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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Anti-Surge Ho!

And Also: Last year, the Mets disposed of Kris Benson and eventually obtained two key starting pitchers in return. Benson had a predictable off/on year for the Orioles, but is hurt, so they needed another starter. And, what do you know -- they picked up suddenly persona non grata Steve Trachsel, who had a rather quick fall from grace ... his consistent averageness perhaps not fitting for the "new Mets." You served the team well Steve, if not at the very end ... good luck.


According to CNN, only one senator who's running for president has decided to blow off Saturday's surge resolution vote. Who? John McCain.

-- TPM

Ah, the little fake weasel. A few years back, I was given his book on courage. Worth wile reading, really, though this Iraq mess and his desire for the presidency has put a fork in his reputation for courage. Apparently, some things aren't "worth fighting for." After being treated like crap (along with his wife) in early 2004, he became Bush's little buddy in various key appearances. When Bush threw in a "signing statement" on McCain's anti-torture measure, Johnny made out as if it was a meaningless gesture. And, recently, JM disgustingly suggested that disagreeing with a failed policy would be taken as some sort of disrespect of the troops. I know of some online McCain supporter equally having a spine of spaghetti.

Said "respectable sort" -- full of above the fray wisdom and wisdom -- decided party was what mattered. So, he voted for Bush in 2004. Now, I don't take him seriously. Such people are in the same category of those who think raising (Bill) Clinton -- like a five-year-old child -- every time a challenge is made to the current President -- rather annoying, sometimes hard to ignore, but not worthy of our respect. The same applies to Joey Lieberman (Holier Than Thou-CT) who thinks a Senate vote in response to reason, public opinion, and sanity will lead to a "constitutional crisis":
Whatever our differences here in this chamber about this war, let us never forget the values of freedom and democracy that unite us and for which our troops have given and today give the last full measure of their devotion.

Yes, this includes those from Connecticut, who might think once someone is defeated in a primary that said person would actually do the decent thing and go away. At least, if the alternative was not to become the default Bush Republican candidate, the 10% who actually voted for the person with a "R" next to his name about the percentage of the party that currently has a spine. See, for instance, the number of House Republicans that voted for the anti-surge measure. Apparently, JL fears the resolution will be the beginning of some real pressure to change failed war policy. Assumed congressional overreaching more of a "constitutional crisis" than actual failure and overreaching by the executive. But, do we expect anything less from a faux values man / neocon Bush loyalist?

When I heard only seventeen Republicans voted for a resolution that simply supports the troops but opposes the surge, I was a bit surprised. But, clearly party loyalty has trumped principle in the end. Still, I thought "independent" maverick Christopher Shays (CT) -- who barely won in November -- would surely be among the few. Guess not. As with efforts to block a vote in the Senate, tossing in a "screw Democrats" resolution in the mix ("reasonable" Republicans helping, a few then whining about the politics of it all ... blaming both leaders), this underlines why certain sorts think the party is worth a cup of warm spit, and is as worthy of our respect.

Meanwhile, in Europe [see also, Ghost Plane]:
An Italian judge today ordered the first trial involving the American program of kidnapping terror suspects on foreign soil, indicting 26 Americans, most of them C.I.A. agents, but also Italy’s former top spy.... But the indictment nonetheless marked a turning point in Europe, where anger is high at the secret American program of "extraordinary renditions" that whisked away terror suspects in contravention of the law after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Ever forward.