Was there ever any doubt the Dems would do this the second they got a chance? That they'd start starting investigations after investigations into everything under the sun? I'm not surprised and I know we're going to be bombarded with these things for the months to come.

It'd be one thing if these investigations were more about fact than about grandstanding but they're not. Very few capital hill "investigations" ever are. (Yes, no matter who's running them for those of you to pull out Clinton. I thought they were a huge grandstanding mess as well.)

*Sighs*

This is just another manifestation of the "new tone of bipartisanship" being felt in Washington, D.C., folks. What's the big deal? Just a few questions here and there... and here and there... and here and there... and here and there... until they've cut the President and his administration with a thousand knives...

It will keep the loonies energized, and Nancy Pelosi's hands full. I say - Release the Hounds! Turn the sharks loose! Let them go full-tilt on crazy so the nation can see the consequence of who they voted into office over the next two years. It's a necessary short-term poison pill that will cure this nation of the cancer that is liberalism...

In the meantime, I intend to encourage my Congressional Representatives to become as nasty and partisan as the Dems have been for the past six years. We'll see if the Dems can take it like they've dished it out. I strongly doubt it... If there's anything left intact of this country by then, we'll just pick up the pieces and move on down the road - hopefully with a real Conservative leading a real Conservative movement - not like the empty suits who stood around quaking at the sight of their own shadows over the past 6 years. I've said it about a thousand times by now, and I'll probably be saying it at least a thousand times more before it's over with: It's time to take off the gloves and take on the loony left like our country's life depends upon it... because it does!

Screw Nancy Pelosi and her vapid crowd of narcissistic power-whores! Nothing good will come from them holding the reigns of power.

Interesting Mark that you think "oversight" is a dirty word. I guess that just says it all, doesn't it?

And so it begins. This will be an interesting two years, no doubt about it.

The dems are going to say hey, if the Germans are starting to look into this, we might as well too, even though we really didnt want to. Dont want to get outdone by the highly advanced europeans, after all (insert longing sighs of admiration here).

On the upside, the antics of Blowhard Extraordinaire Joe Biden will add a little comic relief to the proceedings. Watching him try to spar with Justice Roberts on constitutional issues was a hoot, like a five year old debating relativity with Einstein.

I think you're being a little over-dramatic. Which is fine, but that kind of talk only serves to obfuscate the truth. But you're not really concerned with the truth, are you?

First of all, Jim, it would do you well to read who posts the article before you criticize.

"Oversight" is not in and of itself a dirty word. Neither is "fag" for that matter.

It is their intended meaning behind the term "oversight" and the dems' history of disingenuousness that leads me to believe that in this case, the word "oversight" connotes "witch hunt".

Misuse of congressional oversight is truly tragic. Kind of like in the 90's when Newt and the boys tried, with no success, to accuse President Clinton of wrongdoing. Lucky for y'all he lied about sex, or else y'all would have wasted 75 million dollars in taxpayers money.

See, the Congress is there to check the President's power. You people are all for it as long as the one being investigated is a Democrat.

"It's time to take off the gloves and take on the loony left like our country's life depends upon it... because it does!"

babyboomer aka dbogdan: Then I'm sure you will follow up with many examples of the "cancer that is liberalism". Go right ahead. We all await the substance of your arguement.

Hate liberals all you want, Mark, but don't stoop to lying.

I called the office of Senator Reid and they said they have no intention of cooperating with the Germans on the Rumsfeld issue.

If you want to be thought of as credible, don't lie. You're better than that.

The sharks are definitely circling. Here's an outrageous threat to America's national security in the form of Democrat John Conyers!

Investor's Business Daily: Conyers "In the Pocket of Islamists"

Congress: The likely new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he's just fighting bigotry in leading a Democrat jihad to deny law enforcement key terror-fighting tools. But he is in the pocket of Islamists.

John Conyers, son of a leftist Detroit union activist, represents the largest Arab population in the country. His district includes Dearborn, Mich., nicknamed "Dearbornistan" by locals fed up with cultural encroachment and terror fears from a steady influx of Mideast immigrants.

