Speaking of hearings; of rights and wrongs, and the rest, with all the hoopla that these things tend to garner another infamous trial has ended. Indeed, yesterday the Spanish High Court handed 640 years of imprisonment to the 58-year-old former Argentine navy Captain Adolfo Scilingo, accused of crimes against humanity committed during 1976 to 1983. So far only one bloodthirsty assassin facing the music for crimes committed during THAT particular state sponsored terrorism saga. Let us hope that many, many more bloodthirsty goons from all over the globe will follow the same path—and all over creation.

As one can well imagine, I find the verdict given to Scilingo to be right on target. After all, armed with the power given by some sort of ill-conceived amnesty after some of the dust in Argentina had settled down, the man had no qualms about boasting that, among other equally revolting “niceties”, he had hitched a ride on a couple of those criminal flights in which innocents were thrown to the sea from high above just for daring to dissent. Yet, upon reflection, and knowing that the same sort of ill-conceived amnesty was handed down in my own country, I can’t help but think…pity that my beloved Spain didn’t apply the same righteousness for itself when it was able to do so. I. e., soon after Franco died, and the until then kept hostage for almost 40 years Constitution was liberated. Obviously it seems that, for us so called human beings, it is easier to see the evil commited by others than it is to see the evil commited by our own. Yet, it is never too late to reckon…or, is it?

"How many does it take to metamorphose wickedness in righteous? One man must not kill. If he does it is murder. But a state or nation may kill as many as they please, and it is not murder... Only get enough people to agree to it, and the butchery of myriads of human beings is perfectly innocent. But how many does it take?" Adin Ballou, 1845

PAZ
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Chicago Tribune: Voinovich said he had come to the meeting prepared to vote for Bolton but was swayed by the often-impassioned arguments that Democrats made for greater scrutiny of the nominee, a rare instance of political debate changing a senator's position.

The postponement is a serious blow to Bolton's prospects, signifying deteriorating Republican support and providing additional time for opponents to make their case against his confirmation. The delay also raises the possibility that Bolton's nomination could be swept up in a looming confrontation over Senate approval of federal appellate judges that threatens to bring the body's work to a virtual halt.

Bush administration Assistant Secretary of State Carl Ford Jr. last week described Bolton as "a serial abuser" and "a quintessential kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy."

Yep, just the kind of guy we want in the UN. Let this be the beginning of the end for Bolton. Bush not getting Bolton's nomination confirmed would be a blow for someone who gets what he wants. Yes, that is a smile on my face.

Thank you for this excellent post on the Bolton nomination in committee.

Having just watched some more of the hearing, I think you've probably got it right about Voinovich. It's certainly unusual, these days, to see a Republican struggle with his conscience on television and then actually allow that struggle to influence a public outcome.

Even if it is just a delay of the inevitable favorable vote out of the committee, and then on the Senate floor, the delay does mean that more Bolton information will reach the public.

I imagine Fox and the other PR outlets will now start yakking it up on the subject of the wonderful and "tough" John Bolton versus the traitorous, "obstructionist" Democrats.

What's happening to our country is really sad.

Bolton committed some sort of crime(s), it looks like--possibly abusing NSA intelligence for personal gain.

Perhaps they can make Jesse Helms's corpse the replacement nominee. Otherwise, it'll be hard to find a less appropriate candidate.

It's certainly unusual, these days, to see a Republican struggle with his conscience on television and then actually allow that struggle to influence a public outcome. Posted by Ralph

Ralph, well said. In fact, it is unusual to see any politician struggle with his conscience these days.

Having watched this affair play out on C-span I was appalled at the mere fact that beside Voinovich the republicans essentially said they were ready to vote for the candidate no matter what new allegations were brought forth. I kept thinking to myself that their thought processes were so ridiculous that even if there were new allegations brought forth that Bolton killed someone that many would still vote for him. Unbelievable and Very sad! So blinded and bound by their cult leader and ideology, what an embarrassment to our country.

My other thought on this is just what kind of stronghold and powers Bush has over these people. My God I can't understand how someone with even an ounce of integrity could throw away their principles to vote in favor of this man for any job in our government let alone the ambassador to the UN. His history of ruthless abuse of power(no wonder Bush likes him) Thank god one stood up today, and the american people have been victorious today even though it may only be temporary.

Oh yeah, did I mention how much I am embarrassed, appalled, and disgusted at our republican leaders in this country lately.

The problem with Voinovich is that he is an incompetent idiot...The biggest problem is that the Democratic Party in Ohio put up an even more incompetent idiot to run against him in 2004. Hell I skipped that part of the ballot altogether.

It was basically like either voting for Lloyd Christams or Harry Dunn!

bigdog, but he's still "our" incompetent idiot just like his mentor Bush, who displayed a momentary flash of integrity, unlike his mentor Bush.

Emal,

I got to say that bush blows by voinovich in a compentecy test. All Voinovich ever talks about to the Cleveland Plain Dealer is the problems in the former Yugoslavia...Hell this guy focuses on world issues instead of all the terrible problems in Ohio. I feel there is more to this than "integrity", just not sure what it is yet.

My other thought on this is just what kind of stronghold and powers Bush has over these people.

