Gonzalez To Be Named To Attorney General Post

[righteous1]

ABC news is reporing that Bush will nominate Alberto Gonzalez to the position of Attorney General. Vast imrpovement

[lovedems]

Vast improvement?

The "it's ok to torture prisoners" Gonzalez?

[lancdem]

4. I'd love to see them Dems bring that out

during his confirmation hearings.

[lovedems]

10. It will certainly be an indication of how strongly they are going to fight

the R's in the next 4 years. If they take this battle on, I will have reason to hope. If they let it slide by, I will lower my head in shame.

[0007]

35. You got it!!

I'll make book that I'll be hanging my head in shame. Hope I'm wrong.

[RedSock]

47. 2000

after 2000, the dems said they would fight * tooth and nail because of the stolen election.

then they rolled over like little puppies in no time.

i have very little hope of seeing a battle, but i'm willing to be surprised.

[ilovenicepeople]

104. as long as we can pretend that there is a choice in the election,

We can pretend to have hope.You've Been Had People!!Time to wake up!It's to bad Kerry didn't win because after people found out that he would be no different than bUSH there would be the great awakening thats needed to restore democracy to your country(maybe?)

ps.sorry if I have hurt anyones feelings with my take on reality.:grouphug:

[Seabiscuit]

69. Ditto.

Sadly, despite the demise last winter of Dick Gephardt and the demise Nov. 2 of Tom Daschle, Congressional Democrats are still largely DLC'ers - the ones who have rolled over for Bush for four years - likes Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, et. al.

Do you remember that early part of Michael Moore's film where he documented scenes no one ever showed us before of black activists in and outside of the House of Representatives (Shirley Chisolm comes to mind) on the floor of the Senate with Al Gore pounding his gavel? NOT ONE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR WOULD SIGN A SINGLE PETITION ON BEHALF OF THE DISENFRANCHISED BLACK VOTERS FROM FLORIDA!!! That was at a time when Tom Daschle was Minority Leader of the Senate. Arm twisting, anyone? If the neo-cons behave like the S.S. within the Republican party, the DLC behaves like the S.A. in the Democratic party.

That scene shocked me and the DLC has turned my stomach inside out since seeing it. I already knew about them, I just didn't know that they had even stooped to THAT!

And that newly annointed jackass, Bill Clinton, who created the DLC and used it to his advantage during an earlier era (pre-Monica) just announced to the press that the Democrats lost again this year because the party didn't (pander to the Christian Coalition - my paraphrase of his words). What fucking pimp sellouts these DLC'ers have become. We've continued to lose these four years because the DLC keeps shifting to the right, and has abandoned its liberal and progressive base.

Howard Dean may still be our only hope against these "spineless beltway Democrats". WE STILL NEED TO "TAKE BACK OUR PARTY" (Dean's battle cry from early on in his campaign) FROM THE DLC before we can take back our country.

We can't win back House and Senate seats by running the same tired-old career-politician DLC'ers. John Kerry's and Tom Daschle's recent losses just proved that. We have to rid our party of the DLC'ers and replace them with liberal progressives, before we can win elections again and give the people real choices between the two dominant parties in America.

[0007]

77. I remember clearly that part in Michael Moore's documentary

".....where he documented scenes no one ever showed us before of black activists in and outside of the House of Representatives (Shirley Chisolm comes to mind) on the floor of the Senate with Al Gore pounding his gavel?"

We're getting eaten up a live, We've gotta change goddamnit!

[Seabiscuit]

78. Addendum

I ended above with: "We can't win back House and Senate seats by running the same tired-old career-politician DLC'ers. John Kerry's and Tom Daschle's recent losses just proved that. We have to rid our party of the DLC'ers and replace them with liberal progressives, before we can win elections again and give the people real choices between the two dominant parties in America." Add a final sentence: Barack Obama just proved that.

[Amigust]

110. I'll join your breath of fresh air party - we've already gone way too far

right.

[Seabiscuit]

114. So what shall we call our new party?

I like "breath of fresh air" but compared to "Republican", Democrat", "Independent", "Green", it seems like too many words.

Anyone with any "fresh air" ideas?

Maybe with Howard Dean's help (and perhaps the now unemployed John Edwards help) we can start a movement and a whole new political party that will take back our country from the "dark side" that has swallowed it whole.