Conyers, who runs an Arabic version of his official Web site, does the bidding of these new constituents and the militant Islamist activists who feed off them. They want to kill the Patriot Act and prevent the FBI from profiling Muslim suspects in terror investigations. They also want to end the use of undisclosed evidence against suspected Arab terrorists in deportation proceedings.

And the 77-year-old Conyers has vowed to deliver those changes for them.

"The policies of the Bush administration have sent a wave of fear through our immigrant communities and targeted our Arab and Muslim neighbors," he growls.

He'll soon be in a position to act on his promises. And he has the full backing of the expected speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wants to criminalize FBI and Customs Service profiling of Muslim terror suspects.

"Since Sept. 11, many Muslim Americans have been subjected to searches at airports and other locations based upon their religion and national origin," she said. "We must make it illegal."

Hey Doug!

Mark hasn't posted any thoughts or comments on this thread... you might want to get your facts straight before you .... oh wait! The facts should never get in the way of a liberal whose mind is already made up... never mind...

DougW, like I told Jim, please look at who the author is before criticizing. And just because Reid says that he "has no intention" of cooperating, as you say, don't think for one minute that this operation doesn't have his blessing, or that at the very least he isn't relishing the proposition.

If I am wrong about Reid's allusion to "oversight," I'll happily eat my words. Time will tell, but I'd lay odds that all you will see between now and 2008 are a series of witch hunts.

And just to set the record straight... this article wasn't taken from the Daily Kos or the DU; the basis for this piece is from an exclusive article in none other than Time Magazine, who appear to go out of their way to avoid the fact that the people behind this are left-wing terrorist apologists.

Why Conservatives Are So Angry

Debt Matters

We elect congressmen and congresswomen to represent our interests. We vote for self-described fiscal hawks who favor less government. But all we get is:

• A Congress that represents the lobbyist-money-changers in Washington
• A near $9 trillion debt
• An explosion in government spending that puts Liberal tax-and-spenders like Lyndon Johnson to shame

Integrity Matters

The moral lapses of the Clinton administration were, of course, distressing. We voted for self-described conservative representatives who claimed they would do better. But all we got was a never-ending chain of scandals ranging from sex crimes to bribe-taking to gambling promotion.

Each is driven by a combination of greed, power-lust, and arrogance. Of course, mistakes do happen. But even when individuals are caught red-handed, they refuse to take responsibility. All that results is finger pointing and excuses from congressmen hiding in rehabilitation centers. Misbehaving congressmen should be removed—period. Are we supposed to look up the definition of is again?

Immigration Matters

We are a country of laws. If you don’t like a law, change it. But a government that intentionally refuses to enforce select laws is weakening the whole “rule of law” and breaking its most sacred pledge to the governed.

Some employers are using illegal immigration to drive down wages and eliminate hard-working Americans from their payrolls. And of illegal immigrants gangs run roughshod over our communities, bringing with them:

• Violence (and the threat of violence)
• Crystal meth and other illegal drugs
• Prostitution
• And perhaps terrorists

Yet Congress and the White House repeatedly turn a blind eye in exchange for big business campaign donations and lobbying loot. The best they’ve done is pass a lame fence bill that covers no more than 10% of the problem (and they aren’t even obligated to follow through on that much). Yet many existing laws remain un-enforced.

What Should We Conservatives Do?

The Democratic Party is not the answer. It is at best beset by the same corruption as the Republican Party, and at worst completely at odds with our values. The only practical solution is to challenge Republican incumbents who fail to:

• Vote against bloated spending bills
• Demand immigration reform
• Hold their fellow members to the highest level of ethical conduct

We must stop giving money to any candidate who represents special interests over our interests.

While the Democrats are looking backwards, Muslim terrorists are taking over the nation of Thailand.

8 Bomb Blasts in Thailand Injure 9

Muslims Strike Again in Thailand: Lgf, "The new Prime Minister of Thailand apologized to Muslims for his predecessor’s harsh policies and promised to institute shari’a law in the south, but it doesn’t seem to be having the desired effect":

Associated Press: BANGKOK, Thailand — Eight bombs exploded almost simultaneously at car and motorcycle showrooms in restive southern Thailand on Thursday, wounding nine people, police said.

The blasts were believed to have been carried out by Muslim insurgents, police said.

