In the din and uproar of everyone flipping out...

[WilliamPitt]

...I'd like to see a list of the good stuff that has happened in the last several weeks.

* ANWR was saved.

* The extension of the Patriot Act has been shelved.

* George's approval ratings, were they water, would be frozen to ice.

* We are now the majority by quite a margin.

* Reid is actually leading the party.

Go ahead. Jump in.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. We forced a debate on the withdrawl of iraq and put it to the forefront

again.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

2. Fitzgerald wants a new grand jury

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. Scanlon was indicted and will testify for the prosecution

[thecrow]

4. Thank you for staying positive

It's not going to be won back in a day.

[MH1]

5. Rosa Parks statue in capitol approved.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1935292

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. We Got Through Another Week Without * Destroying the World Completely

[KyndCulture]

31. That was my first thought too! nt

[mitchum]

7. Cheney's heart has more mileage on it

[blm]

114. HAHHAH!! And the media is almost out of their coverup for Bushboy mode.

.

[MuseRider]

8. We have momentum

and support. The states are all turning some shade of blue, well except 3.

With momentum and support our reps will feel buoyed up and able to speak out more.

Everything listed above has helped to create this.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. We Have Seen More Than Just A Handful Of Dems Start To Fight For Our Cause

[ultraist]

60. Yes. John Edwards on his IWR vote: "I was wrong."

http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/

I was wrong.

Almost three years ago, we went into Iraq to remove what we were told — and many of us believed and argued — was a threat to America. But in fact we now know that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction when our forces invaded Iraq in 2003. The intelligence was deeply flawed and, in some cases, manipulated to fit a political agenda.

It was a mistake to vote for this war in 2002. I take responsibility for that mistake. It has been hard to say these words because those who didn't make a mistake — the men and women of our armed forces and their families — have performed heroically and paid a very dear price. It is not right, just or fair that we made a mistake, but they pay for that mistake.

The world desperately needs moral leadership from America, and the foundation for moral leadership is telling the truth.

[warrior1]

10. repukes

are to be proven to be on the wrong side of history, yet again.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

11. The House Has Become Far More Animated

And I think that's a great thing cause as buzz spreads more people will tune in to C-Span and see how pathetic these repubs actually are. C-Span is the best reality tv going.

[johnaries]

12. Thank you, Will. Lots of good things are starting to happen.

And this is just the beginning.

For those of us who said that the Neo-Cons will destroy themselves and the Repukes will eventually implode, it looks like that prophecy is finally coming true.

Although it sure took longer than any of us expected.

We need to keep pushing their hypocrisy and lies to the forefront. The sheeple are starting to wake up.

[The Doctor.]

13. "I just saved a bundle on my Democracy insurance..."

That and official findings of GAO stating that there are substantial concerns about electronic voting machines.

[brindis_desala]

61. WINNER! That's the most crucial finding of the year!

[hfojvt]

85. you forgot the tag line

"by switching to the Democratic Party!"

[The Doctor.]

90. LOL!!! That may yet be in my future...

But let's see if we can't have an honorable Republican party again someday.

[stray cat]

14. Some members of the media are acting like real reporters

[stray cat]

15. Moderate repubs are shying away from tax cuts for billionaires

and budget cuts for any program for the poor.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. John Kerry Laid Out A Beautiful Synopsis On Several Outlets Calling Out

The War

[Hidden Stillness]

17. Democrats Have Found the Way Out of This Nightmare

I think Democrats have discovered ways that they can win in Congress--and also advance the interests of the American people, showing that Republicans are not only out of step but are actually trying to destroy everything--as the minority. The dread was that we could not win things on votes, and so this horrific Republican nightmare would just happen, unimpeded. Democrats, still the minority there, are now winning, and winning big. I think they have discovered a way out of this situation, and Americans are getting to be impressed with Democrats, as they have not been for a generation.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

18. Dick Cheney Got Called Out Repeatedly On His Five Deferrments

[AnotherMother4Peace]

77. This one was my favorite. It's about time the chicken hawk was outed.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

19. Dems Are Forcing The GOP to Talk About OUR Points, Not Theirs

[TahitiNut]

20. (Digging furiously) "With all this horse shit, there must be a pony here!"