[fishwax]

105. I wouldn't take that bet

unfortunately, investing any hope is almost certainly setting one self up for disappointment. I hope and pray I'm wrong, but I'll bet he passes with little more than a whimper. Come on Senate Dems, prove me wrong, dammit!

[zara]

59. this reveals their plan to put a harsh conservative on SC

With Gonzales, a loyal moderate conservative, mollified and the hispanic faction fed its red meat, the right wing can put a real hardcore christian wingnut on the supreme court.

Gonzales is certainly not the kind of guy that we would like in AG post, but he's far from the worst of the lot (hi John Ashcroft). Which we've suffered through.

I think the suggestions that the Dems should torpedo Gonzales for AG are in error. The lesson of recent years is that their is limited stomach for blood on the senate floor. The filibuster needs to be selectively used. The Supreme Court is the line in the sand the dems should draw. That's a lifetime appointment. AG is only for the Bush years.

[lthuedk]

103. The confirmation will signal a beginning of war against the fascists by

our party's leaders or their willful subordination before a power it is currently unfit to fight. Bush is moving quickly. So must we. Fight the cancer with everything we can muster.

[AlCzervik]

6. He will have to go through confirmation hearings right?

i cannot beleive this guy can get confirmed.

[lovedems]

26. He will have to go through confirmation hearings and we will see

what kind of fighting moods the democrats are in. Keeping fingers crossed.

[AlCzervik]

27. Hopefully Pat Leahy will be in a fighting mood.

If this guy gets confirmed what does that say to the world? It's bas * is back in but this will truly be the last straw.

[lovedems]

33. No kidding. Haven't we said enough to the world?

As far as Bush reaching out to the Kerry supporters it is as if he is reaching out with a bat to beat us over the head.

So much for unity. Of course I didn't expect it for one minute but damn, this sucks.

[CityDem]

75. They will roll over

If they approved Assrcroft, they will surely approve Alberto. Feingold has gone on record stating that the president should have the ability to select the members of his cabinet. The dems will rough him up in the committee hearings over the torture memo, but he will approved by a vote o 80-20.

[Amigust]

111. After witnessing two stolen elections, you had better be ready

to believe it, and a lot more.

[ElectroPrincess]

24. I bet KKKarl has a nick name for all the

FAR Right Wing Hispanics, Blacks and Women named to high positions of the * Administration.

Karl loves the beauty of the incongruence and calls these appointees =

"THE UNTOUCHABLES"

[ladjf]

That's him.

[mmichaelak]

84. yeah, THAT Gonzalez

The guy who said to Mr. Bush that it was okay to torture prisoners. That prisoners in the war on terror were not P.O.W.s so the Geneva Convention did not apply to them. That Gonzalez.

I feel safer already... yeah.

[Ripley]

1. Really...someone who condoned torture is a "vast" improvement?

I heard he was the lawyer who sent all those memos to Gitmo...

[righteous1]

5. Ashcroft

You would be happier with Ashcroft?

[Ripley]

12. I wouldn't use the word "vast."

When i think vast, I think Grand Canyon or the Pacific Ocean, or the Milky Way.

Improvement, yes, I suppose, but frankly I don't know how much of a Talibornagain Gonzales is, so I can't really say.

[lovedems]

22. I would be happier without a total nut job as AG.

He isn't a solution, he is just another part of the problem. But since it was just brown skinned people being tortured, that shouldn't effect us, right? OK, vast improvement for white people.

[Seabiscuit]

76. Speaking of "white people"

I just saw a re-run of George Carlin's show in New Jersey years ago, during the Reagan era (he totally blasted Reagan's joining of the criminal right with the "moral majority" in exactly the same way DU'ers have been blasting the Bush crime family and the "fundies").

One joke he made that stuck in my mind was where he was talking about how this country was founded by white slave-owners who fought the white people from England to protect their freedom to own the black people, then stole much of the country from the red people, then stole the rest from the brown people, so they could then bomb the shit out of the yellow people in Japan.

Not much has changed since the Reagan era - remember Ed Meese? - it's just gotten progressively worse.

[Forkboy]

85. I'd be happier with watching Beastmaster 1 over Beastmaster 2 too

That doesn't mean Beastmaster 1 is vastly better :)

[seimmud]

2. what am i going to do with my "Ashcroft is watching" sticker?