Attackers posing as customers planted explosives inside cars or near motorcycles at Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Mazda, Ford and Isuzu dealerships and at two motorcycle showrooms, Yala police Lt. Col. Sakkarin Bamphensamai said.

He said without elaborating that the blasts bore the trademarks of Muslim separatists.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the correction. My comments were directed at Leo. I mistakenly thought that Mark's original blog item was at the top of the comments page. My apoligies, Mark.

"Time will tell, but I'd lay odds that all you will see between now and 2008 are a series of witch hunts."

Well, I agree there will be investigations. But we need someone to probe Cheney's secret energy meetings. We need to probe the Downing Street memos. We need to probe the Katrina failure. We need to know answers to these far more than we needed answers to a failed land deal in the 1970's or cigars and Monica. Can you at least admit that much?

For the record, it is Leo Pusateri who lied about the Democrats cooperating with the Germans.

If you really believed your side was better, you would need to lie about mine, Leo.

Leo-

If you are wrong, as you already are, you'll never admit it. You hate liberals more than you hate terrorists.

Freedom1 doesn't though. He's saying things about Muslim Americans that used to be said about African-Americans. It saddens me to see that kind of racism, xenophobia and blind hatred for fellow American citizens whose right to freedom of worship is built into our Constitution. You and the people like you, "Freedom1" will always be marginalized in our society. If you are a Christian, you are being un-Christlike.

How sickening to hear Pelosi talk about "we need to come together and cooperate, etc.etc.etc.: Is this NOT what Bush said from day one? He tried to
say bi-partisanship is essential, just as he did while Gov.of Texas. It is laughable, that after
"Six Long Years, these back-stabbing, obstructionists, NOW, want to 'come together and work in a united way'....Laughable, to me, now that THEY want cooperation, when in fact, they were filled with so much hatred of Bush/Adm.they used each and every day to smear him, and anything
he stood for. WHAT FUC*N HYPOCRITS...

As for up coming investigations....I say, bring it on, and show the country what you really are all about.....then, and only then, maybe the GOP,
Bush/AND especially AG Gonzales..WILL SHOW SOME REAL BALLS, AND GET THE INVESTIGATIONS GOING ON THE REID LAND SCANDLE-WHERE HE MADE MILLIONS ON A LAND DEAL HE "JUST HAPPENED TO FORGET TO PUT INTO HIS REPORTING"....

THEY COULD ALSO LOOK INTO THE HIRING PRACTICES OF PELOSI WITH ALL HER RESTAURANTS/WINERIES OF HIRING
ILLEGALS-THAT ALSO, SOMEHOW GOT SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET.

I'll say this, IF the Dems come up with all this crap(and no one here surely thinks they won't fill
the next two years with investigation after yet another investigation)to intentionally hamper the President/Cabinet, to ruin them savagely that they
are so good at....then, the GOP better get some balls and learn to start fighting back, instead of
crumbling like a bunch of scared whimps.

BUSH NEEDS TO REMEMBER THAT "HE" IS STILL THE PRESIDENT, AND BULLYING IS JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN....UNLESS, THEY STILL LIKE BEING BEAT UP LIKE A BUNCH OF PINAITAS.

"And they're about to enlist the help of some of their friends in "old Europe" to do it:"

This, sir, is an out and out lie and you should be called on your lie right here and right now. This isn't journalism, this is hatred and lies. I'm sure Mark will ban me now, since you will be offended at being exposed as a liar. But you have no proof of this statement, and it could be considered libelous.

Lying does not further the cause of America. As an American and a Democrat I resent lies like this and you, sir, should never be allowed to work for this place if lies are going to be a regular part of your blogging.

Doug, how is Freedom's bringing up the problems of Islam racist? Is it racist to point out issues with a religion or group? You do it all the time with the Republicans. I point out problems with Dems as well. Then there is pointing out things about Skin Heads, White Supremists, Environmental Extrimists and the like. Pointing out what they're doing and drawing our attention to it is not Racist in any way shape or form.

Folks have very valid reasons to worry about Muslim aggression and plans. It is well documented that there are those within the faith that activly press to convert, destory, and assimilate the west. I see no problem bringing that to our attention. Far better to point out a groups actions than to accuse someone of being "hate filled."