:shrug:

[Poppyseedman]

48. "With all this horse shit, there must be a pony here!"

Did you know that was Ronald Reagan's favorite quote???

[TahitiNut]

50. No, I didn't. Got a citation?

:shrug: While I recall that Reagan used this joke, I'm not aware it was his "favorite."

Nonetheless, I regard it as a decent allusion to boundless optimism - an optimism that overcomes a sense of reality.

[Poppyseedman]

53. CBS Link

Read an excerpt from "How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life."

Halfway down the page

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/30/earlyshow/leisure/books/main565830.shtml

[TahitiNut]

76. Ronald Reagan never uttered an original remark in eight years.

Even his "I'm paying for this microphone" retort was from a movie script. :shrug:
Afflicted with Alzheimer's from Day One, he was a more talented sock-puppet than Junior - but a sock-puppet nonetheless.

[ScreamingMeemie]

62. I am sure it is a favorite quote of a lot of people.

Point? :shrug:

[Poppyseedman]

66. Point? None

except for I thought the poster would want to know he was quoting from a story Ronald Reagan made famous.

Reagan is the embodiment of evil, right?

[TahitiNut]

70. I see. Altruism, huh? Terrific.

I truly appreciate DU's volunteer Tinker Bells (and continuously aspire to be one) - altruistically spreading the fairy dust of enlightenment for all of us who bear the enormous burden not only of being abysmally uninformed but of being incapable of even asking a relevant question regarding allusions we so clumsily employ, and who cartoonishly nod vacuous affirmation to superficialisms like "Reagan is the embodiment of evil, right?"

:shrug:

[Poppyseedman]

83. Very cute. Had to think real hard on that one Huh?

Yes, ignorance is bliss for us poor souls who continuing bear the burden with joy of putting up with people who actually think their opinions on politics on any board have any impact in the real world.

It is truly frightening the number of posters who actually believe thinking "Reagan is the embodiment of evil, right?" makes their opinions worthy or for that matter think their gigantic intellectual prowess of having said it makes it true.

Yes, I was being an ass when I said it. You busted me

[ScreamingMeemie]

71. This was my grandfather's favorite quote. He made it famous for

me long before Reagan came along. We are now supposed to boycott cliche's and sayings? :shrug:

[TahitiNut]

75. "Here's looking at you, kid."

:evilgrin:

[countingbluecars]

21. I'm still basking in the glow

of Virginia's gubernatorial win.

[stray cat]

22. Bush is in a defensive mode instead of pushing his agenda

to put his corporate buddies in charge of the US.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

23. We Won Both Governor Races Causing Forrester To Blame Bush LOL

[Ladyhawk]

24. Excuse my ignorance, but when was the extension of the Patriot Act

shelved and what does this mean, exactly?

Thanks.

[WilliamPitt]

27. Patriot Act extension shelved

Patriot Act extension shelved

WASHINGTON -- Capping another tough week for President Bush and top Republicans in Congress, a bipartisan backlash yesterday forced congressional leaders to shelve a bill to extend provisions of the USA Patriot Act that expire at the end of the year.

Sidetracking the White House's push to preserve the expanded police powers authorized after the 2001 terrorist attacks, a rare coalition of liberal Democrats and conservative Republican lawmakers are demanding that the bill's more controversial provisions -- set to run out at the end of December -- should include more civil-liberties safeguards.

They want federal authorities to notify targets of secret, ''sneak-and-peek" searches within seven days of executing the warrant; get a judge's approval before searching medical, financial, and library records; and allow the subjects of an investigation to challenge court gag orders issued against them.

