new UN resolution may be helpful in building international consensus, the existing resolutions from 1991 are sufficient from a legal standpoint. - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/gore/gore092302sp.html

[johnpatrick9]

These Republican toadies..so willing to spend lives to save face and to continue the lie this war is built upon. So proud that I and other Americans can proudly say in the future years that we never, ever supported these fascist, corporate war mongers. Oh the horror they have unleashed upon so many as they glibly speak of supporting a moron president and vice president: both chicken hawks seeking to redeem themselves on the dead and maimed bodies of countless others. After this let us move to impeachment to end these disgraceful years which have besmirched our nation. Rid ourselves of the fearmongers and regain our dignity and sanity and respect.

[smirk5]

As I watch Kerry, I can see one thing. Our country needlessly lost many troops since 2004 that would have lived had Kerry become President. I voted for the right guy. I supported the troops.

[usayesterday]

All we are hearing is hyperbole and grand-standing.

WE MUST EXPOSE THOSE IN WASHINGTON D.C. WHO HAVE FINANCIALLY BENEFITTED FROM THE WAR IN IRAQ!

WE MUST REPOST, REPEAT, AND REEMPHASIZE THAT THE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS ARE FROM BLOOD. THE BLOOD OF OUR SOLDIERS AND INNOCENT IRAQI CIVILIANS.

WE MUST DO THIS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, UNTIL EVERYONE REALIZES THE REAL REASON FOR INVADING AND OCCUPYING IRAQ!