[0007]

43. Put it in the raunchiest high class right wing restroom you can find.

[eataTREE]

3. This is no improvement.

Ashcroft may have been a whacko, but he was also a thoroughly incompetent whacko.

From what I know about this guy, he's not a whacko: he's just evil. Frankly, that scares me more.

[Dhalgren]

16. Right,

think "Ashcroft" with competence and a real knowledge of the law. Gonzales is not an improvement, he is worse...

[tavalon]

64. And, we expected different?

[Dhalgren]

82. No, but for someone to say that he is an improvement

over Asscrack is ,IMO, wrong.

[chookie]

7. Will he find the Bill of Rights "quaint"?

He thinks the Geneva Convention is girly.

[lefthandedskyhook]

8. Was hoping for Rudy...

so he could hang himself with all that rope. Gonzalez has no heart and is much smarter - - ick!

[seemslikeadream]

9. Mr. Torture Memo Gonzalez

:eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy: :eyes: :crazy:

[loftycity]

36. Mr. Fascist -- we are so screwed...nt

[Webster Green]

11. He will wipe his butt with our constitution....

Just like asscrack does.

Fuck you bush! Suck Satan's cock!

[mirandaod]

13. Oh, good.

The torture memo guy. More fun and games in the war on terra.

[seimmud]

14. Out of curiosity...who would be our choice for * to choose...

Not like * would EVER cater to us...but who would we prefer from * side of the isle?

[napi21]

15. Will the Dems pick this as one of their battles?

I heard the dems say that they will have to agree on some things and pick their battles on others. I agree with that, or they will be seen as obstructionists. I guess Gonzalez will be less damaging in the AG spot because the SCOTUS can kick him if he over-reaches, just as they did Ashcroft. I;ll be curious to see if all the Pugs are willing to accept him.

[Carolina]

101. I don't care, be obstructionists

Repukes were obstructionists ALL 8 years of Clinton's presidency. Sure, you say they had the House and Senate after the 1994 midterms, but they consistently stood for (actually against something). And the irony is that alleged Democratic obstructionism has been used against Dems effectively by repukes even though Dems have been in the minority. So hell, they should earn the label that's already been used against and earn it proudly OR sit back and do nothing ... abstain from voting, let the elected GOP have its way and let the people see the evil they selected!

[enki23]

17. i think that's even worse

ashcroft was batshit crazy. this guy is fucking evil.

[Cookie wookie]

108. Someone at work today said maybe they

were moving to place Ashcroft on the Supreme Court instead. Before this appointment of Gonzoles I would have said preposterous. Now . . .

[dogtag]

18. And the media will keep pointing out how wonderful

Shrub is to appoint a Hispanic to the cabinet. The 'big tent' sham gets more momentum...

[amber dog democrat]

19. It won't happen

I can not see any chance he will be confirmed.
In what way is this an improvement ?
Was the chimp considering Alan Keyes ?

[righteous1]

25. positives

2 positives: first takes him out of running for a SCOTUS position, second he is softer on domestic agenda (compared to Ash) he was the impetus behind Bush backing of of "anti diversity" in Michigan

[amber dog democrat]

29. One negative

It would be better to have some who supports the rule of law as US AG - instead of an aparachick who favors political expediency.

I trust this weasel as far as I can throw him.

[mmichaelak]

86. Speaking of throwing...

I wonder how far he could be thrown but something large like, oh, I dunno, a trebuchet?

[amber dog democrat]

99. depending on the size, at least 150 yards.

I'd be happy to toggle the lanyard too. Ah the elegant simplicity of one way travel.

[patcox2]

34. nu-uh, it puts him more strongly in running for scotus.

Having been AG, he would be an even better candidate for scotus. And, if the senate confirms him for AG, they are more likely to confirm him for scotus (as is also the case with Ashcroft).

Mark my words, batshit ashcroft and this guy will both wind up on the scotus.

[seimmud]

20. Looks like some more fake diversity

Get a mexican guy who hates the Geneva convention... That way if you oppose him you are a racist...

[MADem]

63. BINGO!!!!

And that is how they will play it...divide and conquer. Obfuscate the real issues, and throw up a canard of racism. The only way to fight it is to put Hispanics of the Democratic persuasion up front protesting the appointment.

I think he'll get approved, no matter what, though. We don't have any power to fight back. All we can do is raise moral arguments. It's rather like pissing in the wind, unfortunately,

[calico1]

70. Well, I am Hispanic and

I can't stand his guts. He is a creep. Don't assume all Hispanics are in favor of him because he is Hispanic.