''We can protect civil liberties and still fight the war on terrorism," said Senator John E. Sununu, Republican of New Hampshire, who joined a group of senators threatening to filibuster the measure as crafted by the Bush administration and House leaders. ''We think we can work out bipartisan compromise, a reasonable compromise."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/11/19/patriot_act_extension_shelved/

[Ladyhawk]

33. Excellent. Thank you! n/t

[longship]

25. Both Senate and House Dems are acting like Dems.

This is the most important of events. Under the Reid and Pelosi leadership things are hopping in Congress. Call it the hope hop.

[Fla Dem]

26. Dover, Pa voters oust creationism school board........

DOVER, Pa. -- Voters came down hard Tuesday on school board members who backed a statement on intelligent design being read in biology class, ousting eight Republicans and replacing them with Democrats who want the concept stripped from the science curriculum.

--------more


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110900114.html

[Ilsa]

80. And The Vatican denounced "Intelligent Design! eom

[BJW]

28. Social Security "Crisis" is Over 4 Now

[BJW]

29. Kerry getting major air time for proposals

[BJW]

30. Repug Porno Authors Exposed as Hypocrites

[La Coliniere]

32. Score 1 for Darwin and Evolution

vis a vis Dover PA fundie school board members and their endorsement of intelligent design as science being rejected. Yea!

[Solomon]

34. The biggest one of all:

BUSH IS TOAST! Hehe :applause:

[SammyWinstonJack]

52. Finally!

:woohoo:

[0007]

59. With Stale Moldy Garlic Butter........

[Solomon]

72. But we can finally say it. I, like many other experienced DUers stopped

making "Bush Is Toast" threads three years ago now. It's funny watching newer people come on board and exclaim in excitement (as we all have in our time) that "Bush Is Toast". Us oldtimers have a good laugh when we see it.

But Now... Finally... We Can Say It.

Bush is Toast. And it's more than a little burnt, I'd say. Can he be saved with a scraping? Either way. It's gotta hurt.

[0007]

86. Ah Yes! Solomon, I hear 'ya and I'am enjoying the news these days.

This country has seen too many Gene Autry and Roy Roger movies
to be fooled for very long. Yes, we know all about the crooks that wear the black hats and the good guys that wear the white hats. And if that's a little before your time, try viewing, "Blazing Saddles", A more modern way to tell the story.

Woodward is so into unrestrained gratification that he didn't hear the loud shots & the shouts. "Head 'em off at the pass boys" - Fitz is riding hard on his horse, named Swift. Swift is a slow starting mare, but once up to full speed she'll blow the white hat right off Fitz's coconut.

Blazing Saddles sez is best.


Bob Woodward would
have no trouble playing Heddy Lamar

[TOhioLiberal]

120. that's Headly...

Not Heddy! :)

[bvar22]

35. The Democratic Party is behaving like a Party.

Two Partyline Opposition votes in the House in the last 36 hours.
NO Democratic defectors.
Passionate and effective opposition fromm the floor.


The incumbent Democratic Mayor of St Paul who supported bush* in 2004 was "Sent Packing" by ANGRY Democratic voters who threw the bush* supporting incumbent OUT and replaced him with a REAL Democrat!

[ginnyinWI]

98. And the media is starting to act like journalists again n/t

[npincus]

36. The most hawkish Dem has advocated for ending the Iraq occupation

NOW and called it counterproductive to Iraq's self-governance.

[npincus]

37. AND... Fitz has convened a second grand jury.. CIAgate Part II

[H2O Man]

38. Dick Cheney

was smoked out of his cave.

[proud patriot]

39. SNL has been hammering the right

and on a personal note I'm back in the classroom .
I got a Job Nov.1st w/ the school district assisting
special needs preschoolers . My Dream Job .

[jbnow]

43. Even the MSM is less bush party line

and speaking up more.

I replied to your post to say congratulations on the job. Good for you and for the kids.

[mzmolly]

57. Congrats on that dream job!

I'm sure those are some lucky preschoolers!

[TahitiNut]

73. Excellent, Trish!! Those Bay Area children are blessed!

That's a "win" all around, luv!

