Jane Hamsher sure was nice to look at and listen to on CNN this morning. She done good.
She offset the nausea I was getting from Robert Bluey.
Posted by TIKI AL at July 12, 2007 04:34 AMAt yesterday's Conyer's hearing on Commutation,White House legal advisor Fred Fielding blew off Congress in a letter saying:
"To allow such an inquiry would chill the complete and candid advice that President Bush, and future presidents, must be able to rely upon in discharging their constitutional responsibilities."
This is the second or third time we have heard this line. I think Cheney uses it when defending his "energy policy" advice from Enron and Exxon.
You really have to wonder about the value of "complete and candid advice" to the Unitary and 4th Branch Executives given what they manage to do with that advice.
Posted by gtash at July 12, 2007 04:43 AMWhat is particularly cool about Lady Bird Johnson is she embraced environmentalism long before it was mainstream.
She was a class act.
Posted by Christopher at July 12, 2007 05:11 AMSo, Maier says the guys were there just "hanging-out" there, and David just wanted to talk. They have gotten to her already.
"As far as the girls coming out after seeing David, all they had was nice things to say. It wasn't all about sex. In fact, he just wanted to have somebody listen to him, you know. And I said his wife must not be listening," Maier said.
"It wasn't all about dirty, raunchy, crazy sex," Maier told the AP. "It was a bunch of guys coming over hanging out with the girls and having a few cocktails, and men being men."
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/senator-hit-with-new-brothel-allegation/20070709224309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001
Posted by Judith at July 12, 2007 05:58 AMVincent Bruno, a member of the state Republican Party's central committee, said Tuesday that he had confirmed the allegations at the time while working for the campaign of David Treen, a former Louisiana governor running against Vitter.
The allegations never surfaced in the congressional campaign, but The Louisiana Weekly, a New Orleans newspaper, wrote about them in 2002 and 2004. Vitter denied the accusations. The prostitute never spoke publicly about the alleged affair, which was largely ignored by mainstream news organizations.
"She said she was having a paid affair often on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Dauphine and Dumaine," Bruno said, referring to two French Quarter streets.
"It's very sleazy, and it's illegal. But, OK, it doesn't apply to senators. They're an elite group," Bruno said with irony. He has called on Vitter to resign.
So is the consensus here that Vitter should resign over some sexual indiscretions?
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 06:23 AMJudith,
Research on Sen. David Vitter shows:
Since he first became a member of the U.S. House in 1998, Vitter generated $12,354,936 in contributions to his campaign committees.
In the years that Vitter served in the Congress, his home state of Louisiana was awarded $18.6 billion in Federal contracts. Vitter has artfully forged relationships with many leading defense contractors and corporations who in turn, forked over big dollar checks to his political campaigns.
He may've paid prostitutes but, he is a prostitute himself.
Heh, snark - of course he should resign! He prolly got a blowjob at least once. That's an impeaching offense.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 12, 2007 07:05 AMI'll always remember Ladybird for something that may not seem like much, and given the state of the world, is even a little silly.
It was her idea to scatter wildflower seeds all over Texas. Now, on the road from Amarillo to Wichita Falls or wherever, you can see Texas bluebells all over the medians.
It was a simple idea that made the world a little bit more beautiful, and I'm grateful.
Posted by merciless at July 12, 2007 07:47 AMVitter should resign for being a "family values hypocrite," AKA typical repuke.
Posted by Sharon at July 12, 2007 08:20 AMDid you see that the Pope took a leaf from Bush's Book? He's declared himself emporer, the deciderer of all things 'church'.
Posted by Sharon at July 12, 2007 08:22 AMIt's about time for all Christians to leave the Catholic church anyway, it was built on St. Paul's edicts which left no room for women or gays; but plenty for child molesting priests and abortion clinic attackers.
Benedict is a fucking Nazi, just like Bush, and the world is a large fucking concentration camp.
Posted by Mal Feasance at July 12, 2007 08:37 AMSo is the consensus here that Vitter should resign over some sexual indiscretions?
He really should resign.
Vitter's another republi-con who ran a campaign on "the sanctity of marriage" during and after the Clinton impeachment. In fact he was one the most outspoken critics of Clinton, even writing an op-ed.
He's a hypocrite, a liar, a cheat and a scumbag. Most importantly he's committed a crime while as a Congressman and Senator. Soliciting a prostitute is still illegal in DC and LA. So it's not as simple as "some sexual indiscretions".