[shanti]

81. exactly!

just like not all white people back * because of his race!

[GoBlue]

21. Is our constitution 'QUAINT' too?

eom

[Tesibria]

23. Do we have in one place, the "scoop" on Gonzalez ...

.. i.e., the documentation proving the terrible memos, etc. that he's responsible for creating?

~Tesibria
-----------------------
www.democracyiscoming.com
www.cafepress.com/tesibria (T-shirts, etc. - "Proud Member of Moral Minority"-"Hitler had a mandate"-What would Jefferson Think-Count the Votes-Great Quotes-much more)

[Roland99]

39. See my post...post #38 in this thread.

[auntAgonist]

53. I found this ..

and still looking

http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=5423

[sr_pacifica]

94. More dangerous

Gonzales has a more moderate demeanor. Ashcroft always looked a bit psychologically whacked.

[BlueStatesForever]

97. Here's the actual memo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/documents/dojinterrogationmemo20020801.pdf

[Not Me]

28. It'll give him the fight from the Dems that he is looking for.

"See, I tried to reach out, but they won't hear of it."

on edit: typo

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

30. Oh, really? Vast improvement, eh?

I attended a conference last year where we got to question Alberto Gonzalez. The man couldn't give an answer on anything. He is a master at taking a question, answering it with such gusto and vocabulary that makes you think you were answered, and having you realize an hour later that you didn't learn anything new.

And he allowed the abuse of the prisoners at Gitmo, as allowable and within reasonable boundaries.

I assume that he'll at least be able to fake more people out than Ashcroft could.

[flordehinojos]

31. why did anyone believe that rudy giuiliani, who, no matter how much he

shilled for bush is a guy who may actually believe in Democracy would be nominated to the post of AG? His believes in Democracy may have put him at odds with the bush administration at some point in the game. they knew they couldn't risk that.

[seimmud]

32. What is Gonzalez's opinion about naked statues???

thats the real question...Forget all the non important stuff

[patcox2]

37. Committed Fraud on Texas Court representing Bush as Guv.

He committed a fraud on the court in Texas when he concealed Bush's prior DUI during a case.

[progressivebydesign]

42. Geez... those fuckers are shameless. n/t

[Roland99]

38. Some Info on Gonzales' Involvement in the Prisoner Abuse Scandals

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/politics/09TTEX.html

JAN. 25 Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, in a memorandum to President Bush, said that the Justice Department's advice in the Jan. 9 memorandum was sound and that Mr. Bush should declare the Taliban and Al Qaeda outside the coverage of the Geneva Conventions. That would keep American officials from being exposed to the federal War Crimes Act, a 1996 law that carries the death penalty.


http://lawofwar.org/Torture_Memos_analysis.htm

The Alberto Gonzales Memo January 25, 2002

On January 25, 2002, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales sent a Memorandum to President Bush regarding a presidential decision on January 18, 2002, (the White House has issued an Order to that effect, dated February 7, 2002, see below) that captured members of the Taliban were not protected under the Geneva POW Convention ("GPW"), to which the legal advisor to the Secretary of State had objected. He advised that "there are reasonable grounds for you to conclude that GPW does not apply ...to the conflict with the Taliban." Mr. Gonzales argued that grounds for the determination might include:

1) a determination that Afghanistan was a failed state "...because the Taliban did not exercise full control over the territory and people, was not recognized by the international community, and was not capable of fulfilling its international obligations" (see definition of statehood in Cpt. 1.3 and discussion in Kadic v. Karadzic, 70 F.3d 232, 244 to 245 (2nd Cir, 1995) ) and/or

2) a "determination that the Taliban and its forces were, in fact, not a government but a militant, terrorist-like group."

