(WH) Recess Appointment for Swift Boat Donor (Sam Fox)

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

The White House has just announced that it has used a recess appointment to install Sam Fox as the ambassador of Belgium. Fox's nomination was withdrawn right before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was about to vote on him -- and shine light on his $50,000 donation to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which criticized John Kerry's military record in 2004.

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/04/112224.aspx

[originalpckelly]

1. Those fucking assholes.

You know this recess appointment BS is being abused. I mean what's the point of the advice and consent clause if the President can just appoint someone when Congress goes on break?

I'm fully aware that a Democrat will probably be President some day, but I don't even want someone to do that on our side, Congress is there for a reason.

[Democrafty]

14. Good point.

I don't care who the president is - Congress should always be relevant in this country.

[originalpckelly]

20. It's scary how quickly this nation is becoming a decidership...

where very undemocratic policies are being accepted as truth. 1 person should not be able to control the entire foreign policy of a country with a population of 300,000,000 people.

[hack89]

25. Clinton made 140 recess appointments

Because he had a Republican congress - it is a Presidential power that has been used often.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

37. I did a quick Goggle search and couldn't verify your statement. Do you have a link? n/t

MKJ

[lynne]

39. Clinton actually made 139 -

This link is long, I don't know how to shorten it. It's at www.senate.gov

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:MBP7E3DcRREJ:www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RS21308.pdf+clinton+recess+appointments&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

[springhill]

92. I don't know this for sure, but.............

I believe that most of Clinton's recess appointments were on candidates who were not even being considered by the Republicans. In otherwords, they were not even given the opportunity to be voted on.

[hack89]

40. Sure

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recess_appointment

[sam sarrha]

53. but he didn't appoint the bagman for the Iran Contra Missiles for guns/cocaine to the Freek'n UN

[Mike Daniels]

87. And with few exceptions ambassadorships are handed out as rewards

to major fundraisers.

Fortunately, given this practice of appointment, most ambassadorships don't involve much more than entertaining and occasionally making a brief statement of national interest to the host country's government.

I'm sorry but I can't get that outraged over a practice that every president uses to excess.

[DuaneBidoux]

90. I have a question and I don't know the answer:

were those appointments made to avoid his candidates not making it through the confirmation process?

If so then I have to rethink my opinion here, although I would say this if Clinton was doing it in exactly the same way, to rub shit in the face of the Congress, then he was a improper as Shrub.

[dansolo]

94. I always thought that this provision was abused by both sides

My reading of the Constitution suggests that this provision is only supposed to be applicable when the vacancy actually occurs during a time when the Senate is not in session. I don't believe that the framers meant it as a end run around the Senate. And I also believe that if a vacancy does occur during a recess, if it isn't filled before the Senate is back in session, then the President is obligated from that point on to get approval from the Senate. I know that we have used the same trick to get appointments by a Republican controlled Senate, but I think the whole situation is screwed up.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Absolutely disgusting. That little runt thinks he's king of the world!

[Texifornia]

3. Goddamn MF Cowards..

Recall his ass when the Senate gets back in session.

Oh, how I loathe these people.

[Canuckistanian]

13. Can they do that?

And if they can, why didn't they do that to Bolton?

[Eugene]

21. Yes Bush can.

It is an arrogant, dishonest, and provocative thing to do,
but those things have never stopped Bush in the past.

As for Bolton, Bush could have re-appointed him but Bolton
would not have been able to draw a salary.

[endarkenment]

28. They did.

It is however an embarassment for a high level position. I think that a second recess appointment results in no salary.

[aggiesal]

50. Bolton was a recess appointment.

But when the 109th congress ended so did Bolton's recess appointment.

He was not allowed to have a second recess appointment, so he either had
to be approved by the Senate (highly unlikely), or he would be given a
different position under the Ambassador to the UN, and then never fill
the Amb. to the UN position, so that Bolton would remain the top US man
at the UN.