Maybe blackmail or physical threats. Wonder how many pictures Jeff Gannon has of sexual escapades of our leaders?

I still wonder if there is more to this then meets the eye.

I got to say that bush blows by voinovich in a compentecy test

That's the funniest statement I have read so far today especiallly since it's obvious that "competency" bar is set so low. Plus, it really doesn't say much for those private, expensive, prestigious educational institutions Mr. C+ Augustus , (the poster boy for "affirmative action for well connected affluent families")attended. A backhanded compliment if there ever was one...but I digress.

I read somewhere that there is no love lost between Bush and Voinovitch. He apparently voted against Bushe's huge tax cut for the rich and then Bush actually went into his state and campaigned against him in retribution. Any body know anything about this?

JBM,

That is false, bush never campaigned against voinovich here in ohio. as a matter of fact nobody in Ohio really cared about either candidate.
As I stated earlier, it was like watching the movie Dumb and Dumber.

ignore bigdog, he's full of it.

Here's what Voinovich did, and if you think bush liked that and took no action, then you're either nuts or stupid. stephen moore went after Voinovich, and bush did too,

The White House hoped that when horse-trading failed, force would work. President Bush traveled to Ohio and other states represented by budget centrists to push for his tax plan. Voinovich remained unmoved.

Presidents go nowhere by accident. So I call bullshit on bigdog.

And I find the Senator to be quite competent, and intelligent.

Duckman,
Thank you for the personal attack, but maybe you should take a closer look at what your reading. I read you link from "The Hill" and have to say that the very first sentence is incorrect. You would thinkt that a website that advertises itself as "the hill" would understand who actually is the senior senator from ohio...because it is not George Voinovich.

Secondly, bush never campainged against george voinovich. I never said the two are buddies that get together for beer and golf.

Lastly, George Voinovich was a great Govenor for the state of ohio, much better than the ass-hat we have know, but he is an awful senetor because he does not represent the state of ohio. he focuses way to much on problems that he cannot fix worldwide, and focuses very little on the problems that effect the people of the great state of ohio.

By the way; Mike DeWine is the senior senator from Ohio.

bigdog, the machine ate my response, so here's another.

The error on the article is irrelevent. And I did notice it, just more good reporting work, eh?!

Indeed, bush never campaigned against Voinovich. He just sent his minions to try to bully and intimidate him, same difference.

Duckman,

I have to know were you there? I mean they got somthing as easy as Junior/Senior Senetory wrong, but I'm sure they know all the details of everything that happened between the two.

My point remains (and i know you will disagree, that is why I love this site) they call themselves the hill, they sure as hell better know who each senator and their official title is.

Oh, and my wife just reminded me of the commerical in which bush endorsed voinovich, it played constantly on 1100 AM.

Which brings me to my final point. Somebody asked if bush cammpained against voinovich, meaning in his senatorial race this past november...the answer is obviously NO. I corrected the guy and you refered to me as an idiot.

Bottom Line...Unless you live in Ohio (like myself) what in the hell do you give a squirt of piss about voinovich for, he represents ohio, not the rest of the population. And in my humble opinion, he sucks.

Did I say I cared about Voinovich? No.

Does that mean I do, or don't? No

Was I there? No.

Does the News Media of today suck? Pretty much.

Again, there's campaigning and then there's campaigning. I didn't suggest that bush went around making commercials for Voinovich's opponent, that doesn't mean bush wasn't sending Voinovich a message either. No different then his Bamboozaloozer Tour going to his, his mind you, not mine, Congressional Reps districts trying to drum up support, and getting precious little for his efforts.

Picture it, you're a Congressman, or a Senator, and the President of the United States comes to your district/state, and talks up an issue you've just got done talking down. DO YOU THINK THAT'S A PLUS FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN? Whenever it is?

Maybe in California, but not in Ohio, I wouldn't think. Just because bush is pretty much incompetent and ineffectual when HE deigns to do something, doesn't mean he didn't try.

bush just got done telling the Ohio goppers that Voinovich doesn't have his support, maybe one of you oughtta run against him. Results notwithstanding. And commercials for Voinovich, was that in the General, or the Primary? And did those commercials not benefit bush in Ohio as well?

Now lastly, last time I looked, Ohio was a part of the United States. Last time I looked, events in Ohio kinda affected me here in California. We're all in this together, so that's why I care about Voinovich and Ohio.

Okay, now, really, lastly, and I mean it this time, I did not call you an idiot. I said you were full of it, and I said your words were bullshit. I did not say you were nuts or stupid, that statement was generic and did not speak to anything you had said to that point.

I'll withdraw the full of it comment, change the bullshit to questionably informed, and leave it at that!

duckman, there was no primary for voinovich. my point was and is still that g.v. is one of the worsts senetors in the entire country and a complete emabaressment to us here in ohio.

bush has an agenda, he wants to do his things, if voinovich disagrees, that is fine, i have no problem with that. But I think it is wrong to assume that bush was campainging against him because they disagreed on some issues. However, if he would have done that, or if he did do that, I would not blame him because he is an awful senator and I blame the democrats of ohio for not running a stronger candidate and a strong campaign against voinovich.