[goclark]

40. Arnold got his hat given to him in CA

No, no, no, no, no,no

to all his crap and NO in the next election to Arnold .

And he can take Maria with him.

[EFerrari]

69. And her little dog, too. n/t

[nickyt]

41. Some guy named Douglas Feith was indicted yesterday...

[WilliamPitt]

42. WHAT???

[nickyt]

45. Wait, I may have jumped the gun - it was mentioned here yesterday...

maybe he's ABOUT to be - apologies for disinformation.

[jus_the_facts]

49. Pentagon agrees to probe Feith's role in Iraq intel.....

Pentagon agrees to probe Feith's role in Iraq intel
18 Nov 2005 01:39:15 GMT

Source: Reuters

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's inspector general has agreed to review the prewar intelligence activities of former U.S. defense undersecretary Douglas Feith, a main architect of the Iraq war, congressional officials said on Thursday.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17307877.htm

A copy of Levin's letter to Gimble, which was obtained by Reuters, asks the inspector general to consider 10 questions including whether Feith's office undercut the intelligence community by providing the White House with its own analysis that went beyond the scope of the underlying intelligence.

Levin also wants the inspector general to look into whether Feith misled Congress in January 2004 by providing oversight committees with reports dealing with the credibility of prewar intelligence on Iraq.

Roberts' office declined to provide a copy of his written request to the inspector general.

A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll this week said 63 percent of Americans oppose Bush's handling of the Iraq war, and 52 percent say troops should be pulled out now or within 12 months.

[Blue_Roses]

44. I don't think he has been indicted but

he is under investigation for false intelligence.

[mzmolly]

46. PNAC is getting difficult to pursue. We have not invaded Syria.

*jump*

[stevedeshazer]

47. Deferment Dick "Chickenhawk" Cheney picked a fight with Jack Murtha.

It doesn't get much better than that. In addition,

* George W. Bush is coming home empty-handed from yet another continent-wide assault on worker rights

* Donald Rumsfeld has been given a withdrawal plan

* The Washington press corps is under assault from BOTH sides

* Pelosi had her best appearance ever on the House floor

* Schwarzenegger got his ass kicked in California

* There are two new Democratic governors in crucial electoral states

* Stock in war vets like John Kerry and Wes Clark has gone way up

* Republicans are completely on the defense

* Independents are abandoning the Republicans in droves

Optimism is my new mode.

[nickyt]

51. Please help me, some head guy of PBS or NPR was smacked or

berated or fired or something this week, right? All my googling is not helping me remember...

[stevedeshazer]

55. Yes, Kenneth Tomlinson

<snip>

The former chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting broke federal law by interfering with PBS programming and appearing to use political tests in hiring the corporation's new president, internal investigators said Tuesday.

Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, a Republican, also sought to withhold funding from PBS unless the taxpayer-supported network brought in more conservative voices to balance its programming, said the report by CPB inspector general Kenneth A. Konz.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20051115-1316-publicbroadcasting.html

[nickyt]

58. Oh, thank you so much Steve! I cain't keep up!

[dxstone]

54. Dems Under Harry Reid Forced Senate Closed Session...

...and embarrassed the Reeps BIG-TIME on their empty promises regarding the long-neglected Phase 2 of the investigation into the administration's misuse/abuse of intelligence in the leadup to this evil insane war...

[WiseButAngrySara]

56. Joy, joy, joy! All of the above. Inspiring to read. Thanks Will and

DUers. :kick: and R!

[dxstone]

63. Ohio's Bob Taft named one of three worst governors...

In some major publication or other; can't find the reference, but this was big news here in OH last couple weeks...

I thought I'd also heard that Ken Blackwell's feeling some new pressure of late; again, can't find a reference (Advanced Search not working at the moment)...

TOO MUCH news lately... but at least some of it is actually good for a change!
I think the wheels are finally starting to come off!