Unfortunately, all the other Ambassadors at the UN would have
little respect for Bolton and the US.

[Canuckistanian]

57. I know that, but my question was

Can Congress recall an ambassador once he's been "installed" by a recess appointment?

[badgerpup]

58. Can Belgium refuse the appointment?

Declare Fox persona non grata or something like that?

Oh, I certainly hope they can and will. :grr:

Bastard. Bet he was just about pissing his pants giggling about he was gonna show the Democrats and get his way no matter what! :nuke::banghead:

Didn't anybody see this coming?

[Canuckistanian]

59. They can refuse his diplomatic credentials

But I'm told that it would almost be tantamount to a declaration of war, in diplomatic terms.

Belgium has no choice.

But don't look for Belgium to be joining any future Bush "coalitions of the willing".

[Thothmes]

85. Appointment

Article II section 2 of the Constitution gives the President the legal authority to fill vacancies when the Senate is not in session.

[doxieone]

4. Temper Tantrum #1 since demos did the war funding war.

George will continue to show that he is the King and will throw his weight around.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. That's exactly what it is. He'll show those Democrats that he's

the decider and he'll do as he pleases.

[Democrafty]

8. They can't get armor to the troops, but they'll do all they can

to reward a smear?

Typical.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. K & R n/t

[City Lights]

6. Fuck the Bushitters!

I couldn't possibly despise this Klan any more than I do!

:nuke:

[Ezlivin]

9. What can we do while that S.O.B. is on vacation?

Since Bush spends most of his time cutting brush at his ranch, why can't we (read: Congress) do something while he's away?

This sword should cut both ways....

[Democrafty]

15. You can call the WH today n/t

[whometense]

32. sonofabitch.

He never fails to stoop even lower than you thought it was possible to go.

[proud2BlibKansan]

80. I am heading down to Crawford today

We'll distract him while you guys get to work in DC. LOL

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. What a wanker. This is also an insult to Belgium

Sending them an unsuitable ambassador, who was clearly unwanted by the Senate.

[Canuckistanian]

11. Oh, noooooo

Bastards!

This whole "nomination withdrawal" was a sham.

This was planned.

Little Boots hates to be told he can't do something.

Wouldn't it be a hoot if Belgium REFUSED to accept his credentials?

[MannyGoldstein]

12. I Smell The Impeachment train Coming

Can you say "abuse of power"? I thought you could.

[grace0418]

16. Yeah, I'm actually happy now when I hear about Bush pulling this shit.

It's one more nail in the impeachment coffin as far as I'm concerned.

[VWolf]

22. Technically, this action is not impeachable. HOWEVER,

it will hopefully convince a few more in Congress to persue impeachment for any of a number of other impeachable offenses. We all know what they are - I don't need to list them here.

[sam sarrha]

54. I smell an F'n Medal of Freedom....

[Blaukraut]

17. Call the WH to express your outrage

202-456-1414 or 202-456-1111

He has really gone and done it now.

[DinahMoeHum]

18. To paraphrase the Roman slogan with regard to Carthage. . .

The Republican Party Must Be Destroyed.

:kick:

[Demeter]

48. Looks Like The Destruction Is Proceeding Nicely

It's all over but the screaming, jailing, and RICO.

[cyberpj]

19. Dems should have known this and cancelled the recess. WORK people, WORK. nt

[Hobarticus]

23. Yeah, that damned lazy ass Pelosi, out galavanting around the ME

This is her fault.


:eyes:

[cyberpj]

44. Not what I meant. Just saying it's a thought, to stop Bush business as usual...

I figured there was some sort of legal minimum of bodies that would have to stay to keep Congress out of official recess. The work part referred to using their heads.

Don't be defensive. We're on the same side.

[GregW]

24. Were we similarly outraged when Clinton did this 139 times?

I hate that fucktard in the WH as much as anyone else - but the ability to do this is well known and not without precedent.