Mr. Gonzales then identified what he believed were the ramifications of Mr. Bush's determination. On a positive note he felt they preserved flexibility stating that:
"The nature of places a high premium on ...factors such as the ability to quickly obtain information from captured terrorists and their sponsors ... and the need to try terrorists for war crimes... his new paradigm renders obsolete Geneva's strict limitations on questioning of enemy prisoners..." He also believed the determination "...eliminates any argument regarding the need for case-by-case determinations of POW status." The determination, Mr. Gonzales said, also reduced the threat of domestic prosecution under the War Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. 2441). His expressed concern was that certain GPW language such as "outrages upon personal dignity" and "inhuman treatment" are "undefined' and that it is difficult to predict with confidence what action might constitute violations, and that it would be "...difficult to predict the needs and circumstances that could arise in the course of the war on terrorism." He believed that a determination of inapplicability of the GPW would insulate against prosecution by future "prosecutors and independent counsels."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A759-2004Jun23.html

Bush nonetheless embraced the Justice Department's viewpoint and decided that the Geneva Conventions did not apply to combatants in Afghanistan. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell protested the decision and persuaded Bush to reconsider; Powell and Myers presented their views at a meeting with Bush, also attended by senior Justice and defense officials.

Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, advised Bush in a memo, however, that Powell was wrong and the Justice Department's analysis was "definitive." Gonzales said terrorist attacks "require a new approach in our actions toward captured terrorists," and noted that terrorists had never respected the Geneva Conventions' human rights protections.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/documents/012202bybee.pdf

A 37-page memo written by Assistant Attorney General Jay S. Bybee and addressed to White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales and the Pentagon's general counsel, William J. Haynes II. Bybee argued that that the War Crimes Act and the Geneva Convention did not apply to al Qaeda prisoners and that President Bush had constitutional authority to "suspend our treaty obligations toward Afghanistan" because it was a "failed state." Bybee, then head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, has since become a federal judge.

[Tesibria]

46. Thanx -- more links here ..

1). http://archives.cnn.com/2000/LAW/12/20/alberto.gonzalez.pol/

"...Gonzales spent three years on Gov. Bush's staff as general counsel. In 1996, he helped Bush avoid jury duty in a DUI case. Jury service could have forced Bush to disclose that he had pleaded guilty to drunken driving in Maine in 1976, instead, that fact came out just days before the presidential election. He argued that Bush could not serve on the jury because he might be called on to make a clemency decision in the case. ..."

2). http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB127/02.01.22.pdf
January 22, 2002 Memo re: Acceptable Treatment of Prisoners

3). http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB127/020207.pdf
February 7, 2002 DOJ memo to Gonzalez re: Acceptable Treatment of Prisoners

4). http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB127/02.08.01.pdf
August 8, 2002 DOJ memo to Gonzalez re: Acceptable Interrogation Methods

5). http://lawofwar.org/Torture_Memos_analysis.htm
Summary analyis of the above memos and more

6). http://www.dod.gov/news/Jun2004/n06232004_2004062302.html
DOD press release re: Treatment of Prisoners; includes quotes from Gonzalez

7). http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200307/berlow
"As the legal counsel to Texas Governor George W. Bush, Alberto R. Gonzales—now the White House counsel, and widely regarded as a likely future Supreme Court nominee—prepared fifty-seven confidential death-penalty memoranda for Bush's review. Never before discussed publicly, the memoranda suggest that Gonzales repeatedly failed to apprise Bush of some of the most salient issues in the cases at hand."

8). http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A7019-2003May18¬Found=true
Discussion of how Gonzalez has asserted broad Presidential Powers over other branches of government

9). http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/02/15/BU132842.DTL
"...Sources tell me that investigators are following up on tips that Vinson & Elkins may have briefed former partners in advance on the findings of a top- secret probe into Enron's shady business dealings...."

10).http://www.commondreams.org/views/121800-105.htm
allegations of favortism towards Halliburton



Will add as I find more...




~Tesibria
-----------------------
www.democracyiscoming.com
www.cafepress.com/tesibria (T-shirts, etc. - "Proud Member of Moral Minority"-"Hitler had a mandate"-What would Jefferson Think-Count the Votes-Great Quotes-much more)

[progressivebydesign]

40. Wasn't he the Bush family attorney that got Bush off on the Cocaine thing?

I see they're repaying their family debts. Geez.. they ARE like the mob, aren't they?

[0007]

45. You kidding? They are the mob!

[MrBenchley]

41. He's utterly unqualified

and is best known for commissioning a memo to find a "legal" excuse for torturing POWs...

[HCLiberal]

44. This guy owes the prez, big time

so he's not to be trusted AT ALL.

"why did anyone believe that rudy giuiliani, who, no matter how much he shilled for bush is a guy who may actually believe in Democracy would be nominated to the post of AG? His believes in Democracy may have put him at odds with the bush administration at some point in the game. they knew they couldn't risk that."