Then we can have a Democratic governor appoint a Democratic Senator, unless it has a law like Wyoming.
Hey, Mal, now that you mention it, this Catholic-reared girl was impressed when my professor mentioned a female Jewish convert who became a rabbi. My late aunt the nun complained about not being able to retire from teaching. She was 79 or so.
Posted by Sharon at July 12, 2007 08:51 AMLady Bird was almost as classy as Jackie, but she certainly paid more attention to the evironment. It's very strange that she married LBJ. Rest in peace.
The more I read about this Stephen Hadley fucker, the more I believe he should be hung, along with the usual piles of dog-turd that are mentioned.
Sorry, in a bit of a bad mood this morning after reading the morning MSM crap.
Posted by tempus at July 12, 2007 09:38 AMMost importantly he's committed a crime while as a Congressman and Senator. Soliciting a prostitute is still illegal in DC and LA.
Did he though? He admitted to sinning. He has not been charged with solicitation and I'd imagine that it'd be almost impossible to get an indictment for such simply over a number on a phone record and an admission of 'sinning'.
I say let Democracy work. Let his constituents decide if he should stay or go next time he's up for re-election. Or let them initiate a recall petition. Lots of talk about respecting the will of the people around here. Is it more than just...hypocrisy?
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 10:31 AMDid he though?
U.S. Senator David Vitter visited a Canal Street brothel several times beginning in the mid-1990s, paying $300 per hour for services at the bordello after he met the madam at a fishing rodeo that included prostitutes and other politicians, according to Jeanette Maier, the "Canal Street Madam" whose operation was shut down by a federal investigators in 2001.
Only thing is, I think the statue of limitations have run out on him.
Lots of talk about respecting the will of the people around here. Is it more than just...hypocrisy?
Would you like to elaborate?
All those wildflowers. Did LBJ own the first stock in Flonase?
..."Catholic reared girl"
The priests in your parish went both ways?
Yes, he did.
Nothing in that story proves he committed a crime.
Would you like to elaborate?
Why ask for the guys resignation? He may very well have visited a bordello. He may not have. He has not been accused of committing a crime by anyone other than a former madam. As I said above, let the people of Louisiana decide whether they want him to represent them or not. Ya know, democracy. The will of the people. That kind of thing. It gets a lot of play around here but people seem awful quick to throw it overboard when it's not politically expedient. Just like a person being considered innocent until proven guilty it would seem.
Nothing in that story proves he committed a crime.
While he was not convicted of anything, paying $300 per hour for services at the bordello, is still soliciting a prostitute, which is illegal.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 12, 2007 11:35 AMWhile he was not convicted of anything, paying $300 per hour for services at the bordello, is still soliciting a prostitute, which is illegal.
SoS visited a bordello on several occasions and paid $300 an hour for services, said snark.
There. Now there's just as much evidence that you solicited prostitution as you've presented against Vitter.
Again, let the people of Louisiana decide to keep him or boot him.
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 11:41 AMYour reasoning is just silly sometimes snark.
Larry Flynt had the goods on Vitter and was going to expose all the proof he had. Flynt went to Vitter in an effort to explain. Trying to head off the disaster, Vitter suddenly goes underground and comes out with a press statement. He missed 2 major votes in the Senate yesterday and a meeting with Dick Cheney.
SoS is completely innocent, snark lies.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 12, 2007 11:54 AMYour reasoning is just silly sometimes snark.
Care to elaborate? ;)
Larry Flynt had the goods on Vitter and was going to expose all the proof he had.
ie. Vitter's phone number on the DC madam's phone records.
Flynt went to Vitter in an effort to explain.
What was Flynt trying to explain?
Trying to head off the disaster, Vitter suddenly goes underground and comes out with a press statement.
In which he said he'd sinned. What does this have to do with the fact that the only evidence that he solicited prostitution in Louisiana is the word of one person?
He missed 2 major votes in the Senate yesterday and a meeting with Dick Cheney.
Maybe he offed himself? That'd make some of the crowd around here happy. Or maybe he's just praying somewhere?
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 12:01 PMOh TikiAl, iiiiccckckkk! Actually I am lucky and in grade school, had the good fortune to have had a priest (not in the Biblical sense) who isn't a hypocritical freak. He runs a soup kitchen near Tiger Stadium these days.