[Hobarticus]

26. Lumping Dubya's appointments or motivations with Clinton's is hardly fair

President Bill Clinton made a recess appointment of Bill Lan Lee as Assistant Attorney General for civil rights, when it became clear that Lee's strong support of affirmative action would lead to Senate opposition. Similarly, when the Senate did not vote on his nomination of James Hormel to be Ambassador to Luxembourg, Clinton made a recess appointment. Many people felt that the Senate's inaction was because Hormel was openly gay, and when he was appointed became the first such person to serve as a U.S. ambassador. Clinton made 140 recess appointments over two terms. On one of the last days of his Presidency, Clinton used the recess appointment power to place Roger L. Gregory on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Gregory was the first African-American to serve on that court .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recess_appointment

Wikipedia, I know...

So, tell me again how these appointments are the same as appointing slimeball Sam Fox.

[brooklynite]

29. One other distinction...

I don't think Clinton made a recess appointment of anyone after they withdrew the nomination.

[hack89]

41. I don't understand the distinction

are you saying that it is worse then if the President never even bothered to attempt Senate confirmation? At least it show a modicum of respect for the Senate as opposed to simply saying I don't care what the Senate says.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

42. Tell me, Greg.

Which of Clinton's appointments made their reputations by slandering war heros?

[sandnsea]

81. When he appointed a man blocked because he was gay?

The differences in the reasons for the recess appointments is what matters.

[struggle4progress]

27. 5 USC 5503

TITLE 5 > PART III > Subpart D > CHAPTER 55 > SUBCHAPTER I > § 5503

§ 5503. Recess appointments

(a) Payment for services may not be made from the Treasury of the United States to an individual appointed during a recess of the Senate to fill a vacancy in an existing office, if the vacancy existed while the Senate was in session and was by law required to be filled by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, until the appointee has been confirmed by the Senate. This subsection does not apply—

(1) if the vacancy arose within 30 days before the end of the session of the Senate;

(2) if, at the end of the session, a nomination for the office, other than the nomination of an individual appointed during the preceding recess of the Senate, was pending before the Senate for its advice and consent; or

(3) if a nomination for the office was rejected by the Senate within 30 days before the end of the session and an individual other than the one whose nomination was rejected thereafter receives a recess appointment.

(b) A nomination to fill a vacancy referred to by paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this section shall be submitted to the Senate not later than 40 days after the beginning of the next session of the Senate.

http://www2.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode05/usc_sec_05_00005503----000-.html

[LiberalFighter]

88. Korologos resigned in Feb 2007 -- bushwad attempts recess appt in April

1) That is more than 30 days

2) Wasn't pending cause bushwad pulled the nomination

3) Wasn't rejected by then Senate within 30 days cause bushwad pulled the nomination

[struggle4progress]

93. Yes: Korologos left Belgium 6 February, according to the Alumni Newsletter for the

Fullbright Alumni Association in Belgium (Spring 2007, p10 "Welcome Back Reception, November 28th")

pdf file: http://www.faab.be/FAAB%20Newsletter%20Spring%202007.pdf

[mloutre]

30. Don't let them get away with this crap!

Bush & Company's power-mad abuse of all the legal, ethical, and moral tenets that underlie our system of representative government MUST be constrained, period.

So put pressure on all your legislative representatives, in both the House and Senate, to use this latest example of egregious excess on the part of a desperate Bush administration to:

(1) Scuttle Sam Fox's bogus recess appointment;

(2) As the final straw that broke the threatened Iraq-withdrawal veto's back;

(3) And to finally impeach this morally-bankrupt presidency once and for all.

Speak up! Act out! Don't delay -- the Constitution you save might be your own!

[politicasista]

31. I am sick of this criminal adminsitration

:mad:

[Rowdy Church]

33. Fox Not Suitable

It was apparent during Fox's interview with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he outright lied and misrepresented his involvement with the Swift Boat veterans campaign.