Rudy is all republicrap, but seems to have a bit of integrity, which would make him completely wrong for a bush appointee.

[DinahMoeHum]

49. Welcome to DU !!

Methinks Bush is considering Giuliani for the post of Homeland Security, if Tom Ridge leaves.

:evilfrown:

[MallRat]

48. How "quaint."

Dear Senate Democrats,

FILIBUSTER THIS MOTHERF*CKER!

-MR

[Spazito]

50. Holy shit! This is the guy that advocated not only breaching the

Geneva Convention but also, through his recommendations, contravened US Code Title 18 Section 2441 Titled War Crimes. Link:

http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00002441----000-.html

For those who have not yet read his memos re Torture, here is a link to MSNBC article, scroll down and click on the link to the memo, it is a PDF. Also read Powell's memo. Link:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4999734/


This man will trash what is left of US law, imo!

[mvd]

51. Well, with Asscroft..

you knew what you were getting. His fanaticism was on display. With Gonzales, things will be more secretive - certainly a fit with the secretive Bush administration. And when he's been working so closely for Bush, there's no chance of independence. And that lack of independence should be a theme of our efforts to defeat him.

[4_Legs_Good]

52. Not a big surprise

at least it means he won't be a Supreme Court nominee!

david

[fryguy]

54. great - Mr. Torture memos is going to be head law officer

This should be a fun four years chock-full of indefinite detentions and human rights abuses right here at home.....

[underpants]

55. When Gonzo was on the Texas SC didn't he dismiss every Halliburton case?

I am looking for it but I am pretty sure that there was article a few years back about how every case brought by an employee against Halliburton was either thrown out or ruled in Halliburton's favor.


Oh byt the way they elect judges in Texas and his biggest campaign contributor was...........oh come on that is too easy.......HALLIBURTON!

[underpants]

58. Here you go---GREAT article on Gonzales and Halliburton

http://www.commondreams.org/views/121800-105.htm

Was the Fix In?
New White House Counsel Accused of Favoritism for Cheney's Halliburton
Published on Monday, December 18, 2000

Cheney's Halliburton corporation, through its executives and its separate subsidiaries, was the second-largest corporate contributor to Texas Supreme Court races in the last three election cycles, contributing over $79,000 to the Justices. Five times in the past seven years, cases involving Halliburton have come before the Texas Supreme Court, and each time the Court has either ruled for the company or refused to hear an appeal of a favorable verdict for the firm from a lower court.

In 1999, a Halliburton employee had won a $2.6 million trial verdict due to allegations that a company supervisor framed him to test positive for cocaine, only to see the verdict overturned by a Texas Court of Appeals. Just before the Texas Supreme Court ruled on the case, Halliburton gave a number of contributions to the Justices, including $3000 to Alberto Gonzales. None of the Justices recused themselves from the case and the Court refused to hear the appeal against Halliburton.

[nickinSTL]

56. And so it begins...(cue dramatic music)

Well, here will be the first chance for the Dems to prove they will fight the Bush regime extremist agenda in the 2nd term.

[tavalon]

65. Please don't hold your breath

We don't want any asphyxiated DUers over this one.

[nickinSTL]

66. Oh, I won't

I don't really expect the Dems to show any more backbone now than they have the past 4 years.

My respect for the Dem party is pretty low right now.

[Snellius]

57. Rove is trying to corner the Hispanic vote while he can

This is all politics. Working from the gains in the Hispanic vote in the last election, Rove has obviously launched -- along with citizenship to illegals -- to permanently enclose their constituency within the Republican fold.

[digno dave]

60. Afraid you're right. Say adios to Hispanic vote

Another nail in our coffin.

[calico1]

71. Um no...

Do you think all us Hispanics are that gullible? Give us a little more credit! Don't forget that many Blacks can't stand Clarence Thomas.

[righteous1]

73. Good Point

Rice, Powell gave him a grand total of 3% additional black vote in 04, no biggee

[digno dave]

96. There are other things trending hispanics towards Bush, not just this

His opposition to gay marriage, pro-life, his mastery of the Spanish language :P, legalizing illegals, etc. See the recent election results. Bush gained 10% from 2000 in hispanic vote.

[merh]

61. I prefer him as AG than a Supreme Court Justice that we are

stuck with for as long as he lives. AG is only as long as * is prez.