I don't see a need to investigate things worthlessly. I've said that before and I'll say it again. An investigation on Katrina for instance will be nothing more than a way to pin blame on the Bush Administration, when I've said time and time again that ALL emergency responses start at the local level and work their way up. Those in the response industry have pointed out every single failure point along the way, the biggest being that they didn't follow the plan they made before.

Becuase there are any number of things that can be "investigated" but I really don't see a reason to waste time, money, and energy on tons of investigations when there's buisness to be done. Let the Justice department do that, it's their job. Congress needs to focus on legislation not endless "investigations."

looks like the moonbats have rotated another one into the chute...welcome DougW

"And they're about to enlist the help of some of their friends in "old Europe" to do it:"

This, sir, is an out and out lie and you should be called on your lie right here and right now. This isn't journalism, this is hatred and lies. I'm sure Mark will ban me now, since you will be offended at being exposed as a liar. But you have no proof of this statement, and it could be considered libelous.

Lying does not further the cause of America. As an American and a Democrat I resent lies like this and you, sir, should never be allowed to work for this place if lies are going to be a regular part of your blogging.

Second of all, where is the "lie"?

Do you not think that those who are perpetrating this vote democrat? Do you really think that those who are perpetrating this are not near and dear to the hearts of the Michael Moores and the George Soros' of the world? They're certainly not in league with the Young Republicans.

Third, this information is from an article about to be put out in Time, a major magazine. Do you hear Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi screaming "foul!" from the rooftops, or denouncing this action?

All I hear is crickets.

If Germany wishes to pursue this course in prosecuting Rumsfeld, I say we need to close all of our bases over there and redeploy every single American Military person there. After all, shouldn’t they be responsible for their own defense? Why are we there still? That war was over long ago. Why are we paying them billions in dollars every year just to be there to be slapped around symbolically by them. Our presence there is producing more Nazi’s, even though our media doesn’t report on them.

After my tours in Viet Nam, I was stationed there from 1971 to 1974 and they didn’t like us then, long before either Bush was in office or our entry into Iraq.

We don’t need troops in Germany or Europe. We should redeploy “nearby,” and could always “rapidly re-enter” from elsewhere, if need be.

Gozer,
Thanks for the support! This next article by Dr.Thomas Sowell is for everyone except DougW who apparently has the survival instincts of the extinct do-do bird.

Enjoy. And FIGHT for the continued existence of our free and democratic Western Civilization!

Where is the West?
By Thomas Sowell
Townhall.com

...Only after the Roman Empire began to lose its own internal cohesion, patriotism and fighting spirit over the centuries did it begin to succumb to its external enemies and finally collapse.

That seems to be where western civilization is heading today.

Internal cohesion? Not only does much of today's generation in western societies have a "do your own thing" attitude, defying rules and flouting authority are glorified and Balkanization through "multiculturalism" has become dogma.

Patriotism? Not only is patriotism disdained, the very basis for pride in one's country and culture is systematically undermined in our educational institutions at all levels.

The achievements of western civilization are buried in histories that portray every human sin found here as if they were peculiarities of the west.

The classic example is slavery, which existed all over the world for thousands of years and yet is incessantly depicted as if it was a peculiarity of Europeans enslaving Africans. Barbary pirates alone brought twice as many enslaved Europeans to North Africa as there were Africans brought in bondage to the United States and the American colonies from which it was formed.

How many schools and colleges are going to teach that, going against political correctness and undermining white guilt?

How many people have any inkling that it was precisely western civilization which eventually turned against slavery and began stamping it out when non-western societies still saw nothing wrong with it?

How can a generation be expected to fight for the survival of a culture or a civilization that has been trashed in its own institutions, taught to tolerate even the intolerance of other cultures brought into its own midst, and conditioned to regard any instinct to fight for its own survival as being a "cowboy"?

Western nations that show any signs of standing up for self-preservation are rare exceptions. The United States and Israel are the only western nations which have no choice but to rely on self-defense -- and both are demonized, not only by our enemies but also by many in other western nations.

Australia recently told its Muslim population that, if they want to live under Islamic law, then they should leave Australia. That makes three western nations that have not yet completely succumbed to the corrosive and suicidal trends of our times.