Posted by Sharon at July 12, 2007 12:03 PMBreaking News: Snark is sued for defamation by famous blogger, SOS.
Both of their phone numbers are on the DC Madam's list. Stay tuned.
Posted by TIKI AL at July 12, 2007 12:06 PMThat was funny TIKI when we caught snark sneaking out the back door.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 12, 2007 12:16 PMI rest my case.
Talk is cheap.
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 12:17 PMIf the priest makes people who are at a very low point in their life accept Jesus for a bowl of soup, I believe he is immoral.
While I am not a fan of organized religion, I do believe in the Golden Rule.(except for masochists)
Posted by TIKI AL at July 12, 2007 12:23 PMNah, it's a Dorothy Day place, druggies and whatnot are welcome with no religiosity expected.
Posted by Sharon at July 12, 2007 12:32 PMI'm sure Sen. Vitter visited the $300 an hour DC Madam for therapy. Talk therapy, massage therapy and role-playing therapy and he did it all for his wife and the good of their marriage. LMAO!
Posted by Christopher at July 12, 2007 12:42 PMWhat does this have to do with the fact that the only evidence that he solicited prostitution in Louisiana is the word of one person?
Flynt says he has a stronger case in LA than in DC. The DC Madam makes two people.
Flynt went to Vitter in an effort to explain.
Yeah, that should have read: Flynt went to Vitter in an effort to get him too explain.
Maybe he offed himself? That'd make some of the crowd around here happy.
Who said that?
Talk is cheap.
For those that play devil's advocate for sinning, prostitute visiting, wife cheating, hypocritcal, republi-con fundamentalists.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 12, 2007 01:00 PMFlynt says he has a stronger case in LA than in DC. The DC Madam makes two people.
Flynt a prosecuter now? Who knew? Flynt says a lot of things. In any event I highly doubt that anyone will even consider bringing solicitation charges against him. So I'll stick with my original comment; let his constituents decide.
Flynt went to Vitter in an effort to get him too explain.
Dialed a wrong number maybe? ;)
Who said that?
Did I say someone said it?
For those that play devil's advocate for sinning, prostitute visiting, wife cheating, hypocritcal, republi-con fundamentalists.
I don't care who he is or what he believes. He has not been charged with anything. Have you ever knowingly broken a law? And if the answer is yes shouldn't you resign from your job regardless of whether you were ever charged with the crime? Or renounce your government benefits as the case may be?
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 01:22 PMOne more witness at Glenn Greenwald's blog. "Her name was Wendy Cortez..."
Posted by Seven of Six at July 12, 2007 01:25 PMThey can produce as many women as they want. None of it is gonna stand up as evidence of solicitation of prostitution in a court of law.
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 01:34 PMThe one most likely to lose her job is the prostitute who names the john. Who wants to solicit someone who sucks and tells?
Posted by iamcoyote at July 12, 2007 01:36 PMSoS,
My larger point is that we've moved far enough, in my opinion anyway, in the direction of marginalizing actual elections in favor of removing people from office by extra-electoral means. Not a healthy development for our democracy in my view. The guy's a hypocrite. And everyone knows it now. If it means anything to anyone in Louisiana they'll show him the door next election.
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 01:43 PMHave you ever knowingly broken a law?
Not after preaching from the pulpit on "the sanctity of drinking and driving!"
And if the answer is yes shouldn't you resign from your job regardless of whether you were ever charged with the crime?
I owned up to my guilt and paid my debt to society. My employer's didn't feel the need to punish me further than what the courts already did. (I will say, Vitter's people will have to decide because I doubt he will resign voluntarily.)
Or renounce your government benefits as the case may be?
It was part of the whole symptom, before I received any VA treatment, so no.
Vitter got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Now he's trying to cover his tracks, like all repukes. Like Flynt said (paraphrase), "It's funner when they catch a republican, because they run their campaigns on this holier than thou crap".
My larger point is that we've moved far enough, in my opinion anyway, in the direction of marginalizing actual elections in favor of removing people from office by extra-electoral means. Not a healthy development for our democracy in my view. The guy's a hypocrite. And everyone knows it now. If it means anything to anyone in Louisiana they'll show him the door next election.
I can say we agree.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 12, 2007 01:49 PMMy Gawd! $300.00? Now you kmow why Miers left the WH!!!I realize that some of you don't have access to Gravol, so maybe I should't have mentioned it.