:wtf:

No one simply hands out money without knowing who it's going to and for what purpose. He was a shill for Dumbya's campaign and the GOP and this recess appointment is Payment in Full for Services rendered .

The law governing recess appointment should be revisited -- I, personally do not like it being used by any administration as a means to circumvent Congress, but none of Clinton's appointments can be characterized as "payment in full" for smearing a campaign rival -- now can they?

:argh:

[sam sarrha]

52. payment for services rendered... MY GOD!! where will JeffJamesJohnny GannonGuckertGosh be appointed

diplomat to the red light district of Amsterdam.. Pope of Porn... Viceroy of DickSuckerdom

[karynnj]

34. I have almost as much anger at MSNBC as Bush here

Bush was his usual degenerate self.

MSNBC takes ANOTHER jab at Kerry by decsribing SBVT as "questioning" John Kerry's military record. The fact is even Nixon found nothing in Kerry's record to question - and he looked. "Lied about" or "defamed" would be more appropriate - there is no question.

[never cry wolf]

35. Who gives a shit, really? This is a yawn.....

How much more damage can the ambassador to Belgium do to "old europe" that had not already been done? No one in the EU will take this jamoke seriously... He got his beat down and everyone knows he slipped in the side door... This is not a policy making post but it is a a payback for political points delivered... A 2 year vacation in Belgium (how do you drive a belgian crazy? put him in a round room and tell him there is a pomme frite in the corner.)

Simply payback, and cannot be stopped but at least this asshole is appointed to an innocuous post... Keep after Gonzo, his post matters...

[MaineDem]

36. You've got to be kidding me!

I don't freakin' believe this. I'm totally aghast!

This fuckwit of a President has gone too far,

[mloutre]

38. Kerry's pissed. Dodd is even more pissed.

I spoke with Chris Dodd's blogger-outreach people a little while ago, and he's even more mightily pissed off about this than John Kerry is (if that's possible). Here's what they wanted me to pass along to you guys:


----------------

Statement of Senator Chris Dodd on the recess appointment of Sam Fox:

"It is outrageous that the President has sought to stealthily appoint Sam Fox to the position of ambassador to Belgium when the President formally requested that the Fox nomination be withdrawn from the Senate because it was facing certain defeat in the Foreign Relations Committee last week. I seriously question the legality of the President's use of the recess appointment authority in this instance. I intend to seek an opinion on the legality of this appointment from the General Accountability Office and invite other Senators to join with me in that request. This is underhanded and an abuse of Executive authority — sadly this behavior has become the hallmark of this administration."

Sam Fox is part of the infamous "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," having contributed $50,000 to the group infamous for their ads attacking Senator John Kerry's service during the Vietnam War.

"U.S. ambassadors need to be both responsible and credible, and Mr. Fox's support for an organization known to have spread falsehoods illustrates neither. The fact that Mr. Fox refused to apologize for his behavior during his nomination hearing reinforces my belief that he would not be an acceptable representative for the position of U.S. ambassador."

Join Senator Dodd by signing the petition urging opposing this recess appointment then ask your family friends and personal networks to do the same:

http://chrisdodd.com/opposefox

---------------


impeach these friggin bastids NOW,
Otter

[truthisfreedom]

55. SIGN THIS PETITION! http://chrisdodd.com/opposefox

http://chrisdodd.com/opposefox

I did.

[Dr Ron]

43. Post at Liberal Values

From Liberal Values--see original post for links (including many articles on the Swift Boat Liars)

http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1348

Bush Bypasses Congress To Pick Fox in Recess Appointment

George Bush still does not get the fact that this is a democracy and that there are other co-equal branches of government. The Founding Fathers believed that major Presidential appointments should be done with the advice and consent of the Senate. The voters felt that the President was not exercising his responsibilities in a competent or honest manner and voted to place further checks on him by electing a Congress of the opposing party. The White House realized there were not enough votes to confirm Sam Fox as Ambassador to Belgium following Fox’s actions to undermine the democratic process in this country by contributing to the Swift Boat Liars, who were responsible for the most dishonest smear campaign in recent history.