If and when we all succumb, will the epitaph of western civilization say that we had the power to annihilate our enemies but were so paralyzed by confusion that we ended up being annihilated ourselves?

I can't wait for the oil execs return to Congress. This time they will be under oath. Capitalism is great, but collusion for profit is not.

Watching Cheney's Haliburton explain how one gets a no bit contract will be great?

Even a return of Paul Bremer to explain how he lost $9 billion in Iraq will be interesting.

It will be a real hoot to watch Ted (I only got half a bridge) Stevens scream for the other half.

Leo-

Here is the lie:

"the democrats smell blood, and like the sharks that they are, they will not be satisfied until they can gulp down every last drop.

And they're about to enlist the help of some of their friends in "old Europe" to do it"

You are saying that the Democrats, notice the capital D, just like the R in Republican, are enlisting the help of the Germans. This is false. You have no proof that they are enlisting their help. The Germans can do what they wish, and you and I both know that they have no jurisdiction. Frankly, as a Democrat, but also an American, I don't support anything those people do with regards to OUR SecDef. Yes, he's been proven wrong in his failed ideology of how to fight a war. He's incompetent and short-sighted. But he's still my countryman, and the Germans have no right to do anything to him. They chose to be uninvolved with Iraq, and that was their choice.

But none of this changes the fact that you lied. Me pointing this out apparently makes me a "moonbat", even though I have repeatedly said that I respect the rights of everyone here to have their opinions and that I care about everyone as a fellow American. But a lie is a lie. You expressly stated a cooperative effort between the Democratic party and the Germans.

Freedom1-

We should fight Islamic extremism and we should not allow the terrorists to live. Plain and simple. But that's a very different thing than allowing decent, law abiding Muslims to live freely in America and run for office if they wish. You, of course, disregarded my post about McVeigh, but you should reread it. Extremists are everywhere. Pat Robertson called for a head of state to be assassinated. As much as I dislike Chavez, I don't wish him death. Can't say the same for Hussein or Kim Jong Il, but they are different stories.

"How sickening to hear Pelosi talk about "we need to come together and cooperate, etc.etc.etc.: Is this NOT what Bush said from day one? He tried to
say bi-partisanship is essential, just as he did while Gov.of Texas"

You are right about his record as Gov. And in the first six months of 9/11, he did reach out to the Democrats on a few things. But once the 2002 midterms set is, and he and Rove were comparing war heroes like Max Cleland to Osama, all that stopped. Once they had Congress, the GOP was shut out of the legislative process altogether. Things weren't that extreme when the GOP held Congress in the 90's. Frist and DeLay and Hastert made the Democrats irrelevant to governing. They had no power. This is what led to the bitterness from my party. That and people like you who keep insisting that only Republicans or conservatives truly love America.

I assure you that you will find no greater love of America than what lives in my heart. This is my country, too, and no amount of hatred that you have for me will take it away.

Doug:

Thank goodness you did admit that Bush was trying for bipartisanship while Governor of Texas, and as well, in the months leading up to 9/ll-BECAUSE
THAT IS FACT, AND SPEECHES CAN BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE FOREFRONT TO PROVE IT.

YOU NEED TO CONTINUE TO 'TRY TO BE HONEST', IN ADMITTING THAT VERY SHORTLY "AFTER 9/11" while the country mourned the deaths of nearly 3,000 of it's people, the rumbling started to show it's ugly head---Hillary was NOT seen to be at any of the funerals of those who died, and while Guiliani
was practically attending each one, it started to divide the country----AND, particularly, "WHEN BUSH STOOD WITH THE BULLHORN, ARM AROUND THE FIREFIGHTER, THAT SEEMED TO GALL THE DEMS. The backstabbing started, and it NEVER STOPPED FOR ONE SINGLE DAY AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH. When he flew onto the battleship, to congratulate the troops on THEIR PARTICULAR 'MISSION ACCOMPLISHED'
....ALL HELL BROKE OUT WITH THE JEALOUS DEMS, AS THEY MOCKED HIM FOR SAYING THIS, AND THE HATRED FROM THEM ON A DAILY BASIS WAS ASTOUNDING.

