Steve,
I agree. I would love to see some leadership and courage on the right in the form of investigating Bush, but I don't think it will happen.
At best, if the Democrats regain control of the US House in November (likely, I think), maybe then we will see an investigation.
But heck, the Congress has to actually be at work to do this and they only work about a week each month, so when would they have time to begin an investigation?
Posted by Christopher at April 18, 2006 06:09 AMQuote of week (as reported in the Washington Post) Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Greg Newbold - Former director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
... Adding these together, he concluded with the words that have come to constitute the definitive rebuke to the administration's leaders: "My sincere view is that the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions -- or bury the results."
Posted by The Truth at April 18, 2006 06:38 AMI guess the image of the "old" America and its Constitution dies pretty hard for aging sentimentalists---Bernstein literally has no clue about today's Reactionary Right GOP, its financiers and its rabid, psychotic enablers and apologists.
Talk about an article dead on arrival and out of touch with reality. Oh yeah, we'll be seeing some REAL GOP-led Congressional investigations of Nero Jr!! Just you wait!
Too bad Steve's thoroughly correct analysis of the Brownsuit & Crucifix Party won't set Bernstein straight---and even Steve still (slightly) waxes eternally hopeful about those plucky GOP "moderates" Specter, Hagel and Warner.
Posted by euzoius at April 18, 2006 06:48 AM
Those loyal to this GOP are not loyal to America. The two are mutually exclusive.
They will do nothing to hold these criminally negligent fools accountable, because their loyalty lies with said criminally negligent fools, not with the Constitution or the idea of America.
We are heading towards a civil war between the Americans and the Republicans.
Posted by God Of War at April 18, 2006 07:27 AMNo way will the Republican Senators do more than make a few critical comments then go back under there rocks. How many times has Specter said something critical only to follow up with . . . NO action.
Posted by Evan at April 18, 2006 07:54 AMAll Bernstein is doing in his piece is recognizing that the GOP has the power without opposition. By doing so, maybe he keeps his spot with WaPo when the next round of 'budget cuts' comes around.
I really wish he and his partner Woodward were still credible - they are sitting on the story of the decade and can do little about it because they have sold out.
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[Editor: ignore=off]I think it would be smart for the Repubs to go through the drill now. They could vote up a couple of bogus articles of impeachment in the House and dispatch them easily in the Senate so if the Dems do get the House, they would probably be politically unable to go through the process again.
Posted by leftcoastindie at April 18, 2006 08:33 AMWhile it may be smart, is it even possible that the GOP can break lockstep long enough to raise the impeachment issue? Just because The Hammer is busy with getting his just desserts doesn't mean that Karl or Shooter won't take over that role.
It seems like only those Republicans outside of elective office - Gingrich, for example - can even take a position which has aspects of reality without too much concern that the SCLM won't be directed to commence a smear campaign, or that the Swift Boasters won't have something to do again. Those who are still sitting in an elective seat and facing election this fall aren't going to risk taking a stand against Bu$hCo when losing the seat is even possible.
Posted by pessimist at April 18, 2006 10:27 AMYeah, Specter talks big, but fails to deliver. Even if Democrats gain control, they won't do anything either, as much as we dream of Bush being held accountable.
Posted by Judith at April 18, 2006 07:31 PMYou're absolutely right. Steve. The Republicans in Congress thought they were embarking on a thousand-year reign, and it has turned to shit. They wanted power and were willing to sell out the country for it. They were willing to do anything to keep power, even it meant pretending that Bush was some kind of combination of Jesus and Churchill. They're not likely to do the right thing now when that might mean surrending power to the Democrats. The only way they'll do what Bernstein suggests is if it is clear they'll get slaughtered in the elections this fall. And, in my humble opinion, the gutless Democrats will ensure that doesn't happen.
Posted by Phil from New York at April 19, 2006 06:22 AM