None of this matters in Bush World. Buried towards the bottom of a White House Personnel Announcement is this line: ” Sam Fox, of Missouri, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belgium.” Bob Geiger has posted the responses of John Kerry and Chris Dodd:

“It’s sad but not surprising that this White House would abuse the power of the presidency to reward a donor over the objections of the Senate,” said Kerry, in a statement. “This nomination was withdrawn because the Administration realized it would lose in the Foreign Relations Committee. Unfortunately, when this White House can’t win the game, they just change the rules, and America loses.”

“Our country would be stronger if this Administration spent more time getting body armor for our soldiers in Iraq than it did helping their powerful friends.”

Also reacting with outrage, is Chris Dodd (D-CT), who was the first Senator to publicly state his strong opposition to the Fox nomination.

“It is outrageous that the President has sought to stealthily appoint Sam Fox to the position of ambassador to Belgium when the President formally requested that the Fox nomination be withdrawn from the Senate because it was facing certain defeat in the Foreign Relations Committee last week,” said Dodd. “I seriously question the legality of the President’s use of the recess appointment authority in this instance. I intend to seek an opinion on the legality of this appointment from the General Accountability Office and invite other Senators to join with me in that request.”

The remainder of Bush’s term is going to see many political battles. Actions such as this on the part of George Bush act to demonstrate that any checks placed on the White House by the Democratic Congress are justified and necessary.

[otohara]

45. Bush names Fox to Belgium post despite criticism

Source: ABC News

Apr 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush bypassed Democratic critics and appointed Sam Fox ambassador to Belgium on Wednesday during the congressional recess in a move that avoided requiring Senate approval.

The appointment came a week after the White House withdrew the nomination when it became apparent that the Democratic-led Senate Foreign Relations Committee would not vote to approve Fox, a Republican fund-raiser.

Democrats had complained about a $50,000 donation Fox made to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group that questioned Sen. John Kerry's war record during the Massachusetts Democrat's 2004 presidential campaign.

"It's sad but not surprising that this White House would abuse the power of the presidency to reward a donor over the objections of the Senate," Kerry said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, when this White House can't win the game, they just change the rules, and America loses," he said. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3009100

Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3009100

[President Kerry]

46. what a scumbag

Not a shred of decency or respect for Congress or the Constitution. I hope our legislators make his pResidency miserable for the little that's left of it.

[MnFats]

47. that man has absolutely no shame.

but then he has no integrity either, so...

[newscott]

49. Bush thumbs his nose at every American, again.

[hedgehog]

51. Bipartisanship in Action!

[Vidar]

61. Democracy? We don't need no fichen democracy.

[Politicub]

56. What a naked display of quid pro quo

Not that this administration hasn't had 100's of displays of quid pro quo, but you would think the GOP would be trying to save face with their ratings as they are.

It's just another example of Bush keeping his promises to his donors, while he breaks the promises he made to the American people.

[Canuckistanian]

60. Isn't this unprecedented?

I can't remember if a candidate has EVER withdrawn his/her nomination, then been appointed on a recess.

Not even Bolton ever withdrew his candidacy for nomination.

[Canuckistanian]

62. Here's what's so offensive about this to me

It's not so much that it's a recess appointment. Hell, it's practically a given when you're the president and have little control over the Senate and you want key people you can trust in important positions.

And it's not just that he's been given a bad rating by the the Senate committee. For good reason. The man has NO experience, knowledge or even a passing understanding of diplomacy.

It's that Bush ALWAYS makes these kinds of appointments.

The always the WORST choice you could imagine - a crony, a sycophant, an industry insider governing the regulation of his former job, the son-in-law who "never could quite make a living".