President Evil Online

[ultraist]

64. Conservative Democrat Hawk, Congressman Murtha, demands pull out of Iraq

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/18/schneider.murtha/index.html
A hawk rattles GOP's cage

Reaction swift to Democrat Murtha's call for withdrawal from Iraq
By Bill Schneider
CNN Washington Bureau


Friday, November 18, 2005; Posted: 5:23 p.m. EST (22:23 GMT)


Veteran Democrat Rep. John Murtha said "Iraq cannot be won militarily" and urged U.S. troops be withdrawn.

It's too early to tell whether what happened this week was a turning point in the Iraq war. But it was certainly the political Play of the Week.

Rep. John Murtha, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, was the first Vietnam veteran to serve in Congress. He's a staunch defender of the military. He rarely speaks to the media. When he does, Washington listens.

This week, Murtha spoke. "The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily," he said Thursday at a news conference. "It's time to bring the troops home." In his remarks, the former Marine colonel reflected on his recent visit to Iraq. "Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency," he said. "This is a flawed policy," Murtha added, banging the podium, "wrapped in illusion."

[Vidar]

65. Thank you, Mr. Pitt, for an optimiistic outlook.

[madeline_con]

67. Scooter's indictment....

has raised awareness of the dishonesty in the WH, in previously non-political people. :)

[Neecy]

68. We saved ANWR?

I knew it didn't get through the House, but I thought the Senate was determined to put it back in during conference. Maybe I missed some good news - ?

[Lex]

74. It's only a temporary save. You're right about that. n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

78. This is all good news, BUT...

I've been watching politics too long to trust some of the key Dems not to back down and/or dither at critical moments and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. :-(

[stevedeshazer]

81. No question about it.

It seems these days that politics is by the hour instead of the decade.

I agree with you.

[BJW]

79. Cruella (Kathryn Harris) exposed as Voodoo Queen

for spending taxpayer monies on weird holy water "experiement" to prevent citrus cankers.

[Raksha]

82. A holy water "experiment" to prevent citrus cankers?

Is there a DU thread where I can read up on this? This is the first I've heard of it, and even by Cruella standards it sounds like one of the more truly bizarre things to come out of Florida. I'd love more information on this.

[BJW]

84. It was up a few days ago, I'll look for it. PFB (pretty f'ing bizarre)

[salvorhardin]

89. Here's a link

http://www.neuralgourmet.com/node/462

[blue neen]

87. Rick Santorum is behind by 20 points in the polls.

He's got to go!

[0007]

88. The wheels have come off, junior will find his suitcases packed

and sitting on the front lawn of the White HOuse on his return from Asia.

[wiley]

102. Sorry. Maybe TMI but I need a towel for that one!

I think I'm going to smoke a cigarette and read The Bible. I like comparing earlierversions with the King James version that people say is the ultimate, only Bible.

[BJW]

91. People in South America made U.S. News in big demo against Bush

[BJW]

92. Pat Robertson has made at least two fruitcake comments

[BJW]

93. NYT embedded neocon reporter exposed and forced out

[BJW]

94. and Baseball is starting steroid testing

but really, I feel this was kindof a waste of congressional attention.

[petgoat]

95. Dr. Steven Jones on MSNBC on Physics on WTC Collapse nm

[oxbow]

96. Manna from heaven. Let's not pat ourselves on the back just yet, though

amidst all this good news, we must keep pushing our advantage. This is no time to rest, not when they're on the ropes!! :)

[footinmouth]

97. With DeLay out of his leadership position ...

The House is no longer in order.

[fedupwithbush]

99. Without DU we wouldn't have known about most of this

unless we were wired to the hilt and had a gazillion newspaper subscriptions.

That said, I'm calmer now than I've been in 5 years. But the worst is yet to come. We have to be around to clean up the mess from the last 5 years. My children and yours deserve it.

And like a lot of scary movies I've seen, we have to be able to see evil and the bush mold coming back next time. BEFORE it reaches this point.

I'm saying this to the Democrats and Republicans and Libertarians and any Others on this site.

I'm not for you or against you as long as you let me be. But this has and is still scary to me. I can't believe the status quo got SO far out of line. I'm hoping it's leading to the middle again. I hope so.