Oh, I have calendars with Dick Cheney sunbathing for sale...
Posted by tempus at July 12, 2007 01:56 PMNot after preaching from the pulpit on "the sanctity of drinking and driving!"
So if I say 'I think DUI is a good thing' before driving drunk that somehow makes me less guilty?
Vitter got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
On the contrary. His 'hand' had already withdrawn from the 'cookie jar' and some people just said they had seen him with his hand in the cookie jar.
But he supposedly left 'cookie money' on the counter next to the 'cookie jar' so the analogy doesn't quite work. ;)
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 01:58 PMVitter is just the latest sleazy repugnican who will go tits up without much of a role for 'the people',presumably voters.
God that is SOOO Twee. Vitter is now in the hall of fame occupied by Tom DeLay, Duke Cunningham and other Abramoff casualties to come, that creepy little florida fellow who accosted pages and so on.
Of this gallery of goons, few beyond Duke could be convicted of much. But all are GONE. I flatly don't care how the gop shrivels whether through ballots, scabrousness illuminated or natures way of untimely demise from cancer, stroke or car crash.
At this point any break is a break, one less criminal pest corporate shill world wrecker in the grand numbers game.
Snark, you should consider writing heartfelt Public Service announcement copy on behalf of mosquitos, roaches and alley rats as misunderstood and simply wonderful creatures fully deserving all due consideration before reaching for the Raid, the Roach powder or a sticky trap.
If we still had a fully functional republic rather than an oligarchic junta it would be well and good. But that slid under the waves 7 years ago and refloating it presupposes a purge that will make the Bukharin Trial of the Soviet 1930's seem like a subdued Jerry Springer episode.
And sadly Bukharin had a lot more class than Vitter.
Posted by Chris Rich at July 12, 2007 02:22 PMFWIW - McCain's campaign is imploding in Iowa. 2 Iowa directors have jumped ship in the last 48 hours. A source reasonably high inside the campaign tells me that's he's not leaving only because his family just got settled and hadn't planned on moving again until after February. But he expects the campaign to keep on as long as even some donations continue to roll in. "It's when the funding dries up, like with Vilsack, that I'm out of a job. We're going to keep fighting until we run out of money." He believes that the campaign will have a marginal number of donations to keep it going until after the caucuses, and that they can win in a comeback off a shoestring, but admits its uphill.
The money quote: "We have a conservative message that is going to work. We just need to stick to it, and Iowa voters will pull us through."
Fully delusional. We're beyond kool-aid at this point.
Posted by idiosynchronic at July 12, 2007 02:31 PMThis should be great!
Today, Michael Moore will be live on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC at 8:00 PM (EST). If you forget to set your alarm clock, it will be on again at midnight (also EST).
Posted by Judith at July 12, 2007 02:44 PMHey Snark, he admits to visiting the Madam. Duh! Is he just making this story up that he visited prostitutes, was forgiven by his Wife and God, and there is no proof that he is telling the truth. Sheesh
Posted by Judith at July 12, 2007 02:55 PMHey Snark, he admits to visiting the Madam. Duh! Is he just making this story up that he visited prostitutes, was forgiven by his Wife and God, and there is no proof that he is telling the truth. Sheesh
Judith,
As it stands right now there is no evidence with which to charge him with solicitation of prostitution. He has not admitted to paying for sex. I have not defended his actions or his hypocrisy. I have simply stated that I don't believe he should be called upon to resign.
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 03:24 PMI owned up to my guilt and paid my debt to society.
You mean a couple of years after you actually broke the law someone said "Hey, SoS was driving drunk. I saw him do it." and you went to the nearest police station and turned yourself in? Threw yourself on he mercy of the law?
Posted by snark at July 12, 2007 08:36 PMYou mean a couple of years after you actually broke the law someone said "Hey, SoS was driving drunk. I saw him do it." and you went to the nearest police station and turned yourself in? Threw yourself on he mercy of the law?
Nope, I went to the nearest church, asked for forgiveness and prayed.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 13, 2007 09:05 AMNope, I went to the nearest church, asked for forgiveness and prayed.
Maybe you can get Vitter into your prayer group?
Posted by snark at July 13, 2007 10:01 AMMaybe you can get Vitter into your prayer group?
Maybe you, Ted Haggard and Marc Foley can join us?
Posted by Seven of Six at July 13, 2007 03:56 PM