Bolton's done for.

You might want to checkout conservative Jude Wanniski's open letter to Richard Lugar on Bolton today, John Bolton, a Force of Darkness.

Sen. Richard Lugar, as reported in Wash. Post today, says he expects the nomination to go through.

Thoughts?

Loving the headlines today about the WWII victory commemorations.

"Bush gets place of honor at victory ceremonies..."

Like it would even be a question, or require observation with any other American president?

What a turd.

The votes this week are much more important than what is visible on the surface. James Dobson (I have to spit after I say the name) wants the "nuclear option" for bringing home the vote, and has indicated the republi-cons have done nothing for them (the christian right) since November. If the filibuster ends it is the real expression that we are going to be living in a theocracy controlled by the fundamentalist and evangelical right. If the filibuster ends the christian-right controls the Senate. It's that simple.

From Iran Contra to Iraq-more spit-worthy people

Anyone who's interested.

Kevin Drum has a thread called "Getting To Know You" going over on Political Animal. It's just commenters giving their biographical info. There are about 550 entries already. Check it out.

Probably the most interesting event this week will be the list of recommended miltary base closures. If you search google for military base closures or Base Realignment and Closure, you can find local papers around the country writing about bases in their areas.

I think the list will be announced later this week.

Every once in a while, muck gets it.

The base closure announcements - if true, and if the notifications to Congressment and Senators happen as they're expected to - will be a big shock attack this week, and will threaten to overwhelm the issues of the judicial fillibuster and the Bolton nomination in the press.

Which leaves us in the same place as usual; large stories front and center covering for the more important issues going on. If the Bushies, always the opportunists, take advantage of the cover of announcements, they'll get one or both items through the Senate.

Matt Davis, why do you think he is done for? It looks to me that he's in. I hope you are right but I doubt it.

The press keeps pushing the "Bolton's a dick" argument for why his nomination ran into trouble. Hogwash.

Voinovich wouldn't have cut the White House off at the knees over Bolton being an a-hole. This has to be about those NSA intercepts, I think, and if it's that, he's done for.

I think the military base closures in the 90's were a catalyst to the 5-7 year slide in home prices during that decade. It is said that this round of base closures could be more dramatic. So, could this be the "ringing of the bell" and signal the turn in the housing cycle?

Stay tuned...

Matt Davis,
I'd bet the house you are wrong. Bolton will win and bush will win yet again. This country has gone mad!

I think the military base closures in the 90's were a catalyst to the 5-7 year slide in home prices during that decade.

That's interesting. Why? All of that Federal property suddenly being offered on the cheap? While the amount of square footage the fed holds is significant, it's no where near enough to cause a land rush causing prices to fall.

And keep in mind - the slide in housing prices in the 1990's didn't affect all areas equally. Much of the midwest wasn't even touched, and some have seen significant increases since 1990.

Similar situation now as in the early 90's. The housing market moves in cycles like everything else, and we've had 7 up years. Time for 7 down years.

I know lots of folks with investment properties who are eating the mortgage payments or renting it out for less than it costs them, in anticipation of windfall equity profits. I think they're in for a shocker, trying to make money after expenses, at this stage of the game.

A catalyst like closing military bases would probably cause lots of houses to go on the market.

I know many folks who went bankrupt in the early 90's trying to make money in real estate the exact same way people are doing today.

I think Bolton gets through.

A catalyst like closing military bases would probably cause lots of houses to go on the market.

Yep, I had family and friends who lived in areas where entire neighborhoods went up for sale when it was announced that the Charleston Naval Station was going to be closed. In the long run, closing the base helped the economy but it sure was extremely painful during that time. Now, the entire state of SC is doing poorly due to the fact that factories are closing down left and right and moving to China.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dobins AFB in Marietta on the closure list. As I understand it, it's pretty nonessential.

I used to live in central GA and if Warner Robins AFB goes, so goes the entire area since this is the single largest employer in middle GA.

Does anyone know when the list is supposed to be released. I bet the howls from the GOP will be deafening.

Officially next week, but rumors have it that the list will be made known this week.

Most bases are converted into something else, so eventually the economy recovers.

Regarding China? We've been losing manufacturing for decades now. But China isn't just out there to take jobs we don't want anymore. They don't want to compete in that sense. They're looking to "win." That is, they want to dominate economically.

I heard Hagel on Bolton earlier tonight on NPR. He's definitely gone squishy.

If one could be a fly on the wall in the Senate one would discover what real pressure means on the filibuster. It may be that because of Diebold and unaccountability in elections they may really think that they can hold power forever.

On China I must agree with muck, if current trends continue we will be their serfs.

Is it wrong of me to want Bolton confirmed just to piss y'all off?

Toby - only if you hate your country. If you aspire to be a John Bircher, then you are more than welcome to support blowing up the UN and pissing off everyone we need to work with in the future. Bush is trying to put the screws to even our friends (UK, Italy, Canada, etc...) - just see how many people in the world distrust us if we put in an incompetent, untrustworthy warmonger to be our chief "diplomat". Even for a superpower, you get the trust you earn.

Is it wrong of me to want Bolton confirmed just to piss y'all off?

And if we answered, "Yes" as if that would stop you.

Just who are you trying to kid here...yourself?

Is it wrong of me to want Bolton confirmed just to piss y'all off?

It would put you squarely in the Bush camp, Toby.

Wishing things just to flip people!

How very Republican of you.

Is it wrong of me to want Bolton confirmed just to piss y'all off?

Everything about your participation on this blog is wrong. If you want Yosemite Same to be the US presence at the UN, hell, it's not even close to the most stupid-assed idea you ever expressed in our comments. You have a magical gift for insane horseshit.

what the hell difference does it really make? The U.N. has never done a thing to prevent any war. The Soviet Union used to blatently piss right on their heads.