[AlinPA]

62. So where does Ray Moore (Alabama) fit in now?

[nickinSTL]

67. Supreme Court appointment, I suppose

:puke: :scared:

[nickinSTL]

68. Supreme Court appointment, I suppose

:puke: :scared:

[Plaid Adder]

72. Maybe this is a Pet Pig Ploy?

You know, you bring a pig home and ask your mother if you can keep it and then after you argue for half an hour you accept her decision and then when you ask if you can have a puppy instead she's so relieved she doesn't even think twice before she says yes?

OK, so maybe the pig is kind of beside the point, my point is that he can put this guy up, force the Democrats to spend a huge amount of time and energy cashiering his nomination, and then get someone else slightly less bad in there much more easily than he could have.

Or, he coudl turn around to his supporters and say, "See, those mean Democrats wouldn't let me have my nice extremist judge, it's not my fault I had to nominate Giuliani, they made me do it."

Or, we could be about to have the guy who put the "AAAAAAAGH!" in Guantanamo working his magic on all of us for the next four years.

Yee ha,

The Plaid Adder

[LisaM]

74. Frightening choice

his specialty is twisting the law.

[CAN_for_Kerry]

79. BSE IN usa

CAN SOMEONE PUT THIS INFO. INTO ITS OWN THREAD,I HAVEN'T GOT "ENOUGH TIME IN", YET.

Last night on the Canadian Media (CBC) there was a documentary on the BSE that is present in the USA but is kept underground by both the government and the media. There is a 15 min. video available today only (Nov 10), follow the link and these directions to watch:

Here is the link:

http://www.cbc.ca/national/

Follow these directions:

1. Click on "Watch the National Online "
2. Move the time to 29:00 minutes, this is where the documentary starts and you can skip all the canadian news, unless of course you would like to watch it for a different prespective on the world (and one that is not paid off by the American Republicans or their corporate donors)

YOU MUST WATCH IT TODAY, with these directions, if not, it will be difficult to find in the archives of the web site.

Thanks for all your help

[JPZenger]

80. George's First F**K You Action

George the Second has a mandate. He can do anything he wants. He can even appoint the White House Counsel, who wrote legal memos that said the U.S. doesn't have to comply with the Geneva Convention, as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the country. You don't like it? So what. Go complain about a voting machine.

-------

A caller on Air America made a valid point. He said that George W. was elected because a bunch of Midwestern Fundamentalists were disgusted by the thought of two consenting men having sex. But we have an Administration that did nothing after they received reports of our troops forcing tens of Iraqis* into big nude man-piles at gunpoint.

It wasn't until those photos made it to the outside world months later that the Administration decided they had to put some enlisted personnel on trial. The Red Cross reports weren't enough.

* Many of those prisoners were later released after months in prison - when it was discovered there was no evidence against them. Sorry guys.

[Southsideirish]

83. My thoughts exactly. He is going to shove these folks we fear

and despise right down our Democratic gullets and ANWAR, too. He is an avenging type of guy.

Clarence Thomas for head Supreme Court Justice - you BET! Bush and Rove love it when they can get a minority candidate to do their bidding - thinking it will tie our hands from criticizing him.

This is where the giant cojones come in - high tech lynching or not - we have to "bork" 'em and "bork 'em" good.

[mmichaelak]

90. Time...

Time to write to the senate. Let them know that Mr. Bush, even though he wants a hispanic, wants someone ill qualified to be AG. Utter contempt for the Constitution of the United States and treaties entered into in good faith should be a disqualifying factor in a confirmation hearing. Gonzalez has proved that he would rather do Mr. Bush'es bidding than uphold the law.

Failing reasoning, I hope someone out there has unretouched negatives of Gonzo with kids and or sheep to cut his legs out form under him.

Lame duck Mr. Bush NOW! Don't wait 18 months.

[Javaman]

87. Abu Gonzalez... enough said.

[nolabels]

88. Tell me they are joking?

Okay what's really hitting the fan :shrug:

[Judi Lynn]

89. This piece of garbage will not be inhibited by the pretension of holiness

John Ashcroft wrapped himself in, so he has complete clearance to continue his pattern of murderous intent toward those who are unfortunate to be of little value to Republicans.

[Kierkegaard]

91. Wow. We're back to nominating humans to cabinet posts now?

That IS a new development...