YOU, "KNOW THIS, BUT WANT TO PUT THE SPIN ON IT-SO GO AHEAD", BUT DON'T TELL LIES WHEN YOU COME HERE TO POST, AS IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL SAY THOUGH, THAT WHEN THEY KEPT MOCKING BUSH,
HE SHOULD HAVE "THROWN BACK THE LIES, AND DISTORTIONS OF HIS WORDS TO THE TROOPS ON THAT SHIP-BUT HE CHOOSE TO KEEP DOING HIS JOB, AND IGNORE THE DAILY DEGRADING REMARKS".

YOUR PARTY NOW WANTS TO 'UNITE AND START ANEW?-
THEY WERE HATEFUL, BLISTERING LIARS, CALLING THE PRESIDENT HITLER, LIAR, WAR-MONGER, NAME IT, THEY CALLED HIM IT. THAT IS WHY I CALL THEM HYPOCRITS,
AND THEY ALWAYS WILL BE. AND, THIS INCLUDES YOUR
PARTY LEADER PELOSI, WHO IS A SCREECHER, ALONG WITH REID, AND HILLARY, WHO 'PRETENDS TO BE A LONG
SUFFERING WIFE(SHE HAS ALWAYS KNOWN BILL'S ACTIVITIES, BUT THEY HAVE A BUSINESS DEAL) AND A
"MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD-MODERATE"....WHAT A LAUGH-SHE IS AS LEFTIST AS SHE CAN BE, NO MATTER HOW SHE TRIES TO PRETEND OTHERWISE. FUNNY THAT YOU SAY BUSH KNOCKED MAX CLELAND---I DON'T REMEMBER THAT
AT ALL, AND I THINK YOU ARE DEAD WRONG ON IT.
TO USE MAX CLELAND, AS KERRY DID, AND EVEN THE OTHERS THAT HE CLAIMED TO BE THEIR HERO, WAS A FAKE, WITH REGARD TO HIS LOUSY RECORD, AND THAT, YOU SHOULD BE HONEST ABOUT AS WELL, SINCE HE WAS, AND ALWAYS WAS ANTI-MILITARY. JUST ASK THE VIET CONG, WHOSE PIX IS HANGING ON THEIR MUSEUM WALL, THANKING HIM, FOR HELPING THEM DEFEAT THE ENEMY-THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I DON'T DOUBT YOU LOVE OUR COUNTRY, JUST AS WE ALL
DO, BUT YOUR PARTY, SMEARS, HUMILIATES AND HAS TO
SAVAGE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO WIN ELECTIONS, AND YOU KNOW THAT IS TRUE. SO DON'T COME HERE WITH ANY OF
YOUR CRAP-IT DOESN'T WASH.

AGAIN, MAYBE WE LOST THIS ELECTION BECAUSE MOST EVERY PARTY HAS IT'S "ROTTEN APPLES", BUT YOUR PARTY HAS HAD A "FULL LAUNDRY LIST OF THESE ROTTEN
APPLES, THAT INCLUDED JAILTIME, DEATH, RAPES, IMPEACHMENT FOR LYING UNDER OATH, BRIBES(Wonder what ever became of Jeffers? with the bribes hidden in his freezer?) Sandy Berger, who had the audacity to steal incriminating papers from the National Archives-stuffing them into his socks and pants, and President Clinton who turned the Whitehouse into the Whorehouse.

Jo-

Wipe the foam off your mouth, take your meds, and go watch Sesame Street.

Real cute Doug: why don't you take off your blinders and stop pretending you belong to a party
of morality and decency? You are the one who foams at the mouth, just like your salavating ilk-
you also come up with nonsense like the post against me, when you have nothing intelligent to say, which is par for the course. I never said I hated you or anyone-only the actions of one of the
most 'corrupt parties that pretends to be Uniters, Not Dividers'-The Dems. When one looks at the list of perps from Clinton's Adm. it's really funny.

Real cute Doug: why don't you take off your blinders and stop pretending you belong to a party
of morality and decency? You are the one who foams at the mouth, just like your salavating ilk-
you also come up with nonsense like the post against me, when you have nothing intelligent to say, which is par for the course. I never said I hated you or anyone-only the actions of one of the
most 'corrupt parties that pretends to be Uniters, Not Dividers'-The Dems. When one looks at the list of perps from Clinton's Adm. it's really funny.