Now, it's someone who showed absolute partisanship and possibly altered the course of a whole election by supporting one of the worst smears in American history.

And the thing is, Bush will get away with it. There will be no further discussion. No public input. No sober second thought. No going back.

It's done. It's over. Live with it.

And remember.

[antonialee839]

63. Nothing this scumbag does surprises

me anymore.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

64. He appoints FOX then rubs Kerry's face in it in California

Yep ..

John Kerry & his wife were making an appearance at a book signing in Brentwood, CA this evening. The local news here in Los Angeles reported that "President" Bush was to appear at a private fund raiser in ..... Brentwood, CA.tonight. So Bush says F**k Y** to the Congress, then throws it right in Kerry's face.

I wonder if anyone trying to attend the Kerry event had any trouble with the Secret Service detail for the decider.

[wisteria]

65. WE CAN CONTACT THE BELGIUM EMBASSY AND ASK THAT THEY REJECT THIS APPOINTMENT.

Fox is unfit for this position. I am doing it first thing early tomorrow.

http://www.diplobel.us/Representatives/Diplomatic.asp

[Heidi]

66. Kick.

:kick:

[SoCalDemGrrl]

67. Swift Boat Donor Appointed Ambassador

Source: CNN

President Bush named Republican fundraiser Sam Fox as U.S. ambassador to Belgium on Wednesday, using a maneuver that allowed him to bypass Congress where Democrats had derailed Fox's nomination.

Democrats had denounced Fox for his 2004 donation to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The group's TV ads, which claimed that Sen. John Kerry exaggerated his military record in Vietnam, were viewed as a major factor in the Massachusetts Democrat's losing the election.

Recognizing Fox did not have the votes to obtain Senate confirmation, Bush withdrew the nomination last month. On Wednesday, with Congress out of town for a spring break, the president used his power to make recess appointments to put Fox in the job without Senate confirmation.

This means Fox can remain ambassador until the end of the next session of Congress, effectively through the end of the Bush presidency.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/04/bush.ambassador.ap/index.html

---

This is WAR. Bush has just declared war with Congress.

This is especially heinous as John Kerry successfully lobbied to have Congress reject the nomination on the basis of the
Swift Boat lies that Sam Fox bankrolled.

Then to top it off, John Kerry & his wife were making an appearance at a book signing in Brentwood, CA this evening. The local news here in Los Angeles reported that "President" Bush was to appear at a private fund raiser in ..... Brentwood, CA. Bush says F**k Y** to the Congress, then throws it right in Kerry's face.

This man should not be the leader of a fraternity, let alone a democracy. This behavior is disgraceful.

[wisteria]

68. Belgium can reject the US ambassador if they chose too. I am contacting them to let them know about

how unfit Fox is ot be an ambassador. Perhaps, if enough people do this the Belgium's will reject him too.



http://www.diplobel.us/Representatives/Diplomatic.asp

[drm604]

74. Interesting Idea.

Maybe if they get enough calls they would consider rejecting him. I wonder if there is any precedent for this? How likely are they to reject an ambassador? It may be that it's considered very bad form internationally to reject an ambassador, but it's worth a try. But would they really reject him based on pleas from U.S. citizens? Maybe what's really needed is for large numbers of Belgian citizens to protest to their government.

Maybe letters to Belgian newspapers would help. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Belgian+newspapers&btnG=Search

[cosmicone]

69. Dupe

[Up2Late]

71. Yup, here's the link.

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2794476>

[Up2Late]

70. Oh well, at least I'm sure Fox will HATE Belgium because the Belgians will Hate him!

If they don't just beat the crap out of him.

And did anyone tell the guy that they speak French there?

[kskiska]

72. I'm sure he speaks French or Dutch.

*'s ambassador to France didn't speak French.

[noel adamson]

73. If you are not yet repulsed enough...

...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWBwLzA4ZLM">watch this video of LeiberWeasle voicing his support for this creep. I encourage all to post a comment there too.