[Deathadder]

92. Start a petition to stop Gonzales...Help wanted!!!

We need to start a petition, like at a place like www.petitiononline.com This guy has been working with the Bush people since way back during the Texas years, Gonzales even represented Enron, how can we allow him to become Attorney General. We let them get away with Ashcroft, we need to give Bush a headache about Gonzales, which means we need to give the congress a headache, a show of disapproval. Now we can create our petition of Gonzales at www.petitiononline.com in the political section of petitions, once it's set up we all forward it to our people. Who here thinks they can write the petition's statement, something detailed, but still nice and tight...to the point? Let's get on this, let's make noise about Gonzales and now.

[Tesibria]

93. Ya know -- it's a mixed bag .. but I'm starting to believe that

... it could have been a lot worse. I am NOT defending Gonzales - but I've spent my lunch hour reading on his history - and while he has been "partisan" to a fault as an admnistration lawyer (in TX and in US) -- his JUDICIAL record is more good than bad. I'm not done reading yet -- but I'm way less appalled than I was when it was first announced. Again -- it COULD have been a lot worse. A few points worth noting:

He protected a 17 year old's right to an abortion w/o requiring parental notification (an opnion decried by the conservatives). In that case, he excoriated the conservative dissents as "unconscionable" acts of judicial activism.

He authored more pro-plaintiff opinions than pro-business opinions.

He softened the administration's Affirmative Action briefs in the AA cases last year, and has spoken in support of some forms of AA.

...
(Oh -- and the conservatives HATE him.)

~Tesibria
-----------------------
www.democracyiscoming.com
www.cafepress.com/tesibria (T-shirts, etc. - "Proud Member of Moral Minority"-"Hitler had a mandate"-What would Jefferson Think-Count the Votes-Great Quotes-much more)

[sandnsea]

106. That's how we lose

Conceding a little here and a little there.

Geneva Conventions are "quaint".

Stop. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Confirm.

Nothing further to discuss.

[Judi Lynn]

95. Opening the door to torture of prisoners trumps ANYTHING

good he could have ever done in his lifetime. It IS unpardonable.

[0rganism]

98. No surprises here.

Aschkroft wasn't enough of a hard-liner on the whole torture thing. This AG will be much more to Amerikkka's liking.

[Tesibria]

100. The Cliff Notes on Al Gonzales

For those interested, I've compiled the "highlights" of Gonzales' life and career at: Alberto Gonzales - The "Cliff Notes" Version.


~Tesibria
-----------------------
www.democracyiscoming.com
www.cafepress.com/tesibria (T-shirts, etc. - "Proud Member of Moral Minority"-"Hitler had a mandate"-What would Jefferson Think-Count the Votes-Great Quotes-much more)

[Frangible]

102. Wonder how that conversation went

"Ashcroft, you pussy... you're fired! I'm bringing in Heinrich here, who isn't so squemish about the whole torture thing."

[Cookie wookie]

107. Vast improvement?

Where did the information come from to base that conclusion? CNN, FOX, any other bloody corporate media news program?

When I heard this today I almost fainted then got physically ill and thought I was going to vomit.

If ever there was any definitive proof that everyone who has called this a fascist regime, who has said we were heading toward totalitarian government, this is it. The administration isn't even trying to hide where they are going.

Gonzoles says it's legally defensible in the US under our laws to torture prisoners just to the point of organ failure.

Hey, we're hearing for whom the bell tolls here. Enough votes on the Supreme Court and * will be able to win cases of imprisoning Americans without due process (justified as "terrorism" of course), then the Attorney General will enforce the laws of the land.

Hello gas and torture chambers, political prisoners (aka protestors, journalists who print anything * doesn't like, anyone who does something * doesn't like). If he gets confirmed, the game is over for freedom and justice in America.

[w4rma]

109. I'd rather have Ashcroft back. Ashcroft was a nut, but this guy is evil.nt

[Kestral]

112. Hispanic vote

This is all about hooking up his buddy and strengthening the Hispanic vote. Think Rove had any thing to do with this nomination?

[Deja Q]

113. Where's Warner Bros to add that looney tune to the bunch?

?!

Or Google for that matter, only one site has any info and it requires registration, fuck them...

[Ravenseye]

115. Who needs that 'quaint' Geneva Convention

All this talk of moral values as our moral standing in the world plummets.