Am I the only one that's felt like the last 5 years have been a bad dream or scary movie with one cliche after another happening?

You all thought of all the possibilities. Most of the bad ones are coming true.

I want the middle back again. I don't want to think the worst of everything Republicans do. I don't want to be upset everyday by what is happening in my world. I'd like to do my part, be educated and know that it does make a difference.

I haven't felt that for 5 years.

Sorry, but it's wierd to be feeling optimistic and not be paranoid that I'm being optimistic. I'm an optimist at heart. What? I know. I need to go to bed now. Tomorrow's another day.

[IronLionZion]

100. America's eyes are wide open

and people are starting to pay attention to what is going on. We have a long way to go but we're getting there 1 step at a time.

[schrodingers_cat]

101. Social Security reform abandoned....

Like a sports bottle full of piss on the side of a lonely interstate......

[Senator]

103. Mr. Murtha's Tactical Coup (much bettter than a brief shoutfest)

As fun (and useful) it is to get the neofascists to start foaming at the mouth in front of the public, that wasn't the real purpose of Rep. Murtha's proposal.

Perhaps some of you recall the last time we heard from Mr. Murtha in the Euphemedia (June 28, 2005):

REP. JOHN MURTHA (D), PENNSYLVANIA: When the polls go south, you've got a problem. In a war, let me tell you, it's going to come to an end. I believe they are going to cut and run. I believe, and mark my words, the first of the year, because of the elections in Iraq and the elections in the United States, you're going to find a change and that change is going to come about because of the public reaction. They want us out of there.

And it probably would have been quite effective -- declare victory; bring home parading troops; placate the roused electorate. (Albeit with a sociopathic disregard for the cost in lives of our brave American soldiers for their new, improved "campaign theme.")

BUT NOW, they can't follow their Master Plan without it seeming to be a RESPONSE to the demands of Dems.

No wonder they've gone ballistic. Let 'em rage.

----
www.january6th.org

[leanin_green]

104. It's only 3 months until Spring Training!

[Hissyspit]

105. I see, Will, in your ice analogy, you used the Fahrenheit 9/11 scale...

:7

[Hekate]

106. Buttered popcorn never tasted so good. Pass the salt, please

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

What a GREAT thread!

Hekate

[populistdriven]

107. Tom Delay indicted

[BJW]

108. Repug Abramof Corruption Net Continuing to Widen

[BJW]

109. Bush LOST on Davis Bacon Wage Law Repeal!!!

[calimary]

110. KICK!

Because yes - we DO have momentum now. Ever since Cindy Sheehan and Hurricane Katrina, we've gained momentum and bush has lost it.

And Cindy Sheehan will be back in action for Thanksgiving!!!

:toast:

Good thread, Will. We all need to be reminded. And Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was the republi-CON take-over. Took 'em 40 years. We can take them down in far less time.

[frazzledmom]

115. I hear Molly Ivins will be joining Cindy

at the ranch in Crawford for Thanksgiving this year. Maybe they will bring * A big fake plastic turkey!

[BJW]

111. House Repugs DID NOT vote lockstep on spending bills

[BJW]

112. Hey--how about doing another summary

and re-posting this thread. I'd hate to see it be lost to the archives so quickly.

[BJW]

113. Canadians seriously threatening on softwood trade dispute

[spanone]

116. *Murtha shook up the House and the entire nation.

*Bush* is constantly on the defensive.

*Cheney has been exposed as the heartless, torture loving oaf he is.

*The Press is actually asking somewhat'probing' questions.

*Rep.(r-Ohio)Jean Schmidt exposes the ugly underbelly of the republican mindset.

*Woodward participation in Plamegate set to prolong inquiry and expose new leaker.

[peony]

117. McCain Amendment against Cheney and torture passed

[peony]

118. Larry Wilkerson telling truth to power, exposes Cheney/Rumsfeld cabal

[BJW]

119. We saved National Guard re-enlistment bonuses