[Kool Kitty]

75. Looks like Fox wasn't his only recess appointment.

Seems that he has also appointed Susan Dudley to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget. Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook says, "This is devasting news for the public. Dudley has a record of unrelenting hostility to regulatory protections for the public health, safety, consumers, the environment, privacy rights-everything that we expect our government to provide."

When she was nominated last year, her nomination was considered so controversial that the 'pubs refused to let it leave the committee. Bush decided to nominate her again and in January installed her unofficially as a "senior adviser". The same month, Bush signed an executive order (no surprise there) giving the office she will occupy even more power over regulatory policy by requiring agencies to submit not just draft standards but also "guidance"-essentially any important information that the WH wants to influence. (All this came from an e-mail I received this evening from Public Citizen-www.citizen.org)

Shit. I hate these bastards.

[Up2Late]

78. Wow, that DOES Suck!

I wonder if he's set the record for these recess appointments yet?

Btw, American Public Media's radio show "Marketplace" did a little bit on this story today:

<http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/04/04/PM200704043.html>

<http://marketplace.publicradio.org/>

[wrenny]

83. Chickens in the hen house

And it looks like Dubya is also going to put some controversial pro-industry lackeys in positions that will affect the environment through recess appointment.
Check out the story. Makes me want to throw UP!!!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-enviro1apr01,1,1826157.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

[sam sarrha]

76. if this is an Appointment for services rendered where will Jeff Gannon be appointed.?? Viceroy of

of Sodomania..

[sam sarrha]

77. I smell an F'n Medal of Freedom....

[Raine]

79. He better enjoy himself

as ambassador cause it's only going to last for two years. x(

[leftynyc]

82. Between having to pay this guy off somehow

and the chimp needing to wave his penis around after being shown up by the asshole in Iran, I'm not really surprised at this.

[zbdent]

84. Was ANYBODY surprised that he would take this route?

I could have told you he would do this while Congress was in recess ...

[winston61]

86. If it were not for recess appointments who would hold office

for this guy? Fox won't hold the job long and Belgium is not exactly a hot bed of diplomatic action. The Belgians can roll their eyes and ask themselves why George would send such an ass hat to them. But they know the answer.

[johnlal]

89. Bush doesn't support the military.

Congress used Fox's appointment to make him an example of the wrong that the Swiftboat liars did to our country by attacking Kerry and his war record. Add to this the Walter Reed scandal, the fact that he's sending tired and injured personnel back into Iraq, his intention of vetoing the supplemental spending bill, Pat Tillman scandal, lack of armor and equipment, the whole picture.... it just shows that Bush has no regard for our military.

[Bake]

91. Fox is slime. * is slime. So what? It's freakin' BELGIUM, people.

There's plenty to get upset about with BushCo. Hell, there's plenty to impeach the bastard over. But this one isn't worth all the righteous indignation.

A recess appointment is a recess appointment. All Presidents use them. Saying that the Big Dog's recess appointments are OK but *'s are not, because Clinton's motives were pure, is bullshit. The wingers who love * and love Fox The Swift Liar would say the exact mirror opposite.

Bottom line, it's an ambassadorship to Belgium. No big effin' deal. Did * use it to poke a stick in the Dems' eye (especially Kerry's!)? Hell yes. Did he use it to flip Congress the finger? Hell yes. But it's not like it's Bolton and the UN. Let the little pissant enjoy it (and by pissant, I COULD be referring to either * or Fox!) while he can. Both of their days are numbered.

While this one pissed me off at first, there are far bigger battles to be fought.

Bake

[Gregorian]

95. Bush is stealing our democracy to scratch his friend's back with.

Why didn't he just move to another country if he hates America so much?

See? Now he's got people like me sounding like freepers. It took a hell of a lot to make me say that.

[slick8790]

96. Business as usual, I see...

:grr: